The next chapter is here! Enjoy :)
Julie was running ragged at this point as she stumbled through the dense foliage.
She can still hear the sound of hoofbeats behind her. While the foliage slowed them down a little, they were still gradually catching up to her. So, she started zig zagging through the trees instead of running straight, hoping to throw them off a little.
It must've worked, because she heard a couple shouts and curses leaving the two apes on horseback further behind her.
"Dammit, she's pulling ahead and running all over! Dodging between trees!" One of them snapped in frustration.
"We just need to continue maneuvering the horses as best as we can!" The other said.
While going in and out between the trees seemed to be doing the trick, Julie felt like she was on the verge of collapsing soon. She so badly wanted to stop. But she knew if she did, they would catch her and she didn't want toknow what will happen if they do.
She looked behind her again to see how far they were. It looked like they were still several yards back, but were pushing forward. Julie fears it won'tbe long until they do catch up.
What she didn't realize was that had she paid better attention to what was in front of her, she would've seen that the woods dissapeared straight ahead.
By the time she shifted her gaze forward again, it was too late. Julie let out a another yell as her feet hit nothing but air and she started falling. Next thing she knew, she found herself submersed in cold water.
She kicked to the surface and broke it with a loud gasp. Her wide eyes darted around to see that she fell into a river, and it was taking her downstream. The currents were pretty strong as they swept her away. While she maybe a good swimmer back home, it would be difficult for any to swim through tough currents.
Still, Julie did everything she could to stay afloat as she was being pushed through the rapids.
The two apes pulled their horses to a quick halt at the cliff. They looked around and one of them spotted something flailing about in the water.
"Look! It fell in the river!" One said, alerting his comrade and pointing down into the rapids.
"There's no way to get to it now. Odds are it will drown in the rapids." The other stated.
They watched as it continued struggling as it was carried downstream. At this point, they figure it's a lost cause. There is no way to really continue pursuing it. In a way, it also wasn't worth it. The rest of their group most likely nabbed the rest of the remaining group of humans they ambushed before in the field.
"Let's just head back. Not much more here we can do." One of them said.
Afterwards, they both turned the horses around and started heading back to their group.
Meanwhile, Julie was still being tossed about by the currents. She was starting to lose what little energy she had left. As much as she tried getting closer to the embankment that ran along the river, the rapids were keeping her from getting closer to the water's edge.
The only thing going through her mind if this was it. This was how she was going to die. In this strange hellscape inhabited by humanoid apes.
But the stubborn side of her was pushing her to try harder to reach the shore.
Julie did her best to use the remaining strength and energy she had to kick her legs out and lunge towards the embankment. After a couple strong kicks, she did make some progress and was moving a little closer to the shoreline. The adrenaline was really pumping through her now as she kicked her legs and threw her arms forward through the turbulent water.
As she slowly and gradually got closer and was about eight feet from the embankment, she was suddenly slammed into something hard. It made her cry out in pain as she hit a hard surface in the water.
Julie used her arms to grasp the object in question and pushed herself away a little to see it was a large rock jutting out from the water.
As she stayed pinned against it by the current, her gaze shifted to the right and saw a small series of rocks right up against the one she was on that led back to the shore.
This gave her some renewed hope, and she started dragging herself against the hard rocky surface, using them to pull herself in.
It was a rather slow and tiring process as she inched her way along the rocks, pulling herself from one to the next until she started getting closer to the embankment.
After a few more minutes, she was successful, her feet were able to touch the bottom as she made it within three feet of the shorline. She kept one hand on the rocks while she tried wading the rest of the way in.
Once she got there, she collapsed onto her hands and knees on the sandy bank, huffing and puffing.
Her whole body felt sore at this point from being tossed around then slammed into some rocks. She was aching from her rough landing when she first got here, and all that running then falling into the turbulent river, before slamming into some rocks, just made everything wore.
After a few more moments, Julie slowly sat back on her knees, and started looking around. All she can see though, was more woods. But at least, she was away from those dangerous apes.
She then looked down at herself and noticed she had a few scrapes and some bruises forming on her arms, as well as part of her legs. She also felt some pain on the left side of her forehead. Julie went to lift her left arm to feel the sore spot on her head but stopped short with a pained hiss. As soon as she went to lift her left arm, it started hurting like hell.
It was bad enough that she was lost in some unknown and strange place. But now, she was badly injured on top of that.
