Afraid to Fall (Ancient Passages Book 1)

by Sutton Bishop

  Ari’s head snapped up. Her mouth flew open, and the breath whooshed out of her, like someone had gut-punched her. “No…,” she managed to whisper.

  Eric stood before her. Real as rain. Burnished a deep red-gold from the pounding, relentless Petén sun. His closely clipped flattop had bleached almost white in the sun. His square body had lost its softness. He wore a khaki short-sleeved shirt and shorts, as though he was on safari. Brown leather boots, caked in layers of dried mud, covered his feet. A wide-brimmed sun hat hung down his back from its knotted cord. Menacing energy rolled off him.

  He took off his mirrored sunglasses. “Hello, Ariana.” His eyes had an eerie otherworld appearance against his deeply tanned skin.

  The effect was downright creepy, and although she knew him, fear snaked its way through her.

  Inés barked with laughter. “Doctor, I understand you know each other quite well.”

  “That’s enough, Inés,” he said sharply. “Take your brother and lover and make yourselves useful. I will find you when I have need of you. Plan on helping with lunch.” He addressed Ari, his ice-blue eyes brooking no argument. “Come with me.”

  She had to jog to keep up with Eric’s clipped pace as he moved across the open space. He stopped when they were off by themselves.

  “You… You…,” she sputtered, her head spinning from the exertion and his sudden appearance, her arms pressed into her ribs and fists clenched.

  “Come now, Ariana. You never were one to be at a loss for words.”

  She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, absorbing the fact that Eric stood with unwavering confidence in front of her, in a locale unknown to her, somewhere within the Petén jungle. That he may have orchestrated her abduction, that he may have been responsible for putting her at risk these past days enraged her. Adrenaline exploded in her and she erupted, charging furiously at Eric. Ari launched herself, ready to pummel him with her fists.

  He turned and punched out while she was in midair, hitting her in the face and knocking her to the ground. She sprawled on the trampled earth and drew herself up onto her hands and knees, preparing to attack him again.

  He looked down at her and shook his head. With calm disdain, he said, “Tsk, tsk. No, you don’t. Behave yourself, Ariana. I recall that you’re good at that and following rules and instructions. You will do as I say.”

  Pain slammed through her head. The light faded in and out, and her mouth tasted metallic. Blood.

  “Get up. I don’t do drama, and from what I remember, neither do you.”

  Every ounce of hatred she felt for him poured through her eyes. Heart pounding, vision blurry, she panted. “You hit me! You bastard.”

  Eric sneered, and his almost-white blue eyes glittered ominously. “You charged me. I merely defended myself.” His voice dropped as he squatted. Face-to-face with her, his voice grew deadly. “Do not do it again. You’re a mess, Ariana. You smell.” He slipped his sunglasses back on and stood. Over his shoulder, he yelled for water and raised his hand high, fingers spread.

  Ari spit blood out onto the ground. There was plenty. She had bit her tongue when he punched her. Shit. She gagged from the vomit burning her throat. No one had ever raised a hand to her. She spit again and started crying. Her blood, mixed with saliva and tears, drooled down her chin.

  Scornfully, Eric said, “That’s attractive.”

  “Fu—”

  Water hit Ari forcefully, drenching her. She choked as it cut off her breath and filled her mouth. While it refreshed her, being doused with water made her livid. She spit out more blood and glared at him with hatred, stumbling to stand.

  “Thank you,” he said, handing the bucket back to the Mayan man standing next to him. “I believe that will do. You can go.” His nostrils flared, and his voice was full of poison as he said, “Come see me after you have cleaned up and cooled off. You are to stay in the cleared areas only. My men are armed.” He pivoted and strode away.

  “You know many details about your doctor, amigo,” Carlos said.

  Luca’s expression was evident in the ribbons of moonlight coming through the clouds above and in the glow of the fire’s dancing flames. “She likes to share.”

  “I see,” Carlos said. “We have known each other for some time. I recognize your feelings.”

  “Hell, Carlos. I am unsure of my feelings. I do know I like her. I like her heart. I am very concerned.”

