Free Vacation Therapy by Lance Zarimba Page B

quickly applied another layer of sunscreen, just to be safe, and walked down to the front desk to await my ride.
    My footsteps echoed in the open tiled corridor. Despite the hollow expanse, I got the distinct feeling that someone was watching me. I turned around, poised, ready for I don't know what.
    No one was in sight.
    Was someone following me? I scanned the lobby and alcoves, along with all the little nooks and crannies, but no one was visible behind the plants, pillars, or furniture.
    Continuing on to the parking lot, I could see the resort had spared no expense for their guests. The transportation to the Jungle Cruise looked like a retired migrant worker truck. The wooden sides appeared to have been green years ago, or was that mold? My allergies would answer that question soon enough.
    The bench seats were worn smooth from overuse. Three guys turned to watch my approach. The two magnetic boys with all their earrings or whatever you called the decorations when they weren't in their ears, and an overweight gentleman, who appeared to be in his late fifties. The elderly gentleman wore a Panama hat pulled down low over his eyes, which were hidden by mirrored sunglasses.
    Footsteps echoed behind me. I peered over my shoulder as Gary approached. “All aboard,” he called, waving his clipboard.
    Had he been the one I felt watching me?
    Gary walked past me without a second glance and motioned for us to get in the back of the truck.
    With his body builder physique, he wasn't going to be sneaking around this place spying on people. Someone else had been watching me. I knew it.
    The magnetic boys scampered into the back of the truck, giggling as the older gentleman struggled to get up. Gary stepped up from behind and finally gave him a gentle boost. The bed of the truck dropped a few inches with his weight.
    Great shock absorbers.
    Gary motioned for me to go next. After I had climbed in, he hurdled into the back in a single bound. He walked to the cab of the truck and pounded on the roof twice. The engine roared, and the muffler expelled a cloud of black exhaust, followed by a gunshot-sounding backfire.
    "We're probably going to be sold off into indentured servitude on this trip,” I said under my breath, trying to joke with no one in particular.
    Gary was the only one to laugh. “Wouldn't you be surprised.” His stare held a menace I didn't understand.
    "Thanks, I really needed that.” I shifted uncomfortably on the wooden bench. The feeling of eyes burrowing into the back of my neck returned, forcing me to turn and look around the parking lot.
    Nothing.
    I strained to detect something; a shadow, a flicker, anything.
    Gary's voice startled me. “Relax. I'm trying to make your vacation memorable.” He ran his fingers over his bald head.
    "Oh, that it is. Believe me.” Slowly, the hair on my neck bristled, and goosebumps rose across my arms against the tropical heat. I rubbed at the tingle in my arms. That uneasy feeling intensified.
    Before Gary could say anything else, the truck lurched forward, bottomed out in a rut, and threw everyone off balance. We all slid back and forth, up and down, the truck threatening to tip over as it rolled through the grooves in the gravel road. Palm trees coated with lime whizzed by like a picket fence. How could this antique achieve this speed?
    The unease that had settled over me continued along the truck's path. Was someone following me or would this truck explode? Maybe that's what was bothering me. Maybe I should have asked Sergio to go with me. Or what about Logan or even Tom? Anyone for that matter? Then the thought struck me. I hadn't left a note for Sergio telling him where I had gone.
    No one knew where I was going. I didn't even know where I was going.
    Now was a fine time to start worrying about that.
    Gary started talking to the older gentleman, asking him where he was from and what he did for a living. The magnetic boys were too busy with each other's company to notice the ride