Chapter 55

The four wolves headed toward the creek. They were now able to hear others moving in the woods. Whether they were wolf or man Amaris was not able to determine, but at least she could hear them now. Once they reached the creek, they turned and followed it toward the park area where Horis had told them that they would be able to find the camper to get away. They reached the edge of the park and decided to change back to their human forms so it would be easier to blend in. The girls changed back first and got dressed and then the guys. They all walked as a group up to the parking lot.  One look told them that it was full of campers.  A popular tourist destination, there were many people there that traveled by RV.  “What do we do now?” Anna asked looking deflated. Marco pulled the keys out of his pocket and looked at them. He quickly took one of the keys off the key ring and handed it to Lyle. “We split up. Anna your with me and Amaris your with Lyle, that way none of us looks suspicious. We will go this way and you two check out that side.” They split up and Amaris pairing off with Lyle. Walking in between the first two campers in the row, Lyle tries the key and it does not fit. He turns to the second whose door was facing it and no luck.  They walked through the rows doing the same thing at each camper. Each time they checked to make sure that there was no one in the area before trying the key. As they were almost at the end of the fifth row, a forest ranger came walking by and saw Lyle try one door and then move to the next door. The ranger quickly changed direction and came towards them. Lyle caught his direction change out of the corner of his eye and clumsily turned to Amaris and wrapped his arms around her while moving his head to the side of her that was furthest from the ranger. “Play along” was all he said and then he kissed her. Tingles radiated through her body from head to toe as he held her. His lips were so intoxicating. Amaris was focused on every sensation coming from the contact with Lyle. Lyle’s hands gripped her tighter and moved slowly down her back. The feeling was like tiny pleasurable electric shocks following the movement of his fingers. Completely lost in each other, they did not hear the ranger clear his throat the first time. “Excuse me.” Lyle and Amaris both jumped. The moved away from each other as if caught doing something wrong. This did not help with the ranger’s suspicions. “Do you folks need some help?” Lyle ducked his head like he was embarrassed. “Well sir we are here with a friend’s camper and I am embarrassed to admit that I am not sure which one it is.” The park ranger seemed to relax and laughed. “Happens all the time with tourists here. Let me see your keys.” The ranger held out his hand. Lyle passed him the key. The ranger held it up and examined it. “Oh that’s a Monaco. It will be over here.” The ranger motioned for them to follow him. He walked across the lot to the tourist bus section. Parked at the very end was a huge tour bus. “This is the only Monaco on the lot that I know of and it is parked here as long term storage. The gentleman that owns it donates enough to pay all the rangers’ salaries here. Is He your friend?” Lyle nodded. “Horis is a wonderful man. Please send him my regards.” The ranger said with a smile and a tip of his hat.  Lyle simply nodded again. Amaris felt her stomach drop at the mention of Horis. The number of people who have given their lives to keep her safe was mounting and she was again racked with guilt.

The Ranger unlocked the door making sure it was the right side one, and then handed the key to Lyle. “Thanks!” Lyle nodded to the Ranger who tipped his hat again and then walked away.

Lyle stepped inside first and waved Amaris to stay where she was. Looking around inside the space looked massive and very opulent. It had travertine floors and marble counters. It was a thing of beauty. Lyle checked out the rooms in the back including two bathrooms and a small walk-in closet. He went back to the door to tell Amaris it was safe only to find Marco and Anna there as well. “I linked them to let them know that we had found it.” Amaris said with a smile. “I forgot that we were able to do that. I am so used to the old fashioned way.” Said Lyle.

As Anna and Amaris walked in their jaws hit the floor. “Who would have known it was this luxurious from the outside.” Amaris says. “Who would have known that Horis had such good taste.” Anna replied in disbelief. Marco whistled as he looked around. “Horis always did himself well. He made sure that Angel had the best of everything.” Everyone fell silent knowing that both Angel and Horis had given their lives for them to be there. Marco moved to the front and sat in the driver’s seat. He retracted the shades that were down over the front windows and turned the key in the ignition. A whole electronic panel came to life on the dashboard and along both walls. “Oh now this is my kind of vehicle! It’s got all the good electronics in it. Horis you did good!” Marco said with a sad smile on his face.

“Everybody take a quick look around and then we are leaving you have one minute.” Marco yelled the orders back to the cabin area. Anna ran through the camper checking out every nook and cranny at a run like a toddler on Christmas morning. Lyle was more practical looking through the kitchen cabinets and fridge to see if there was any food stocked in there. The cabinets were full of every type of non perishable delight you could think of. Many of them it looked like they had preserved themselves. There was beef jerky, candied limes and canned pears just to name a few. They would be set for a long trip if need be.

“Wow! This place is incredible! Did you know there is a giant jetted tub in the bathroom! Who knew that you could fit that in a bus! Sure wish my school bus was like this! Mari, You have got to come and check out this closet! It could be a second bedroom!” Anna grabbed Amaris’ arm and dragged her off to the bedroom in the back. Lyle smiled his crooked smile as Amaris was dragged past him with a pleading look on her face. Lyle went up front and sat in the copilot’s chair next to Marco. Reaching out a hand to Marco’s shoulder “I’m sorry about your friends.” Marco nodded. “They went the way he would have wanted it to be. She died first and quick and he went right after her. He loved her so much that he did not want to live even a day without her. That is true love right there.” He reached down and put his seatbelt on and put the bus in gear. “Find a place to sit girls we are pulling out.” He yelled back over his shoulder. The girls came forward giggling and sat in the recliners that were sitting side by side facing the big screen TV. Anna reached down the side of the chair to find the reclining handle only to find a pocket instead that had a remote control. Immediately she started pushing buttons and pointing it at the tv. While the tv turned on, she pushed so many buttons that so did everything else, including a disco ball light effect and Barry White. Anna froze not knowing if she was in trouble. Lyle and Marco looked at each other and burst out laughing. Amaris and Anna just looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Amaris took the remote from Anna and found the off button for the radio and then the lights. She also found the digital library and picked out a movie to watch. “How long will we be on the road anyway?” She asked before starting the movie. “About 8 hours.” Lyle said looking at the GPS on the dash. Both girls looked at each other and said in unison “Marathon!” And giggled. They began the movie and were both asleep before the first movie was over.