Marked in Mexico by Kim McMahill Page B

now?” Jessica asked. “If one of those guys is from the village, it’s probably a place we shouldn’t go.”
    “I think we should still look for it. We’ll try not to be seen, but if we can find the village, we can find the road, and it will give us a direction to travel.”
    “What about the original three men? We don’t know what these two are capable of, but we know the other three have no qualms about murder,” Megan asked.
    “These two are better armed and probably even more dangerous. I’m sure they split up to cover more ground, so who knows where the rest are searching. We just have to stay together and stay alert. I think this is the direction Manny pointed to as the way to the village.” Jack altered his course through the dripping trees.
    They walked for several hours before they crossed a well-worn path. There was no way they could be sure it was the trail leading to the village, but it was something. They decided to try to follow parallel to the path, but not on it in case it was being used by someone they didn’t want to run into.
    The day had turned hot and steamy. The air was so laden with moisture that Jessica’s clothes never completely dried. She was uncomfortable and getting a rash on her thighs were her damp shorts rubbed against her skin, but since neither of her companions complained, she kept her discomfort to herself and walked on.
    Jessica’s legs ached, but she knew they had to keep moving. She went to the gym three to four times a week back home, but nothing could have prepared her for the swarms of bugs, extreme heat, oppressive humidity, uneven terrain, grappling vines, briars and the brutal pace. She glanced over at Megan and envied the woman’s long legs and youth. At nearly a decade younger and with a longer stride, Megan was holding up much better than she, and Jack showed no signs of fatigue.
    Everything looked the same to Jessica, but as long as they kept the path in sight, she knew they weren’t traveling in circles. They had to be getting somewhere and she hoped it was anywhere the killers weren’t.
    As the sun began to sink, Jessica could hear dogs barking not too far in the distance, so she assumed they had reached the village. They continued on and the sounds grew louder and occasional flickers of light penetrated through the small gaps between the densely spaced trees.
    At the edge of the village they came across an abandoned stick hut. There was no door and most of the roof had been blown away, but it provided some cover. Vines had begun to crawl over the structure, giving it an eerie look, but at least it didn’t appear as if anyone had visited it for a very long time.
    Inside, they sat for a moment in the darkness, listening to the sounds of yelping dogs and the comforting chorus of children laughing. They waited in silence. Soon Jessica’s ears adjusted to the sensations of the new environment and her eyes to the modest light from the moon and stars.
    “You two stay here and I’ll go check this place out and see if I can find us something to eat and determine if our buddies have returned home. Do either of you know how to shoot?”
    “I do,” Megan replied. “My dad used to take me hunting when I was a little girl. He always wanted a boy, so I tried to do my best.”
    “Okay. Keep this within reach and don’t be afraid to use it if you have to.” Jack handed the pistol to Megan. “It’s a semi-automatic and you have six shots. It’s ready to go. If you need to, just pull the trigger. Any questions?”
    “Don’t you need the gun? You’re more likely to run into someone in the village than we are to be found out here in an abandoned shack,” Megan asked.
    “I can take care of myself, but if anyone sneaks up on you two, you’re sitting ducks in here. Try not to let that happen. But, if you’re cornered use the gun and don’t forget you have some seriously heavy firepower on you as well.”
    Jessica watched as Megan handled the pistol with