The Jungle Boy

Chapter 2: Who are you?

Jack looked down at the woman, puzzled by her sudden dizzy spell. He let go of her leg and leaned over her. He carefully pressed his head against her chest to check her heartbeat. He heard the steady thump of her heart beat and removed his head. He looked back at the beach then looked out into the trees of the jungle. He knew he had to return to his family, but what about the young woman? He scooped her up in his arms, and stood up on the branch. It would take him a longer time to return to his pack since he'd have to carry the girl there. He firmly grasped a nearby vine and swung through the trees.

As Jack swung through the jungle, still carrying the woman in his arms, he heard the sky thunder. He was only halfway through his journey back to his family's nesting area when it began to pour. Anna woke upon hearing the crackle of the thunder above them. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest at the sight of Jack. "Let me down this instance!" Jack ignored her pleads and soon spotted a tree that they could stay in for the night. He jumped down from the vine, Anna still in his hold. He slipped Anna over his shoulder as he climbed up the tree. He found a steady branch with enough coverage from the rain that they could settle in. Anna pounded her fists against his back until she stopped upon seeing the height they were at. She closed her eyes tightly, shaking in fear. "Please...bring me back down onto the ground, please.." Once more, Jack ignored her comment and moved down the branch until he stopped in front of the trunk of the large tree. He slipped Anna off his shoulder, before placing her down onto the wide branch. Jack sat across from her in a squatting position. He looked into her eyes with fascination. Anna looked back at him with wide, fearful eyes as the rain drenched them both. Jack kept his eyes locked on hers as he inched closer. "Please, um, mr. Wild man, thank you for carrying me, but if you don't mind, I should be leaving..." Jack was in inches of her. "Please, don't come any closer...I'm fine by myself over here..." He was in a short distance of her face. "Now I'm warning you, don't you dare come closer..." Jack's lips were in an inch of Anna's. Anna felt her breath hitch as he leaned over her. She closed her eyes tightly, wanting to leave the tree. Jack reached up and placed his hand on her cheek. Anna tensed up as he closed in on her. She prepared herself for the worst, but nothing came. Jack leaned into her neck, sniffing her. Anna opened her eyes, watching him in confusion. "Who are you?" Jack met her gaze and motioned to himself.

"Jack."

"What?"

"I am Jack."

"Oh, that's your name? Do you have a last name, Jack?" Jack shook his head in reply. "Oh, well, I am Anna, Anna Winston of the Winston family."