by Sela Croft
That wasn’t good. Fear of the unknown made my stomach tie in a knot, but I tried to ignore it. Once we were out, all would be better. Jason had said there was different terrain between the exit from the rainforest and the coastal region. I was sick to death of trees and moss and wetness.
The river had vanished from sight. The trees seemed to grow thicker, if that was possible. Yet Jason found a way through. It was slow going. Our makeshift shoes prevented us from running, which wouldn’t have been feasible anyway. The dense trees forced a slow pace.
After walking for hours, I didn’t see much change in the scenery. I was tired and thirsty again. And my feet hurt. Clearly, I wasn’t cut out for survival in nature. But no choice was offered. Putting one foot in front of the other, I followed Jason.
Before long, I would need water and more food. Since we had no supplies with us, Jason would have to find whatever was available. Fortunately, he’d been good at that. Yet there had been a shift in the flora. I hadn’t seen any berries or other fruit for a while.
To pass the time and ease my fears, I talked with Jason. He told me what he knew about the rainforest, and what to expect once we got out. The prospect of the coastal region was all that kept me going. Jason suspected that I might find Draven there, unless he was still in captivity.
The journey had taken longer than anticipated. Anything might have happened during that time. If Draven was in dire straits while I’d been held captive in the castle, what condition was he in now? I pushed aside thoughts of his demise.
That couldn’t be the case; fate wouldn’t be that cruel. And I had a bond with my love. If the ultimate disaster had befallen him, surely, I would have sensed it. I clung to the belief that he was alive. But he needed me—of that I was certain.
“We need to rest,” Jason said. “Let’s stop here.” There were a couple of fallen logs that served well enough as a bench.
I stretched out my legs, giving my feet a rest. The break felt good, reminding me of comforts that were out of my reach. I looked over at Jason as he gazed into the trees. “Are you sorry for offering to help me?”
Jason shook his head.
“You don’t regret your choice?” I said. “There was no way you could have known it would be this arduous.”
Jason smiled. “You say that, in a torn dress, wearing palm-frond shoes. You are a strong woman, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I feel guilty for dragging you with me, though.”
“Don’t,” Jason said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. You can’t believe I’d want to stay in my castle gardens, while you ventured into Lumea alone.”
“It’s not your fight.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Jason looked up at the stars. “I grew up in this kingdom, but I always dreamed of more. I wished for a way to fight for right.”
“And you found it?”
“You are from the human world, so I have confirmation it exists. You must get to Draven, so that you can return home. And you must go to his aid.” Jason stood and turned to face me. “The Guardians of Immortality stand for something. I feel that you are important…that you can make a difference.”
I wished I had that certainty, but I only wanted to get to Draven. The larger fight wasn’t mine; I’d been thrust into the middle of it. But had no clue whether I had anything to do with the outcome. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m just a woman…human at that.”
“You’re more…I have faith that you are,” Jason said. “If I can help you get to Draven then my life will have value. I will have lived for more than serving a dark master.”
“Okay, then let’s make it out of this gloomy forest.” I stood and waved for Jason to lead, then I followed.
We walked on, but the edge of the rainforest eluded us. The trees were of different types and the moss was a lighter color. The flowers had disappeared, along with anything edible. It couldn’t be much farther.
“How much longer?” I said.
“I wish I knew.” Jason didn’t look back, just continued forward.
I caught up to him. “How will you know when we’re close?”
“I’ve heard there is a lake and a magnificent waterfall near the border.” Jason looked around. “It’s hard to imagine, but it could be. That sort of thing would indicate we’d gone beyond this forest and its climate.”
There was a crunching sound in the distance, like an animal running over dead leaves. Jason stopped and put his hand in front of me, then listened. His eyes widened. Then he shoved me into a mass of ferns and shouted, “It’s a hellhound!”
In a flash, a well-built canine burst forth from the trees, emitting a foul odor. He had rusty-red fur and glowing red eyes. I looked into his eyes with terror. Jason drew his knife and crouched, prepared to fight. The hound breathed fire, and I cringed in my hiding place behind the ferns.
