The village elders sent out a search party to help contain the flames.
When the men reached the clearing that contained the fire, they were surprised to find the twisted wreckage of a plane, consumed in flames.
They immediately set about looking for survivors. Finally, one of the men called to his companions. "Over here!"
Nearby, amongst the wet foliage, lay the pilot, unconscious and bleeding.
They picked up the unconscious pilot and carefully carried him back to their village for medical attention.
The village elders were less than enthusiastic about the new patient. However, they agreed to treat his wounds until the proper authorities could pick him up and take him back to civilization.
They decided to send a small group of messengers on a long journey to deliver the news that a pilot had been found deep in the jungle, and that he was being cared for in their village. Among the messengers was the village's best warrior, the man they called Antonio.
Mark was taken into the dwelling of an old man, named Salvador and his young daughter, Claudia. The man was renowned for his knowledge of the various plants, roots, and berries in the nearby rainforest that could cure many wounds and diseases. He agreed to take in the pilot as his patient, and his daughter would become Mark's nurse.
Claudia's curiosity got the best of her as she stared into the stranger's bruised and bleeding face. She dipped a wet rag into some water and tenderly cleaned his wounds.
However, she didn't realize that someone was watching her from the doorway.
"You sure are interested in that stranger." He bellowed.
Claudia turned and saw Antonio's imposing figure in her doorway. "Father asked me to care for him, until you return with help."
Antonio frowned, folding his muscular arms across his chest. "Just don't care too much."
Claudia dipped her rag back into the clay pot in her lap and stared at Antonio. Was it possible that he could be jealous?
"I think I'm entitled to one last kiss from my bride before I leave." He huffed. He knew she didn't love him.
Claudia placed her pot of water on the floor and reluctantly walked over to her fiancé. She pecked him lightly on the lips. "Be careful, Antonio." She whispered.
Antonio gazed into her eyes once more, and then turned away to embark on his journey.
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After the race, Jason, Princess, Tiny and Keyop went out for pizza.
They all crowded together in a round booth and discussed the race.
"You were great out there, Jase! Wish I could race like that!" Tiny commented.
"Weight…big disadvantage…" Keyop teased, earning himself an elbow in the side from the big guy.
"Thanks, Tiny," Jason laughed. He looked over at Princess, who was sitting quietly next to him admiring her left hand.
" She's not with us today, guys. She's in La La land, I'm afraid…" Jason addressed Tiny and Keyop.
"More like…Wedding Land…" Keyop sputtered.
"Sorry," she shrugged and smiled. "I just can't help it."
"Hey, does the Chief know about this, yet?" Tiny asked.
"Yeah, Mark actually went to him and talked to him about it before he popped the question. Anderson knew it was coming…" Jason smirked.
Princess' eyes widened. The Chief. She hadn't thought about that. She knew that they had been given permission to date, but she was relieved to hear that she didn't have to be the one to break the news to their superior.
"So, he was ok with it?" Princess asked timidly.
"Yeah, but Mark was given a pretty stern warning that he'd better take care of you…" Jason answered.
Princess chuckled."You know, Jase, you're pretty good at keeping a secret. I'll have to keep that in mind." The Swan slid out of the booth to leave. "It's getting dark now, and I simply must return to greet my fiancé when he arrives." She grinned and held out her left hand mockingly. "Fiancé... has a nice ring to it, huh?"
Her dinner companions groaned back at her, and she giggled and turned to take Mark's car back to the airstrip. "See you later, guys." She waved back to them as she left.