by Bradley,CD
They were losing daylight. “Last one. Then we need to go.” Javier warned and watched the trees. The ranchers were starting to look nervous. They scanned the edge of the jungle and the river. Nighttime in the amazon was not a place for the un prepared.
When the last steer was restrained Holt and Kira assumed their positions. Just as Kira inserted the needle a loud screech came howling from the darkness of the jungle. The steer tried to kick and shit all over Kira and Holt. He dropped the tail and jumped back Kira still had one hand holding the tail as well. She finished the sample and stepped back. “Well literal cow shit.” She said laughing.
Holt looked horrified at first then started laughing with her. “I end up in more shit with you Captain Riley.” He responded and picked up the kits. The men holding the steer busted out laughing at both of them. The Howl sounded again and all joking ceased. The ranchers began to round up their cattle.
“Vamonos! Vamonos!” Javier urged them back on the boat. Kira and Holt grabbed their things and quickly made their way back onto their floating base.
As they reached the ramp Kira almost dropped on of her bags and side stepped to catch it. Her foot went into the water. Javier jumped at her and pulled her quickly out of the water. “No!” He yelled. “You are covered in blood! This is not a beach. You will be eaten.”
Kira jumped and looked into the dark water. Now she really owed him. She had read reports of pacu in this section of the Amazon. This much larger relative of the piranha was known for its distinctive, human-like teeth. Although it was omnivorous, unfortunately for some pacu are alleged to have occasionally bitten off the testicles of male swimmers. Any human eating fish was scary as shit in Kira’s book. She would have to be more careful. Every move in this environment could be deadly if she made the wrong choice.
“Gracias Javier!” Kira responded and Javier smiled back at her. “I guess you saved me.” Kira collected her samples that had fallen to the ground and followed Holt up the ramp. Javier followed behind them.
Kira had one objective at this point. Secure her samples and find the showers. She wanted to be free of the stench of cow shit as soon as possible. The shower and bathroom area was small but had four stalls that were shower/ changing room combos. . Kira grabbed a towel and clean clothes. She raced to the hot water. She knew Holt and potentially Javier would be there momentarily competing for hot water. While she did owe them. She was the one mostly covered in shit and she was taking advantage of as much soap and warm water as possible.
She slipped into her stall and began to undress. Before she could even turn the water on she heard Holt enter with someone else. The female voice sounded like one of the research assistants. Holy hell! Maybe she was just coming in at the same time.
“You were really brave out there.’’ The eager girl was saying. Kira rolled her eyes. She stifled a laugh so they wouldn’t hear her and started her shower water. The least she could hope for was for the water to drown out the noise.
“It was nothing just part of my job. Sometimes in this line of work you have to take risks.” Holt answered, his voice an octave lower than usual. Kira pictured him giving his suave smile to the unsuspecting girl.
Oh Geez he was laying it on Thick. Kira shook her head. If he had to face one day of what Stark went through he would probably pee his pants. She wasn’t going to be the one to rain on his parade though. This was Holt’s shining moment. She owed him that much. Kira scratched her plans for a lengthy shower and did her best to finish quickly and get the hell out of there before they got to hot and heavy.
Kira scrubbed up and rinsed off. She would like to spend some time thinking of Stark. That last night in his arms was perfect. She could see it in his eyes that there was something he wanted to tell her but she just couldn’t not before coming down here. Not a day went by that she didn’t miss him like crazy though. A year had already gone by though maybe just maybe when she finished her term in the military then fraternization wouldn’t be a problem any longer. She knew that was crazy. They would go insane being close but not being able to be together for three years.
Kira wondered about Paige. She wondered if he had found her. She had tried to call Stark several times but no answer. He could have at least called her back but maybe be was busy in the search. Kira hated the idea of who ever hurt her having Paige. God what she must be going through?
