by Tara Ellis
“I thought I was saving a stray by taking you in,” Jason whispered to Marty, his head close to his ear. “And all along it was the other way around.”
“There he is!” Jess called out. “I’m glad more animals are starting to come out of the jungle, but he’s determined to chase them all.”
Clearing his throat, Jason leaned back and watched as Jess ran toward them. It reminded him of the same carefree approach the dog had, and the comparison made him smile.
“What?” Jess asked suspiciously, stopping alongside Marty.
Jason waved a hand dismissively as he stood. “Nothing, it’s just good to see some things getting back to what’ll pass for sort-of normal.”
Jess tipped her head at him, her face bunching up the way it did whenever she put serious thought into something. “Can’t get much more normal than a dog chasing what’ll pass for a squirrel anywhere else.”
Laughing, Jason put an arm around her shoulders and began walking with her across the grounds, enjoying the continuing rare break in the rain. “I feel like I need to apologize for not coming here to the resort with you before now.”
“Why?” Jess asked, sounding genuinely confused.
“Because it has to be hard for you to come here,” he tried to explain. “You shouldn’t have to do it by yourself. I mean, I don’t want you to think you have to do it by yourself,” Jason corrected himself.
“Tyler’s been with me the couple of times I had to come here,” she replied, still looking a little confused.
Stopping, he rubbed at his beard and tried again. “I’m going to admit right now that communication on a personal level has never been a strong suit of mine. I’m good at giving orders, but not discussing why or how I feel about it.”
“Really?” she jeered.
Blinking once, Jason had to check himself. He was bluntly reminded of how he’d just had to coach Eddy around navigating his own sense of humor, and as he stared into the face of a girl who was very obviously his daughter, he laughed. “I need to remember who I’m talking to,” he muttered.
“Is this your way of saying you’re here for me?” Jess asked.
Thankful for the lifeline, Jason grabbed at it. “Exactly. Yes. I’ve been talking more with Peta and Eddy about the state of things elsewhere, and while we’re better off than most, the next few years are going to be…hard.”
“In comparison to what?” she asked in all seriousness.
“The challenges are going to be of a different nature than what we’ve recently been through,” Jason tried to explain. “In some ways, it’s easier to move beyond a singular traumatic event once you’ve come through it, because you have the understanding that it’s in the past. It’s over, and so you can mentally move on from it. These coming years are going to be one long, never-ending hardship of trying to scratch out a living. The weather is going to continue to deteriorate because of the ash in the upper atmosphere. It’ll mean changes to things we can’t even comprehend yet, along with the difficulties of growing food and raising livestock. We’re going to have to learn how to persevere, knowing that it isn’t going to get any better in our lifetime.”
Jess shifted her stance so that she was staring out at the Amazon in the near distance. Some of the birds had returned, and the occasional macaw shrieked at something unseen. “It’ll take care of us,” she whispered.
“What do you mean?” Jason asked, afraid she wasn’t grasping the scope of what he was telling her.
“The Amazon,” she said, turning to look at him. “Everything we need is here. We just have to know how to recognize it. My dad talked a lot about adapting. Its why humans have survived for so long, because we’re good at it.”
Feeling stupid for having doubted her, Jason kicked at a rock and jammed his hands into his pockets. “I never did ask you if it was okay for me to stay at the preserve. I think there was a sort of implied assumption after Tyler and I had healed up. So, I guess I’m asking you now, Jess. I’d like to stay there. With you, Akuba, Tyler, Peta and the others. To help us build a new life.”
She stared at him silently for a moment, her expression hard to read. “Only if Marty gets to stay.”
Scoffing, Jason threw his hands up. “Oh, sure! I see how it is!”
Suddenly, and unexpectedly, Jess threw her arms around him. Glad she couldn’t see him grimace in pain, Jason hugged her back. More than any other time in his life, he felt an unshakable truth. That there wasn’t any threat in the world stronger than the love he felt for his daughter.
Chapter 27
JESS
Libi Nati Preserve
Suriname, South America
The Amazon
Extra chairs had to be pulled up to the table to accommodate everyone, and Jess couldn’t have been happier for the cramped elbow room. Akuba had spent the afternoon making a literal feast to celebrate everyone being back together, and as Jess watched them all talking and laughing, she felt an unexpected sense of belonging. It didn’t matter that the fresh chicken and vegetables were served with powdered mashed potatoes and MRE biscuits. It all tasted equally amazing.
“We’re running low on these,” Devon said, holding up a spoonful of potatoes. When Akuba gave him a sidelong glance, he shrugged innocently. “I know you don’t want me to bring it up tonight, but we’re going to have to talk about it sooner or later.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Jason said with a nod at Peta. “Now that Tyler and I are back in commission and we’ve got some extra hands, I think it’s time to expand our horizons.”
