Out of their Element 72 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 72
Aiden
I move slowly and rhythmically as I pull on the oars to push the rowboat through the water. I noticed a few minutes ago that Evie has drifted off to sleep in my pocket, so I hope my movements are akin to gently rocking her. I keep glancing down to check and then feeling smug about how she’s still snoozing away against my chest.
It was a pretty rough night last night. Not the part right before we went to bed and things got intimate... That part was stellar. But it got really windy once we had turned in for the night, and the foliage just outside our window was rattling pretty heavily against the glass. I woke up several times, so I can't imagine what it was like for Evie. I'm glad she's getting a nap in now - I'll probably take one myself once we go back to the cabin. We’ve been taking it pretty easy today as a result.
I smile at a brief memory from this morning. We were admittedly a bit nervous to rejoin
Out of their Element 33 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 33
Aiden
I've been visiting this lab a lot lately - the one that's similar to what I see at school except something's off. This time there's something new, though. At the center of the room is… a birdcage. A giant one, one I could easily fit inside of. That’s weird. It’s just sitting there, open and empty. Something about it feels incredibly ominous. But still, I can’t help but feel curious, and I slowly start stepping towards it.
I stop in my tracks as something hits me on the top of the head. Just a small tickle of a feeling, it didn’t hurt at all. I briefly glance around but don’t figure out what it was. I look back towards the cage and put one foot in front of the other…
There it is again. It hits me in the face this time, right against the temple. “Mrrghh,” I groan, slowly lifting my head up from my arms. I squint at the light from my laptop and wince at a pain in my lower back. I raise my head further
Out of their Element 70 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 70
Aiden
The sound of the small crackling fire is soothing. So is the gentle heat of it, the sight of the dancing flames, the smell of charred wood. Our bellies are full of flame-cooked sausages, foil packet vegetables and cast iron hand pies. Moira has her guitar out, and while initially this was for the purpose of everyone singing a few ditties around the fire, at this point all three of the Ignacios have left to check out the hot tub, so she’s just idly strumming some gentle chords in the quiet night air.
Evie’s cuddling up in my palm as I softly massage her back. She’s been a little extra clingy this evening - not that I mind. She’s attempting to offer me a light massage in return, pressing her toes into the skin at the base of my fingers. As time progresses, though, her movements are slowing down.
It’s hard to make out some of the details in the darkness, so I lift her closer to my face to try to suss out
Out of their Element 57 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 57
Evie
Diego’s the one who moves first, frowning as he stands up.
“A lil’ late for solicitors,” he mutters, “I’ll go check.”
Not taking any chances, I hop to my feet, and Aiden’s on the same wavelength - he quickly plucks me up and guides me into his pocket. I catch both Star and Moira’s worried glances in my direction before I slip down inside the fabric shelter.
The only sound is Diego’s footsteps growing more distant as I settle into a seat and hug my knees to my chest. The door opens and his voice carries his surprised exclamation.
“Camila? Wha–”
“You weren't answering your phone! What the hell,” a female voice responds, sounding flustered and frustrated. I curl further in on myself in reaction to the new voice.
"I've been busy, it’s in the other room… Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I'm just stressed out. I need your car."
"Huh? What for?"
"My roommate's dumb brother's coming into town. It's a long
Out of their Element 58 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 58
Aiden
I scroll through my long line of text messages on my phone, hoping I haven't said anything that might have screwed something up. Camila has grown more reasonable since a few days ago, thankfully. But I still feel like I'm walking on eggshells. We have one last quick exchange right now.
C: Sry, roommate's bro keeping me busy. He's leaving tonight, maybe we can do something this weekend?
A: Ok that works for me. I'm busy tomorrow but Saturday or Sunday should work. Group thing?
C: Sure
I sigh inwardly. There are a few reasons that I haven't been close with Camila over the years, I don't particularly want to hang out this weekend. But it feels like a precarious position now that she knows of Evie's existence, like I have no choice but to include her in my life now. It's not that I think she's a horrible person or anything, but she's nowhere near the top of the list of people I would have normally
Out of their Element 68 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 68
Evie
I shiver and twist deeper into the covers as I come to consciousness this morning. The air feels even chillier in the early hours, but it just makes my bed feel all the more cozy. I slept pretty great, actually. As much as I’ve gotten used to the sounds of people and cars passing by outside back home, the relative quiet of the forest that surrounds us is lovely. I peek my eyes over the blanket to look towards Aiden, who’s turned in my direction but still fast asleep. The very tip of his nose is pinker than normal with the cold. I wish I could tuck him in a little better. But even if I was strong enough to drag his blankets, I’m too comfortable to move right now.
Soon I hear a slight floor creaking coming from outside of our room. I lift my head up to listen, and sure enough, there’s a very light tap on the door a second later.
Alright, alright… Comfort be damned, Moira and I made plans for
Out of their Element 69 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 69
Aiden
I'm staring out at a sprawling valley, and the untouched wilderness stretches out for miles and miles ahead. The hills and low mountains are completely covered with trees. You can actually visibly see the transition from summer to autumn in the jagged line that separates bright green leaves from yellow and orange ones, the colors mixing with a chaotic beauty.
“Woowww,” sighs a voice from near my shoulder.
“Right?” I whisper back.
Evie isn't in my shirt pocket as usual - I didn't want to risk her having to deal with any dampness if I got too sweaty on this hike. Instead, one of the many ways we prepared for this trip was by attaching a pocket to the strap of my backpack. It definitely looks handmade in comparison to her regular spot right against my chest, but it's also custom built to her specific size. So far she's seemed quite comfortable in there, and it doesn't make much difference to me since she's
Out of their Element 62 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 62
D: HEY FOLKS I’m starting this text thread so we can talk camping trip!!
D: I sent an email out to everyone with cabin options, just reply to me directly and let me know your top pick by next Friday so I can make a reservation
D: Also also also don’t forget, we’re going early October now! Weekend of the 13th if that works for errbody
E: Isn’t that Friday the 13th?
D: SPooOOoOOkyyy
S: We should watch Cabin in the Woods at the cabin in the woods, just really lean into the horror vibes
A: I’ll bring the popcorn
C: I’ll bring the booze
M: We’re all gonna die :)
C: Everyone better vote for options 2 or 3. We have to have a hot tub
E: Oooo option 3 has that gorgeous screened porch area!
M: omg yeah I love that one!
A: Plus it has that fancy fire pit
D: STOP STOP it’s supposed to be a secret vote!!
S: Diego doesn't like fire lol
A: There’s no way we’re not making a campfire on at least one of the nights dude
D: SHUT
Out of their Element 61 by littlest-lily, literature
Literature
Out of their Element 61
Aiden
I’m standing in the Hispanic section of the grocery aisle, staring down a variety of mole sauces. I reach a hand out to point my forefinger at one of them.
“No no, next row up.”
My hand drifts higher. Why are there so many varieties?
“Two to the left… Yes! That one, perfect. This stuff is so good.”
I smile at the little voice near my ear as I pick the jar off the shelf and put it in the shopping cart. Evie and I have never gone grocery shopping together, but we felt like giving it a shot today. And we’re attempting something different so that we don’t have to try and communicate with each other while she’s in my pocket. Instead, I’m wearing a slouchy black beanie and she’s held snugly against the side of my head, half perched on my left ear. Not only is she completely hidden from sight, just barely peeking her face out, but this should also keep her protected from the absurd amount of AC they pump in