Just a Movie

They Were Here

We run as quickly as possible, boulders and rocks crashing behind us.  Not once was there ever a rockfall in the movie, so why is this happening?  I glance behind me as the stones roll closer and closer.  There's no way we can outrun that!  Suddenly, Roy pulls me into a tight crevice in the cliff, holding me close as they tumble by.  I tighten my grip around him, waiting for it to end.  Dirt sprays onto us, and I squeeze my eyes shut, my breaths deep and short.  The rumbling echoes in the distance, then it silent.  A hawk caws above us, and I slowly open my eyes.  We're safe.  I take a deep breath, relieved we survived.  

"You alright?" Roy asks, his face concerned.  

I look up at him, and I realize how close we are.  He's so good looking, I can barely breathe, and my heart is driving me nuts.  It's his strong masculine features, that smile that makes every girl lose her mind, not to mention what great shape he's in.  Why can't I think straight?  Wait, why can't I think straight?  I like Chris for crying out loud!  Not this reckless, annoying but absolutely exciting and adventurous man!  Did I just compliment him? 

"Hey," he says, giving me a little shake, "you ok?"

"Uh," I falter.  Wonderful.  Not only have I lost my mind, I've lost my tongue.  "I'm...fine."

He sighs, looking relieved, but he immediately covers it up with a grin. 

"Good," he replies quickly, and shimmies out of the corner, leaving me by myself.  

I trail after him, and we both start looking for the others. 

"Chris!" I call. 

"Come out come out wherever you are!" Roy yells, cupping his hands around his mouth and bending back.  

"We're over here!"

We follow Chris' voice and find everyone coming our way, covered in dirt.  The mens' hair seems to be intact, but Violet's can't seem to decide which way to go.  He opens his arms, smiling, and they embrace, clapping each other on the backs. 

"Course you're stupid enough to be alive," Chris snickers. 

"Then that makes two of us," Roy answers. 

He dusts Chris off, and we all look among us, checking to see if anyone's hurt.   

"Well," Chris says, "it seems everyone's fine.  Martha, you good?"

"Yeah," I nod, "I'm fine.  Are you fine?"

Seriously?  That's the best you can do?  'Are you fine?'  Of course he's fine!  

"Yeah, no scratches here," he smiles.  

I smile back, but I don't blush like before.  And what happened to all the butterflies that would stir in my stomach?  Strange. 

"What happened to the horses?" Roy asks, looking around. 

"We lost them."

He puts a hand on his shoulder. 

"Good job man."

A silence falls upon us, and we all look at each other, waiting to see who'll break it first.  Chris scratches his head while Roy begins cleaning his pistol, and Violet stares at Chris dreamily while Travis stares out into the distance, lost in thought.  I just stand idly, wondering what comes next. If the movie hasn't followed the plot so far, theres' no telling what can happen next.  In fact, I'm not sure when it will get back to the way the writers' wrote it.  

"Nothing about this is normal," Travis points out, his voice the deepest I've ever heard, and I cock my head. 

I'm pretty sure this is the first time he's spoken since I've been here.  In fact, I don't remember ever hearing him speak even when watching the film, except maybe once or twice.  No wonder I thought he was mute the first time I watched it.