It has been five days since the group left the city of Manaus, a Brazilian city located in the heart of the Amazon. It was where Coswall and his expedition started from based on the notes that Lucas had acquired from accessing Coswall's house. Following the route seemed easy, but when dealing with the Amazon, a realm that none of the group had been in before. It was more challenging than thought. More so since they had to go on foot after leaving Manaus. Leaving the comfort of civilization behind, and into the green jungle that is the Amazon.

The sun was just at the highest point in the sky as its rays beat down on the group. Making the already moist and hot jungle even hotter. But with the salvation that was a cool breeze and tree cover. The group was protected from the sun. The Amazon was alive and well at this hour, birds and other life were adding to the sounds of the jungle. Along with the annoying bugs that live here.

The group has not encountered any trouble yet, except for a rainstorm on the third day of the expedition, which made everyone miserable. But still they soldiered on, led by Lucas. Mainly since it was his idea for this whole thing, and he was the one with Coswall's notes and learned the route he took. Even though he is the youngest person on the expedition. It was a burden that Lucas was not used to, but given the goal of the expedition. He was willing to bear it for now. Anything to find out what happened to his mother.

---

As the group got closer to the temple that Coswall claimed held the pathway to the Lost World. Lucas was half looking ahead, half looking at Coswall's notes in his journal. This had to be the way, Lucas thought hopefully. It has to, he had used enough money on this, and this is the only clue he found that can lead them to Coswall's lost expedition. This has to be the way.

But as he was half paying attention, Lucas missed a tree root and fell to the ground on some more roots. Still clinging to the open journal as he lay there on his stomach. "Urgh," Lucas let out as he checked the journal, and it was still okay. Making an impromptu stopping point, Lucas tried to get up with one hand on the journal. Making some progress.

Wade Sim

While Wade is accustomed to hiking through the wilderness since as a child, he really hates the humidity and the wetness. At least the trees and the breeze provided some protection from the sun. He sprayed more of the bug repellent spray on his arms and face, really any part of the body that is exposed to the damn bugs. After rubbing the spray on his skin, he wiped any excess spray from his hand onto his pants. According to Lucas, the expedition leader, they're getting closer to Coswall's last known location. He hopes that the map that Lucas has leads them to some kind of structure that provides some refuge.

Wade grabbed his gray thermos from his survival pack and took a swig of water for some hydration. He thought of the satellite phone that Jeff gave him for regular communications with his friend. If the kook Coswall did find something that is a scientific breakthrough and lead to the group's disappearance, like finding a hollow earth with dinosaurs, would the satellite phone do anything to reach word out to Jeff and the others? He read the Jules Verne novel and seen the Brendan Frasier movie. Guess all they could rely on would be their own tools and weapons if they're in a similar trouble.

Wade's train of thought was interrupted by Lucas's grunt as the 20 year old tripped over some roots and landed on his stomach. Wade, rushed forward.

"You okay, kid?" he asked to Lucas as he got up. "Any scratches?"

"Yeah," a semi-embarrassed reply as he got up and turned to Wade. "I am okay and not any I can see or feel," still holding the open journal with his left hand. "Thanks for asking. I guess I need to pay more attention. I could have ruined the notes." Lucas clearly caring more about his journal of notes than himself. "But we shou..." He made a split-second pause, "we are close." They had to be. Lucas needs this to be right after the work and money he sunk into this. Plus, bringing others with him may be wasting their time. The stress was starting to get to him, and he tried to hide it.

But he took this moment to relax a bit and refresh himself. They are close after all, and he put the journal away and grabbed his canteen. Taking a short sip of water and putting the canteen away. "I am just glad the journey here has been safe for the most part." He looked relieved at his words. "No problems or anything.... minus that rain a few days ago." Having guns also helped ensure they were safe from anything in the Amazon. More so since Wade is ex-military and knows more about guns than he does.

"How are you holding up?" Lucas asks sincerely, "I do not know about you, but I am not used to this kind of environment." He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "I am not complaining, but I did not think what it would be like in the Amazon until walking five days in it."

Wade Sim

"I came from Texas where it's hot and humid for most of the year and I'm still not used to this," Wade replied. He patted on his survival pack. "I don't anyone, no matter what they pack or where they've been before, could prepare for a trip to the Amazon.

"Though I did came prepared and I'm doing alright right now," he added. "I hope the group before came in prepared."

He held out his bottle of bug repellent. "Still plenty of where that came from, if you want to protect yourself from the bugs for a few hours," Wade offered.