by Jose Moreno
CHAPTER VII***
Barón looked at everyone and said, “It is time to get started.”
At 11:52 am, they begin to set up the camp. Martin, the tent expert, looked around to figure out a good place to put up the tent. He said to everyone, “We have to make sure we set up the tent in a spot where it may not be washed away by water”
“What do you mean by water?” Carl asked puzzled
“In case it rains. Rain could turn this area into a river. Notice how we are surrounded by hills. Water will come our way.” Martin explained.
Mary looked at some stones right below of the edge of the hills and said, “Look at all those big stones piled up over there. Do you think there might be a cave in there?”
Martin looked at Mary with amazement and responded, “That is a good thought.”
They all walked about 400 yards to the place were all those stones were piled up. When they got to the pile, they began walking around looking for a place where they could all fit in.
“Look! We could all fit here” said Carl.
It was a space below a rock that was sustained by another rock.
“As long as that rock remains there, everything will be Ok.” Barón added concerned.
“Well, this is good news. Certainly, this structure will stand the rain.” Martin said sarcastically.
“Also, It will be a great way to hide in case the G. eagles fly around here”, said Mary.
“What are the G eagles?” asked Carl shyly.
“They are special flying government units that look for criminals in a specific area”, Mary said with a pedantic tone.
“I thank you Professor Mary for expounding on G eagles,” Martin responded sarcastically.” I would like to add that they have night vision capabilities, movement detectors, interesting weapons etc. if we remain under that rock, they will have a hard time finding us,” Martin added, imitating the tone of voice of a functio-professor.
In a more serious tone, Barón said, “We have to be careful when we wonder around. We could be detected at any moment by other flying vehicle in the area. We should walk close to the trees and be ready to hide if we perceive signs of any flying vehicle approaching”.”
Then, they began to work on their new home. After working for several hours, they set up the tent using the stone structure to maintain the tent firmly in its place. It was 3:46 pm, on that Monday, when they all finally sat down next to the tent in order to admire their creation. Barón said, “It is time to eat again. We certainly burnt those donuts already”. They all stood up and walked towards their corresponding backpacks, which were on the muddy ground, to take out their food. They opened their backpacks and they pulled a half inch by half inch by 3 inch packaged bar. They all opened their nourishment bars without excitement and began to eat them. At 3:51pm, they had all finished eating their bars.
After their scanty meal, Barón proposed to explore the area as they had already planned in advanced. The plan was to try to look for possible supporters of their cause given that they were in the middle of an area where people, who had grown up without functiomatons, lived. On the other hand, they knew that, by having an encounter with others in the areas, there was the risk of being turned over to the authorities. Thus, Barón said, “Let’s begin the second part of the plan. Let us look for possible residents in the area, who have lived in isolation, and study them before making contact.”
“Yeah, let’s go now, walk for one hour, and then return. We want to return before it is dark. They are probably looking for us by now. They may have figured out where we are. Let’s go up the hill first” Martin said looking up the small, rocky hill.
As soon as Martin finished the sentence, he began to climb up the rocky hill, and everyone else followed his lead. It was easy to go up the hill. They figure that it was just a matter of going from one rock to the next. Some rocks were as easy to climb as a stair well; other rocks required hands and arms to climb; Little by little, the entire group was moving up the hill. Meanwhile, Barón was questioning the leadership of Martin, who had arbitrarily decided to initiate the hike without Barón’s authorization. Because everyone seemed to have moved at the command of Martin, Barón decided to maintain his thoughts secret. After several minutes, the group had reached the top of the hill. It was 4:04pm.
“How will we know if they are looking for us?” Carl asked the group
“Will see signs,” Barón responded. He was nodding and looking around. “If we see an exorbitant number flying vehicles around here then we know that maybe they are looking for us.”
“We can also try to have access to a communication device somehow,” Martin added trying to show that he could lead the group.
Barón was skeptical about the response given by Martin and considered Martin’s response unreasonable; however, Barón wanted to seem like a leader that listened to everyone’s opinion. Thus, he responded hypocritically, “Good thought! Now, let’s go downhill and walk along the line of trees that we see over there. “
“I think it would be better to go downhill and climb the next hill to see what is on the other side,” Martin said with a tone of defiance.
“You are going to see more hills,” Barón responded sardonically. Baron’s face was a little red.
Martin replied upset, “Why is your plan better than mine?”
Barón did not want to seem like an authoritative figure; thus, he responded, “You are right. Your plan is a good as mine;”however, Baron thought that it was unnecessary to climb another hill when their real objective was the people in the area.