As she sat there, Julie just couldn't wrap her mind around what has just occurred. How the hell did she get here? Why was she here? How was this even possible? All these unanswered questions and she couldn't find answers to any of them and when she tried to, it just gave her a headache and make the sore spot on her head throb even more.
Her eyes became glassy, and her vision blurred with unshed tears.
'Why am I here? Why is this happening to me!?' She thought.
Julie sat there for a little bit, just letting the tears fall.
She was unsure of what to do or where to go. Yet, at the same time, she cannot just stay here either. She knew she would have to get up and start moving again. Even if she was reluctant to do so, for fear of running into anymore trigger-happy humanoid apes.
When she felt like she had enough energy to get up and move again, Julie stood up on slightly shaky legs and started heading towards the tree line that surrounded the river.
The only thing that came to mind as she entered the woods, was to find a place where humans like her were. After all, those people she encountered in the woods couldn't be the only humans around these parts, right?
Meanwhile a little further into the woods...
His eyes shifted back and forth from the view in front of him to his notes as he continued scrawling some down.
This small group of humans he was quietly observing from a few yards away were quite interesting. By the looks of it, it looks like possibly two separate families. There were two adult men, two adult women, and around five children. One of the women had a small infant in her arms and was tending to its needs. While what appeared to be two older children were playing around her and one of the men.
For him, this was a good observation to see how a family unit operates among humans.
He was jotting a lot of good notes down and was pretty certain some of the senior scientists he worked with would like what he has written down and observed. Because as many humans as there were in these woods, the scientists barely get the opportunity to see how the adults interact with their young.
A small smile came to his face when he saw the other two children chasing each other around a tree stump. It was apparent, one was trying to get the other. Almost like a little game of tag.
'Funny, how it appears human children tend to act and play very similarly to ape children.' He thought, as he continued watching them.
With Julie...
She had been wandering about the woods now for a while since she left the river.
By now, her tank top and shorts were almost completely dry due the fact it was pretty warm out. So far, she has yet to see any more signs of life apart from the occasional bird or squirrel.
Julie was starting to wonder if she'll ever find a way out of these woods. If her mind and body weren't feeling so shot right now, she would've been a nervous wreck being out here lost and alone.
She walked on for another twenty minutes or so, before she began to notice that it looked like the woods were getting sparser up ahead to the right. So, she made a slight turn to the right and started heading over. It could be another field, but it could also possibly lead to a road or place. Either way, she won't know until she gets there.
The young woman stumbled upon a couple loose rocks and some tree roots that were jutting out of the ground on the way there. So, she had to place her hand on a couple tree trunks as she passed by.
It didn't take too long before she did finally make it over.
When she did, she stopped by the tree line and noted it was a small clearing. Julie looked around and saw a small group of people up and off to the left of her position several yards away.
Julie was about to leave and head over to them, but quickly stopped in her tracks and ducked behind a nearby tree.
'Goddammit! Not another fucking ape!' She thought in fear and annoyance.
She carefully peered back out from behind the tree and studied the ape. He was sitting on a rock by the tree line about four yards down from her. He was the only ape she could see and wonders if he was alone.
Julie watched as his gaze seemed to be going back and forth from something he was doing as he sat there, while gazing ahead. She followed his gaze and noticed he was watching the small group of humans who were idling about a couple trees.
She saw his right hand was moving and he was holding something small and thin in his hand. Didn't take long to realize he was writing in some small book.
This ape looked different than the others she has encountered so far. While the others wore darker clothing and toted rifles, this one was wearing some type of green outfit with brown around the color and a couple brown rectangles stretched across the top of his sleeves.
From what she can see, it didn't look like he was doing anything to hurt the small group of humans in front of him.
If Julie didn't know any better, she'd say he was studying them. Hence the notes he was taking as his gaze shifted back and forth from his book to the humans. Almost kind of like how one would observe animals in their natural habitat.
'This is all becoming more fucked up by the minute.' She thought.
At some point, he stopped and looked up. Then he started to look around a little. When he did turn his gaze in her direction, Julie panicked a little and quickly pulled herself back behind the tree.
'SNAP!'
Her eyes widened and she froze when she realized she stepped on a small stick on the ground. The loud snap echoed through the air.
Galen heard a loud snap, like someone stepped on a stick. It came from his right, not too far from where he was sitting. Whatever it was, it had to be pretty big and heavy to snap a stick like that with its weight.
'It better not be another damn bear.' He thought.
He tried to listen more closely, to see if he can hear anymore movement or the familiar grunts and huffs of a bear.
