Jungle Rapids

By Teresa Balin

The Obstrike family overcomes several obstacles to finally reach their destination: Jungle Rapids. But by the time they get there the park is closed! Feeling adventurous, they unlawfully enter the park and get lost. Confronted by a bear, gator, and elephants, they fight through the dark and shadowy trees before becoming entangled in the massive park forever.

Two robbers succeed in the theft of a very valuable jewel and use Jungle Rapids as their escape route. But when they lose the jewel and discover other people in the park with them, murder is not beneath them. Jungle Rapids is a wild ride with many twists and a surprise ending.
“This book is going to give me nightmares!”
-A. Daniels, college student

“The author has a way of pulling you into the story. Very witty and compelling.”
-S. Kelly, Financial Advisor

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Balin
• Release date: Jun 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9780615473055

Teresa Balin

My methodology for writing is for the events to play out like a movie in the readers mind. I want them to feel, taste, and smell the atmosphere. That is always my priority when writing. I will tend to write short stories while I am working on a novel. Some ideas are wild but I have so much fun writing them - plus it keeps my mind active - never a bad thing, wouldn't you agree? I reside in sunny and beautiful Naples, FL.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Had they known their actions would lead to certain destruction and confinement, they probably never would have followed through with their plans to rob from one of the wealthiest women in the county. As it were, they were inside the large house and it was as dark as it was quiet.

The risk they were taking was worth it. The gem was estimated to be worth well over a million dollars. This was their biggest pay out yet and they would kill to see it followed through. They could hardly contain their excitement and remained nervous that their energy would exploit their efforts to be quietly successful.

Olive fondled the black velvet bag with his thumb, making sure it was safely inside the leather pack that was tied tightly around his waist. It was said to be one of the most expensive jewels that was locally and privately owned. He swore he could feel rising heat through the soft bag that cradled it. Or maybe it was the heat from his clammy hand. Either way, the gem had an overwhelming sense of positive and natural energy exerting from it. But then again, maybe he just felt that way because he could see dollar signs in his head.

Zipping it back up, they sneaked out of the closet, leaving everything as orderly as they left it. They knew exactly what they wanted and though they drooled over the other jewels, they didn’t disturb them. Only one drawer was left empty.

So as not to disturb the sleeping figure in the bed, they crept down the stairs. A step creaked in protest, abruptly stopping them on the stairs. Roberto stifled his nervous giggles and Olive’s glare instantly silenced him. With the house still quiet, they progressed down to the first floor, where they climbed out of the perfect hole in the window, careful not to get cut on the sharp edge. They replaced the glass, perfectly in line with where they cut it with a razor sharp blade.

Olive couldn’t remember what movie he saw that strategy from, but it proved effective to their means. Standing back, looking at the window, not even he, the instigator, noticed the seam from the cut glass. He smiled and mentally rewarded himself for a job well done.

They raced across the dry grass, undetected in their black outerwear. The neighborhood was ghostly silent and they maintained a careful awareness for any disturbance. Loaded into the waiting car, they drove the short distance toward an empty lot, hidden behind the heavily wooded area and isolated from any neighboring homes.

Olive made sure to grab the map, their only supply from the car. He fingered the pouch, ensuring the content was still securely there. Roberto poured gasoline around and into the vehicle. After tossing in their gloves, Olive excitedly threw in a lit match. The large flames angrily licked and devoured the vehicle, burning any and all evidence. Loud sizzles and pops were emitted from the burning metal and components.

Anxious to be on their way, they headed out of the burning lot and across several backyards, watching for any house that may have been awakened, with the stench of and acrid taste from burning metal following them. Roberto wiped his hands on his pants, in a mental effort to clean the gasoline from his hands. They walked behind their landmark, the only house that was painted brown with tan shutters. In the dark night, the house looked frightened, with the window curtains closed tight. The entrance was surrounded with tall, tan columns. Either to keep the insiders in or the outsiders out, the jailed effect was unwelcoming. Roberto kept glancing at the house, with the sense that this one house knew of their illicit act.

Starved grass crunched under their footsteps, crickets busily chirped, and the moon gave their surroundings eerie shadows. They both nervously glanced back and forth. Olive knew that when the grass was wet with morning dew, their traces would vanish. Their redemption was only a few hours away.

The woods were very dense and as they climbed over fallen trees and rustled through broken branches, the noise level was too high to determine if they were being followed. As they traveled further, they let paranoia rest.

So, Olive, what kind of name is that, anyway? Roberto was breathing hard from walking so fast. Knowing Olive for almost a year, it was a question that he always wanted to ask, but not knowing what kind of reaction he would get, never did. While it was on the edge of his thoughts now, and without thinking, he just blurted it out.

Olive wasn’t annoyed at the question. When he looked back at his past, he just smiled now. When I was growing up, I was the tallest and boniest kid in class. All the kids made fun of me and called me Olive Oil. The name sort of stuck so I shortened it to Olive. He didn’t want to exaggerate that he also beat the kids to a pulp when they called him by that name. Later in his life, he adopted the name as his second ego.

Ya, I always got picked on for being fat. No matter what diets I tried, they never worked. So now I eat what I want and when I want. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a Snicker’s bar, as if to prove his point.

So, what’s your point? You go by fatty and not Roberto?

No, Roberto replied as he munched on his chocolate bar. He was oblivious of the sarcastic tone.

Well, maybe that’s what I’ll start callin’ ya. Olive actually thought it was a good idea that they went by nicknames. He wondered why he didn’t think about it before.

