Thanks to:
Mindy Morganna: Yes, Lucy is a bit madXD Not crazy or insane- just a bit... ODD, lol. SHe's a fun character and I personally adored writing that part. I was thinking about making it a dangerous something then I thought of the snake and I'm like: she's not the bravest person (or brightest all the timeXD) and she's got to have that one thing she just can't STAND... so WHOOSH! She snake-phobia was born, lolXD
JainaZeek621: Lol, I know! A bit backwards, that what Lucy isXD She's got to have the little quirk that sets her out from the crowd! And also, I couldn't resist making her girlyXD She's adventurous and all- even a bit tomboy if you will- but she's still, well, a girlXD And I didn't want her to be afraid of spiders.... I mean, then she'd completely breakdown in the insect pit... but lol, you'll find out what happens in that chapterXD
HeeHeeHee01: Well, i'm glad I didn't creep you out, lol^^ I'm glad that made you laugh- I can come up with the most randomest things but... it always sounds better in my head, lolXD But her fear was my invention so thank you! I'm glad I'm making you 'high on laughter'! Hey, it's better than drugs, lolXD
Yes Jimmy is a bit of a 'teacher's pet' to Mr. Hayes- I wasn't sure if I envisioned him ratting her ut but more of a defensive for Lucy from Mr. Hayes (cause he's got the most adorable crush on her that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzyXD).
Oh thank you for catching that mistake! OopiesXD I seem to have typed that instead... no, no, I meant 'gazed'! I fixed it on my document but... lol, I'm a lazy bum and probably won't reupdate that till near the endXD
If anyone of you see more mistakes or think there is one, don't be afraid to put that in your review! It just makes you a better reader because you're reading carefully enough to notice those things and me a bit better reader/writer as well (as I said, I'm lazy and really don't look over my work that hardXD)
Anyways, I'm glad you all are liking this story! And now with the chapter (which, lol, is one of my favorite scene along with any close-ups of Jimmy, ie: his story part, the part where he, Mr. H, and Lumpy ratted out Carl, the whole 'THE WALL!' part, the stampede... uh... can't think of anymoreXD) I know, I know: O.F.G.S. (Obesive Fan Girl Syndrome). Yes, I just made that up! Enjoy:D
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The annoying buzzing noise flew by my ears and I swatted at the bugs around my head. I grinded my teeth angrily as I pulled my hand back, empty-handed and nothing captured inside. It had gotten later and later in the day and right now, we were being eaten alive by some type of mosquito or blood-drinking bug. I glanced at Jimmy and he shrugged.
Everyone else was quite bothered by the bugs and it seemed most of the others couldn't keep their hands at their sides ether. I puckered my lips, frowned and lowered my hand and clenched it into a fist. Let these bugs buzz around me, but they dare come close to me, I'll get them! A few more droplets of sweat rolled down my neck and I gave a small shake, trying to rid of them.
Everyone was sticky and hot from the humid air. The bugs made everyone even more irritable and I didn't try to lighten the mood with stories or jokes for many reasons. I was in no better mood, shape or feeling than they were. I didn't know any good adventure or just plain stories while we could be possibly dying in the next minute. And I also knew no jokes or funny things that could possibly lift our spirits.
We were stuck in this hellish dark cloud.
I ambled on behind Lumpy, glazing bored at the trees and little bugs flying through the air. Suddenly he pulled out his pan and started to hit the bugs madly. I stepped back and ducked, watching him dimly. There were a few victorious tings or pings but nothing more than three times. He grumbled angrily and then put his pan away and we resumed walking. Baxter, Carl, Herb were behind me, much to my frustration. I didn't like being separated from Jimmy but there was no point for me to move.
I gave a sudden yelp and bumped into Baxter behind me; he shoved me forward and I sidestepped off the trail, to the left. I leapt back from Lumpy, as he pulled out his gun and started to shoot. I whipped to face where he shot at. There were a lot of this nasty bugs floating around this one tree, buzzing through its branches. Mr. Hayes suddenly came up from behind us and glared at him.
"Conserve your ammunition!" He demanded.
