Chapter 10 Where's the Beach?

"Why are we even in this town Ernest?  There's nothing here to kill us."

Wait, why am I complaining?  Must be the heat.  Oh -That is- killing us.

"Over here Reader, before the storm swallows us both."

Chapter 9 Not Exactly Ocean Front Property

"Hey Ernest."
"Yeah Reader?"
"Why can't we ever go to a paradise?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why does it always have to be miserable.  It's always humid or hot or cold or-"
"We went to the ocean that one time."
"That wasn't exactly a paradise."

Ernest rubbed at his eyes and looked beyond the pine tree's shade.  Beyond that shadowy shelter was hell.  He squinted at the horizon and frowned.

"Here it comes again.  Bundle up."
 

Chapter 8 Your Ticket Please

"That last deal?"

Reader looked down and then looked back up at Ernest.  Reader's hand gripping harder.

"Yes Reader, the one about the twins."

"Haha to be honest that whole exchange wasn't very fair was it?"

"No it wasn't."

"It wasn't really a bargain."

"Nope."

"Let me up Ernest."

"What was that?  I think I feel your hand slipping.  So slick with sweat."

"Let me up Ernest!"

He seemed suddenly distracted.

Chapter 7 An Invitation

Reader looked at the bridge.  Then the sign.  Then the bridge again.

"Do I really have to do this alone Ernest?  Sure the sign has my name on it, but I mean - come on, it doesn't say no You."

Ernest gave a tired expression.  Sighing deeply he walked over to the bridge and tapped the first plank of wood with his foot.  The sturdy piece of wood that suggests it can prevent your death of falling off the cliff; essentially a life barrier between you and gravity and the fall below, snapped.

Not just snapped.  But rotted.  Turned to dust.  Exploded.  In a puff of impossible the thing was gone.  Little bits falling silently in mournful slow motion. 

"Sign has your name on it Reader.  I'll wait.  See you when you get back."

Chapter 6 Upper Hand

"Come on Ernest, give me your hand!"

The wind clawed at their clothing.  The screaming wind was like a ravenous bird.  Each new gust attempted to remove the two climbers from the mountain side.  Ernest could hear his muscles groaning under the strain.  His finger tips dug into the rock face.  Jaw clenched tight, he growled at the wind.  Three indomitable finger tips were all that kept him from falling thousands of feet down.  And they were slipping.

"Your hand Ernest!"

"I am not agreeing to this!"

"You're slipping.  Just give me your other hand and let me pull you up. Then you can tell me about the Twins later."

"I don't want to talk about the Twins Reader!  Graah-"

The wind buffeted him again.  That is to say it nearly pulled him off the rocks then slammed him repeatedly back into them.  Not a pleasant experience.

"I think talking about the Twins is a small price to pay next to falling to death."

Chapter 5 An Argument Between Half-Strangers

I'm hungry. I'm almost to the brink of fullness. I just can't seem to catch anything with the snares this week. I've done SO MUCH over this time, taking care of Ernest and his fellow companion. I did not expect them to give me SUCH an appetite, but they've proven quite cold. As they say, much effort brings out the best in people. Ernest and his fellow have proven my care so effective, that they starve me now.

I'm so unhappy. I weep with joy.

They are probably wondering why their loveless parent has not craved them for so long. Don't worry, my ink travelers, once I find enough snacks I'll toss you to death once more.

You both won't be waiting for long. I know you miss my fickle attempts to let you live. See you soon. hehehehehehehe.

Chapter 4 That Explains Everything

They swam deeper into the ocean.  Deeper.  Darker.  The further they went, the more Reader relied on Ernest's struggling light to find him.  Then the ocean started to brighten, as if coming from a cloud.  Steadily a soft glow filled the water.  They reached the ocean's floor.

Ernest landed in the soft silt at the bottom.  He waved his light, its beam harsh compared to the glow all around.

The ocean floor was covered in ruins giving off soft light.  Greens, blues even reds.  Reader hovered a bit, taking in the crumbling sights, before landing next to Ernest - expectant.

"There's a lot of stone, brick and ceramic down here.  Perhaps a sunken city.  I spotted some ship wreckage too.  We should keep moving so that ... the thing that attacked us earlier, will have a harder time finding us.  Let's go Reader."

"I have questions Ernest."

The guy was already ducking under a crumbling arch, the ocean sand beneath his feet turning into swirling clouds.

"Ask away Reader.  I'll answer to the best of my ability."

Chapter 3 In Good Faith

"The ocean.  Again."

"Yes Reader.  The ocean.  Again."

They were in a little rowboat in the middle of the ocean.  The pleasant sound of lapping water filled that distinct silence.  Somewhere off in the distance and out of sight was the call of a seagull.  No island on the horizon.  Burning sun overhead.  Ernest wiped the sweat from his brow and put on the wide brim hat he was provided.  Reader frowned at only having a bandana. 

"It's hot."

"That it is Reader."

"What are we doing here?"

"Homework."

"Are these things based off of topics?"
"I suppose."
"Then what's today's topic?  Being stranded in the middle of the ocean to die?!"

"You don't have to yell Reader.  I didn't put you in the boat."
"Wha-You- What are you looking at?  What was over my shoulder?  I don't see anything there.  Is it more ninja's?! Did the boat just get bumped by something?"
"I think I figured it out."
"What bumped our boat?"
"No, what we're supposed to do."