“There! That’s it down there!” Said Jason, turning towards Kate.
Kate saw something in Jason that baffled her. She was looking directly into his eyes when she noticed his pupils were a bright white, just like you would see when looking at a cat’s eye in the dark.
Jason then realized why she was looking at him in a strange way. Without thinking, he had given away his secret ability to see into the darkness. Right now, Jason didn’t care what Kate was thinking of him. All his thoughts were on finding his daughter Sally.
He looked at Kate saying, “I will explain later! But right now I have to get down there.”
The pilot shouted out, “what is it? What did you see?”
Jason said, “there is a gap between the trees as if something had flattened them. I need you to make another pass, flying low and slowly as you can.”
The pilot without question turned the aircraft around, ready to make another pass.
Kate apprehended what was about to happen.
“Jason! What do you intend to do?” She Asked.
Without answering, he opened the aircraft door ready to jump out.
“You’re going to kill yourself!” She shouted.
Jason was gone. His arms and legs spread out just like a parachutist would do. He hit the trees hard, smashing through branches with tremendous force making it nearly impossible for him to hold on. His speed began to slow down after each blow he took to his body until eventually he found himself holding onto a thick tree branch twenty feet above the ground. His clothes were tattered and torn, and blood oozed from deep gash wounds from his arms and legs. Jason waited a few minutes until he caught his breath.
Above him, he could hear the aircraft slowly moving further and further away until he was in total silence. Slowly and carefully Jason made his way to the ground. The first thing he checked was his firearm, then he verified his bearings. The opening he saw from the aircraft was about forty to fifty yards to the West. Tucking to his weapon back in his jeans, he went in search of that opening within the trees. After ten minutes of trekking through the dense jungle, he found what he was looking for. Standing right in front of him was the wrecked aircraft. He began to remove the tree branches that Tony and Travis had placed over to hide it from above. Jason opened the cockpit door where he saw blood stains all over the instrument panel. Then he saw the bodies of Krissy and Stacy. He searched around the wreckage and found four sets of prints heading to the North East. Jason smiled, knowing his daughter Sally was alive, giving him courage to keep on going.
Before touching down on a small strip-way, Kate had asked Sean to see if he could make contact with the local officials to arrange transport to take her to the campsite of Helen Shireberg. Within five minute’s air traffic controller, Miguel got back to them, confirming someone will be waiting for her at the temples as soon as they land.
Sean and Kate touched down a few hundred yards away from the Chichen Itza site and walked the rest of the way towards the bright lights. As they reached the temples they both froze in wonder at what they saw all around them. Each temple was lit up, standing high against the night sky. The place still had a few tourists visiting the site guided by a night tour leader. Kate had seen pictures and photographs of the temples, but to see them standing in front of you was another thing altogether.
Time was passing by fast, and with only a few hours left until sun up. Jason charged his way through the rough bush following the tracks made by Tony and the others, when suddenly he sensed something was not right. He noticed the jungle was unusually quiet all around him. Jason took a few steps forward, the ground crunching beneath his feet with every step he took.
He paused again as he felt a cold breeze descend upon him. Jason quickly turned around expecting to see somebody behind him, but he saw nothing. He shook his head, blaming exhaustion for playing tricks with his mind. He took a few steps forward when the same thing happened again. But this time not only did he shudder from the cold air, he could see his warm breath after each exhalation he took, just as if he were standing inside a deep freezer. Jason had no idea what was going on, not taking any chances he withdrew his weapon.
The cold air seemed to follow him as he continued on through the thick jungle. After a few more yards, he found himself amongst a white mist just a few inches from the ground, growing larger and larger as it covered the jungle floor. He was sure someone or something was watching his every move. He stopped suddenly, positive he could hear whispering sounds coming from within the trees. Jason pointed his firearm in front of him, then to the left of him, following the sounds from wherever they came from. Now he knew he was not alone when he saw dark shadows darting from within the trees with such a speed that it was impossible for him to take aim and shoot.
