The Amulet

Chapter 7

The next morning, I hear my Uncle and Cas cursing, then yelling at me,

"f**k, Zara! Get up!"

"What's wrong uncle?"

"We had rain last night, our camp has flooded abit."

"s**t! My backpack! My shoes!"

"It's okay Zara, I got them, I tied them up just before bed"

"Thank you, Uncle"

"We better get to higher ground to have breakfast"

I nod my head as I slide into my boots again, but as I do my hammock has other ideas throwing me out but before I hit the floor I hit something else, my hand reach out and grab onto Cas' very muscular arms as he slowly lifts me back to standing, I look into his eyes, sparkling grey with small flecks of silver to enhance the grey, my eyes fall down to his lips, they look soft, noticing some facial hair growing around his upper lip and chin, it makes him look more manly. 

"I'm sorry" I mutter.

"It's fine, I'm always happy to help" he says with a wink.

We head up the mountain, it seems there's a small trail leading to the peak of the mountain. We follow the trail, slowly building altitude, as we begin to get closer to the tree tops, we stop to have some breakfast.

"Uncle Felix, I didn't know there was a trail here?"

"Me either Zara! I haven't been here in years."

How did there become a trail? Surely not many people visit out here? Maybe they've been looking for something? 

We sit down, munching on what's left over from yesterday's breakfast, hearing the sounds of the jungle echo against this large mountain, watching the tree tops sway, the sun baring down, I swiftly grab my hat and plant it on my head and put on some sun lotion to prevent myself from burning, 

"Lotion?" I offer my lotion to Cas and my Uncle.

"Yes please" Cas said taking the lotion as he takes off his shirt, I can help but notice how defined his abs are, watching him put the lotion in his hand running his fingers down his muscular body over his big biceps, putting some on the back of his neck, 

"Hey Zara do you mind putting some on my back? I can do yours aswell?" I nod and take the lotion putting maybe a little bit too much on his back and rub it in feeling his skin on mine sends chills down my back, but the good chills, I turn round for him to return the favour, as I pull my hair up into a messy bun so I don't get any lotion in my hair, I feel his hands touch my back, being extra gentle as he rubs it in, going slowly down my sides it feels like his taking in every inch and curve of me as he can. This feels amazing. 

"Ahem." My Uncle interrupts 

"Sorry!" Both me and Cas say, as I take a step away from the sensual feelings I was thinking.

"Right Zara, can I talk to you in private" eyeing up Cas while he grabbed my arm and pulled me away, 

"Zara, did you want to go to the cave?"

"Yes please uncle, I don't mind if I go alone, I know you and Cas need to talk."

"Ok, make sure you take the machete with you just in case, keep your wits about you, we don't know who's been coming up here to make this trail, there's many caves up this mountain, and the one you need is the eleventh one, it should be close to the top of the mountain. Now sweetheart, please be safe and come back for dinner" he said sincerely.

"Of course Uncle, I'll be back for dinner" I give him a big smile.

I say my goodbyes, and head up the mountain.

Uncle Felix POV

I watch my niece head up the mountain, I hope she finds what we've been looking after all these years. My head turns towards Cas, who I can tell is eyeing up my niece, I don't like that and I'm sure my brother wouldn't want some man eyeing up his daughter either. 

"So Cas, I want to tell you, you are not taking this land at the bottom of the mountain, I'm sorry but this land has sentimental value to not only me, but to my family. But there may be a slight problem."

"What do you mean a problem?"

"Well the land your interested in, yes it belongs to me, but also to my brother and sister too, so I may need to get there permission before you buy it if they agree of course."

"Okay, can you get ahold of them now? Or should we wait till were back into civilization?"

"Let's wait until we're home, I'm here for my niece right now."

"That's fine, how long has it been since you've seen her?"

"I haven't met her until a few days ago.. my brother moved to the States but my sister updates me"

"Oh really? That's nice of your sister, to keep you updated that is" 

I eye up Cas, wondering why is he asking these questions? Maybe he knows something I don't?

"So how did you and my Zara meet then?"

"Oh we met on the plane over here, she told me it was her first time flying and she was meeting some family members over here, and she slept on me during the flight" Cas said laughing at the end.

"Oh bless her, for the little time I've known her I can tell she has a kind heart, just like my brother. Can I ask do you have any intentions with my niece?" Raising an eyebrow at him.

"I don't understand what you mean? I mean we've shared some moments but nothing other than that really?"

"Hmm interesting" I say stroking my chin. 

"I can honestly say, your niece is beautiful, and so kind too"

Zara POV

I feel like I've been walking ages, I've only come across 7 caves so far as I'm heading higher and higher getting closer to the peak, I'm stopping for a quick water break, I quickly get out my phone and take a couple of sweaty selfies up the mountain and take a few pictures of the beautiful view from here, I can see the tree tops slowly getting smaller, the jungle looks so vast, knowing only a couple of days ago I was in there with my Uncle. I get up and start again knowing I've past 7 caves and my uncle said to go in the eleventh one, putting my cap back on and I set off.