Fingers clutched the sheets. She furrowed her brow in her sleep, a cold sweat starting to form on her forehead. She shook suddenly and rolled over.
"Vittani!" The shout from outside her door woke her with a start. She shook her head and sat up. The clock next to her bed read 3:15... A.M. She groaned and stood, irritated enough at having been woken at such an hour. The expedition hadn't even started and she was already being forced to wake up at ungodly hours! The expedition. Despite her grumpiness she couldn't help but feel a jab of excitement as she though of what the day would hold. She knew she was expected for breakfast and a briefing before the team of scientists, biologists, and geologists got on the plane and headed for the jungles of Peru. It was the first major expedition of her career as a bioligical photographer, and her first major article assignment. She tugged on a pair of fitted jeans and a tee shirt. No need to dress too formal. She laced up her sneakers and took a peak into the mirror. " Makeup definently." She said to herslef. First impressions were everything. After applying powder, mascara, and a dab of lip gloss, she brushed her long blond mane of hair and pulled it into a ponytail. She grabbed her pass and headed down to the briefing room.
Despite the early hour, many people were already seated in folding chairs when she arrived. Several whistles from the male crowd hit the air as she entered, she ignored them and sat down in a folding chair next to an older man near the front of the room. Glancing at the man next to her, she figured he must be in his late 40s. He noticed her sideways stare and looked over at her.
" Hello." He stated simpy.
" Oh God, he thinks I'm checking him out!" She thought, blushing slightly.
" Sorry, it's just hard to find a seat here." She said.
" Indeed," he said. " My name is Marlo Boss, geographer."
"Vittani Berst." She replied. " Photographer." she added with a smile. Marlo laughed
" You should start with that. I had you picked out as more of a scientist's daughter or trophy wife."
" Well you were far off. This is my first real project though so I could see how I might give the impression of being unprofessional." Vittani laughed. " Is this your first time to Peru?"
Marlo thought for a moment. " Not my first, but hopefully my last. Its a beautiful country but I've seen some strange things there. Anyway, I really want to retire from all this soon and just write. I'm not getting any younger and the jungle is a rough place."
Vittani nodded and turned her head back to the front of the room as the high-pitched screech of a microphone being turned on assulted everyone's ears. The expedition leaders, all members of The Company, a high secrecy group of scientists who organized exeditions like this one all introduced themselves and gave an opening speech. Vittani let her mind wander as the leaders went on and on about groups and assignments. After what felt like a lifetime, she snapped out of her thoughts as other people began to get up and exit. She turned to Marlo.
"Did you catch any of that?" he asked with a smirk. She blushed and shook her head. He sighed. "Newbies. Well let me give you an overview: You'll be on the second plane, with the equipment, 3 geologists and myself, and you have about 20 minutes to pack. Get going! I'll meet you outside the building with the geologists and we'll go to the airport from there."
Having rushed back to her room, she brushed her teeth, threw her clothes into her backpack and carefully packed her camera and equipment. Then she changed into the green tank top, khaki shorts, and white button up shirt that was the expedition uniform. She pulled her sneakers back on and did a double check before going out to the front to meet Marlo and the other geologists. They were all waiting for her.
" Vittani, these are the geologists. Ryan Heffler, Tomas Jhones, and Amar Osav." Marlo introduced each one, all of whom seemed more interested in their gadgets and mini rock guides than meeting her. She rolled her eyes and got into the cab next to Marlo. The sort ride to the airport was uneventful and Vittani even felt herself falling asleep as she listened to the geologists getting into a heated argument over igneous and metemorphic rock types. Marlo had to shake her when they pulled up on the runway, next to the seaplane that was to take them to Peru. Vittani tossed her bag into the cargo hold and climbed the ramp into the plane. She found a nice, cool corner and within minutes she was back asleep. Marlo shook his head and sat down on one of the metal benches on the sides of the cabin. She didn't seem to be the kind of person who was cut out for the wild corners of the world, but then again, humanity was a surprising race. Often self centered and cruel, they were capable of kind deeds and love. Love seemed to be one of the main emotions that separated man from beast. Better not to make a judegment on her before he had seen her in action. He found himself shutting his own eyes and finally gave in to sleep.