#african straw bags

[indegoafrica-1]

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[itriedwritingandhereiam]

Caribbean folklore is so interesting. There's only a few books on it because a lot of it is passed down through oral tradition but once you find a way to hear the stories they're so interesting.

They come from a mix and match of African, Indian and European myths with a pinch of Caribbean history to spice it up.

I don't think I've really come across it as much as other myths like Greek, Japanese etc

I wanna yap about some key figures:

Note that there will obviously be variations from region to region, even village to village because, passing through word of mouth isn't the best way to keep consistent.

So there's this lady called a Soucouyant. (Soo-coo-yah) or something along those lines. Some say she made a deal with the Devil to retain life but in order to sustain herself, she drinks the blood of unsuspecting sleeping villagers. Her mark is characterized as blue black discolourations on skin.

She's similar to vampires in a way but the key difference is probably the fact that when she descends upon a village, she peels off her skin and hides it away in her house. Fleshy and traveling as a ball of fire, she visits houses and finds a new victim nightly.

Usually, being drained by a soucouyant results in fatigue and the general effects of losing blood.

The best way to counteract her, is to line windows and doors with salt. Salt to flesh is not a fun experience after all.

Another way to be rid of her is to find her shed skin and throw salt in it to when she tries to put it on come morning, she'll burn.

On that note, if you have the misfortune of meeting one, if you topple a bag of rice over, she has no choice but to count every last grain. If she doesn't finish by sunrise, she'll burn to death (need to double check that,)

There is definitely a cultural significance of why she is portrayed the way she is, but I need to consult my grandparents, maybe some old story books to see if I can find it.

-

On the same note of devilish she-monsters, we have the La Diablesse (lah jah-bless) yeah I know it's french/maybe patois, but that's how I and my family pronounce it.

The la diablesse is a beautiful woman who appears to drunken men in a long dress and a hidden cow hoof instead of leg.

She appears in remote areas and has a hop-drop walk and usually is in need of assistance

She lures them out into the woods and to their untimely demise by sending them off the edge of a cliff.

She serves as a warning not to be out at night so late (theres more, have to check)

-

Mama D'leau, (maybe D'lo or G'lo depending on who you talk to) (pronounced, Mama D'loh), Mother of Water, a very literal title as she is the protector of rivers and their inhabitants. Usually a mermaid-type with a female upper body and serpentine lower half.

Her tolerance for anyone wishing harm upon her domain is thin and she's a fierce protector.

-

The douen (God I hate french/patois(LMAO i'm learning french)) are the spirits of unbaptized children who perished, lost in the forest. (supposedly). Pronounced Dwen (can be spelt like that too in some regions)

They're easily identified by their twisted feet and large brim straw hats hiding their featureless faces. ( I still get creeps thinking about them)

They have a disturbing habit of lurking other children into the forest by mimicking the parent's voices in order to gain new playmates or simply for the mischief of getting live children lost.

They're little pranksters and sometimes, people would complain about them trampling their gardens.

-

Papa Bois is like mother nature, (pronounced as papa bwa)but more goaty. Literally, he's the father/protector of the forest and does not tolerate any harm done to his domain, similarly to Mama D'lo. Fun fact! Some depict him as married to the protectress!

He looks a bit like satyr if you squint, a hairy body and hooves for feet, Little horns at the tip of his head and strong muscles.

He has the ability to change forms, often appearing as a deer and such. A bullhorn in his possession is used to warn wildlife when hunters approach in order for them to run to safety.

Papa Bois is feared for his wrath. IF you have the chance to meet him, don't be rude and stare at his hooves, instead, use a polite greeting and hope you don't piss him off.

Papas Bois is a cautionary tale to hunters and those who destroy nature :)

-

Calling someone a jumbie is usually to denote how late they stay up (ahem, me) but a jumbie really is a creepy ass figure.

A Jumbie is a malicious spirit who roams the Earth. Why? Beats me, (but I will look into it because now I'm curious)

Jumbies are diverse, they are unique in there traits and apparently some can blend in with the living until they reveal their true form????(news to me)

The Soucouyant is a special type of jumbie.

How can you ward of a jumbie? Jewellery! SIlver jewellery, jumbie beads (a seed from a tree, they're a pretty red and I have a nice collection from the savannah) and even salt. You can also confuse the jumbie to keep them away (which I will always find funny) by turning your clothes inside out and wearing them, walking backwards into your house, placing rice grains at your door and such.

It's interesting how creative people get.

-

I've covered the main ones but there are certainly other figures who are popular in local story-telling, figures such as Anansi also appear in oral tradition and little newspaper stories.

I'll definitely be doing a second piece AND expanding on these rudimentary points.

[conjuremanj]

Some Of The Different Lineages In Vodou.

This religion has many branches and styles of voodoo practices, just like there's different types of Christians, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc, but there still all Christians. Now some of the most common branches/ lineages, are the

1 Asson Lineage. Is the most common one that most will know of. This lineage, and the asson, comes from the royal lineage and line of Vodou priests of Dahomey. Thus this lineage and it’s ceremonies focus most of their attention on serving the Spirits of Dahomey (Rada Lwa) as well as the Nago Nasyon. The Lwa Racine, Root Lwa, or Lwa from Western Africa are the foundation of this lineage as well is the rattle with the glass beads fillee with snake vertebrae.

2 The Tcha Tcha Lineage. The Tcha Tcha lineage is another that you might have herd of, it still can be found in the North of Haiti, it is another major lineage within Haitian Vodou and uses the rattle as well. It is the primary lineage that is practiced within the Dominican Republic. In 21 Divisiones and in the tchatcha lineage of Haitian vodou, initiation is done differently and the temples are organized differently.

The way it is practiced does vary from House to House. I mean that Ceremonies conducted in the Asson Lineage do not vary from House to House. In the Tcha Tcha lineage ceremonies do tend to have more variation between house to house.

3 Vodou Deka or Deka Lineage. This lineage is found in the temples at Souvenance and Soukri.

There are also other related lineages which focus more primarily on the magical aspect rather than the religion side of it. Some of the more common lineages for these are known as

1 Makaya.

2 Sanpwel.

3 Sect Wouj.

4 Bizango.

Those are just a few but there are more.

Some of these lineages do have initiation rites, where some of the others do not. Haitian Vodou includes and mixes various influences, spiritual cultures and practices, primarily those of Catholicism, African Traditions/Religions from different nations or tribes (Dahomey, Kongo, Ibo, Nago, Taino Indians & so on). They are referred to as synchretic religions. (See my post on different styles of voodoo)

Within the Asson & Tcha Tcha Lineages we commonly see Priests simply referring to themselves as a Houngan or Mambo or a Sevite. Also Houngan or Mambo Tcha Tcha or Kwa Kwa, in the Taca Taca lineages, also there sometimes referred to Houngan or Mambo Djakout.

Houngan or Mambo Djakout: are Priest of Vodou who does not lead a temple or Sosyete. It is said he keeps all his important things in a straw bag (to me they carry it like the doctors would back in the day.) They also would have a altar room (badji) where they help others by using their magickal workings. These priests learn from a more of a family practice (Similar to Hoodoo) which does not utilize an asson-style kanzo, but some tcha-tcha communities may use it too I heard. They can be non initiated or initiated within the Tcha Tcha lineage. But the ones are not initiated are very knowledgeable in Vodou and are trained usely by family. (I would say again they have similarities like Hoodoo) Some Vodou Priests, though not all, may have a temple or lead a congregation In the Hounfor, or Temple, he leads public ceremonies and services to the Vodou Spirits, helps people, has ceremonies for his congregation etc.

A Boko: is a term that usually refers to a Priest who specializes in the right hand magic (positive) & left hand magick (negative or agressive magick). They may or may not be initiated. They frequently work alone and not with a Sosyete at all. He is what is considered a hired specialist.

Bokors: they are priest and they have secret societies also. They are Makaya and Bizango. They're I never focus is on what one may consider dark magic or sorcery; their practitioners use curses and incantations designed to cause harm. As opposed to Petwo and Rada Vodou, whose goals are to support and guide life. The Makaya and Bizango employ practices harnessed against life these Bokors are the ones you hear turing people into zombies. (They're dangerous)

Last on Initiation Each lineage initiation is done very differently and a initiation in a tchatcha lineage does not give one the license to do ceremonies or do spiritual work in an asson house, they are not swappable (I heard this has become an issue in diaspora)

None is better than the other and neither holds more power, as both are Ginen/from the spirits.

Hope you enjoyed this post.

[trendilyyours]

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[thenonconformistcurmudgeon]

The Victory Clasp

I am emotionally bereft and trembling with anxiety.  Distraught and on the verge of panic. A bored sourpuss with an irritable disposition.  A… you get the idea.  How did this happen? Well, I am in the midst of a 48-hour internet outage.  Or is it an outrage?  What is a digital addict to do?  Withdrawal symptoms include picking up the I-Pad every few minutes as if it was an involuntary tic.  What am I to do with my time without checking the hourly weather forecast every hour or two.  I can’t see what checks have been cashed on my bank accounts or the Dow Jones status throughout the day.  I can’t look up the lack of comments on my Facebook posts.  Looking at rabbits, moose, and beavers doing funny beaver things at the Zoo in Japan on Instagram is not available.  My Wordle streak will end.  My research on the Straw Hat Riot of 1922 will be halted.  I will have only seen 8 articles posted on the benefits of wall slides for the elderly this week. What if someone posted a new cultural perspective on the deaths of Ben Cartwright’s 3 wives and I can’t immediately read it and comment?  A video of all of TV Batman’s nemesis’ unavailable.  I can’t check to see if some old celebrity is dead or alive.  What sociopolitical catastrophe occurred in today’s news?  No oddball performances on Ed Sullivan to peruse.  No deleting 25 Spam e-mails every few hours, checking that there aren’t any real ones amongst the ones on the failed UPS delivery, you’ve won a tractor and African manhood.  

I was 24 hours into the outage and beginning to gain some control over the sweating, hot flashes, cold sweats, sleep disturbance, and general unease, when a true internet outage crisis flared up.  Maybe it was the internet withdrawal fever I was running but for some inexplicable reason, I was thinking about the old victory celebration of clasping one’s hands together over the left side of the head and shaking the clasped hands 2 or 3 times and then moving to the right side over the head and shaking on that side.  Never shaking in the middle.  There was so much I wanted to know about this tradition.  Why did it seemingly go out of favor?  You really don’t see anyone do it anymore.  Does the movement have a name?  It seemed like it was always a solo celebration, maybe two people at most.  I don’t recall seeing a group of people or a team doing it. Was it two or three shakes on a side and then did you repeat it one more time left and right again? What was the socially acceptable number of shakes and repeats? So much to know and investigate and no access to find out.

As I am right handed, I assumed you would start the process on the left side but I suppose lefties could start on the right.  I hear the critics out there call me a handest, or is it a handididst, or am I committing handism.  My last post on henchman provoked hate mail as I failed to call them henchpeople.  By the way, not a word.  To all the henchman and minions, I offended, and now southpaws, mea culpa.

Deep breathing, mindfulness, listening to the loons, walking in the woods and repeating to oneself only 24 hours before the internet returns. I can do this.  Saying it is easier than reality. Forced internet detox is not working.  There are no adrenaline rushes in the analog life. I succumb quickly to the need for over-stimulation and put on a 2 hour best of Ethel Merman CD. 

An internet junkie yearning for a fix.  Years of mainlining constant visual stimuli, speedy brain processing, going from one website to another, clicking here, there and everywhere, multi-tasking, constant mind pulsations.  Quiescence no longer a known.  Is there any treatment or rehab or at least a temporary fix to fill the time?  Work the heavy bag, do some road work, jump rope until exhaustion? Not exactly my style. What about a carbohydrate and sugar fix?  Eat as many crullers as humanely possible to distract from the internet cravings?  Possible, but here are some better ideas.  Come up with a system to successfully play the ponies.  Go to public parks, jump on a soapbox and proselytize about the 4 star-4-bomb movie review system.  Practice winking and nodding.  Find an old TV and work on the horizontal and vertical knobs and try to finally tame the contrast.  I know, put on the smoking jacket and indulge in heavy gluten consumption.  Think about all the situations you can appropriately yell, "Baby needs a new pair of shoes". A sure fire pleaser is writing down a list of all the back to school supplies needed in 4th grade.  Imagine the good life with a pencil thin moustache and mutton chops.  Yes, I am feeling much better now. I can do this.  Victory is mine.  Hands over head on the left, 3 shakes, move them to the right of the head, 3 shakes, repeat left and right 10 times.

[miekasa]

pls anon if anything I NEED help in the kitchen, that sounds amazing🥲

i love ramen too, and have also been trying to cut back but here are the ones that i like:

- nongshim shin ramyun: gourmet spicy (typically in a 4 pack for $3 and some cents

- nongshim neoguri (the same thing as before but with a seafood twist!) : also in a 4 pack for about $3 and some cents

^ i usually get these at walmart, h-mart, or any foreign corner store that sells asian and african products

now this, is if you’re a real g like me and can handle spicy food, i add pepper to any meal i can, and lemme tell you, these noodles set my asshole ablaze omg, i lowkey can’t eat them in peace cause once i start eating it starts to tear my mouth up in 2 minutes ———> samyang 2X spicy hot chicken flavor ramen (i only get these at h-mart but you can get them from any other asian supermarket or online, i live in the US for reference) just realized i never tried the regular spicy ones, i’m sick. also, don’t be mad but i microwave my ramen🌚 i’m really lazy

- meiji hell panda cookies: chocolate (can be gotten from an asian supermarket or ross💀)

- ferrero rockers the regular ones-gold and brown: i usually get them at ross cause they’re cheaper💀if you get them in the grocery store be prepared to drop a bag

- welches fruit snacks: mixed fruit (because i’m abusing student prime, i like to order these at ungodly hours-40 pouches, family size- and eat it for 1 or 2 days straight with nothing else, i’ve stopped i’mma better person now😫)

- motts medleys assorted fruit snacks ^ same thing applies💀 or used to i should say

- good health veggie straws: jalapeño (VERY GOOD!), i get these from ross

- a baguette, or any type of hardish softish bread, with butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper flakes, i saw it on tiktok☺️

- mie, i’m begging if you happen to live near a corner store/bodega/poppy store get this drink: mista lotta colada juice (it’s white…but just me, it tastes like pins colada, i live in the boonies now and i miss it🥲) it’s funny cause i dead used to go in the corner store in the morning before class to get skittles and doritos (the occasional sourpatch- ABOLISH WATERMELON SOURPATCHES AND ORANGE CANDY) to eat for breakfast. and mannn those sour skittles be tearing my mouth up but it’s a small price to pay for greatness😫

- doritos: spicy nacho (red bag), sweet and spicy chili (purple bag)

- jalapeño cheetos

- CINNAMON MOTTS APPLESAUCE (WITH ADDED SUGAR BECAUSE ITS WHAT I DESERVE!)

- oreo thins: mint (yes the thins make it taste different than the regular size i will not dispute!!!)

- this isn’t a snack but it’s for breakfast—-> Eggo Thick and Fluffy waffles: madagascar vanilla (yes they’re frozen but they’re great, also a tip, instead of butter and syrup for your waffles, use butter and a little honey, not too much cause you’d probably get a stroke on impact

- a dessert—->: outshine watermelon frozen bars (popsicles), outshine creamy coconut frozen bars

i know your tired of me writing dissertations but i like living in your ask box, it’s very comfy here, i may build a cabin or somethin🐒

- none other than the folly of 🥖 anon!!!

okay but seriously this is a quite a nice digital space that you’ve fostered🥲

I love spicy food so much, but honestly, I’m not a fan of those ramen, but if they’re given to me, I’m gonna eat them 🙄🙄 fire cannot kill a dragon or whatever Uncle Iroh said. Some of these snacks are too sweet/sticky for me, but the jalapeño cheetos are the SUPREME kind of cheetos, the taste you’re exhibiting right now is off the charts. Except for mint oreos 😐 I’m not eating that shit.

I do wanna say I totally agree on the little space we’ve created here, but I feel like it’s all your guys’ doing!! Love that you guys will come into my inbox to talk about random things like your favorite snacks one day, then send me lewds about Levi the next. The range you have is unmatched and I love you for it <33

[zamilemzizi]

A trip down lockdown memory lane!

