we lay down in our windproof shells, propping up our heads on a mound of sand. It was good to be...

we lay down in our windproof shells, propping up our heads on a mound of sand.  It was good to be able to stop and have a day between cities.  Gabriela slipped out of her gumboots and flexed her toes.  It was just starting to rain– soft, crackling– but it didn’t seem like she cared.  She was laughing and I heard her re-filling her wine.  This was a good idea, she said.  I reached for her glass and took a sip.  It’s so pretty out here, no one around.  I reached for my phone and scooted over next to her and took a picture.  Then I turned it around; we looked tired, a little confused.  Look over there, she said.  I sat up and turned over where she was pointing.  It was dark and I coudn’t see.  What, what is it?  She shushed me and got to her feet.  Don’t scare them.  Sheila grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight.  Then I saw them; tottering from side to side, stumbling over the rocks.  Where did they come from?, I asked.  Sheila shrugged.  She started edging closer.  Where are you going?, I asked.  She switched off the light on the phone and motioned for me to follow her.  We edged closer, stepping lightly.  We were close enough to hear them now, clicking and grunting.  There must’ve been dozens of them, shimmying around us.  Look how they’re not afraid, Sheila said.  She bent down.  Don’t touch them, I said.  She looked at me.  What do you think they’re going to do?