The Gamer's Guide to Getting the Girl Page 6

  “It was pretty cool. Definitely the only highlight of that trip.” Samara pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around her legs. Her eyes remain downcast. I want to ask her more about her family but I don’t dare pry.

  Rory appears from the escalator. He’s carrying a few radio batteries. No one else is with him.

  “No luck on the missing,” he announces.

  “What? You didn’t find Chris?” Cooper asks.

  “I checked the store but it’s still locked up. He’s nowhere to be found.”

  Chris must’ve rushed out through the broken entrance hoping to get to his wife after all.

  “Erwin is still looking for the others.”

  Rory motions for George, and the two of them step outside the store to discuss something privately. I wonder what he’s seen or if there are any updates.

  George walks back to the group. “It looks like the storm is just ramping up,” he tells everyone. “It’s about to get worse.” We all remain fixated on him. “I think it’s safe to say that we’re going to be staying here for the night. Now that it’s getting dark and the storm is about to get worse, it’s better for us to stay in the building until the storm subsides. Hopefully we’ll have power and cell service again soon. I know being stuck here isn’t easy.”

  Mildred starts to weep again. Peter holds her closely and rubs her back.

  “We’re going to die!” she says loudly. Peter shushes her. I look to Brandon and he’s clenching his jaw. The last thing I want is for him to panic again. He needs to know that we’re all safe here.

  “We just have to wait the storm out,” I say brightly. “Think of it as a giant community sleepover!” A few people chuckle, but mostly, the group is subdued and anxious. Of all of the places I could imagine sleeping in someday, I could never have predicted the navy-blue carpet-tile floor of the Designer Dresses store, using a thousand-dollar purple satin dress as a blanket. But then Samara is here, too, and I couldn’t have predicted that either, so in some ways sleeping here for the night feels like a serious upgrade to my life.

  TIP #6

  When she chooses you, you’ll know

  The night creeps by slowly and sneakily as though something is hidden up its sleeve as it descends upon us. People try to sleep but everyone seems to doze in fits and starts. Random snores are disruptive; the constant swish of dress fabric grows to be more than a minor annoyance as people try to get comfortable and stay warm. Ira wakes up hungry and wails for about an hour before Valerie can calm him and get him back to sleep. There’s a steady parade to the bathroom over the course of the night. George, Rory, and Erwin take turns guiding people and I doubt any of them gets any rest.

  The building continues to creak and rattle, and the rain pelts the glass roof outside the store with such force we all wonder just how much water is accumulating below us. Thunder and lightning make the air throb with power, and even though the sky is dark with night we can all sense that there is something ominous looming over us.

  I’ve never really been scared during a storm before. While my brother, Marshall, always wants to snuggle with my parents and needs reassurance, I’ve always found storms fascinating. I often sit on the front step watching the clouds descend, mesmerized by their fast-moving swirl as they circle around each other like the stir of soup. I try to watch for as long as I can before my mom starts sealing up the windows and doors and directing us down to the basement. That’s what it feels like now, like I’m shielded in the basement hearing the storm batter the building but unable to watch.

  Once, the guys from the show Tornado Hunters came to our school. Two of the guys from the crew were from Saskatchewan. I couldn’t believe that they’d been able to make storm chasing a career. They showed us a bunch of video clips of them tracking storms and I was mesmerized. Being witness to a weather phenomenon that even scientists can’t fully predict or understand seems like a pretty cool gig if you ask me. They’re often the ones to alert the authorities of a developing tornado, which means more time for people to prepare and take cover.

  “My phone’s dead,” Cooper whispers to me.

  “I still have twenty-six percent. Not that it’ll matter at this rate,” I say grimly. I power my phone down to conserve the battery.

  Being stuck in this building in the dark is getting old fast. I am tired and hungry, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. “This is exhausting,” I mutter.

  “Yeah. It sucks,” Cooper says. We both look over at Samara. She’s breathing deeply and doesn’t even stir at the sound of our voices.

