The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
The small family had been lucky so far as to not encounter anymore gorillas during the day.
Barlow hasn't stopped once during the day; he just kept the horses going. But then that is what he always did while traveling. He would stop that at night to rest. Then by morning he would have breakfast, before getting back in the driver's seat and resume his journey. He wouldn't really stop for lunch during the day. He would eat when he stopped near dusk to settle in for the night.
Something that was to be soon upon them.
Julie, Galen, and their infant daughter were faring well, despite having to hide in the back of the cart the entire time. But at least the cart was spacious enough that they weren't on top of each other, and they could stretch their legs out in front of them if they wanted.
When the couple weren't chatting with each other or their friend Barlow, they would pull out the books they had in their packs and read.
It was a nice distraction from everything else going on around them and settled their nerves a bit. For them, this had to be the most dangerous journey yet. But it was the only option they had. They needed to get to this human settlement Barlow had told them about.
It was their only chance at a new life together.
"How she doing?" Galen asks his wife, while looking down at their daughter.
"She's doing fine. She seems to have gotten use to the slight bumpiness of the ride." Julie replied, as she held the small infant close to her front.
"Good. Let's hope she will continue to be fine during the rest of this long trip. The longest trip I've ever taken took me a total of four days to get to my destination. But a week, that's certainly a very long one. Don't know how Barlow keeps doing it repeatedly." Galen stated.
"Because after a while, you get used to it." Barlow chimed in, hearing their conversation from the driver's seat in front of them.
"Must definitely be worth the trip if you have been to this human settlement plenty of times over the years." Julie says.
"It most certainly is. Since the humans there are highly intelligent like yourself, they have a pretty nice built-up settlement for themselves. And the people themselves are very pleasant." The old chimp replied with a small smile.
The young woman shifts her gaze from her left where Barlow was sitting behind the wooden planks that make up the wall and the canvas tarp to her daughter, who was snoozing away in her arms.
"I will just be happy if Serena can have something very close to a normal life with friends and happiness." She says, as she continues to look at her.
"And she will, Juliet." Galen said, as he reached up and caressed his daughter's little cheek as she slept against her mother's front.
"You think we'll have a bit of a challenging time adjusting, Romeo? Or rather, will you have a hard time adjusting, seeing as what Barlow told us, it's mostly humans there with very few ape inhabitants?" She asks.
"It will certainly be quite a change. But as long as we are all together, I'm happy." He replied.
"You'll be fine, Galen. In fact, I have a couple friends there I think you'll get along with quite nicely. They're around your age too. They are also astronauts." Barlow informed him.
"Really? What are they like?" The younger chimp asked.
An amused grin appeared on Barlow's face. Though they couldn't see it from being under the tarp.
"Let's just say they can be quite the rascals with humor similar to your own. That's why I think you would get along with them well. If anything, they kind of remind me of a human version of you." The older chimp lightly joked.
Julie snorted, "If that's the case, then he really should have no problem making friends."
"Hah! I never had that issue to begin with. Had plenty of friends growing up and still do. Though a few of them moved out of Ape City to some other ape settlements. They preferred the quieter, slow pace of the countryside, rather than the hustle and bustle of the large city. It's one major thing we all had in common. Hence why I decided to live in my parents' home rather than get a place within the city like Cornelius did." Galen says.
"Don't blame you there, my friend. Was never one for city living either. That's why I asked a couple friends of mine who are architects to build me a home a few miles out near the surrounding woods." Barlow stated.
"Guess no one here likes living in the city. I never cared much for cities either. Their just too crowded, loud, and not the cleanest of places either. Like a lot of people have raved about New York City, but in truth, the place is a total dump. Not to mention the crime rates there are unbelievable. Surprised more people aren't leaving that city in droves." Julie said.
"Really that bad, huh?" The older chimp inquired.
