Jungle Phoenix

Ryvin checked his parachute again as he got ready to jump from the plane. His goal was to find the Phoenix and prove to everyone it was real. Looking out over the jungle, he spotted a few landmarks from his last visit. He was close now. The clearing past the bridge was coming up. It was the closest he could get to the ruins. They protected the entrance to a valley with a canopy so thick it was like being in the darkest night no matter what time of day it was. Ryvin nodded to the guy standing by the door waiting to close it after he jumped. Triple, checking that his pack was secure, he took the plunge and waved as he free fell for a few feet. Flipping and spreading his arms and legs, he slowed his descent. When he was at the proper height, he pulled the cord, grunting as his body jerked in its harness. Maneuvering himself into place, he touched down gently in the center of the clearing, running a few paces to gain momentum control. After securing his parachute in a pouch, Ryvin set off towards the ruins. His pace was steady and he would be there within three hours.

He smiled as the ruins revealed themselves to him when he exited the thick jungle. His shoulders practically sighed in relief as he set his heavy pack on the steps that led into the temple. He sat and stretched before taking a sandwich and some veggies out for lunch. The monkeys playing close by watched him as he ate, waiting for him to leave something unattended for them to eat or play with.

When he was done, he made sure to collect everything and put it in his pack. He did not want to leave anything the impact the environment. Once that was accomplished, he headed into the temple. Taking a sharp left down a narrow hallway, stopping halfway and pressing a decal on the wall to his right. The wall slid back with a groan, revealing the moss laden ground and dense jungle beyond. Ryvin took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the damp musky air, then headed into the darkness ahead.

He walked for hours, only taking a brief moment to pull out his wrist lights and head lamp when he couldn’t see where he was going. After a few more hours, his body was feeling weighed down, and he had to stop. He took out his parachute and made a makeshift shelter. He ate one of his MRE’s and put his trash in his pack before curling up in his sleeping bag.

Ryvin spent the next 3 days following this pattern. On the morning of day four, he was starting to feel slightly depressed that he hadn’t had any sightings of the Phoenix. It had been ten years since he’d been here last, but his fourteen-year-old self had seen it less than an hour into his exploration of the valley.

Wait, was that a flash of something? Ryvin thought, turning his lights off. There was a definite glow ahead. He moved carefully, so he didn’t trip or make too much noise and scare the bird. It was agonizingly slow. He wanted to rush. He’d been dreaming of this for so long. It was really no more than ten minutes, even though it felt like an eternity before he stepped into a small meadow with flowers in colors he’d never seen. They glowed in the darkness, casting a rainbow of color against the trees that surrounded them.

A soft cry sounded above him and he looked up to see three glowing Phoenix flying in circles around each other. Ryvin quickly dropped his pack to the floor and rummaged through it to find the camera he’d brought. Taking it out, he quickly snapped some photos of the frolicking birds. Then more of the glow in the dark meadow. When he felt he had enough “evidence” he sat back resting against a tree trunk to watch for a bit longer.

Ryvin came awake with a start, having fallen asleep while he watched the birds play. A disgruntled chirp came from the large bird that had been startled awake in his lap. The Phoenix had been curled up in his lap like a house cat. It was now looking up at him with one eye as it assessed him for danger. Ryvin slowly reached out and brushed his fingers down its back. The Phoenix clicked its beak and extended its neck in invitation. Ryvin gently stroked its head, feeling the extra heat from its glowing body.

Picking up his camera, he snapped another photo, then a few more as the Phoenix appeared to enjoy having its photo taken. When he was done, the Phoenix reached down and plucked a feather from its tail and dropped it in Ryvin’s lap before flying away “Thank you.” Ryvin said to the retreating bird before placing the feather into his pack.

Shaking off his melancholy, Ryvin rose and took one more look at the beautiful sight before him, then headed back the way he’d come. He had a long journey ahead of him and only two weeks to make it. The riverboat captain keeps a tight schedule and only stops by the jungle pier once a month. If Ryvin was honest with himself, he really didn’t care if he missed the boat and had to tough out the jungle for a month. He had his proof now he had to decide if it was worth sharing. The last thing he wanted was for his tranquil meadow to become a tourist attraction. He also didn’t want to risk anything happening to his new Phoenix friend. Taking a deep breath, his step lightened as he decided that this would remain his secret. He would come back, but he wouldn’t share this with anyone. It was too precious and humans were cruel. It didn’t matter if anyone believed his fourteen-year-old self. He knew the truth, and that was all that really mattered.