Prehistorica

Chapter 14

Chapter 14
Rumble through the Jungle

We run through hundreds of miles of humid, tropical weather. Sweat was starting to pour down from our heads to our backs. There was so much vegetation that some of the campers started using their machetes to clear a path. The only good part about the run is feeling the wind blowing in our faces. Surprisingly, the group is able to keep up the pace with me with little experience in cross country running. Up ahead, the bright light creates a more visible image.

We arrived to an open plain of grass spanning a mile long to the other side of the jungle. There appears to be two rocky roads crossing each other that leads both north and south of the island. In the middle of the plain was a steep hill of grass. I look back at the group and I see them trying to catch a breath. I hear some of them coughing and saw them sitting down on the grass. I wipe my forehead and I felt a little dehydrated myself. When I see the group feeling worn out, it's time to give them a break.

"Alright guys, you've got fifteen minutes. Stretch anything that's sore, catch your breath and drink lots of water." I told them. "Don't wonder off or you will be lost."

Three fourths of the group pulled out hand crafted water bottles and the rest of the group pulled out knives. They started to cut off parts of their sleeves and used them as an alternative for a gym towel. I sit down with Stephen beside a rock and stretched a bit. Stephen pulled out his water bottle and drank some of it. He offered the bottle to me and I took a few sips of water from it.

"How are you feeling Stephen?" I asked.

"Less dependent than what we were put through all that time." He responded. "And that is a good thing. I sure do enjoy a good sense of payback in the morning."

"Remember that one time I finally got revenge on our bully?" I asked. "Back when we crashed the senior lock-in party?"

"Was it that same one that Allie saved you for?" Stephen asked. "What was his name?"

"Aramis." I replied.

"Oh yeah. I remember that time you called him a chicken and the seniors put you in those heavy sumo suits. I have to admit it, I was impressed to see you went full hulk on him." Stephen reminded me. "You then sent him flying out of the arena and knocked the wind out of him. Man that was perfect karma."

"Since he didn't give us any mercy, it was about time someone gave him what he's asking for." I told him. "This definitely feels just as satisfying as it did back then."

"Sure does." Stephen agreed.

Before Stephen could continue, I silenced him with my hand. I hear the vegetation start to rattle as if there is something moving around in the bushes. Out in the distance, I hear rapid gun shots coming from behind us.

"Take cover." Grant commanded.

Everyone decided to hide behind the hill. I look around to find the source of the scream, but saw nothing. I hear a scream again coming from the jungle where we came out of. I can't quite picture what is happening behind the thick vegetation of the jungle. The screaming figure came out in the form of Godfrey himself. He looked more damaged than last time with his tank top slashed by something. From the look of things, I believe that he was attacked by something. He also bared a horrified look as if he's running away from something. He was heading towards the hill we are hiding and he sees me.

"Run!! Brian get the hell out of here!! It's coming!!" Godfrey shouted. 

Enigma's reinforcements came out from the vegetation and ran after him. They bore similar slash marks on the shoulder and abdomen plating of the armor. They were shooting at something, but there was nothing for us to see. Blood was spilling from their claw marks. One of them was feeling a stinging pain in his stomach. He stumbled onto the jungle floor and felt a thick mass falling out of his stomach. With fright, he realizes that he was holding his own intestines in his hands. Something slashed him open like a knife through butter. What the hell kind of creature is capable of such carnage?