This is an excerpt from my second novel. I’ve been working on it for a couple of months.
It was near a rushing river that washes into the lake. There stood a teepee on a small plot of land, wild grasses and small flowers spread, poking out looking for some sun. I was curious about what or who may be in this cone reaching for the blue. As I made my way closer, I could see that ya, it's actually made of animal skins sewn together. My stealth wasn't so stealthy, the entry flap opening with a strong looking hand, there he stood, a very fit looking man with time on his face. His long black hair tied in a ponytail peppered with gray streaks, very fine and barely visible. He dressed simply, black t-shirt, worn jeans and beautifully crafted moccasins; "come in": His voice strong and clear with a bass tone. I would say he's in his late 40s'. With a reluctant smile, I entered through the narrow opening.
I was first struck by the faint smoke spiralling to the hole at the top, round but cris-crossed by the timbers that formed the structure. The interior was lined with 4 sleeping bags. Small boxes and bags with other possessions. The fire pit in the centre was still smoldering, sticks were in the ground at a slight angle towards the fire with fish hung from the top of these sticks that entered their bodies just below their gills and out their gaping mouths, eyes glassed over.
He invited me to have a seat; the chairs are short stumps cut off from small tree trunks. After sitting for a few seconds, he looked at me straight in the eyes "what brings you here city boy," "I don't know, I mean I'm heading west, but who knows, the road I hear can be tricky", he nods his head making a low guttural sound in agreement. You can bed down here for the night. We each ate a fish and some greens I wasn't familiar with on small plates, tasty.
His wife and two small children entered. She greeted me with a welcoming smile. The kids, two boys, were each given a fish and greens on small plates she served herself and sat next to her husband, the kids snuggled up to her.
It just dawned on me; I didn't introduce myself. "Oh, by the way, my name's Jack". Again, he nods, making the same sound. His wife smiles and the kids just chuckle. She leans over to him and in a low voice says something to him in what I believe is their language. He announces with his heavy voice; "He'll be bedding down with us tonight".
She picks up the empty plates, and with the children goes outside, he signals me to come with him. We walk around the back where he produces a joint. "I'm beginning to like this fellow."
Lying in my sleeping bag looking up the stars through the top of the cone, the possibility of being vacuumed to the eternal light felt almost imminent. The friend of few words slid under his blankets with another deep hmmm. His family sleeping soundly. I woke up in the morning feeling invigorated. After saying my goodbyes, I looked him square in the eye…we both knew the laws of the earth.