CHAPTER 17
They
continued making their way toward the distant mountains for the next four days
and nights. As the journey unfolded, Tibbs began to show fatigue and
stress. Jake seemed to never tire and
October was always in good spirits as he constantly pointed out geological
curiosities along the way.
The artificial atmosphere showed
off the galaxy above in a magnificent aerial display, as Jupiter hovered above
them. On the fifth day they reached the foothills. Tibbs pulled up his mule and yanked out a
water bottle as he glared at October’s back.
Jake led his mule along the narrow path past Tibbs.
“Doesn’t that old man ever let up?”
Tibbs griped.
“You better take it easy on the
water,” Jake said.
“What’s it to you?” Tibbs snapped.
“Nothing.”
Tibbs knew Jake was right, but
would never have admitted it. He stuffed
the water bottle back into the pack and yanked at the mule’s tether. The mule
complained noisily and lurked back, digging in its hind legs and sat down
stubbornly. Tibbs temper flared and he beat on the mule’s head with the
tether. The mule refused to budge.
Then Tibbs picks up a rock. “I’ll
show you who’s boss, you stupid—”
Jake grabbed his hand. Tibbs whirled around with murder in his eyes,
the rock raised to strike. “Don’t you ever touch—”
Jake punched him in the mouth,
sending Tibbs crashing to the ground.
The mule looked down at Tibbs, then
at Jake. It snorted as if in disgust at
Tibbs and trotted off to join the other mules and October.
Tibbs rubbed his chin and glared up
at Jake with murder in his eyes.
Jake offered him a hand up.
Tibbs slapped it away and got up on
his own. He glared at Jake then moved
off down the trail.
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