The thunder was sharp, deafening, but not nearly as much as the snap of the log beneath her feet. It was the only thing between her and a pool of deadly, giant snakes. Her breath hitched in her throat as the log snapped again, breaking in half and sending her to the abyss…
Sam released a terrified gasp as she shot up in bed, her chest heaving slightly, fingers digging into the sheets of the bed. For a moment she had to remind herself where she was. Safe. She was safe. She felt strong arms wrap around her, warm skin against her back, and the rough edges of a day old beard against her shoulder. She smiled, closing her eyes and leaning into his touch, the nightmare already fading from her mind. It had been a while since she had dreamt about that place and that moment. She took comfort in knowing she never had to return and that she wasn't alone.
"You okay?" Bill's low voice whispered in her ear as he kissed her shoulder.
"I'm fine." She said with a soft sigh. "Just a nightmare."
"Well," Bill said as he pulled her closer, "we have had countless audiences prying for information about our expedition. It's only natural it would be fresh on your mind."
Sam nodded her head in agreement. "At least after today we'll be done for the year." She said as she placed cool hands on his cheeks. "And we can finally go home."
"You're the one who let Cole convince us to do this tour." Bill said with a raised eyebrow. "I was content to stay in our little boat far away from the crowds."
Sam shoved him playfully. "It hasn't been all bad." She responded. "Besides did you really want Cole to go into details about us?"
"Good point." Bill said as he leaned down to kiss her.
It had been four years since the fateful expedition to retrieve the Blood Orchid in Borneo. They had been the four survivors, Sam, Bill, Cole, and Gail. Their world had been flipped upside down after their near death from giant anacondas. With the death of half their crew and no orchid samples the survivors turned to a new life. Cole had come up with the idea. A book detailing their experiences through the jungle and it had blown up like wildfire. Sam, while still happy with the success of the book was more thrilled with a different change in her life. Bill had come back with them, come back with her, and together they had started to rebuild their lives. Their makeout session was interrupted with a rapid knock from the door.
"Hey you two, breakfast in half an hour!" Gail's voice came from the other side of the door. "Don't be late!"
"We'll be down!" Sam called before she turned back to Bill, kissing him again. "I've never met someone as on time as Gail." She managed to get out in between kisses.
"Someone has to make sure Cole stays on a schedule." Bill mused as he moved to the crook of her neck.
Sam closed her eyes enjoying the moment. When their expedition first started she had no intentions of even liking their captain. It was her big break in her career and she was too busy fending off Jack and Ben's affections. Bill was barely on her radar until he had jumped into the river to save Gail from the crocodile. Even in the midst of their misfortune the more she got to know Bill the more she wanted to be around him, and somehow he felt the same. She remembered that first night back in a hotel after everything. Bill had come to her room to check on her and the rest was history.
"Gail will breakdown the door to our room if we're late." Sam said, a twinge of regret in her voice as Bill looked up at her.
"Fine." He said with a sigh as he moved to let her get up.
Sam moved from the bed towards the bathroom, her shirt coming over her head and landing on the floor. Bill was still sitting in bed, watching her with a small smile. "You know, we could save time and shower together." She said as she looked at him from over her shoulder, cocking her eyebrow. She watched as his smile melted into a smirk and he quickly got out of bed to join her.
"How does it feel to be the one that shot the anaconda in the mouth?"
All eyes turned to Cole as the audience member finished their question. Sam watched as a smile spread over Cole's face, his chest puffing out slightly. She could see Gail nearly rolling her eyes and she knew Bill was grinning from next to her.
"I told them I was a bad man." Cole answered with a shrug of his shoulders, "I saw my opportunity and I took it. I like to remind them who the real hero was." He said as he looked at his friends, only getting groans and eye rolls in return.
"Had you ever shot a gun before?" The girl asked.
"If paintball counts, then yes." Cole answered.
"It was a lucky shot." Bill interjected, causing the audience to laugh.
"Oh, I'm sorry Bill," Cole said in a teasing tone as he leaned forward in his chair to catch a glimpse of the former captain, "if I remember correctly Jack kicked your ass." The audience laughed again.
"To be fair, he was shot in the arm." Sam said as she threw Cole a teasing look.
"I'm just sayin'." Cole said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I think we have time for a few more questions." The moderator said as the girl sat down. Several hands shot into the air as the moderator pointed to a different girl near the middle of the lecture hall.
"So," she started thoughtfully, "I know this whole thing was probably super traumatizing, but is there anything you're grateful for that came out of this experience?"
Gail and Cole immediately looked over at Sam and Bill. Sam felt her cheeks blush slightly as she looked at her boyfriend, who was only smiling at the audience member.
"Bill," the moderator said, "everyone seems to be looking at you."
Bill cleared his throat, bringing the microphone closer to answer the question. "I lost a lot of things on that expedition. My boat, my home, and my partner," he began before his gaze shifted to Sam, "but I did find something new. A new beginning." A few of the girls "awwed" in the audience, but all of Bill's attention was focused on Sam. She was trying not to smile too hard. He loved her smile.
"Yeah, yeah," Cole said as he brought both of them back to reality, "we get it you two found love in the jungle." Causing the audience members to laugh again.
Sam and Bill joined in the laughter as hands shot up again for the last question. This time it was a boy near the front of the hall. "Would you ever go back into that jungle?"
The room was silent for a moment as all four looked at each other. Gail was the first person to answer the question. "Hell no." The other three nodded in agreement.
"Man," Cole said as laughter filled the room, "you couldn't pay me enough money to go back into that jungle."
"Let's give a big round of applause to our special guest Bill, Sam, Cole, and Gail!" The moderator said as the laughter melted away in applause. "And if you haven't read their book "The Hunt for the Blood Orchid" it is on sale now."
They all stood up and took small bows before they moved off into the hallway. Cole wrapped his arms around Gail and Sam, grinning from ear to ear. "I would say that's a wrap."
