Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Early the next morning, Elysia was up before sunrise.

After chatting with the innkeeper, she rolled up her sleeves and made scrambled

eggs and pancakes for the kids, along with some simple sides-crispy bacon,

hashbrowns, and a bowl of fresh fruit.

She knew everyone had different tastes, and the kids hadn't really eaten much the

night before the local food just wasn't what they were used to. Today was the

first day they'd be heading into the mountains, and from here on out, it was going

to be picnic meals and campfire food for a while. Elysia wanted to make sure her

family got a good breakfast in them while they could.

The innkeeper and his wife were true Darkfort City locals, blunt and friendly. They

went on and on about how adorable the kids were, then started complimenting

Elysia, and even threw in some praise for Tarquin.

"I swear, your whole family looks like you stepped out of a magazine!" the

innkeeper's wife said. "We've had so many families stay here over the years, but

none as good-looking as yours!"

After all the flattery, she turned serious for a moment, giving them some advice:

"When you head up the mountain, follow the marked trail. Stick to the signs-

don't wander off on the smaller paths, it's easy to get lost out there. And if you see

a sign telling you not to go somewhere, don't ignore it. Most of these mountains

are just untouched wilderness-real wild, not part of any park. Nobody goes in

there. It's dangerous."

She lowered her voice. "Just last week, they carried out a few bodies. Some folks

went off-trail, adventurers or something. They got attacked by wild animals-one

had his head bashed in, another was half-eaten. Whatever did it, it wasn't human.

There's all kinds of dangerous creatures out there, not just bears or wolves. Some

say there's things in those woods that nobody's ever seen."

"Don't go exploring just because you're curious," she added. "It's not worth it."

genuinely grateful for the

living in the mountains, but she wasn't

concerned for the kids. She finished up breakfast and went

told Tarquin about the deaths in the woods. Tarquin

was a group of wildlife photographers

mauled by animals. The coroner

to do with

She felt bad for them. She didn't

she'd never recommend it

The

years, and if it weren't for White

out here for an adventure,"

you don't have to choose the most

risking your life."

a

never seen anything like 'wild men.'

our guard up."

them set out-just family, no bodyguards,

entourage.

the hike was along a narrow,

bouncing with excitement. The wilderness was

the foot

every rock and tree.

the other hand, was more used to being

After a little while, she started to lag behind, her

struggling to keep up.

scooped her up and

as a bull

on, taking breaks here and there, until they reached the edge

restricted area by afternoon.

are you sure this

confidently. "It's the safest route. And there's a

just a little ways in-I checked

"let's get moving. We want the

Evan leading the way, they slipped past the sign and

cooler and seemed to

pounded, but years of mountain living had

was the same, a little wary but

nervous, not

an hour, they reached

creek with a big,

for

at night

hungry animals

tents were for

comfort-they were their

shot at staying safe.