7. Copycat
Copycat
Liam
After a full day of riding, our team arrived at base camp. The majority of the space had been prepared early, Ivan and his team readying it for our arrival. All that was left to do was get our individual tents erected and unpack our belongings.
The campsite was set in a large clearing, the dense, tangled jungle enveloping our temporary home.
Towering trees with the brightest green leaves I had ever seen loomed over us, providing ample shade.
The ground was clear of brush and covered in freshly raked dirt.
On one side, two wide canopies—where we would conduct our research—were set up on raised wooden platforms to keep the floor dry from the frequent tropical rains.
On the other side was a singular canopy, slightly larger than the others, with a long table and chairs, a portable kitchen, and food storage containers. Our dining area.
A small stream flowed on the eastern edge, providing easy access to water, right beside a covered area where several hammocks were strung about. The perfect place for a nap.
I’d like a nap right about now.
I dismounted and stretched my arms above my head, releasing a groan as I handed the reins to Ivan, letting him lead my horse to a small paddock.
“Where would you like your tent set up, professor?” Sylvie asked, her voice quivering slightly.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I insist, sir.” She shifted on her feet and blushed.
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. It wasn’t uncommon for my students to fawn over me—I’d heard the rumors about their crushes—but I’d hoped to escape it on this trip. Perhaps I was mistaken.
I searched for Cerise and found her standing in a smaller clearing at the edge of camp, giving Aaric instructions on where to put her own quarters.
I turned back to Sylvie and gestured in Cerise’s direction. “Please put it over there, next to Doctor Thornheart’s.”
A hint of disappointment crossed her face, but she nodded and headed that way, my tent in her arms.
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.
Why did I want to put my tent close to Cerise’s?
Well, to annoy her of course. But also…I couldn’t help my curiosity.
I’d noticed just a couple of cracks in that harsh demeanor she tried so desperately to keep together, and after seeing the glazed-over look on her face when Sylvie was singing the praises of her mother, I knew there was more to her than met the eye.
So it was curiosity. That was all. At least, that’s what I would keep telling myself.
I turned away, about to head to the stream to splash some water on my face when someone called my name from behind me.
“Doctor Pendragon!” Cerise shouted, the sound of her stomping growing closer.
Didn’t take her long.
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile as I gracefully spun on my heel. “May I help you?”
“Why are you putting your tent next to mine? I chose that spot specifically for its private location and the fact that it has the perfect view of the sunrise between the trees. I asked Sylvie what on earth she was doing but she told me that you told her to put your tent next to mine.”
I cleaned the lenses of my glass with the corner of my shirt before placing them back on my nose. “Are you done?”
She blinked. “Done with what?”
“Chastising me.”
“Oh.” She smoothed the front of her shirt. “Yes. I suppose so.”
I gave her a wink, then walked in the direction of our temporary home. It didn’t take her long to catch up.
“Excuse me…Where are you going?”
“To unpack my things,” I answered.
She let out a hiss of frustration which was actually kind of endearing. “You never answered my question.”
I glanced at her. Her brow was furrowed in the falsest display of anger I’d ever seen. “What was the question?”
“Why are you putting your tent next to mine?” she repeated.
“That’s where I decided I wanted to put it. Because of its private location and the view of the sunrise.”
“What? You’re just copying what I said.”
We arrived before our tents, Aaric and Sylvie almost finished.
I turned toward Cerise. “I knew you would pick a good spot, so I figured I would just camp near you, sunshine.”
She tapped her foot and placed her hands on her hips. “Stop calling me that. You are the most infuriating person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“Ahhh. So you find me pleasurable.” I gave her a wink.
“I—what?” She took a step back and her cheeks turned the most adorable shade of pink. Dammit, that was also endearing.
“Doctor Pendragon.” Sylvie approached, giving Cerise an irritated glance. “Are you all right?”
“Of course. Thank you two for your assistance. Please go check in with Rosenshield to see what else he needs help with.”
Sylvie’s face fell at the sudden dismissal, her eyes lingering on me as she and Aaric left. I turned back to Cerise, who was now looking at me with narrowed eyes and a hint of disgust.
“What?”
“Your student? Really?” She shook her head.
My fists clenched at my sides. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“You know, the rumors that you’re a relentless flirt who beds women left and right are disgusting…but you and a student? Unacceptable.”
“Doctor Thornheart,” I replied, emphasizing her name as I took a step forward.
“I would think someone as intelligent as you wouldn’t put stock into rumors.
Don’t believe everything you hear.” A flash of remorse passed over her face before she regained her composure.
