Thirst of the Rain God by Kalis J. A

Author:Kalis, J. A. [Kalis, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07ZZFG861
Goodreads: 48709981
Published: 2019-11-03T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

His attention focused on the path ahead, Humberto threaded his way through the dense undergrowth. He hated walking in the jungle. It was difficult, even for someone like him who knew the jungle well. He pushed aside large drooping fern fronds and dangling creepers, cursing under his breath. Even though he’d been here many times before, he struggled not to get lost among the lush vegetation.

‘We’re almost there,’ he heard Miguel say. The old man must have detected his growing impatience.

The oppressive humidity slowed down Humberto’s movements and made him feel irritable. After having spent several weeks in the Highlands, he still wasn’t used to it. He paused to drink some water. His thirst quenched, he continued weaving through the thicket. Plants grew with such speed in this hellish place that trails disappeared within less than a couple of days. If not stopped by men, the rainforest would in no time engulf everything in its path, erase all trace of civilization.

Finally, the faint trail became more defined, and he recognized where they were. Miguel was right, they didn’t have far to go.

They emerged into a clearing and, squinting against the bright sunlight, Humberto pointed towards several tents pitched around the edge. ‘That’s their camp?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’ll have to clear it later. Erase all trace. You sure you’ve got them all?’

Miguel nodded. ‘Yeah, sure as hell. We watched them for a while before we decided to attack. Watched every move.’ He chuckled. ‘And they were so dumb they didn’t suspect a thing.’

Humberto glanced at his watch and yawned. ‘No time to waste. Come on, let’s go. Show me where they are.’

They headed for the underground, Miguel setting a brisk pace. As soon as they entered it, a sepulchral silence surrounded them. The air changed. It became heavier and thicker with a dank, earthy smell. Humberto didn’t mind it. He felt close to his ancestors here, believing that this was where their souls lived.

For several minutes the men weaved their way in silence through the twisting maze of gloomy tunnels and chambers. They were about to round another corner, when Miguel asked, ‘Do you want to see the woman first?’

‘Not now. I’ll need her later, to tell me what the inscriptions on the red temple say. But first we’ve got to make offerings and sacrifices to all the gods of the underworld. If we don’t, they’ll get angry and punish us for disturbing the peace of the dead.’ He swallowed loudly. ‘Show me where the men you’ve caught are. I want to see them before we get everything ready for the ceremony.’

‘Wait a moment, I’ll just check on her. We aren’t far.’

He shot Miguel an annoyed look. ‘I told you, not now. No need to waste our time. We’ve got better things to do.’

Miguel’s wizened face screwed up into a frown, but he didn’t argue.

‘Where are they?’ Humberto asked, as they crossed the spacious room with a cathedral-like ceiling and mirrored walls.

‘This way.’ The old man nodded towards a dark opening at the opposite end of the cave.

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