Page 146 of Into the Mist (Into the Mist 1)

“And might have formed a creepy militant group we need to avoid,” added Mercury.

“No one who can’t grow stuff with their blood would want to settle in the high desert,” said Ford. “It’s a tough choice, especially when people could settle by a major river, like the Snake or in the Columbia River Valley or any of the more fertile regions of Oregon that have easy irrigation and a better climate.”

“Well, should we consider that?” Mercury said.

Stella shook her head. “My gut says being away from people is a good idea, and after Madras I believe that even more.”

“Okay then. Let’s look for something that can shelter us,” said Mercury.

“But only after we get to Bridge Creek,” added Stella.

They followed Bear Creek Road east as it wound through terrain that became more and more fantastical. As the sun dropped lower and lower into the horizon behind them, the rain turned to drizzle and then finally stopped completely.

“It’s insanely beautiful!” Stella said as she braked so that they could stare out at the Painted Hills.

Mercury couldn’t take her eyes from the land. Gently rounded hills surrounded them, and as the setting sun illuminated the valley, its rays captured the colors in those hills and, like a spotlight, revealed layers of ochre and magenta, jade and golden amber, deep purple and startling flaxen. Folds in the slopes of the hills made them look like a couture designer had thrown enormous capes over the rounded hummocks that hung there, waiting for one of the old gods or goddesses to pick them up and use them to swathe their magnificent shoulders.

In the valley between the colorful hill mounds cedars, junipers and clumps of several different wild grasses were interspersed with yellow wildflowers and squatty bushes. Mercury thought she recognized sagebrush and even young bluegrass, which made her feel a wave of homesickness for Oklahoma’s Tallgrass Prairie.

“Oh my Goddess!” Mercury smacked her forehead. “I read about these hills. I can’t believe I forgot. The paper reported a study geologists did on the colorful clay. It’s a biologically active substance that can be used as, um…” She tapped her chin as she accessed her memory. “Fertilizer, cosmetics—and I even remember a mention of using it in the production of wine.”

“Now you’re talking!” Stella put the truck into gear and started forward again.

“I’d forgotten how beautiful it is,” said Ford. “The first time I hiked out here I imagined that I’d been beamed to a different planet.”

“I can totally understand that,” said Stella.

“This is our place! It’s like being surrounded by earth magick!” Mercury’s voice was filled with excitement. “Stella, are you seeing all of this?”

“When I can look away from the road I am, but these sinkholes are frightening. Gotta keep my eyes on where we’re going.” As Stella spoke, she braked and then steered the truck off the road to avoid a clay-lined hole that had opened in the broken asphalt.

“I’d like to have a little chat with all of those seismologists who wrote the textbooks my geology professors swore by in college.” Mercury’s gaze was riveted by the landscape. “Over and over they said earthquakes can’t tear open the earth. We’ve definitely seen that they were wrong about that. Also, I’m surprised that these are the first sinkholes I’ve seen.”

“I thought earthquakes didn’t cause sinkholes,” said Ford.

“Scientists would say they aren’t caused by quakes. Quakes only allow underground pockets already hidden in the earth to become visible—or something like that.” Mercury shrugged. “Honestly, I think we’re going to observe a bunch of geological features that weren’t predicted.”

“But these hills have always been this beautiful?” Stella asked.

Ford grinned. “For hundreds of thousands of years, yes.”

“Ooh! That’s something else I remember from the article.” Mercury said. “This used to be the floor of the ocean. Then it was a tropical forest. You can see that in the green and purple striations. Apparently, the fossils they’ve discovered here are amazing.”

“I love it when you talk all science-y,” said Stella.

“As do I.” Ford grinned at Mercury.

The narrow road took a northern turn, and shortly after that Mercury pointed off to their right. “Look!”

“It’s Bridge Creek!” Ford said.

“I’m leaving the road,” Stella said. “We don’t want to settle anywhere near a traditional highway, or even a road as remote as this one.”

“Makes sense,” said Ford. “Go to the left so that we’re sure we remain inside the preserve. That way we know we won’t be running into any houses or little towns.”

“Didn’t you say there’s one town not far from here?” Mercury asked.

“Yeah, I’ll need to check out that map in the glove box, but Mitchell shouldn’t be too far southeast of here. And by too far I mean we could drive there to see if we can find some supplies, but it’s distant enough that we don’t have to worry about people stumbling on our camp.”