"Who would have thought people would actually want to ask us questions about those terrible few days." Gail said as she tucked a stray hair behind her ears.
"Celebratory dinner before we head home tomorrow?" Sam asked. She was ready to go home, but she would miss seeing Cole and Gail all the time. Luckily, they all saw each other frequently. Something about their experience had made them closer and it was hard finding others who had gone through what they had.
"You're reading my mind, girl." Cole said as he rubbed his hands together. "Where should we go?"
Sam excused herself to the bathroom while the others discussed dinner options. As she came out she accidently bumped into someone at the water fountain. "Excuse me." She said as she stumbled forward.
The man's hands shot out to steady her and he smiled as she caught sight of his face. "Sorry about that." He said in a slight accent. Sam stared at his face for a moment. He looked familiar, but she didn't know why.
"Sorry," She said as she regained her composure, "do I know you?"
The man laughed as he shook his head. "No, I don't think so, but I know you. Sam, right? One of the book authors?" He held out his hand for her to shake.
"Uh, yes," Sam said as she took it hesitantly, trying to shake the feeling of familiarity, "I am."
"You were one of the scientists on the expedition." He continued like it was his own personal interview.
"I was." Sam said with slight amusement.
"Sorry," the man said with a small shake of his head and a laugh, "my name is John. I'm a huge fan of the book. I'm a scientist myself, you know." He said proudly.
"Let me guess," Sam said with an exasperated sigh, "you want to lecture me on how it's impossible for snakes to get that big and that we made the whole thing up."
"No, actually." John said laughing again. Sam noticed how close he was to her, but before she could say anything there was a clearing of a throat behind them. They both turned to see Bill and the others. Sam noticed Bill's eyes slightly narrowed at John. The man did not seem put out as he stepped around Sam, a grin on his face. "The rest of the Final Four." He said as he walked over to them, Sam just behind him.
"The Final Four?" Gail asked as she looked the man up and down, arms crossed over her chest, her voice full of disdain for him already.
"Well," John said with a shrug of his shoulders, "that's what they call you at least."
"Now that is badass!" Cole said as he clapped his hands, nudging Bill in the side with his elbow. "Like being the finale girl at the end of a horror movie."
"You were at the presentation then?" Gail asked, still unimpressed.
"You caught me." John said with a laugh. "I was secretly hoping to run into you all and I just happened to bump into Sam when she was coming out of the bathroom." He said as he laid a hand on her shoulder for a moment.
"Naturally." Bill responded in his low voice, his arms crossed over his chest.
John cleared his throat as he removed his hand from Sam's shoulder, beforing jamming them into his pants pockets. "I wanted to talk with you all, privately."
"Well," Gail said, as she tossed her curls over her shoulder, "you just missed the Q&A session and we're all done for the evening. So," she began as she turned to leave, the others following her lead, "we have a dinner to attend to."
"Wait!" John said as he stepped in front of her, holding his hands out to stop them from leaving. "Just hear me out. I'm a scientist and I've been doing research on the same areas you were four years ago."
"I'm going to stop you right there," Cole said, cutting him off, "there is no way you are getting any of us back into that jungle."
John shook his head. "You misunderstand. I would not ask that of you."
"Then what do you want?" Sam asked as she watched him carefully. She felt like she should know who he was, but the answer was just out of reach.
"Let me take you out to dinner and I can explain everything." John said as he looked at her.
"Thanks," Bill said as he took Sam's hand and began pulling her forward, "but I think we're good, Doc."
Sam gave him a once over before she fell in step with Bill, her fingers wrapping around his tighter, Cole and Gail just behind them. John let out a low whistle, kicking his toes into the ground as he turned to them.
"A lot of people could die and you would all be to blame." He said, capturing their attention. The four stopped, turning slowly to look at him.
"What did you say?" Sam asked her jaw set in anger. She could tell he was trying not to smile as he kept his demeanor cool and collected.
"Just hear me out for a few hours and if you want to forget ever meeting me then that's fine." John said seriously. "But you could help save lives."
The four of them all looked at each other, eyes filled with confusion and lips set in frustration. Sam got the feeling that they weren't going to like what he had to say, but the least they could do was hear him out. He seemed harmless enough and they weren't heading home until the morning. She knew the guilt and curiosity would eat away at them.
"Fine, asshole," Gail finally said as Bill and Sam nodded in agreement, "but we're not cheap dates."
Sam looked around the dimly lit restaurant, taking in their surroundings. It was private enough that they could have a conversation without being overheard, but still somewhat public that no one would be willing to try anything. While she had immense trust in her friends, she was very skeptical of other people until they had proven themselves. Jack's betrayal had cut all of them deep and she was still trying to recover from it.
"So," Gail said as she sipped her wine glass delicately, "how are we supposed to save the masses?"
John set down his fork, leaning back in his chair casually. "Like I stated before, I am a scientist, and happened to be working on the same research just a year after your expedition."
"How?" Sam asked. "No one else knew about the flower besides the team that had discovered it in the first place."
John smiled at her. "Money is a powerful thing." He said simply. "Not everyone has the same scientific integrity."
"But our sample degraded well before our trip to Borneo," Sam argued, "how could you have researched it?"
"Ours lasted longer," John responded casually, unphased by her questions, "but yes, the sample did disintegrate. Then your book came out, detailing all about the hunt for the Blood Orchid and how there were terrifyingly huge snakes benefiting off of the chemical properties of the flower."
"Hate to break it to you, pal," Cole said as he leaned forward, grabbing his beer and taking a drink, "but uh, the area where the flowers grew exploded and swallowed the snake orgy four years ago."
"Besides," Gail added, "even if it was still around it would be another three years before they were in bloom again."
"Yes," John said with a nod of his head, "I realize that. But, nevertheless I was intrigued by your story so I went to Borneo to further my research, staying well clear of the jungle, of course." He added when he saw the four of them exchange a look with each other. "What I did find was the upswing in dark tourism from fans of your book."