I wanted to go to Jason, desperate to help—but I was frozen to the spot. I had no idea what to do to fight off the hound. The creature was many feet high, with a massive head that reached Jason’s shoulders. I prayed the knife would plunge into the hound’s heart in time.
Jason held the knife up, and the hound raced toward him. I gripped the ferns, holding my breath. The creature must have weighed hundreds of pounds and flew at Jason at high speed. The tussle that ensued was hard to follow.
Leaves and dirt flew up, as the hound knocked Jason to the ground. The entangled bodies rolled around, and I couldn’t tell what was happening. Then there was blood—too much blood. The hound growled, and its gleaming fangs dripped with red.
I gasped and lurched from the ferns. The hound ripped at Jason, tearing at his legs and arms, then opening his enormous jaws to bite his neck. But at the last moment, Jason plunged the long knife into the creature’s chest.
The hound roared and tossed its head, then fell to the side, unmoving. I rushed over to Jason to see that he was bleeding profusely. I snatched handfuls of leaves to press against the wounds, but the blood soaked them. Jason’s eyes were closed, yet I could see that he was breathing.
There was no help to be had, no cloth to make a tourniquet. I leapt toward the dead hound, his eyes staring lifelessly at the sky. With some effort, I pulled out the knife, getting blood all over my hands. I cut into my skirt and ripped a strip of fabric, then used it to wrap one of Jason’s legs in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
But he’d been bitten in too many places. I didn’t have enough cloth, couldn’t move fast enough. Then Jason opened his eyes. I leaned over him. “Jason…speak to me.” I didn’t know what to do and was terrified of losing him.
Jason’s mouth worked as if to speak, but no words came. I brushed his hair from his face. “What can I do?”
“Go…”
I shook my head. “I can’t leave you.”
“I’m…dying.”
“No…please!”
Then Jason gasped for air he couldn’t seem to take into his lungs. “Run…leave…me. More hounds.”
It struck me that the hellhounds were likely pack animals, and more would follow. The one Jason had killed had been a straggler or a scout. I had to get away. But how was I to take Jason with me?
“Save yourself…for me.” That was the last thing Jason said. His eyes closed, so I felt his neck for a pulse, but found none. Tears poured out of my eyes, and I hardly recognized the loud sobbing as my own. Then crunching sounds came from the forest.
My pulse raced, and my vision blurred with tears. I stood, looking around for which way to go. There was one path available, so I took it, running as fast as I was able. The makeshift shoes were a hindrance, so I yanked them off then sprinted.
In the distance, I heard loud snarling and snapping. My gut wrenched at knowing that was the end of Jason. The supernatural creatures were wolf-like, so weren’t likely to leave human carrion behind, if they were hungry enough. It broke my heart, but I had no way to intercede.
After devouring their meal, the heavy hounds chased after me,
their weight rumbling over the ground. I grabbed the low branch of a tree and pulled myself up. Then I climbed from limb to limb, rising higher—away from the attackers. I climbed and climbed until there were no branches above me.
Looking down made me dizzy, so I wrapped my arms around a sturdy branch and nestled on a limb next to the trunk. A pack of hounds ran past, but one returned to bark and leap, clawing at the tree. My scent had drawn him to me. He circled around the base of the tree, looking up—but he was unable to climb. He snarled, then went on his way. I stared at the forest below, fully expecting the hounds to return.
But they didn’t. I was alone, high above the forest floor. I clutched the tree, refusing to move from its safety. I’d lost my friend to a horrid death. I was alone in a forest, where supernatural creatures ruled. I had no food, water, or shoes.
Draven may need me, but I needed him as much. I would have to get strong, dig deep for determination, if I had any hope of survival. Yet I was scared to death, uncertain that I could go another step. Without Jason to guide me, I was unsure of my direction.
