The leader of the men looked at Alex and chuckled, "My, my, my, what do we have here? A lost puppy?" The other men laughed and made crude comments about Alex's appearance.
Feeling embarrassed, Alex tried to stand up straight and regain his composure, but the pain in his leg made it difficult. The leader approached him and examined his broken leg.
"It looks like you're in quite a bit of pain. How did you end up out here all alone?" the leader asked, his tone slightly more sympathetic.
Alex hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should trust these men. But he realized he had no other choice if he wanted to survive in the jungle. "My friends and I were camping in the jungle when we were abducted by some men in a flying craft. They wore masks and spoke a foreign language," he explained.
The men exchanged glances, and the leader nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard stories of such things happening in this area. They're probably long gone by now, but we'll keep an eye out for them. In the meantime, you're welcome to stay with us until your leg heals," he offered.
Alex felt relieved but also a little wary. He had heard stories about dangerous men living in the jungle, and he didn't know if he could trust these men. But he had no other options, so he nodded his head in agreement.
As the days passed, Alex began to learn more about these men. They were a group of hunters and survivalists who had been living in the jungle for years. They were tough and rugged, with beards longer than Alex's head hair, and they had a very masculine built body.
One day, while they were sitting around a campfire, the leader made a comment about how their generation of men was becoming too feminine. "Men these days are all soft and weak. They don't know how to hunt or survive in the wild. They rely too much on technology and comfort," he grumbled.
Alex couldn't help but notice that all the men were shirtless, showing off their muscular torsos, but were wearing modern jeans. He couldn't help but ask the leader about why they all made the decision to live in the jungle.
The leader chuckled, "We're just a bunch of friends who got tired of the new generation of people and their soft nature. We wanted to live like real men, away from the distractions and comforts of modern life."
Alex was taken aback by the leader's statement but couldn't deny that there was something admirable about the way these men lived. They were rugged, self-sufficient and had a bond that was rare to find in the modern world.
As Alex observed the camp, he saw that the men had built their own makeshift shelters using logs and leaves, had started a fire using only flint and stone, and had even built a trap for catching prey. They were truly living off the land.
The leader approached Alex and put a hand on his shoulder. "You look like you could use some rest and food. We have plenty of rabbit meat and fresh water. You're welcome to join us."
Alex felt a sense of relief wash over him. He was exhausted from his journey and the encounter with the men had left him feeling uneasy. He decided to take up the offer and sat down with the group to eat.
As they ate, the men shared stories of their adventures in the jungle and their experiences of living in the wild. They laughed and joked, and Alex began to feel like he was part of the group.
As the night wore on, Alex found himself feeling grateful for the hospitality of these rugged men. He had never experienced anything like this before and it was a welcome change from his mundane life.
However, in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he needed to find his friends and get out of the jungle as soon as possible. He knew that time was running out and he needed to act fast.
But for now, he would rest and recover, and enjoy the company of these men who had shown him kindness in a world that seemed so foreign and dangerous.
The next day, Alex woke up to the sound of men chanting and the clashing of metal. Curious, he walked outside and saw all eight men engaged in some kind of martial arts practice. They were using a variety of weapons such as swords, staffs, and spears, and they moved with incredible grace and precision.
Alex approached the nearest man, who was practicing with a wooden staff, and asked him about what they were doing.
The man stopped his practice and turned to face Alex, his chest heaving with exertion. "We're practicing martial arts," he said, his voice gruff.
Alex nodded, impressed. "It looks like you guys have been doing this for a while."
The man chuckled. "We've been at it for years. It's a way for us to stay strong and disciplined."
Alex looked around at the other men, who were all engrossed in their practices. "It's really impressive," he said.
The man grinned. "Thanks. We take our training seriously."
Alex nodded, still taking in the scene. "Can anyone join in?"
The man raised an eyebrow. "You want to join us?"
Alex shrugged. "Why not? It looks like a great way to stay fit."
The man nodded, his expression serious. "Alright, then. But be warned, our training is not for the faint of heart. You'll have to prove yourself first."
Alex nodded, determined. He was tired of feeling weak and helpless, and he saw this as an opportunity to regain his strength.
The man led Alex to a clearing in the jungle, where the other men had gathered. They formed a circle around Alex and the man, watching intently.
"Alright," the man said, handing Alex a wooden staff. "Let's see what you've got."
Alex took the staff, feeling the weight of it in his hands. He had never done anything like this before, but he was determined to prove himself.
He began to move, imitating the man's movements as best he could. He stumbled a few times, his injured leg protesting, but he pushed through the pain.
The other men watched in silence, their expressions unreadable.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alex finished his routine. He stood there, panting and sweating, waiting for their verdict.
The man walked up to him, a smile spreading across his face. "Not bad," he said. "You've got some potential."
Alex breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He had found a new purpose, a new way to channel his energy and strength.
As the men went back to their training, Alex stayed behind, practicing his routine over and over again. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was ready to put in the work. He had found a new family in these men, and he was grateful for their acceptance and guidance.