 The young woman’s sister pulled up her hood and drove in silence until turning off at a gas station. While her sister pumped gas, the young woman went inside to pay. A tall man was talking at the counter with the store owner. The young woman overheard their conversation as she selected snacks.
“Yeah, you're right, Culley,” said the customer. “I ran into a hitchhiker who had one of those boxes. I didn’t want to take any part in that. I drove off as soon as I saw the box. I’m not gonna be their delivery driver.” “There was a Melting Raid not too far north of here the other night, so she probably knows what’s going on.” “True. It’s just, when kids in the neighbourhood start showing up with lines, I get concerned. If adults want to do it, fine, but don’t involve the kids.” The customer looked up as the young woman approached. “You can go ahead,” he said, stepping aside. “Thanks,” she said, placing her items on the counter. “Pump three.” “Good time of year for canoeing,” said Culley, as he rang up her things. His grey eyes emanated warmth when he smiled. “Yeah,” she agreed. “Well, be careful,” said Culley. “Do you think that hitchhiker was dangerous?” she asked. “Maybe, but they’re not too common around here.” “Still, you can’t trust any of those from the old factory,” said the customer. “But, if their recruits are this lackadaisical, she may have hope yet,” he added, with a knowing glance at Culley.  “Here we are, boy,” said the dog's owner, scratching the dog's ears. The truck had pulled up to a rundown grey farmhouse.
While his owner unloaded the boxes, the dog explored the woods. When the dog returned to the house, his owner was heading inside. The dog followed. The farmhouse's entryway was small. To the left was a narrow door and double doors stood ajar straight ahead. Curious, the dog padded over to the double doors and glimpsed a few rows of benches. His owner pulled him back by his collar as the narrow door opened and another man stepped into the entryway. “Here’s the key,” said the dog’s owner. The other man pocketed the key and handed over a wad of bills in exchange. “Here.” In the week since the dog had seen him, the man's amber eyes had lost some of their iridescence and his beige skin had acquired a blue tinge in places. Metal clattered on wood through the double doors, but the dog resisted the urge to explore the sound. “It’s less than last time,” said the dog's owner, frowning at the money in his hand. “What gives?”  When shadows began to stretch across the desolate gravel road, the guy tore his sign in half and kicked the wooden box, cracking it more. He threw the sign onto the ground and turned toward the forest trail, hoping to find the berry thicket before dark.
Just as the guy reached the trail, headlights flooded the road. A two-door car approached, its peeling red paint and large rusted patch on the hood were visible through the cloud of dust its tires kicked up. Light fell on the guy’s duffle and the box beside the road. The painted eighty-three shone in the headlights’ glare. The car skidded to a stop and the driver’s door flung open. A woman with long red-brown hair flecked with grey and vivid blue eyes strode toward the guy, stopped in the shadows, and glanced at the box and the destroyed sign. “Do you want a ride?” she asked. “Sure,” he said hesitantly. “Yeah, that'd be great.” The woman plopped the box onto the backseat, hastily threw a blanket over it, then got in the driver’s seat and slammed the door. Rusty specks floated to the ground. The guy snatched up his duffle and followed. “Is that yours?” she asked, swerving the car onto the dusty road. Surrounded by dense forest, shadows engulfed them. The only light came from the car's headlights. “No,” the guy answered, growing nervous. “I found it.”  The young woman pulled the wooden box out of the ferns and smiled at her sister.
“It’s like the treasure hunts we had as kids! C’mon, let’s open it!” She could feel her sister's shimmering blue-green eyes glaring at her from beneath her hood. “No.” “C’mon! It’ll be fun!” “No. Help me get this into the truck.” “Fine.” The young woman sighed. “You’re no fun.” When the box, canoe, and paddles were in the back of the truck, they covered everything with a tarp. “We’re destroying that box the first chance we get,” said the young woman's sister, as they drove up the tote road. “You don’t even know what’s inside!” “Yes, I do.” “Well, what is it?” |
