Rainforest Shaman Full Novel

Prologue

Iya 

Pronouncement

#

Iya lifted her gaze from the wooden bowl of cassava roots that would become the chicha beverage of her Achuar people, her dark eyes ablaze with defiance, until she noticed her grandmother’s unrelenting stare. She looked away. “Do I really have to go?” she protested, her voice barely audible in the still morning air. “There’s so much work to be done here, and I’m sure Grandfather doesn’t need me there to make his announcement.”

But Maria was unwavering. “Your grandfather was clear, Iya. He wants everyone in the village to be present, without exception.” She hobbled over to Iya, her wrinkled hands reaching out to stroke her raven hair with a loving touch, avoiding the sensitive areas of her granddaughter’s scalp. “I know it’s not easy for you, Little Mouse. You’ve always been shy and withdrawn, uncomfortable in large crowds. But I’ve given your grandfather my word, and he’s counting on you.” 

Iya leaned into the caress and gazed up at her grandmother, hoping she would reconsider, but no such luck.

She sighed, her thin frame trembling with frustration. She’d always struggled with her reputation as the village’s shy and timid mouse, and now even her grandmother was using their name for her. Grandfather Ompa was not only the healer and spiritual guide for their Achuar people, but one of the most respected shamans in the region, his words carrying the weight of the rainforest.

With a heavy heart, Iya dropped the cassava root back into the bowl, wiping her hands on the front of her shirt as she followed her grandmother towards the meeting house. The other villagers were already gathering, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds as they made their way towards the heart of the village.

Iya paused, taking in the breathtaking view before her. The lush greenery of the Amazon rainforest, its hundreds of trees and shrubs stretching towards the sky like emerald sentinels surrounded her. She knew most of them by name, their secrets and uses passed down to her by her grandfather and grandmother. They’d taught her about the three most powerful spirits of the jungle: Amasanga, the spirit of the rainforest, Sungui, the spirit of the water, and Nungwi, the spirit of clay and soil.

With a deep breath, Iya steeled herself for the upcoming announcement, ready to face the crowd and stand by her grandfather’s side. She was, after all, a part of this thriving community, connected to the land and its spirits by the blood that flowed through her veins.

Iya felt a sense of awe as she gazed upon the gathering of her village. The sun was slowly rising over the lush canopy of the rainforest, casting a warm, golden glow over the scene before her. The vibrant colors of the clothing and decorations worn by the villagers added to the already lively atmosphere, making the morning seem even more alive with energy.

Ompa, sitting regally in his ceremonial turtle-shaped chair, was the focal point of the gathering. It filled Iya with pride to be his granddaughter, and she beamed with joy as he acknowledged her with a smile and a nod. His attire confirmed the special nature of the occasion – the bright blue shirt, adorned with strands of seeds and nuts, was a striking contrast to the lush greens and browns of the surrounding jungle. The skirt, with its stripes of blue, white, and gray, added to the regal appearance, as did the ceremonial necklace and hat of red and gold feathers.

As the room filled with familiar faces, Iya noticed Matita making his way towards Ompa, a determined look in his eye. She had heard whispers he might be the next shaman, and she felt a flutter of excitement at the thought. With his chiseled jawline and muscular physique, Matita was certainly popular with all the young girls, but it was the way he carried himself that truly set him apart. Dressed in similar blue attire to Ompa, it seemed like no coincidence that their clothing matched.

With all the signs pointing towards a special occasion, Iya wondered what the outcome of the meeting would be. Was this the moment her grandfather would finally announce his successor? The anticipation was almost palpable, and Iya held her breath in anticipation. It had been a long time since she had seen her grandfather in all his finery, and felt sure today was going to be a momentous day, one that would be remembered for generations to come.

The murmurs of the crowd hushed as Ompa’s eyes fluttered open, and Ompa greeted the gathered people with a warm smile. With outstretched arms, he welcomed them to the start of a beautiful morning.

He spoke in the melodic tongue of the Shiwiar people. “Greetings, dear friends and family of the forest,”  “The spirits have blessed us, and it is with great joy I invite you to join me in a moment of tranquil celebration.” He raised his arms higher, directing the villagers towards the sky, the river, and the surrounding woodland, in a show of reverence to the forces of nature that sustained their lives.

“I know we all have our daily duties to attend to, so I’ll get right to what I have to say.” As the whispers of the crowd grew louder, Ompa waited until everyone became quiet. “For weeks, my spirit animal, the mighty jaguar, has visited me in my dreams with a persistent message. It is time for me to pass on my knowledge and train the next shaman of our people.” The villagers turned their heads to look at Matita, who smiled and nodded at the prospect.

“I must admit, I was reluctant to heed the dreams,” Ompa continued. “But the jaguar’s message has been unwavering, and I have learned through the years to trust my spirit animal’s guidance.” Ompa rose from his chair, his movements slow and deliberate, and walked over to Matita, placing his hands on the young man’s shoulders. A sadness etched on the old shaman’s face as he spoke. “Matita, you have been a faithful companion, and I hold you in high regard. But the jaguar has guided me in a different direction.” Ompa dropped his hands and scanned the crowd of villagers. “These are trying times. We have all felt the darkness creeping in from the north. If we are to be the condors that save our home, we must be open to new and unconventional ways.”

Ompa made his way through the throng of villagers until he stood just a few feet away from Iya. He raised his arms towards the sky, as if to salute the sun. “Iya, my granddaughter, whose name means sky, space, and universe,” he said, “the jaguar has guided me to select you as our next shaman, our first with the same energy as Pachamama herself.” 

The villagers gasped in unison, their surprise evident on their faces. Iya felt the world spin around her as she struggled to grasp the enormity of the announcement. How could this be? She had always dreamed of one day leaving her village, traveling to Quito, or another city, to further her education. In her dreams, she would return one day to help her people navigate the challenging times they faced. But now, her grandfather’s dream had derailed her plans, and she could not ignore his wishes. Not only was he the shaman of her people, but he was also the elder who had raised her since the death of her parents.

Had she misread her own dreams? Had Chumap, her teacher, been wrong to encourage her? Perhaps it was time for her to surrender to the far more powerful forces that dictated her life.

Iya stood frozen, watching as the villagers returned to their daily routines, but for her, she knew her life would never be the same. She started to follow her grandmother, but then stopped. Instead, she turned towards the forest, the one place where she felt truly at home and accepted. The forest, with its dense canopy and rustling leaves, would be her refuge, her solace, as she grappled with the new reality of her life.

 

#

Argument

#

Iya strolled along the path, feeling her way through the murky darkness of dawn. As she made her way deeper into the woods, she took a moment to listen for any sounds of pursuit before veering off the path and making her way through the dense underbrush. She felt like she was returning to the comfort of her mother’s womb, to the teeming rainforest that was her true home. But as she pressed further, the vegetation became impenetrable without a machete to clear the way, so she stopped and sat down, her thoughts swirling.

What am I to do now? she wondered, but even as she asked, she knew there was only one answer. She would follow her grandfather’s orders as she had always done to be a good granddaughter and not do anything that would have them regret taking her into their home. Besides, what did her dreams matter? She hadn’t even believed they were possible. More of a wish than anything.

As she sat, she felt a familiar tingling sensation on her scalp. She looked around to be sure no one was around. The sensation increased as she reached up to stroke the sensitive raised areas. The tingling felt stronger than ever, like a jolt of static electricity.

That’s odd, she thought. She couldn’t recall ever feeling the sensation so strongly. Iya took a deep breath and sighed before getting up and brushing off her skirt. She gazed up at the sky, where she could make out just a few remaining stars peeking through the treetops. She tried to pray, but didn’t know what to say or who would listen to her pathetic pleas, anyway. 

Iya returned home undetected, her journey uneventful. Over the years, she had become a master at blending in, at being virtually invisible to her fellow villagers, but for how much longer? she wondered as she approached her grandparents’ home. But as she was about to enter, something felt off. The air felt charged, and she could hear her grandmother’s voice raised in anger.

She snuck closer to the doorway and peeked inside, where she saw her grandfather, Ompa, standing with a calm expression, while her grandmother, Maria shouted. “How could you do this without at least talking to me first?”

There was a long pause. Iya snuck closer and glanced through the doorway to see Ompa standing with a placid look on his face. He shrugged, but remained quiet. 

“Have you forgotten about Iya’s—” Maria stopped, waving one hand 

around her head, but she couldn’t finish the sentence.

“What? Can’t you say it?” Ompa finally replied. “Our granddaughter’s deformity, her malformation, her curse? I believe you’ve referred to it these ways and more. Yes, I remember. How could I forget? You’ve had us all walking on eggshells for what, these last ten years, since you discovered them.”

“Only because I love her, and fear for her safety,” Maria replied, her voice trembling with distress.  The sound of her grandmother’s voice brought back a vivid memory from Iya’s childhood—a memory she had buried deep within her.

Days after her parents had disappeared, her grandparents had taken her in. It would be much later before she learned that marauding warriors from another village had killed her father, and her mother had gone missing during the attack.

One day, Maria had taken her three-year-old granddaughter to the river to wash off the dust and grime leftover from hiding in the woods for several days. Her mother had ordered her to go, “and don’t come out until you hear me call you.” But her mother had never called, so it was fortunate for Iya that someone had stumbled upon her hiding place. 

Grandmother Maria gently lowered Iya’s head back to wet her hair in prep for washing it with the Puscopanga plant that was their natural form of soap when she paused. She brought Iya back to a standing position as she felt along the young girl’s scalp.

“What is this?” she asked quietly to herself. “Stand still, girl. Let me see.” 

Iya did as she was told and waited patiently as Maria felt along her head and scalp. “Oh no, this cannot be!” the old woman said with a note of desperation. “Oh, my poor girl, my poor, poor girl.” She clutched Iya to her chest, rocking her back and forth. 

What is it? What’s wrong? Iya wondered. What had her grandmother found that would cause her so much anguish? A wave of fear coursed through her tiny frame. 

They stood there in the shallows of the river for several minutes until Maria finally finished washing her hair, then wrapped it in a length of cloth to dry. Still standing in the water, Maria bent down to her, looking her straight in the eyes. “Listen to me and listen carefully. This will be our little secret, do you hear? No one is to know about—”she pointed to the top of Iya’s head—“that,” she finally finished. “No one,” she repeated. “Bad things will happen if anyone else ever finds out. Promise me you’ll tell no one.”

Iya nodded, confused and more frightened than she’d ever been, even more than when her village had been raided just a few days before. “I promise, Grandmama,” she whispered.

“Good girl,” Maria replied. She looked around and smiled, though it looked to Iya as though the smile was about to fall from her grandmother’s face. “Let’s go home and get something to eat.”

#

“Iya, Iya!” her grandmother called. “What are you doing out there? Where have you been? Come in and get something to eat. It appears you have a much different day ahead of you,” Maria said as she glared at Ompa.

Iya shook herself, surprised to find herself back at her grandparent’s hut. She nodded to Maria and entered the hut to sit down next to Ompa. She wanted to ask him if he was sure of his decision, if perhaps he hadn’t misinterpreted the message from his spirit animal, but not knowing how to broach the subject, she said instead, “What will I be doing today, Grandfather?”

Ompa smiled at her and patted her knee closest to him. “Today, your training begins.”

#

 

#

 

Chapter One

10 Months Later

Zak

Rainforest Triple Threat

Zak Bates peddled his bike down the bustling highway, surrounded by the honking of cars and the buzz of activity. The sun was shining down, casting a warm glow over the road and highlighting the green of the trees and shrubs along the bike lane. He reached Dr. George’s animal clinic, a brick building surrounded by a lush garden that included an exercise area for pets, and turned into the driveway. The gravel crunched under his tires as he rode to the back of the clinic and dismounted, the sound echoing through the still air. He pulled out his cellphone from his back pocket and quickly sent a text message to his best friend, Allie George.

Meet me behind the clinic ASAP. Urgent. Possible mission.

In a couple of minutes, he heard the creak of the clinic’s back door, and out stepped Allie, carrying a large white bag of trash, her curly brown hair bouncing with each step. She walked over to the dumpster and tossed the bag inside before strolling over to him. As she gazed around, Zak rose from his hiding place and waved.

“What’s up?” Allie asked as she joined him.

Zak shrugged. “Not sure. I just received a message from Ra-Kit and Sampson to meet them here and have you join me if possible, but I think it might be a mission.”

Before he could say anything else, “You guessed it,” a deep bass voice said from behind them, making them both jump. A giant Newfoundland dog stepped out of the tall grass with a black cat sitting regally on his back. Sampson, the flying dog, and Ra-Kit, the last living magic cat had arrived, completing the eco-adventure team.

“Whoa! For being such a large dog, you sure can creep around without making a sound,” Zak said as he felt his heartbeat slowly return to normal. 

“Plenty of practice and help from my friend here,” Sampson replied. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s okay. It’s good to see both of you.”

Allie nodded. “Yeah. What’s up? Is it another mission?”

Ra-Kit nodded. “Yes, we’ve received word from the Spiritual Frontier. They’ve received three messages asking for help from the same general location here on Earth.”

“Where’s that?” Zak asked.

“Ecuador,” Ra-Kit replied. “One came from a speckled bear, another from a capybara, and a third from a pink dolphin. Their stories were quite similar.”

“Which was?” Allie asked, her brown eyes shining with excitement.

“They feel their territory is endangered,” Ra-Kit said. “The interesting thing is that they are in different parts of the country, quite far from each other.”

“But their messages were quite similar,” Sampson added, “so they may face the same threat, but on a much larger scale than before.”

“This is so exciting!” Allie said, dancing around, but she then stopped. “The only thing is that my mom is counting on me to help her in the clinic this summer.”

“That’s okay,” Ra-Kit replied. “As much as I’d like you to join us, I need you here.” She glanced at Zak. “Don’t worry about your parents. As far as they will know, you’ll be visiting your Uncle Wade, and the two of you will spend a lot of time trekking and camping, making you unavailable.”

“Cool,” Zak replied. “It’s even a reasonable story this time.”

“So, I’m stuck here again?” Allie complained. “Doing what?”

“Well, besides helping your mom, I need you to look after these two.” Ra-Kit pointed to her right as two tiny kittens stepped out from the bushes. The smaller one looked exactly like Ra-Kit, black from head to tail except with a small white star on its chest, while her companion looked much like a tiny Bengal tiger with black and brown spots on a beige background.

“Holy cow!” Zak shouted. “I’d completely forgotten you were pregnant.”

“Me too,” Allie said. She bent down and held one hand out towards the kittens. “My goodness, they can’t be more than a couple of months old.”

“Just turned ten weeks,” Ra-Kit answered. “Meet Lucius and Leia.” 

 

Luk

Homecoming

Luk opened his eyes to find Steffy’s gaze fixed on him, concern etched on her face. The light of the sun filtering through the car windows illuminated her tanned skin, and her jet-black hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Luk asked, his voice breaking the silence. He smiled at her where she sat in the driver’s seat of his emerald green Prius. “I must have nodded off.”

Steffy smiled and tossed the ponytail, which always brought a smile to Luk. Her Hispanic descent gave her a perpetually tanned look, and her regular exercise and healthy eating kept her slim. What a catch, Luk thought for the hundredth time since meeting her over a year ago at the University of North Carolina in Asheville, where they were both grad students. That was before his life had taken a drastic turn for the worse a few months ago.

“I said, why don’t you lay your seat back and get a little sleep? You’ve just had major surgery. Your body needs time to recover,” Steffy replied, her voice warm and soothing.

“You’re right, of course. I had no idea it would be so taxing. Let’s face it. I’ve taken my excellent health for granted, and then suddenly, wham. I’m diagnosed with cancer at my age. It’s ridiculous.”

Steffy nodded. “Unfortunately, not so ridiculous these days. Why, just last month, my nutrition course professor talked about how cancer is on the increase, especially in this country and particularly among young men and women in their twenties and thirties. Of course, he quickly pointed out the role our atrocious American diet plays. But enough about that for now. You’ve just had over a foot of your large intestines and over thirty of the surrounding lymph nodes removed. I bet you’ve lost a good twenty pounds.” 

“More like twenty-five,” Luk admitted. “I inherited a high metabolism from my dad, so I’ve been able to eat whatever I want without gaining weight. It’s also played a role in my excelling at sports. Unfortunately, it also means I didn’t have any excess fat to lose, so most of the weight loss has been in muscle mass.” Luk glanced to his right at his reflection in the car window at a gaunt face he barely recognized.

“All the more reason to rest and give your body time to recover.” 

Luk reached out and patted her hand on the steering wheel. “Yes, Nurse Steffy. Whatever you say.” He pressed the seat button to lower the back and closed his eyes, but he didn’t sleep. Instead, he played the conversation over in his head that he would be having with his parents in the next couple of hours. He really needed them to understand how important their supporting his decision was. Still, every time he practiced it, he envisioned his dad blowing up and tossing him out of the house. 

“Don’t come back until you’ve come to your senses!” Wendell Bates would shout as he slammed the door.

“You’re still worrying about our meeting with your folks, aren’t you?” Steffy asked.

“How did you know?”

“I can tell from your breathing when you’re relaxed and when you’re nervous.”

Luk laughed. “Damn, you’re good.” 

“Look, it’s going to be okay. As far as your parents know, you’re coming home to introduce them to the girl you’ve been dating for over a year and to take some time to recuperate. Besides, they are going to love me. That’ll help, right?”

“Yes, they will, though not as much as I love you,” Luk replied. “My mom will be particularly pleased that I’m dating a Latino.”

Steffy chuckled. “Don’t you think she’s figured that out already? After all, my last name is Ruiz.” 

“True,” Luk replied. “It will still comfort her to have it confirmed in person.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I appreciate all your support these past weeks, especially being willing to meet my folks under less than ideal conditions. Being there with me today means a lot.”

“You’re welcome,” Steffy replied. “Will I have the pleasure of meeting your brother? What’s his name again?”

“Zak,” Luk replied, “and no, not this time. From what I understand from Calida’s text, he’s away on a camping trip with his uncle. It’s too bad. You’d really like him. He’s one cool kid, if I say so myself. I mean, a bit klutzy around girls, that sort of thing, but so was I at his age, and look how debonair I turned out.”

Steffy laughed. “Yes, you are one smooth operator. Then again, how many weeks did it take after meeting me before you asked me out?”

“I don’t know, maybe a month,” Luk replied.

“More like six weeks,” Steffy corrected him.

“But wasn’t I worth the wait?”

Steffy nodded. “Absolutely,” she said, the word carrying a world of meaning.

The two of them lapsed into a comfortable silence as Luk closed his eyes and tried to relax, but the more he tried to push away thoughts of the impending reunion with his parents, the more tense he became.

“Have you figured out how you will break the news to them?” Steffy asked, her voice soft and supportive.

Luk groaned. “No, not really. I’m going to play it by ear and see how much to tell them, depending on their reaction,” he said, his brow furrowed with worry. “Well, depending on my dad’s reaction. Calida will support my decision, no matter what, but my dad is another matter. He thinks that his approach to life is not only the best one but the only one that makes any sense. ‘Wendell’s way’, he calls it.”

Steffy’s eyes lit up with determination. “Well, I can certainly provide him with plenty of facts to support the direction you’re planning to take.” 

Luk shot her a grateful look. “Oh, that will certainly help once he gets over his initial outrage.”

“Really? Do you think it’ll be that bad?” Steffy asked.

“No, I think it could be even worse than I can imagine. Take the next exit,” Zak added as he pointed to the road sign. “We’re about to find out.”

#

Zak

Whoopee Warping

#

“They’re so cute!” Allie exclaimed as she knelt down on the soft green grass, her eyes fixed on the two adorable kittens. She offered her hand to them, and they curiously sniffed and nuzzled it. “I think I’m getting the best part of this mission.” She glanced up to where Ra-Kit continued to sit on Sampson’s back. “It would be my pleasure to look after your little ones, but what will I tell my mom?”

“For now, just tell her you found them back here,” Ra-Kit replied, “and I’ll plant a thought that will have her be receptive to taking care of them.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. She loves kittens as much as I do. You might have to convince her to let them go once the mission is completed, though.”

Ra-Kit nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for understanding.”

“But what about them staying around a bunch of other cats that come and go from the clinic?” Zak asked. “Aren’t they likely to come down with something, being so young?”

“Not to worry,” Allie said as she sat down on the ground and allowed the two kittens to climb all over her, giggling as Leia bumped her head under Allie’s chin. “I’m sure they still have plenty of protection from Ra-Kit’s milk, and I’ll make sure they get their vaccinations when it’s time.”

“So, when do we leave?” Zak asked. “I have my backpack all ready to go.”

“Perfect,” Ra-Kit said. “We’ll meet you back at your house and leave from there. We’ll be in Ecuador in time for lunch.”

“Whoopee, more warping,” Sampson said, but it was clear from the tone of his voice he was far from excited about it.

#

Turmoil in Ecuador

#

Zak remembered other trips through the warp field as Ra-Kit had grown accustomed to describing it that had been more tumultuous than the one they were now coming out of, but he was still thankful as the swirling clouds around them cleared and he could see land far below. He patted Sampson on the back to let his canine friend know how much he appreciated the effort. While traveling through the warp field was necessary at times, neither Zak nor Sampson enjoyed the experience nearly as much as Ra-Kit. However, since Ra-Kit was their leader and possessed the magical powers that made warping possible, her two team members reluctantly went along with her wishes.

As they slowly circled lower, the details below became clearer. It appeared they were flying over acres after acres of farmland with no signs of the thick vegetation and trees of a rainforest. Confusion etched on his face, Zak’s eyes scanned the landscape, his gaze landing on Ra-Kit.

“Where are we? I thought we were going to the rainforest. Isn’t that where the messages were coming from?”

Ra-Kit nodded, then turned in his direction. “That’s right, but I wanted Sampson to bring us here first. Do you recognize where we are?”

Zak shook his head. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever been here, at least not that I remember.”

As they circled lower, the air filled with the sweet scent of bananas, and Ra-Kit pointed towards a well-groomed field of banana trees. “Take us down over there.” She pointed below and to their right.

Sampson nodded and landed them smoothly. Zak patted Sampson’s side again. “Good job,” he said. “You continue to amaze me with how well you can navigate through the warp field.”

“Thanks,” Sampson replied. “That means a lot. Maybe one day I’ll learn to enjoy it as much as Ra-Kit, but I doubt it.”

“Posh!” Ra-Kit added from where she continued to sit on Sampson’s shoulders. “You knew when you signed up for this that warping was part of the job description.”

Sampson smiled at Zak and shook his head, mouthing the words silently, “No, it wasn’t.”

“Do you recognize where you are now?” Ra-Kit asked.

“Well, I can see that we’re on a banana farm, but that’s about it. I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.”

“Down here, they refer to such areas as a plantation because of its size. This one covers approximately two hundred acres.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of bananas,” Zak said as he looked around. “But I still don’t know where I am.”

“This is the very site where a giant bulldozer almost ran over us on our first mission,” Ra-Kit replied. “You remember that, don’t you?”

“Wow! I’ll say. I can’t remember ever being more scared, but that was in the… Wait a minute. This is what it looks like now. I get it. They bulldozed all the trees, sold off the wood, and converted it all into a banana farm. I mean plantation, but what’s wrong with that? I mean, I like bananas.”

“As do millions of other people around the world,” Ra-Kit replied. Her voice held a tinge of sadness. “Unfortunately, rainforest land doesn’t make for good farmland. The topsoil is too thin and nutrient-deficient as well as being too acidic. So what happens, in a few more years when the banana trees cannot produce, they’ll be cut down and this land will revert to pastureland for cows. Unfortunately, the demand for bananas will continue to grow, so they will destroy more rainforest to make room for the next plantation, and the cycle will continue until…” Ra-Kit paused.

“—Until all the rainforest is destroyed,” Zak finished for her.

“Precisely,” Ra-Kit agreed. “Except before that happens, the rest of the planet will be in such dire straits that few people will worry about why they can’t get their bananas anymore.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask why. I think we may already be feeling the effects.”

“We are, my friend,” Sampson replied. His voice grew somber as he spoke about the dire consequences of oil companies’ destructive presence in the rainforest. “Whether you call it global warming, climate change or something else, the rainforests are vital to the health and wellbeing of Pachamama.”

“Pachamama? What’s that?”

“It’s the name the indigenous people of the rainforest use for our planet. They have a very special relationship with Mother Earth,” Ra-kit said. “They have been living as an integral part of the rainforest for hundreds of years. Now these destructive forces threaten their homeland and way of life. One of the greatest recent threats is from the large oil companies.”

Zak groaned. “You mean like Consolidated Enterprises?”

“I’m afraid so,” Ra-Kit said. “Over the years, they’ve become one of the most extractive industries, not just here in Ecuador but globally.”

“Extractive industries?” Zak asked.

“It’s any industry that has a primary aim of extracting raw materials from the earth,” Sampson replied. “And often they do so from other less prosperous countries with the promise of making them rich.”

“Which never happens,” Ra-Kit added. “It’s a global sleight-of-hand trick. By the time the government of the poorer country figures it out, it’s too late.”

“So do you think it’s oil companies that have led to the pleas for help from the animals?” 

“That’s what we’re here to find out,” Ra-Kit answered. “But it would make sense. When they come into a country like Ecuador, they not only drill a lot of wells to reach the oil, they also build hundreds of miles of pipelines to transport the oil. That has been a particularly difficult and dangerous endeavor in this country, even more than in other parts of the world.”

“And why is that?” Zak asked. He felt like a curious third-grader, but he really wanted to understand what was going on. He figured the more he knew, the more likely he could help, though he felt pretty hopeless that his small team of three had any chance of going against a behemoth corporation like C. E. 

“Ecuador is called the gateway to the Amazon, at the foothill of the Andes. It’s one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, but also a highly unstable area where landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes happen regularly,” Sampson patiently explained. 

“That’s right,” Ra-Kit chimed in. “There are close to fifty volcanoes in this small country, many of them still active. It’s one of the riskiest places to build miles and miles of pipelines, which no doubt explains why there have been so many oil spills in this region in the past ten years.”

Zak felt his heart sink the more he learned what they were up against. And to think I’ve been so excited to get my driver’s license just so I can add to the need for more oil. Maybe riding a bike wasn’t so bad after all. 

“Don’t fret, my little friend,” Sampson said, noticing the dejected look on Zak’s face. “We’ve been up against greater odds.”

“We have?” Zak asked. “When?”

Sampson didn’t answer for several seconds, then replied. “Well, maybe we haven’t. Worrying won’t get us anywhere. Let’s see what our animal friends have to report.”

“Good idea,” Ra-Kit joined in. “Hop aboard, Zak. We’re not that far from our first meeting. It’s close enough that we won’t need to warp to get there, though we will need to fly north a bit.”

Zak shook himself all over to snap himself out of his dark mood. “And who will that be with?” he asked in a more upbeat tone than he felt.

“My old friend, Juki,” Ra-Kit replied, “the spectacled bear.”

#

 

Iya 

Nine Months Later

 Kapok Tree 

#

Iya watched as Ompa hacked away at the lush undergrowth, his machete slicing through the vivid hues of green that surrounded them. For over a year, she had grown accustomed to watching the old man’s back. He strolled through the forest at a pace close to a trot despite his age as she struggled to keep up. But today was more than a trip to identify new plants and learn of their many uses. Today they were on a pilgrimage to the sacred kapok tree of their village.

 She’d heard whispers of the ancient tree from Ompa and Maria, but they had never allowed her to visit it until now. This morning, Ompa had awoken her before dawn, his voice carrying a sense of importance. “Today, you will spend time with Amasanga today and perhaps the great spirit of the forest will bestow upon you your spirit animal who will serve as your guide through the dream world. Arise, my granddaughter, for today is a special day.”

What Ompa had neglected to mention was just how deep into the jungle they have to venture to reach the four hundred-year-old tree. This did not surprise Iya, as her grandfather often left out such details, letting her discover the challenges that came with being a shaman-in-training. She remembered the first time they’d gone to gather the roots and vines needed to make natema, a sacred drink used by shamans to travel to the dream world of their ancestors. That had been a three-day excursion into some of the densest and most primitive parts of the forest, with no path to guide them but Ompa’s assurance that they were going in the right direction.

Would today’s journey be the same? Would it be days before they arrived at the great kapok tree? If so, she would regret not having eaten a more substantial breakfast as Maria had urged.  To her relief, it was only an hour later when Ompa slowed his pace and turned to her.

“We are almost there,” he whispered. “From now on, we must be quiet with minimal talking. The noble spirit of the forest, Amasanga, prefers quiet, and we are to respect his wishes.”

Iya nodded, relieved to hear that they had arrived. 

“Once there, take a few minutes to feel the energy of the majestic tree. Let the spirit of the tree guide you to a place where you can sit and connect more deeply. We will take part in the tobacco ceremony to further prepare for your journey to the dream world. Prepare yourself.”

Iya nodded again, knowing what the last instruction meant. She quietly slipped away into the surrounding brush, where she squatted down to relieve herself before returning to her grandfather’s side. 

“Good,” Ompa whispered. “This way. Remember, in silence.” This time he did not use his machete to clear the path, but simply pushed the vegetation to either, so Iya followed more closely on his heels, ducking from time to time to avoid being slapped in the face by one of the branches. 

And then, there it was. Towering hundreds of feet into the sky, the kapok tree stood tall, breaking through the canopy of the surrounding trees and continuing its journey towards the heavens. Iya gasped in awe, feeling the energy of the tree enter her heart. Such an extraordinary work of nature. As they slowly made their way forward, the base of the tree came into view, its huge roots that started twenty or more feet from the trunk down to the ground making inviting coves around its perimeter. Reverently, they walked around the tree’s perimeter, stopping from time to time to take in the tree’s indescribable beauty. 

Iya circled the tree twice before she felt drawn to one of the protective coves formed by the roots. She stopped and looked around to Ompa, who stood collecting a bouquet of plants to prepare for the ceremony. Ompa smiled and nodded. He joined her in the small area formed by the trunk and roots of the tree on three sides, then reached into the pouch around his neck and removed a small vial of liquid and some specially cured tobacco leaves. While the tobacco plants found in the rainforest were not as strong as the ingredients of natema, they still had special powers to those who snorted the concentrated liquid to guide them to the world of their ancestors. 

