White Panther
an excerpt

“What do you mean we’re not using a guide? Are you nuts? We can’t just walk into the jungle without a guide.” Yet even as she spoke she was sliding her backpack around her shoulders and fastening the straps around her chest and waist.

“You’re confusing me,” Vince admitted, shrugging into his own backpack. “Are we going or not?”

“We’re going,” Juliana said. “I just think you are absolutely crazy for getting us into this.”

“I gave you every opportunity to not come,” Vince pointed out, and almost felt like laughing. This was one of the most frustrating situations he’d ever faced in his life. He held up one hand to stave off her tirade, digging in his pocket with his other. “But we won’t get into that again. Besides,” he added, brandishing a machine. “I have a guide.”

“A GPS?” Juliana said. “That’s your guide? That’s it, you’re officially nuts.” Nevertheless, she followed him into the trees as he began

“No, Juliana, this is all unofficial,” he said over his shoulder.

“What the hell does that mean?” she asked, breathing slightly heavier as she caught up with him. Sweat was all ready dampening her forehead, but she didn’t seem to notice it. He pulled out his machete, ready to use it when they reached the deeper part of the forest and the tall grasses.

“It means,” he said, “that technically, this is not an archaeological expedition. This is just two tourists going for a hike in the jungle. We’re just looking to see if there’s anything worth going to the Republic’s government with a request to do an archaeological dig.”

“So, wait, you’re trying to find the white panther right now?” she demanded.

“No,” he said patiently. “I’m trying to find the village. If we can find the village, we can ask to do a dig there. That will give us ample time to find the artisan’s hiding spot and find the statue then.”

“Oh,” Juliana said. “I guess that makes sense. But what were going to do if I had agreed to stay at home like a good little girl? Were you going to just go traipsing off into the jungle alone?”

“This is just a simple reconnaissance trip!” Vince said, but he could feel himself beginning to flush, and silently cursed his fair skin which constantly gave away his emotions.

“You don’t even speak any of the languages!” she said incredulously. “Seriously, who do you think you are, Indiana Jones? Because he’s the only person who could possibly pull off this kind of stunt.”

Vince winced and started moving faster when he felt the blush move down to the back of his neck and below. He almost felt as if his toes were blushing. Hearing Juliana protest behind him, he keeps his pace and doesn’t look back at her.

Then he hears her start chuckling, just a little under her breath, and he whirls around. “What is so funny?” he demanded.

Juliana bit her lip, but couldn’t stop the laughter. Her arms went around her middle and she half-bent as she laughed. “Oh my God,” she gasped, straightening up again. “You think you’re Indiana Jones, don’t you?”

“So what?” His tone was far more strident and angry than he’d intended; he’d wanted to be calm and even a little flip, but it didn’t come out that way.

“Everyone needs a hero, don’t they!” She was still smiling at him when he turned around and continued on, his footfalls heavier than before.

After several minutes of bird sounds and light chuckling behind him, he hears, “It’s cute, really,” in what he’s sure is meant to be a soothing tone.

“Shut up,” he growled over his shoulder.

A few moments later, she said, “Lara Croft.”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. “Excuse me?” he asked, not sure he’d heard correctly.

She wasn’t meeting his eye. “I like to think I’m Lara Croft,” she said, her voice studiously giving nothing away. “You know, from Tomb Raider? I think it would be awesome to be Lara Croft.”

He burst out laughing before he could stop it, and after several long moments of mirth he looked up to find her studying him and tapping her foot impatiently. “Are you done?” she asked pointedly.

“Complete with grenade launchers?” he asked, and started chuckling again.

“I prefer her twin pistols, myself,” she said dryly, which just set him off again. She yawned ostentatiously when he began to collect himself again.

He wheezed a bit and said, “I’m sorry. You just took me by surprise. I’m surprised you’ve even played video games.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve beaten every Lara Croft game.”

He eyed her in surprise now. “You seem to sensible to be dragged into that stuff.”

She frowned. “Just because I’m sensible doesn’t mean I can’t have a sense of humor. Or of fun, for that matter.” She shook her head. “Look, now that we’ve both admitted we’re nuts, can we get going, please? It’s getting hotter and I’d like to make some time before we have to stop for lunch.”