Martin responded “yeah…sure,” not been satisfied with Barón’s response. Martin thought correctly that Barón’s response was just a way to avoid a confrontation –Just like so many times before at the park.
Mary wanted to smooth the tension between both of them and said, “We can flip an old coin that I carry with me.” She put her hand inside her pocket and took out a coin that her dad had given her when she was little. Then, she said “This is my lucky charm… If we get heads we go to the trees.” She flipped the coin and made it land on her forehand; then, she looked at it and said, “heads…let’s go quickly to the line of trees down there.” Barón gave a deliberate exaggerated smile at everyone immediately after Mary gave her report; In contrast, Martin tried to display aloofness and followed the group.
At 4:17 pm, they were reaching the bottom of the hill and heading towards a long line of green trees that extended for miles. Once they all reached the bottom, they began to walk much faster. They were at the connection between the first hill and the hill where Martin wanted to climb. Because the coin determined that going towards the trees was their destination, they all had to climb down the hill connection in order to reach the many trees that they were able to see: There were so many trees together that they were not able assess the terrain below the top of all those trees.
“I think we are going to encounter water when we reach all those trees,” Carl said watching his feet, making sure every step was firmly set on the rocks to maintain his equilibrium, climbing down the hill connection.
“Good induction!” Barón said walking down the small rocky slope with amazing equilibrium. “A high density of trees requires high hydration”
“Is ‘Hydration’ the right term in this context?” replayed Martin wanting to challenge Barón.
Mary stopped her feet and immediately shouted “Guys, do not start again!”
Everyone remained silent at Mary’s request. Although they did not express it, Barón and Martin were feeling ashamed at the way they had been trying to control the group, knowing that it was against their personal philosophies. On the other hand, they had not resolved their constant need at challenging each other whenever it was possible. They were not feeling ashamed of their constant arguing; they were ashamed of the way their arguments made other people feel –Usually, their arguments concerned only Barón and Martin’s personal interests. Thus, Barón and Martin silently kept walking down the slope, which
was becoming less rocky. The trunks of the trees ahead of them were becoming more visible. The ground where they were standing was more flat.
“We are almost there,” said Carl in a low voice with the intention of maintaining non-confrontational communication and knowing that his statement was too obvious for the intellectual caliber of the group.
“Yes Carl, we are almost there,” Mary said to Carl in order to make him feel that he was being heard by someone. Mary began to walk faster than the boys. Then, she began to run towards one of the many trees in sight screaming, “They are pretty! They are pretty.” When she got close enough to one of them, she opened her arms, hugged the tree, and screamed, “I am a tree lover!”
Mary’s last statement caused a smirk in Martin and Barón’s faces. They walked briskly towards the place where Mary was hugging the three feet in diameter trunk. It was so amusing for Martin and Barón to see Mary’s whimsical action that they both looked at each other in the eyes and smiled, absolving themselves from the guilt that had been originated from Mary’s complaint. Furthermore, for Martin and Barón, the act of hugging a tree was a symbol that reminded them everything they had been trying to accomplish.
Mary stopped hugging the tree when she noticed that the boys where right behind her. First, she dropped her arms. Then, she quickly turned around and put her hands on her waist while she looked at the boys in the eyes –Her body language indicated that she was ready to make a speech. Finally, she cleared her throat in an exaggerated manner and said, “Gentleman, we are where we always wanted to be. We are around nature. Everything artificial was left behind. It is the time to make this place our home and make ourselves true brothers. Let’s all hold hands!”
Carl, Barón, and Martin looked at each other wondering what Mary wanted to accomplish; nevertheless, they all held their hands and waited for Mary to join them.
“Good. Let me hold your hands now,” Mary said to them opening her arms and taking a few steps towards the place where they were standing. Then, she grabbed Carl’s hand with her left hand, Martin’s hand with her right hand –Closing the circle –and said, “We are going to make a prayer to Mother Nature.”
Barón was familiar with Mary’s prayer’s request: It was something that they both did. For Barón and Mary praying was the act of coming up with metaphors that they could be use for a poem. It was simply a way of pre-writing. Thus, Barón said, “Let nature be our guide and blur the line between ‘I’ and others. In nature, all living things are one. Let that be.”
Everyone responded, “Let that be”.
Then, Carl said, “There is no better or worse in nature, just mutual dependence. Let’s not forget you are our Mother and we are all your equally loved children. Let that be.”
Everyone responded, “Let that be” again.
Finally, Martin said, “We are guerilleros for you. Let as not lose sight of the war we fight. We want you to be the leader. We fight the artificial world that man had created to substitute you and deprive us of your sight. Let that be.”
