CHAPTER 33

Jeff and Bethany walked back Christian and Brenda were standing in front. “Look at that! Sean bagged a whopper!”

Sean was dragging a good-sized tapir behind him. “Could you two help me? This isn’t exactly easy to tote.”

“How big would you say?”

“Oh, about a couple hundred pounds. Help me hang him up so I can clean him.”

Christian found a couple of strong vines, helping Sean hang it up between a couple of trees.”

“Hey! Sean found a good size pig!”

Mimi stuck her head out the door, seeing Sean gutting the pig. She walked over to him, watching with interest. “You’re pretty handy with a knife.”

“Being trained as a Green Beret taught me a lot.”

“You were a Green Beret?”

Sean nodded. “The worse part was having to learn how to survive on whatever you found, and I do mean whatever you found. Basically, I get all the food for the group.”

She watched as he finished gutting and skinning the animal. “You know, you would do pretty good as a chef.”

“A chef! Me?” he laughed. “The closest I get to that is eating.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“I like French cooking. It’s been a long time since I had any. The last time I had some was in San Francisco.”

Mimi blinked in surprise. “Really? I’m from there. What was the name of the place?”

“Let’s see, I think it was La something.” He thought a bit. “It was the La Maison. The food there could make you cry it was so good. I told the waiter to give my compliments to the chef.”

Mimi’s mouth dropped open. “I’m the chef at La Maison! I’m Mimi McBain. So you’re the one. What’s your name?”

Sean stopped what he was doing, his eyes wide in surprise. “You’re the chef? I’ll be damned. I’m Sean O’Haire.”

“Mind if I watch you cook it?”

“There’s not much to do. I’m just going to roast it over a flame.”

“Would you like some help?”

Sean dug a hole in the ground and lined it with fresh leaves. Piling what wood they could find dry, they placed it in the bottom. After lighting it, he placed on each end 1 v-shaped pole, then pushed a stripped sapling through the animal, placing it on the pole.

“Hey, not a badly made rotisserie.”

“Maybe we had better build a top to keep out the rain,” Mimi said.

Sean constructed a rough dome shaped cover to put over the animal. “Not bad if I do say so.”

“It reminds me of a smoker. Too bad we didn’t have some seasonings to put on the meat to make it taste better.”

Minutes later the fat was dripping into the fire. The aroma drifted into the shelter. Everyone became hungry. Rock was drooling and started to sit up. “Oh, the room is spinning.”

“Just take it easy,” Dinah told him.

CHAPTER 34

“At last, meat!” Rock drooled.

Everyone agreed it was good to have something other than fruit or power bars. Mimi asked some of the girls to help look for flat leaves to put the meat on when it was ready. Glen saw Felina just sitting there. Getting her attention, he motioned with his head to go help. The look she gave him would have made lesser men run for cover. Suzanne, Victoria, Ann and Caitlin got up to help.

Matt had been watching Victoria sine they had left the compound. He had heard one of the girls call her name. “She has a beautiful name,” he thought. He went outside and looked around, spotting her next to a large elephant leaf bush. Casually he strolled over, pretending to be helping. She didn’t see him and as she turned bumped into him. “Oh! I’m sorry,” she said and went to walk around him.

“You need some help carrying them? They look kind of heavy.”

“Those sound like familiar words,” she said.

Matt gave her a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

“Well. It’s just that they appeared in a book I wrote not too long ago.”

“You’re an author?”

“Some say yes, others say no. I write what people call “paperback romances.” You know, the hero is usually tall, dark and handsome; the heroine beautiful as always.”

“Oh, those kind of books. Do you use an alias?”

“No, I don’t like to do that. I use my real name, Victoria Sims. Do you like to read?”

“When I get the chance. Adventure-action stories are my favorite, but I do occasionally read the classics – Dickens, Hawthorne, and etc.”

“Really?” her brows raised.

“I take it you find that hard to believe.”

“Let’s say it is hard to imagine someone doing what you do would be interested in the classics. You men are tough and ruthless.”

“We have to be to survive, but that doesn’t mean we’re like that all the time.”

Palumbo was taking his gun apart to clean. “I believe you could put it together blindfolded.” He looked up to see Clarice watching. “Ever since we left the compound I’ve seen you clean it everyday.”

“That’s been a habit of mine ever since I can remember. I always like to be prepared and having a clean gun is a part of it.”

“I see you like to use AKA’s and semi-automatics. I prefer the oozies. You do a lot more damage with those.”

“And how would someone like you know about guns? By the looks of you, no one would ever guess.”

“The type of job I do requires knowing about different weaponry.”

He raised his brows. “And just what kind of job is it?”

“I work for the ATF as an agent.”

Palumbo was quiet. “You’re too pretty for a job like that?”

“Thank you, but don’t let my looks food you. I can handle just about anything.”

“Oh, really? I may have to personally check it out.”

A couple of hours passed, the aroma of fresh meat permeated the air. Sean lifted the cover as Mimi came over. “What do you think?” he asked. “Not yet,” she replied, testing the meat. “I would say at least another hour or so.” Sean put the cover back on.

“How long have you been a chef?” he asked.

“I would say about 8 years. I attended the Cordon Bleu Academy in Paris. After graduating from there, my first job was aboard a cruise liner much like the one I had been on. I worked there about three years and decided I needed to be on dry land. I had heard that a new restaurant in San Francisco was opening up so I applied. The owner liked what I cooked and hired me. I’ve been there the past five years.

“Perhaps when we get back, I’ll have to have you personally cook one of your fabulous meals for me,” he said with a wide grin.

Mimi blushed. “Perhaps I will.”

Another hour passed. They check the meat again. Sean cut a piece off the hind quarter. Seeing no pink meat, he tasted it, then handed a piece to Mimi. “Well?”

“Perfect, although a bit tough. The flavor’s not bad either.”

Mimi went inside. “It’s ready everybody.”

