The Weight of the Wild

Leo Briggs stared at the stack of bills on his kitchen table, the edges curling slightly from the humidity in his cramped apartment. The latest utility notice sat on top, a glaring FINAL WARNING stamped in bold red letters. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Work had been slow, and even the odd construction gigs that usually kept him afloat had dried up.

He leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders pressing against the creaky wood. His phone buzzed on the table, and he reached for it absently, scrolling through job listings. Most of them were the same: heavy lifting, long hours, barely enough pay to keep the lights on.

And then, something unusual caught his eye:

"Seeking field assistant for scientific expedition. Must be physically capable, reliable, and able to handle technical equipment in outdoor environments. Good pay, unique work."

Leo frowned, tapping the listing open. The description was vague but intriguing. It mentioned assisting a research team, hauling equipment, and working in rugged conditions. The pay was decent—better than most of the grunt work he'd done recently.

"Unique work," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "That's one way to put it."

Still, the idea intrigued him. He wasn't the kind of guy to chase excitement or novelty, but he needed the money. And something about the simplicity of the task appealed to him. No corporate nonsense, no faceless contracts—just a team, some gear, and the wild.

He typed out a quick response:

"Name's Leo Briggs. I've worked construction and logistics for over a decade, handling everything from heavy machinery to delicate equipment. If you need someone reliable, strong, and able to troubleshoot on the fly, I'm your guy."

He hesitated for a moment, then hit send. "Here's hoping they're not nuts."

Two days later, Leo found himself on a video call with Jason Welt and Mia Turner. Jason, all smiles and animated gestures, started the conversation with an enthusiastic introduction.

"Leo, thanks for reaching out," Jason said. "Your experience is exactly what we're looking for. We need someone who can handle the physical side of things—transporting equipment, setting up in remote locations, keeping everything running smoothly."

Leo nodded, his expression calm but attentive. "Sounds straightforward enough. But what's the catch? What exactly are you researching?"

Jason hesitated for a moment before launching into an explanation of their work. He spoke about water's resonance, its patterns, and their plan to take the experiments into nature.

"So, let me get this straight," Leo said, leaning closer to the camera. "You want me to haul your gear into the middle of nowhere so you can... listen to water?"

Jason smiled sheepishly. "That's the gist of it. But trust me, it's more exciting than it sounds."

Leo's brow furrowed as he considered the offer. It sounded strange, but the pay was good, and he liked the idea of working with a small team instead of the faceless bureaucracy of his usual gigs. And there was something oddly genuine about Jason's enthusiasm.

"I've done a lot of odd jobs," Leo said finally. "But this... it's different. I like different."

Mia grinned. "That's what everyone says."

The following week, Leo joined the team for an in-person meeting at their makeshift headquarters. The space was cluttered with maps, gear, and laptops, a clear mix of organization and chaos. Jason greeted him warmly, while Mia waved from behind a stack of equipment she was tinkering with.

"Leo," Jason said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Glad you're here. Let me introduce you to everyone."

He motioned toward Mia first. "This is Mia, our tech wizard. She handles data, logistics, and making sure I don't break anything."

"Nice to meet you," Mia said, extending a hand. "Hope you like heavy lifting."

Leo chuckled, shaking her hand. "It's kind of my thing."

Jason then turned to Dr. Evelyn Hart, who stood studying a map with a clipboard in hand. "And this is Dr. Hart. She's our lead researcher and the reason we sound credible."

Evelyn glanced up, offering a curt nod. "Pleasure. I assume you're comfortable with rough terrain and delicate equipment?"

Leo nodded. "I've handled both. Just tell me where you need it, and I'll get it there."

Evelyn seemed satisfied, returning to her notes.

Jason spread a map across the table, pointing to Crater Lake. "This is our first destination. It's one of the deepest lakes in the country, with a fascinating history of myths and legends. If water carries its environment's energy, this is the place to start."

Leo studied the map, his mind already mapping out the logistics. "How much gear are we talking?"

Jason handed him a list, and Leo scanned it quickly: vibration devices, recording equipment, cameras, a portable generator. "This is a lot of stuff," he said. "We'll need to plan carefully. What's the terrain like?"

Quinn Harper, the team's newly hired guide, entered the room just in time to answer. "The terrain's manageable," she said, leaning against the doorframe. "But the weather's unpredictable. We'll need to pack for everything—rain, wind, even snow if we're unlucky."

Leo glanced at her, noting her confident posture and no-nonsense tone. "Sounds fun."

Quinn smirked. "You must be Leo. Good to have someone who can carry their weight. Literally."

Leo grinned faintly. "I aim to please."

With Quinn and Leo on board, the team was finally complete. The next step was preparing for their journey to Crater Lake, where they would embark on their first outdoor experiment. As Jason looked around the room, he felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. This was it—the start of something extraordinary.