The Traveler

Walking over to what has a hold on her curiosity, she finds that it is a utility road that has not been used for a long time. Wondering how far it goes, her attention turns back to getting a fire started. 

Clearing an area, she catches herself remembering that most campfires are usually contained within a circle which has her looking around for rocks suitable for the task.

Dropping the last stone in place, the girl Lilly sits still for a moment in taking a breather before her hands get busy snapping twigs into smaller bits. While doing such a mundane chore, her mind wanders back to where mom and dad sit her down in that parent way.  Discussed, all it took was one referral from the employment office that has her looking smart for the interview that ends with her developing a love hate relationship with her alarm.

Stoking the fire, remembers how cool she felt earning that first paycheck. Basing that day on how she feels now, she adds to the flames and feeling some warmth this time around, gets to mashing the dandelion to the right consistency.

Pulp left alone to marinate in its juices; she glances overhead before looking in the direction of. Knowing better to get attached to the point of waiting for someone to walk through the door, the burden of coexisting is far from what she wants right now. Doubting if anything like that will happen, on the other hand, thinks it’s cool that he has a pan and enough water for such an occasion.

 After a glance at the pulp stewing in its mess, she makes her way to the rocky embankment and once her feet are planted upon the road, the girl Lilly sees the Traveler walking this way towards her. Held in one of his hands, is something dead and when the Traveler is several steps away, he holds out his kill while she in turn, points to the squashed mess of flower and root.

Water on the boil, and fresh kill above the flames, with quizzing eyes, she says to him. “How long have you been here?” He drifts back to where he spent a moment with a purple bumblebee and a monarch butterfly sharing a flower and having his answer, he says to her. “I arrived yesterday afternoon.”

She begs for indifference as she goes on to say, “And this is because you are after some preacher dude, right?” Spot on, he tells the girl Lilly, “Among other things.” 

Brief is their meeting of eyes and with her playing it off like his answer is no big deal, the girl Lilly goes about removing the pan away from the bed of coals in letting the mixture cool.

 

 

 By then he has the tin out of his pocket and with lid set aside, ever so carefully he pulls forth a leaf. Next to him and watching him the whole time, the girl Lilly has a look of concern that carries over to her asking him, “Wait, what’s with the leaf?” The truth is hard to believe at times, but he gives it a shot. “A gift is all.” Handing the leaf to the girl Lilly, she turns her hand over and as the leaf falls onto the surface of the steaming water, it begins to spin around like a windblown propeller before the leaf dips below the surface of the water. “Wow,” she says. “That leaf spun around like a crazy compass needle. So weird.”

Needing to and doing his best in distracting her, says in an offhanded way, “The meat is ready. Here you go.” A tad burnt on one side, he never claimed to be a good cook and hoping she doesn’t mind that gritty crunch, erupting deep within him is an ill feeling that is never a good sign. Ever so casually he mentions to the girl Lilly busy at pulling strands away from a hunk of roasted flesh, “The tea should be ready by the time I get back.”

“Wait. What?”

Never minding what questioned, he stands tall and after taking a step forward, stops after seeing that a thousand or more men have surrounded the two. To the girl Lilly, “Come alongside me.” What mouthful had, is spat to the ground before she stands alongside of him. Keeping her eyes ahead, the girl Lilly says, “They look like they don’t like you much.” Thinking she is about right, he tells her, “Guess they all have a reason for feeling the way they do. Can’t help them now, so, let's see how this pans out.” Tucking herself behind his arm, fear has her trembling and with no words to say that will ease her anxiety, out from the lot strolls a lowly creature of a man.