Fractal Realities: The Other

Grosser looked away. Averting his eyes didn't help. It didn't stop Marnie from flinging his accusations at poor Julia. The woman had seemed near a breakdown after the expedition's second night.

“Where did it go? What did you do with it? Cause I'm damn sure fossils don't just get up and run around on their own!” Marnie's echoed off the trees that surrounded the camp, rebounding inward like an angry mob.

Julia's hands trembled and she clenched them into fists. “I don't have to take this. You're acting real unprofessional right now and I'd advise--”

Marnie took one threatening step toward Julia who yelped and fell on her butt.

This was getting out of hand. Grosser looked back at the six other men who made up the team. All of them were watching impassively, waiting for this to play out. He took a small sip of tepid water, then closed the canteen tightly. Clearing his throat, he said, "That's enough. Marnie."

"But--"

"If you would have looked, you would've seen the uneven tracks heading out of the camp."