A trip down memory lane

As my business steadily builds itself back up, with a new face and some Covid-influenced changes, I look back at what it was like for a few months last year as just the “Mom.” The South African lockdown, one of the strictest in the world at that time, forced most of us Marketing and PR SME owners to close our doors and focus on creating a safe and “new normal” environment for ourselves and our families.

My parents both contracted the Corona Virus and so, it was left up to me to care for ALL five grandchildren for a few months. Including my own children, I had two five-year-olds’ (one boy; Wandi and one girl; Koli), one nine-year-old girl (Thotse), a twelve-year-old girl (Lungi) and the legend himself, my two-year-old son (Bugsy) whom you will have read a lot about on my personal Facebook page. As if that was not enough, we rescued an eight-week-old puppy (Luna) too!

Being a person known for preferring the company of all the Mzizi grandchildren, I was up for the challenge of this time spent being reacquainted with the daily struggle of just-being-the-mom-with-no-work without the pressure of having to go to work.

I acknowledge that my experience of this time is grossly different to that of a majority of my fellow countrymen/women, who struggled to make ends meet. Zam’s Hive started a fund, which generously received funds donated by almost ALL of my clients, close friends and colleagues from my place of work. We used these funds to assist families who wrote in via WhatsApp and SMS stating what their urgent needs were and paired them with the correct donor. I was astounded at how the people I knew were able to look beyond their own experience of the Lockdown, and were able to give the little (or lot) that they had to keep hope alive.

However, being the stay-at-home mom yielded quite a few hilarious experiences, which naturally, I shared on social media as they happened. Here are some of these posts. I hope they make you chuckle a bit at my expense. I hope they remind you that no matter how bleak the situation, our inner circle, our families, our children, the people that matter most to us are the ones we should keep our focus on.

How the wars began…

Wandi’s benevolent fart

Raising boys is a BREEZE!

My Wandi has reached that age where every hug and cuddle is a conscious decision on his part to be with me. It says, ' I choose to be near YOU. I choose you, mommy'

So imagine my joy as I was working in my office and my big boy chose that moment to sit on my lap...

He sat facing me, flashed his special smile and said' 'Mommy, let me show you how much I love you'

He put his hands on my shoulders and closed his beautiful brown eyes. I could see him mentally reaching deep within himself in order to share what he had to say. Then...

I felt it. A persistent drill-like hammering on my sturdy thigh where his bony bum was perched.

The stench was instant and the fog it created in my mind was confusion personified. I could not immediately compute that my baby came all this way just to fart on me. As realization dawned on me, my little angel held onto me just a little bit tighter to keep me in place as the hammer-drill was still operating. My thin leggings were no barrier from the barrage of bodily functions battering my poor skin.

During this assault, Wandi did not change his facial expression at all. He looked like a little Buddha bestowing a blessing upon a lesser mortal.

When he was done, he nimbly sprang off my leg and bestowed a beguiling cherubic smile upon me. Slowly reversing from the room with his cheesy smile and eyes closed, he blessed me with his benevolent ' enjoy the smell mommy' and quietly closed the door.

Bugsy drinks shit water

I'm on my knees begging for this changeling to be taken. Return Bugsy pre-terrible twos to me please!

I went into the toilet for a teensy while. I'd been holding it in for some time chasing my kids around. To my knowledge, fake Bugsy was safely chilling on my bed.

As my empty bladder and I float out the bathroom, changeling proudly displays a cup of water he is drinking...now this is a problem because all taps and cups are beyond his reach. This cup looks like the dirty one I ignored on the floor a teensy while back- are you judging me Karen?!

I frantically urge fake son to show me if he got water from the other toilet. He proudly replies, ' I no drink here Wandi peepee here' This is good. It's great actually. Wandi has diarrhea and drinking from his toilet could kill someone. Never mind Corona.

So I drag the smirking not-really-my-son into the kitchen to wash this mysterious cup. At this stage I'm fuming at the lord thinking 'turn this crap into wine NOW'

As I wash the still alcohol free cup, I turn to find swopped-at-birth guy smacking his lips and drinking from the bucket mqobothi style.

MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT!

I used water and Jik to clean dog poop just now. I spilled the water but clearly not all of it. What's worse here? Jik poisoning or dog poop poisoning?

The terror child is ok. I gave him milk and surrendered the rest to his creator.

I'm ok. I have a new twitch in my eye and I think I might have peed my pants a little. But otherwise baaah I'm good.

No really.

Just fine.

Look- fake son took the tin of milk and smeared the stuff on himself.

I'm just FINE!

Then the tensions were rising

The stand off

In a bid to demonstrate his defiance of my authority, my two year old has taken the long life milk and some shopping bags to an undesirable corner of the house. He has boldly announced that, 'I puttinnnin me in noty cona' This is his strategy to deprive my authority of putting him in a corner myself. The standoff continues...

Sulking in the shower

I swear I don't make this stuff up...

Wandi just played with matches and his cousins came to tell on him. Naturally I gave him 'the look' times 10. He says to me,

'I know you're cross with me and wont talk to me.'

He stalks off to the shower and sits there while singing his new and spontaneously composed struggle song. The words weren't too clear but this is what I heard:

Take me away in peace, take me away in peace.

 Please note he has taken to eating some of his meals in this shower.

Can someone please send me a bottle of gin??!      Its for the kids.

 The breaking point

Exacting revenge in small ways

My kids broke my hair clippers machine while I was cutting them. So now I'm leaving them with unfinished cuts because one needs to take revenge wherever the opportunity may present itself-even if it's your own kids. They think they know me. Mxim!

 Mom flu strike

I've been in bed with flu for a week now. During this my kids haven't given me an inch of space and rest.

I'm still a horse, jungle gym, chef, personal snot cleaner and unwilling audience to dance shows and song decompositions.

Tonight was just the worst! I went to the chemist for more meds and so needed a nap from the trip. Only to realize that I'd over slept and it was supper time.

After a mad dash to cook, serve and feed the royal highnesses, I'd had enough.

Where am I now? What am I doing now? These are all relevant questions I'm happy to answer for you.

I'm in my bedroom. For the first time since I became a mother, I have done the only sensible thing a tired parent can do...

I'VE LOCKED MY BEDROOM DOOR BIYAAACHES!

The situation update is as follows:

Hostile!

1.  Two year old has attempted breaking door down

I DON'T CARE!

2. Five year old has resorted to creepy body plastering against door and quietly chanting 'mooommyyyy can we have ice cream while you die?'

I  DON'T   CARE

3. In a rare show of solidarity the boys are now howling like wolves outside the door, throwing in the odd 'moooommmy where are youuuu'

I    D O N T   C A R E!

4. Nine year old niece has increased the volume and frequency of her coughing

IIIIIIIII DOOOOOOOONT CAAAAAAARE!

I'm at peace in my warm bed. Let the siege continue I have all that I need in here. A bathroom, all the toilet paper in the house, the only phone with airtime and did I mention -I'm the only person tall enough to cook. Muhahuahua!

They will know me!

 The resolution?

Wandi prays for peace

So as usual the kids were acting up and driving me crazy before bedtime. This time however, the transgressions were extreme.

Someone didn't pee INSIDE the toilet but decided to mark his territory next to it instead.

Another decided to generously leave food on a dinner plate and put it in the kitchen sink for Santa maybe.

Another was dejectedly roaming the passage without pajama bottoms like a homeless person. Left to wander the night in shame and bottomlessness.

This was the last straw and I blew my top off.

EVERYONE TO BED WITHOUT A STORY NOW!

Even the little one understood that Armageddon was nigh, and scurried into bed as fast as his fat stubby legs could carry him (only half way up the bed usually).

In an unusually respectful and hesitant tone, Wandi bravely reminded me that I forgot to pray. So fine! I asked God to please help me make my children good etc.

Wandi again bravely offered to pray too and this is where he played his master plan into action (he never wants to pray):

Wandi: Dear God, please make all my dreams come true. The end.

 Yes. He said the end and not AMEN. I felt a reluctant smile coming on but I was wise to the enemy.

The next morning the kids all came to greet me in that way guilty kids do hoping for a cease-fire.

'Good morning rakhali' etc.

Then the master played his Ace move.

Wandi: In the name of Jesus, good morning everyone!

 How could I remain grumpy after my son evoked the name of Jesus?!

He's goooooood. One point to Wandi. None to me.

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[indegoafrica-1]

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[nothingtowear05]

Dress: Valentino Cape effect midi dress ($4,490) | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik HANGISI GALASSIA 90 Gold Textile Jewel Buckle Pumps (£815) | Clutch: Judith Leiber Heart Rainbow Clutch Bag ($3,195) | Fake Collar: COS CIRCLE CUT SHIRT BIB (450,00 SEK) | Earrings: Yam Vanessa Drop ($260.00) | Hat: Lock & Co. Hats CLASSIC BOATER (£135.00)

Today’s theme for “Color Me Valentine” is “Make It Red”! I will admit that, at first, I didn’t know what kind of outfit to do. I had already done outfits for characters that I associate with the color red not that long ago. As I was thinking that, I turned to my nightstand and looked at the cover of André Leon Talley’s recent memoir, “The Chiffon Trenches.” I remember saying to myself, “Well, he’s lucky, he’s already in red.” And then it hit me! Why not do an outfit inspired by what Mr Talley is wearing on the cover of his book?

Now, before I explain the outfit, I just want to say that if you love fashion and want to know what it was like for a black man in that industry back in the days, I highly recommend this book. Andre Leon Talley has a way with words that makes you feel like you are standing right there with him as he tells you about various events in his life, just like when he told us about the VIP events he attended back when he wrote “Life with André” for Vogue, which quickly became my favourite part about Vogue when I read it. He made us outsiders feel like we were part of the in crowd.

Anyway, on to the outfit. So, on the cover, he wears a red cape over a crisp white shirt with a straw boater hat. Since I couldn’t find a red cape, I opted instead for a dress with a cape effect, and use a fake collar underneath, to give the illusion of a shirt being worn underneath. The boater hat I found looks a lot like the one he wears on the cover. I went for Manolo Blahnik shoes as the shoe designer is a dear friend of Mr Talley, and I opted for the ones with the buckles because I’ve seen him wear that red cape with Roger Vivier shoes, who is known for his buckle shoes. The heart clutch is because love and its importance in his life is a recurring theme throughout the book. Finally, the earrings. He doesn’t wear any on the cover, but I felt a piece of jewelry would perfectly complete the outfit, and because Mr Talley values the growing number of black creatives in the fashion industry, I decided to choose earrings designed by an African-American designer.

The title? It’s the last sentence in his book and it’s so perfect, I just had to use it.

[these-eyebrows-are-not-even]

Christmas Gift Ideas 2020

All of the gifts below that I thought of can be altered/customized to your budget, personal style and resources. 

Face Mask’s 

If you are handy with a sewing machine then this is a great one for you, using fabric scraps you already own or thrift bedsheets/t-shirts etc you could make your loved ones some custom face masks. Bonus points if you find a silk shirt and flip that into some face masks as silk, is hypo-allergenic, breathable and causes less friction on the skin so is perfect for anyone suffering from maskne (mask-acne). However, if sewing isn’t for you then places like Etsy have a wide range of masks for everyone and purchasing from sellers on their also supports small business.  

Candle and match sticks 

Candles are all the rage with thousands of reels and tik tok’s on how to twist candles. If you are brave enough then go for it! You can gift your hand-twisted candles to your friend along with a box of nice matches. Writing empowering messages or mantra’s on the matches (maybe get extra-long ones if you have large handwriting!) will mean that every time your loved one goes to light a candle there is a message from you to brighten their day. There is no need to twist candles, you could support a small business and buy theirs or just get a standard candle. You don’t have to support every trend! Bonus points for matching your loved one’s colour palette to the candles or vice versa. For example, my favourite colour right now is green so a set of candles ranging from emerald to sage would be much appreciated. 

Seasonal Drink

It may be the British in me but Christmas is a time where having something to drink on these long winter nights is the norm. I am speaking of something alcoholic but non-alcoholic also works. I love vintage/second-hand glasses and they can be pretty cheap €1 a glass. You could get a second-hand glass of your choosing and send it to your friend along with a bottle of their favourite drink. If you want to amp it up, you could also include a cocktail/mocktail recipe book and some drink rocks. Drink rocks are reusable and do not dilute your drink. If they aren’t a spirit/liquor drinker then a stainless steel ice cube tray is also an eco-friendly and plastic-free option. I could go on with more items to include in this bundle but metal straws, coasters, fabric napkins and more are all ways you could expand this gift idea. 

Seasonings

If you know a good amateur chef or home cook then getting them some fancy salt, oil and or vinegar may be an interesting idea. You could buy; one, two or all three and either make sure they coordinate e.g. Rosemary salt, garlic oil and lemon vinegar or they could be contrasting e.g. Truffle salt, chilli oil and amaretto vinegar. The endless combinations make this a fun gift and allow for some fun experimentation when cooking. If you’re a big diy’er you could infuse the oil and make custom labels for everything. You could also add in crackers, olives and risotto to turn it into a Mediterranean hamper or harissa, dried apricots and Ras-el-hanout to make it more North-African.  

In the Bag. 

A thrifted bag from a second hand/vintage shop (if open where you are) or one bought of Depop/eBay may make a great gift for a fashion-conscious person you know. Then you could add in a lip balm and/or a lip-gloss, a packet of their favourite sweets, a cute bottle of hand-sanitiser and a travel-size bottle of hand cream. These are all optional, the bag would be more than enough but they are just extras for you to think about. You could also make any of these extras vegan, cruelty-free, plastic fee etc 

Cosy Toe’s 

 I don’t know about you but I get really cold feet in the winter. So thick socks are a must! A great idea could be to give someone a pair of fluffy socks. They could be practical or whimsical. I have been gifted thick, grey woollen pairs and a fun foxed themed pair (I love foxes). You could embroider a message or design on them if that’s your thing or pack them with some foot cream and a pedicure kit. As salons haven’t really been open this year pamper time is even more important. 

 Dried flowers

I do not mean the trendy ones, all over insta interior posts, I mean the Victorian past time. Pressed dried flowers, you could use flowers or leaves you have, buy some and then press them or that sounds too long then you could even buy pre-pressed and dried online. I saw a cute DIY on YouTube where they had been glued on to a small bowl or plate in a pretty pattern. This could be used to display jewellery, makeup etc. Furthermore, you could also arrange pressed flowers and plants into a pattern and place them on a canvas or in a frame to make a minimalistic art piece for someone. 

Body care kit

I often joke, I am secretly an old lady as I have dry skin and so am always re-applying lotion. Now, its wintertime that is an absolute necessity but it’s also an act of self-care and 2020 has been a long year so extra self-care is needed. So gifting someone a kit of body scrub, body wash and lotion is a little bit of luxury we all need right now. You could expand on this and include a dry brush to get that circulation and lymphatic drainage going as well somebody oil or a bath bomb to increase the level of pampering. Making body scrub is quite easy but I recommend sugar and not coffee grounds if you do go the DIY route and you can turn regular liquid soap into fun shapes with jelly moulds and gelatine.  

Homemade bookmark 

Before you laugh, I am not suggesting the ones you made when you were seven unless you were an expert crafter. I am suggesting more sophisticated ones but the end product is up to you so I take no responsibility, I am just the provider of ideas! Those pressed flowers we had earlier? Extra ones could be attached in a pattern and glued onto card. You could go full out an paint one using all your creativity. Or make one out of photos of you and the booklover you’re giving this too. Lastly, it could just be an inspirational quote like: you deserve another glass of wine

Or you could do one of each and give them a medley of bookmarks for all their mood and needs. 

Last but not least a Playlist 

I know this may seem a little 2012 Tumblr but bear with me. You curate a playlist for them on their preferred app; if you don’t have access or its different to your one then give them detailed instructions for how they should assemble it). The playlist could be based upon a memory you have together or something you’re planning to do with them in the future, or anything you want! Then write out an explanation behind why you chose each song, what it reminds you of and why you thought that person would get it. You could burn the playlist onto a CD if you have the tech for that. For all the artsy types you could illustrate the written out reasoning with drawings, attach photos, collage – whatever you like to get the emotion across. 

To everyone reading, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and for those who don’t celebrate then this list may come in handy for another gift-giving occasion. I don’t know about you but I cannot wait to be stuffed full of food on Christmas day, opening presents and sharing laughs. 

Happy Christmas! 

Elsa x 

[just-come-baek]

Jewels

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Themes: smut | adventure!au | archeologist!reader | dodger!jk

Word count: 16.1k (whoops!)

