Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 5 - Snakey

It seemed like I'd only just closed my eyes when Eddie was shaking me, waking me up.

"Wakey wakey hand off... oh yeah, that doesn't work," he joked quietly. "Up you get – I need that sleeping bag!" The poor guy looked wrecked.

Climbing out of the bag, I noticed Mike waking the other Guardian for his shift. Ah yes – it was going to be him, Blake and myself for the last four hours.

"Yeah yeah, keep your hair on," I replied. "And give me your blanket!"

It was still raining. Lighter than before, but a soft, steady drizzle. If I'd been at the Academy I would have loved it! Lying in bed listening to the rain outside was relaxing. Even here it was kind of pleasant, albeit a bit chilly.

Checking the camp area, I thought we were faring pretty well. The fire had burned down, but there were coals emitting a pleasant warmth. Mom was still asleep in her sleeping bag. Looking at her, I realized she looked different asleep. Somehow less formidable? Mike and Eddie were both curled up and almost asleep already. The canvas tarpaulin, fire, and the pine needle dam had done their job. It was dry under the tarp and reasonably comfy. It was the coldest part of the night - the last few hours before dawn. Since it was still raining, I figured our collected drinking water wouldn't be scarce, so it wouldn't hurt to make another brew of camp tea. Ducking out into the rain to collect our tins, pouring the rainwater into our empty water skins, and putting the tins back out to fill again, I quickly inquired, "Blake? Guardian... I'm sorry I don't know your name? Would you like some camp tea?"

"Asimov, and yes thank you," the taciturn Guardian replied.

"What's that?" Blake asked. "I didn't see any tea bags in the supplies," he added, suspiciously.

"It's pine needle tea," I told him. "Really high in vitamin C and also vitamin A. Great when you're traveling rough," I added, parroting Mom's earlier words.

"Yeah I'll pass," he replied contemptuously.

Guardian Asimov looked at me, raising one eyebrow. Apparently, we both agreed – your loss, dude! Mimicking the steps Mom had done earlier, I prepared another batch. Turns out it was as easy as it looked so, within a few minutes, Guardian Asimov and I were sipping welcome mugs of hot tea. Taking the outer watch over the empty hillside plains, Guardian Asimov came over and sat a foot or so away from me.

"I don't recognize you" I commented. "Where are you usually posted?"

"I'm stationed at St. Basil's," he replied with an accent that was familiar.

Carefully looking at him, I thought he must be mid-twenties. Close to Dimitri's age!

"Did you study there?" I asked innocently. "I've heard their training program is amazing," I added.

"Yes, I trained there, and our program is rigorous."

"So I've heard. My mentor studied there. He's shown me some of your techniques. Perhaps you know him? Guardian Belikov? Dimitri?"

"Ahh! Mitya! He was the year above me at school," Guardian Asimov replied, suddenly animated. "I'd heard he was at St. Vladimir's," he continued.

"Oh? Did you know him well?"

"Yes, yes! At St. Basil's we train in groups. Houses I think you call them here? There are four at St. Basil's, and Mitya was in mine. We trained together for several years."

For the next few hours, Guardian Asimov and I chatted about St. Basil's. He was surprisingly effusive once started on a topic with which he was familiar. I found out a good deal about St. Basil's, Dimitri, and generally how things were done in Russia. Sure I was cold, and all this talk about Dimitri made me miss him like hell, but it was worth it to learn more about my man!