“Hell!” Daniel jumped back, knife in hand, “what is wrong with you!”
The male looked up at him funny, crouched and nude, “what.”
Daniel huffed, “you should not just jump out of the brushes when someone is walking by, holding a knife! –I could have stabbed you.”
“No, you could not have.”
“Yes, I could have!”
The male sniffed the air, “who are you?”
Daniel looked around, “who I am? Says the naked person jumping out of a bush? Who are you?”
“Malachi, who are you?”
“Daniel.” He put his knife away, fixing the bag on his back, “do you often jump out of the bushes naked?”
“Not often.” Malachi stood up straight, “where are you from? Your skin is darker than mine.”
“The West –I am traveling.” Daniel puckered his lips, “you are the palest person I have ever seen in my life.”
“What is ‘the West’?”
“It is called the West.”
“The West?”
“Yes. I am not sure where I am right now, but I am traveling to unseen land –Alaska.”
“Alaska?”
“Yes.”
“Here. You are in Alaska, we are at the border.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
“Yes! I made it!”
Malachi watched him jump around, “you made it.”
“Yes, I did!” Daniel smiled smugly, “it is less cold than I thought it would be –I mean, it is cold but not that cold –you know?”
“You smell –interesting.”
“I have not showered in a few days,” The man frowned, “no need to bring it up.” He rolled his shoulder, “Well, I will be on my way.”
“You do not smell like I do.”
“I know, I have not showered.” Daniel looked Malachi up and down, “although you look like you have not showered either.”
Malachi looked down at himself, “where are you going?”
“I am hunting right now –looking for something to eat.”
Malachi’s eyes flashed, “May I come with you? I am hungry.”
“Here is the thing –no.” Daniel smiled, “I travel alone.” He raised a hand, waving, “bye.”
-
“When I said no, I meant –no.”
“There,” Malachi pointed at a deer, “food.”