Summary: Nobody said it’s going to be easy, but when Jeon Jungkook, the handsome troublemaker, tags along on my adventure, my simple trip morphs into a life-threatening mission. I was to find an ancient necklace and gain fame in the archeology field, but thanks to Jungkook’s mischief, we also attracted lots of unnecessary attention and plenty of enemies.

Warnings: unprotected sex (there’s a lot going on, and I’m not gonna spoil it here), foul language, questionable loyalty

A/N lightly inspired by adventure movies such as Tomb Rider, The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and maybe others but unconsciously

***

The first thing which hit me when I left the airport was the heat; it was scorching hot, humidity was unquestionably above seventy percent, and I knew my stay in Casablanca wasn’t going to be as pleasant as I had expected it to be regardless of being used to high temperatures. I could make it, though. Casablanca was just a stop before I’d head further toward my destination.

Adjusting my straw hat which almost got blown away by a sudden wave of sizzling wind, I grabbed my suitcase and headed to the taxi rank. My hotel was only fifteen minutes away from the airport, but I wouldn’t risk getting sunstroke at the very beginning of my journey.

Thankfully, the taxi driver spoke English.

It was the only upside, unfortunately, since I almost died inside the vehicle without air-conditioning. The driver was unbothered, and I wondered how the hell he could withstand such conditions. Or how people could endure such weather in general.

“First time in Casablanca?” The driver started, glancing at me in the stained rearview mirror.

“No,” I lied, “I come here every year,” I added, knowing better not to disclose such information as he might’ve taken advantage of me, the naïve and inexperienced tourist. “It feels like home,” I added, looking through the window, admiring the beautiful scenery while the taxi driver hummed in acknowledgment as he turned to the left.

“Have a nice stay,” he respectfully spoke as he handed me my suitcase, and I paid the fare.

“Thank you,” I replied, smiling at him brightly, glad he drove directly to my hotel and not around the whole city at least twice.

Blowing the fringe off my forehead, I clenched the suitcase with one hand, undoing two first buttons of my thin white blouse with the other one, desperately trying to cool off.

“That’s it, it’s your shot, don’t fucking waste it,” I muttered to myself, hoping the pep talk would help me not chicken out. It was my only chance, or I would be royally screwed in more sense than one. My career wouldn't be the only thing ruined.

Having delivered the motivational speech to myself, I raised my head high and went into the hotel. Unlike any other hotels, the one in which I was staying was flea-bitten; half of the bulbs weren’t working, dust was everywhere, and the smell of sweat and dirt hung in the air. Too bad, I couldn’t afford the night in a four-star hotel nearby.

On the bright side, I’m staying here only for one night.

Confidently, I reached the front desk, telling the receptionist personal information so he could give me the keys to the room booked under my name. Although he spoke pidgin English, I could pick up most of the instructions he needed to relay.

Though my room was of the best quality they could provide, I still had a handful of reasons to complain. I wasn’t going to, though. It was already nine o’clock in the evening, and knowing me, dirty windows or empty mini refrigerator or broken air-conditioning wouldn’t agitate me that much after a couple of drinks at the hotel’s bar.

Not bothering to unpack, I opened the window, hoping to air the room, so when I'd have returned it would be more bearable to survive the night.

“You got this,” I egged on, staring at my reflection in the stained mirror. “People will write about you in papers when you find that jewel.” I continued as I reapplied my red lipstick.

Most of the scientists believe the Aminata’s accessory is a myth, but I was going to find it, earning the glory and fame in archeology environment. The necklace is made of African’s biggest blood-red ruby, decorated with twelve large diamonds, and it said to have supernatural properties.

Four thousand years ago, Aminata was the most beautiful woman on the entire African continent, and though she didn’t have a wealthy background, no man could resist her beauty. Many wanted to marry her, and some of whom were ready to kill for her grace.

On her sixteenth birthday, a handsome nobleman paid her a visit. Enchanted by her beauty, he gave her the necklace which was a token of his feelings for her. The blood-red ruby symbolized he would execute anyone who dared to look into her eyes. The diamonds, depending on two different translations signified either all the lifetimes he was going to love her or the purity of his feelings.

He claimed her, but the attention she was receiving from other men grew. Whatever her desire was, she had plenty of volunteers to fulfill it. Despite the dazzling pendant around her neck, men still yearn for the tiniest bit of her attention, whereas women hated her enormously being driven by envy.

When sun descended behind the horizon and the moon shined brightly, a few high-positioned women (a few women with high-positioned husbands) went to an enchantress, inclined to sacrifice everything for Aminata’s death. In exchange for their tongues, the enchantress locked Aminata’s beauty in the necklace.

Aminata’s charms were gone the second the necklace got stolen by one of the women, Yaya. She possessed the beauty and forced the men to kill Aminata. They scarred her beautiful face and defiled her body, and when she begged for mercy, Yaya slid her throat.

When the night fell, the women commanded their slaves to take Aminata’s body on the boat and bury her corpse in a cave on one of the inhabited islands. Tempted to keep the necklace, Yaya earned disrespect from the other women. Out of hatred, the women locked out Yaya in the tomb with Aminata.

The necklace remains lost until now, but I’m about to change that. I studied the Senegalese legends for two years, writing my master degree paper on it, and I am determined to find it, shaking up the entire archeology field. It may be dangerous, but I am willing to face the odds if that means the Aminata’s necklace becomes mine.

Checking my appearance one more time in the mirror, I threw the bag over my shoulder, ready to get wasted. Maybe it was the last time I had a chance to get drunk, so I was going to make the best of my current situation even though a lot of aspects could be improved.

As soon as I walked inside, I felt all the eyes on me. Maybe ten people were seated in the bar, and all of them were men, so I wasn’t surprised by the commotion I was making. Ignoring their nasty stares, I sat down on a barstool, waiting for the bartender to approach me.

“What can I get you?” The bartender asked in English, sensing I was a foreigner, and I smiled, staring at the bottles of alcohol which was sitting on the shelves behind him. It's my first time traveling alone, and given the circumstances, it may be my last, so I assumed it was an excellent opportunity to try something new and experiment a little.

“I’ll have a glass of bourbon with a lot of ice,” I ordered, and the bartender nodded.

“Put it on my tab,” a man, who was sitting two barstools away from me, spoke, as he tilted his glass a little, sending me a smirk. “What such a pretty little thing is doing in such a shabby place like this?” He inquired, his doe eyes scanning my frame.

“Getting hit on by random dudes,” I retorted, thanking the bartender who brought my order.

“Feisty, I like feisty,” he commented as he jumped off his barstool, taking the one beside me. “I’m Jungkook, and you are?” He introduced himself, offering a handshake which I hesitantly accepted. “What a pretty name,” he said when he heard me say it.

“And what are you doing here?” I curiously asked, cocking up my eyebrow. “You don’t exactly fit in here,” I pinpointed as I tasted the bitter drink which did not suit my preferences.

“Not as much as you,” Jungkook challenged, and I rolled my eyes at his hesitation to disclose any information about him. Either he was very secretive by nature, or he was hiding something, and I wasn’t going to be one of his victims if he was plotting something vicious.

“I am an archeologist,” I started, thinking how much I could tell him without risking anything. I was alone in a foreign country, I had to be cautious. “And I’m staying in Casablanca for one night before I join my crew in Algeria,” I added, hoping my deception was believable. “And what about you?”

Jungkook turned to me so I could have a better look on his sun-kissed skin, doe and innocent eyes, veiny forearms, muscular arms, his messy brown hair, and his toned chest which I could admire because of the deep neckline of his shirt. He sat there, effortlessly looking like a cover model, and his attention was entirely on me.

It was weird. I had to travel across the world to be noticed by a handsome male, while in my hometown guys drooled over girls with overdrawn eyebrows when I was literally there, waiting to be hit on.

Outrageous!

“I’m a freelance writer.” Jungkook easily answered, and I wondered why he didn’t want to admit that in the first place. He was just a stranger; I had no reason to not believe him. People would do much more than lying if that meant they could get laid. “You know… guidebooks and sometimes articles in travel magazines. And sometimes, I help people around the town.”

“That’s interesting; tell me more,” I urged him, sipping my drink. I had nothing better to do, so I might as well listen to his story. Apparently, Jungkook had traveled much more than I had, so he must’ve had a few stories to share. Also, his experience could be useful.

“What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear Casablanca?” Jungkook inquired, and I hummed, thinking about my answer. When I didn’t speak after a few seconds, Jungkook cleared his throat, “a lot of people associate Casablanca with that 1944 movie under the same title, and therefore – love. And currently, I write a guidebook, or maybe even an actual novel about different forms of love here. It may be something cliché-ridden like a newly-wedded couple making out on the beach, or something simple like a florist who gives flowers to beautiful girls free of charge. And frankly, I think Casablanca is more romantic than Paris.”

“Paris is so overrated,” I commented, nodding my head, as I agreed with him. Although I had never been to Paris, I had heard tales. Perhaps, I haven’t explored Casablanca the way the city deserves it, but I could tell it gave off that dreamy vibe.

“And what are you going to dig up, huh?” Jungkook casually asked as he whistled at the bartender, wanting a refill. Of course, he was curious. How could he be not?

“Are you seriously interested?” I questioned, and Jungkook eagerly nodded, smiling at me encouragingly. “Well… you are the first person who is excited to hear about me digging up pots.” I joked, and Jungkook chuckled at me almost lovingly. The Casablanca’s atmosphere must’ve got to him. “Have you ever heard about Aminata?” Jungkook shook his head.

“Is it something to eat?” He guessed, but he couldn’t be more wrong.

“No, Jungkook, it’s not food,” I clarified before I told him the legend purposefully missing, changing or adding minor details out of pure paranoia. I was being mistrustful, but it was my once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I couldn’t hand it over to a random guy in a hotel’s bar. My dignity wouldn’t allow me to come back home without it, and no matter how ridiculously good-looking Jungkook was, I wasn’t going to get distracted.

“Wow,” he said, impressed, “it’s tragic. Romantic, but tragic.”

“I guess.”

“Are you really going to find it?” Jungkook asked, and I firmly nodded. I would find that bloody necklace, or I’d die trying. “There’s one more question I want to ask; what made you want to become an archeologist? As far as I know, it’s a rare profession.”

“I suppose I’ve Indiana Jones one time too many,” I answered, and Jungkook laughed genuinely, and without any doubt, it was the most adorable sound I had heard in a long time.

“You really are something, aren’t you?” Jungkook challenged, and I shrugged shyly. I could feel his intense stare, and it made me feel weak. His huge eyes were looking into mine; his smile was wide and bright. “It’s so easy to talk to you. I could talk to you all night long.”

“Likewise,” I said shamelessly, finishing my drink, feeling quite buzzed.

“Rahim!” Jungkook hollered at the bartender. “Can we take this bottle to go?” The bartender approached us and placed the half-full bottle of bourbon on the counter.

“Add it to your tab, too?” Rahim asked, and Jungkook simply nodded, grabbing the bottle.

“Come with me, I want to show you something,” Jungkook jumped off the barstool, waiting for me to do the same, and when I was on my feet, he interlaced our fingers together. Quickly, I grabbed my glass, and we left the bar behind us.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

***

“It’s beautiful,” I said in admiration, as I looked at the pink sky; the sun was about to descend fully, and the colors across the horizon mixed stunningly. “Maybe the hotel doesn’t have many stars, but the view is marvelous,” I added, and Jungkook hummed in agreement.

“It would make a great postcard, wouldn’t it?” Jungkook sighed, and I pulled out my phone to snap a few pictures of the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen. “You know what’s also beautiful?” He asked, staring at me.

“Let me guess,” I muttered, paying him little attention. I was too engrossed in the view in front of me, so I was barely aware of what was going on around me. “Me?” I replied carelessly, as I had a feeling Jungkook was going to say something cheesy.

“Quite conceited, aren’t you?” Jungkook teased, and I blinked, realizing what I just said. “I wanted to say the lighthouse over there, but I must admit you’re not wrong,” he elaborated as he walked toward me, standing just behind my back.

“Sorry, I just assumed you tried to hit on me again,” I apologized, and Jungkook chuckled.

“I did, but in a less cringe-worthy way,” he agreed, and I turned to look at him; he was so close, and the warmth was emitting from his body made me question what was hotter – the weather itself or just he. “You ruined the mood, but are you at least a bit swooned?”

“Not really,” I answered honestly since my previous response was quite excruciating. “But I’m really into you so I wouldn’t really mind if you wanted to show me your room,” I added boldly, and Jungkook smirked, turning slightly, so his side was brushing against me.

“I hope you wouldn’t mind a little teaser,” I smiled, and Jungkook leaned forward to press a cautious kiss against my lips. As if tasting the waters, he gently nipped my lips, and when I kissed him back, he relaxed, moving against my mouth more courageously.

When he slowly pulled away and looked me in the eyes, I licked my lips before I said, “This won’t do; I need more.” Jungkook smirked mischievously, happy that I was thinking the same thing he did. There was no need to play dumb; I wanted him, and Jungkook wanted me, so it was pointless to play hard to get. Tomorrow, I was going to start my journey, and right now, Jungkook looked at me as if he wanted to devour me; a promise of unforgettable night glistened in his beautiful eyes, and I’d be a complete idiot if I rejected him. “Much more.”

I hadn’t been fucked properly for way too long, and now, I was going to have my brains fucked out. It was going to be the best lay of my life, so in case it would be my last, I definitely wasn't to regret it.

“Fuck yes,” Jungkook hollered cheerfully, as he cupped my face, and once again kissed me, making my legs shake under my weight. He was passionate and energetic, and that combination really got to my head; it was what I needed to ease the stress which had been accumulating in my body ever since I had decided to find the Aminata’s necklace.

“I’m not gonna put up a show here,” I warned him when his hand slid under my blouse. I had no problem with his touch; quite contrary, I’d urge him to caress my skin if he didn’t do it by now, but letting other people see me writhing under his ministrations? Never.

“There’s nothing you should be embarrassed about,” Jungkook said, gawking at me as if I was a piece of meat. “You’re gorgeous,” he added, leaning down to suck on my neck, while his palm still roamed around my stomach, upwards to my breasts.

“Still,” I whispered, as I closed my eyes, “I want you to be only one seeing me like this,” I continued, telling him that tonight, I belonged to him only. “But I hope everyone will hear me screaming your name when you make me come.”

“You know how to get me in the mood,” Jungkook admitted, and I smirked, as a sudden wave of confidence washed through me. Usually, I’d never do that, but the atmosphere and the circumstances and Jungkook made me act without putting much thought into my actions. Right now, I was bold and determined to have the night of my dreams with a stranger, and I couldn’t care any less about the consequences. None of it mattered anyway.

“Jungkook,” I moaned when his large hand massaged the inner side of my thigh. Instinctively, I pressed my legs together, squeezing his wandering palm before he touched my cotton panties. “Not here,” I purred when his mouth kissed my neck and throat, nipping gently.

“Let me, at least, eat you out here,” Jungkook whispered into my ear, as he pinched my thigh, making me spread my legs a little. “I promise, no one will see you,” he added, as his right hand traveled up to my panties, tugging it playfully.

I had no idea what got into me, but the idea of Jungkook on his knees right now, eating me out was more than arousing. With his head under my skirt and between my legs, with his tongue on my clit, with his fingers up my pussy; just thinking about it made me dizzy. I’d probably faint if he started his ministrations.

“What do you say?” Jungkook purred against my skin, while his hand was teasing me by pulling on the hem of my panties. “Agree, I know you want to,” he continued, gently rubbing his nose against my neck.

“Yes,” I mumbled so quietly I thought he might’ve not heard me. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was pressed tightly against me, I’d probably have to repeat myself, losing the last bit of my composure. I barely knew Jungkook, yet I’d bend however he told me to; it only took a snap of his fingers, and I’d fulfill his every wish regardless of how freaky it could be.

“Fuck yes,” Jungkook breathed out and pulled down my panties in one fluid motion, his large hand grazing my skin. Instinctively, I raised my right leg and then left one, helping him to get rid of my undergarment – which in a matter of seconds was pushed into his pocket.

“Jungkook,” I moaned his name when he rubbed his erection against me, turning me on even more. I hadn’t felt this hot in months, and he barely touched me. If he was going to keep up the pace, I would explode before we’d reach his room.

“What is it, baby?” Jungkook asked innocently, teasing me, evidently trying to strip me of the remains of my dignity. He heard me, but I had a hunch he wanted to hear me beg. “That’s right, that’s my name,” he spoke in a low voice; his hands cupped my butt, squeezing it.

