The Chase

Chapter 3

Looking out at the world in front of me, I try to map out my route through the dense jungle that follows the mountain. Dark clouds blot out the sun and so I hurry to reach the greenery below, the trees will offer shelter from the coming storm. I shuffle carefully down the mountain, the gradient is extremely steep and one slip could send me tumbling to the bottom. The gravelly stones beneath my feet fall away from the slightest pressure offering me little support or grip. I ferociously wipe the sweat away from my brow and try to keep my tongue damp as I make my descent.

After an hour of desperate scrambling, I have reached the tree line. The thick jungle that lies before me is said to be crawling with vicious creatures of all shapes and sizes, every living thing inside this primeval forest is out to get you. There is no way around the tangle of nature that lies before me unless I cross an icy river about 10 miles to both my left and right and then over marshes and mountains. This is the safest way to freedom, and the quickest, I may still have to cross the river but at least I won't have to face another mountain.

Stepping into the jungle, I can feel the instant change in the temperature of the air and the increase of it's density as it clogs my airway, labouring my breathing. I proceed cautiously, constantly surveying my surroundings and concentrating on forcing air in and out of my lungs. Nature's noise plays loud throughout the trees, dulling my senses as the thick atmosphere makes me drowsy. Struggling to work my way through the dense brush, I swipe at the hanging vines and creepers that wrap themselves around my exposed limbs. The looming trees tower above me forming a compact canopy above my head blocking out most of the sunlight so that it only appears in rare spotlights on the ground. Rain is beginning to filter through the foliage above my head, dripping at a steady pace onto the greenery below. The cool droplets hit my boiling flesh, washing the sweat from my face and I revel in the feeling. Several colourful insects can be seen scattered among the bushes as they collect the beads of water that decorate the leaves. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I can feel someone watching me, that can't be though, no one could follow me in here that quickly. I shrug off the feeling as I proceed.

The storm seems to lessen as I stumble through the undergrowth somewhat clumsily before coming across a wide clearing where the air is of slightly better quality. I take this chance to rest, slumping against the trunk of a particularly thick tree, the rotted moss crumbling away from the bark, covering my clothes and hair. The clearing has a thin stream of clear water running across it's width and is surrounded a wall of thickets and thorns.

Taking a quick drink from the stream, I begin to stand up. Just as I reach a crouching position, the snap of a twig stops me in my tracks. I strain my ears to hear anymore sounds of movement as I slowly turn towards where the snap came from. My heart begins thudding rapidly in my chest as I come face to face with a pair of deep, green eyes too large to be human eyes. Frozen to the spot, I watch as the enormous beast emerges from the brush, it's magnificent coat of stripes shimmering in the sunlight. Baring it's fangs, it circles me, keeping it's eyes trained on mine the entire time. A menacing growl comes from deep within it's stomach as it begins to advance. I desperately scramble backwards as it picks up speed, stalking towards me. My back collides with the trunk of a tree stopping my escape. I curl up into a tight ball and brace myself for the moment it strikes.

Suddenly, a human boy leaps out of the bushes behind me, screaming and yelling at the top of his voice frightening the beast. In it's vulnerable moment, the boy aims a bow and arrow at it before embedding a sharp dart deep into it's hide. It's ear-splitting howl echoes through the clearing sending birds fluttering from the sound. The grabs my arm, yanking me up off the ground and into the coarse nettles. I barely keep up with his pace as he sprints through the jungle with expert agility, ducking and dodging trees and plants, crippling pain shooting through my leg with each step.

Before long, we are at the edge of a vast river. The water laps thirstily at the shore, dragging mud and sticks with it as it retreats to it's depths. On the other side of the flowing water, a strong log cabin over looks the shore with a sturdy wooden wall built around it, protecting the occupant. The boy finally lets go of my arm and I collapse onto the ground, agony chorusing through my body from my putrid ankle. Tears threaten as I grip the swollen area, trying to soothe the pain. After a few moments, the pain subsides and I finally look up at my saviour.

He is standing on the shore facing the cabin, his long brow hair gently blowing from the breeze. His face, set in a calm expression, is covered in mud leaving only his eyes and mouth exposed to the sun. I suspect it is also to help camouflage himself within the jungle, but what is he doing here?