"You have no idea. Parts of it are extremely expensive to live in while other parts are very run down and have a lot of gang issues. Not to mention, it can be quite filthy there with trash littering the sidewalks and sides of the roads every now and then, as well as the subways. People there can also be very rude, and many don't really have many manners. It's also always loud there from all the people and the countless vehicles on the roads." She explained.
"Well, we cannot say Ape City is filthy, has trouble with crime, or the inhabitants rude. But it is crowded and occasionally loud as we stated before." Galen says.
"I still find it hard to believe that you say apes rarely ever have issues with crime." She stated.
"Probably because we have severe punishment for those that break any laws here. The government doesn't tolerate any disorder among the populace. To do so, means they face penalties for it. The worse the crime, the harsher they are." Barlow said.
"As much as I hate to say it, maybe if they implemented harsher punishment for criminals in my time, maybe we wouldn't be having so many issues with those who are breaking the law." Julie admitted.
Yes, there were certainly many cases where the justice system was not only broken but at times, it was a complete joke.
Probably why they have been having very high crime rates for the better part of the last few decades. All the way from, burglary, theft, fraud, assault, rape, to murder. Just an endless list of all the lovely shining examples of what some despicable people were doing to break the law.
The three of them only chatted about that topic for another few minutes before switching to another topic.
"Hey Barlow, have you ever had any issues with wildlife out here? Like bears, wolves, mountain lions, or snakes?" Julie questioned.
"Thankfully not all that much. I did discover a raccoon going into my cart once to get at my provisions at least once. Had to chase the little bugger out with a long, sturdy stick.
I also had a close call with a large brown bear once. I stopped my cart near the side of the road, to relieve myself by a nearby tree when I heard the familiar sounds of grunting. I knew exactly what it was, and I froze. Next thing I know, I see this large head pop out from behind none other than the tree I was urinating on.
It startled me so much that I didn't even pull my pants up all the way as I booked it back to the cart, clumsily climbed back into the driver's seat with the waistline of my pants still hanging around the middle of my thighs.
Then I quickly flicked the reins and got the horse going at a full run. That bear ran behind us down the road for quite some distance before giving up the chase. Thankfully, it did end up leaving, which was a good thing, because I could tell my horse was tired from running while pulling the full weight of the cart and me behind him.
Though I must say, the best part came when I bypassed an ape couple in their cart coming from the opposite direction, and to say they were shocked, was an understatement as they rode by and saw I still had my pants partially don my legs with the family 'jewels' still hanging out for all to see." Barlow stated, with some laughter in his voice.
Galen and Julie couldn't help but laugh at his funny story. They could only imagine the ape couple was very surprised when they rode by Barlow with his privates hanging out.
"I think I recall you mentioning that story before. When father was still alive. He laughed like crazy when you told him when you came by to visit. While mother just shook her head and stated how 'you should be ashamed of yourself' all while wagging a finger at you. And Cornelius just placed his hand over his mouth, trying hard not to laugh but was failing miserably. While I myself was laughing just as much as father." The younger chimp said, with a hint of amusement.
"Yeah, I think we're all quite familiar with the fact that Barlow always seems to have endless amounts of hilarious stories. I can recall a couple stories he shared with us while he visited and there were times, I thought I'd piss myself from laughing so hard." Julie teased.
"Try to keep your laughter in control then while in this cart. Don't want to be having any accidents in here now, do we?" Galen joked.
"I could say the same thing about you. Only the issue with you is not your bladder but rather your bowels. Whatever you ate for lunch earlier, made you very gassy. The smell was so foul, I contemplated shoving a small vegetable up your ass to cork it." She retorted.
They heard Barlow laughing at her remark. This made Galen's face turn red with embarrassment.
"What me? You must be mistaken. It was probably the baby." The younger chimp weakly countered.
"Definitely not her. The farts I heard were coming from right beside me, not below me when I was holding her. Plus, I would've felt the vibrations from her ass as she ripped one and she didn't. Not to mention, her gas still doesn't smell nearly as rancid as yours. I swear you stunk up this whole goddamn food cart." Julie insisted.
