CHAPTER 2: NOON
"...and that's when I was the subject of a case study published in..."
"...and the stupid chickens just would not move outta the way of the go-cart. Ba-bawk! Every time..."
"...it was a difficult choice for my parents, but they realized the academy was just the place for a gifted child like me..."
"...so me and my brother just nod our heads at the driver next to us. See, I had helped him modify the engine for speed..."
Malcolm wanted just one moment of quiet. They had found a trail that was too narrow for the three abreast, so he spent his time walking beside each companion, feeling like a pendulum as the boy and girl provided details of their adventures. AND THEY JUST WOULDN'T SHUT UP!
"Hey, are you all right, Malcolm?" queried Trip as he realized the boy had simply dropped to sit on a convenient tree trunk.
"I'm fine, just need to catch my breath. Why don't the two of you just walk on ahead for a bit? I'll catch up."
"Oh, no, we couldn't leave you here all alone. Who knows what's out here? Bears or snakes or--"
"Polecat!" yelled Trip as he quickly stepped back. Coming out of the ferns was a creature with black fur and a wide strip down its back.
"It's just a skunk. It's harmless as long as we don't bother it," said Hoshi with a tone of condescension. Really, was she the only one who knew anything around here?
Malcolm eyed the creature wearily. With his luck he'd get sprayed and his companions would call him Stinky. The fur was standing on end and the look in its eyes was disturbing as it slowly moved across the path in front of the log. Something about it just wasn't--and that's when it pounced.
"EEEEE!" Razor sharp claws and teeth sank into Hoshi's legs as her scream reverberated in the forest.
Trip moved quickly to grab the skunk by the nape of its neck in an attempt to pull it off, but the creature merely tightened its hold.
"Dang thing won't let go! Quit squirming, Cricket, we'll get it off," said Trip as he tried pulling harder on the fur.
Malcolm knew that since Trip was bigger than he was, he would have a stronger grip. The creature was stubborn and was likely to take a chunk of the girl's leg with it even if Trip were able to pull it off.
"Squeeze the windpipe and move away from her leg," shouted Malcolm as he broke off a branch from the trunk. He took aim and swatted the creature by rapping it sharply between its legs.
"Rowr!" The feral "skunk" emitted an irritated, but pained sound once Trip released his hold on its throat. It made a limping scramble to get away from the humans.
The boys were on either side of Hoshi as they breathed a sigh of relief. Trip was the first to speak saying, "You know, you're as much trouble as Lizzie, my kid sister."
"This didn't happen because I'm a girl!" insisted Hoshi. But then she felt a familiar cramping in her abdomen. Oh no, not now!
"Something set it off. We better bind your wounds to quash the scent of blood." Malcolm began methodically ripping at the loose material of Hoshi's pant leg to create strips for bandages. He was surprised when Hoshi moved her legs away quickly.
"Don't touch me!"
Malcolm blinked. What did she think he was doing? "I'm sorry, Cricket, I was only--"
"I'll do it myself. You boys just look out for more devil skunks," said Hoshi as she limped behind a tree. She needed to take care of her problem. She shuddered at the unsanitary conditions, but she had little choice. Luckily the fabric ripped easily.
"What did I do?" whispered Malcolm to himself, but he heard Trip responding as the boy clasped him on the shoulder.
"Really, Malcolm, one would never expect Eyore to try to cop a feel from a girl," said Trip with a lazy grin.
"What! I would never!" said Malcolm as he blushed profusely.
"Come on, haven't you started noticing girls yet? Is there something wrong with you?"
"I'm perfectly, well, mostly normal and yes, of course I've noticed girls. I've just been brought up to act like a gentleman."
"Yeah, well, my mama's raising me to be a gentleman, too, but that don't mean I can't act like a rascal every once in a while. Don't you ever, you know, let go? Do something on impulse?"
Malcolm became very quiet and the stricken look on his face made Trip re-think his words. Something was bothering the runt, that's for sure.
"It's better to be cautious and think things through before one acts," said Malcolm stiffly. He turned his back on Trip as memories flooded his mind. Yes, he did act on impulse and had learned to regret it.
"You keep a look out while I find a walking stick for Miss Prissy."
Malcolm merely nodded. Trip was soon back with three walking sticks, one for each of them.
"Whadya think?" the Southerner asked.
"If you break one end into a sharp point, we could have a primitive weapon. It might just be enough to chase off another animal."
"Good idea, Malcolm," said Trip as he broke the ends sharply with his foot. "That was the strangest skunk--"
"It wasn't a skunk, was it?" asked Hoshi as she finally emerged. She had completely ripped both pantlegs so that they were now shorts. She continued in her prim tone, "We aren't on Earth, are we?"