Iya had taken part in the tobacco cleansing ceremony a few times before, finding the process to be uncomfortable, yet the results were often well worth the stinging and sneezing that preceded the journey. Now she stood with her back to the tree and closed her eyes, taking in several deep cleansing breaths as Ompa waved the bouquet of leaves over her body, chanting softly. As he continued the cleansing ceremony, Iya felt a lightness of her spirit as she eased herself into the experience. After a minute or two, Ompa stopped, and Iya opened her eyes. She gazed into the gray eyes of her grandfather and felt his love for her. Iya watched as he mixed the tobacco with the liquid, making a brownish slurry. She held out one hand with her palm up as he squeezed some of the tobacco juice into it, then as she had been shown before, she lowered her head to snort the liquid first into one nostril and then into the other, taking a deep inhalation each time. 

As before, she felt the plant energy course through her body while the stinging sensation of her nose made her eyes water. Iya took a deep breath before sneezing violently, expelling much of the liquid. As Ompa continued to chant softly, she felt his hands on her shoulders. She lowered her hands to her sides, palm outward, and gazed up towards the heavens and the broad expanse of leaves. 

Standing like that for several minutes, she connected with the living spirits all around her before finally sinking to the forest floor in a posture of meditation. She heard Ompa continue his soft chanting, but it wasn’t long before she felt her spirit leave her body to float among the trees. Her spirit soared upward, following the massive trunk of the Kapok tree breaking through the forest canopy and into the bright sunlight of the day. 

This must be what it feels like to fly like a bird, she thought, but even more freeing, for the limitations of a bird’s body did not even encumber her. Iya floated freely without a sense of time or direction until she saw below her a small lagoon, and in the center floated a black dot. She wondered what it was, and as she had the thought, she felt herself slowly descend to get a better look. 

It was a capybara swimming in the water experiencing its own form of freedom. Capybaras were common in this part of the rainforest and were often seen in small communities or families, though this one seemed to enjoy his time alone. Iya had always admired their easy-going nature. She had learned in school that they were one of the largest rodents anywhere in the world. As she drew closer, she could see its tiny ears flick back and forth with its blunt snout just barely above the water. It paused from swimming. As it floated, it raised its head in her direction. Is it smiling at me? Iya wondered. It sure looked like it, but then again, she knew capybaras’ small eyes and rounded nose gave them a cheerful look all the time. Even so, he appeared to be looking right at her, but how could that be? What could he be seeing? She felt his spirit connect with her own, then felt more than heard the words, “You are destined for great things in your community”—then after a brief pause—“and beyond.”

Had the Capybara spoken to her or was that her imagination? Before she could answer that, the little critter lowered its head and disappeared under the water, and just as suddenly Iya felt her spirit flying back in the direction she’d come, and within seconds she found herself back in her body at the foot of the Kapok tree. She opened her eyes to find her grandfather sitting cross-legged a few feet in front of her.

“Welcome back,” Ompa whispered. “You found your spirit animal.” It was more of a statement than a question. 

“Yes, I did,” Iya replied. “I met a capybara.”

Ompa nodded. “Ahh, yes, capybaras make powerful companions in the spirit world. It is a good match.”

“Really? Why do you say that?”

“Well, they are gentle, loving spirits, as are you. Capybaras will also never let you forget your true self.”

It was Iya’s turn to nod. “He told me I would do great things within my community, but then he added, ‘and beyond’.”

“Interesting,” Ompa replied, then closed his eyes. The two of them sat there listening to the sounds of the forest for several minutes until Iya became antsy. They still had a long walk back to their village, and it was getting late in the day. After a few more minutes, Ompa opened his eyes and stood up. “Come. It is time to return.” He brushed off his backside. “You have done well today, my child.”

The words warmed her heart and brought a smile to her face. High praise, especially coming from her grandfather. It lifted her spirits. She didn’t feel like the long walk home would be so hard after all until Ompa spoke again.

“Lead the way, Iya.”

Surely she had mistaken his words. After all, they had both been speaking in hushed voices. But no. Her grandfather had stepped to one side and now motioned her forward. 

“Me?” she asked. “You want me to lead?”

Ompa nodded. “Take a moment to get your bearings, then listen to the forest. I won’t let you stray too far off course.”

Iya gulped then, with a shrug of her shoulders, did what he asked. She remembered feeling the heat of the sun on her back during their journey to the Kapok tree, but that had been in the earlier part of the day. The sun had now traveled to the west, so once again it should be behind them. She walked slowly around the trunk until she saw a barely discernible path leading off in the right direction. She turned around to Ompa, who followed a few yards behind her.

“This way?” she asked.

“Is it?” came the reply.

She looked again in the direction she had pointed and could make out a faint footprint of her grandfather. “Yes, this is the way,” she replied confidently

“Okay, lead on,” Ompa said, and off they went.

 

Wendell 

Reunited 

#

Wendell Bates strolled over to the bar, his footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floors. As he poured himself another gin and tonic, the clink of ice cubes echoed in the sunroom. He looked at his empty glass and then glanced over to his wife, Calida, who was standing across the room. The sunbeams streaming through the window framed her delicate features, casting her in a soft glow.

“Can I fix you another gin and tonic?” Wendell asked as he strolled over to the bar with his empty glass.

“No. One is quite enough,” Calida replied, “And you may want to take it a little slower yourself. You downed that first one like it was water.”

“Oh, give me a break. I’ve had a tough week at work, not to mention the stress of dealing with Luk’s condition.”

“True enough,” Calida replied. “But look on the bright side. He’s coming home today, and we’ll finally get to meet his girlfriend.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I can’t believe they’ve been dating for over a year, and we’re just now getting to meet her. What’s with that?”

“I know. Could it be that you’ve been quick to judge his other girlfriends and found them lacking?”

“I did not,” Wendell replied as he cracked a couple of ice cubes and dropped them in his glass before pouring a hefty jigger of gin in it, then adding a wedge of lime and a dollop of tonic water. “I mean, well, maybe I did, but in my line of work at Consolidated Enterprises, I have to evaluate the people I meet quickly so I’ll know how to best deal with them. Besides, the other girls were lacking. Luk is a special boy, so not just anyone will do.”

“There you go again,” Calida replied with a chuckle. “Did you go through the same process of evaluating me when we met?” She tilted her head to one side. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. I heard a car pull up. They’re here.”

Calida walked over to her husband and gave him a hug. As she did so, she whispered in his ear, “You know how much I love you. Now, please be on your best behavior. Luk has been through a lot these past few weeks. Let’s be sure he knows how much we love him and enjoy meeting his girl.”

“Oh, all right. If you put it that way. I’ll do my best. What was her name again?”

“Estefania,” Calida said, “but Luk said she’s fine if we want to call her Steffy as well.”

They heard the front door open and a moment later, “We’re here! Where is everyone?”

“We’re back in the sunroom,” Calida replied as she gave Wendell one last squeeze and kissed him on the cheek before releasing him.

A moment later, Luk shuffled into the room, holding hands with a young woman who stood just a few inches shorter than his six-foot frame. Her dark brown eyes shined brightly, only exceeded by her smile. 

She’s quite a looker, Wendell thought. Almost as lovely as Calida. In fact, she could pass for her younger sister. But then his attention changed to his older son, and he gasped. 

“Luk, you look terri—” He felt Calida jab her elbow into his ribs and grunted. “I mean, so glad to have you home. And who is this lovely lady?”

“Dad, Mom, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Estefania Ruiz.”

Calida rushed to her son to hug him before turning to Estefania. “Welcome to our home. It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” she said, then hugged her as well.

Wendell took another swig of his drink, draining the glass. He stared over the rim at Luk. My god, he must have lost at least another ten pounds since I last saw him. He knew the doctors had said the surgery to remove the cancerous growth from his son’s lower intestinal tract would be rough on him, but he wasn’t prepared to see Luk so weak and emaciated. Hell, Luk had always been the athlete of the family, excelling in both football and basketball while in high school. 

No one would have ever guessed the doctors would diagnose him with colorectal cancer while in his early twenties. Thank god they had caught it early. According to the oncologists at Duke, he had a better than fifty percent chance of recovering fully after surgery, followed by chemotherapy. We still have a long, tough road ahead, Wendell thought. At least being in an upper management position at C. E. gives us some of the best health insurance money can provide. 

“Can I get the two of you something to drink?” Wendell asked, holding up his empty glass. 

“I’d love a tall glass of water,” Luk replied. How about you, Steffy?”

“Yes, that would be nice.” She turned to gaze around the room. “You have such a beautiful home. I can tell there’s much love here.”

Calida smiled. “Thank you, dear. We’re thrilled to be here. I just wished Wendell didn’t have to be on the road so often so we could enjoy it more together.”

“Well, someone has to pay for it,” Wendell replied with a smile as he finished pouring the second glass of water. He walked over to Luk and Steffy to hand each of them a glass.

“I’d offer you something stronger, but I guess you’re right that water would be better, considering everything you’ve had to go through.”

“Oh, Steffy doesn’t drink alcohol, and I’ve kicked the habit as well since meeting her.”

“Really? My son, the teetotaller. Who would have thought? Seems like I remember you had a particular fondness for beer even back in your high school days.”

“Well, yeah, but that was when I was young and foolish,” Luk joked. He walked over to the sofa, still holding Steffy’s hand, and sat down. “Now I’m older and still foolish, but not when it comes to my health. Steffy is a nutrition major. She’s been a great help in that regard.”

“Then, hopefully, she can help you gain some weight.” Wendell started towards the bar to fix himself another drink, then thought better of it. Instead, he walked over to one of the overstuffed chairs and plopped down. He leaned forward and stared at his son. “How much weight have you lost, son?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Luk replied. He took several long swallows of his water. “Probably between twenty and twenty-five pounds since this nightmare began. Maybe thirty.”

“We’ll just see what we can do to help you regain those pounds while you’re here,” Calida replied. “I have all your favorite recipes ready to be prepared.”

“That’s right. We’ll get you back to your boxing weight so you’ll be ready for the chemo,” Wendell agreed, then stopped as he noticed Luk and Steffy staring at each other. “What?” Luk hesitated before answering. Wendell noticed the two squeezing hands more tightly. 

“That’s one of the reasons we wanted to come home and talk to both of you.” He paused again, looking first at Calida, then back to his father. “I’ve decided not to do chemo. I’m going to take a more natural approach from here on out.”

Oh no, you’re not! Wendell started to shout but then remembered his promise to Calida to be on his best behavior. Instead, he stood up and walked over to the bar to pour himself a drink, then at the last moment, feeling the effects from the first two, he filled his glass with tonic water with just a splash of gin on top, a lesson he’s learned while bartending in college. 

He turned and stared at Calida. “Well, say something, dammit, or I will. Tell him how foolish he’s being right now. This is cancer we’re talking about. One of the worst diseases anyone could have. Even with the most rigorous medical care, a high percentage of cases reoccur within the first five years. Convince your son how foolish he’s being.”

Calida walked over to sit next to Luk and took his other hand in hers. “Are you sure of this?” 

“Yes, Mom,” Luk replied, then turned his gaze to Steffy. “We’ve discussed this, and we’ve done our research.”

“What? On the internet!” Wendell blurted out. “Hell, you can’t believe what you read on the web. Half of it is complete garbage, and you can never tell which half it is.” He felt his anger rising and wished he’d fixed himself a stiffer drink to dull the pain.

“Some of our research has been through the internet, Mr. Bates,” Steffy said, “but only on the most reputable sites. There is really more well-researched data on the natural approach…”

“So you’re the one that has poisoned my son’s normally sound thinking. I’m not surprised. He’s always been easily influenced by a cute face and a feminine shape…”

“Dad! That’s enough!” Luk shouted. “You don’t get to talk to her that way.” He turned to Steffy. “Come on, Stef. We’re going.”

“I thought you were planning to stay overnight,” Calida said. “We have your rooms all prepared.”

“Now, wait a minute, son. Let’s not go off half-cocked.” Wendell put his drink down on the table next to his chair before turning around to Luk. “I apologize. You’re right. I shouldn’t have said what I did. But you’ve got to understand how serious your condition is.”

“No, Dad. I understand that it’s a life-threatening condition. I really do. I’ve had plenty of time to think about it while lying in the hospital bed. Many other people dealing with cancer were in worse shape than me. But you were the one who taught me to trust my own instincts, to check in with my heart and gut, so don’t go pointing the finger at Stef. She’s simply supporting me in the decision that I’ve made for myself.” 

He took a breath. “Steffy has been a tremendous support during this most trying time in my life.” He smiled at Steffy. “But it was a man named Hippocrates, considered by many to be the father of medicine, who helped me realize the path I need to follow. While it was over two thousand years ago when he said, ‘First, do no harm,’ it’s just as relevant today, maybe more so.” He turned his attention back to his father. “Listen, Dad, I’m not saying the path I’m choosing is right for everyone. After all, there are different paths for all of us. I just know this is the right path for me.”

 Luk stood up and turned to Calida. “I appreciate all you’ve done to prepare for our visit. We’ll stay, but I think it’s best to table this conversation for now. I’m tired and could use a nap. I believe they recommend sleep in both the ‘standard-of-care’ and holistic approach.”

“That’s true,” Calida said. “Rest is good for all of us. Steffy, let me show you to your room. It’s right down the hall from Luk’s bedroom. And don’t worry. While we’re a bit old school around here”—she glanced at her husband—“we’re not so ancient to know that the two of you might want to spend time together. This way you can have both privacy and together time. And don’t worry about your luggage. Wendell will bring it in.”  And then, in a much softer voice, she added, “It’s the least he can do.”

#

 

Chapter Three

Zak

Meeting  Juki

#

As the eco-team flew to their next destination, Zak marveled at the sensory feast that unfolded beneath them. Just one of the many advantages over warping, he thought. The farm fields, intersected by ribbons of roads, added a patchwork effect to the landscape. However, it was not the plush greenery of the rainforest that looked more like miles and miles of giant heads of broccoli. 

He leaned over to ask Ra-Kit a question. “Was this area a rainforest in the past?”

Ra-Kit nodded, then turned her head to reply. “Yes, and it still is, but the area where Juki lives looks quite different from the rainforest you are familiar with because of the higher altitude. It’s known as a cloud forest because there is so much rain and moisture in the air but less dense forests.”

As they descended towards their destination, Zak felt the chill of the air grow cooler and thick with moisture. Zak nodded and patted Ra-Kit’s back to let her know he understood. As they continued their journey, a settlement appeared below them, nestled in the valley between two mountain ranges. 

“What’s that?” he asked as he pointed down.

“Let’s see, that would be the village of Papallacta,” Ra-Kit replied, and Sampson nodded.

“And just a little farther ahead is the Papallacta Hot Springs,” Sampson added. “It’s a plush resort that heats all their outdoor tubs from the hot water springs in the area.”

“Cool,” Zak said.

“No, boiling,” Sampson replied, then chuckled. 

“It won’t be long now,” Ra-Kit said a few minutes later. She pointed below and to her right. “Take us down a little lower so I can feel my way to Juki.”

Feel my way? Zak wondered what a spectacled bear felt like but decided it had more to do with his friend’s magical powers. As they landed, Zak’s excitement mounted. Zak and Ra-Kit jumped from Sampson’s back, and Zak felt the damp soil squelched beneath his feet. Ra-Kit circled around for a few seconds before starting off towards a clump of trees, with one particular tree towering above the others. Zak and Sampson followed behind her as she headed towards the largest tree.

After several minutes, Ra-Kit stopped and pointed upward into the canopy of the towering tree, where Zak could just make out a spread of dried leaves and branches. 

“There she is!” Ra-Kit shouted. “I’d recognize her style of nest building anywhere.”

“I didn’t know bears lived in trees,” Zak said as he gazed upward, trying to catch sight of Ra-Kit’s friend. 

“Most don’t, but spectacled bears are the exceptions,” Ra-Kit said. “Besides, my friend is smarter than the average bear, even a spectacled bear. You’ll see in just a minute.”

She walked over closer to the tree, sat on her haunches, and raised her head. “Juki. It’s Ra-Kit and Sampson. Are you up there?”

At first, nothing happened, then Zak could just make out the rustle of movement, and the soft reply. “You came.”

“Yes, my friend. Of course, we did. Come on down. I have someone I want you to meet.”

“I’m really not up for meeting anyone,” came the forlorn reply.

That’s the saddest voice I’ve ever heard, Zak thought, from any kind of animal. Since joining the eco-team, he’d grown accustomed to being able to talk with other animals, but none had sounded so unhappy.

“Please come down,” Sampson joined in. “We’ve come a long way to see you.”

“Well, okay, if you insist. Give me a minute.” 

More than a minute passed before Zak saw a large lump of a bear appear to one side of the nest, slowly lumbering its way down.

“What’s that she’s carrying in her mouth?” Zak asked.

“You’ll see,” Ra-Kit replied with a knowing smile. “It’s become her trademark.”

As the bear continued to draw closer, Zak focused on the strange object in her mouth. “Is that…?” He hesitated, unsure what he saw. As the bear neared the ground, he exclaimed, “It is. It’s an umbrella!”

“That’s right,” Ra-Kit replied. “I told you she’s smarter than the average bear.”

“But why is she carrying an umbrella?”

Sampson and Ra-Kit laughed. “Why wouldn’t a bear who lives in the cloud forest where it often rains two or three times a day not bring along an umbrella?” Ra-Kit countered.

“Let me explain,” Sampson said. “We gave it to her a few years ago as a gift and a joke when we found out that you humans consider spectacled bears to be an Umbrella Species, and she fell in love with it. Carries it everywhere now.”

“Umbrella Species? What’s that?” Zak asked.

“They’re a species in an area selected for making conservation-related decisions,” Ra-Kit replied. 

“Yes,” Sampson added. “Typically, protecting these species will indirectly protect the many other species that make up the ecological community of its habitat. It’s called the umbrella effect.”

“Unfortunately, humans have done a poor job protecting spectacled bears in this area,” Ra-Kit added.

“Well, she’s the saddest looking animal I’ve ever seen, umbrella or not,” Zak said as Juki approached. She was a large animal with dark rings around her eyes and a yellowish gray face. The eyes looked as though they’d been crying for days, and the dark brown coat hung on her body like an overcoat three sizes too large. 

“My, my,” he heard Ra-Kit mutter at seeing her old friend, but then she shouted a more cheerful greeting. “Juki, my friend! It’s so good to see you again.”

The bear stopped a few yards away, eyed Zak suspiciously for a moment before shaking herself and ambled closer. “Good to be seen,” she replied, though the sadness hung on her like a wet blanket. “It’s been too long.”

“Yes, it has,” Ra-Kit replied. “You remember Sampson?” She nodded to the giant black dog.

“Yes, indeed,” Juki replied.

“And this is our human friend, Zak Bates.”

Juki nodded towards him, but Zak felt a coldness come over him at her less than warm response.

“You’ll have to excuse my old friend,” Ra-Kit said. “Your species has made life very difficult for her kind.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“That is an understatement,” Juki replied, only slightly friendlier. “Do you remember Jespan and Morrup?”

“Your two older bear cubs?” Ra-Kit said. “Yes, of course.”

“Both gone,” Juki replied. “Shot on the same day by hunters.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Ra-Kit walked over to the bear and reached out one paw to rest it on the bear’s front foot. “How about your youngest cub? What’s her name?”

“Aprilla,” Juki replied. “I don’t know what’s happened to her. She was with her two brothers when it happened, but she’s nowhere to be found. That’s why I finally made a call for help. I need to find her. I never expected anyone would come, least of all you.”

She dropped the umbrella onto the ground, then pawed it lightly with one foot.

“We were about the only bears around these parts. Most of the others left last year when the farmers started killing so many of us. They traveled to higher altitudes to escape, but there’s so much less food there, not to say there’s much in these parts anymore. But I thought I was too old to leave. This has been my home since I was a cub. I know you’ve often said that I’m smarter than the average bear, but if I’d really been smart, I would have left sooner, and my two bear cubs would still be alive.”

 She hung her head for a moment before finally looking in Zak’s direction. “I’m sorry how I greeted you, but your kind has just about wiped us off the Earth along with so many other species.”

Zak felt his heart would break at the words. “I’m so sorry.” He turned to Ra-Kit with a pleading look.

“Well, we’re here now. What can we do?” Ra-Kit asked as she continued to rub the bear’s foot.

“Help me find Aprilla,” Juki said. “If she’s still alive, I promise we’ll head to the higher altitudes immediately.”

The three members of the eco-team nodded in unison. “We’ll find her,” Ra-Kit said. “Do you have anything that would still have her scent on it?”

After a minute when she was obviously trying to think of something, she shook her head, looking even more heartbroken. “No, I can’t think of anything.” Then she looked down on the ground where she’d dropped the umbrella. “Wait a minute.” She pointed to the umbrella. “She dropped by just the other day and was playing with my umbrella, opening and closing it.”

Ra-Kit and Sampson walked over to it, and both leaned over to sniff at it. “Can you pick up her scent?” Ra-Kit asked after several seconds.

“Well, certainly Juki’s is stronger, but yes, I can detect a second bear’s scent.”

Ra-Kit turned back to her friend. “Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. Can you take us to the last place she would have been?”

Juki frowned. “That would be where the farmers murdered my sons.” She squared her shoulders. “But if it will help you find Aprilla, I’ll do it. Let’s go.”

 

Searching for Aprilla

#

The four of them trudged down the mountain through a light mist toward the Papallacta Hot Springs for close to an hour, their steps heavy and labored. The mist hung thick in the air, enveloping everything in a soft, hazy veil. Juki led the way, her eyes fixed on the ground, her face etched with grief and determination. 

“I warned them not to go down here,” Juki said over her shoulder at one point, her voice heavy with regret. “But they’d grown so independent. They seldom listened to me anymore, and it cost them their lives.” She stopped and pointed to a thicket of green shrubs and short trees, their leaves glossy in the mist. “That’s the place.” She took a couple of deep sniffs, and Zak thought she was about to cry at first. “I can still smell their blood, even after all this time. Come on, but keep your eyes and ears alert for hunters.”

The eco-team followed her lead, their footsteps crunching on the damp earth. The ground was slick and treacherous, and Zak had to concentrate to keep his footing. Sampson sniffed around at the ground for several minutes before raising his head to give his report. “There is a mixture of unfamiliar scents here, both of bears and humans.” He turned to Juki, his nose twitching. “The strongest are of your two sons’ blood, but there’s also a third bear’s scent, identical to what I smelled on the umbrella.”

“Can you tell which direction she went?” Ra-Kit asked.

“Not yet, but give me a few minutes.” Sampson placed his nose to the ground again, but this time, he walked in an ever-increasing spiral. Zak watched, fascinated, as the dog’s body language shifted, his tail wagging slightly as he followed the scent trail. Several minutes went by until he stopped again and pointed. “She went that way.”

The mist was growing thicker, the trees looming tall and dark around them. Ra-Kit’s eyes were bright and alert, scanning the underbrush for any sign of movement. “Are you sure?” Ra-Kit asked as she walked over to him and looked in the direction he had pointed.

“Oh, yeah,” Sampson replied confidently. “The other smells are fainter here, making it easier to pick hers up. She definitely ran off in this direction.”

“Then we’ve got to go get her,” Juki said as he joined them. 

“No, we don’t,” Ra-Kit replied. “Sampson and I will go find her. If any of the farmers see us, we’ll just look like two stray animals, but if they see you or Zak, it could raise suspensions or worse. They might shoot and ask questions later.”

Juki paused to consider what her friend had said, then slowly nodded. “I guess you’re right, but I feel so helpless, like I should do something to bring her home.”

“You already have,” Ra-Kit replied. “You called for help, and we came. Now you need to go back to your home and prepare to leave.” She turned to Zak. “Didn’t you pack another bag in your knapsack?”

Zak nodded. “Yep, but I left it all back under Juki’s tree.”

“That’s okay,” Ra-Kit said. “I want you to go back with her and help her gather enough food for a couple of days’ journey.” She turned back to Juki. “Take a little time to say goodbye to your home. It’ll be the last time you’ll be there.”

Juki sniffed again, and this time Zak was sure it was her attempt to keep from crying. After several seconds, she composed herself enough to say, “That’s okay. All I want now is to see Aprilla alive and well. Please bring her home to me.”

“That’s the plan,” Ra-Kit said. She turned to Sampson. “Let’s go.”

They hadn’t gone far before Ra-Kit stopped and looked at her companion. “We need to up our game. It’ll be dark before long, and I’d like to get Juki and Aprilla back together today if at all possible so they can head for their new home in the morning.”

“What do you have in—” Sampson said, then stopped as he watched Ra-Kit pull a small pouch from her secret compartment on her belly. The pouch was a royal blue, the fabric soft and silky to the touch. “Really? Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“In fact, it’s an excellent one. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner,” Ra-Kit replied, her voice low and conspiratorial. She opened the pouch with her mouth, and took a deep sniff of the special catnip she’d gotten from Regal, the head of the cat clan at Roosevelt Island who had promised to keep her well stocked since their last mission there. 

“Ahh, so nice and smooth,” Ra-Kit purred. “Now, come over here so I can climb on board. Now that the catnip has tuned my senses, we should be able to find Aprilla in no time.”

Sampson did what he was told, and Ra-Kit leapt on his back, wavered a bit, then grabbed the nape of his neck to steady herself. 

“Are you sure you can ride?” Sampson asked. “I’d hate to have you fall off.”

“No worry,” Ra-Kit replied. “Truth is, if I fall, I’m pretty sure I could fly myself, the way I feel at the moment.”

Sampson groaned. “Well, please, let’s not find out.”

“Agreed. Let’s go.”

Sampson nodded, then took a running start before leaping into the air. 

 

 

 

Luk

Travel Plans

#

As the night fell, Luk waited patiently for his parents to fall asleep, the house quiet and still. With a careful and measured step, he made his way down the dimly lit hallway, the wooden floorboards creaking beneath his feet. Finally, he arrived at Steffy’s door, his heart beating with anticipation. Gently, he tapped on the door, his fingertips rapping out a soft rhythm.

“Ingresar,” came the soft reply from the other side.

Luk opened the door just far enough to slip in without the door hinges creaking. As soon as they saw each other, Luk and Steffy embraced tightly, their arms wrapping around each other in a warm and comforting hug. For several seconds, they held each other close, the world outside their embrace falling away.

Eventually, Steffy broke away from the embrace and sat on the edge of her bed, the covers rustling softly beneath her. “Now what?” she asked, her voice hesitant and unsure.

“We continue with our plan,” Luk replied, taking the chair across from her. The room was painted a deep shade of green, the color reminding Luk of the jungle they were soon to explore.

“Really? Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, I thought the idea was we persuade your parents to go along with the plan, and then we—”

Luk leaned forward in his chair, his eyes locked onto hers. “We have Calida’s alignment, and who knows if we’ll ever get my dad’s? I say we move ahead. I mean, I already have the tickets, and it will still be a couple of weeks before the charges show up on the credit card statement. By that time, we’ll already be well into the rainforest and meeting with your dad’s shaman. Right? Isn’t that the plan we agreed made the most sense?”

Steffy nodded slowly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “But what if he’s not even alive anymore? My dad’s cure was over ten years ago, and the shaman was already in his sixties then. We don’t even know if he’s still around.”

Luk stood up, his hands resting on the back of the chair. “No better way to find out than to go visit his village. You said you had confirmed that the guide your father used is still alive and in business, right?”

Steffy nodded again.

“So, isn’t that a sign?”  Luk asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

“I don’t know. Maybe,” Steffy replied, her lips pulled down into a worried frown. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment, her eyes searching Luk’s face for reassurance. “I’m sorry. I just got spooked when your father accused me of ruining your life.”

Luk shrugged, a lopsided smile on his face. He dropped back onto the chair. “Oh, you’ll get used to it if you hang around with me long enough. Dad… well, Dad means well. He really does. He just has a funny way of showing his love from time to time, mostly always. Listen, like I told him. I have to trust my gut and instincts on this. I know for some it may sound crazy that days after major surgery I’m ready to fly off to parts unknown to be cured by a witch doctor, but it feels right. It does.”

As Steffy stood up, the floorboards beneath her feet creaked softly, their rich, dark brown color contrasting with the walls of the room. She walked over to Luk, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet of the night.

Kneeling down beside him, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight, comforting embrace. Luk could feel the soft fabric of her shirt against his skin, the scent of her shampoo filling his nose with a warm, floral aroma.

“Okay, we’ll go,” Steffy said in a reassuring voice. “Just remember one thing. Don’t refer to the shaman in that way when you’re down there. The indigenous people we’ll be staying with are sensitive about that term, ‘witch doctor.’ They depend on their shaman for spiritual guidance and healing care.”

Luk stood up, the chair creaking beneath him as he rose. He stretched his arms above his head, his fingers nearly touching the rough wooden beams of the ceiling. “Ahh, right,” he replied. “Let’s get some sleep. We have a full day ahead.”

Steffy shook her head, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Day? More like a full couple of weeks or more.”

Luk laughed, the sound rich and full. “True,” he said. “We’re off to see the wizard, I mean the shaman, the wonderful shaman of Ecuador.” As he sang, the sound of his voice filled the room, the melody rising and falling like the gentle waves of the ocean. Outside, it began to rain.

#

 

Chapter Four

Iya 

Dreaming

#

During the same week that Ompa and Iya visited the sacred Kapok tree, she learned her next important lesson: how to prepare natema. The previous week, they had collected the ingredients that included the caapi vine and the leaves of the viridis shrub. The chocolate brown vine was a thin, winding tendril that reached out and wrapped around everything in its path. The viridis shrub had elliptical, emerald green leaves that shone in the bright sun.

Now, as they stood outside Ompa’s and Maria’s longhouse, a small fire pit crackled in front of them, sending a warm glow that illuminated their faces. The air was filled with the smoky aroma of burning wood and the earthy scent of the boiling natema. The liquid was a rich, bubbling brown-reddish color, the result of hours of slow boiling, which would concentrate the liquid into its ultimate form.

