Page 99 of Victorious: Part I

“Failed a few times. Changed owners, changed names. Someone got paralyzed on one of the slides. There was a lawsuit, typical sad story.” I adjust my lens. “Last tried to open in the early 2000s before closing for good.”

He walks over to what must have been the wave pool, peering down into its cracked concrete basin. “Seems like a weird place for a water park. Middle of nowhere.”

“I think that was part of the appeal. An oasis in the desert.” I switch to a wider lens, wanting to capture the scale of abandonment. “Plus, it was on the way to Vegas. Families could stop and cool off.”

As the sun sinks lower, the light becomes almost magical—golden rays catching the metal of the slides, casting deep blue shadows in the empty pools. I lose myself in the photography, moving from spot to spot, chasing the perfect shot as the light changes.

“Clover.” Phoenix’s voice breaks my concentration. “It’s getting late. We should think about heading out soon.”

I glance at my watch, surprised to see I’ve been shooting for over an hour. “Just a few more shots. This place is, I don’t know, there’s something magical about it. Don’t you think?”

He sighs but nods, leaning against a faded concession stand while I continue working. I’m setting up a shot of the park’s old sign when I notice something dark moving in my peripheral vision.

At first, I think it’s just a shadow, but then I see it clearly—a small black cat perched on top of one of the smaller slides, watching me with suspicious yellow eyes.

How the hell is a cat alive out here, all by itself?

“Phoenix,” I whisper, not wanting to startle it. “Look.” I point at it dramatically.

He turns, following my gaze to the cat. “Where the hell didthatcome from? We’re in the middle of nowhere,” he asks the exact thing I am thinking.

“Maybe it lives here?” I suggest, slowly lowering my camera. “Poor thing probably got abandoned like the park.”

I take a cautious step toward the slide. The cat’s ears prick up, alert but not immediately frightened.

“Here, kitty,” I call softly. “It’s okay.”

Phoenix steps toward me. “Clo, it’s probably full of fleas and disease. Plus, it’s a black cat.A black cat, Clover!We don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives right now.”

Halting my approach, I turn to glare at him. “Are you kidding me?You’resuperstitious?”

He shrugs. “Not normally, but right now, I donotwant to try my luck with anything. Leave the cat be, Clover. Let’s go. C’mon.”

Turning back to the cat, I wave Phoenix off dismissively. “Don’t be ridiculous. What if we’re the only chance he has to survive out here? If we leave him, that’s bringing bad karma on us, too, you know?”

“All right. You do you. But when I’m having to clean your wounds because this thing scratched you up, I’m going to say I told you so.”

Glancing back over my shoulder at him, I simply grin. “Okey dokey,” I reply cockily.

Phoenix groans as I turn back to the cat. The cute little thing watches me, tail swishing slightly. As I get closer, I notice it’s thin but not starving—its black fur is surprisingly clean for a stray. There’s something almost eerie about finding it here, like it’s the guardian of this forgotten place.

I reach the base of the slide and extend my hand slowly. “It’s okay, little one,” I say again. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

The cat stares at me for a long moment. Its bright yellow eyes feel like they’re burning into my soul, then suddenly, without warning, it arches its back, hisses sharply, and darts away, disappearing among the ruins.

I stand tall, my heart racing as I go to reach out to try to grab him, but it is too late.

He’s gone.

Like the speed of a vampire.

“Damn,” I mutter, disappointed.

Phoenix steps up behind me, gently placing his hand on my shoulder for moral support. “Sorry, Clo, I don’t think it wants to be your friend.”

Letting out a wounded sigh, I nod. “He’s scared,” I reply, turning back to Phoenix. “Probably hasn’t seen people in a while.”

“More than likely, which means that he has adapted to living out here. He’s gonna be okay, Clo. And anyway, wereallyshould get going. Sun’s almost down.”

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