A/N:
I changed some things about who Prue is married to. I decided to have Andy alive and well and that is who she is with.
Chapter 2
Creepy Crawly Things
They gathered what they could as the sun was lowing in the horizon and they were already drenched with sweat and muscles ached. Moving around was a challenge as they had to watch every step and every move had to be calculated. Paige was pacing and seemed to be mumbling to herself while Prue and Phoebe continued to make the platform they would be sleeping on tonight. Piper was doing her best with the snake she killed earlier as she impelled it on a stick for cooking. They did not have a fire yet and the longer the snake was not cooked the more dangerous it became in making them sick.
"Paige what's wrong?" Prue asks as she was already getting irritated with her pacing.
"There's no air," Paige replied and seemed to be clamoring at her chest a little. Piper stopped her task at the moment and got close to Paige but her baby sister almost pushed her away," I can't breathe here," she said and they could see panic in her face.
"She is claustrophobic," Phoebe said as she too was filling the jungle closing in on her.
"Ok Paige you need to try to get control over it," Prue said as she walked over to her softly.
"I can't – I can't breathe," she said and she was almost hyperventilating.
"What do we do?" Piper asks while standing next to Phoebe.
"I don't know I never seen it this bad, except for that time with Barbes," Phoebe replied.
"Yeah but she beat that remember," Piper said.
"It doesn't just go away Piper, you're still afraid of spiders," Phoebe said as Paige sat down and rock back and forth.
"Paige I want you to take a deep breath in through your nose and then released through your mouth," Piper said and moved a little closer. Paige continued to rock back and forth but took a deep breath through her nose like she asked. Her exhale was rigid and choppy but she kept doing it. "That's good honey just keep doing that until you calm down. This is not a closet, its outside and nothing is going to close in on you," Piper said in a calm loving tone.
"Outside we are outside," Paige said between breaths.
"You know this place kind of takes care of every phobia," Phoebe whispered so Paige would not hear her to Prue.
"Tell me about it," Prue said and let Piper handle Paige while she continued to work on the platform. She realized that there was not enough for all four of them and knew they were going to have to start another one. She saw two trees that were close together on the other side and scope them out.
"That's good Paige just keep doing that," Piper said and moved even closer as Paige slowed her rocking down and her breathing was getting much better. "You ok?"
"Yeah thanks Piper but man does it have to be so dense?" Paige asks with a snort.
"Well since we suck at survival, I'm sure will burn some of this place down," Piper replied and laughed a little and hopes to get her sister to laugh as well. Paige did and Piper was able to move closer and sit next to her.
"Fire," Phoebe said and pulled out her handy dandy knife that had the attachment.
"Phoebe we need shelter first, it's getting dark and I don't think we can do this at night," Prue said as she pulled some larger branches over to the other side.
"I got it Prue, you know there are four of us so we can split up the jobs a little," Phoebe said with a raised voice.
"I know how many of us there are Phoebe but we all need to do this," Prue said with a raised voice as well and Piper rolled her eyes.
"I will not be the middle sister on this trip, got it, so get along," Piper said and patted Paige on the back as she got up to keep them from killing each other. Paige finally got control of her breathing and after wiping her hands that were soaked with sweat, she grabbed a long branch. Prue and Phoebe just looked at each other and continue to work on the platform and will clearly giving each other the silent treatment.
"Maybe I should go look for water," Paige said as she wanted to find some open space.
"Not alone you don't," Prue said as she tied up a branch.
"I'll go with her," Phoebe offered as she was already mad at one sister.
"Look for water vines," Piper said as they started to head out.
"That's a great idea, but one problem you have nothing to carry it in," Prue's voice was a little harsh and even Piper was taking it the wrong way. She walked over to her older sister and looked right at her even though Prue was avoiding her glare.
"Are you trying to piss everybody off because this is our first day, and I'm sure the elders are just enjoying themselves right now," Piper said and then grabbed her hand that was tying a vine around some branches to get her to stop.
"I am trying to survive and keep you guys alive," Prue said as she now faced Piper.
"Prue we are not kids anymore and we can take care of ourselves, if you let us," Piper said and let go of her hand to work on the dinner for tonight. Prue did not reply and she roughly worked on the other platform.
"I'm sure there's something out there that we can use as a cup or something," Paige said as she could not wait to find an open area and not feel so closed in.
"Try to mark your path so you don't get lost coming back," Piper said as she wrinkled her nose at the snake that was now impaled while blood ran down the stick.
