“Is that so? When you put that hood on, it makes your head look real long. Like an eggplant. Naw, more like an alien.”
“Good. Then maybe the locals will leave me alone,” she said in a husky voice. ‘I saw an alien without no dern flyin’ saucer, Hank! It was walkin’ upright, wearing humanoid clothes, and speakin’ the same words we do! They’ve been watching us again, preparing to take over Earth! Oh Lord, hurry to Otis’ cornfield ’fore it’s too late!”
He chuckled as he gathered a few things, bear spray and what not, and tucked them in his outdoorsmen vest. After he put a couple of water bottles in his backpack, they started on their way.
The grass was so green and lush, he had to pause and run the tips of his fingers over it. The air was sweet, and a nice breeze caressed their faces. It was cool outside, but not so much that he was cold. He took English’s hand, and they engaged in a bit of small talk, following a path probably made by animals or hunters over the years. Every ten minutes or so, the trees became a bit denser. Some stood so high, he couldn’t see the tops of them. They passed wild mushrooms and flowers, and all manner of foliage.
Then, he heard it. And so did she. She squeezed his hand hard.
“What’s that noise?!” she whispered. “Sounds like a cat.”
“Fox.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Shhh…” He stepped back with her, leaning against a tree. “We don’t want to scare it away…”
“The hell we don’t!”
“Shhh! Don’t you want to see it? I hear it coming.” They crouched down, and sure enough, a fox began approaching.
“Do foxes jump on people?” she whispered.
“Jump on people? It’s not a kangaroo or toad. Oww!” She hit his shoulder, and he quickly covered his mouth. The fox suddenly looked up, visibly sniffing the air. “…They generally leave folks alone,” he said in a low voice. “If you want to get ’em to leave, just make a lot of noise. They’re more scaredy cats than anything else.” She nodded and they watched as the fox slowly walked away.
“That fox was beautiful. I am so tired of using that word today, but nothing else can describe it. I have never seen one that up-close before.”
They got to their feet and resumed their walk. From the sound of water, he figured there was a creek up ahead. Sure enough, after a few more minutes, they came upon it. The faint sunlight was now a little lower in the sky, and the water practically sparkled.
“Oh, my goodness.” English grinned as she walked ahead of him, bouncing towards the water. “It looks so clean and clear. I can see the rocks… there’s fish!” Standing behind her, he wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her in for a gentle kiss. The sounds of the stream blended in with the chirping of birds. Everything sounded louder, yet fine-tuned. Rich. Clean.
“We’ve got a whole natural orchestra out here.” She wrapped her arms snugly over his.
“We sure do. This kind of peace is priceless. No cars. No big buildings blocking everything out. No political signs all over the place. Just trees galore, plants, insects, animals, water… love.” She turned around and they pressed their foreheads together. Stayed that way for a while, but not nearly long enough—because long enough would’ve been forever. “Axel, do you know how to climb a tree?”
“What kind of weird question is that?”
“It’s not weird. Do you know how to climb a tree?” She repeated smugly, putting one hand on her hip.
“I’ve been climbing trees since I was born! I’m a climbing aficionado!”
“Typical. Can’t ever get just a straight answer… always has to turn into a brag-a-thon, and probably none of it’s true, Sasquatch Bill.”
“E.T., let me call Sigourney Weaver to come get your alien ass! How ’bout that?”
“You go ahead and call her. I’ll be waiting by the mothership. You’re hairy like a Sasquatch, too, just so you know. I’ve been meaning to tell you. I could start my own wig store by shaving just your legs and chest tonight!”
Now he was chasing her around, pretending he couldn’t catch her just yet.
“Speaking of head gear, make sure you put a section in that wig store for snacks for the customers. Loaves of bread and such, or just take the one off your shoulders, because your head looks just like a footlong sandwich under that hood. Subway, eat fresh!”
Now they were laughing their asses off again, and play fighting. Swatting at one another. He tackled her to the ground, and they rolled about, amongst the pebbles and all. The giggling subsided when he had her on her back, and he got on top of her, looking deep into her eyes. Pressing his lips against hers, he damn near exploded from the lust building inside of him. She squirmed beneath him.