Alpha Paradise: Book 1

Teens In Jungles Are Terrifying

It did not seem like a long drive from the camps to the jungle for Justice and Iris for they were dozing comfortably in the backseat, while Isabelle, who was tired as hell, was trying to keep the vehicle from going off track. Just to avoid dozing off while driving, she put her earphones on and played some hard rock music.

Successfully running away from the camps after months and months of imprisonment, Isabelle finally understood how a caged bird felt like when set free. It reminded her of the nature related stories her guide had taught her during a camping trip many years ago.

Driving happily on the smooth, clean Californian road, with one hand outside the window, feeling the breeze, Isabelle sighed. It felt like a huge accomplishment.

The smooth ride soon came to an end as the car started climbing a mountain. The car jerked upwards every time it hit a stone, and the bumpy, almost nonexistent path made it nearly impossible to keep the considerably large vehicle from losing balance and toppling. Weeds and small shrubs grew on either side of the path, as though the forest was slowly trying to reclaim what was once its own. As they gained altitude, the air became cleaner and the chirping of birds more distinct, the two girls in the backseat yawned and rubbed their eyes.

Iris smiled on seeing the miniature buildings miles and miles away from where they had reached. Eventually, the smile faded away as she strained her eyes to stare at the sky.

"Guys, seems like it is going to rain", Iris warned the girls.

"Oh, le bien, we better hurry. According to the GPS, there seems to be a shack, a few minutes or so off course toward the north-east", Isabelle said.

"How long have the both of us been asleep?", Justice yawned and questioned Isabelle.

"About four to five hours, but it's OK- the ride was pretty long and boring anyway.", Isabelle said, not taking her eyes off the road.

Five minutes after Iris's weather update, Isabelle stopped in front of a rather old and ugly looking hut. Ivy hung from the roof, creating a natural curtain which had to be moved aside to access the door handle. Justice, relieved on seeing a place where they could actually rest for a while, pushed open the door with a creak. Once all the three made it inside, Isabelle applied all her strength to close the door which seemed to be stuck on its hinges, which had gained a considerable amount of rust. As it shut, it sent out a small red puff.

Iris and Justice shut the windows before it started raining. As Justice tried to fix the broken heater, Iris sat down, staring out of the window. Isabelle looked at the small table near a rolled-up mattress and frowned. "Hey guys? Want some tea?" she asked, to which Iris looked at her as if she were joking. "Tea? In the middle of a forest?" "I'm asking because it seems like somebody knew we would come and left exactly three tea bags, some milk and water for us", said Isabelle. "I'll help you", volunteered Iris." "Although, it's such a shame that whoever this shack belonged to did not leave a couple of pencils and papers for us to draw."

Puzzled by this completely off topic statement, Isabelle looked at Justice who replied, while trying to start a fire inside the heater "It is her thing, you see. Helps her concentrate or something." Isabelle nodded.

Soon, the sky darkened as the sun started to set. The light drizzle turned into a heavy downpour, the soil outside became wet and muddy, and all the birds were going back to their nests. Meanwhile, Justice successfully fixed the heater around which the three girls cuddled around, with their cups of

tea in hand. Everything was so peaceful and lovely, and for a while, they forgot their hardships.

Justice broke the silence by slurping her tea and said "You know, I'm actually feeling kinda hungry right now. Do you think there might be a five- star meal somewhere here? My tummy has started to rumble", she said.