Hours went by and the sun was beginning to rise again on the horizon. The sky was painted in an intense red color. The great storm of the previous night was finally over and the sound of birds and insects once again dominated the Amazon jungle. The river, like a wild beast, was now in a docile state, and in its huge body, the boat in which the boys and girls were traveling, sailed calmly. Marco had decided to take a nap after rowing all night. He was deeply asleep, so Lucas was in charge, while Miss Correa showed him the way to go. Y'shaati, on the other hand, listened carefully to the conversation between the boy and the brunette girl. She could hardly understand anything, but she was still trying her best. Judging by the tone of their voices, the subject they were discussing was serious.
"It all happened so fast... I still can't understand it. Just when I thought I had found survivors and everything would start to get better, they attacked me. Ambushed me. I should have followed my instinct... I was careless...", Zé said in a regretful voice while looking at her reflection in the water. At the same time, she was shyly covering her upper body with Lucas' shirt. The boy had given it to her a few hours before, as a gesture of chivalry.
"Hey, don't say that, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known that those guys were mercenaries. In fact, they completely fooled us all from the beginning, even my grandfather didn't notice...", Lucas said trying to cheer her up. "I just hope they didn't... you know... touch you?"
"No. I would never allow them to lay a finger on me like that. I'm not weak! Besides, that's not the reason why they attacked me...", Zé replied.
"But then, why did they do this to you? Dr. Faucault went completely crazy! He began to say horrible and ridiculous nonsense about you, in addition to other things," Lucas mentioned.
"What kind of things?" asked Zé.
"He said you were a native, and that you led us to the jaguars' zone on purpose. Can you believe it? He clearly lost his mind, ha!"
"Well... that's not entirely wrong..."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It's true that I was born here, in the jungle. This is my real home. When I was a child, I was part of the Yanomami tribe. I lived here until I was seven years old. After that, I was a victim of fate. I was forced to leave my home and forget who I really was. I had to adopt a new name. A new identity to live in the civilized world... Zé Correa. However, I much prefer the name that my parents gave me... Uyari...", the dark-skinned girl explained.
"Uyari?"
"You must be very disappointed of me. I... I've never told this to anyone before. I'm sorry."
"N-no, not at all! To tell you the truth, Uyari is a very pretty name. Would you like me to call you like that from now on?", asked Lucas kindly. She nodded with a slight smile.
"Okay. But then... what about the other stuff? I'm pretty sure its all bullshit... right?"
"Ahh, well...", just before she could answer that question, Zé saw in the distance a place she knew. "Oh, Lucas! Take the boat in that direction! I believe we've reached our destination!", the girl said as she pointed with her finger.
"What, really? Alright."
A few minutes later, Lucas steered the boat slowly to the river bank just where Zé had indicated. And then, both were able to get out of the boat except for Marco, who was still sleeping, and Y'shaati, who still didn't know what was going on.
"Can you walk on your own?", asked Lucas.
"Yeah, I think so. I'm better now", Zé replied after taking a few small steps.
"Hey jackass, we're here...", Lucas said to Marco after slapping him to wake him up.
"Argh! Hey, what the fuck is YOUR problem, huh?", said the blond boy angrily. Lucas simply ignored him and spoke to the wild blonde instead. "You can get off the boat now, monkey girl. Come on!", he said excited. Y'shaati slowly descended from the boat, placing her feet and hands on the wet ground.
"Uhm Lucas, do you really think it's a good idea to bring her with us? I mean look at her, she's... what are the others going to think when they see her like... this...?", the brunette girl asked, still having doubts about her.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. S-she's gonna be completely fine! Y'shaati is a good girl, right?", Lucas asked the blonde.
"Y'shaati good girl!", she repeated with excitement without quite understanding what the boy meant. Noticing that the other three started to walk on two legs, she decided to stand up and walk the same way as them.
"See? She's fine! So, where do we go from here?"
