Just Talk
Chapter 44 of my speculative novel, The Lost City of Desire
[Read chapters 1-43 here. Only four chapters remaining. A new project will follow.]
When we returned to our fire, we realized Little Calico had disappeared without a word.
“Who knows, she might be right behind that brush over there, listening and watching,” said Carmen.
“I wanted to thank her,” I said.
I noticed a piece of paper on a flat rock nearby, addressed to Carmen. I gave it to her and she read the exquisite handwriting out loud:
“Carmen, you’ll be safe. And maybe I’ll be watching. Here’s what you do. You walk up the high trail for one full day until you reach the village of Dedodder. Watch for drones along this section of the trail, as you are very, very close to the border. I know everyone talks about the wall, but I’ll let you in on a secret: don’t worry about it. It will not be a problem, seriously. Up ahead you’ll find the hermit. You and Sarah should listen to what the hermit says.”
She folded the paper and put it in her pocket.
“Ahh,” she said.
She remembered that Terence, too, had mentioned a hermit.
“Tell me again, who the hell is Calico?” I asked.
“She’s from a very peculiar group of people I met a few nights ago. They all originally came from the other side. They sent her to follow me and protect me.”
“From what?”
“I’m not sure,” Carmen said. “Maybe just my own inexperience and stupidity.”
I laughed.
“I hope she can save us then,” I said.
“She’s pretty clever. I didn’t even know she was following me – right alongside, but back in the woods — until I needed her. I tell you, I’ve seen a lot of crazy shit since you guys went off.”
I felt downcast.
“I know you had no choice but to leave,” Carmen said.
“Christ.”.
“I know you would have come back for me.”
“What happened to you? How’d you escape?”
“That’s a long story,” Carmen said. “That’s a nighttime story. But I’ll tell you, I didn’t “get” away. I didn’t escape. I just walked away. They pretty quickly came around to the idea that they had nothing they could hold over me -- I was undefeatable.”
I was impressed.
“I’ll tell you later,” she said. “Let’s build up the fire,” Carmen said. “I’ve got some sweet potatoes and some smoked trout that Little Calico left behind.”
“Damn I’m hungry.”
“Do you still have the device?” Carmen asked.
“Yup.”
“I think it’s going to help us a lot.”
Carmen stuck the potatoes in the coals to cook while we ate the trout. I lay down on the warm earth near the fire and fell fast asleep as the potatoes cooked. Carmen poked at the fire, feeling her loss.