Desolation

Chapter Seven

((here is another picture of Ian. so tell me, "tressa" or "trian"? leave it in the comments below! and thanks so much for 100 reads!))

Something about the jungle makes me uneasy. I don't know what it is, but I continually feel like someone is watching me. As we walk through it, I keep turning around when I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. But of course, no one is there. I'm just crazy I guess.

We keep walking, the ground below us gradually inclining until my legs are on fire again. I want to take a break so badly, but I don't want to become the wimp of the group. Oh wait, I already am the wimp.

Every step I take, the pit in my stomach grows deeper and deeper. I am absolutely starving right now, and I am almost at the point where I will eat tree bark. Seriously.

Finally, to my relief, Tristan calls for a break. I collapse onto the jungle floor, my legs aching. I am also profusely sweating. The sun has broken out from behind the clouds, shining through the canopy of the trees and creating scattered patches of light across the floor.

"You alright Tessa?" Tristan asks, sitting down on a rock across from me.

Nope, not at all. I feel like absolute crap, if you'd really like to know.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say.

I turn around to see that Ian is leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. A patch of sunlight shines down upon, making him look angelic. His bronzed skin appears to be glowing in the light. I quickly turn around, my cheeks burning, not wanting to stare at him for too long. 

After about five minutes, we starting walking again. I find myself walking next to Tristan, and Ian is a step behind us. This whole time, he has been very quiet. I turn around, glancing back at Ian. His dark brown eyes lock with mine for a moment. I hastily turn back around. Why can I not make eye contact with him for more than one second?

The silence between us is filled by the buzzing of insects and the melodious chirping of birds. I really don't have any conversation to make between the two of them; first because they are still basically strangers to me and second, because I am out of breath. Very out of breath.

Finally, Tristan breaks the silence.

"So Tessa, I would ask you to tell me more about yourself, but based on the fact that we all don't have any memories, I don't know if that's possible."

He grins, revealing perfect, white teeth.

I laugh slightly.

"Well, I do know a one thing about myself. I must not be very athletic because this feels like the most exercise I have done in my life," I say.

I don't bother mentioning the fact that my legs are in excruciating pain and that I feel like I am going to pass out. 

Tristan grins, looking at me. 

"I wouldn't say that many people have walked in a jungle all day in 100 degree heat," he says. 

This whole time, Ian has still remained silent. I turn around, and notice that he is not behind us anymore.

"Where's Ian?" I say immediately, a slight edge of panic in my voice. 

Tristan turns around, looking just as confused as I am.

"I didn't hear him leave. But then again, I didn't hear him at all in the first place," he says.

I scan my eyes around the jungle, looking for Ian, until I finally spot him. He is to my left, about twenty feet away, standing completely still.

"Ian? What are you doing?" I call out.

But he doesn't respond. Instead, he holds a finger up to his lips.

"What is going on?" Tristan calls out. 

"Do you hear that?" Ian says.

"Hear what?" I ask, bewildered.

"Listen," he says.

I strain my ears, trying to hear whatever Ian is hearing. At first, all that I hear is the familiar chorus of birds and insects. But then, I hear something else.

Although it is very faint, I hear a rushing noise. Like the sound of rushing water. Fresh water.

"What the hell is he talking about? I don't hear anything," Tristan whispers to me.

But I don't respond. Instead, I begin running towards Ian. As I run, the rushing sound gets louder and louder. There has to be fresh water nearby, and the thought makes me exhilarated. When I reach Ian, we both beginning running towards the sound. I hear Tristan running after me. Adrenaline pulsates through my veins as I run next to Ian. The rushing sound keeps getting louder and louder until...

We emerge out of the trees and immediately stop. Tristan arrives a few moments later, then instantly stops as well. My jaw drops at the sight in front of us. It can't be real. At first, I think that my eyes are deceiving me. But after blinking my eyes a few more times, I know that it is real.

"Oh my God," Tristan murmurs under his breath.