"I'll lead the way, it's not too far from here...", Zé answered confidently. Apparently she knew perfectly which was the right path to follow. And so, they all went deep into the jungle.
/////////////
After a couple of hours, the boys and girls arrived at a familiar place. Several tents lined up in a circular fashion made up a small camp located right in an area cleared of trees and foliage. A small number of people were walking back and forth, doing chores. One of them noticed the presence of the new visitors.
"For heaven's sake! Dr. Escudero! Come take a look at this!", the man exclaimed before running into one of the tents.
"No way. Is... is this real...? Are we where I think we are? Is this r-really happening...?", Lucas asked in a cracked voice. A short time later, the same guy came out of the store accompanied by an older, chubby man with a big white beard and gray hair. The man was dressed in a brown coat and tie, dark green pants and black shoes. The boy immediately knew who that man was.
"Grandpa?"
"Lucas?"
The two began to approach each other, taking faster steps every second.
"Oh my God... Grandpa!!", cried the boy on the verge of tears.
"Lucas, my boy!!", the Dr. Archibaldo Escudero replied just before hugging his grandson.
"Grandpa... thank God... I finally found you... I thought I would never see you again!", said Lucas crying.
"I never lost faith. Something in my heart told me you were still out there. And now... you are finally by my side again! I'm so sorry Lucas... I will never lose you again, I promise!", said grandpa sobbing as tears welled up in his eyes. "I'm sorry too, Grandpa... I love you so much!". At the touching scene, the other people in the place gathered around them.
"Look everyone! My dear grandson is back!", Grandpa exclaimed to the crowd. All the men began to celebrate and applaud the unexpected family reunion. Then, the old man turned to look at the boy's companions.
"By my beard! Miss Zé! I'm so glad to know you are safe! And you don't know how grateful I'm to you for finding my boy!", said Grandpa with a big smile.
"Dr. Escudero! I'm so happy to see you again! There is nothing to be thankful for. I wish I could accept that compliment... but I cannot. I didn't find Lucas. He found me and even rescued me...", explained the brunette girl a bit embarrassed.
"Really? Lucas did that? Unbelievable... hahahaha, that's my boy, you're a hero! I never would have guessed! But anyway, I'm relieved you're both okay! You're both very brave!", said the old man while Lucas blushed.
"Uhhh, excuse me!? I'm here too, in case you hadn't noticed! in fact, if it hadn't been for me, these three wouldn't have managed to survive... don't you forget that!", said the blond boy in a boastful tone.
"Marco! You're alright too! Oh thank you for keeping them safe! I really appreciate it. I knew I wasn't wrong to bring you on this trip! You've become a trustworthy young man!", said Grandpa gratefully before hugging him as well.
"Ugh... yeah, okay Doctor, that's enough. Don't have to cry over it...", Marco said uncomfortably. Lucas and Zé simply watched in disgust at the hypocrisy in Marco's words.
"Wait a minute... three, you say? Did you find someone else?", the old man asked in confusion.
"Ahhh, that's right, how could I forget! Grandpa, I want you to meet a very special person!", Lucas said taking Dr. Escudero by the arm to show him. "Grandpa, I introduce you to Y'sh...", the boy at that moment realized that the feral girl had disappeared.
"What the... w-where is she?", asked Lucas looking around.
"What's the matter, my boy?"
"There was a blonde girl with us a second ago! She was the one who saved me!", replied Lucas worried. "Her name is Y'shaati, she's an extraordinary girl! Y'shaati! Where are you Y'shaati!?", the boy shouted in all directions.
"A blonde girl? Are you sure?", the grandfather questioned.
"I swear! We were together for a long time. We lived many things together... w-we have a bond! I don't understand why she left... s-she and I...", said the boy with a broken heart. "Lucas is telling the truth, she was here a moment ago...", mentioned Zé, also stranged.
"Easy there my boy, I believe you. Don't be sad. She must have had her reasons for leaving. There's no explanation for a girl's heart. You should know better by now."
