Kingdom Keepers IV(71)
They acted as if they were in no hurry, just kids out for a fun time in Epcot. The World Showcase pavilions slipped past: Canada and the United Kingdom’s Big Ben on one side; Mexico’s Mayan Temple and Norway’s Stave Church on the other.
They worked to blend in, keeping their heads down. Many kids would know what they looked like. Finn felt like his face had been displayed on a “wanted” poster. Their DHI host characters were known from the Parks, from an Internet game, and merchandise. Despite them all wearing sunglasses—at night—they had to protect themselves from being recognized and mobbed by fans.
Near France, Maybeck spotted a Segway ridden by a Security guard. Forbidden from visiting the Parks without permission, he and Willa hid inside the London tea shop and let it pass. They then continued past America, Italy, and Germany, finally facing the brown stucco buildings of Morocco, halfway across the lake from where they’d started.
“This is my favorite country in all the World Showcase,” Willa said in a hush. Not that Maybeck had asked. “I used to get henna drawings on my hands or ankles, these beautiful designs that didn’t wash off for weeks.”
“I haven’t spent a lot of time here,” Maybeck said. They remained just outside the entrance to the country’s courtyard, across the main path that encircled the lake. “I have this thing about robes. Priests. Witches. Doesn’t much matter to me. I hate them all.”
“Robes? Seriously?”
“I don’t know where it came from or why it bugs me so much. For some kids it’s clowns. Or sharks. I don’t love snakes or spiders, either. But guys in robes—girls, not so much—give me the creeps.”
“And they wear robes in Morocco? I’ve never noticed,” Willa said.
“Sometimes they do. Yes, sometimes they do,” he said defensively.
“Well, if I see a robe I’ll warn you,” she said.
“Besides,” he said, “I like hanging with you better.” He looked away as if watching for Overtakers. “Charlene’s way too happy and cheerleader for me most of the time.”
“And I’m not happy?”
“I didn’t say that. But you and me, we’ve got similar energy levels. I’m not talking about smarts, I’m talking about…energy.”
“You…you know I kinda like Philby, right?”
“Kinda?” Maybeck said.
Willa blushed.
“Everyone knows you like Philby except Philby.”
“Yeah, well, that’s Philby. Maybe that’s what makes him so easy to like.”
“Are you saying I’m not easy to like?” Maybeck said.
“I did not say that. You’re very easy to like.”
“You’ve got that right,” he said.
Willa bit back a smile. “So tell me something: Do you like to be called Donnie or Terry better?”
“I couldn’t care less,” he said.
“You must have a preference.”
“Sadly, no. Call me whatever you like, just don’t call me—”
“—late to dinner,” she said, interrupting. “That’s a very old joke, Donnie.”
He shrugged. “I’m an old soul.”
People were already positioning themselves around the lake, reserving prime spots for the upcoming fireworks display. The Keepers planned to use IllumiNations to their advantage.
“Do you think we’re wasting our time with this spindle thing?” Maybeck asked, since it had been largely his idea.
“I…ah…You and I have both been trapped in the Syndrome, so I don’t have to explain to you why I’d do anything to break the spell on Amanda.”
“That doesn’t exactly answer my question.”
“I can see how it makes sense.”
“You think we’re wasting our time.”
“I have no other plan,” she said. “No one had any other plan. ‘Reverse the curse,’ Donnie. It makes sense. It really does.”
“I just don’t want to be the one wasting our time.” He sounded younger all of a sudden, apologetic.
“Finn and Philby make a lot of the tough decisions,” she said. “Especially Finn.”
“You’re holding out on me, girl,” Maybeck said, catching an expression passing across her face.
“I…it’s something someone told me when I was in SBS. If you’re nice to me, maybe I’ll share it. Or maybe I’ll just share it with the girls.”
“I can be very nice.”
“That’s for me to judge.”
“Weaver spindles,” Maybeck reminded, the crowd inside Morocco thinning as the fireworks neared.