  “I think she’s actually sleeping!” I say in surprise. How anyone could sleep in these circumstances is beyond me. There’s nothing comfortable about it. It makes me think of homeless people and how they have to take shelter wherever they can. At least we’re safe from the elements. I hope that all of the people who are homeless right now are somehow safe, too.

  Samara has the navy dress draped over most of her body and her scarf is still wrapped around her like a shawl. I wish I could see her face and stare at her without her knowing — but then I realize that I’m sounding like a total creep again. I bet she looks like an angel when she’s sleeping. I can only see her long ponytail splayed out like a fan across her back. Her face is tucked down toward her chest and she’s curled up in a ball. The tops of her boots, on the floor beside her, have flopped down toward themselves. I spot lime green ankle socks poking out of the bottom of the dress; her legs are the colour of porcelain.

  “Need help putting your eyes back in your head?” Cooper laughs but I bet he’s staring, too. I quickly turn away and hop to my feet. “What are you getting upset for?” Cooper asks. I don’t answer, shuffling toward the store entrance where the security guards are watching over us.

  “Zach!” Cooper says louder. “Where are you going?” How can he sound so genuinely perplexed? As if he doesn’t know.

  “For a walk,” I hiss. The last thing I want is for Samara to hear that I’m staring at her like some super sleaze. As if Cooper is one to talk. He’s monopolized every moment with her even though I was the one who was showing interest in her. Now he’s making it look like I’m zeroing on his girl, which I am, but I’m not. Because she isn’t his girl. At least I hope not.

  “Can’t sleep?” George asks as I approach.

  “Not really.”

  “Quite the storm out there,” Erwin says, motioning to the glass roof.

  In seconds the rain gets louder and more forceful, and we realize it’s hail. It clinks against the glass so forcefully I feel the urge to duck in case it shatters.

  “Is it safe to be standing here?” I ask.

  “It’s not the first storm this roof has handled,” George reminds me. “They wouldn’t use this kind of roof if it didn’t hold up well.”

  “True,” I say, though I’m not too sure. “Mind if I take a little walk?”

  “As long as you’re close, sure. Don’t advertise it.”

  I chuckle. I’m glad George trusts me.

  I venture two stores away. The farther I get from other humans, the eerier it all feels. There are flashes of lightning that light up the inside of the mall like quick snapshots. The light bounces off of the metal security gates that lock up the stores and then disappears just as quickly. I suddenly feel very small and vulnerable in this cavernous black building. It feels like we could be shooting a horror movie. I rub my arms — goosebumps prickle my skin. The hail is relentless and the sound borders on ear-splitting. I stop at the railing overlooking the main floor. It is just as dark and eerie down there. I picture the water that was lapping at the door from the underground parking. Will we be leaving this building by boat? Will the water continue to rise? Just how are we going to get out of here if that happens? I think of my family again and wonder if they’re safe at home. My throat closes up when I think of my mom, who’s probably pacing the house in worry about me. I wish I could let them know I’m okay. I pull out my phone and turn it on, in case service h
as been restored in this exact instant so that I can call home, but it’s wishful thinking.

  A wave of loneliness washes over me. I stuff my hands in my pockets and blink back tears. I’ve never wanted to be with my family more than at this moment. This was supposed to be a quick storm that would strand us briefly and then we’d be sent back on our way — but things are feeling more serious as time goes on. It’s been hours already. Surely the storm will subside soon. When lightning flashes again, I glance up at the glass ceiling and see masses of ice the size of softballs.

  A distant rattle interrupts my thoughts. I look back toward Designer Dresses and crane my neck to see if it’s coming from there but I don’t see or hear anything from that direction. I wait to hear the sound again, and sure enough it’s coming from a different direction. The guards have been watching over us, keeping our group contained in the store. Could it be Chris trying to find us?

