The River

Chapter 4

Dina plopped down beside me "my feet are starting to ache," she complained.

"Dina there is always something wrong with you." moaned Natasha, "You always end up with something hurting!"

"No I don't, not always, anyway, I'm not kidding, I think I'm getting a blister on my left foot."

"Then go to Marizan and ask her for a plaster, she's bound to have one and if you treat it now it won't become an issue" I answered.

Dina hobbled over to Marizan as Natasha and I sat quietly contemplating the scenery around us.

This was truly the most amazing place she had ever been in, even though the three of them had lived in Malaysia, as true British expats they had lived in KL, the capital of Malaysia for many years but had basically spent all their time in and around the city.  The only time they had left had been for holidays when they had either gone back to the UK to visit family or travelled across to Perhentian, Penang or down to Singapore. They hadn't even thought of going to Sabah so all of this was totally new to them.

Hazel sighed as she leaned back and tried to look up towards the tops of the trees, the canopy level was so thick she couldn't see through it to the emergent level. She could hear the birds and see their bright colours flitting from one tree to the other.

Suddenly there was a shriek and she turned to the young boy who had screamed. He was hopping around crying that something had bitten him and true enough a large red welt was appearing and growing on his cheek.

"It hurts!" he keep yelling, "Do something" His mother was half crying half yelling at the guides to come help, Marizan had already arrived with her first aide kit and was studying the bite when the other guides came up. Most of the group were now standing around, some with worried looks on their faces others with pure curiosity.

"What was it?, what bit him? where was he?" came a chorus of questions. 

"It's alright," answered Marizan, "He lay down on the floor and it looks like a leech has gone onto his face. Because he yanked the leech off it's leaving a larger mark and bleeding. Don't worry, I'll wash his face with water and a little soap, then apply some cream, as long as he doesn't scratch, the swelling will go down and he'll be fine" She concluded.

With that everyone sighed with relief, except the boy who didn't look too convinced, and they made their way back to their respective groups. Dina joined us at our tree, "Poor boy, he looks so scared!" She chuckled. "Still have to say, I'm glad it was him and not me! Leeches - horrible things!"