"Ok," Phoebe said and bent some large leafs down so she could tell that they have been done on purpose. They disappeared from sight and Piper was already nervous for them as they went looking for water and a way to carry it. But she did not like how Prue was acting towards everyone and decided to use this time to find out why.
"Are you in the mood for snake kebab?" Piper asks while holding up the dinner.
"Its food," Prue replied with a little smile.
"Ok what's up?" Piper asks as she helped her put the last branch in place.
"Piper I don't think anyone is taking this seriously," Prue replied and sat down on the log to get some rest. Piper sat next to her after putting the snake back down, making sure it was off the ground as the entire floor seemed to be moving.
"Well the elders won't let us die, it kind of contradicts their whole better good thing," Piper said.
"You don't know that Piper."
"I'm not saying it won't be difficult, but they won't kill their precious charmed ones."
"Our kids are getting older and could take over," Prue said and started tearing a leaf apart.
"Is that what you're worried about, is that once our kids are old enough they won't need us any longer?"
"No I'm just saying that we need to take this seriously. Piper I have a bad feeling about this," Prue replied and Piper just laughed it off.
"Oh for god's sake Prue. It's not like this is something they would not do, and you said it yourself we are growing apart."
"Maybe you're right I think this place just brings the worst out of people when they first get here, you know that whole panic thing," Prue said and tossed what was left of the leaf to the ground.
"Oh crap when is mine going to hit?" Piper asks now looking a little worried.
"Probably tonight when it is completely dark and all the creepy crawlies come out to play," Prue replied with a smile.
"That was helpful."
Phoebe and Paige had cut their way through until finally they found a somewhat opened path. Paige stood on it and closed her eyes where lifting her head up to the sky. "Oh thank god," she said as Phoebe tumbled out of the bush.
"Ouch, hay I don't want to be behind you anymore, I kept getting hit with branches," Phoebe said as she got her footing back.
"Sorry I just needed some air," Paige said while looking around. There was still a lot a canopy over their head but at least there was a small path that they could walk on without having to cut everything down in front of them.
"Do you know what water vine looks like?" Phoebe asks as she looked at every tree around her.
"Like a vine," Paige replied with a sideways look.
"Smart ass."
"We should find something to use to carry it in," Paige suggested and began to look at the ground for a cup like object or bowl.
"Wait can't we use these large leafs?" Phoebe asks as she pulled one off that was almost the size of her. Paige raised her eyebrow and began to remember something she saw on the TV.
"Yeah, I just need to remember how they did it," Paige replied and took the leaf out of her sister's hand. She twisted and turned it until finally it made a funnel and then she bent the end up and used a small vine to tie it with. "And that my friend is ingenuity," she said proudly.
"Wow that looks like it would work, good job sis," Phoebe said as she inspected their new container. Now the hunt for a water vine. They cut through many vines until finally one yielded water and they put the engineered leaf to work. The clean drinking water flowed freely and did not leak through the leaf, but it was not enough for four people.
"We are going to need a lot more," Paige said and took a good look at the vine she cut and then looked for others.
"Paige let's not get too far away ok," Phoebe said as she was terrified of getting lost.
"Just keep bending those leafs and we should be fine," Paige said and found another vine. She could not help but take a drink as she was dehydrated and so was Phoebe. They smack their lips together savoring the cold wetness as it hit their lips.
"We should save some for Piper and Prue," Phoebe said with a giggle.
"No I don't want to," Paige said jokingly as they filled up another container.
"Ok I think we got enough, we should head back before Prue sends out a search party," Phoebe said and took a deep breath as she turned around and found a branch she bent over.
"That would just be Piper," Paige said as she followed her carrying one of the water filled leaf bowls. Phoebe had the other and they made their way back following the bent leafs and branches. They were not that far from camp but it was amazing how if it wasn't for doing that simple task they would have gotten completely lost. They could also hear hammering noises and rustling coming from their campground which helped in finding the right place.
"We come bearing gifts," Paige said as she stepped out of the bush with Phoebe behind her.
"Oh you wrapped it for us," Piper said as she got a look at the leafs.
"Paige is a genius," Phoebe said and showed Piper the water inside.
"Good job guys," Prue said and all of them gave her a weird look.
"Are there body snatchers here?" Phoebe asks as she was not sure if that was Prue at the moment.
"No we had a talk and I think we're just dehydrated and starting to get hungry, so our tempers are kind of short," Piper replied as she took a drink and swore it was the best water she ever had. "Wow that is good."
"Here Prue," Phoebe said as she took hers over to her.
