River of the Damned by Aiden James

Author:Aiden James
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Magical Realism, Thriller & Suspense, Romance, Fantasy, Men's Adventure, Thriller, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Manor House Books
Published: 2015-05-02T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Shuratu allowed us a last meal consisting of what we had brought with us, which amounted to three protein bars and two bottles of water. After a moment of semi-privacy to take care of any other needs we might have, we were tied up to the stalagmites closest to the cave’s entrance. Ishi and I shared one, and Mayta had the other all to herself.

I needed a cigarette in the worst way, but thinking about it only made the craving unbearable. So, I thought about the other aspects of our shitty predicament instead… focusing mostly on the few positive things, like the fact I still had my bowie knife strapped to my left ankle, hidden beneath my jeans. Ishi had teased me about getting overwhelmed from the humid heat by opting to wear them instead of khaki shorts like he did, similar to Mayta’s attire. He had forgotten that insects like to eat me up below the belt, and the more coverage I had on meant a helluva lot less discomfort.

It also meant a place to successfully hide a weapon, which I had worked furiously to not think about in Shuratu’s presence. The dude was beyond creepy in discerning private thoughts, and even without that gift his paranoid cunningness should’ve brought a full-body pat down for each of us. But we weren’t frisked, and I prayed it would end up costing him as an arrogant oversight. It needed to become a watershed moment in future hindsight if we had any hope of surviving this latest ordeal.

Mayta quietly related to me that the last thing Shuratu shared with his peers was a plan for me to be the first victim in getting their head removed and boiled down to a miniature version in a pot presently sitting next to this latest cave’s entryway. Kindling wood had been stacked next to the pot with an apparent intent to light the damned thing inside this place—despite the smoke asphyxiation risks to everyone, including his own men.

The guards assigned to watch over us didn’t share their leader’s gift of discerning English, as confirmed by Mayta’s attempt to engage them in several languages. Each attempt failed to draw a knowing response until she offered a few Shuar phrases. Even though this group disdained the modern Jivaro language, the newer tongue was based on the one they used. Neither guard answered her questions presented in Shuar, but the light of recognition appeared in their faces.

None of us slept worth a damn that night—either from being too cramped or dealing with the perpetual stare of hostile eyes. For me, much of my time was spent listening to the soft, steady breaths of the Pierce family and their assistants, counting to a thousand and starting over again until I thought for sure I would lose my frigging mind.

There was no hope of any peace as long as we had Jivaro attendants in our midst. I shared Mayta’s assumption that they would outlast us, or if they needed a break then a new pair of warriors would relieve them.

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