"But she's not like any other girl I've ever met before! She's... special!"
"Hear me out, Lucas. If you say you created a connection with her, then you can be assured that she will come back to you sooner or later. Just give her time. She surely needs it to think about it. Trust her. And trust the words your old man tells you!", Grandpa said to comfort the boy.
"Well... I guess so. Okay... I-I just hope I get to see her one more time..."
"For the time being, I think we deserve to celebrate the good news. Nice things like this doesn't happen every day! Listen up everyone! Get the stockpile of food we've been saving, we'll have a big feast later! In honor of the return of my dear boy, my young assistant and Miss Correa, hahahaha!", laughed Grandpa very excited in front of the whole group. Everyone cheered and clapped again. A great moment of encouragement for the group that gave them hope for the future. Suddenly, a mature woman's voice broke through the crowd.
"What's all this commotion, gentlemen? What in heaven's name is going on? Let me through...", the woman was interrupted as soon as she noticed the boy's presence.
"Dr. Isabel!"
"My Goodness, Lucas!! Oh, my wee boy! I can't believe it! You're here!", the woman said just before running over and hugging the boy. "I was worried sick about ya, I thought you hadn't survived! Thank God, I was wrong!", the woman said relieved before kissing his forehead. She was Dr. Isabel MacAllan, a scottish white woman with brown hair, green eyes, glasses and wearing a set of clothes a little too fancy for a jungle trek. She was like a mother figure to Lucas.
"What happened to ya, are ye all right, are ye hurt, do you need medical attention? Oh, my poor Lucas, surely ye must be starving! You're a complete mess!", the doctor questioned the boy while inspecting him from head to toe.
"Ahhh, no no, I'm fine! Fortunately, nothing bad happened to me, I just..."
"Oh, thank goodness, darlin'! Oh? Oh, Miss Zé! Marco! Where are my manners? Excuse me, I didn't see ya! Oh? Miss Zé, why are ya almost naked and without shoes!? Oh, and yer body is all hurt! Gosh, no no no! What happened?", the woman asked without giving her enough time to answer.
"Ah well, I-I was..."
"Dinnae hold anything back honey, there's nothing to be ashamed of! Ye can tell me everything!"
"Isabel, you're talking nonstop again! Calm down woman, catch your breath first and give the kids a break, hahahaha!", Grandpa laughed.
"Yeah, she's having a meltdown again. As if that doesn't happen every single day...", claimed Marco, unamused.
"Ahhh... oh right... oh dear... oof, I beg yer pardon, my dears. It happens to me when surprises like this catch me off guard, hehehe...", Isabel said in a more relaxed voice. "Miss Zé, I'll have to check those wounds and give ya some clothes right now. Come with me! And dinnae worry Lucas, I'll get to ya later!", said the woman.
"Y-yes, thank you! But I'm already...", before the dark-skinned girl could finish speaking, Isabel took her by the arm and led her to a tent to take care of her properly. "Och, no problem at all, darlin'. Pleasure is all mine!"
"Well, I can see that Doctor Isabel hasn't changed a bit in all this time here... as eccentric as ever, hehe!", said Lucas with a grin.
"Some things never change, my boy hahaha! Well, let's not remain here, come on! We have a lot of things to do!", Grandpa said to the whole group. Right away, the people in the camp continued with their tasks.
However, far away, sitting on a tree branch, Y'shaati had watched everything and all the people moving around. The feral girl had panicked and fled moments before Lucas' grandfather and the others could notice her presence. She had never seen so many civilized humans gathered in one place. Deep down, she wanted to take the next step and learn more about them. To play and know what is like to be "human". She wanted to continue to be with Lucas. But something still made her hesitate. Her previous experiences with those two-legged apes hadn't been that friendly, so there was no point in trying to bond with them. Not to mention that she had a greater responsibility with the primate order that was probably already gathered, discussing important issues at that very moment somewhere else in the jungle. Undecided on what to do, she choose to lie down on the branch and rest for a while. She hadn't slept for more than a day, so perhaps a little sleep would help her make the right decision.
