Chapter 5 - Making Conversation While Working
Starting with the topic of the raft Colton was trying to construct and figuring out how to tell what the weather would be just from the flow of air, they settled into a comfortable position around the pile of wood that gradually became a sturdy craft that could hold two full-grown men.
The conversation flowed so easily that Colton almost forgot they were on an island. That was until a small puff of salty air got into his nose. "Ugh," He sneezed and sighed. "Damn, I'm thirsty." He had yet to find a good water source to drink. However, he also didn't trust anything that came from the cavern.
Kellen blinked and looked embarrassed. "Oh right, there were supplies in that cavern the others holed up in." He fished around in a pocket and handed Colton a large water bottle and energy bars. "I couldn't filch much, but I hope it helps you a little."
Gratified and amused at his wording, Colton couldn't help but chuckle. "So, I'm assuming you were told to remain or not come back, eh?"
Kellen made a sour face. "Yes," he shrugged with a scowl. "I could only put up with so much yammering about this god and that deity." He shook his head with annoyance. They got on my case because I refused to pray for assistance through divine intervention."
He couldn't agree more on that topic. Colton grunted. "No doubt they also tried to imply that your appearance was the work of something demonic?" He didn't seem surprised that they would do so.
Instead of looking affronted, Kellen looked amused. "They were working toward that implication but hadn't gotten the courage to say so to my face." He shook his head when Colton merely rolled his eyes and shrugged in cynical resignation over human nature, showing its worst side in crisis. "Then again, I wasn't giving them a chance to really shove their religions down my throat either." His amusement faded. "So, you're not going to go down that route either?"
Colton was shocked at Kellen's blatant wariness when putting that question out there. "Nope. I don't remember what I was like as a kid." He took a moment to consider just what he should say in response without making him feel uncomfortable. "I also know that doing such a thing wouldn't go over well, even if we weren't caught on an island." Though he was at a loss as to what else he should say.
Kellen shrugged. "Well, you've reassured me enough right now." He confirmed that he'd been testing Colton with his earlier question.
"Hmm, well, I don't even remember what the inside of a church looks like." Colton hadn't attended anything resembling church for a very long time. "So why did you think I would badger you about it?" He might as well have thrown the question out there.
Kellen shrugged. "I was curious." He admitted it very calmly. "I know many people who've said one thing and just did the opposite of what they wouldn't do."
Hmm, yeah, that was a trap he could've fallen into if Colton hadn't been willing to ask questions.
"I see. Well, no, I'm not going to ask for divine interference." Colton cast a disgusted glance at the cavern. That thing is likely going to fill up with water if we get another storm."
Colton sighed. Religion was almost an alien concept to him. He really didn't care to discuss any type of religion just because it was a personal thing for most people.
At last, Colton finally ventured to say. "Err, wow, trying to tolerate that garbage for the past couple of hours must've been sheer torture for you." He studied Kellen's face carefully.
Something tells me I need to be careful about what I tell him. Colton frowned slightly while sipping from the bottle of water and nibbling on the energy bar that Kellen had given him earlier. "Sheesh, was I as bad as them when I was a kid?" It wouldn't surprise Colton in the least if he were.
"You can be honest with me. I more than deserve it if I were that stupid," he shrugged wryly.
"Hmm, I thought it was possible before we could converse." From the sardonic glint in his eyes, Kellen seemed to think that Colton would try something similar. "Though now I can say that I'm glad I was wrong." Kellen made Colton sigh with relief. "Although anyone looking at us would possibly assume the polar opposite." He wrinkled his nose, and Colton laughed.
"I suppose that is possible," he acknowledged. "I was very mouthy as a kid and didn't know what a filter meant."
Kellen rolled his eyes. "You still don't," he grinned. "Though that isn't bad when it comes to speaking earlier."
Colton grunted skeptically as he sorted through his skittered thoughts. "I figure I must've done something stupid long ago," he shrugged. "I had thought I was why you'd left to go overseas."
When a pained expression crossed Kellen's face, Colton shrugged. "I know I was very insensitive about certain subjects." Maybe when I was a pushy, stupid kid, I might've done something like that.
Kellen regarded Colton thoughtfully. "So, would you do something like what those old biddies and peacocks were trying to do?" He persisted.
"Nah, I think that's just asking for trouble." Colton shook his head uncomfortably because he wasn't of mind to do anything like that. "Hmm, no, I don't see any reason why I should make someone do something that I don't believe in doing either."
Kellen relaxed and grinned hugely. "That's good." He looked at the work they'd completed so far. "Well, this is as good as it will get." He put together the final bits and pieces so they could go sailing after the sun began setting.
Colton was also relaxed. He realized what it meant when Kellen stayed with him even when the others filed out of the cavern and began singing in loud, pious voices.
They were going to wake the dead at this rate.
Colton and Kellen stood up with their raft in hand. Then they shoved it out to sea and jumped into it without acknowledging the others. They were on their own.