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Dec. 16th, 2023 at 5:56 PM
[Racing down the interstate as fast as they fucking can, Johnnie tugs Chrissy closer and ducks low over his bike. They're streamlined now, they'll pick up just a little bit more speed, and then they can outride this giant evil fucking wasp for sure -
His eyes blink slowly against the light in the room, and then he frowns and lifts his pillow from under his head and flings it at the alarm clock on the bedside table. That shouldn't work, except that it falls off the table and unplugs in the process, leaving the room blissfully silent.
And now he doesn't have a pillow. Shit.]
Ugh. Hey, you up?
[Like Chrissy could sleep through that.
Soon enough though, he rolls on out of bed, gets the water going, tugs fresh clean clothing out of his bag, then checks on that shower. Yep, nice and hot. Time to get clean and ready for the day.]
Whatcha think? Wanna check out the cafe for breakfast? Maybe we can make 'em do some eggs an' pancakes even though they're gonna say it's dinner only now. I hate when places do that, it's such fuckin' bullshit.
His eyes blink slowly against the light in the room, and then he frowns and lifts his pillow from under his head and flings it at the alarm clock on the bedside table. That shouldn't work, except that it falls off the table and unplugs in the process, leaving the room blissfully silent.
And now he doesn't have a pillow. Shit.]
Ugh. Hey, you up?
[Like Chrissy could sleep through that.
Soon enough though, he rolls on out of bed, gets the water going, tugs fresh clean clothing out of his bag, then checks on that shower. Yep, nice and hot. Time to get clean and ready for the day.]
Whatcha think? Wanna check out the cafe for breakfast? Maybe we can make 'em do some eggs an' pancakes even though they're gonna say it's dinner only now. I hate when places do that, it's such fuckin' bullshit.
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[Snickering at the thought, he continues his way along, one foot after another. It feels like they've been doing this forever now, and they are getting closer, but at the same time, it sure looks like the bottom is forever away.]
So, if there's an alien monster thing down there, I mean... That's a big fuckin' canyon. Maybe it hangs out in one spot an' even if it's there, we'll never see it.
[He really doesn't mean to fixate on that thing exactly, it's just, if it is there they'll want to know about it before they go to sleep. That's the part that's the biggest concern.]
But goin' down right now, I guess we can watch for it, we still got a good view here. Like if it eats fish, we'd see the river splash somewhere when it jumps in, right? Seems like it.
[Her eyes squint a little as she peers down, trying to see if she can spot any movement. But other than typical wildlife and the breeze, they're the only sign of life down this far. That's mildly disappointing, but she reminds herself of one important detail.]
Those monsters that came out of the ocean, we didn't even notice them or the ones in the sky until they were there. Maybe this monster's the same thing.
[Oh.
That would be terrifying.
She really hopes that whatever this alien rock monster is, it's not anything like what attacked them before. They're at a major disadvantage down at the bottom of the canyon. They wouldn't even have a motorcycle to get away with.]
But you're right. We may get down there and not be able to find anything. It's huge down here, and we only have so much time to explore.
[The only choice they have is to keep moving forward, because they've come so far there's no turning back now.]
[But probably if it was, it would've been described differently, right? Hopefully. Anyway, he's not about to assume all things called "alien" are the same as those weird fish monster things. For one, those might not have even been aliens. The ocean has plenty of space for fucked-up creatures.
It's a slog to get down but eventually, after another couple of hours in the canyon's heat, the ground starts to level out. Finally the end is truly in sight. About time, too, he's getting tired of carrying all this stuff on his back. His feet are starting to drag a little, and just out of spite he kicks a rock as far as he can. It doesn't make it to the water, unfortunately, which had been his hope.]
Almost there. Hey, let's look for a spot to set up camp, too, we don't gotta stay right here by the end of the trail. You got that map handy?
They're close to the bottom, but she needs the break. She's been tripping up on her own feet for a little while now, and it feels like her energy is running on empty.]