Mary smiled at all of them satisfied. Then, she said, “Let as keep walking to enjoy all this nature”.
They all kept walking among those trees. They were all merely looking around, trying to activate their aesthetic judgment. Carl was looking at the colorful birds flying around and listening to their cacophony. Martin was looking at the shapes of the hills. Barón was composing a poem based on everything he perceived. Mary was trying to hold her tears from her over joy.
“Do you hear that?” said Martin.
“Yes. It sounds like water,” Carl responded feeling joyful that his hypothesis had been correct.
“I can see the river ahead” said Barón.
They kept walking and the sound of the river became louder. Then, they noticed, among the trees, a restless and flexible mirror that showed the reflection of trees. It sparkled. They accelerated their pace to reach the river ahead. Then, they slowed down their walk when they were getting closer to the water. Once they reached the edge that delineated the stream of water, they were able to appreciate how transparent its water was. Furthermore, they were all enchanted by the fishes; they seem to notice their presence through the crystalline water. What was more pleasing for all of them was that its water was shallow.
“Should we cross?” asked Carl to the group.
“I do not think it is a good idea to cross. We can try next time. It will be dark in a few hours. I say, let’s rest here,” Barón responded.
They all sat down by the edge, lined up, and stared at the water to continue their aimless contemplation of nature.
Martin grabbed a stone next to him and threw it at the water, causing the fishes to disperse around the point of impact.
Mary replied in soft voice, “You are scaring them.”
“You are right. But, at some point, we are going to have to eat one of those. Our food provisions are going to last just for a few days,” Martin replied with the same soft voice, trying not to break the peaceful tone that the “beauty of nature” was inspiring in him.
Mary tried not become exasperated by Martin’s suggestion –Mary was a vegetarian. On the other hand, she understood that their practical needs could supersede their personal ideologies: If they could not find other sources of energy for their bodies in their environment then eating fish would be the appropriate course of action. Thus, Mary responded, “If there are no other choices then I will eat fish. On the other hand, we do not have to disturb them in the mean time.”
“Of course; but, I would eat them even if I had other choices,” Martin replied with a defiant tone of voice.
Immediately, Mary said, “I know you would…That is Ok…I would not…That is OK also”
Trying to avoid a confrontation, Barón suggested, “Yeah, let’s have respect for personal choices.”
The last statement spurred a debate between Barón and Martin, causing Mary and Carl to be mere listeners of two teen philosophers –Mary was trying not to scream at them again for their constant passive aggression.
“Barón, I think that we should develop some rules.”
“Martin, I do not think we should have rules.”
“Well…what kind of system should we have here?”
“I say, no rules; the heart should rule in a place with no technology.”
“Well…we could have rules in a place without technology. Now, rules can be clearly defined. The heart is not clear.”
“The heart can be defined in terms of the language of nature that we see around us…”
Barón and Martin kept arguing back and forth as they usually did. Barón, poetically inclined, wanted to avoid issues that involved logic, which necessarily entailed rules. Barón preferred to deal with the words. In contrast, Martin loved establishing clear rules as a way to bring about the truth or falsity by means of logic. For Martin words made sense only in statements. Nevertheless, in spite of their differences, they were able to communicate and influence each other in every debate.
While Barón and Martin were debating, Carl, who was moved by empirical data, was observing how the wind moved the trees. First, he paid close attention to how tree leaves fell down –The wind was beginning to make its appearance. Then, he paid keen attention to the sounds and contrasted them with the sounds he used to hear in Truxes. Finally, Carl listened to the dried up tree leaves and the crunchy sound that was made by them when they were being tossed around by the wind; then, he interrupted the peaceful discussion that Barón and Martin were carrying out, “Hey guys! Hold it! Hold it! Listen to that!”
Martin looked at Carl, frowned, and asked “Listen to what?”
“I thought I heard steps. I heard the same sound that we were making when we were stepping on the dry leaves,” Carl responded while looking in the direction where he heard the sound –His head was turned around.
Everyone looked in the same direction that Carl was looking by turning their heads. They did not see anything outstanding; they only noticed trees, some
grass, scattered stones, and dry leaves. Then, Carl stood up, extended his arm and pointed with his index finger in the direction where he had heard the sound. They all stood up in order to be able to see more clearly in the direction that Carl was indicating; however, they could see nothing among the trees.
“I am going to take a closer look. I am pretty sure I heard something walking.”
Carl had taken just a few steps in the direction where he had pointed, when Barón said, “Be careful. It could be a wild animal.”
“If it is a wild animal we should run across the river,” said Martin.
