One Wild Adventure

Another flash of lighting illuminated the cockpit of the white Gulfstream G100 plane Maria, immediately followed by a clap of thunder. The two pilots were desperately trying to keep the craft away from the worst of it, but the winds kept-up the fight. More lightning, more thunder. Suddenly a red light came to life, and the flight attendant crashed through the royal blue curtain.

''The right wing was hit, it's on fire!'' Rachel cried.

John, the middle-aged and experienced pilot, leaned to the side. In the middle of the right wing were blazing red-and-orange flames, surrounded by trailing smoke.

He turned to his assistant.

''Where are we?'' he asked.

''Flying over the amazon forest. But we won't be able to land because of the storm. Or parachute. We must get out of the storm first.'' Bob replied.

John turned back to Rachel.

''Make sure everybody has a parachute. Unlock the door, so it can be opened at a moment's notice. Prepare everyone for landing.'' The attendant nodded and left.

''Did you hear me Bob? Get ready for landing.''

''But sir-''

''Do you prefer a free ticket to the graveyard, young man?''

''No, but the chances are-''

''I know what the chances are. But we got nothing to lose. It's either tare the risk or die for sure. Prepare for landing.'' John commanded, as another flash struck.

∙∙∙

Sunlight streamed into the cockpit through the broken glass. Bob grunted as he awoke, cursing the world for his terrible headache. He looked around. The front glass was smashed, the control panel beat-up, objects scattered across the floor. He picked up a file marked fire escape system. The pilot snorted and threw it across to the wall. Just then a woman in her 50's came through the curtain. She had pale brown hair tied in a bun and wore a magenta tunic with gray sweatpants.

''You awoke!'' she cried, taking Bob's arm and leading him out.

Outside a makeshift camp was set up. A parachute was stretched between trees, a spot to hide from the sun's direct rays. Cookies and tea were set-up on a big rock. Three passengers were sitting on a blanket, talking. Rachel was sorting through stuff, from parachutes to noodle packets. John was sitting off to the side, beside a radio transmitter, smoking a cigarette. He looked up and smiled at Bob, as the later approached.

''Sweet dreams, hey?'' John smirked.

Bob sat down beside him.

''Worst of my nightmares.'' The young pilot sighed.

John let out a laugh. Then he stood-up and clapped his hands for attention.

''Ladies and gentlemen, please pack your belongings and we'll head out. Remember that you will carry anything you take, so take only what you can carry.'' He announced and sat back down.

''What do you mean, head out? Were in the middle of nowhere!'' The elderly woman, Jasmine, exclaimed.

John raised an eyebrow.

''You suggest we just sit here and wait until we all die of old age?'' He asked.

Jasmine frowned. ''I'm not suggesting anything. I'm asking, what do you intent on doing? Or, what is your plan?'' 

''My plan is to start moving, since that way we have a better chance of finding civilization, than we do just sitting here. So, pack your stuff pals.''

Two hours later, the group was all set to go. John took the lead, followed by Bob, Rachel, Jasmine, the two archaeologists, Jaymie and Erick, and their daughter Karen. With 7 bags of supplies for 7 people, they set-off to test their luck in the wild forests of Amazon.

∙∙∙

After three days of travel, the party set-up camp in the dark underbrush. The 7 individuals huddled under the tent, hiding from the pouring rain, eating canned tuna with potato chips. A few hours later, the rain stopped, and the party packed up to leave.

''Can't we stay here for the night? My legs hurt.'' Ten-year-old Karen wined.

Eric looked up at the cloudy sky, sunlight poking through.

''We still got some hours till dark.''

''But my legs hurt now.'' Karen kept complaining.

''Sweetie we have to get going.'' Jaymie assured.

''But I don't want to.'' The girl shouted and stomped off into the trees.

A second later, a shrill scream pierced through the air, and Karen ran out of the forest, terror painted on her face.

''A monster!'' She cried.

Johns eyes widened.

''Go, go, go!'' He said, urging everyone into the opposite direction.

At that moment, a jaguar emerged from the bushes. The beast had innocent hazel eyes, and a calm face.

''Take Karen and slowly go.'' John said slowly, raising his arms to seem bigger.

The rest did as told. Except Bob. He stepped forward, beside John.

''I'm staying with you.'' He whispered.

The remaining party retreated to the safety of the bushes.

∙∙∙

By mid-night, the two pilots reached the abandoned city. It looked just like any other ancient city. Crumbling buildings, overgrown by weeds. Scattered objects. Old stuff laying around here and there. But even though the city was abandoned, a faint light could be seen from the town square. As the two men approached the light became brighter, and soon they were standing in front of a campfire in the embrace of their friends.

''You still have the transmitter?'' John asked impatiently.

''Sure thing. It's standing over here.'' Eric pointed to the corner.

John nodded. ''We got to keep it safe. It's probably our only hope now.''

Rachel frowned. ''What do you mean, our only hope?''

''We are staying here for now. It takes all we've got for me and Jasmine to keep our old bones fit for travel. And Karen is to stop calling on jaguars. Anyhow, you four young people won't last a day out there by yourselves. Its final. We are staying here''.

''At least we've got the artifacts we were searching for.'' Eric muttered.