Jake wasn't one to ask for help, especially after he had argued with Sherry like that and assured her that he was fine on his own. But a tiny part of him was regretting that pride of his as he fumbled through the foliage with the sun beginning to set.

He hated to admit it…but he was lost.

"I might want to set up some kind of…camp or something." he grumbled stopping to lean against a tree. He had already strayed too far from the poacher's campsite to go back, and he was beginning to regret not grabbing one of those tents, or blankets. But he didn't dwell too much on it. After all, as a mercenary, he was used to sleeping on the ground. Only problem was, he wasn't used to sleeping in a fucking rainforest!

He had already seen a giant anaconda lying lazily on a thick tree branch during his wanderings, he was being eaten alive by mosquitoes and other insects, even the flora and fauna seemed to hate him as vines tugged at his legs, and giant plants constantly blocked his path making him feel like he was wandering in a giant hedge maze.

Setting up a place to rest near water was more than likely a bad idea, as he was fully aware of the big baddies that enjoyed their nightly hydration with a possibility of some Jake on the side. Not that he couldn't stand on his own…he just wasn't exactly a kung fu master in his sleep. And there was no telling if that cat-thing would come after him again.

"Tsh…like the 'good old days', indeed." He said quoting his thoughts when retrieving his mission, and flicked his head. Speaking of which, it was time to contact his employer. But he felt coughing up all the details was unnecessary, as that had been the result of unwanted price cuts in the past. He didn't feel like getting all the way out here just to get fucked over in the long run.

Pulling out his phone again, he selected a new contact from his list, and let the phone do the dialing.

"Yeah. It's Red Wolf." He said. Codenames were a usual occurrence with mercenary work, as using your real name could lead to some serious problems in the long run, if not careful. He pulled out his lighter as the recipient spoke on the other end. "Yeah. They're dead." I just didn't kill them. "Where's the drop off point? …Mm hmm…yep…ok. I need just a few days. I'll be there. And my money better be there too." He snapped his phone shut then slid down to sit against the tree and sighed.

The forest was dark now, and new sounds began a chorus around him. He had thought about climbing a tree to avoid any snakes or predators on the ground, but he would be useless if something attacked him, unless he slept with his gun in hand. No. He'd be better on the ground where he could easily defend himself should the need arise.

The idea of a fire attracting every living thing within a five-mile radius also didn't really appeal to him, so he put his lighter away and closed his eyes, leaning his head up against the cool bark behind him. That was one thing he was grateful for; the fact that the temperature had dropped to a comfortable level, and he was at least not sweating anymore. However his shirt, having been drenched from his sweat during the day, didn't exactly smell like flowers, and clung to his muscles shaping them out beneath the fabric. He crinkled his nose and groaned.

It wasn't often that his own stench bothered him, but he wanted to get some rest, and his B.O. wasn't exactly lulling him to sleep. Even as a man, it was too much to bear, so he slid his shirt off, peeling it off his finely shaped muscles…not that he was losing any protection, anyway. He stretched it over a nearby branch, hoping the cool wind would air it out by tomorrow, and retook his place by the tree and closed his eyes.

Everything was white. Jake looked down at his feet as he felt his boot crunch in the soft snow that blanketed the ground and his surroundings. Why was there so much snow? Landmarks were meshed together in their pearly new coverings, making it appear as if he were standing in a vast amount of nothingness. A soft sprinkle of snowflakes gently floated down from the heavens and began to collect on Jake's dark attire, almost as if trying to purify him. The silence that surrounded him was both peaceful and terrifying.

He lifted his gloved hand and watched as a few flakes melted against his warm palm, while others began to clutch on for their existence. Without a sound, he looked up, and a bird cage had appeared before him. A large bird cage, big enough to house the petite individual that sat in its dead center dressed in a pure white gown. She sat on her knees with her eyes closed and the gentle snowflakes collecting on her short, golden locks. In her hands she held a vibrant red apple without a bruise on it. It was as flawless as her skin which had been made so by the regenerative properties of the G-virus that coursed through her veins.

Jake took a step towards her, "…Sherry?"