  Carlos nodded and smiled to himself. “I see.”

  Luca raked his hand through his hair and pulled it back into a ponytail, understanding his friend did not believe him.

  “Dr. Ari is fiery.”

  Luca smiled wistfully to himself. “That she is.”

  Carlos wasn’t ready to give in just yet. He pushed some more. “There is passion between you. I see it, and more. It is new, like the first sparks of intense fire. Sí?”

  He shook his head and chuckled. “You are observant. What we have… I do not know. I care for her deeply. We are like magnets. We are pulled together strongly, and we repel just as strongly. Sometimes she holds back, as do I. I enjoy the back and forth.”

  “I do not see much repelling, except when she left your tent in the early hours during the kayak trip, before the Sun God woke.”

  “You spied on us?”

  “No, amigo.” He chuckled. “You know in your heart that is not true. That hour is my shift. Dr. Meg moves back and forth nightly. There is a lot of, um, what Americans say, musical tents, going on.”

  “Musical tents…” Luca smiled. “Yes. Dr. Matt and Dr. Meg. Dr. Ari is special. Please keep us to yourself.”

  “I see how you look at her, watch her when you think others are not paying attention. She does the same with you. It’s an interesting game you two play. My silence is my gift, but others know. You are like colibrís, drawn to the sweet nectar of each other.”

  Colibrí. He patted the secured front pocket of his shirt where he carried Ari’s hummingbird necklace. The first time he had noticed the necklace was in Cobán, when she dropped her duffel on his foot. Her liquid-brown eyes had sucked him in, and then her vile temper had burst forth. While she told him off, his eyes traveled over her supple, freckled neck, stopping at the necklace. An unusual choice, he thought. It was on their kayaking break and the first time they were truly together that she told him about the necklace’s significance. They bared their souls that night. That was when I realized I am in love with her.

  He unzipped the pocket, carefully pulling out the necklace. The sterling was cool to his touch. He stroked the delicate hummingbird between his thumb and forefinger, recalling that night. He hardened as he remembered the sinewy, dewy softness of her body, how she arched up to him as he explored her, and how she kissed him and welcomed him into her succulent heat. He had moved inside her for some time, learning what she wanted and what she needed. She had sought to please him, a willing partner. He took his pleasure only after she had hers, draining him, and every time thereafter. His body and heart ached for her. It had been far too long since they had been together. His mind weighed heavy with worry over her health and safety. Where was she?

  He looked to the twinkling heavens and full moon that were slowly disappearing behind thick clouds. Silently he spoke to her. Hear me, Ari. I am coming for you. Observe. Leave clues. Use your survival skills. Be strong and safe.

  Tata came out of his tent. He addressed Carlos in Q’eqchi’, all the while looking at Luca.

  “Tata asks if you believe,” Carlos said.

  “Believe what?”

  “In the magic and the supernatural.”

  Luca sat up taller and inclined his head. “I am not sure how to answer that. I am open. Is that acceptable?”

  “Tata wishes to perform a ceremony to protect Dr. Ari and to bring us to her safely.”

  “I cannot argue with that, but we need to devise a plan to extract her, along with several options.”

  Carlos placed his hand on his shoulder. “We will. Tomorrow morning.”


  He leaned forward and nodded at Tata. “What do I do?”

  Tata spoke again to Carlos, who translated for Luca. “Sit here and open your mind. Its power is limitless. I am to get something for Tata.”

  Luca slipped the necklace back into his pocket and zipped it. While he waited for Carlos, Tata dug out the ash from the campfire. Luca motioned he would help, but Tata waved him away, motioning for him to remain seated.

  Once cleaned, Tata placed twigs and branches in a small pile. He stood and spoke loudly, turning to each of the cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—before pulling six tapered candles from the small bag Carlos had retrieved. Tata dug four holes within the pit in the four cardinal directions but outside the piled wood. He placed a covered candle in each. Chanting, he secured a royal-blue and a purple candle in the center of the small mound of wood he had built in the very center of the piled twigs and branches.

  Luca was so engrossed in watching Tata that he did not realize the other men had joined. They sat on blankets, watching silently, their lips moving soundlessly while Tata murmured and prepared for the ceremony.

