Survivor's Will

By William Musungu

Stranded in a hostile jungle following a catastrophic air crash, Alex is caught in a desperate struggle for survival. Fighting against deadly predators, tricky topography, and the insidious reality of hunters manufacturing a jungle out of her, he is forced to rely on his gut and iron resolve to survive.As Alex uncovers the jungle's secrets, he forms an unexpected bond with its guardians and discovers a battle far greater than his survival—protecting the heart of the jungle from destruction.Survivor's Will is a compelling story of survival, courage, and the indomitable partnership between man and land, where mere survival is only the first act in the quest to save wilderness's most prized possessions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Musungu
• Release date: Dec 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798230594086

William Musungu

About the Author William Musungu is a passionate storyteller and creative visionary with a knack for weaving intricate tales of power, betrayal, and resilience. Inspired by history, human nature, and the complexities of leadership, William Musungu crafts narratives that challenge readers to reflect on the impact of truth, justice, and the unyielding human spirit. Drawing from a deep love of epic sagas and richly imagined worlds, William Musungu brings characters to life in stories that resonate with universal themes of hope, resistance, and the pursuit of freedom. With Empire of Lies, William Musungu delivers a gripping and unforgettable tale of courage against tyranny, showcasing a unique voice that captivates readers from beginning to end. When not writing, William Musungu enjoys exploring history, delving into philosophy, and dreaming up new worlds to share with readers around the globe.

Book preview

​Chapter 1: The Catastrophe

The hum of the plane’s engine was a comforting white noise as Alex leaned against the small window, watching the patchwork of earth below stretch into endless greens and browns. He was finally taking the break he had promised himself for years, a trip to the remote wilderness for solitude and reflection. The pilot, a gruff but friendly man named Carl, had assured him that the weather would be clear for most of the flight.

However, nature (as Alex eventually would find out) had other ideas.

The turbulence started as a gentle shake, enough to make Alex glance at Carl, who seemed unfazed. Only a bit bumpy," Carl remarked behind him, his tone steady yet assured.

Minutes later, the skies darkened unnaturally fast. Thick, menacing cumulonimbus clouds formed themselves as if by the commandment of some dead agent. Lightning crackled in the distance, illuminating the horizon in brief, electric flashes. The turbulence intensified, jostling the plane violently.

Buckle up! Carl shouted, his usual composure replaced with a sense of urgency. Alex fumbled with the seatbelt, his fingers trembling. The aircraft pitched violently, and his entrails jerked as if he were on a freefall machine.

"What’s happening? Alex shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring winds battering the aircraft.

Storm out of the blue, Carl mumbled, the levers in his grasp. I’m trying to.. his words were cut off as another jolt shook the plane, sending one of Alex’s bags tumbling from the overhead compartment.

Panic set in. The aircraft was shaking wildly now, each second of the flight feeling like years. The altimeter spun erratically as the ground below seemed to rise at an alarming rate. Rain lashed against the windows, reducing visibility to near zero.

the sputtering choke of the engine.

Mayday! Mayday! Carl barked into the radio, his voice raw with desperation. Engine failure losing altitude fast coordinates"

The transmission cut off abruptly as the plane nosedived. Alex’s breath caught in his throat. The weightlessness was uncanny, in that way that some roller coaster trip is, just before the tower falls.

The impact was both instant and infinite. Metal screamed as it tore apart; the deafening cacophony of destruction blurred into a single, unbearable sound. Alex felt his body jerk violently, his head slamming into something hard before everything went black.

When Alex woke, the world was eerily quiet. His ears cored on a high-pitched ringing, a stark difference from the preceding chaos. Blinking slowly, he realized he was slumped over in his seat, the seat belt digging painfully into his abdomen. The metal and fuel burn set with ozone sharp, acrid tang permeated the air.

Pain shot up his body while he unfastened his seatbelt and tried to get away. His left leg was caught awkwardly under debris and there was a trickle of blood from a laceration on his forehead. Grunting with effort, Alex shoveled the debris aside with dampened fingers. Without exception, every movement was torture, yet pain was always out weighed by the necessity o survive.

He fell out of the rent fuselage into a landscape that was at once glorious and horrible. Towering trees loomed around him, their dense canopies barely letting in slivers of light. The air was saturated, hummed with the vibration of insect sounds, and buzzed and buzzed. It was a rainforest a far cry from the tranquil wilderness he had expected to explore.

Turning back, Alex surveyed the wreckage. The plane was broken into jagged pieces, its once-pristine body now a crumpled mass of metal. Smoke lazily went up from the engine, and fire licked at the sides of the debris.

Carl? Alex croaked, his voice hoarse and weak. He hobbled to the cockpit, feeling the terror building inside him.

Carl was slumped over the controls, unmoving. Blood ran down his cheek and his chest was still. Alex reached back and touched him lightly at first and then more urgently.

Come on, man. Wake up. Please, Alex whispered, tears stinging his eyes. But deep down, he already knew. Carl was gone.

The realization came to Alex in a sort of brutal fist to the stomach. He was completely stranded, in a place he did not know was uncharted territory with nothing in the way of provisions, no compass, and no means of calling for assistance. Panic clawed at him, but he forced himself to breathe deeply. Desperation spurred him to action. His eyes scanned the debris field looking for the radio of the plane. He remembered Carl’s frantic Mayday calls maybe, just maybe, there was a chance it still worked.

Getting back in the cockpit, Alex saw the radio panel. The housing was partially destroyed, wires dangling, but the device looked whole. With trembling fingers, he flipped the switch.

Static crackled. His heart leapt.

Hello? This is Alex Carter. The plane has crashed. I repeat, the plane has crashed! Is anyone out there?

Silence.

Mayday! Mayday! Please, someone respond! he yelled, his voice breaking. The static continued, cruel and unyielding.

He twiddled the knobs, tweaking frequencies, over and over and over, begging for someone in any channel he could imagine's ear. Minutes turned into what felt like hours, but the only answer was the relentless hiss of static.

(no one was coming.)

He would have to save himself.

(Alex) Surveying one more time the debris, Alex realized it was the first thing he needed to do to survive. He scavenged through the debris, searching for anything useful. A half-burned first-aid kit, a bottle of water, and a utility knife became his meager lifeline.

As night began to fall, the forest came alive with unfamiliar sounds. Distant growls, rustling leaves, and the eerie cries of unseen creatures made Alex's skin crawl. He hastily built a makeshift shelter using broken plane parts and branches, every nerve on edge as he listened to the wilderness around him.

Sitting in the dark, clutching the knife like a talisman, Alex stared into the impenetrable shadows of the rainforest. The enormity of his situation weighed heavily on him, but amidst the fear and despair, a single thought anchored him:.

I will survive.

And with that silent vow, Alex’s fight for life truly began.

​Chapter 2: First Steps

The dawn broke over the dense canopy, but little light filtered down to where Alex sat, huddled in his makeshift shelter. His whole body hurt, his head