Page 47 of Beautifully Wild

Eden:I’m safe and will call you later.

Seconds later, my phone buzzes in my hand.

“Are you completely insane?” Amy screams into the phone.

“Maybe…” I whisper. “I don’t know how to explain it, but something has drawn me to this place.”

“Shit, Eden. You have broken all our rules, and I thought you were the responsible one?”

“I’m sorry—”

“Bit late now to apologize. We’re worried about you. You shouldn’t have gone alone. Why didn’t you mention it to me? I could’ve come with you, for fuck’s sake.”

“Would you really have come?” I murmur.

There is silence for a few seconds before she responds, “We probably would’ve talked you out of it.”

“Exactly. I can’t justify my gut instinct to stay, except there’s something about this place I need to explore more.”

“Stay? C’mon, Edes, what are you saying?”

“I’m doing another tour today, and then there are these indigenous communities along the river I’d like to visit—”

“You’re looking for him, aren’t you?”

I let out a sigh. “I might not make it to Machu Picchu, so I’ll meet up with you in Arequipa or Lima. Definitely before you get to Iquitos.”

“You were the one who was keen to tour Peru. So, you’ve just wasted your money?”

“It’s not about the money, Ames. I’m following my heart.”

“I don’t know what to say to change your mind. I’m scared for you.”

“Don’t be. I’m having the best time. It’s like I’m meant to be here,” I say, now smiling. “I’ll keep in touch, but for most of the area, I won’t have coverage.”

“Have you spoken to anyone else?”

“No. Please tell the girls I’m okay and say goodbye to Bree. I’ll call and message when I can. I love you, and I owe you.”

“I don’t want to end this call not knowing when we’ll next meet up.” I understand her apprehension, and yet I can’t give her an answer until I know myself.

“I’ll be in contact and will send the contact details of the lodge in Canaima where I’m staying. They have email and a landline.”

“That’s hardly reassuring.”

“It’s all I can offer for now. Bye, Ames. Don’t worry, I’m truly fine.”

I press the end button and stare at the screen while going over the conversation in my head.

Am I insane?

There’s warmth flowing through me as if I have suddenly developed the freedom to be courageous. Holding onto the sensation, I scoop up my pack and follow the path around the lake until I meet at the sandy beach with the other tourists.

A few more travelers had arrived overnight requiring twocuriara’sto transport us. I climb aboard Asoo’s boat, taking the same seat position as yesterday.

My backpack is wrapped in plastic and sits at my feet. It contains a bottle of insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks, bottles of water, and a towel along with a change of clothes and shoes. My phone is for the purpose of taking photos. Stuffed at the bottom is a mosquito net in case things don’t go to plan. If not viewing Angel Falls by plane, there are two parts to the ground tour. A day trip—my choice—so it will be late when I arrive back at the resort. Others chose to stay the night and sleep in a camp at the base of the falls, not in a hotel but a wall-less hut with hammocks strung from poles. Local Pemón assist the tour guides and provide the traditional dinner and breakfast. In energy-sucking heat, no further bedding is required except a mosquito net. Although I’m taking anti-malarial medication and regularly applying personal repellent loaded with DEET, the mosquitoes and I have already developed a close relationship, and it’s one I don’t appreciate.

Banter fills the air as we chug across the lake taking a similar route as yesterday. The sun rises, and the sky turns blue, and again, I’m awestruck at the backdrop of three tepuis jutting up through the clouds. The plateau of the flat-top mountain is invisible. Asoo spoke about the myths of these mountains yesterday. Myths aren’t what attracts me to this mystical place, and yet there’s something eerie, a warning looming in the clouds.

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