Here -
[She's still devouring that tortilla when she pulls out the map, and gets it unfolded to look over. One tortilla isn't enough when she's as hungry as she is, but they can set up camp somewhere and make lunch then. At least she's in a place where she can focus on the map, and trails her finger down along the path they've just traveled.]
There's some names on here. I wonder if it's where certain groups used to set up camp? Like rival gangs with territories. But look at this - the Hoodwinks? Gorge Crushers? Oh cute, the Coyotes. And Roadrunners! We'll have to put our name on the map too, a nice big World Enders! Maybe we can carve a lightning bolt into a stone or something.
[It would be so cool to be part of the Grand Canyon forever.]
Hell yeah, we gotta get in here!
[A grin spreads wide, quickly, even as he chews the last bite of his snack - boy that didn't last long.]
Yeah we can do a real cool tag, we gotta make sure we leave our mark here for sure! Man, an' there's some real big canyon walls to do it on, too. Nobody's gonna ever come down here an' not see we were here!
[Her nose wrinkles up as she laughs at that, but she nods. Sure, they can tag and carve and do whatever they want. No one is here to stop them, and they deserve to make their mark on the world in whatever way they want.]
We'll have time to do something good, sure!
[They rest for a few minutes more then get back on the trail, and Chrissy isn't sure how long it takes for them to get all the way to the bottom. But eventually they do, and she hurries straight toward that river to get a good look up close. She's so hot and sweaty that it's tempting to leap right on in, but she's not stupid enough to do that with as tired as she is. That could be really dangerous.
It's nice and refreshing just to be close and hear it for now, and she's in better spirits as she pulls back out that map and examines it.]
I think if we walk about a half mile down that way, it should be a little ways past where the Coyotes set up camp. They made it the farthest out on the map.
[And clearly they're all dead so it's not really a competition. But to her? It's definitely a competition, and she's sure Johnnie would agree. They have to be the best, better than anyone else ever was.]
[Or they could make makeshift paint out of colored mud, but, nah. That sounds annoying.
They make their way to the river, and goddamn he just wants to jump right in too, but he needs more food before he does anything like that. Setting up camp is for sure the priority. Right now, though? A half mile sounds like fucking forever away.]
They ain't here anymore though, none a' these guys are. We can take over their turf, make it ours. Whatever looks the best, we want somewhere that'll have shade on the tent an' water not far off. We can call it all ours, we'll mark it as ours, don't gotta set up camp far away just to be in a new spot.
[New matters less than best. He looks around, then heads toward their right. The whole wall of the canyon behind them was mostly shaded on the walk but by now with the sun directly overhead, it's baking hot down here and there's hardly any shade to be found. Must be some somewhere though if the canyon twists just right.]
Let's just walk until we find a spot that looks good. I'm so hungry, I just want to set up camp and make lunch.
[The way he devoured that tortilla tells her he's starving too, so they can use food and water as a motivator to get their butts moving. Her legs are so tired that she's definitely shuffling, but she's not going to stop and rest. There's not enough shade in this direct area to be safe, but maybe down around the bend over there...]
What about that direction? We might be able to find some shade from the canyon wall over that way.
I'm gonna keep going until we get there an' if we don't, we can always sit, take a break, fill up, explore when we have more energy. I'm starving.
[And that bend is promising. The canyon wall juts toward them at just enough of an angle that even if it doesn't block the overhead sun, it should block some of that late afternoon light. They can go find a spot to watch sunsets, they don't need to have it beating down on them the whole time.
Boy, it would be funny if it gets freezing cold here at night - no, fuck it, if they need to move, they can. That's the great thing about their setup, it's all portable and he's too fucking tired to get it perfect right now.
They come around the bend and there's just enough of a shadow cast off the canyon wall where he's content to take it. The first thing he does is find a big boulder that tumbled down who knows how long ago, and just. Sits on it. Gets his backpack off a second later, lets it fall to the canyon floor at his feet, and just sits.]
