The Ape King

Our House

>

<

The next morning Penny awoke to odd noises. She popped up and looked around. No sign of Zane. She hurried to change and throw her hair into a ponytail. Then peeked out the open window. In her line of sight she could see different sizes logs and sticks. A blur of movement in the trees caught her eye. suddenly, Zane was in the clearing putting down more logs. Before she could call out to him, he was a blur going back into the jungle. She gulped. Now that she knew he had animal genes spliced into him, she could pick out one thing for sure that was different. He moved a lot faster than normal humans. She was curious what else was different. She wanted to ask him but she had a hunch that he was gathering wood to built the modifications to the hut they had spoken about before. She still hadn't drawn up what she had in mind. So she grabbed a paper and pencil from the desk and went to work.

The sketch took her about ten minutes. Then she was climbing down the stairs to find Zane. She walked into the clearing where all the wood was neatly stacked. No sign of him but she knew he'd turn up. She felt a presence behind her and turned. Bumping into him and almost falling if he hadn't held on to her arms. She rubbed her nose and looked at him.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you to announce that you're behind me." She scolded.

"Sorry." He said sheepishly.

She waved it off and pulled out the paper.

"I see that you gathered lots of wood. I drew up what I think would make the hut better accessible. Here, take a look."

She handed him the paper. he scanned it and nodded. Then folded it and tucked it into his hip area of the loincloth. He looked down for a few moments then made eye contact.

"I know you want me to speak about what was in the diaries but I haven't fully processed it. I promise you I'll tell you what my thoughts are as soon as I do." He said in a low voice.

She nodded and reached out a hand to put on his arm.

" You don't owe me anything Zane. Part of being a good friend is just being there when you need me."

He in turn grabbed her hand and tugged her into a hug.

"Thank you. I should get started on the hut renovations."

"Any time. Do you need help with anything?"

"Hmmm. I'm sure I can find a job for you." His voice was serious but his eyes twinkled with laughter.

Penny narrowed her eyes and gave him a playful slap on the arm. He put up his hands in surrender and laughed as she gave him her death stare.

His lips were still turned up as he motioned her over to explain his plan.

They spent the better part of the day building and adding to the hut. 'They' being Zane. Penny helped him tie things and tell him if something was level or not. She wanted to help do more and decided to sweep off the logs from dirt. She made a broom out of leaves that she tied together with a piece of vine. She felt the leg that had been injured becoming less stiff and easier to walk as she moved around. Zane began to put the balcony onto the hut and made a door on the side of the hut. The stairs he added where tied together with vines. She was getting him a water bottle that had been refilled with water. She watched as he finished securing the stairs to the balcony. Then walked over and handed him the water bottle.

"I have to admit, it turned out really good." She complimented as she looked it over.

"Thanks." He spoke after drinking.

She watched him drinking the water. A swim would help cool them down.

"So, I was thinking that we could head over to the waterfall and swim. That and I need another bath." She sniffed at her armpit in mock disgust.