“As for accusing me of going after a student? I would never in a million years even consider the idea of being with any student of mine. Ever. Don’t you dare implicate me in something so foul. ”
“I apologize,” she said quietly. “I should never have said that.”
She hurried away before I had a chance to respond, heading to the dining tent to join the rest of the group.
I sipped my tea, seated beside Cerise at the dining table. Bowls of rice and roasted meat were passed around as our party settled in for dinner. A breeze wound its way through camp, at last a reprieve from the oppressive heat of the day, carrying the symphony of nocturnal insects and frogs.
Though still irritated by Cerise’s earlier assumption, my anger had dissipated as quickly as it had come. I normally ignored the rumors about me, but mentioning a student was too far and I wouldn’t allow it.
“All right team,” said Dr. Rosenshield as he stood at the head of the table. “Let’s go over the structure for this exploration.”
Cerise leaned in as our leader droned on. “I apologize for what I said earlier.”
I turned to her. True remorse was written on her face. “Apology accepted. On one condition.”
“What would that be?”
“Let’s make an agreement that you will ignore any rumors you’ve heard about me. And I’ll do the same for you. No preconceived notions. Just getting to know one another in the real world.”
She harrumphed, eliciting a couple of suspicious glances from our team members. “There are no rumors about me.”
I accepted a bowl from Aaric, handing it to Cerise. “Oh yes there are, sunshine. Plenty.”
“Thank you,” she said, gripping it quietly.
“—and make sure to arrive at breakfast on time,” Dr. Rosenshield said, looking pointedly at me. I gave him a salute and a wink and his face turned red, his lips pursed. Antagonizing that man was one of my favorite pastimes. “Now, after breakfast we will—”
Cerise turned back to me. “I agree to your condition.”
“Look at us making agreements. We’ll be unstoppable before long.”
Her lips twitched as if she was holding back a smile.
Rosenshield finished his speech. “Now, I’m going to turn it over to Ivan. He knows this jungle better than anyone. I expect you all have read your manual, so what he says will likely be repetitive, but this is important information regarding safety.”
Ivan stood, his broad shoulders stretching the linen button-up he wore while Rosenshield took his seat at the other end of the table.
“I assume you memorized the manual,” I whispered to Cerise.
She blew out a breath. “I didn’t memorize it. But I read it a time or two.”
“Or three.”
She sucked on her teeth. “I’m thorough. I assume you didn’t read it at all.”
“Nope. But you must remember I was a last minute addition, so I did not receive any of the paperwork until the day before we left. I had no time.”
“You wouldn’t have read it anyway.”
“You would be correct. So I suppose I should probably listen to Ivan’s little talk.”
Cerise shook her head and directed her attention back to our guide, picking up her spoon as she resumed dinner.
Ivan ran a hand through his black hair. “I’ve been living in this jungle in a small village just a few hours north of here. Though the Wilds of Magmira are beautiful, there are also dangers I must remind you of.
“Weather here can be a concern. We get heavy sudden rains.
This camp is built on higher ground and able to withstand these storms, but if we get caught out in the jungle during one, we have to be aware of potential flash flooding.
There are certain insects, spiders and snakes which are deadly.
I will make regular rounds through camp and remove any I see, but check your tents before you go to sleep every night and be aware of where you walk or where you put your hands.
“When we are out in the jungle, be extra careful of this as they camouflage themselves well. We do have medical supplies if anyone gets bitten, but it still won’t be a pleasant experience.”
“Have you ever been bitten?” asked Aaric, his deep brown complexion warm in the glow of the firelight.
“Yes,” Ivan answered. “By a drenstiria spider. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through. I would not recommend it.”
A stunning neon blue, drenstiria spiders contained venom said to cause the victim’s muscles to lock up in excruciating pain. If antivenin was not administered within an hour of the bite, permanent paralysis could occur—and possibly death.
I shuddered at the thought.
Ivan continued, “While we mostly need to be aware of the smaller creatures, there are a couple of large predators to be cautious of. We are not camped in their territory but if we do venture too close to it, they won’t hesitate to attack. Don’t wander off and be sure to listen to my instructions.
“There’s one more thing. Something that wasn’t in the manual because it’s a more recent problem. Poachers have been spotted about twenty miles east of here.” Ivan scanned the group.
I tensed. Poachers? That was very concerning. More than the wildlife and other natural dangers.
“We won’t be venturing that far or in that direction, and the local guard is aware and working on arresting them, but they are violent and dangerous.” He crossed his arms. “I think that’s all. Any questions?”
Sylvie raised her hand and Ivan gestured for her to speak. “What do we do if we see a poacher?”
“Run.”