Hell of a hike. ...But we did it! Hell yeah!
She passes the camera off to him and leans in close so he can snap a quick picture. Once that is done though? The camera and picture are tucked safely into her backpack, and she lets it fall to the ground so she can stretch out and rest for a minute.]
I brought peanut butter and bread, so we don't have to worry about cooking anything for lunch. I think I crammed some chips down in there too.
[With a slight wince of discomfort, she slides off the rock and crouches down to get out what they need to make a simple lunch. It doesn't take long to get peanut butter smeared on four pieces of bread, and she hands him two and takes two for herself. She's longing for something more substantial after a hike like that, but this is just fine until they get camping out of their system.
In fact, as she starts to devour her portion, she thinks it may be the best tasting thing she's had in a long long time.]
I think this is a good area to set up. If it's not too hot in the tent, I might try resting inside for a little while. Just an hour or two. I'm really tired after all that walking.
Fuck. Don't think peanut butter ever tasted as good as this.
[He echoes her thoughts unknowingly, but clearly they both needed the break and the calories. He could eat about twelve more, he thinks - but better take it slow so it doesn't make him feel sick, even if he's pretty sure he could just eat peanut butter with a spoon right now.]
Mm. We don't even need the tent right now, if you wanna rest. I don't think it'd do much more'n just make you more hot. I'm happy to sleep under the stars until we got a need for a roof.
[With the last bite of peanut butter bread hanging from his teeth, he pulls his bag back up and unties the rope from the two stuffed sleeping bags, then scoots those toward her.]
Do you feel like laying down too? Or are you going to explore a little?
[There's caution in her voice. Obviously, she can't stop him if he wants to run off and do his own thing. And she never would ask him to sit and wait for her to wake up. But she's worried about something happening to him, and her not knowing and just sleeping right through it. But he's the strongest, toughest person she knows. He's smart and fast and can handle anything that's thrown at him. Remembering that makes it easy for her to fall over onto the sleeping bags once they're laid out.
She won't take off her shoes in case she needs to get up and move fast, but she's so tired right now, it doesn't matter what she's wearing. This is great.]
[He'd grabbed all kinds of things from their stash of food, but now he's out of it enough that he barely remembers what. Halfway to pawing through stuff, his hand contacts all those cans of cherry coke at the bottom of the bag and he grabs one out and cracks it open for a long drink.]
You want one?
[He's already assuming that'll be a yes, so he pulls one out and waits to make sure she's looking before he tosses it at her. All right, what else is in here now... Crackers, mixed nuts? Crackers sound like the better choice right now, so he tears the top of the box open and grabs a handful to chomp down on.]
Mm. Here, y'know what we can do is try fishing! That's somethin' we can do sitting around so we don't have to go run anywhere anytime soon. Let's see, what kinda bait do you think these fish like? Raisins? Or I could go dig in the mud for some bugs, I guess?
[He kind of sounds hesitant about that second option right now. He's willing, he's just tired. Maybe fish like raisins.]
His discussion of bait makes her eyebrows raise, and she's mid-drink when he asks her what she thinks.]
I think they'll like bugs better than raisins. I can dig through the mud if you don't want to.
[He's about to find out her secret passion for playing in the dirt. It used to get her in so much trouble when she was a little girl, for getting her clothes dirty and wedging dirt beneath her fingernails. But Johnnie's not going to scold her or yell at her for any of that.
So it's time for her to just jump right up to her feet and finish drinking her soda so she can hurry over toward the riverbank in search of good mud. It's time to get dirty.]
[No, if anything he's absolutely thrilled she wants to go dig in the mud so he doesn't have to. It's not like he hates the concept, he just needs a minute and really isn't feeling it. But go figure, the girl who chases lizards wants to go catch bugs and she's going to be the one ultimately responsible if he catches anything for them to eat because of it.
