One Stupid Thing

3:10:102

I've been stuck on this plane for almost 7 hours. 7 hours of listening to my annoying father groan in pain as my sister tends to his wound. 7 hours of flying straight through a storm. I try to quiet my mind, sinking into my seat beside Cleo and closing my eyes, but it's no use. The one person who had the power to make all of the noise disappear is no longer... well, mine. 7 hours of being stuck in my head, heart aching with regret and longing. Oh how I wish I could've fixed things before it was too late.

Now, as we near our destination of the island of Barbados, the skies have long since cleared and Ward Cameron is fast asleep. At least someone is able to get some shut-eye. It pisses me off all the same. Pope leans over the seat, waves his hand over the man's face and snaps his fingers near his ear, just to be sure that he is actually knocked out. He doesn't stir.

"He's out," he announces, keeping his voice low just in case.

"All right." John B glances out the open window at the land below us. "So Tres Rocas, that's where Neville said we could find the guy. Solana, that's the archaeological site. I think that's where they're taking my dad. Neville gave me this map. He said it should be..." The boy pauses as he fishes a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolds it. "...here."

To recap, Neville is some scientist who has been studying El Dorado. John B and his father followed the clues which led them to this group of archaeologists. Although Neville refused to come with and help us himself due to some... superstition, he gave up all the information he has gathered thus far.

Sarah takes the paper from John B. "This? This is the map we're following?" She holds it up and reveals an amateur drawing. Not exactly the easiest thing to follow or understand.

"He's the only guy who's been there."

"Pretty janky, John B."

Pope gestures to the map and Sarah hands it to him. The boy's eyes grow wide instantly. "Oh boy."

I sit on the floor between Pope and Cleo, trying to crane my neck to take a glimpse at it. "Well, I guess this is all we've got to work with," I sigh. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

"I've been in river towns like this. Major danger, you know?" Cleo says as she stares out the window. John B lets out a sigh.

"Don't worry," Pope reassures him. "We're gonna get there, find Singh, boost your pops. And then we'll find El Dorado. It's a layup."

Ward snores softly in his sleep. John B's eyes narrow in suspicion. "You sure he doesn't know anything?" He looks over at Sarah and then down to me.

Sarah pauses to think. "Not from either of us."

John B lowers his gaze and nods. "Okay, first thing, we gotta find this guy named Jose and then head upriver."

—

Thankfully, we land smoothly. After the chaotic flight, it was a relief to finally be on solid ground. As soon as I step down onto the tarmac, the dry heat hits me like a wave. Thank God I decided to dress accordingly. I get accustomed to my surroundings, noticing that we are basically in the middle of nowhere. Men and woman alike are dressed head to toe in military uniforms, patrolling the area.

"I told you," Cleo says. "It's the Wild West out here."

Just as we are all starting to leave, a frantic voice stops us.

"Hey! Wait!" Ward Cameron shouts. He heavily relies on the railing to get down the stairs.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Sarah shouts back.

"I'm coming."

"No, you're not. You got us here like you said you would. Now go on to Guadeloupe."

"You're in over your head," he protests. I scoff at the claim. "Let me help, please.