Trip and Malcolm merely stared at her as the realization struck them. "Well, where in blessed space are we then?"
"I don't know, but I don't think my parents would have sent me off to a camp on another planet." Hoshi took the walking stick Trip proffered with a brief thank you. "Haven't you noticed how the plants look slightly different? And birds. I can't hear any birds and I'm capable of identifying numerous species."
"Cricket's right. There are no birds or even flying insects that I've seen. And I'm not sneezing," said Malcolm.
"What's sneezing got to do with it?" asked Trip. The boy and the girl were a real odd couple of kids.
"I'm allergic to a lot of tree pollens, but nothing has bothered me here."
"So, we're not in Kansas anymore, huh?"
Hoshi and Malcolm shook their head.
"Okay, so that means we need to find this camp and get some answers pronto. I wish I had something more than a stick for protection," said Trip.
"A slingshot would be easy enough to make, but the fabric isn't elastic enough," said Malcolm as he considered this.
"But the waistband is! Come on, Cricket, you've already started ripping your jumper up. Why don't you contribute?"
Hoshi stood there open-mouthed and spread her hands across her chest. "I will NOT go topless just so you boys can get some testosterone surge. Really!"
Trip rolled his eyes and said, "Well, it's not like ya have anything to hide!"
"Oh! You--you PERVERT!" said Hoshi as she abruptly turned her back to the boys. Really, they were quite infuriating. The nerve!
"Come on, Malcolm, how about--"
"A gentleman does not go shirtless in front of a lady," said Malcolm quietly. He could just register Hoshi's approving nod at his words, but actually, he had no wish to expose himself to further teasing. He was a small, skinny boy and needed no reminders.
"Aw, to heck with you two! Fine," grumbled Trip as he unzipped the jumper and began to tug the sleeves off. "Don't know what problem you have with going shirtless, especially on a warm day like this one. Heck, I run around most of the summer without a shirt on!"
Trip soon had a strip of elastic out of his waistband. Malcolm offered him the perfect Y-shaped twig, just green enough to be strong, but not too old to be brittle, in order to placate the boy. Hoshi had begun to gather what pebbles she could find as well. No one was going to call her a useless female!
"Thanks," said Trip as he created his slingshot and accepted their offerings. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the sky above them. "Well, regardless of where we are, I'd call it about noon."
His companions confirmed his words. Trip began walking on the trail a bit more gloomily than before. The British kid must be rubbing off on him. He squelched a sigh when he heard the girl say, "I'm getting hungry."
"Thanks for reminded me," said Trip.
"It was merely an observation. I wasn't whining," insisted Hoshi.
"We should be at the campsite soon. Maybe they'll have some food there. I'm more worried about getting water," said Malcolm.
They walked along in silence for a while, but Malcolm didn't find it as welcoming as he had first wished. Hoshi was limping bravely along, but Trip had soon slowed his loping gait to accommodate his companions. He noticed he was getting thirsty now that the Brit had mentioned it.
"May I see the slingshot you made?" asked Malcolm. Trip was about to give a sharp retort when he realized the boy just wanted to admire his handiwork.
"Sure, take a look. See, these pebbles load up the best," said Trip as he showed off his handiwork while they walked in front of their female companion.
"Wait. I think I hear water, like a small brook or something," said Hoshi as she cocked her head.
"The water around here may not be safe to drink," said Malcolm as he still held the slingshot.
"Well, I'll be happy to try it. Which way, Cricket?" asked Trip.
"Ahead to the left, just off the trail," said Hoshi as she pointed with her walking stick.
Trip was off in a flash. Malcolm turned to Hoshi and they walked off the trail in time to see Trip's blonde head disappearing in the underbrush as the ground began to slope.
"Yeehaw! We've got a nice, clean brook down here all right!"
Malcolm was helping Hoshi down the slope as they watched Trip bending over to scoop up some water. They finally made it to the brook, but Hoshi felt Malcolm holding her back.
"Trip, don't move. Stay perfectly still," said Malcolm quietly.
Trip became a statue. He looked out of the corner of his eye because he had noticed a movement in the water.
Splash! The pebble struck the water snake with deadly accuracy. Trip watched as the snake gave a last writhing shudder before all movement ceased.
"Dang, you're a dead aim, Malcolm," said Trip when he finally relaxed.
Malcolm released a sigh as he noticed his hands were now shaking. He felt Hoshi put a hand on his shoulder as Trip walked back to them and finally found his voice. "It could have been harmless."
"Some of the deadliest snakes live in the water on Earth. I wouldn't want to take a chance," said Hoshi.
"Come on, you two get some water while I keep a lookout. If there's something in there that'll make us sick then we'll just all be sick together."
Hoshi and Malcolm smiled back at Trip. Together. Somehow that sounded right.