Lumpy gave him a glance before lowering his gun and bowing his head slightly. He took a step forward, paused and fired twice more before going again. I glazed at the tree and decided he completely missed everything single bug, though he left a few good holes in the tree's trunk.
"Lumpy, may I borrow your pan for a moment?" I murmured after a moment. He glanced over his shoulder at me, narrowing his one eye. Then he shrugged and pulled it out, handing it to me. I tore it from his hand and trudged towards that one tree. I felt a strange, strong determination to beat these bugs to a pulp.
"Lucy-" I cut off Jimmy's as I started to pound the tree madly with the pan. I could hear the buzzing around my head became a wild, frantic whizzing noise as so many of the bugs raced away. I waved at the bugs, stirring up more of them from the tree. I could hear much more tings then when Lumpy had used his; I smacked the tree once more and started to squash the petrified bugs against the branch. I pulled my pan back, glazing at the green and yellow squashed bodies on the branch victoriously.
I ambled over to Lumpy, ignoring everyone's quizzical look upon their faces. I spun the pan in my hand and glazed at the slightly dented, yellow and green bottom.
"I hit more than you," I said and handed him the pan.
"What- never mind." He shook his head and the line started to move again. Jimmy was standing behind me suddenly and he had a raised eyebrow. I merely shrugged, pulling away from him and walking after Lumpy.
A minute later, my hand shot to my left arm. I felt something squeak underneath my hand and I glanced over my shoulder: Jimmy and the few others where a couple yards behind me. I faltered my steps and pulled my hand to my face. An odd looking bug, real oddly shaped, was completely crushed in my hand. But what it sat in was a lot of blood.
I pulled my sleeve farther up to the spot where I squashed the thing. I winced from the sudden pain shooting through it and decided this wasn't the nasty buggers we had a moment ago. Something else, something hungrier for me. I gulped as the wound immediately started to blood again and I quickly tired a dried piece of fabric around it before anyone noticed me.
Whatever the bug was, I swiped it quickly on a passing tree and continued on walking. But the bite wound and the swelling, pink skin around it, throbbed on my arm.
I was shuffling through the woods and was barely able to pick up my own feet. So I merely shuffled along. Everyone else had gone around me, ignoring my faltering steps. I wondered if it was punishment for not listening to Captain Englehorn and coming, but then I decided it was merely because I was walking so slowly. I staggered and my arm shot out, bracing myself on a tree. I allowed myself to lean on it momentarily, try unsuccessfully to catch my ever-losing breath.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Jimmy's cautious whisper reached my ears and I peered up at him, glazing dimly at him. Mr. Hayes called for us to hurry up but Jimmy didn't move. I could see he was fidgeting slightly, wanting not to get to fair behind.
"Me? Yeah… I'm fine…" I took a shaky breath and used every ounce of self-will to get myself off from the tree. I stumbled a bit but keeping Jimmy at bay, I continued on walking.
"Lucy," he whispered sternly and I shot him a weak glare.
"I'm fine," I said again tiredly and continued, "I just am tired, okay? Just tired…"
I didn't mention to him the enormous swelling my bug-bite had gone up to and how the area around it was practically burning it was so hot. But my whole body felt like it was on fire; sweat rolled down my neck much faster than before and I could barely see straight. I couldn't catch my breath at all, no matter how slow I walked and how many times I had paused.
He shot me another concerned glance before quickening his stride and trying to catch up with the crew. I sighed when he was out of hearing range, shifted my canvas bag to my other shoulder and my fingertips brushed my bug-bite. I winced again, feeling the heat radiate off it and the pain the shot through it when I touched it.
"Lucy!" Mr. Hayes' shout my head shoot up and I quickened my stumbling pace to a bit faster stumbling pace. I only hoped that no one noticed my sudden weakness, dizziness and weariness as I caught up with the group. With that on my mind, I hovered around the fringe of the group and kept my head down low.
We hurried when we sat the crack in the jungle's trees ahead of us. Our feet were beyond tired; I had practically lost feeling in mine and some of the men were just barely walking on now, so I guessed I wasn't the only one. Jack pushed his way into a rock ravine and we followed tiredly.