“It’s about time! I’m starving over here!” Rock got up, swaying just a bit. Dinah had him lean against her. “Just take it easy. It’s not going anywhere.” Rock put his arm around her as they walked outside.

Sean was busy cutting pieces of meat, while Mimi held the leaves. Dinah came over and took two of them, handing one of them to Rock, who immediately sank his teeth into the meat. “HMM this good!” “I agree.” Dinah added.

CHAPTER 35

The girls went to get theirs, but the guys said they were to just sit on the ground. All except Glen, who got his and went over to a nearby tree and sat. Felina got hers and went back inside. Mark was about to give one to Michael, but instead she took one and went over to sit by Ann.

Mark joined Glen. “Looks like she doesn’t’ want you near her.”

“Who can figure? You would think she would at least want to talk or something.” Mark took a bit. “Why aren’t you trying to chat with Felina?”

Glen stopped in mid-bite. “What? I wouldn’t waste my time with that hellcat. Calling me stupid and then not wanting to get off her lazy ass to help.”

“Yeah, but she is a good looking woman.”

“No doubts about that,” Glen said rather quickly.

Mark smirked. “So you noticed that much.”

Glen looked at his partner, then went to get another piece, hearing Mark laugh. “Why did he have to say that?”

Suzanne was surprised when Farooq brought some over. She got an even bigger surprise when he sat next to her. “Thank you for getting it. You didn’t have to. I could have gotten it myself.”

“No thanks necessary. It’s nice to be able to do something other than fight.”

“How long have you been with our fearless leader?”

“Bradshaw and I have been with him about 8 years now.”

“What did you do before?”

“My partner and I were bouncers at a bar in South Boston. I don’t know if you call what we had a good reputation, but there wasn’t anyone who could outdo us. Of course, I did it as a side job. I was going to college at the time.”

“Oh? What was your major?”

“Criminal law. I was working on getting a doctorate when Glen made the offer to join.”

“How come you didn’t go back to finish?”

“I guess I got to liking this, and I have a more personal reason.”

“Do you mind me asking?”

“I don’t want to talk about it now. What about you?”

“I’m a legal secretary for a large corporation. My boss handles all the legal aspects for the company. It’s been an interesting job, but I hope to go back to college and get my own degree in corporate law. I hadn’t decided when just yet.”

Summer watched Hunter eating, taking small bites of hers. Just the way he ate was turning her on. Hunter stopped. “Something wrong?” “No.” she blushed, going back to eating.

“When you sang yesterday, it was like hearing an angel sing.”

Summer looked down. “It’s a natural talent. It runs in the family. Most of them were into country music. Me? I loved hearing someone sing Blues. There’s something about it that makes me feel better.”

“You do know how to sing. Have you ever recorded?”

“No. I’m a nightclub singer. I was in Las Vegas at the Sands before I went on this trip. I love singing before a live audience.”

“Do you think we’ll hear more tonight?”

“Perhaps.”

“Do you want another piece?” Jeff asked Bethany. “Yes,” she replied. “Being from cattle country, the only other meat I usually ate was bacon. This is good.” Jeff brought back another piece.

Bradshaw was watching Catrina closely. “Are you okay? Your breathing okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s only when I get over-heated or excited that it hits me.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He took her hand in his.

“Have you started writing another book yet?” Matt wondered.

“No. Right now I’m still thinking of one. I might just use this as the basis for my next book. It would make for interesting reading to base it on a real-life adventure.”

“Do you think someone like me could be in the book? Maybe as that tall, dark, and handsome hero? You could make the heroine like yourself.”

“Would I be able to use your name in the story? Matt Hardy sounds like a good name for a hero.”

Matt smiled. “I guess it does. Do I get to read it first?”

Victoria slowly licked her fingers and nodded.

CHAPTER 36

Everyone ate at least three helpings of the meat. “Bravo!” the group said. Mimi and Sean bowed. “Thank you. Thank you,” Sean crowed. “It was nothing. Just something we whipped up at the last minute.” Everyone laughed.

“How come her royal highness took herself inside?” Suzanne asked.

“Why bring her up? She’ll only spoil our fun. Besides, who cares,” came the reply.

Out of curiosity, Michael went over to the shelter. She saw Felina, her back to the door, rubbing her feet. When Felina turned her head, Michael saw her face was in pain. She peered harder, then drew back in surprise. She looked in again, thinking she was seeing things. She saw a tear going down Felina’s cheek. She backed away, a puzzled look on her face.

“Michael, what’s up?” Summer asked.

“I don’t know.” She continued looking at the shelter.

“Hey, we could use some entertainment! How about it?”

“Yeah!” Everyone looked at Summer.

Summer went to shake her head no when she felt a hand on top of hers. Hunter looked into her eyes. “Please! For me.”

Summer thought a bit, then began singing. A hush fell over the group. The guys put their arms around the girls. Edge, though, kept his arms to himself. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Ann. Why couldn’t he talk to her?”

Mark stood behind Michael. He put a hand on her shoulder. Michael pushed it away. Mark backed up, then stood by Glen.

“I felt that all the way over here,” Glen remarked.

“I still don’t get it.” Mark sighed.

“Who can?”

After an hour of singing, Summer told them no more. The group clapped.

“Rock, you feel well enough to walk?” Glen asked.

“I feel okay. I just can’t go too fast.”

“Okay, people, time to turn in. We head out at first light.”

Sean put the fire out, making sure the coals no longer glowed. The girls rolled out the blankets, each of them smiling as they lay down and closed their eyes.

The guys sat up a while longer, whispering so as not to disturb the girls.

“I wish all our jobs were like this,” Matt whispered.

“Yeah, but Glen’s really pushing to get out of here. I have to respect them. They kept up without a lot of complaining.”

“Too bad there weren’t more like them.”

The conversation lulled. Slowly the guys turned in, drifting to sleep.

Michael opened her eyes. She saw Felina asleep, her mind going back to what she had seen. It was hard to believe that Felina might have been crying. “I wonder what made her cry?”

