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Lanny and I had a brief walk to the nearest bus stop, where we quickly boarded one of the large vehicles that ferried people all across Meep City. It was growing late and aside from a young couple passionately kissing one another in a back row, and a businessman dozing in the front, we had the place to ourselves. I found a battered leather seat in the middle of the carriage and slid in, casting a forlorn glance out the window into the gathering darkness. The misgivings I had since the beginning were growing ever stronger the further along we went.
Pete, what were you thinking, I asked myself. This could end up getting you in serious trouble!
I weighed the situation and its potential outcomes. I was about to participate in a game that involved me being hunted by a killer clown. That in and of itself was ridiculous enough! These competitions were notorious for being shady and extremely dangerous. My only potential saving grace was a man on the outside who was claiming that he could rig the game in my favor. That sounded nice, but I had no guarantee whatsoever if his outlandish claims were true or not! Heck, I wasn't even sure that I could trust the man himself! I knew nothing about him.
“Hey kid, you okay?” Lanny nudged my arm and broke my concentration. The bus was pulling out of the station and rolling into the gloom of nightfall.
“I'm fine,” I said curtly. I was not prepared to share my concerns with this man. It should be enough for him that I was decent enough to hold up my end of the bargain.
Lanny studied me for a few seconds and I felt his knowing gaze burning into me. I looked away to avoid making eye contact with the man. Finally, he turned back in his seat and left me in peace. I breathed a silent sigh of relief at this.
The bus bounced down dimly lit streets for quite some time. I lived in a more upscale, residential area of Meep City and was not very familiar with the other areas. I knew that there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other districts to visit but I did not visit them. Meep City is one of those places where there is literally something for everyone. And if you can't find what you want, you can always build it! That's one of the things that makes this place so special.
And disturbing, I thought. Some creep thought it would be a good idea to make an arena for killer clowns!
The bus finally rolled to a stop after nearly an hour of driving. We were in a warehouse district close to the shipping ports. Large, metal buildings loomed in the darkness in long straight rows, looking like a row of ancient warriors with massive shields obscuring their faces.
“This is our stop,” Lanny said. “The place you're headed to is just down the street.” he pointed to one especially large and ominous warehouse at the end of a pier.
“Aren't you going with me?” I asked, alarmed.
“I'll be nearby! But I can't go inside, that would spoil the whole operation!” he replied urgently.
“Last call for the ports!” The bus driver at the front shouted, giving an impatient glance in his mirror back at us.
“Let's go! Here take this!” he handed me a small earpiece to put in my ear. “Go on inside and I'll be in touch shortly!”
And just like that, I found myself standing alone in a dark port, staring at a large black warehouse.