Now, what can they put her finds in? He pulls the inner bag full of crackers out of the box, then tosses the box in her direction. It spins and sort of drifts in the air, but mostly gets there.]
There, try that, that'll hold 'em. Gimme a minute an' I'll come join you, okay? I gotta tie a hook on a line an' whatever else.
[Fishing things, you know. Guy stuff. Fuck, he has no clue but he'll figure it out.]
[There's no real reason that she sticks her tongue out when he throws the box in her direction. But she does, and it's accompanied by laughter as she scurries to scoop it up and keep going. She's absolutely content to just crouch in the mud and dig through it to find what bugs she can. If it's creepy and crawling, it goes into the box.
It's like she goes back to being a kid again, and she's totally distracted by the task at hand thanks to the joyful nostalgia of simpler times. It's easy to not pay attention to a single thing he's doing, and just enjoys the feeling of the earth beneath her hands.
So much for caring that he only takes a minute to come join her. She's oblivious to the fact he even exists right now, up until she finds a fat earthworm and pulls it up with a triumphant gasp.]
Look at this guy! He's so juicy.
[She holds it up into the air for Johnnie to admire, then realizes she has no idea if he's even right there beside her or how long it's been since she started digging in the mud.]
He's on his way over when she exclaims about that juicy worm, and he fakes a gagging sound, then laughs and tousles her hair as he comes to sit by her.]
Doin' good here, huh? Here, gimme that juicy thing.
[He takes the worm, but then frowns as it occurs to him he has to impale it on the hook. And man, that kinda feels weird. He doesn't care a ton about animals and this is just a worm, it's a bug, but it's so helpless as it writhes around in his fingers. So completely clueless about what's about to happen to it. What can a worm even know? This shit he wouldn't have even thought of, wouldn't have flinched about, before realizing to some things out there, he's the one who's just the worm.
Man. Fuck it, guy's gotta eat.
Sorry worm.
He stuffs it onto the spiked hook as quickly as he can and hopes worms don't actually feel pain or care about much at all. It's still moving, so it's fine, right?]
There we go, bait on the hook. Cross your fingers!
[With one hand on the end of the coil of line, he tosses the rest out toward the deeper part of the river. And now they wait, so he settles his head on her shoulder.]
That feeling thankfully is fleeting, and she leans her head over so her cheek is resting against the top of his head. This isn't exactly the type of fishing she was imagining, but she finds she likes it a lot. It's not often they're just still like this. Not in a way where they both can find some contentment in doing absolutely nothing.]
I have a whole box full of bugs, if you need them.
[Figuring it's time to break that quiet, she laughs and picks up the cracker box full of insects and puts it right into his lap.]
This is really nice. The whole trip so far has been fun, but this may be my favorite part so far.
[You know, apart from all the great sex they've had. But that should go unsaid. That's always amazing.]
Yeah? Sittin' here by the river, doin' nothing for a minute?
[It's nice. It's fine. It's definitely made better by the fact that she's here next to him, and that he's done running around for a little while. If he wasn't tired from that hike down he'd find this pretty boring.
At least they're in a beautiful place to sit around and wait. From down here, the canyon feels wider than he'd thought it would - but at the same time it completely surrounds them, towering so high up above that it's hard to grasp the size of it. They would barely register as spots on that cliffside up there if they were standing up there and looking down.
After a long while, he finally feels something tug on his line. It shakes him into alertness, and he gives an experimental pull just to make sure he hadn't imagined it, but no, there's something pulling back!]
I think I got one!
[Hand over hand, he draws in the line. It's not much of a fight, whatever this is - and sure enough a fin breaks the surface, then a fish, a round blue-gray thing no bigger than his hand. He snorts, amused, as he holds it up and lets it dangle from the hook.]
Well, I guess that's a fish but we'd need about twelve of these to make a meal.
