She startled awake as something slithered up her shirt. She felt the cool night air at her waist. Her eyes popped open and her body stiffened. Was it a snake? She lay absolutely still. They didn't have anti-venom for a snake bite. The thing moved and she realized it wasn't cold, but warm. It slid up to her breast. Kelly gasped, and a scream pierced the night, followed by more. Kelly swatted the hand from her chest and was rolled to her back. She felt her hair pulled painfully as his knees held her down on either side. His other hand ripped at her top.
"Hey, get off of her!" Simon shouted.
"Shut-up nerd. She's mine tonight," he said. She tried to wriggle out from under him, when she heard gun shots and more screams. Simon reached over Monica and tried to push the guy off of her.
"I told you, she's mine tonight. Maybe you can get her tomorrow," the guy growled shoving Simon back so hard his head hit the ground. Monica pulled her gun out and pointed it at the guy on top of Kelly. He laughed and continued his assault on her top. Kelly gasped and tried to get out. She got a hand loose and grabbed an arrow as her shirt gave way with a ripping sound. She stabbed the arrow into his side. He screamed in pain and punched her. Monica pushed him over and the arrow dug deeper in his side. Monica pulled Kelly up. Kelly could feel blood dripping down her cheek. She quickly grabbed her bow and arrows and followed Monica to Simon's side.
"Hey! Don't let those girls get away! We only have a few women as it is!" Vince shouted. Kelly grabbed Monica's gun from her, taking the safety off. She aimed it at the first guy to run towards them. She aimed and closed her eyes as she pulled the trigger. The shot made her arm jump and hit the guy in the leg. He screamed and fell to the sand. Simon pulled their arms to follow him into the woods. Silently they ran as fast as they could through the jungle growth. The leaves hitting her jeans with a slapping force. She could hear the rustling and the foot falls of her friends as they ran for cover.
Where could they go? Where could they hide? It was hard to see in the dark, with just the light of the moon to light the ground. She stumbled over a root and fell, only to jump back up and keep running.
"Wait!" Simon called breathless. He gasped for air, clinging to a nearby tree.
"We can't stop. They're chasing us," Kelly demanded looking behind them and listening for any noise, other than the gasping for air from her fellow refugee's. She could still hear the echo's of screams coming from their camp. Her terrified eyes darted back and forth for any sign of movement.
"We can't keep up at this pace, Kelly," Monica stated, "I know you're scared, but you have to slow down. They won't attack knowing you have a gun."
Kelly nodded and pulled her ripped shirt over her chest. She looked at her friends who gave her looks of pity.
"I'm sorry, Kelly. I tried to-," Simon started.
"Don't worry about it," Kelly interrupted, "You did the best you could."
Simon smiled and nodded. He got up and they continued to get as far away from the camp as they could at a slightly slower pace. They walked until the sun rose and the daytime animals came out. They could see monkey's and birds overhead as they pushed on.
"Kelly, we need some sleep," Monica said yawning, "I'm so tired."
"I know, I'm looking for a safe area," Kelly replied.
"How about over there, by the tree? We can sleep with our backs against the rock and next to the tree," Simon said pushing his glasses up.
"Good idea," Kelly said walking over to the rock, "I'll take first watch. Simon you go next, and Monica will take the final watch. I'm going to keep close, but look around for some native fruit or veggies."
"You do that," Monica said sitting down and leaning her head against the tree. Simon plopped down next to her, pulling her into his arms. They started snoring within moments. Kelly smiled sleepily at the two. She put her bag down and pulled out her bikini top. Pulling off the shredded tank top she was wearing as a night shirt, she put the bikini top on and started looking around. She saw some green and yellow bulbs growing near the top of a tree. Kelly reached up and grabbed a yellow one, with a tug and twist it came free. She smelled the fruit. It smelled familiar so it must be safe.
She found a sharp rock and slammed it into the side. The fruit opened and she realized it was papaya. She spent the time eating the fruit and collecting more for Simon and Monica. She kept an ear out for any rustling. She was sure the animals around them would let them know if danger was nearby. The sounds of the birds were kind of peaceful. She finally nudged Simon awake. He yawned and stretched, getting up and stretching again.
"Found some fruit," Kelly mumbled, "Eat some."
She took his place, resting her head on Monica's shoulder and quickly fading into sleep. She felt safe with someone she trusted as the look-out. She woke to a light shaking of her shoulders. Somehow she had moved in her sleep and her head was on the ground.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you snore?" Monica asked with a giggle. Kelly opened her eyes and laughed. Simon was stretching again and their pile of fruit had grown.
"Once we find a better place farther away we can sleep at night again," Kelly said feeling sorry for Simon. It was hard having the middle shift. Without a word they picked up their bags and started their journey again. The sunset was beautiful as they moved in a different direction to keep the guys off their track. They trudged through a stream and up a hill. In the distance they could see smoke from a fire.
"Do you think anyone else made it out alive?" Simon asked.
"Let's go that way and see who it is," Monica suggested.
"Okay, but obviously we won't go rushing in. We'll stay back and observe," Kelly said. They turned and walked in the direction of the smoke. After a few more hours of walking they came upon a small village. There were huts around a large open area, with a giant fire in the middle. Two huge guys walked back and forth, one was extra hairy and the other had horns. Kelly gasped and looked at Monica and Simon.
