More Junker Queen Oneshots ~REQUESTS CLOSED~

Jungle

"You're here because of a rumor?"

"Yes. I heard there were rumors that there was this guy in the jungle that was kind of causing tourists issues," I said.

"Well, those rumors are just rumors," the person said. "You know the story of like the Loch Ness Monster, Mothman, Big Foot?"

"Yes."

"They're nothing but a hoax to try and attract people to places. So people can make money off of those who believe they are real."

"I've heard it from many tourists and many natives."

"We haven't seen much. But I assure you, there is nothing wrong here. And if you want to take a look, you're more than welcome to check the jungle out yourself. Last tour in is in less than an hour."

"It's guided, right?"

"Yes. But if you just so happen to wander off and get lost, we are not held liable."

"You honestly should be."

"Tourists are tourists. We never wanted them here in the first place," the person said and walked off.

"W-Where can I find the tour?"

"Just walk towards the mouth of the jungle, you'll find signs. Or just follow the people."

The person walked off and I followed their instructions, heading to where the people were flocking. The tour guide was there and he was talking about what to do and what not to do on the tour. The big one was wander off and not get lost, because they will not be sending a search team. So very harsh here, but I guess if these rumors were true, it would definitely draw in a crowd. Maybe they don't want the rumors to be true because then they'd no longer get money from tourists to find if they are. Whatever the outcome of this is going to be, I was going to get to the bottom of this.

I followed the group as they left, hanging back a bit and trying not to talk to anyone or get noticed by people. As I was walking, there were markings on the trees that guided the tour guides. But as I kept on walking, there would be different markings, almost similar to the ones they marked. Then there were colored ribbons wrapped around the trees along with the markings. The same went with the colored ribbons, they were mimicked. Whoever was in this jungle was either messing with the tourists and guides or it was their twisted way of hunting. Either way, it was messed up. The tour guide knew what he was doing, as he even pointed out that the fake markings and ribbons were to trip up the inexperienced tour guides.

As we kept going deeper and deeper, I ducked into a bush nearby and waited for them to turn around before I fully went into the jungle. It was so serene, so calm, peaceful. Unlike the beaches that brought the tourists. I wanted to be here instead of anywhere else. Instead of in the city I grew up in. I wanted this in life. No cars, no trucks, no light pollution, no people to bother with. Just the sound and sight of nature itself. I got deeper into the jungle, the markings no longer being on the trees and there were no more ribbons. Not even the fake markings and ribbons were there. I was going into uncharted territory now.

A twig nearby snapped and I turned to find whoever had followed me, was not there. I had no sort of protection on me. Just my bag I had with my notebook and other things I needed for this trek into the jungle. I didn't even have a small foraging knife. How could I remove something from this gorgeous jungle? I turned to where another twig had snapped and was face to face with an amazing flower bush. They were almost like a sky blue. I ran my fingers across the flowers, the soft texture welcomed my skin. I giggled, feeling at home here. I stopped and peered into the bush, finding there were budding flowers. When I got closer, something like an eye appeared. Startled, I stepped back as someone emerged from within the bush.

They were tall, hair red like the blazing morning sun, eyes stark blue, and there were scars littering their body. They wore a skull on their head that kept their hair up and out of their face. Cloth covered their chest and lower body and they wore animal skin like boots. A knife was in their hands as they slowly walked towards me. My eyes darted around their body, taking note of their muscular physique. Wait a minute? The rumors said that a man was in here. This person was a woman.

"You're a woman."

She looked me up and down, pointing her knife at me, "No man."

"I'm also alone."

"Why? Dangerous."

"Because of you or something else?"

"Something else."

"Are you hunting?"

She nodded, "Hunting."

"For what?"

She stepped towards me, about a few inches away from me. She lowered her head and stared right into my eyes.

"Man."

"Why's that?"

"Hurt jungle. Take animals and plants. Burn the rest."

"Oh, I see."

"Go," she pointed back towards the path.

"I'm kind of lost actually."

She let out a groan before walking off in that general direction, "Follow."

"How long have you been out here?"

Silence.

"Your entire life? Since you were younger? And what's your name?"

"Odessa."

"So you'll answer that but not how long you've been out here?"

"Silence."

"My bad," I said, rubbing my arm.

Once the path became clear, Odessa stepped away from the line of sight. I got back onto the trail and turned to find her sinking back into the shadows.

"Thank you, Odessa."

"Go home. Don't come back."

"What about you?"

"Handle my own," she said.

As she was walking away from me, I took note of the numerous scars that were on her back. I knew the front side of her had scars, but I wasn't expecting so much on her back. There was even a fresh wound that I had just noticed. And it was around her leg.

"You're hurt."

"Fine."

"Let me take care of it."

She turned to face me once more, pointing in the direction of the beach.

"Home. Now."

"Please, Odessa. If you protect the jungle, who protects you?"

"I do," she walked off, going further and further into the jungle until her burning red hair could no longer be seen.