The young orang-utan sat in the branches above their heads, gazing at Ben and Zoe, his eyes flickering nervously.
“I’ve got a rusk in my backpack,” Zoe said quietly. “Let’s see if we can tempt him down and make him feel safe in his territory again.”
“Mat’s going to be so happy,” said Ben.
Moving in ultra slow motion, Zoe stood up and held the rusk above her head.
Kawan began to swing gracefully down from branch to branch. He waited just out of reach, hanging from one long, shaggy arm and gazing around as if searching for somebody. He looked tense – ready to escape at the slightest threat.
“Do you think he’s wondering where Mat is?” said Ben. “I hope he doesn’t leave when he realises Mat’s not here.”
“Come on, Kawan,” said Zoe gently. “Here, boy.” She waved the rusk.
Kawan hesitated, then extended one leathery hand and took the rusk. Eyes firmly fixed on them, he solemnly nibbled at the treat, dropping the crumbs around their feet.
“He still looks very nervous,” said Ben. “Those loggers must have really scared him.”
“I think we’ve got his trust or he wouldn’t come so close,” said Zoe, pulling out another rusk ready to hand to the young ape. “Something must be telling him we’re OK. Maybe it was Mat’s call.”
Kawan put out a crumby finger and touched Zoe’s cheek. Zoe sighed with delight.
“I can see why Mat’s so fond of him. He’s adorable.”
Kawan dropped down on to the platform and reached out for the second rusk.
“Good boy, Kawan,” whispered Ben.
At that moment, the sound of an explosion filled the air. Without thinking, the children threw themselves down on to the wooden slats.
With a terrified shriek Kawan was off, swinging away through the trees. Soon he was out of sight.
“Was that a gunshot?” Zoe said in horror.
“I don’t think so,” said Ben. “But I’ve heard that sort of sound before somewhere.” He gripped her arm. “Someone’s down there – heading through the undergrowth.”
They peered down over the side of the slats. A shadowy figure was hurrying along the ground.
“It’s a man,” hissed Ben. “What’s he doing here at this time of night?”
“Let’s follow,” said Zoe.
Moving swiftly along the swaying walkway, they followed the sound until they reached the next platform.
“This is where we saw Lola and Kiki,” whispered Zoe. “The walkway after this is much higher, remember. There’s a ladder somewhere here.” She flinched as another sharp bang filled the air, followed by frightened animal cries. “What is that?”
Zoe found the top of the ladder and climbed up to the next platform, feeling for each rung in the dark.
“Hurry,” hissed Ben. “He’s getting away.”
Zoe didn’t need telling twice. She set off ahead of her brother along the wobbly wooden slats of the new walkway.
CRACK! There was a loud splitting sound under her feet. She heard Ben’s cry of alarm as she felt herself falling.
Zoe flung out her arms and grabbed desperately at the broken walkway. Her hands closed round a wooden slat and she felt her arms being almost jerked out of their sockets as she stopped falling. She gripped on with all her strength, not daring to look at the ground.
“Hold on,” Ben called, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere,”
Zoe puffed. Especially not down! she thought to herself. She could just see Ben crouched on the walkway, one hand reaching out to pull her to safety.
Then something else caught her eye. The ropes that supported the slatted walkway were only holding by a single strand.
“Get back, Ben,” she shouted. “The whole thing’s going to give way!”
There was a ripping sound as the last strand of rope began to fray, and Zoe felt herself jolting downwards, legs swinging.
Then the rope snapped and Zoe began to fall.
