CHAPTER FIVE

"How could three of the wheels go flat at one time?" Kevin said. "That isn't possible!" The bus driver shook his head.

"I know, it's never happened to me before, and I've never heard of it happening to anyone else. We only have one spare tire, and there's a big storm coming. It won't be safe to stay here on the bus, we¹ll just have to walk up to that town and..." Janet, who was now awake, cut him off.

"There is no way that I'm going to go to that "Village" up there! Did you here the name? 'Vambatville' is pretty scary sounding to..."

"Why does that bother you so much?" Nick asked. Janet did not answer.

"Come on guys, let¹s just get our stuff and head over," Brian said calmly.

"It's only a 4 mile walk." Kevin nodded. "The faster we get going, the faster we can sleep in a hotel bedroom." He said. Janet collapsed onto her seat.

"4 MILES?" She exclaimed, "I'll die before I get there!"

"Come on honey," A.J said soothingly, "I'll carry you."

Janet still resisted. Kevin finally picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She screamed, kicked and pouted. Finally she just calmed down and let Kevin carry her.

"Uh, Kevin?" A.J asked. "I don't think..."

"I'm carrying her," Kevin said flatly. "She is coming with us into town whether she likes it or not. You just shut your mouth and get your stuff and hers. Nick, pack. Brian, wake Howie up." Brian raised an eyebrow.

Kevin glared at him.

Brian sighed and went over to Howie. "Come on D, Wake up!" Howie did not move. "D! I'm gonna cut your hair off!" He did not move.

"Oh pu-leaz," A.J groaned. "Let the professional handle this." Brian moved out of the way and let 'The professional' do his work. A.J stuck his face in to Howie's. For about twenty, yes, twenty minutes, A.J remained where he was. Finally Howie opened his eyes.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" He screamed.

A.J laughed and pulled away. "Works every time," He said, grinning.

When everyone had gathered up their stuff, the bus driver locked the door to the bus. They then continued up the road to the town. Kevin was still carrying, Janet, and was still really mad. They finally got over the tall hill and found themselves looking over a small town. There was a big sign in front of them that said 'Welcome to Vambatville.'   Below them, the town was spread out. They made their way down to see people hurrying to get out of the rain that was coming. Nick noticed that Janet¹s mouth was wide open. Her face was pale and her eyes were filled with fear.

"'Scuse me, are y'all new here?"

Nick turned around to see an old man holding a suit case. He was wearing jean overalls with a white button-up shirt. On his head, he had a tall straw hat.

Kevin, who was still holding Janet, stepped forward. "Yes, we are. Our bus' tires went flat about 4 miles back and we came up here to see if any of you could help us." The old man smiled.

"Shore, I'll help ya. The name's Stan." He put out a hand and Kevin shook it. "Stan Wright. I own the village ba'. My family and I live above the ba' n the second floor. We's got three extra beds that y¹all can stay in 'till tomarra. Right now, it looks like it's gonna storm. Falla me."

A.J was trying not to laugh.  "Well, guys, we're gonna stay in the ba'" He imitated the man's strong accent.

"Oh A.J, shut-up." Brian said. "Don't make fun of him. He's really nice to be letting us stay with him for awhile."

"Shore." A.J cracked.

Brian rolled his eyes.

 They followed the old man about two blocks down the road, passing people every now any then. Every one who went by said, "Hey Stan!"

"Looks like you're pretty popular here." Howie observed. Stan smiled.

"Well, I is just knowin' everyone. I's been here all me life." Janet looked at him.

"All your life?" She asked. Stan smiled again.

"Yep, proud of it too."

"You wouldn't happen to know anyone named Stacy Silverstone would you?"

Stan's smile faded.

"It's gettin' really cloudy." He said loudly. "We is betta be gettin' inside." He continued walking leaving everyone but Janet confused.

"Who is Stacy Silverstone?" Brian asked.

"Oh, just someone I read about in some newspaper, somewhere along time ago."

Nick wasn¹t convinced. He had a feeling that Janet knew this Stacy personally. He also had a feeling that Janet had been here before. Then, Nick had an idea. "Janet, what's your last name?" He asked. Janet smiled at him. Nick got a sick feeling in his stomach and all of a sudden wished that he hadn't had said anything.

"Lynn." She said sweetly. "Why do ask?"

"I just wanted to know more about the 'person' who is touring with us."

Janet looked hurt, but no one had heard Nick's question. So no one came down on him. 

Stan lead them to the front door of an old-looking building. He opened the door and brought them inside. Inside, a live band was playing. Not the kind of band that you would see at a rock concert, but one you would expect to see in the west in the olden days. The instruments included a few banjos, and some old wind wood instruments. The band was off the side near the far end of the wall. They were playing on a small stage for about fifteen people. Straight ahead was a bar with a fat man behind the counter. He was bald on the top of his head and had grey sideburns on his face. He had a long mustache, that was curled at the ends. He was serving a woman and they were both were in deep conversation.

"Hey, Joey! I'd like you to meet some people!"

The fat man looked up and smiled. The woman turned her back to the small crowd making their way across the room.

"Well, what have we got here." Joey said grinning. His teeth were yellow and there was one missing.

Once again, Kevin, who was still holding Janet, stepped forward and spoke for everyone. "Our bus broke down about 4 miles back. We were in hope that you all could help us."

"Well sure." Joey said. "Stan's son is the best mechanic here in Vambatville, he'll fix your bus, but for now, does any of you want anything to drink?"

"I don't." Janet said. "Kevin, could you put me down now?"

Kevin nodded and set Janet down.

"Thank you, A.J honey? Watch my stuff, I need to go to the bathroom." She started to walk towards that stairs.

"Um, miss? Don't you want to show you where it is?" Janet stopped and turned around to see Stan looking after her.

"Oh, uh...yeah of course. Silly me. Is it this way? I¹m not sure. Most of the bathrooms I've been to in places like these are at the bottom of the stairs."

Stan looked at here in a weird way, but went ahead of her to show her the way. A.J sat down and ordered a Budlight. Nick sat down next to the woman. He sighed and put his face in his hands.

"Having problems with a vampire?"

Nick, startled, straightened quickly. He looked over at the woman. She took off her hat and looked straight into his eyes.

"I know what you're dealing with." She said briskly. "My name is Michelle Silverstone, vampire hunter."