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

her years living in the mountains, but she wasn't scared so

the kids. She finished up breakfast and

she told Tarquin about the

photographers snuck into the

got mauled by animals. The coroner found animal

do

felt bad for

but she'd never recommend it

The wild

out here for years, and if it

out here for an adventure," she said. "There's

world you don't have to choose the most dangerous one. It's

risking your life."

giving her a reassuring smile.

for five years and never

our guard up."

of them set

entourage.

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

bouncing with

the foot of these mountains

every rock and tree.

the other hand, was more used to being pampered by Keith

a little while, she started to lag behind, her

struggling to keep up.

backpack, just scooped her up

as a bull and

there, until

restricted area by afternoon.

are

the safest route. And there's a perfect

little ways

Elysia said, "let's get moving. We want the

the way, they slipped past the sign and into the

air was cooler and seemed to

mountain living

the same,

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

hour,

creek with a big,

for tents.

at night could

animals

The tents were for more

comfort-they were

shot at staying safe.