  I decide to walk toward the sound. I step as gingerly as I can and stay along the store gates so that I don’t lose my way.

  I follow the sound to the west corridor of the mall and wonder if I should go any farther. Turning the corner will put the group out of sight. But the sound is definitely closer and curiosity gets the best of me.

  I make my way around the corner and freeze. Midway down the corridor I see two dark figures partly illuminated by the stream of a flashlight. They’re fixated on the security gates of one store. My heart starts thumping inside my chest and my breath becomes shallow. My Spidey-senses (I wish, but a guy can dream) go on full alert. I try not to panic.

  It’s important to approach potential combat carefully. It can be dangerous to go alone — and running headlong into battle can be a bad idea. You must choose your battles carefully. Without weapons or a way to defend myself, I want to avoid being seen at all costs. “Hey!” a male voice booms. The flashlight turns in my direction. They’ve seen or heard me. I crouch down, hoping the beam of light doesn’t land on me. Do I get closer to have a better look at them? Do I confront these guys? Do I turn around and let the guards handle this?

  I hear footsteps. I turn back around the corner and run as fast I can back toward the group. My heart thunders in my chest. Even though I’m sprinting as fast I can, my legs feel thick and tingly, as though I’m running through quicksand. As I approach, the guards’ flashlights beam down on me.

  “Zach!” George calls out to me. “What’s wrong?”

  “There are people over there,” I say, my voice strangled in ragged breaths. “They’re coming. Two men!” I put my hands on my knees and try to catch my breath.

  “I knew I heard something!” George says. “Get in the store, Zach!” He pushes me toward the Designer Dresses storefront and he, Rory, and Erwin brace themselves in the darkness, their flashlights and radios at the ready. The three of them walk away from the store.

  “We know you’re there,” George bellows.

  The authority in his voice wakes the people who are sleeping. They start out bleary-eyed and confused but then sense potential danger in the air and soon the group is sitting up in high alert.

  I flash my phone light toward myself to let people know I’m standing there. I motion for everyone to stay where they are. I put my finger to my lips to tell them to be quiet. No one makes a sound as we strain to hear what’s happening.

  My desire to protect the group is overwhelming. I see all of these people who hours ago were complete strangers; now they’re people I know and care about. The thought of any harm coming to them makes my stomach wrench.

  The voices I hear are distant. I step back from the store into the main corridor of the mall to see if I can see anything. Flashlights are shining in all directions but there’s no evidence of the men.

  George emerges seconds later. “Rory and Erwin are going to look for them. Was it the guys in the track suits?”

  “No. I mean, I don’t think so. I think they were trying to break into a store around the corner. They were fiddling with the security gate.”

  “Which store?”

  “I’m not sure — I don’t know the rest of the mall that well.”

  “How far down?”

  “Maybe halfway?”

  “I’m willing to bet it was Spell Jewellers. That means they were trying to loot the store.”

  “How’d they get in? I thought the mall was empty except for us.”

  “Well, to the best of our knowledge. I’m guessing they came in through that door by the food court.” George faces the store again. “Everyone, sorry for the disruption. Everything’s okay. You can go back to sleep.” He leans in to me and whispers, “We have to keep this under wraps for now. I don’t want to incite any panic.” I nod. Between the huge swaths of hail and the adrenaline surge from having possible intruders in the mall, everyone else’s nerves must be as jangled as mine.

  “I’m just going to head to the bathroom,” I tell George.

  “Need an escort?” George asks.

  “Nah, I’m good.” I laugh. I take a step away and feel a tap on my shoulder. It’s Samara.

  “Zach, who was there?”

  “I don’t know,” I say honestly. I don’t know how much I should say. I definitely don’t want to scare her. “There were two guys trying to get into a store.”

  “Are you sure they were two guys?” Samara asks.

  “Pretty sure,” I tell her. “Why?”

