stop him dead in his tracks. After a full minute of paralysis Kevin
recommenced his progress toward freedom. He even began to feel the first
wave of relief as the smell of the damp jungle replaced the feral scent
of the bonobos. But that relief was short-lived.
Another clap of thunder followed by a sudden tropical downpour scared
Kevin to the point that he almost lost his balance. It was only after
frantic arm swinging that he managed to stay upright and in his planned
path. He shuddered to think how close he’d come to stepping on one of
the sleeping bonobos.
With another ten feet to go, Kevin could now see the black silhouette of
the jungle below. The nocturnal sounds of the jungle were now audible
over the bonobos’ snores.
Kevin was close enough to begin worrying about how to make the steep
descent to the ground when calamity struck. His heart leaped into his
throat as he felt a hand on his leg! Something had grabbed him around
the ankle with such force that instant tears formed in his eyes. Looking
down in the half light, the first thing he saw was his watch. It was on
the hairy wrist of the powerful bonobo number one.
‘Tada,’ shouted the bonobo as he leaped to his feet, upending Kevin in
the process. Luckily, the floor of that part of the cave was covered
with refuse which broke Kevin’s fall. Nevertheless, he landed on his
left hip in a jarring fashion.
Bonobo number one’s yell brought the other bonobos to their feet. For a
moment, there was utter chaos until they all understood that there was
no danger.
Bonobo number one let go of Kevin’s ankle only to reach down and grasp
him by his upper arms. In an amazing demonstration of strength, he
picked Kevin up and held him off the ground at arm’s length.
The bonobo gave a loud, long, angry vocalization. All Kevin could do was
wince in pain at the animal’s tight grip.
At the end of his tirade, bonobo number one marched into the depths of
the cave and literally tossed Kevin into the smaller chamber. After a
final angry word, he went back to his pallet.
Kevin managed to push himself up to a sitting position. He’d again
landed on his hip, and it felt numb. He’d also sprained a wrist and
scraped an elbow. But considering the fact that he’d been literally
thrown through the air, he was better off than he’d anticipated.
More cries echoed inside of the cave, presumably from bonobo number one,
but Kevin couldn’t tell for certain in the darkness. He felt his right
elbow. He knew that the sticky warmth had to be blood.
‘Kevin?’ Melanie whispered. ‘Are you okay?’
‘As good as can be expected,’ Kevin said.
‘Thank God,’ Melanie said. ‘What happened?’
‘I don’t know,’ Kevin said. ‘I’d thought I’d made it. I was right at the
cave’s entrance.’
‘Are you hurt?’ Candace asked.
‘A little,’ Kevin admitted. ‘But no broken bones. At least, I don’t
think so.’
‘We couldn’t see what happened,’ Melanie said.
‘My double scolded me,’ Kevin said. ‘At least that’s what I think he was
doing. Then he threw me back in here. I’m glad I didn’t land on either
of you.’
‘I’m so sorry I encouraged you to go,’ Melanie said. ‘I guess you were
right.’
‘It’s good of you to say,’ Kevin said. ‘Well, it almost worked. I was so
close.’
Candace switched on the flashlight with her hand shielding the front
lens. She held it near Kevin’s arm to check his elbow.
‘I guess we’re going to have to count on Bertram Edwards,’ Melanie said.
She shuddered and then sighed. ‘It’s hard to believe: we’re prisoners of
our own creations.’