Pissing Off The Universe

14- Oh, lonely jungle

" Great! Just great. You're just stranded in the middle of the jungle, talking to yourself!"

It is in the middle of the day here wherever I am, meaning there is a scolding hot sun and I am not dressed to go hiking in the jungle.

I look around where I'm standing. Tall trees cover every inch and vines are hanging down like ropes, sweeping the muddy ground gently. I can see millions of varieties of insects in every corner of this vegetated area. On the bark of trees, ants are traveling, between the coats of leaves that cover the slim branches, bees are swerving and from rock to rock a frog is jumping. I see nothing even remotely human. All I see is nature, nature, nature and it's kinda freaking me out. Or it should be, but the softly blowing wind and the echoing sound of water nearby soothe my frantically beating heart.

Well at least I'm calm till all of a sudden, I hear the leaves close to me rustle. It wasn't a normal rustling, no. It's not the easygoing wind in the plants or the breeze in the leaves. It's something alive and I don't like it. This is the end! A jaguar will eat me! Do jaguars even live in the jungle? Oh well life was fun while it lasted. I am too young to die. I shut my eyes and wait for the impact of, well, anything. Trampled by elephants? Eaten by a jaguar? Pecked to death by birds? Death by over dramatisation?

After a while nothing happens. I slowly open my eyes but instantly shriek as I feel something licking my leg. I reel back as fast as I can and look down to see how dangerous the animal is. But to my surprise, I had nothing to worry about.

" Scout! " I sigh in relief. " You scared the bejesus out of me. How did you even get here? Did Hayden get you too? "

Scout just sits there, staring intently at me, wagging his little tail. I pet his head and look up at my surroundings.

" Have any ideas of what to do little buddy? "

I am completely and irrevocably screwed. I don't know the first thing about surviving alone in the woods! Not all of us are born girl scouts. Let me tell you, selling cookies is not my forte. I let out a frustrated breath and make a decision.

" We have nothing to lose by walking straight in one direction. We'll find a road at one point right? " I give a shaky smile to Scout, and as if he understood me, he starts to trot in a direction. " That way it is! " I say jogging to catch up to my furry little friend.

*********

Hot was an understatement. I feel like my entire body is aflame. The scorching sun is parching my skin and my muscles are burning from walking. I strip down to my sports bra and hike up my leggings as much as I can. I keep my shirt and sweater incase it gets cold when evening comes. We have been walking for what? About an hour and the sun is setting. Still no sign of civilization or of any human passing. I am getting really tired and hungry. Scout, who has been leading the way so far, stops and growls at a bush. Darn it. What now?

He looks up at me, then back at the bush covered in what looks like a berry. He sniffs it and takes a mouth full, happily chewing. He looks back as to tell me: " Are you gonna take any or starve to death? " I swear I saw him lift an eyebrow at me, daring me to starve.

Giving up I pick one and examine it. Well if he ate it, it must ge ok. Right? Before I could back down, I shove the blue ball into my mouth. It is sweet and filled with water, my parched throat appreciated it a lot. I wait a couple of minutes to make sure I won't die from food poisoning before I shove more and more into my mouth. So good. After I am satisfied, I take my sweater and tie the hood and sleeves close so I can carry berry's with me in case I get hungry or thirsty in the future.

" You are the best companion ever. How did you get this smart? " I smile down at Scout who just starts walking in the same direction again.

I mean who am I to argue with the direction anymore? He clearly knows more than me.

After another half an hour of walking, I see a clearing.

" Hey Scout! Look over there! " I start running towards the clearing, hoping it would give me something.

I breach the end of the tree's and find myself on a dirt road.

" Holy shit yes! Yes! I can't believe we did it! " I yell.

I pick up the fox and twirl him around in happiness.

" Now little buddy, right or left? " I ask him whilst I set him down.

His ears perk up and he looks on both directions. Hhhmmm. I wonder which way we'll be going. I look down at my companion to notice he is already trotting down the road to the left.. I mentally note the fact that I'm pretty slow before I follow him. The sun is starting to set and I'm getting worried that we won't find a place to sleep before it gets dark. Who knows what is lurking out here at night. I know I don't want to find out... I munch on some berries along the way, hopping for something, someone, anything.

Why do I even go on with any of this? I don't even understand my own actions. I mean I have always been someone who can be easily pushed around but this is a whole other level. I wish I could find that girl that stood up to Hayden. But that is a once in a lifetime thing I am afraid.

I come out of my thoughts to find that it is pitch black and starting to get cold. I slip on my hoodie, having eaten ll the berries while walking. I manage to follow Scout because of the clear sky and full moon. His fur shines under the stark light and every once in a while, when he turns his head towards me, as if to check if I'm alright, his eyes pierce through the overwhelming darkness hugging our surroundings.

It's all very brutal. In the past few days, I've been through much more than I ever thought was possible and that scares me. It's scares me because I know, not so deep down, that it's only the beginning.

A lone tear strokes my cheek as it falls from my tired eye. It's only the beginning, I tell myself while I keep walking. It's only the beginning, I tell myself as the jungle gets blurry from the tears pouring down towards the muddy ground.

It's only the beginning of the night and I'm alone. Me and Scout are completely and utterly alone.