I might wander about the dark forest until some other sturdy creature found me. Without weapons or superhuman strength, I’d have no way to fight off any attack. I hadn’t felt more vulnerable…or more alone. I hung on to the tree, unwilling to let go of my safe perch, for just a little longer.
CHAPTER 28 – MIRELA
I lost track of how much time passed. I was badly shaken up and grief-stricken. Yet I had to go on, or I’d die too. I clung to the tree, reluctant to give up my temporary safety. I thought of Jason and welled up with tears.
Jason was a true hero. His bravery wouldn’t be forgotten; I’d see to that. If not for myself, I had to continue for his sake—to make his sacrifice worth something. Slowly, I made my way down the tree, being careful not to slip.
At the bottom, I leaned against the tree trunk. Since I hadn’t slept in a while, a nap would be welcome. Yet I had nowhere to hide, and no way to make sure that a creature of the forest wouldn’t grab me in my sleep.
My only alternative was to go on. Within the dense forest, I had no sense of direction. Whenever I looked up, the moon appeared to be in the same spot. And there was no way to navigate by the stars. I tried to think it through.
I glanced in the direction the hellhounds had come from. That was not the way to go, as it would only lead me back to the location of the attack. The pack had tromped a path through the foliage, so I decided to go that way.
The hounds had long since run away. At the speed I was able to travel, there was no way I’d catch up. I hoped the pack had kept moving. What I needed badly was food and water. The hounds were animals, so I assumed they drank too—water if I was lucky.
That swayed my decision. I’d follow their path in the hopes of finding a stream or another source of water. The soles of my feet were raw, so I stayed to the soggy parts of the path and tried to step on wet leaves. It was slow going, but I made progress.
The tramped-down path disappeared, so I had to make one of my own. Whether right or wrong, I wove my way through thick ferns and trees, making an effort to go straight ahead. It wouldn’t do to wind around in circles.
Dehydration began to get the better of me, and my strength waned. There were no coconuts or citrus, so I sucked on plump leaves to moisten my dry mouth. It helped a little, although I’d need water soon. I was a bit dizzy, plus my breathing was shallow and rapid.
My worst fear was of losing track of where I was. My sense of the environment began to fade, and I was confused. Once I stopped to sit on a log, forgetting that I was wandering through the forest. I snapped back to reality, realizing that I had to continue.
My feet were bleeding, but I ignored the pain. I thought only of my destination and tried to keep Draven in mind. If only I could get to him, then all would be well. I was unsure of my path, but I kept walking and walking. My body and mind were numb, yet my heart urged me onward.
Then an unexpected sight made me stand and stare. I might very well be delusional, but not far ahead was a waterfall. In the dim recesses of my mind, I remembered that Jason had said there was a waterfall near the edge of the rainforest.
Could it be that I’d made it? I stepped forward to get a better look. There was a lovely blue lake with high cliffs surrounding it. The waterfall was beautiful, with fresh, clear water pouring down the rocks and into the lake. The view choked me up. I dared believe that I’d arrived.
Thirst overcame me, so I raced forward then knelt by the lake. I cupped my hands and scooped water into my mouth. I drank until my stomach began to pitch, then stopped to take a break. Sitting on the bank, I dangled my sore feet into the cool water.
The area was gorgeous, with no ferns or vines at all. I was tempted to lie back on the rocks. I needed rest and sleep. If I didn’t take this opportunity, I might not have another. The serene lake was the most peaceful thing I’d seen in too long to remember.
I kicked my feet in the water and gazed at the cascade plunging into the lake. The sound of the waterfall was music to me. It brought joy and gave me hope. Even with my feet immersed in the cold lake, I couldn’t believe I was really there.
The struggle to make it through the rainforest had nearly been too much for me. I’d doubted my ability to find my way. I still had more terrain to cross before I reached the coastal region.
But I’d been led to believe that it was less treacherous, so I could look forward to a less arduous trip. For a while, I could rest. I could swim in the lake and get clean. I was filthy from my fight through the jungle. It was tempting to remove my tattered dress and dive into the water.
