Chapter 1 Jason's Perspective
The sound of a heavy downpour resonates in my mind as the constant flow of water hits my face. Blurred voices and miscellaneous sounds come and go, I have no idea where I am. I would open my eyes and take a look at reality though I fear I will be waking up to a nightmare. All I know is that I don't know where I am and I don't know what is happening, the rain on my skin is the only thing drawing me to the present.
I finally open my eyes gradually and attempt to adjust to the sights around me, it's worse than I could have imagined.
The menacing voice of a stranger grips me, sending chills down my spine. The accent is unfamiliar, exotic even and instantly it feels like danger. I lower my gaze not wanting to draw attention to my now conscious state as I try to assess the situation. Grant's unconscious body nearby is my only comfort, I'm not alone. I soon realize that my hands are bound behind me completely immobilizing my body.
The raspy voiced stranger speaks again but in my disorientated state, I struggle to make sense of the words. I'm aware of my own panicked heart-beat sounding in my ears betraying me by showing my fear.
I have no idea who this mad man is but instantly I know something and I don't know why. I know that I am going to have to kill him, or he is going to kill me.
The stranger realises that I have awoken, he slowly approaches the barred enclosure that Grant and I are trapped inside. He crouches down to my level, his face pressed against the bars without saying a word, he smiles manically. The stranger is of an olive complexion with eyes that I can only describe as that of a lunatic, they are dark brown and glazy, they remind me of dark and endless tunnels. The strangers hair-style was in the style of a Mohawk, completely shaven at both sides. The stranger must have been in more than a few fights judging by the deep scar coming from the hairline down to his eyebrow. I look him up and down, trying to commit every detail to memory I have noticed that the stranger is above average height and is very powerfully built . He wore a black stained red tank top followed by worn out army combat trousers.
''Wakey Wakey motherfucker'' the stranger spoke in a very erratic voice, he did that crazy smile again once he had finished his sentence.
My mouth was gagged so my words were muffled.
'' Sorry what did you say, Jason? I cannot make out a word that you are saying, you mouth looks to be a bit full at the moment ''
What, he knew my name? How does he know my name? I stared at my brother who was still slightly unconscious but appears to be coming around slightly.. does he know who my brother's name also I wondered.. I'm still slightly confused of how he knows my name.
'' Ahh Jason and Grant Brody, two privileged white trust fund babies from Los Angeles, California ''
I mumbled louder, I wanted the stranger to un-gag me.
He looked and me raised his index finger and stroked the side of his head '' Hermano, am I boring you? Have I failed to entertain you '' his voice filled with rage. I closed my eyes until I could see nothing but good memories, I was thinking about home, thinking about my family and all the happier times, I wanted to escape this dangerous reality.
'' Open your eyes motherfucker, this isn't some dream world this is real and now it's time to wake the fuck up and face me '' The strangers voice sounded impatient, he didn't like when I ignored him. I opened one eye, I seen the stranger reach into his pocket and rustle about for a few seconds he then pulled out an old rusted key, I started getting itchy palms due to nervousness, my heart was beating so fast I could almost feel it pushing out from my chest, I was terrified. The stranger unlocked the gate, moved into the cage and leaned down beside me, I closed both my eyes again to block out the stranger. The stranger didn't speak, he just was crouched down beside me, I could smell marijuana and alcohol from his clothes it was a very strong smell.
''Look at me'' the stranger spoke but this time his voice was soft and seemed harmless. I opened my eyes, my vision was blurred but I could see the stranger looking at me, his stare was frightening almost as he was staring right into my soul. He moved closer and closer to me his smell was over-powering everything else, I could almost taste the alcohol and marijuana. He put his hands near my mouth and un-gagged me, my first instinct was to scream, but I didn't because I knew that the stranger would have either seriously harmed me.. or killed me.
My mouth was so dry, I was becoming dehydrated the stranger continued to speak and ask questions but my throat hurt too much for me to even attempt to speak.
''Jason, why aren't you speaking to me.. do you not like me, no? ''
'' p..le..ase i.. need some w..a..t..e..r '' I asked the stranger.