/////////////
LATER THAT DAY...
Finally gathered and seated at a long table made of wood, Lucas, Dr. Escudero, Zé, Dr. Isabel and Marco enjoyed the small and modest banquet that the old man had ordered hours before. The entire group was short of food and supplies, but the situation warranted celebrating and bringing joy for at least one day. On the other hand, the brunette was already dressed again in her tourist uniform after being attended by Isabel. While everyone was eating, it was Lucas who was telling the others about the adventures he had experienced in the last few weeks with his new friend.
"...And then, she stood in front of me and defended me from the gorillas! And not only that, apparently they had absolute respect for her! None of those apes dared to challenge her. It's as if she had communicated with them and ordered them to stop!" said Lucas as he held a fork in his hand. "Oh and a day before that, she also managed to scare off a black jaguar, much like the ones that attacked us that night. A simple kick was enough to force it to leave haha!"
"Fascinating... truly fascinating!", said Grandpa very interested and with a big smile as he drank from a jar. "I'd say that girl has learned to live like any other jungle animal for years. Maybe she was even born here. There are records of infants managing to survive on their own in the wild against all odds... but this you say is a whole different level! Well, at least that would be my hypothesis."
"That's exactly what I thought! She not only adapted to the jungle, she made it her home, her domain! You should have seen her in action, she swings through the vines with the grace and skills of a monkey. She can even use her feet as if they were hands! I don't know how she does it, its crazy! Although I must confess that she behaves a bit strange. I would go so far as to say she's more of a monkey than human, hahaha! Miss Corr... I mean, Miss Uyari, she also saw what Y'shaati is capable of. Tell them!"
"...", the dark-skinned girl thought silently as she stared at her plate.
"Uhm, Miss Uyari? Hello?"
"Huh? Ahh, excuse me, I got distracted. What.... what was the question again?", she asked.
"Uyari? Do ya have a middle name, darlin'? I had no idea!", asked Isabel as she refinedly cut a piece of bread.
"Ah yes, it's my native name..." she replied. However, in her mind, she couldn't stop thinking about the abilities the mysterious girl had displayed the other day. "(That strength... that green aura..... I know I've heard about that before. Something about a mystical and unsettling entity...)," she said inside her head.
"Come on! Tell them how she did... oww! Huh, what?", at that moment, the brunette kicked Lucas' leg under the table and subtly turned to look at him. With just a glance she made the boy understand not to mention anything about what had happened the night before with Faucault and his men.
"Errrr, well... anyway, I've also been keeping a journal about all the things that happened to me. Here are all the details about it. You can read it anytime grandpa!", Lucas said before pulling a small notebook out of his pocket and handing it to his old man.
"Geez, really? Are you still a child or something? You're 20 years old and you're still writing a diary? Ha!", said Marco in a mocking tone.
"But of course, what's the problem in that? I'm a man of science, in case you didn't know. I document everything I see to analyze it in the future... I'm surprised you don't do the same knowing that you spend more time with my grandfather and his research at the university," the boy replied.
"Well said, Luc! Your father would be very proud of you, my boy! I think it's a good time to read it right now! All right, let's see what's in here...", Grandpa said as he began to flip through the notebook.
"Dinnae take this the wrong way my dears, but I find it hard to believe that such a girl exists in this place. Surely there's a logical explanation for the whole thing, ya know?", Isabel refuted.
"Oh, come on, why is that so hard to believe?", asked Lucas.
"I happen to be a woman of science myself too, honey. I can't believe in something I can't observe nor touch... I need evidence. I'm really sorry," she said, smiling. "The real question here is... would either of ya like some cake? Hehehehe", Lucas rolled his eyes at that lousy attempt to change the subject.
"Oh, I want some! About frickin' time, I haven't had anything sweet for weeks," said Marco. "Aight, I'll be right back, I won't be long!", the doctor got up from her seat and headed towards a tent to get the dessert.
