Hell, I had just "broken" the only rule that guide John had made us repeat: "Don't separate from your mate under any circumstances" ... But what could I do? Go into the jungle that I wouldn't go, especially with the possibility of other bigger animals being there! My heart was still pounding with adrenaline, it was going to take a few days for me to get back to normal ... Knowing myself so well, I knew I will spent the night wake up and with several trips to the bathroom. I could only sigh ... And that's what I did as I climbed the trail marked with yellow or orange ribbons. My mind began to search for items in the woods that made me blur what had happened, while the conscious part said, "You owe your life to this man, Liura! Don't forget to say thank you and stop teasing him with his sober way of seeing life! It was this sobriety that allowed cold blood to help you with the right tool at the right time."
I walked about 10 minutes, not listening to the rest of the excursion in front of us and not hearing James coming down the path until John emerges out of nowhere, out of a few pines and scares me, almost as much as the rattlesnake had done:
"Where did you get in?! Where's your partner?! "- looking behind me to see if he could see him coming.
With my hand on my heart, I quickly explained what had happened and said James was coming at any moment, also asked where the others were and he signaled far ahead, something like a clearing, where they had stopped to rest and wait for us. We walked into the clearing and were all around a small fire dug in the ground and with stones around it. Ana, Noel and Jacob talked happily about the wonders they had seen, how the air was purer, how the sounds were clearer; Niki commented that he missed his cell phone signal, but seeing the bald eagle made up for it. When I arrived with the guide, they stopped talking and looked at me and John stepped forward and told how little he knew about the rattlesnake attack, appreciating the presence of the pair at such a time; I took advantage that James had not yet returned and put my colors in the narrative, making it clear that if it were not for him only God knows where I would be now. This "broke the ice" about our delay at this resting point.
"But you will continue the climb with us, won't you?" Ana asked, more concerned about her walk than mine, but still a genuine question to answer.
"My heart is still tachycardic… I don't know how much going on can be good for you. I could stay here, wouldn't I, John? "- looking at the guide and genuinely waiting for him to free me from the climb.
"Sorry, Liura… Like I said, it would be very complicated to leave a couple or just one person behind; What if James wants to make the climb, huh? You had a "first grade" date, I'm glad your partner managed to handle the problem, so why not keep enjoying, huh? "- and smiled genuinely at me, throwing the invitation to everyone present.
"If you think it can be profitable, I'll do my best, of course!" - and gave my best rehearsed smile in the world.
We waited for James a few more minutes, and as soon as he arrived he came to check on me, asking about my heart and if I could handle the walk. I said yes, at least until the next stop, which would be close to 11:30am.
The others got up and put their rucksacks on their backs, Niki, who was a little distant, approached Jacob and they exchanged a smile, leaving just behind John to continue the trail; Ana and Noel followed, chatting trivia and I struggled to my feet, hesitating and being supported by James: "Hey! Slow down there! You went through a lot back there… Are you sure you want to do that. I'll stay with you, girl…"
"Thanks! Thank you! I still don't thank you for what you did for me! I only know that words do not express how grateful I am, see?" - placing a hand over his and slightly disengaging me to start taking the step and follow others: "Come on, life shows us the challenges we need to overcome everyday. Rest assured that this is the hardest I have ever had to face, but I will not to give up!"
James smiled and followed me, staying a few steps behind. Would I be afraid that at some point I would faint and need help? I will never know, because the return to the walk and the distractions of the road made me forget what had happened and when I realized the heartbeat was normal and after about 40 minutes we reached the meeting point II, where we would have lunch some instant noodles that John had taken. We took advantage of a large tree cut near the campfire to use as a table and each put something he had brought in his backpack, exchanging food to strengthen us for the last journey before the return.
As I am very proactive, I took care of collecting firewood and Ana said she would accompany me, we took several sticks and talked about our experiences in the cities, each one in their area. She was going to start life, I was already in the job market for over 11 years. When we arrived with our sticks, John and Noel stopped talking and gave us a suspicious look, but seeing how pretty Ana was, it was no wonder they were talking about her, right?