  Carlos sat next to Luca, leaning over and quietly explaining the ceremony. “Tata asks for assistance. The blue candle represents the sky. The purple is for all our ancestors, including Dr. Ari’s. Tata will call each of the directions into the circle and light them. Red is the energy of the East, of the sun, our father, who illuminates our path. Our father helps determine what our course of action should be. Black is the energy of the West. It is the energy of Grandmother Moon, who shows us the way of the teacher. Yellow is the energy of our Mother Earth, the South. This energy absorbs what no longer serves us. It also provides us with what will serve us. Mother Earth energy nurtures and helps to sustain us, especially important in this situation. The white candle is the energy of the north, Father Sky. This energy reveals our authenticity, what we stand for, and whom we should stand with. All these energies will help to balance our bodies, souls, and bring about a peaceful, healthy recovery of Dr. Ari.”

  Tata’s voice became more impassioned. He reached into his bag again, his hands overflowing with crushed pine needles. Blowing on his hands, he dropped the needles onto the pile of wood. He flicked his wrists, and the candles and fire lit. Luca blinked, stunned by what he had just witnessed. He had heard that the great shamans had this gift of lighting fire, but he had believed it to be an embellished story.

  Tata sang in his ancient tongue, then quieted. He sat on his blanket staring mutely into the fire, reading the flaming licks and glimmering embers.

  “We will stay until the fire is out. If you pray, amigo, now is a good time,” Carlos whispered.

  Luca experienced a shift after the ceremony, as if an enormous weight had been lifted. Hope buoyed him. As directed by Tata, he went to his tent in silence. He placed Ari’s necklace under the shirt he used for a pillow, and for the first time since her abduction, peace filled him. She had slept at this camp only last night. Thunder boomed in the distance, and lightning hurtled through the black night. He slept soundly while huge raindrops splattered his tent.

  “Buenos días,” Carlos said to Luca, handing him a steaming cup of coffee. “How did you sleep?”

  “Good morning. I slept remarkably well.” Luca yawned and ran a hand over his hair and scratched the lengthening beard on his face. He smiled. “As though I was drugged.”

  “Shaman magic is just that.” Carlos chuckled. “Tata probably put a little extra something in the ceremony for you and your worry.” He took two blankets from the vibrantly colored pile and handed one to Luca. “The ground is wet from the rain. Sit, amigo. We will drink our coffee and talk while we wait for the others to rise. We need to plan carefully.”

  “A few of us should hike ahead and investigate,” Luca said. He drank a few more sips of the strong, hot brew and then stood. “I volunteer.”

  Carlos stood as well, reaching out and placing his dark brown hand on Luca’s forearm. “Gus says we are very close to rescuing Dr. Ari, less than a day.” He looked at him deeply. “You have emotional investment, amigo. Perhaps you should stay here while I go with one or two of the other men. Split our numbers. We can decide the plan once we return with what we know.”

  Luca walked away from the fire to the edge of the clearing and tossed his remaining coffee in frustration. “What you say makes sense, but I should go. She is most familiar with me. We have no idea who has taken Ari or for what purpose.” He looked over at Carlos. “You say we are close. What has Gus shared?”

  “He says four sets of tracks are fresh. Two women, one with more weight, and two men, one larger with very big feet, and one smaller. There are many tracks. And we know that the four of them spent a night here.”

  Luca leaned forward, listening intently. “Right. What else?”

  “There are footprints in the moist ground. Branches and leaves are torn in multiple areas. They went into the perimeter of the jungle to relieve themselves. If we walked in past the branches and leaves, we would likely find more proof. Understand?”

  “Gus knows all this?”

  “Sí, and there is more.” Carlos walked back closer to the abductors’ campsite, motioning for Luca to follow. “The person who made the lean-to was not kind to the young trees he used. He scarred them with his impatience.” He stroked his palm over the gouges in the trees, closing his eyes and mumbling something in Q’eqchi’, then reopened them. He walked to the fire and squatted. “There is evidence of two fires. You saw the peel ashes in the pit. They were from the first fire and were placed under the coals on purpose. You said Dr. Ari had fruit with her. They ate beans.” Carlos pointed to his left, into the jungle. “Burned beans are over there, close to where you threw your coffee. Someone is not a good cook.” He shook his head in disgust. “How do you mess up beans?”

