Hey everyone! Here is another chapter….

EMMA

'We're here,' Ren said softly and I blinked open my bleary eyes. I had fallen asleep. My book lay open on my lap. In front of me Kelsey rubbed her eyes and stepped out of the car, stretching.

Anik and Edison leapt out of the vehicle, arching their backs and swishing their tails after being cramped in the backseat for hours. I just stared at the jungle. Tall trees loomed in front of me, reaching with their long branches towards the sky. I stepped out of the Jeep slowly.

'Okay,' Kelsey muttered, handing me my backpack. 'This has all your provisions in it. Water, compass, food, flashlight, blanket, aspirin, medical kit and lighter.' I nodded automatically, and slung it over my shoulder, wincing at the heavy weight. 'You'll be fine,' she added and pulled me into a warm embrace, squeezing me tight.

'Yep,' I replied, keeping my voice light. 'I love camping. It'll be fun.'

I hugged Ren goodbye and followed Edison into the jungle without looking back, my hand firm on Anik's fur. Edison seemed to know the direction to go because after a while I was completely lost. To pass the time I idly chatted.

'So I hope you know where you are going,' I yelled after the tigers who waiting patiently for me to catch up a couple metres ahead. 'And really, I'm not walking that slow, so don't look at me like that. Just because you two no have super tiger powers.' I could swear they were rolling their eyes. 'How much further will you reckon?'

The sun after a few hours was setting below the tree line, casting elongated shadows across the forest floor. The day turned to eerie evening as the light eventually faded to twilight. Weird noises appeared from the darkness and I hurried to stay near the tigers.

When there was barely any light left, I made the unanimous decision to make camp. I set up the tent by myself, as Edison and Anik prowled around the fire, as if guarding the camp. Spreading my sleeping bag on the base of the tent I crawled in while chewing on a muesli bar.

'Are you guys sleeping in here?' I called out doubtfully as I gazed at the tiny area of the tent. Anik changed into human form to answer my question while Edison positioned himself near the campfire, looking alertly into the darkness.

'No,' Anik said shaking his head. 'We don't know what's out here, so we are going to take turns with the watch. You just sleep.' I rolled my eyes and mummified myself with the sleeping bags.

'Whatever. Suit yourself.'

I was asleep in moments.

ANIK

'Should we wake her?' Edison asked, glancing over his shoulder at Emma, who lay peacefully inside the tent. We were both in human form as we conversed, deciding on our next move. I shook my head.

'Na. Let her sleep. We don't have that much further to go.' Edison nodded and turned his gaze back to the fire that crackled and popped, shooting sparks in random directions.

'I'm sorry for punching you,' I blurted out, avoiding eye contact. 'It was a cowardly thing to do.' Edison smirked.

'I'm not. I think she forgave me after that. Seemed to think I had received my punishment.'

'Yeah. Well.' There was an uncomfortable silence for a while.

'No but listen,' Edison said, turning to face me, a fierce expression on his face. 'I know she likes you. She always has. But I want a chance too. If I want something, I go for it.'

'So do I,' I retorted hotly but then instantly regained my impassive appearance. 'But I don't want anything to distract her or us in any way while on this quest. So… I won't make any moves if you won't.'

Edison only hesitated slightly before nodding.

'Deal.'

'What's a deal?' I heard a voice behind me and I turned to see Emma appearing from the tent.

'Nothing,' I replied hastily. She raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.

'Shall we get going then? Emma asked, stretching with a yawn.

'Do you want breakfast?'

'Yeah. Chuck me an apple. I'll eat on the way.'

Edison and I immediately turned into tigers and started the trek back through the jungle. I didn't really know where I was going. Just that there was the faintest scent of a lotus flower that I followed unconsciously. I think that was what Edison was doing too.

The scent was growing stronger and I glanced behind me at Emma, who was following along, trickles of sweat forming on her forehead. She pushed a branch out of her way and took a swig of her water, smiling when she saw me looking at her.

'I hate the jungle,' I heard her mutter as she swatted at the flies.

A couple hours later we came into a clearing, and Edison and I both halted, staring at the small log cabin in front of us.

'What is it?' panted Emma from behind. 'A chipmunk? A gorilla? Mosquitos? A swarm of mosquitos?' A look of horror crossed her face. 'Is there malaria in India?' I just shook my head and gestured to the cabin, a small wisp of smoke rising from the roof. Emma gasped and smiled.

'Yes!' she exclaimed with a sigh of relief. 'We found it! No more walking in the jungle!'

She half ran towards the hut, and knocked hesitantly on the door. When there was no response, she pushed it slowly open and walked in. Exchanging a glance with Edison, I hastily followed.

The first thing I noticed was the harsh smell of an assortment of herbs and spices. My eyes drifted to the ceiling where a variety of plants were growing, twisting around the roof made of twigs and branches. Pots overflowing with greenery and leaves were lined around the tiny kitchen. A table with two chairs was positioned to the left.

'Wow,' murmured Emma as she examined the plot plants. I padded across to the small, single bed that lay abandoned to one side. A blanket lay over it. Emma saw it and sighed with pleasure, running her hand over the mattress. Then she spotted the bathtub that was hidden behind a yellow curtain.

'Oh yes,' she sighed, and ripped open the curtain, revealing a tiny bathtub buried in the earth. Handmade soaps lined the rim of the bath ad Emma picked them up, examining them.

'Nice,' she muttered appreciatively and began to un-braid her hair.

'You two,' she said, pointing at Edison and me. 'Go. Guard or something. I need a bath.' Rolling my eyes we padded out of the hut and sat down at the entrance to the cabin, facing away from each other.

EMMA

I began ferociously scrubbing my dirty skin with a lemon fragranced bar of soap before scouring at the birds nest of my hair. After rinsing the soap out, I lay down in the bath and closed my eyes. What have I got myself into? I thought sourly. I feel like I'm in some sort of urban myth in the twilight zone.

After my bath I grimaced as I put on the same dirty clothing. But the bath had made me feel a lot better and instantly I was in a better mood.

'I'm decent!' I called out to the tigers who were pacing outside. 'You can come in!'

As the boys wandered back inside I collapsed on the bed, suddenly realising how exhausted I was. All my muscles were aching in protest and my stomach was growling with hunger. Quickly eating the remains of the muesli bars, I lay my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, letting my concerned thoughts slip away. Anik settled himself on the floor next to me and I reached out, scratching behind his ears as I fell asleep.

It was the next morning when I awoke groggily, my hand lifeless dangling off the edge of the bed, searching unconsciously for the familiar feel of fur. When my hand found nothing but air I lifted my head, squinting as the world came into focus.

Seated at the table talking to the two tigers was an old man.

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