Just a Movie

Heart of Gold

I follow Roy, being careful not to trip on anything in my way.  I glance behind me, looking for the camp, but at this point, I can barely make out the fires.  They're tinier than an ink dot on paper.  

"You're not afraid of the dark, are you?" Roy asks, smirking. 

"No," I reply obviously, "Of course not."

Correction.  If I can't see where I'm going, then yes, I'm afraid of the dark.  But he's been pretty good about keeping me from tripping on pebbles and roots, so I think I'm good. 

"Alrighty then," he huffs, staring at a cliff shorter than most.  "Let's do this."

"Do what?"

He grabs a tight hold of a ridge and hoists himself up, climbing one foot at a time.  I watch him as he effortlessly gets higher, not once slipping.  Has he done this before?  He pauses, looking down, and waves me up. 

"Come on!"

I take a deep breath, facing my obstacle.  Ok Martha, you can do this.  Remember when you went rock climbing 11 years ago?  Yeah, you were great!  Just don't purposefully fall to prove you can fly.  Ok, here we go.  I lift myself up, taking it slow, until I find my rhythm.  It's like the crevices and edges were here the entire time to give me a hand.  All I have to do is climb.  My heart rate increases as I force myself to keep going, catching up to Roy, until he disappears.  I stop, looking for him, wondering where he disappeared to, until I hear him encourage me to continue my trek up.  He must've gotten to the top.  Just when I think I can't go on, he reaches down and helps me to my feet, and I catch my breath, happy to be on land again.  In all honesty, I wouldn't mind doing it again.  Heart beats like crazy, muscles stretching.  And what keeps you going?  The goal-the goal to make it to the top no matter what.  It's fun, in a strenuous kind of way.  I guess it's the thrill of conquering what's in your way.  Roy leads me to the ledge, and I sigh.  It's so quiet up here.  Not an animal stirs, the only signs of life being the few plants scattered about in the desert hills, which stretches for miles.  A bright moon shines above us, casting our shadows in a slant over rocks and sprigs of grass.  

"Now," Roy says, his tone matching the quiet atmosphere, "look out there, and tell me what you see."

I look as far as I can, but all I see are stars and an infinite sky.  

"The horizon?" I guess. 

He shakes his head. 

"It's not the horizon," he clarifies, "It's what's beyond it."

I look at him, a small smile growing.  What ever could he be talking about? 

"What is it?" I ask.     

"Beauty," he describes, looking out into space, "A beach with the softest white sand, a cool ocean tide, bluer than the sky itself,  swimming ashore.  You can hear the waves crashing over, seagulls, and an orange rising sun lights the soft pink sky.  It's nothing like you've ever seen."

He turns to me, a soft, hopeful but determined expression on his face.  I've never seen him look so--content, let alone happy.  

"That's where I want to go," Roy says.  "There's so much to see, and that's the first place I'm going."

I gaze out to the horizon, the corner of my mouth tipping up into a fragment of a smile as a memory comes to mind. 

"I've been to the beach once," I reminisce.  "I was a child, and we were visiting some family we hadn't seen in a while. I remember the taste of the salt, the cold water splashing on my toes."

I chuckle to myself, Roy continuing to look at me with interest. 

"I remember being afraid of crabs.  I thought they were going to pinch me, but there wasn't a single one on the beach."

We both stand in silence, looking towards the beach we fantasize over, listening to the wind, a few crickets.  It's been so long since I've seen the ocean.  I've forgotten how beautiful it is. 

"I wanted to go back," I continue, "but we never got the chance."

Roy looks at me, giving me a small, encouraging smile. 

"Well, maybe we'll both get to see it."

I look at him, surprised by his response.  I never thought he could be so sentimental.  He certainly never gave off such an impression in the film I watched repeatedly.  What happened to all that sarcasm I loved so much?  

"You know, maybe you're not as bad as I thought you were," I admit. 

He smirks, a devilish gleam in his eye.  I almost regret opening my mouth. 

"Oh darling," he says, stepping forward, "do you really think you see a little angel in me?  Is he everything you imagined?"

He narrows his eyes, daring me to reply.  I bet he's waiting for me to say something flirtatious or something of that manner.  I cross my arms and square my shoulders, refusing to let him get to me.  Little does he know I know his mind.  

"I'm sorry Roy," I reply, feigning innocence.  "I mistook your devil for an angel.  Clearly I was wrong."

"He's a handsome one though, isn't he?" he asks playfully, arching an eyebrow. 

Now the Roy I watch on my screen is coming into play.  Rebellious, has a love for danger, and flirts like there's no end.  I advance, looking at him straight in the eye.  I'm not like all the other air-headed girls.  He won't win this game.  

"Handsome, yes," I reply.  "But a fool he remains."

I turn, making my way back to climb down, and I hear him chuckle. 

"You're a clever one," he says, approaching.  "It's a rare trait to find in women these days.  I admire that."

He smiles, and my heart stops, but why?  I shake my head as he makes his way down, and I quickly follow after him, not wanting to be lost in the dark.  It's funny how he sees me as clever, someone who does not give in so easily to his charms.  I seem to be anything but when it comes to my movies.  Always swooning over the characters like they're real, daydreaming about them in the afternoon.  Even Sam gets annoyed with my obsession.  But what she doesn't understand is movies has always been my adventure, and in a way, the way I live my life, just through fictional people.  Movies is my life, because I don't have one.  I find Roy waiting for me at the bottom, which is strange, considering his first instinct is to go on his way without a second thought.  But here he is, standing right next to me, and we walk back to camp.  After adding more wood to the fire, we both lay down on our blankets, facing each other.  Since when did those blue eyes look so handsome, like cool pools on a summer day?  He looks at me softly, a strand of hair over his eyes.  He may act like he doesn't, but I know he cares.  In fact, he's the one who cares the most, besides Chris, but since his rough childhood, I guess he just doesn't know how to show it.  He really does have a heart of gold.  He smiles at me. 

"Good night Betty."

I roll my eyes, but instead of frowning in dismay, I smile back in amusement.

"Good night Roy."                

...

I'm suddenly jolted awake, everyone shouting.  Horses scamper, neighing frightfully as their riders fall off the saddles and try to regain control of the animals.  Roy kneels beside me, shaking me violently until I come to my senses. 

"We gotta go!" he yells. 

I scramble to my feet, Roy dragging me with him as we run.  Large quakes shake the ground, as if something huge is falling.  I turn to look, and my mouth drops as my heart escalates.  I make myself go faster, my legs pumping like machines.  This can't be the end!  No one died in a rockfall!!