  Luca threw his head back and laughed.

  “What makes you laugh?”

  “Burned beans. The lovely doctor does many things exceptionally well. Cooking is not one of them. I suspect she may have been the cook.” Feeling some relief, Luca grinned and asked, “These are promising signs, sí?”

  Carlos’s smile twinkled in his dark eyes. “Sí. Very promising.”

  Luca pointed to the north end of the clearing while he dug in the pocket of his shirt. “I found this the other night hanging from that ceiba tree.” He opened his hand.

  “Colibrí. Muy bueno.” Carlos stood, his eyes big. “Do you recognize it?”

  “Yes. It is Ari’s. It is a very special necklace to her.”

  “Sí. Colibrí, a favorite bird of the Great God.”

  “I saw it reflect in my headlight. I believe she left it on the ceiba to let us know we are on the right path, to not give up.” Luca put it back into his pocket and zipped it.

  “The colibrí symbolizes safe passage. Dr. Ari is telling you, us, that she is safe. For now. Another promising sign.” Carlos broke his contact with Luca. “It appears breakfast is ready.” Stepping forward, he patted each of the men on their backs. “Buenos días, amigos.” The men sat on blankets around the dwindling fire, enjoying a breakfast of beans and fresh zapote, the fig-flavored fruit of the sapodilla tree.

  “Now to the business at hand…,” Luca said, taking another sip of just-brewed coffee and looking to Carlos. “Finding Dr. Antony. I understand we are closing in on her and her abductors.”

  The men nodded enthusiastically.

  “I will go,” Gus said, standing and folding his blanket, “and take Tomás, Pablo, and Carlos. Jorge and Dante, you remain here with Tata and Luca.”

  All the men nodded, except Luca. Tracking ability and survival skills were fairly even should the groups become separated. Tomás ran like the wind with great endurance and could return to this campsite quickly if necessary. Pablo had shamanic training, which might be needed.

  Luca could not stay. He cleared his throat. “Gus, I appreciate the thought you have put into grouping us, but I feel strongly about going w
ith you. Dr. Antony does not know anyone else here, except Carlos, and not that well. We suspect she has been abducted. I can safely assume she has been through a lot. Additional people she does not know may stress her more. She is most familiar with me. I ask that someone switch places with me.”

  “You make good sense. I will stay,” said Carlos.

  “Gracias, Carlos.” To the rest of the men, Luca said, “We should check reserves before we separate.”

  The men left the fire circle and returned with their packs. They spent the next hour divvying up food, tarps, equipment, tools, and medical supplies.

  Tata spoke, and Carlos translated. “Tata will share his herbs, Pablo.”

  Luca pulled his hair into a ponytail and added a bandana, then his hat. His sunglasses hung from the cord around his neck. He slipped his pack over his shoulders and looked around at the men. “Ready?”

  The men kept the tributary to the right as they trekked north, following the plentiful signs left by Ari and her abductors. At midmorning, the group took a break.

  “The tracks are more recent,” Gus said excitedly. “We are very close.”

  “Good, then let us go,” Luca said.

  Gus stayed him with his hand. “Patience is needed. We must be more careful the closer we get. We must be quieter. Do you have binoculars?”

  “Yes.” Luca pulled them out of his pack.

  “May I look?”

  Luca handed them to him. “Of course.”

  “Mm. Sí, good,” Gus said, peering through them. “We have many companions.”

  “Following us?” Luca looked around, not seeing anything but shades of green and dappled sunshine where the rays were able to break through the canopy.

  “Maybe. Look into the trees. What do you see?”

  Luca slowly fanned the area with his binoculars Gus had returned to him. “Ah… nothing.”

  “Look, Doctor.”

  “Birds of different sizes and colors,” Luca said. His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Why are we looking at birds when we should be looking for Dr. Antony?”