The Chibi Problem Part 22

We hit the road home early. I planned to drive straight through, so I could have the whole next day to recover from the relatives, and to play with my gundam.

We had breakfast in Tucson, just drive-thru Jack, and lunch in Yuma, at Taco Bell. Since it was a nice day, clear and rather warm, we ate at a table outside. The chibis glommed onto the plastic sporks and held a short debate on whether the things were good or evil. Then they attacked the food with the sporks and that decided the matter. I had to go back inside to grab another handful before we could leave. It's always the little things, you know. The things you never think of until it's flapping in your face. Who would have guessed that chibis would fall in love with sporks?

I filled the soda cups all around, and made sure everyone was securely buckled in and that the cups were secured. I learned my lesson with loose soda cups when I hit a pothole once, and had to endure twenty minutes with a soda-drenched Killer until we got home.

BabyDoll always rides shotgun with me. The juveniles got to take turns sitting with him. From Yuma, Ghost and Demon were riding up front.

We flew across I-10 until we came to a wide spot in the road called Midway Well and highway 98. It's a more leisurely cruise on a Sunday afternoon. It dips almost to the border to run through Calexico; the California town that hugs the Mexican border all snuggled up to the Mexican city of Mexicali. That used to be the funniest thing in the world to me when I was a kid, Calexico and Mexicali. I have no idea why.

The drive is somewhat scenic in that there isn't much to see other than a house here and there, the occasional horse, cow or sheep in a field or corral, and a lot of native vegetation. Oh, and the occasional Border Patrol vehicle. Not much traffic, although I was passed at one point by a semi traveling much too fast for conditions. I had a moment of 'Oh shit!' when I was sure he was going to lose the box as he slithered and fishtailed from berm to berm, the trailer's wheels bouncing alarmingly. He managed to keep it upright, though, and was soon out of sight.

Once he was safely gone, BabyDoll "Shini-ed" at me, violet eyes wide.

It's okay, sweetie; just a loose nut on the road.

He sighed and leaned his head against my arm. I stroked his head and let the car slow a bit. Might as well let the idiot get far ahead. Everybody relaxed and I could feel the release of tension.

Me too, guys, I agreed quietly.

Ten minutes later, my dashboard lit up like a damn Christmas tree. Six pairs of eyes swiveled to lock onto me. I began to swear. I managed to get the car off the road before everything went stone dead.

Well, shit.

~*~

Half an hour later, I admitted defeat. Alternator. Damn it. Just damn it all to fucking hell.

I have a backyard mechanics manual, I carry tools, and I figure I could probably change the damned thing if I had a replacement, but I don't carry spare alternators with me. Who does?

I put everything away except the monster flashlight and got out the trusty cellphone to dial my auto insurance emergency number.

And su~prise! Su~prise!

No service.

I resisted the impulse to throw that bloody phone clear to Mexico. I sat down in my seat, tilting it back to think.

BabyDoll fluttered down to sit on the top of the open door. The juveniles were exploring the immediate area, turning over rocks and chasing lizards and bugs.

"Mooiiiii...?" trilled BabyDoll after what he considered a reasonable wait.

I turned my head and offered my hand. He stepped onto my palm and I brought him down to sit on my shoulder. He nuzzled my ear and began to thrum.

We've got a problem, sweetie. We're in a dead phone area, so I can't call for help.

He thrummed louder, indicating heavy thought.

I hate to send you out in a strange area, BabyDoll...

He bounced up to look me in the eye, waiting attentively.

Will you take Happy or Demon and fly up to see if there's an emergency phone close by?

He snorted and made a dismissive gesture, then hugged me.

"Scyyyythe...! Shiiiiiniiiiigamiiiii! Moi loiiiii...! Chiiiiikaaaa!"

He launched out the window, already calling his troops to order. A few minutes later, he had Zee posted on the hood of the car, Ghost on the trunk lid and Justy thumbing his dam dao on the roof. Justy looked very much like he wanted something to challenge his territory so he could deal with it with extreme prejudice. Oh, yeah, he and Aunt Millicent will get along real well.

I checked my watch. Not long until the sun went down behind the hills to the west. In an hour, it would be dark out here without streetlights. I didn't look forward to spending the night in the car, but it could be done without much trouble. I always carry plenty of water and snacks and I have a couple of survival blankets in my emergency kit. My wool cape was in the back seat as well. It wouldn't be a big deal. Except that I hate when things go wrong. It always seems like a personal affront.

The chibis were back in short order.

No sign of the blue boxes a mile either way, they reported. Since the emergency phones are planted every quarter mile, it meant there were none on this particular road.

BabyDoll felt my sinking mood and stayed on my shoulder while I told the other chibis to hunt if they wanted, but to be back by sunset.

Guess we're stuck overnight, Baby, I muttered.

BabyDoll glared at the dash and let loose a stream of clicks, chirps and growls, all implying that the car had done this on purpose just to inconvenience us and to make me sad. I believe he also threatened it with severe bodily injury.

I took a few minutes to explain that the car hadn't done it deliberately; sometimes parts just broke. I don't think he quite believed me.

He went along when I set out the triangles and the safety light, still muttering softly. He had gone into guardian mode, his scythe out but not powered. My good little doll.

~*~

It was full dark when another thought finally occurred to me. Radio signals travel farther and are clearer after the sun sets. Maybe I could get a cell signal now.

I dug the phone out of my purse again and hopped out of the car. BabyDoll and the juveniles piled out with me. I explained to BabyDoll what I was hoping for. He understands somewhat about radio waves and cellphone signals, that they travel through the air like invisible wires and that when you activate a radio or cellphone, the "wire" homes in and attaches itself. Don't laugh; it's a pretty good explanation.

I hit the power button.

No carrier.

Ah, fuck.

That kind of sucked the confidence right out of me. I'm not used to being helpless or feeling trapped the way I was just then. BabyDoll landed on my shoulder again and I reached up to pet him. I was just about frustrated and angry enough to cry. I'm sure he knew it. He leaned against me, thrumming like a generator and nuzzling my cheek.

It's okay, sweetie, I tried to reassure him. I'm just really pissed off that it didn't work.

I hitched myself up to sit on the fender, trying to come up with something else. The other chibis gathered around. Happy dared to take a position on my other shoulder. BabyDoll gave him a look, but didn't try to chase him away.

Think, idiot, I admonished myself. There was something I had overlooked; I just knew there was, but it stubbornly refused to come out.

Demon rumbled to himself suddenly, and launched into the air, buster rifle at the ready. He flew straight up, before leveling off to describe a widening circle. He was hunting something. Happy made as if to follow, but BabyDoll stopped him. The grounders gathered closer, almost as if they were protecting me.

Then Demon pulled up sharply and dived, firing into the brush. A sharp "Yipe!" and frantic rustling preceded the coyote that streaked across the road and out of sight.

"Omae!" Demon crowed as he landed on the roof of the car.

I had to laugh. Good boy! I exclaimed. Good job, Demon!

He preened, a tiny smirk peeking around his usual glare.

And then the idea hit me. Elevation. If I could get the phone high enough, maybe I could catch a signal.

I looked at the chibis.

Maybe...

Nah...

Why not...?

Because...

Um... Hmm...

Well, yeah... Why the hell not?

The chibis gazed back at me.

"Ninmu..." chirped Demon hopefully, except that it was rather a deep chirp.

It just might work...

TBC...

NB: The description of California State Highway 98 is as I remember it on my last trip east, which was some years ago. I'm sure something has changed by this time, but I won't get to check it out until I get my new car. J

 

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