“You like teasing, don’t you?” I inquired, hoping to sound less affected than I was; my voice would break in an embarrassing stutter, but my articulation was the last thing Jungkook paid attention to. “Just eat me out already!” I cried out, frustrated with his ministrations.

“Teasing? Only you,” he mocked. “And for someone so reluctant about being eaten out here, you seem very eager now,” Jungkook continued to provoke me, his finger finally touching my clit, making me gasp at the sudden sparkle of pleasure. Because of the lack of attention to my sensitive bundle of nerves, the slightest of his touches was setting me on fire.

“P-please,” I begged as I shut my eyes close, feeling my knees give up under his compelling touch. “Jungkook, please, just do it,” I carried on, as I yanked him closer by his belt, moaning when his prominent erection rubbed against me.

“Spread those beautiful legs for me, baby,” Jungkook commanded, playfully slapping the inner side of my thigh, and I obeyed without thinking. Holding my breath, I leaned against the concrete railing. With a smug smirk on his face, I watched Jungkook got on his knees in front of me, getting lost in my wild fantasies when he lustfully licked his lips.

“Oh, God,” I breathed out when Jungkook pressed his mouth against my clit, kissing it so sensually. “Mm…” I huffed in pleasure, as Jungkook sucked on my clit, sending me into overdrive so quickly. His hands were on my butt, pulling me closer, his nose was grazing against my pubic mound, his tongue licking my folds.

I was panting; I gave myself all to Jungkook, letting him do everything he wanted, and I loved writhing under his will. I hadn’t felt this good in weeks, or maybe even months, but damn; I was floating over the cloud nine because of his touch.

“I love how you respond,” Jungkook muttered, as he pulled away from me. I was so sensitive, and when Jungkook gently tugged on my clit, I just kept pressing myself against him, desperate to feel more.

“Keep going, Jungkook,” I moaned, licking my lips. “Fuck me with your fingers,” I voiced quietly, hoping he would consider my humble request. His tongue felt divine, the way it flicked against my folds sent shivers down my spine, the way it swirled around my clit made my toes curl, but it wasn’t enough. “I need more.”

“You’re so needy,” Jungkook chimed in, as he pulled away and looked into my eyes. His chin was glistening with my juices, and his lips were swollen from all the work he had done, and he looked incredible. He was handsome, but right now, he looked like a deity. “How much do you want my fingers? Would you fuck yourself on them?”

“Yes! I’ll do anything you tell me to,” I answered obediently, afraid that he’d stop unless I gave him a definite reply quickly. “Please, Jungkook, I was so close,” I begged, and Jungkook generously complied with my plea. “Oh, yes,” I gasped when he inserted his middle finger in my drenching pussy.

“Tell me how much you love it,” Jungkook urged, and I moaned my gratitude, but words were incomprehensible, and I hoped that my attempts to praise him would suffice. “I made you feel so good that you can’t even speak; damn, you love my fingers,” he teased, adding another finger, curling it inside of me, almost throwing off the edge.

“Yes!” I hollered between my shallow breaths, all tensed, sensing my orgasm approaching. Just the way Jungkook had suspected it, I rocked my hips against his hand, needing his fingers deeper inside of me. “Yes, yes, yes. Jungkook, don’t stop!” I screamed, not bothering who might’ve heard me. At the moment, I only cared about Jungkook and my impending high.

“That’s right, squeeze around my fingers,” Jungkook egged me on, though I’d do it without his encouragement; he agitated fire in my veins, and when he started to suck on my clit again, I reached the moment of explosion. With the final thrust, my blood burnt, my vision blazed white, my throat growled his name, and my body thawed out falling straight into his arms.

“Jungkook–“

“Look at the mess you’ve made,” Jungkook stood up, showing me his hand all covered in my juices. “You look so blown away,” he added, staring into my eyes, as he licked his fingers clean. “So fucked out,” Jungkook pointed out, planting a peck in the corner of my lips.

“Well… yeah… you’ve got very skillful fingers,” I spoke, wrapping my hand in his; it was still a bit sticky, but we were also covered in sweat, so I didn’t care about it that much. “Thank you so much, I really needed that.”

“Don’t thank me now, you’ll thank me later when you feel my cock,” he corrected me, as he looked down at our interlocked hands, giving it a light squeeze. “My room or yours?” With a twinkle in his eyes, he asked directly, and I smiled, refraining myself from throwing myself into his arms, so he could take me to his chamber and fuck me all night long.

“The one which is closer,” I eagerly answered when I bit my bottom lip, looking at his erection, still cramped in his trousers. “You’ve been so hard for so long, your dick is gonna fall off,” I retorted cheekily, and Jungkook smirked at me.

“We could always finish up here,” he egged on, but I firmly shook my head; it was enough of exhibitionism for today. For maybe months, even. “Whatever you say, but sex under the starry sky? Mind-blow-ing,” Jungkook stated, articulating each syllable, but he might’ve as well spelled it out for me, yet it still wouldn’t change my mind. I’d rather have him in the sheets. “You have no idea what you’re missing out on.”

“Maybe some other time,” I said vaguely, running my hands across his chest, entwining my fingers behind his neck. “Indoor sex can be mind-blowing, too,” I added, staring at his swollen lips when I licked mine.

“Oh, yes,” Jungkook breathed out, quickly throwing his hands on my butt, hoisting me up. “Hold on,” he said when I wrapped my legs around his waist, “let’s not forget about the booze,” he added, as he turned around, letting me grab the bottle and the glasses before we forgot about it. “I bet sex with you is always amazing. You got the prettiest cunt I’ve ever tasted,” Jungkook whispered, and his words affected me much more than I would’ve guessed.

“Oh, Jungkook,” I murmured against his skin, nipping on his neck teasingly, and since Jungkook didn’t seem to mind my ministrations, I continued to suck the hickey while he was walking down the stairs. “I want to feel you inside of me,” I purred into his ear, and Jungkook immediately stopped in his track, pressing me against the wall quite aggressively.

“You do tend to speak carelessly,” he whispered, his voice giving me chills. “I barely control myself around you,” he added, playfully nipping my earlobe. Jungkook was sensual, and I was incredibly close to letting him fuck me right here in this shabby corridor. “If you keep talking like that I may not be able to hold myself back any longer.”

“I will make it up to you, I promise,” I muttered before I smashed my lips against his in another hungry kiss. “I will suck your cock dry if you want me to,” I added, and Jungkook began the walk to his bedroom.

“I want this and much more,” Jungkook mischievously added when we reached his room.

Quickly, Jungkook opened his room and let me enter it first, acting like a real gentleman.

When Jungkook was closing the doors behind us, I placed the alcohol on the cabinet. Then, I took my shoes off and looked around, wanting to study the interior, silently judging if his room looked fancier than mine. Unfortunately, the moment I started my thorough analysis, Jungkook wrapped his hand around my wrist, swiftly turned me around and yanked me against his muscular body.

My eyes gazed into his, instantly seeing the pure desire in them. Jungkook had already made me come, and now, he deserved to reach his orgasm too.

“Come here,” he muttered, and I, as if I were under his spell, wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him slowly. His bottom lip felt incredibly soft between mine. Quickly, his hands found a purchase on my hips, as he pulled me closer, and I deepened our kiss. “I don’t think I’ll ever have enough of you. You drive me crazy,” Jungkook confessed, and I moaned feeling the same; with each move of his lips, I felt thirstier and thirstier.

Slowly, my hands roamed across his shoulders, down his chest until they reached the buckle of his belt. Biting my bottom lip, I undid it along with the button of his trousers.

“Can you do it any slower?” Jungkook asked in mock anger, impatient with my ministrations. “You’re killing me, sweetheart,” he added, and I smiled when I realized how he called me. I had never been a fan of pet names, but when one rolled of Jungkook’s tongue, it genuinely made me feel wanted and adored even though I was just about to kneel and suck his cock. “Please, have mercy.”

Having pulled his zipper down, I pushed his trousers down his muscular thighs, leaving him only in his deep-cut shirt and a pair of boxers. The bulge was impressive, and I unconsciously licked my lips, admiring the view in front of me.

Enthusiastically, I got on my knees, pulling his boxers down, making his erection spring out of its restraint right in front of my face. “Oh my,” I started, but I didn’t know how to finish my thought. I really wanted to suck his cock and make him come either down my throat or on my face or whatever he wanted to.

“You know what to do sweetheart,” Jungkook said, as he grabbed his cock and gave it a few lazy strokes. Damn, it was hot. His veiny hand was moving smoothly up and down his length, as he stared down at me, waiting for me to take care of him.

Gently, I put my hand over his. “Let me,” I whispered, and Jungkook took his hand away, allowing me to touch him. His cock was throbbing in my hand, as I stroked him carefully, feeling the slight curve of his erection and prominent veins.

“That’s right,” Jungkook sighed, kicking his head backward, giving into the pleasure I was giving me. “Spit on my cock,” he instructed, and I followed his order, quickly smearing my saliva over his length, mixing it with a bit of the precum. His cock was slick, and my hand moved quickly, making him grunt in enjoyment.

Shortly after, I leaned forward and started to suck on the tip of cock while still running my hand up and down his erection. Jungkook thrust his hips slightly and hissed when he felt the tip of my tongue on his cock.

“Oh God, yes,” he praised, and I hummed, glad that he enjoyed my ministrations. “Yeah, suck me off, just like that,” he grunted, as he shut his eyes close, giving completely into the pleasure. Eagerly, I hollowed my cheeks, taking more and more of him, resting my hands on his hips. My head bobbed back and forth as I sucked him, my tongue gently pressing on the veiny underside of his cock. “Oh my God,” Jungkook whined in enjoyment when I squeezed his balls with one of my hands.

“Do you like what I’m doing to you?” I asked as I pulled out with a pop. “Are you going to come?” I asked innocently, still playing with his balls. Jungkook looked down at me, but I just smirked, leaning down, pressing my tongue against the tip of his cock, licking it down to its base along a large vein. “You are close, aren’t you?” I teased, chuckling when Jungkook’s cock started to twitch in my palms.

“You won’t be smirking when I am done with you,” Jungkook warned me, but I only giggled to his threat. If he was going to fuck me into oblivion, I’d gladly take that punishment. “No one has ever fucked you like I’m about to,” he added, and I only hoped he wasn’t all talk and no action.

“Can’t wait,” I muttered before I once again put his cock into my mouth, sucking him off eagerly. Jungkook, on the other hand, decided to take control of the situation. Gently, he grabbed my hair and wrapped it around his hand as he wanted to give me his rhythm.

“Will you be a good girl and let me come in your mouth?” Jungkook asked, and though I had never let men finish on my tongue, I couldn’t bring myself to decline him. Jungkook woke up my inner most-hidden desires, and right now, I would let him do anything. Even if he wanted me to swallow his cum, I would do it with pleasure. With him, I felt like a sex goddess, and I was eager to cross all of my past boundaries.

Tonight, I had no inhibitions.

It could be my last time having sex, and I was going to make the most of it.

Jungkook was on the verge of coming, and I felt needy too, so my hand reached down to rub my clit. He had given me one orgasm, but I was ready for more.

“What are you doing?” Jungkook asked as he pulled my hair, staring at me touching myself. “Stop it. Only I can touch this pussy,” he added authoritatively, and I quickly stopped since I didn’t want to upset him. Although it was difficult to resist this temptation, I had a feeling that Jungkook would reward my obedience.

Biting his bottom lip, Jungkook closed his eyes before he began thrusting his cock in and out of my mouth. His hips quickly snapped, but he didn’t push it beyond my limits. Though he was a little upset about my urgency, he respected my boundaries and didn’t force his cock, so it didn't become unpleasant to me. His thick cock gagged me a little, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.

“Oh fuck, I’m gonna cum,” Jungkook breathed out when he pulled out. “Open your mouth, sweetheart,” he urged me, and I instantly complied with his order, being too enchanted by his quiet grunts. I have always thought that men moans were the hottest thing a man could do during sex, and Jungkook only proved me right now.

With a throaty groan of my name, Jungkook came, milking my tongue with his massive load. His hand moved across his shaft quickly throughout his orgasm, and I moaned when I felt the taste of his cum in my mouth.

“Are you going to be a good girl and swallow it?” Jungkook asked me in between his shallow breaths, and I obediently nodded my head, fulfilling his request. “That was so hot,” he added, as he stretched his hand for me to take it, so he could help me stand up from my knees.

“Everything you do is hot too,” I honestly said, “and I am really needy,” I added innocently, smiling at him, slowly unbuttoning the last piece of clothing which he had on.

“Once I fuck you, you’ll never get enough of me,” Jungkook muttered when I slid my hands under the silk material of his shirt, slowly pushing it off his shoulders. “Why don’t you put up a little show for me? You’ve got so many clothes on,” Jungkook started as he lazily moved towards the bed.

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I teased, pushing him backward, so he stumbled on the bed, staring at me as if he were an addict and I was a sweet dose of drugs. “Sit back and enjoy,” I said, having no idea how the hell he made me so confident.

Putting attention to every detail, I started to unbutton my shirt, doing it agonizingly slowly. Jungkook enjoyed my performance; I was teasing him, but I could tell he liked every second of it. When my shirt hung freely over my shoulders, Jungkook leaned back, propping his body on his elbows.

“You’re killing me. I’m gonna be hard again, and you haven’t even taken your shirt off,” Jungkook complained, but I only giggled, glad that my show was affecting him that much.

Smirking at him, I pushed my shirt off my shoulders, letting him admire my body clad only in a simple bra and a skirt. His eyes studied my appearance, and I didn’t need any other validation that I looked stunning.

“Do you mind bringing me a drink?” Jungkook requested politely, and I gladly poured us drinks even though the alcohol didn’t particularly fit my preferences. With two glasses of clear whiskey, I approached him and handed him one. “To your success,” he whispered before he clinked his glass against mine and drank the half of the liquor.

Sitting on his rock-hard thighs, I reached behind my back to unhook my bra. As if enchanted, Jungkook sat up, staring in admiration at my breasts. Quickly, he placed his glass on the floor beside the bed, desperate to touch me. In an instant, I felt his large hands on my sides, slowly riding up to my bare breasts.

Jungkook started to kiss the curve of my neck, and I kicked my head backward, giving him more access to my skin. His thumbs gently played with my nipples while his lips covered my collarbones with kisses, and his tender ministrations made me buckle my hips against his flaccid cock.

“Jungkook,” I moaned quietly, and Jungkook’s mouth turned into a wide smile. He was very pleased with himself whenever I reacted to his touches. “Why don’t you lie down?” I asked him, pushing him onto the mattress before he managed to reply.

“Why don’t you hump me until I’m hard again to fuck you?” Jungkook said, correctly seeing through my intentions. “Or maybe you think you could get yourself off against me?”

“I’d rather feel your cock inside of me, but if you can’t pop another hard-on, I guess you’ll leave me no choice but satiate my needs with dry-humping you,” I teased him before I leaned forward to shut him up with a kiss. I’ve had enough of talking; I wanted another orgasm to wash through me. Besides, I was sure Jungkook wouldn’t mind another one, too.

“Baby,” Jungkook moaned the moment I started to rub my drenching pussy against his limp cock. “It feels too good,” he added, but once again I shut him up with a passionate kiss. My tongue danced with his in imperfect sync, his hands roamed all over my hips and thighs, while I rocked myself against his half-erect dick.

“Oh fuck,” I cursed when Jungkook cupped my breasts and pinched my hard nipples. “Oh my God, yes, Jungkook, yes!” I shouted, rubbing myself against him way harder. It felt good, and that stimulation almost made me reach my high.

“You’re a real freak in the sheets,” Jungkook commented, amused by his remark. “You really need my cock, don’t you?” He inquired, as he stared at my desperate moves against his length. “Let me take care of you, okay?” He asked, and mirroring my previous bossy mannerism, he didn’t wait for my reply, but he just pushed me onto the mattress and got on top of me, his hard cock poking my folds.

“Jungkook, please, fuck me with your cock already,” I urged him, but Jungkook only smirked before he grabbed his thick length and with its tip slapped my drenching pussy, making me choke on a throaty moan. The sensation was erratic, and though he didn’t penetrate me, I felt another wave of warmth surge through my body.

“How can I say no when you’re asking so nicely,” Jungkook whispered, and I buckled my hips against his erection. Though I was desperately whining for his touch, I wasn’t ashamed of my words. We both had needs which we were going to deliver to each other.

