Jungle Peril

Chapter three

Azura woke up to with an intense hangover from the previous drinking party. She was still trying to process what had happened the previous night. The drinks had come in excess, the mood had been light, the vibe was at its peak and everyone was in frenzy. It was the night that the males and females who had hooked up throughout the days of the festival will consolidate their short but exciting relationship.

Azura looked beside her to see Donald still fast asleep; they had both gotten drunk and had probably done what Azura wished she hadnt done. She tapped Donald roughly to wake him up but all she got was a powerful yawn and body stretching before reclining back to sleep. Her patience was gone by now; with a swift and hot pat she hit him in the back of his head.

Wake up, you drunkard, everywhere is empty already, she shouted

That got Donalds attention, he jolted awake. He took some moments to survey the environment. It was quiet and empty. A reality hit him immediately

Gosh, we will miss the chopper! he shouted and scrambled to his feet.

Then it hit Azura too. The drinking party was a trap to the majority. They might not be able to get a helicopter to take them back to civilization.

Jesus! I cant believe I fell for it again, he hurriedly put on his clothes. It was at this moment, Azura realized she was naked too. No, I cant believe we actually did it! She screamed in her mind.

Get dressed quickly and come with me, he alerted; his face and hair were dishevelled another indication they did it.

Gosh, wait for me, she shouted back as she put on her dress too.

Both of them dashed out of the mini tent that had been setup for the drinking party; they ran for the rapidly dwindling crowd at the main camp. Kyle and Lisa were already there; they were arguing with the last helicopter administrator.

I am sorry; the chopper is full. There is no more space for you guys. You might want to check the transport train, he finalized and entered the helicopter after waving at its operator. The waving was a cue because the chopper lifted immediately with its last passengers.

You are such an asshole! Lisa screamed at the top of her lungs. Kyle was not ready for unnecessary argument; not when he has not yet seen another transport thats becoming harder to get by the day. He beckoned at Azura and Donald who were running at top speed towards them as he also ran towards the train section of the camp.

Three huge guards were blocking the entrance to the station

I am sorry, there is no more space on the train, one of the guards informed; his face was so scary that none of the people running towards him could come closer.

There is no more space on the train. You guys might want to go to the bus section. I am sorry, his I am sorry wasnt an apology, and it was his polite way of saying f**k off

Oh, s**t, you got to be kidding me! Lisa shouted again. Kyle dared to move closer to the man and was about to slip him some cash when the guard gave him a shove. He fell to his feet. The other people willing to enter the train got the message. In the last direction of run, everyone ran towards the bus section which was rapidly becoming filled up also. The place was in frenzy. Kyle had learnt his lesson, instead of pleading, he slipped a bunch of cash into the guards pocket and smuggled his crew into the bus. It was the last bus and they couldnt find a place to sit. Who cares? They needed to get out of this dungeon as quickly as possible if they dont want to be left stranded. So they joined the large population of people standing in bus.

The bus tyre screeched in protest as it takes off with its overloaded passengers. I just wish we will make it to wherever this is going.

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The trip to Brazil had been a long one. I cant believe Brazil is as far as this. Aldrin wondered. At last they had made it to the rather rough country. Who cares? As long as they are going to be allowed into the sss. Aldrin and Nicole were at Manaus. The town was in shambles as animals and humans alike freely littered the environment. Aldrin almost tripped over a beggar by the roadside. He felt guilty afterwards and had to give the beggar some of the cash in his pockets to feel better. They were at a crude airport. The airport was filled with small aeroplanes the type that can only carry up to five passengers at a time and can land on typically any flat-enough surfaces and their pilots. Each aeroplane is owned by the pilot propping it. Immediately they spotted the duo entering the airport, a substantial group of gringos began to catcall at them. Aldrin took his time to survey the entire horde before selecting his choice pilot/tour guide. The tour guide seemed to be more experienced. He was an old man in his 60s. He was dismayed at the destination of the duo.

The sss forest? he repeated as if it was a death sentence. Aldrin nodded in agreement.

2000 USD. No negotiations, he replied and led them to his airplane. Aldrin argued with him along the way. He was having a difficult time with the tour guide

You can as well just go by yourself, the angry tour guide busted

The duo smiled, they had extended him to the limit.

I know what I am saying ehn. What did you call your name again? Aldrin tried to win him back.

Call me Pabio, he replied with his eyes looking elsewhere in his last show of defiance.

Pabio, all you will do is take us to the middle of the forest and you can leave till the time I will tell you to come back,

So you are saying its just transport?

Exactly, it is just transport,

Pabio shook his head incredulously

You have never been to the sss, have you?

No I have not but I know my way around the forest

Its not the same man. You said you were a soldier

Ex-Soldier, we brought down the Abuqaqa grou***

I dont care who you are or what you have accomplished. This forest is an entirely new reality. The stories here are real

Aldrin was smiling; he knows his way around forests and its possible dangers

Are you talking about wild animals and stuffs

Anyone can handle the wild animals; I am talking about Pabio had stopped talking rather suddenly. That got Nicoles attention

What are you talking about? she inquired

Dont worry, its a good place to be but I am not the one to take you. No, not at that price you are offering Pabio was done with the discussion. He left the local airline market rather too early as if he was in trouble already. Or was it related to what he said about the sss.

