October Outing

Chapter 1 - Backpack

The weather was starting to cool, the nights growing longer, and leaves colouring the trees in a myriad of hues, letting everyone know it was once again autumn. Near the South end of the flourishing town, squished in the suburbs, a house was filled with excitement for the adventure to come.

"Toby, hurry up! I want to leave before the end of the month!" Inke called from the front hall, stuffing a sweater into her already overflowing luggage bag; yanking on the zipper to close.  More than once did she have to push back her long braid of black hair to stop it from getting in her way.

"Hardy-har, it's not my fault you were so late getting here. And you haven't been helping me get packed either!" Toby yelled back from the kitchen, carefully slicing and cleaning a bundle of strawberries before placing them into a container for safe travel. "You should be grateful I even invited you out this year."

"Oh yeah, remind your parents to send me a thank you card for looking after you," Inke paused as she took a large bite from a nearby chocolate chip cookie, setting it on top of a small side table, "and thank Janice for the cookies; delicious as always!" She gleefully smiled while chewing on the baked good, finally closing her last bag and tossing it into the pile by the door.

Toby grumbled as he tossed out the excess fruit scraps, "We are supposed to be saving those for the trip, not gorging yourself before we are even out the door, Inke!" Placing the cutting board and knife into the sink, he quickly washed them clean and set them aside. "Alright, that should be everything. Food, some drinks, kits for cooking and eating..." He took stock of everything needed for their trip, stashing them into a satchel and closing it. Grabbing the last items from the kitchen, he headed out to join Inke in the front hall. "Are you ready then?"

She turned to him, her eyes scanning over the 5 foot 7, tan skinned guy. Inke positioned her fingers into a rectangle, squinting from one eye, "Khaki pants, green plaid jacket, hiking boots... I bet you have your camo beanie in your backpack too don't you, mister picture perfect outdoorsman?" She would give him a smug grin with a laugh.

"For your information, it's red. For some reason I could never find the camo ones in store," Toby rubbed his chin with a sarcastic ponder, "and what about you? How many dresses and skirts did you pack?"

"How dare- I'll have you know that I only brought my evening dress in case some dashing vampire and/or werewolf comes, gazes into my alluring blue eyes, and steals me away to their hidden lair deep within the forgotten forest!" Inke placed the back of her hand to her head, tilting her head back with an overly dramatic stance. She looked more set for urban exploring: sneakers, brown nylons with pumpkins, torn jeans turned into above knee shorts, and black zip-up hoodie; all covering up her sun-absent skin.

With a raised brow, Toby rolled his own, dark hazel, eyes, "Of course, my ice princess. Your carriage awaits for your royal butt outside." Reaching down to grab a backpack, he would toss it at her, "Let's get going. It's a long drive ahead to the cabin and I am not driving in the pitch black again."

Quickly catching the moderately heavy bag with an "Oof!" she stood for a salute, "Aye aye my loyal knight. Into the spaceship and out to the spooky decaying forest!" Inke slouched to rub her stomach, "Also, do you have textbooks in here or something? It's frickin' heavy, dude."

"Out, witch!" Toby waved his arms and lifted another bag, playfully threatening to throw it at her. Inke would let out a exaggerated feminine plea, pulling open the front door as the two of them laughed and packed the car for their road trip. It wasn't long before they were out on the road, a mid-morning sun behind them, as they drove out of town, tunes up and anticipation in their chatter.