“Oh, fuck, fuck, Jungkook, oh my god,” I breathed out when Jungkook slowly eased himself in, stretching out my walls. “It feels so, so good,” I added, raising my hips off the mattress, only to have them pinned back to the bed by his strong hands.

“Lie still,” Jungkook commanded, and though I felt tempted to roll on top of him and ride him, I decided to follow his order. Despite looking my age, Jungkook perfectly knew how to please a woman, and I was going to let him take care of me.

Staring into my eyes, Jungkook pushed his length inside of me. Trying my best not to react, I bit my bottom lip, waiting for Jungkook to make another move. Gently, he massaged my thighs before he slowly wrapped them around his hips.

“Good girl,” he murmured, sending me a mischievous smirk which could only mean trouble. Before I managed to reply, Jungkook started to slam his fat cock in and out of me, making me a whining mess beneath him.

Sweat was rolling down his forehead and chest, and I couldn’t help myself but admire the wild beast which fucked me senseless. Though he only started, and I was nowhere near the orgasm, I felt tiny sparks of electricity erupting in every cell of my body. His pounding was incredibly pleasurable, and I knew the orgasm would be bone-crushing.

The bed creaked in the rhythm of Jungkook’s thrusts and my moans. The sounds of our bodies colliding and Jungkook’s quiet breaths rang in my ears made me close my eyes and grip on the sheets, completely giving myself into the pleasure.

After a while, Jungkook’s tempo slowed down, but I couldn’t complain when he was pounding his cock inside of me and rubbing my clit simultaneously.

“Tell me when you’re close,” Jungkook grunted, and I obediently nodded my head.

Jungkook was falling out of his rhythm when I was near my orgasm. My walls started to tighten around his cock, and I moaned his name. “Jungkook, I’m…” I started, my voice breaking, since I was feeling too good to sound comprehensive. “I’m gonna come.”

The moment when I was panting, when my blood was boiling, when I was about to explode, Jungkook stopped. With a smug smirk on his face, he pulled out, denying my second orgasm.

“That’s not cool,” I said, starting to giggle. This situation was ridiculous.

“You have to trust me,” Jungkook whispered, as he massaged my thigh gently. I wanted to purr, but before I managed to produce a sound, Jungkook suddenly turned me around, making me lie on my stomach. “Butt up, sweetheart,” he ordered in a seductive voice, and I instantly obeyed his command.

On my fours, I waited for his touch. Carefully, he traced the tips of his fingers across my thighs up to my butt. Then, taking me aback, Jungkook slapped my butt. Though it didn’t hurt me, it left a pleasant stinging sensation.

“You like that, don’t you?” Jungkook purred into my ear when he pushed his cock inside of me from behind and leaned against my back. “Admit that no one has ever fucked you the way I’m doing it now,” he whispered while pounding in and out of me.

“Jungkook, yes, yes,” I breathed out, gripping the sheets when I slowly neared the bliss. “You’re the best I’ve ever had,” I moaned, craning my neck as I needed to kiss him.

“That’s right,” Jungkook let out a throaty moan, making me shiver. His body was making me feel amazing, but his raspy voice was going to be the death of me. By far, it was the sexiest sound which had ever rung in my ears.

“Jungkook, can I ride you?” I asked quickly, as I thought about sitting on his muscular thighs, sliding up and down his pulsating cock.

“Fuck yes,” he eagerly answered before he pulled out and sat up, leaning his back against the headrest. “Come on, jump on it,” Jungkook urged me, and I, with a mischievous smirk on my face, I sat astride him.

“I’m really frustrated,” I truthfully said as I looked into his eyes and entwined my fingers behind his neck. “No more playing dirty,” I added when I started to move my hips, rubbing my drenching slit against his veiny cock.

Jungkook’s grip on my hips tightened slightly. “Jump. On. It.” Jungkook gritted through his teeth, sounding quite angry.  He was just as impatient, and I, obeying his order, sat down on his cock. “Mm… Good girl,” he whispered before he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine.

His kiss was passionate, and it felt as if our lips molded together. His hands held my hips, giving me guidance, helping me set the right tempo. God, it felt like heaven.

“I’m coming,” I moaned, as I increased my pace, giving him no chance to deny me of another orgasm. I’d die if he stopped me again from reaching the blissful high.

“I’m close, too,” Jungkook genuinely admitted before he captured my lips again. My walls were squeezing around his throbbing cock as I entirely gave in to my instincts. I moved up and down his erection until I felt an explosion of pleasure rip me apart.

Jungkook came a few seconds after me, growling my name as he milked my walls with his cum. All covered in sweat, Jungkook looked at me, and I just started to giggle.

“It was…”

***

According to the analog clock on the desk in the corner of Jungkook’s room, it was five o’clock. Jungkook was lying on the bed beside me, breathing soundly, and for a brief moment, I marveled his gorgeous looks; his muscular body, his soft hair and his sun-kissed skin with a variety of love marks I had given him when he had been pushing all the right buttons. Damn it; even his eyelashes were beautiful, casting shadow on his cheeks.

No matter how much I fancied having another round in the morning, I had to leave; I am a woman on a mission, and now, when the night was over, I had to return to my priorities. The fling with Jungkook was unforgettable, but I had to flee his chamber.

My legs were sore, but strangely I felt energized; almost as if I had slept for twelve hours, not two. It must’ve been the hormones.

In haste, I collected my clothes, carelessly putting it back on my body. From time to time, I’d peek at Jungkook, yet every time when my eyes landed on his frame, he was sleeping soundly, as if it was the first time in years he had such a calm slumber.

Sighing at the beautiful sight in front of me, I turned around and left.

***

As soon as I stepped into my room, I undressed and headed to the bathroom, desperately needing a shower. I was sticky with sweat and my and Jungkook’s arousals, and I just had to clean myself.

Quickly, I turned on the tap, letting the water spill on the yellowish tiles. “Mm… he was so good,” I daydreamt, thinking of the night escapade with Jungkook, and how he made me feel. He was just a mere stranger, but none of my previous lovers had satisfied me even half as good. Too bad we would never meet again; I’ll be on my way before he’d even wake up.

“Get a grip,” I spoke to myself, hating how much he was distracting me although I had met him less than ten hours ago. Yes, the sex was mind-blowing. Yes, we had gone a few rounds. Yes, it was by far the best sex of my life. It felt like heaven, but I have a goal. I needed to stay focused, so regardless of how many pictures of him my mind would project, of how his deep voice echoed in my subconsciousness, of how I still felt his touch on my flesh, I had to figure out how I’d get to Senegal.

After what it felt like an hour, I stepped out of the shower with a towel tightly wrapped around my body. I was to spend maybe a few days in the wilderness, so instead of wearing my typical clothing, which consisted of a button down shirt with rolled up sleeves and a skirt, I put on one set of specially bought clothes.

Three days before the flight, I had purchased a pair of waterproof trekking boots, a few sets of bamboo organic cotton underwear, and of course, T-shirts and shorts made out of breathable fabric. I was prepared for heat, for flood, and any other climate anomaly in that region. I had even got vaccinated for exotic bugs, insects and other viruses.

When my phone was getting charged to the fullest, I threw everything out of my suitcase and packed the necessities into a huge backpack. I had nutritious food, a special bottle to filter water, ropes, and other archeology gear which I’d need to get into the tomb.

By seven o’clock, I was ready to leave. Nervously, I adjusted my backpack’s straps, and with my head high, I left my room and headed to the reception desk to check out. The receptionist was a bit startled by the change in my appearance, but he didn’t say anything; probably because he couldn’t formulate his commentary within his narrow range of English vocabulary.

“I can’t believe you didn’t say goodbye,” I heard a familiar voice the second I stepped out of the hotel. Instantly, I turned around and saw Jungkook, in a fresh set of clothes, leaning against the wall, munching on an apple. “You didn’t leave a note, either.”

“Sorry,” I said nervously, not sure how to talk to him. We were never supposed to meet again, yet there he was, apparently waiting for me. “Why are you up so early?” Folding my arms across my chest, I asked. He had never told me he had a reason to get up so early in the morning.

“I don’t sleep alone very well,” he added, as he pushed himself off the wall, and threw the half-eaten apple on the ground.

“Then I hope tonight someone will keep you company until you’re well rested,” I said politely, giving him a wide smile, hoping he’d get the clue that I didn’t have time to chat with him now. I really wished him well; I couldn’t stay any longer, and I didn’t want him to get lonely. “And if you excuse me, I have a bus which I need to catch.”

“How can you be so cold to me?” Jungkook asked, and I sighed, regretting that I had stopped when I had heard his voice. I should’ve ignored him then; I should’ve pretended not to hear him. “And why are you in such a rush? We could have breakfast together–“

“I’ve already eaten, sorry,” I interjected before he’d lure me back to the hotel with his handsome looks and tantalizing stare. “And yeah, I’m in a hurry, so have a nice day, but I gotta go,” I added with a smile, turning on my heel so I wouldn’t have to look into his eyes.

“But you have to try some of the Moroccan dishes before you leave,” Jungkook concluded, but I wasn’t having this. Yes, it could be delicious, but I really had more important stuff which had to be dealt with immediately. I couldn’t afford to get stalled and/or distracted.

“Your proposition is tempting, like really tempting, but I just can’t,” I spoke, trying to sound as genuine as I could. I didn’t want to be rude, but in my life were plenty of things which were more important than man’s companionship. Jungkook was amazing, but right now, my work was my priority. “I’m sorry, Jungkook,” I added quietly, before I turned around on my heel, and started to walk away.

“That’s too bad,” Jungkook added, “but have I ever mentioned that I have a chopper?” When I heard him, I immediately stopped in my track. I didn’t have to face him to know that this bastard was smugly smirking. “It’s not healthy to start a journey on an empty stomach. Please, have breakfast with me, and I’ll give you a lift to wherever you meet your crew.”

I must’ve gone crazy to actually consider Jungkook’s proposition. I didn’t know anything about him; how could I even think about accepting his ridiculous offering? Especially when there was no crew waiting for me anywhere, and I was headed in the opposite direction to what I had told him. It wasn’t a good idea to involve him, even though he could prove himself incredibly useful. Owning a chopper, for example.

“You lie, you wouldn’t be staying in this hotel if you could afford a chopper,” I concluded, still hesitant to his offering. It didn’t make any sense.

“Here’s where you’re wrong,” Jungkook said with a mischievous smirk upon his face. “You see, I’m supposed to write about regular people, and if I stayed in a fancy-ass hotel, who could I write about? Probably, some rich assholes who came here with their side-chicks to cheat on their wives. And I got my chopper from my super-rich sponsor who apparently loves my feuilletons.” Jungkook explained, and even if he lied, his reasoning made sense.

“Fine, I guess I could find an hour to have something to eat,” I gave up, and Jungkook smiled radiantly, wrapping his arm around my shoulders when he approached me. “Okay, Jungkook, lead the way,” I urged him, but Jungkook only beamed, guiding me to his favorite restaurant.

The restaurant wasn’t anything fancy, but I liked its homely atmosphere. Taking the table next to the window, Jungkook waved at the waitress, as he was ready to order without looking at the menu.

The woman smiled at him, and he smiled at her when they shared a conversation in a language I didn’t understand. However, judging by Jungkook’s frequent glances toward my direction, I had a suspicion that he was ordering me food.

Once the women walked away, Jungkook looked at me, and I instantly asked him. “What was this about?” I couldn’t help myself but be curious.

“Nothing, I just ordered some must-tries. We’re leaving Casablanca today, and you just have to try some of the dishes here.” Jungkook explained, and I internally cringed at the pronoun he used. He was just helping me to get from one place to another; he wasn’t my side-kick.

Though it didn’t sit right with me, I didn’t correct him. My bus left a few minutes ago, I couldn’t lash out at him, and then have him nullify our agreement.

“So what have you ordered for me?”

“A little bit of everything, you know,” Jungkook said, looking through the window. “I got you some fruit with yogurt, a plate of Sfenj, and fried eggs with olives. It’s really delicious.”

“I don’t really like eggs, so I guess I’ll enjoy my Sfen-something – whatever that is,” I added, and Jungkook chuckled.

“Sfenj are a type of deep-fried Moroccan fritter,” Jungkook explained, and I nodded my head, thinking it wouldn’t be half bad. “And whether you like it or not, you should eat the eggs, not only they’ll be amazing, but also you need a lot of protein.”

“Ugh, you sound like my father,” I grunted, remembering a dozen fights with my family regarding my eating habits.

“Well… I wouldn’t mind you calling me daddy,” Jungkook said, and I rolled my eyes, glad that the food wasn’t yet served because otherwise some of it would end up on his face. “What? Don’t act so coy. After last night, I know your true colors. You’re a freak.”

“I was just caught in the heat of the moment.” I tried to defend myself, but when I saw another smirk on Jungkook’s face, I knew it had no sense. No matter what I would tell him, it wouldn’t change his opinion about me and my kinks.

As soon as our food was served, we started munching it almost as if we were starved for a few days. Our physical acts must’ve drained us of energy more than anyone of us had thought.

“So… where are we headed?” Jungkook asked when he finished his serving, wiping his mouth with a clean napkin.

“A nameless island west of Ziguinchor, Senegal,” I said, and Jungkook looked the location on his phone, as he was probably unfamiliar with this region. Furrowing his eyebrows, he thought of the best route how to get there. It was difficult itself, but given the fact that the island wasn’t drawn on most of the maps, wasn’t making his task any easier.

“It’s not even on the map,” Jungkook muttered, cocking up his eyebrow, being even more curious than before. It was mysterious, and it definitely piqued his interest. “It’s gonna be difficult, but screw it, let’s do it,” he added happily, as he locked his phone and placed it on the table, giving me his full attention.

“Thanks, Jungkook, I really appreciate your help,” I added before I returned to my breakfast.

“No problem, I was getting bored here anyway,” Jungkook shrugged, sending me another bright beam. “So how about you finish your breakfast, and I’ll go get my stuff. I’ll pay for our meal, and let’s meet outside in ten, okay?”

“Sure.”

 ***

 Within ten minutes Jungkook met me outside. He was carrying a large backpack on his back, and despite his handsome features and a bucket hat on his head, he looked ridiculous.

“Okay, show me your chopper,” I said with a smirk as I couldn’t wait to start the journey. The breakfast with Jungkook was a delight, but I had a pretty tight schedule, and it was about time to get going.

“We have a long journey ahead of us, sweetheart,” Jungkook said, as he showed me the way to his car. “I googled the distance, and we’re gonna be lucky to get there before the nightfall.”

Although we were on a pretty hectic schedule, we managed to board the chopper before 9 o’clock. Jungkook carried our backpacks inside and sat in the pilot’s seat, and I just followed quietly behind him, letting him work in peace.

“You know… you would be an awesome stewardess,” Jungkook said, trying to start a conversation with me for the nth time this day. “With your long legs, and everything else,” he finished his thought, but I was lost for words. I already was an outstanding archeologist, and I didn’t have to have long legs to prove how great I was at it.

“How long is it gonna take?” I questioned, getting a bit impatient. I had been studying Senegalese legends for years, and now, I was near to my first great discovery.

“Why? Do you hate my company so much?” Jungkook teased, and I just rolled my eyes. “If the rest of the flight will be as smooth, we’re gonna be there in an hour or so.”

“That’s good,” I said with a deep sigh before I looked through the window, admiring the calm sea below us. “Thank you, Jungkook. And sorry for being so sour in the morning, I was just anxious.”

“No, it’s okay. I understand; you must be under a lot of pressure,” Jungkook answered with a soft smile, as he looked at me. “Oh shit,” Jungkook cursed, his beam fading away. Quickly, I cocked up my eyebrows, having no clue what caused his sudden change in his behavior.

Still confused, I looked through the window again. I saw another chopper. Why did it make Jungkook freak out a little? What was going on?

“Hold on something,” Jungkook ordered, and I clutched the armrests of my seat.

“What the hell? What is going on?” I asked, but Jungkook didn’t even bother to answer my questions. Instead, he focused on the buttons in front of him, pressing one after another, making the machine soar higher.

“Okay, maybe I wasn’t entirely honest with you,” Jungkook started, and I looked at him in panic. What the fuck he meant by that?! “So, this chopper isn’t technically mine. It’s my friend’s, and he sometimes gets a little bit angry with me when I borrow it without his direct permission,” he explained, but I didn’t trust him wholeheartedly.

He had lied to me once, and he could do it again.

