Page 65 of The Politician

They hadn’t gone more than a hundred yards when a muffled screech came from behind her. “Dani, you okay?”

“I…I saw something move. A snake or something.”

There were snakes, but they wouldn’t attack unless provoked. “Move up behind me.”

Dani shifted in front of Erica.

“Breathe slowly and deeply,” Kendra said. “Everyone else okay?”

They all mumbled yes, adding to the jungle’s harmonious chorus.

She stopped as the track opened out. The trees above them hid the stars. Tiny flies danced in front of their torchlights, over their feet and around their ankles. Dani walked towards a tree stump and motioned to sit. Kendra grabbed her arm and tugged her away. “Best to stay on your feet.” She smiled. “Slowly, everyone, and quietly, look.” She inched her torchlight closer to the base of the stump.

Dani gasped, and Sarah cupped her hand to her mouth.

“A tarantula,” Nadia said. She bent closer and directed her torch to see it better without disturbing it. “It’s beautiful.”

Sarah took a pace further away. Maybe it was the reflection of her shirt that gave her a ghostlike appearance but judging by the way the flashlight shook in her hand, she was terrified. “You okay?” Kendra asked, moving towards her, knowing the answer.

Sarah shook her head.

Kendra put her arm around her shoulders and tugged her close. “Just breathe slowly,” she said, softly. “It’s not going to chase you.” She inhaled the scent and enjoyed Sarah’s warmth until her breathing slowed. “Now, get a bit closer so you can see how incredible he is.”

“He?”

“It’s a guess, but it’s a small one, and it looks like he’s got bulbs on his shorter legs.” She pointed.

“You can see that?” Sarah squinted.

“Getting lost in the detail distracts from the fear. Look how cute he is.”

“My heart is trying to break out of my chest right now, and you’re talking about a poisonous spider being cute.”

Kendra urged her a little closer. “He’s not going to attack you, I promise.”

The spider crawled into the undergrowth. Sarah gasped and put her hand on her chest.

“Everyone good to keep going?”

Sarah shook her head, and Kendra nodded at her. “Sarah, behind me for a bit, please.”

She felt Sarah’s breath on her neck, and as she took her hand and squeezed it tightly, she could feel Sarah’s racing pulse through her trembling fingers. “Deep breaths,” she whispered and inched forwards slowly.

“Wait,” Nadia whispered from the back of the group.

Kendra turned, noted Sarah’s wide eyes staring vacantly, and fought the urge to stroke her face. Everyone had turned towards Nadia.

“Up there. It’s a civet.”

“What’s one of those?” Erica asked, craning her neck to see.

“It looks like a racoon.”

“Are they dangerous?” Dani asked.

“They’re mostly herbivores. You can only see them at night.”

Kendra watched the civet make its way across the branch and settle in the nook against the trunk. It was watching them. She pointed to make sure Sarah was looking in the right direction, and Sarah’s hand relaxed in her grip. “That, my friends, is a rare sight.”

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