Glen lay facing Felina. He couldn’t believe how different she looked as she slept, a soft, child-like look Why did she have to be a pain in the ass?

CHAPTER 37

Glen roused them up just as the sun was rising. The girls stretched, sorry they would be leaving the cozy shelter. They rolled up the blankets, then ate some of the fruit that was left. Sean had found more of the gourds, saying it would be a good idea to have them along. Glen said the girls could each carry a couple. Tying a vine to each one, the girls draped them around their necks. Bradshaw objected, not wanting Catrina to overexert herself. Catrina told him she would be fine.

As they set off, the group paired off – Bradshaw and Catrina, Rock and Dinah, Clarice and Palumbo, Bethany and Jeff, Victoria and Matt, Mimi and Sean, Hunter and Summer, Christian and Brenda, Suzanne and Farooq. Although Edge walked near Ann, he stayed a bit away from her. Michael walked with Ann, leaving Mark a bit frustrated, having to walk with Glen. Felina was in the middle, her eyes piercing Glen’s back like daggers.

They walked at a good pace. Each couple talked among themselves, except for Edge, who couldn’t bring himself to talk to Ann.

“I wish he would say something,” Ann softly sighed. “I’ve never seen blue eyes like that before. Such a deep color.”

“Give it time. Maybe he’s just a bit on the shy side,” Michael said.

Mark fell behind a couple of steps, then walked beside Michael, who gave him a “What are you doing?’ look. She turned her head, not saying a word. Mark’s brows furrowed at the slight. He sped up his pace, catching up with Glen.

“I take it she didn’t want you walking with her,” Glen teased.

“She looked at me as if I had committed a crime.”

“What happened on that cruise?”

“Nothing happened, that’s the problem. We had a lot of fun, but she always kept me at arm’s length.”

Glen chuckled. “I’ve never known that to stop you. Could be you met someone that read you to a tee.”

“Oh, thanks, pard.”

Mark looked back. He saw everyone but Felina. “Uh oh. Looks like we have a lagger in the bunch.”

Glen looked back. He didn’t see Felina. His lips set in a grim line. Now he would have to stop to go find her.

Felina had done everything possible to keep up, but as they walked, she slowly began to fall behind. She kept her face as blank as possible to hide the pain. She saw nobody would have noticed as they were too engrossed in their own conversations. When she fell in behind the last couple, she allowed the pain to come in her face. “Maybe if I stop for a bit, I’ll be able to keep up,” she thought. She saw a fallen tree trunk. Making sure it was safe, she sat on it, closing her eyes. It felt good to get off her feet. She desperately wanted to take her shoes off, but didn’t want the others to see her in pain. She felt herself being jerked up by the arm. She saw a pair of angry hazel eyes looking down at her. “What the fuckin’ hell do you think you’re doing? No one stops unless I say so.”

“I only stopped for a bit! I would have caught up!” she spat.

“The next time you do, you’ll be left behind. I’m not stopping to go look for your ass every time you decide to ‘rest’. Now get going!”

Glen shoved her forward. Felina clinched her fists, wanting to slap his face. As if he cold read her thoughts, he bent down. “Don’t even think about it. I can hit a lot harder than you.”

They stared at each other, then she turned and walked up the trail, her pain forgotten.

CHAPTER 38

The others had stopped when they saw Glen walk past them, finding that Felina was not with them.

“What is it with her? She is such a pain in the ass.” Ann commented.

“I don’t know,” Michael replied. Her mind went to last night. Something was wrong with Felina, and she didn’t want anyone to know.

They saw Felina, her eyes blazing in anger as she was talking to herself. Glen was a couple of steps behind. “Now that we’re all together again, let’s resume our walk, if her highness is ready?” Glen snarled. Felina stayed silent.

The jungle soon gave way to a grassy plain. Glen had them stop for a brief rest as he took a pair of binoculars to survey the area. He spotted a group of hills to the west not far from them. He motioned for them to resume their trek.

It wasn’t long till they reentered the jungle. He had Jeff scout up ahead while they kept walking. He came back saying it wasn’t as bad as the last one, having found a narrow animal trail which led to a clearing. He also said there was a small grotto with a nice pool and waterfall just a bit from there. When they arrived, the girls sighed, thinking it would be perfect for a quick dip.

Jeff tested the water, making sure there were no piranha. “Okay, it’s safe.”

The girls were ecstatic. “Come on, girls! Let’s go!” Bethany said. “Last one in is a you-know-what!”

The guys were going with them, but the girls stood there. “What makes you think you’re coming with us?” Michael had her brows raised. A look of disappointment was quickly apparent on the guys’ faces.

The girls went to the edge, the water clear to the bottom. They eagerly stripped, gingerly getting into the pool. “Oh, does this feel good!” Summer sighed, floating on her back. The girls played in the water, then washed their clothes, putting them on the bushes to dry.

Felina had not gone with them, preferring to sit on a log at the camp. She decided she would wait till the others were finished.

The guys sat on the ground, hearing the squeals of laughter coming from the lagoon. “Damn, to think of them in the water, not a stitch on!”

“Shit! I wouldn’t mind taking a peak,” Matt grinned.

“Why don’t we? There’s plenty of bush!” Jeff added.

“Yeah, but we can’t go all at once,” Farooq said, looking around, finding some sticks. He took five of them and broke them shorter than the others. “We’ll draw sticks. Whoever gets the short sticks, gets to peak.”

Making sure Glen and Mark weren’t looking, they drew sticks. Bradshaw, Edge, Hunter, Palumbo, and Rock were the winners. “Don’t stay long, or Glen and Mark will get suspicious.”

CHAPTER 39

The first group silently crept through the bushes, getting as close as they could without being seen. They parted the leaves, watching the girls swimming, then seeing some of them get out to sit by the fall. All five smiled.

“Look at that! That was under those uniforms!” They drooled. “Damn, what I wouldn’t give to be in there right now!” Bradshaw watched as Catrina dove in the water.

