Woo
Woo. So here's another update. Since I'm so nice and all. Ha.
Dennis and Leon remained in the same position besides Adams corpse for a long time. Neither of them spoke or moved a muscle. They were both deep in thought and trying to figure out what to do. Adam was dead. They had lost their leader, the one who had all the answers, and they had no idea what to do. They also contemplated on what they would do with his body. If they tried to carry him, it was likely that his head would either snap off or flop around in a sickly fashion. Moving him, they decided, was definitely not an option.
"Maybe we should just leave him here…" Dennis mumbled softly.
"And let him be devoured by some predator? I don't think so." Leon's voice was sharp and snappy.
"Well we can't take him with us. What else is there to do?" Dennis demanded angrily.
Leon didn't answer. He was staring at the bloody mess that was once Adams throat. His eyes slowly trailed up to Adams face, which still held the expression of horror and defeat. Leon sighed and stood up shakily.
"Grab his feet." He ordered.
Dennis jumped to his feet. "What?! You don't honestly want to try and move him!"
"Yes, Dennis, I do." Leon said with a firm voice. "Now grab his feet. I'll handle his head."
Dennis hesitated for a brief moment before grabbing onto Adams legs. Leon carefully grabbed Adam under the arms and lifted. As expected, his head flopped backwards and was only supported by some flesh and bone. Dennis cringed when Leon grabbed Adams head and pushed it forward so it was lying on his chest. Moving forward, Leon made it so his mid section was made into a support for Adams head. Now, his head was unable to flop backwards and it also hid the ugly gash across his neck.
"Star walking that way." Leon ordered. Dennis slowly started to inch his way in the direction Leon had ordered.
"I think we should stop and rest now." Ben said once everyone had stopped rejoicing about their escape from the jungle. "For a few minutes anyway."
Adrian nodded. "Are you up for that, Ben? Your shoulder not bothering you too much?"
"It hurts, but it's nothing I can't handle."
"Okay. We'll stop for a few minutes then."
Ben felt a sense of relief wash over him. He looked around and saw that Riley had already sunk to the ground and was leaning lazily against a tree trunk. With a slight smile, Ben walked over and sat down beside him. Riley looked at him.
"Hello." He addressed nonchalantly.
"Hey." Ben responded. "How's your chest?"
"It's okay. How's your shoulder?"
"It's fine."
An awkward silence fell between the two and for a while, they both sat there lost in their own thoughts. Riley eventually broke the silence.
"So what about the treasure?" He asked.
"What about it?"
"I mean, I'm guessing Adam has it. But is that okay?"
Ben nodded and absently started to pluck grass out of the ground. "Yeah. I guess I am a little disappointed. But it's not the end of the world. I'm just glad we both made it out of their alive. Besides, there are plenty of other treasure hunts we can go on." Ben grinned.
Riley moaned. "Oh God. Please, Ben. No more treasure hunts."
Ben laughed. "Okay. I promise. No more treasure hunts."
Riley perked up, not expecting that answer. "Really?"
"Really. When we were going after the Templar treasure, I didn't really know you as good as I do now. But I still worried about you and Abby. I kept telling myself that I'd never forgive myself if something happened to one of you. And then the Renaissance treasure came along. And I dragged you along again. And this time, you were hurt. And to me, it's almost like I failed in my promise."
"What promise?"
"The promise I made to keep my little brother safe."
Riley fell silent, so Ben continued. "I guess these treasure hunts are more dangerous than you think. So from now on, I'm leaving you behind with Abby."
Riley shot Ben a look. "Wait. You mean leave me behind with Abby while you go and hunt for treasure?"
Ben nodded. Riley sat up from his leaned position. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. No way, Ben. If you're going on a treasure hunt, I'm coming with you."
"Riley, did you hear anything I just said? I don't want to hurt you anymore then I already have."
Riley shook his head in disbelief. "Yes Ben, I heard everything. But I'm not the only one who got hurt on this treasure hunt. You were shot in the shoulder, Ben."
"Yeah but – "
"Don't interrupt me. You say you made a promise to keep your little brother safe. Well now I'm making a promise; to keep my big brother safe. And if you think you're going alone on any future treasure hunts, think again. Because I'm coming with you no matter what."
Ben was shocked. He found it hard to believe that those words had just come out of Riley's mouth. The funny, sarcastic technical geek was actually being serious.
"Besides, "Riley continued. "I much rather come with you and get eaten by an anaconda than stay with Abby and your little munchkin."
Ben laughed softly. He missed Abigail. A lot more than he thought he might have. But that might have been because everything had gone so wrong and all he wanted was to get home to Abby and his future child.
"So – " Riley suddenly cut off and paused.
Ben felt dread start to wash out the relief he once felt. "What?" Riley didn't answer. "Riley?"
"Listen." Riley whispered.
Ben strained his ears and listened. It took him a while, but he was finally able to make out the crunching of leaves and twigs as well as hushed voices. He gave Riley a look before standing up. Riley did the same.
Alfred and Adrian had heard it too, because they were also standing and staring back at the jungle with watchful eyes. Alfred's hand rested on his gun as a preparation.
The voices drew closer and Ben instinctively grabbed onto Riley's arm. After another minute or so, the all too familiar Dennis and Leon emerged from the trees carrying what looked like a body. With a sudden realization, Ben saw that it was Adam they were carrying and his eyes had a faraway glazed look. Leon and Dennis came closer and stopped when they saw the others looking at him.
"Set him down." Leon told Dennis, who obeyed.
Adam was gently laid on the ground. His head lolled to the side reveling shredded flesh and blood all over his throat. Ben felt his stomach churn at the sight. Riley whirled around and started to gag. Adrian and Alfred were speechless and stared at the body with shocked eyes.
Ben felt as though he were going to vomit. The sight of Adam was gruesome. Riley had fallen to his knees and was bent over clutching his stomach as if he had already puked. Ben kneeled down beside him and put a reassuring hand on his back. He watched as Adrian and Alfred hesitantly approached Adams body. He felt sorry for them. The four men losing Adam was like Ben losing Riley. The very thought of a dead and bloody Riley sent shivers down his spine.
"What happened?" Ben heard Alfred ask softly.
"There was a cougar…" Dennis trailed off, as if that was the only thing that needed to be said.
Ben looked down at Riley. "You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." Riley attempted to sneak another glance at Adam but ended up in the same position as he was before, on his knees and about to throw up.
When everyone finally got over the shock of Adam being dead after several long minutes, they began to continue their way towards town. No one even bothered to ask about the treasure.
Ben tried not to look at Adam, but his curiosity continued to win him over and he often found himself sick to his stomach. He only hoped he could control his inquiring mind for thirty more miles.
Sooo. That's that. Nothing really happened, other than the fact that everyone's back and traveling together. So leave a nice little review and I'll see if I can update again tomorrow. :)
Oh, and my other story is coming along nicely. I've decided to go ahead and type the chapters out before posting.
