Chapter 40 (2/2)

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Decklan was bored. The guard had hailed them to stop, then sent for someone higher up on the food chain to deal with them. As it was, they were simply standing in the street, stinking of rot.

Decklan glanced at Vivian again, his heart thundering in his ears. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that the weirdos that hung out with Sam were famous actresses and actors. And of all people, Vivian Plath…

Movement on top of the bus brought Decklan’s attention back around. The tall black police officer looked over their group.

“You shouldn’t have come,” He said simply, a small hint of….something in his voice. It wasn’t fear, it was more like… dread.

And it seemed like the Ghosthound had heard it too, because when he spoke, his voice was sharp. “Some of our camp preferred yours. And also… we had a deal.”

“That is true, but…” The police officer hesitated. He opened his mouth to speak, but another voice overrode him.

“Hahaha, we have guests? Well, well, well.”

An average looking man stepped forward. His face was unoffensive, but also not very attractive. There were only two distinct features of his countenance.

The first was his sneer. The second was the huge, tacky crown he wore.

Almost unwilling, the police officer stepped to the side, and the crowned man stepped forward.”We get a lot of refugees coming to my town, what makes you different? Why should you be allowed entry?”

Decklan wrinkled his nose at the arrogance, and it seemed like it didn’t sit well with Kal either. The Ghosthound seemed rather bored, his eyes scanning the nearby rooftops. But Vivian wasn’t dissuaded, stepping forward and removing her hood.

“Please, there’s no civilization out there. We just need a place to stay, that’s all we ask.” And afterwards Vivian smiled. Decklan didn’t know how she did it in the post makeup and showers world, but she looked stunning.

The crowned man seemed similarly taken with her. “Oh wow, you’re beautiful. Hey, aren’t you that actress?”

A satisfied smile spread across Vivian’s face. “Haha, those were different times. It’s honestly embarrassing, I’m not sure what to do when the world is like this…”

“Oh, no worries.” The crowned man’s smile was huge now. “You and your friends are more than welcome. Come in, all of you.”

Eager, Kal, and Ellaine walked forward, following Vivian. Even Decklan felt a strange regret, a weird compulsion to follow. He shook his head ruefully. Vivian had apparently really done a number on his head.

“Ellaine.” The Ghosthound spoke shortly as the tall, honey skinned woman passed him. She stopped, almost unwilling, a hint of disgust turning the corners of her mouth down.

“Yes?”

“I have two friends, Sydney Harp and Ace Ridge. While you are inside…. Ask around to see if anyone knows anything about them. Please.”

Ellaine blinked, and then laughed, her eyes crinkling up at the corners. “You…. honestly, every time I assume something about you, you end up proving me wrong. I’ll look for your friends, but you protect Lyra, alright? I can’t tell if she’s spoiled or playing the fool, but she really has no self-preservation instincts, with the world like this.”

“I will” The Ghosthound responded, and Ellaine turned to follow Kal and Vivian. The Ghosthound turned and gestured to Decklan, who followed behind him as they began the long walk back through the streets filled with rotting flesh.

“Oy, where are you two going.” The voice was cold enough to make the hairs on the back of Decklan’s neck prickle. Glancing over his shoulder dismissively Decklan saw the crowned man was still leering at them. The Ghosthound didn’t even bother to respond.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I give you a personal invitation and you blow me off? Interesting! Interesting! How about you kneel and beg for my clemency..”

Decklan stopped abruptly and dropped to his knees, as if his legs had lost all of their strength.

He blinked slowly, looking down at his legs, which refused to move.

What… what was going on…?

“Interesting.”

Decklan looked up to find the Ghosthound still standing, turning and measuring the crowned man with his eyes. “I assume you would be the mayor? I’ve heard rumors about you.”

The man bared his teeth. “Call me Constance. And I am the King. So KNEEL before royalty, peasant.”