Chéri

Ch.14: Lost in the Bush

The outskirts of Havana, though nowhere near as dense as the city proper, were still far from wild. Instead, small farms and pastures plastered much of the landscape, leaving little space for Jackson and Claudio to hide.

The pair had to stick to the few more untamed patches of the land in order to avoid capture. It was nice there, with white ginger orchids spiraling up cedar branches and fern leaves draping themselves over the poorly defined paths. Vibrantly colored hummingbirds darted by, and Jackson could hear the far-off, mournful calls of a trogon as he walked. Condensation dripped down from the sparse canopy above. Verdant light shown through and onto the path in kaleidoscopic patterns, defined by the leaves above.

But Jackson could not allow himself to enjoy the moment. He caught occasional glimpses of Spanish guards patrolling in the distance, or farmers tending to their fields. If anyone spotted them, it would mean the end of their mission. And that would mean not finding Leigh.

Jackson tried his best to dodge the branches and vines that snapped back at him after Claudio passed them. He also had to hastily clamber over fallen trees while doing so. Jackson's boots were picking up increasing amounts of mud as he walked. Bugs began to pester him.

They've got to be here somewhere, Jackson thought to himself.

Claudio stole occasional glances back at Jackson, looking more unsure with each one.

The two kept hiking for some time, snaking across the small tracts of jungle between farm plots. A few times, they had no choice but to sprint across the farms and hope that no one saw them.

Then, while marching through a field of dense sugarcane, a familiar voice rang out ahead of them.

"దగ్గరకు రాకు!1"

"Mani?"

"Jackson?"

"మంచి రోజు!2" Jackson shouted out in Telugu, elated.

"రండి, నన్ను తిరిగి అనుసరించండి మరియు ఇతరులను కలవండి,3" replied Mani, motioning with his hand for Jackson to follow.

Jackson didn't fully understand what Mani had just said, but he was too happy to care. Claudio and Jackson followed the bearded crewmate further into the brush.

The sugarcane soon opened up into a clearing, with cedar and palm trees forming the outer limits of the space. Parts of the ground were still muddy from the earlier rain, but the majority had dried back up. At the center of the clearing, a large group of people sat, poring over a map.

Among them were Amelia, Jean-Luc, Jiayi, and Kingsley.

A powerful feeling of relief washed over Jackson as he laid eyes on the crew of the Marauder's Mistress.

Kingsley stood up quickly.

"Jackson, I-" he stammered in his standard, deep voice, "How'd you find us?"

Jackson stepped aside to reveal Claudio behind him.

"Luck," said Jackson, "And well, he had a few ideas of where to look."

"Hola everyone," said Claudio, waving.

A few crewmates waved back at Claudio.

Jean-Luc jumped to his feet from his position in the clearing and started looking around at the surrounding forest. His gold earrings swung as he did so.