“Guys, I think we had better go. The others have to see this.”

They snuck back, big smiles on their faces. “I take it the view was worth it?” Sean asked.

“It was like being in paradise,” Rock sat, dreamy eyed.

“Well, it’s our turn.” Farooq, Christian, Matt, Jeff, and Sean crept till they got close enough, parting the bushes slightly. Jeff gave a low whistle. “They were right!” He watched Bethany intensely.

“Too bad we couldn’t get in there with them.” Christian sighed.

“That’s probably what the others said.”

When they returned, the first group saw big grins on their faces. “Well?” Hunter asked.

“Man, you were right, Rock. It’s like being in paradise,” Farooq sighed.

They continued to talk among themselves, the sight of eleven naked women making their blood rise.

Felina had heard their conversation, a sneer on her face. The girls would be upset if they ever found out. She cast her eyes at Glen. Why did he treat her like shit and not the others. She got up and began to walk, limping somewhat. The pain was getting worse. Hopefully the girls would get through soon so she could have sometime alone. She felt the ground become soft, suddenly giving way. She screamed, finding herself up to her waist in quicksand.

The girls got out, putting their clothes on. “Oh, I could have stayed in their forever!”

“So could I. It felt good to wash the sweat and dirt off.” Michael checked her clothes. “They’re not dry, but at least the sweat was washed out of them.”

Their heads jerked up as they heard a scream. “That’s Felina! What has she gotten into now!”

Glen heard the scream. He ran to the guys just as the girls got into camp. “That’s Felina!” Michael gasped.

They heard her scream again. Glen ran in the direction, the others behind. He found her up to her shoulders as she was struggling.

“Don’t struggle! It makes you sink faster. Put your arms out like you’re floating on water!” Felina put her arms on top of the muck;. Glen found a strong vine and tied it around his waist as Mark, Farooq and Hunter held on. Slowly Glen got in and waded over to her, putting his arm around her chest. The others pulled till they had them clear. Glen got up, jerking Felina with him.

“Don’t you ever listen to what anyone says! Are you that hardheaded and stupid!”

“Stupid! Look at who’s calling who stupid! If you had used your brains, we would have been out of this shit a long time ago. But nooo!! Mr. Know-it-All wanted to walk out! I bet you have no idea where we are! For all we know, you could have gotten us lost!”

The couples looked back and forth between the two as they argued. Michael smiled to herself, seeing something in their eyes.

“Lost! I should have left you to make your own way, then we would have seen who was lost. You have been nothing but a pain in the ass since we left the compound! I’ve put with you long enough. You’re nothing but a worthless, spoiled brat! What you need is a good old-fashioned spanking!”

Felina’s mouth opened, then closed, her lips set in a grim line. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh, wouldn’t I!”

Taking her by the arm, he sat on a rock, putting her over his knees. Felina squirmed to get away, but Glen held her down. He raised his hand. Felina felt a sting on her backside. “OW! Damn you, you bastard!”

Glen hit her backside as hard as he could several times, Felina screaming and squirming. When he was through, he pushed her into the mud. She began to shake with anger. She looked at herself, then at him. Her hands picked up some mud. When he turned, she threw it, hitting Glen in the back of the head. Glen stopped and turned around. He grabbed her shirt and jerked her up. “So a spanking wasn’t enough!” He grabbed a handful of mud and rubbed it over her face. Felina spat the mud to the ground. “Now that’s better.”

Felina growled, and with all her strength she pushed him making him fall back into the mud. “Hmph!” She turned on her heel and walked back to camp.

The rest were silent for a minute. Then a lone laugh was heard. Then a whole chorus of laughter broke out. Glen got up, his entire backside, from head to foot, covered in mud. He looked at the group, seeing everyone was laughing, Mark hardest of all.

CHAPTER 40

Glen stomped back to camp, the sounds of laughter still ringing in his ears. “That damn woman!” he thought. He entered camp, not seeing her around. “Now where is she?”

The group came back, still smiling. “Hey Glen! She really got you!” Hunter laughed, causing another round.

“Why don’t you shut the fuck up!” he shouted, going over to a tree.

Mark sat next to him, still chuckling. “I’ve known you for ten years, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone get the best of you.”

Glen snapped his head around. “The best of me! You think that she devil got the best of me!”

Mark saw anger, but something else too. “Well, didn’t she? Besides, you two helped everyone to relax with a good laugh.” Mark smiled, seeing a look of pure anger.

“Well, I’m so glad to hear that!” Glen got up and walked off.

Edge built a fire for the girls to help their clothes dry off. He looked at Ann out of the corner of his eye. He so wanted to talk to her, but the words were stuck in his throat. After trying several times, he went over to the guys, who were talking in low tones.

“Hey, Edge, why haven’t you talked to any of the girls yet?”

“Yet? I’ve never seen him talk to any girl,” Jeff teased.

They began razzing Edge, who tired his best not to get upset. “Will you guys stop it!”

“Could Edge be one of those?” Sean rolled his hand back and forth, which had everyone laughing. Edge stormed off into the jungle.

Ann overheard some of the comments the guys said, then saw Edge stomp off. She got up and followed him. She could hear him ranting, following the sound of his voice. She found him pacing back and forth, his hands opening and closing. She could see he was doing his best not to lose it. Then he stopped and hit a tree near him. She slowly approached him.

A snap of a twig jerked his head up. He saw Ann approach. “Don’t come near me! I’m liable to hurt you!”

“Why? Have I done something wrong?”

“No. It’s just that I become violent very easily. The least little thing sets me off.”

“Have you tried to find out why?”

“I know why. I just can’t talk about it.”

“Maybe that’s what you should do. Talk to someone who will listen.”

“Who would that be? Are you perhaps suggesting that I need a headshrinker for my problem?” Edge looked around. “I don’t happen to see one close by.”

“Well, yes you do,” she said. “I’m one of those ‘headshrinkers’ as you call them.”

Edge raised his brows. “You?” He looked at her in disbelief.”