*****
"...and that's when I was the subject of a case study published in..."
"...and the stupid chickens just would not move outta the way of the go-cart. Ba-bawk! Every time..."
"...it was a difficult choice for my parents, but they realized the academy was just the place for a gifted child like me..."
"...so me and my brother just nod our heads at the driver next to us. See, I had helped him modify the engine for speed..."
Malcolm wanted just one moment of quiet. They had found a trail that was too narrow for the three abreast, so he spent his time walking beside each companion, feeling like a pendulum as the boy and girl provided details of their adventures. AND THEY JUST WOULDN'T SHUT UP!
"Hey, are you all right, Malcolm?" queried Trip as he realized the boy had simply dropped to sit on a convenient tree trunk.
"I'm fine, just need to catch my breath. Why don't the two of you just walk on ahead for a bit? I'll catch up."
"Oh, no, we couldn't leave you here all alone. Who knows what's out here? Bears or snakes or--"
"Polecat!" yelled Trip as he quickly stepped back. Coming out of the ferns was a creature with black fur and a wide strip down its back.
"It's just a skunk. It's harmless as long as we don't bother it," said Hoshi with a tone of condescension. Really, was she the only one who knew anything around here?
Malcolm eyed the creature wearily. With his luck he'd get sprayed and his companions would call him Stinky. The fur was standing on end and the look in its eyes was disturbing as it slowly moved across the path in front of the log. Something about it just wasn't--and that's when it pounced.
"EEEEE!" Razor sharp claws and teeth sank into Hoshi's legs as her scream reverberated in the forest.
Trip moved quickly to grab the skunk by the nape of its neck in an attempt to pull it off, but the creature merely tightened its hold.
"Dang thing won't let go! Quit squirming, Cricket, we'll get it off," said Trip as he tried pulling harder on the fur.
Malcolm knew that since Trip was bigger than he was, he would have a stronger grip. The creature was stubborn and was likely to take a chunk of the girl's leg with it even if Trip were able to pull it off.
"Squeeze the windpipe and move away from her leg," shouted Malcolm as he broke off a branch from the trunk. He took aim and swatted the creature by rapping it sharply between its legs.
"Rowr!" The feral "skunk" emitted an irritated, but pained sound once Trip released his hold on its throat. It made a limping scramble to get away from the humans.
The boys were on either side of Hoshi as they breathed a sigh of relief. Trip was the first to speak saying, "You know, you're as much trouble as Lizzie, my kid sister."
"This didn't happen because I'm a girl!" insisted Hoshi. But then she felt a familiar cramping in her abdomen. Oh no, not now!
"Something set it off. We better bind your wounds to quash the scent of blood." Malcolm began methodically ripping at the loose material of Hoshi's pant leg to create strips for bandages. He was surprised when Hoshi moved her legs away quickly.
"Don't touch me!"
Malcolm blinked. What did she think he was doing? "I'm sorry, Cricket, I was only--"
"I'll do it myself. You boys just look out for more devil skunks," said Hoshi as she limped behind a tree. She needed to take care of her problem. She shuddered at the unsanitary conditions, but she had little choice. Luckily the fabric ripped easily.
"What did I do?" whispered Malcolm to himself, but he heard Trip responding as the boy clasped him on the shoulder.
"Really, Malcolm, one would never expect Eyore to try to cop a feel from a girl," said Trip with a lazy grin.
"What! I would never!" said Malcolm as he blushed profusely.
"Come on, haven't you started noticing girls yet? Is there something wrong with you?"
"I'm perfectly, well, mostly normal and yes, of course I've noticed girls. I've just been brought up to act like a gentleman."
"Yeah, well, my mama's raising me to be a gentleman, too, but that don't mean I can't act like a rascal every once in a while. Don't you ever, you know, let go? Do something on impulse?"
Malcolm became very quiet and the stricken look on his face made Trip re-think his words. Something was bothering the runt, that's for sure.
"It's better to be cautious and think things through before one acts," said Malcolm stiffly. He turned his back on Trip as memories flooded his mind. Yes, he did act on impulse and had learned to regret it.
"You keep a look out while I find a walking stick for Miss Prissy."
Malcolm merely nodded. Trip was soon back with three walking sticks, one for each of them.
"Whadya think?" the Southerner asked.
"If you break one end into a sharp point, we could have a primitive weapon. It might just be enough to chase off another animal."
"Good idea, Malcolm," said Trip as he broke the ends sharply with his foot. "That was the strangest skunk--"
"It wasn't a skunk, was it?" asked Hoshi as she finally emerged. She had completely ripped both pantlegs so that they were now shorts. She continued in her prim tone, "We aren't on Earth, are we?"
