On the run (For salio)

[elementsofchaos]

Back in Ohio again. He's not in Cincinnati this time, maybe an hour or two east, but it's far enough from his previous stopping point in Michigan that he feels as close to safe as he ever does. The further from the Thermopolis compound he gets, the more he can breathe, though he never dares to hope for a full deep breath. He parks on a suburban street near a small brownstone apartment building, sliding open the Grotto's side door to enjoy a little night air. If he smoked, he probably would've lit up, but as it is he simply sits on the floorboards and hangs his legs out the open door. Maybe he should take off his sneakers, feel the grass between his toes for a bit. But no, he always has to be ready to leave at a moment's notice when he's in civilization. There's no telling who could be an agent of his family, willing or unwitting.

Jovan heaves a sigh, turning his attention up to the sky. It's cloudy, he wishes he could see the stars. There's a heaviness to the air, something ominous, but it doesn't feel like a storm. Hard to tell if it's all in his head, but he stills himself and his breathing to listen.

There are sirens in the distance.

Comments

[elementsofchaos]

It's definitely a lot easier with two people, even given Sal's inexperience. Though it remains to be seen how much the other man eats, Jovan is willing to bet Sal's needs won't be much of a drain. He hefts the heavier baskets, leaving the lighter bags for his guest to carry.

"Fishing is usually good at this time of day. We'll take this stuff back to the van and finish processing it later. I think you'll have fun with learning to fish."

They set off back the way they came, surrounded by the sounds of nature. Birds call in the distance, the wind shakes the leaves. The honking of a flock of geese flying overhead is almost startlingly loud. "This is so much nicer than being in a city. I like being out here without crowds around me. I can think more clearly. Maybe you'll feel the same way, and you'll find some peace."

[salio]

"Maybe," Sal agrees. "I just need to get out of my own head long enough to appreciate the silence."

Right now, he craved the hustle and bustle of city life. Not because he missed it, but because the atmosphere, he's sure, would be more distracting than the anxiety-inducing reality he's already immersed in.

"But man, I never realized how much you could get done in a single day."

[elementsofchaos]

"It's partially practice, partially necessity. Days get shorter, foraging's more sparse. I try to preserve what I can, but sometimes I have to work under the table and buy cheap dry goods to supplement my diet. That's usually when I spend more time in civilization."

Once back at the van, they set everything in the little area at the side door. Closing that, Jovan opens a narrow external panel, revealing a couple of fishing rods, a small tacklebox, and a plastic takeout container. He opens the container and glances inside, nodding. "Good, still some left. You'll use these, easier to replace if a line breaks or something. And trust me, once you get into the groove of fishing, you'll forget your own head for a while."

Gear in hand, they return to the spot where the cattails and arrowheads grow, a section of the water shadowed by aquatic plants and overhanging trees. "Hope you're not squeamish over worms," Jovan teases lightly, taking one out of the plastic container. "Watch how I bait the hook, you're gonna do it after this, okay?"

[salio]

"I'm not squeamish," Sal assures. If he ever doubted it before, some of the things he's seen...

But he doesn't want to think about that. Sal's glad to follow and watch, nodding along as he takes in Jovan's example before picking up a worm himself to place onto the hook. It's not the cleanest job, but it'll do.

"You made it look way easier."

So squishy.

[elementsofchaos]

"Years of practice, from the time I was a kid."

Jovan stands facing the water, showing Sal how to hold the rod. He unspools a bit of line, holds the trigger button, and sweeps the rod over his shoulder before snapping it forward, releasing the button as the rod reaches the proper angle. The line launches smoothly, the hook quietly plopping into the shaded water near the aquatic foliage.

"It's gonna take a bit of practice, but don't worry. You'll get the hang of it, and then it'll become muscle memory. Your first fish makes all the trouble of learning worth it, even if it's too small to keep, because it shows you're doing it right."

[salio]

Sal watches carefully, wondering if this is something his dad would like doing--and he carefully buries the thought, not wanting to think about his father. It was too soon. Fish, focus on fish. Just like before, he attempts to follow along with Jovan's example...and just like before, he doesn't do an amazing job. He doesn't hit the release at the right time, and the line falls short of the water.

"Er--do I just reel back in and try again?"

Jovan really did make it look so easy.