Page 15 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“You’re not scared of creeks, are you?”

“Nope! Just creaking trees.”

“Good, because we’re there.”

Ricky risked opening his eyes and saw that the scene had changed. The woods were behind them and to the left. The land in front gave way to a creek with a strong current, judging from the shimmer of reflected moonlight. On their right was a craggy wall of exposed rock, a few bare bushes and spindly trees growing where it leveled out ten feet above their heads. The sky beyond was inky black.

“This is…” Ricky said, trying to find flattering words. “Umm.”

“Are you okay here?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” Diego set him down. Then he began walking along the stone cliff face. He led them to where it disappeared into a line of trees, but he didn’t venture into the woods themselves, thankfully. Although his relief was short-lived when Ricky noticed a gaping maw in the rock large enough for them to step into. Which seemed to be Diego’s intent.

“Is that a cave?” Ricky asked.

“Yeah,” Diego said. “Wait here.”

“What!?”

Diego glanced around. “You said you’re okay here.”

“Yeah, but now I’m worried about you! Does Kansas have bears? Or wolves?”

Diego shrugged. “I’ll be right back.”

And with that, he disappeared into the darkness. Ricky stared after him until certain that his eyes wouldn’t adjust. Then he slowly turned and hugged himself for the comfort while wishing he was still safe in Diego’s arms. The shadows seemed to lengthen and stretch toward him. He noticed something flapping around and rustling in a distant tree and hoped it was only trash that had gotten caught in the branches. Although it could just as easily be leathery wings.

“What about bats?” Ricky called over his shoulder. “Kansas must have those!”

No answer.

A breeze blew through the clearing. He heard skittering. Was it leaves? Or some sort of creature rushing toward him? He thought ofThe Wizard of Oz, when the trees came to life and harassed Dorothy and the Scarecrow.

“This has been really fun,” Ricky said, beginning to back away. “But I think I’m ready to go home now.”

He bumped into something and shrieked, but it was only the rocky wall. He began laughing at himself before a voice made him yelp.

“You all right?” Diego asked.

Ricky pressed a hand against his thudding chest and nodded. “Is this where you stash your weed or something?” he asked.

“Nah. Come see.”

Ricky turned toward the cave incredulously and was surprised that a warm orange glow came from inside. Which was such a welcome sight compared to the chilly darkness surrounding them that he eagerly moved toward the flickering light. A narrow passage cut a diagonal line through the stone before opening into a small chamber the size of his bedroom, although the glistening ceiling was lower. A fire had been built in the center. Placed around the perimeter of the chamber on rocky shelves and the cave floor were candles, each with a dancing flame. The moisture on the walls caught the light and reflected it back, the heat from the fire already chasing away the clammy cold. Ricky’s heart started pounding for another reason as he spun around and saw Diego looking uncertain.

“It’s beautiful,” Ricky told him. “I love it!”

A smile tugged at Diego’s cheek, even though it failed to manifest. “All the comforts of home,” he said, kneeling next to the pack. He had already unrolled the sleeping bag near the fire. Now he pulled out a battery-powered radio, a Tupperware container, a six-pack of beer, a two-liter bottle of cola, and filled plastic bags from a grocery store. Ricky moved to help him. “Are we having a picnic?” he asked when sorting through everything. “In a cave?”

“Isn’t that what people do on Valentine’s Day?” Diego asked with a smirk.

“No, but they should,” Ricky said with a wild grin. “This is going to be amazing!”

“Yeah?” Diego studied him before looking satisfied. “Cool.” He tore open one of the plastic bags. “We’ve got potato salad, buns, some hotdogs to roast over the fire, stuff to put on them…”

“Are we going to do s’mores too?” he asked.