Iya watched intently as Ompa stirred the mixture, his rough, calloused hands gently gliding the wooden spoon through the slurry, occasionally stopping to check its consistency. She noticed the steam rising from the pot and the way the light from the fire danced on the surface of the liquid, creating ripples and waves.

As she studied the process, Iya felt her curiosity get the better of her, and she asked the question that had haunted her since collecting the ingredients.

“How did you know?”

“Know what?” Ompa asked without taking his eye off the pot.

“How did you know which vine and shrub to collect?”

“My shaman taught me just as I am teaching you.”

“But how did he know?”

Ompa glanced at her, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “His shaman taught him.”

Iya felt a twinge of annoyance. “But someone must have been the first to combine these two ingredients. I mean, there are so many vines and shrubs, not to mention all the trees and other plants.”

“That is true,” Ompa admitted. “And how did the first shaman know that these two plants would provide such power? Is that not the question you are asking?”

“Yes, that’s it. How did he know?”

“I’m afraid that is a question with no answer.” Ompa stirred the pot for several seconds before continuing. “Which is why it is so important that we pass this knowledge on. So, pay attention.”

They sat quietly as Ompa continued to stir the natema, occasionally stopping long enough to taste the slurry. Finally, he dipped the wooden spoon into the liquid and, after tasting it again, held it out to Iya. She hesitated at first, unsure what he wanted her to do.

“Taste it so you will know what natema that has been correctly prepared tastes like.” 

She reached out and took the spoon and placed it in her mouth, the texture of the wood rough against her lips. She closed her eyes as the liquid touched her tongue and immediately made a face from its bitter taste. The natema was thick and viscous, coating her mouth with a gritty texture that was hard to swallow.

“Don’t worry, it is not yet time for your journey. Such a small amount will not have any profound effect.” Ompa laughed. “You don’t like the taste?”

Iya shook her head as she passed the spoon back to him.

“No worry,” Ompa replied. “No one else does either. It’s not for the taste that we take the natema. It’s so we can journey to the dream world. In fact, you may find your dreams that much more vivid and powerful tonight, so pay attention to them.”

Iya nodded. Paying attention to her dreams had become a regular part of her life even before becoming Ompa’s apprentice. Her people knew the power of the dream world. One of Ompa’s primary roles in the community was in helping others to interpret their dreams. It was one of the few parts of her training that Iya looked forward to learning. 

Later that night, as Iya prepared for bed, she remembered Ompa’s words and took an extra few minutes to prepare her mind. The sky outside was an inky black, and the air was cool and crisp, scented with the freshness of the forest. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths in, and out, letting her thoughts quiet down.

 “It is important that you set a clear intention each night,” Ompa had told her, “while staying unattached to the result. Trust that the spirits of the dream world know when it’s time to come to you.”

As she drifted off to sleep, Iya felt herself soaring through the air, this time as a majestic bird. Her body felt weightless as she soared, the wind rushing past her feathers, and the forest below appearing as a blur of greens and browns. She glanced around, her senses heightened, and felt the sun on her wings. She felt alive, free, and powerful.

As she flew, she heard another sound, a strange, foreign sound behind her. She turned her head to see another bird, larger than her, flying towards her. This bird was dark brown with white tail feathers and a white head, and its wingspan was impressive. Clearly, from the shape of its beak, this was another bird of prey. They circled each other for several minutes, and she felt a kind of kinship, a sense of belonging.

As the other bird flew away, Iya heard it make a strange sound: “Yak, Yak.” It was an odd, otherworldly sound that she had never heard before, and then the scene faded and Iya found herself back on her palette. 

The next morning Iya couldn’t wait to share the dream with her grandfather, but wait she would have to do, for each morning the community started their day coming together in the large enclosure to drink large amounts of Guayusa until their bellies were full to overflowing. They would then head back to their huts to start their day, but not before those who had dreams would share them with Ompa.

“I had a dream last night, Grandfather. May I share it?”

Ompa nodded. “Yes, of course.”

She related the dream as Ompa and the rest of the community sat in silence, finally ending with, “And that’s when I woke up.”

Ompa sat cross-legged with a slight smile on his face, nodding slowly. “This is an important dream. Let me first ask you, what was the demeanor of the other bird?”

Iya shook her head. “I’m not sure what you are asking.”

“How did the bird act towards you? Was it aggressive or—”

Iya continued to shake her head. “No, not at all. I felt a sense of friendship, camaraderie. I felt sad when it flew away.”

“Very good,” Ompa replied. “This is a dream so special that it has become part of our story of our people through the years. The bird you saw was the Eagle, and no doubt you were the great Condor.” Ompa looked around at the other members who sat around them, showing as much interest in what he had to say as did Iya.

“But what does it mean?” Iya finally asked.

“Many years ago, humans split into two different paths—that of the Eagle and the Condor. The Eagle represents the people of the North, and the Condor are those of us in the South. The path of the Condor is the path of heart, of intuition, and of the feminine, while the path of the Eagle is one of the mind, of the industrial, and of the masculine. The Eagle and Condor prophecy states that over a five hundred year period, the Eagle people would become so powerful that they would almost wipe the Condor people off of Earth, and this has happened.”

As Ompa spoke, a murmur grew from those around him. Raising his hand for silence, Ompa continued. “But the prophecy continues. During the next five hundred years, which have already begun, it is possible that the Eagle and Condor may come together to fly in the same sky. This would lead to creating a new level of consciousness and cooperation on the planet.” 

“So, this was a good dream?” Iya asked.

Ompa nodded but then shrugged. “It certainly could be, but remember, the prophecy only points to the potential, the possibility of the Eagle and Condor flying together. It’s now up to us to turn that possibility into reality.”

“And how are we to do that?” Iya asked.

“Ahh, that is the question, is it not?” Ompa replied. “Perhaps that will become clear through another dream, little one. For now, let us start our day with that intention in our hearts and minds.”

 

Zak

Reunion 

Juki led the way back to her home tree, her furry body a rich shade of chestnut under the dappled light filtering through the jungle canopy. Zak followed a few feet behind, his breaths ragged as they climbed the steep uphill path. The air was thinner at this altitude, and the lush greens of the forest below were replaced by muted grays and browns of the higher elevation.

“How much farther?” Zak finally asked, his voice strained as he stopped to catch his breath. He looked up to see Juki’s broad back, covered in thick, wiry hair, receding into the distance.

Juki grumbled something that Zak couldn’t understand. “Could you slow down just a little?” he asked, his voice pleading.

Juki continued walking for several more steps before finally stopping and turning to look at him. The deep brown of her eyes bore into Zak, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. “I don’t understand how such a weak species as yours has managed to take over the world.”

Zak tapped his head. “Brains over brawn. At least that’s what my dad told me, and he’s one of the brainiest men I know.”

“Humph,” Juki replied as she sat on her haunches and played with her umbrella, opening and closing it.

Zak figured it was best to change the subject. “You really miss Aprilla, don’t you?” he asked, his voice softening.

Juki nodded, her shoulders drooping. “I’m not that social. None of my kind are, but, I don’t know, Aprilla and I have always gotten along well. If the hunters got her as well, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Zak straightened up and ambled over to the lumbering bear. Juki stopped playing with the umbrella and lowered her head with a heavy sigh. Zak stopped a foot or two from her, took a big gulp, then reached out with one hand and patted her head. The wiry hair felt rough under his palm, like the bristles of a brush. “I understand. I do. It’s no fun being by yourself. We all need each other. That’s something I’ve learned since being with Ra-Kit and Sampson. Not all of us need a lot of friends, but no one wants to always be alone.”

Juki slowly raised her head and stared at him. “I didn’t realize your species could be kind. Are you an exception?”

Zak chuckled. “Oh, no. A lot of us are kind, much kinder than me, for that matter. You’ve just not been fortunate enough to meet them.”

After another couple of minutes, Juki stood up. “Do you think you can make it back to the tree? It’s not that much farther.”

Zak nodded and stood up. “Lead the way.”

Twenty minutes later, they arrived back at the towering tree that has been Juki’s home for most of her life. Zak walked over to the clump of bushes where he’d hidden his pack. Opening it, he removed a canvas bag and held it up so Juki could see it.

“Will this be large enough?”

Juki nodded, her furry ears perking up as she considered Zak’s words. “It’ll have to be. I’m not all that worried about provisions. I’m more concerned about Aprilla.”

“Well, I have confidence in Ra-Kit’s and Sampson’s abilities,” Zak said as he shook out the bag. “Let’s pack up to prepare for their return.” 

Juki leapt up with ease and began to climb the towering tree, her powerful limbs propelling her upwards. After a few minutes, she started dropping an assortment of colorful fruits and nuts: the deep red of bromeliad palm nuts, the vibrant purple of orchid bulbs, and the tender green of bamboo hearts. Zak caught the items as best he could, marveling at the varied hues and textures of the rainforest bounty.

“Wow! You really have been saving up,” Zak said as he placed them in the bag. 

“I spent most of my time lately foraging for food to take my mind off my worries, but then had little appetite,” Juki confessed.

After they finished filling up the bag, Zak glanced at his watch and began his own bout of worrying. Come on, guys. It’s after midnight. Where are you? He felt Juki looking at him and smiled. “Well, let’s get a little shuteye so you’ll be fresh in the morning to head out to your new home,” he said, trying to dispel the unease that hung in the air.

Juki gazed down the mountain in the direction they had come. She sat down with her back to the tree. “I think I’ll stay up a little longer. I’m not that sleepy yet.” 

“Okay,” Zak said as he walked over to the colossal bear to sit next to her and stifled a yawn. “I’m not that tired either.” 

They sat there, a study in contrasts: Juki with her massive bulk and Zak with his much smaller human form. The night was alive with the sounds of the rainforest, the chirping of frogs, the cawing of birds of the night, and in the distance, the deep guttural growl of a large cat. Zak inched a little closer to the spectacled bear, feeling the warmth of her fur against his skin. After another minute, he felt his head land on her shoulder just before falling asleep, lulled by the peaceful sounds of the jungle.

 

Iya 

Uncovered

#

Matita finished drinking the Guayusa from a gourd, feeling the warmth of the tea spread through his body. He raised the cup up, the intricate designs etched into the surface reflecting the flickering light of the communal fire. He gestured for it to be refilled, and one of the women obliged.

“What’s wrong?” Namia asked as he sat down next to his friend, the wooden bench creaking under his weight. He waved to one of the women to bring him some Guayusa as well, the sound of the liquid sloshing into the gourd echoing through the hut.

Matita nodded to him but decided to ignore the question, taking several swallows of the strong tea instead.

“Come on, Matita. You can talk to me. I won’t judge you,” Namia persisted. You’ve been sulking around here for weeks, and today it feels like you have your own personal storm cloud floating over your head.” 

When Matita continued to remain silent, Namia followed his friend’s gaze to where Ompa and Iya sat across the way on the other side of the communal fire. He nodded.

“Ahh, I see now. You’re still upset with Ompa’s decision to train his granddaughter instead of you. That’s it, isn’t it?”

Matita turned to stare at his friend and finally shrugged. “What makes you think that?”

“I can see the poison darts shooting from your eyes directly at her. Lucky for her, Ompa hadn’t yet trained you in such ways of the shaman. You seem to be doing a pretty good job improvising on your own.”

“Well, look at her,” Matita growled, his tone bitter. “She hardly weighs anything, small for her age, and quiet as a mouse. Whatever possessed him to think she could be a shaman. Women aren’t meant for such a path and particularly not one so timid.”

“I thought you liked Iya,” Namia replied. “You were one of the few people who ever paid her any attention.”

“Yeah, and look what it got me,” Matita growled before draining the gourd and raising it to be refilled.

Namia sat there in silence for several minutes, the only sound heard in the hut the rustling of the leaves outside and the occasional chirping of crickets. Finally, he spoke up. “I’m not sure Iya had any real say in the matter.”

“What do you mean by that?” Matita shot back.

Namia sighed. “Only that you may be directing your hate in the wrong direction. It was Ompa who made the decision, not Iya.”

“What would you know about it, anyway?” Matita stood up, towering over his friend. “Come on, we’ve work to do.”

Namia nodded as he rose to join him. As they started to head off, Matita stopped him. “Wait a minute.”

“What’s wrong now?” Namia asked.

“Nothing, just wait.” Matita pointed across the way at Iya. “Where is she going and without her shaman?”

“I don’t know,” Namia replied. “Though I have seen her go off by herself from time to time.”

“Well, work can wait. Let’s follow her.”

“Really?” Namia said, incredulous. “You are becoming obsessed with her now, aren’t you?”

“Do whatever you want. I’m going to see what the little mouse is up to,” Matita replied as he started walking in the direction Iya had gone. A moment later Namia shrugged and followed his friend.

The two boys followed behind Iya as she left the communal hut keeping a safe distance so as to not be seen. 

“She’s heading to the river,” Namia said.

“Yeah, that’s odd for this time of the day,” Matita replied. “She’s up to something, and I think I know where she’s going. Remember what we’ve learned about tracking animals. Soft feet, like a jaguar.” Namia nodded, and the two boys slipped into quiet mode like they’d been taught by Shusta, one of the village’s best hunters. 

#

* * *

#

 

Iya 

Freak Out 

#

Iya moved stealthily through the dense foliage of the forest, the greenery brushing against her skin as she made her way towards the river. She always tried to find a new path, careful not to leave any signs of her presence, wanting to keep her moments with Tsunki, the spirit of the water world, private and uninterrupted. The earthy aroma of the forest enveloped her as she walked, the scent of wet leaves and soil mingling with the sweet fragrance of flowers.

Today would need to be quick since Ompa would expect her back for her training, but her hair felt dirty and her scalp itched more than usual. She carried one of the gourds she’d borrowed from the morning gathering so she could wash her hair without needing to disrobe. Bathing would have to wait for another day.

The river came into view, a ribbon of turquoise water snaking its way through the rocks and mud of the riverbed. She carefully descended the steep slope of mud and rocks, her bare feet feeling the coolness of the water as she waded in, the smooth river stones slippery underfoot. She tied her skirt up around her thighs with her gourd in hand. She stood there quietly with her hands out-stretched, taking a moment to give thanks to Tsunki for all the many blessings bestowed upon her people by the river. She then reached down to fill the gourd with water. 

She leaned forward, her long black hair falling in front of her, and poured the cool water over her head, repeating the process several times until her hair was thoroughly wet. She set the gourd down on a rock next to her before reaching into her waistband to pull out several Puscopana leaves, which she then crushed between her hands to release their natural soapy oil. The scent of the crushed leaves filled her nostrils, the sweet aroma soothing her senses.

The Puscopana leaves felt like velvet against her scalp, her fingers working them through her hair as she felt the nubs of her scalp grow plump and vibrant. The energy of the plant nurtured her scalp, the sensation exhilarating and yet strange. No doubt that is what had freaked Grandmama Maria out that first time many years ago, Iya thought and smiled. Truth be known, it freaked her out a bit as well, but she’d learned that if she gave the nubs this attention once or twice a week they would rest and leave her alone the rest of the time. Like her grandmother had done before, Iya would wrap her hair in the cloth she had around her waist, and by the time she arrived home, her hair would be dry and the nubs would have returned to their normal resting size. 

As Iya washed her hair, she began to sing, first softly, then louder as she connected with the spirit of the water. 

 

At the top of the ridge, Namia crouched behind a tree, his eyes straining to see what Iya was doing. The forest was alive with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds, the soft earth beneath him covered in a carpet of green moss. Matita, next to him, was growing more and more agitated.

“What is she doing?” Namia asked.

“I don’t know,” Matita replied softly, his voice edged with anxiety. “I can’t see any better than you.”

As the two continued to watch, Matita grew more agitated, finally whispering to his companion. “Stay here.”

“Where are you going?”

Matita pointed. “Down there.”

“Okay,” Namia replied. “Watch out though. Yesterday’s rain has left everything muddy.”

Matita nodded. “I’ll be fine. It’s time for me to find out what Little Mouse is up to sneaking off by herself.” 

#

As Iya washed her hair, she became lost in her thoughts, her mind wandering to the strange nubs on her scalp. She wondered what they looked like, but she was too afraid to find out.  I’m sure I look like a total freak with them sprouting from my head, she thought. Thank goodness no one is—

Suddenly, she was interrupted by a voice that made her jump, causing her to drop the Puscopana leaves into the water.

“What are you?” 

She turned to face the sound, her hair falling in her face as she tried to hide the sprouted nubs, but it was too late. Matita had already seen her deformities, and his fingers pointed accusingly at her. “What are those things?”

“What are you doing here?” Iya shouted as she cowered away from his accusing finger.

“What are you?” Matita asked again, but didn’t wait for an answer. “No, let me guess. Are you a witch? Or worse? No, you must be possessed. Has some evil spirit taken over our Little Mouse’s body? That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why Ompa chose you over me. You forced your will on him.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Iya replied. “Let me explain.”

“Okay, go on. I’m listening.”

“Well, I can’t explain, not really, but I can assure you, it’s not what you think.”

Matita stared at her, a frown growing on his face. “Really? Then why have you gone to so much trouble to hide it? No, it’s my duty to report what I’ve seen. We will let our people sort this out.”

Iya felt the tears welling up inside and heard her grandmother’s warning again. Bad things will happen if anyone else ever finds out. 

And now Matita knows, and he is going to tell everyone what he saw. I’ll be banished from the village or worse. She stepped closer to Matita, reaching out one hand to grasp his wrist. “You must not tell anyone what you saw.” She pulled at his arm in an effort to stop him, but her strength was no match for Matita’s. He yanked his arm out of her grasp, slipped, almost fell before catching himself.

Iya felt the sprouts vibrating in the air, and a moment later an energy she’d never felt before flashed from them. “No! You won’t!” Iya shouted in a voice so harsh and forceful, it felt foreign coming from her lips. 

Matita turned to her with a shocked look. He clamored away and up the steep embankment, slipping and sliding, driven by the fear growing within him. 

Iya watched him go, mesmerized by what she saw. The vines of the forest suddenly grew animated as they clutched at his bare legs. Matita was almost to the top of the ridge when it happened. He tripped over an especially large vine, or had it slithered in his path at the last moment? Matita lost his balance, started to fall forward, overcorrected, then tumbled backwards, yelling as he rolled downhill, his arms and legs flying in all directions as his body picked up speed. He landed not far from Iya with a crunch as his head struck a sharp edge of a rock sticking out of the water. Iya heard the sound of a hollow melon struck by a terrible force. The water around the boy’s head filled with the crimson color of Matita’s blood. 

As she stared down at his still, limp body, Iya felt the sprouts retract back into her scalp as a thought resonated through her mind. We are safe. 

 

Zak

Rescue 

#

The golden sun rose above the mountain range, casting a warm light across the forest floor. Zak stirred, feeling the fussy pillow shift beneath his head. His eyes flickered open, and he gasped as he realized it was the spectacled bear, Juki. He felt his heart flutter with fear, but then relaxed as he remembered where he had spent the night.

“Good morning,” Juki said as Zak sat up and rubbed his eyes.

“Good morning to you,” Zak replied. “I must have dozed off for a minute.”

“More like several hours would be my guess, but that’s okay. I slept a little as well.”

Zak looked around, taking in his surroundings, then began to stand only to realize how stiff and sore his body had become from sleeping outside with his back upon the tree and his head resting on Juki’s shoulder. 

“No sign of the others?” Zak asked, his words tinged with concern.

“No, none,” Juki replied. “I’m even more worried than I was last night. What if something happened to Ra-Kit and Sampson? What am I supposed to do now?”

“Good question.” I’m wondering the same thing, Zak thought. What would he do in the middle of nowhere with only a fretful bear as a companion? “But let’s not panic. They are very resourceful animals. I’m sure they are all right.” Figuring it best to change the subject, he added. “What about some breakfast right after I take care of something?” He stood up and walked several yards away to a clump of bushes where he relieved himself before returning to the bear.

“Shall we dig into the supplies we packed last night?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. Give me a few minutes and I’ll run down to the stream and catch us a couple of fish,” Juki said then pointed up the mountain. “Up there not too far is a clump of blueberry bushes that should still be producing. Pick us a bunch to go with the fish.”

Zak nodded, pleased to see Juki’s mood shift. He struggled to his feet and stretched, stamping his feet several times to get some feeling back in them before heading off in the direction Juki had pointed.

By the time he returned with a hat full of berries, Juki was also back from the stream with two medium-size fish. Despite being ravenously hungry, Zak wasn’t sure he was up for eating raw fish for breakfast.

“Do you mind if I start a small fire to cook the fish?”

Juki stared at him with a perplexed look on her face. “Why would you want to ruin perfectly good fish that way?”

Zak laughed. “Well, it’s what we weird humans do.”

Juki shrugged. “Fine with me as long as you don’t expect me to wait for you to ruin your fish before I can eat mine.” And with that she tossed one of the fish up in the air then caught it in her mouth, chomping down on it with relish. It disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Zak gathered up several small branches and a pile of dry leaves, then reached into the pocket of his cargo pants for the waterproof container of matches. He was about to light the leaves when he heard a rustling sound behind him. He turned around in time to see Sampson appear in the clearing with Ra-Kit lying on his back and a large bear following close behind.

“It’s Aprilla!” Juki shouted as she ran to meet them. “You’re back!” She rushed to the bear and almost bowled her daughter over with her enthusiasm. 

“Yes, I am,” Aprilla replied. “I’m sorry that I worried you.”

“Oh, posh. I wasn’t worried,” Juki said, then stopped. “Oh, all right. I was worried, but never mind about that. You’re back!” She turned to Sampson and Ra-Kit. “Thank you both so much.” She stopped at the sight of Ra-Kit still lying on Sampson’s back. “Is she okay?” Juki asked with concern.

“What happened?” Zak asked as he approached.

“She’ll be okay,” Sampson assured them. “I’m afraid she overdid it a bit on the catnip.”

“Oh, no!” Zak gasped. He’d seen the effects the special herb had had on his friend in the past.

“Three different times she took it within a matter of a few hours,” Sampson added. 

“Oh, no!” Zak repeated, even more concerned. 

“I’m afraid so,” Sampson said. As he spoke, Ra-Kit’s eyes opened. She slowly raised her head. “So, we’re finally back. It sure took you long enough. Don’t know why you didn’t just fly us here.”

“If I had, you would have fallen off and injured yourself. Then where would we be?”

“Whatever.” Ra-Kit scowled. She glanced over to where Juki and Aprilla were still embracing, and her mood brightened if only for a moment. “Good to see—good to see,” she said before dropping off to sleep again.

“She gets so ornery when she overdoes it with the nip,” Sampson explained. “I know she wants us to head on out as soon as possible, but I just don’t see how we can with her in this condition.”

Zak nodded. What were they to do? He depended on the magic cat to make the important decisions when they were on a mission, but at the moment she wasn’t able to do so. Well, I guess it’s up to me, or at least up to Sampson and me to decide what is best.

“Here’s what I think we should do.” He turned to Juki and Aprilla. “You two should head on to find your new home up the mountain.”

“Okay,” Juki replied, “but what about you? I don’t want to leave without knowing you’ll be okay.”

“Not to worry,” Zak replied. He reached into the back pocket of his cargo pants and withdrew a slim plastic card. “We’re going to check into the Papallacta Hot Spings for a day or two. My dad’s treat.”

 

Iya

 Storm Brewing 

#

Iya stood frozen, staring at Matita’s motionless form for what felt like an eternity. The dark vines on the path seemed to writhe and twist like they had a life of their own, and Iya couldn’t shake off the feeling that something malevolent was watching her. She took a deep breath and blinked, her gaze slowly moving to Matita’s face. His features were twisted in pain, and she could see the rise and fall of his chest, signaling that he was still alive. A small glimmer of hope flickered in her chest, but it was quickly extinguished by a terrifying thought. What if Matita was right about her being possessed? Her deformities, the strange voice in her head, the inexplicable power of the vines—it all pointed to a dark force at work. So, what am I to do now? 

Finish him off!

What? No! Where had that thought come from? 

He knows our secret. If he lives to tell others, we are doomed.

Iya bent down closer to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. No, Matita was still breathing though just barely. Before she had time to think about it further, she walked over to him and pulled him out of the water. He was heavier than she expected, but she finally was able to drag him to dry land where she propped him up against a boulder. As she paused to catch her breath, she wiped her sweaty brow and looked around, feeling overwhelmed. As her gaze followed the path upward, her heart sank. There’s no way I can carry him up there, much less all the way back to the village. Besides, wherever those other thoughts had come from, they had a point. Matita’s survival would mean the end of her life as she knew it. She shuddered at the thought of her secret being exposed, and her heart started to race.

As she sat down next to Matita to catch her breath, a chorus of voices started to swirl around in her head, urging her to finish him off. She shook her head, trying to dispel the disturbing thoughts. But they persisted, getting louder and more insistent. He knows too much. We have to protect ourselves. Iya felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead, and she squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to think of a way out of this mess. 

That’s when she remembered her grandfather, Ompa. My grandfather is the wisest man I know. I’ll go to him. He always has an answer to every problem. She opened her eyes and sighed. 

She checked to be sure Matita was still breathing, then went looking along the shore for a Cordoncillo plant that she could use to clean the wound and stop the bleeding. After dressing his wound, Iya turned back to the trail. As she did so, she heard the deep rumbling of thunder in the distance, signaling the onset of a fierce storm. Even the weather is against me, Iya thought. She gritted her teeth and started to climb.

 

Namia’s Bad News

#

As Namia approached the village, the air was thick with the scent of rain and the sound of drops hitting the ground echoed all around. He slowed his pace to catch his breath, having run all the way home. As he did so, he saw Ompa and Peem, Matita’s father, walking towards him. He bent over panting and waited for them to come closer, meanwhile trying to figure out what he should say. Matita and he had had no business following Iya, but that infraction seemed minor compared to what they had discovered, and worse, what had happened. But how to explain that to these two elders without getting himself in more trouble?

He was still pondering the question when the two men arrived. 

“Namia, where have you been?” Peem asked with a note of irritation bordering on anger in his voice. “Have you seen my son?”

“And I’m also looking for my granddaughter,” Ompa added. “Have you seen Iya?”

As Namia took a deep breath, he straightened up and stared at the two men. “Yes, I know where they both are…” He paused, unsure how to continue.

“Well, where are they?” Peem asked. “We’ve work to do.”

“I know, I know,” Namia replied. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into us, but it wasn’t our fault. Really, it wasn’t. We were just—well, we were curious, that’s all.”

“What are you talking about? You aren’t making any sense. Curious about what?” Peem’s irritation grew.

“We just wondered where Iya disappears to. Where does she go? We didn’t mean any harm by it.”

“Okay, Namia. Calm down,” Ompa said. He placed a hand on Namia’s arm. “What happened?”

Namia glanced from Ompa to Peem and back to Ompa. “He fell. I don’t know how.”

“Who fell?” Peem asked, his tone changing from irritation to concern. “Matita?”

Namia nodded, the fear growing inside him.

“Is he okay? Where did this happen?” Peem asked.

Namia waved an arm in the direction he had come. “At the river. We were watching Iya wash her hair and something—”

“So they’re both at the river. Is that what you’re saying?” Ompa interrupted. 

Namia nodded again. 

“Tell me what happened. Is my son okay?”

Namia shook his head and took another deep breath before blurting out, “He fell climbing up the path and hit his head. I saw blood, lots of blood. I think he’s dead.” He saw the look of anger mixed with worry on Peem’s face directed at him. “And I’m pretty sure Iya had something to do with it.”

“What? What are you talking about? Did she push him?”

Before Namia had a chance to answer, Ompa spoke up.

“Never mind that now.” He pointed in the direction of the river where darker storm clouds were formed. “If Matita is hurt, we’ll need some more men to help us. We can sort out what happened later. Peem, go back to the village and get two or three men. I’ll head back with Namia and mark the trail as I go.” 

The air was thick with the sound of rain, the drops hitting the ground with a heavy splat. The wind was picking up, sending ripples through the trees, and the sky was a deep shade of gray. The tension was palpable as Ompa and Peem exchanged glances, then turned back to Namia. 

“Lead the way, Namia,”  Ompa said, his voice firm as the rumble of thunder echoed and the rain grew harder.

#

 

Luk

Quito Arrival

#

Luk unfastened his seatbelt and stood up to fetch one of their bags from the overhead compartment, but Steffy stopped him. “Remember our agreement. Your primary job is to let me take care of you, rather than the other way around that you’ve spent most of your life being trained in.” Luk admired the softness of her touch and the gentle lilt of her voice. It was soothing, like a warm, comforting blanket.

She stood up and pointed to the seat across the aisle that Luk had just vacated. “Now, sit and behave yourself. I’ll get the bags. If you’re a good boy, I’ll let you pull the smaller one behind you as we deplane.”  Luk’s eyes followed Steffy’s movements as she stood up gracefully and moved down the aisle. He noticed how the light from the overhead lamps played on her coal-black hair, making it shine like a piece of polished ebony.

“But…” Luk glanced around at the other passengers who were mostly smiling at him. “I mean, surely just getting the bags down…”

“No!” Steffy said sternly even though she too kept a smile on her face. “Sit and stay.” 

Luk groaned, but then sat back down. “You make it sound like I’m one of your dogs.”

“Not at all,” Steffy replied as she opened the compartment above her. “My dogs are much better at following my commands.”

Luk chuckled. “Well, that’s true enough.”

A few minutes later, the two of them stepped off the Boeing 737 and strolled along the concourse into the Quito International Airport. Luk glanced at the time on his FitBit. Amazing, he thought. It had taken them less than six hours after boarding a plane in Greensboro with a connecting flight in Miami to arrive in the bustling capital of Ecuador. As they continued walking towards baggage claim, he pulled out his cellphone and once again looked at the picture of Juan Zambrano, who was to meet them at the airport. Luk studied the photo, admiring the rich hues of Juan’s dark skin and the texture of his thick hair. 

