I watch as the stranger wheels in various equipment beside his tent. My family and I came to this ringworld for a camping trip, but I doubt this guy is here to relax. He struggles as a wheel of his metal case catches a rock.
“Here, lemme help,” I get up from my tent and kick the rock aside.
“Thank you,” he says briefly. So quick and low that I almost didn’t catch it.
I wanted to ask what he was doing but my brother called.
After a day of hiking through ridges and rivers filled with alien life, I almost drop asleep the moment I entered my tent. Various pings and whirs would stir me from my sleep, but I slept well overall. The morning after, I decide to check the places we haven’t been. To my surprise, the stranger and I emerge from our tents at the same time.
“Good morning!” I say amused.
“Good morning,” he says. Then his eyes darted away from mine.
I jogged away as more pings and whirs fade behind me.
We arrived just in time for fishing season and we were allowed to catch as much alien fish as we could cook. My father stayed behind to prepare while my brother and I catch fish. We come back at noon with a quite a haul that we couldn’t possibly eat it all. I thought about saving one for the stranger. Later, he returns with the same large fish in a wheeled tank that was trailing him.
I approach, “Hey! We caught so much and thought maybe you-“
“Wh- No. I mean, thanks. B-but you shouldn’t have…”
He gingerly takes the steaming platter, but quickly disappears into his tent.
He approaches me later as I was cleaning up.
“Thank you, that was delicious,” he hands me the platter
“You’re welcome. Seasoned it myself. My dad picked the herbs, but you know what I mean.”
He smiles politely, but before he could swiftly disappear again, I ask; “What’s your name?”
“Samuel,” he replies surprised.
“Edvin,” I point to myself. I point to my dad and brother and introduce them.
“N-nice to meet you. And thank you for the food,” he nods, turns around, and speed walks back into his tent.
The next morning, I decide to take an early jog again. Our eyes meet as we both leave our tents at the same time.
ns 15.158.61.22da2