Yet I hesitated. I’d learned to expect the unexpected, if I’d learned anything at all. I looked around at the environment, checking for dangers. Possibly, I’d become paranoid, but I had every reason to be so. The stars twinkled above, and the moon cast a glow on the lake’s surface.
There were no sounds, not even birds—only the crash of the waterfall as it hit the lake’s surface. I was alone and safe. I splashed my feet in the water, like I used to as a child. Then I stood up, prepared to bathe then wash my dress, as best I could.
Before I made a move, the waterfall appeared to burst into flames. A moment before it had been only water, but now looked like fire. I stared at the falling water that had turned bright orange-yellow. It seemed if I touched its surface, I’d burn my hands.
I froze, hypnotized by the fiery waterfall. Then a serpent emerged from behind the water, and I realized that I’d intruded upon his habitat. When the repulsive creature lurched toward me, I gasped. He was tall and thick, with many heads.
The serpent stood, supporting his weight on his massive tail. He had seven heads, with one prominent one in the middle. Each snake head was connected to a wide, curved neck. Thin, forked tongues licked toward me. I screamed, panicked for how to get away.
It dawned on me that it was a hydra, a many-headed serpent that I’d read about in literature—only the thing was real. I floundered for a solution, searching my memory for what to do. In a flash, it all came back. The hydra’s main head could not be harmed by any weapon.
And the other heads would grow back if cut off—not that I had a sword available. As if the tongues weren’t frightening enough, the snake heads began to breathe fire. The flames they emitted burned through the air like fiery arms reaching out to grab me.
I moved back, but the creature’s heads leaned toward me. The fire got closer, and my heart threatened to pound out of my chest. I didn’t need to recall what I’d studied to be certain the hydra was venomous. It wasn’t just a snake, it was a monster snake. No doubt a bite from any one of the heads was poisonous.
Time seemed to stand still, and thoughts flowed through my head in slow motion. The hydra watched as though enjoying my suffering. It was waiting, certain that I could not escape. I was cornered prey, so it would have its chance.
It struck me that the heads could spit deadly acid, so I moved back with some urgency. The
sudden movement caused the serpent heads to hiss then bend toward me, fire bursting from the mouths like hot torches.
Afraid to turn my back on the creature, I retreated while keeping my eyes on it. I had no idea how far the poisonous tongues could reach. As I moved back, the hydra swayed, its heads bobbing as it got closer.
The heat from the fire engulfed me, and I was drenched in sweat. The area surrounding the lake was rocky, so I stepped cautiously. Glancing behind me, to see where to place my foot, I moved back a little more. I took care not to make sudden movements, fearing attack if I startled the creature.
One step followed the other, but the eyes of the hydra’s head watched, never letting me get too far. Then my foot hit a wet stone and I slipped. As I fell to the ground, the main head lurched forward on a long neck. Razor-sharp fangs bit into my neck, and I screeched with pain.
The poison flooded my system and my vision blurred. My limbs refused to move, and I feared the venom had paralyzed me. Then blinding bolts of energy appeared before my eyes, and the serpent’s main head separated from its body. Green blood spurted then the head was thrust away.
A red-hot brand seared the neck, and the creature disappeared from my view. I couldn’t move and could barely keep my eyes open. Surely, I was hallucinating. But in my last moments, a miracle occurred. A gentle hand lifted my head, and I looked into Draven’s blue eyes.
My love’s face was inches from mine. His expression was determined yet kind. He cared, and he was worried about me. I must have died, as this was surely heaven. At least I’d depart the living with Draven as my final vision, and love for him filling my heart.
“Mirela…my love.” It was Draven’s voice, then his fingertips grazing my cheek. My heart soared. Had I found him at last?
I wanted to speak, to tell him everything—only I hadn’t the strength. The venom must be pulsing through my veins. Could it be that I’d reunite with my love—look into his eyes once more—only to die in his arms?
“You’ve been bitten,” Draven said. “I got here as fast as I could, but I’m nearly too late.”