“Don’t worry, though. Namjoon’s harmless,” Jungkook added, trying to calm me down. Unfortunately, the moment I heard his words, the glass of my window cracked after what it seemed a bullet. “Or maybe, I’ve angered him one time too many,” Jungkook smiled sheepishly, as he swerved the chopper around, trying to avoid getting shot again.

“What the fuck?” I screamed, losing my composure. It was supposed to be a peaceful expedition, and right now, someone was aiming a gun at us. That’s not what I signed up for! “Jungkook, do something!”

“Don’t panic; I already see the island,” Jungkook replied, but his statement didn’t calm me down; not when more shots were fired our direction. It was difficult to remain level-headed, I did my best. Of course, everything changed when I felt a sharp pull right before when our chopper started to descend. All kinds of alarms flared red and began ringing, and I was terrified when I realized that we were going to die regardless of how tight I was holding onto my seat. We were doomed.

My heart was beating rapidly, my knuckles were white due to clutching onto my seat, and my eyes were shut. I was too cowardly to face reality when the death was about to swallow us in a few brief moments as soon as the chopper would collide with the surface of the water.

“Come on, we have to jump,” I barely heard Jungkook over my pathetic meltdown. I could comprehend only bits and pieces of his words, but thankfully, Jungkook just grabbed my hand, and yanked me out of my seat, handing me my backpack. “I hope you know how to swim,” Jungkook shouted before he opened the doors and pushed me out of the chopper.

I was in complete shock; one moment I was sure I was going to die, while a few seconds later I screamed my lungs out, waving my hands back and forth as I fell down into the water.

When I regained the remains of my composure, it was already on the narrow beach. I had no idea how long it took me to get to the shore, nor how I managed to swim such a long distance with my pathetic stamina.

Spitting seawater, I threw my backpack on the sand before I lay on the beach, the calm waves washing my feet. I felt terrible, everything hurt me, and I had water in my nose. However, I couldn’t complain, I was still alive after all.

As soon as I calmed down, adjusting myself to my current situation, I looked around, trying to spot Jungkook and our wrecked chopper. Though my sight was still blurry, either because of seawater or my tears, I could see smoke coming from the jungle.

“It was a close one,” Jungkook said as he emerged from the water and lay down next to me, trying to catch his breath after the energy-draining swim.

I was thankful that we were still alive, but when I saw Jungkook beside me, talking so casually about our near death situation, I felt rage wash through me. Before my mind could register what I was doing, I sat astride on him, violently hitting his chest with my fists.

Unfortunately, after what we experienced not that long ago, my punches weren’t as painful as I wished them to be. Without any trouble, Jungkook wrapped his fingers around my wrists, stopping my poor attempt of hurting him.

“Is your friend really harmless?” I asked him, trying not to burst into tears. I didn’t want him to think I was weak. Quite contrary, I thought I was pretty strong. However, because of him, I was caught in a life-threatening situation, and it was natural to feel so confused. “For fuck’s sake, he shot us down! What is going on, Jeon? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

“OK, maybe he doesn’t consider us friends, but in my defense, it’s unlike him to behave like that,” Jungkook said, but his explanation didn’t have any value. I still didn’t understand what the point of shooting us down was.

"You're not completely honest with me, Jungkook. This Namjoon guy wouldn't shoot down his own chopper if he was mad at you for taking it. There has to be something more to it. Tell me the truth, and don't you dare lie to me again," I demanded, and Jungkook seemed to be immersed in thought as if considering disclosing the facts to me. Although he was dubious, deep down he knew I deserved to know the truth about his conflict with Namjoon.

“So… I might’ve borrowed some money from him, and technically, I haven’t paid it off yet completely, so maybe that’s why he’s feeling a little bit angry with it.”

“Jungkook, he’s not a little bit angry, this guy almost killed us, he’s livid,” I interjected, being unable to listen to him sugarcoat things. “This is just perfect; a guy almost killed us, the chopper is a wreck, and on top of that, we are on the wrong side of the island. I shouldn’t have agreed to go with you. I felt it in my guts back then; I should’ve listened to my hunch.”

“Don’t be like that, we’ll find a way out of it,” Jungkook said, trying to cheer me up, but I wasn’t having any of that. First of all, there was no we. Secondly, the chopper crashed, so even if we found the necklace, we wouldn’t be able to escape the inhabited island.

“Yeah, of course, you’re right,” I spoke bitterly, being on the verge of hysteria. The situation was ridiculous, and although we survived the crash, we were still trapped on this island. We were alive, but it was only a matter of time. “I have an idea; I’ll go through that jungle and find that necklace. In the meantime, you can stay here on the beach and built a fucking boat for us because as far as I am concerned, there’s no other transport we can use. How about that?” I was mean, but I didn’t care. It was Jungkook’s fault; he should be the one to do the hard labor.

“Well, you don’t have to be a bitch about it,” Jungkook argued back, clenching his jaw. “Besides, I believe you said something about your crew, they’re going to get here sooner or later,” he concluded, and I wanted to slap myself.

“No, Jungkook, you’re wrong, there’s no crew,” I admitted, and Jungkook really started to panic. “I lied to you back then. It’s my solo expedition.”

“OK, so we agree we’re both to blame. Now, we have to come up with a plan,” Jungkook concluded, and with a deep sigh, I agreed. “What are you suggesting?”

“I think we should focus on finding the necklace. Once we have it, we can start thinking of an escape plan,” I suggested, and Jungkook nodded, understanding my logic.

“That sounds like a plan, but I think we should think of a way to spend the night. The sun is about to descend soon, and from what I heard the wilderness can get pretty dangerous at night,” Jungkook voiced, and I hummed in agreement.

For people who had lied to each other so many times, our dynamics were pretty synced.

“What should we do? We can stay here, or find a place to sleep somewhere in the jungle; which would be safer?” I asked him, hoping that he had a good sense of survival. I didn’t want to get eaten by a puma in my sleep, so I really hoped we could rely on Jungkook’s instincts and survival skills.

“I think we should start a fire here, and dry off first,” Jungkook said after a moment of thinking. “I have a sleeping bag in my backpack, but like all the other things inside it, it’s drenched.”

“Okay, let’s do that,” I quickly agreed with him, desperately needing some sort of heat. Naturally, I had pretty low blood pressure, and right now, I was drenched. The blowing wind didn’t help, either. “You know how to do that, right?”

“Of course, who do you take me for?” Jungkook asked me, being slightly offended with my question. “With me, you’re safe.”

Wrapping my hands around my body, I watched Jungkook work. His clothes were sticking to his muscles, and when he was carrying wood, I could admire his masculine beauty. Although Jungkook had a base of a handyman, I would never peg him as one. If anything, I’d sooner consider him to be a cunning ladies man.

“Voilà!” Jungkook exclaimed when successfully prepared the bonfire. “Come here, you must be freezing,” he added, encouraging me to have a seat beside me. Grumbling under my breath, I stood up and approached him, sitting next to him. “Have you brought anything to eat? I gotta admit, I am starving,” Jungkook asked, and I pulled out two energy bars from my backpack.

For a while, we sat in complete silence, basking in the warmth of the bonfire, and it was actually pretty pleasant, given that Jungkook was my company. I had several reasons to complain; he had lied to me and put my life in danger. However, despite all of that, I couldn't bring myself to hate him with every fiber of my body. Because he had proven himself to be useful, I only hated him to some degree.

“Tomorrow, we’re gonna have a nice trek,” Jungkook started, as he looked at me. “Do you have a map or something?”

“No, Jungkook, there’s no map. It has never been discovered; all I have is a handful of very vague clues.” I answered with a sigh. Basically, I was looking for a needle in the haystack. “Also, the clues vary based on different translations.”

“Oh,” was all he said. “Don’t lose your spirit, you will find it, and I’m gonna help you,” he added, and I cracked a faint smile. It was comforting, but I still had a few doubts haunting me.

“Thanks,” I replied, wrapping my arms around myself tighter. “Are our sleeping bags dry yet?” I asked, feeling a bit sleepy. Just like Jungkook had said, we would have a long trek tomorrow, and I wanted to be well-rested.

“I don’t know, you can check if you want,” he said, and I walked up to them.

With a quick, sharp motion, I picked the sleeping bag up, wanting to get rid of the sand. Unfortunately, when I did so, I felt something fell out of the sleeping bag, and it was a fucking snake. The second my eyes spotted the reptile, I shrieked loudly, tossed the sleeping bag aside, and ran up to Jungkook to hide behind his back.

“It’s a fucking snake! Do something!” I shouted at the top of my voice when I looked down to see the snake slowly moving towards us. “Kill it, please,” I begged him, but Jungkook only chuckled, evidently amused by my panicked outburst.

“It doesn’t seem to be venomous,” Jungkook concluded, but I had no trust in his analysis. According to what he had told me, he was a journalist – not a biologist. “It probably wants to warm up,” he added, but I wrapped my hands around his biceps, expecting him to provide me with safety. “Jesus Christ, your hands are cold,” he turned his head to look into my eyes.

“Please,” I cooed, hoping that after what we had survived together, I had an influence on his actions. “Jungkook, please, get rid of it,” I added, and Jungkook seemed to soften under my pleading gaze.

“Ugh, fine,” he spoke before he grabbed a broken branch and walked up to the snake, wanting to pick it up and take it far away from me. “It’s all done, it shouldn’t bother us again,” he explained, but I told him to check the other sleeping bag in case there was another surprise waiting for us. Thankfully, nothing else sought sanctuary in our belongings.

“Is it safe?”

“Yep, it’s absolutely reptile-free,” Jungkook said in a mocking tone, so I smacked his shoulder playfully. “If you’re afraid another snake may creep into your sleeping bag, we can share mine,” Jungkook suggested, and I actually caught myself considering his offer.

“Fine, but it’s not because I’m afraid,” I answered, and Jungkook cocked his eyebrow in curiosity. “I know I will get cold, and you’re like a portable heater, that’s why,” I explained, but it didn’t make his smug smirk disappear.

“It’s fine with me.” Jungkook smiled before he put his sleeping bag on the sand. “Come here,” he urged me, and I quickly obeyed, wanting to warm myself up. A bit too willingly, I snuggled up to Jungkook’s chest, and Jungkook hissed when he felt my cold hands on his skin. “What do you think about a quickie before sleep? I don’t know about you, but I sleep like a baby after a good fuck,” he hinted, placing an inviting kiss on my neck.

“I think I’ll pass,” I answered, turning on the other side. “And FYI, I haven’t forgotten about that I almost got shot because of you.”

“You can’t blame a man for trying to be romantic,” Jungkook said, not taking my rejection personally, but I only snorted. Yeah, it was romantic as fuck. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight, Jeon.”

***

At the crack of dawn, we woke up cuddling. Jungkook’s morning wood was digging into my back, but I couldn’t care any less. I was mad at him, and no matter how many times he would beg me to help him out, I wasn’t going to comply with his humble request. I was still mad at him for what he had put us through.

Having consumed energy bars for breakfast, we packed our things (now thankfully dry) and set off our journey. We had two possibilities; we could walk along the coast, or trek through the jungle. The decision was difficult, but after a brief discussion, we chose the shorter and more dangerous hike through the wilderness. Our food would suffice for two days tops; we didn’t have the time to take the longer route.

“How long do you think we have to walk like that?” Jungkook asked before he cut the bush in front of us with a sharp knife so we could move forward.

“According to the legend, they walked the entire night until they reached the heart of the island. Also, it was either April or May, so the trek took them about five hours.” I explained, trying to remember all the details from my report. I had it saved on my phone, but I didn’t want to stop to get it out of the zip lock bag from the very bottom of my backpack.

“And how long is it gonna take to get there from this side of the island?”

“Probably the entire day,” I answered quietly, focusing on walking and breathing. For someone with my stamina (or the lack of thereof), it was incredibly tiring, and I didn’t want to seem so weak in front of him. I was the captain of this expedition, not a thorn in Jungkook’s side. “Maybe a little less if we find a short-cut.”

“Now, that’s comforting,” Jungkook giggled, and I smiled. We were screwed; it would be a miracle if we found the necklace and made it alive. “So what you want to do when we come back to the civilization?”

“All I want to do is to lie in my bed and binge watch RuPaul’s Drag Race,” I admitted honestly, even though it might’ve sounded silly to Jungkook. “Don’t judge, it’s highly addictive.”

“I’m not judging you,” he chuckled, and I wondered if he was honest with me. “I was just asking what you’re gonna do with your discovery. If the necklace is half as important as you let it on, then I’m pretty sure you’re gonna be a headliner soon.” Jungkook elaborated, and I, being a complete idiot, blushed.

“Oh,” it’s all that left my mouth. I was shocked, for someone who could double-cross me, Jungkook appeared to be suspiciously supportive of my achievement. “Thanks, Jungkook,” I answered quietly still digesting his words. He was right; if I came back home with the necklace, it would definitely bring me lots of fame and wealth. “And what are you gonna do if we make it alive?”

“I’m not sure,” he whispered, thinking of the best way to convey his thought into words. “This journey is an once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so I’ll probably live my life peacefully, sometimes reminiscing how fun it was here with you,” Jungkook explained, and I felt funny. Yes, it was dangerous, but above all, it was incredibly exciting.

“It’s not gonna be as fun when I push in a puma’s claws, so I can run for my life,” I joked, and Jungkook chuckled, reminding me of the night we met; I had been feeling so lighthearted back then. “I’m not joking, though.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Jungkook teased, and I shook my head. We were alone in the middle of the jungle, yet we still could find some energy to bicker playfully. “You’d be scared shitless to move, let alone push me. I saw how you reacted to a harmless snake, trust me, you’re not gonna do shit,” he added, and I smacked his shoulder, acting offended.

“It’s a mistake to underestimate me,” I retorted, but Jungkook didn’t appreciate it. Instead, he only raised his hand, wanting to shush me. Cocking my eyebrow up, I eyed him, a little bit fed up with his superior attitude. “What do you –“ I started, but Jungkook quickly turned around, and cupped my mouth. Confused, I furrowed my eyebrows, looking up at him.

“Shh…” he whispered before he removed his hand from my mouth. “It appears the island isn’t completely deserted,” he commented, and I fixated my eyes on the people on the meadow just a couple meters away from us.

“Who are these people?” I asked him quietly, not expecting him to know the answer. It didn’t make any sense; where the hell did they come from? What kind of shady business were they engaging in here?

“I don’t know… maybe they’re pirates or something,” Jungkook guessed, and I just shrugged, not knowing what to say. It was a possibility. “I think we should get out of here,” he proposed, and I agreed. I didn’t want to get involved with these people; it was for the better if they didn’t know about our presence.

It was reasonable to retreat, but curiosity got the better of me. When Jungkook was cautiously backtracking, I was observing them. It bugged me that I didn’t know the reason why they were here, but when I saw one of the men carrying white packages, I regretted my actions.

They were smuggling drugs, and I was positive that I wanted to stay as far from them as it was possible. They were dangerous. Though I wasn’t entirely convinced, I believed that Namjoon didn't threat as much as they did.

“Are you going or not?” Jungkook whispered, and I immediately nodded my head, walking up to him in a hurry. Unfortunately, I didn’t watch down, so being the idiot I am, I tripped over the roots. “Fuck,” Jungkook cursed when he saw me fall down, face first.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I cursed under my breath when I realized how loud disturbance I caused. The smugglers had to be deaf to ignore such strange noises coming from the bushes. Quickly, I picked myself up and ran after Jungkook.

The men were chasing us, but we had heavy backpacks, so it was just a matter of time until they would catch us. It was just fantastic, we had survived Namjoon’s attack, yet right now, we were going to be killed by some drug smugglers.

My life was just perfect.

And all of that because I wanted to find some jewel.

Mindlessly, I ran after Jungkook. The adrenaline must’ve kicked in because I wasn’t tired at all. Furthermore, my large backpack felt like as light as a feather. In no time, I caught up with Jungkook, sprinting right next to him.

“Jungkook, look,” I said when I saw a large rock with a split in it; it looked like shelter, and we could hide away in there if we were fast enough.

“It looks like a tunnel,” Jungkook noticed when we squeezed into the chink. “Should we go further? It can be a dead end,” Jungkook asked, a bit doubtful about exploring the cave.

“Let’s go further,” I said confidently, “just in case, they find this gap,” I added, knowing it would convince him. These men meant trouble, and we both wanted to never see them again.

Cautiously, I put my backpack on the ground, looking for small LED flashlights, giving Jungkook one.

