Back of Beyond

Large craters, fumaroles, geysers and hot pots. The landscape seemed like something from another planet. Steam and sulfur-smelling air, groans coming from underground, it all seemed otherworldly.

“This place isn’t on the map,” muttered Jeff. He pushed the display on the rental car’s GPS screen.

“You think? GPS shows a wide open field, with a road running through. I don’t think we took the right turn back there.”

Jeff got out of the SUV. He turned round and round. “Yep, not on the map.”

I got out also, turned round and round. “We definitely took a wrong turn.”

“Strange. GPS usually gets me where I want to go.”

“And you wanted to go to the dark side of the moon? Or perhaps an alien planet?”

“Very funny Jane. We‘re in a pickle. What do we do?”

I checked my phone. No bars. Definitely out of range. Out of touch. Back of whatever beyond this was.

Then from out of the mist and miasma emerged a beast. One made of metal and belching its own steam and noise. It lumbered over to us then screeched to a stop. The belly of this beast opened on hinges. Out emerged two people.

“Hello you two! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Jeff stared, dumbfounded.

I was just angry. “Waiting for us?” What the…

“You’ve been directed to us. Your GPS sent you here.”

“See! I told you, GPS is never wrong.” Jeff crossed his arms in triumph.