about a year and half later

The night is unusually quiet. Mostly because today we parted ways with the rest of the crew, leaving Percy, Jack, and I to continue on alone. I have to remind myself that it's safer this way--even if it is a little nerve wracking. Because now, we're passing the hazy line of 'safety,' which is entirely relative in the Amazon. The tribes that live this deeply into the jungle are more hostile, cautious, and wary of outsiders.

I just hope that we'll be lucky enough to encounter my tribe or one I knew. Even after all the time that has passed, I know they would remember me. There's no way we could have forgotten each other with the familial bond that developed over so many years.

Especially now that the 'Elliot' facade is less necessary, it will be easier for them to recognize me and to feel comfortable. Still, Jack watches me from across the fire, and I can practically hear the unspoken question ringing in my head. Are you sure?

Percy, Jack's father, lets out a small chuckle, which causes both Jack and I to look towards him curiously. "You two are quite lucky the crew was so oblivious."

Jack's eyes widen a fraction in shock, but I'm not remotely surprised. Percy Fawcett is a clever man--a quality he passed on to his son. It was only a matter of time before he solved the puzzle; and I could feel his suspicions growing already. What does surprise me, is the lack of anger and attempts to send me back.

"How did you know?" I question, immensely glad to use my natural voice again.

Percy meets my eyes with a soft grin. "I'll admit, it took me a while, but when Jack got sick, I realized something was different."

A shiver passes through me at the memory. Jack contracted a fever a few weeks back. He was pale, trembling, and barely holding on. It was the most terrifying experience of my whole life, to think that I might lose him to the same illness that claimed my parents and most of their party.

My heart was breaking, and I admit to being quite reckless and forgetful about my secret while mending Jack's health. Whenever the crew was asleep, I stayed awake with him and did everything I could to comfort him. Everyone seemed worry about me too; I wouldn't sleep or eat, too afraid that if I so much as glanced away from him, he would be lost forever.

"I realized the way you worried for him was much too familiar and much too tender." Percy lets out a small sigh and glances to his son. "After that, I started to have my suspicions. It wasn't hard to figure out. Especially because you two instinctively look to each other in dangerous situation."

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips at the information. "Well, I suppose this makes the rest of the journey easier." I comment to break the thickening silence and move to sit next to Jack. He and Percy anxiously wait for me to continue and watch patiently as I restore my wedding band to its rightful place. "It will be easier for me to interact with the tribes as myself instead of a stranger. If we're lucky, we may just cross paths with someone who knew me or another member of the original party."

My fingers interlace with Jack's for the first time in months, and both of us visibly relax from the comfort of the contact. I tap my fingers against his hand as I nervously meet Percy's eye and continue. "And as unlikely as it may seem, please, know that we didn't want to lie to you, Mr. Fawcett. It's just--" The words slip away from me before I can finish.

Luckily, Jack finds some of his own. "We needed her with us, Father, but I knew you and the rest of the men would have apprehensions about her presence." He sighs and traces his thumb across my knuckles. "But without her, we wouldn't have made it this far--I wouldn't have made it this far."

Percy nods--all emotion voice from his face. "I understand your reasons, even if I disagree with the method. You've been quite a help to us, Y/N, but you are to continue with us I have to know I can trust you--completely."

My hand grips Jack's as I look to him and silently question our agreement. His eyes are still full of concern and love, but this time, there's a hint of determination present as he gives me a slight nod.

"I understand, sir, which is why you ought to know--" Percy leans forward slightly, anxious to hear my next words. "I believe I know where to find Z. From what you said, I think you're searching where I grew up."

Everything goes silent for a moment, only the sounds of the jungle and fire disrupt the hush. My whole body shakes as I nervously wait for something--anything to be said.

After what feels like an eternity--Percy's laughter echoes around us. A small squeak escapes me as my father-in-law tugs me to my feet and wraps me in a tight hug before moving on to his son. "I knew it was real!"

Percy seems completely unaware of my apprehension and lack of joy for a long moment until the excitement settles like rippled water, and I suddenly feel like curling in on myself as I watch him rejoice over the news—entirely unaware of the dangers his dream contains. "Rest up, everyone. I'm sure we'll have a long day tomorrow." He pauses and looks towards me, finally noticing my obvious worry. "And we can discuss more about it in the morning."

The way he speaks the words is as if he believes it will settle the matter and everyone's nerves entirely. But I can't help but keep worrying as him and Jack settle in. Instead, I remain awake, much to Jack's dismay, and stare at the fire wondering if we'll make it through this alive.

I watch as Jack turns restlessly in his sleep, as he often has these many months of this journey. He always reminds me how he's calmer when I'm by his side, but sleep is the last thing on my mind at the moment. My mind is filled with possibilities, and each one where I lose Jack makes me feel more and more ill. The mere thought of a world without Jack is unbearable.

The thoughts swirl and crackle in my head like the fire in front of me, and I force myself to smother them out as I lay down next to my husband. Even in his sleep, he seems to sense my presence. Slowly, his breathing evens, limbs calm, and heartbeat steadies as I bury my face in his chest. I can't hold back the small chuckle that escapes me as his arms hold me like a vice. "I love you, Jack Fawcett. Both now and forever."

...

We've been trekking closer every day, and the knot in my stomach tells me we're nearly there. It feels like we've crossed so much distance in such a short amount of time—something about it seems so wrong.

There's an unsettling feeling in my bones as we cross through a clearing. It grows with every step. My hands shake and become coated in a layer of sweat. Something is definitely wrong.

I open my mouth to voice my concerns, but there's no time for a sound to leave my mouth before a group of 'Indians,' as Percy refers to them, circle around us with spears raised. Jack is immediately by my side with worry in his eyes as he takes my hand. He looks at me with a curious apprehension, as if to silently ask if I know them, but I have no idea. So I shake my head in reply, entirely unsure if this is my former tribe or not.

The sun sets as they lead us down the torchlit pathway towards the waiting tribe leaders. We are forced to our knees in front of them. My heart lurches in my chest as I dare to peek around and find no recognition or familiar faces.

I listen as the chief, shaman, and other important figure whisper back and forth to each other. Most of their dialect is familiar, but it's all hazy in my head as I try to translate it. All I can catch is as they discuss us and our souls, but the rest is a mystery to me.

Jack drops his head, his voice barely a whisper and breaking as he says. "We're going to die here." I watch him sadly, my own heart breaking as I can't reassure him that the words aren't true. "I'm so sorry, my love. I should have listened to you." He tells me with tears building.

I shake my head and fight back my own tears. "There was no way to know this would happen. It is no one's fault. I need you to understand that. Okay?" My voice trembles as a few of the warriors bring us some sort of liquid to drink. "I love you, Jack Fawcett. Both now and forever."

"Now and forever." He repeats with a bittersweet smile as they force us to drink.

It's bitter on my tongue, and I want nothing more than to vomit at the taste of it. Still, they force so much of it on me, I have no choice but to drink the concoction. The chief nods and says something else to the people of his clan, but it becomes all fuzzy at the edges.

I lock eyes with Jack, who seems to be feeling the same sudden rush of exhaustion I am. We both keep our gaze locked on each other. At least if we die, it was together with each other as the last face we would see. I do my best to memorize every curve of his face, the color of his eyes, the way his hair falls, and the minuscule details as the effects take hold.

And the world goes black.