The sharp, high calls of coquis and thousands of other hidden nocturnal creatures began to fill the air as the sun slipped lower in the sky. Darkness fell quickly in the rainforest, the trees blocking what little light remained of the red and pink and orange sunset. The sound of laughing tourists joined the small animals calling for their mates as locals moved silently around a large clearing, re-lighting special torches used to keep mosquitos and other biting insects away.
A small bus wound silently along the beaten path to a large building at the center of the clearing. The little electric vehicle squeaked to a stop and the doors hissed opened. Employees of the large "eco hotel" exited the vehicle, talking animatedly with each other. They broke off into groups and made their way to different parts of the complex.
Lorena smiled at the driver as she walked down the few steps of the bus. Her shy smile betrayed brilliant white teeth and dimples that made more than one young boy profess their love to her. The old driver smiled fondly in return and wished her a good evening as he closed the door. Lorena straightened her crisp uniform when a tour bus full of rowdy tourists pulled up behind her.
"And here we are, ladies and gentlemen," the tour guide said with a flourish. The young man spoke with a slight accent but, having given the speech hundreds of times, it was barely noticeable. "We end the first day's tour at Posada Ecológica. We hope you've enjoyed the small tour of Amaqui but we promise that there's much more to see in our beautiful country. Guides are waiting to show you to your assigned bungalow. We have entertainment planned for the evening - dancing and singing and delicious food await you!"
Standing to the side, Lorena adjusted the tight, intricate braid her grandmother had made for her earlier. She watched the tourists leave the bus, eyeing each of them in turn with sharp, black eyes. Several of the women were attractive and a few of the men were quite handsome. She loved her country and her village but she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy she felt from these travelers. She was blessed with a loving family and a well-paying job but she'd never travel; she'd never experience life beyond the ordinary daily routine she'd made for herself.
Her eyes tracked one man while her mind wandered. He was tall and slim with a short beard. His loose white shirt was soaked from the armpits and chest like the rest of the Americanos and his brown hair was short but curly. He had a relaxed way about himself and stood apart from the group. She watched the young man follow the other tourists and wondered why, despite the beauty around him, he looked so sad.
The young girl shook herself and walked to the main office, away from where the tourists were being led. She spoke briefly to her manager to get the list of bungalows she'd be cleaning while the guests enjoyed their entertainment. Music and shouting greeted her as she stepped outside into the humid air and she watched the dancers for a moment. Her tanned cheeks blushed red as she watched the girls move their hips and found herself moving in return.
Maybe I can get Juan to go dancing with me this weekend,
Lorena thought as she stepped lightly from one foot to the other, matching the steps of the girls on stage.
He seems sweet to me.
Humming, Lorena went to work and time passed. She greeted the other women and listened to them gossip while they busied themselves with cleaning. She was new and not yet confident in herself to join in their conversations - especially since the rest of them were from other villages. She saw the man from earlier a few times and felt her eyes drawn to him whenever she passed. He reminded her of Rafael from her village. But older and more mature and she wondered if he was a good dancer.
Lorena worked late into the night. The rainforest sang to her and made her feel safe and at home. The hotel was unique - an "Eco Friendly" place where guests could enjoy a natural environment away from the stress and rush of the city. The rainforest surrounded them for kilometers and the Basate River was less than half a day's ride away. The young girl lived at the hotel during the week and the sounds kept her from feeling homesick.
With a sigh, Lorena lowered herself to a bench near one of the cabana's she'd just cleaned. There was only three more to go but her feet and back were sore and she needed a moment to rest. A single guest, an older man, stumbled at the far end of the clearing. The young girl watched him stop at the edge of the forest and then step between two mossy trees.
It wasn't illegal for guests to explore but, at the beginning of their stay, each tourist sat through a lecture on the dangers of the natural rainforest. Wandering without a guide was highly discouraged.
Lorena frowned, squinting to see the man through the silvery moonlight filtering through the canopy.
"He'll be back," she whispered to herself as she stood. Carrying her bucket of cleaning supplies, the young girl went to the next cabana and scrubbed while glancing at the trees. She grew more nervous with each passing moment until, finally, she set her supplies down. She walked to where the old man had been and stopped, peering through the darkness.
"E- excuse me?" Lorena called out in accented English. She heard a twig crack further in. "Sir? You aren't supposed to be out there. Sir?"
Lorena hesitated. They were trained to offer assistance if needed and especially if it would keep the security detail from getting involved. She told herself he was probably just using the bathroom but she heard nothing beyond the croaks and bird calls and other random sounds.
"Sir?" Lorena called again, stepping into the forest. The girl walked slowly for, despite the moonlight, the trees were thick and her night vision was dulled by the torches kept lit around the hotel. "Can you hear me?"
The girl stepped carefully over fallen trees and exposed roots, occasionally calling out for the lost guest. Her heart hammered in her chest the deeper she went. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and she almost called out again but, instead, froze.
The forest was silent.
Lorena's hand trembled against the the tree she was using for support. She could hear wild calls far in the distance but, around her, a pregnant silence filled the air. She swallowed dry and felt the panic rising in her.
Go back slowly
, she told herself as cold sweat slid down her back.
Retrace your steps. Don't run. Don't panic. Just start moving.
Lorena turned.
And screamed as a weight slammed into her back. Fire erupted from her side and then darkness swallowed her, blessedly taking the pain with it.
---
"Lorena! Lorena!" a loud voice called.
The young girl gasped and shrieked and sat up, shielding her eyes against the bright overhead lights. Despite her panic and the unfamiliar room, her first thought was that the hotel shouldn't have electric lights.
A strong hand steadied the girl and she looked around, wincing at the soreness in her side. She touched her stomach tentatively and felt smooth, warm skin. She'd been undressed at some point and now only her bra kept her from being topless.
"Careful," the voice said. Lorena turned slowly to see an older woman standing next to her. "You've hit your head and we still need to check you for a concussion. How are you feeling?"
Lorena swallowed and explored her side. She remembered the pain she'd felt and was honestly surprised to find herself whole. Her finger traced a pale white line on her skin, just above her hip.