“Ladies first?” Jungkook asked, and I just shook my head, bravely going further. “Who would’ve thought that we could attract so much trouble,” Jungkook said, trying to kill the pregnant silence. We were walking for the last thirty minutes, and the exit seemed unreachable. “It’s never boring with you, is it?”

“What are you talking about? I can boldly say that you’re responsible for the eighty percent of everything bad that has happened to us,” I said with a playful smile. The only fault in my behavior was not paying attention to where I was going; the rest of our misfortune was caused by him. “Shh… I think I’ve heard something,” I shushed him quickly, sensing upcoming trouble. Perhaps, these men knew this area better. Maybe, they knew all along that we were going to hide in this cave, so they just slowed down their pace, letting us think we’re safe.

“You’re just paranoid,” Jungkook said with a shrug. “They won’t find us here in a million years,” he added jokingly, but it didn’t make me laugh. I was still anxious. “Oh,” Jungkook mused upon noticing something, “check this out,” he prompted me, flashing the light on the wall. “What can it mean?” Jungkook wondered, gawking at the strange letters.

“Jungkook, I think this is it,” I answered, having difficulties with forming words. “I think it’s Aminata’s grave,” I added, wanting to pull out my phone. I had on it copies of the most important documents on her legend as well as I had my notes of their ancient language.

“Can you read it?” Jungkook asked in curiosity, being amazed by my skills, even though I haven’t showcased them yet. “It looks weird; are they even letters?”

“They are,” I confirmed quickly, looking for the right file on my phone, determined to decrypt the message on the wall. “Can you point your flashlight at it?” I asked, and Jungkook swiftly aimed his torch at the wall, fulfilling my request.

“What does it say?”

“Well… it’s hard to translate it literally, but it basically means “who lives by the sword shall die by the sword”. It’s strange; why did they put it here? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Maybe it doesn’t, but it surely gives me chills,” Jungkook said, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. “Should we get back?”

Jungkook must’ve gone nuts if he thought that I’d just give up at the very finishing line. We were by the gate to Aminata’s tomb; there was no way I would just turn around and quit. I hadn’t survived all the misery to come back home empty-handed.

“No, we’re going further,” I said confidently, blowing my fringe off my forehead. “We’re close, I’m feeling it,” I added, and Jungkook sighed in doubt. “You can stay here, but I’m going.” It didn’t matter to me if Jungkook wanted to join me or not. If he didn’t feel like it, he could stay behind.

“Are you insane? I can’t let you go in there alone, I’m coming with,” he quickly said, sending me another boyish smile. Jungkook was truly endearing when he was looking out for me.

“Fine, but if you have a knife or anything that you can use as a weapon, leave it here,” I suggested, and Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “What? Didn’t you get the message? Don’t you know it’s better not to mess with curses? Ancient ones in particular.”

“Sure, you’re the boss here,” Jungkook voiced, hesitantly leaving all his weaponry on the ground. “Lead the way.”

Completely weaponless, we explored the cave further. It was risky as hell, but nothing inside the cave could’ve been more dangerous than the drug smugglers looking for us.

Although it felt as if we walked kilometers, I didn’t feel tired. The anticipation and excitement completely took over me, giving me the strength which I needed to fulfill my mission. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same thing about Jungkook; he was panting behind me, probably waiting for the tunnel to end.

“Shit, now I think I heard something,” Jungkook whispered, suspicious of strange sounds from within the cave. “It’s not possible, though. How the hell would they find us here?”

Though I didn’t hear anything, I wasn’t going to disregard his suspicion. It seemed highly unlikely, but we had to be prepared for the worst; especially when we were unarmed, lost somewhere in a long, dark tunnel.

“Then we can only pick up the pace, find the necklace, and hope there’s an exit on the other end of its tunnel,” I concluded, but Jungkook didn’t seem very convinced. It was evident that he didn’t fancy my plan, but currently, it was the only idea we had.

Our casual stroll quickly morphed into a swift march; it required plenty of energy, but in the face of danger, it didn’t matter. This procedure had to be done.

“Is it weird that all of this turns me on?” Jungkook commented, once again attempting to lighten up the atmosphere between us. “All I can think of right now is how I want to fuck you when we come back.”

“You better stop that train of thought and focus, Jeon. We have a job to do, please focus,” I scolded him, and Jungkook, with a quiet whine, composed himself. “Really, Jungkook, you can’t keep it in your– aaah” I screamed when I lost my footing, falling into an abyss.

Two-meter deep abyss – still an abyss.

“Shit, are you okay?” Jungkook asked me, now not caring about his volume. If someone were actually on our tail, there was no way they wouldn’t hear my pathetic scream.

“Yep, I’m okay, although all in the dust,” I said when I realized I was lying in a pile of dust and whatnot. “Well… I hope it’s only dust,” I added before I began sweeping the dust off of me.

“Move aside, I’m coming in,” Jungkook warmed me before he jumped into the hole. “Do you think it’s the tomb?” He asked, and I looked around, studying my surroundings.

The pit looked simple. Rocks on the left, rocks on the right; no diamonds, no gold.

Well, except for one beautiful necklace sitting on a handful of tiny bones – which must’ve been Yaya’s phalanges.

“OMG, there it is, can you believe it?” I asked Jungkook when I ran up to the necklace, admiring its timeless beauty. It looked even better than I had imagined. Regardless of ornate words used to write these legends, nothing could convey its elegance.

“What I really can’t believe is that you used the abbreviation in an oral conversation,” Jungkook retorted, but I dismissed his rejoinder. The object of my research was within my reach, I couldn’t pay less attention to my annoying sidekick and his quips.

Just before I touched the necklace, I heard a bullet ricocheting against the walls of the cave.

“These fools,” I spoke, remembering the strange writing on the wall. “It’s not good,” I mentioned to Jungkook right before a few smugglers jumped into the hole, pointing their guns at us.

They were giving us some orders, but neither of us could comprehend what they wanted us to do. Based on their intonation I could only theorize the meaning behind their words. On the other hand, when one man’s gun pointed at me and then slightly tilted it in the direction of the necklace, it was actually pretty self-explanatory.

Despite the direct message, none of us moved an inch. Jungkook and I were stubborn, unwilling to cooperate. Maybe, someone would admire our courage, but most people would call us stupid.

The tallest of the smugglers wasn’t having it; he was sick and tired of our attitude. Staring into my eyes, he raised his gun, aiming at my head. It was perfect; after all I had experienced, it was how I was going to die.

Whispering something chilling, he pulled the trigger, whereas I, expecting to get shot, closed my eyes. Suspecting these milliseconds to stretch into hours, I anticipated the impact. It never came, though. Time passed, yet I didn’t feel anything.

Then, I opened my eyes and saw the man drop on the ground. He had a clear shot, yet he missed, and the bullet ricocheted and went right through his forehead. What the fuck? A few laws of physics must’ve been broken for it to happen.

“That explains the quote on the wall,” Jungkook stated when he slightly leaned toward me, taking advantage of the smugglers’ disorientation. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“It depends; are you wondering what Indiana Jones would do in this situation?” I answered, still unable to process what just happened to that man.

“Well… kinda.” Jungkook shrugged. “Take that necklace and let’s get the hell out of here,” he proposed, and I nodded my head, mindlessly following his suggestion.

It was unreasonable; as long as Jungkook and I were in the cave, we were safe. They couldn’t hurt us with their weapon. On the other hand, if we were outside, nothing could stop them from shooting us down. Unfortunately, due all that accumulated stress and panic, my mind didn’t function properly.

Quickly, I grabbed the necklace and ran after Jungkook.

At the same time, the smugglers fixated their eyes on me, blocking my way to the entrance. Each of them stared into my eyes with what seemed admiration? With each passing second, I could comprehend less and less.

What the hell happened this time around?

On cue, the smugglers kneeled before me.

“It starts to get really creepy,” said Jungkook upon seeing the strange behavior. “Care to explain what you’ve done to them?” Jungkook urged me, but I was lost for words. He demanded an answer, and I wished to have one.

“How should I know; I’m absolutely clueless,” I whispered, still in confusion. The smugglers behaved as if they were infatuated zombies. And then it hit me. “No, it’s not possible,” I muttered to myself, unable to fully wrap my head around it.

“Can you enlighten me? What is going on in that pretty head of yours?”

Jungkook said something, but to me, it was all white noise.

My theory didn’t make any sense. It couldn’t be possible that everything is valid. Magic is a myth; it was crazy. I couldn’t control their behavior with that necklace. And even if I could, how come Jungkook seemed resistant to it?

According to the legend, every man who took a glimpse of Aminata felt a strong desire to worship her. Men were literally falling to her feet; all men – no exceptions. It just couldn’t be happening to me, it just couldn’t.

Jungkook, still unfazed – exhibit A.

“Stand up,” I ordered them, and although they hadn’t spoken English before, they perfectly understood me. “Help me get out of the hole,” I added, and they obediently positioned themselves directly under the hole, ready to pick me up.

“What the hell is going on?” Jungkook asked, blinking swiftly, trying to grasp the current situation. How did they, in a matter of seconds, turn from shooters to butlers?

“No time to talk, let’s get the hell out of here,” I commanded before I started to run away outside, not even waiting for Jungkook to follow me. I wanted to feel the fresh air as soon as it was possible, and I didn’t care if Jungkook thought the same.

Whatever happened in the tomb, it was too much to take in, and I needed time and space to digest it; preferably, in a four-star hotel, sipping my fourth mimosa. Yep, that sounded like a perfect plan.

The distance seemed shorter when we were going out of the cave. One moment I was controlling zombie-smugglers, while the other I was basking in the sunlight.

“What the hell was that?” Jungkook asked when we sat down on the ground, panting while I took an empty ziplock bag and put the necklace in it. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” he added, and I just shrugged, not knowing how to explain it, especially when I wasn’t sure about it either.

“I have no idea.” I sat beside him, pulling out a bottle of water, taking a few gulps of it. “Shit, there are more of them,” I pinpointed when I saw a few men running in our direction. “And they don’t seem to be enchanted like the ones in the cave.”

“Holy shit, when will this day be over?” Jungkook cursed, jumping to his feet. “And they aren’t alone, look there,” he added, pointing his finger to the left. “Oh my God, I don’t fucking believe it.”

“What?” I asked, once again being completely clueless.

“It’s Namjoon and his crew.”

Fuck. What else was going to hunt us? Aliens?

“What are we doing now?”

“Let’s split,” Jungkook proposed, and I couldn’t say I liked that idea. “I’ll go this way, and you go that way. We will meet by the chopper wrack. Once we lose them, we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do next, okay?”

I wasn’t okay, but we didn’t have time to strategize a better plan.

“Okay,” I answered, and Jungkook pulled me closer, giving me a kiss. This act surprised me, but I didn’t hate it. It was somewhat adorable. “Good luck,” I quickly added before we ran away separate ways.

Not looking backward, I sprinted as fast as I could. Adrenaline-driven, I really felt as if I was breaking some records. Unfortunately, it seemed to be only a figment of my imagination.

Not even twenty minutes later, I was surrounded by six pissed off smugglers. Due to our snooping, they must’ve lost almost an entire day of loading their shipments. Although I was scared shitless, they seemed to be pleased to catch me.

It was pointless to run at this point, so I decided to check if the trick with the necklace would work in this situation too. All of the men were looking at me, wondering what I was doing. In a desperate attempt, I put off my backpack and opened the pocket where I had hidden the necklace. Much to my surprise, it was gone.

“That motherfucker,” I whispered, furious at Jungkook for double-crossing me like that.

______

Sometime this week, I will post the second (final) part to it. Stay tuned!

[artisticestheticreads]

Summertime Magic

So, I saw the gif below and thought of a brilliant idea. It’s about 90 degrees out here in my neighboorhood so here is a one-shot about a young woman trying to cool down this summer but she sees something that can heat it up even more. 

Something to hold y’all off until I post more of my series for “CONNECTED” and “Beauty and the Panther”.

Pairing: N’Jadaka x Black Thick Reader

Recommended Listening: Summertime Magic by Childish Gambino

~

 LOS ANGELES, CALI, JUNE ‘19

  The weather that day was unbearable to point everyone and anyone can walk outside completely nude and no one bat an eye. In a small one-story rented home, a young African American woman had finished her last yarn loc and finally got to rest. She lied there on her stomach, behind in the air with nothing but her undies and a crop top on. The AC was on full blow mode but the sweat still dripped down her forehead. She was in the middle of watching “Black Mirror” when she heard a car pull up her driveway; honking and blasting Tyler the Creator. “Y/N! I know you ain’t shit blood. Let’s go out”, a female voice said. Y/N looked out her window to see her best friend, Kesha, peeking through. She lifted up her window and said: “girl, it’s too hot to be out right now.” Kesha rolled her eyes and said “c’ mon, please. We can go to the store around the corner and chill at the beach. My ac is on and it is beautiful outchea. Now, get dressed and bring ya ass. You got thirty minutes.” 

   Y/N rolled her eyes and finally took a quick shower, slipped on a yellow short sundress and sandals to show off her bright peach color that matched her coffin-shaped acrylics. She placed a few golden clamps in her hair and was out to the car. “Oooo yes. I am feeling the locs” Kesha complimented as they made their way. “You finished them finally, huh?” Y/N nodded. “Yes, finally. It took all night but finally got it done.” Kesha raked her fingers through her box braids and told her “I may need a touch up in the first two rows. How much you gonna charge me?” Y/N looked at her braids and said “hmm, thirty. Sound good?”

“Yeah, thanks Y/N/N. I have a date next week and I gotta look good.” She looked at Shay and asked: “with you?” Kesha blushed and said “Ricky from down the street.” Y/N’s eyes bugged out. “Ricky?! Sandra’s Ricky?” Kesha raised her finger covering her friend’s mouth.  “Used to be. Ricky dumped her months ago because she got comfortable saying nigga.” Y/N put her arm out her window and looked out. “That’s what happens when niggas date woman o other races. Hoes out here think just because the get black dick in them that is the automatic ‘n-card’. They pulled up into the parking lot of the store before Kesha fixed her gloss and observed her cocoa skin in the mirror; they both got out and walked in. 

   “Exactly. Meet you at the register.” Y/N went to the cooler to observe the drink selection. She caught the reflection of an unknown figure standing behind her.  She made her way to the icee machine, grabbed a large cup and mixed Cherry with Coca Cola flavored. She grabbed a straw, taking it out and sliding her glossy lips around it. She turned around and was startled to see the strange man. “What up, baby? Who told you to look that fine?” Y/N rolled her eyes and said “bwoy, bye. I don’t know who you are and I don’t care.” When she was about to walk away, he grabbed her arm tightly and said “come on. I know your ass ain’t got a man.” 

   All of a sudden, a tall man in a vintage Fresh Prince jersey, black basketball, and Air Force ones stood at 6′2. Broad shoulders, muscular legs, dreads braided back with a nice fade and all, stood behind Y/N. “You aight, baby girl? I was looking for your cute ass.” He gently took her hand in his big one but she did not snatch it back. All she can do was melt into his touch while looking up at him. The stranger looked at the harasser with a brow rose and asked: “ya ain’t tryna be all on my girl, are you?” The man nervously laughed and said “Nah, big man. I didn’t-” The man slid her hand down the woman’s round waist and asked “Princess, is homeboy here giving you problems? Want me to rough his ass up like that last one?” He made his chest bounce when he said it and it made her wonder if anything else can bounce. 

   She shook her head and he said: “Nah, lemme hear that voice I love so much.” She blushed and said “no, it’s okay. Thank you though.” The man took his sucker out his mouth and smiled. He looked back to the guy and wrapped his arm around Y/N’s neck. “C’ mon, baby. Lemme buy yo snacks and let’s get the fuck outta here.” As they walked away, he looked back at the guy and raised his brow.” Y/N placed her snacks on the counter (a snicker, a spicy pickle and a bag of Cheddar Ruffles) with her drink and pulled the money she made from her last client out her bra; the man stopped her. “I got you, don’t trip.” He handed the cashier a twenty, got his change, got Y/N’s bag and held her hand as they walked out. 

