The Quest for Paradise - Page 53/94

Over and over I was simply left with the impression that everyone who I had made this descent into Paradise with was some form of a soulless reprobate of an individual. It made me so mad to be treated like this and in frustrated helplessness I rattled my chains against the trunk of the tree once more.

Willing myself to rest I leaned my head against the tree. As I quieted down in inner thought it was hard not to notice the continual shaking of the ground beneath my bottom.

How could water, no matter how powerful, echo so much vibration through solid rock over such a distance as I was from the waves of the beach?

Glancing up I watched a white capped wave form and mentally I prepared to feel the aftereffect of its contact with the land. The wave spilled over and crashed against the rocks. Expectantly I waited for it, but nothing happened.

I lifted my head away from the tree as I then watched wave after wave come in to shore. Why didn't I feel the action taking place on the distant beach as I had before?

Maybe I hadn't been feeling the power of the sea upon the land all along. The ground shook and in sudden disquietness of spirit my mind leaped to the conclusion that whatever was causing the vibrations must be rather large and moving this way.

In a jungle like paradise like this that spelled just about one thing and one thing only. I felt in the need to scream as I continued to feel the echo of footsteps through the ground I sat upon.

Looking around at the sprawled out soldiers I took in the heavy armament that each of them was packing and I was about to call out to them, when I got the distinct impression that I was not supposed to do that.

"Then what do I do God?" I whispered, as I craned my neck around to see if what I felt was in any part visible yet.

"Climb."

The thought within my consciousness was sure as it rang with the authority of the Master of my heart and rising to my feet I did my best to accomplish the command. Far from being an impediment the cuffs actually helped my ascent up the tree.

There were no low-lying branches and with the aid of the chain I formed a walking grapple anchor with the other side of the tree, as I shimmied up it, being very grateful all along for the heavy treaded hiking boots that I had bought.

Finally at about twenty feet off the ground and spent of all breath and energy I reached the branches of the tree that halted any further ascent. I hung there in an exhausted stupor as I willed myself to not let go of the tree and fall back to the ground.