Page 62 of The Guardian

Rain did the same.

There were four seats for passengers and we took three. Then Vega sat above us, behind those seats by the covered cage. Pointing to our left, Vega nodded at us.

We turned to look. There was a huge, dark crocodile in the water by the other side of the river.

I assumed that this was the Black One. I shivered as it snapped its large jowls.

Vega immediately turned the boat and took off. Again, we all hung on as best we could. There were no seatbelts or any protection from the water or flying insects which seemed to be many and huge.

Powered by an automotive or aircraft engine that seemed very loud, Vega knew how to maneuver it. Fast, noisy and furious would be the best way to describe it.

I hung on to Henry’s strong arm with both of my arms locked. No way did I wish to take a swim in this brown water or become a snack for some hungry creature.

After about ten minutes of this racing up the swampy river, Vega finally slowed the odd contraption a bit then slid the boat up into a small alcove. Shutting the engine down, she made her way around our seats and hopped out like she did from the Jeep.

“I think I’m in love,” Rain rasped out almost breathless as his eyes never left Vega.

Henry laughed loudly as he scooped me up and took me ashore. “It would be your funeral, Rainmaker.”

“Yeah,” he replied as he stepped off the cage boat to the sand. “But what a ride it would be.”

We all laughed.

We now followed Rain’s dream girl up through the thick jungle on a narrow path that barely fit me, let alone two rather tall, large men like Rain and Henry. Both men kept grunting and grumbling some foul words as small branches hit them in the face or arms repeatedly.

I almost laughed at this sort of comedic smacking and complaining, except I was too afraid of the big bugs and possible snakes.

“Ay, Maldito!” Well, fuck! Vega exclaimed as she took her knife from its sheath and jabbed it into one of those feared snakes. Blood spurted from it as she barely slowed her hiking pace down. She then tore a huge leaf from a jungle plant and used it to swipe her large knife clean. Replacing it to the sheath, she had not stopped during this entire snake killing and weapon cleaning. Moving ahead, she laughed to herself as if that had been nothing but fun.

“Bylat! Sdelay Ili Umri!” Rain exclaimed in awe. Fuck, this is my do or die!

I laughed.

Henry laughed with me at his reaction, knowing Rain was attracted to her. “Careful Rainmaker, you gotta keep it in your pants.”

We then suddenly came out to a small clearing. And again, no Vega. We learned by now though, so we paused to catch our breath and waited for her to reappear.

A large buzzing swooshed by my ear and I jumped away from it.

“The fuck?” Henry swatted at it. “Mosquitos here are the size of bloody humming birds!”

I had to agree. You might have to go to the clinic and get some blood to replace what it took.

“Hurry up!” Vega called out.

We all looked around and did not see her.

Then a large jungle plant moved ahead of us as if waving at us. “In here,” she called again.

We made our way over then stepped through and again we were stunned by another surprise.

A small house stood enshrined within jungle trees, compact and hidden so well that if you walked by it, you might not see it. It too was green and I suddenly thought…a chameleon house.

We came to it and Vega appeared from a door we never saw before she opened it.

We all went in, then the door silently slid closed behind us.

Looking around, our astonishment never quit. Luxurious really for a jungle shack. Large leather sofa and chairs. A white fur rug in front of them and cherrywood side tables. A desk and computer. The interior was extremely pleasant and cool. After the heat and humidity of the jungle swamp, it felt like pure heaven to me.