Bob held a meeting in the main casino area of Buffalo Bill’s. Lazarus studied the handful of twenty or so people. They crowded in a clump and stayed away from them.

Bob said, "These people will help us escape this place, but we need to decide where we should we go from here."

A few people said they wanted to go to the west coast, San Diego or toward Utah. People argued Utah would be a better destination because it was a landlocked state and hopefully would not have sustained some type of catastrophe.

Lazarus said, "We should go to the other casinos and Whisky Pete’s and see if anybody is still alive."

"No," Bob said. "We need to think of the welfare of these people here."

Matthew said, "I will go and find out."

Lazarus said, "Wait, let's think this out. We need you to stay here and protect these people."

Grace spoke up. "How can you people be so heartless? We need to find out about the other survivors."

Nobody spoke for a few seconds and then Grace said, "I’ll go. I can fly over there."

Lazarus said, "I’ll go with you. I think I can learn how to fly. I feel it is possible. But Lawrence, you need to stay with Matthew. He needs help here."

The boy stared down at his feet. "Ok, but you need to keep Grace safe from harm."

His eyes looked so earnest and scared that Lazarus wanted to give him a hug. He wondered how this boy could still be strong. He saw his parents killed and other horrors in Las Vegas. Nothing could erase those memories.

"I will. You can watch us from the hotel windows."

Lawrence nodded. His eyes looked so sad.

Grace said, "Everything will be fine. Lazarus is our Leader and he will know what to do."

Lazarus was not sure about that. When it came to the fight with the Giant Worm, Matthew was the one who used his powers. Lazarus was not entirely comfortable with using his magic.

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He said, "When should we leave?"

"I don't know," Grace said, "I thought the creature only came out during the daytime, but I was wrong."

Bob inclined his head. "The Giant Worm seems to only come out when somebody tries to leave. It doesn't matter if it’s daylight, morning or night. The creature comes out."

Lazarus nodded. "What makes the creature come out of the sands?"

"Well, I never thought about it in that way," Bob said.

"What do you remember?"

"It could be the vibrations when the car moved along the road," Bob said.

Grace said, "I don't think so. I flew, and the creature knew I was there."

"How about smell?" Matthew said.

Lazarus looked at the big man. He was smart, and street smart.

Bob said, "Maybe, but it wouldn't matter. As soon as he travels beyond the parking lot, the beast will come."

Lazarus said, "So we should try to make it over now."

He was thinking they should think this over before they left.

"I can take you over with me. We can fly together."

"I can’t fly. I think. But yes, I will need your help."

They moved to the front entrance. Lazarus thought it was odd being in a casino and planning for battle. He thought how many tourists had stopped here before they either entered Las Vegas, or made it the last stop before going home to California. He recalled he had stopped here before and even played a few hands at the gambling tables to try to recoup his money.

Lazarus said, "Isn't there a small shuttle that connects both casinos?"

Bob said, "We had one. But nobody wanted to get inside that thing and ride it across."

"Does it still work?"

"Yes, I supposed. But I don't think you should try to use it."

Lazarus said, "I was thinking about using it for a diversion."

"What are you going to do?"

"I think if we start the tram and wait until the worm shows, maybe we can fly across without being seen," Lazarus said and then looked over at Grace. "Can you fly very fast?"

"I think so. I’ve never tried."

Lawrence said, "You can do it. I’ve seen you fly. You can go very fast."

Grace nodded at the small boy and he smiled. She beamed as she looked at Lawrence. Lazarus noticed how beautiful Grace was and he wished he didn't need to take her to the other casino.

Bob said, "I will have somebody start the tram. You will see it move down the track."

Grace said, "Can you also have the roller coaster run?"

"That sounds like a good idea," Lazarus said. "It can maybe cause another distraction."

Bob said, "Sure, I can get somebody to do that. But I hope for your sake this will work. What will happen when you want to come back?"

Lazarus said, "We’ll figure something else."

Bob said, "You should find a way to get us out of this trap. We can go to Utah. Forget about the other Casino."

"You think this is a dumb idea," Lazarus said.

"Yes, I was thinking about the Grogs you talked about. They are also out there."

"We can protect ourselves from the Grogs. It’s the Giant Worm we have problems with." Lazarus paused and then said, "Let's start."