I was right after him, taking a deep breath and glazed warmly at the open sky. Taking another deep breath, I walked over to the same wall, wandered about a couple yards away and leaned against it. The coolness of the shady stone felt good against my skin and though it hurt when a small, rounded edge of the rock poked my swollen bug-bite, the coolness helped dull down the throbbing and burn. Also, the isolation made me less weary of people noticing my ever-growing paleness and weariness plain on my face.
I gradually closed my eyes and listened to the men settling down.
"Fellas, we don't have time for this. We've lost too much ground! Come on, get up." Jack said, though his voice gave away his tiredness.
I remained unmoving and by the sounds of shuffles of feet, the unpacking of bags and other things, everyone was ignoring him. I opened an eye to see Mr. Hayes talking to Jack in quiet tones but he was looking at Jack sternly. I still felt odd and completely useless around Mr. Hayes. And no matter how many times I told myself that I shouldn't think this, I wished Captain Englehorn had come instead.
But then I reminded myself that I chose to come on this rescue mission and I would have to suffer with what I had. My neck rolled as I slowly started to drift off to sleep. But Mr. Hayes' voice made me startle and I groggily opened my eyes.
"Alright, you've five minutes! Everybody stay in sight." Mr. Hayes said gruffly. There were incoherent grumbles and angry mutters but I merely slid to the ground. I leaned against the wall and my head slowly bent forward. The world started to disappear but someone slid next to me.
"You won't be able to sleep for five minutes, Lou," Jimmy's voice echoed in my ears and I sighed, pulling my head back up to be leaning on the wall. I turned my head towards him, opened them and said: "I can't fall asleep if everyone is bothering, now can I?"
He merely shrugged and I sighed, muttering an apology. He gave me a small grin but I barely noticed it. I had closed my eyelids but was focusing in on all the little mumbles and bits and pieces of the conversations away from me. But when I picked up nothing important, I opened my eyes again. Jimmy was staring directly at me, a slight frown on his face.
"What?" I whispered, immediately realizing my stupid move. The bug-bite was affecting me too much; it had paled my skin on my face a sickly white color and made my complete body ache in exhaustion. When I barely had done anything! Before I could defend myself, Jack found something and the whole crew was scrambling around him.
Jimmy and I followed but I kept a good few feet between us, if he tried to feel my burning skin at all. We huddled around the finding but I made sure I stood in the back, trying not to picture bones or mangled bodies.
"Is that what took Miss Darrow?"
Jimmy's question made me curious and I weaved my way around to behind Jack. I peered over his shoulder, glazing at the giant animal print. It was huge! Probably the main big part was, at least, five, ten times the size of my head! The little prints that surrounded one part of it were bigger than my two hands put together. All in all, no little squirrel made these tracks.
No one answered, or dared to answer, Jimmy's question. It merely hung in the air until Lumpy broke the silence.
"There is only one creature capable to leave a footprint this size," he stated.
Everyone looked up at him; some eagerness in their eyes; some fear and sometimes anger for that fear. But ether way, Lumpy had our full attention. He took another short smoke of his cigar/cigarette and puffed a small cloud of smoke.
"The Abominable Snowman."
Everyone sighed loudly and I shook my head slightly. But I immediately stopped when my eyes didn't stop spinning when my head did. Jimmy stared at me across from the footprint and I immediately turned my glaze upward. I started to guess the height randomly in my head as the men before me, discussed the footprint.
"It's gotta be, what? Twenty, twenty-five feet?" Mr. Hayes whispered to Jack, bending down to his knees so he was looking Jack in the face.
Now, this wall is higher than probably all these men put together and they're, oh, let's say six feet all, except Jimmy so let's make him five feet… I glazed up higher at the wall, narrowing my eyes into slits as some sun gleamed into my eyes.
"Carl saw it. Let's ask him." Jack said in a hushed tone.