"Thanks because I am getting a huge headache," Prue said and Phoebe nodded. After they all got rehydrated it was time to finish up the platforms and maybe start a fire. Piper and Paige got the starter from the pile of wood and other material they would need start the fire. Prue used rocks and put them in a circle on the end of each platform and then put a 5 inch thick layer of mud so the fire could rest on that and not burn the platform down. Paige gathered some large leafs to use as bedding and made sure to shake them out because of insects and other things that might be attached. The natural light was fading and they were running out of time to start it. Phoebe took the blade of the knife and scraped it against the Flint which created large sparks. She aimed towards the cotton stuff she got earlier and it caught on fire quickly as they slowly added small twigs to it. Prue would blow on it periodically to keep it going and to keep it hot as they all could feel the heat from it. They were like little kids in a candy store as the fire finally took and they could add larger twigs and branches.
"Ok I feel like a caveman," Phoebe said while coasting the fire.
"Good now we can eat," Piper said as she put the snake kebab over the flame and could hear crackling noise of skin and meat cooking.
"I still want steak," Paige said as the thought of eating what was cooking was a little too disgusting, but she was starving and very tired.
"Once we eat we need to move the fire to both platforms. It will help keep mosquitoes away and other potential predators," Prue said and everyone's eyes widened.
"What other predators?" Phoebe asks.
"Large cats and vampire bats," Prue replied.
"Vampire bats?" Paige asks nervously.
"Yeah they come out at night and their teeth are so sharp as the also use their saliva to numb the area, so they can suck away," Prue replied and now everyone was looking up.
"I hate this place," Piper said as she checked the snake. "Well I think its done."
"You first," Phoebe said and Piper just gave her a weak smile as she pulled off a little. She closed her eyes and took the first hot bite and chewed. "Oh god this is good," she said as her stomach was growling.
"I don't think it taste like chicken, so don't pull that crap on me," Paige said while Piper handed her a piece and then distributed the rest equally.
"Wow this is good," Prue said a little in shock how it tasted.
"Ok I will not order this at a restaurant, but for survival food it's not bad," Phoebe said while finishing up her portion. "I'm still hungry."
"I know but we will find food in the morning, right now my body aches and I need to sleep," Piper said as she got up and dusted herself off. Prue finished up hers as well and then started moving a section of the fire to one of the platforms.
"So what are the sleeping arrangements tonight?" Paige asks while helping Prue with the fire and used some leafs to carry it over.
"I think the kicker should sleep with the kickers," Phoebe said and looked right at Paige.
"I don't kick," Paige argued.
"Oh yes you do," Piper agreed with Phoebe and Paige just looked away from them defeated.
"You and Prue and me and Phoebe," Piper said and tried to contain a laugh.
"Are you saying that I kick?" Prue asks.
"And punch and scream, like sleeping with a three-year-old," Piper replied and headed off to one of the platforms with Phoebe in tow.
"Fine come on fellow kicker," Prue said and put her arm around Paige as she laughed a little. They all climbed up on the platforms as the sun finally faded away over the horizon.
"Shit the Beacon," Piper said as she remembered that it only showed itself at night. She stood up delicately on her platform and could see something glowing in the distance high in the sky.
"So that's it," Phoebe said while pointing at it.
"Our way home," Piper said and then got back down to put a mark on the ground. She used a stick to show its direction in the sky and then climbed back up. It was night now in the jungle in everything changed. It was much colder and they were thankful for the fire at their feet that they would have to periodically check through the night. Both sides would take turns keeping an eye on it as the jungle came to life. The could hear things crawling on the ground and distant noises of Jaguars and other large animals. And then there were the crickets and other insects that were not in sync with each other.
"Could someone turn down the jungle please?" Piper asks sarcastically as she covered her ears while trying to get some sleep.
"Didn't Leo get you a disk with the sound of the jungle on it?" Phoebe asks while still sitting up as she was going to take the first shift.
"Yeah but I had Wyatt throw it up in the air so I could blow it up outside, it drove me crazy," Piper replied. Phoebe could not believe how dark it was and she could not see 2 feet in front of her face literally. There were eyes peeking out from everywhere mostly in the trees and will probably birds or other animals that would leave them alone for the most part. But Jaguars can climb trees and whenever she saw two yellow eyes peeking around corners that were too close, she always had her machete ready.
Paige had first shift on her side and now that closed in feeling was much more intense as she too could see yellow eyes. What she could not see was the other platform that was only 10 feet away from her. All she could make out was the fire that was low but there. Even the firelight was not enough to illuminate the area and darkness along with cold was prominent.
To be continued…