The shadows moved closer and closer until they were all around him. Jason randomly opened fire, emptying his weapon in seconds. Then without warning, he was knocked off his feet as if a raging bull had charged him. He had no idea what hit him, but whatever it was, it was now dragging him from his feet back the way he had come. After ten yards, it stopped. Jason quickly got to his feet, but he saw nothing and nobody. Not about to give in that easily, he pushed forward again increasing his pace. Then it hit him again just like before, knocking him down and pulling him back a few more yards.
Was this possible to be attacked by an invisible force, he said to himself. Frustration was getting the better of him. Jason was not the type to be scared that easily.
He shouted out, “come on show yourself whatever you are! I’m not afraid!”
Then it happened again. Jason was being dragged backward as if something was preventing him from moving forward. This time Jason was determined to continue no matter what. He got to his feet, running as fast as he could away from the dark shadows and mist. For the next hundred yards, Jason didn’t look back until he could run no more. He looked around as he stopped to catch his breath. He saw nothing was following him, so he continued forward in a strong, steady pace.
Racing against the clock, Tony also was moving through the jungle at a quick pace. He continually checked the GPS display, making certain they were still heading in the right direction. By his calculations, they should be at the site within the next forty minutes or so. Travis was holding a large flashlight, showing the way in front of them. Rosie remained close to Sally, who still has not said a word to anyone. She sometimes giggled to herself and murmured words that no one could understand. Tony would stop now and then to check up on her, making sure the energy within her was still there.
After a while, Tony thought he heard the sound of running water. He stopped where he was, and called for Travis to come forward with the flashlight. Rosie took the opportunity to sit down and rest, pulling Sally down beside her. Tony and Travis took a few steps forward when they came to a clearing, revealing a fifty foot wide river just below them. The steep drop to the river was more than thirty feet, making it impossible for them to climb down. They paused for a few minutes taking in the spectacular scenery. The water below them was crystal clear with rocks on both sides. They had to search for an alternative way to get across the river. According to the GPS the site was to the North East, so Tony decided to move in that direction, hoping to find another crossing point.
Back at the Chichen Itza temples, Kate met with the very same guide who escorted Jason and Danny. She said goodbye to Sean, who was ordered back to the Bahamas. Then she climbed inside the open top jeep and headed out with Andreas into the dark jungle. Glancing back at the temples, she saw Sean’s aircraft as it circled around and then disappeared into the night sky. The journey to Helen’s campsite would take them at least half an hour.
As the Jeep passed along the rough roads, she looked into the jungle, thinking it was no place to be at this time of hour. Her thoughts wandered over to Jason, praying he was alright out there alone searching for Sally.
She then began to think about the Mayan people, fascinated at the marvels they had created, and the dangers th
ey had to deal with in their day to day lives. She remembered what she had searched about on the INTERNET, their gods and the spirits they believed in. Their whole lives and way of living depended on what the gods decided for them, and the sacrifices that were offered to them.
Kate was brought back to reality by the sounds of helicopters passing above her. She immediately knew they were from the search and rescue team. She wondered if they had found the wrecked aircraft or not, or even if the occupants were alive or dead. Kate thought only of Jason, worried if he had survived the jump from Sean’s plane.
Not too far from where Tony and Travis emerged, stood a wooden bridge. It was just a meter in width made for single file crossing. The bridge was old but still strong enough to cross from one side to another. Tony had a gut feeling he was being watched, so he hurried the others along to begin the crossing. It was Travis, who first tested the wooden structure, making it safely over to the other side. He then urged Rosie and Sally along. Rose held onto Sally’s hand, making sure she followed her every step. Next it was Tony’s turn. He was half way across when he heard the sound of running feet coming towards him from the jungle. It was Jason, who eventually managed to catch up with them. Tony made a run for the other side, managing to cross the bridge just as Jason was clear of the trees. Tony then lowered his duffel bag to the ground, zipped it open and took out two 9mm automatic weapons.
Travis, surprised by Tony’s actions said, “where in the hell did they come from?”
