fiction – Lemon and Rosemary

“The Price of Revenge” Ch. 18 & 19 of “The Retrieval”

The Price of Revenge The humid air hung heavy, thick with the scent of decay and damp earth. Marcus lay sprawled on the jungle floor, his breath ragged, a throbbing ache blooming across his ribs. The fight with Nathaniel had been brutal, a savage ballet of fists and knives under the canopy of emerald leaves.Continue reading ““The Price of Revenge” Ch. 18 & 19 of “The Retrieval””

“Nathaniel’s Defense, A Bloody Confrontation” Ch. 16 & 17 of “The Retrieval”

Nathaniel’s Defense The silence following their brutal clash hung heavier than the humid jungle air. Marcus, gasping for breath, leaned against a slick, moss-covered rock, his body screaming in protest. He could taste blood, his own and Nathaniel’s, mingling in the metallic tang on his tongue. He hadn’t won, not exactly. He’d inflicted damage, butContinue reading ““Nathaniel’s Defense, A Bloody Confrontation” Ch. 16 & 17 of “The Retrieval””

“The Weight of the Truth/Closing In” continue with the jungle adventure. Ch. 14 & 15 of “The Retrieval”

The Weight of the Truth The sun beat down mercilessly, baking the jungle floor into a shimmering mirage. Marcus pushed through the dense undergrowth, sweat stinging his eyes, his muscles screaming in protest. The path was barely more than a suggestion. It wound its way through a labyrinth of tangled vines and towering trees. TheContinue reading ““The Weight of the Truth/Closing In” continue with the jungle adventure. Ch. 14 & 15 of “The Retrieval””

A jungle confrontation and unraveling of the past….Chapters 12 & 13 of “The Retrieval”

Confrontation in the Shadows The fissure, barely wider than his shoulders, reeked of damp earth and something else… something acrid, metallic, like old blood. He squeezed through. He held his machete ready. The blade glinted faintly in the dim light filtering from the unseen jungle canopy above. The passage twisted and turned, a claustrophobic labyrinthContinue reading “A jungle confrontation and unraveling of the past….Chapters 12 & 13 of “The Retrieval””

“Deception, Discovery and a Desperate Gamble” (Ch. 10 & 11 of my jungle adventure: “The Retrieval”)

Deception and Discovery The humid air hung heavy, a suffocating blanket woven from the relentless heat and the pervasive scent of decaying vegetation. Marcus pushed aside a curtain of emerald green vines. His clothes clung damply to his skin. His machete sliced through the tangled undergrowth with practiced ease. Days had merged into each other.Continue reading ““Deception, Discovery and a Desperate Gamble” (Ch. 10 & 11 of my jungle adventure: “The Retrieval”)”

Chapters 8 & 9 of “The Retrieval” (Enigmas and Struggles)

THE ENIGMA OF THE TREASURE The rhythmic thud of his boots on the damp earth was the only sound he could hear. The incessant chirping of unseen insects accompanied it. Marcus paused, the humid air clinging to his skin like a second layer. He’d been following Nathaniel’s trail for weeks now, a trail as tortuousContinue reading “Chapters 8 & 9 of “The Retrieval” (Enigmas and Struggles)”

We’re deep in the jungle with Chapters 6 & 7 of “The Retrieval”

Jungle Ambush The trail, faint even moments before, seemed to vanish entirely. The dense foliage closed in, a green wall of impassable vegetation. Frustration gnawed at Marcus, a bitter taste on his tongue. He had been tracking Nathaniel for days. The stolen treasure acted as a phantom lure. It led him deeper into the heartContinue reading “We’re deep in the jungle with Chapters 6 & 7 of “The Retrieval””

Let’s go back into the jungle in “The Retrieval” Chapters 2 & 3

First Encounters The jungle floor, a treacherous tapestry of mud, decaying vegetation, and unseen roots, snaked its way before him. Each step was a gamble, a calculated risk against twisting ankles and hidden pitfalls. Marcus moved with the cautious grace of a seasoned hunter, his senses honed to a razor’s edge. The silence was brokenContinue reading “Let’s go back into the jungle in “The Retrieval” Chapters 2 & 3″

Escape to the jungle for chapter 1 of my new thrilling adventure “The Retrieval”

Shattered Trust The humid air hung heavy. It was a suffocating blanket. The air carried the stench of decaying vegetation and the cloying sweetness of unknown blossoms. The ornate, jade-encrusted box sat on Marcus’s workbench, its intricate carvings gleaming faintly in the dim light of his workshop. It was a masterpiece, a testament to aContinue reading “Escape to the jungle for chapter 1 of my new thrilling adventure “The Retrieval””

“Strengthened Bonds” Chapter 26 from “Deadly Secret on Diamond Island” THE CONCLUSION

Strengthened Bonds The plane ride back to reality was a blur. The familiar hum of the engine felt like a distant dream. The low chatter of passengers added to this dream-like state. The flashing lights of the city below only heightened the surreal feeling. It was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of adventure theyContinue reading ““Strengthened Bonds” Chapter 26 from “Deadly Secret on Diamond Island” THE CONCLUSION”