Juan would be their guide for the entire journey to the rainforest as he had been for Steffy’s father over a decade ago, although neither Steffy nor he had met the man yet, unless you counted the few phone calls they had had with him. It had taken Luk a little time to get used to Juan’s thick Spanish accent, but he’d been impressed nevertheless that the middle-aged man spoke not only Spanish and English but was also fluent in Shiwiar, the language of the indigenous people they’d be visiting. 

He looked up from his phone to see Steffy standing several yards in front of him and gazing back at him with a smile. “Come, boy. That’s a good boy!” she called to him once more, imitating the voice she often used with her two pups.” Luk noticed the vibrant colors of Steffy’s sundress, the bright blues and greens reminding him of the foliage that awaited them in the rainforest.

That’s going to grow old pretty quick, Luk thought but smiled anyway as he picked up the pace and pretended to pant as he approached her. “You are a tough taskmaster. When do I get my treat for being such an obedient companion?”

Steffy laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe later tonight. If you’re really, really good, I’ll give you a back massage.”

“Now you’re talking,” Luk replied, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin. He turned his attention to the bright colors of the airport terminal, the walls adorned with murals of lush green jungles and bright, exotic birds. “Any sign of Juan yet?”

Steffy shook her head. “No, but he said he’d meet us at baggage claim so we still need to go through customs first.”

“Oh, that’s right.” This was the first time Luk had flown to another country and had forgotten about the added step. Luk and Steffy followed the rest of the crowd, several who he recognized had been on their flight, through a set of automatic doors, on the other side of which was a long line of arriving passengers. The room was a dizzying array of textures and colors, with people from all over the world speaking in a cacophony of languages. 

Luk stifled a groan. Under the best of circumstances, he disliked waiting in line, but this was especially the case after a full day of traveling less than a week from being released from the hospital. He felt the sweat starting to bead on his forehead, and the rough fabric of his shirt chafed against his skin.

Steffy evidently felt the change in his mood, for she pointed to a line of chairs along one far wall where several elderly people sat. “Go over there and sit down. I’ll let you know when we’re close to the end of the line.”

“No, that’s okay. I’m fine,” Luk replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. But the noise and the heat and the press of people were starting to overwhelm him, and he felt like he might pass out at any moment. When he noticed the scolding look on his girlfriend’s face, he relented. “Okay, but I expect an especially good treat later.”

“That’s a good boy,” Steffy replied. 

The line moved quicker than Luk expected, a testament to the efficiency of the Quito’s custom officials, and before long he saw Steffy wave to him from across the large room. He stood up, feeling a bit better than he had when he sat down, and joined her, surprised that no one accused him of breaking in line. People seem nicer here than they are in the States, he thought, even though as he glanced around, he could tell many in the crowd were from his country. 

After answering a few standard questions from the custom’s official who then stamped their passports, they were offically welcomed to Quito, Ecuador. As the two of them continued their journey to claim the rest of their baggage, Luk smiled. Now the real adventure begins as well as the greatest challenge, he thought, not realizing at the time how true that would be.

 

Iya 

 To the River 

#

As Ompa and Namia trudged back through the dense forest towards the river, the rain that had been steadily pounding them grew stronger, further obscuring their vision and slowing their progress. Ompa used his machete to cut through the thick underbrush, his muscles flexing and straining with each powerful swing. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and the sound of raindrops pelting the leaves and ground around them.

As they walked, Namia struggled to keep up, his feet slipping on the muddy ground as he recounted the events that had led to Matita’s fall.

Ompa turned to look back at Namia, raising his voice to be heard over the growing sound of the rain. “What did you mean back there that Iya may have played a role in Matita falling?  You said she didn’t push him, so what did she do?”

“That’s right. She was still standing in the river when he fell, but I saw something I can’t explain. It looked like something was growing from her head. I thought at first it was just her hair, but it…well,  they seemed to have a life of their own. They were a dark green, almost like tentacles or something.”

Ompa continued hacking at the surrounding bushes as he calculated what to say next. “And where were you?”

“I was still at the top of the ridge. Matita said he couldn’t see what Iya was doing, so he told me to stay where I was while he went down to get a better look.”

“And you stayed at the top?”

“Yes,” Namia replied.

“Where you couldn’t really see what was going on?” 

“Well, yeah, I guess so.”

Ompa stopped and turned towards the boy with a stern look on his face. “Do you realize how serious an accusation you’re making about Iya, especially considering that, by your own admission, you were a long ways off and couldn’t really see what was going on below?”

Namia stared back at Ompa for several seconds, chewing on his lower lip before replying. “Well, something strange sure happened. Matita is as sure-footed as a mountain goat. I’ve seen him tiptoe across a stream on a slippery fallen tree without the least hesitation or problem.”

Ompa nodded as he turned to resume walking. “Tell me, what was the path leading to the river like?”

“Well, it wasn’t much of a path,” Namia admitted. “It’s not like many people have gone up and down it. It appeared to be more of Iya’s secret place.”

“So, not a path at all,” Ompa said. “And was it dry or wet?”

“Wet, of course,” Namia answered petulantly. “You know how much rain we’ve had.” He pointed towards the sky where the rain continued to pour down.

“So we have a young boy scampering up a wet, slippery, steep hill along a path that isn’t a path but filled with vines and vegetation, and he lost his balance and fell. Is that right?”

“But that’s just it!” Namia shouted, his face brightening. “It was the vines!”

“What about the vines?” Ompa asked as he slowed down long enough to look back at Namia.

“I could have sworn they moved to stop Matita from reaching the top. Yeah, that’s what happened. They tripped him, and that’s why he fell. And it was those things growing on Iya’s head that caused the vines to move.”

Ompa stopped walking, continuing to stare at the young boy. He slowly shook his head. “Why, that’s the most incredible fabrication I’ve ever heard. Is that what you’re planning to tell the village elders?”

Namia stared back at the old man, then slowly nodded. “It’s what I saw.”

“Let me ask you one more time. What really happened?”

“I just told you,” Namia replied with a note of anger in his voice.

“Okay, maybe,” Ompa said, “but here’s what I think happened. Matita has not gotten along with Iya ever since I chose her to be my apprentice over him. So you two followed her hoping to find her alone so Matita could get his revenge, but it didn’t go as you planned. Instead, he fell and hurt himself, and you, as his best friend, concocted this ridiculous story in an effort to blame Iya for the accident. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that it had been you who pushed Matita, not Iya at all. After all, even the best of friends can have a falling out from time to time, can’t they?”

Ompa took a step closer to Namia and rested one hand on his shoulder. “And whose story do you think the elders will believe—a young boy’s story of malicious killer vines or their trusted shaman?”

Ompa felt Namia’s shoulder hunch forward. “But I…I was there and you weren’t.”

“True,” Ompa replied. “And yet, who do you think they will believe?”

“You,” Namia finally replied.

Ompa patted Namia’s shoulder. “I imagine you’re probably right, but let’s not worry about that right now. Let’s go see if we can help your friend.” And with that, he turned back and continued hacking his way through the forest, wiping the rain off his face as he went.

 

Wendell

 Secrets 

#

Later that evening after the rest of the family had retired for the night, Wendell Bates retreated to the inner sanctum of his home office, located downstairs in the basement. The room was a hybrid of an office and a man cave, with a large flat-screen TV mounted on one wall, surrounded by rows of sport trophies and ribbons bearing the names of his son, Luk, and a few from his own youth.

The dim light from the desk lamp illuminated the room, casting a yellowish glow that gave the space a moody, introspective ambiance. It was the perfect place for Wendell to retreat to, a place where he could gather his thoughts and sift through the secrets he had collected over the years while working for Consolidated Enterprises.

Wendell approached his desk and pulled out a small digital recorder. The device contained an overheard conversation from the Manager’s Lounge at CE. He hit play and listened intently as two other executives discussed their recent victory in a third world country. They had convinced the government to bend the law and let Consolidated Enterprises begin to search for new oil reserves. It was a damning revelation and just a small piece of the incriminating information that Wendell had been collecting for over a decade.

He transferred the data file to his laptop and locked it in his desk drawer. He poured himself a generous amount of fine scotch from a bottle stored in another drawer, filling the room with the aroma of rich, smoky whiskey. He took a sip and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as his mind raced.

For years, he had collected information on the shady dealings of Consolidated Enterprises. He knew that the company was driven purely by profit, regardless of the cost to human lives and the environment. He had seen the corruption and greed firsthand, and it sickened him to his core.

But even with all of the evidence he had compiled, he was hesitant to take action. He knew that blowing the whistle would be the right thing to do, but he also knew the risks. He could lose his job, his reputation, and even his life. Consolidated Enterprises had a reputation for silencing those who dared to speak out against them, and Wendell feared that he didn’t have the courage to stand up to them.

He took another sip of his scotch and sighed. Despite all the years of collecting information against CE,  he had never had the nerve to do anything with it. He was paralyzed by fear, unsure if he would ever have the courage to step forward and become the first ever whistleblower in Consolidated Enterprises’ history.

But something inside of him was starting to shift. The confrontation with Luk and Steffy had brought his fears to the forefront of his mind, and he wondered how much longer he could stay silent. Somehow, he needed to find the strength to take that critical first step, to cross that line from being a collector of information to being a force for change.

As he sat in his office, sipping his scotch and contemplating his next move, Wendell knew that he was at a crossroads. He could either continue to live in fear, or he could take a stand and make a difference. It was a daunting choice, but deep down, he knew what he had to do.

 

Zak

 At Papallacta 

#

Zak stepped out of the reception area of the Papallacta Hot Springs resort, feeling the warmth of the key in his hand and a smile spreading across his face. The greenery surrounding him was alive with the sound of running water and the chirping of birds, while the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers. As he strolled along the walkway to his room with Sampson and Ra-Kit, they passed several large, shallow pools filled with steaming hot water, the clouds of vapor rising into the crisp mountain air.

“Everything go okay?” Sampson asked from the bushes.

“Like a charm,” Zak replied.

“But won’t you get into trouble with your folks when they see the charge?” 

Zak shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. I’ve heard Calida chastising my father more than once for using the family credit card for his business trips. It’s likely she’ll just figure he did it again, and if not—” He shrugged again. “Well, this mission and that cat”—he pointed to Ra-Kit who was still asleep on Sampson’s back—“are too important to not take a risk here and there.” 

They reached the door of their room, and Zak slid the plastic key in the slot, waited for the light to turn green, then opened the door. The room was cozy, with a comfortable bed and soft lighting that added to the relaxing atmosphere of the resort. “We’ll put Ra-Kit to bed, and then you and I can sneak back to one of these hot tubs for a relaxing soak.”

“I doubt they allow dogs in them,” Sampson pointed out. 

“Yeah, you’re probably right, but as late as it is, I doubt anyone will know.”

“Boy, you really are living on the edge tonight, aren’t you?”

Zak laughed. “I guess I’ve been hanging around with you two far too long.” He waved Sampson forward and followed behind him. “And I kinda like it.”

#

Zak awoke the next morning with his pillow moving beneath him for the second day in a row. At first he thought he was back at Juki’s tree snoozing next to the bear, then realized Sampson was his living pillow this time. But it hadn’t been the movement that had awoken him but the unfamiliar song of Ra-kit off-key singing. “Wake up, wake up. It’s a beautiful morning so wake up, wake up.”

Zak sat up and rubbed his eyes. “My, aren’t you feeling better this morning?”

“Sure am,” Ra-Kit replied as she jumped from the floor to the bed. “I can tell my powers aren’t a hundred percent returned, but physically I’m feeling great. Ready for some breakfast and to head to our next destination.”

“Well, I’ll go see what they have at the buffet for us, and then we’ll head out. By the way, where to next?”

“We’ll be heading deeper into the rainforest to see what’s going on with Cody, the Cabybara,” Ra-Kit replied. She turned to clean her tail. “How about bringing me some sausages and scrambled eggs? What about you, Sampson?”

“That sounds good to me as well,” Sampson replied. “Are we going to need to warp today?”

Ra-Kit paused to consider the question. “I’m not sure. We’ll start off flying regularly and see how it goes. As it gets later in the day, we may need to speed things up a bit.”

Zak suppressed a groan and stared at Sampson forlornly instead.

“Okay, two orders of eggs and sausages, and one of eggs and bacon coming up,” Zak replied. He felt immense relief to see his feline friend feeling so much better. I guess I made the right call after all, he thought. Sure hope I don’t end up paying for it once my folks realize it was me who used the credit card last night. Oh well, I’ll just need to face that if and when it happens.

As he made his way to the breakfast buffet, Zak couldn’t help but feel grateful for the beauty and serenity of the resort. He was determined to focus on the mission at hand and enjoy the journey along the way.

 

#

 

Iya 

Meeting Ompa

#

The storm descended with a ferocity that sent Iya’s heart racing. The wind whipped around her, tugging at her clothes and hair, as she attempted to ascend the steep hill. Every step forward was a struggle, as the rain poured down in sheets, slicking the ground beneath her feet. The mud squelched and squished with each step, threatening to pull her down. She clutched at the gnarled roots and vines that jutted out of the earth, using them as leverage to pull herself upward. The very roots and vines that hsf led to Matita falling were now helping her escape.

Finally, she reached the peak, breathless and shivering from the cold. She turned to gaze down at the river, hoping to see Matita sitting up and conscious. Instead, her eyes fell upon his still body, sprawled against the jagged rocks. The sight made her heart constrict painfully in her chest, as she realized the gravity of the situation.

She sighed heavily as she set out to find Ompa. She’d not gone far when she heard the thrash-thrash of a machete cutting through bushes up ahead, and a minute later she saw Ompa’s small frame through the trees, followed closely by Namia and several men. As they came closer, she recognized the man behind Namia as Peem, Matita’s father. A cold wave of fear coursed through her body threatening to stop her heart. Peem was a short man with a powerful build accentuatedy by a barrow chest and thick arms, his handsome face marred by a long scar traveling from his left temple to his jaw.

“There she is!” She heard someone shout in an accusing voice, sending a second shock wave of fear through her. What are they doing here? Iya wondered, then realized what must have happened. Namia was Matita’s best friend and the two were rarely apart. They must have followed her to the river. If so, what had Namia seen? Evidently enough to prompt him to run to the village for help. What am I going to do? As she asked the question, she heard the answer: Remember, Matita is still alive. Focus on that. 

Okay, that makes sense, Iya thought back.

Iya waved her arms, signaling for Ompa to join her. “Grandfather, over here!” she called out, her voice barely audible over the pounding rain. “I need your help!” She pointed back towards the river. “Matita has fallen and needs attention.”

“What have you done to my son?” Preem yelled, his voice a mixture of anger and concern.

“He fell as he was climbing up from the river,” Iya replied. “He’s hurt but was still alive when I left him.  He hit his head on a rock so I applied a Cordoncillo plant to stop the bleeding.” She paused before adding. “It wasn’t my fault. You must believe me.” But even as she spoke the words, she wasn’t sure they were the truth.

“Are you okay, Iya?” Ompa asked.

“I’m fine, just concerned for Matita.”

“Okay, then show us the way.” 

The two of them headed back in the direction Iya had just come with the others following behind them. Ompa continued to clear a path through the jungle with forceful stokes of his machete, but the rain and muddy ground made the going slow. And just when it looked like it couldn’t rain any harder, Tsunki, the spirit of the water, released more of it from the sky in sheets that made it impossible to see more than a few yards in front of them. 

I’ve never seen it rain so hard, Iya thought. Why is Tsunki so angry? But the only answer she heard was the flash of lightening followed a second later by the deafening clap of thunder. Is it my deformities that Tsunki objects to? Is this how Spirit shows its dissatisfaction with me? She wanted to ask Ompa these questions but realized this was not the time for it. Helping Matita came first.

“How much farther?” Peem asked.

“Not far at all,” Iya replied. A few minutes later she stopped at the ridge leading down to the river and pointed. “He’s down there.” But as she looked down at the river, she felt a tight grip of fear on her heart. Matita was nowhere to be seen, and where she had left him was now a roaring torrent of water.

As Iya stood there motionless with a shocked look on her face, Peem pushed himself between Ompa and her. “Where is he? Where’s my son?”

Stunned by the sight below her, Iya didn’t know what to say so decided to tell the truth. “I don’t know. I left him right down there.” She pointed towards the river.

“What are you saying?” Peem asked, his face growing red with anger. “You mean you left my injured, unconscious son at the edge of the river; the edge that’s now under water? How could you be so stupid?”

Iya flinched, his words piercing her heart. “It wasn’t raining at the time, and he was so heavy. I couldn’t move him any further. I did the best I could. I found the Cordoncillo. I…”

But Peem had heard enough. “Well, Little Mouse, once again you prove how inadequate you are.”

“That’s enough, Peem,” Ompa said as he stepped around Peem and once again put his small frame between the large man and Iya. “We don’t know what has happened to Matita, not yet.” He pointed to the river. “The five of you go down there and scour the area for any signs of him.” 

Iya recognized Ompa’s soft yet commanding voice of authority that he reserved for special occasions when he wanted to be sure his orders were followed. She wondered if she would ever be able to speak so powerfully. 

Peem opened his mouth to say something, but then thought better of it. Instead, he turned around to Namia and the others. “You heard what he said. Let’s go.” The five of them made their way slowly down the steep and muddy hill, leaving Iya and Ompa alone.

“I’m sorry, grandfather…” Iya said but Ompa stopped her.

“Not now, little one. We need to get you away from here.” Ompa watched as Peem and the others slipped and slided towards the river. “Go home and tell Maria what has happened, but do not under any circumstances leave the house. Do you understand?”

Iya nodded, her tears blending with the rain. “I understand,” she replied.

Ompa reached out and hugged her. “Trust me. It will be okay. Consider this part of your training as a shaman.” 

Iya nodded, too tired and wet to point out to him that she’d never wanted to be a shaman in the first place. 

 

#

 Run Away

#

I’m cursed, Iya thought as she made her way back home. The rain had let up to a slow, steady drizzle as she made her way through the jungle. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the rustling of leaves. She felt a strange sensation on her scalp, and reached up to scratch it, only to find that the growths had receded to small, raised nodules. The memory of Matita’s horrified reaction to her appearance resurfaced.

What are you? she asked, then remembered that had been the same question Matita had asked when he’d seen her. She could only imagine how strange she had looked to him. She was still thinking about the incident so was shocked when she received a reply.

I am you and you are me.

What is that supposed to mean? She shot back. 

We are one, came the reply. 

But no one else has such…things growing from their head.

There came a long pause, during which Iya wondered if she was crazy and just talking to herself until the other voice continued. 

Then we are unique…that is all, and therefore must be protected from those who do not understand what we are.

But what are we?  Iya thought back. Are we one or our we two?

Yes, it is possible to be both.

Now I know I’m going crazy, Iya thought growing more anxious by the minute, but one thing stuck out in the bizarre conversation she was having. It was true. She must protect herself from those who didn’t understand, and going home to Maria didn’t make sense. Sure, her grandparents would do what they could to protect her, but what chance did they have against an entire village? No, she had been a burden to them long enough. It’s time for me to learn how to take care of myself.

To the Kapok tree, came the second voice.

Oh, so now you’re giving me orders?

Yes, will you follow them? 

While Iya was inclined to disobey if only to demonstrate who was in control, the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Okay, I’ll go to the Kapok tree. At least there I will be safe and can take some time to think through what is next.

As she changed direction and headed towards the sacred tree, a warm, comforting feeling spread through her. Maybe she was unique, but that didn’t have to be a curse. Maybe it was a gift, something to be embraced rather than feared. And maybe, just maybe, she could learn to protect herself and find a place where she belonged.

 

#

Cursed

#

As Ompa and the other men made their way back to the village, the rain began to ease, leaving the jungle misty and damp. The air was thick with the smell of wet earth and the sound of dripping leaves. Peem was sullen and unresponsive, his shoulders hunched in grief and anger. He had made it clear to Ompa that he blamed Iya for his son’s disappearance, and intended to gather the village elders to take action against her.

Ompa was relieved when he arrived back at his hut to find that Iya had not returned. Maria was waiting for him, a look of concern etched on her face. As Ompa recounted the morning’s events, Maria’s expression grew increasingly worried.

“So, Matita is dead?” Maria asked.

Ompa sighed. “I’m not sure but we couldn’t find him. Iya said he was badly injured so I don’t see how he could have escaped the rising flood waters.”

Maria began to pace, her worry mounting. “What are we going to do?”

“I’m going to find Iya,” Ompa replied. “But first, we need to prepare some food.”

Maria hurried to the food preparation area, gathering an assortment of fruits and vegetables into a sack while Ompa packed a few items he thought he might need. “Where do you think she is?” Maria asked.

Ompa slung the sack of food over his shoulder and picked up his machete. “I have a pretty good idea where a frightened young girl would go,” he said. “Only time will tell if my hunch is right.” 

He gave his wife a brief hug before picking up his machete and heading towards the door. “If anyone asks, tell them you don’t know where I went.”

“But I don’t know,” Maria replied.

“Then you’ll be telling the truth,” Ompa said, before disappearing into the jungle.

#

 

#

Zak

Cody’s Conclave

#

Zak and his team continued their journey southward into the heart of the dense rainforest, with the canopy overhead casting a mottled, dappled light on the forest floor. The soft rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds filled the air as the group took brief breaks to rest and recharge. By mid-afternoon, the urgency in Ra-Kit’s voice was palpable, and it was clear they were still far from their destination. Finally, Ra-Kit declared that it was time to use magic and warp to their destination.

“We need to have enough daylight left to be sure we can find Cody’s lagoon where we are to meet, Ra-Kit said.”

Both Zak and Sampson groaned. “Are you sure?” Zak asked. “It’s been a long day already. Aren’t you two too tired for warping?”

From her perch on Sampson’s back, Ra-Kit reached into her secret pouch and pulled out the small bag of catnip. “Not at all. We’ll be fine. Trust me,” she replied as she snorted its contents. She closed her eyes and sighed, then suddenly sneezed.

“Bless you,” Zak said automatically.

“That was a good one.” Ra-Kit laughed. “Now, climb aboard. Time is awasting.”

Zak nodded and climbed up behind the magic cat. 

“Don’t worry, little one,” Sampson said. “We’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His friend’s words made him feel better, but as they took off and prepared to move into warp speed, he found himself saying a short prayer anyway. The warp was a dizzying experience, with colors and lights whizzing by so quickly that it was hard to tell where they were headed. But Sampson kept a steady hand on the controls and guided them through the warp zone with practiced ease. 

 They found themselves in a strange land filled with a noxious smell and loud noises foreign to the rainforest combined with a smoky haze that made them all cough and their eyes water.

“What’s going on?” Zak shouted. “Did we make a wrong turn somehow?”

“No,” Ra-Kit replied as she pointed down to her right. “That’s the problem.” Far below surrounded by the forest for as far as the eye could see, was a giant industrial complex several square blocks in size with tall stacks spewing smoke with a myriad of snake-like pipelines radiating from it.

“Take us up,” Ra-Kit ordered. “Let’s see if we can get above the smog.” She pointed to her left. “And head in that direction. We’re not far from our destination.”

When they’d finally managed to get away from the worse of the smoke and smell, Zak cleared his throat. “How can that possibly be here so far away from the rest of civilization?”

“Simple,” Ra-Kit replied. “Oil companies go wherever the oil is, and there are millions of gallons of crude oil under the rainforest which equates to billions of dollars of profit.” She pointed down again at the wide expanse of a river winding its way through the jungle not far from the oil field. “That’s how they get all their equipment in. Ship it in on barges. I suspect we’ve found the reason Cody called for help.”

Zak felt sick and not from the bad smells or smoke. Before they had climbed higher to get away from it all, he’d seen the large C. E. letters of Consolidated Enterprises logo on one of the taller smoke stacks. 

It took only a few minutes of heading up stream for Ra-Kit to point out a small tributary joining the main river. “There,” she said. “Follow that.” As Sampson did so, it was only a short distance before the stream opened up into a large lagoon hidden among the thick cover of the rainforest with a grassy clearing at one end. “There he is!” Ra-Kit shouted. “We’ve found him.”

“And he doesn’t appear to be alone,” Sampson added.

“I’m not surprised. Cody has a lot of other animal friends.” 

Sure enough. As they approached, Zak could make out several other small capybaras lying close to the much larger one. That must be Cody, Zak thought. He watched as a squirrel monkey meticulously groomed the snoozing capybara upon which rested a toucan, and sitting next to it a second strange looking bird Zak didn’t recognize.

“What is that?” Zak asked, pointing to the second bird. 

“That, my friend, is a stinky turkey,” Sampson replied as he deftly landed at the edge of the clearing.

“A what?”

“Stinky turkey,” Sampson repeated. “Also known as a hoatzin, but stinky turkey is more descriptive, don’t you think?’

“Yeah, I guess.”

“It lives off of leaves and fruits,” Ra-Kit added. “Their unusual digestive system includes an enlarged crop where the vegetable matter is fermented, similar to the digestive system of a cow. Unfortunately, this results in the bird’s foul odor, thus ‘stinky turkey.’” 

As Zak and Ra-Kit climbed off of Sampson’s back, Zak took a moment to consider this new information. “Well, I like Cody even more now. Anyone who can overlook such a situation as that and still be a friend is all right in my book.”

“Good point,” Ra-Kit admitted. “Still, I suggest we stay upwind of the bird as much as possible.”

#

 

#

Luk

To the Rainforest

#

As Luk and Steffy strolled through the airport, the sounds of the Spanish language swirled around them, a stark contrast to the English they were used to. The colorful garments of the locals added to the exotic atmosphere, their brilliant hues of reds, blues, and yellows creating a vivid tapestry of Ecuadorian culture. The bustling crowds ebbed and flowed, a kaleidoscope of textures and colors. Luk’s energy waned as they walked, the travel taking its toll on his body. He noticed a subtle deterioration in his physical state, a growing sense of fatigue that he tried to hide from Steffy. I’m glad Steffy agreed to come with me, he thought, gazing ahead to where she walked a few steps ahead of him.

As he thought it, Steffy slowed her pace and looked back at him. “Sorry, am I walking too fast?”

“No, not at all,” Luk replied. “I’m just taking it easy and enjoying the experience of walking through an international airport.” Though in truth he was glad when she slowed down and waited for him to catch up, then grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze. 

They walked on at a more leisurely pace until Steffy pointed off to their right. “Baggage claim is in that direction. We’re almost there.”

“No problem,” Luk replied. “I’m enjoying myself,” then added a moment later. “How are we going to recognize our guide?”

“Oh, that won’t be a problem. I’m pretty sure I’d recognize him from the pictures on the internet, plus, remember, he said he’d be holding a sign with our names on it just in case.”

Luk nodded. Funny, he’d never thought about checking the internet to find out more about their guide. He’d simply depended on Steffy and her dad’s recommendation of the man. I wonder why Steffy thought to do so. He was about to ask her that when he felt her release his hand and wave.

“There he is!” Steffy waved again. “He looks just like his pictures.”

Luk looked in the direction she was waving to see a tall, muscular man waving back and walking towards them. Juan wore a teal short sleeve t-shirt that revealed his muscular tanned arms. His black wavy hair looked wind blown, like he’d just stepped off a sailing boat, but most noticeable to Luk was how handsome the man was, in a rugged sort of way. He’d make a good model for some of those romance novels that Calida enjoyed reading, he thought. Interesting that Steffy had failed to mention how good looking our guide was.

“Ms. Ruiz, Mr. Bates, welcome to Ecuardo!” Juan said in a heavy accented English. He bowed slightly as he took Steffy’s hand that had recently been in Luk’s and raised it to his lips in a gentle kiss. What the… Luk felt his hackles raise, then shook himself. Relax. No doubt it’s the custom here. After all, we’re in a country previously settled by the Spanish. But as he noticed his girlfriend smile and blush, he felt less assured. Maybe this trip to the rainforest wasn’t such a good idea after all. 

“Way too formal,” Luk heard Steffy say. “Please call me either Estefania or Steffy.” As she spoke, she gently pulled her hand back.

After a slight pause, Luk joined the conversation. “Yes, and I’m just good ol’ Luk.”

Juan nodded with a warm smile. “Yes, that is good, and I am Juan, your guide. Please, may I take your bag,” he continued as he reached for Steffy’s handle. 

“No, no.” Steffy pointed to Luk’s bag instead. “He’s the one we’re pampering on this trip.”

Now it was Luk’s turn to blush, embarrassed by the statement.

“Ahh, yes, I remember now.” Juan reached for Luk’s bag and wrestled it from his grasp before he could say anything. So, these two had already talked about his weakened condition. For some reason he couldn’t quite grasp, the thought troubled him. He was not used to being treated like an invalid. He didn’t much care for it, but  before he could think what to say, his two companions had already headed towards the exit. He hurried to catch up.

“We have two options for this afternoon.” Juan said as Luk caught up to them. “We can catch a light lunch here in Quito and then head south towards the rainforest, or I have a good friend who has a very nice hotel here in town called the Ikala. It has it’s own restaurant with delicious food. You can rest there this evening and we’ll head out in the morning.”

Before Luk could speak up to suggest they head towards the rainforest, Steffy spoke up. “We would love to stay at your friend’s place tonight.” She turned to Luk. “We’ll get you checked into a room so you can rest while Juan and I go over our itinerary once more.”

“I’m fine, really,” Luk replied, feeling his hackles raise again at the thought of Steffy and Juan meeting without him.

“I know you are, dear,” Steffy said. “But there’s no need to push it, least not yet. The journey into the rainforest can be quite taxing, especially for someone who’s still recovering from surgery.”

She has a good point, Luk thought. He was feeling tired and out of sorts, though the latter probably wasn’t entirely due to fatigue. “Okay, whatever you say.”

The Ikala Hotel turned out to be a perfect refuge for the two tired travelers. Located in the heart of Quito, the hotel had once been three houses that had been converted to a quaint yet modern hotel with spacious living public rooms, and a panaramic terrace overlooking the city. By the time they arrived in Juan’s Jeep Wrangler, Luk was only too happy to retire quietly to his room while Steffy checked them in and Juan took care of their bags. 

Luk lay down on the queen-size bed intending to just relax a few minutes until Steffy arrived, but within minutes fell into a deep slumber. He awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day, until he read Steffy’s note:

#

Having breakfast with Juan. Come down when you awaken.

