by Tara Ellis
Jason wasn’t big on goodbyes, or encouraging speeches, so he simply slapped them both on the backs before disappearing into the pooling shadows of the night. Devon and Tyler stared at each other for a few heartbeats before silently nodding in greeting at the other men.
With hand gestures, they all took up a spot on the ground to wait for the right time to leave. It turned out to be much longer than Tyler had hoped it would be, since one of the other Lokono patrolling outside the city saw movement nearby. After what felt like an eternity, they finally got the go-ahead, and slipped through the hole and out into the dense jungle on the backside of the Tan Presi Rutu.
They weren’t far from where Tyler and Jess had wandered with Viresh earlier in the day, and as they wound their way through the steaming pools of water, he thought of the howler monkeys. While they hadn’t done anything other than scream at them, it had been a rather chilling reminder that the animals of the Amazon were also unpredictable. Their only protection was the bow and arrows the Lokono carried, and a Glock with two bullets in it, stuffed into his waistband.
They kept a cautious, but steady pace. The main trails leading away from the city were located on the northern side. Not only was that the most direct route back to the resort and Bottopassi village, but it was also the easiest terrain. Tyler quickly discovered that the southern region was much more difficult. It was riddled with a labyrinth of hot springs, marshes, and almost impenetrable root systems in some places. Loaded down with their backpacks and bags of Libi Prani, Tyler was nearing exhaustion after only an hour of hiking.
When one of the scouts threw a hand up to bring them to a stop, Tyler was too busy catching his breath to pick up on the sense of danger. When Devon grabbed him roughly by the arm, he started and looked around in a panic, sure that a jaguar was about to drop on his head.
“Do you smell that?” Devon whispered urgently.
Smoke. It was definitely smoke, and not a faint whisp of a campfire, either, but a thick, acrid smell that made Tyler’s eyes widen.
Slaider leapt from the log he’d been perched on and grabbed at a low-hanging branch of a nearby tree. Tyler watched in amazement as the man scrambled up the trunk, until he disappeared into the canopy high overhead.
“Fire!” Slaider shouted minutes later, confirming the worst as he dropped back to the ground.
“Where?” Devon asked. The whites of his eyes stood out in the dark, and Tyler tried to fight the chill that was creeping up his spine in reaction to the other man’s obvious fear.
Slaider took a step back, grabbing at his head with his hands. “Everywhere. A line of fire to the north. It has to be following the river, so we’ll be cut off by the time we reach it. We’ll have to keep going south or else southeast, and then over the mountain.”
“We have to go back!” Devon shouted, already pulling at Tyler. When Slaider and the Lokono hesitated, he pointed into the jungle behind them. “Don’t you see? It’s The Cured. They’re going to burn them out, and by the time they can see it from the city, it’ll be too late to escape.”
Chapter 16
PETA
Tan Presi Rutu
Amazon Jungle, South America
“They’re going to need a leader,” Peta said evenly as she watched Akuba moving purposefully around the small room. “Especially with all of the elders staying here.”
“Her fever has finally broken, but she is still very sick.” Kneeling next to her mother who was asleep on a makeshift bed on the floor, Akuba wiped at her face with a damp cloth. “When she is strong enough, I’ll go back. But I left her once already when she needed me and I won’t do it again. Viresh is capable of both the journey and the position.”
Peta adjusted the straps on her backpack and glanced over at Jess, wishing she could come up with a more convincing argument. While it was obvious there wasn’t anything that would change Akuba’s mind, she had to give it a try. She’d promised Jess, who was already torn between the two places, and Peta was afraid the teen would refuse to go back to the preserve without her lifelong friend.
“You must leave with Peta and Jason,” Akuba said with a pained expression as she looked up at Jess, understanding the girl and her loyalties better than anyone.
Peta relaxed slightly, but when she saw the stubborn set of Jess’ jaw, she knew the battle wasn’t over. The longer she was around her, the more Peta recognized similar characteristics between Jess and Jason, but it was also something she could use to her advantage.
