Vacation by Jeremy C. Shipp

Author:Jeremy C. Shipp [Shipp, Jeremy C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General, Fiction, Fantasy, Humorous, Science Fiction, Psychological, Literary
ISBN: 9781933293417
Google: qIqIGAAACAAJ
Amazon: 1933293411
Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press
Published: 2007-04-09T07:00:00+00:00

Part 13

“It’s warm now,” Odin says. “But it’s gonna get cold as shit. Cold shit.”

This is a desert we’re crunching across now. Dark red stretches way too far across the bumpy horizon, and the sun’s way too small.

Another sunset, and I’m still not tired.

“By the way, dude,” Odin says. “You’re a saint. Pari probably won’t be tortured or killed because of you. I really appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, and I’m not lying.

“I keep seeing her face, man. You remember how she looked. Like she wasn’t scared at all, and I know she was doing that for my sake. Pretending. That just breaks my heart even more.”

“I’m sorry,” and I’m still not lying.

“I need to get my mind off her or I’m gonna go nuts.” He fiddles with the checkered blanket wrapped around his head. “Do you know anything about herbs, man?”

“Not really,” and this is true.

“Herbs are the bad asses of the plant kingdom. Their oils are potent shit. The plants use them against predators, viruses, funguses, uh fungi, bacteria, and whatever. That means when we eat these oils, we get those defenses. It’s like millions of years of evolution in a bite sized package. Natural weaponry.”

“Interesting,” and the truth continues.

He keeps talking, and I keep telling the truth, and I realize that when you’re in the process of doing something good for someone, you don’t have to lie.

In time, we reach our destination. The dome house consists of white triangular panels. The bottom panels are white because they’re white. The top panels are white because they’re reflective, and the moon blooms full above. A small pond or reservoir glimmers near the dome. Hundreds of shaggy-haired sheep graze the green plants and drink the black water. Two boys and two dogs yell at us in languages I can’t understand. The boys show us their guns and the dogs their teeth.

Odin says a few words I can’t comprehend.

Soon the boys are laughing, and the dogs are rolling on their backs, as Odin pleases them with jokes and petting.

We head for the dome, and Odin says, “It’s gotta suck to be a shepherd. Resources out in the open like that. You gotta sleep with one eye open. Plus, there’s all the people you have to kill.” He looks back one last time. “But, at least they’re surviving.”

Odin knocks on the door.

A man answers. His skin is white. White, white. The kind of skin you only see in TV shows and movies.

“Hey man,” Odin says.

“Son!” The white man, who I assume is Konstantin, grabs Odin’s hand and shakes it like he wants it dead. “It’s been a long time!”

“Dude, no it hasn’t. And you’re not my dad.”

He clutches my hand next. “And who’s this young man?”

“Bernard. He’s new.”

“New to the area?”

“New new.”

“Well, don’t just stand there! Come in! Have some hot chocolate!”

We enter. I don’t see any hot chocolate.

This place is Noh’s electronics room on steroids. There’s a lot more here, but it’s impotent. No buzz. No lights. Everything seems dead.

Konstantin throws himself onto a mound of pillows and motions for us to join him, but we don’t.

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