Don’t make no difference to me. Bunching up the wrapper, Roberto tossed it on the ground. Stopping, he reached further into his pants. Hey, wanna see what I have?

Olive stopped and turned around. The silver gun glinted in the moonlight.

Where’d you get that?

Don’t worry ‘bout it. It’s here now. Let’s just hope that the rangers get home in time. He tucked the gun back into his pants.

Olive thought he was smarter than Roberto and wondered why he didn’t think to bring a weapon. The escape route was through the new jungle theme park, which was behind the upscale neighborhood. Monitoring it for days, he knew two people closed and locked up the park, after everyone else left.

He usually had a second plan but he was so confident that things would go smoothly; he didn’t make an alternate plan in case the rangers were delayed. Their schedule was tight but they had lots of room for error, as daybreak was the last resort deadline. He shrugged away the concern.

They continued to fight their way through the woods. Tree branches scratched their arms and occasionally whipped them in the face. The dry, leafy floor gave away their location to night critters that crawled away from them and spurs clung to their boot laces. All the while, moonlight pierced shallowly through the tree tops.

The edge of the woods did not thin out, as they expected it to. A tall fence loomed above them, with the threat of barbed wire at the top. They gazed upwards, thinking about a plan. Olive pulled out the map. While the map did not detail the outer perimeter of the park, they knew this was the beginning of the short journey to their second mode of transportation. He pocketed the map.

Follow my lead, directed Olive. He started to climb the fence, his fingers wrapped around the inside of the links and the toe of his shoe squeezing in through the triangle. Having enough hold and balance, he started climbing. The fence bowed in response to his weight. Before he started to clamber up, Roberto waited until he was a few feet ahead of him.

Because he was lighter, Olive was able to climb to the top faster. Roberto had to climb against his own weight, which made the fence bow even more. He had trouble fitting his fat foot through the triangles and had to pull most of his weight by his arms. His flabby muscles screamed in protest. By the time Roberto reached near the top, Olive was rested enough to start the climb over the barb wire and back down to the bottom.

Okay, wait here until I am completely off the fence, instructed Olive. The pole that ran across the top of the fencing was thicker. Olive was able to put most of his weight on the pole. He then decided the next action to take. Putting one hand over the barbed wire, with the sharp, rusted needle pointing through his spread fingers, he then carefully raised one leg and put it on the other side, testing the strength of his hold. Placing his other hand, he was then able to pull his other leg over. From there, he was able to climb down, with only a few scratches.

Roberto grunted at the actions he had to take. Approaching with the same steps and caution, he realized that his own weight was his failure. He punctured his chubby fingers several times, trying to get the right spacing with his hand. When he stretched his leg over, it was too short to reach, and he ended up falling onto the wire, barbs pricking his upper thighs, crotch, arms, and chest. The pain was intense and his eyes started to tear. He just wanted to roll over and fall to the ground but knew that would be worse.

Ignoring the pain, he struggled to find a good grip with his footing on the other side. His fingers burned as he took grasp inside the small triangles and one by one, he climbed down. His mind flooded with relief when he saw he was only about a foot above the ground. Without hesitation, he jumped to more solid ground. Disregarding Olive’s snide remarks and laughter, he looked down to see the pin prick holes through his shirt and pants and knew he would find the same on his body. His bloodied hands were already dry. He felt for his gun and was relieved that it was still there.

Olive started walking again, not waiting for Roberto. Once Roberto caught his breath, he started following the path of Olive. This time when Olive released the tree branches from in front of him, the branches that Roberto didn’t catch whipped him, stinging and reopening his existing cuts. He was relieved when the bushes and the taller trees weeded out.

Manicured lawns with structured gardens presented themselves and opened up to a brick pathway. Iron tables were spread throughout and there were several standing booths that sold cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, ice cream, drinks, and funnel cakes. Olive was glad to see that the booths were closed; else Roberto would eat his way through the park.

Even though the booths were closed, Roberto could still smell the warm, lingering scent of popcorn and his stomach growled in response. While Olive fiddled with the map, he took in the beautiful sights. Huge roller coasters rose before them, twisting and winding their way up and down and across the park. The Ferris wheel in the distance was lit up and stood still and silent while a tall tower stood in the distance, selfishly stealing the spotlight.

He felt like a kid again, wanting to ride the coasters and let the breeze whip through his hair. They were in the park alone – why couldn’t they play like kids again? He could easily answer that. Because he was with a tight ass straight arrow that did not know how to relax. Every job they’ve ever taken, it had to be done within a time constraint. It didn’t matter that no one was out looking for them. It didn’t matter if they were ahead of time. Olive would never bend the rules to stop and get something as simple as a doughnut, even if it meant they were both starving. Roberto started to sweat and his cheeks flushed red from his mental argument.

Okay, stated Olive. It looks like we are at the far end of the amusement park, here by the concessions. So our quickest route would be to go past the bears, kangaroos, and giraffes. He stopped to think. Which would be this way.

Roberto dutifully followed him, forgetting about his passion for coasters. Respecting Olive, he would do as he said, to the best of his ability. Thus far, he has proven to keeping them from getting into trouble with the law. Maybe at a later date he could come back and play. Olive had paved the way of how to enter the park and he now knew how to get in, if he could find his way through the large expanse of the neighborhood. He would definitely make a date to come back and play by himself. He smiled at the thought as his anger subsided.

Grand coaster tracks bridged above them as they passed the pirate ship and the house of mirrors. The park was very clean and well maintained. They no longer had to rely on the broken moonlight, as the park