But he didn't. There was nothing. His gaze shifted back to the humans, who still seemed relatively calm. Usually if there was a predator around, they would sense it and take off.
The young chimp tried to write it off as nothing. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Before he could think more of it, he heard the distinct sound of horses coming down the clearing from his left. The small group of humans heard it too. They froze for a moment than started running for the trees to the right and ran into the woods and out of sight.
Not a couple minutes later a small group of gorilla troopers came bounding over. To his dismay, at the front of the group was none other than Mr. Sunshine himself...Urko.
Julie saw them coming too and froze in fear behind the tree, pressing herself up against it. She didn't dare peek out and risk being seen. She figured it best to stay there until they pass.
Urko stopped his white horse in its tracks, his men followed suit and stopped. Then Urko knelt down a little and gave the young chimp a condescending smirk.
"Well, Galen. Not surprised to see you out and about in this part of the district. Still taking all those little notes on your pet humans?" He taunted.
The chimp gave him a dirty look. Then gave the arrogant gorilla a tight-lipped smile.
"Why yes, I am. Because unlike some people, I try to do things that actually count for something that could actually benefit future generations. If you hurry, you can still apply for a better job. I do believe there are still some openings in our field. If you're interested, Urko." Galen retorted, smartly.
Julie stayed quiet behind the tree, while listening to the apes interact with one another. It still blows her mind that they can speak and perfectly well too.
The gorilla was unamused by his sassy remark.
"That's 'Chief' Urko and you do well to remember that. Now, have you seen any humans around this area? We need to collect more for test dummies and target practice. Some of the 'real' scientists back in the city also need a small handful for experimentation." He announced.
"Nope, no humans here. Though, I swore I saw a woodpecker up in that tree there that greatly resembled your mother. Unfortunately, it flew away just as you arrived here. Guess it was just as disappointed in you as she was." Galen quipped.
Urko growled, "You watch yourself now, human lover. If you put so much as one foot out of line, I'll be there to arrest you."
The irritated gorilla sat back up on his horse. Then he briefly looked over his shoulder back at his men.
"Move out!" He commanded.
Then they all went riding by. Galen had to quickly sidestep out of the way, before one of the troopers nearly ran him over with his horse. Then they rode on. Thankfully, it was in the opposite direction of where the small group of humans fled to.
"Arrogant Jerk." Galen said to himself.
The chimp went to pack up his things. There really wasn't much more he could do here, seeing as the humans he was observing were long gone. May as well just leave and head back home for the afternoon.
Julie cautiously peeked back out from behind the tree and saw the ape was putting stuff away into this leather pack he had. It looked like he was about to leave. She let out a small sigh and started to back up.
Unfortunately, when she took a step back, the heel of her sneaker snagged on a rock and she went tumbling back with a yelp, crashing to the ground with a small, pained groan.
Galen whipped his head in the direction of the sounds. He clear as day heard what sounded like a female's yelping then heard something hit the ground with a faint groan.
"Hello? Someone there?" He called over as he went walking over.
Julie's eyes widened and she froze when she realized he heard her. Then she heard rapid footsteps coming closer to her position.
Before she can get up the ape stepped through the tree line and came to a stop a few feet away from her. He had a surprised look on his face when he saw a human woman lying on the ground. She looked very banged up too.
He took a couple steps closer, only to see a fearful look appear on her face and she started scooting backwards away from him.
Galen slowly held up his hands in front of him.
"Easy, I'm not going to hurt you." He said slowly in a soft tone.
He noted she was dressed rather oddly and different from the other wild humans he has seen around these parts.
Julie pulled her legs back and went to stand. But when she applied weight to her right foot, pain shot through her ankle. She hissed in pain and dropped back down on to the ground grasping her ankle.
Galen saw this and slowly knelt down in front of her, all while keeping his gaze on her face.
"You're hurt." He says.
He then saw a few tears leave her light eyes. For some reason, it pulled him a little.
"Don't be frightened. You're safe." He said, calmly.
Though he felt funny for even talking to a human. It's not like she can talk or understand him. Yet, her gaze spoke volumes. With other humans he has seen, there was nothing there in their gaze. Just the look of an animal. But hers...it was different. Like there was a hint of intelligence in those light blue eyes.
"Please." She said.
Julie watched as his eyes widened to the size of saucers when she spoke.
"Don't...don't tell those apes I'm here." She pleaded.
Galen lost his balance and fell back on his ass, while still keeping his shocked gaze on her.
