Chapter 3

Lauren relaxed a little as she took in the old familiar sites of the Boardwalk that never failed to flood her with happy memories. It was such a friendly, happy atmosphere, she found it impossible to feel anything but a sense of comfort and contentment.

“Here we are.”

Lauren glanced up at the big red sign of the Ripley museum when Rad interrupted her thoughts.

“Two, please.” He handed the cashier his cash, but Lauren grabbed his arm. “I can pay for my own.”

“No, it’s my pleasure.”

Lauren cocked her head as she gazed at him. Something about how he said the words made them sound sensuous and intimate, leaving her spellbound—but Rad didn’t notice. He clasped her by the wrist and led her through the turnstiles. “Here we go. Off to the Odditorium!”

His high spirits and childlike enthusiasm were contagious. For the first time in five years, Lauren forgot about her duties, her problems, her responsibilities—and even her upcoming trip as she followed Rad up the stairs to the first landing of the museum.

After pausing to read about the different exhibits on the way, they both grew quiet and meditative as they made it to the first floor and studied pieces of the Berlin Wall in rapt silence. The huge 10-foot by 10-foot cement blocks lay stacked to the ceiling in all their enormous severity.

The sign board indicated the original wall, built to separate East and West Berlin in 1961, was eleven to thirteen feet high and stretched twenty-eight miles. More than one hundred thousand people attempted to escape over it, but only a few thousand were successful.

Colorful graffiti still adorned the blocks, and one section in particular caught their attention. Written in huge scrawling letters was the phrase, Don’t Go With The Flow. This powerful message from the past made Lauren stop and catch her breath. She felt as if the words were speaking to her, like a voice from beyond.

“That’s powerful.” Rad’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lauren nodded and laid her hand flat on the wall. “Imagine the courage it took to resist.”

“And the desperation.”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Freedom—or the lack of it—is a powerful motivator.”

After staring at the wall in silence a few more moments, Rad’s voice broke through her thoughts again. “Now that we’ve had a history lesson, let’s go this way.” His fingers took her arm with gentle authority and guided her past more exhibits, then through a door where they watched a projected image of Robert Ripley, the founder of the museum, greet them from behind a desk.

Lauren leaned closer, enthralled by the realistic display, her eyes roaming over every detail of the room. When she glanced over her shoulder, she found Rad gazing at her with a look of faint amusement.

“Having fun?”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer, but took her hand again and led her toward a huge swirling kaleidoscope-like tunnel that made them both dizzy as they walked through. Laughing and amused, Lauren continued her exploration, stopping at different displays that caused her to groan, close her eyes, and shriek with amazement.

Rad, always a few steps ahead, would come back, grab her hand, and say, “Hurry up. Come see this.” And then he would stand there and watch her reaction as she gazed upon the vampire killing kit or the bone flute skin mask covered with real human skin, and she would find it impossible not to return his captivating smile.

Lauren was particularly fascinated by the photograph of a man who had been shot by a firing squad and survived. He had nine documented bullet wounds, including one through his jaw. “Guess it wasn’t his time to go,” Rad said, staring at the photo.

“Guess not.” Lauren had a smile on her face as she turned to the next exhibit, but it disappeared when she entered what was called the “torture room.”

“What’s wrong?” Rad must have noticed the change in mood as he came up beside her and read about the iron gibbet—a devise used to hang prisoners on the outside of castle walls until they succumbed to the elements.

“They would be left for months to be picked clean by birds to serve as a deterrent for other lawbreakers.” He read the last sentence out loud and then glanced at her. “That would suck.”

Lauren nodded as she continued to stare at the metal contraption. “I’m not afraid of dying, but I’d rather not do it slowly.”

Her reaction seemed to amuse him. “I don’t think you have to worry about dying slowly in a gibbet. Just sayin’.”

Lauren forced a smile. “Yeah, guess you’re right.”

By the time they got to the optical illusion part of the museum, the torture room was long forgotten. They giggled like children as they tried to “touch the jewel” that could not be touched and laughed hysterically as they tried to read a sign, saying the words that were written rather than the color they were written in.

When they walked out of the museum into the bright sunlight, they were still laughing and in high spirits. Lauren turned toward the Boardwalk, assuming they were going to hike back the way they came, but Rad grasped her hand and grinned. “No, this way.”

Confused, but in a light-hearted mood, she followed as he led her into another storefront.

“You didn’t think you were going to get away that easily, did you?” Rad smiled and winked as she realized they were about to enter the LaseRace room—another Ocean City attraction Lauren had never experienced.

“You paid for this too?”

“Yep.”

“And it’s something you thought I wanted to do?” She shot him a look of exasperation mixed with curiosity.

Rad chuckled. “Let’s just say you seem like the competitive type, and I knew you’d be game.”

Lauren smiled. Well, he had that part right. And from what she had read about it this morning, it might be fun.

She stood beside Rad, listening intently as the operator explained what would happen when they entered the room individually. The objective was to race across the floor as quickly as possible, push a button on the opposite side, and then race back—all while trying to avoid the web of laser beams that crisscrossed the room.