With every step Carl took, everyone’s anxiety was increasing. Mary held Barón’s hand while Barón was trying not to miss any details surrounding Carl. Martin picked up a pointy branch which was 3 inches in diameter and held it tight with both hands. Carl’s heart was pumping blood faster than usual realizing that he was separating from his beloved friends.
“Hello! Hello! Is anyone there?” Carl yielded with a feeling that what he had heard was human.
Suddenly, behind a tree, and old man came out, making everyone startle, “Hello you’ll! Are you’ll ditching?”
Scared, Carl screamed, “Who the hell are you?”
“Do not be scared. I do not bite. I am friendly,” said the old man walking towards Carl. Then, he gave his hand to Carl waiting for him to approach him, “My name is Nicholas. You can call me nick.”
Carl walked towards the old man without fear, gave his hand to him and said, “I am Carl.” Carl quickly took a step away from the place where the old man was standing, turned around to face the group and said, “They are Martin, Mary, and Barón,” pointing to each one of them as he called their names. While he was looking at the group, Carl looked at everyone’s faces to try to read the reaction to the inadvertent presence of the old man. In a very settled way, Barón nodded to Carl, communicating Carl that he could take the lead; Carl decided to introduce their group to the old man. Then, Carl turn around to face the old man again and said to him, “We are here looking for supporters for our cause”
The old man remained silent for 4 seconds. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed –understanding “the cause” Carl was referring to. After laughing for eight seconds, the old man said to Carl, “You are funny calling ditching a ‘cause.’” Then, the old man walked a little closer to Carl and said in a more serious tone, “But, I do not blame you for feeling that wires are hanging out of your brains and that computers do not let you breath.”
Martin, Mary, and Barón walked quickly to the place where Carl was in order to hear more clearly the old man. Barón took the first step and, with his head, indicated Martin and Mary to walk with him. In just a few steps, they were standing next to Carl and ready to assess whether the old man was in favor of them or against them –It was crucial for the group to determine the Old man’s attitude towards them.
“I am surprised that I do not see more kid around here just like you. Maybe I am just an old man, but I do not understand how you’ll kid can be next to those dammed computers all day long!” said the old man while he was trying to sit on a rock.
Nicholas’s comment made the teen-agers look at each other and smile –They had found someone who understood what they were doing there. It was a moment when they all realized that their efforts had not been in vain and that they were in the right place.
Then, they all relaxed, sat down, and listened to the Nicholas’s speech,
“Yeah…I have been leaving out here for many years. I used to live in south Truxes. I went to Carter High school.”
With excitement, Barón said, “We all live around that area!”
Nicholas continued talking,
“Great! We are from the same hood”
“What is ‘hood’?” Martin asked
Nicholas cuffed, clear his throat, and continued talking,
“Oh! I mean we are from the same neighborhood. I graduated from Carter high school in 88’. Back then, as you know, we had no god dammed computers telling us what to do. We had teachers that made us care for school. It was not about scoring high on tests. It was about making sure we stayed in school and make the most out of ourselves. It was easy to ditch school because we had not ‘GPS devices’ back then. Oh! I use to ditch a lot just like you’ll. I used to go to school just for the ladies! But, I learned to read, write, and do my basic math.”
“How come you are around here?” Barón asked.
“I live four miles from here. I come down to the river once in a while for some fishes. I am going back soon. You are all welcome to come to my cabin. Do not worry kid. I will call no one to come get you. I am an 84 year old man. I could claim that I did not have my glasses and I did not know you were teen-agers. I could also say that I am old and confused,” Nicholas said with chuckles.
“Thank you very much,” said Martin
Nicholas stood up slowly and took a deep breath. He walked slowly towards the river without saying much. They all followed him. Once Nicholas got to the edge of the river, he said, “I hope you do not mind getting wet. We should leave before it gets dark.”Then, Nicolas took one step into the water saying, “The water is shallow,” and kept walking across the river.
The group did the same. First, Martin set one foot into the water and said, “Oh! It is not cold at all!” Carl followed after Martin. Barón and Mary held hands when they entered the water to join Martin and Carl. On the other side of the river was Nicholas waiting for them.
They all walked together among the tall, majestic, overabundant trees for 3.8 miles from the river. While they were walking, the group noticed how new sounds of nature were becoming louder: crickets singing, birds saying good bye to the daylight, and faint hollowing of wolfs. Also, they were noticing along the way how the hills slowly were transforming into big shadows. The orange hallow on the west, above the hills, was contracting. The stars were slowly making their appearance. The crescent moon became visible and their path among the trees was getting darker.
***