Trip and Malcolm merely stared at her as the realization struck them. "Well, where in blessed space are we then?"
"I don't know, but I don't think my parents would have sent me off to a camp on another planet." Hoshi took the walking stick Trip proffered with a brief thank you. "Haven't you noticed how the plants look slightly different? And birds. I can't hear any birds and I'm capable of identifying numerous species."
"Cricket's right. There are no birds or even flying insects that I've seen. And I'm not sneezing," said Malcolm.
"What's sneezing got to do with it?" asked Trip. The boy and the girl were a real odd couple of kids.
"I'm allergic to a lot of tree pollens, but nothing has bothered me here."
"So, we're not in Kansas anymore, huh?"
Hoshi and Malcolm shook their head.
"Okay, so that means we need to find this camp and get some answers pronto. I wish I had something more than a stick for protection," said Trip.
"A slingshot would be easy enough to make, but the fabric isn't elastic enough," said Malcolm as he considered this.
"But the waistband is! Come on, Cricket, you've already started ripping your jumper up. Why don't you contribute?"
Hoshi stood there open-mouthed and spread her hands across her chest. "I will NOT go topless just so you boys can get some testosterone surge. Really!"
Trip rolled his eyes and said, "Well, it's not like ya have anything to hide!"
"Oh! You--you PERVERT!" said Hoshi as she abruptly turned her back to the boys. Really, they were quite infuriating. The nerve!
"Come on, Malcolm, how about--"
"A gentleman does not go shirtless in front of a lady," said Malcolm quietly. He could just register Hoshi's approving nod at his words, but actually, he had no wish to expose himself to further teasing. He was a small, skinny boy and needed no reminders.
"Aw, to heck with you two! Fine," grumbled Trip as he unzipped the jumper and began to tug the sleeves off. "Don't know what problem you have with going shirtless, especially on a warm day like this one. Heck, I run around most of the summer without a shirt on!"
Trip soon had a strip of elastic out of his waistband. Malcolm offered him the perfect Y-shaped twig, just green enough to be strong, but not too old to be brittle, in order to placate the boy. Hoshi had begun to gather what pebbles she could find as well. No one was going to call her a useless female!
"Thanks," said Trip as he created his slingshot and accepted their offerings. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the sky above them. "Well, regardless of where we are, I'd call it about noon."
His companions confirmed his words. Trip began walking on the trail a bit more gloomily than before. The British kid must be rubbing off on him. He squelched a sigh when he heard the girl say, "I'm getting hungry."
"Thanks for reminded me," said Trip.
"It was merely an observation. I wasn't whining," insisted Hoshi.
"We should be at the campsite soon. Maybe they'll have some food there. I'm more worried about getting water," said Malcolm.
They walked along in silence for a while, but Malcolm didn't find it as welcoming as he had first wished. Hoshi was limping bravely along, but Trip had soon slowed his loping gait to accommodate his companions. He noticed he was getting thirsty now that the Brit had mentioned it.
"May I see the slingshot you made?" asked Malcolm. Trip was about to give a sharp retort when he realized the boy just wanted to admire his handiwork.
"Sure, take a look. See, these pebbles load up the best," said Trip as he showed off his handiwork while they walked in front of their female companion.
"Wait. I think I hear water, like a small brook or something," said Hoshi as she cocked her head.
"The water around here may not be safe to drink," said Malcolm as he still held the slingshot.
"Well, I'll be happy to try it. Which way, Cricket?" asked Trip.
"Ahead to the left, just off the trail," said Hoshi as she pointed with her walking stick.
Trip was off in a flash. Malcolm turned to Hoshi and they walked off the trail in time to see Trip's blonde head disappearing in the underbrush as the ground began to slope.
"Yeehaw! We've got a nice, clean brook down here all right!"
Malcolm was helping Hoshi down the slope as they watched Trip bending over to scoop up some water. They finally made it to the brook, but Hoshi felt Malcolm holding her back.
"Trip, don't move. Stay perfectly still," said Malcolm quietly.
Trip became a statue. He looked out of the corner of his eye because he had noticed a movement in the water.
Splash! The pebble struck the water snake with deadly accuracy. Trip watched as the snake gave a last writhing shudder before all movement ceased.
"Dang, you're a dead aim, Malcolm," said Trip when he finally relaxed.
Malcolm released a sigh as he noticed his hands were now shaking. He felt Hoshi put a hand on his shoulder as Trip walked back to them and finally found his voice. "It could have been harmless."
"Some of the deadliest snakes live in the water on Earth. I wouldn't want to take a chance," said Hoshi.
"Come on, you two get some water while I keep a lookout. If there's something in there that'll make us sick then we'll just all be sick together."
Hoshi and Malcolm smiled back at Trip. Together. Somehow that sounded right.
*****
