Chapter 64
Chapter Sixty-Four
I’d give a million dollars for a compass. Looking overhead, I try to use the sunlight that’s peeking through the clouds—yes sunlight—to figure out which direction I’m heading.
At long last a break in the rain which is good because I’m over it. I blow out a tired breath and look around. The jungle is less dense here. Maybe I’m getting somewhere.
Stretching my back, I long for a bed, a hot bath, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
Who knew I’d be dreaming about eggs and french toast when I was running for my life?
With that thought I scan the jungle one more time, listening and looking for anything out of place. The guy that was after me probably gave up. And I’m betting his phone battery died before my Mag light which is still hanging on .
Something purple catches my eye and I crane my neck forward.
Oh my god, is that a passion fruit?
Maybe it’s a hallucination. I’m so freaking hungry.
I climb over a small fallen tree, my bare feet protesting. Prune feet is something Griff and I used to laugh about when we were kids. This, not so much. The soles of my feet look like hundred year old raisins.
For the tenth time, I wonder if I could turn leaves into shoes. After I check out this fruit…
When I finally reach the tree where the fruit-laden vine is climbing, I’m so happy, I laugh out loud.
“Thank you!” I tell the jungle gods, sounding a little breathless with awe. Once again, I have been blessed. The gods have become my steadfast imaginary companions through this hellish ordeal.
It really is passion fruit!
I step closer, careful of where I’m walking and reach out to grab one. The fruit is so high off the ground, I can just barely reach it. My fingers only brush over the smooth, purple skin. Come on! I jump, making me wince in pain.
God, I can’t imagine what the pedicure lady is going to say when she sees my feet.
At last, I grab one. Wiggling my bare butt cheeks, I do a little victory dance. Everything feels like a win right now.
I’m alive. I’ve survived two days. My hands are free. And I have food.
Next up, leaf shoes.
Then I’m following the sun until I get somewhere.
I pick my fill of fruit, and study my feet as I eat. They are a mess. Covered in cuts and bruises. But my thoughts drift to Scout and Griff.
They have to be safe. I won’t allow a single thought that doesn’t align with that. My will to keep going would just evaporate if I did.
Longing fills me. I can’t wait to see them.
And we’re figuring out how to fix whatever’s wrong between them. I don’t care how bad it is. I love them both. I want them both in my life. It feels complicated but not. Scary but right.
Maybe Scout will move to Florida with me.
Could he be based out of there for his job?
With thoughts of him filling my head and warming other parts of me, I find leaves to tie around my feet.
After testing a couple of configurations, I start to make my way, following the sun. The weight of my flashlight—now named Hammerhead—a little less now that I have food in my belly and thoughts of Scout to push me forward.
Too bad my new ‘shoes’ are slippery.
“Oy!” I scream as the light goes flying out of my hand and I slip down a long ravine like a turtle in a luge.