“Yes I am. I’m a psychologist. I watched you a few minutes ago do everything you could not to lose your temper.”

“When I do, I can very easily kill a person.” Edge was beginning to relax.

Ann saw his facial muscles begin to loosen. “Would you mind if I tried to help you?”

“You, help me?”

Ann nodded.

“When would we begin?”

“Any time you like. Of course, our conversations would be private. No one will be around.”

Edge slowly nodded. Ann smiled. “Now let’s get back to camp.”

CHAPTER 41

“Where did Felina go?” Michael asked.

“The last I saw she was coming back here. I wonder if she went to the lagoon?” Brenda asked.

“I’m going to take a look.” Michael got up and left.

Felina sat on a rock near the water’s edge, still angry at Glen for embarrassing her. She smiled as she had gotten her revenge. The water looked inviting. “Perhaps if I put my feet in it would help.” She untied her boots, being careful how she took them off. She looked at her socks, which were bloody. She groaned as she peeled them off.

“Felina, my God, what happened?”

Felina jumped, then turned around. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see where you were,” Michael replied.

“Well, you’ve seen me. Now leave!”

Michael sat beside her. “What happened to your feet?”

“Can’t you tell?”

“I can tell, but how long have they been like this?”

Felina looked at the lagoon. “At least a week.”

“Why haven’t you said something?”

Felina turned. “Why should I? Since I supposedly ‘complain’ about every little thing, I decided I would keep it to myself.”

“Felina, I know you and I have our differences, but this is serious. Don’t you realize they could become infected? You could die.”

“So? Who would care?” she said angrily. “It’s for sure our ‘fearless’ leader wouldn’t, and neither would you nor the rest of them!”

“Well, if you’d come down off that high horse of yours, maybe you just might find out otherwise.” Michael thought she heard a hint of sadness in Felina’s last comment.

“Glen needs to know. I’m going to tell him.” Michael got up, but Felina grabbed her arm. “No, don’t tell him.”

“Why?”

“He wouldn’t believe you nor would he care. He’s nothing but an arrogant bastard who thinks I’m nothing more that a worthless spoiled brat. Well, I’ll show him.”

“Or die trying, right?”

Felina eased her feet into the water. “Oh!” she groaned in pain, a tear going down her cheek.

“You going to be okay?”

Felina nodded, her eyes closed as the water stung her. Michael started to walk away.

“Michael!”

Michael turned around.

“Thanks. Before you go, you had better know something else. You might want to tell the girls the guys peeked while all of you were in the lagoon.”

“They what?”

“They drew sticks to see who would go first. I don’t know who did, as I had left to go walking.”

“You’re just saying that, aren’t you?”

Felina shook her head. “It’s the truth.”

“Thank you.”

Michael went back to camp. “And I bet Mark was there with them.”

CHAPTER 42

“This does feel good,” Felina thought. She looked at her socks. “I’d better rinse the blood out.” She rinsed them, wringing them as dry as she could, draping them over a bush. She looked at her reflection in the water, seeing the dried mud all over her face. Bringing the front of her shirt to her nose, her brows went up. “Whoosh! No wonder!” She took her feet out of the water and gingerly stood up. Stripping quickly she slipped into the water, rinsing her clothes out, squeezing them as hard as she could, and tossing them over the bush. She swam over to the waterfall, getting out to stand under it. After scrubbing the mud off, she stood there, letting the water cascade over her.

Glen was mumbling angrily to himself. Never had anyone gotten to him like she had. “The nerve of that damn woman!” he thought. He still could hear the group laughing. What got him more angry was the way her backside squirmed as he was spanking her. He noticed that it was nice and round and firm. He stopped. “What the hell am I doing thinking of that?”

For ten years he had not thought of or touched a woman since the death of his wife. His mind went back to the dark haired hellcat. Why? She was spoiled, bitchy, everything she did irritated him, yet she was slowly getting under his skin. His walk was bringing him closer to the lagoon. Perhaps a quick dip would help clear his mind. He stepped out from behind some bushes, suddenly stopping.

Felina was still under the waterfall, running her fingers through her hair. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed, her mind in another world.

Glen blinked his eyes, staring at the figure. Her visage hit him as if a ton of bricks had fallen on him. He saw her head turn in his direction and hurriedly crouched behind them. He felt something move in him that he had kept dormant for years. He looked down at himself, seeing his outline pressing against his uniform. The more he looked at Felina, the harder it became. He saw her dive into the water and swim close to where he was. Quietly he backed away.

Felina got out, walking over to the bush, feeling her clothes. While they weren’t dry, at least they were somewhat clean. She quickly put them on, taking her time pulling the socks over her sore feet. She bit her lip as she put the boots back on, her body shaking from the pain. She winced as she began the walk back to camp.

When Michael had returned, she shuddered at the thought of how much pain Felina must have been in the whole time. Her words too made Michael think. “Who would care? It’s for sure our fearless leader wouldn’t, and neither would you or the rest of them.” The look she had seen in Felina’s face made her wonder.

She sat next to Brenda. “I found her. She was at the lagoon.”

“From the look on your face, it seems she didn’t have much to say,” Summer said.

“No, she didn’t have much to say. But there was something else. Something I promised I wouldn’t tell, but I’m thinking I might have to, for her own good.”

“What would that be?” Clarice asked.

Michael saw Felina slowly walking, doing her best not to show any pain. She saw her stop and inhale, trying to walk as normal as she could. “Here she comes. Watch closely how she walks.” The girls watched. “Notice anything?”

“She looks like she’s walking on eggs,” Mimi observed.

“She was sitting by the water’s edge having taken her shoes off. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Girls, her feet were so bloody and blistered I don’t see how she stood it. I asked her how long had she been like that. She said at least a week.”

“A week!” Victoria sat up.

“That’s not possible. She would have complained at the first twinge of pain,” Catrina said in surprise.

“I would have thought so, too. But she told me she figured we would think she was just complaining as she always did and decided to keep it to herself.”