The young woman in the next stall squealed and giggled as Holt undressed her. Kira knew she should leave. She should have walked away ten minutes ago. What the hell was wrong with her? Was Lysander right? Was she a voyeur? Kira shook the idea from her head she was entitled to a shower too. Hell she was in here first. The woman was beginning to moan. Ok time to get the hell out of here.
Once she had thoroughly removed every trace of jungle sweat and cow surprise, Kira felt so much better. She quietly wrapped up in her towel and stepped out into the tiny dressing room. She tried to be as quiet as possible to not disturb the very vocal couple in the next stall. Just as she reached for her clothes the boat shifted and rocked to the side. Kira slipped and knocked her clean clothes into the wet floor with her dirty ones. Shit! Now what the fuck was she supposed to do. She carefully retrieved the “clean Clothes” from the floor but they looked and now smelled just as bad as the old ones. Great she was going to have to leave everything and go to her hammock where her bag was stored and get something to wear. Kira wrapped her towel around her as tight as possible and slipped out of the stall into the main bathroom. She took two steps toward the door but froze when she heard Holt call after her.
“Kira, is that you? Did you come to join the party?” he half stepped out into the main bathroom. His torso and one leg exposed the other covered by the curtain. Kira had to admit he was nicely built. Not like Stark, but he was very fit. Water dripped off his blond hair and onto his chest. His blue eye sparkled with mischief. It was odd to see Holt in this way. He was always so serious and self-involved.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” She started embarrassed. “Thanks, but no thanks just came to get rid of the cow stink. I didn’t want to get pitched overboard in the middle of the night.” She laughed at her own joke.
He looked her up and down. “So where are you going and where are your clothes?”
“They fell in the wet dirty floor when the boat rocked and I have to go get clean ones. Kira realized that she only had a tank top and PT shorts left in her bag. “Is there a place to wash clothes?”
Holt almost fell out of the shower stall laughing. “What do you think this is the fucking Hilton?” he was still laughing “No princess there are no laundry facilities. Just rinse them out in the shower and hang them up.”
Kira flushed with embarrassment. She hated when he called her princess like she was a spoiled child. She rolled her eyes at him and turned to leave when Javier walked in. He looked from Kira to Holt and back to Kira.
“Mmmmm bella dama!” His half smile and wicked eyes made Kira hug her towel a little tighter. “Are you two finished already” He shook his head as if in pity.
“No!” they both replied in unison.
“Well then.” Javier smiled fully now.
“No! No!” Kira replied hastily. “He has company. I am just leaving to get my clothes.”
“I could escort you to keep you safe.” He winked and the half grin reappeared. “ El Ecantada you know. Dangers can come out of the shadows in the light of the moon.” His conspiratorial tone was in jest but Holt was having none of it.
“What the hell?” He was protesting from the shower room. The assistant was begging him back into the water. “You have got to be fucking kidding that you are going with him!”
“Get your panties out of your ass.” Kira responded a playfully as possible. Then more seriously, “I am going to get my clothes. If Javier wants to walk with me there is no fucking harm in that. I am not your possession to look after.”
“Kira I don’t think that this is a …” Holt was still talking but Kira walked through the doo
r into the night air with Javier on her heels. Oh shit it was colder here at night that she would have expected. Kira shivered and Javier stood closer and put his arm around her. Kira stiffened. “Just to keep you warm till we reach your clothes.” Kira relaxed somewhat. As breathtakingly handsome as he was in her heart and mind he was no Stark. Kira couldn’t believe what a hold Stark had over her. Even half a world away he was the only man she could think of. Still that cologne. God Damn She had to know what that was. She inhaled him deeply.
“Javier what cologne do you wear? It is intoxicating to say the least.” She smiled and he pulled her a little closer.
Javier laughed knowingly, “ERMENEGILDO Zegna Essenze Peruvian Ambrette. The Peruvian ambrette is the only plant derived musk in the world. The body and soul come from the pod of a rare hibiscus that only grows here. There is nothing else like it.”
