The parks were shut down. This was odd, because even when most amusement parks were closed, the majority of them were still operating. The rides ran, the music played, the fountains flowed, and a lot of the lights stayed on. Someone along the way decided that it cost more to turn everything on and off than to leave it alone. It also made it easier for the after-hours crew to do their jobs, like general maintenance and clean-up. But today, everything was still.
At first, Sean didn't notice. It was early, and he was the first one to arrive for work. That was also unusual, but he chalked it up to the fact that the freeway was currently an enormous parking lot. He had threaded his bike through the stopped vehicles for the eight and a half miles he rode to his job every day, rain or shine. Mostly shine. Hot, blinding, humid shine.
After forty-five minutes of waiting for the gates to open, Sean began to grow a little impatient. He hadn't had his coffee yet, and for the nineteen year old college drop-out, caffeine was the only thing that got him through the tedious task of taking tickets and stamping hands for eight hours a day. Where was everyone?
Had he missed Daylight Savings again? Was it a holiday? Had the park gone bankrupt and nobody bothered to tell him? These were the thoughts slowly trudging their way through his mind when he noticed someone approaching at a labored pace. As the figure drew nearer he recognized by their uniform and matted black hair that it was his manager, Scotty.
Had he missed Daylight Savings again? Was it a holiday? Had the park gone bankrupt and nobody bothered to tell him? These were the thoughts slowly trudging their way through his mind when he noticed someone approaching at a labored pace. As the figure drew nearer he recognized by their uniform and matted black hair that it was his manager, Scotty.
"Dude! It's about time. I was just getting ready to head home. What took you so long?"
At the sound of Sean's voice, Scotty quickened his step. Sean picked up his bike and prepared for a snide retort, but instead, he was greeted by a guttural moan. Scotty staggered closer and that's when Sean caught a whiff of the stench. He covered his nose and suppressed his gag reflex. "Geez! Shower much?"
Scotty uttered another groan and lunged at the boy with arms outstretched. Sean landed on his back with his bike on top of him, only the metal frame preventing Scotty's gnashing teeth from tearing into his neck. The wind had been knocked free of his lungs when he fell, and sheer panic overcame him. He thrashed and kicked, shoving the bike at his attacker while gasping for air. Scotty outweighed him, but Sean was in much better shape, and he managed to roll the assailant to one side while he regained his footing and his breath.
“What the heck, man! What is with you?"
Scotty's reply came in the form of a renewed attack, but this time Sean was ready. He balled up his fist and took aim as his manager lurched forward again. At the moment his hand connected with Scotty's jaw, he noticed the glazed-over, deep-sunken eyes, surrounded by rotting flesh and oozing wounds. The mandible completely disconnected from the skull, and Scotty stumbled back, dribbling green and brown fluid from the gaping hole. However he seemed unfazed by the blow, and reached another time for his prey.
Shocked by this new revelation, Sean hesitated, not knowing whether to succumb to either his fight or his flight instinct. But Scotty left him no time to choose, and snatching up the ten-speed, Sean began to peddle as fast as he could away from his deranged boss.
Shocked by this new revelation, Sean hesitated, not knowing whether to succumb to either his fight or his flight instinct. But Scotty left him no time to choose, and snatching up the ten-speed, Sean began to peddle as fast as he could away from his deranged boss.
His escape route hugged the perimeter of the park. He wanted to get inside. With Scotty locked out, maybe he could find some help. Right now his only thought was to get somewhere safe. If there was such a place.
Sean skidded around a corner to find a loading dock. He scrambled onto the platform and tried every door he could find. All were locked. He was about to retrieve his bike when he heard a gurgling sound, followed by a rasping growl. From out of a swampy wooded area across the drive lumbered another figure, it's clothes tattered and spattered dark red. It's empty gaze locked on Sean and it reached out with blood soaked hands. Sean thought he recognized the creature as one of the many janitors that roamed the park, but he didn't stick around to find out.
Sean skidded around a corner to find a loading dock. He scrambled onto the platform and tried every door he could find. All were locked. He was about to retrieve his bike when he heard a gurgling sound, followed by a rasping growl. From out of a swampy wooded area across the drive lumbered another figure, it's clothes tattered and spattered dark red. It's empty gaze locked on Sean and it reached out with blood soaked hands. Sean thought he recognized the creature as one of the many janitors that roamed the park, but he didn't stick around to find out.