104
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
watching his compass and his digital watch that his father had
given him. He thought to himself that Ki Mab was leading them
right back in the direction they had fled from, towards the very
active volcano. Hours of walking came and went. When they
asked Ki Mab how much further, he only replied, “Not much
further, remember Bardala needs you.”
“Jonathan, did you bring your ICOM walkie-talkie?” Viviana
asked quietly.
“Of course, it’s in my backpack. I’ve already tried to reach
them on mine. They must be out of range, or there is some
interference,” Jonathan replied.
“I’ve tried on mine and it’s the same, no response. Don’t you
think that’s kind of funny?” Viviana wanted to know.
“Yes, but they’re probably busy making moon eyes at each
other. Don’t you see how Bar acts around Tital?” Jonathan
smirked.
“But...he is just like family,” Viviana said, not really knowing
everything.
“Exactly,” Jonathan confirmed.
The jungle path opened right back to the burned out Almayan
village, which they had fled from when starting their journey to
safety.
Viviana asked, “Where are Bardala and Tital?”
“Let my men track them, as they must be close-by,” Ki Mab
said, as he waved his arm, “you two, go find their trail.”
The two villagers knew what to do, as Ki Mab had instructed
them earlier. Point at the ground, make it look as if they have
found tracks, and then tell Ki Mab that the outsiders had gone
towards the volcano. It was all Viviana and Jonathan could do at
this point to believe their guide. The two tribesmen pointed at