"Oh dear, I hope the food is still safe enough for consumption if that's the case." Barlow says.
"It's not that bad. Stop exaggerating." Galen lightly blurted out, still red in the cheeks.
"I'm not. It was bad enough that I think it would've choked a skunk out." She continued joking.
"Or any gorilla troopers that we come by again, would think I'm carting around a cart full of manure rather than food." Barlow said, getting in with the jokes.
"If you two don't cut it out, I'll eat more broccoli again and really gas you both out then." Galen threatened.
That shut the woman and older chimp up really quick.
"Yeah, and then you'll gas out our daughter too. And I doubt she'd be very happy about it. Probably start screaming her head off from the nasty rank smell." Julie told him.
Galen sighs, "You're probably right. It wouldn't be fair to her. Though next time I get you two alone, there will be no mercy." The younger chimp teased.
"Oooh, we're so scared. Right, Barlow?" Julie joked.
"Oh yes, absolutely terrified. You can't see me right now from beneath the tarp, but I'm actually trembling." The old chimp joked back.
"Hmph, trust me when I say, you both will be. Mark my words." Galen stated while wagging a finger at his wife's face, while she still gave him an amused look.
"Uh huh, sure. Though I think instead of calling you Galen, I'll start calling you 'Gassy'." She said, with a teasing grin.
He arched an eye ridge at that.
"Don't even think about it, you." He says.
"Or call him 'Gassy Galen'." Barlow joked.
Julie chuckled at that, "Hey, that sounds even better and actually, pretty catchy."
Galen gave her a dead pan look.
"You both suck." He said.
This had both Julie and Barlow laughing a little.
Though they try to keep their laughter down a little and not be too loud. While Serena can be a pretty heavy sleeper, very loud and sudden noises may awaken her and when it happens, she wakes up with a start and begins to cry at being startled awake.
They continued chatting and teasing each other back and forth for another hour or so, before it started getting dark as dusk was now upon them.
"I think we'll stop for the night. It's starting to get dark." Barlow announced to his passengers.
"Are we still on the wooded path going through the woods?" Galen asked.
Both he and Julie knew that Barlow headed off the main road some time ago and started going through a smaller wooded path. The path was just wide enough for the fairly large cart to squeeze through.
"Yes, we are. I'm going to stop within the next five minutes or so. There is a small river not eight meters to the right off of this path. It will be a good place for me to fill the water canteens." The older chimp informed them.
Then just like he said, Barlow stopped his cart.
He then got down from the driver's seat and circled around back and opened the flap, peering inside at the small family.
"You two want to hand over your canteens?" The old chimp asked.
"Alright." Galen said.
Then he grabbed both his and his wife's canteen. Both of which were laying in the hay next to where they sat.
Afterwards, he crawled over, dragging the canteens over by their straps. Then he handed them to Barlow at the end of the cart. The old chimp took them both with a small nod.
"Just be careful out there in the dark, Barlow. Quite a few predators maybe out right now." Galen warned him.
"Yes, I know. That's why I have my pistol on me. I'll be right back with the canteens. Just sit tight." Barlow told him.
Then he let the canvas flap fall back into place before leaving to go fill the water canteens. It wasn't completely pitch dark yet. There was still just enough light still peeking over the horizon that gave him enough to see through the dense foliage.
Thankfully, he wasn't gone long. He came back within five minutes or so with the now filled canteens.
"I was debating whether or not if we should start a fire. But I'm unsure if it may draw unwanted attention to ourselves. Usually, gorilla troopers are never out here at night hunting humans. But considering the circumstances, there could be a chance that Urko, Ursus, and his men could be out here in the late hours. Yet at the same time, we need to be able to see, at least while we eat." Barlow said, unsure.