“A girl has to be careful around that, it’s enchanting.” Kira stopped walking as they reached her hammock and pulled away. Moonlight danced through the swaying hammocks casting shadows and bending images. From the upper deck someone or some people had begun playing music as they moved through the dark water. Some kind of flute, maybe a mandolin, the maracas, and a strange drum or two. The magical music floated through the air bringing the night alive.
“Get dressed and come with me.” He offered his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. Javier slipped away to let her get dressed. Kira quickly obliged. She could get her filthy clothes later. How many times in your life do your get to listen to live Peruvian music in the moonlight while floating down the Amazon with one of the most handsome men in the world. He was waiting by the railing when she finished. Kira wished she had more than a white tank top and PT shorts. She wound her wet hair into a pony tail as she reached him.
“Bella dama.” He said quietly as she stepped into the light joining him.
“What does that mean?” Kira asked squinting in an interrogating look.
“Beautiful lady. Are you always so suspicious? Vive libre. Live Free! You need to let go and enjoy your life as it is not as it may be someday. Vive el presente.” He took her hand and led her to the upper deck. As they ascended the stairs the music grew louder. Javier gracefully led her across the deck to where they could enjoy the music and the crew. Everyone was
There were five people in the group. She recognized them as workers from the boat and two of their local assistants. The first looked like a panpipe from ancient Greece on steroids as it was nearly six feet long. The man playing it was standing in a chair. Which Kira noted was crazy as they were cruising down the river. Kira pointed at it “What is that one called?”
He explained “The zampoña is instrument that dates back to the Inca Empire. It usually has eleven reed tubes of graduated length and bound by colorful woven fabric. The entire thing is hand crafted.”
“That’s amazing. It’s beautiful.” Kira could see how mythology wrote of people having been led off in a trance. The highs and lows reminded her of little birds. Together with the gentlemen playing the wooden flute the music was otherworldly. “Is that a recorder or some kind of flute?”
“That’s the wooden quena. Most traditional Peruvian music includes it. Are you thirsty? Would you like a Pilsen?” He offered as smooth as silk.
Kira knew she was under strict orders from her commanding officer, no alcohol. But this wasn’t Colorado. This was the middle of the Amazon fucking rainforest. “Yes, gracias Javier.” He was right she only lived once. Today they got blood samples that may help prove everything she had been working to find. It was time to celebrate.
She watched Javier walk over to a cooler and retrieve the two cans. He certainly was easy on the eyes. His caramel skin and dark eyes took dark and mysterious to another level. The music played on and chimed beautifully with the sounds of the jungle at night. This place was at once beautiful and deadly. Like a siren trap at sea, but one so lovely you weren’t sure you minded if you got caught up. Kira’s thoughts flashed back to poor Paige. She had to be terrified. Kira just prayed she could stay alive until Stark or the police could find her. If it was a ransom Stark would definitely pay it. At least he could pay it. Kira had a sneaking suspicion that if he found out where she was he would just kick down the door and get her back. She hoped he wouldn’t do anything illegal.
“What’s wrong mi amor? You look desolado.” Javier offered her a Pilsen and a stool to set on. He pulled one up for himself and opened the beer. The ice cold liquid was incredibly refreshing after such an eventful day.
“I was just thinking of my friend who is missing and my boyfrie… well other friend who is trying to find her. I’m really worried about them both and I miss them.” Kira’s voice fell.
“Tell me about your friend who is missing. What happened to her?” Javier gently placed his hand on her forearm that rested on the railing.
“Paige is wild and beautiful. She is the most talented singer and tattoo artist you will ever meet. She has this wicked crazy obsession with all things rockabilly and even drives a mint condition 55 Chevy Belair that she and Stark rebuilt together. But she was taken by a man trying to break into my apartment. She was there to protect me.” Kira’s voice broke. Despite her best efforts she began to cry softly. “I’m sorry. It happened just before I was deployed and I have tried to call every time we are back at Iquitos but nothing. I haven’t heard any news and I can’t reach Stark.”
