روزی در سرزمین وحشت فصل 21

One Day at Horrorland - Chapter 21

“What?” Dad stared at me, his face twisted in confusion. I don’t think he believed me.

“We’re locked in!” I repeated. I lifted the heavy metal padlock with both hands and then let it fall back with a loud clang against the bars of the gate.

“But that’s impossible!” Mom cried, raising her hands to her cheeks. “They can’t lock people inside an amusement park!” “Maybe it’s another joke,” Luke suggested. “Everything in this place turns out to be a joke. Maybe this is one, too.” I lifted the heavy padlock again. “It doesn’t look like a joke, Luke,” I said unhappily.

“Then there must be another gate where they want us to exit,” Mom suggested.

“Maybe,” Dad said doubtfully. “Maybe there’s a side exit. But I haven’t seen one.” “What are we going to do?” Clay asked, whining. His face was red, and he was breathing hard.

“Where is everyone?” Luke demanded, whining, too. “They’ve got to let us leave. They’ve got to!” “Let’s try to stay calm,” Dad said, putting a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “There’s no reason to panic. This is a strange place, but we’re not in any danger.” “He’s right,” Mom broke in. “There’s no reason to be afraid. We’ll be out of here and on our way home in no time.” She forced a smile.

“As soon as we get out, I’ll buy you guys pizzas and big, cold drinks,” Dad promised. “And we’ll all have a good laugh about our terrifying adventures today in HorrorLand.” “But how do we get out?” Luke demanded shrilly.

“Well…” Dad rubbed his chin.

“Do you think we could climb the fence?” I asked.

We all raised our eyes to the top of the iron fence. It was way over our heads. It must have been about twenty feet tall.

“I can’t climb that!” Clay cried. “I’d fall!”

“It’s too high,” Mom said quickly.

“Bad idea,” I murmured.

A large white cloud drifted over the sun. Our shadows grew longer over the pavement. The air quickly grew cooler.

I felt a chill run down my back.

“There’s got to be a way out of this stupid park!” I cried angrily. I hoisted up the padlock and slammed it against the bars of the gate.

“Hold on, Lizzy,” Dad said soothingly. “We just have to find one of those costumed park workers. They’ll tell us how to get out.” “Uh… Dad…” I turned and saw Luke grab Dad’s arm. “Here they come.”

We all uttered astonished cries as we saw the Horrors crossing the plaza. Dozens of them. They moved quickly, with a steady rhythm. Silently.

A few seconds before, the plaza had been empty. Now it was filled with green-costumed Horrors marching toward us, spreading out, preparing to surround us.

I could feel the panic rise up from my stomach. My knees began to shake. I stared in horror at them as they drew closer, closer. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move.

“What are they going to do?” Clay cried, his features twisted in terror. He slipped behind Dad. “What are they going to do to us?” he cried.