We piled everything into the dirt hole where the fire would be and Niki lit the pyre, warmed the water, ate a pasta followed by fruits and crackers that were on the makeshift table, it was a very good time together. It made me totally forget the adrenaline. During the preparation and the lunch I noticed that John gave me smiles that I reciprocated innocently. I have this big "flaw" of returning compliments and smiles, oh my…
We did the missing stretch and, as it was a little steeper, sometimes James helped me, sometimes John, and I also helped Ana and Jacob, we were a team, right? No big deal ... At least that's what I thought. We made it to our final point at 2pm and we were enjoying Nature a bit.
James called me to see some mark left on a tree. When I got there there were four marks on a pine tree, he says: "If one of the claws was missing I could say your Wolverine was here, huh?" - and smiled deliciously.
"Ahhh… c'mon! It is very exciting to see the claws of a bear, but really, if it were three I would freak out!"- pointing with the phone to make a selfie anyway, on the side of the marks.
He laughed some more and then invited me back with the others, he would stay a little longer to see if there was any danger even of the bear being near. My countenance froze and I nodded, returning my way. I could hear the others, but not see them from where I was, and out of the pines comes John, giving me the biggest fright.
"You look cute when you're scared, you know that? You look so helpless ... "- and came with his hand toward my arm.
I took a step back as I said:
"Hey! Are you crazy? I didn't give you any freedom to think about touching me, no! "
"Wow… Didn't it? And those smiles? Even not looking Brazilian, your fame precedes you, my dear…. A woman like you, walking alone in this country? It can only be after a romance. Make sure I can offer you one you won't forget… "- stepping forward and bumping me into a pine tree trunk.
"I beg your pardon?! The vast majority of Brazilians are not sluts, no, John! Drop me! "- and I was already protecting my breasts and face in my arms and hands, closing my eyes and wishing it was just a "fuc #g" nightmare when I heard a crack and again, James' voice "You need to bless yourself, girl!" and his hand touching my shoulder. I opened my eyes slowly and saw John sitting on the floor with his hand over his face and muttering that this would not be so. James threatened to go towards him and he ran up and set off to find the others.
"Man, I can't believe you saved me twice, I don't even know how to thank you… But I can start by saying, Thank you so much! You're my hero!" - the words hardly came out, I had never been harassed of this magnitude, not even in Brazil! I had almost been raped! And for a Canadian! ... My whole body was shaking, and with his hand on my shoulder, James felt the shaking.
"Come here…. Let's go back to the van and wait for them there… "- saying that, he hugged me as best he could, because his height and mine were not compatible. I then bent down a little and hugged him tighter, crying heavily on his shoulder. Babbling how much disgust I had from that guy…
I was crying for about 5 minutes, wiped the tears on my sleeve and realized that he no longer looked me in the eye. I had to ask:
"Sorry… Some of my attitude embarrassed you? What happened?"
"What? Not! Of course not! You aren't gonna apologize to me, are you?! I get so pissed off at people that I start to question life and death, you know? I was focused on not thinking about it, not doing it justice and suggesting you to go with me to the police station to complain about it… But I didn't know how far I could get into such a thing and, well, I ended up talking, so…"
"Ah… That could be an idea… But it turns out I'm just a tourist, he lives here and going to the police station could be a "shot in the foot"… I think I'd better go back to Brantford! Ending this vacation with some dignity, whatever…"
"This is what pisses me off too! You can be right, but you will only know if you try… There is no way for the victim to run away, stop realizing his dreams, as you told me back there, because of so many "doubts", please don't go away... I I'll stay with you in this, right? "- and looked back into my eyes, with a feeling of compassion that I couldn't help but cry again and be very confused about what I should do!
Before we started down the trail I opened my backpack and with the water washed my face. I smiled nervously to see that the cookie I brought was from the "Ice Age" and, picking it up, offered one to James "do you want it?"; he smirked and politely thanked, "Let's go back, shall we?"
Although a few tears still fall, I slung my backpack on and started the long way back with a mind full of "doubts".
