Chapter Text
The car ride home was quiet after they've browsed some clothing stores. John's glad they have a similar sense of fashion so they have one more thing to talk about. John just dreaded the day that Smitty refuses to redact his Wish, but hopefully, he has enough time to convince him that life is worth living.
They arrived at Bryce's house shortly after, and John invited Smitty in for a drink. Smitty accepted, following John into Bryce’s house. Although they’ve only known each other (as in face to face, not stalking,) for a few days, John felt as if they have a real friendship going on, perhaps a connection from a past life or an alternate universe. Bryce and Ryan wouldn’t be home until later, so they had a few hours to themselves and played a simple game of twenty questions to get to know the smaller details about one another. For example; Smitty is from Canada and uses milk bag imagery on social media, and is a ‘hardcore memer.’ He loves playing video games and pissing off his friends, and he’s also a programmer and (video) editor for some people online.
John’s story, on the other hand, was almost completely made up. He said he was from West Bayside when in reality he was born on the star Omiah, and has lived on the Satellite Elysion since he was thirteen. He had chosen to be an Agent and had wanted to be one ever since he could think. He wanted the joy of helping other people, to make them happy. He never thought that he would become an Unconventional Agent. Oh well, he’ll just keep making up lies for now, until John can find the correct time to tell Smitty.
They continued just talking about whatever came up to their minds, like favorite colors, games, food against some background noise of some random tv show about three dudebros hunting and talking shit to ghosts and screaming when they square up. The two didn’t realize that it was eight at night until Bryce came home yawning, but there was a smile on his face when he saw his two good friends socializing. Bryce said a quick hello before slipping into the kitchen to make dinner.
Smitty ended up staying for the next few days until the day of the camping trip in the forests between Norsea Lake, Emerald Shallows, and Hoyst Peak. John didn’t know about the ’beauty’ of the place, but apparently, it was stunning. Two large bodies of water northwest and a single large mountain southeast of the camp grounds. John never experienced the lakes himself, but apparently, the Emeralds Shallows were a hot spring with ‘Emerald green water’.
Smitty, Bryce, Ryan and a few other people along with John all put their bags of tents, sleeping bags, clothes and other essentials into Ryan’s soccer mom van and headed off into the campgrounds. John didn’t know if they would have reception there - most likely not - but he brought his phone with him anyway. Who knows, maybe space tech would prevail and would grant him signal in the two days they’re alone in the forest, and also because he needed it in case Jay found some more information on Smitty that John didn’t already know, information like family, close friends and relatives, maybe even medical history, mental and physical health records, because according to Ryan, Smitty was in therapy once but quit because ‘it was a waste of time and money.’
The other three people had introduced themselves as David, Scotty, and Anthony. David was a tall and lanky Irishman who had claimed shotgun because of his height of six feet four. Tall, but still not as tall as the giant that is Tyler back on the Elysion. Scotty and Anthony were both huge dorks that were easily lovable and just super easy to talk to. Scotty is a secretary, while Anthony is an auto mechanic that apparently loves pandas.
They talked and laughed all the way to the campgrounds and parked next to an opening between two large evergreens and everyone stepped out. Some started unpacking while others walked around to get the blood flowing. Bryce took the liberty of setting up the folding table and laid down all the coolers and loose food items on the table before going over to Anthony to help set up a tent. Ryan walked over to John, stretching. “If you want, you can explore a bit, I know you haven't been to this part of Dalrock,” Ryan said. He gave a sly grin that meant ‘because you never take the time to explore Earth.'
John stuck out his tongue. “Fine, I’ll explore. I’ll be a normal human,” John said in a sassy tone.
“You want to bring Smitty?” Ryan asked, cracking his neck.
“I think I can handle a little forest.”
Ryan shrugged. “If you get lost, find a direction to walk in and walk.
John raised an eyebrow. “That might not be the best advice.”
“Better than just hopelessly getting lost.”
John hummed. He didn't want to tell Ryan that he had the navigation skills of a potato and constantly gets lost. In the first month of John being on the Elysion, John constantly got lost, confusing the barracks for the equipment rooms or any other thing. Same happened when John was still on the Omiah for his first twelve years of life. His mother was always worried sick any time John disappeared from her sight. John yawned and told Scotty - he was the closest one to John - that he was going to explore. Scotty wished him luck and started setting up a tent.
John didn’t pay attention to the many signs that they had passed on their way to the campgrounds. He probably should have, as paranoia started to set in and his mind started to wander to all the possible creepy crawlies that lived in the forest, various bugs, foxes, wolves, windigos, et cetera. Granted, the forest was pretty, with tall evergreens, oaks, and some other trees and plants John didn’t know the names to, so he ignored the creep factor and focused on the nice scenery. It was a pleasant change from the many cars and large buildings in the city.
John stopped in a small clearing and spotted a small chipmunk on top of a rock before running off into a bush. He took a deep breath and looked around. “That tree looks familiar,” he muttered, looking at a half dead evergreen. He glanced to the other trees surrounding. “Then again, every tree looks familiar.” He groaned. “Fuck.” John was lost.