“They were that bad?” Brenda asked.

“If you had seen them, you would have turned your head away.”

“If they ever get infected, she could get seriously ill and die,” Dinah said. “Are you going to tell Glen?”

“I was, but she told me not to. She said he thinks she’s not good for anything and was going to show him. Oh, and she told me something else very interesting. It seems the guys drew sticks to see who would be the first to peek at us in the lagoon.”

“She’s lying!” Suzanne gasped.

“I thought so, too, but she said it was the truth.”

Catrina turned red, putting her hands to her face to hide the small smile that threatened to show.

CHAPTER 43

"All of them looked?"

Michael nodded, then a smile appeared, a mischievous twinkle coming in her eye. "Want to have a little fun?"

"Michael, you look like you have something good in mind. What is it?" Bethany asked.

"What if we get the guys to go to the lagoon, saying they had an overwhelming aroma. We could give them a hint by staying apart from them, fanning ourselves. Once they get the message and are in the lagoon, we sneak down there and take their clothes."

"Michael!"

"Why not? At least we'll see if they have anything worth seeing."

"You're awful!!" Brenda exclaimed. "I love it. When?"

"The guys will more than likely come over to sit next to us."

"Oh, this is too good," Clarice grinned.

"I wonder what's on their mind?" Bradshaw watched Catrina laughing.

"When women get together, there is no telling."

"Let's find out."

Bradshaw was the first to go over, then the rest followed. They talked for a bit, then Catrina began sniffing, her nose ending at his shirt. She sat back, wrinkling her nose. "When was the last time you took a bath?" She began fanning herself. "You stink!"

The rest of the girls did the same thing. Mark came over and sat next to Michael. She moved away, fanning herself.

The guys looked at themselves, then smelled their underarms. Mark stared at her. "We've been walking for the past ten days, and now you complain?"

"Well, once we got down wind of you it hit us."

"So until you at least wash the sweat off you, it might be better if you just stayed over there." Michael pointed over to the trees. The girls all nodded in agreement, pointing in the same direction.

"Guess we need to take the hint, right guys?" Reluctantly they took themselves down the small path to the lagoon. The girls snickered and waited a few minutes, then got up to follow.

Felina sat on the other side of the camp, watching as the guys left down the path. She looked over at Michael, seeing her and the girls giggling. If her feet hadn't been so bad, she would have joined them as they left. She had an idea of what they were up to.

As soon as the guys were at the water's edge, they took their clothes off.

"I didn't think we stank that bad!" Christian pouted, easing himself in.

"After while, you get so used to the smell, you don't notice it."

"This does feel good." Rock laid back in the water.

As they swam, eleven pairs of eyes were watching. Michael saw their clothes. Silently she reached through the leaves. "Okay, let's hide them."

"Hey, let's watch for a bit," Catrina whispered.

"Catrina!"

"I want to see!"

"So do I," Victoria added with an elfish grin.

The guys were waist deep in the water. "Come on, guys! Get out so we can see what you got!" Clarice whispered impatiently.

Hunter was the first to emerge. Summer's brows raised as did her blood pressure. "Easy girl," Michael giggled. Bradshaw came out. Catrina's tongue hung out. Matt and Jeff were next. Victoria couldn't believe how muscular Matt was, and Bethany wondered.

how Jeff stayed like he was having ridden so many bulls. Edge and Christian got out to dive in. Brenda and Ann began fanning themselves. Farooq had his back to the girls.

"Damn, he has a nice butt!" Suzanne drooled. When he turned, she nearly squealed.

"What a piece of meat!" Mimi stared at Sean, gripping the bushes.

Clarice was steadily checking out Palumbo, smiling at what she saw.

Michael watched Mark with interest. As he stood up, Michael's mouth opened. "OOOHHH momma!" she whispered.

"Hey! How about we let them know we're here," Summer said. As if on cue, the girls stood up. "Hi, guys!"

The men turned to see the girls standing there. Those that were out of the water put their hands over their privates while the others stayed low in the water.

The girls started laughing, then held up their clothes. "Hey! Put those back!" Hunter shouted.

"Should we put them back?" Michael looked at each one.

"No. I like seeing them this way," Brenda replied with a big grin at Christian.

"You're not supposed to peek!" Rock yelled.

"Well, you shouldn't have peeked at us!" Michael shouted back.

"Give us our clothes back!"

"You can get them yourself!"

The girls laughed and took the clothes with them, dropping them on the trail. When the girls got back to the camp, they sat around the fire and waited.

The guys got out of the water and picked up their shoes, dressing as they found their clothes. The girls were giggling as the guys straggled in, still dressing.

"You aren't made at us, are you?" Brenda asked, giggling out loud. Christian went and sat on the other side.

Mark looked at Michael. "I take it you're the one who instigated this. Well, for your information, I didn't peek at you." He went over to a tree to finish putting his shoes and socks on. Michael came over and sat. Mark didn't acknowledge her.

"Come on. It was all in fun."

"For a week I tried everything to get you to notice me. Every time you would turn away. Why?"

"Mark, you came on to me thinking I was just another easy mark. I was letting you know I wasn't."

"I got the message."

Michael became serious. "Mark, I know Felina will probably get mad when she finds out. But when we were camped at the first shelter, I was curious as to why she always stayed to herself, always lagging. I had peeked in and saw her rubbing her feet, a look of pain on her face. This afternoon I found out why. She was sitting by the water having just taken her shoes and socks off.

Mark, I nearly gagged. Her feet were all bloody and full of broken blisters and sores. I asked how long she had been like that. She said at least a week. When I asked why she didn't say something, she replied that since everyone got mad at her complaining all the time, she decided not to say anything. Mark, they looked real bad, and she doesn't want Glen to know either."

"So that's why she's been getting behind. If they ever get infected, she could be in serious trouble. But why didn't she want Glen to know?"

"She said since he thinks her a useless, spoiled brat, she was going to show him."

