“I think you exaggerate how well-off we are,” Kate said calmly. Under a wide-brimmed sun hat, one hand yanked her braid repeatedly.

Ebz kicked a rock and chose to match her tone. His words portrayed exaggerated patience. With a hint of surprise, which was exactly what he’d aimed for. “Whatever could you possibly mean?”

She threw a cactus at him. Or maybe it was a tumbleweed, hardened by the desert sun. He wasn’t sure. Either way, it was filled with pointy things that hurt when they landed.

“Lucky that didn’t hit my face.” He tried for neutral, but this time the edge bit. Adjusting his sunglasses didn’t hide his nerves from the woman who’d been an airport stranger mere hours before.

“As if your face can save us out here, Mister Fancypants Actor,” she hissed. Kate threw something else – a rock, he thought, or petrified wood. This time he ducked.

“Look, before you find a tortoise to hurl at me, let me remind you that the news will obsessively follow the crash and get us found because I’m famous, honey.”

He knew the last word had negated his point before the scorpion hit his nose. At least it was long-dead and dried, rattling in the hand he’d brought up too late to defend himself.

“Mmm,” he said, and tested a leg between two perfectly white teeth, which had cost hundreds to achieve and maintain their supposedly natural color. “Who knew deep-fried scorpions could be so tasty?”

“Again you exaggerate,” Kate snapped. “As if we had oil to deep fry. Those damn ration bars might taste better deep fried. They’re certainly worse than a dried scorpion.”

“What?” At her silence, Ebz raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, or what had been one a plane crash and a scorpion ago. “Nothing about how it’s not actually hot enough to fry a scorpion?”

“No,” she said, and squinted toward what they’d hoped was a road, one not nearly as close to nearby as they’d thought. “It’s definitely hot enough for that.”

***

Hmm, well, I’m told I took nother Mike’s prompt – Who knew deep-fried scorpions could be so tasty? – far too literally and they’ve already made this movie. I suppose this could be a tasty treat for a group of aliens, although that might simply be literal in a more fantastical setting. Perhaps they’re wanting to eat a spaceship named the Scorpion?

Regardless, my prompt went to AC Young – find it here!