Code of the Jungle: Episode 1

By Claude David

Episode 1 of my ongoing fantasy series Code of the Jungle! Follow Stripe and friends as they struggle to survive in the jungles atop the Keronbo Mountains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claude David
• Release date: May 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370579310

Book preview

Code of the Jungle

Episode 1

By Claude David

Copyright 2017 Claude David

Smashwords Edition

Stronghand, the strongest gorilla in all the mountains, stretched his arm toward the sky. His great fingers—each themselves the size of a small branch—wrapped around a low-hanging limb. The tree creaked and groaned under the pressure as he pulled the limb down toward him. The leaves shook, showering them with cold morning dew. He stripped the limb bare with his teeth and began to chew.

What are you doing? Coldheart asked.

What does it look like? he asked, still chewing. I’m hungry.

Well, stop it. Mournglow promised they were around here.

We’ve looked everywhere, Stronghand said. There are no berries. It’s too early in the spring for berries. He grabbed another tree and this time tore it from the ground. He held a branch to Coldheart’s face. Here, eat.

I’m not hungry, she lied. Her stomach rumbled, betraying her. "I’m not hungry for leaves, she said. I want berries."

There aren’t any berries. It was the tenth time he had said it since they had left the village in search of these mythical berries.

It’s only been a few hours. I’m sure we’ll find them soon. He said east, right?

They had been over this already too. Yes, dear, he said east. They both stood and looked up at the sky for a moment. As far up in the mountains as they were—and it was very far indeed—there was nothing in the sky save for mist and the occasional insect.

Coldheart scratched herself. Which way is east? she asked and bit off a few leaves from the branch.

Stronghand stood up tall (he usually dragged his knuckles when he walked) and pointed in the distance. East, he said and leapt in that direction.

For the next hour they wandered, foraging where they could, until they happened across a strange set of footprints.

See, Coldheart said, crossing her arms. Those must be Mournglow’s footprints. I told you it was this way.

Stronghand nodded. I guess you were right this time. Let’s go. I want those berries.

"I thought you didn’t