"He's got to know. I know he's not going to believe her."

"What do we do?

"I'll take care of it."

"I've noticed something else too. I think the two of them have gotten under each other's skin, but won't admit it."

CHAPTER 44

Glen came back into camp, his mind no clearer than before. He went over to a large palm and got his blanket out to rest. He looked at Felina through half-closed lids. He saw her face glowing in the fire, wondering what was on her mind. He laid down, turning his back to the group.

Sean and Rock had left earlier to search for something to eat. They returned 20 minutes later with an assortment of fruit, nuts, and had chanced upon a couple of wild birds. While Rick and Jeff cleaned the birds, Sean built a spit to put the birds on. Soon roasting foul filled the air, joining the sweet aromas of fruit.

Mark got up and walked over to Glen. “Maybe you should wait till he’s rested a bit,” Michael said, holding his arm.

“He’s not asleep,” Mark said.

He knelt beside Glen. “Hey, I need to talk to you.”

“Can’t it wait? We’re leaving early in the morning. I want to get some rest.”

“I don’t think we need to be leaving for a few days.”

Glen turned over. “Why? What’s wrong now?”

“It’s Felina. She doesn’t need to be walking.”

Glen sat up. “What do you mean not walking?” His face set in a frown. “Don’t tell me you’re starting to feel sorry for her?”

“She can barely walk.”

“She seemed to be walking fine to me.”

“Well, she isn’t. She’s not in good shape right now, she just hasn’t said anything.”

“That I find hard to believe. She’s just acting to get some sympathy since nothing else has worked. Now leave me alone so I can rest.” Glen lay back down.

“Glen, she’s been walking for the past week with blisters on her feet.”

“So now that’s her story.”

“No, it’s not a story. Michael told me about it, adding that Felina didn’t want you to know about it.”

“That’s because she knows she’s lying and she doesn’t want me catching her in it.”

“She’s not lying! Now get up!”

Glen angrily got up. “Alright! But you’ll see for yourself!”

Felina had her face buried in her arms, resting them on her knees. She heard soft footsteps stop in front of her. She looked up to see Glen, a scowl on his face, and Mark standing in front of her.

“Felina, take your shoes off,” Mark said.

She looked at Mark with Michael standing behind him. She just sat there. “No, I’m not going to.”

“Take your damn shoes off!” Glen ordered. “Or I’ll do it for you.”

“Got to hell!” she spat at him.

“Just as I thought. She’s lying. We leave out tomorrow morning first light. And if she lags behind then so be it!” Glen turned to leave.

“Wait, Glen.” Michael sat beside Felina. “Quit being stubborn. Show him.”

Felina inhaled and began untying her shoes. Glen watched, expecting her feet to be normal. As she slowly removed her shoes, he saw her face wince in pain. He saw her socks, the blood stains still there. Her hand shaking, she peeled down each sock. Glen couldn’t hide the look of shock on his face. He looked at her face to see a tear slowly trickle down her cheek.

Mark shook his head. “You walked like this for a week? Why?”

Felina nodded. “Since I’m such a complainer, as everyone keeps saying, and worthless, according to our fearless leader, it was better not to say anything.”

Several of the girls turned their heads away, sickened at the sight. Even the guys couldn’t stand to look.

Glen turned and walked back to his spot and leaned against the tree. “She did it to prove you wrong.” Glen turned to see Michael standing there.

“To prove me wrong?”

“Yes, to prove you wrong. She thought no one would really care, especially you.”

“I wouldn’t have either.” Glen was silent for a bit. “I feel like a jackass.”

“You both are. Two stubborn, hard-headed jackasses.”

Glen bent and looked through his bag, pulling out a small first-aid kit. Opening it, he took out a tube of antibiotic and a couple of rolls of gauze. “Sean, get me one of those gourds of water.”

Felina saw Glen approach and kneel in front of her. He lifted her right food, pouring water over it. He opened the tube, dabbing the cream on the sores, then saw more tears come down her cheeks as the cream stung. Carefully he wrapped her foot, then proceeded with the left. He put a pair of clean socks on her. Their eyes held for what seemed an eternity. “Looks like we won’t be moving for a few days. We’d better build us a shelter quick.”

The guys went about cutting saplings and vines as the girls gathered branches and broad leaves. In a couple of hours a rough shelter was constructed. Michael and Brenda helped Felina up and inside. Glen pointed to the blanket he brought inside and which was laying on top of a pile of ferns he had brought in himself. Felina sat down on the blanket, surprised to see it was his.

By that time the fowl was ready. Everyone ate and got ready to rest for the night. The buys brought in their packs and hung up the food. Making sure the girls were comfortable, they laid down to rest.

Michael was resting her head on her arm when she felt a hand on her wrist. Lifting her head, she saw it was Felina’s hand, her eyes silently saying thank you. Michael nodded and lay back down.

CHAPTER 45

Early the next morning, Catrina woke up finding it hard to breathe. Making sure not to wake anyone she tiptoed outside. She reached in her pocket, her breathalyzer wasn’t there. She turned to go in when she saw it in front of her. Taking it, she put it in her mouth and gave it a couple of squeezes. Immediately she felt her lungs open.

Bradshaw had seen her go outside and followed, worried about her. He breathed easier when she took those couple of breaths. Catrina looked up. “How did you get my breathalyzer?”

“It had dropped out of your pocket a couple of days ago. I kept it to be sure you would have it.”

“Thank you.” She went to go inside but Bradshaw took her hand. “Could we go for a walk?”

She nodded. They walked down a narrow path, his hand holding hers. For a it, neither said anything. “How long have you been doing this?” she asked out of curiosity.

“About 8 years now. Before that I was a bouncer in a bar.”

“Is that all you did?”

“I was an undercover cop.”

She heard a flicker of sadness in his voice. “What made you quit?”

