All Hell Breaks Loose
Chapter 59: Dynamite
Sookie froze when she picked up the thoughts and turned to try to get a good look at the person who thought them but all she saw was the back of a Houston Astro's baseball cap and a brown leather jacket.
"Sookie, what's wrong?" Alcide asked. He had sensed her fear.
"We have to find out who's in charge," Sookie said as she got out of line. "We need to find security and tell them."
"Tell them what?" Alcide asked.
"That person who just ran into us. He was broadcasting about aborting a mission and that there were explosives planted somewhere around here."
"You are certain?" Alcide's eyes had widened when she mentioned explosives.
"I'm positive."
"We can't waste any time. We have to get the people out of here. We have to warn the AVL and everyone who is in charge."
The headed off looking for the nearest member of security and remembered there was a tent that was set up with officers. As they passed by the nearest Santa, Sookie looked into his eyes. It was Eric. It just had to be. She stopped by his throne and whispered what she had heard in his ear.
"You have to get out of here," Eric said. "Find your brother, Steve and Jessica and leave."
"We have to warn everyone first," Sookie told him.
"I have a way to speak with them," Eric said as he held up his walkie-talkie.
"What is going on?" One of Santa's Helpers asked. "Is she bothering you, Santa?"
"Sookie run," Eric told her.
"We'll try to find them," Sookie assured him before she took off after Alcide.
There were a few security officers in the tent when they arrived and they formed concerned and alert expressions when they noticed how frantic Sookie and Alcide were.
"There are explosives aro-"
"Around the carnival?" One of the security officers asked. "We know."
"Got the tip from one of the Santas," another officer said. Eric had reached them.
"Er-Derek is a friend of ours," Alcide said and Sookie was thankful he came up with a cover name for Eric. "He's on Santa duty tonight."
"We are going to try and get everyone out in an orderly fashion," the first officer said. "You two go on home."
"I have to find my brother and our friends," Sookie said.
"They will hear the announcement," the first officer assured them. "Now please go home."
"I'm not leaving with out my brother," Sookie said and felt herself being dragged away. "Let me go."
"You can't just look for him all over," Alcide said as he dragged her towards the direction of the entrance. "Did you bring your phone?"
"I did." She dialed Jason's cell and when he didn't pick up she called Steve and hoped that the trio were still together. She let out a sigh of relief when she heard Steve's voice on the other end. "Steve it's Sookie."
"What's wrong?" Steve asked.
"You three need to get out of the carnival now," Sookie answered and repeated what she had overheard.
"Sweet lord," Steve gasped. "I have to warn the rest of the Authority and the AVL. There could be bombs set up at the other carnivals."
"We are at the entrance," Sookie said.
"The three of us are on our way."
"Thank you," Sookie said and hung up. "They are on their way."
"That is a relief," Alcide said and stared up at the nearest speaker. "I wonder when they are going to make their announcement."
A voice came through the speaker just as Sookie caught sight of Jason, Jessica and Steve.
"Attention everyone. Due to unforeseeable events we have to close early tonight. Please make your way to the entrance. You may receive a stamp that will let you back in tomorrow for free."
Sookie let out a sigh. They were certainly not dumb. Telling the people that there were explosives and everyone would be leaving in a panic that could cause several to get hurt or even be killed.
"Jason." She wrapped her arms around her brother and gave him a hug.
"I'm fine, sis," Jason said and hugged her back. "We are all fine."
"We should get back to the truck," Alcide said and pointed towards the parking lot with his thumb.
"Do you think this is because of Russell?" Jessica asked.
"It could be," Sookie said and watched the crowd that was leaving the carnival. She had hoped to catch sight of Ismene and her friends and Eric and Hailey. "If it is then why would they make a sudden change in plans?"
"Maybe it's the Fellowship of the Sun," Alcide suggested and everyone turned to Steve who was still talking on the phone.
"You got Biloxi and Jackson clearing out right now?" Steve asked. "And you already warned the folk in Mobile. Good we got to get the word spread out and make sure everyone is safe."
"Still doesn't explain why they would abort the mission," Sookie said.
