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."

grateful

it was all her years living in

for the kids. She finished up breakfast and went

about the deaths in the

was a group of wildlife photographers snuck into the restricted area to

They got mauled by animals. The coroner found animal DNA

do with

She felt bad for them. She didn't mind going

recommend it to people

they were doing. The wild was no

here for years, and if

out here for an adventure,"

world you don't have to choose the

risking your life."

a reassuring smile. "We'll

for five years and never seen anything like 'wild men.'

our guard up."

of them set out-just family, no

entourage.

hike was along a narrow, winding trail. Evan and White

bouncing with excitement. The wilderness was

up at the foot of these mountains

every rock and tree.

hand, was more used

little while, she started to lag behind, her

struggling to keep up.

the biggest backpack, just scooped her up and settled

a bull and twice as

here and there, until they reached the edge of

restricted area by afternoon.

"Evan, are you

safest route. And

a little ways in-I

get moving. We want

slipped past the sign and into

The air was cooler and

but years of mountain living had made her tough.

scared-just alert. Emmett was the same, a little

to Tarquin, wide-eyed and nervous, not letting go

an hour, they reached

creek with a

perfect for

night

hungry animals prowling

were

comfort-they were

shot at staying safe.