Chapter 21

After killing the snake Indiana had went back to the lair and chosen two reasonable sized diamonds and made the long and dreary return journey back to the base of the cave. It seemed to take twice as long, but with the knowledge that he was on the way out rather than in, Mutt had seemed less anxious about the small spaces.

It was a starlight night when they arrived back at the initial cave. Indiana called up to any awaiting tribes men but there was no return. He shrugged "They did say they would come back tomorrow." he said, "Looks like we wait."

The two men settled themselves on rocks above the water by the cool diamond light. "Worst holiday ever." Mutt grumbled.

"Next year we'll try the Bahamas." Indiana suggested jokingly

"No way." Mutt moaned, "Full of creepy crawlies. I'm not going anywhere which could potentially have deadly giant animals"

"Mexico?"

"Scorpians."

"Alaska?"

"Polar Bears."

"Florida?

"Sharks"

"New York?"

"Roaches."

"Well I'm out of ideas." Indiana sighed.

Mutt thought for a moment. "Canada." he said, "Nothing interesting ever happens in Canada."

Indiana laughed out loud and looked over to Mutt. The boy looked rough. He had dark lines under his eyes and his face shone grey in the light. "How are you holding up." he asked seriously.

Mutt shrugged, "I'm ok." he said, "A bit tired, a bit sore, could be doing with a top up of the old magic medicine."

"You should get some sleep." Indiana suggested.

Mutt fidgeted about, "I doubt that's going to happen." he complained.

Both men were silent for a while, taking in the noises of the rainforest.

"Did I ever tell you about the time I was chased by a giant boulder?" Indiana asked when the silence became uncomfortable.

Mutt smirked, "No, surprisingly, I only met you a few weeks ago. What happened?"

Indiana pulled a face, "Well... I was chased by a giant boulder." he said blankly, not the best conversation starter really, "And beat it."

Mutt looked serious, "Where did you and mum meet?" he asked.

"We first met when we were very young." Indiana explained, "Then we lost touch for about ten years. We met again when I was looking for the ark of the Convenant. Your mother had a piece of a map I needed and she tagged along when I had her bar burnt down."

Indiana looked sadly into space, "At one point I thought she had been killed. She hadn't of course, takes a lot more than an exploding truck to get rid of that woman. But that's when I realised I loved her, that I wanted to marry her and be with her."

Indiana laughed sadly and looked over to Mutt, "Screwed that one up Royally."

But Mutt was asleep. His head leaning gently on his chest.

"Biggest regret of my life." he sighed as he looked on at his son.

Early the next morning, when the sky was just beginning to lighten the sky, Indiana watched as two vine ropes silently slid down into the hole. Indiana went over to Mutt and gave him a little shake, "Wakey wakey sleeping beauty." he sang cheerfully.

Mutt didn't open his eyes.

"Come on kid, the taxi's here." Indiana said, becoming serious.

Mutt groggily opened his eyes. He rubbed his head shakily. "I don't feel so good." he admitted.

"Come on JR." Indiana said, helping him to his feet, "We've got a good climb ahead of us."

Mutt fell back down on to his knees and swayed sightly like a drunkard, "I really mean it." Mutt complained.

Indiana knelt down beside Mutt. "It it your stomach?" he asked. He lifted the boys shirt to look at his stomach. There was no bleeding on the bandages, it must just be lack of pain medication.

"Yeah... and my chest." Mutt added, "My chest hurts too."

Indiana pulled his shirt higher to reveal a large deep black bruise on his chest. It looked bad, maybe even internal bleeding. There was no way he could climb out of here alone.

Indiana picked him up again and carefully moved him over to the ropes. There he made a crude harness and secured Mutt in. "I'm going to climb up here alone." he explained, "When I get to the top I'll hoist you up."

Mutt nodded groggily.

Indiana used a Kleinheist knot to pull himself up the hole, but the method was slow moving and exhausting. The three minute descent took nearly forty minutes to ascend. When Indy finally got to the top only Eldora was waiting. "Where's the rest of the rescue party?" Indiana asked.

"They're off to catch you some breakfast." Eldora said calmly, "Monkey brains sound nice?" She looked down the hole, "Where's Mutt... and the diamonds?" she asked.

"They're both down there." Indiana lied, "I could have done with a few strong natives to help get them up."

"I'll try my best." Eldora shrugged, "They'll be here soon."

Both Eldora and Indiana then grabbed Mutt's rope and began to heave him up. Before long he was on the edge of the hole. Indiana grabbed him roughly and heaved him over the ledge and on to the surface and over to Eldora who pulled him away from the ledge.

Indiana looked down at his red raw hands. "You really could have put more of an effort into that." he said grumpily, "I know you're a lady but..."

Click

"...But... let's get to the point." Eldora cooed, "Where are the diamonds?"

Indiana scowled. "You get that gun away from my son's head or...."

"Or what?" Eldora said threateningly, "You'll get angry." She moved the gun closer to the back of Mutt's head, pressing it into his skull. Mutt groaned as he regained conciousness. He assessed the situation quickly and stayed perfectly still.

"I knew you two could get those diamonds if you did it together." Eldora said venomously, "That's the only reason I let you both live. Indiana Jones, the great adventurer and his mysterious son."

"Not a journalist then." Indiana said.

"Or a slave." Mutt added suddenly feeling very stupid.

"Just give me the diamonds." Eldora spat. She pushed the gun on to Mutt again, pushing his head forward.

Very slowly, Indiana put his hands into his pockets and brought out the two diamonds. With her free hand Eldora grabbed them and stuffed then into hers.

"Chase me if you like." she said to Indiana, "But if you do, you leave Mutt here to the locals. They really are on their way."

She moved her gun to face Indiana and backed up into the forest. In a moment she was gone.

It was only a few mere minutes later that the natives found the two men. Strangely, even without their usual translator they were able to figure out that they were pissed off. Seriously pissed off.