Love,

Steffy

#

Luk felt a pang of jealousy and uncertainty, not entirely trusting Juan’s intentions with Steffy. But as he read the note, he also felt a renewed sense of hope, a sense that this trip might bring the healing he so desperately needed. He pushed himself out of bed and made his way down to breakfast, his mind swirling with excitement and apprehension.

 

#

Iya

 Kapok Sanctuary 

#

By the time Iya had reached the Kapok tree, the rain had stopped and the sun warmed her back and shoulders drying her clothes.The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and lush vegetation, and the leaves of nearby plants glistened with droplets of water. Iya paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of her surroundings, feeling both comforted and unsettled by the familiarity of it all.

 It feels like a normal day, Iya thought. Well, almost except Matita is dead and the people of my village will blame me. Who can blame them for feeling that way? If I’d not snuck away to wash my hair, Matita wouldn’t have followed me, and he’d still be alive so I am to blame, aren’t I?

No, came the immediate reply. 

What do you mean? Iya asked but no reply came. 

Up ahead appeared the towering trunk of the four-hundred year old sacred tree of her people, and suddenly Iya felt like she had come home where at least for a time she’d be safe and could figure out what to do next. She imagined what it would be like to embody such power and grace, to be revered and respected by her people. But her self-doubt and guilt quickly crept in, reminding her of her own perceived insignificance, and her role in Matita’s death.

Upon arriving, she sat down facing the tree to catch her breath and to become centered within herself. Funny, she thought, it’s been several hours since I last ate but I’m not the least bit hungry. In fact, food seems less interesting lately, like I can take it or leave it. Yet she hadn’t noticed any weight loss or less energy as she went about her days. 

After several minutes of trying unsuccessfully to clear her mind, she stood up to stroll around the tree, appreciating its majestic power and beauty. Imagine what it would be like to be such a magnificent spirit? Iya thought, instead of a creature so small and powerless that people call you Little Mouse. As she berated herself, she felt the breeze pick up and the leaf-filled branches of the Kapok tree sway far above her. Was it trying to send her a message? She stopped walking and stood facing the tree, craning her neck upwards at its towering body. Oh, Kapok, sacred Kapok, what am I to do? Where am I to go? As she asked the questions, she felt the tears flow down her cheeks and an aching of her heart. She wound her way through the undergrowth until she stood inches from the massive trunk. She opened her arms to embrace the tree and felt an immediate connection and in the same moment a stirring of her scalp as the nodules once again sprang forth to connect with the tree as well.

What is going on? 

We are sorry. We did not mean to hurt your friend, came the answer in a voice that was similar to the one she’d heard before but this time with a stronger resonance as though the first voice had been two-dimensional and this one had three dimensions. 

You must understand, dear Iya, that while we have eons of wisdom we’ve gleaned through the ages, there has never been a human like you. We too are stunned by the mutual relationship we share with your body.

We? Who is speaking?

But before she received a response, a thrashing sound behind her drew her attention, and in the next second the plant fibers retracted from the tree and snapped back to become small nodules on her scalp. She turned around in the direction of the sound and could just make out her grandfather strolling towards her. She felt a confusing mixture of relief and trepidation at his unexpected appearance.

 

#

Iya 

Sacred Waterfall

#

“How did you know I’d be here?” Iya asked. She lowered her gaze, surprised that she had been so easy to find.

“It’s okay,” Ompa replied as he walked towards her. “No one else knows you as well as I do. This is where I would have come if I found myself in a similar situation.”

Iya’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn’t help but smile at her grandfather’s presence. “You would never be in such a mess,” Iya said. She stood up and hugged him tightly, feeling his strong arms wrap around her. The tears flowed freely as she cried, releasing the pain and grief that had been building up inside her.

“Oh, if you’d only known me during my youth, you wouldn’t say so.” Ompa chuckled. “Anyway, those were important days of learning, mostly learning what doesn’t work about life. Painful lessons yet important.” 

After several minutes, Ompa gently patted her on the back. “Better?” He finally asked.

Iya looked up at him and smiled. “Better.”

“Good,” Ompa replied. “Are you ready for what’s next?”

The question caught Iya by surprise. Up until that moment she hadn’t thought they’d be a next. She’d unconsiously decided that Matita’s death meant the end of her life. She shrugged. “What do you mean?”

“Well, your shamanic training,” Ompa said with a smile. “It continues.”

“Oh, really? You still want me as your apprentice?”

“That’s really not up to me. Spirit has spoken.” Ompa paused. “Though, if it makes you feel better, I agree with the decision.” 

Iya nodded and squared her shoulders. “Okay. What’s next?”

“It is time for your vision quest.”

“Really? Shouldn’t I go back and face Peem and the others?”

Ompa shook his head. “There will be time for that later.”

Iya felt a wave of relief course through her body. “Okay, I guess. Just one question. What’s a vision quest?”

Ompa laughed, a rich full bodied laugh. “It’s best if you discover that for yourself.”

It felt good to hear her grandfather’s laughter. Ahh, that’s so like him, Iya thought, smiling despite herself. Being trained as a shaman seems only to become more difficult with each passing day. When will it end? She considered asking Ompa that very question but knew she’d only receive a chuckle or smile from him in response, so she simply nodded.

For the first time she noticed the two packs lying on the ground behind Ompa where he’d dropped them before coming to hug her. So, he came prepared knowing he would find her and that her training would continue. She stifled a groan, realizing the packs meant another long trek through the rainforest. How far and for how long this time? She wondered, but realized it was another one of those questions Ompa would refuse to answer. She walked over and picked up the larger pack.

“Lead on,” she said as she handed him the other pack.  

As they walked through the rainforest, Iya took in the sights and sounds around her. The thick vegetation was teeming with life, and she could hear the hum of insects and the rustle of animals in the undergrowth. The ground was muddy and slippery from the earlier rain, and Iya had to watch her footing to avoid tripping over roots or rocks.

 They continued onward until Ompa finally stopped for them to rest and share a jug of chicha. But when Iya started to open the pack carrying the fruit and vegetables, Ompa stopped her. 

“No food today Iya. Your vision quest will begin with partaking of natema tonight. It’s best to fast the day of such a ceremony.”

“Then why did you bring food?” Iya asked.

Ompa reached out to take the bag from her. “I’ve already been on my vision quest.” He pulled a large Babaco from the pack and bit into it, the juice dribbling down his chin. 

Iya stared at him. Really? Are you serious? She wanted to ask but seeing his face knew better. Instead, she decided to quinch her thirst with a long drink of chicha. As she drank, she realized she wasn’t really hungry anyway, and once again wondered why.

#

They continued walking through the thick vegetation of the rainforest, pausing every couple of hours to rest and drink until late in the day as the sun set. Finally, in the distance, she could hear the sound of running water. It grew louder and louder until she could see glimpses of foamy water cascading over rocks through the thick growth of trees. 

Ompa pointed to a fallen log near the water. “You may rest there while I gather material for the ceremony tonight,” he said. He walked over to the water’s edge and pointed across the way. “After cleansing ourselves and communing with Tsunki, Great Spirit of the water, you will start your vision quest across the way. Rest now. I will let you know when it is time.” 

Iya sat down on the log, feeling the rough bark against her legs. She watched as Ompa walked over to the water’s edge, his footsteps muffled by the sound of rushing water. She closed her eyes, feeling the cool mist of the waterfall on her face and the sound of the water pounding against the rocks.

As she surrendered to sleep, she felt the textures and sensations of the rainforest around her – the rough bark of the trees, and the softness of the damp earth beneath her feet. It was a moment of pure sensory experience, and Iya felt a sense of peace and wonder.

#

 

Luk

Quito Morning

#

Luk woke up early, the first rays of sunlight creeping through the curtains, signaling a new day. He quickly showered, the hot water easing the stiffness in his muscles, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of urgency that was tugging at him. While he felt well-rested from the night sleep, he was surprised to find a shortness of breath as he walked the short distance from the room to the restaurant where a buffet breakfast awaited.

He looked around until he found Steffy and Juan sitting next to a large window that looked out over the streets of Quito, both of them deep in conversation with their empty plates pushed to one side. Luk felt another wave of jealousy creep over him, then shook himself. Calm down, boy, he told himself. You have nothing to worry about. That beautiful woman loves you, and you love her. But for some reason the pep talk didn’t make him feel any better especially as he watched Juan reach out and lightly pat Steffy’s hand resting on the table.

“Ahh, there you are!” Luk exclaimed in a much louder voice than he had intended.

Steffy and Juan jerked their heads in his direction as though they’d been caught misbehaving, or was that simply his imagination running wild? 

“Good morning,” Steffy called back. Come join us.”

“Good morning, Mr. Bates, I mean Luk,” Juan said correcting himself. He waved to the waiter standing on the other side of a long table where the breakfast delectables were laid out. “Would you like coffee or tea?”

Luk walked over and sat next to Steffy making it a point to lean over and give her a hearty kiss. “I’m feeling a bit dizzy at the moment which I don’t understand. I slept really well.”

Juan nodded knowingly. “Ahh, yes. That will be due to the altitude. Quito’s elevation is over 9,000 feet. It takes most people a few days for their bodies to adjust. “Let me order you a cup of Coca leaf tea. They say it’s one of the best things to take to help with the altitude sickness.” He signaled to the waiter and spoke a few words in Spanish.

“That would be most kind,” Luk replied, momentarily forgetting his jealous mood. 

“And let me get you a plate of food,” Steffy chimed in as she rose from the table. “You really must try the selection of fruit they have. It’s all scumptious.”

Luk nodded, happy to be waited on for the moment although he didn’t feel that hungry. In fact, he felt just a tiny bit nauseous. Could that be from the altitude as well? 

As the waiter brought over the tea, Juan reached over and patted Luk on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, my friend. We won’t be at this altitude much longer. We’ll be heading down the mountain right after breakfast. By this evening when we arrive in Puyo, we’re be around 3,000 feet, and you should feel much better.” 

“Good to hear,” Luk replied. He took a sip of the Coca leaf tea that Juan had ordered, the earthy aroma and bitter taste making him grimace. He added a spoonful of sugar to it, the sweetness easing the bitterness, and he savored the warmth of the tea as it flowed down his throat.

Juan laughed. “I said the Coca leave tea was good for what ails you. I didn’t say you’d necessarily like it.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just used to drinking my tea with sugar.” He added a second teaspoon of sugar to it then stirred the tea before taking another sip. He smiled. “Much better. Is Puyo in the rainforest?”

“Why, yes it is,” Juan replied. He paused for a moment to stand up and pull a chair out for Steffy who had returned with a plate full of assorted fruits. She set the plate down in front of Luk, then nodded to Juan. “Thank you, kind sir,” she said as she sat down and gave the guide a warm smile that only added fuel to Luk’s jealous fire. 

Juan turned his attention back to Luk. “But we will need to go much deeper in the rainforest to meet our shaman. We’ll spend the night in Puyo, then travel a short distance to Shell where we will board a small plane that will fly us close to our base camp at Kapawi.”

“Really?” Luk asked. “I had no idea it would take so much traveling to meet with this guy?”

Juan laughed and nodded. “Yes, that’s a great part of what has kept the Achuar people safe from modern civilization. Unfortunately, your hunger for the black gold of oil threatens their land as well as their way of life.”  

Luk started to point out to the guide that it wasn’t his hunger for oil since he drove a Pruis, but then thought better of it. No reason to start an argument so early in their journey together, though he was beginning to regret not having spoken to Juan prior to committing to hiring him. Instead, he’d left all those details to Steffy. He decided to turn his attention away from Juan and placed it on the plate of fresh fruit in front of him. 

After taking a couple of bites that included mango, papaya, and watermelon he felt his stomach quiver. He placed his fork down and picked up the cup of tea. Perhaps it would help settle his stomach.  

“What do you think of the fruit? It’s delicious, isn’t it?,” Steffy asked.

“Yes, it is,” Luk replied. “I’m just not that hungry at the moment.”

 “Okay. Sit and enjoy your tea. Would you care for some eggs and bacon?”

Luk shook his head. “No, I’ll pass.” He took another sip of his tea.

“This isn’t half bad,” he said, nodding to Juan. “I guess I’m like most Americans, not much of a tea drinker.”

“Yes, I know. You Americans love your coffee. Would you prefer a cup of that instead?”

“No, no, this is fine. I think I’m beginning to feel better already.” As they talked, Luk continued to feel envious of Juan’s rugged charm and easy confidence. He noticed the way Steffy looked at him, her eyes filled with admiration and respect, and he felt a pang of jealousy. He tried to push the feeling away, but it lingered, a constant ache in his chest.

As he set the cup down on the saucer, he wondered why he felt the need to lie to this man. You feel threatened by him, you idiot, and why wouldn’t you be? Look at him. He could have stepped straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. True enough, he argued back, but that’s no reason to lie. Besides, Steffy loves you. Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, and before you know it, he will have swept her off her feet, and you’ll find yourself flying home by yourself.

“Deep in thought?” Steffy asked.

“Yeah, guess so,” he replied. “Just wondering what it’ll be like once we reach the rainforest.”

“Oh, you’re in for quite a treat,” Juan said. “It’s gorgeous, and the people we will be visiting are so committed to keeping it so.”

“Are they friendly?” Luk asked. “I mean, we’ve all heard about the fierce warriors and their habit of shrinking the heads of their enemies.”

“Don’t be silly,” Steffy said, but then Juan raised one hand.

“Oh, he’s really not. The village we’re traveling to is of the Achuar people. Their warriors are some of the fiercest in the world and are well, known for their custom of head shrinking. While they no longer do so, at one time they believed the reason for shrinking the heads of their enemies was a way to acquire their souls.”

“Such breakfast conversation,” Steffy said. “Perhaps we could change the subject before I completely lose my appetite.”

“Sure thing, sorry to bring it up,” Luk said, realizing the conversation hadn’t helped his appetite either.

“By all means,” Juan agreed, “but let me answer your question. Yes, I believe you will find the Achuar people friendly, maybe not quite as warm as the Sapara who are a bit more used to having people from the north visit them, but both groups realize the importance of finding a ways to protect their sacred land.” He glanced down at Luk’s empty plate. “Would you care for anything else?”

“No, I’m fine,” Luk replied.

“Than, I suggest you go back to your room, gather your things, and we’ll head out. What say we meet in the lobby in thirty minutes? I’ll pull my car around.”

Luk and Steffy nodded their agreement. “Don’t you need to checkout as well?” Steffy asked.

“Oh, no. I checked out first thing this morning. Truth is, I’m as excited to return to the rainforest as you are. Remember to split your luggage into a small bag that you will take into the rainforest with a maxium of twenty-five pounds. The rest of the luggage we’ll store in Shell before we board the plane.”

Luk glanced at Steffy, confused by the directions. 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Steffy replied. “I’ve already created a list for both of us of what will be in the smaller bag based on Juan’s instructions. That’s the reason for the two extra bags.”

“Oh, that’s good to know,” Luk said with an embarrassed smile. “I thought you were planning to do a bunch of shopping before we returned home.”

As they returned to the room, Luk couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. He remembed the way Juan had looked at Steffy, a glint in his eye that made Luk’s blood boil. He tried to keep a lid on his jealousy, but he knew that it was getting harder with each passing moment.

 

#

 

Iya

Lost in a Vision Quest 

#

Iya stirred awake, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. As the sun rapidly dipped below the rainforest’s canopy, the jungle turned from vibrant greens to deep purples and blues. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and surveyed her surroundings. The air was thick with moisture, and the constant roar of the waterfall made it difficult to hear anything else. She could just make out the shape of the sacred waterfall, glimmering a few yards away, and the slender silhouette of her grandfather Ompa on the other side. He was backlit by a roaring fire that flickered and danced behind him, illuminating his delicate frame against the darkening sky. She panicked for a moment, but her fears were quickly allayed as she realized the fire was well-contained by a circle of stones.

“Ahh, my sleeping princess awakes. Good,” Ompa called, his voice competing with the rushing sounds of the waterfall. “We begin. Meet me in the center.” 

Without waiting for a reply, Ompa waded into the water at the mouth of the falls, carrying a spray of different plants tied together and a small flask she’d not seen before hanging from a strap around his neck.

Iya stood up and shook herself awake. She felt her empty stomach rumble from lack of food and wondered once again why she didn’t feel more hungry. At the same time, she’d heard others of her village share about their experiences with natema, and she suspected she’d be thankful later for the empty stomach. She strolled to the water edge, taking a deep breath before entering. She was surprised  by the strength of the rushing water as she neared the center of the stream where her grandfather stood apparently unaffected by its force. Then she noticed the large boulder sticking out of the water behind him which diverted much of the water to either side. 

The water was now above Iya’s waist and continued to try to push her downstream away from Ompa, but she leaned in hard and continued walking. As she came nearer, Ompa reached out one hand and she grasped it with a firm grip as he pulled her towards him. As he did so, she felt the water surrender, and she was able to stand with him without his assistance. 

As they stood together facing each other, Ompa smiled at her and took several deep breaths gesturing with one hand that she should follow along. After several seconds, he began to chant softly as he waved the bouquet of leaves over her body. She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to clear, welcoming in the life force that surrounded them and that flowed around her through the cascading water. Ompa chanting increased in volume now as he continued the cleansing ceremony. 

Iya felt a deep connection to the water and the surrounding forest. She could feel the many forms of life in all their different shapes, plants, animals, the earth beneath her feet, and especially the energy of Tsunki, the Great Spirit of water. And I am one with all, she thought, and as she did so, she felt tears stream down her cheeks to mingle with the flowing water. She lost all sense of time. Time no longer existed. She was simply there in the moment with the sing-song chanting of her grandfather blending with the roar of the waterfall, feeling the light brushing of the leaves, and the power of life itself. Then Ompa’s chanting stopped and a moment later Iya felt herself return to her body. She slowly opened her eyes to find her grandfather with the most loving smile on his face. 

“Come this way,” Ompa said as he guided her to the other shore. “Your journey continues.” He grasped one of her hands and supported her as the water once again tried to pull her downstream. Soon they reached the shallows and she was able to walk without his assistance, but he continued to hold her hand until they reached the other side where a warm fire awaited them. 

“Sit,” Ompa instructed, pointing to one of the turtle-shaped seats. “Continue to quiet your mind and allow the Great Spirits to warm your heart as well as your body.”

Iya nodded. She sat down but didn’t close her eyes immediately but watched Ompa walk to the edge of the clearing where he picked up another bundle of leaves then returned to the fire pit. He pulled the other turtle chair around so he could sit facing her. Iya closed her eyes. Despite his soothing voice, Iya’s thoughts were consumed by a never-ending stream of questions. What would her vision quest be like? What would the natema taste like? Would it make her sick as it had for many others. What if Ompa gave her too much? Would it kill her? She’d heard such reports although others of her village had said such rumors were untrue. 

The questions continued until finally Iya realized she wasn’t following Ompa’s instructions. Besides, the questions were so fear-based. She remembered Maria warning her that coming to a natema ceremony in a fearful state could result in a bad experience. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Calm down, she thought. All is well. My grandfather would never do anything to harm me. He loves me, and I love him. The realization calmed her nerves, and she could feel her heartbeat slow and the muscles in her neck and shoulders relax. After all, I am an Achuar woman, one of the people of the forest. I have nothing to fear. This is my home and I am surrounded by my family. These thoughts, though she couldn’t recall ever thinking them, calmed her further.

Ompa began chanting again as he waved the bundle of leaves across her body. The cleansing ceremony continued for several minutes as Iya sat patiently enjoying her grandfather’s singing as it mixed with the sound of the waterfall and of the surrounding forest. Yes, indeed, this is my home, and I have nothing to fear. 

After a couple more minutes, Ompa stopped chanting and Iya heard the bundle of leaves drop on the ground. She opened her eyes to see Ompa pouring a liquid from the flask that had been around his neck into a clay bowl. He held it out to her. “Drink it all.”

Iya nodded. She took the bowl in her two hands and drank. She’d heard from others in her village that natema was known for its bitter taste. They aren’t wrong there, she thought, but continued to swallow it until the bowl was empty. She handed the bowl back to her grandfather with a questioning look in her eyes.

“Now, go lie down over there.” Ompa pointed to a grass mat near the fire. “Wait for the plant magic to take effect. It won’t be long.”

Iya rose from her chair, and walked over to the mat where she lay on her back and closed her eyes. Minutes passed with only the sounds of the waterfall to keep her company, then she felt a queasy feeling in her stomach, followed by a rumbling, then it passed only to return a minute later, this time more forcibly. She opened her eyes and stared up into the night’s sky which seemed to help but it wasn’t long before another wave of nausea hit, this time much harsher. 

She sat up and looked around. She could just make out the shape of her grandfather where he continued to sit on the turtle chair, his head slumped over, apparently asleep. What was she to do? Her body answered the question for her. She was about to throw up. She staggered to her feet and stumbled towards the waterfall in an effort not to soil the campsite. She just made it to the water’s edge when the first wave hit. 

Iya fell to her knees and retched several times, each time bringing up a foul smelling and equally foul tasting fluid. As she continued to vomit, she thought, I’m so glad I didn’t eat today. Still, the experience was unpleasant to say the least. The knowledge that this was simply part of the cleansing ceremony was of little comfort. 

As her stomach quieted, she felt a new sensation, a desparate need to pee. She stood up, staggered for a moment, then regained her balance. She turned to look to the forest edge several yards away. Surely she could walk that far on her own. She turned once more towards where Ompa sat still asleep. Should I wake him? She wondered. It has been such a long day for both of us. Let him rest. I’ll be fine, she assured herself, and started towards the nearby trees.

But something else was amidst that she’d never experienced before. Everywhere she looked she saw brilliant kaleidoscope of colors almost as though the forest was ablazed, but no. That wasn’t it. More like, for the first time she could see how alive everything around her truly was. Not only the trees and bushes, but also the grasses and stones at her feet, even the air glowed an eery yellow-green. I believe my vision quest has begun, Iya thought as she squatted to relieve herself. Mesmerized by the light show occurring all around her, she stood up and gazed into the deepest part of the forest. It’s all so beautiful, she thought. 

No longer feeling nauseous, she took a careful step and then another. Was that a trail she saw? Where would it lead? I should find out, she thought. After all, I am on a vision quest, am I not? And it appeared with the aid of the natema she suddenly had incredible night vision as well. She walked on.

 

Iya

 Capybara Leads the Way

As Iya walked through the jungle, the colors of the plants and trees around her seemed to come alive. The lush greens of the leaves, the vibrant yellows and oranges of the flowers, and the deep browns of the tree trunks were all more vivid than she had ever seen before. She could feel the humidity in the air, the dampness of the earth beneath her feet, and the coolness of the breeze that gently brushed against her skin. The sounds of the jungle were also amplified. The chirping of the birds, the buzzing of insects, and the rustling of leaves all joined in to create a symphony of life that surrounded her.

She continued to wander without any sense of time, only present to the mystical surroundings of the rainforest. Any sense of a trail had disappeared long ago, but she continued walking, unconcerned about where the natema led her. Not only was her ability to see enhanced by the spirit of the plant she’d ingested, but so too were her senses of hearing, smell, and touch. As alive as her surroundings were, her body surpassed even that. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so alive, so in touch with her home, so in touch with Earth. She now strolled through the forest in a carefree manner relishing the experience of connection that continued to grow. Suddenly, she felt something stirring on the top of her head. She reached up to scratch her head and was shocked to feel several luscious leaves, followed an instant later with a return of the voice. Relax, all is well. Thank you for the nourishment.

What nourishment? Iya asked but then realized it must have been the natema. She took a moment to feel along her scalp to verify that indeed the leaves were almost as long as her forearm and as wide as the palm of her hand.  She counted six of them, the same number as the nodules she’d had since being a baby. Am I to go around in life with such growing from my scalp?

Would that be so bad? came the question. 

Iya pondered it. Well, I am feeling more alive than I remember ever feeling. More connected to the sacredness of all life. That part wouldn’t be so bad. 

We are growing and learning together, came the next thought.

True, Iya agreed. In that case, what am I to call you? She waited several seconds, but no reply came, only a feeling of uncertainty.

You don’t have a name, do you? The uncertainty continued. Well, then, I’ll name you. Iya thought for a moment then realized the name was right there with what she was experiencing in the moment. Harmony. I’ll call you Harmony. She felt a glow of warmth and a trembling of excitement on the top of her head.

You like? Iya asked.

I love, came the reply.

Iya walked on through the forest that had been her home her entire life, feeling as though she was experiencing it for the first time ever. She was thoroughly immersed in the moment when something suddenly shifted in her awareness. It started with the sound of a jaguar’s roar way too close to be ignored. Startled, she stopped, crouched, and looked around. As she did so, she felt Harmony snap back to nodule form so quickly that it gave Iya a headache. She winced for a moment, then brought her attention back to the threat around her. Had she actually heard it or was that the natema playing tricks on her? Then a sound of movement behind her sent a wave of fear reverberating through her body. She turned and stared into the darkness. 

Darkness. Where had the light gone? For that matter, where was she? She crouched even lower to the ground and held her breath, listening. All she heard was the beating of her own heart. She started to straighten up but then felt as much as heard movement above her. Looking up, she saw a giant anaconda, its thick muscular body looped over the lower branch of a tall tree, its eyes fixed on her. Still crouching, she ran through the forest, the bushes slapping at her naked legs. 

As she ran, she wondered once again if the animals she saw and heard were real or simply the effects of the natema. After all, both the jaguar and the anaconda were known to be powerful spirit guides, but they were also dangerous animals of prey. She ran on for several minutes until she had to stop to catch her breath. She knelt down and placed her head in her hands, trying to clear her mind. She rubbed her temples in an effort to relieve her headache.

I am a woman of the forest. I have nothing to fear. This is my home, she thought. She repeated the phrases again like a mantra. She felt herself grow calmer. Surely, the plant magic would soon dissipate, and then she’d be able to think more clearly and be able to find her way back to Ompa. She thought about lying down and letting the natema pass through her, but then she saw movement to her left. A moment later, the snub nose of a Capybara came into view through the bushes. 

She heard the friendly whine and whistle of the small animal as though greeting her. Strange to see such an animal so deep in the forest and so far from water, but then again, perhaps water was closer than she thought. She felt relieved to see the critter, then remembered that the Capybara was her spirit animal. 

Follow me.

What was that? Had that come from her little companion or was it once again from the effects of the plant medicine? Did it matter? After all, she was lost. What did she have to lose to follow it? 

She straightened up and smiled, feeling relief wash over her. “Lead on, little one.”

The Capybara appeared to nod in agreement, then turned in the direction it had come with Iya close behind. It kept a moderate pace, stopping every so often to give Iya time to catch up before continuing its journey. This continued for several miles, though Iya could not be sure how many. As she walked, the darkness of the night slowly started to change to the hint of dawn not far away. They finally reached the shore of a river where the Capybara stopped, turned around, and bowed to Iya before diving into the water. 

Iya bowed back. “Thank you, my friend.” She glanced first up river and then down. Which way to go? Would she need to wait until sunrise to get her bearings? The Capybara suddenly reappeared, floating on its back, pointed down river before flipping over and disappearing.

Luk 

Tiny Airstrip

After checking out of their rooms, the three intrepid travelers loaded their luggage into Juan’s Wagoner and headed south on Pan-American Highway, stopping in Salasaca for lunch with more of Juan’s friends, Alonso and Julia Ortiz, where the three of them received their first cleansing ceremony from Julia.

“These cleansings serve at least two purposes,” Juan explained as they pulled into the driveway of the Pilla’s small homestead that included a small pueblo-like home, a garden area and several small pens for various farm animals. “We smell strange to the people of the rainforest, so the cleansing helps to ‘deorderize’ us. They are also an important part of the healing of our bodies, which is especially important for you, Luk.”

Julia invited Steffy into one of the rooms of her home for the cleansing process while Juan and Luk watched her husband perform his daily work as a weaver. Thirty minutes later, Steffy stepped outside, glowing with a broad grin on her face. 

“That was amazing!” she proclaimed. “You are in for a treat.”

Juan nodded his agreement, but Luk wasn’t so sure. “What is she going to do?”

“You’ll see,” Steffy replied. “Anything I shared would only diminish the experience.”

“Come with me,” Juan added, taking one of Luk’s arms. “I’ve experienced many cleansings over the years, and I can assure you they are painless and invigorating.” 

“Okay, if you say so. I’m placing myself in your hands.”

“Well, actually in Julia’s hands,” Juan corrected him, “but she has amazingly kind and skillful hands, so you’re in excellent care.”

The two men stepped into the Ortizes’ ceremonial chamber. Julia, dressed in a wide skirt of multiple bright colors and a peasant’s blouse, nodded a greeting, then instructed them to disrobe down to their underclothes. As Luk did so, he looked around the darkened room. On the floor lay several small objects he didn’t recognize arranged in a pattern. Next to them sat a bowl filled with eggs, and next to that a bunch of leafy plants tied together with a string.

“Who will go first?” Julia asked in broken English, and Juan pointed to Luk.

“Let Luk go first,” said Juan. He then spoke several other words in Spanish that Luk failed to understand but suspected Juan had just described his condition.

“Please stand there,” Julia said, pointing to the center of the room. “Now, close your eyes and take several deep cleansing breaths.” She waited for several seconds before adding. “Relax, my boy. I promise I don’t bite.”

Luk smiled and followed her instructions. Several more seconds went by before Julia began to chant in Spanish,  then began waving the leaves around him, lightly touching him from head to foot. This went on for a minute or two until he heard them drop to the ground. He opened his eyes just slightly to see Julia pick one of the eggs from the bowl before caressing his body with it, focusing primarily on his abdomen and belly. 

She then picked up a bottle of liquid Luk hadn’t noticed and took some of the clear liquid into her mouth. As she came closer to Luk, he closed his eyes again and a second later felt a cold spray along one side and then the other. Had this woman just spit on him? He wondered, then smiled. If that’s the worst that happens to me on this trip, I’ll be just fine. He heard of rustling beside him and then the light brushing of the leaves again as though to help dry his body. Julia resumed chanting for another minute or two before finally dropping the plants to the floor again. She placed one hand on Luk’s arm. “Gracias. You may sit now.”