Picking up Jess’s pack, Peta held it out to her. “We’re going to need you.” When Jess rolled her eyes, she pressed on. “None of us know the preserve or the local villages like you do. We’ll need all the help we can get if we’re going to have a chance to figure out a way to treat The Cured and get the preserve running well enough to provide food for everyone.”
“She’s right,” Jason said from the doorway. Marty pushed around his legs and dashed over to Jess. Sitting at her feet, he looked up longingly as if he hadn’t been shown any affection in months.
Jason was carrying a lantern, and it exposed more of the room than the meager candle burning in the corner. When the Lokono had originally fled for Tan Presi Rutu, they’d left most of their things behind, including bedding and any furniture. Aside from a few blankets and one pillow, the space consisted of a dirt floor, a couple of straw mats, and a crude chair made from lashed sticks. It was a harsh reminder of the extreme living conditions they were under, and why a portion of the tribe was eager to return to what they still considered home in spite of the threat from Davies.
“We’ll be coming back,” Peta reminded Jess, as she hugged Marty. “But the preserve will be a vital position to control, and we’ll be able to coordinate from there with whoever’s left in the outside world that can help.”
Jason nodded in agreement. “Once we’ve dealt with The Cured at the resort, we’ll be able to establish a base here. I know it isn’t ideal, but I’m sure we can get some temporary shelters, as well as some much-needed medicine and supplies for whoever wants to stay. Our long-term goal should be to eventually establish a supply chain where everyone benefits.”
Jess stood again but didn’t look fully satisfied as she stared past Jason at all of the movement outside in the courtyard, where the majority of the Lokono prepared to leave. “I get all of that, but what if Eddy was telling the truth? What if they won’t let us leave? Whether they attack us here, out in the jungle, or at the preserve… none of us will be safe, so it doesn’t matter where I am.”
“Of course, it matters!” Akuba snapped, surprising everyone. Especially Jess, who stared at her wide-eyed. “Look at where we are,” she continued with a gentler tone. Getting slowly to her feet, Akuba dropped the cloth and gestured around the room. “Standing in the ruins of my ancestors, and somehow facing the same enemy across thousands of years. An enemy you can help defeat, which means continuing to go where it is the safest, and where you are needed the most. I have watched you grow up, Jess. Through an exceptional life in the Amazon with the Lokono and your father, you’ve embraced the best of both cultures. It’s enabled you to see what others cannot, and that is what we’ll need in the days and weeks to come. That is why you have to leave with Jason and try to get back to the preserve and the Libi Nati. Don’t give up on that part of your life, not now when you need it the most.”
“I’m tired,” Jess said simply. She looked away from Akuba and down at her hands before reaching one of them out for Marty to sniff at before nuzzling.
Peta took a step toward her and held the pack out again. When Jess sighed and begrudgingly took hold of it, Peta didn’t let go and instead gave it a tug. Jess frowned as she reluctantly met her gaze. “I’m tired, too,” Peta said, her voice thick with emotion. “My home is gone. My family and most of my friends are gone. Our worlds have been reduced to what we can see in front of us. And as hard as this is, we have to keep fighting. I see you, and Jason, and the Lokono, and a bunch of people who are sick and need our help.
No one else is left to do it, and even though it all might seem as equally hopeless, I think the safest place for you is with Jason and me.”
Taking the backpack, Jess shrugged into it and then wiped at her nose. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to Jason. “You think Garrett can help us get some of the stuff they need out here?”
Jason’s brows furrowed. “If we get the Libi Prani back to the states in time, their whole focus is going to shift to this ancient site and those plants. Every resource available will be used. Worst case, we’re too late and lose contact with Garrett. That just means we’ll have to work it out ourselves. The larger cities not too far from the preserve would be good places to start, and then we’d figure out the rest.”
“You can’t do any of that if you’re stuck here,” Akuba added.
Jess wiped at her nose again but appeared more determined. “When are we leaving?” she asked Peta.