“You go first.” Rad pushed Lauren toward the door. “So I know what I have to do to beat you.”

When the door closed behind Lauren, she had a moment of low-grade panic. The room was dark and full of haze. She didn’t like enclosed places. But as soon as she stepped across a line on the floor, the lasers appeared, and she forgot her fears. She bolted over one beam, under another, over and under, until finally she saw the red button on the opposite wall. She lunged for it, gave it a push, and then scooted across the floor on her stomach, under the beams, until she got to the other side and slammed the last buzzer.

When the door opened, Rad was there looking at the results screen with a serious expression on his face. “Hmmm. That’s better than most people do.”

“You look scared.”

“You didn’t let me finish.” He gave her a lighthearted grin. “That’s better than most people. Too bad, it’s not good enough to beat me.”

Lauren smiled. “Go for it, buddy.” She watched the screen and bubbled over with excitement when she saw the final results. Their times were only seconds apart. He was faster, but she had one fewer beam disruption.

The operator shrugged and shot Rad a sympathetic gaze. “Looks like a tie.”

Lauren looped her arm in Rad’s as they walked away. “That’s no fair. I think she thought you were good looking and scored it a tie so she didn’t hurt your feelings.”

“Really? If anyone won, it was me,” he responded. “I had the better time.”

“But what’s a good time if you hit the beams? Anyone can run across the room in record time.” Lauren was so intent on the conversation she didn’t notice where he was leading her. All of a sudden they were in a strange, dimly lit room with loud music and flashing lights on the floor that made her dizzy. When Rad walked away, she froze, afraid to move forward and afraid to move back. She knew where she was now because she had seen it in the tourist guide—The House of Mirrors. Just seeing the pictures and description in the booklet this morning had made her heart race. “Wait. Stop. Don’t leave me!”

Rad glanced over his shoulder at the tone of her voice, as if to see if she were serious, but before he could react, Lauren lunged forward and grasped the solid strength of his arm. “I’m serious. Get me out of here.”

He apparently thought she was joking. “Yes, that’s the idea, but it’s not going to be easy.” He walked and hit a mirror then turned another direction and did the same thing.

Lauren closed her eyes tightly and hung onto him as if her life depended on it.

“If you open your eyes, you’d be able to help,” he said, looking down at her. “And I could use it, obviously.

She just shook her head. “I’m really claustrophobic. Please. Get me out of here.”

“It’s okay. We’ll get out. Just stick with me, kiddo.”

Even though it was obvious Rad had no idea how to get out, he took charge with quiet composure, patting the hand that still clenched his arm with a confident and convincing touch that assured Lauren he was in control. She opened her eyes only once, but instantly shut them again, preferring the darkness and Rad’s voice to the confusing lights and mirrors.

“Here we go,” he’d say in a calm, soothing tone after finding his way through a doorway. “I think we’re almost there.”

After what seemed like hours, but was only about ten minutes, they arrived at a sign that said, “You have found the maze exit. If you want a challenge, go back and find the entrance.”

“I’m up for a challenge, how about you?”

Lauren barely even heard Rad. She was already out on the Boardwalk, her face to the sun, heaving the sweet, salty air into her lungs.

“I’ll take that as a no,” he said as he came up behind her. “I’ll take this as a no too.” He rubbed the arm where she had been clinging to him with an iron-like grip. “I think I’m going to have a bruise.”

“Good,” she said. “Maybe it will serve as a reminder for future reference.”

He studied her for a moment as if reflecting on her use of the word future. “I think I’ll remember.” He quickly changed the subject. “I’ve worked up an appetite. How about you?”

“Not exactly the top thing on my mind right now, but okay.”

She started to move away, but he touched her arm and stopped her. “You really scared in there?” His voice was low and serious… and gentle.

Lauren frowned. “Let’s just say, if I had the choice between being stuck in a confined space and instant death, pretty sure I’d take the latter.”

“So no gibbets or prison cells for you.” Rad smiled, obviously trying to make a joke, but Lauren’s thoughts turned serious.

“Yeah, if I had any choice in the matter.”

“Well, sorry about that.” Rad put an arm over her shoulder and pulled her against him in a brotherly way. “Like the old saying goes, what doesn’t kill you—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know—makes you stronger,” she finished for him.

“Yup. That’s what they say.” He let her go and strode ahead, apparently with food on his mind. “My buddies told me Thrasher’s Fries are the best.”

Lauren chuckled. “Oh, good. We’re going for the health food menu.”

Rad flashed a smile that sent her pulse racing again. Every fiber in her being warned Lauren to keep up her guard, but the charm and magnetism he radiated was becoming impossible to resist.

Once they got to the counter, Rad ordered a bucket of fries and two drinks. “Well, it’s like this. Where I’m going there aren’t any fries, so I’m binging today.”

“Good idea.” Lauren smiled and popped one in her mouth. “I like the way you think.”