She turned to Juan. “Ready?”

After the cleansing ceremony and sharing lunch with the Ortizes, they headed south again, arriving in Puyo in the late afternoon as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Juan pulled into the parking area of the El Jardin Hotel, cut off the engine, and turned to his two fellow travelers. “I think you will find this place very much to your liking. It’s a very popular spot for people traveling to Ecuador from other countries. It’s also the last plush living you’ll experience for the next several days, so feel free to indulge yourself.” He smiled, then added. “I know I plan to.”

Steffy took a deep breath, taking in the scent of blooming flowers, and smiled. “It looks lovely,” she said, admiring the lush garden surrounding the hotel. Luk nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the area as they all climbed out of the car.

“I suggest we check into our rooms, take a while to unwind, shower, etcetera, then meet in the dining room around 6:30. Agreed?”

Steffy and Luk both nodded. “I could stand to lie down for a few minutes,” Luk said, “though I suppose we should eat as well.”

“Great, we have time for both,” Juan replied. “I’ll see you at 6:30 in the restaurant.”

Steffy took the lead in checking the two of them in, then Luk happily allowed a porter to carry their bags to their room before plopping down on the bed, falling asleep in minutes.

The three of them met in the restaurant where Steffy and Juan enjoyed a delicious dinner while Luk merely picked at his food.

“Are you feeling okay?” Steffy asked with a concerned tone to her voice.

“I’m fine,” Luk replied. “Just tired and not very hungry. Nothing to worry about.” He gave her a reassuring smile that felt forced.

After a long pause, Juan cleared his voice. “Let’s plan to meet here for breakfast around eight so we’ll have time to check out. We’ll head to the airport in Shell by nine. We’re scheduled to board the plane at 10:30, weather permitting.”

“Weather permitting?” Luk asked.

“Oh yes,” Juan replied with a chuckle. “Weather can be quite unpredictable in these parts. After all, here in the rainforest, thunderstorms are quite common, though the reports for tomorrow show clear weather the first half of the day. I will be in regular touch with the people at the airport just to be sure nothing changes.”

“Can’t we fly even if the weather turns to rain?” Luk asked.

“No, not really,” Juan replied patiently. “Our storms can be quite severe, and the plane we’ll be flying in is, well, smaller than you are used to. No, we’ll fly only if there’s little or no chance of foul weather.”

“We are in your hands,” Steffy added. “Come on, Luk. Let’s get you to bed. It’s been a full day for all of us.”

Despite being dog tired, Luk found it difficult to fall asleep. His mind kept pivoting from worrying about the flight in the morning to concerns about what might be developing between Steffy and Juan. He ended up tossing and turning for the first half of the night, finally falling into a deep slumber around four in the morning, only to be awakened by Steffy moving around the room at 6:15.

“You’re already dressed?” Luk asked as he sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes.

“Yep, showered and ready to go,” Steffy replied. “So, the bathroom is all yours. I’m heading to the restaurant to have breakfast with Juan. Come on down when you’re ready. I’ll alert the front desk to pick up our bags, so just bring yourself.”

“Are you sure I won’t be in the way?” Luk muttered and instantly regretted it.

“What was that?”

“Oh, never mind. I’ll meet you in the restaurant.”

Steffy stared at him for a moment, a confused look on her face, then shrugged and walked out, blowing him a kiss as she went.

As they pulled up to the small Shell airport, Luk felt his weariness grow heavier, his cancer taking its toll on him. They made a stop to drop off their excess luggage with one of Juan’s acquaintances, and Luk wondered if he had packed everything he would need. But he kept his worries to himself, not wanting to come across as overly anxious. 

When Luk caught sight of their plane, a small Cessna 310 that looked as though it should have been retired long ago, he felt a wave of apprehension. “We’re getting into that?”

Juan laughed. “Yep.” Seeing the look of consternation on Luk’s face, he added. “Don’t worry, my friend. I’ve taken many flights in this very plane. It’s very dependable and fits our needs perfectly. It seats six along with our luggage.”

Luk breathed a little better, hearing that it had extra space, until he saw a man and woman standing next to the plane. “Who are they?”

Juan looked in the direction Luk had pointed. “I don’t know, but I suspect they are our fellow travelers. No need to waste two empty seats, right?”

Why not? Luk started to say but then realized it would sound petty to his two traveling companions. The pilot walked around from the other side of the plane and smiled at everyone before speaking to Juan in Spanish, then motioned for the two smaller passengers to board, followed by Steffy and Luk with Juan taking the seat next to the pilot. Juan showed them how to buckle their seatbelts before passing out bulky headphones to them.

“What are these for?” Luk asked.

“To help block out the noise,” Juan replied. “They aren’t required but highly recommended unless you want to hear the echo of the engine for the rest of the day.”

Luk nodded and was about to put his on when he saw Juan turn back to them. 

“This is a beautiful way to see the rainforest. I think you will be amazed by how expansive it is and how green. It reminds me of a gigantic head of broccoli as far as the eye can see. Sit back and enjoy the flight. We’ll be in the air for about ninety minutes.” Juan turned to the pilot and gave him a hand signal, and a moment later the loud blast of the engine starting prompted Luk and Steffy to don their earphones. 

As the two engines started, Luk glanced out his window and then Steffy’s, feeling momentarily more assured. He reached over and tapped Steffy’s arm and pointed to the engines, then mouthed, “Better to have two engines then just one, right?”

Steffy shook her head and started to remove her earphones, but Luk stopped her. “Never mind!” he shouted and was rewarded with one of her brilliant smiles. 

Within minutes they were airborne, and soon they were flying over the acres after acres of brilliantly green trees that indeed did remind Luk of broccoli heads that went on in every direction. 

This isn’t so bad, Luk thought. In fact, as the minutes passed by, he realized how much he was enjoying the experience. We’re flying over the lungs of the Earth where millions of trees and a myriad of other plant life breathed in carbon dioxide and released oxygen twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The magic and mystery of life, Luk thought. If it weren’t for this land over which they were flying, life on planet Earth wouldn’t be possible, not in the way it now was with all its diversity and magnificence. 

So why are we so intent on destroying it? Luk wondered. He had done some initial research when Steffy had first shared about her father’s journey to the rainforest and suggested they do so as well. From it, he had learned that a swath of rainforest the size of forty football fields are lost every minute and that humans had already destroyed nearly half of the world’s original forest cover. Remembering such alarming facts while looking down on the beauty below him brought tears to his eyes. 

But what can I do about it? It’s all I can do to keep myself alive. In fact, wasn’t he depending on the rainforest and its indigenous people to heal him? Well, yes, so how can I return the favor? Is that a rhetorical question? he heard his inner voice ask. No, not exactly; more of a question to ponder upon until the answer comes. Yes, that is what he would do. Ponder and keep revisiting it. 

In the last couple of years since meeting Steffy and being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, he’d had what many might call a spiritual awakening. He still felt much like a toddler when it came to such matters, but that was okay. Wasn’t there something in the Bible about Jesus inviting the children to come unto him? He was still in the midst of trying to remember the verse when he felt a sudden lurch in the plane and a flip-flopping of his stomach.

“What was that?” Luk shouted. “Are we in trouble?”

Juan turned around and gave him a reassuring smile. “No, everything is fine. That was just a bit of air turbulence.”

Luk breathed a sigh of relief and was comforted by Steffy’s warm hand on his arm. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked in a loud voice so he could hear her.

Luk nodded vigorously. “Gorgeous,” he agreed, but while his mind was settled by Juan’s explanation, his stomach was not. He wondered if he would end up embarrassing himself by throwing up. He was about to ask Steffy what he should do when she pointed to the back of Juan’s seat to the disposable bags. 

“Just in case,” she mouthed and made a motion as though she was about to throw up. 

Luk nodded that he understood, feeling just a little less nauseous just knowing a bag was readily available if needed. He turned his attention below where a wide river wound its way through the forest while he continued to ponder the question of how he would give back to the land and those who were so vital to his health and the health of planet Earth.

Luk expected they would be landing in a small airport similar to the one they’d flown from in Shell, nothing fancy, for sure, but with a number of small buildings and a paved airstrip. Their landing site was far simpler, with one small hutch and a grassy strip cut out of the thick vegetation of the forest. 

As the pilot circled the plane around for their final approach, Luk leaned forward to tap Juan on the shoulder. “We’re not really going to try to land there, are we? I mean, it’s way too short and narrow.”

Juan gave him another of his reassuring smiles; this one didn’t take. “Oh, Carlos here is a very good pilot. This is one of the larger strips he lands on and takes off from. It will be fine.”

Luk still wasn’t convinced. He glanced to his left to see Steffy wearing her own look of concern, which made him even more nervous. He leaned back in his seat and reached out a hand to Steffy. 

“It’ll be fine,” he said, even though he didn’t believe it himself. Time to man up for my girl, he thought. He took a deep breath and patted her arm. “Carlos knows what he’s doing.” As he said it, he silently prayed that it was true.

And it was. Carlos expertly dropped the plane over the tall expanse of trees at one end of the runway and landed the small plane expertly with only a slight bump or two, pulling up close to the lone hut before turning off the engine. He then turned to Juan and the two men exchanged high fives. 

Zak

Stinky Turkey

Zak and his team had been flying for hours into the heart of the rainforest. The lush green foliage provided a stunning backdrop as they soared above the canopy, with glimpses of sunlight peeking through the leaves. They took short breaks every so often to ensure their magic wouldn’t drain too quickly. Ra-Kit’s impatience signaled they still had quite a distance to travel.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Ra-Kit announced, “It’s time to warp. We need to have enough daylight left to be sure we can find Cody’s lagoon where we are to meet.” 

Zak and Sampson groaned at the thought of the exhausting magic.  “Are you sure?” Zak asked. “It’s been a long day already. Aren’t you two too tired for warping?”“

From her perch on Sampson’s back, Ra-Kit reached into her secret pouch and pulled out the small bag of catnip. “Not at all. We’ll be fine. Trust me,” she replied as she snorted its contents. She closed her eyes and sighed, then suddenly sneezed.

“Bless you,” Zak said automatically.

“That was a good one.” Ra-Kit laughed. “Now, climb aboard. Time is awasting.”

Zak nodded and climbed up behind the magic cat. 

“Don’t worry, little one,” Sampson said. “We’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His friend’s words made him feel better, but as they took off and prepared to move into warp speed, he found himself saying a short prayer anyway. 

Once again, Sampson was true to his word, and the time in the warp zone went smoothly until they exited. They found themselves in a strange land filled with a noxious smell and loud noises foreign to the rainforest combined with a smoky haze that made them all cough and their eyes water.

“What’s going on?” Zak shouted. “Did we make a wrong turn somehow?”

“No,” Ra-Kit replied as she pointed down to her right. “That’s the problem.” 

Far below surrounded by the tree coverage for as far as the eye could see, was a giant industrial complex several square blocks in size with several stacks spewing smoke with a myriad of snake-like pipelines radiating from it.

“Take us up,” Ra-Kit ordered. “Let’s see if we can get above the smog.” She pointed to her left. “And head in that direction. We’re not far from our destination.”

When they’d finally managed to get away from the worst of the smoke and smell, Zak cleared his throat. “How can that possibly be here so far away from the rest of civilization?”

“Simple,” Ra-Kit replied. “Oil companies go wherever the oil is, and there are millions of gallons of crude oil under the rainforest, which equates to billions of dollars of profit.” She pointed down again at the wide expanse of a river winding its way through the jungle not far from the oil field. “That’s how they get all their equipment in. Ship it in on barges. I suspect we’ve found the reason Cody called for help.”

Zak suddenly felt sick, and not from the bad smells or smoke. Before they had climbed higher, he’d seen the large C. E. letters of Consolidated Enterprises logo on one of the taller smoke stacks. 

It took only a few minutes of heading upstream for Ra-Kit to point out a small tributary joining the main river. “There,” she said. “Follow that.” As Sampson did so, it was only a short distance before the stream opened up into a larger lagoon hidden among the thick cover of the rainforest with a grassy clearing at one end. “There he is!” Ra-Kit shouted. “We’ve found him.”

“And he doesn’t appear to be alone,” Sampson added.

“I’m not surprised. Cody has a lot of other animal friends.” 

Sure enough. As they approached, Zak could make out several other small capybaras lying close to the much larger one. That must be Cody, Zak thought. He watched as a squirrel monkey meticulously groomed the snoozing capybara, upon which rested a toucan, and sitting next to it a second strange-looking bird Zak didn’t recognize.

“What is that?” Zak asked, pointing to the strange bird next to Cody. 

“That, my friend, is a stinky turkey,” Sampson replied as he deftly landed at the edge of the clearing.

“A what?”

“Stinky turkey,” Sampson repeated. “Also known as a hoatzin, but stinky turkey is more descriptive, don’t you think?’

“Yeah, I guess.”

“It lives off of leaves and fruits,” Ra-Kit added. “Their unusual digestive system includes an enlarged crop where the vegetable matter is fermented, similar to the digestive system of a cow. Unfortunately, this results in the bird’s foul odor, thus ‘stinky turkey’.” 

As Zak and Ra-Kit climbed off of Sampson’s back, Zak took a moment to consider this new information. “Well, I like Cody even more now. Anyone who can overlook such a situation as that and still be a friend is all right in my book.”

“Good point,” Ra-Kit admitted. “Still, I suggest we stay upwind of the bird as much as possible.”

Wendell 

Noose Tightens

The next morning, Wendell awoke to an empty house, surprised to learn that Luk and Steffy had already eaten breakfast and headed back to campus while Calida had left him a note that she’d gone grocery shopping. He barely had time to process it all before receiving a call from Consolidated Enterprises, informing him that he needed to fly to Ecuador to meet with government officials. They wanted him to persuade the officials to allow CE to start drilling for oil in a previously restricted area of the rainforest and to oversee operations at an installation deep inside the rainforest that had failed the last two inspections.

Wendell’s unease grew as he packed his bags for the trip. He knew that this journey was different from any other he had been on before. This time, he was being asked to oversee operations that were not just morally questionable, but also illegal. As he prepared for the trip, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that was building inside him. If I do this, Wendell thought, I’ll be one of the corporate criminals, no longer just someone in a position to report on the illegal actions.

He arrived in Ecuador late in the day and spent a sleepless night tossing and turning. How in the world had he gotten himself in such a mess?

The next morning Wendell was ushered into a meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources, Maria Gonzales, and the Minister of the Environment, Luis Torres. While they were cordial and professional, Wendell could sense their concern about the potential impact of CE’s operations on the environment and the indigenous communities, but as he talked about the many riches that were available to their country, they began to come around.

During the meeting, Wendell listened intently, but his mind was racing. He knew he was recording the conversations, and he desperately tried to find a way to make sure that the officials were aware of the illegal and immoral actions that his company was proposing. As the meeting came to a close, the officials seemed willing to go along with CE’s wishes, but at the last minute Wendell put them off, telling them that he needed  to consult with his colleagues back at CE’s headquarters.

Luk

Jealousy

“Yay!” Luk shouted, turning to Steffy. The two exchanged their own high fives, then upon releasing their seatbelts, hugged each other, jubilant to be on the ground again. 

“Welcome to the rainforest,” Juan said as he reached out his hand to take back their headphones, then opened the door on his side and climbed out at the same time the pilot did the same. As Juan held out his hand to help Steffy out of the plane, Luk felt another wave of jealousy course through his body, followed by an even more violent wave of nausea. He reached the ground with help from Carlos, then bent over double in an effort to keep from throwing up on the man who had just done such an admirable job of landing them safely on the tiny airstrip. The humid air of the rainforest engulfed him, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead and trickle down his face. 

“You okay?” Carlos asked as he placed a hand on Luk’s back. “It’s okay to…how you say it…toss your cookies?”

“I’m all right,” Luk replied, though he really didn’t feel okay. What’s going on? he wondered. I’ve come here to get well, and so far, I’m just feeling worse the deeper into the rainforest we go. Had he made a mistake taking on such a journey so soon after being in the hospital? Maybe his dad was right. Maybe he should have listened to him and stayed home and gone the conventional medical route.

“Are you okay?” Steffy asked as she approached him. “That was some landing, wasn’t it? I’m feeling a little queasy myself. Do you want to sit down for a few minutes?”

“No, no.” Luk shook his head. “I’ll be fine. Besides, don’t we have an appointment with a witch doctor who’s going to make me all better?” Luk asked, shocked to hear the sarcasm in his voice.

“Well, no, we don’t,” Steffy replied with an edge to her own voice. “We are here so you can spend some time with the shaman who saved my father’s life, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t work by appointments. He only agreed to see you because my father asked him to see you.” She paused to take a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “What’s going on, Luk? You’ve been acting strange for the last couple of days.”

I’m dying of cancer! he started to scream, but at the last minute stopped himself. He glanced over to her and took his own deep breath. This is neither the time nor the place to have this conversation, he thought. “Nothing. Everything is hunky-dory.”

But Steffy wasn’t ready to let it go. “No, it’s not. Have you changed your mind? I mean, if you have, we can get back on the plane and head home.”

Luk glared at her as a wave of emotion rushed over him. Before he could reply, his knees buckled and everything started spinning as the ground rushed up to meet him. This is going to hurt, he thought just before blacking out.

Luk came to lying on a palette inside one of the huts he’d seen as they were landing. The air inside the hut was thick and heavy, with a musty smell that permeated the room. He turned his head to see Steffy and Juan standing nearby deep in conversation, their faces etched with concern. Just one more opportunity for them to share something in common, he thought, then hearing the snideness of it, chastised himself. Stop it! Steffy is your girl, and Juan is a hired guide trying to do his job. That’s all. Yeah, maybe but—

Before he could complete the thought, he saw Steffy turn in his direction. “Thank God, you’re awake,” she said, rushing over to him. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“I’m fine,” he said. He started to sit up, but when the room started spinning again, he thought better of it. “Well, maybe I’ll just lie here for a few more minutes.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Juan said as he joined Steffy at Luk’s bedside. “We do not hurry here in the rainforest. We take things as they come, and right now, my friend, it is important that you rest.”

“Okay,” Luk agreed. “But can you tell me what’s next? After I’ve rested a bit, where to next?” He paused a moment before adding, “Because I’m not going home. I will meet with the witch…I mean, the shaman as we’d planned.”

“That’s good to hear,” Juan said, and Steffy nodded. “Well, the last leg of our journey will take us to the Kapawi Ecolodge which will be our base camp. We’ll need to take a short river ride there. It should take less than an hour. He glanced at his watch, a large instrument that looked to Luk like it could do far more than just tell time. “Let’s see how you feel in an hour. If you’re feeling up to it, we’ll continue. If not, we can spend the night here and head to Kapawi in the morning.”

“Oh, I’ll be fine. We can go today.” Luk tried to sit up but stopped when the dizziness returned. Passing out again would not help his claim of being okay.

“Rest now,” Steffy said. “We’ll round up some food for all of us. Once we eat, we’ll see how you’re feeling before making a final decision.”

Luk nodded while continuing to lie on his back. He closed his eyes and fell back to sleep within minutes.

Luk awoke again, his body slick with sweat. He had an inexplicable urge to hurry to their home base. Was it nighttime already? He sat up, checking to see if the dizziness would return. When it didn’t, he slowly stood up and walked to the open door a few feet away. No, not nighttime but later than he’d planned, or was that just because clouds were obscuring the sunlight. Yeah, that was it. At least, he hoped that was the case. Still, he felt some inner guidance propelling him forward. 

“Ahh, Sleeping Beauty is awake,” came Steffy’s playful voice from behind him. “How are you feeling? And no more lying. I need the truth.”

“I’m feeling pretty good.” Then, noticing the questioning look on her face, he added, “No, really. Honest to god, I’m feeling much better. Thanks for insisting I rest.” He walked over and hugged her. “I’m sorry I’ve been acting like a jerk. I promise to behave myself.”

Steffy returned the hug, which made him feel even better. How silly it had been to doubt her? Sure, Juan was quite a handsome man and had an adventurous life that someone like Steffy would admire…come to think of it, she’d more than once talked about how important a life of adventure was to her. But still…

“Hello, where did you go?” 

Luk realized she’d asked him a question, but he couldn’t recall what it had been. “Sorry, still waking up. What did you say?”

“I asked if you were hungry.”

“Oh, yeah, I could eat; at least, I think I can. I’ll take it slowly and see what my stomach says.”

“Good idea,” Steffy agreed. “Come this way. There’s fruit and several other delectable items to pick from, including some dark chocolate from Juan’s personal stash that is to die for.” Then, realizing what she’d just said, corrected herself. “Well, it’s really tasty.”

Luk laughed. “It’s really not necessary to tiptoe around the subject of dying. I don’t plan on doing so anytime soon.”

To Kapawi

After eating a light lunch, Luk and his two companions accompanied one of the locals on a short walk to the nearby Pataza River where they found a small dugout canoe pulled up on the sandy river bank.

“This is Luis’s boat. He has agreed to take us down the river to our lodge,” Juan explained. 

“In that?” Luk asked as he pointed to the canoe that looked to him to be little more than a carved out tree trunk.

“Yep,” Juan replied, then noticing the look of consternation on Luk’s face, he added, “It’s really quite safe as long as you maintain your center of gravity in the middle of the boat. In other words, once we get in, no standing.”

“Of course not,” Steffy said. “Come on, Luk, it’ll be fun. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

I think I left it back at the Shell airport, Luk started to say, but then remembered how much Steffy enjoyed new and adventurous excursions, so he said instead, “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go,” with more enthusiasm than he felt. 

Juan said a few words in Spanish to Luis, who smiled and waved them to the canoe. He waded into the water next to the canoe to steady it as the three of them stepped on it, then deftly joined them at the rear, pushing off from land as he did so. 

Steffy had been right. Leisurely cruising down the river was both relaxing and fun, and a peaceful way to enjoy the lush beauty of the rainforest. As they floated along, Juan pointed out various types of trees along with several species of birds, many which Luk felt like he’d have missed if it hadn’t been for their guide’s sharp eyes. 

Luk was pulling a set of binoculars from his daypack when he suddenly noticed something missing. “Where’s our luggage? Did we leave it back at the village?”

Juan laughed. “Relax. It’s all been taken care of. Luis’s brother has already delivered it to the lodge. It’ll be in your room upon your arrival.”

Luk let out a deep sigh, realizing once again how well Juan was taking care of all their needs in an effort to make their journey as pleasant as possible. And here I go being a worry-wart one more time. Relax, he admonished himself. Look around. You’re in one of the most beautiful parts of the world with the woman of your dreams and an experienced guide who’s here to take good care of you. What do I have to worry about? 

Well, came the next thought, there’s this little thing called colon cancer, not to mention that your guide friend seems intent on taking your girl away from you, and she seems perfectly fine with his advances. Look at her, hanging onto every word that comes out of Juan’s mouth, smiling and laughing at his jokes.

As they continued down the river, the cloud cover thickened, blocking out the sun, and the wind picked up. “Looks like we’re in for some rain,” Juan said. “Probably be a good idea for us to put on our ponchos before we go much farther.” He turned to Luis and spoke to him in Spanish, pointing to a clearing along the shore. Luis nodded and started paddling in that direction.

“It can be a bit tricky putting on a poncho while riding in a canoe, so I’ve instructed Luis to pull over there so we won’t all end up taking a dip in the river, which would defeat the point of a poncho.”

Back on land for the moment, Luk reached in-to his daypack to pull out the plastic poncho, then suddenly realized he’d left his in the other bag. He stifled a groan, but Steffy picked up on the look of frustration on his face.

“What’s wrong?” 

“I’m afraid I messed up—again,” Luk replied, but decided not to make a big deal of it this time. “I left my poncho in my other bag, but a little bit of rain never hurt anyone.”

Steffy continued to stare at him for several seconds then started to take her poncho off. “Here, you can wear mine.” 

Luk raised a hand in protest. “No way. I’m the one who failed to pack correctly so I get to pay the price, not you.” Then, seeing Juan taking his own off, he shook his head. “No, no. I insist. I’ll be fine. Besides, who knows for sure whether it will rain or not. Let’s quit arguing about this and see if we can’t make it to the lodge ahead of the rain.”

He noticed his two companions looking at each other, then both shrugged their agreement. Juan gave Luis further instructions, and everyone boarded the canoe again. This time, Luis paddled much more vigorously in an effort to out race the gathering storm clouds, but it took only a few minutes for the plop, plop sound of large raindrops falling around them, and within another minute, they found themselves in the middle of a fullout rain storm.

At first, the rain falling on him felt cool and refreshing, but as the minutes clicked away, Luk began to shiver from the sudden drop in temperature and being soaked from head to foot. 

“How much farther?” Steffy asked in a worried voice.

Juan exchanged a few words with Luis, then replied, “He says it’s not far. Maybe another twenty to thirty minutes.”

“That far?” Steffy asked, voicing the very words Luk had been thinking. “My poor dear. You’re shivering.”

It took Luk a second or two to realize her comments were directed to him. He turned around and gave her as gallant a smile as he could muster. “Just all part of the life of an adventurer, right?” But the words came out strained and shaky.

By the time they pulled into the shoreline of the Kapawi Ecolodge, Luk knew that Steffy and Juan had been right. He’d been a jerk to not allow them to help, but by that time, he was too sick to say anything. 

He graciously accepted Juan’s helping hand as he stepped from the canoe and onto land. With Juan on one side of him and Steffy on the other, the three started the short trek through the rainforest to the lodge, but despite the exercise, Luk continued to shiver violently. I need to get warm somehow. He thought of sitting in front of a fireplace warming his entire body from its glow, but he doubted he’d find such accommodations so close to the equator. Still, it felt good to imagine it. It was the last thought he had before blacking out a second time in less than two days.

Ompa 

Trek Home

As Ompa heard the symphony of rustling leaves, like nature’s whisper, he slowly opened one eye. He noticed that Iya was no longer on the mat where he’d left her, its woven fibers still warm from her presence. He raised his head and looked around, his eyes scanning the surrounding greenery. He could just make out the sound of someone off to his right, the gentle crunch of leaves underfoot.

A smile graced Ompa’s weathered face. Good girl! he thought. Taking the initiative to start on her vision quest just as he had hoped she would. My work is done. Time to return to the village and await whatever Spirit has in store for me next. 

He doused the fire with water from the river, the hiss of steam rising like a fleeting ghost. The water sparkled with the hues of early morning light as the scent of damp earth and charred wood filled his nostrils. Ompa then gathered his few possessions before wading into the cool, refreshing water and heading back in the direction they’d come, this time alone.

Reaching the other shore, his feet sinking into the wet, gritty sand, he paused for a moment, turned, and gazed into the forest. The trees stood like ancient sentinels, their leaves aflutter in the gentle breeze. Take care, little one. Watch after her, Amasanga. She carries the fate of our world with her.

He inhaled the rich, earthy scent of the forest, and slowly let it out, his breath a misty cloud in the cool air. Then, with a renewed sense of purpose, he turned and started his trek home, the path promising both challenges and rewards.

Luk 

Shapeshifting

Luk awoke to a persistent buzzing in his ears, a disconcerting symphony that slowly morphed into the hushed whispers of two people. He contemplated asking them to continue their conversation outside so he could find solace in sleep, but before he could muster the strength, he fell back into the void of dreamless darkness. Time seemed to bend and blur as he slept; when he awoke once more, the voices beside him were clearer, carrying an undercurrent of concern.

“His temperature is 102, and he keeps going from shivering to feeling like he’s burning up.” Steffy’s voice trembled with palpable worry.

“I understand,” Juan replied. “I’m not sure what else we can do, but I know someone who may be able to help. Do you want me to call him?’

“Who would that be?” Steffy asked, her curiosity piqued.

“The shaman you came to visit. I know we had planned to wait for a couple of days until you got settled in, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea at this point.”

A pause hung heavily in the air before Steffy conceded, “You’re right, of course. Yes, please send for him.”

Luk’s weakened body protested as he tried to sit up, waves of nausea threatening to overtake him. Instead of voicing his objections as he’d planned, he turned to his side, trying not to retch on the grass mat he lay on. Exhausted, he collapsed onto his back, and moments later, he felt the cool relief of a damp cloth cleaning his feverish face before surrendering to the dark abyss once more.

When Luk awoke again, he found himself still on the grass mat. He took in his surroundings: the mat lay on a wooden floor beneath a vast grass roof supported by rough-hewn wooden columns, the sides open to the elements. Off to his left, he glimpsed a nearby river, its waters shimmering like liquid silver in the sunlight, but he was too debilitated to investigate further. Time had become an elusive concept; he felt as if he had spent an eternity drifting in and out of a consciousness that resembled a coma more than sleep. Glancing down at his emaciated frame, he noticed his clothes hanging like tattered remnants. More weight loss, he thought ruefully.

He closed his eyes, trying to gather his scattered thoughts. Just what I don’t need. Why didn’t I heed my father’s advice and stay home? After all, wasn’t the United States known for having some of the best healthcare in the world? Though, to be fair, he’d read from several reliable sources that such ‘fact’ might be nothing more than political propaganda. Regardless, what am I doing here in the middle of nowhere?

“You’re dying.” The words, stark and unyielding, tore Luk from his introspection. His eyes shot open to find an old man to his right, gazing down at him from where he sat on a turtle-shaped chair. Where had he come from? Luk blinked several times, trying to focus on the man’s features, but he didn’t recognize him. He questioned if the old man was real or his mind had finally succumbed to hallucinations. He lifted a feeble hand to touch the man’s face, but he sat just out of reach. 

The enigmatic figure wore yellow and black face paint and a tranquil, almost serene expression beneath a headdress of vibrant red and yellow feathers and azure beads that matched his brilliant blue shirt. Color coordinated; how nice, Luk thought, almost laughing at the absurdity of it all.

“I’m real,” the elderly figure confirmed, his voice a warm, earthy timbre.

Luk nodded. “I see you are.” Though in truth, he still harbored doubts.

“You’re dying,” the man repeated.