I think we should accept his price Nicole suggested

No, I dont think so. Its all a strategy to hook us to him”, Aldrin smiled

What about what he said about the dangers? We dont even know what he was talking about, Nicole panicked

Trust me, I have made adequate research about this place and I am pretty sure of all the dangers we might encounter. There are big snakes including the anaconda, poisonous plants and none of these dangers are alien to me; Aldrin boasted. Nicole was both impressed and pissed off at Aldrins confidence. Was he sure of what he was talking about or is he just being cocky and obnoxious?

Here is another guide, he pointed to a younger pilot. The pilot seemed to be coming back from a tour and was securing his airplane to the harbour. The airplanes were the 3-maximum passengers type of airplanes designed specifically for this purpose.

Hey man, are you ready to go to the heart of the sss? Aldrin smiled in offer.

How much? the man replied

Aldrin smiled; he could tell that this was the pilot he had been looking for.

500 USD, he blurted.

The young pilot took some time to ruminate on that before replying

A thousand dollars final, he responded

Aldrin could live with that but he could do better.

I will pay you 750USD, he offered. That seemed to sit well with the young tour guide because he began to prepare his airplane for flight.

Aldrin and Nicole carried their excess luggage and began to load them on the small plane.

Will it accommodate it all? Nicole inquired

It will, the young pilot replied.

Hey Purto! Someone called out to the pilot but the three responded.

Nicole looked up to see the entire pilot horde shaking their head incredulously

He doesnt know the place well, one of them blurted.

He is a newbie. You dont want to enter the sss on that price, another commented.

Just mind your own f*****g business, will you? Purto the young pilot busted out and began to fuel his plane. Aldrin smiled, he loved his spirit.

Needless to say they would be taking off the next day.

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The airplane screeched in protest as it took off into the sky. Purto seemed to be an expert in flying with the way he manoeuvred the sky. Nicole could feel the gush of cool wind caress her face as the airplane move through the modern terrace below it and into the array of trees. In few minutes time they will be entering the sss.

Manaus is now a tourist centre especially for people who are interested in the sss like you, he was lecturing them over the wind.

Oh gosh! Can this guy just shut the f**k up till we land. I cant hear a thing over this f*****g wind. Nicole chuckled.

The view was a mesmerizing one. Mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes passed below them as they move through the forest. Nicole could not afford to miss the view, she took out her high speed camera and began to take multiple pictures of the aerial view. She laughed as she held Aldrins arms in fear. Aldrin loved the feeling; it made him seem manly. The pilot continued to lecture the reluctant audience on the sss.

We carry people like you every day into the sss and they all love it,

His lecture was boring. They had wanted to hear stories of the dangers lurking in the forest and how animals had been spotted in the forest but all he was telling them was something out of the tourism book.

Finally, they were at an open space and the pilot began to make his way down to land.

We are going to land here, he shouted over the wind. The duo nodded in agreement.

They had spent hours just flying into the desert.

The airplane landed safely through the low lying grasses until it came to a complete stop just before another array of trees.

They spent few more minutes sitting on the plane to survey their environment and recuperate from the continuous open air travel.

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Kevin and Aviance had less drama with the tour guide as Aldrin and Nicole did. Thanks for their ignorance on the jungle and its survival instinct so they werent so alarmed at the price Pabio charged for a trip to the sss. Aviance struggled in futility to beat down the price and only succeeded in reducing it by few dollars.

Their trip to the sss was less exciting, thanks to the monosyllabic discussions they had. Pabio could tell there was friction between the couple and managed to give just a little lecture on their destination. His lecture however seemed to be for only one goal

The forest is laced with numerous dangers and that is why you need to stick with me throughout. Dont worry I know my way around and will tell you how to survive it and enjoy the experience

The couple nodded in agreement. What kind of couple go on a vacation without talking to each other? Pabio could not help but wonder. Who cares as long as they pay good money. He concluded.

The airplane came to a grudging stop at another opening in the sss.

The majority of new pilots and guides will take you to the other side of the forest but trust me this place is the safest especially if you want to just camp out and enjoy nature, he jumped out of the plane and helped the couple unload their items. Their items seemed too bulky for just a week visit

Cmon, are you guys starting your family here, Pabio smirked as he pulled out a large cloth from a chamber in the airplane and began to cover his plane.

Our tour guide back at home advised us to get this, Kevin explained in protest.

Well, he is either a novice or he wants your money, the tour guide chuckled.

“I wont advice you to hitch your tent in an open space like this. I know of a cave around here thats cool and safe. Thats one of the benefits of taking me along”, he boasted.

Kevin was getting tired of Pabios conceit but they had better stay with him if they want to enjoy their experience.