I straightened my back in anger at the mere mention of that man's name. Though I avoided him at all costs, he always seemed to be brought up in a conversation. A few men looked at me, as if expecting me to suddenly whip Carl out of my bag or something like that…
Hmm… now fourteen times six, you get eighty-four and plus five, that'd be eighty-nine feet tall… I took a step back, ignoring the men's nervous glances at me and stared harder at the ravine's side. Eighty-nine feet seemed awfully tall... let's make three men five feet, that's making ten men six feet… including myself, so that's about a four-and-a-half feet right there…
10 x 6 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 4.5 = 79.5 feet… Okay, I'll guess at fifty feet, give or take a yard. The math was starting to make my head spin again when it just had stopped. I slowly turned to look at the others and decided not to speak because Jack and Mr. Hayes were starting to get up.
"Denham?" Mr. Hayes spoke. Everyone looked over their shoulders and I knew something before they actually didn't see him: Carl, he was gone.
"Where'd he go?" Mr. Hayes asked but no one could answer. No one knew.
There was a muffled thud and I looked up. It suddenly a thudding of some sort came again. I glazed around at everyone, who seemed just as puzzled as I was. I stopped shifting my weight from leg to leg and listened closely. It came again and as we looked up, little small sheets of rock started to fall. Then more came. They started to become more chunky and bulky as the rumbling continued on.
"It's raining rocks," I whispered as one almost fell on Jimmy. Despite my nervousness to be near him in fear that he'd notice my temperature, I slipped closer to him and Jack. No one noticed my comment.
The rocks started to come down, faster, harder and became bigger. Whatever was making this avalanche of stone wasn't anything small. I took a hesitant step forward but pulled myself back when a rock smashed into the place I almost just stood in. I glazed up again, seeing the vines on the ravine's side, shake and tremble. That probably wasn't any breeze or wind…
I turned around with Jack, as this low rumble came and we saw Baxter racing towards us.
"Where is he? Where's Carl?" Jack questioned him immediately.
"Carl? Oh, he's, uh, up there. Filming."
He gave curt nod before taking off again. I was about to spit coward but then the whole crew slowly inched towards the way he raced away in. They glanced nervously at the direction, which was in front of us the loud rumbling was coming from before taking off. Lumpy paused multiple times I think to catch my attention and maybe the others.
But I stayed rooted next to Jimmy, who backed a way a little bit but held his ground. My hand flashed to knife at my side; the one that Jimmy had asked earlier in the jungle where I had gotten it and I told him of Captain Enlgehorn's request.
Herb came limping past us, a wild and panicked look on his face. As I turned back to look, I saw Carl racing with the camera on his right shoulder. Giant, grey creatures almost tall as the ravine's side, followed closely behind him.
"Holy Christ," Jack whispered. I was frozen in place, completely shocked and awed by the creatures. I barely took note of Mr. Hayes calls.
"Go Jimmy, go! Run!"
The boy paused before his hand slipped into mine and he dragged me along. Mr. Hayes joined us and I heard Jack's slightly muffled calls to get Carl running. But when I looked over my shoulder, I saw the plump man fall and Jack pause to help him. I slipped out of Jimmy's grasp and raced to their side before he could do anything.
I knew Mr. Hayes kept him going all the same.
"Come on!" I yelled, yanking on Jack's arm as he pulled up Carl.
"Let go!" Jack cried and I dropped my hand but I realized it was to Carl. He clutched the camera's other side, while Jack struggled against him on the other.
"I'm not leaving the camera!" Carl yelled.
The creatures were practically on top of us, Jack let go and grabbed my upper arm and propelled me forward. Carl was able to get up and carry his camera over his shoulder, racing after us. My legs slowly started to ease into my racing style.
Don't start too fast. You'll run out of breath! Breathe, Lucy, breathe!
My sorry, sick state didn't help me in running and many times Jack shoved me forward, afraid of me being crushed by the creatures. But they caught up with us quickly, their giant, tree-trunk legs smashing all around us.
It's like the little trees from the other night; except these were moving creatures and could squash us. But still the same; I weaved between the legs. I did my best to try and calculate where the next leg would appear but it was no use. I yelped, jumping away from a leg that almost crushed me to my death. It merely distracted me.
I could hear cries, yelps and shouts from the men ahead of us. I glazed up then saw a blue-green, orange-stripped blur go by on the grey creatures outside legs. I gulped nervously, trying to control my panic.