Without answering, he opened fire, spraying the ground beneath Jason’s feet with bullets, forcing him backward. Before Jason had a chance to take cover, he took a bullet to the leg. He went down hard, his face hitting the rocks, knocking him unconscious. Tony then opened fire on the bridge support beams and began kicking the rotting wood breaking them in two. The bridge made a crunching sound as it gave way crashing down into the river below. Tony reloaded his two guns and turned towards Jason ready to open fire again. But Jason’s body was gone; he somehow managed to slip away into the jungle trees.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
From within the cover of the trees, Jason could see Tony as he searched for him. It was too dark and far for his vision to see Jason as he sat with his back to a tree, tightening his belt around his leg to stop the bleeding. His body was battered and bruised from the airplane jump. His forehead has an open wound from hitting the rocks, and now he has a bullet lodged in his thigh.
Jason saw Sally and the others slowly move away from him. Angry with himself, knowing he could do nothing about it. How he longed to hold her safely in his arms, protect her from all of this. He watched the last glimpse of their flashlight as they faded away into the jungle. Jason managed to stand up against a tree, but the pain was excruciating. He took one step forward, forcing pressure on his wounded leg, then fell back to the ground in pain. He tried to stand up again, and managed to limp from tree to tree until he was in the opening looking down at the collapsed bridge as it dangled from both sides of the river.
He knew he had no time to waste searching for another way across. The only way down was by the dangling bridge. It would prove quite a task for him to climb down using just one leg. Jason tested the strength of the ropes, and then began to lower himself one step at a time. Each wooden plank served as a ladder rung, proving rather easy for him to descend. As he reached the last rung, he was looking at a drop of nearly fifteen feet. Large rocks and boulders were the only things to cushion his fall. He looked back up the way he had come and then down onto the rocks. Jason had to land safely, knowing if he broke one of his legs in the fall it would mean the end for him. With his sharp vision, he calculated the distance as he let go of the wooden bridge. The fall seemed to last for minutes, he could see himself falling through the air, and then he felt the hard rocks beneath his feet. On impact, he rolled over breaking his fall, landing in the river. The cool water was a relief to him. But now blood was seeping out from the bullet wound, coloring the clear water. Jason tightened the belt around his leg, grinding his teeth from the pain as he pulled harder and harder.
The flow of the river was not too strong, but had an undercurrent that knocked Jason of balance, dragging him underwater a few yards down. He emerged from the river, making it to the other side where he saw the other remains of the bridge. The six remaining wooden planks were way too high for him to reach. Then he caught sight of the ropes that held the planks in place. Fatigue was setting in, and he did not know if he had the strength to climb. Not giving in, he gathered his remaining strength, and heaved himself up hand over hand. With his good leg he managed to find a foothold, and then again, he heaved himself up another few more feet until he was within reach of the remaining planks of wood. With both hands holding onto them, he pulled himself up, slowly making it to the top. Jason now lay exhausted face up panting for breath. Looking up at the night sky, he saw dark clouds as they passed over the tree tops blotting out the moon. The smell of rain was in the air, meaning trouble for him ahead.
After driving for ten minutes, Andreas finally spoke for the first time during the Jeep ride.
“Rain!” He said, pointing his finger up to a cloudy sky.
Kate looked surprised but took his word for it. As they neared the campsite, the heavens opened up. Droplets the size of peas were pounding on the Jeep’s hood. Andreas stopped to pull up the soft top, despite both of them already soaked to the bone. With headlights on bright, they could barely see in front of them. Andreas shifted to second gear, slowly edging his way through the now muddy jungle road. He came to a stop just a few feet short of the trees in front of him.
Kate asked, “are we here?”
Without looking at her, Andreas nodded his head.
“Yes camp is here,” he said, looking in front of him.
Kate jumped out of the Jeep.
“Aren’t you coming?” She asked him.
She noticed he looked on edge as if frightened to step out of the vehicle.
“No! I go back now,” he said.
Kate saw nothing but trees and rocks all around her.
“Where is the camp? There’s nothing here!” She said.
