One Week Later (End)

You are on the floor writhing in fear and agony. Scrambling desperately to pull the thing from your trousers. You jerk and jerk and jerk. Mercifully you finally pull it free and throw it across the room.

The curtain rope sails through the air of your salon. You are met with gales of laughter as Melanie, Mama Raeni, and Ben hear the story for the first time. Natali and Caitlin are also chuckling, Soo-yin is just shaking her head at your over the top pantomime. You give her a wink as you skip the part about her loosing her cool in the aftermath. The group of you sat in the luxurious living room in your villa in the South of Spain enjoying strong drinks and tales of adventure.

You stand up and straighten up. "I'm going to get another drink." You announce as you head toward the bar. The group continues to talk and joke as you walk away.

It had been exactly a week since that night at the village. You left the place unaccosted and had found your way to the airfield with little trouble. From there you were able to call for an evacuation pick up. Soon you were back in Bogota arranging passage home to Spain.

The idol was now with the university, it would be known as Professor Mendoza's last great contribution to his field. Isabella was looking after the details of it. You requested your contribution not be included, to avoid any press or publicity that might attract unwanted attention to you or your friends.

Melanie joins you at the bar and pours herself an orange juice. You grab her with one arm and hug her to your side, kissing her blonde forehead.

"I missed you kid." You tell her, just loud enough so only she can hear it.

"I missed you too Daddy. It sounds like it was a wonderful adventure." She leans her head against your chest.

"It was awful." You correct her, though some part of you was glad you'd done it...now that everyone was safe and sound at home. Despite the nightmare trip your mind was already starting to think of other trips you might take in the future. For now however, you were just happy to be home with your loved ones.

"But you made sure everyone came back safe. You're such a good man Daddy." She hugs you back hard.

"We all looked after one another." You say as you look back toward the group. Natali, Caitlin, and Soo-yin look over to you. The four of you all share a quiet look between yourselves, the unforgettable memories of that distant jungle still fresh in your minds.

Now you can include being mistaken for a jungle god to your resume of mistaken identities. What a life you lead, and you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.