It was already around 7 o'clock in the evening and everyone decided to lay their tent on an open space near the Fulil forest as they took turns watching out for wild animals coming near their abode. They all woke up early the next morning to continue their journey until they got to the edge of the forest where they had to be extra careful and more watchful for predators in the jungle.
"We have to be very careful now, no more plays and everyone, don't let your hand be too far from your weapon" Malcom ordered, as everyone started checking and balancing their weapon arrangements. He noticed Darren wasn't with any weapon and was also not dressed in comfortable clothes. "Can you use a gun?" he asked her.
"No, I don't have weapons, I have got this" she answered with a smile on her face, bringing out the journal from her little bag. Malcom noticed that there was still something in her bag.
"What else is in the bag with you, miss Darren?" Malcom asked, moving closer.
"It is just some other items and just two clothes, I think it might be helpful" Darren answered.
Malcom was surprised. "Did you read my mind with your powers?"
"It is just a simple thing everyone can know coming on this sort of journey, and to be honest, I have been planning this since the night you actually came because I know how risky the journey is going to be."
Everyone got changed and were prepared to begin the journey as they all ventured deeper into the forest. The first few hours were interesting and were just like a simple trip to the forest reservoir, until a sound was heard from behind, more like the rattling of leaves. The team decided to check it out to ensure their safety before the continuation, but the shaman had to stop them.
"It is just a rabbit, don't be too worked up. We are still facing bigger challenges than this later."
The crew were nervous. Malcom noticed it and decided to ease them of their nervousness.
"Nothing is ever easy, and a bigger challenge doesn't mean to make us care, it is just makes us ready for what is coming."
The crew, a little more relieved, decided to continue their journey.
They were now miles into the forest with no going back.
Everything seemed normal again, everyone focused on what was coming.
The only heard sound was that of some birds chirping and other simple sounds of rodents, but other than some simple sound, it was a loud noise this time and everyone turned in the direction of the sound. It is more like a groaning than just a normal sound.
This made it hard to identify the animal or animals. One thing they are worried about is that it is a wild animal. Ryan couldn't maintain the silence.
"What is that sound? This isn't a simple sound we can just tend to ignore, Shaman, do you have any idea what this might be?" One of the crew asked
Since she told them her real name, they usually refer to her as shaman whenever they need help or Darren in normal circumstances.
"I don't have any idea. Besides, I knew that was a small animal because I mostly hear it. Even when I am in my house, let us just move closer to check it out."
They all moved closer to check it out and to their surprise, they saw a cheetah and this made everyone move, bringing out their guns in haste.
"Stop, is that not blood coming from its chest?" Malcom was concerned.
"This is not a trip. We are in the jungle and this beast may come at us anytime" one of the crew said, threatening to pull the trigger.
All this while, Darren had been watching them argue as she knew what was happening.
"This is a trapped cheetah, you still need to buckle up in terms of your sharpness, because if this cheetah hadn't been trapped you would have all been dead…."
As she was still talking, some steps were heard from behind, rather majestic but cold. The step came closer. They had not to look back as it is close enough to get to them.
"Run!!" that voice came from nowhere as everyone began sprinting in the best they could split in different directions.
This continued for a while until that commanding tone sounded again.
"Stop!!! You should have been more skillful with the gun before going into the wildlife to hunt and ….."
Ryan didn't wait for the end of his sentence.
"You gave us a shock with your shout, so we had no choice, and we are also not here to hunt we are on ..."
"Ryan!!!" Malcum cut in, "Did you know him somewhere before" he said before facing the man.
"Sir, who may you be?" In a rather polite way he asked.
"I am James, what about you?"
"That is not just enough to give you my personal information. You know just one more question will do" he said before further adding another question, "what are you up to alone in this forest? Or, do you live somewhere in the woods?
"I am not really on a mission, but it is more like a goal. If you have ever heard about the disaster that took place in the city last month, I was one of the victims as well as my family. I lost everyone to it, and I was just hoping to live my life doing what I love the most, which is hunting, since I have nothing else to do with my life."
Amid tears, he had nothing else to say as the tears were destructive to his words.
"The man seemed sincere" Malcom thought.
"I know it is painful, but no tears now. We are in the jungle, and we could meet ourselves in any situation sooner or later."
After a while, James stopped crying.
"Crying is for kids, so, I have decided to put childish things away" he said in a joking manner.
"Don't you think it is odd to know my story without knowing yours?"
"All I have to say is that it is a coincidence, and we also lost some or all our families just like you, but we know this is a spiritual punishment from the gods because we believed we can do things our way, but there is always a way out, since it is spiritual."
Malcom explained everything from the three artifacts to where they can be found and how they don't have a lot of equipment to recover them.
"Well, the more, the better I think I will join you guys. Just leave me to the meals. I will prepare that" James said, laughing loudly.
"Stop it, we are in the jungle. You can attract wild anima…."
Just as Malcom was about to complete his sentence, they heard voices like those of human beings coming nearer as footsteps approached.
"What?!!, everyone exclaimed at the sight of the discovery.