“I know,” Luk whispered with cracked lips. 

“Well, that’s good.  It means you get to shapeshift into the next life sooner,” the old man said in accented English, his words adorned with the musical lilt of his native tongue.

Luk groaned. What did that mean? Shapeshift? What a strange way to describe death.

“But maybe you don’t feel like it’s time to shapeshift yet.”

“No, I’m too young . . .” The words faded into another groan. 

“Well, I can prevent the shapeshift and make you healthy,” the old man assured him. “I’m Ompa, the one you have come so far to see.”

Luk’s gaze lingered on the shaman as he considered his predicament. Finally, he nodded in agreement. “Yes, do what you can. I place myself in your hands.”

Ompa’s smile was as warm as the tropical sun. “I will be your guide along the journey as Amasanga heals.” With a respectful bow to Luk, the shamanic healing commenced. Ompa carefully picked up a plastic bottle and poured a viscous orange liquid into a shallow bowl before helping Luk sit up.

“Drink,” Ompa instructed, adding, “All of it.”

Luk obliged, grimacing as the bitter concoction assaulted his taste buds. “That’s disgusting.”

Ompa’s laugh sounded like dry leaves blowing across the ground as he slowly lowered his patient back on the cot. “Now, travel with the anaconda. Go into the dream that causes your sickness.” He placed one hand on Luk’s chest. “Heal here.”

Puzzled, Luk questioned, “Why there? It’s not my heart that’s sick. It’s much lower.” He gestured toward his lower abdomen. “Here.”

Ompa merely smiled. “Start here.” He tapped Luk’s chest again. “Bad spirits eating away at your life energy here. It’s time to change the dream. I will be with you.”

Luk recalled conversations between Steffy and her father about the indigenous people of Ecuador and their unique relationship with dreams. “The world is as you dream it,” they had claimed. Could something as grave as his illness truly be healed by merely dreaming differently?

As Ompa chanted softly in the background, Luk closed his eyes and entered a trance-like state, not as profound as the coma he had endured. It felt more like the dreams he was accustomed to. Then suddenly, a wave of nausea overcame him. Crawling to the edge of the hut’s raised floor, he began to vomit. Below him, a writhing mass of large worms squirmed on the ground. Were they real or merely figments of his dream? As he watched, the worms’ movements slowed, and they vanished one by one. With their disappearance, a heavy burden lifted from Luk’s heart, and he realized what they were: the worms of jealousy that had been feasting on his soul in recent days. With Ompa’s help, he returned to the pallet once the last worm had vanished.

“Now, change the dream… change the dream,” Ompa whispered gently.

He decided to follow his guide’s advice.  He closed his eyes and a few minutes later heard a new familiar voice, that of Stefania. 

“Do you know how much I love you, Luk?” 

The question catapulted Luk back in time. They were lying on a blanket on a gorgeous spring day on campus a few months after they’d started going out. He had felt his heart swell with the love they shared and experienced it even stronger now. Why had he ever doubted her? With that thought fresh in his mind, he drifted into a deep sleep. 

Zak, Cody and Friends 

Sunlight dappled through the thick canopy as the three members of the eco-team cautiously advanced into the clearing. The air hummed with the rich chorus of insects and the sweet perfume of tropical flowers. Ra-Kit raised a paw, halting their progress.

“Let me go first,” she said. “You two stay back just a bit. Cody is very friendly and used to two-legs, but I’m not sure about his friends.” She cast a sidelong glance at Sampson, who stood tall, his robust frame casting an imposing shadow. “And you’re big enough to frighten all of them.”

Zak and Sampson nodded in agreement.

Ra-Kit sauntered forward, her tail swishing gently, and purred softly to avoid startling the other animals. Upon catching sight of her, the squirrel monkey ceased its playful antics and roused the slumbering capybara. 

“We have visitors,” she whispered into Cody’s ear. “Is it…”

Before the squirrel monkey could complete her sentence, Cody leaped to his feet. “Ra-Kit! You came! Everyone, gather around. I want you to meet another of my good friends. I am so honored to have you visit my humble abode.”

Nestled amidst the vibrant foliage, a menagerie of creatures had assembled, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. Ra-Kit beamed at the warm reception. 

“I wished I was always so warmly welcomed. It’s good to see you again, Cody. I have two friends I brought along.” She turned and beckoned her companions forward. “This is my…my traveling companion, Sampson, and the two-leg is Zak. They are here to help in any way they can.”

Cody stepped forward, extending a courteous bow. “Welcome as well. I wasn’t sure if our troubles here would warrant a reply or not.”

“Why don’t you explain what’s going on here? The message I received was vague, to say the least.”

“Right,” Cody replied, his voice tinged with concern. “That was probably because my message to the Spiritual Frontier was far from precise. You may have seen part of the problem upon your arrival.”

“You mean the oil installation?” Sampson inquired, his brow furrowed.

Cody nodded solemnly. “Yes. It’s been here for years, much to our displeasure, but we have learned to live with it.”

“So, what’s the problem?” Ra-Kit asked, her whiskers twitching.

“We’ve heard a rumor that the oil company may be expanding their operation here.”

“Where did you hear that?” Ra-Kit questioned.

“From the local Achuar villagers. Their men are known for being powerful warriors who never back down from a fight. They have vowed not to allow any further intrusion from the North.”

“Thus the reason for the urgent call for help,” Ra-Kit surmised.

“That’s correct. We’re afraid that we’ll be caught in the middle of such a conflict. Our home and our very lives are in jeopardy. Can you help us?”

The plea for help tugged at Zak’s heart, but Ra-Kit’s reply caught him off guard.

“Yes, we can.”

Zak turned to her and whispered, “We can? How?”

“I’m still formulating a plan,” Ra-Kit whispered back.

“Oh, wonderful,” Cody responded, hope infusing his voice. “You must be hungry and tired after your travels. I’ll have my friends bring you some food and build you a temporary shelter for your two-legged comrade in case it rains tonight.”

“That would be most kind,” Zak replied, his voice warm and appreciative. “I could eat a…” He paused, suddenly aware of how mentioning any animal might sound, and coughed discreetly. “I mean, whatever you bring to eat will be fine.”

They gathered around a woven mat on the forest floor, indulging in a delectable vegetarian meal of succulent fruits and crisp, fresh vegetables, a colorful array harvested from the generous embrace of the jungle. The symphony of forest sounds accompanied their feast as the fading sunlight filtered through the lush canopy above, casting dappled shadows upon their faces.

With bellies full and hearts content, Zak and his fellow travelers exchanged stories and laughter with Cody and his friends, their voices mingling with the evening chorus of cicadas and tree frogs. The air was thick with the earthy fragrance of damp soil and the sweet scent of blossoms as twilight deepened into night.

Eventually, they retired to a cozy lean-to, skillfully crafted by a family of industrious squirrel monkeys. The structure, woven from sturdy branches and draped with large leaves, provided a sanctuary from the elements. They nestled among the soft moss and ferns, the forest’s lullaby cradling them as they drifted into a peaceful slumber. Unbeknownst to them, it would be the last quiet night they would enjoy for quite some time.

Luk

Strange Dream 

The following morning, Luk awoke more refreshed and energized than he’d felt in months and with a voracious appetite, something he hadn’t felt since before his diagnosis. As he sat up, he felt a little dizzy. Easy, boy, he thought. Feeling better but not a hundred percent yet. After all, over the past several weeks, he’d lost close to fifty pounds. It would take time to build up his reserves. But no time like the present to get started. 

“Well, wouldn’t it figure?” Steffy said from behind him. “I step outside to go pee, and you decide to wake up.”

“Yep,” Luk replied, turning in her direction and smiling. “I thought you’d never leave.” Then with a more serious tone, he continued. “Thank you so much for staying with me, not only these last few days, but from the very beginning. I’m sorry for having been such a jerk.”

Steffy walked over to give him a hug. “You’ve been under a lot of stress, and I told you months ago when you were diagnosed that I’d be with you for the long haul no matter what.” The two stood there for several seconds wrapped in each others’ arms. Finally, relaxing her grip, Steffy asked. “Do you feel like you could eat something?”

“Like an elephant,” Luk replied. “Though I don’t think we’ll find one here in the rainforest, so how about a leopard or a dozen monkeys?”

“Well, I was thinking more like some fruit for starters, but it sounds like you’re getting your appetite back, which is good.”

“Yes, it is,” Luk agreed. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve felt this good.” He looked around. “Was there a little old man here last night or was he part of my dream?”

Steffy laughed. “No, Ompa is here. He’s looking forward to talking with you. He’s offered to stay and interpret any dreams you might have had if you like.”

“Sure, that sounds great. I want to thank him for what he did last night, though I can hardly begin to understand it.”

“It’s all pretty mysterious to me as well,” Steffy agreed, “but sometimes we don’t need to understand everything. Like one of my professors used to say, ‘sometimes understanding is the booby prize.’”

Luk chuckled. “Really? What does that mean?”

Steffy put one arm around him and started guiding him to the dining hall. “I haven’t a clue.” She laughed and Luk joined in. It felt good to be able to laugh again. In fact, it felt really good to be alive.

Steffy and Luk joined Juan and Ompa in the lodge’s main meeting room, which included a lounge area, restaurant, and bar overlooking a beautiful lagoon surrounded by marshland teeming with a multitude of birds. The air was alive with their calls, and the fragrance of fresh fruit and brewing coffee filled the room.

As Luk finished his second helping of fruit and asked if he could get an order of bacon, eggs and toast, Steffy laughed. “Whoa, big boy. It’s great to see your appetite returning, but remember you need to take it easy after so long without one.”

“You’re right, of course,” Luk replied, then chuckled as he looked up to the waiter. “Okay, just bring me an order of eggs and toast. I should be able to digest those okay.”

As the waiter scurried off to place the order, Luk turned his attention to Ompa. “I know I’ve already said thanks for all you did for me last night, but I just need to find someway to repay you for your kindness.”

The old man’s eyes crinkled as he smiled, thought a moment longer, then replied, “Go home and let your people know that it’s time  to change the larger dream, the dream of the North that has grown into a nightmare for much of the rest of the world.”

Luk considered his words before replying. “Okay, I can do that, though I don’t know that many people will listen to me.”

“You will find a way,” Ompa replied then added. “Tell me, did you have any dreams that you’d care to share with me?”

Once more, Luk considered the question. “Well, I did have one, not so much a dream as a memory.” He paused again. “Wait a minute. There was something else. It’s a bit fragmented.”

Ompa nodded. He reached out one hand and rested it on Luk’s arm. “Close your eyes and call those fragments forth.”

Luk followed Ompa’s instructions. After a few seconds, he said, “There were two large birds flying around each other. I recognized one as an eagle, but I’m not sure what the other one was, but it was even larger.” Hearing Juan rustling through his daypack, Luk opened his eyes to find him leafing through a book. 

“Was this the second bird?” Juan asked as he held the book out for Luk to see.

“Yes, that’s it!”

“It’s a condor,” Juan confirmed. “A mighty bird, indeed.”

Ompa nodded. “Yes, and a very powerful and important dream. What else do you remember?”

Luk closed his eyes again. “At one point, it felt like I was looking through the eyes of the eagle. I could see an animal below me more clearly than I have ever seen anything from so far away.”

“And what did that animal look like? Did you recognize it?” Ompa asked.

“Not really. It was about the size of a medium-size dog, but not a dog. It had a short snout and cute ears that it kept flickering.” He opened his eyes to look at Ompa and the others.

Juan leafed through the book again for a few seconds before showing it to Luk. “Did it look like this?”

“Yes! That’s it. How did you know?”

Juan tapped the picture. “That’s a capybara. They’re common in this area. They are one of the largest rodents in the world, but they’re best known for how well they get along with other animals.”

“Yeah, well that would explain the other animals I saw around the capybara, but it doesn’t explain the other part of my dream.”

“What’s that?” Juan asked.

Luk hesitated before answering. “The surroundings looked much like here.”

“Well, that makes sense. This would be a likely spot to run into a capybara,” Juan pointed out.

“True,” Luk agreed, “but I also saw very clearly some kind of oil refinery or rig. I even remember smelling the foul odor coming from it. What would that be doing in such a pristine forest?”

He stared at his three companions, their expressions a blend of uncertainty and concern, the silence hanging heavy like humid air. After several seconds, Ompa said, “There is such a place…a place where capybaras can be found as well as oil being drawn from Pachamama. Sad but true. Let me ask you another question. How did the dream make you feel?”

“Hmm,” Luk murmured, his fingers absently tracing the edge of the table. “I felt… I don’t know. I felt a longing… no, more of a connection, a particularly strong one for the eagle. It felt like a kindred spirit, like we’ve known each other for years.”

Ompa nodded as he stood up. “Okay. That settles it.”

“What?” Luk asked. “What does that mean?”

“I will take you to where the capybara live among the oil field. It’s not far, down river an hour or so by canoe.”

“Oh, great, another canoe ride,” Luk said, attempting a smile that faltered as he glanced at Steffy. “Sounds like we’re on to our next adventure, Steffy, my love.”

But Steffy’s expression remained clouded with concern. “I think it would be best if you rested a day or two before heading out. You’ve been through a lot these last few days.”

Luk looked at her, weighing her words, and noticed Juan nodding his agreement. But something didn’t feel right about it. He felt an urgency that he couldn’t explain.

“Under normal circumstances, I would agree,” Luk began, his voice strained, “but there’s something going on that I can’t can’t account for.”

Seeing his two fellow travelers unconvinced, he was about to try again when he suddenly felt a tremor beneath his feet, followed a second later by a much stronger shaking that lasted for several seconds. The four of them exchanged wide-eyed glances until the shaking stopped.

“Earthquake,” Juan said, his voice steady. “That was a pretty strong one. They aren’t that uncommon around here. Ecuador is known for its volcanoes and earthquakes.”

“Amasanga and Pachamama argue from time to time,” Ompa added. “Nothing to fear.”

“That’s good to know,” Luk replied, his sense of urgency intensifying. He glanced at Steffy and recognized the determined look on her face. Time to think quickly.

“Listen, I’d like to go lie down for a little while.” He turned to Ompa. “Would you mind sitting with me in case I have any more dreams so you could help me interpret them?”

Ompa nodded. “Yes, happy to do so.”

Luk turned his attention to Juan. “I know you brought that fancy telescope along to do some birdwatching. Why not take Steffy along and introduce her to some of the wildlife in the area?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Juan replied.

“Sure, that sounds like fun, but are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you, Luk?”

“Nah, I’m just going to nap for a while. Ompa and I will be fine.”

“Okay, I’ll need to go back to my room to get my equipment,” Juan said. “I know of a trail not far from there that we can explore. It has some great spots for birdwatching.”

As Luk waited for the two of them to leave, he finished off his breakfast before turning to Ompa. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” Ompa replied with a sly smile on his face. “But I do not think you mean for us to go back to your room.”

“You’re right,” Luk said as he stood up. “I want us to visit the place I saw in my dream, but we need to head out before my friends return.”

Iya

 Earthquakes

Underneath the dense canopy of the jungle, Iya’s footsteps made gentle impressions on the lush, damp earth as she traced the meandering path of the river. A symphony of birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves accompanied her as she pondered her location on this vision quest. The rich scent of damp earth and decaying foliage filled her nostrils, and the taste of adventure lingered on her lips. With each step, she ventured further from the safety and familiarity of her village than she had ever dared before. At first, the thought of the distance exhilarated her, but as the sun climbed higher in the sky, her excitement waned and concern bloomed. How will I ever find my way back? The idea that her vision quest could take her far from the warmth of her loved ones began to weigh heavily on her heart.

She paused on her trek to wade into the cool, crystalline water of the river. The liquid embraced her, washing away her fears and quenching her thirst with its soothing touch. Refreshed, she resumed her walk with renewed vigor, her stomach finally rumbling its demand for sustenance.

Only one question continued to haunt her. How long would she be on this vision quest? She remembered hearing stories told during nightly gatherings around a fire about quests that had lasted for months even years. Funny, she thought. I’ve yearned to get away from home for years, and now when it looks like that may actually be my fate, all I want to do is be back where I belong. 

But is that really where you belong? She heard another voice within ask. You have longed for adventure and to live a life that matters. Perhaps this is what such a life is like. One filled with uncertainty for sure, but also many opportunities to trust your inner guidance.

As she continued walking, she felt and heard her stomach growl again. Whatever had been providing her with sustenance clearly needed some assistance. I must play more attention to what the forest could offer me in way of food, she thought. It wasn’t long before she was rewarded with a tree filled with ripe Camu Camu berries. Though bitter to the taste, Iya happily picked several of the walnut size fruits. She had grown to like the sour taste after her grandmother, Maria, shared how healthy they were and insisted her entire family learn to eat them.

Iya was able to balance the bitter taste a few minutes later when she came upon a wild Mango tree where the birds had left behind a few of the ripe fruit. Yes, my vision quest may be long, but as long as I remain in the forest, Amasanga will not let me go hungry.

As Iya followed the river’s serpentine path, she eventually encountered a small tributary that obstructed her way. The water seemed calm and inviting, and she considered either wading or swimming across the gentle current. But a voice within her, the voice of the adventurer, urged her to explore the tributary instead.

Veering left, she traced the edge of the stream, the dappled sunlight casting a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow on the water’s surface. Soon, she glimpsed a clearing ahead, and the sound of mysterious barks and high-pitched whistles reached her ears. Her heart fluttered with anticipation–could her spirit animal be near? 

She approached the clearing cautiously. No need to rush into anything. She peered through the bushes to find herself at the edge of a small tranquil lagoon, its turquoise waters reflecting the brilliance of the sky. A gathering of tan-colored capybaras lounged on the shoreline, accompanied by an assortment of other creatures. So, not exactly my spirit animal but then again, who knew for sure? Maybe it had taken on physical form and was hiding among this small family. 

As she continued to study the scene, she saw a large black animal with a shaggy coat. Is that a bear? Unlikely, she thought. Not in this area and what’s that small animal sitting next to it. As she watched, it began cleaning itself. A cat, no question, and is that a dog next to it? If so, it was the largest dog she had ever seen. 

Iya squinted her eyes shut, her lashes brushing against her sun-kissed cheeks, and then opened them again, hoping to see more clearly. In that instant, the most astonishing sight unveiled itself: a young, fair-skinned boy clad in a vibrant red t-shirt and jeans, attire that reminded her of the garments her teacher had often worn. The boy’s presence in the heart of the jungle was a conundrum, sparking a flurry of questions in Iya’s mind. What in the world is he doing here?

Determined to unravel the mystery, she resolved to approach the boy. As she reached out to part the bushes, their leaves brushing against her fingertips, the ground beneath her began to quiver. The initial tremor gave way to an even stronger shaking, as if the earth itself was shuddering in anticipation. Iya paused at the edge of the clearing, her heart pounding in her chest, waiting for the quake to subside before daring to proceed.

The vibrations gradually eased, and Iya gathered her courage, stepping forward into the clearing. Well, that certainly should get their attention, she mused as she entered the sunlit space, her curiosity and bravery guiding her toward the unknown.

Zak 

Iya’s Smile

Nestled beneath the shelter of a leafy lean-to, Zak listened to the rainforest awakening around him, the symphony of morning calls and rustling foliage a lullaby to his drowsy senses. He stretched languidly, his muscles aching from the day before, and rolled over, hoping to catch a few more moments of precious sleep. However, his slumbering solitude was interrupted as he noticed his two furry companions were no longer snuggled beside him. He sighed, expecting a reprieve, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Wake up, sleepy head,” Ra-Kit said as she entered. “Breakfast is almost ready.” 

At the mention of food, Zak realized how hungry he was and how delicious a large plate of eggs, bacon, and toast would taste right now. He closed his eyes and imagined walking into the kitchen as Calida placed the final touches on such a breakfast. Yes, that would be so tasty, he thought. But, alas,  I’m far from home, far from Calida, and her cooking.

Suddenly, the weight of a large cat pressed down upon Zak’s chest. “Are you going to sleep all day? Don’t forget we have lives to save.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Zak replied, rolling over and unceremoniously depositing Ra-Kit on the ground. “What is for breakfast?”

“You’ll have to come look for yourself,” Ra-Kit replied, her whiskers twitching with amusement. She turned to leave, but glanced behind her. “And no falling back to sleep.”

“You know me too well,” Zak conceded, rising to join the others.

As they approached the conclave of capybaras, he noticed several other animals sitting around a spread of lush green plants, an assortment of grasses, and leafy ones that appear to have been plucked from the river’s edge.

“What is this?” Zak asked.

“Why, breakfast, of course,” Ra-Kit replied, her tail flicking playfully. “Cody and his friends have spent quite some time gathering a wide assortment since they weren’t sure what you would prefer.”

Zak stared at the plants laid out in front of him, then back to Ra-Kit. What do I say? He wondered. Certainly he couldn’t be expected to live off of such food. It might be fine for a capybara but not for a growing boy. But how to let his host know this without hurting his feelings?

“Well, aren’t you going to join us?” Sampson asked as he pointed to a clump of grass that looked like it could have been plucked from Zak’s front yard back home.

Zak sighed deeply then started to sit down next to Sampson.

“No, no, not there,” Ra-Kit admonished him. “Over there.” She pointed to her left. There, two nimble spider monkeys stood beside a pile of broad leaves, which they lifted to reveal a tantalizing array of fruits and nuts.  “That’s your breakfast,” Ra-Kit said and started laughing with the rest of the animals joining in as well.

Zak’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he soon joined in the laughter. “Okay, okay. I get it. You pulled a fast one on me. I have to say, this looks far more appetizing to me.” He glanced over to Cody.  “Thank you.”

“Certainly. My pleasure,” Cody replied. “Eat up. We have a big day ahead of us.”

Just as Zak opened his mouth to inquire about the day’s plan, an unexpected tremor shuddered beneath his feet, swiftly followed by a more intense vibration that persisted for several heartbeats. As he attempted to comprehend the startling occurrence, his attention was drawn to a subtle movement at the edge of the sun-dappled clearing.

Stepping forth from the shadows was a young native girl with an ethereal grace. She was adorned in a peasant-style blouse that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze, her neck draped with intricate beaded necklaces that glinted in the sunlight. A headdress crafted from lush, green leaves crowned her head, complementing the cascade of her dark, shimmering hair.

As Zak’s eyes met hers, he was struck by her enchanting beauty, her radiant presence eclipsing any memory of loveliness he had ever known. Then, her lips curled into a captivating smile that seemed to illuminate the very air around her. In that moment, Zak knew she wasn’t just one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen; she was, without a doubt, the most breathtakingly gorgeous girl to ever grace his vision. And that mesmerizing smile – it was directed solely at him.

Wendell 

Oil Rig

As he made his way to the installation deep in the rainforest, Wendell couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt and uncertainty that had taken hold of him. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he also knew that speaking out could cost him his job and even put his family in danger. 

Wendell checked his Rolex watch, feeling a sense of impatience rising within him. He turned to the helicopter pilot next to him. “How much longer until we arrive?”

“Less than an hour,” the pilot replied. He gestured to the breathtaking scenery below them. “Why not relax and enjoy the view?”

Wendell huffed out a bitter laugh. Because it’s just a bunch of trees, he thought to himself, but he obliged and glanced down below. The view was truly magnificent, and yet it only served to make him feel more conflicted. Consolidated Enterprises’ insatiable desire for profit was driving them to destroy the natural world, and it sickened Wendell to be a part of it.

As they flew over the rainforest, Wendell couldn’t help but think of his own family and the world he was leaving for his children. The thought of CE’s plans to destroy this pristine wilderness and the installations they were building sent a chill down his spine. “No distance was too great, no government too eco-friendly, nothing would keep CE from fulfilling their mission,” he thought bitterly.

“Why so long?” he shouted to the pilot over the roar of the helicopter blades.

“We’re needing to skirt around some nasty weather,” the pilot replied. “Remember, we’re in a rainforest. Weather is always an issue. You don’t want to mess with Mother Nature, right?”

Wendell snorted. Sure, he thought to himself, except everywhere you turned these days, humans were constantly messing with her. As they continued their journey, Wendell felt a deep sense of guilt and regret for his role in this destructive industry.

Zak 

Akai’s Warning

The air was thick with the fragrance of damp earth and the chorus of the rainforest, the vibrant greens of leaves and foliage creating an enchanting kaleidoscope. Zak watched, hypnotized, as a young girl, with sun-kissed skin and ebony hair cascading down her back, weaved her way gracefully through the cacophony of lush vegetation. Her bare feet danced over the damp forest floor as her bright, cerulean eyes sparkled with curiosity. She continued to smile the whole time, her face radiating warmth.

As she came within a couple yards of Zak and his eclectic group of animal friends, she halted, placing one slender hand on her chest and spoke for the first time.

“Iya,” she said in a soft, melodious voice that reminded Zak of a gentle breeze through the rainforest canopy. When Zak didn’t respond, she repeated the word, then pointed to him.

Oh, I see, Zak thought. That must be her name. He returned the smile. “Zak, Zak Bates.”

Iya stared at him for several seconds, a quizzical look on her face.

“Zak…Zak?” A confused expression shifted to one of recognition. “Not Yak, but Zak! You must be the eagle I was to meet.”

It was now Zak’s time to look confused, both by the fact that this girl from the rainforest could speak English so well while at the same time making no sense.

“It’s nice to meet you, Iya,” Zak replied. “I’m working towards my Eagle Scout badge but I’m not there yet. My brother, Luk, already has his though.”

“No, not Luk, but Zak,” Iya repeated. “You were in my dream as a mighty eagle come to help us change the dream.” She glanced around at the others. “Who are your friends?”

“Oh, sorry,” Zak replied. He pointed to the giant dog standing next to him. “This is Sampson, and that,” he pointed to the black cat, “is Ra-Kit. We call ourselves the eco-adventure team.” He pointed to Cody and the other animals. “This is Cody and, he needs our help.”

Iya nodded to each of them. “What kind of help?”

Well that’s getting right to the point, Zak thought. He appreciated people who didn’t dawdle around, especially when they were as captivating as Iya. “Cody tells us that there are some warriors of a nearby village threatening war against those who have been drilling for oil.”

Iya stared at him for several seconds as she processed this information. “So, you speak to capybaras?”

Oops, Zak thought. How do I explain that? He opened his mouth to attempt to do so, but before he could figure out what to say, Ra-Kit intervened.

“It is I who have given Zak the means to communicate with animals.”

Iya blinked several times taking all this in. “And how is it that I’m able to understand you?” She asked.

“What my friend didn’t explain is that I’m a magic cat, one of the last ones alive. We were sent here by the Spiritual Frontier to help our friends.”

Iya remained silent as she considered this startling news, finally replying. “I see. Magic, huh? I’m familiar with such powers. My grandfather is a mighty shaman.” She hesitated again before adding. “And, well, so am I, or at least I am being trained to be one.” She straightened herself. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I thank you for your willingness to help. I had heard from my grandfather that one of the neighboring villages near us had become increasingly displeased with what is happening in these parts.”

Ra-Kit turned to Zak and whispered, her velvety voice barely audible, “She’s an important piece of the puzzle.”

Zak frowned. What puzzle, he thought, but before he could explore it further, Iya continued.

“So, how can I help?”

“See?” Ra-Kit whispered again just as a sudden movement in the lagoon drew everyone’s attention as a large pink dolphin broke the surface of the tranquil water, chittering excitedly. Zak stared in stunned silence at the dolphin and noticed its skin appeared blotchy with a dark substance he didn’t recognize.

“What is it, Akai?” Cody asked as he ran to her. “What’s wrong, and what’s that nasty mess on you?

“It’s oil,” she replied in an excited high-pitch voice, her eyes wide with distress. “There’s been an oil spill down the river!”

“Oh, no!” Cody exclaimed, his heart sinking. “That recent earthquake must have caused it.” He turned to the family of spider monkeys, their nimble limbs and alert expressions ready to help. “Take some of those leaves and help clean my friend.”

They all nodded and went to work, their quick movements forming a coordinated dance of aid.

“Can you show us where it happened?”

Akai nodded. “It’s not far away. One of the pipes must have burst and it’s leaking into the river.”

All thoughts of food vanished as Zak prepared to follow Akai and Cody to investigate the accident. As they prepared to leave, the quiet solitude of the rainforest was interrupted by a growing whirling sound familiar to Zak but foreign to the forest. Several seconds later, a helicopter flew over head on its way to the oil installation. 

He watched in stunned silence as it flew over, then as he turned back to Iya and his animal friends, he thought he saw movement on the edge of the clearing; three dark faces with brightly colored paint markings. He blinked in an effort to see them better but when he opened his eyes again, they were gone. Had he even seen them or had he imagined them? No, there had been something there, and the looks on their faces were stern and angry. Not anyone he’d care to run into especially not in the wilds of South America.

After hurriedly scarfing down some of the breakfast and packing the rest to eat later, Iya, Zak and the eco-team followed Cody along the river’s edge as the family of spider monkeys helped clear a path. Despite the monkeys’ help, walking was slow going since the pathway had become overgrown from lack of use. The rich scent of decaying leaves mingled with the distant scent of oil as they trudged through the dense foliage. It took close to an hour before they reached their ominous destination.

At one point while the monkeys were busy clearing a particularly thick area of bushes and vines, Cody paused and sniffed the air. “We’re getting close,” he announced. “I can smell the earth’s blood.”

Zak turned to Ra-Kit. “What’s he talking about, the earth’s blood?”

“Oil,” Ra-Kit replied, her emerald eyes gleaming. “Many animals know it for what it truly is, not what it has come to be for you humans.” 

Zak paused to consider Cody’s perspective. It made sense to him. It’s like my species has become parasites living on Earth, not all that different from an infestation of fleas upon a dog or cat. While working at Dr. George’s veterinary clinic, he’d seen cases of severely anemic puppies who had been drained of their life-giving blood by a massive case of fleas. 

As they continued their journey, it wasn’t long before Zak detected a foul odor, a cross between gasoline and rotten eggs.“Ugh! Is that from the oil spill?”

Sampson nodded. “No doubt. The rotten smell is from the sulfur.”

“Something that smells that bad can’t be good for you.”

