Guns And Roses

Chapter 15

Now that the boys had had a hearty meal along with a good bit to drink, they headed out of the cottage at half-past ten. Before going out, of course, they changed into something warmer. Walker wasn’t able to recollect what the others had changed into, but he was pretty sure that he’d put on a pair of black pyjamas, and his favourite sky-blue jacket over his T-shirt, while Layne had simply slipped into a loose-fitting, white, unzipped jacket.

 Mr. Vaughn had politely declined an invitation to drinks and muttered something about cleaning up tomorrow and tucking himself in for the time being. The boys went out after wishing him good night, just as he switched off the last light in the cottage.

The stars were, thankfully, clearly visible on that night. It had been raining for the past couple of weeks, but only drizzling for short periods of time that day. The high mountains at the other end of Klamath River looked shiny from where the cottage was situated, under the excellent moonlight. The clouds, it seems, had completely dispersed over the period of one night.

A slightly tilted yew tree lay close towards the edge of the cliff. Its branches spread over a long aerial space, and the soil under it was thankfully not damp. The boys had enough on to not be affected much by the heat, and the moonlight made everything clearly visible. Not only that, but though it wasn’t raining cats and dogs, it was after all, slightly drizzling. Taking these things into account, Eric’s suggestion of starting a small bonfire was put aside by Walker.

Everyone had a cold Singha in their hands and were all sprawled upon the ground under the shadow of the yew tree, except for Layne and Walker, who were sitting together on a dry boulder, facing the glittering mountains.

River Klamath had calmed down to some extent, probably because of the lowered rainfall. The distant sound of the river’s water and the foot of the mountains clashing together had become slightly pleasant; rhythmic, even. The sound still cut through the night’s silence though, along with the gentle rustle of the leaves above.

“Some party, eh?” asked Walker, gazing at the mountains. “Got to give it to Aaron, mate. Guy’s dad is loaded. Talk about a feast,” replied Layne dreamily, with a lopsided grin.

“Thank you very much,” came Aaron’s cheery voice from the shadows. “Not you Aaron, your old man,” replied Walker. Aaron was about to reply, but he just groaned, probably too full to even talk. Eric laughed, in his characteristic seal-like fashion; no sound came from his mouth but he just clapped his hands. Probably fell asleep in a minute or so.

Walker and Layne talked some more, and before they knew it, everyone was asleep.

But they were engrossed in their own talks...

“Seb, what do you think it would be like, to jump from here?” asked Layne, standing atop the boulder, peering into the abysmal chasm that lay below. “You think I’d survive the fall?”

If it had been anyone else, Walker would have immediately pulled him back, sure that they’d got themselves too drunk. Layne however, was peculiarly unaffected by alcohol. So Walker just raised his eyebrows in response. “Seriously, you want to do this now?”

“Come on then!” said Layne, slightly excited.

Walker sighed. Despite having their differences, usually voiced by their opinions, Walker and Layne did tend to have some uniquely common traits. Peculiar though they were, these common interests of theirs, they enjoyed them irrespective of public opinion.