    He walked them over to his pine-green Ford Explorer and leaned on it. “What’s ya name,” he asked and she said “Y/N” with her hand out. The man saw the creeper walk out and pulled her closer to him. “I’m N’Jadaka. Homeboy is right behind us. Just start giggling” he whispered and she did so but it was a genuine one because he breath was on her earlobe. The man turned the corner and N’Jadaka slowly let go. “Sorry about that. Nigga was tripping back there. Ya alright” he asked and she smiled sipping her drink. “I’m fine. Thank you for helping me out. I would have sprayed his ass but I left my keys in my homegirl’s car.” N’Jadaka looked back and looked at her, eyes traveling from her feet to her locs. “How long you been growing yours?” She laughed. “Unfortunately, it isn’t mine. They are yarn locs.” 

    His head tilted to the side and he said “oh shit, they look more natural than mine. I like ‘em. You should grow real ones. They fit your cute face.” She blushed and said “thank you. Who does yours?” He shook his head. “Eh, no one out here. I used to go out a barber up north but gas getting expensive.” That’s when he got the idea. “You know how to do dreads and maybe a line-up?” She smiled and said “yeah, let me see. Hold this real quick.” She bent his head down and got on her tippy toes. He placed his right hand her hip as Kesha was about to go to the car but stopped so she can watch. 

   “Hmmm, they look crotched but most likely twisted and locked. Can give you a hot oil treatment and a nice wash. A few are actually locking together which isn’t bad but they can get natted quick. I can charge about, eh, 75 and that’s with the fade, too. You don’t need a fae right now but we definitely gotta get these dreads right, N’Jadaka. I can give you my number and you can make an appointment. I have a few tomorrow but I can squeeze you in for Friday, sounds good.” He took his blow pop out his mouth and said “yeah, we can do that. What time you want me to come?” She took her drink back, sipping it and said “come over at eleven am. It’s gonna take a while.”

  “Cool, I can come after my session at the gym” he handed her his phone to put her number in. She gave back to him and said “there you go. Thanks, again for the help and buying my stuff for me. That was sweet. I can pay you back.” He shook his head and said “don’t worry. It was my pleasure.” He put his cherry sucker back in his mouth as his eyes landed at the car behind her; he smirked. “Someone is waiting for ya, Y/N.”  She turned to see Kesha nosey self watching and once she was caught she slipped in. “Text me so I can save your number, okay?” He nodded as he got int the driver seat and pulled off. 

   “Sooooooo, who was that nice looking brotha” her friend asked. Y/N looked over at Kesha and said: “just a man who help me out.” Kesha smiled rolling her eyes “mhmm, a fine man to add” as she started the car. When they made their way to another location, Y/N’s phone vibrated:

  She smiled to herself as she saved his number. A fine man indeed, she agreed with her friend in thought.

~

Alright, loves. I love this so much btw. But let me know what y’all think and if I should do a chapter two and turn this into a series. I got A BUNCH of good ideas for this.

𝒯𝒜𝒢𝒢𝐸𝒟 𝐿𝒪𝒱𝐸𝒮

@muse-of-mbaku

@im5ftbutmythroat66

@chaneajoyyy

@melanin-samii

@theunsweetenedtruth

@doux-ciel

@unicornluvin8765

@vikkidc

@wakandantings

@thadelightfulone

@mzamethystp

@simbiann

@tropicalsun10

@babydoll756

@notoriouslynay

@vminax

@quinsly

@pinkdemolition

@quietstorm-73

@chaoticcashfancroissant

@bugngiz

@chocolatedippedinhoney

@yafavcocoa

@lostgalaxies

@mbakuwife

@youreadthatright

@babygotl01292003

@acceptyourselfloveyourself

@madamslayyy

@yoyolovesbucky

[irnhero]

50 questions you’ve never been asked before

tagged by @s-horne - thanks!

tagging: @phalloutklaine, @fanfictiongreenirises (waves from car window), and @yobucky

let’s do it!

what is the color of your hairbrush?

black with teal accents

are you typically too warm or too cold?

too warm 

what were you doing 45 minutes ago?

watching atla and drawing

what is your favorite candy bar?

snickers

have you ever been to a professional sports event?

yup, mostly baseball games (my mom used to win tickets at work) and a few hockey games (my high school band was invited to play there)

what is the last thing you said out loud?

“zuko’s such a d-bag”

what is your favorite ice cream?

vanilla flurry with reese cups

what was the last thing you had to drink?

water #selfcare

do you like your wallet?

i guess so

what was the last thing you ate?

cookies and cream ice cream

did you buy any new clothes last weekend?

nope

the last sporting event you watched?

probably a basketball game (though i wasn’t really watching, my dad had it on)

what is your favorite flavor of popcorn?

caramel

who is the last person you sent a text message to?

my friend heidi

ever go camping?

yes, i love it! (as long as there are showers and toilets)

do you take vitamins?

nope

do you go to church every Sunday?

not since i was like 7

do you have a tan?

always

do you prefer Chinese food or pizza?

chinese

do you drink your soda with a straw?

i don’t drink pop, it hurts my stomach

what color socks do you usually wear?

black

do you ever drive above the speed limit?

literally every time i drive (i’ve been pulled over once but not tickets!)

what terrifies you?

climate change and the state of the u.s. government

look to your left, what do you see?

my telescope

what chore do you hate?

taking out the trash

what do you think of when you hear an australian accent?

troye sivan (yes i know his accent is south african, i can’t help how my brain works)

what’s your favorite soda?

i don’t drink pop, but i like lemonade

do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thrus?

the only time i would go in was if i was meeting someone there

who’s the last person you talked to?

my mom

favorite cut of beef?

i like a good steak

last song you listened to?

shower day by the amazing devil

last book you read?

little women

favorite day of the week?

saturday

can you say the alphabet backwards?

nope

how do you like your coffee?

frozen with no actual coffee (the acid hurts my stomach REAL bad)

favorite pair of shoes?

my black converse 

the time you normally go to sleep?

in the real world: between 10pm and 12pm. in quarantine world: between 12am and 3am

the time you normally get up?

in the real world: 9am or 10am (for class). in quarantine world: between 10am and noon

what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets?

sunset

how many blankets on your bed?

a top sheet, a comforter, the throw my mom made me, and a little quilt i snuggle with, so 4

describe your kitchen plates

white squares

do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage?

screwdrivers

do you play cards?

nope

what color is your car?

don’t have a car now, but my last one was black

can you change a tire?

nope

favorite job you’ve ever had?

my current one: i’m a communications assistant for a department at my university, which means i run their social media and website

how did you get your biggest scar?

i had a pin in my coat pocket and when i got into my car, the pin got trapped under the steering wheel and dug into my leg through my coat pocket AND my jeans and left behind a really dark, jagged scar

what did you do today that made someone else happy?

i took my dog on a walk and she was very very happy about it

[kk095]

Patient Zero

I wanted to try something a little different. I think this story needs some tweaking, but I hope everyone likes it!

****

Throughout human history, disease outbreaks have caused devastation on a worldwide scale; from the Justinian plague in ancient Rome, to the bubonic plague of the middle ages, to the Spanish Flu epidemic of the early 20th century. With advancements in medicine, we'd like to say we can limit the spread of disease, but there's always an underlying concern of another worldwide epidemic.

Right now, there's elevated concern regarding a new microorganism called African Pneumonic Corynebacterium, or APC. APC is a newly discovered species of gram-negative, aerobic, club/rod shaped bacterium that lives in the proboscis of female anophele mosquitoes, a species known to carry malaria, west nile virus, and other pathogens. This species of bacteria has become troublesome for medical practitioners worldwide due to its antibiotic resistant characteristics and its ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions.

The signs and symptoms produced by APC primarily effect the respiratory and circulatory system, and possess similarities to respiratory bubonic plague and hemorrhagic fevers such as dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Signs and symptoms typically present 7-10 days after initial exposure to the pathogen. Signs and symptoms include: fever, chills, cold sweats, coughing, shortness of breath, pallor, hemoptysis, hypotension, tachycardia, low platelet levels/low tissue thromboplastin levels, blood plasma leakage, and hemorrhages within the lungs/thoracic cavity in severe cases.

CDC and WHO investigations were able to reveal the index case of APC. Both organizations concluded that the earliest traceable case involved a 20 year old American girl named Jessica Martin. Jessica was a tall, thin white girl with wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Jessica was very active in her church, and was in Nigeria as part of a month-long mission trip. Jessica didn't present with any symptoms while in Nigeria. Instead, she remained asymptomatic until 48 hours after returning home.

Jessica's initial complaints occurred 2 days after returning from her mission trip. Her initial complaints were fatigue and chills, but she attributed her symptoms to jet lag. Over the following 3 days, Jessica's condition grew increasingly worse. Coughing, fever, chills, severe fatigue, and shortness of breath developed, raising serious concerns from Jessica's family. Jessica visited her general practitioner and was diagnosed with the flu, and was unsuccessfully treated for such.

At the 7 day mark after her symptoms appeared, Jessica was only getting worse. She was running a high fever and she started coughing up blood. This prompted Jessica's mom to call 911. When EMS arrived on scene, Jessica was set up on a nasal cannula with high flow oxygen and 2 large bore IVs were set up, with normal saline being hung. Jessica's vital signs om scene were: BP 90/51, heart rate 132bpm, o2 saturation 95%, temperature 103.4°F.

During transport, Jessica was given vasopressors to increase her blood pressure and set her up on a portable heart monitor. While sticking the electrodes onto Jessica's chest, the medics reported large bruises (purpura) scattered across her chest, and petechia on the right forearm. With that discovery, the medics knew Jessica contracted something more serious than the flu.

Upon arrival at the emergency department, a battery of blood tests were ordered. Jessica's platelet levels were 110,000 per microlitre, nutrophils 20,000 per microlitre, basophils 6 per microlitre, lymphocytes 18,000 per microlitre, monocytes 900 per microlitre, eosinophils 400 per microlitre, ESR 28 mm/hr, hematocrit 21%, and blood culture tested positive for unknown gram-negative bacteria. Chest x-ray revealed fluid accumulation in both lungs, as well as pulmonary and tracheal edema. All of the test results raised a major red flag with the ER team, so Jessica's trauma room was quarantined, an infectious disease consultation was called for, and the personnel that were exposed to Jessica were required to wear additional PPE to potentially limit the spread of the unknown contagion.

The infectious disease specialist was confused as to what Jessica had. The bacteria from her blood cultures had the appearance of diphtheria, but the disease's signs and symptoms were more aligned with dengue shock syndrome and pneumonic plague. The infectious disease specialist decided to start Jessica on a 2 gram drip of ampicillin, and re-draw her labs in 4 hours to see if the medication is working. In the meantime, Jessica was given lasix to expel the excess fluid that was building up in her lungs and in her chest cavity.

Over the next few hours, Jessica began to deteriorate rapidly. She began crying hysterically and coughing up blood. “am I gonna die?!” asked a frightened Jessica as nurses began rushing into her quarantined room. Jessica continued to cough up blood and began having difficulty moving air. Tears rolled down her face as her mouth was being suctioned out. Jessica's blood pressure was tanking rapidly, causing her to shiver from feeling cold. “stay still honey.” One of the nurses said to the terrified young woman. A substantial nosebleed developed, and more bruises started to appear elsewhere on Jessica's body. The attending physician ordered 2 units of platelets and 2 units of FFP since it appeared Jessica was thrombocytopenic and on the verge of DIC.

Jessica lost consciousness shortly afterwards, so the team decided to intubate the 20 year old. Due to blood and swelling in the airway, conventional intubation proved to be impossible even after multiple attempts. As a result, it was decided that a surgical airway had to be placed.

Betadine was squirted onto Jessica's neck and a 2.5 cm vertical midline incision was made on the skin just above the cricothyroid membrane. Upon entry into the neck, a 1cm was made to cut through the underlying cricothyroid membrane. The scalpel was inserted into the incision area and turned at a 90° angle to create an adequate opening in the trachea itself. A size 5 tracheostomy tube was placed into Jessica's newly created surgical airway. The tube was held in place with a white cuff, and an ambu bag was attached.

Shortly after tube placement was confirmed, Jessica's oxygen saturation continued decreasing, so it was decided that bilateral chest tubes would be placed. Both chest tubes drained straw colored fluid with a red tinge to it, likely blood plasma, exudate, and trace amounts of whole blood. The tubes drained the fluid and her o2 saturation increased, but her BP and heart rate remained abnormal. Some of the fluid was sampled and sent off to the lab for additional testing.

Jessica's oxygen levels improved slightly, but her overall condition was deteriorating. Jessica's antibiotics weren't working, so she was given vancomycin, and additional units of platelets, FFP, and fluids were given. The team decided to get the CDC and state department of health involved since they didn't quite know what pathogen they were dealing with.

While waiting for the CDC and department of health officials to arrive, Jessica's condition gradually continued to worsen. One of the nurses paged a rapid response since Jessica's BP was dangerously low. The quarantined room then became filled with doctors and nurses in the coming minutes. Jessica developed new ecchymotic marks on her thighs and neck, showing that her platelet levels showed no signs of increasing. The tracheostomy tube was becoming clogged with exudate and blood plasma leakage, so the tube had to be suctioned out to keep the girl's airway intact. Moments after the tube was cleared of obstructions, Jessica became pulseless, converting to ventricular fibrillation.

ACLS protocol was initiated immediately. Deep, vigorous chest compressions were performed, the defibrillator pads were stuck onto the girl's bare chest, and the first rounds of epinephrine and atropine were injected intravenously. A 250j shock was delivered after a cycle of compressions. Jessica's body jolted violently on the table as the electricity raced through her dying body. The monitors continued displaying V-Fib, so a 300j shock was delivered after a cycle of CPR and ambu bagging. The 300j shock was just as ineffective as the first shock, so resuscitation efforts went on.

Jessica received harsh chest compressions, forcing her frail, skinny chest to cave in and her belly to bounce outwards. The heart monitors showed pulseless electrical activity, so CPR was the only course of action at that particular time. It took 4 minutes and another round of drugs to convert Jessica back to a shockable rhythm. The defibrillator pads were charged to 360j and a shock was promptly delivered. Jessica's feet kicked up just above the table, slamming back down a second later, showing off the prominent wrinkles throughout the soles of her size 9 feet.

ACLS protocol continued as Jessica went back into PEA after the unsuccessful shock. Her chest was being ravaged by the violent compressions the nurses delivered. A few of Jessica's ribs were broken, so there was swelling, redness, and bruising starting to form over the center of her chest. The tracheostomy tube started to fill up with blood, pus, and plasma leakage, blocking her airway once again. The breathing tube had to be suctioned out again, and she developed a sudden nosebleed. While the tube was being cleared, her IV ports started to fill with blood. The 6th units of platelets and FFP were hung, but it appeared Jessica was in full blown DIC.

Since the IV sites were compromised, an IO was drilled into Jessica's left tibia so drugs could still be administered. The next round of epinephrine and atropine were pushed, and the 1st round of bicarb was given. Larger amounts of blood leaked out of Jessica's nose, oozing down her cheeks. Her complexion was ghastly, her lips were pale, and she was cold to the touch.

Jessica's airway became almost impossible to maintain due to the large amounts of blood in the breathing tube. The suction made a slurping sound as it sucked up the copious amounts of blood from the dying girl's airway. While that was going on, Jessica just laid there motionless on the bed with her chest being pummeled repeatedly. Her head bobbed and her feet swayed slightly in sync with the compressions. The team continued their efforts, but Jessica's pupils were fixed and dilated and showed no signs of improvement. After 2 more shocks and 5 minutes of CPR, the team terminated their efforts and pronounced Jessica dead at 2:14pm.

The monitors were switched off and the ambu bag was detached. All of the electrodes and defib pads were removed and placed into a biohazard container because of the infectious disease Jessica carried. A toe tag was placed on the big toe of Jessica's left foot. Lastly, Jessica was placed into a special body bag and left in the quarantined ER room. The doctors and nurses slowly but surely left the room, disposing of their used PPE in red biohazard containers and washing their hands with special antimicrobial soap. As a safety precaution, all of the staff members who were exposed to Jessica were injected with immunoglobulins.

About 45 minutes after time was called on Jessica, the CDC and public health officials arrived at the hospital. The CDC retrieved Jessica's body and transported it to a nearby facility to conduct an autopsy and further investigation. The CDC and health department officials also did an examination of the doctors and nurses on Jessica's case, and took their contact information. The CDC wanted to follow up with them over the following weeks to make sure they didn't contract the disease.

Jessica's autopsy at the CDC lab confirmed that she died from an APC bacterial infection. Blood and tissue samples were taken for the purposes of research, and stored in a sterile, underground facility. Little did we all know, Jessica was just the first fatality of the APC epidemic. How many more will perish before we find a successful treatment?