"Can't we just make a fire while eating dinner and then put it out once we're finished?" Julie suggested.
"That could work. Plus, we'd be able to hear them coming and just go back into the cart when they come close." Galen added.
"This is true. Not to mention, it's really not that out of the ordinary to see small campfires out here. They know there are plenty of apes that travel to other destinations quite frequently and many of these journeys do take at least a couple days or more sometimes. I guess my concern stems from the fact on whether or not they may investigate each campfire they spot in the distance through the trees. But a small fire while we eat doesn't hurt either." Barlow surmised.
"It shouldn't if it's small and the foliage around these parts is quite dense. For safety, we won't leave it going long." Galen says.
"Alright, I'll get started and start collecting sticks and dead leaves." The old chimp replied.
"Do you need a hand?" Galen asked.
"That would be nice, thank you. Just don't wander too far from the cart." Barlow told him.
"Got it." The younger chimp said.
Then he turned his attention back to Julie.
"I'll be back shortly, Love." He says.
"Ok, like Barlow says, don't go too far. I need to nurse Serena anyway." She replied.
Galen then left the cart and joined Barlow, helping him look for sticks to make a small fire.
It took a little while, before they were able to gather up enough sticks and some dead leaves. Then they brought them all back to the small clearing right near the cart, put everything down on the ground and started working on getting a fire going.
Like always, it took a few tries, before they were successful. Then they were able to build up a decent size campfire for themselves.
Afterwards, Galen walked back to the cart and let Julie know the fire was ready and that she can come out now. She shuffled over with the baby cradled to her with one arm, then when she was close enough to the opening at the back of the cart, Galen helped her out.
Then he walked his small family over to this old, weathered log to sit on a few feet away from the fire.
"I'll go get the food for everyone." Galen told them.
Then he returned to the cart and started going through the large sacks of fruits and vegetables. There were also a couple medium size beige colored sacks filled with dried meat strips. He also got a couple thin wooden plates out of his and Julie's packs. There was also one in Barlow's pack too in the back of the cart.
Galen started loading up the plates. Though he made sure the portions weren't too big because they needed enough to make three meals a day for at least the next six days after this.
He finished pretty quickly then started moving the plates one at a time to the cart's exit so not to spill the contents.
When he got there, he poked his head out and called Barlow over to grab a couple of the plates. Galen handed the old chimp his plate and Julie's. Afterwards, Barlow moved away and returned to the tiny campsite only about eight feet away. He handed Julie her plate, who took it with a 'thanks'.
Galen then exited the cart with his plate and he went and sat back down next to his wife and infant daughter.
"You want me to hold her while you eat? Then afterwards, I'll hand her back to you when you're done, then I'll eat." He suggested to her.
"Ok, thanks." She says.
Julie put her plate down beside her on the old log. Then she carefully handed their daughter over to him.
Serena was still awake at the moment, and looking around with wide, curious eyes. Galen softly smiled as he took her and held her close as she continued looking around her new surroundings briefly.
"Always the curious little one, isn't she?" Barlow stated, as he started eating.
"Always." Galen replied, with a smile still on his face.
"Must get it from her father. You always looked around new surroundings with curious eyes too as an infant and a small child. Plus, once you were old enough to speak, you pointed at anything and everything asking, 'What's that?'. Something your father, mother, and I always found to be so amusing. While your older brother, would get annoyed because you would say it quite often. Because it was one of the only few words you knew at the time. Think you were maybe around I want to say...two years old at the time." Barlow mentioned with an amused smile.
Julie laughed at that al little. Finding it to be both very amusing and cute.
"Oh really? He was that curious about things, huh?" She inquired, while shifted her amused gaze to her husband sitting beside her.
Galen just rolled his eyes as he gently rocked his daughter.
"What? I doubt I was the only toddler who was curious to know what everything was and how everything worked." He said.
