A Failed Expedition Part 3
I’m getting tired of running, but it’s either that or ending up like Manuel or even worse, Johann. I can still hear Johann’s screams as that thing tore him apart, but he wouldn’t want me to give up. Not after everything that’s happened.
I ran out of the cave as fast as I could, I don’t know what got Manuel, but I didn’t want to stay and find out. I feel so stupid that I left the shotgun back in the cave, though it might have just weighed me down. I managed to cover more ground without it, so there’s still a silver lining in all this.
I just need to get through this. “Suffer today and live better tomorrow,” that’s what my dad would always say when things got hard. I happen upon a bamboo forest and it looks like there’s a river beside it. I can get some rest and fresh water here, both things that I haven’t had in hours.
My rest doesn’t last long. Thankfully I can hear whatever it is coming towards me. The sound of breaking bamboo and the rustling leaves gives me ample time to prepare a weapon. I grab a piece of bamboo and break it apart to make a makeshift spear, right now all I’m thinking is how I wish I’d brought the shotgun with me.
“Johann?!” I stare at what used to be my friend. He looks exactly like the last time I saw him, blood everywhere from where the thing snapped him in half. “Hi Kevin, I’ve been dying to see you again.” The blood was gurgling out of Johann’s mouth as he tried to speak.
“What happened to you?! This can’t be real!” I shout. This has to be a dream, first I’m being hunted by an unknown animal , then I hear a woman’s voice in my head and now someone who’s supposed to be dead is right in front of me. “Don’t be scared, Kevin, this just takes a lot of DEAD-ication.” Johann laughs through one of his puns. Whatever happened to him hasn’t dulled his sense of humor.
I manage to impale Johann with my spear, which gives me just enough time to run. I don’t know how long the bamboo will hold him, but I have to try. The only thing I can do is run.
BAM
Something heavy strikes my right shoulder. I feel the damp blood seeping its way through my jacket. There’s only enough time for me to turn around to see what hit me.
“I told you we should have never come here.” Manuel has his shotgun pointed directly at my face.
“The forest doesn’t like visitors.”
BAM
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Continued from the Bulalacao’s Tale
Story inspired by the Marukpuk legends from Iloilo.
Marukpuk Illustration and Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
FB: Yannami