“Who is this Stark?” He inquired as gently as you would tuck in a baby.
“He is or well at least he was my boyfriend but he is also one of Paige’s best friends.” Kira felt the weight of the world in admitting she and Stark were broken up. This was supposed to be her fresh start. But after that last night together she didn’t know if she could stand living the rest of her life without him. He had changed her mind, body, and soul. Here she sat in maybe the most beautiful place in the world next to an impressive beast of a man but all she could think of was how much she missed Owen Stark.
“It sounds as though he is still tu corazón.” Javier rubbed her arm gently. “He is a lucky man. You are as beautiful as all the stars that fill the night sky Kira.”
“So what about you Javier. What is your story? Do you have a love in your life?” Kira turned the conversation. It was getting far too heavy and depressing on her end.
“Mi? No, no amor.” He hesitated and looked out over the water. “When you are the younger brother of a very powerful man women tend to go to him… or he takes them.”
“I honestly can’t imagine a single woman passing you over for another man.” Kira offered “If I wasn’t already involved I would be crushing hard.”
“Crushing?” He shook his head not understanding the term. “You haven’t met my brother. Nothing stands in his way.”
“Crushing means to really like someone. Not love yet but feel like butterflies are all around you when you see them. You get excited and happy.” Kira felt like an idiot trying to explain the term. “And your brother sounds like an ass.”
Javier broke out into laughter. “May I love that you just called him an ass.” He laughed again. “You are adorable. Let us toast to lost love and jack asses.” He said laughing even harder.
Kira raised the Pilsen and collided with his. She started to explain that she meant the slang word ass and not a literal donkey but she let it go and drank her beer.
“Well isn’t this fucking cozy.” Holt came across the deck freshly showered and serviced. “Tarzan and Lara Croft. Is that really the only off duty outfit you brought?” His off duty clothes belonged in a country club not trekking through the jungle. Kira rolled her neck and fought the urge to snicker.
“Liam where’s your friend?” Kira responded as sweetly as possible. “The two of you could join us if you like?”
Holt stood there with a disgusted look on his face for a moment as if he was trying to decide how to answer. Before he could say anything the beaming research assistant bounced up beside him and threw her arms around the uptight ken d
oll. The assistant, Kira believed her name was Emily, was still in undergrad. She was doing an internship with NAMRU-6 and had just transferred to their team. But Emily seemed to be more cheerleader than lab assistant. Kira watched her hanging onto Holt’s arm beaming.
“Emily right?” Kira asked.
“Yes!” Came the over enthusiastic reply. She seemed to cheer everything she said. “I’m here assisting with research for the whole semester. Isn’t that the best? I think it was just fate that I would meet Liam! He’s a doctor you know.”
“Congrats, and yes I do know we work at the same clinic on base.” Kira wondered if this was how naïve she appeared to Paige and Zoe.
“Oh are you a nurse?” Emily was starting to seem more like a mouth breather. Holt winced and Javier bit his lip to keep from laughing.
Kira cleared her throat. “No sweetie I’m an army doctor just like Captain Holt. That’s why they call me Captain Riley.” Kira didn’t fault the girl too much. Even in her own ER people assumed she was a nurse. Little girl doctors just didn’t harness the respect that their male counterparts did.
“Oh wow. I’m sorry. I didn’t know they let girls do things like that in the army.” Emily said quietly shaking her head.
“It’s a brave new world.” Kira replied sarcastically.
“So Kira have you had any luck linking the virus to the mosquitos that you have been collecting?” Javier quickly changed the subject.
“Well yes and no.” Kira answered a little dejected. “I keep thinking there is more to this than what we are able to prove.”
“Nancy Drew here is turning into a conspiracy theorist.” Holt said turning to Emily.
“Oooooh! What sort of conspiracy?” Emily pulled a stool beside Kira and cozied up. She was staying for the duration it seemed.
“I’ve turned everything in my reports.” Kira started.