"Oh, I don't know about that, Galen. Been around many friends' children. Can't say any of them were as curious or nosy enough to get into just about everything like you did. Your mother damn near had a heart attack when you stripped out of your clothes and covered yourself with flour than walked around the house making moaning sounds, pretending to be a ghost. I believe you were...four at the time." Barlow says, with an amused grin.
Julie who was drinking water at the time from her canteen, sputtered and spat some water right back out as she started to laugh at what the old chimp just said.
Galen's face turned red in embarrassment for what had to be at least the third time that day, as he awkwardly coughed into his closed fist with his free hand.
"Barlow, I swear, you're like the embarrassing uncle you never want your dates to meet because you know for a fact that he will embarrass them like no tomorrow and have said date laughing at them." The younger chimp quipped.
The old chimp just shrugs his shoulders with a small smirk.
"It's what I'm here for, Galen." He stated nonchalantly as he took a bite out of a piece of fruit on his plate.
"Either that or you'd be the fun uncle that brings all the booze to the wild parties and get liquored up with them." Julie teased.
Upon hearing that, Barlow chuckled a little.
"Funny you mention that because the thing is that actually..."
"No, Barlow! Don't you dare tell her what I think you're going to tell her!" Galen blurted out, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"Oh no, I got to hear this one now. What happened, Barlow?" She asked.
"I mean it, Barlow. Not a word." Galen warned, right after she inquired to know more.
"Oh, come now, Galen. Surely you still can't be all that embarrassed about it. It happened twenty years ago, when you were seventeen." The old chimp pointed out.
"Time is irrelevant. It was still very embarrassing and mortifying." Galen replied.
"Where'd it take place and what happened?" Julie continued.
"It actually took place at Galen's house. Though at the time, it was still his parents' house because they were both still alive then. It was a warm late spring night. Yalu and Ann were attending a friend's wedding ceremony. While Cornelius was out that evening back in the city taking Archaeology Courses at the School of Science. This left Galen alone. He thought it was the perfect time to have his own 'little' party with some of his friends. He even informed a few of his friends about his parents being away for the ceremony, only a few days prior to it.
So, when his parents left in the early evening, around an hour or so later, his friends started coming over. Though what he didn't count on was his friends spreading the word and telling others about Galen's 'party'. In the end, instead of only five of his friends stopping by, it instead turned into about twenty.
I was on my way over to the house to visit Yalu and Ann and bringing with me a few pints of ale in bottles. I completely forgot that he and Ann would be gone that night for the ceremony. So, when I went knocking on the door, I didn't expect to see a panicked teenaged Galen answer the door. And I could hear all the ruckus in the background from all the other young apes there.
I asked him what was going on and he eventually told me he was supposed to have a small party with just a small handful of friends. But apparently his friends were utter blabber mouths that went and told some of their other friends and invited them along without informing Galen. Not only that, but quite a few of them brought in alcohol with them and by the time I arrived, quite a few of them were already quite inebriated.
I figured, since I was already there and had those few pints of ale bottles on me, I didn't want them to go to waste, so, I ended up joining the party, much to Galen's dismay. Then I started drinking and partying with the others. I must've polished off more than half the ale I brought with me.
His friends then thought it was a good idea to have a little dance competition. Something that I of course, have decidedly joined. The first ape to go made it about a couple minutes into his dance routine before passing out from drinking too much. The next one after that barely made it a minute before he quickly covered his mouth and darted across the living room, jumped on the couch, thrusted his head out the window and vomited outside right on Ann's petunias that she planted along the front.
That is when I took my turn. I jumped onto the coffee table, took off my vest and started swinging it about my head while wiggling my hips back and forth in small circles. At the same time, I look over to see Galen's eyes nearly bulging out of his head with a shocked look on his very red face." Barlow explained.
Julie was really laughing by the end of it. While Galen smacked a hand to his face and grumbled as he dragged his hand down it.
"Wow, that has to be one of the best stories yet! Can only imagine what happened once his parents came home!" She said between laughs.
