Wasn't Disturbed All Night

     “Tiom, this is Tarampura, over?” Marta’s transmission came in more clearly with the improving weather.

     Jason, Sandy, Rachel, and other pilots crowded around the radio. Rachel kept busy to keep her composure.

     “This is Tiom. Go ahead,” Rachel answered. 

     “How are you holding up, break? Have you heard anything yet, over?” Marta sounded just as tired as they did, having been in constant prayer. 

     “Not yet, but we haven’t given up, over,” Rachel responded.

     “I’m so sorry, and I haven’t given up either, break. Not with all the experience these bush pilots have, break. I’m just here if you need me, over,” Marta said groggily.

     “We appreciate your staying by the radio for us, break. The pilots are going over the flight route now and plan to fly out tomorrow to search for the... the... plane, over.” Rachel sobbed.

     “Hey,” Marta replied. “It’s going to be just fine, over.”

     “Thanks,” Rachel sniffed.

     “I think we should keep the airwaves clear. So, goodnight, break. Keep me informed if you hear anything, out.” Marta signed off the radio and looked at Numah, who smiled back assuringly.

     “Thank you all for staying up with me. You should go to sleep with your families now,” Marta said under heavy eyelids.

     “No, Marta, we spoke. We each take time to listen radio. Something happen, we wake you up. You go sleep,” Numah insisted.

      Without protesting, Marta went to bed, and wasn’t disturbed for the rest of the night.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Cold Night in the Jungle

They removed the camouflage ponchos and made a lean-to. Green and brown cover concealed their whereabouts, giving them a sense of confidence and courage. Speaking in whispers, they watched as the dismal evening turned into dark night. Each noted how the night was darker than what they were used to in America. 

There was no glow of electric lights, and in their shelter, they could barely see each other.

Sounds of the night told the story of business as usual. Nocturnal scavengers, hunters, and prey kept the darkness alive, unaware of their visitors’ fear and discouragement. The rain had let up, but they were still drenched, and with the night, cold.

“Why don’t you open that canned food? The calories will help keep us warm.” John noticed Steve’s shaking. The dampness and lowering temperatures drained his body of heat.

“I’ve got spaghetti and meatballs and some Spam,” Steve offered.

“Which do you want?”

“We can share both.” Steve’s shaking became worse.

“I think we should spoon to keep warm,” said John.

“What’s that?” Steve thought he had an idea.

“I mean, you are losing heat rapidly. This rain may be giving you hypothermia. We are drenched, and the only way to keep warm is to huddle up,” said John.

“Well, the only one I ever get close with is Rachel. Even though you are not as cute, I’ll make an exception this once.”

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Danger in the Jungle

CHAPTER 7

“Great landing,” John said. He leaned back and sighed.

“After I shut her down, we should push her into the undergrowth and try to camouflage her. Our only hope is that nobody saw us, and that Marta got our message out,” Steve said.

“What are the odds of that?” asked John.

“I’m not a gambling person. I put my trust in Marta getting the word out, and God taking care of the rest. In the meantime, we need to hide.”

The rain continued to pound down around them. The poor visibility that forced them down was now their hope of obscurity.

“We really need to go deeper into the growth and away from the plane, just in case somebody unfriendly saw us,” said Steve.

“I agree. The farther we get from the plane the better.” John looked to the south, noticing blue sky. “It looks as if it may clear.”

Steve could only smile. It was very doubtful the rain would let up soon. Fog and clouds spun around the mountains like cotton candy.

Grabbing a few ponchos, water, and snacks from the compartment, Steve and John wove their way into the forest. The canopy was thick enough to stop much of the rain, and forest sounds reminded them they were not alone. The sounds also told them there was life out there more capable of survival.

They stopped far enough away to see the plane, yet remain concealed. Steve started to move vines out of the way, but John grabbed his arm.

“Leave everything as is. You’ll be surprised at how natives would notice anything out of place.”

Both men were drenched, having put their ponchos on too late. They stood for a long time in silence. Wind whistled softly through the undergrowth and water plummeted in large drops from overhead. Somewhere to the west they could hear birds singing, and to the north small animals hopped around in the growth.

“It’s always a good idea to listen and get comfortable with the sounds of the environment. That way, if we hear anything strange we can recognize it immediately,” John said.

“Smart idea, no doubt from experience. I can’t help feeling that we may have company before this is over,” Steve predicted.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.