I called the others into the cavern, and we all stared at the unconscious roller coaster passengers. Well, except for Uni, because she didn't fit.
"Are they dead?" Eric asked.
"I...don't think so," I said.
Sheila checked the young man's pulse.
Bobby poked the small Orc in the neck, and it groaned in a child's voice.
"Wha...happening?"
"Careful," Eric said. "I wouldn't touch that thing if I were you. It's probably full of germs."
"I don't know about that," said Hank. "But if that thing's parents are nearby, they might find traces of your scent and go ballistic."
"It sounds like a little girl," Bobby said.
"I are a little girl," she said in groggy tones. As its eyelids opened, I saw that the creature's eyes were crossed, its facial features oddly Asiatic. "What is place? Where I am? Is ride over?"
"Oh God," Eric said. "That thing's a person?"
"I've never heard an Orc sound like that," I said.
Boby knelt by the monster's side, placing a hand on its shoulder.
"Sorry, kid. The ride's just begun."
The creature stared at its claws and giggled. "I have funny hands!"
She waved them at Bobby. "See? They're funny!"
"Not funny to me," he said quietly.
She turned her hand over, flexing her fingers. "Wow! I are strong!"
If this creature had been human, I thought. She must have suffered serious brain damage on the way down.
The other passenger moaned and sat up, rubbing his head.
"Somehow, I don't think that was supposed to be part of the ride."
He blinked, staring at us. "Who are you?"
"We were about to ask you the same thing," Sheila said.
"Actually," said Eric. "I was about to ask you if you had any food."
When the stranger saw the Orc, he gasped and shrank away from it.
"Jesus! What the hell is that!"
"I was hoping you'd tell us!"
He glanced at the Orc's outfit and gasped. "Emily!"
He leaned over his car, searching the compartment behind him. "Emily!"
"I right here, Michael!" the creature laughed. "Why you playing game?"
He checked the car ahead, then glared at the monster. "What have you done with Emily!"
The creature's lip trembled. "I but I are Emily! I..." she stared at her claws. "Why I look funny?"