The First Jumper (first draft version)

The First Jumper 16: Marooned

Little Bear looked around him, tried to take a step, and fell down.  He hit the ground, hard, and it jarred him enough to realize he was in a body that matched the aliens.  He was marooned here, and this was the only body he would ever have.

No world, no people, no child, no home.  He did not vibrate with grief, as his people did, but he could feel his eyes stinging, and his breath came out in a sob.

Then he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and realized he was not alone, after all.

Here, there was hope.  He did not know what he was, anymore, but he was no longer Tarshen.  He didn't know anything about these creatures, but here, at least, he would not be alone.  Here, there was companionship in a desolate universe.

He had found connection in the one called Raccoon, and in Willow, and even in the ones called Ash and Apple.  They were working to help him, as part of their strange society.

Lying in the grass, he told himself that he would have to learn to make his home with these creatures.  He could never go home.

Relaxing, he remembered to let the instincts of his body take control of how it worked.  As he relaxed, he was able to get himself under control.  He managed to get his hands under him, and press himself up to his knees.

“Little Bear, what are you doing?” Willow whispered.  She was terrified.  The jungle was less than fifty feet away, and neither of them had a spear.  They both had knives, but that was all.  “We have to get back with the others, now!”  She pulled on his arm.

Little Bear started to get up, then spotted something on the ground, a few feet away.  As he moved over on his hands and knees to pick it up, Willow hissed, whirling to face the jungle.

Little Bear picked up the little object, and was surprised that he recognized it.  Then he noticed what had frightened Willow.  The jungle had fallen silent.

He scrambled to his feet.  As a Tarshen, he did not know what was the problem, but Little Bear's instincts warned him.

Normally full of cries from birds, insects, and monkeys, the sudden silence could only mean one thing.  Something dangerous was approaching.

Willow and Little Bear stood frozen, listening to the quiet jungle.  They stood utterly still, just as all the little creatures in the forest froze, hoping whatever it was would pass by without noticing them.

Not far from the edge of the forest, a rustling sounded.  Something was moving through the underbrush, just out of sight.

Willow reached out to take Little Bear's hand, even as she pulled her knife from the cord about her neck with the other.  She squeezed his hand for reassurance,

The source of the noise was moving closer, and the jungle was still otherwise silent.  Danger was coming, and the two young people braced themselves.

Any second, now, it would be upon them.

Judging from the rustle, it seemed to hesitate, then swiftly moved in their direction.  We have been spotted, Willow thought, her breath coming in gasps, as the approacher burst out, directly in front of them.  They would be unable to defend themselves, if it was anything more dangerous than . . .

It was a rabbit.

The same rabbit that had been thrown at Little Bear, that had curled up on his chest the night before, came over to him and sat up on its haunches, looking up at him.  Willow burst out laughing at the comical creature.

She put the knife back around her neck, and  dropped her hands to her sides, just as six dire wolves leapt out of the forest.  Willow screamed, but there was no chance of help, from anyone.

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