The group of trekkers were chit chatting on their way in that jungle. They were amateur trekkers who had come to this jungle for the first time. It was noon, and they were looking for a good place to have lunch.
“Help! Somebody!... Help us!” The group heard someone calling for help. The trekkers looked at each other.
“Should we go and see?” Rateesh anxiously asked others.
“Somebody, please help us.” Again the distressful voice was heard.
“Okay, let’s go and see.” Jnanesh, the leader of the group, replied.
The group ran in the direction of the voice. They had to go through bushes. When they reached the place, there were two girls standing near a lake. Looking at them, the girls came running. They were crying.
“Please, help us. Our friends are stranded there.” They pointed towards a tiny island in the middle of the lake. There were three boys, waving their hands at the group frantically.
“Can’t they swim? If not, then how did they end up there?” Rateesh asked one of the girls.
“They can swim but they’re injured. Someone has to bring them here. That’s why we had been looking for help. Can you guys go there and bring them back?” The girls joined their hands. Jnanesh took out his binoculars, and looked at the stranded ones. His mouth opened in shock. They had deep wounds on their bodies, and were bleeding.
“Well, I’m not sure. In this situation, I think we should return to our base camp as soon as possible, and look for help. By the way, how did they get injured?” Jnanesh asked, scratching his beard.
“No, no, please. We can’t leave them like this. They will die! At least, give them first aid treatment, so the bleeding can stop.” One of the girls insisted. Jnanesh thought for a minute, then agreed. He got ready, and went near the water.
“Stop there! Who are you guys? And you, where do you think you’re going?” A hoarse voice came from behind. Everyone turned back. A handsome young man was standing there in a forest guard uniform.
“Ah, thank god! Sir, glad you came. These girls need help…” Jnanesh narrated everything to the forest guard. The forest guard glared at those girls. The girls stepped back in frustration, and stood afar.
“Ok, you guys can leave now. I’ll handle this situation. Now go.” In a commanding voice the forest guard told them. Rateesh felt something was off.
“No Sir, we will stay and help you. We have to give them first aid treatment. Otherwise, they will be dead soon.” Rateesh said reluctantly.
The forest guard smirked and said, “It won’t happen. They’re already dead.”
The group thought he was joking. The forest guard sighed and continued.
“See, last year a group of trekkers from a metro came this way. There were three boys, and two girls. They decided to have lunch here. Then, the boys jumped to play in the water. They didn’t know this lake was inhabited by a huge crocodile.” He paused, and pointed towards a certain spot in the lake. The group turned to see a pair of fiendish eyes watching them silently in the water. The group went numb for a second, and then huddled behind the forest guard. He smiled and continued.
“That crocodile attacked those boys. They tried to escape by reaching the tiny island but were killed. The girls didn’t know what to do, and where to go. It was their first trekking experience. They cried for help but attracted a pack of wild dogs. The poor girls ended up as dog food. Since then, everyday those incidents are reenacted. A few trekkers like you who came this way, tried to help but became that crocodile’s food.”
“Eh?! No way. The girls looked fine to me.” Jnanesh turned to look at the girls, and his face turned pale. The girls were covered in blood and had numerous bite marks. Some of their fingers were missing.
The group had already moved backwards in fear. Rateesh silently grabbed Jnanesh’s arm, and pulled him back. The forest guard joined them. The ghosts of the girls stood there crying, stretching their hands for help.
The forest guard led them out of the area, and pointed towards a hill.
“If you walk in this direction for two hours, you will see a remote village at the foot of that hill. There, talk to the village chief. He will help you to get out of this jungle. Be careful.”
He turned to move in another direction, but Rateesh stopped him by saying, “Thank you Sir. We’ll never forget your help. But tell me, how do you know this much detail?”
“Well, I was the first victim of this death trap, dying on the very first day of my duty.” The forest guard replied in a regretful voice. The group went silent in shock. He waved, and walked away, disappearing into thin air.
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