HAUNTED PARK

MAURICE “Careful what you do, there are thousands of animals here, lest we become their lunch.” I warn Josh, my employer as we delve deep into the woods. We have been here for three days, looking for an elusive Rhino for research purposes. Josh is a researcher with an international research organization that studies and analyzes the behaviors of animals that are threatened with extinction. He is in this country solely for the purpose of tracking a rare Rhinoceros species that is on the verge of extinction. I am merely his guide into the forest where the last sighting of the animal was done. He hired me immediately he landed in the country, having received recommendations from other clients who were satisfied by my services. I own a tour company and a travel agent and when the call came that a client was on the way I thought he wanted our normal services. But when he entered my office he gave me an offer I could not resist. Josh insisted that I was going to be his only guide into the forest, just the two of us, no vehicles or security guards. “What you ask for is very difficult to get, considering that as the head of this company I am needed around here through out the day.” I told him that afternoon as we took coffee in my office. “You should not worry Maurice, I will offer considerable compensation for your services.” He replied, cigarette smoke drifting from his nose. “Just mention your price and I will pay. You can close your company and send your employees on leave until we come back.” There was no way I was going to close my company, my deputy can stand in for me in my absence. He paid double what I asked for, making me wonder why he was being so extravagant. Such an expedition didn't warrant all that money but since I was in business to make money I took the down payment and made all the arrangements. For the right amount I was willing to venture into the forest, my business can easily function without me. Now here we are with josh, only the two of us, looking for the Rhinoceros in the deep African rainforest. Minutes earlier an heavy downpour temporarily halted our search as we took shelter under the trees. He loves the adventure, and so do I. This forest has been my livelihood for years since I left Europe. I fell in love with this country the first time I visited as a tourist many years ago and I made a vow that I would be coming back. That was done a year later when I sold all my property and relocated here, opened the company and settled. I have never regretted the decision because business has been good all those years. My employees are always a happy lot, my clients too and nothing can emphasize that fact better than the referees I keep on getting. Josh found me through some of my satisfied clients and I wish to make his mission a success too. “Tell me Maurice, can I light a cigarette now?” He asks me, jolting me from my reverie. “Yes you can, the strong winds will blow away the smoke from our location.” I reply. I had earlier warned him against smoking, explaining to him the perils of the act. Some wild animals can easily attack the source of smoke, creating a security hazard. “When do you suggest we rest and call it a day?” He asks, visibly tired. “Let's walk for two more hours, then we can rest on top of the hill,” I respond. He is following closely behind, his gun held firmly and a camera hanging from his neck. My pistol is tucked inside my shoulder holster because I don't fear animals. The worst enemy of mankind is mankind himself, or so I belief. Darkness falls as we reach the top of the hill and we erect a tent. Each of us is equipped with a sleeping bag and immediately we finish eating our dried food we lay down to sleep. The night is so quiet for a forest inhabited by thousands of wildlife but I am too tired to bother. I must have slept for a while but I wake up in the middle of the night to find that the sky is visible, meaning that something must have happened to the tent. I call out to Josh but he is missing. No answer. His sleeping bag is open, he must have gone somewhere. Then down the slope I hear a rather eery sound, a beast is coming up the slope, making beastly noise and fast approaching the missing tent. I better get moving before I get surprised. I get out my gun and dash through the undergrowth and moments later I find a tree where I scale up quickly. From my position I witness the spectacle. The animal is pursuing Josh and he is no match for it. He stumbles and falls. Just then I realize that I must do something before he gets harmed. I jump down from the tree and fire my weapon to scare the animal but it doesn't move. From my position I can only see a dark impression in the moonlight but I am not sure which animal we are dealing with. Josh has been pinned on the ground and I make quick steps, reaching there in seconds. Something weird happens. The animal quickly transforms into a human, a woman, then screams, piercing the whole forest with her sharp voice. I stand transfixed to the spot, wondering what to do. The woman's foot is still on Josh's chest, holding him firmly to the ground. I take my time to look at the woman, who is now screaming incorrigibility, and I notice that her front teeth protrude outside her mouth and her fingernails are longer than usual. She isn't a normal human. Josh is quite, awaiting his fate. I raise my gun to shoot but Josh shouts to warn me against it. The woman finally bends, looking him in the eye then slaps him in the cheek before running down the slope into the deep woods. “I found her. I found her,” Josh shouts almost hysterically and I am still at my spot, dumbfounded. “I thought we were looking for a Rhinoceros?” I ask, closing the distance between us. “Help me get up, I'll tell you everything." He says, raising his hand to meet mine.