When we last left Jonah, he’d been driven into the water by a multitude of hissing green snakes. His body was covered with wounds from the stinging nettles and thorns and he’d lost Tidus. He’d simply disappeared into a crevice in the earth and the snakes had blocked Jonah from following.
Jonah spent the next two days nursing his wounds and scouring the area where he’d seen Tidus disappear. It appeared the earth had simply swallowed him up and left no traces.
He kept a wary eye out for the snakes that had blocked his path. Had he imagined the entire event? He’d heard stories about men going mad. Maybe he was now one of those men.
After another day of searching. to no avail, he hid from the brutal mid-day sun inside his makeshift hut. He hoped that Tidus would make another appearance. He wouldn’t let him slip away this time.
His gaze landed on the discarded books in the corner. He reached for “The Four Agreements” and opened it. What the hell? He didn’t have anything better to do with his time.
The opening page read, “To the Circle of Fire; those who have gone before, those who are present and those who have yet to come.”
Jonah puzzled over the reference to the Circle of Fire. He remembered a time back on the mainland when he’d hidden in the woods and observed a group of scantily clad women dancing around a fire, uttering chants and incantations. He grinned at the memory. All he’d thought about at the time was undressing the one with the golden hair.
Chapter 1: “What you are seeing and hearing right now is nothing but a dream. You are dreaming right now in this moment. You are dreaming with the brain awake…”
A dream? Well, I don’t like this dream so I’m going to change it, Jonah thought.
He read farther. Before he knew it, the sun sank and the sky turned a bright red and orange. How had he lost hours in this book? And, what was the big deal about reading it? Most of it was common sense about keeping your word and not taking anything personally. These were things living on the streets had taught him.
But, one thing the book didn’t cover was fear. It was fear that had kept him alive. He’d earned a reputation over the past few years. Everyone within his path learned to respect and fear the “Wrath of Jonah.”
He closed the book, stepped outside his hut and stretched his muscles, enjoying the rippling strength beneath his skin.
Tomorrow he would search more closely for the caves Tidus referred to. Tomorrow he would find them. Another world existed on this island of terrors and somehow Jonah knew it was nothing like the world he was trapped in.
The low growl of a fanged beast drew his attention. He reached for his dagger only to realize he’d carelessly left it inside the hut.
The beast lunged forward.
Writing and Music 
Thank you for dropping by, Teagan. Jonah got careless. Oh dear! We’ll see what happens next Sunday. 😉
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Akkk! Just when I thought it was safe to go out and stretch! 😀 Great episode, Jan. Hugs!
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No worries, Craig. Glad you made it by.
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My road trip left me behind, but I’m still with you.
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So glad he finally started reading the book! Can’t wait to see where that leads him, after he survives the beast:)
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And, we all know he WILL survive the beast. We just don’t know how. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Another cliff-hanger, you know how to keep your readers on their toes. Bravo! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Gwen. I’m glad you are enjoying the story as it unfolds.
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Jan- wow you’re just keeping us hanging each week, but I love it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Love and hugs, we are throughly enjoying the CD, you all have such beautiful voices. Definitely my kind of music.
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Lol! It is my goal to keep you hanging each week. 🙂 I’m glad I’m doing my job. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m happy you and Rob are enjoying the CD. Love you!!
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Uh oh. Best get inside the shelter if there is time. I’m afraid there is not time.
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No. I don’t think that’s an option. Good lesson for him, though. He got careless.
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He did.
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Uh-oh! Trouble indeed. I hope Jonah finds something else to fend off the beast!
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We’ll find out next Sunday. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Mae!
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Leaving that dagger behind was a BAD idea. Great cliffhanger, Jan. 🙂
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Thanks, Diana. I’m glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed it.
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Great Jan… leaving us on a knife edge. xx
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Thanks Sally!
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He’s beginning to come around. Very good. And I like how there’s one challenge after the other. Hey, you should be a writer!! Love you, sister.
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Lol! I may try my hand at it someday, sister. Love you too.
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Uh, oh, indeed! Jan, are you and JWH in collusion? Leaving us hanging? 🙂 ♥
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Well, if I told it all at once, it would be so long no one would have time to read it. 🙂 Besides, It’s always to keep the readers wanting more, right? Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving a comment.
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Uh, oh
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You might say that, Annette. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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