The Ruby

The Congolian jungle: Untouched by civilization for millions of years. One of the most dangerous places in the world. And dead in the center of it, lie the most dangerous creatures of them all.  

poisonous lizards and exotic birds scamper through the larger-than-life trees. Giant spiders the size of dinner plates set their webs along small clearings in the brush. On the jungle floor, a massive colony of giant ants make their home, millions scurrying along the wooded ground. For 10,000 different species, this was home. Suddenly, breaking the natural silence, a rumble erupted from behind the woods. A small jeep, loaded with supplies, was attempting to navigate through the remote jungle. One man, staying ahead of the jeep, cut at the vines that draped along the jungle paths, letting the jeep drive through unscathed. This man was Jestwick Longbottom. Adventurer and treasure hunter extraordinaire. Hero of the great war, and finder of priceless ancient artifacts of the uncharted world. He’s spent a fair share of his life in unfamiliar and dangerous areas. This jungle is no exception. Behind him is his loyal crew. Dr. Najeep: Indian professor of the ancient world. Ron carter: American pilot, and professional gun-for-hire. And Albert Coup: Zoologist, specializing in the African and South American jungles. As anyone could see, Jestwick Longbottom and his crew were nothing but the best. And the prize they were searching for was just their kind of job. For years, Jestwick had been fascinated by the legendary Sahara Ruby. It took years of study and hardship, but at last he’d tracked it down. Right to the center of the Congolian Jungle.  

“I don’t think the jeep’s going to be able to cross this brush lads.” Jestwick said, as they reached a thick line of trees coating the path. “we’re going to have to continue on foot.”  

“Alright, bring only the necessities. It’s probably just a couple more miles to the shrine.” Ron stopped the jeep and hopped out. He opened the back of the jeep, revealing his massive collection of guns, smuggled back from the war. He took out a large shotgun and slung it around his shoulder. “This should do,” he said to himself. Coup and Dr. Najeep stepped out of the jeep, grabbed their packs and started heading north, to where the shrine should’ve been. “Let’s go everybody,” Coup said, “We should be able to get there before nightfall.” and so the crew of treasure hunters started on their way to the shrine, unbeknownst that a shadowed figure had been watching them behind the brush, eyeing their every move. 

A few hours passed, and Jestwick and his crew were still on their way to the ruby. “Longbottom!” 

Dr. Najeep called from behind the group, fear in his voice. “We need to leave now.”  

“What in god’s name are you talking about Professor?” Jestwick said. “we’re nearly there.”  

Dr. Najeep pointed to a carving on a nearby tree. “This is the sign of the Tusii, a tribe of cannibals. They’re one the deadliest native tribes in Africa.” 

“Cannibals?” Jestwick said with disbelief. “Dr. Najeep, finding this Ruby is my life’s work, and I’m not about to throw it all away because of some blasted cannibals!” Dr. Najeep stared at him in shock. “Fine.” Dr. Najeep said, “But if anything happens to us, it’s all on you.”  

“So be it.” Jestwick turned around and continued along through the Tusii’s jungle, the rest of his crew nervously following him, watching the brush for natives. hours passed as they continued their trek. Slowly, they hacked their way through the dense forest. In the back of the group, Albert saw something that caught his eye.  

“Hey everybody,” Coup called. “Come check this out.” Coup walked towards an eerie bundle of sticks, tied together to resemble a person. Twisted paintings and feathers covered the figure, getting more disturbing the longer Coup looked at it. Slowly, he reached out to it. Dr. Najeep looked over to him. Instantly he recognized it as the Tusii figure of death. He knew what would happen to Coup if he grabbed it. “NO!” he cried out to Coup, but he had already picked it up. He pulled the doll up to him but to his surprise, a string connected to the doll came up with it. In an instant, the string pulled back into the ground, and as Coup let the doll go, it made a loud click. Coup’s eyes widened as a massive log, covered with spears, came falling from the tree branches above. Coup didn’t run, he just looked up with pure fear, and screamed. The giant spiked log fell right on Coup, impaling every part of his body and forming a crater in the ground. 

 When the dust cleared, Jestwick, Dr. Najeep and Ron ran over to the spiked log, Coup underneath it. They were speechless for a minute and then Ron abruptly broke the silence. 

