Survivor

Awoken by the sound of the early morning jungle was a young man. As the sun peeked through the towering trees, he lay there feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin. The guy stood up, searching his mind for memories of the past. Leo was the name he went by, and no he doesn’t always wake up in the jungle.

His father was a wealthy businessman back in 1989. Now he’s dead, left his 15 year old son and behind with his wife. Leo’s mother hadn’t taken this new well, she became an devastated and always coming home late. Of course this became too much for Leo to bear, so at the age of 18 he ran away from home.

He left his dark and unhealthy childhood behind and made a fresh start. His studies took him to Philadelphia where he took up an apprenticeship, with a well-known scientist. Leo took Professor Lanzavecchia classes for a couple of years. His grades were sky high and he came top of his classes. And a year later he got an opportunity to observe and study a rare species of fungi found in a remote part of the Amazon rain-forest. 

Many young scientists in the making would’ve jumped at the sight of this opportunity. Advised by Professor Lanzavecchia, Leo took the job. He packed up his things and got ready to move again. He hadn’t heard from his mother in a long time, wouldn’t she be proud if she saw him now. Leo left Philadelphia in hope that one day him and his mother would reunite….

Would things have been different, better!?. If Leo’s father hadn’t died, if his mother hadn’t become an alcoholic, if he hadn’t run away, and he didn’t board that flight? Turning back time is not possible, but sometimes Leo’s thoughts contain the words "what if?"

Leo was deep in thought when a blood curdling roar erupted, it shook the jungle floor and made the birds flee from the trees. Leo started to run, he ran far and fast he didn’t know where but he was running. The roar was fierce and strong and could've only belonged to one possible creature. The one and only king of the jungle TIGER!

He jumped over logs, plants, bushes and other small critters scrambling out of the way. Leo stopped dead in his tracks when he reached the edge of a cliff. In great panic he tried to figure out what to do, both options lead to death. Being eaten by a tiger or jumping off a cliff. The tiger started to pace back and forth, waiting for the exact moment to pounce on its prey.

Leo ran his eyes looking for a way any way. He spotted a thick green vine, and saw his only chance of survival. He grabbed the vine, quickly wriggling up it. All that rope climbing in 6th grade gym finally came in handy. He had made it just in time. After the tiger circled around a few more times, it finally gave up and left. When Leo was sure the coast was clear he climbed down.

Leo cautiously left the scene, trying to leave a little of a trace as possible. He didn’t want any other animal chasing him through the forest. Leo started to walk, he was going to have to be prepared. Food, water and shelter were something Leo had to look for in order to survive. The air was humid yet the sun still shone and lively chirps barks and growls came from deep in the trees.

By nightfall Leo had gathered fruit and found an empty ditch that would work for the night. He’d also gone for a swim earlier and drank water. After lighting a fire and cooking the meat he had gotten from a bird he finally rested. It was a cool night and the stars shone brightly. He lay there staring at the sky deep in thought.

There isn’t a sign of ever being rescued or ever finding civilization. There wasn't hope for ever getting back home and seeing his mum. Leo knew that there was no  use focusing on the past or planning for the unpredictable future. But Leo's first priority was to stay alive; you never know which meal will be your last or which breath could be your last. He'd just survived another day in the jungle.