Relieved, Peta moved next to Jason and peered outside. “It looks like it won’t be much longer.”
“Sahil and the other elders think the less time Dr. Davies has to change his mind, the better,” Akuba explained. “That if the bulk of the Lokono are beyond their camp and over the river by dawn, they’ll be more likely to let them pass.”
Peta didn’t necessarily agree with that, and based on Jason’s expression she figured he felt the same way, but it wasn’t up to them. Whether they left in the middle of the night or the morning, the outcome would likely be the same and it would all come down to Davies and his primary motives. She hoped that by offering him the easier route of having more complacent subjects, he’d allow them to leave without a fight.
“I can still change your bandage before I go then,” Jess offered, pointing at Akuba’s thigh.
“We’ll come get you when it’s time,” Jason said, pulling at Peta’s arm.
Following him outside, Peta pivoted to take in the bulk of the courtyard revealed by the wavering light of several campfires. Armed Lokono were scattered around the perimeter, but most of the men previously guarding the walls had left their positions to get their families packed up. Peta estimated there was close to a hundred people milling about the open space, half of them women and children. Her stomach clenched at the thought that they could be walking into an ambush, but it wasn’t like they had a lot of options.
“I think we should hang back and be the last ones to leave,” she said to Jason. “We’re the biggest targets and I don’t want to trigger anything.” Though Sahil hadn’t explained all of their motives, Peta suspected one of the main reasons the elders intentionally pushed for the early departure was to serve as a distraction for Devon and Tyler. Sahil was a wise man and he understood that the best way to defeat The Cured was by getting the Libi Prani into the right hands.
Jason offered her a crooked grin. “You catch on fast to this tactical stuff.”
“I’ve always been a quick study,” she said, smiling back. “How are you feeling?”
Rubbing at his jaw, he then slid his fingers up to his temple. “Minor headache is all. The other symptoms are gone. A solid ten hours of sleep and a beer should do the trick.”
Peta scoffed. “Yeah, for you and me both. I’ve got enough leaves hidden in the bottom of my pack to make a dozen or so doses. You?”
“About the same,” Jason answered. “Hopefully we won’t need it.”
They couldn’t risk carrying any of the plant in bulk. Madeline was way too intelligent and it wouldn’t take much to tip her off. Peta wasn’t admitting to how unsettled she’d been by the encounter with the older woman, but the way she kept turning up was uncanny, and her parting comment was a clear challenge. Whatever game Madeline thought they were playing wasn’t over yet.
“This can’t be everyone?” Peta asked as a woman and child scurried past with their arms full of various items.
“I just got done talking with Viresh,” Jason said, resting his arms on the AK hanging in front of his chest in a practiced motion. “Between the hunting and gathering parties that are out, and the elderly and sick staying behind, there’s around a hundred-and-fifty going back.”
It was still a lot of people. And although Peta knew Davies would have come for the Lokono whether they were there or not, she still couldn’t help but feel some guilt. Their presence had complicated things, and the first shots exchanged had been between them, but it may as well have been the Lokono. It made her more determined than ever to do whatever was necessary to put an end to it.
Looking up at the darkened sky overhead, Peta was suddenly eager to get moving. “What time do you thin—”
“Fire!” The voice came from a distance but was clear enough to understand, and it sounded like Tyler.
Peta and Jason stared at each other. Tyler and Devon should have been several miles away by then. “What the…” Jason mumbled as he jogged forward, looking for the source.
One of the scouts that had left earlier with Tyler flew past them, eyes wild as he called for the elders. He was yelling in their native language so that Peta couldn’t understand, but based on the reactions from the people around them it must have also had something to do with a fire.
Peta followed after Jason and they had just made it into the clearing on the far side of the village, between the stone buildings and outer wall, when she saw movement in the distance through the tall grass. It was dark, but enough thin light from the veiled moon revealed that the shifting shadows were people running.
“Fire!” Tyler screamed again, his voice hoarse and labored.
