Revolutions

80 - Saqatli

I crouch low, shrouded by the large palm leaves and vegetation, as I keep a watchful eye on the prowling jaguar. It lurks among the verdure, its spotted golden fur is somehow hardly noticeable amid the verdant greens of the jungle. I slow my breathing until it barely escapes my lips. With cautious steps, I circle the trunk of the tree, keeping it between me and the lurking creature. I can't blink, for fear that, if I do, the jaguar will seize the moment to pounce.

I do my best to remain calm, steady. My pulse slows. I clear my head of all thoughts. I don't want to give anything away about my location. The jaguar tilts its head up and sniffs the air, hoping to catch my scent. I pause, standing as still as the sentient trees. The toucans and macaws frequently call to one another, as if discussing my whereabouts. In my head, I try my best to silence them, hoping they don't expose my hiding place.

As I ease my way around the tree, my foot snaps a twig. The crack echoes throughout the entire rainforest. I wince, knowing I've just revealed my location. The jaguar's head whips around and faces me. I've been spotted. It races toward me, leaping effortlessly over the stumps and fallen branches on the jungle's floor. The beast's strides are seamless, flowing with the ease of a river running its course. In just a few paces, it's quickly closed the distance to me, chasing me down with relentless fervor.

What do I do now? Maybe I can climb a tree? No, the jaguar is just as avid a climber as I am, perhaps quicker. Do I take off? In which direction? I'm about to turn and run, but I know the effort is pointless. I've been caught, with no honest chance of escape. The game is over. The beast has won.

"Okay, okay, you've got me," I groan, raising my hands up as a sign of concession. "I yield! Hey! I said I yield!" The jaguar continues its unceasing pursuit. It charges at full speed. I begin to cower, curling into a ball as though that will minimize the impact. I close my eyes, grimacing in anticipation of the impending collision.

"Alright, Zolotli, you've had your fun." I hear a familiar feminine feline voice call out. The jaguar slides a short distance on all fours over the dirt and dead leaves, coming to a complete halt just moments before crashing into me. Peering out of one eye, I inspect the scene and find the humungous creature eclipsing me. My short, dark brown hair jostles as the golden-furred beast snorts air from its flaring nostrils.

"I wasn't really going to trounce him!" says Zolotli. I'm not entirely certain I believe the beast, as there's an intense, hungry look in the jaguar's eyes. You should know, he has yet to attack and rip me to shreds. Still, I'm more than relieved to remain intact anyway.

An ocelot leaps down from a branch, previously spectating the events from high above the jungle floor. Having one green eye and its other violet, it looks us over judgmentally. Around its neck is a gift from me: a hemp collar embedded with a single turquoise stone. A small token, something I handmade myself. It saunters over to me and Zolotli, the snarling expression of disdain fixed to its face.

"Are you two quite done with your game?" the ocelot asks. "You've been going at it all morning."

"You're more than welcome to join us, Nochtl," Zolotli says, flashing his pointed fangs. "I could use something to pick out the flecks of meat from my teeth."

"A lumbering idiot like you couldn't catch me if you tried," Nochtl quips, flicking her crooked, turquoise-tipped tail in irritation.

I shake my head and chuckle. "Alright, you two. I don't want to be the one cleaning up all the stray fur that'll fly around if you both start brawling."

"It's perhaps for the best," admits Nochtl. "I'd hate to force the boy to spend the rest of the day picking up your limp bones. Besides, the day is progressing quickly, and I must eat. Shouldn't you be heading to Qasiunqa anyway, Saqatli?"