"Maybe they saw Steve on television," Jessica suggested. "They were filming it live."
Alcide shook his head. "Steve is no longer with them."
"It could have been a few members that are loyal to him," Jessica continued with her theory. "Not matter what he is."
"All I know is we have to get out of here," Jason said. "We can try and figure out who is the culprit once we get back to Bon Temps."
"Jason's right," Alcide said. "Let's go."
"No," Sookie said. She was not leaving.
"We have to go," Jason told her and tried to grab her arm.
"I'm not leaving," Sookie said. "Not without Eric and not until I make sure the others are all right."
"Sookie, don't do this," Alcide said.
"Sookie, I love you and respect your decisions," Jason started. "But sometimes you can be dumber than me."
"The last time you insisted on staying back to rescue a vampire caused you to nearly be killed," Alcide reminded her.
"Excuse me?" Jessica asked in a slight annoyed tone. "If this is about Bill, then that wasn't his fault. He was tortured and starved and tried not to feed off of Sookie."
"She still nearly died," Alcide said.
"And you are making it sound like it was Bill's fault."
"That's because it was partially his fault."
"You get beaten and starved and see how you act."
"Whoa you two," Jason said and stood in between them.
Sookie ignored the three of them and Steve who was still pacing around and talking on the phone. She did not remove her gaze from the crowd. She perked up when she caught sight of the familiar goggles and Anya's headdress. The group came out together along with Hailey but there was no sight of Eric, not a single Santa Claus followed the six of them.
"Ismene," Sookie greeted them.
"Sookie, I am glad to see you," Ismene said and gave her a hug. "Do you know what is going on?"
"You don't know?" Sookie asked and when Ismene shook her head Sookie explained what she had overheard.
"I knew I had a bad feeling about tonight," Lawrence said and shook his head. "I just didn't know it would be a disaster."
"We should warn the others," Anya said.
"Steve is already doing that," Sookie said and pointed to where the youngest vampire stood. "He's still warning them."
"What should we do now?" Hailey asked she was hugging the stuffed bear she had won in a very tight manner.
"The best thing for us would be to get into our vehicles and return home," Valentino said. He was wearing a large top hat that was white and red striped and had a green ribbon around the base near the brim and a sprig of holly at the corner.
"I'm not leaving without Eric," Sookie said and looked them over. "Do you know where he is?"
"No," Anya said as she wrenched her hands. "I thought I saw him in the audience next to Sookie and her werewolf friend."
"That was him," Sookie confirmed.
"I haven't seen him since," Anya said sadly.
"I can't leave without him," Sookie said as she continued to stare into the direction of the entrance. "I refuse to leave without him."
"I have a good feeling the security is going to make sure no one loiters," Cassidy said. She had been sucking on one of those large red and white swirled lollipops.
"I don't care," Sookie said. "Even if they try to drag me away. I'll blast them. I am not going to leave unless I know Eric is all right."
"That is a bit too excessive for me," Eric said from behind her. "I am certainly not worth that kind of trouble."
Sookie gasped and spun around to see Eric standing behind her, still dressed in his Santa Clause outfit. He even still had the beard on.
"Eric," Sookie breathed his name.
"I believe someone will be on the naughty list this year," Eric said and gave her a wink.
"Thank God," Sookie said and embraced him. "I was so worried." She kissed him. "I was afraid you might not get out in time." She kissed him again. "Don't worry me like that again." She kissed him again and let the last kiss linger.
"I am sorry I worried you," Eric said when their lips parted.
"How did you get out?" Sookie asked. "We've been watching the entrance."
"I just cut through some of the rides," Eric said. "The place isn't walled in. It's all open space."
"Now I believe we can go home," Alcide said in a satisfied tone.
"I think we all should stop by our place first," Ismene said. "We can discuss what has happened."
Everyone agreed that was a good idea except for Steve who was still on the phone and had his face painted with fear.
"Oh no," Steve said. "No, no no."
"What's wrong?" Jason asked him.
"One of the explosives blew up early," Steve said. "There was a timer on it and they tried to diffuse it in Knoxville, but it went off." He closed his eyes. "We failed."