"What do you mean?" Bill asked.
"People enjoy the dark and mysterious!" John said with a slight laugh. "They read stories, very much like your own, and want to experience these things for themselves."
"Who the hell would set foot in that jungle after hearing about five people being killed by giant fucking snakes?" Cole asked in disbelief and disgust.
"Why do people climb Mt. Everest when they know the chances of making it to the top and surviving are so slim?" John countered. "People want to feel that adrenaline rush. They want to come so close to dying and then beating the odds."
"Funny," Sam said, her jaw set in anger, "we didn't get to make those choices."
John shook his head. "I'm not saying what they're doing is right. There've been a lot of people gone missing, actually."
"So what do you want us to do about it?" Cole asked. "If anything our book should keep people away."
John leaned in closer to the table, his eyes falling over all of them before resting on Sam. "The people I work for are willing to fly you all out to Borneo," he was immediately met with protest from all four of them, "please, just listen. All we need you to do is talk to a large group of people who've already planned to try to go out into the jungle."
"You're insane," Gail said as she threw her napkin down on the table, "if you think any of us are going to fly back to Borneo."
"It's the rainy season." Bill added in as they all began to get up and leave. "No one will take them up the river."
John leaned back in his chair, returning to his food as they started to move away from the table. "You did." He said, his voice sharp and clear.
He watched Bill pause in his step, causing the others to stop as well. Bill slowly turned, a half laugh escaping his lips as he looked at John. "Yeah, I did." Bill responded as he moved back to the table, while the other three remained group together behind him. "And look where that got us."
"Someone will make that journey." John argued as he leaned in closer to Bill. "I'm not asking you to go into the jungle."
"I'm not taking them back there." Bill said evenly, his hands on the table as he stood over John.
"We can pay you." John said as he looked past Bill at the others. "It would be for one to two days max." He pleaded. "Think of the lives you could save."
Sam looked between Gail and Cole, knowing they were feeling the same amount of guilt and fear she was. The last thing she wanted was to go back to Borneo, even if they didn't go into the jungle, but maybe John was right. They didn't really know what they were getting into and maybe they could stop them from doing something stupid. Bill was now looking at her, his eyes filled with the same sadness she was feeling.
"I can't believe we're going back to Borneo." Bill mumbled as he threw a shirt into his bag before he turned and gripped the dresser, his back tensing. "I thought we said we'd never go back."
Sam placed a comforting hand on his back and he turned, placing his arms around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her smile cutting through his anger. "I know. I don't want to either, but maybe this will give us the chance to say goodbye."
"What do you mean?" He asked, his brows lifting slightly.
"We left in such a hurry." Sam explained. "We were broken and traumatized and I think there's a part of us still there. Maybe if we go back we can let that part go and fully move on."
"It wasn't all bad." He responded with an amused smile, one she returned instantly.
"No," she said as she leaned up and kissed him, "I could think of a few good things." She whispered in his ear, her cheek pressed against his.
He pulled her into another kiss, his hands moving to the small of her back to pull her closer. Their four years since the expedition had only brought them closer together. They had gotten to know each other and grow together as they rebuilt their lives back in the States. He had plenty of his hook ups from his time in Borneo, whether they were tourists passing through or local girls looking for a good time. No one ever stayed, but he never needed anyone. Now, he couldn't imagine being without her.
Sam had thought she was only worth what Jack had said she was. The pretty face in the lab that had to work twice as hard to prove her worth. Gail had once said she had gotten where she was because Jack wanted her as more than an assistant. She hadn't been wrong, but Sam was more than that. With Bill she felt like she could be herself. "I think you're wearing too many clothes." She said with a mischievous grin as she began to take his shirt off.
"I think you might be right." He said as he took hers off in return.
Sam pulled him onto the bed, shoving their bags out of the way. She brought her hands up to his cheeks, pulling him back in, hungry for his lips against hers. His fingers trailed down her spine. They moved slow at first, savoring each touch, each sigh, and each kiss, before they were tangled up in the sheets, wrapped up in each other. Bill looked down at Sam, lips swollen and pink from kissing, but her eyes held him in a captivating glance. Her blonde hair was fanned out over the white sheets like a halo and he thought she had never looked more beautiful.
"I love you." He said suddenly overcome with the desire to tell her a thousands times over.
"I love you." She responded, her voice barely above a whisper. His smile made her heart melt and she pulled him down, wanting to close the distance between them.
Cole paced around the empty lecture hall, brow furrowed in deep thought. Gail was sitting just behind him in one of the chairs, her leg shaking as she kept glancing up at the clock. Sam leaned against the desk, chewing her bottom lip as she watched Cole pace back and forth, his speed increasing with every ticking second of the clock.
"Could you stop pacing." Gail finally complained as she glared at Cole.
"Oh my apologies for being a little on edge." He shot back as he reached in and pulled a flask from his jacket pocket.
Sam couldn't help a snort of laughter escape her as she watched him down the contents. "Bring any to share?" She asked with an inquisitive eyebrow.
Cole cracked a small grin as he handed it to her, watching her take a swig. He looked down at his watch and then up at the auditorium doors. "We've been here less than twenty four hours and I already feel trapped."
"Where the hell is John?" Gail asked. "I want to get this over with."
"There are several miles between us and the jungle." Sam said, not only trying to comfort them, but herself. "We're okay."
"Says the woman who just drank out of Cole's flask." Gail said in a deadpan voice before she offered Sam a small, real smile.
"Well," Cole said as he glanced at his watch again, "if this dude isn't here in ten minutes with the dumbass who want to go out in that jungle then I'm out of here and going to the nearest bar."
"I second that." Gail said as she returned to shaking her leg.
