Page 62 of Healing Creek
Creek was a kilometer into the denser jungle, where the light of the sky struggled to reach, when he saw the first tracks. The primitive primate’s print sank deep into a patch of half dried mud. There was no sign of Grace’s booted feet, but she might be sticking to rock and hard packed soil to disguise her trail. Something had drawn the curious ape down from the treetop to investigate the jungle floor. A female alone in their territory might be interesting enough to draw one curious ape, but there would likely have been many more watching her from the treetops. He could hear soft calls in the distance. He made it only a few meters further when a primate screech echoed around the trees and a chorus of calls welled in the distance. Creek took off at a run.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
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Tree roots bashed into Grace as she slid down into the crevice she hadn’t known was there. Her descent came to an abrupt and painful stop, landing her flat on her back. A sharp ache drew her attention to one temple as she tried to focus her vision. Loud shriek-like vocalizations jangled against the throbbing in her head.
She’d been trying to pick her way through the ever-denser jungle, in the hopes that Zachary would be reluctant to follow her. She’d been aware of the apelike creatures following her progress—mostly from the trees. Two of the dark creatures with bright eyes had shadowed her at ground level but kept their distance. She’d hoped that by moving slowly, quietly, she could pass by them without any close encounters. Thanks to the hole she was now laying at the bottom of, she’d failed at slow and quiet. As she looked above her, she saw at least a dozen multicolored faces staring down at her from the edge of the gap.
One slinked over the edge from the shadows, its long prehensile tail keeping it suspended momentarily at the top. Eyes, once gleaming orbs of curiosity, now glinted with malevolence. Its fur stood on end as it shifted shades to blend in with its surroundings.
The face bore scars from past confrontations etched into fur and flesh. Its mouth twisted into a snarl, revealing a set of teeth that made it clear this animal was a carnivore that likely hunted for survival.
The ape crept closer with hunched shoulders, every sinew ready to pounce. Its limbs flexed with a controlled strength that hinted at the potential for swift, decisive violence.
Grace didn’t know whether to attempt to scare the creature away or get up and run. Damn—there was no way she could outrun them. Even if she could find a massive branch or root to wave in the air, these creatures didn’t look like they’d scared easily. If she became a threat, more of them might decide to come down after her.
Excruciatingly slowly she pulled her limbs in close to her body and curled onto her side as she mentally railed against the crunch of leaves beneath her. She made herself into the smallest possible ball and wrapped her hand around the strip of alloy that she’d still been carrying. She kept as still and quiet as she could, but trembles vibrated annoyingly through her extremities. Her eyes stayed open wide—she couldn’t have closed them if her life depended on it.
The shadow of the primate’s body enveloped her in midnight and its hot breath brushed across her exposed skin on the back of her neck. She exhaled and couldn’t seem to breathe in again. It was as if her lungs and diaphragm were locked in the ice of her terror.
Vague and blurry beyond the ape that crouched only inches from her, a flurry of movement shimmered overhead and the chattering grunts of the troop filled the air. She heard it then—a low howl that bellowed through the jungle. The ape creature turned its attention away and finally air rushed into her lungs. The howl swelled, growing louder, nearer. The ape screeched and beat tight fists against its chest. The pounding made a terrifyingly loud noise. Its long tail flicked and whipped wildly, lashing against her shoulder without intention. It was all she could do to hold in her scream.
The crash of a body through brush reached her and then a larger body came thrashing down into the trench. She welcomed the thud of booted feet landing next to her. The howl had become a growl and the screech of the ape turned panicked as it scrambled up the wall of what had almost become her grave.
“Grace.” Creek spoke on a rush of breath. “Where are you injured?”
He filled her field of vision with his beloved eyes, high cheekbones, and plump lips. “Creek.” His features blurred on the other side of the tears filling her eyes. “Creek.” She reached up to him. “Not hurt.”
As if it were all the permission he needed, he pulled her into his arms, pressing her against his chest and wrapping her in his warmth. “You scared me, my butterfly.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
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When Grace had cried herself out in relief, Creek set her a little away from him and lifted her chin to meet his eyes.
“Can you climb?”
She looked down at her legs as if needing to visually assess them. She rubbed her hands down the length of each, brushing dirt away. There were rips in the fabric of her pants and a few small spots of blood, but nothing that would indicate serious injury. She wiped down her arms in the same manner. Where there had been deep scratches moments earlier, there were already signs of healing.
“Yes,” she said. “I can climb.”
He’d never had cause to notice before, but her ability to heal surpassed his own. They had much to discuss, but the night had fallen around them and the bottom of a hole was not where he intended to spend it. He stood and lifted her to her feet then guided her in placing her hands and feet on the ragged surface of the pit. He kept close behind her as she climbed, so he could steady her when she needed help. Together they managed the climb without further injury.
Grace turned in a slow circle. “Where are they?”
Creek didn’t bother to look for them. “They’re very good at camouflage. They’re also easily startled, but quick to regain their courage. We need to get out of their territory before we sleep.
“Sleep?” She sounded startled—maybe even frightened.