'' What do you fucking think I am, huh? You're fucking waiter? no no no that's not how it works Jason Brody, you are MY bitch ''.
I turned and looked at my brother Grant, he showed no fear.. my brother was always the tough one in the family he is in the army reserves.
'' YO BITCH BOYS, WHY ARE YOU NOT HAVING ANY FUN? HUH THIS REALLY UPSETS ME YOU KNOW '' he screamed, he had so much hate in his voice. I looked at him and mumbled a few words, he leaned closer towards me and he smiled.. but this time his smile was normal, it was happy.. I didn't understand, maybe he had something awful planned for me. He sat in the middle between Grant and I, he went back into his pockets and pulled out a phone.. my phone?!.
'' Let's watch a little video hermanos, get us into a happy mood what do you say ''.
He put on one of the videos of happier times of me, Grant, my younger brother, my girlfriend and other friends having a party on the beach, having fun times and skydiving.
The stranger once again started making smart comments, I choose to ignore them because I was so numb thinking how just a few hours ago I was happy with my friends and now I'm trapped and I'm so worried about them, I could hear distant screams and I knew that it was them.
'' VAAS, GET AWAY FROM THE HOSTAGES THEY ARE NOT YOUR PLAYMATES NOW SHOO '' ... Vaas? His name is Vaas? What kind of name is that.. I have never heard one like it before.
'' It is time for me to depart friends, but I will be back and when I come back for you, especially you Jason '' he made a gun symbol with his hand and aimed it at me.
'' Grant.. Grant, are you okay? Can you hear me ''
Grant mumbled at me and turned his head to the left, letting me see that he was attempting to pull his ropes loose.
I sat silently and started praying inside my head, I was praying more so for my family and friends, at this point I didn't care about myself I could hear more of my friends screaming, it became louder and sounded violent.
A warm tear streamed down my face as I thought about all the different scenarios that could be happening to my friends. I closed my eyes once and this time I could see nothing but horrible images, no good memories just sheer awful ones.
'' Jason, I got my hands free now don't make a single sound I'm going to get us out of here okay '' Grant said in a very brave and calm voice.
I nodded and closed my eyes again.. this time all I could see was the face of Vaas.
Grant crawled towards me smiled at me and put both his hands on my face and said I will protect you, you are my little brother and I love you, don't be scared I'll get us of this.
I stared at Grant with hope, but at the corner of my eye I seen a figure my heart nearly stopped, I thought this would have been the end for me and Grant now.
I looked and grant '' Don't move '' I said, I lifted my head and looked over Grants shoulder, it was Vaas.
I stopped breathing, the fear just controlled me.
'' Jason, Jason? What's wrong, Jason breathe ''
I looked behind Grant again, Vaas stared right at me and walked away, I don't understand? Why did he walk away from me when it was obvious we were escaping!? '' Come on, let's go '' Grant whispered. Grant and I both got down on our knees and made an escape from our wooden prison.
'' Fuck, don't go any further the camp is surrounded by pirates, we're going to get caught, stay there '' Grant grabbed a few stones and threw them in different directions to distract the pirates, I couldn't think straight all I could think about was Vaas, where is he?.
Grant grabbed my arm and pulled me along, '' Keep moving Jason, faster ''. I heard the screaming of my other friends and god knows who else Vaas had captured, I wanted to turn back but I knew if I did me and Grant would be dead men walking.
'' I can't go Jason, I can't leave Riley or Daisy behind I need to get them back ''
Riley was our younger brother and Daisy was Grant's girlfriend.
'' But Grant, if you go back they're going to kill you? '' I answered. '' I don't care Jason, I'm getting the back you must focus on getting out of here and getting help, keep going through the jungle Jason and find your way out of here I promise I'll find you '' I wanted to disagree with Grant, but I knew he could handle himself I nodded at him and hugged him goodbye '' Take care, stay safe '' I whispered to him.
Grant pushed me onwards and went back to get our friends and our brother.