”I was a naïve kid when I became a cop, believing the oath ‘to serve and protect.’ I kept that oath, knowing I was doing the right thing. I was on an undercover assignment that had me with a seasoned cop. We worked together pretty good. We made a lot of arrests, but later on I found out they were being thrown out on minor technicalities. I found it strange as it was only our arrests. I began snooping around to see what I could find. One day I found a note in my locker warning me to back off or else. I kept on snooping. One day I was cornered in the locker room by a few of the guys. They told me I was prying into things that were none of my business and if I didn’t stop they would see to it I was kicked off the force. Internal Affairs called me in a week after that, telling me I was being discharged for misconduct, saying that other officers complained about what I was doing. They took my badge, giving me till the end of that day to clear out.”

“Didn’t you try to fight it?”

“It wouldn’t have done any good. You might say since then I really didn’t believe in that oath any more until I met you.”

“How’s that?”

“When I saw how you struggled with your asthma, it brought back that feeling all over again.”

“Well, I am not completely helpless. I do a lot of things. Running my own bookstore is one of them.”

They came to a small clearing and stopped. “It wasn’t just that. I liked you from the first time I saw you.”

Catrina felt her cheeks blush. She looked down. “I liked you too.”

He gently turned her face and bent, lightly touching his lips to hers. His arms went around her in a gentle embrace, his kiss deepening. Catrina’s hands went up his shirt and around his neck, returning his kiss. Her body shivered as his lips left a warm path across her cheek and neck. “Catrina!” he softly moaned in her ear. He pressed her body closer, feeling her breasts crush against his chest. “Let me love you,” he whispered. Catrina leaned back, seeing his eyes filled with desire.

Bradshaw undressed, laying his clothes on the ground. Gently he removed her clothes, laying her down on top of them. She gasped as his fingers softly traced her body, his lips following, kissing and caressing every inch of her. She tangled her fingers in his thick dark hair, crying for more. She arched her hips as he tasted her, moving against him. ‘OOOHHH!!!” she sighed. She reached down to grasp his shaft, finding him ready.

Getting on his knees, he glided slowly into her, filling every inch of her. She moaned in sheer pleasure as he went in and out. “This feels so good!” she groaned, her body moving with him. He lifted her hips to go deeper in her, sucking in his breath as her tightness gripped him. He sped up his movements, his breathing heavier as he came closer. “Catrina!” She felt his warmth fill her, her body stiff as she came with him. He held her for several minutes till their breathing was normal. Lying beside her he saw her face was flushed. Worried that she might be overexcited, he quickly put the breathalyzer in her mouth and squeezed it. “I’m fine,” she said. They lay in each others’ arms for several minutes then got up and dressed. Bradshaw kissed her, touching her cheek. “I am never going to leave your side,” he said. They walked back, their arms around each other.

Matt woke up to go take a piss. He went to some bushes that were close by. When he came out, he saw Victoria standing there, which surprised him. Victoria blushed as he looked at her. “I wanted to talk to you while the others weren’t around.” He smiled, glad that she was interested in him as he was in her. “You want to got o the lagoon?” Victoria nodded. As they walked, his fingers went around her hand, noticing how soft and warm it was. They sat by the water’s edge.

“There’s really not a whole lot to tell. Jeff and I have been with the group for five years now, being the youngest. I like to read, when I’m not doing this, or teaching self-defense. What about you?”

“You know I’m an author. I’ve written a few books in the past few years. Basically that’s about it.”

“Are you married?”

“No. I haven’t found Mr. Right, so to speak.”

Matt was secretly jumping up and down on the inside. “What would you like him to be?”

“This is going to sound silly, but I want him to be like the heroes in my stories. Someone that sweeps the heroine off her feet.” Victoria lowered her eyes.

She felt her chin being lifted, then saw his head close in, his lips on hers. They parted, their eyes held each other. He kissed her again, pushing her down to the grass, grinding his lips into hers, prying them open to taste her. He opened her shirt, exposing her breast. He bent to take a nipple in his mouth, making her arch her chest, her fingers tangled in his long hair. Matt undid the cord of her pants, his hand slipping inside between her legs. She sucked in her breath as he rubbed the crotch of her panties, her desire tingling from his touch. Matt got up to undress. As she watched him, her mind went to the chapters she had written of the hero making love. Up until now they had only been fantasies. Now, she was about to experience her fantasy.

Matt watched her facial expressions, seeing need and desire in her eyes. Victoria sat up and undressed, laying back down on the grass, the first rays of morning peeking through the trees, casting shadows on her body. His eyes traveled over her body. The look in them sent shivers of anticipation through her. He knelt between her legs, lowering his body to kiss her neck and chest while his hands massaged and rubbed her breasts till they swell with desire. Victoria groaned aloud as he took a pink tip in his mouth, gently sucking still she thought she would go mad. She could feel the heat of his passion against her thigh, making her ache to feel him inside her.

He kissed his way down. “Oh God!” she screamed, raising her body as he went deep inside her. Her body shook as she felt herself tighten, bursting as she climaxed. She opened her eyes to see his face above hers. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered. Positioning himself, he entered slowly, then stopped. “You’ve never made love before?”

Victoria shook her head. “Only in my stories.”

Matt stroked her cheek. “It may hurt for a little bit.”

“Okay,” she said nervously.

Matt thrust deep inside. She bit into his shoulder, tasting his blood, a tear running down her cheek. He stopped and held her for a bit. “Are you all right?” He felt her nod. Slowly he thrust in her, not wanting to hurt her. “You feel so good,” he groaned. They moved as one, Matt kissing her as he sped up. Victoria’s muscles tightened around him as she came, making him come with her.

He collapsed on top, holding her close till they had calmed. He lay on his side, his arms holding her close. “Is this what you want your hero to be like?” “This is better than anything I could ever dream of,” she said softly. He kissed her forehead as they closed their eyes.

Michael had gotten up early to get some fresh water. As she approached, she heard moaning from the lagoon. She stopped and peeked, seeing Matt and Victoria lying on the grass naked. She raised her brows, then smiled and walked back.

Part 4

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