Lost In The Jungle

.112

"He is tall" Drey whispered

"And he does have a long beard" Yuki said

"You guys think we were making this up" I complained

Chan pushed me behind him as we watched the man walk down the porched. His clothes seemed to be cleaned and so did he. I take back the hobo part. He looked dirty in the dark.

He was tall. Probably taller than Drey. His beard was long and gray. His hair was gray also, but pulled back into a pony ponytail.

He had on a red long sleeve and jean overalls. He looked like he was about to start playing blue grass music.

He had a cane in his right hand. He got to the bottom of the stairs and nodded towards us. Picking up his left hand from his pocket. He gave us a wave.

"You go first Blue" I whispered

Blue gave me the side eye and slowly walked towards the man. Yuki right beside him. Chan walked slightly behind them. With my arms wrapped around his back and Ivy and Drey in the back.

We stopped a few yards away. Safety precautions. The man looked older than everyone on the island. Even older than the Boss.

"I didn't mean to scare you young girl" he croaked out

His voices was loud and strong. Like he meant business. It was a little raspy, but not too bad. I stayed quiet. Peaking underneath Chans arm. Ivy holding onto my sides and Drey peaking behind her.

"You scared me is all" he laughed "I haven't come face to face with anyone in a while"

"Is this your home?" Blue asked

"Yes sir it is" the man stated. Slowly sitting down on the step with a loud sigh, "has been for a while now"

"We didn't mean to intrude"

"Oh no" the man waved us off, "you didn't know. This doesn't even look like a home to begin with"

Blue nodded looking over at Yuki then Chan, "how long have you lived here?"

The man chuckled, "since sixteen eleven"

I raised my eyebrows. There's no way. The files we found stated this place didn't go that way back. He didn't even look to be that old.

"I know, I know" he laughed, "it's a lot to explain"

"We have time" Drey happily said, "and snacks"

The man stood up with the help of his cane, "it's all up to your leader here" he pointed his cane towards Blue, "you are all welcome into my home. I promise I don't bite"

~~~~~

"This is amazing" Drey said munching on shrimp the man had made

Turns out the man, Frank Johnson, was one of the first people to come to the island. He was a kid at the time, only two, along with his two sisters and his mother and father.

They were originally from Africa but took and boat to get away due to some money problems. He didn't go into depth about that.

He said they built tents out of bamboo and leaves the first few months. Then they found caves and started to live in those. They took the boat back to Africa a couple years later to bring back friends and family along with supplies.

They then grew a small community of just forty two people. Only eight being kids, including him and his two siblings that were only four years older than him. Twin sisters actually.

As he grew older. He stopped aging once he turned sixty three years. He never knew why. He stayed in the island watching his friends and family grow up and die. Leaving him alone.

Then came the new generation. That generation having Felix and the experiments. Everything we knew, he already knew about.

Turns out he tried to blend in, but they grew curious as to why he always looked the same. He said for a while they held him captive in a cell. Feeding him and giving him whatever he wanted to live comfortably.

He just couldn't go outside. They took his blood every now and then. Gave it to other people. Never working on anyone except one person. That one being Felix.

Makes since. The Lurker was super tall and skinny. He was strong like Frank. Who happens to also be strong. Not as much anymore though. Now we think the Lurker may be eternal like Frank.

"So you're not sure how you got your power?" Ivy asked

"I'm afraid not young lady"

There were so much we didn't know. Everything we were finding out just lead to more questions. It was like a tree. The branches grew along with smaller ones.

"Don't you get lonely down here?"

"Drey! That's so rude to ask" Ivy said

"It's okay" Frank chuckled, "it does at times. But I have my record player to keep me company"

I looked over to where he pointed. Near his bed was a table with a record player. Along with stacks of records laying around. I'll definitely have to see what he's go over there.

"You hunt?" Chan asked

"Yes sir I do. I go out every week to get something fresh" Frank smiled proudly with his head up high

"What about the Lurker?" I asked

"Lurker?" He questioned

I nodded, "Felix I mean. The big scary monster out there. We call it the Lurker"

"Lurker" Frank said to himself, "that has a nice ring to it. He actually doesn't bother me"

"What do you mean?" Blue asked sitting down his cup on the table

"Well, every time I go out. We just walk by one another. We pay each other no attention. I sometimes will catch him a deer and leave it out for him" Frank explained

"You called it a him" I said

"You help that thing?" Blue said in disgust

Frank nodded, "I do sir. That thing was once a somebody. What they did to that poor man will forever haunt me. Hearing his screams along with others as he attacked them"

I looked at Blue like I told him so. He rolled his eyes looking the other way. At least someone gets where I was coming from.

Yes people agreed not to kill it. But, did they really understand why. Or were they just trying to side with me or feeling sad for me.

"Dawn"

"Yes sir?" I called out to Frank

"Why look at Blue that why if I may ask?" Frank smiled slightly at me like he already knew

"Oh um, we all had a argument a while back ago. Weather we should kill the Lurker or not" I explained

Frank thought for a moment, leaning his hands on his cane "it's a sad thought and will be a sad day when it happens. Blue is right though. If you want to build this community, he is stopping you from doing that" he explained

"You agree?" Blue said in shock

Frank nodded, "I do. Hearing your story gives me hope for this island. I can tell it will not turn out the way it was before"

"I'll make sure that never happens" Blue stated

"You should come back with us" Chan spoke up "we have everything you need back at the camp site"

"Oh yes!" Drey jumped up, "you'll love it there"

"Oh I don't know" Frank waved, "I've grown close to this place believe it or not"

"We won't touch it then" Ivy said "you can come back and visit. Like a man spot" she eyed me

"Or we could bring you stuff every now and then. Even help build up the outside" I offered

Frank chuckled to himself, "this all seems so nice. I haven't had to make a decision like this in forever"

"No need to decide now" Yuki said, "there's no rush"

"Actually" Frank started, "I think it would be nice for a new change"

~~~~~