From somewhere near the trees, a shot rang out, the reverberating echo drowning out Tyler’s warning.
Jason reacted by grabbing at Peta and pulling her to the ground, but not before she saw Tyler fly forward like he’d been slammed from behind by an invisible force.
Chapter 17
JASON
Tan Presi Rutu
Amazon Jungle, South America
Jason was already moving before his chest hit the ground. Releasing Peta, he grabbed for the AR and brought it around so that his arms were outstretched and took the brunt of the impact. With a grunt he readied the weapon and had his eye to the sight as a second shot kicked up dirt near where Tyler had fallen.
There was a sniper in the tree line to the north, that much he had already surmised based simply on the sound. Where the other remaining guards would fail to find the shooter, Jason had the benefit of thermal vision. Through the scope, he saw Devon lunging to the ground a second before the next shot could find its target.
Movement, and there was a clear heat signature less than a hundred yards out.
Jason’s hearing reduced to the point that Peta’s cry of alarm, Devon’s yells for help, and Slaider calling from a distance were all muffled. His focus was on the slow breath he released as his finger squeezed the trigger.
Snap!
No one else saw the body as it fell from the tree. Without blinking, Jason immediately began scanning the rest of the wall and the foliage beyond it. Feet pounded the ground as the second Lokono scout and Slaider approached, while Devon struggled to lift Tyler, less than fifty feet away.
“Can we move?” Peta gasped, her face close to his head. “We need to move. We have to get Tyler.” Her voice hitched, and she pushed up onto her elbows.
One more pass. No movement…no flares. “Go!” Jason barked.
It was all Peta needed, and Jason continued to scan the distant trees as he moved in a crouch behind her, toward the shapes of Devon and Tyler.
Tyler was moaning, and Devon looked up as they approached with an expression that said so much more than any words could. “Why?” he finally muttered, desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood from Tyler’s shoulder with his bare hands.
“Fire,” Tyler whispered, as Jason rolled him over. “There’s a fire in the jungle…coming…coming this way.”
Peta’s head snapped up and she stared at Devon, and then Slaider as he jogged up. “A fire?”
“We were cut off,” Slai
der explained. He was sucking in loud mouthfuls of air, and it was obvious they’d all been running well beyond their limits.
“You’re going to be okay,” Jason said, clasping Tyler by the chin to get him to focus on him. “Listen to me. You’ve been shot, and I want you to stay still and do what I say.”
“Shot?” Tyler repeated, confused. “Oh—” groaning again, he heaved and then threw up.
“We need to get him inside.” Jason looked around once more at the open span of grass before scooping Tyler up in his arms. “I’ll need some light.”
Peta grabbed the bags of Libi Prani Tyler had dropped, before helping Devon to his feet, and the two fell in beside Jason as he staggered back toward Akuba’s hut.
“The scouts will warn the elders,” Slaider was saying, coughing once to clear his throat. “But we don’t have much time, Jason. We can’t stay here. The fire is spreading too fast.”
Jess ran to them, Marty barking excitedly at the sight of the men, and perhaps the smell of blood. “What was that? What—” Jess’s mouth fell open as Jason pushed past her. She stared wide-eyed at Devon.
“We had to come back,” Devon tried to explain, though he sounded dazed. “There’s a fire, a—but then someone shot at us. They…they shot Tyler. From the trees.”
“It was one of Davies Cured,” Jason spat. “They aren’t going to let us leave. We’re meant to burn.”
Akuba held the mat door aside for them and cleared a spot on the floor while Jess held the lantern close. Tyler didn’t resist as Jason tore at his t-shirt, revealing a gaping wound in the teens upper right shoulder.
“Water!” Jason barked, and Peta was already crouching next to him with a container. As she poured it over the ragged flesh, he unclipped his flashlight and took a closer look. Even as the adrenaline was still coursing its way through his system, Jason was talking himself down. It was going to be okay. He got the shooter, and Tyler was going to be okay.