"You...you can talk? How!?" He blurted out.
"Please...help." Julie said, as a couple more tears left her eyes.
He eventually got over his initial shock and it quickly became replaced with fascination.
'A talking human! This is unheard of and absolutely amazing!' He thought.
Then he remembered what she had just said.
"May I see?" Galen asked, gesturing to her ankle.
She was hesitant at first, then she slowly pulled her hand away and stuck her foot a little further out towards him.
He carefully reached out and gently grasped her ankle. He started lightly pressing on it in certain areas. When he got to the inner part of her ankle and pressed down, her breath hitched, making him quickly pull away.
"Sorry. Can you move it at all?" He asks her.
Julie carefully rolled her ankle around. The only time she felt pressure and pain was from the inner part that he was pressing on moments prior.
"That's good, if you can move it like that, then I don't believe it's broken. Probably just sprained it. Though I'll have to bring you home so that it along with your other injuries can be treated. Didn't bring any medical supplies out here with me today." Galen says.
He held out his hand for her to take. She flinched a little and leaned back from his outstretched hand looking from it to his face.
"I understand you're afraid. But I give you my word I won't harm you. And I won't tell the gorillas about you." He assured her.
Julie studied him. He had a soft smile on his face and his dark eyes appeared to be filled with kindness and sincerity. She didn't see any traces of ill intent or deception. That didn't mean she didn't fully trust him though. Still, she was lost and injured. Which made her chances of survival out here on her own very slim, especially with those dangerous gorillas on horseback out and about.
She reached out and grasped his hand.
Galen stood up, slowly pulling the young woman to her feet. Julie stood with him, while trying to not put too much weight on her right ankle. His other hand came out to study her as he placed it on her left bicep.
Only to quickly remove it when she hissed in pain again and pulled her left arm away.
That's when he noticed there was a very bad scrape and bruise on her left bicep. This poor woman really was banged up really bad and needed medical attention. Hopefully, she isn't too seriously injured. Because he was no vet. His sister-in-law, Zira was. But he's unsure if he wants to show the young woman to her or his brother, Cornelius just yet.
"Ok, I'll walk you over to my horse. It's not far from here. We'll mount and I'll take you to my home." He told her.
Galen went to her right side. Then he carefully placed an arm around her waist to help move her along. She was quite petite, that's for sure.
Julie raised her right arm and awkwardly placed it over his hunched shoulders. Funny, he doesn't seem to walk completely upright. Even before he came to her side, she noted he seemed to walk in a slightly hunched over position.
He stayed in step with her as she hobbled along on her good leg.
They walked past the rock on he was sitting on and rounded a large boulder near the tree line. When they got there, she saw a horse idling about, eating some grass. The reins were hitched to a thick bush branch next to the boulder.
Galen released her to go unhitch his horse.
Then he turned it around and brought it over. He hopped on to the horse's saddle with ease then he turned to her, knelt down, and held out his hand to her.
"Try to jump up a little on your good leg and swing it over. I'll life you the rest of the way up." He instructed.
Julie reached up and grasped part of his wrist and forearm then she bent her left leg and jumped up a high as she could on it. When she did, he lifted her the rest of the way, pulling her up. She rounded her left leg over the other side of the horse once she was high enough up in the saddle.
Then she lightly grasped his baggy shirt on his sides. Galen gave his horse a light tap to its sides to get it moving. Then they began to leave the area. He was following the tree line as they went.
"What if...those gorillas see us?" She asks.
"Don't believe they will. I know many back ways through these woods to my home." He replied.
She was silent for a moment before speaking up again.
"What's your name?" She asks.
"Galen." He said.
"I'm Julie." She says.
"Very nice to meet you." Galen replied with a small smile.
They were both silent for a few more moments until he spoke up again.
"You may want to tighten your hold on my waist. Once I round this corner up here, I'm going to bring the horse to a gallop. It'll be at least an hour and a half before we make it to my home." He told her.
Julie awkwardly wrapped her arms around his waist. In doing so, she had to scoot up to the point her front was flush to his back. It made her feel weird being this close in contact with such a strange creature. But she didn't want to end up falling off of the horse either. She was banged up enough as it was and didn't need any broken bones on top of it.
About five minutes later, Galen rounded the corner on his horse and right there in front of him was a small dirt path that led straight through the woods. He kicked the horse into a gallop and started down the path, with his new companion tightly clinging to him from behind.
Until Next Time ;)