Rev's Odyssey by R. R. Kaufman (the reading list .txt) 📕

go from here?

 

Rev

Let’s climb to the top of that hill.

 

When they reached the top of the hill, Rev removed a telescope from her backpack. She looked to the end of Tailbone Island. The snow covered mountain of Eagle Bluff stood out as the highest point on the island. She moved the spyglass lower and focused in on Gianthead Landing, a big rock formation in the shape of a head. The top was completely flat. Close to Eagle Bluff, that was the place she and her mother would meet up with Mars. But the first destination that Hiro mentioned was Crows Nest Crossing and then follow the river to Gianthead Landing.

It looked straightforward, but Rev had discovered nothing on this planet was simple or easy.

They kept walking. The temperature rose. They rested a bit, wiped the sweat from their brows and drank some water. Every minute seemed to get hotter. The sun was high up and the landscape had changed from lush green to a harsh world of rock and sand.

 

Rev

What is this place?

 

Cyna

I believe they call it a desert.

 

From up top they could see small streams snaking through the narrow canyons. Giant red escarpments stretched far in the distance. Other peaks of red rock stood isolated as if abandoned by their bigger counterparts.

Rev and Cyna descended to the desert valley. They followed a dried up riverbed overshadowed on each side by monumental rock escarpments that were curved and grooved out as if Mother Nature had a giant chisel.

Having no horizon to follow, they continued down the dry river path. A light wind turned into a strong wind. Ahead of them a monstrous cloud of sand rocketed down the canyon towards them. The wind howled like a train as the sandstorm engulfed them in darkness. They both put their arms up to cover their eyes but it felt like someone throwing sand in their faces. Within seconds they were lost. They stuck close together as Rev put her arm out in front of her and touched the canyon wall. They moved along it with their backs to the wind when Cyna spotted a large crevice in the curved rock wall. Not very wide, they squeezed through the opening into a larger protected space.

They spit the gritty sand from their mouth and brushed each other off from their hair down to their boots. Cyna gave Rev some water from her backpack and then drank some herself. They splashed it on their faces and wiped the sand away.

Finally, they focused on their surroundings. Before them, swirling and twisting rock patterns flowed like giant ocean waves up to the sky.

 

Rev

Look at these different shades of red, orange and yellow. Did someone paint these?

 

Cyna

Mother Nature is just as beautiful on this planet.

 

Moving along the twisted rock formation, a beam of light drew them into a large enclosure. A natural formation of rocks provided stepping stones to climb to the top. Without hesitating, Rev ascended towards the sky hole, jumping and climbing each rock to the top. When she reached the top, she guided her mother to join her.

They surfaced into the sunlight, looked up and stared in disbelief.

 

Chapter 60

 

 

Spread out before them was a display of human made structures. It was like some strange city neither Rev or Cyna had seen before. It covered a massive area on the flat surface of the plateau.

On one side a large area was worn down in the shape of a circle with old wooden benches surrounding the big ring. In the middle and outside circuit, rusted metal objects were scattered about. Further down at the other end, worn metal skeletons reached towards the sky. A big crooked sign read AMUSEMENT PARK at its entrance. Beside this, a large faded board seemed to demand an audience of its own. It all looked like someone flipped a massive switch and everything shut down forever.

 

Cyna

I wonder who lives here?

 

Rev

Nobody. Look how neglected this place looks. Let’s check it out.

 

Curious, they walked about the mysterious, abandoned site. A sizable wooden building caught their attention. As they went up the steps, the outdoor sign displayed the words ARNIES ROADHOUSE. The door creaked as they slowly entered.

 

Rev

Anybody home?

 

A small lizard scurried across the floor. On one side, chairs and tables were piled on top of each other. A large empty floor led up to a long dusty bar. Cyna and Rev looked at their burnt and dirty faces in the mirror behind the bar.

 

Cyna      

I think this whole place was some kind of entertainment spot.

 

Rev

Right on, mom. Some kind of social gathering. That circuit outside reminds me of the Brix racetrack for our bicycle racing. But I’m not sure what they’re racing. And that amusement park, I’ve never seen anything like it.

 

Without warning, a tall muscular man jumped up from behind the bar with a sawed-off shotgun pointed straight at them. His voice boomed.

 

Arnie

What are you doing in my place?

 

Rev felt a burning feeling rise from the pit of her stomach and almost heaved into the two barrels pointed at her face. She knew what a gun looked like and the harm it could do. And the fact that they were intruding on this man’s dwelling didn’t look good.

 

Rev

We’re really sorry, mister. Honestly, we’ll just get out of here. Nice meeting you.

 

Arnie

And go where? Razor is looking everywhere for you. Leave here and you’re as good as dead.

 

Cyna

Okay, you caught us. Please don’t hurt us.

 

Arnie put the gun down and smiled.      