Sam sighed as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. Her entire body froze as she looked up at the top of the steps. Jack was standing just above them, hands in his pockets, and smiling. She could feel her lip trembling as he looked right at her, his eyes filled with that same hunger and greed that had forced her over the log to retrieve the flower. She started to slowly back away, prepared to turn and bolt from the room when she ran into Bill.
"Hey," He said with concern as his arms reached out to steady her, "you okay?"
Sam quickly looked back up the stairs, but the image of Jack was gone. She blinked a few times, shaking her head. Jack was dead. He couldn't hurt her or any of them anymore. She turned back to Bill, giving him a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine." She said, not wanting to worry him. It was just here anxiety and fears manifesting and that was something she could handle. She already felt safer wrapped in his arms.
The door opened and all four turned to see John coming down the stairs, a group of men right behind him. They looked more like a well funded team than any tourist group, Sam thought as they filed into the seats behind where John stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"This is the dark tourist seekers?" Gail asked, skepticism filling her voice. "Look more like henchmen to me."
"Yeah, man," Cole added as he and Gail moved to stand next to Bill and Sam, "these guys don't look like they'll change their mind no matter what we say.
John smiled and Sam could feel a chill run down her spine. "You must forgive me," he started as he began to slowly pace in front of them, "I haven't been completely honest."
Sam could feel the mood in the room shift. Bill was now tense beside her and she could see Gail moving to Bill's otherside, standing just behind him. She immediately spotted the nearest exit and looked more closely at the men sitting behind John. There weren't any visible weapons, but that did little to ease her mind.
"Can't say I'm surprised." Bill said his voice light, but Sam could just hear a dangerous edge to it.
"What the hell do you want from us?" Gail asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I knew if I told you the real reason you would never come." John explained. "So I took the truth and stretched it just a little."
"There's no tourist group that wants to go out in the jungle, is there?" Sam asked. She felt like a fool. They had all risked their lives coming back to the place they feared the most for a lie.
"No," John said as he looked at her, "but people have gone missing from entering the jungle in search for the giant anacondas, if it makes you feel better."
"Believe me," Sam said through gritted teeth, "it doesn't."
John sighed before continuing. "I haven't lied about everything. I really am a scientist that worked on the Blood Orchid and my company really did fly you out here to help me."
"Oh," Cole said with a fake smile, "did you hear that guys? He's not a total lying asshole."
"We told you the flower won't be in bloom for another three years." Gail sneered.
"That's not true." John said as he turned his attention to her, watching her face melt into shock as she looked at the others. They all mirrored her confusion.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked.
John clicked a button on a small remote he pulled out of his pocket. A screen slowly fell down between the group, causing them to backup so they all could see it. "The flower does indeed bloom every seven years, but we discovered that it has an on and off cycle where it blooms four years in addition to the seven year bloom." John explained as he pulled up a picture of the flower and its lifecycle. "And luckily, for us, it should be in bloom right about now."
"Not after we blew it up." Cole said.
"The flower is very resilient." John said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Besides, life always finds a way."
"You're forgetting the part where there are terrifyingly large snakes that eat people." Gail said as she looked at John.
John laughed. "Cole explained it well enough. You blew up the mating ball. For all we know there aren't any snakes left out in that jungle."
"And like you explained, doc," Bill shot back, "life finds a way."
John looked at Bill for a moment, the sly smile still on his face. "We can pay you handsomely." He finally said as he looked away from Bill.
"What do you even need us for?" Sam asked. "If you know where the orchid is and you have the money, why don't you go get it?"
John took a step towards her and Sam could feel Bill tense behind her, but she wasn't afraid of this man. "You're the Finale Four," he said as he motioned at them, "you've been out there when it has all gone wrong and survived. I could use luck like that."
"Oh my god." Cole said as he turned away, pacing back and forth for a moment, his hand running over his face. "I don't think you heard me when I said there is no amount of money that could get me back into that jungle." He said as he looked at John.
"Damn straight." Gail added as she looked John up and down, arms still crossed tightly over her chest.
John looked between Gail and Cole before his eyes settled on Sam and that intense feeling of knowing him, but not knowing him hit her full force.
"Come on, Sam." John said. "Finish the career you set out to do all those years ago."
"I have all I need right here." Sam said with a shake of her head as she placed a hand on Bill's arm. "I'm not going back out there."
She watched as John's eyes narrowed as he looked between her and Bill. She could see the men sitting behind John move to a standing position and Sam wondered if they could make it to the door that was just behind them before something bad happened. The tension between the two groups peaked before John was smiling again. He pulled back from Sam, his arms resting behind his back.
"Of course." He said, his voice smooth. "I shouldn't have asked it of you. We will still pay you what was promised as compensation."
"We're free?" Cole asked, his voice full of disbelief. "Just like that?"
"Just like that." John said with a nod of his head. "I will be sorry to see you all go, but I wish you the best. I apologize for any hard or bad feelings I may have brought up." He said as he held out his hand for them to shake. Sam was the last one to take his hand, shiver running down her spine as he smiled at her.
"Come on," Bill said as he took her hand, "let's get out of here."
The four of them turned to leave. Sam threw one last glance at John who was now conversing with the men that were behind him. While she hoped to never see him again, she couldn't help the terrible feeling that this wasn't over yet.
"The earliest flight is at nine am tomorrow." Gail said as she slammed her glass on the counter before waving at the bartender to refill it.
"Well," Bill said as he brought his drink to his lips, "Only twelve hours stand between us and getting the hell out of here."
"Yeah and I'm going to be drinking for half of them." Cole said with a grin as he ordered them all another round. "Where did you even find this bar?" He asked as he looked around at the chaos inside. There we people gambling, chatting, girls dancing, and a bunch of shady looking characters stalking around. All in all Cole didn't mind. The busyness kept his mind occupied.
"Funny story." Bill said with a laugh.
"You weren't with us yet," Gail said as she tipped her glass in Cole's direction, "but this is the bar we picked Bill up in."