Jess frowned and set her fork down. They’d just had a discussion earlier about staying at the preserve. “How so?”
“Back in the states, the military is organizing teams to go out and actively find survivors, and get them the treatment,” Peta explained. “I think we should do the same thing here.”
Jess relaxed. “You mean like search parties?”
“With a twist,” Jason added. “We’re extremely remote, but we went through some major cities to get here. There’s got to be some seriously untapped resources we could use. Large shopping centers, malls, automotive places, and even hotels with all their bedding, shampoo, and other toiletries they typically stock.”
“So, rescue and scavenger teams,” Tyler said, nodding enthusiastically. “Sounds like fun. Count me in.”
Jess’s initial reaction was skepticism. She’d become so used to focusing on the preserve, that she honestly hadn’t even considered going that far away to find things they needed. But Jason was right; they were running low on supplies while the demand was increasing. They had plenty of people now to help with the farm work, and she felt a small stirring of excitement at the thought of getting a chance to go exploring with one of the teams. It would be good to have a change of pace every once in a while, as well as bringing the Libi Prani to a whole lot of locals that still needed it.
“Count me in, too,” Bill said.
Tyler looked doubtfully at his dad. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
Bill shifted his fork from his partially paralyzed left hand to his right, and stabbed at a piece of chicken before answering. “Scouting for useful resources is something I might actually be good at,” he answered with a knowing smile. “Besides, I don’t think all of the necessary components of a good search team will require strong physical agility. Am I right, Jason?”
“We could definitely use your help,” Jason confirmed.
“You’re still healing.” Eddy looked across the table at Bill and gestured to his weak side. “I’m going to be coordinating physical therapy sessions at the resort, and I’d like for you to join us.”
“Where do I sign up?” Devon interrupted, leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “Because I could really use some cardio.”
Smiling thankfully at Devon, Bill lowered his fork and picked up his drink. “I think it’s a great idea, Eddy. Thank you.” Scraping his chair back, he struggled to his feet and raising his glass, shifted to inclu
de everyone in a toast. “Tyler, Jess, Peta, Jason, Devon, Akuba, Eddy, and Kavish. If someone had told me a couple of months ago where I would be today…well, I think we can all agree that none of us could have imagined this. But I want to thank you, all of you, for never giving up.” Looking down at Tyler, his smile broadened. “For bringing me home to my son. Here’s to family.”
Raising her own glass, Jess didn’t care that it was powdered lemonade. It was a good toast, because the people in room really were her family. Bound together by something that transcended blood and any normal sense of responsibility.
“To family,” they all echoed.
“Now, for dessert!” Devon said with enthusiasm as he leapt from his chair. “I’ve been smelling those apples bake for way too long.”
Taking advantage of the transition to dessert, Jess quietly left the table and found herself drawn to her father’s office. Except, it really wasn’t his office anymore. With his ornate desk occupied by the radio equipment, and the extra table in the center with its multitude of supplies, it had become a central command area that several people worked out of.
Wandering to the built-in bookshelves, she stared for a moment at the antique globe, remembering that first day when her father had used it to describe what had happened in the MOHO. It felt like a lifetime had passed since then, and in a way, Jess supposed it had. Her eyes fell to the framed picture of her and her dad. She was so small. And he had protected her. He loved her, and that was the memory Jess would hold onto. That was the man she would remember.
“You okay?”
Jess turned to find Tyler standing in the doorway, hesitant to come inside. Holding the picture to her chest, she nodded. “I will be. I wasn’t so sure about that before. After the first week that this all started. Akuba and I were alone then, and I don’t think this new life is the sort you can do on your own. It takes a tribe.”
Tyler smiled at that. “Like the Lokono.”
“I’ve learned a lot from them,” Jess said, putting the picture back.
“We all have,” Tyler agreed. “And I think we’ve got a pretty good tribe.”
“Definitely,” Jess laughed. Growing serious, she walked over to Tyler and got close enough so he could see she was sincere. “I’m glad you have your dad back.”
“I’m sorry that—”
“Don’t,” Jess said, cutting him off. “Don’t apologize for something that’s good, and just allow me to be happy for you, okay?”
“Okay,” Tyler said. He’d come to know Jess well enough to let her have the last say in that particular conversation. “Are you going to come have dessert? Devon won’t shut up about how good it is, though I don’t think he needs to fish for any brownie points from Akuba.”
Chuckling as they entered the hallway together, Jess considered if her last chore of the day could wait. Or if it was perhaps a hopeless gesture that she needed to let go. Entering the kitchen area, she saw how low the sun was in the sky. “I’ve got something to do real quick first.”
Ignoring Tyler’s expression as he watched her gather the supplies from the counter, she avoided eye-contact with anyone as she stepped out onto the patio. She stood there for a minute, holding the bag of dried mango and water bottle close to her chest.
