Maybe there was some kind of panther-like animal just waiting to strike.

CRACK.

A hefty branch dropped from the dark canvas above. It darted directly for my head. I sidestepped just fast enough to avoid a blow to the head, but the branch still struck my shoulder. Not a killing stroke, but I felt the impact as it ricocheted off of my body and hit the jungle bed. Where did that come from?

         “Get away from me, Ted!” yelled a familiar voice.

Jess.
         “It’s not Ted, it’s Rick!” I yelled into the shady space where she hid.

Suddenly, her lovely face popped out of the darkness above, whipping out from behind a tree.

    ...

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