Chapter 11: Aggresive

I saw two dark orbs looking back, intently. Both are so intense as well as the atmosphere, well it mostly came from me ofcourse. The strands of hair in my nape shot up like of a tensed cat because of the weird and almost naked looking guy.

He is much taller than me and his skin color is darker contrast to my tan. His eyes are so round with red-colored tattoos. He is wearing some kind of a headress in the color of brown. He wears little clothing, something enough to cover his private parts. It is a skirt made out of hay. His face looked stoic unlike mine that is confused for a few seconds, only his remained that way while I slightly calmed down and was now thinking straight. A native.

He is carrying a weapon in his other hand while the other is resting on his side. He looked like he's out for a hunt when he saw me.

"H-hi." I waved my hands slowly in the air, trying my best to communicate. "I...am..a..friend."

His face contorted so I continued. Talking slower together with some gestures as I read his face.

"Who...are...you? I...am...Ansel. A...friend." I nodded to my own words. "An-sel...a..fr-fr-fri-en-d."

I noticed his firm hold in his weapon. I took a step back. Did he not understand me? Am I that confusing? Is my words too much for him to take?

As if on cue, he started bursting into laughter. He laughed so hard he shed a tear. He wiped it down using a finger and breathed in before clearing his throat after a few moments. He then faced me with the most smug face I ever saw in my life, it annoyed me.

"Quit it. You look dumb." He said in straight english with a bit of accent.

What!?

A flush rose to my cheeks and it worsened every passing second. I am not flushing as if seeing-and-being-able-to-talk-to-my-crush kind of flush but in an annoyed, irritated and mad manner. I was sure I would blow steam in both my ears and nose if this is some kind of cartoon.

But the reality is too cruel infront of me it made me whisk away the thought of friendly and funny-looking characters.

"Sorry." He burst a chuckle before clearing his throat once again. "You look too funny so I decided to let you do it for a long duration."

My brows furrowed and my knuckles are fisted in a tight manner. The fear long forgotten and the brawl I am imagining was somehow looks quite inviting at the moment, I thought I should entertain it.

"Calm down, Uno. I am just kidding."

"I am no Uno. The name's Ansel." I said firmly and sharply, making sure he heard the message from the tone.

I am not kidding. Even if this is some-kind of magic. Even if this dream will never be again a part of my 'escapades' if it means I do not have to see him again then so be it.

"Right. You are not, Uno."

I looked at him dead in the eye. He chuckled more and touched the piece of jewelry he is currently wearing. It is a necklace adorned with wooden handicrafts. It rests on his wide and masculine brown chest.

"You know, you are too aggressive for a visitor. You somewhat remind me of some people I met a few times. I know your kind."

My nose scrunched in confusion. He is tall and maybe older than me and I cannot hide the fact that he exudes intimidation and I am indeed intimidated but his eyes...his eyes looks tired and sad.

I gulped and cleared my throat. The rage I am feeling slowly faded and was replaced with worry. I bit my tongue guiltily and tried to be more friendly and nice.

"I...I am not. I was just perplexed, that is all. It is not everyday that you get to see this amazing place a-and meet someone like you that actually lives here."

His expression changed. It looks excited now. Maybe there is something that made him that way. And not long before I found out what seemed to cause it.

"Well, there are others like me. Come!"

He turned and started walking to a path that I only noticed when he moved a low-hanging branch. It is not noticeable because of the dirt and leaves and twigs that seemed to block the path out of view.

"O-okay!" I mumbled hesitantly.

In the middle of the trail, I started having second thoughts. Sure, the journey and the nature surrounding us made it more easy for me to forget about other thoughts, but I eventually end up procrastinating when I saw a smoke coming from somewhere along trail. It did not help for it feed the imaginative and hyperactive side of my brain to unleash bad and maybe, silly thoughts.

I watched a movie like this some time ago. It is about a group of people getting stucked in an isolated island and found out the cannibals living in there.

A chill immeadiately traveled down my spine. The gruesome and horrific scenes played in my mind in replay. But it got worse every step I took, that I even imagine myself in that situation and it became more and more hideous.

No. No. No. No. Absolutely no!

"W-wait!" I finally said after several times of practice in my head.

He stopped for a moment and looked over his shoulder but then continued walking without looking back again.

"We are almost there." His voice is rich and deep. It dripped with finality.

I slowly walked with him with unstoppable thoughts wandering inside my head. I inhaled and exhaled with vigor as if it would help me to feel at ease.

I looked around trying to find a way out but the unfamiliar and widespread of trees makes me reconsidering my plan. Where would I go if ever? And knowing these kinds of people, they know the jungle like the back of their hands.

I was full of thoughts that I didn't noticed that we finally reached the end of the road.

"We are here, Uno."