"Lucas!!!" the grandfather suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone at the table.
"Ah! W-what's wrong, Grandpa?", said Lucas in a nervous voice. "What is it, Dr. Escudero?", asked Uyari.
"Where... w-where did you get this notebook!?", asked the puzzled grandfather. "W-why do you ask?"
"On the front page, there's a header. And there's a name written on it.... Francis Garcia... it's impossible!"
"Ohh, about that! I... I found that notebook in a cave..."
"A cave, you say?"
"Y-yes, it's a shelter that Y'shaati knew about. She showed me the place so I could spend the nights there. From the moment I walked in it looked suspicious to me. It looked as if someone had lived there before me. There was a bed, old clothes and a backpack. That's where I found it. I guess it all belonged to this Francis guy... for some reason the name sounds familiar to me too..."
"Son... have you forgotten?", said Grandpa in a serious tone. "I had a student with that name many years ago! It's a case known to everyone at the university: Francis Garcia disappeared without a trace almost two decades ago!!"
"Who?", said Marco bored without much interest in the subject.
"Oh? Ahhhh crap, you're right! Damn, now I remember! But then... how did his stuff end up in an cave, here on Amazonia?," asked Lucas.
"Could it be that this man was on a previous expedition?" asked Uyari, also intrigued.
"No, at that time, the university was not yet granting permission for expeditions to South America. The rumors I heard was that Francis was planning to travel here incognito by any means necessary. The young man dreamed of visiting this place... it was the greatest wish of his life. He was a prodigious man. There was no one like him in the field of wildlife research. The sketches in this notebook... the notes... everything matches! I think he really was here!", Grandpa shouted.
"Unbelievable... but where could he be now? Is he still alive? Should we even try to look for him?", asked Lucas.
"But what are you saying, my boy? Do you think all these people are going to want to stay here any longer to look for someone who has been missing for so many years? Don't even think of mentioning it!", Grandpa exclaimed desperate. "And another very important thing: for nothing, and I repeat for nothing in the world tell Dr. Isabel about this! Is that clear?", he ordered.
"What? And why is that?", said the boy in confusion. "It's something very delicate... I shouldn't tell you this...", replied the old man.
"Grandpa, please!!", the boy pleaded. "Come on Dr. Escudero, spill the beans!", said Marco. The old man sighed.
"Alright... Isabel and Francis met in college years ago when they were young... they were a couple. And some time later, they were even engaged. But they never married...", Grandpa confessed.
"WHAT!?", shouted Lucas and Marco in unison. At that moment, Dr. Isabel returned to the table with a small chocolate cake. "Okay, it's time for a wee dessert hehe! Is anyone else gaunnae to want some...? Hmm? What's wrong with ya? Why does everyone have that look on their face?", she asked.
Ah, I-Isabel! Don't worry, it's okay hahaha! The boys and I were just talking about.... well... a rather embarrassing topic that need not be mentioned again, hehehehe!", said Grandpa with a fake smile. "Good gracious, that cake looks really delicious, don't you think, boys?"
"Ahh y-yes, of course!", Lucas said very nervously. "Mon, it's no bother at all, ye can talk to me freely!", mentioned Isabel as she took her seat again.
"No... I mean, what happens is that... well, we were...", the boy stammered like a complete fool. Just then, Uyari suddenly interrupted the conversation, pointing her finger, "Uhm, excuse me but... the girl is back!", everyone turned around at the same time.
"Ahhh!!! Y'shaati!!!", cried Lucas as he observed the wild blonde hiding behind a box, as if she were a frightened animal. "Nobody move! Calm down Y'shaati, don't be afraid. It's all right!", said the boy as he stood up and walked slowly towards the girl.
"Lucas...," she said quietly.
"That's right, don't worry! For God's sake, I thought I'd never see you again. Please don't run away like that again! Promise me!", the boy said before holding her hand. Y'shaati smiled.
