Scene 11

The Guyana Highlands

As I made my through the the jungle, I did my best to maintain a steady bearing. I would use my compass to determine my bearing of travel, find a landmark in my view along that bearing, and then make my way to that landmark. Once I reached the landmark, I started the process all over again.

Ms. Crane had been the first person out of the plane, followed by Ms. Hawk. The other members of the team would have followed, ending with Ms. Swan right before me. Since my associates and I were the end points of the landings, we would move towards each other, trying to locate the others as we moved.

The dogs had each been paired with one of the other people in the team for the jump, strapped in a harness and connected to that person’s own harness. It was not a great solution, but was the only way to save the dogs.

Although my associates were probably unharmed or only minorly wounded, like me, I hoped the others on the team weren’t seriously injured.

I had walked for about two hours and not seen anyone, not even a sign of their passing. Of course, the jungle was thick, so it would be easy for two people to pass near each other without knowing.

I sat down and pulled out the radio again. I gently opened the cracked case and examined the electronics inside. I soon found the problem, but I knew I would not be able to use the radio. Several of the circuits had snapped in the impact and I would be unable to repair them without a soldering iron.

As I put the radio away, I thought I heard movement behind me. I examined the jungle, but saw nothing. Listening carefully, I could make out no sounds.

Not sure if I really had heard something, I again took a bearing and continued on my path. I continued to watch and listen closely as I walked to my next landmark.

Again, I thought a sound come from behind me, so I turned around to look behind as I continued to walk. With my attention diverted, I didn’t notice the rocks in my path until I tripped over them and fell to the ground.

I felt the twist to my ankle as my foot wedged between the rocks. I sat up to examine my ankle and found that my foot was wedged securely in the gap between the rocks. I bent forward to pry my foot carefully from the gap.

When I heard the slight thump from behind me, I twisted my head back quickly to see what it was.

A large jaguar, the largest I had ever seen, was bounding towards me in a killing pounce. I fumbled to pull the pistol from the vest, but I knew I would never get the gun ready before the big cat was on me.

I looked back to see the jaguar in mid-air, its large jaws open, its sharp teeth coming straight for my head.