7
And now we are back with Jeff who is in dire straits! I am a bit tied up tomorrow night so this will likely be the last update till Friday.
Jeff came to with the floor inches from his nose. He jolted with surprise before the pain assaulted him from all angles. He let out a dry strangled cry. His panicked movements caused him to swing like a pendulum on the strings of his parachute that were still ensnared in the tree. What on earth had happened? How did he get here? He felt restraints cutting into him, he needed to free himself to get a better look at where he was. He fumbled for the clasp before crashing out of the seat and facepalming the floor. It was damp with leaf litter and mud, covering the side of his face and entering his mouth, he spat it out with disgust. He head was in a spin as he tried to right himself too quickly. He pitched forwards back on to his hands and knees and was nearly sick. He gasped! His head was sore and his skin was torn in places on his forearms and legs from the branches he'd snagged on the way down. His right leg felt like it was on fire a intense burning radiating from his thigh. He couldn't walk, he nearly blacked out just kneeling on it.
Having not eaten or drunk much for the last two weeks Jeff was dangerously weak and wavered in and out of consciousness, his vision blurred. He dragged himself across the jungle floor in an army crawl, not sure where he was going but knowing that he needed help. It was twilight making it dusky, Jeff knew he couldn't stay out here overnight. He wouldn't survive. He could hear the monkey's hooting and chattering in the distance along with a cacophony of bird calls which were foreign to him. At this level he also picked up on the clicking and chirping of the native invertebrates. The rich sounds of jungle life gave him a chill, despite the extreme humidity which was causing Jeff to perspire heavily. His white shirt was soaked with it, his blazer in tatters. His trousers were already ripped at the knees and he had lost a shoe. Jeff could smell the damp earthy smell from the soil pressed to his face. He cried to call for help, but his voice failed him raw and dry from lack of use. He wheezed for help pitifully still creeping and shuffling along.
He came to a muddy puddle and desperately tried to scoop the water in his palms, welcoming its cool relief. Failing to get it to his mouth he slurped directly from the floor instead. It was filthy and tasted disgusting but it quelled the raging burn in his throat. He flopped over onto his back; he couldn't go any further. His body all but giving up on him. He lay there for some time, not quite unconscious but not coherent enough to will himself on. He was utterly at the mercy of the elements and may they have mercy on him!
A couple of hours later, Jeff cried out in agony as he woke up again. His stomach contracting and constricting in painful spasms, not happy with the water he had drunk earlier. Somehow, he managed to drag himself up and stagger leaning from tree to tree for support before being able to relieve himself in the bushes but it brought no relief from the stabbing and pulsating shooting pain in his abdomen. The pain so intense it made him double over in intense agony. By the time he'd made it back to the path his was sweating and shaking, the early stages of a raging fever apparent. He collapsed at the bottom of a large trunk. He wondered what on earth he had done in a past life to deserve this pain and found that try as he might he couldn't actually recall his life. He laughed hysterically. Who was he anyway? He had no idea! It was fully dark now the only thing he could do was hunch up against the tree at his back and pray he didn't die here. He found himself rambling and old song from his air-force days before he slipped into darkness again.
The morning had done little to clear the humidity, a strong mist curling and trapping the trees in its tendrils. It had been a rough night with heavy rainfall. A man and his daughter had left their coastal community early to collect firewood and to forage for fruit. They were well used to this familiar trail as they wound through the heart of the jungle. The father took the lead hoisting his basket further on to his back, one hand remaining on his walking staff. He looked older than his years but was more robust than his thin frame would let on. He was of average height with a full head of dark grey hair, slightly receded at the edges of his forehead. He was bronzed skinned with a wise and kindly face. When he conversed with his daughter his calm compassionate tone also mirrored his gentle demeanour.
With such a gentle soul as her father it was not a surprise that his daughter also radiated compassion and kindness. She had dark raven hair, tied back in a head scarf to bring some relief from the heat and humidity. Her eyes were almond shaped and a gorgeous chocolate brown colour, so dark you almost couldn't distinguish her iris from the colour of her pupils at a distance. Her heart shaped face had a distinct youthful innocence. She looked no more than eighteen. Both father and daughter were conversing leisurely in Malay, taking it in turns to observe their surroundings. Her father said something that caused her to burst into a gentle musical laugh. They had almost reached their destination now.
As they rounded the corner the daughter was surprised as her father quickly raised his hand in warning. She pulled up short nearly walking into him as she tried to see what caused her father concern. What she saw made her gasp. An older man was slumped against the tree in the clearing ahead in what looked to have once been an expensive suit which was now in tatters exposing his forearms and knees to the elements as well as some of his midriff. His face had strong handsome features with the fine lines and creases of age. His hair a dark brunette fading into a distinct grey in places. She noticed the blood even at this distance the crimson staining in stark contrast to his off-white shirt.
Her father had already rushed up to the gentleman and cautiously reached out for him, laying his staff down as he did so. He tried to wake the man but got no response. Her Father was shocked by the heat radiating off the man he was like a furnace! He noticed the gleam of the man's slick skin especially across his forehead. Who ever this man was, he was in a bad way - he needed help urgently!
"Tin-Tin, the water if you please." The man asked in Malay.
She dutifully grabbed the flask and offered it to her father. He gently tilted the man's head back and just dabbed enough water to wet his lips. Jeff stirred slightly and moaned. The man tried to give him a few more sips, the first few spilling from the wounded man's mouth before he suddenly began to swallow. Encouraged by this the man turned to his daughter and issued more instructions. Then came the next problem. How to get this man home. They were a long way out on the track and it was obvious he was in no walking condition. He explained as much to his daughter. She sat on her haunches for a moment contemplating their dilemma. Then she had an idea!
She quickly undid the large shawl of fabric that was tied around the basket on her back (Usually used to carry the firewood home) and laid it on the ground. She then grabbed her and her father's walking staffs and tied them to the fabric using the colourful tassels on the end of the blanket. Her father seeing her ingenious idea quickly helped her tie the remaining loose threads. Satisfied it would hopefully hold they then gently lifted the injured man onto the stretcher. Tin-tin lifted him by his feet whilst her father then lifted him by his arms. They then raised the stretcher between them, one of the man's arms hanging limply off the side of the gurney. They then began the arduous task of getting him home.