Explain It Like I'm Tree

Gearing Up

"Are you sure?" Christopher asked, dumbfounded at the bounty Vivi hauled into the van.

The space between them at the front of the van was crammed with gray plastic Walmart bags. They rustled as Vivi plucked each purchase from its bag, loading them one at a time into various compartments of a canvas camo backpack.

"Swiss army knife. Knife. Compass. Tactical pen. Extra batteries. Metal bowl. Candles. Small mirror. Water purifying tablets and filter straw. Duct tape. Paracord. Fishing line. Fishhooks and lures. Pliers and wire. Fire starter, matches, tinder, magnifying glass. Pouch meals for a week. Space blanket. Tarp. Rain jacket. Basic first aid kit. Whistle. Survival book. Mapbook." She held up a slim wallet. "Still important to have some cash on hand. Keep it hidden somewhere."

"But-!"

Vivi cut him off. "We just happened to get paid for a curse-breaking job today, and then we found a runaway in a completely separate situation from the curse-breaking job who clearly needed a hand, so we used our pay to get him started. Ya dig?" She eyed him, her mouth pulled into a no-nonsense line. "You didn't buy this stuff. You bought our work. Then we bought this with our money. There was just enough leftover to make sure a kid who needs it had some survival gear and a little emergency cash, that's all."

Definitely not true, but if he were awake, Artie would have spent the whole wad of Christopher's saved-up cash and dug into their account for this, too. Unfortunately this was definitely a survival-on-a-budget get-the-cheapest-model-you-can Walmart trip, not an REI haul, and there were plenty of other things that would help Christopher like a camping burner or a tactical flashlight or a whole tent or a bike and they just couldn't afford all of it, even if the eleven-year-old could carry all that on his back. With their finances stretched as they were, she'd have to ask her parents for help with next month's mortgage for sure and Arthur would probably have to lean on Lance.

Christopher's face was pale as he took the wallet and slipped it into his pocket. "I... I get it. Thanks... I..." his words faded away. He had the hunted look of a baby bunny who'd seen his parents caught by a fox.

Vivi wanted to throw their doors open to him and take him home, but she'd just get nailed for kidnapping. Plus she knew who he was, and that meant he wouldn't be able to kill the curse around them. If he could shed his name and everything associated with his identity and get a few states away, maybe he had a shot.

She gestured at his pockets. "I saw you have a phone. I suggest you turn it in at the nearest phone recycle station for a few extra bucks. It sucks, but it's one more tie back to who you are. Were. Who are you again?"

The boy lifted his eyes to hers. "I didn't even think about... I.."

She nodded her head firmly. "Good. Figure it out as you go. Better you don't tell me. In fact, I'd use a burner name on the road and wait on your new permanent name until you find a good place."

He swallowed hard, nodding. Twisting around, he glanced into the back. "Is... he going to be okay?"

Arthur lay unconscious on the mattress in the back. Mystery still draped over the sleeping man, his own large body cramped and contorted around to fit the space. He glanced up, flicking his ears forward. "Time will tell. The human body is not capable of tearing apart stone monuments on its own. He is exhausted, but that seems to be all. If there is something else wrong, it is not something that a doctor can restore."

Christopher gulped. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. I didn't think... I thought you guys could handle... I mean..."

Vivi crammed her feelings into a corner and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "We did handle it. Sometimes we take splash damage, but we've had more experience at this than you so we can deal. Plus we're all adults here, so better us than you. It's not your fault."