Slowly, she looked up at him opening her silver-blue eyes and gazing deeply into his. Her face was serene but sad. She frowned and tears welled up in her eyes. As a single drop slid down her soft cheek and dropped from her chin, it landed on the apple which proceeded to melt into a pool of thick blood, melting into her lap and staining the purity that had been there just moments before.

Jake couldn't take it anymore. He dashed towards her, but the faster he ran, the further she was. But his stubbornness kept him from giving up. He groaned and picked up his speed, only to have the ground give out from underneath him.

He awoke with a start. The sun had still not risen yet, but the mist and mildew told him that the morning was upon him. Grateful for the undisturbed rest, he got up and plucked his shirt from the branch and sniffed it. The sweat smell still lingered, but for the most part, it was gone. Sliding it back over his torso, he thought back to his dream. Most of it had already left his memory, but he could still picture Sherry sitting there with the apple cupped in her hands.

What the fuck was that all about? He wondered checking his gun for any impurities. This jungle has me losing my damn mind. I need to get the hell out of here. With his gun checked, and his shirt back on, he picked up a fruit which he had nabbed from the poacher's camp, and proceeded to eat it as he began his trek again. He groaned as he felt the temperature slowly beginning to raise…it was going to be another hot one.

The day went on and the temperature grew as he kept up his pace, much to Jake's dismay. Being born in Edonia, he was used to hot temperatures, but in this damned rainforest, it wasn't just hot but also humid. He wondered how fast he would fry if the sun could actually make its way through the treetops, but pushed the thought from his mind as the sound of running water grabbed his attention.

His pace picked up and he quickly found himself facing a wide opening that revealed a sparkling water pool at the bottom of a steep waterfall and draining into a narrow river that snaked it's way further into the jungle. There was just one problem. The water source that enticed him was about a three story drop from his position.

"When's a guy gonna get a break around here?!" he groaned looking grudgingly at the water below him as he felt saliva begin to well up in the back of his mouth. He stepped up to the edge of the cliff he hadn't realized he was on until now, then peered down to see where he could find his way to that mini paradise that was calling his name. "Sheer drop, eh?" He said twitching his head. "Challenge accepted."

Following the perimeter of the ledge, he checked for any outcrops or rocks that he could use as footing to get himself down. He finally came cross a slight slope that, although still rather deadly, was tilted just enough for him to grip. Swinging his boot down, he felt for his first point of footing, and slowly lowered him down from the safety of solid ground.

It was a slow, tedious process of careful balance and manipulation of his body and weight distribution. Any slipup would lead to certain death and Jake wasn't all that keen on meeting up with the cloaked bastard just yet. After all, he had five hundred thousand dollars just waiting for his company back in Edonia…he wasn't about to disappoint.

"Don't worry, babies, daddy will be back before you know it." He said feeling blindly for another rock.

This one wasn't as secure as he had originally guessed and slid out from its cubby in the cliff face, causing Jake to lose his footing and slide uncontrollably down. Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! He grabbed at anything he could get his hands on, rocks scraped at his face and chest, nicking him here and there. He finally managed to slow himself enough to secure himself tightly against the deadly earth, and hugged the wall with a sigh of relief as he clenched his eyes shut. Too damn close!

After resting a moment, he slowly looked down to see if he was getting close. "Oh." He said, realizing he had stopped himself not even a yard from the ground. Jake released his grip and landed safely on the rubble, then staggered towards the water. His legs felt wobbly after that climb down, and he wasn't sure how much more he would have been able to go without some hydration.

He plopped down on his hands and knees then plunged his head into the water taking in big gulps of the all too delicious spring. The refreshing liquid fueled his body and eased his muscles, cooling him down. He forced himself to stop a moment to breath before diving back into this spring that brought life back to his limbs.

After drinking his fill, he stood to gaze around the spring and get his bearings. He sighed at the realization that the discovery of this spring was new to him…meaning, he was even more lost than he was before. Had he somehow got turned around? He rested his hands on his hips then pulled out his phone, staring at it. Should he call her?

Jake hesitated, then snapped the device shut and put it back in his pouch. No. He would do this on his own.