He didn't know how long he had been traversing the jungle for. Days? Hours? Seconds? It was all a blur in his mind. The limbs and jagged vines around him jabbed at his skin as he pushed past, but the momentary pain would not stop him. He had to get to her … Lara.
She was close. He could smell the intoxicating scent of perfume and gunpowder that always seemed to follow her. He paused as he reached a clearing. In this place, the heavy coverage of the canopy broke and gave way to light. He stooped down and examined a set of boot tracks. They were her's.
"Lara," he gasped in his British accent as he sprung to his feet. He raced through the jungle. Sweat began to pour down his pale skin. He could hear her now in the distance. She was screaming.
He burst forth from the jungle and nearly toppled over the cliff before him. Luckily, his hiking boots gripped the dirt and he skidded to a stop before plunging over the intimidating edge. He looked downwards, and a pair of brown eyes stared right back at him. It was Lara Croft … and she needed him.
A hand thrust down to the dangling woman. She managed to take hold and with each ounce of strength in his body, he pulled her. There were several times when he almost slipped, which would have certainly caused them both to plunge to their deaths; but through some miracle, he managed to pull her back to safety.
"Lara. I …" He stammered as he peered at her from behind his sunglasses. Her skillful hands pulled them from his face so that their eyes could lock. He felt like a man … A modern Adonis!
"Oh, Alister," She gasped as their lips met. "Alister. Alister…"
"ALISTER!"
The sharp call of his name woke the bookworm from his sleep, as did the pinch the person who applied to his arm shortly after. He cringed and drew back into his chair as if he had been mortally wounded. He rubbed at his shoulder and glared up at Lara.
"That was uncalled for! Look! I think you bruised me!" He snapped as he continued to rub at the sore sport.
"Oh, honestly. It was just a pinch," replied Lara as she turned her back on him with a shake of her head.
"Still, it wasn't considerate. I was having such a nice dream, too."