 

Arnie

My name is Arnie and I’m not here to hurt you or turn you in. I’m honored to meet you. You must be Rev and Cyna.

 

Rev and her mother looked at each other with an expression of caution and disbelief.

 

Arnie

Would you like some cold water? Then, follow me.

 

Arnie led them out the back door and before long all three were seated at a table in his cabin. He reached in his fridge and brought out ice cubes and cold water. Then, he offered them some cookies to snack on.

 

Arnie

I’m surprised you got this far, with Razor’s men all over. I celebrated last night when I heard you sunk the Vulgaris. I’m impressed.

 

Rev was about to tell him that the protectors from Crystal Falls engineered the sinking of the ship but she wasn’t sure if she could trust Arnie. She kept her mouth shut. Cyna read Rev’s mind and did the same.

 

Arnie

And to be able to climb up The Devil’s Tongue is no small feat either.

 

Cyna

The Devil’s Tongue?

 

Arnie

Yes, the entrance you came through to Arnie’s world.

 

Rev

Well, Arnie’s world is quite impressive. What happened to it?

 

Arnie

Razor is what happened to it. This used to be a thriving spot. People would come from all the other islands and party and have fun until Razor took control of Tailbone Island. She stole the train that would transport people from the harbor to here. Now she uses it to take her gold from her mine near Crows Nest Crossing to Okay Bay. She’s a nasty piece of work.

 

Cyna

Did you ever meet her?

 

Arnie

I used to work for her. At one time I hunted for gold. I’m a geologist. She hired me for my expertise. I know where to search for gold. But she’s too bossy for me. Never listens and then likes to blame me for her failures.

 

Rev

Why do Razor’s workers back her up?

 

Arnie

Because she pays them well with gold. The only currency on this planet.

 

Rev

What happened to this planet?

 

Arnie took a long swallow of water and wiped his brow.

 

Arnie

About twelve years ago the fires came first. Then the rain never stopped. I used to fish in the lakes and rivers that were once between our island chains. People moved further up the mountains and had to adapt like Crystal Falls did. The whole planet is mostly covered in water.

 

Cyna

Is Razor responsible for all of this?

 

Arnie

As much as I dislike Razor I can’t say that she is solely responsible for Earth’s demise. You always need a great deal of people to follow an egocentric, destructive leader.

 

Arnie kept talking about his tales of being a gold miner. He was an older man, weathered with grey hair. Rev watched her mother and couldn’t help but notice that she seemed captivated by Arnie’s stories. His pleasant and cheerful personality lifted Rev and Cyna’s spirits. Arnie reminded Rev of Wolfie and Faze. Is everyone from this planet so entertaining? She felt at ease.

Rev reflected on the past day’s events. Somehow, she had managed to find her mother and rescue her. After all the ordeals they went through, Rev realized that here she was with her mother, enjoying this special moment.

Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine that she would find the adventure of a lifetime, on a strange planet, and become so close to her mother, as she had when she was a child. Growing up fast in Genus, with her daily routines and socializing with friends, she now discovered a simple truth. That she had taken her parents for granted.

Anything, especially people, can be taken from you. Always cherish and be grateful for the people in your life. She glanced at her mother and smiled. She reached over and touched her hand. Her mother gave her a warm hug.

 

Arnie

You girls look beat. Take a nap. After, I have a special treat for you.

 

Chapter 61

 

 

They walked over to the racetrack. Rev and Cyna stared at some kind of twisted metal machine that Arnie was proud to show them. Steel swirling tubes like a spider web sat on top of four big tires. Two seats were visible.

 

Rev

What is that?

 

Arnie

It’s my racing buggy. Who wants to go for a ride?

 

Arnie managed to squeeze his big physique through a small opening in the buggy, put on a helmet and strapped himself in. Smiling in his seat behind a steering wheel, he looked at Cyna.

 

Arnie

Would you like to go first?

 

Cyna

You bet.

 

Cyna hopped in the other side, put her helmet on and strapped herself in. A loud rumbling sound vibrated underneath them as Arnie started it. He drew Cyna’s attention to his feet.

 

Arnie

This pedal makes it go. This pedal makes it stop. And this wheel steers it. Got it?

 

With that the loud rumbling noise got deafening as they shot off down the racetrack. Rev barely heard her mother scream with laughter as they flew around the circuit. Dust flew up everywhere as Rev sat in the bleachers. After a few minutes Arnie and Cyna switched places.

Jerking the buggy from fast to slow repeatedly, Cyna eventually smoothed her driving out and started to speed up. With one lap under her belt she gained confidence and put the pedal to the floor. As they rounded a curve at a fast speed, the wheels turned too sharp.

Within a flash of a second the buggy was airborne, flipped over and came crashing to the ground, rolling over a few times and coming to a halt upright.

Rev raced over to them.

 

Rev

Mom! Mom! Are you all right?

 

Cyna

Rev, you have to try it.