(Un)Dressed To Kill

Chapter 1 - Lost Dusk

The spring weather is muggy. It's extremely humid here in the jungle. It takes a while to get used to until you've lived here for a while and adapt. Not like I stay here long enough for that though. I'm only here when I either get paid time off from my work in the city or leave of absence when it's granted to me. On my time off, I like to travel, especially when I can get money for doing so!

The truck we are in thuds against the bottom of a pothole. Some of the people in the back yelp in surprise and some of the people just groan. The potholes and terrain out here are crazy. "Out of Trojes, Honduras and into the deep jungles of Nicaragua! We're only about 6 hours from La Reserva Natural Bosawas!" I exclaim as I open the back window, letting everyone know the update. Everyone just groaned and tried to get comfortable on the very bumpy road. You know, it has to take a lot of guts to go HERE on your vacation out of all places. Like, most people go to the Caribbean Sea, or some special fancy family resort. Though I guess it takes a certain type of person to be here on their vacation, as someone who's here on their vacation. No room for me to talk about that, now is there? 

The pay isn't even especially great in comparison to my main job in the big city. I just know the place really well and love to travel, show other people good spots, you know? Well, I guess I'm gonna be talking in my head for the next 6 hours, good thing I brought very bitter coffee to keep me awake. I hate the stuff but the aftertaste is even worse, you drink more and more just to get the aftertaste out of your mouth. I'd buy creamer and sugar but sometimes you have to make do, makes me grateful for the good stuff when I get back home.

After about 5 hours of hardcore spacing out, I notice how deep in the jungles we are. Thankfully I know this area inside and out... for the most part at least. I turn my head towards the window while still keeping my eyes on the path. "We're getting close everyone! The tropical forest is the richest biome in the planet and estimates say that 13% of known species worldwide can be found in Bosawas as well as there is a significant number of Quetzals. A small bird with commonly brown or black feathers on it's head, a green-blue feathered upper chest and wings, and a bright red stomach, so keep your eyes out for those!" I exclaim yet again. 

"Um, mister Malakai?" A young girl most likely in her teen years, pipes up and asks concerned followed by a couple light taps on my shoulder, "Are there any poisonous animals or bad people that might hurt us out there? Er- I don't know- What's it like here, is what I should have asked instead." A sense of deep regret in her voice as she did not mean to come off as prejudice. I smile kindly "Yes, but don't worry. If there are any bad people here, they don't normally attack tourists, only if you're too wealthy or rich. They say you have a certain smell when you have that much money. But don't worry, I used to be a local here in these kinds of parts, I know everyone in this village... As for the poisonous animals, they do live in these parts but as long as we all stick together, there will be no issues. Just make sure the snake's heads are rounded, not triangular. And no matter what, don't. scare. the. animals. Poisonous or not. If you're unsure, take precautions. I have a survival kit just incase of any bites or wounds. I am a certified EMT after all too, not just a tour guide you know." I say with a cheeky grin on my face. The shy teen girl softly chuckles.

"Hey tour guide guy! We need to use the bathroom. We've all been holding it for like a million years now!" An older guy in the truck bed yells grouchily. "Okay, yup sounds good Victor! I'm just going to pull over here and we can all take a bathroom and stretching break for the next ten minutes! Don't worry about where you go number one or two, we don't really have bathrooms here as you may have noticed, so the forest will do for everyone. You get used to it after a while I promise!" I exclaim to all those walking away especially so they can hear me. "Don't go too far though!"