“I miss our time out here at night,” Akuba said, startling Jess.
She hadn’t heard the other woman approach, and she leaned into the comforting arm that Akuba draped around her shoulders. It was an easy embrace, and one she’d taken for granted her whole life. She thought back to the easy times of lounging on the patio, with the nighttime sounds of the Amazon singing them a sort of lullaby. “We should start doing it again,” Jess suggested. “Kavish said most of the jaguars are gone, and we have people patrolling at night to make sure. It should be safe.”
Giving her a squeeze, Akuba pulled back so she could smile at her. “Do you remember what I said to you soon after the eruption, about not allowing your fear to control you?”
“Yes,” Jess answered without hesitation. Glancing down at the mango, she then stared out at the Amazon and all of the unknowns it still represented. “But when will the fear go away?”
Lifting her hand to rest briefly on Jess’s head, Akuba leaned over and kissed the top of it before stepping away. “Oh, Lobiwan, it will never go away. We just get better at controlling our response to it. Keep listening,” she added, pointing to the bag of fruit. “Let the fear be a guide, but never allow it to control you.”
Feeling more resolute, Jess stepped out onto the grass. “Will you light the torches later?” she asked, gesturing to the tiki’s scattered around the patio. “I have a lot to tell you.”
Akuba’s smile followed her as Jess scampered across the lawn. It would be more than an hour before twilight fell, but she still hurried. While the danger from the jaguars appeared to have passed, they all stayed away from the jungle after dark.
Approaching the head of the trail, her trail, Jess slowed and became more cautious. A light rain was beginning to fall as yet more clouds moved across the sky, deepening the shadows and thickening the air. The green of the foliage was intense in the half-light, making it hard for her eyes to adjust properly to the lighting.
The fear was there. It always was and she understood when Akuba said it always would be. It was how Jess chose to deal with it that would dictate how she lived her life. Gripping the bag, she walked down the trail with more resolution. As she approached the spot where she’d been leaving the treats for the past two weeks, Jess realized why she kept doing it and also why she couldn’t stop. It symbolized more than trying to find a lost friend, but also a father, and a way of life she’d never have again.
A sob escaped Jess as she dumped the mango into the hollow of the tree. The rain mixed with her tears as she poured the tea-laced water into a small bowl beside the mangos. Stepping back, she dropped onto her knees and allowed herself to mourn, alone in the jungle that had always been her place of refuge. To say goodbye to her dad, and her childhood, and the life she would have had. “But I won’t say goodbye to you,” she whispered. “Not yet.”
Wiping at her nose, Jess took a shuddering breath and stood, feeling lighter than when she’d entered the Amazon. It had a way of doing that…of lifting her burdens and replacing it with an energy that helped to carry her through the next day.
With a smile, she turned away and began to head back toward the preserve and the new family that was waiting to share dessert with her.
She’d only gone a few steps when a high-pitched chirp echoed around her. Stopping, Jess held her breath and turned around slowly.
A small, golden monkey dropped from a tree and landed next to the stump. The tamarin sat there and silently watched her before reaching out to take a mango.
Jess had no idea if the tea would work on a primate in the same way it did humans, but since the prions affected them the same way, she figured it couldn’t hurt to try. She hadn’t seen her pet since that day in the barn, when he tried to attack her, so Jess waited to see what he’d do next.
Nimbly eating the mango, Goldie leaned over and licked delicately at the tea water while still watching Jess. His fur was clean, and his eyes looked normal.
“Goldie?” she whispered, taking a hesitant step toward him.
Goldie answered with a small chirping noise that he’d used only with Jess, while tipping his head in her direction. He recognized her.
Taking another step forward, Jess knelt down on the damp ground and held out a hand. Swallowing around the rising lump in her throat, she wiggled her fingers playfully, the way she used to coax him onto her shoulder. “Come here, Goldie.”
The little monkey chirped again and then skittered the last few feet to her hand. Sniffing at her fingers, he chittered happily before running up her arm to nuzzle her neck.
Reaching up to pet the monkey, Jess sat down on the trail and closed her eyes. Not everything was lost.
Her eyes snapping back open, she smiled broadly and then laughed w
hen Goldie licked her ear. Not everything was lost, but only if they tried to find it. Jason was right. They had to go out and find other survivors, and the things they’d need to rebuild their own communities.
“Come on, Goldie,” she said, jumping back to her feet. Grabbing the mango, Jess gave him a piece and then tossed one into her mouth. As they walked down the trail and back to the preserve, it was with a new sense of purpose. It wasn’t just the strong who survived, but the people who banded together against the odds and didn’t let the fear control them. They never gave up hope.
Hope.
With her red braids resting against the golden fur of the monkey, Jess felt the power of the Amazon around her as she walked into it. And she wasn’t afraid.
“Let’s go home.”
THE END
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