lookout - wip story - last update may 7

Instructions

1. “So, where are you going again?” Jason’s voice questioned me through the phone. I let out a sigh, “Ironwood. You know, the national park that’s, like, three states away from you.” Jason groaned, “Right, I forgot, you hate me and you’re leaving me.” “Jase—” “Real kind, Tobias.” “Don’t call me that. You know I hate that.” I sighed. “I’ll text you every night, but you better respond.” “I will, I will, Tobes. Don’t worry.” “I’ll text you tonight, because I’m there, and there’s someone approaching my car.” I hung up quickly, and gripped the steering wheel tighter. The man outside —was he wearing a cowboy hat? There’s no sun— waved, and motioned for me to roll down my window. I did as told. “Hello?” “Hey! You must be Tobias?” “Toby, yeah.” “Ah, sorry. Toby… eh.. West?” I nodded. “Right. I’m Ryan, you’ll be staying in a cabin with me for the night. The one on the left.” The man — Ryan — pointed at a rustic cabin that probably hadn’t been updated in a while, but it looked to be a good size. I drove my car forward, putting it in park next to what I assume was Ryan’s car. I grabbed my bag, my camera bag, and the soda in my cup holder and stepped out of the car. I locked the door, and looked up. Ryan was standing at the entrance, waiting for me. He smiled at me, “D’ya need help?” I shook my head. “No, I didn’t bring all that much.” He nodded and opened the door. I followed him in, looking around. It was… nice, I’ll say. It looked like a cabin. Small kitchen with an older stove, small white fridge. There was a wooden table with four chairs outside of the kitchen, with a few things sitting on it. A water bottle, a cap, keys. Two twin beds sat in the back of the cabin, lockers right next to them. Seemed like Ryan took the one by the wall, away from the window. The cabin, if I can call it that, was decorated kind of nicely, a few posters from other national parks, and a rug. “It’s not the nicest thing in the world, but it’s not too bad.” Ryan chuckled. “Yeah. It’s not. Do I get the one by the window?” Ryan nodded. “Alright, uh, thanks. We can talk more tomorrow?” He nodded again, “Sure, new guy. Go to bed.” Ryan walked into the kitchen as I tossed my bag down next to the old twin bed. “New guy! Get up, c’mon. I’m makin’ breakfast.” The smell of pancakes wafted over to me, and I let out a long sigh. I got up and stumbled over to him in the kitchen. I glanced over Ryan’s shoulder. The pancakes definitely looked burnt, but I think he meant well. I smiled a little, and my phone buzzed. Probably Jason. I’ll look at it later.. Me and Ryan ate together at the circular kitchen table. I didn’t have too much, but I guess he likes his pancakes burnt. I checked my phone. One from Jason, and.. Troy? I swore I blocked him. I didn’t even look at his text, I just deleted it. I can’t really be one to talk, but man, Troy was crazy. He didn’t have an apartment anymore, he practically lives in an old abandoned mall where we grew up. He used to have this girlfriend, Daisy, I think. She was really kind, great person, but after she broke up with Troy, he just spiraled.. I blinked, and Ryan was waving his hand infront of me. “Toby?” “Huh? Oh. Sorry. I’m fine.” I yawned, and pushed my plate away. “Not hungry.” Ryan frowned. “Did I mess it up?” I shook my head quickly, lying. “No, no they look great, just.. not hungry. Didn’t you say I’d be at the fire tower for a bit? The last one quit, right?” I got up from the table, and started towards my bed. “Yeah,” Ryan called from the kitchen, followed by the sink being turned on. “Last guy quit. Said the place freaked him out, went to another park, I think. You should be fine.” Oh. Great. I nodded, taking my ranger uniform from my bag. My button-up, a sweater with a zipper, and either shorts or pants. It was fairly warm out, for fall, so I settled on the shorts. I got myself dressed, and Ryan came in. “Pack what you’d take for an overnight,” He started to take out his uniform. “Just a bit extra. You’ll be up there for weekends, that’s when the camping trips are.” I glanced away, suddenly much more interested in packing. It felt like packing for a campout, back when I was a Boy Scout. Scouts, woah. That was a while ago. Troy used to be in scouts with me, back when we were kids. And there was someone else.. Avery, I think his name was. He was in scouts because his parents didn’t want to deal with him. I’m not really in touch with him now, but I know he and Troy still are.