Out of Class [Skylox]

2. Guidance Counselor

((TW: DEATH / MURDER / MODERATE GORE / SUICIDE MENTIONS))

        Ty woke up, but kept his eyes closed. Half of his face was buried under the jacket. A light, tropical breeze gently urged him to get up. He squeezed his eyes tighter, snuggling into whatever that puffy thing is next to him. He sighed, trying to doze back to sleep. The puffy being of comfort shifted, an arm lifted from Ty's side. He opened his eyes in surprise, blinking a few times to get used to the light. He looked up with squinting eyes to find that the puffy thing is Adam who just woke up. Ty grunted, sitting up slowly. Adam followed moments later, stretching to reach his feet. He sighed, looking at the fast flowing river in front of them, the rush of water being the only sound. Ty checked his watch. 11 AM. Perfect start.

        They breathed in deeply, finding bliss in the perfect amount of chill in the air. Adam stood up, getting his luggage while bringing some over to Ty. Both pick their luggage up, sleepy but happily willing to continue on.

        2 PM and not a word was said since they woke up. They've made their way past reservational parks and neighborshood in Ahtanum. Their jackets were wrapped around their waists, revealing a Pink Floyd and Nirvana shirt. Ahead of them were barren mountains, their bags an inconvenience for hiking uphill. The sun beat down on them, but none stopped for a rest. Their legs were heavy, backs aching, arms struggling from the weight. Individual houses were seen here and there, seemingly abandoned. There couldn't possibly be people living in places that don't have addresses. Where's the street signs? Where's the house number? What's the area code of this place? Even if people did live in those houses, it was a concern to the boys. Living in a place with no address where no one can track you is pretty sketchy.

        6 PM. Their pace has slowed down significantly. A rush of cars could be heard from the right. A freeway. Ty ignored it, persisted they stay on track. He brought along a map with red markers dotted and lined with locations to go to and places to be. Adam argued that a freeway leads somewhere and they should at least walk by it. The first thing they say to each other immediately goes to complaining and quarreling. "Okay, you're tired. I get it. So am I! So, maybe, just saying, that if we both shut up, y'know, none of us will get angry and we should just continue walking." Ty smiled and mockingly used an enthusiastic tone. Adam huffed, his back hunching over in defeat. "Let's check a house." He didn't listen to Ty and walked out of trail, heading towards the house in sight. "What the hell, man?! There's still a whole day ahead of us!" Ty exclaimed, but didn't bother to look up from his map. "If we're gonna hitchhike like this, might as well enjoy what's around us on the way instead of only the destination." Adam croaked, sounding like an angry drunk on a hangover. "Fine...We'll stay there for the night if it's empty. Yet again we might be going in a murderer's home. They don't live in civilization for a reason..." Ty folded the map and shoved it into his backpack's side pocket, already occupied with a water bottle. "If it's not empty we'll just camp out." He continued, pointing out the obvious only option.

        Nearing the 2 story house, it seemed to have grown into the ground, grass growing over the porch and plants starting to make its way up the house to soon envelope it, burying it into the ground. The wood it was made up of lost its smooth texture years ago, now rough and splintery. Adam checked the cracked, dusty windows with spiderwebs in the corners. He pressed his face towards the open crack in the curtains, seeing if anyone's inside. He knocked, anticipating an answer but instead the door was pushed open by his knocks. Ty followed behind, suspiciously eyeing the scene.

        Adam pushed the door open, loudly saying "Hello?", but no answer. "This is really unsettling, we might find a dead body here." Ty backed away, grimacing. "This or nothing, pissbaby." Adam teased, helping himself in. He left the door open for Ty, dropping all his luggage on a couch. He stretched triumphantly, rotating his aching shoulders and shaking him arms out. Ty swallowed, slowly walking inside and gently putting his stuff down next to Adam's. "Don't be dramatic." Adam scoffed as he checked the kitchen cupboards for actual food other than crappy granola bar snacks. 'Let's live in a place like this when we're done with our travels. Still away from society and no one to worry about. It's nice to live isolated like this." He picked up cans of pork and beans and peaches, checking the expiration dates.