Negative Film by Leonard Petracci

Author:Leonard Petracci [Petracci, Leonard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 61

“We are approaching our first stop,” said Zeke as we ate dinner that day, a small army of canned food defending the counter behind him. “And it is time for you to be warned of your first danger. One easily avoidable if you respect it.”

“Oi, I’d like to know what you think would happen if we just bowled right through it,” said Slugger, leaning back in his chair, slapping an empty cup over to illustrate his point. “With the element of surprise on our side, is there really that much here that could stop us? I’d say we pack a right hard punch between all of us.”

“You can try to think about it that way,” answered Zeke, setting his spoon into a bowl of baked beans. “Though you’d leave nothing but destruction in your path. But say you don’t care about that. The thing about danger, and death really, is that it only has to happen once. With but a one-percent risk, it will catch you eventually. Play enough hands of poker, and eventually you’ll be caught by a royal flush. So should you choose that method, I advise using it sparingly.”

“Right, but then if there’s only a one-percent chance in this jungle, then we’re already pretty safe,” said Slugger. “Got to take some risks, right?”

“I did not say that,” answered Zeke. “That was only an example. There is more than what you see here. More than what you think you know. I would not scoff at the invisible.”

“I think we might have an idea,” Lola muttered, and Lucio waggled his fingers in a spooky fashion behind her head, whipping them away before she could turn around and see them.

“Regardless, the second reason is should you try to barge through the jungle, you will lose me as a guide. I like the jungle more than I like people. Far more. Now the danger we approach is small camp, a hermitage. Only a few dozen live there, people who have left society behind for a better life.”

“A better life out here? Seems like they’re giving up a lot for that. If I were to give up society, I’d move somewhere nice, like a mountain or valley. At least somewhere with a hot shower,” said Arial, as she used a napkin to remove a streak of dirt from her forearm. When it came to showers, the boat was severely lacking in water pressure.

“Half the reason they moved here is because it is unpleasant. It’s a defense mechanism of sorts. And I would have joined them long ago, if I could. You see, these people are Regulars, and they’re living where no Special should just wander in. This far in the jungle, there are no laws— instead, they’ve built their own. Above all others is that any Special entering their compound is punishable by death.”

“Well, that’s not fair!” protested Lucio. “Why do they get to say whether or not we can enter?”

“Same reason that Specials walk on Regulars every day and call it civilization.

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