Chapter Three
Lily had been gunning it for three hours straight, the last hour with her bladder clamoring for attention. She was going as fast as she dared, but even so, she knew she’d have to pull over or else it wouldn’t just be sweat and fear sticking her butt to the driver’s seat.
For the last 40 minutes or so, she’d been seeing signs for the Gardendale Medieval Faire, which had stoked her curiosity. Lily wasn’t even aware that such a thing existed anywhere, but that wasn’t saying much. If it wasn’t an interest of Rey’s, it wasn’t something she was likely to be familiar with.
Well, that was going to change. Something told her to pull off the exit leading to the Faire, which would be a good a place as any to get rid of some water, get some new water, then get back on the road. It was already dusk, and she figured she could safely put in another four or five more hours on the road before pulling off somewhere to the side to sleep. If she woke up early, she could be in San Diego while the sun was still up.
The Gardendale Medieval Faire was huge, but the entrance had exactly what she was looking for. A rest area that was populated with concession stands and people streaming in, no doubt to attend the night time events that were advertised in huge banners outside a faux, crenelated castle wall.
Lily found parking near what looked to be an office of some sort, glass paneled, with a see-through door that was seeing a lot of action, from all the costumed folks going in and out. Well, as long as that meant the facilities were also modern it wasn’t any of her business. She picked up her battered Target bag, hoping to also freshen up while she was in there doing her thing. And then she sped over to the entrance marked “The Queen’s Water Chamber” before she had a royal accident.
Minutes later, she stepped out, having used the very modern porcelain facilities, thank you very much, and even took the time to cover up the marks Rey had left on her arms and the side of her face. She’d re-arranged her hair so that it covered the marks pretty well, but she didn’t want them to be visible at all. No one had paid her any attention, which suited her just fine. And besides, everyone else in the restroom was just either coming or going.
As she was seconds away from doing, as she settled herself back behind the wheel. Her detour was less than 10 minutes, and soon she would be literally driving into the sunset. She turned her key.
Nothing.
She tried it again.
This. Couldn’t. Be. Happening.
One more time.
Dead.
She did the head-desk thing with her forehead and steering wheel, as if that would make her engine come back from the dead.
Ok. That wasn’t going to happen. She could sit and keep trying, or put on her big girl pants and just deal with it. She sat upright, and her eyes lit on that office, still open, still with people going in and out. Which meant other people inside, and phones. Either of which could help her. She thought ruefully of her phone, probably still in its watery grave at the place that was no longer home.Pull it together, Lil’,she admonished herself.
Lily made her way in, as a man dressed in a court jester outfit held the door for her with his foot, his hands occupied juggling three shiny balls. She couldn’t suppress a giggle as he made a courtly bow, still juggling, as he left.
She waited patiently as the man in front of her was caterwauling about being assigned to the overnight shift in security.
“You need to talk to Puma about that.” The woman behind the desk piled with papers spoke in a clear, calm voice. Lily liked her on sight. She was a woman in her late forties, with porcelain skin, glossy black hair styled in a no-nonsense bob. She was clearly in charge, and unlike the people Lily had observed wearing medieval gear, this woman was in a beautifully cut top and pencil skirt that her best friend would have been rapturous about.
The man grumbled a bit, and the woman firmly suggested he go find this Puma—whoever Puma was—before the overnight shift was supposed to begin. He turned, politely excusing himself as he accidentally brushed against Lily, and made his way out.
The woman looked at Lily, a smile on her face despite the weariness in her features. She thrust a hand out. “Rika Faraday. And you are?”
“Lil—Lucie Swanson.” Lily flushed, barely remembering to use her best friend’s name in time. Rika’s eyes narrowed.
“Lil’ Lucie. Are you a musical act?”
“Wha—? Oh no,” Lily nervously laughed. “I stopped to use the facilities, and my car won’t start now. I wondered if I could use your phone?” Although she didn’t know who she would call. “And maybe a suggestion for an auto repair shop?”
Rika was silent, and Lily felt the woman’s eyes homing in on the marks on her arms where Rey had gripped or struck her, the thick spackle of makeup that was probably a signpost rather than camouflage.
The door opened and closed behind Lily, the sounds of another person entering.
Rika finally spoke. But it was to address the person behind Lily. “Gabe, is there an emergency?”
“I’m just here to drop off the expense reports from Ops, ma’am.”
Gabe was wearing a vest with multiple pockets, and the back had his name and the letters OPS emblazoned on it, and he handed Rika a stack of papers to add to the piles on her desk.
“Gabe, would you go with Ms. Swanson here to check out her car, and take care of whatever it is?” To Lily, she added, “Gabe is one of the best mechanics on our staff.”
“Aw, shucks, ma’am. Thanks.” He blushed shyly, as much in reaction to seeing Lily as in receiving praise.
