Walk Through the Jungle

Anna Jane kept walking. Her eyes looked so empty. Her body moved on its own. She seemed to know where she was going too. Everything blended around her. She didn’t even pay attention to her footsteps.

“Anna Jane!” her friends shouted. She couldn’t even hear them behind her.

“Where is she going?” Vivian asked. No one had an answer. Anna Jane kept walking.

--------

Linda was wheeled down the hall. The white around her looked so foreign. What would happen to her drawings if…

No.

Don’t think like that. She will live. She will live and she and Anna Jane would meet when this was over. A nurse took the patient by the hand. Linda looked up. A nurse gave her a kind look.

“You’re going to be alright,” she said. Linda didn’t need to say a word. She believed her. She was going to be okay. Linda just hoped Anna Jane would do her part. The gurney was rushed down the hall.

--------

Anna Jane ignored the branches in her face. The bugs buzzed past her ears. Still, she kept moving. The world around her meant nothing.

“Is she okay?” Logan asked.

“I don’t think so,” Sgt. Patel said.

“What do we do?” Vivian asked. No one had an answer.

“Anna Jane!” Logan shouted. The little girl didn’t answer. She kept walking through the trees. She didn’t look up. Something seemed to be leading her. All Anna Jane saw now was a line in front of her. Closer. Closer. Closer.

A bug landed on her cheek. She didn’t respond. It crawled around for a bit before flying off. Anna Jane kept walking. Step. Step. Step. Step. Her friends could only try and keep up.

--------

Linda made it to the OR. The bright lights nearly blinded her. One of the doctors stood over her.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Tired,” she mumbled.

“We’ll take good care of you. I promise,” he said. The other doctors were preparing for the surgery. Linda could only think of the world she created. Where was Anna Jane now? How much further? Was she going to make it? Of course she would! Linda needed to have faith. Anna Jane could do this. She had to.

The doctor covered Linda’s nose and mouth with the mask.

“Count backwards from one hundred,” he said.

“Okay,” the girl said. “One hundred… Ninety-nine… Ninety-eight… Ninety-seven… Ninety-six… Ninety-five… Ninety-four… Ninety-three… Ninety-two…” Her eyelids grew heavy.

“Ninety… -one.. Nin.. ety…Eigh…” Linda was out like a light.

------

The elderly monkey stepped out of her hut. They were getting close. The god of the world had gone to sleep. Would it be permanent? She didn’t know. For now, her guests were neat. As long as she stayed on this side of the island they should be fine. She stood outside of the hut. It was only a matter of time.

Step. Step. Step. Step. Step. The elderly monkey counted down the steps.