"Oh," Cole said as he looked at Bill, "so this is the place that started the near destruction of my life. Seems fitting we're back here." He said, but he was still smiling at his friends.
"If only we knew back then what would become of us now." Gail said a little more softly.
Sam's eyes were on the red door at the front of the bar. She remembered walking through them four years ago, searching for someone crazy enough to take them up the river in the rainy season. Back then the only thing that mattered was finding the orchid. They couldn't wait to get out there and now she couldn't wait to leave. The door opened and Sam froze in her seat as she watched Jack, decked out in his rain gear stroll in, his eyes roaming the bar. He spotted her, a smile spreading over his face. He started to move towards her, but just as someone passed in front of him, Jack disappeared. Sam released the breath she was holding onto.
"Did anyone else think John looked familiar?" She asked as she turned to them, shaking the shiver that threatened to run down her spine.
"You mean like one of the thousands of assholes who tried to convince us to go back out into the jungle?" Gail asked with a raise of her eyebrow.
"No," she said her lips turning up in a hint of a smile for a moment, "more like in a we should know him sort of way."
"You know," Cole said as he placed his hand on his chin in thought, "he did remind me of Jack for the briefest of moments."
Sam's eyes slid to the door for a moment, but Jack was not standing there. She knew he was just her imagination and the stress and anxiety of being back was getting to her, but still, it didn't stop her heart from beating rapidly in her chest. She felt a warm hand cover her own and she turned to see Bill smiling at her.
"Hey," he said, his voice soft, "Jack's gone. He can't hurt us."
"I know." Sam said with a nod her head. "Even after a couple of years it's hard to let go of what happened."
"Well," Cole said as he passed them all of a shot, "here's our chance to finally say 'fuck this place' and leave it all behind."
The four of them clinked their glasses together quickly downing the shot and hoping they could all finish moving on.
"You know," Bill said as he casually leaned against the bathroom door frame, a mischievous grin on his face, "this is where it all began."
Sam placed her earrings on the counter, turning her attention to him, a smile spreading over her face. "How could I forget?" She asked as she took a step towards him, her voice low and sultry. "And to think you once told me if I needed anything I was shit out of luck." She was pressed lightly against his chest, her lips inches from his own, but her eyes captured his blue ones in a captivating glance.
"I was a different man then." Bill said with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Sometimes you need a near death experience to realize what was in front of you all along."
Sam laughed as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. Four years ago she wouldn't have been so brave to make the first move, but he was hers and she would savor every moment they had together. Bill pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. He remembered the first time his lips had met hers. Hunger and healing. He realized after that moment he never wanted anyone else. Sam laughed as he picked her up, carrying her to the bed. Just as they were starting to undress each other their hotel phone rang, disturbing their moment. Bill groaned as he rolled over, answering it. Sam admired his muscles in the dim light of the hotel room earning her a smirk as he talked on the phone.
"Apparently there's something at the front desk for us." Bill said as he hung up the phone. "It can wait if you want." He said as he cocked an eyebrow.
"No," Sam said as she got up from the bed, fixing her dress, "I'd rather not get disturbed the rest of the evening."
Bill laughed and gave her a small nod of his head before he grabbed his shirt, putting it back on. He leaned down and gave her a quick, sweet kiss before heading out of the room and down to the lobby. He was surprised to meet Gail and Cole in the elevator on his way down.
"Let me guess," Cole said as he pointed at both of them, "you got a call about something waiting for you at the front desk too."
Bill and Gail nodded their heads and filed out of the elevator and into the lobby. Bill noticed it was lightly raining outside before a flash of lightning lit up the front doors. He wondered how flooded the basin was and how high the river was running.
"We got a call that a package was waiting for the three of us." Gail said to the front desk attendant.
"Yes ma'am." The woman said as she disappeared behind the counter for a moment before she pulled out three, large gift baskets with bottles of champagne in them.
Cole rubbed his hands together grinning as he unwrapped his gift basket. "Well, what do we have here?" He looked through all of the stuff before pulling out a card with his name on it. He looked over noticing that Gail and Bill had one as well. He opened the envelope, pulling the card out.
"My apologies for bringing you back to the place that brought you so much harm. I hope this small gift will find you well. John." Cole read aloud. He looked up at Gail and Bill, a questioning look on his face as they read their own notes.
"What a prick." Gail said as she flipped the card over, examining it with a glare.
"Hey," Cole said as he gathered the champagne bottle in his arms, "I'll drink that asshole's bubbles if he's sending them to me."
Sam moved back to the bathroom, taking the rest of her jewelry off. She laid her necklace down on the counter before she looked back up into the mirror. She screamed as she spotted Jack's reflection standing just behind her. She turned, stumbling into the counter, but there was no one behind her. She clutched her chest, catching her breath.
"Why do I keep seeing you?" She asked herself as she rubbed her eyes. She couldn't wait to be as far away from here as possible. She heard the sound of the door click open and sighed with relief that Bill was back. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before moving back out into the main room. "What was waiting for-"
She froze in the doorway, staring at the strange man dressed in all black smiling at her next to the bed.
"Who are you?" Sam demanded, her eyes quickly looking around the room for any sort of weapon she could use to defend herself.
"You're coming with me." He said in a low voice as he started for her.
Sam turned back into the bathroom, quickly shutting the door. The man was faster, slamming into it before she had a chance to lock it. She was thrown backwards as the door burst open. Sam grabbed the hair dryer, hitting the man across the face, causing him to fall into the shower. Sam stumbled out of the bathroom and moved to the door, retching it open. She rushed forward, but before she could stop herself she was crashing into two other men just waiting for her. She screamed as strong arms wrapped around her and began pulling her down the hall.
"LET ME GO!" She yelled as she thrashed in the man's arms.