“No, indeed,” Sampson agreed. “Oil spills cause such tremendous damage to the plant and animal life when they occur, and unfortunately, they happen much more often than most people realize, in part because the oil industry spends millions of dollars to keep their bad business practices as quiet as possible.”

“Not to mention that many two-legs act more like ostriches keeping their head stuck in the ground,” Ra-Kit said, then added, “By the way, ostriches don’t actually stick their heads in the ground, but you humans sure have gotten good at it.”

Akai surfaced close to them, her pink skin glinting in the dappled sunlight. “It’s not far,” she confirmed. “Just on the other side of those trees.”

Cody nodded. “You better stay here. I don’t want you getting stuck in the oil spill again.”

Akai chittered her agreement. “I’m feeling a little better but still not that great.”

The spider monkeys led the way, and as they reached the line of trees Akai had pointed out, the smell grew worse. Zak felt a nauseous feeling begin to build in the pit of his stomach and was thankful that he’d not eaten much breakfast after all.

The feeling only worsened as they reached the oil spill and saw the dark brown, almost black molasses-thick fluids pouring from a crack in one of the pipes that ran about twenty yards from the river’s edge. They all stood there for several seconds frozen by the sight before them. How in the world are we going to fix this, Zak wondered, a feeling of resignation growing in the pit of his stomach. 

He turned to Ra-Kit. Perhaps she had some magical spell she could use, but he was met with a similar forlorn look on her face as she shook her head to the unspoken question that passed between them. 

Wendell

Bad News 

Wendell waited for the pilot to give him the go-ahead before exiting the helicopter as the blades overhead continued to spin. The cacophony of the rotors sliced through the humid air while the sun-bleached asphalt of the helipad radiated heat, creating a shimmering mirage. He instinctively crouched down as his feet landed on the helipad, even though the spinning blades were well out of reach.

He ran towards the two men who stood several yards away. He recognized the burly form of Nathan Whitehall, the gruffly outspoken manager of the oil installation. Wendell did not recognize the smaller man who, like Nathan, was dressed in the khaki coveralls with the CE emblam on their chest. Nathan and he had a continguous relationship, in large part because it was Wendell’s job to be sure that the oil installation’s operations met all the environmental regulations set on them by Ecuador. 

Unfortunately, Nathan felt it more important to keep the oil flowing no matter what. If that meant bending some of the rules, or even ignoring them entirely, that was okay with him. To make matters worse, Wendell’s superior back at CE headquarters tended to side with Nathan which regularly placed Wendell square in the middle of a untenable situation…like the one they were likely to face today. 

The three men waited for the helicopter engine to stop so they could talk without shouting at each other. Shouting will no doubt come later, Wendell thought. No need to start out that way. He shook Nathan’s hand, steadying himself for the bear-like grip of the larger man, just one of the psychological ploys the CE manager performed to challenge his dominance of his superior.

“Before we jump into the matters of those ridiculous regulations you love to harp about,” Nathan said, “We have a much bigger problem.” He pointed to the short man standing next to him. “This is Jag. I’ll let him fill you in.”

“My crew noticed a drop in pressure earlier this morning, not long after an earth tremor that lasted several seconds,” Jag said with a thick accent. 

“That can’t be good,” Wendell replied. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

Jag and Nathan nodded. “We’ve an oil leak in one of the pipelines. We’ve assembled a team to track it down and fix it.”

“Well, have we stopped pumping in the meantime?” Wendell asked.

“Hell, no,” Nathan replied, his eyes blazing with defiance. “That would mean shutting down the whole operation. Need I remind you we’ve got quotas to meet. Once we isolate the source of the leak, we should be able to shut down that line, repair the pipe, and be back in full operations in no time.”

“But in the meantime, the oil will continue to leak into the area.” Wendell pointed out, the acrid smell of petroleum already tickling his nostrils. “How much damage to the environment are we talking about?”

Nathan shrugged, his massive shoulders barely moving. “Nothing we can’t deal with. It’s not like we’re in a thickly populated area. This is not like a leak in the Gulf of Mexico or something. We’ve just a few small tribes of the indigenous kind. Nothing to worry yourself about.”

Wendell was about to reply when Jag pulled a walkie-talkie out of his back pocket, the worn plastic catching the late afternoon sun. He held it up to one ear as the static crackled, punctuating the heavy silence. After a few seconds, he turned to Wendell and Nathan, his eyes filled with urgency. “They’ve located the leak. It’s in channel 6B, the pipe that runs along the river.”

“Is that one that we can shut down by itself?” Wendell asked.

“Yeah, for sure,” Nathan replied, his tone dismissive. “At least for a little while, long enough to fix the leak.”

Wendell thought he saw a look of worry appear on Jag’s face the creases around his eyes deepening. “What’s the problem, Jag? What aren’t you telling me?”

Jag stared at his boss, a conflict of emotions playing across his features, but didn’t reply.

“Go on,” Wendell prompted him, his impatience. “I’m giving you a direct order.”

Reluctantly, Jag spoke up. “When a pipeline is shut down pressure in the other lines begin to build. If one of the lines is shut down for too long, the increasing pressure could cause leaks to appear elsewhere.”

Wendell groaned, his stomach twisting in knots. “So, what starts out as a single leak could escalate into multiple ones. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” Jag replied. “This is an old installation. The newer ones don’t have this issue.”

Wendell thought for a moment, his eyes scanning the horizon, where dark clouds gathered ominously. “Okay, so we’ll just need to be quick about the repair. Let’s get to it.”

Nathan nodded, an angry scowl still on his face that he directed at Jag. “You stay here. Once we locate the leak I’ll radio you so you can shut off the pipeline. I’ll use some of that new sealant we got in last week. That should do the trick.”

Wendell noticed Jag flinch again at his boss’s words but decided he’d already gotten the poor man in enough trouble with his boss for one day so he decided to let it pass for now, but made a mental note for later.

“Come on, we’ll take the four-wheeler,” Nathan said, the engine roaring to life as they sped off, dust billowing behind them in their race against time

Luk 

River Ride

Luk observed the old man skillfully steering the canoe down the sun-dappled river, the rhythmic sound of the paddle dipping into the water creating a soothing cadence. The serene surroundings seemed a world away from the relentless pace of his life back in the states. He could envision himself adapting to this peaceful existence… now that he had one. The thought brought a warm smile to his face. For the first time in several months since receiving the cancer diagnosis, he felt a genuine sense of hope and excitement for the future that lay ahead. Life tasted sweeter than ever.

“How much farther?” He called to Ompa.

“Almost there,” Ompa replied, his voice carrying over the gentle rush of the river. “Just around the bend, we should start seeing some of the pipelines that come from the installation.”

Luk nodded, a twinge of regret dampening his spirits. He had been thoroughly enjoying the ride, but the mention of their destination stirred a sense of unease within him, an inexplicable feeling that had lingered ever since Ompa first revealed the existence of such a place.

A few minutes later as they rounded the bend in the river Luk caught a foul odor on the breeze. “What’s that smell?”

Ompa turned to look at him. “Oil,” he replied, “Stronger than I’ve smelled it before. Not good.” A moment later as the pipeline came into view, he added. “Oh no.”

“What is it?” Luk asked but then saw the thick stream of black oil flowing into the river. “Oh, no is right.”   

Ompa ceased paddling and placed the paddle in the canoe beside him. Raising his hands skyward, he began to chant in a language unfamiliar to Luk. The anguish in Ompa’s voice reverberated through the forest, and a wave of shame washed over Luk as he realized that the insatiable greed of his own people was responsible for this violation of nature. But the shock of what he saw next temporarily eclipsed his guilt.

“Wait, hold on. What’s that?” Luk stammered, pointing several yards from the oil spill. “Is that…? No, it can’t be.” He retrieved a pair of binoculars from his daypack, initially intended for birdwatching. As he adjusted the focus, his breath hitched in disbelief. Somehow, against all odds, he found himself staring at his younger brother, Zak.

“What’s wrong?” Ompa asked.

“That’s my brother, Zak,” Luk said pointing to the young boy who was now staring back at him and pointing as well. “But who’s that standing next to him?”

Ompa followed Luk’s gaze before responding. “That’s my granddaughter, Iya,” he explained, his tone surprisingly unruffled by her presence.

“Can we come to shore without getting caught in that nasty gunk?”

“Yes,” Ompa affirmed, skillfully guiding the canoe towards the shore several yards upstream from the oil’s point of entry. As they neared the bank, he added, “This must be part of Iya’s dream coming true.”

Luk was about to inquire further about the dream when the rumble of an approaching engine interrupted him. Ompa had just pulled the canoe ashore when a dark green four-wheeler burst through the underbrush. For the second time in mere minutes, Luk’s eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld the two men on the vehicle. “Holy cow, one of those men is my dad!” A flurry of questions raced through his mind, and Luk wondered if he himself was trapped in some bizarre dream.

Zak

Oil Spill

Zak gazed at the viscous stream of oil as it slithered into the pristine river, his heart aching with a blend of frustration and helplessness. He shifted his gaze to Ra-Kit and Sampson, their presence reminding him of their shared responsibility. We’re the eco-adventure team, he thought, determined to halt this desecration of the earth’s natural beauty. But how?

Kneeling down beside Ra-Kit, he was about to urge her into action when he noticed her sitting serenely with her eyes closed, seemingly lost in deep contemplation. He patiently waited for her to open her eyes and utter a magical incantation to halt the oil leak. But she remained in her meditative state, an air of tranquility surrounding her.

“What are you doing?” Zak finally asked, his patience waning.

Ra-Kit leisurely opened her eyes, her expression suggesting she was emerging from a profound reverie. “A few of the pieces are still missing,” she replied cryptically.

“What in the world are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, she pointed towards the river. “Here they come. We’re getting closer.”

Zak followed the direction of the magical cat’s outstretched paw, and his eyes widened as he beheld two men paddling a dugout canoe in their direction. As the vessel neared, Zak couldn’t believe the sight before him. He closed his eyes, rubbing them vigorously, and when he opened them again, the impossible still stood. But there could be no mistake – the man in the front of the canoe was his older brother, Luk.

“What in the world is he doing here?” Zak blurted out, taken aback when Iya responded.

“That’s Ompa, my grandfather. I don’t recognize the other man.”

Zak stared at Iya, disbelief etched across his features. “That’s my brother, the Eagle Scout I mentioned before. But he’s supposed to be thousands of miles away.”

“Well, maybe,” Iya replied, her tone matter-of-fact, “but clearly he’s here.”

“Yep, more pieces of the puzzle coming together,” Ra-Kit muttered enigmatically. “We’re getting closer.”

Closer to what? Zak pondered. But before he could voice his question, a new sound shattered the rainforest’s tranquility. Seconds later, a four-wheeler burst through the underbrush, barreling straight towards them.

Zak groaned at the implausible sight before him. One of the men in the vehicle bore an uncanny resemblance to his father, and as the realization struck him, he understood why. It was indeed his father, clinging desperately to the handhold as the four-wheeler jolted along, his face a mask of shock at the sight of his younger son.

“It’s almost time,” Ra-Kit declared. “More pieces have just arrived.”

“So we’ll be able to repair the leak?” Zak asked, a glimmer of hope in his voice.

“Yes, and far more than that if we all play our part,” Ra-Kit replied cryptically. “Far, far more.”

Luk

Bates Reunion

Zak watched as his father climbed out of the rugged buggy, the tropical sun casting a warm glow on his sweat-slicked face. His expression flitted between perplexity and consternation as he approached Zak through the dense undergrowth.

“What in the world are you doing here?” Wendell asked, his voice taut with barely restrained emotion.

“I might ask you the same thing,” Zak replied, instantly regretting his words as he saw his father’s eyes flash with anger.

“I’m here to fix that,” Wendell replied, pointing to the oil leak with a determined gesture. “Remember, I work for C.E. However, last time I checked, I’m the only one on the C.E. payroll in the family, so I’m still waiting for your explanation.”

“Well, I’m glad to see you,” Zak said, hoping to dodge the question he didn’t know how to answer. “We’re here for the same reason, but we hadn’t figured out how to repair it.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Wendell persisted, his gaze piercing Zak. “How did you get here? Wait a minute. Calida told me she’d seen some charges on the credit card she couldn’t explain. She thought I might have used the wrong card. Did you…”

Zak shook his head, feeling the weight of his father’s scrutiny. “That wasn’t me, Dad, honest.”

“Okay, but I’m still waiting for an explanation.”

Zak squirmed under his father’s stern gaze, the humidity making his skin prickle. There was only one explanation: the truth. Besides, he didn’t have time to concoct a more plausible story.

“Well, Dad, you know those stories I’ve been writing and posting on my blog?”

“Yeah,” Wendell replied, his brow furrowed. “The ones with a magic cat and a flying dog? What about them?”

Zak pointed to his two companions, their fur shimmering in the dappled sunlight. “Meet Ra-Kit and Sampson.” Wendell’s face contorted into an expression of disbelief. “The stories are true… well, mostly true. I may have embellished my role in them a bit.”

Wendell opened his mouth to say something, but all that emerged was a strangled sound, a cross between a cough and a grunt. Zak pointed down to the river, where his older brother was climbing out of a canoe with an old man beside him. “Guess who else just arrived.”

Wendell turned to see Luk, his astonishment palpable. “This is crazy!” He finally managed to say. “Wait a minute.” He snapped his fingers as the mysterious credit card charges came to mind. “Boy, does he have some explaining to do.” But as he said it, Zak recognized the relieved tone in his father’s voice.

“This seems to be an odd place to hold a Bates family reunion,” Wendell said as Luk approached, a sheepish grin on his face. “I must say you’re looking far better than the last time I saw you, though.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m feeling two hundred percent better.” Luk pointed to Ompa. “He’s been a godsend in many ways.”

Ompa bowed before turning to Iya. “I see your vision quest continues.”

“Yes, grandfather,” Iya replied, then ran over to give him a hug. “I followed my capybara here, though for what purpose I’m still unclear.”

“I’m sure it will all be revealed in due time for all of us,” Ompa said, his voice soothing like a gentle breeze.

“Well, the immediate order of business is to stop that leak.” Wendell’s voice was firm, slicing through the humid air as he turned to Nathan, the other man who had driven the four-wheeler. “Nathan, radio Jag that we’ve arrived and instruct him to turn off the flow long enough for us to patch it.”

Nathan unclipped the walkie-talkie from his belt, its metallic sound echoing softly in the rainforest. Within a couple of minutes, the oil flow ceased, its oily sheen no longer polluting the river. Meanwhile, Nathan and Wendell returned to their vehicle, the sound of their boots crunching on the leaf-strewn ground, and began removing equipment to make the repair.

Just as they were starting the repair, Zak heard the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs from the surrounding bushes. Six men emerged, dressed in indigenous attire, their faces adorned with vibrant paint. A sense of foreboding washed over Zak as he noticed that each man carried either a spear or a long narrow tube, except for the tallest one, who wielded a menacing rifle.

The one with the rifle stepped forward, his posture proud and assertive, and nodded to Ompa.

“Hello, Tucups,” Ompa said, returning the nod with a sense of familiarity.

“You are far from your village. You should return home. This business is not your concern,” Tucups replied, his voice firm and unwavering.

“And what business is that?” Ompa asked, his curiosity piqued.

Zak suddenly realized he could understand the two men’s conversation, even though they spoke in a foreign language—an unexpected gift from Ra-Kit’s spell. Luk and his father, however, wore confused expressions, clearly not sharing this newfound ability.

Tucups gestured toward Wendell, Nathan, and the others with a sweeping motion. “These are now our hostages.”

“Hostages?” Ompa asked, his eyebrows knitting together. “What for?”

Tucups pointed to the oil pipeline, his eyes full of determination. “We have asked the people from the North to stop bleeding Pachamama, and yet they persist. We now hear that they have plans to build more places. We cannot allow it.”

“But as you can see, these men have stopped the leak and are about to repair it, so it will not continue into the river,” Ompa reasoned.

Wendell stepped forward, his face a blend of concern and defiance, but stopped abruptly as Tucups raised his rifle. “Ompa, what is he saying?” When Ompa explained the situation, Wendell continued, “Tell him we must act quickly, or there will be more leaks.”

Ompa began to convey Wendell’s words, but Tucups cut him off. “I understand his language, but I do not trust his words. The speech of the people from the North is lazy. They are loose with the truth.”

Wendell

Taking a Stand

Beneath the vibrant green canopy of the Ecuadorian rainforest, Wendell listened intently to the warrior chief, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. Dappled sunlight illuminated the beads of sweat on his dark, weathered skin as he spoke with passion and conviction. Wendell had to admit he understood the man’s viewpoint. He’d even been part of several earlier negotiations where C.E. had made promises to the indigenous people, only to ignore them later when it served their purposes. The damp earth released its pungent scent as Wendell took a deep breath, feeling the moist air fill his lungs. He was about to accept his fate of becoming a hostage, but then stopped when he saw his two sons staring at him, their eyes wide with concern and determination.

“Dad, say something,” Zak pleaded, his voice trembling slightly.

“Yeah, you can’t let this happen when you know you have the means to stop it,” Luk added, his voice firm and resolute. “It’s time you took a stand.” He looked to Zak and then back to Wendell. “We’ll stand with you. We understand it will put your job in jeopardy and what that could mean for our family.” He paused to take a deep breath, then seeing Zak nod his agreement, continued. “And we don’t care. It’s time to do the right thing, not just for our family but for the planet and all its inhabitants.” He waved his arms in the air, taking in the majesty of their surroundings – the towering trees, the vivid foliage, and the symphony of birdsong and insect chatter.

Wendell chewed on his lower lip, taking in his older son’s words. He remembered the filing cabinet of materials chronicling Consolidated Enterprises’ transgressions around the world. Though he’d been collecting it for over a decade, he’d never planned to use it but now…? Besides the power his position in upper management gave him, he realized the information in his possession gave him far more power than probably anyone else in the company, including the C.E.O., But do I have the courage to use it? Wendell wondered. Maybe not on my own, but he wasn’t alone. He had his two incredible sons, not to mention the indigenous people of Ecuador. Look at these two friends of my sons, Ompa and Iya, their faces painted with vibrant red and black designs, their eyes filled with a fierce determination. Come to think of it, Tucups and his warriors only wanted to do whatever they needed to do to save their home from the destructive forces from the North. He was far from alone.

Wendell took a deep breath and, as he slowly let it out, straightened his shoulders as he stepped forward. But once again, Tucup’s motion with his rifle and the raised spears of the other warriors stopped him, their faces a mix of suspicion and caution.

“Enough of this!” He heard Nathan shout as he made a dash to the cart. Wendell watched as one of the warriors raised his blowgun to his lips and a moment later, a small dart hit Nathan in the neck, but he kept running until he reached the vehicle where he reached into the glove compartment for the handgun he kept there. He was just lifting it to take aim when he wavered on his two legs, caught his balance, then wavered again before falling to the ground. A long silence followed as everyone watched Nathan fall but continued to breathe.

“It is time.” The mysterious voice seemed to float through the humid air, like a whisper carried on the wind. Wendell looked around, his eyes finally resting on the old black cat that Zak had identified as Ra-Kit. Its fur glistened like dark silk in the dappled sunlight as it leaped gracefully onto the giant dog’s back, turning its attention to Ompa and Iya. “Please join me in calling forth the spirit of the forest.” As impossible as it appeared, there was no mistaking that the words were coming from the cat. Well, Zak had claimed his friend was a magic cat, Wendell thought, feeling the weight of the ancient trees around him. And I may be going mad, but I sure hope it knows what it’s doing.

He watched as Ra-Kit raised its front paws in the air, her eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity. Ompa and Iya, adorned in vibrant tribal attire, raised their arms in a similar motion. Within seconds, Wendell felt a calming energy envelop him as a gentle breeze stirred the leaves and danced around everyone. The air crackled with an electric charge, reminiscent of the tension that precedes a thunderstorm. As Ompa and Iya began to chant, their voices harmonizing with the sounds of the forest, Wendell noticed the warriors grow quiet. All except for Tucups, who attempted to speak, only to find his voice silenced.

After a minute more, a serene calmness washed over the group, and even Tucups’ features softened into a peaceful expression. “Listen… listen to the spirit of the forest,” Ompa urged, his voice barely more than a whisper, yet it carried easily to everyone. “Peace is the way. Listen and be calm.” 

A minute or two passed before Iya spoke, her words resonating with a profound truth far beyond her years. “It is time for the Condor,” she pointed to Ompa, Tucups and his warriors before placing one hand on her heart, “and the Eagle,” she pointed to Wendel, Luke, and Zak, “to fly together. It will take time, and that time begins today.”

A sense of unity and purpose blossomed in Wendell’s chest, making him believe that this future was possible. However, one immediate problem remained. He glanced at the unconscious Nathan lying on the ground, a victim of his own rash actions. He’s the only one who knows how to complete the repair. Then he recalled his two sons’ words to him a minute ago. He studied their earnest faces for a moment, then made his decision.

Wendell walked slowly over to the fallen rig boss, the scent of damp earth and foliage filling his nostrils as he bent down and picked up the walkie-talkie. He turned around to see Tucups staring at him, a look of suspicion clouding his face. “Perhaps my words mean little to you, so let my actions speak.” He switched on the walkie-talkie, and a moment later, Jag’s voice crackled through.

“Jag, this is Wendell Bates. I’m ordering you to shut down the pipeline.”

“But I already have. I’m afraid we’re only a few minutes away from other leaks if—”

“Not if we shut down the whole operation, which is what I’m ordering you to do.”

“But what about the quota?”

“Let me deal with that,” Wendell replied. “Shut it all down, and it’s to remain down until further notice from me. Do you understand?”

“Loud and clear, Boss,” Jag said enthusiastically. “Doing it now.”

Wendell shut off the walkie-talkie, its static fizzling into silence, and turned back to Tucups. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and determination burned in his eyes. “I don’t know how long I can keep the pump station shut down. However, over the years that I’ve been with the company, I’ve collected a lot of information on illegal and immoral practices C.E. has performed here and in other locations around the world. I believe it will be enough to get their attention and to listen, maybe for the first time.”

Wendell paused, casting a tender gaze at his sons, their faces a mixture of hope and fear, bathed in the dappled light filtering through the canopy above. He continued, “I will go with you willingly as your hostage if that is what you believe to be best, but I believe I can be far more effective back at C.E.’s headquarters.”

The two men stared at each other, the tension between them as palpable as the humid air that enveloped them. Tucups, his face adorned with traditional paint, finally nodded. “You will speak for us?”

Wendell nodded, his expression resolute. “I will speak for you, and for all the creatures of all the rainforests around the world.” He turned back to his sons, their eyes shining with newfound purpose. “We are a family of Eagles. We will fly with the Condors of the world.”

Epilogue

Warm sunlight filtered through the lush foliage outside, casting dappled patterns on the wooden floor of the lodge’s lounge. Steffy, Luk, Ompa, Iya, and Juan sat in a relaxed circle, surrounded by the vibrant colors and textures of the rainforest. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of birdsong.

“So let me see if I understand what you’re saying, Mr. Bates,” Steffy said, her eyes searching Wendell’s face for sincerity. “You met with this Tucups fella, the leader of one of the villages near the Consolidated Enterprises pumping station, and he convinced you to shut down the facility for an indefinite period.”

“That’s pretty much it,” Wendell replied, his gaze fixed on Luk. The two men had agreed to keep the eco-adventure team’s involvement in the incident a secret, recognizing that they would be more effective in future missions if they remained hidden. “I mean, I’ve been collecting information for years on C.E.’s illegal actions, so the oil leak that occurred was simply the final straw.”

“And you three just happened to show up there at the same time?” Steffy asked, turning her gaze to Luk.

“That’s right,” Luk replied as Iya and Ompa nodded. Their faces were marked by the growth of new confidence and determination, forged by their recent experiences.

“Well, they did more than just show up,” Wendell corrected her. “I wouldn’t have had the nerve to finally take a stand if it weren’t for them. It’s taken me over a decade to finally see the error of my ways.” Wendell reached out and grasped Luk’s shoulder as he stood behind him. “I couldn’t have done it without you, son.”

Luk reached his hand up and patted his father’s hand. “Steffy, you’ve often told me how things occur in divine order. This is just another example of how right you are.”

Steffy chuckled. “Well, yes, it appears to be a perfect example. So, what’s next?”

“We’re still sorting all that out,” Wendell said. “I’ll be flying home in the next day or two to meet with my C.E.O. I’ve already been in touch with an attorney about what protection I can expect as a whistle blower, and we have the information I’ve collected well protected from C.E. getting their hands on it and destroying it.” He tapped Luk on the shoulder. “In the meantime, Luk and I are planning to go into business.”

“Really?” Steffy asked. “What kind?”

“We’re not sure just yet,” Luk interjected. “We’re considering several options. What we do know at this point is that we want to do our part to help the indigenous people here to continue to protect this vital part of the world and be able to maintain their simple way of life.”

“Sounds like you’ll be spending a lot more time down here,” Steffy said.

Luk smiled. “Probably so.” He stared at the group, his eyes reflecting a newfound sense of purpose. “I guess it’s my time to show a little courage.”

“What does that mean?” Steffy asked, her curiosity piqued.

As Luk stood up, he reached into a pocket, then bent down on one knee in front of Steffy. “Estefania Ruiz, will you marry me?” He held out a small black object to her, his hand trembling with anticipation.

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow on the group, as Luk presented Steffy with the unique ring. “It’s called a Tucum ring. It’s made from the seed of a palm tree. I thought it more appropriate than one made of gold that had been extracted from the earth. Plus, it’s the only ring I could find down here.” He nodded to Ompa and mouthed a ‘thank you’ to the old shaman, whose wise eyes twinkled with approval. Luk turned back to Steffy, who stood in front of him with tears streaming down her face, reflecting the vibrant colors of the rainforest. “So, will you?”

Steffy nodded, then wiped her eyes. “Oh, you silly boy. Of course I will. I thought you’d never ask.” The two of them hugged before enjoying a long, slow kiss, their love shining like a beacon amidst the foliage.

“Well, what a special day this has become,” Wendell said once they separated. “I guess this might be a good time to share a bit more news.”

“What’s that?” Juan asked, leaning forward with interest.

Wendell walked over to where Ompa and Iya sat. “Ompa was telling me on the ride back here that you, Iya, have had a dream to further your education so you can continue to help your people. Is that correct?”

Iya nodded, suddenly embarrassed to be the center of attention. “That’s right, but Amasanga appeared to have different plans for me when my grandfather selected me to be his apprentice.”

“One thing that I’m still learning is that Spirit rarely offers such either/or scenarios,” Wendell said. “The powers of the Universe are more into both/and ways of thinking. Anyway, I’ve been in touch with the Institute. They offer an educational program for integrating the wisdom of the South with the technology of the North. I spoke to the dean there and told him what an amazing person you are. They’d like to offer you a full scholarship, including room and board, to come study with them for the next few years. That is, if you’re interested.”

“Are you kidding me?” Iya exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment. She leaped up, her heart swelling with gratitude. “It sounds like a dream come true,” she said, and gave Wendell a big hug.

However, just as they were about to celebrate, Iya turned to gaze at Luk for several seconds. As she did so, her face turned somber. She hesitated, then spoke, “While I would love to accept this generous offer, I need to share something.” She strolled over to Luk and gently placed a hand on his chest. Her gaze moved from Luk to Steffy and back to Luk. I don’t know how to break this to you other than to come right out and say it.” Se paused again with a heavy sigh. “Luk, I can sense that you are not completely healed.”

“But I feel so much better than I did with I first arrived,” Luk replied.

“I know,” Iya agreed. She turned her attention to her grandfather who nodded his agreement. “I feel strongly that I will need to put off my education until we can find a way to heal you completely.”

The group stood silently staring at each other, stunned by the news. Finally, Ompa spoke. “There is an ancient prophecy of a miraculous plant here in the rainforest that has miraculous healing powers.” He walked over to Luk and placed one hand on Iya’s that remained on Luk’s chest. “I was able to buy you some time. I hoped the healing would be complete, but I agree with Iya that it is not yet so.”

Wendell, Luk, Iya, and Steffy exchanged determined glances. It was clear what their next steps needed to be: not only would they find a way to completely heal Luk of cancer, but they would also do whatever they could to stop the destruction of the rainforest by CE or any other corporation from the North.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with brilliant hues of orange and pink, the group gathered closer, their resolve deepening. “We will heal Luk, and together, we will protect the rainforest,” Steffy declared, her voice filled with conviction. 

“The ancient prophecy speaks of a powerful alliance between humans, animals, and plants,”Ompa added. “We are that alliance, and we will stand against those who seek to destroy this sacred place.”

Luk, his expression one of gratitude and determination, nodded. “We will put an end to CE’s exploitation and make sure the prophecy’s message of unity and healing reaches the world. And as we find this miraculous plant, we will also work on building our company with a purpose—to serve and protect this incredible ecosystem and its people.”

Iya’s eyes sparkled with the knowledge of her visions and the ancient prophecy. “Our journey will not be an easy one. We will face numerous obstacles set by CE and their allies, but we will also meet others who share our mission. We will rally together, harnessing the wisdom of the South and the technology of the North, to expose CE’s corruption and halt their destructive actions.”

Ompa, his aged face lined with wisdom, placed his hands on Iya’s and Luk’s shoulders. “We must prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead, both physical and spiritual. Together, we will navigate the depths of the rainforest, strengthen our bonds with the natural world, and unlock the true power of the ancient prophecy.”

The group, now united in their mission, stood tall in the fading light of the day. As they stared into the heart of the rainforest, they could feel its vibrant energy coursing through them, filling them with hope and determination. The battle to save the rainforest had just begun, and they knew that their journey together would be filled with adventure, danger, and ultimately, triumph.

=========

The group’s joy was tempered by the news, but they were determined to find a solution. Wendell, now actively opposing CE, added, “Who knows, by the time you’re finished there, Luk and I might be ready to hire you to come work for our new company.” Luk nodded, a fierce resolve settling over him as they prepared to embark on their next journey together, guided by Iya’s visions and the ancient prophecy.