Matt
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
It wasn't Marin's aunt calling from the truck.
We were still a good distance from the parking area.
We were in a shallow cut between low ridges.
The wind was light.
The sound carried clean.
It was my name once, from off to the right.
Then Jonah's name, once, from somewhere behind us.
Then Lila's name, her full name, not just Lee.
From ahead, like someone was waiting around a bend.
It wasn't shouted.
It wasn't conversational.
It was the exact tone you use when you're trying to get someone's attention without alarming them.
Marin stopped walking so fast it was like she hit a wall.
She didn't answer.
She didn't turn.
She put her hand up, palm out, a universal stop sign.
Then she pointed forward and kept walking at the same pace, like we hadn't just heard anything.
Jonah whispered, "'Is that you guys messing with—' Marin said, still not looking around.
"'Keep walking.'"
I did keep walking.