The elevator doors opened and Bill, Cole, and Gail all stepped out. Sam screamed Bill's name, catching all of their attention.
"Sam!" Bill shouted as he started sprinting towards her, Gail and Cole right on his heels.
His hand wrapped around the champagne bottle, throwing it with all his strength at the two men taking her down the hall. The bottle smashed into the wall, spraying all three of them. Sam took advantage of the man being distracted and stomped down hard on his foot. He screamed in pain, releasing her. She took off running, her friends calling her name, but before she could reach Bill the man she had hit earlier stepped out of the room right in front of her.
"Don't you dare touch her." Bill growled as he sprung forward. Before he could reach them the sound of gunshots made him duck behind one of the maid's service carts.
Sam looked wildly around for anything that could help her, but there was nothing in reach. She charged forward, trying to push past the bigger man, but he securely grabbed onto her, dragging her back down the hall as the other men fired shots on her friends. Bill gritted his teeth as Sam's screams tore through him, but the bullets kept him behind the maid's cart. He could hear the sound of a door opening and he took his opportunity to and started down the hallway.
"Bill, look out!" Cole yelled as one of the men aimed his gun right at Bill.
Bill dropped to the floor just as the man fired before he disappeared behind the door that led to the stairwell. Bill quickly got his feet, sprinting down the hall, which seemed endless. By the time he got into the stairwell he could hear Sam's shouts growing fainter and the sound of a door opening. He took off down the stairs, his blood pumping in his ears. He had to get to her. He couldn't let them take her. The thunder rumbling outside synchronized with the pounding of his heart. He jumped over the last railing, his boots hitting the floor loudly. He pushed open the door, the rain starting to come down in sheets around him. He came to a stop, turning this way and that. There was no one around, no screams, and no sight of Sam. He could feel his breath hitch in his throat, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest. They were gone. She was gone.
"Fuck!" Bill yelled as he ran his hands through his hair. He looked around for a few moments more before deciding that he was just wasting time. He went back into the hotel, in hopes of finding Gail and Cole.
"We tried calling the police." Gail said as they met Bill in the lobby. "The front desk tried too, but their line was busy."
"Yeah," Cole said, his jaw tight with frustration, "every goddamn line happens to be busy."
"Upstairs, now." Bill murmured, his body tense with anger.
"Did you see where they went?" Gail asked as the elevator doors closed behind them.
Bill just shook his head, still too upset to speak. He should have known it wouldn't have been that easy to leave. Why didn't he suspect something was wrong when all three of them were heading to the lobby together? Why did they come back?
"You have an idea of who's behind all of this." It wasn't a question. Bill looked over at Cole, giving him a small nod of his head.
"That fucking prick." Gail seethed as the elevator doors opened, allowing all three of them back out into the hallway.
They stopped when they realized everyone was out of their rooms, wondering what the hell had happened. People were whispering as workers started cleaning up the area where the bullets had penetrated. Bill stood in the middle of the hall, his eyes replaying the scene just before him. He could still hear Sam screaming his name and see the look of terror in her eyes as they dragged her away from him. He could feel his jaw quiver, his hands balling into tight fist.
"Hey," Cole said as he grabbed onto Bill's arm, "come on, let's go to my room."
Bill let Gail and Cole guide him to Cole's room. Once inside Gail tried to call the police several more times as Cole moved to set up his computer equipment. Bill leaned against the wall, leaning his head back and closing his eyes as he tried to think.
"Damn it!" Gail yelled as she threw her phone on a chair, running her hand through her curls. "How the hell can all of the lines be busy?"
"I'm sure if you pay them enough money they'll make sure not to answer for a certain time." Cole said as he moved between two different screens, rapidly typing and pulling up browsers.
"You think he paid off the authorities so no one would interfere?" Gail asked as she looked at Cole with concern.
"Dude had a lot of money to offer." Cole said with a shrug of his shoulders. "But my question is why? Why take Sam?"
"You mean there's more than he's just upset that he wasn't getting his way?" Gail asked with a cocked eyebrow as she poured herself a drink.
"This was personal." Bill finally said as he opened his eyes, looking at both of them. "Whoever this John person really is must have been planning this for a while now."
"Why?" Gail asked, her hands on her hips. "He doesn't know us. All he wanted was that damn flower and he thought we were going to lead him to it."
Silence fell between the three of them for several moments as everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Only the sound of Cole's fingers on his keyboard rapidly clicking away filled the room. "Uh, guys," Cole said as he looked up from his computer screen, "you better come see this."
Gail and Bill moved so they were standing just behind Cole. On one screen there was a company website pulled up called the "Biological Preservation Organization" and on the other were several windows opened with documents with the BPO insignia in the top right corner of all of them.
"That's the company John said he worked for." Gail said as she squinted her eyes to get a better look at some of the documents.
Cole nodded his head. "After he approached us I did just some light research on the company that was going to stupidly sponsor us to come back out here. Just your typical big pharma company."
"So?" Bill asked as Cole scrolled through the website.
"So," Cole continued on, "while you were chasing after the baddies I found this card on the ground where Sam was taken." He said as he held up a small black card with a white shield in the middle. On the shield was a green snake's head, mouth wide open and fangs bared. Below it were two bones crossed over each other to make an X. Bill grabbed it from Cole's outstretched hand, running his fingers over it with interest.
"What the hell is that?" Gail said as she took the card from Bill, examining it carefully.
"That is the symbol of a very secret and very well funded military program called Venom." Cole said as he clicked to a screen, taking him to a forum. "I dug around to see what the symbol was linked to. This hacker's forum took me to these documents," Cole said as he clicked back to the documents he had pulled up earlier, "which is an agreement between BPO and Venom."
"What does this have to do with us or Sam?" Bill asked as he leaned against the table to better see the screens.
"As I was looking through the hacked files I came to this profile page for BPO." Cole said as he pulled another tab up. "Now who does that look like?" Cole asked as he leaned back in his chair, pointing to the picture in the top right corner.
