(prompt: 'limit' June 4, 2021)

"It's so-o-o far," friends said. "Are you sure it's what you want to do?"

"You may never come back," said others. Their tone was joking, but their faces showed apprehension and serious doubt about the possibility of a future for us. Some of them lived exceedingly unadventurous lives.

Kym shrugged off all cautionary tales, answering doubters with the reminder of the biblical tale of Jonah, who survived in the belly of a whale. "Our adventure's a joke, compared to that feat. And besides, this is the 21st century!" He'd laughed at the well-meaning advice NOT to make that huge detour on their journey into the outback.

In the planning stage, they'd made a firm decision on their quest to find the monolith. It seemed unreal, an adventure... back then.

"HOW old did you say?" Shana's disbelief was clear in her one raised eyebrow and drawn down mouth.

"27 million years, give or take a thou' or two." His joking words couldn't hide the awe in his voice. Since he'd first read the account of their destination, it had filled him with the same sense of wonder... and doubt. The time frame was so foreign, so far beyond his modern day comprehension, it carried an aura of unreality.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kym shortened his long striding walk to accommodate his partner's smaller steps. He'd insisted on bringing water with them, although it was only a pleasantly warm day.

"Can never be too sure. Not out here," he said.

Shana's rolling eyes and short hmm revealed her feelings about his almost 'boy-scout' precautions. As his tone was knowing and firm, and brooked no disagreement, she let that one slide by.

Now they had arrived. Now they were in the middle of the great gaping space that was appropriately named, Hippo's Yawn.

"This is spooky," Shana said and couldn't help an involuntary shudder as she gazed up into the roof of the suddenly not-so-imaginary creature's mouth. "Spooky and... and... awesome." Her voice sank to a loudish whisper, though they were alone. Still an echo rolled relentlessly around the great amphitheatre created by the cavernous space. With seemingly no limit, it had the feeling of surrounding them, despite the gigantic opening at the front—its main entrance.

Shana's awareness of her insignificance expanded rapidly as she stared open-mouthed at the ancient aboriginal paintings on the walls. Even Kym's eyes were wide as all speech temporarily halted.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A small distance away, someone had nailed a crudely constructed sign to a tree —

BEWARE! THE HIPPO YAWNS

And now they were. Most definitely — where the hippo yawns!