You did so good, babe! I found a lot of bugs, let's put that one back and see if we can catch something bigger!
[In fact, she'll go back to searching for worms right now. She hadn't corrected him earlier, but she feels like now's the right time to say something. She's hands deep in mud and grime, looking for earthworms, and hasn't ever been happier about getting to get dirty.]
This is what I like best, by the way. Getting to dig in the dirt.
[She finds a worm just then, and brings it over for him to use. Maybe they'll have better luck and catch something bigger.]
That's the question he's asking himself when she goes back to digging in the mud, and by the time she's handed him a worm he's already tossed the little fish back into the water. Might as well give this a second try before he goes right to scaling up bait. A fish big enough to eat that last one whole probably isn't even in this river anyway, it's not quite deep enough for that, he has to figure.
So onto the hook the second worm goes.]
Never woulda guessed. But I guess it ain't somethin' you get to do on a regular day, huh?
[The baited hook lands in the water with a plop, and he settles back on his palms to wait with the line coiled around one hand. He looks up at her then, grinning.]
You look real good with a little dirt on you. I wonder what else there is to find down here? Maybe people up top accidentally drop jewelry an' shit down here. We could find us some stuff to pawn.
[Her grandfather had one, and used to take her brother out with it every summer when they went to stay for a couple of weeks. Once or twice her grandmother let her go out and do it too, and it was always fun.]
I'll let you know if I find any watches or rings or anything.
[So far, there's absolutely nothing. But there's a lot of ground to cover down here.
She goes back to focusing on digging, and after about five minutes her fingers grasp at something solid and cool. It's pulled out and she laughs as she sees it.]
Well, I found this.
[A quarter. She rubs off some of the mud before tossing it over to him.]
Don't spend it all in one place. Have you gotten any bites yet?
Like... a quarter! He laughs and catches it, then has a look at its worn surface.]
Nah, no bites yet. Hey, look at it though. It's a weird quarter, never seen one like that. 1822, it says.
[So maybe not "weird", just old. Definitely unexpected. It has different art on it too, a different face and different eagle. Must be they changed the designs a couple times.]
Lucky find. Maybe it's worth more than a regular quarter, but it's pretty beat up. Hey, you think maybe some a' those old guys left their treasure down here? Seems like some of 'em woulda had stuff they couldn't haul up. Especially if they died down here!
[Why aren't fish biting though? That worm she gave him was really good. It's hard not to take personal offense at the fact he hasn't caught any fish yet. They're both still really hungry and they deserve at least one big fish. Her head lifts and she looks out toward the water, silently begging it to give them some luck. After about fifteen or twenty seconds she gives up, and goes back to paying attention to all the dirt and mud.]
Hold onto that quarter in your pocket, maybe we can sell it to a collector in Vegas for some cash.
[Or they can keep at as a souvenir, she isn't particular one way or another. She is thirsty though, so she hops up and cleans off her hands as best as she can on her shorts before jogging back over to their stuff to get the water bottle. It's brought back over to where they're sitting so she can pass it to him once she's had her fill.
Rather than sit back down though, she leans over to peer at the river, her hands resting on her knees.]
We'll have to be careful not to find too much stuff though. As hard as it was to walk down here, it's going to be a lot harder to get back up to the top.
Yeah, nothin' heavy. But at least we'll go up with lighter packs from eatin' all the food we brought. Maybe there's an easier way outta here, too, maybe we'll find somethin'. Long as we get back to the car in the end.
[Oh, is there something on the line? He could swear he felt something just then, but it was barely anything. Well, might as well pull it up, and if it's nothing, maybe they should move. Hand over hand, he reels the hook in, only to find a tiny crawfish grappling with the remnants of that worm.]
The fuck is that, a mini lobster?
[He reaches to remove it, and just holds it awkwardly by the tail while its pincers flail in the air.]
I'd put it in the bug box but it might eat the other bugs. You think fish eat these?