Gail gasped, her hands coming up to her mouth. "That's John."
"But we already knew he was working for BPO." Bill argued as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Not surprising he's also doing dirty work for a military organization."
"That's not all," Cole said, "he changed his name about four years ago to John Davis." He scrolled through the profile, clicking on a section to enlarge it. "But take a look at his birth name."
"John Byron." Gail whispered. "It can't be."
"Sam said he seemed familiar, but couldn't understand why." Cole said as he looked up at both of them, his eyes filled with worry. "This isn't just anyone that wanted us to go back into that jungle."
"Jack's brother." Bill said, his voice low. "It's revenge."
"Not just revenge," Cole said darkly, "but whatever agreement they have with Venom is more than just about the orchid."
"And that bastard knows everything because of our book." Gail said in horror. "He thinks his brother was the victim in all of this."
"He's going to take her back into that jungle." Bill murmured, his heart racing again. He couldn't let that happen. Not after everything they had been through the first time around.
"What can we do?" Gail asked as she began pacing in front of the boys. "They probably have enough money to pay anyone off to make sure no one comes looking for them."
Cole just looked down at his keyboard, not sure what to do next. Bill stood, hands on his hips, his mind running through all of the possible scenarios, but he knew there was only one thing he could do. His stomach twisted just thinking about it, but he knew Sam needed him. There was no telling what John had planned for her out there.
"I'm going after them." Bill finally said.
Gail and Cole immediately turned to look at him, both with concern and fear. "Say what?" Cole asked, like he hadn't heard Bill correctly.
"I'm going back out into that jungle and I'm bringing Sam back." He said again.
"Bill, are you insane?" Cole asked, standing up so quickly from his chair that he knocked it over. "You know what's out there!"
Bill shook his head. "I don't care. Sam needs me and I won't let her down." He said. He started for the door, his mind rapidly working out what he needed to do to get on the river as soon as he could.
"Bill," Gail said as she grabbed onto his arm, "there has to be some other way."
"There is no other way." Bill responded. "You said it yourself, they have too much money. No one is going to stop them." He moved passed Gail, his hand resting on the door handled before he turned and looked at them. Cole and Gail were standing side by side, eyes wide with sadness and helplessness. "Look, get on the first plane out of here tomorrow, before they come back for you too. I would never ask you to go back into that jungle." He said a little more softly. He couldn't be angry or upset with them for not wanting to come along. How could he? The only thing even pushing him to do what he was about to do was the thought of losing Sam forever.
"Bill," Gail said as she took a step forward, "you don't have to ask."
"We're coming with you." Cole said with a nod of his head.
"You don-" Bill began.
"Yes," Gail said, cutting him off, "we do. Sam is one of us and she's alone in enemy territory."
"The Final Four, baby." Cole said with a smile. "Let's go get our girl."
Bill couldn't help the small smile that filled his face. "Alright, but this time we're taking a little more firepower with us."
Sam tried to steady her breathing as she was shoved forward, but her rapid heart rate had not decreased since she had been taken at the hotel. Her bare feet stumbled over cool metal and the bag over her head made it hard to catch her ragged breaths. Her wrist ached from being tied so tightly by thick ropes and she had to fight from vomiting. Strong hands forced her down on her knees and she inhaled deeply as the bag was pulled from her head. She blinked a few times, her tied hands coming up to block the bright light shining in her face. Once her eyes adjusted she could see John come into focus just in front of her. She looked around the open deck area of the boat they were on. It had been much bigger than Bill's old boat and newer too. The sounds of the jungle flooded her senses and she slowly turned to look behind her. In the darkening sky she could make out the dark, dense trees she had sailed past four years ago.
"Hello, Sam," John said casually from the table he was sitting at, drinking from his glass, "so glad you could join us."
"Why did you bring me back here?" Sam asked, her head still to the side, her voice low as she tried not to break down. She knew what was waiting beyond those trees. She could feel her hands shaking.
"I didn't want to start our journey off this way, but you and your friends really didn't give me a choice." John said with a sigh as he set his glass down.
"So you kidnapped me instead?" Sam asked as she glared up at him. "What have I ever done to you?"
John smiled as he leaned forward in his seat, placing his elbows on his knees. "Everything I told you was the truth, for the most part."
"What do you mean?" She asked. She knew there was no way out. There was only the boat and the jungle and she wouldn't dare step foot in there if she didn't have to.
"I do want to find the orchid," he explained, "it is very vital to my research, but I wanted to do something else." Sam didn't like the wicked gleam in his eye as he looked at her. "I wanted to finish what my brother started."
John leaned back in his chair, letting his words sink in. Sam's lips parted in terrified realization as she looked up at him with wide eyes. "Jack." She whispered. "You're Jack's brother."
John grinned, holding out his hands to give her a little shrug of his shoulders. "We never looked much alike, Jack and I."
"He never talked about you." Sam said as she swallowed a lump in her throat. She was beginning to understand just how much danger she was in.
John barked a laugh. "Yeah, that sounds like Jack." He took a sip of his drink, the ice cubes clinking against the side of the glass. "He always was more interested in his work than anything else. That and, " he looked down at Sam, "a pretty face."
"If you read our book then you would know that Jack betrayed us." Sam stated boldly, her lips quivering with anger. "He killed one of our own and then left the rest of us to die. When that wasn't enough he nearly killed us all to get that damn flower."
"You're lying!" John said as he slammed his glass down on the table, startling her slightly. John cleared his throat as he calmed himself. "You're lying."
"Why would I lie about something like that?" Sam asked in disbelief. "Jack was responsible for his own self destruction."
John quickly stood up from his chair, pacing in front of her. "Funny how we only know one side of the story because my brother is dead." He snarled as he looked at her. "Tell me, did you ever know how he felt about you?"