"Well, they ended up coming home a little early that night because Ann started having stomach issues. Probably had too many sweets. That's when she tends to have stomach issues. But Yalu and his wife knew something was up because they could clearly hear the loud boisterous yells of the drunken teenagers in the home all the way from the road.
They parked their carriage off to the side of their home, and quickly made their way back around to the front door. On the way there, if I remember correctly, Ann saw some vomit on the outer windowsill from when that one ape ran over to the window and vomited out of it.
Yalu apparently threw opened the door and yelled, 'What was going on?!' Or at least according to Galen that's what he said. They found me passed out on the couch, snoring away with a bottled still clenched in one hand, resting on top of my stomach during this time. So, I was completely out and oblivious and didn't hear a thing.
Yalu and Ann started shouting for everyone to vacate the premises and that they will be notifying each and every one of their parents for their inappropriate behavior and bringing all that booze into their home. Then once all the shocked teens ran and stumbled out of the house, Yalu and Ann could see just how much of a mess it was.
I'm almost surprised Yalu didn't kill Galen for pulling such a stunt like that on them. He did ream the boy out good for it though. Both he and Ann made Galen clean the whole house and then they forbid him for going out for the next several weeks." Barlow further explained.
"If we are finally done with telling this atrocious story, can you please tell us how long before we make it to the start of the forbidden zone from here?" The younger chimp inquired, quickly changing the subject.
"Not too long. It takes a total of three days from my place to get to the start of the forbidden zone. Then another four to get to the human settlement. We've already completed day one. So, two more days after this until we reach the forbidden zone. The good thing about it is when we pass over into it, you all won't have to hide so much. Majority of apes, the gorilla troopers included don't go in there.
We will also continue due south before shifting slightly west on the last day out. The human settlement is only two miles from the nearest beach. So, it is southwest from our currently location.
But until that time, I suggest you stay hidden in the cart, until we leave this territory and cross into the forbidden zone. I advise you sleep in there too. It is very comfortable. It's where I sleep when I camp out overnight. Plus, it's safer because you wouldn't be out in the open." Barlow informed them.
"Sounds like a plan." Julie says.
She eventually finished her dinner then gestured to take baby Serena, so Galen was free to eat his dinner.
They continued chatting about what to expect while on this journey and that they need to be as careful as possible. Because who knows just how many gorilla troops are out and about right now looking for them.
The small group just needed to be sure to continue staying several steps ahead of the gorillas until they reach the forbidden zone.
Once Galen finished his meal, they maybe only let the fire go on for another hour or two before putting it out and they all retreated to the food cart afterwards and went inside of it.
It felt a little weird and awkward chatting with everyone in the dark. But they couldn't risk letting the fire go on any longer, just in case there were any gorillas within this area somewhere.
Eventually, as the moon got higher in the sky, everyone started turning in for the night.
Julie placed Serena in this little empty box with hay lining the bottom. It was a box that was connected to the floor of the cart. Barlow told them he will sometimes put bottles in there. But obviously, there weren't any in there now and that's why she could set the baby in there to sleep.
Then her and Galen took out their travel blankets and laid right next to each other near the front of the cart and in the center, just a foot down and away from the box their daughter was sleeping in. While Barlow pulled out his own blanket and laid down closer to the back of the cart.
Despite sitting for majority of the day, they all were exhausted. Probably from all the anxiety and stress from the days' events. After all, so much has happened within one day. They went from being settled in their home which was supposed to be a safe haven for them. To being discovered, then having to run. All while being hunted and pursued by Ursus, Urko, and their troops, and at least one time, they almost were caught.
The small family can only hope that was the only run in they will have with any troopers. They pray it will be a smoother ride from here on out and before they know it, Barlow will eventually get them to this settlement, where they will be safe and sound from the dangers of gorilla troopers and anyone else trying to pursue them.
Until Next Time ;)