Free 2 Game Drive by Marie Moore Page B

routine.”
    Rebecca paused. She looked at each of us in turn, her smile gone, her voice suddenly serious. “We have very few rules here at Leopard Dance, my friends. Life is simple and relaxing. But we do have certain rules which must be followed. Please pay close attention.”
    As she spoke, she ticked off the rules with her delicate fingers. “One, there are areas that are not open at all to guests and these are clearly marked, as you will see. Please do not enter these restricted areas. Two, please do not approach any animals. As you have been told and may have observed, the camp is not fenced. The animals wander in and out as they wish. Remember that while these animals are beautiful, they are also wild. We do not want anyone to be hurt. Wild animals can be dangerous. Then there is the third rule, the most important of all, which cannot ever be broken. It must be strictly observed by everyone.”
    Now she had the entire group’s full attention. Even Tilda and Wendy were still, staring at Rebecca with their round blue eyes.
    “At night, no one—no one at all—may stroll around the camp without escort for any reason. Our guards are fully armed, and they will come to your doors to take you to dinner and back or wherever else you need to go in the camp. You have only to call them and wait. There will be no wandering about alone. This is the most important rule that you must all obey, for your own safety, without exception. I hope that everyone understands this rule.”
    She smiled again then, and looked at each one of us in turn. Then, apparently satisfied, she nodded, and clapped her little hands. Another beautiful girl, in similar dress, appeared with a tray of large brass keys.
    “That is enough serious talk. Here is Winsome, with your room keys. When you have collected your things and have finished your drinks, you will be shown to your rooms just over there.”
    She pointed to a dusty path leading from the welcome pavilion through the tall grass and thorn trees to a series of thatched huts.
    “The spa is the first large building on your right. You can make appointments there for treatments and massages. The dining room is in the largest building at the far end of the camp. Just follow the path. That is also where the swimming pool is located, along with the bar and the library. There is no television. There are no computers, no telephones. You are completely isolated from the world. We want you to forget about all the cares of civilization for a little while. Just be one with nature. Enjoy the animals, listen to the birds, and relax with us. Welcome to Africa!”
    She bowed and everyone clapped.
    “Now Winsome will distribute your keys,” she concluded, smiling once more, “and your escorts will take you to your rooms. Mr. Wilson, Miss Marsh, you will be sharing Hut No. 1. Please follow Felix. Your luggage has already been delivered.” She continued down the list, assigning huts to our fellow group members.
    When she finished, everyone moved to collect the hand luggage. Jay and I followed yet another beefy giant in a tan, safari lodge uniform down a winding dusty path toward a small mud-covered, thatched hut on the bank of a narrow, dry riverbed.
    “This seems pretty grim, Sidney,” Jay whispered as we followed Felix down the dusty path through the scrub. “Not exactly what I was expecting. I think we’re screwed. I mean, the pavilion was nice enough, and the drinks were good, but that hut up ahead there is the pits. Just look at it. It’s authentic, all right. I think that’s real dung on the walls. And I thought we would at least have our own rooms.”
    “Hush. He’ll hear you. Silverstein signed us up together. It’s not the first time we’ve shared a room. Get with the program, Jay. Where is your spirit of adventure? This is the African bush. What were you expecting, Vegas?”
    Jay made a silent but meaningful gesture that Felix did not see. A little over halfway down, the path branched, with