  “Nothing. Just wondering what all of the fuss was about,” she says. “Thanks.” She pats my shoulder and strolls back into the store. As much as I love to have her touch me, the friendly shoulder pat cements me safely on the friend list for sure.

  I walk toward the bathrooms. A shiver comes over me. Knowing that there could be people that we don’t know lurking somewhere in this dark building is pretty unsettling. I push open the men’s washroom door and it creaks loudly. The first thing that hits me is the smell. It’s foul and pungent. I try to hold my breath.

  There is a small emergency light illuminating the room. It’s brighter than the rest of the mall, which is a relief. I peer into the first stall. The toilet bowl is full. I wince and continue to the next stall. It’s also full; toilet paper spills from the top of the lid toward the floor. Gross. Each stall is the same. At first, I think it must be a coincidence. I press the handle down on the next toilet but it doesn’t do anything. Doesn’t the city have generators to keep the water pumps going? I try the next toilet and the one after that, but no water moves through. My mind goes into overdrive. If the city is flooding like they’re saying it is, they could have shut down the water system so that nothing gets contaminated from flood waters. I turn to the urinals and see that they’re still empty. It probably won’t be long before they’re overflowing, too. I unzip my pants and pee quickly. I should’ve gone earlier before the washrooms got so gross.

  I head to the sink to wash my hands and then remember that I can’t. I take a squirt of soap anyhow and rub it into my palms. I rip off a piece of paper towel and try to wipe the excess off. Instead of feeling clean, I’ve made my hands feel slimy.

  “Nice,” I say sarcastically. Eager to get back to the group, I throw the used paper towel in the garbage bin, which is close to overflowing, too. How long can we stay in a place without proper washroom facilities? I push open the door and something brushes against my legs, making me trip. I immediately go into defensive mode and put my arms out ready to battle. Whatever it is, it’s black and moving and it scurries past me. “Ahhhh!” I scream. I tear away from the bathroom door hoping it’s caught in the room and not following me.

  “What’s wrong?!” Cooper and George try to catch their breath from running over.

  “There’s something in there!” I yelp. My arms are still outstretched, poised for defending myself. “It’s black. It’s moving.”

  “Did you see a spider again, Zach?!” Cooper jokes.

  “Ha ha,” I say sarcastically. “It was big. Like a cat maybe?”

  George’s eyes narrow. “An animal?”

/>   “Yes! I tripped on it coming out of the washroom and it ran past me.”

  “Well, that’s weird,” George says. He pushes open the door without hesitation.

  I back away. Whatever it was, it spooked me enough in this dark corridor. I don’t need to see it again. George flashes his flashlight around as he enters the room.

  “Come here, kitty kitty kitty …” George calls out softly. “I don’t think there’s anything in here …” Suddenly, he bursts out of the bathroom yelling “Run!!!” and shoves us out of the way. Cooper flies back into the wall. I fall onto the ground but scramble as quickly as I can to get up, half-crawling as I try to stand up. George trips over me and the two of us end up rolling on the ceramic tile floor.

  We both race to get back on our feet.

  “What’s your problem?!” Cooper remains in place. He watches George and me freaking out and trying to get away from the scene as fast as we can.

  “Skunk!!!” George cries. “It’s a skunk!!!”

  It takes a moment for Cooper to register George’s words and then he hightails it toward us. He runs faster than I’ve ever seen him run. There’s pure terror all over his face.

  When we get far enough, George and I start to laugh. We laugh so hard we’re in tears.

  “A skunk …” I say in between fits of laughter. “You should have seen your faces. And you were making fun of me!”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Cooper looks sheepish.

  “I sure don’t want to be sprayed. Do you?” George’s whole body shakes when he laughs.

  “And you thought it was a cat.” Cooper shakes his head at George. “You’re lucky you didn’t get sprayed!” He clutches his stomach as he laughs.

  “We’ve got skunks that hang around the garbage bins outside in the back. I bet one got in during the chaos of the power outage.”