Reordinate the Fate

Second Destination: Savannah and Farm

"How did you get the savannah and farm location, Max?" Cliff asked.

"I can say Savannah is one of the most beautiful natural destinations. The extent of grass will certainly make us feel truly free in nature. But if it's only savannah, there is nothing much we can do. So I searched for the savannah with the animal farm next to it. I contacted the owner of the farm and they will let us help on the farm for two days."

"You are a really trustworthy guide." said Stevan. The boy was amazed by Max's greatness in determining and finding connection with the owner of the place they will be going to.

"Then how long will it takes until we reach the destination?" Cliff asked again.

"We'll be arrive in the late afternoon. Around 4 p.m. Max added, "We will stay there for 4 days.  After that the campervan will be returned and there is a new vehicle waiting for us. I'll give you all the detail later.” The more Max spoke, the more amazed Stevan was with his detailed planning abilities.

"Does that mean we will build tent at night?" Max answers Risa's question with 'yes'. After that the girl applauded happily, returning her enthusiasm which was replace with doubt for a while.

"One more thing I will tell you," Max opened his mouth again, "This is a savannah. Rarely, or I can say, there are no trees there. Get ready with the heat of the sun that will sting your skin."

No one answer, but everyone listen to him well. All the five enjoying the beautiful sunshine of the sunset from the campevan that looks like it's approaching the sun. In about an hour, they will arrive at the second destination.

★★★

"This is the place." Max steered the campervan off the main road, entering a vast meadow. There is no trees anywhere, just as Max had said. After few minutes, the campervan stops and the four men move down following by a woman.

"Savannah!"

Risa is very excited. She started running around and turned her body happily. Occasionally doing small jumps with full enthusiasm. Her beautiful face increase the perfection when it's illuminated by orange shine from the sunset. "I really like the view of the sunset on the wide meadow like this. Really feels like we are in nature.” said Risa to Stevan.

“It’s not 'feels like'. We are in the nature.” said Stevan. The boy continued, "and yes.This is very beautiful." Risa nodded in agreement.

Max claps once to get the attention from the others, "The sun will set around six o'clock. We only have two hours to rebuild the tent and prepare everything. Let's start like we did yesterday."

Will spoke after a few moments, "Don't we have to search something to make a fire?"

Max nodded, "Yes. Today I will show you how to make a fire with a lighter. Firstly, we can ask farmers for some straw and collect dry woods around the farm as the main material for making the fire."

"A question," Risa raised her hand.

"Where is the farm located?" Max pointed to the left. "Do you see the tall building far away? That is silo. One of the buildings used to store animal feeds. That's where the farm is. It's better if two of us go there while some of us stay here."

Risa proposed herself as usual. Then, another hand raised up, "I will accompany her,"

Cliff pointed at himself. But what Risa said next was, "Can you accompany me, Max?" The girl explained forward the reason she said that, "You know them better than all of us. At least as a start, you must come to see the owner yourself."

Of course the others know, that it is a sign of Risa's refusal to Cliff who volunteering accompany.  Max shrugged after a few moments, "Okay. It's up to you." Max throw the campervan's key to Will, "You have the key. Take care of the tent and other equipment. "

Will just nodded and Max walked away with Risa.

After the two of them is quite far away, the three men open the conversation.  "What's wrong with you and Risa?" Will asked directly while looking at Cliff who still looked at Risa, "You only know her for few days, right? Now you can make her upset about something you've done."

Stevan shook his head, disagreeing with Will's words, "No, she's not upset."

"It seems like Risa feels uncomfortable with you for now. I can see it from her face, that she is a little -how can I explain it- keeping a distance because she feels uncomfortable to close to you." Stevan returned to his serious mode, making the atmosphere also -likely- cold instantly, "What was exactly and who were you talking to on your cellphone, Cliff?  I'm sure that's the reason making her act that way towards you."

Cliff sighed and rubbed his face, "I can't tell you guys. Sorry."

Will replied, "Well, there's nothing to talk with us. That's your problem with her. We have no right to know. But I hope the problem is solved when we leave from here. Max must have rebuked Risa there too. Let me remind you, we are not here to get into trouble and increase the burden of thought."

Because the atmosphere became too serious, Stevan clapping several times, "Alright, alright! That's our advice for you, little boy! Now let's prepare the camp!"

"Don't call me a little boy!"

★★★

"This is a very common tool used in camping. This is called a lighter." The five people sitting in a circle order, as if some student ready to receive a class from Teacher Max.

"A lighter can emit sparks if we scratch an object that looks like this metal key with iron here."  Max shows both of these tools. "We will scratch both with a haystack as the base. So that later the sparks will fall into the straw and burn it. "

Max shows what he explained. Cheek! Cheek! Cheek!

The sound of the two lighter parts being scratched to each other repeatedly. A pretty big spark come from the lighter, "It's my first time seeing this thing directly in front of my eyes." Stevan watched in awe. He had only seen such this thing on the adventure and exploration television’s channel shows.

"May I try?"

Max gave Risa the lighter and the girl scratch both of it. "Hm? Why isn't it appearing?” Max explained, "Press it stronger." The man saw Risa's hands that never pressed the lighter firmly, then took both her hands with his hand,

"Like this."

Max grabs Risa's hand and helps the girl push the lighter harder. Risa is a little surprised when Max touched her hand, but trying to ignore it afterwards. Unfortunately, Max realized Risa's gaze at him. He lets go of the girl's hands and said ‘Alright, continues like that.’ With a slightly awkward tone.

After about ten minutes waiting in the dark, small flames begin to show their light. Max immediately take the small fire and straw around the flames and blew it many times. The fire enlarge after a while and Max put it on a pile of twigs and dry wood that he had been looking for and took around the farm.

"Our camfire is complete."

"I am curious. Why do you always take and blow the flames, Max?” Cliff asked.

"It can make the air rush in and spread the flames. So that the small fire can get bigger and not gone." Cliff nodded in understanding.

"Okay. We have to get the dinner now." Their all five stomach must felt that it’s a long time since the last time digested red bean and tomato soup for the breakfast.

"We have to eat the fish we got in the lake yesterday. It won't be good if you eat it tomorrow. I cleaned the bowels and the scales, also dried them yesterday. Can you take it in the fridge?  There are about 7 of them.” Cliff got up because it was clear Max was asking for his help. The man faced himself as he spoke just now.

A few moments later, the five people were sitting in a circle around the fire and twirling their own fish which has been created as a skewers by wood. "It's very hot near a fire. Even though it is already dark." Stevan complained, rubbing the sweat on his forehead with one hand.

"Like I said," Max said, "But the savannah temperature can reach its lowest in the middle of the night until early in the morning. It's because basically today's temperature is pretty hot, but in our previous destination, it was experienced a slow decrease in temperature.  This is because they do have trees that can actually maintain cold and hot temperatures longer, also can balance the ambient air temperature. Here is nothing. So the air can circulate freely."

"You're knowledge is so amazing, Max."

Max laughs awkwardly when Risa praises him.

"Will you guys still sleep in the tent tonight?" Cliff pointed to Stevan and Risa, "If you want, I can replace you, Stevan."

"I'll-"

"No need." Risa shook her head firmly, cutting Stevan's words.

All of them eat the grilled fish in silence afterwards. It's not a quiet and calm atmosphere, but a very awkward atmosphere. No one intended to open a conversation between them. The other three men only gave a sharp signal to Cliff to immediately resolve the problem that happens again between them in this 'escape'.

 ★★★