Sam looked up at him, her heart dropping in her stomach. "Yes." She whispered. She knew where this was going and it made her feel sick thinking about it.
"I didn't speak with my brother often, but when I did he talked about you all the time." John went on, his footsteps echoing into the surrounding jungle. "He gave you everything, "John said as he stopped to look at her, malice in his eyes, "and you left him for the captain of that shitty boat."
"Jack hurt us-" Sam began, but John moved quickly, smacking her across the cheek to silence her. Sam fell to the deck of the boat with a painful grunt, her cheek burning from where he had hit her.
"Don't make up lies about my brother." John said, his chest heaving. "You betrayed him. You chose that man over him. You caused the mutiny."
Sam looked up at him, her eyes narrowed in anger as she pushed herself back up to a seated position. "Is that what you want? Revenge for his death?"
John sat back down, picking up his glass, taking a long sip from it. He set it down sighing slightly, "Revenge, that's a nice word."
"So why don't you just kill me now?" Sam asked, although, she felt like she already knew the answer.
"Who said I wanted to kill you?" John asked as he looked at her with disbelief. "No, no, no, no, no my dear Sam." He said with a shake of his head. "Killing you would be too easy. You must pay a price. Now, the boat driver on the other hand, well…" He trailed off as he took another sip.
"Leave Bill alone." She growled, glaring at him.
"I don't think you're in any position to make demands." John said as he snapped his fingers. Someone rushed forward with a pair of brown shorts, a white tank top and a blue flannel with hiking boots, placing it in front of her.
"What is this?" Sam asked as she looked down at the clothes.
"While you do look quite beautiful in that dress it's not very appropriate for the jungle." He said as he gave the same person a nod of his head. The man leaned down and cut Sam's bonds with a small knife, freeing her. Sam rubbed her sore wrist before she slowly reached out for the clothes. "I need your clever mind, Sam, and I suspect you won't be jumping into the river anytime soon."
"If you think Bill won't come after me-" Sam began.
John laughed. "Your friends said there wasn't enough money in the world to make them go back into the jungle, why would they do it to rescue you?"
Sam didn't say anything as she slowly got to her feet. She knew how much this place terrified them. How could she blame them for not coming after her? She wasn't worth it. She could feel her lip trembling, but she held on, not giving John the satisfaction of seeing her completely lose it.
"David will show you to your room." John said as he waved his hand to dismiss her. "Get some rest, my dear, we have a lot of work to do."
Sam silently followed David down the hall, taking in everything around her. She spotted a door partially open that had a set of stairs and the sound of talking was wafting up from wherever they led. David showed her to a small room with just a tiny bed and a window looking out over the river. Once inside she could hear him lock the door from the outside, trapping her. She dropped the clothes on the bed before she leaned against the wall opposite it, slowly sliding down until she was on the floor. The tears came slowly at first, burning down her cheeks before her chest began to heave and the sobs took control. She buried her face in her arms allowing herself to completely be consumed by her fear and heartache.
Hold on, Sam, I'm coming for you
His voice, Bill's voice, echoed in the chaos of her mind forcing her to take a deep breath. She took a few more steadying herself. She had let go and now it was time to put herself back together. She hadn't died in this jungle the first time and she wasn't going to now. She didn't care what John said. Bill would find her and she would try her damn hardest to survive this hell.
Gail and Cole stood on one of the decks overlooking the river, a light drizzle falling over them. There was hustle and bustle everywhere as people moved from various sized ships and carts, hauling fish and over goods. Most of the boats were tied off, no one daring to go out in the rainy season.
"I can't believe we're about to go back out there, willing." Cole said as he nodded his head towards the jungle lying just beyond the next bend.
"Sam's out there with that monster," Gail said as she crossed her arms over her chest, "wouldn't you want us to come if they had taken you?"
"Of course I would." Cole said with a frustrated sigh. "I'm not backing out, but damn, I'm not gonna lie I'm scared shitless."
"Me too." Gail said as she suppressed a shiver. "At least this time we know what's out there."
Cole nodded his head before he reached into his rain jacket, pulling out his flask. He took a long sip from it before handing it to Gail. She gratefully accepted it, taking a large swig of her own. They caught sight of Bill waving them over and they quickly picked up their bags, running out into the rain where he was standing.
"Did you get us a boat?" Cole asked as they caught up with him.
"I did," he said with a half smile, "and you'll never guess what it's called."
Gail and Cole exchanged a quick glance, lifting their eyebrows before they followed Bill over the dock and to the boat that would be taking the three of them up river. Bill had explained he had a friend they could buy the boat off of without too many questions. It was sitting out on the water, roughly the same size as the Bloody Mary, but not nearly as in terrible shape. There weren't as many patchwork jobs and tires hanging off the side, but its name was painted in giant red letters.
"You've got to be kidding me." Gail said as she placed her hands on her hips, catching Bill's grin as he looked at them.
"The Bloody Mary Two?" Cole asked as he looked between the name and Bill in disbelief. "Man, wasn't one bad enough?"
"That's not all." Bill said as he threw his bag over his shoulder.
There was a delighted animal laugh as Kong hoped down from the rafters of the ship, landing on Gail's shoulder and excitedly chattering in her ear. They both laughed as Cole reached out and gave the monkey a generous pat on the head.
"Little man is still around I see." He said as Kong happily sat on Gail.
"My buddy's been looking after him since we've been gone." Bill said as he reached forward, scratching under Kong's chin. He looked back up at the boat, a mix of anxiety and excitement filling him. He knew the risk and it wasn't just his life at stake, but he knew he would never forgive himself if he abandoned Sam. He knew she was a fighter and so was he.
"If we don't leave now I don't think we will be able to at all." Gail said, breaking the silence that had fallen between all of them.
"Right." Bill said as he swallowed the lump in his throat. "Come on."
I don't think anyone is reading this, but in case they are I am working on the second half and will have it posted eventually haha