What sleeps in the deep

Ch 24: Maze

As the crew trudged and then finally crawled out of the mud to much drier grounds leaving the grasslands; everyone was exhausted. All from the waist down covered in thick mud which also gave an unsettling gross feeling. Nicky and R.J were even more uncomfortable as they attempt to remove this tar like mud from their faces and hair. Doc looked around and made sure that everyone was accounted for. After confirming that everyone is alright, he then got up and found a tree to climb in and look around. From his bigger pocket he pulled out a folded notepad with a pencil and began to do a rough sketch of the terrain.

"Alright gang. We still have a chance to make our way back. We just need to find a different route. I think we need to go to higher ground. Looks like if we go that way, it would be safer."

Everyone eyes followed Docs directions when he pointed towards the hill that led up to the mountain.

Then Nick sarcastically interjects. " listen Doc as fun as it is to climb mountains. Just look at us right now all this mud all this dirt is there no place to wash up before we make this impossible journey."

" dammit Nick you're always gotta be comfortable don't you? I think we're wasting time making too many stops."

Seeing this Nikki and Stella cut in " please doc I hate walking around like this." " also all this extra mud adds this unnecessary weight washing it off would be nice."

With a slight annoyance Doc open up his notepad again and flips to the second page and starts to sketch out more terrain, and then climbed further up the tree and started slowly looking around the area.

"Ahh yes I see something further down this path. There is a massive river. It looks beautiful. We need to go further straight."

Then with excitement, everyone started picking up pace and started heading in the direction Doc pointed. Then Kilo had some hesitations, so he got closer to the tree and found the tree trunk lying on the floor. He picked that up and with the stone started smashing the edges until he made a spike at the top. When anybody who asked, he just told them, it was a stylish walking stick.
No one thought much of it, but temporary flashbacks of Kilos youth reminded him that the darker the water the more secrets it holds. 

When the group finally got closer to the massive river the trees would curve and loop its roots in and out of the water creating a strange atmosphere when approaching the riverbank. It hinted how the water levels in this river changes aggressively. But no one paid attention and with the same excitement and desperation they all jumped into the water and quickly began rinsing off the clay like mud from the marsh. The only one who did not jump in was Kilo as he simply stood by wetting his feet while keeping watch. The group began teasing him and enticing him to come and join them.  But Kilo stays committed to what he was doing now preparing his walking stick as a spear. Nicky notices how Kilo's behavior was changing. Doc quickly stepped out and began rushing the others to hurry up. 

"Kilo, I know what you're doing. Do you want me to keep watch?"

"It's alright Doc. I saw some movement by the tree line from the other side but nothing big."

"Thanks man. [he turns to the others still bathing] Guys! stay close. If your too far we can't come and save your dumb ass!"

Nick then looks at his sister who was attempting to scrub off every molecule of muck and to simply spite her he pulls the bandana that's wrapped around her hair to then toss it further away from the group. Frantically she looks around for her bandana and see that it's floating away. She punches Nick and starts swimming away to save her lucky bandana. RJ calls out to Nicky telling her to forget that stupid thing. 

Before the conversation could turn into an argument Kilo screams EVERYONE GET OUT! Then jumps in with violence throwing his spear right behind Nicky. Horrified Nicky squealed and frantically began entangling herself by the nearby shrubs. Submerging from the water with speed Kilo pulls the spear revealing the 11-foot saltwater crocodile and proceeds to stab it again. Now distracting the beast with a painful stick in its snout Kilo forcefully pulls Nicky and gets to the riverbank in one piece. 

Nicky was shivering in tears attempting to process what exactly happened. She looked to Kilo in new hopes watching how Kilo's attention was still at the water. 

He looks back at the group, " Guys the gator is gone. But we should get out of here." 

Kilo never loosens his grip on Nicky pulling her away from the riverbank but Nicky was in awe watching how different he is. Then as they all distance themselves from the scary river Nicky finally uttered something to Kilo, "I wasn't sure why you were so serious before, but I get it now. Thank you." 

"Oh, its fine. I actually was going to apologize for being a little rough with you. You froze for a sec and I wanted to get you out of there. Sorry about your bandana it gone now."

"I can't even think about that stupid thing. That was supposed to be my lucky one; maybe the luck ran out."

"Don't think that. I think today was the day all the luck was used up. I think it was well worth it."

Nicky couldn't refrain from blushing when she Kilo told her this. He then released her and asked if she's okay to continue walking alone or if she preferred some company. She was hesitant in releasing his arm but then allowed him to catch up to Doc. This left Kilo in a pensative state but brushed off the possibility and kept focus on the next task. However, Nicky was still tossing and turning the possibility of Kilo. Which was a new option she never considered. 

Further up ahead of the group was Doc and Stella, however the conversation was not so lively since everyone was shaken up by the near-death experience. 

"Doc, there was something on the old temple walls that were written while everyone was chasing birds. I think they were warnings about what is on this place. But I'm not sure if you remember the sea dragons chased us into this place. As if this place meant something more to them."

"I think you're on to something Stella, but I can't take any unnecessary risk just to go back to some ruins." 

"Doc it's more than that. These ruins were probably a safe haven from this whole place. The animal drawings had to mean something. I wish I could make sense of everything. But I don't know if you had noticed something else but there is no north or south." Stella pulled out her clip-on compass and showed it to him.  "I almost forgot I had this on me and for the past hour the dial has been spinning in circles. This place could have some volcanoes or magnetic rocks but whatever it is we shouldn't overstay our welcome."

"Hmm, let me check mine. I've been so busy trying to keep these idiots alive I forgot to check. [his compass also spins] Well I'd be damn. Mine is doing the same thing. That does explain the consistent temperature and lack of migration patterns. I know we're getting close to the season where birds go south yet none of these guys look like they have any plans to hurry." 

Stella looks around and sees that Doc made a valid point. "Doc, you are well versed in your environment. That's impressive."

"I'm from down south Stella folks like me don't get a break for slacking. Plus, the military really sharpen these skills." 

"I can see that. Well, what do you think we should do? I don't think I can handle another Jurassic surprise."

"Let's start with a place to crash for the night."

"Sounds like a great plan."

As the group kept pace of themselves discussing what other plans of action they need to take- a pair of distant eyes kept watch as they were making their way to higher ground. They stalked them in silence while still being observant of what these intruders were like. Like a shadow after they watched enough, they disappeared again.