Curse of the Fountain -17-

The Curse of the Fountain

By

Melanie Brown

Copyright © 2025

Part 17

“Bea’s been attacked? Who? How? Is she okay?” I had a good notion on the who.

“We’re not completely sure.  Bea thinks it was the same ones who attacked you,” said Mom, obviously shaken.

“Since you didn’t lead with it, I’m going to guess she’s uninjured?”

Mom took my hands. “Yes. Your aunt is fine.  Pissed, but fine.” Taking a deep breath, Mom said, “I hate to do this to you, honey. But you need to make a decision. Mom isn’t about to let some douche-bags take what is rightfully ours… well, yours.  She, and us,” She pointed to herself and whats-his-name sometimes known as Dad, “We’re wheels up for Brazil in two hours.  She’s rented a private plane.”

Incredulous, I asked, “You’re leaving tonight?”

Nodding, Mom said, “Yes. Now honey, we know it’s sudden. We understand you’re a kid and might want to stay here with your boyfriend.  We can arrange for someone to care for you while we’re gone. Riley is staying with my best friend. Or you can come with us.  We’re leaving for the airport now.”

I frowned. I hated being rushed. “I’ll come.  You’ll need my help anyway. But I do need to tell coach and I have to talk to Jeff. Did you bring my clothes?  I can’t fly to Brazil dressed as a cheerleader!”

Dad checked the time on his phone as Mom said, “Yes. We packed you some things just in case.  You can change on the plane.”

“Is there going to be room?”

Mom laughed. “We’re not taking a Piper Cub. Mom chartered a Gulfstream.”

Sounds like my big spender sister.

“Give me a few minutes to tell Jeff goodbye.”  Sheesh. Couldn’t they wait until the after-game party at Rosa’s was done?

Dad frowned at me. “Just be quick about it, Nell.”

I scowled at Dad. “Why are you trying to ruin my life?”  I stormed off towards coach.

“Is there a problem, Nell?” asked coach as I came running breathlessly up to her.

I nodded. “Family emergency. I have to leave now.” I looked out on the field to try to spot Jeff. “Anyway that I can talk to Jeff?”

“Sure, honey,” said coach as she looked at me with concern.  “Let me talk his coach.”

I watched as the coach jogged off to where the football coach was standing.  I couldn’t hear anything, but after a moment, the football coach shook his head and began waving his arms. The girl’s coach yelled at him and poked a finger into his chest.  A moment later, looking pissed, the coach walked up to a referee. A moment later a whistle was blown and a few hand signals later the game was brought to a stop.

“We’re not sure why,” said the stadium announcer, “The Marauders coach just declared a time-out.”

I watched as Jeff ran up the coach, looking furious.  The coach pointed to where I was standing.  Jeff just stood there for a moment before turning to run as fast as he could towards me.

As he approached, Jeff removed his helmet and tossed it to the ground.  Out of breath, he grabbed my shoulders and said, “Babe!  What’s this about an emergency? You’re leaving? Are you okay?”

I put my hands on his waist and said, “Yeah, I have to go.  It’s only for a few days.”

His eyes a little wild, Jeff declared, “I’ll go with you! Let me tell the coach!”

I held tight to his jersey. “No, baby.  Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of.”

He touched my face. “But, babe…”

I smiled at him as I put my hand on his. “Go win the game for me, baby.”   I put my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. We stood like that, kissing for a full two minutes.

I unwrapped my arms around his neck and said, “I gotta go.  See ya in a few days.” I felt my eyes tear up, and I turned quickly to run back to where my parents were waiting.

Dad checked the time on his phone as I ran up. “Took you long enough.”

By this time, I had tears streaming down my cheeks.  I frowned at Mom and sneered, “How could you marry this douche nozzle?”

                    *

I changed clothes on the plane.  I curled up next to Mom.  Bea was on a tear. “I tell ya, Neil, we gotta beat these guys to the punch.  According to the news, these ass-holes left this morning.”

In a sleepy little girl voice, while Mom stroked my hair, I said, “Cool your jets, Bea. It doesn’t matter they have a head start.  It takes us both fifteen hours to fly down, then ten hours to truck in to the trail head, and then an over-night hike to the fountain. And I know where it is and they don’t.”

Bea sighed. “There’s a fortune riding on this. No points for second place.”

Next thing I knew, we were landing in Porto Velho.

                    *

Bea kicked the tire of the old Dodge Power Wagon.  “Do we have to take such a slow vehicle? We’re in a race, you know.”

After checking on our gear, I jumped from the back of the truck. “Have you seen the terrain we’ll be going through?  We need raw power, not speed.”

Bea folded her arms. “They’re taking ATVs.”

I shook my head. “Over this terrain, they can’t go much faster than us. They can’t carry as much gear, and they have to pack in extra fuel. And they’ll have to stop and walk the rest of the way just like us.” I pointed at our driver. “And Luiz has a lot of backcountry driving experience.”  Luiz slammed the truck’s hood down and gave me a thumbs-up.

I grinned as I looked at Bea and my parents. “Let’s saddle up.”  There wasn’t enough room in the truck’s cab for all of us, so Dad and Bea were going to ride in the back. Mom and I sat up front with Luiz.

Mom put her arm around me as the truck lurched forward.  Despite the jungle heat, I snuggled into her.  Luiz ground the gears as he got the Power Wagon up to speed. I can’t believe I’m going back.

From the States, Bea had managed to bribe…er um secure an agreement with the Brazilian officer that if we could prove we were actually at the lost city we could buy the land provided we left access to the area to the native population. Foster must have hocked everything his family owned to raise the money for this.

Listening the truck’s transmission whine, I fell asleep in Mom’s arms.

                    *

End of Part 17