Spaceportation

Seasquirrels Part 8

Sylvia led me through a forest of bizarre trees with purple leaves. The bark looked like bricks stacked onto each other like a strange jenga topiary. I could hear a crunching noise beneath my feet. I looked down. Nuts shaped like two pine cones connected forming diamonds. The nuts were a forest green color. I looked back in front of me. Sylvia was ahead shaking her head.

"New worlders. Every little detail of this terrible island astounds them," bellowed Sylvia. We continued walking. I saw an orange looking gull with a black stripe around its eyes. It had a small frog-like creature in its mouth. I stared as it scoffed it down. Sylvia murmured that the creature it ate they call "seasquirrels". They taste kind of like spicy scallops. A morning group of people checked the rocks for stranded ones for food. Another delicacy sounds super tasty. She described it as a salt-watery steak. It is called "waterphant" because of its rather large size when stranded on the rocks. I hope to try one. Sylvia went on about how she wanted fruit and veggies from Earth. I spilled the beans, I gushed about what happened at the gas station.Her eyes grew with her mouth opening. She slapped me.

"You brought SEEDS!!!!!!" Sylvia shrilled. "No one thought to bring farming goods. Our only tastes from home were canned goods and potatoes. I do not think I can eat one more spud without gagging."

I chuckled at her comment. However, she turned and glared at me. I hope I do not stay long enough to have that dilemma. I need my French fries. Around a half hour later I saw a sad looking building. It was made using resources on the island. I could see parts of the bowls used in the design.

"Zach, the men live here a good ways away from the women to try to avoid creating more mouths to feed. If you get my meaning. [pause] You get your own room and have a couple chores to take care of the living arrangements. There would be time if you wanted to explore or build a new house." She blurted out. "I assume you may make a house so your girlfriend can stay with you...." She set up as if to see if I was single.

"Heather? Oh....She is not my girlfriend. We just met like a week ago," I clarified. Sylvia looked Zach up and down. It was like she was shopping for a man. She took that as a sign to talk about herself. "Well... you met my brother. I am awake most of the day. I barely cook here. I helped build the girls' place. We found a cave and brought in lights from a few prototype bowls. In fact, we have an area where we dump debris from failed bowls."

When we got closer to the men's house, Sylvia began walking slower to make it last longer. At the front entrance she hollered that a new man was here with her. She waited as I guess the leader for men came down. He looked about forty. He wore clothes that were faded and worn out. Sylvia explained how I could start a farm here. He seemed more excited than she did when I told her. The man is Carl. Carl was average size and super thin. He boasted about his triumphs in boy scouts. He made eagle rank in scouts before he could drive! He explained what we would need to do to begin the horticulture spot.

[meanwhile Heather...]

Monica, Ming, and Heather were already with all the women. Heather was hung up on the idea she could have a crush on Zach. The house looked like an egg carton with bowls in parking spots. The bowls were used for individual rooms. Monica chose a room on the second floor. Heather picked one with a door for a wall. Ming elaborated on the history of the bowl design. At one point a bowl would have two doors. This change began when people began leaving during the transport process. Most of the tech was removed except the front computer monitor. Heather hoped she could salvage it and figure a way back off this planet.

Ming gave Heather her bag. Unpacking, Heather was glad nothing was removed. Her flash drive might be useful later on. The different clothes may be smart. Seasons may be different on this planet. Unfortunately the mirror she brought got broken while she was fighting to keep her bag. The pointy bits may work for hunting. Who knows what will happen!?