“Screw This!” he yelled and ran in the opposite direction. “Carter!”  Jestwick yelled, raising his rifle at him. “If you leave now, Coup’s death will have been for nothing.” his finger gripped the trigger in anger. “It already was for nothing!” Ron yelled back. “That damn jewel wasn’t worth a life to begin with!”  

“If you take one step back, I’ll shoot.” Jestwick cried, loading his rifle. Immediately, Ron cocked his shotgun and aimed it at Jestwick. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Longbottom,” he said. The two men stood off in the jungle, each one’s finger on the trigger. Their hold on it getting tighter each second. Suddenly, Dr. Najeep Jumped in between them. “Stop this!” he cried. Jestwick looked at the Dr. and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a feathered dart jammed into his neck. His eyes went wide, and he stumbled backwards. A skinny figure emerged from the brush, covered in war paint and loincloths. He held a blowgun, the barrel aimed right at Jestwick. In an instant, Ron turned and fired his shotgun at the Native. 

 The bullet hit the warrior and he fell to the ground with a scream. Dr. Najeep and Ron ran to Jestwick, who was on the ground in agony. Carefully, Dr. Najeep pulled the dart from his neck, and sniffed the venom coating it. “It’s puff adder venom.” Dr. Najeep said. “We need to get you to the Jeep now.” “No, no” Jestwick said weakly, “I have to get to it…the Ruby.” Jestwick got up slowly, his eyes had quickly become bloodshot and his skin clammy. Adrenaline coursing through him, Jestwick started to run up a large hill towards the shrine. “Jestwick!” Ron yelled. Dr. Najeep and Ron ran after him, slowly gaining, until Dr. Najeep saw a small wire on the ground. Unable to stop himself in time, he ran right into it. It snapped with a loud twang. Above him, he saw what must have been hundreds of boulders, hurdling down to the ground. “Look out!” he screamed. Ron and Dr. Najeep dived out of the way, as boulders crashed onto the ground. Below them, they heard a loud whooping, and dozens of natives ran at them from behind the brush, surrounding them. “Go!” Ron said to Dr. Najeep as he loaded his shotgun. “Get Jestwick! I’ll hold them off.”  

Dr. Najeep sprinted to the top of the hill, not looking back. All in a few seconds, he heard the boom of the shotgun, again and again, the whooping of the natives, the throwing of a spear, then a cry of pain, and an abrupt silence. As Dr. Najeep got to the top of the hill. He saw Jestwick. And he saw the shrine. Jestwick called out to him. “Dr. Najeep, I found it!” He looked pale and shriveled, like he was already dead. Dr. Najeep ran to the shrine. “Jestwick!” he screamed. “We need to get out of here now.” but it was like Jestwick couldn’t even hear him. He was dazed at the sight of the Jewel, as if he was in a trance. Screams emerged from the top of the hill, and a group of natives ran down it, throwing spears and shooting arrows at the two explorers. Dr. Najeep snatched Jestwick’s rifle from his shoulder, realizing that Jestwick would be of no help, and began firing at the natives. He fired again and again, a body falling with each shot, until he heard a click from the gun. He turned to Jestwick, still gazing intently at the Ruby, “Jestwick, we need to get out of he-”  

Dr. Najeep’s voice went hoarse. He tried to scream but no sound came out. He looked down. A spear was lodged in his stomach, impaling him like a skewer. He let out a groan, then slowly collapsed. Only then did Jestwick look. He saw Dr. Najeep’s corpse, and then looked at the hill expecting to see Ron, but only seeing a bloody body lying in the grass, clutching an empty shotgun. Then he remembered Coup, and his grisly demise. Jestwick dropped the jewel from his fingertips. It hit the ground silently and tumbled into the soft jungle grass. Jestwick realized what he’d done. This was his fault. All of it. Jestwick let out a cry of pure rage. He knew what he had to do. Jestwick pulled out his hunting knife, its sharp blade gleaming in the hot sun. He swished it around a few times, preparing for what would come. Fast as lightning, the army of cannibals surrounded him, their sharp wooden spears pointed to his head. Jestwick knew that there was only one way this would end. The famous explorer of the world clutched his knife in his hand and attacked. 

The End