"I can't believe it... it was true... the girl exists...", said Isabel, surprised. "Unbelievable... she is just as he described her...", added the grandfather.
"Y'shaati, I want you to meet my family!" said Lucas happily.
"Family...?", the wild girl asked. However, at that moment, her stomach made a guttural sound. "Oh dear... you must be hungry! Look, we have lots of food here that are surely new to you. You'll love it!"
"Food!", Y'shaati replied excited as her nose caught the scent of the banquet. "Come on monkey girl, join us!", said Lucas as he returned to his seat.
However, Lucas never imagined that the wild blonde would run over there and take a big leap over everyone, landing on the wooden table and creating a huge mess. Most of the food that was there was trampled by Y'shaati's hands and bare feet. Pieces of food and cake splattered everywhere.
"Nooooo, Y'shaati don't do that! Oh my goodness...", Lucas said completely embarrassed and blushing. "(They're SO gonna blame for this)," he said in his mind.
"What the hell!? That was my slice of cake!", Marco angrily claimed as Y'shaati wiggled her toes between the cream and chocolate. "Stupid ape-girl! Get off the table in this very insta...", the boy was interrupted as Y'shaati kicked him with that same cream-covered foot right in his face. "Arghh! Ewww, this is disgusting!!"
"Baws! Whaddya think ya are doing, what kind of manners are those, young lady!?", asked Isabel very indignanted. The blonde simply ignored her, as she was more delighted by the delicious taste of the piece of meat she was eating. Lucas was right, every thing was so tasty.
"Don't bother, Isabel, I don't think she's going to understand you under the circumstances Lucas told us. Good Lord, now that's what I call an appetite, hahaha! Poor lass looks like she haven't eaten anything fine in weeks! Look at the way she holds the jar with her foot... such dexterity... fascinating!", said Grandpa grabbing his beard as he analyzed Y'shaati's behavior.
"Well... I definitely wasn't expecting this...", Uyari said quietly.
"Lucas, would ya explain to me why this lass is completely naked!?", asked Isabel annoyed. "W-What? Are you serious? I told you she was already like this when I found her! It's not my fault!", Lucas claimed. Meanwhile, Y'shaati simply continued to eat sitting on the table.
While the boy and the mature woman were arguing, the other people in the camp watched the situation in complete surprise. No one expected that the blonde would appear so suddenly. While some couldn't help but say that she was quite cute, others simply rejected that idea, saying that the girl looked more like a wild animal and caused them uneasiness. Either way, they would have to find a way to cope with her presence in the camp from now on.
"Aight, that's it, that's enough!!", Isabel said before getting up from the table completely furious. "Come with me lassie, I'm gonna give ya a lesson of good behavior. But first I'll have to clean ya up good, ye stink like a little pig darlin', ugh! And then I'll find something to cover that fine pale body of yours. Ye can't just go around walking like if ya were Eva!", the doctor ordered as she grabbed the wild girl's arm. Y'shaati looked at her in the eyes, confused.
"Ook ook ook!", she howled in a hostile tone. "Lucas deary, tell her to listen to me!"
"Hey she has a name, her name is Y'shaati. If you call her like that, she will feel more in confidence with you!", replied Lucas. "Very well then. Y'shaati dear, uhm, would ya mind coming with me? Please...?", Isabel said more relaxed. The girl turned to look at the boy.
"It's okay! She's family, remember? Go with her. Oh and don't walk on all fours... imitate her."
"Family...", Y'shaati said with a soft voice before getting down from the table and do what Lucas suggested. Several scraps of food still remained in her mouth, breasts, belly, hands and feet. And so, both women slowly walked away and entered into a tent.
"This is all your fault, Lucas!", said Marco after also getting up from the table.
"Oh dear... now I wonder if it was a good idea for her to come back...", said Lucas worried.
"She's going to be fine, my boy. She's going to be just fine, you'll see...", Grandpa replied.
