Jake filled his canteen then sat down on the pebbles that lined the water's edge. "Knowing my luck, some massive gator'll come jumping out." He chuckled staring at the water. But he knew better, as the water was so clean, that its rocky bottom was clearly visible. A predator of that size would have a hard time being stealthy.
Watching the unknown, colorful fish swim playfully on the other side of the spring, after being scared over there by Jake's presence; he leaned back onto his palms and smiled closing his eyes and facing the sky. "Maybe things are starting to look up, after all."
No sooner had he finished his sentence, a single drop of rain smacked his forehead causing him to flinch. A frown replaced his smile at this new arrival and he sighed, "Are you serious?" he groaned. It didn't take long for more droplets to fall, until the whole ground, Jake included, was soaked.
He got up and checked around him for some sort of shelter through the wall of rain, and soon rested his eyes on a shallow outcrop built into the cliff side. After squeezing most of his mass into the relatively dry space, he leaned up against the wall and grimaced, "First there's no water, now there's enough to supply a whole damn city!"
A shiver crept up his spine as a slight breeze touched his shirt. It brought back memories of when he had got himself caught in a snowstorm with a certain blond-haired DSO agent. Why was he thinking about her at a time like this? He needed to get out of this hellhole. But, judging by this new development, he was going to be hanging out for a little while. Why not remember the good times since he wasn't exactly doing anything else anyway?
Outside in the rain, something stirred through the tall grass.
Jake played with his lighter, staring at the flame he sparked and then killing it with a quick swipe of his thumb as he slid the lid back on. He repeated this motion several ties until he couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to get out of there; be on the move again, and no little water was going to stop him. Getting to his feet, he stepped back out into the rain. Fortunately, it had eased up a little, but not enough for comfort. But it was time to say goodbye to the little spring, and get out of this jungle.
But Jake didn't get very far before a low rumbling hiss caught his attention. His hand went to his pistol and he pulled it or his holder out in anticipation. Something was out there. He pivoted his head to take in every movement around him, but the rain made it a lot more difficult than it needed to be.
An oddity entered his vision and he squinted his eyes to study it. The rain appeared to be hitting some sort of invisible surface just ahead of him. Before he could fully grasp what they meant, an unseen force pushed into him, knocking him off his feet. It was then that he saw it; a large, serpent-like mouth open before him with wiggling fangs.
Definitely B.O.W. he thought rolling out of its path as it struck down onto its position. Jake retook to his feet then looked to see where it had gone. The rain pounded the ground around him. A few seconds of surveillance finally granted him a glimpse at a shimmer in the rain, revealing the snake's location.
Jake fired off his gun, and smirked as he heard his bullets make impact with its flesh; its blood oozed from its wounds. "How do you like that you son of a bitch!?"
In response, the snake coiled itself around hissing angrily, and struck out at him again grazing his side as he tried to dodge. He managed to stay standing as he spun around and watched it slither into the jungle; its camouflage had let up revealing chunks of flesh and scales.
"Where do you think you're going?" Jake shouted taking chase, "I'm not through with you!"
He ignored grabbing vines and slapping branches as he kept focus on the fleeing reptile. But when it rounded a large tree, he lost sight of it as he took the corner himself.
"Shit!' he snapped, stopping to grab his side and catch his breath.
Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out the red herb he had picked up the day before, and combined it with a green one that he already had on him then crushed them together into their capsules. Swallowing one, he leaned his palm against a tree and smirked, "Nobody wants to play. Maybe it's my breath?"
But he didn't have time to think before it struck again from a branch above him, knocking him away then slithering up to him to coil itself around his body. Jake had felt the ground shift a little just as the beast reached his position, then the air left his body as it started to squeeze him. Every muscle in his body started to go numb the more he struggled. Looking up, the Iluzja had unhinged its jaw and was preparing to swallow him.
Well fuck. Snake food? Really? That's how this ends? No valiant death jumping in front of a bullet for a loved one or something?
Just as he felt its tongue flick the top of his head, the ground beneath them collapsed, and the pair went tumbling into the darkness below. During the fall, the Iluzjas grip on Jake loosened, and he was released as the shadows overtook them.
Slowly Jake awoke groaning in the darkness of an underground tunnel. He leaned up, but jumped as his hand pressed against scaly flesh. The Iluzja lye dead below him; its flesh had provided cushion for his fall, saving his life at the expense of its own.
"Looks like your luck is about as good as mine." he said sliding off of it. Dusting himself off, he looked around letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, "Now to figure out where the hell I am." He walked up to the snake's head and nudged it with his foot, "Any ideas scale brain?"
Jake lifted himself over one of the snake's coils that was in his way, then headed down the tunnel. The ground's rather smooth. I'd say this is the work of people…not animals. Using his lighter, he knelt down and confirmed his suspicions; human footprints were clustered together accompanied by what Jake could only guess was wheel marks. Not a vehicle, more like a small wooden cart that whoever used this tunnel would pull behind them. The tracks were a little old, about a day or two by Jake's guess.
Well I can see why they'd use a tunnel. Damn jungle's too dense to walk through, let alone carry something around. He stood up and continued down the path. Good news is this should lead me out of here. And…no more rain. He whistled joyfully.
**NOTE: I'm sorry my updates are a bit slow. I have to go to the library to update since I cant afford internet at home, and am currently having family issues. But I have a lot of plans for this story, and hope you continue to enjoy it! Feedback is greatly appreciated, as well as constructive criticism. I felt as though the fight with the Iluzjah could have been written better, but battles have always proved challenging to me.