Andreas outstretched his arm waving his hand back and forth as if he was shooing off some animal.
“You walk now! Fifteen minutes in a straight line,” he said to her.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” She said, raising her voice.
He reached behind his seat and took out a battery operated lantern, and handed it to her.
“You go now! Or we go back,” said Andreas.
Kate had no choice but to take the lantern. As soon as she was clear of the vehicle, Andreas turned the Jeep around, leaving her standing there with nothing but the lamp in her hand. She waited until the tail lights disappeared through the pouring rain before turning around. Remembering what Andreas told her, she started to walk in a straight line as she possibly could. The rain continued to pour down as if it would never stop.
As she walked through the dark jungle, she began to think strange thoughts. It was as if she were in a horror movie, walking alone through the trees with no protection whatsoever. She was expecting at any moment for someone to reach out to her from behind. She dismissed her thoughts and concentrated on what was in front of her. She looked at her watch, counting the minutes that had passed.
The campsite should be in sight soon, but with the rain pouring down, she could hardly see ten feet in front of her. Then all of a sudden the lantern she was carrying blacked out, leaving her in the dark. Kate started to shake the lantern, hoping it might light up again, but it didn’t work. Assuming the batteries had died out, she threw it to the ground and continued on her way.
Walking even slower than before she moved from tree to tree holding onto each one to prevent her from tripping. After another few more minutes, she came to a clearing, and in front of her, she saw the campsite tents. She wandered into the campsite, looking around making sure it was safe to proceed. The camp had that ghostly feeling, no movement
at all, dead silence except for the patter of rain as it hit the tents and ground. Kate ventured further into the camp until she came to the tent entrance. Careful not to make a sound she unzipped the flap and stepped inside.
Relieved to be out of the rain, she stood still for a while, letting her eyes get accustomed to the dark. Her clothes were drenched, and she needed to get out of them. She looked around the tent that was made for two persons. A camp bed was on each side, with sleeping bags laid neatly on them. She went over to one of them sliding her hand inside, feeling the warmth and dryness. In the back of the tent lay a wooden trunk. Curious to know what it holds, she opened it to find men’s clothing inside that consisted of jeans and some shirts. Choosing the size that might fit her, she removed her wet clothes, dried herself and slid into a pair of jeans and shirt.
Kate knew she could do nothing else until the rain stopped, so she decided to take a little rest. She got into the cozy sleeping bag and soon drifted off into a deep sleep.
Only a couple of miles away, Jason rose to his feet as the rain poured down around him. The river began to rise at a quick rate and soon turned into a rough flowing water. Fifteen minutes later and Jason would never have made it across. His leg had become numb, so he loosened the belt until he felt the blood flowing again. What he needed was something to hold onto. Looking around, he picked up one of the wooden planks, using it as crutches to help him walk. Steadying himself, Jason continued through the jungle with only one concern on his mind, to get his daughter back safe and sound.
A loud clash of thunder startled Kate, waking her out of her sleep. She looked confused for a few seconds until she realized where she was. The rain was still coming down strong all around her, and it seemed it was not going to stop at any moment now. Kate needed something to keep her dry, but all she found was a large plastic garbage bag, so she cut out a few holes and wore it just like a Pancho, sliding it over her head. She was about to walk out of the tent when she heard sounds coming from the other side of the camp. Peering through an opening, she could see someone just beyond the larger tent. She managed to count four people in all who were coming her way. Not taking any chances, she quickly exited the tent and made a run for the cover of the trees from where she could get a better look at whom had entered the campsite. Keeping as low as she could, Kate moved closer to where the four people seemed to have stopped just outside the larger tent. They opened the tent and entered one by one, the taller one closing the zipper behind him. After a few minutes, the tent lit up, glowing in the dark. Kate felt safe knowing all were inside, so she approached the tent with caution trying to listen to what they were saying. With the noise of the downpour, it was nearly impossible for her to catch a word. She edged a little closer, as close as she possibly can, until she could make out the words. Kate was now only a few feet away, and she could hear two men who seemed to be arguing about something.
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