Jed the Dead by Alan Dean Foster

Author:Alan Dean Foster [Foster, Alan Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9780441003990
Publisher: Ace

FOURTEEN

Ross Ed looked forward to seeing the Grand Canyon. It wasn't a component of his original itinerary, but seeing as how they were going to have to skirt the rim, it seemed foolish not to make the slight detour and have a look.

Heading south through Cameron, they soon found themselves among crowds of sightseers from all over the world. The park itself was crowded, but less so than it would have been on a holiday or weekend. The summer trams weren't in operation yet and it was possible to take your own car along the south-rim drive.

Inquiring at the main office, they discovered that a couple of cabins had just become available at Phantom Ranch, at the bottom of the canyon.

"What do you think?" Ross Ed asked her as the reservations clerk helped someone else with a backcountry hiking permit.

"I think it'd be wonderful, Ross. We've lost the army, so why not have some fun? Hiking could be a nice change from driving, and if I get tired, you can always carry me."

Deliberately, he let his eyes travel the length of her. "I dunno about that, Caroline. You're a pretty big girl."

She executed a little pirouette. "Me? Why, I'm light as feather. A six-foot feather, from a giant roc."

"Rocks don't have feathers," he countered.

She patiently explained.

Since they would be spending the night at the ranch, they had no need to carry anything but some snack bars and sufficient water, which they purchased at the busy park convenience store. It was chilly when they started out the next morning, but they were informed it would be thirty degrees warmer at the bottom of the canyon.

Among her possessions Caroline found a daypack which, with straps extended to the maximum, just did fit on Ross Ed's back. Into this they packed the food bars, water, and one uncomplaining dead alien. A light blanket covered Jed's head and upper torso, which stuck out of the top of the pack. No way, Ross declared, was he going to leave his deceased friend overnight in the van in a public parking lot, where inquisitive saucer nuts and army types might find him. The little alien wasn't heavy, and in any case, Ross was used to toting far heavier loads.

"Besides, the ranger said not to leave any valuables in your car." As they started down the Bright Angel trail he shortened his stride so that Caroline could keep pace without straining.

"Well, if they break into my van they won't find anything valuable." Artfully, she stepped around one of the ubiquitous piles of mule dung which decorated the trail. "I know what valuables are, of course. I can comprehend them theoretically."

"Tell me what you'd consider a theoretical valuable, Caroline."

As they descended they discussed dreams of what she'd never had. Once they passed Indian Gardens they left the last of the day hikers behind and the overwhelming solitude of the Canyon closed in around them. Thus far they'd encountered elderly couples in astonishing physical condition, Scandinavian students clad in

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