''So you're telling me that the other day you came to ask me not about the girl but about the jungle incident?"
"Yeah!"
SHITT!!
Arthur leaned forward, "Were you there?" his curiosity was akin to a flame that refused to die out, his eyes locked onto Leon's.
Leon swallowed hard, "Yes, I was there at that moment and witnessed the entire event."
''What were you doing there?'' his voice was low ''...and what happened that night, exactly?"
Leon's fingers drummed restlessly on the table, ''I was minding my business.''
''In the jungle?'' Arthur raised his eyebrows, waiting for his answer.
''Yeah!'' Leon's body tensed with the memory. "It was a fight unlike any other," he said slowly, drawing out each word for maximum effect. "A battle of wills and strength— ''
He paused for dramatic effect, " —fueled by a simmering rage that threatened to boil over at any moment."
Leon's mind raced as he relived the events of that fateful night. "A fierce battle was waged, with blows raining down like thunderbolts. It was a brutal display of power and determination...
''But in the end, only one emerged victorious."
''Now come to your senses and get to the point, will you?''
''Alright, alright!'' Leon rolls his eyes, "Then listen closely...
''It was a dark, stormy night in the jungle. Out of nowhere, I heard this mysterious sound. So I couldn't resist the call of curiosity. I decided to embark on an investigation by creeping through the bushes.
''And what I saw...It was something straight out of a blockbuster movie!
"A black car! But not just any car, mind you.This thing was sleeker than a greased lightning bolt parked in the distance. Its exterior glistened in the moonlight.
''But wait! It's getting even better. A group of fifteen to twenty shady men emerged from the jungle, all dressed in black with gloved hands as if they were auditioning for a villain's role or something.
"They've got weapons and everything like they mean serious business.I 'm not even kidding! It seemed they were ready to capture the soul of anyone who came their way.
''And guess what? They swiftly commandeered the car as if they were being driven on a mission.
''Just when I thought things couldn't get more wild, a white car pulled up nearby. One of the men went over and opened the door, revealing a towering figure. Dressed head-to-toe in black, donning a mask. He has a sinister aura that sends shivers down the spine.
"Now, if that doesn't scream supervillain, I don't know what it does! He whispered something to the man who opened the door before disappearing into the jungle.
"Here comes the real deal!
''The only man who did not wear a mask was the one who opened the door. He was wearing a black leather jacket with a cap on his head. He climbed onto the bonnet of the car. His movements were deliberate and calculated. That freak mercilessly poured gasoline on it from a can. The heavy droplets, the scene —it was just so ethereal—''
Arthur crossed his arms, ''Cut to the chase!'' his impatience evident.
Leon glared at Arthur, ''Okay! The flames engulfed the car and echoed through the jungle. The crackling sound of the fire matched the booming thunder.
"Hell! That was both mesmerizing and frightening.The raindrops danced upon the flames as they ignited, casting an ethereal glow throughout the surrounding darkness.''
''Skip the details, please!''
''Bro, can you shut it for a moment, else you ain't getting no information from me!'' Leon motioned to Arthur.
''Okay, why are you getting angry?'' Arthur put a hand on his shoulder.
''Where was I? Yeah, so Instinctively, I turned and ran towards the thick underbrush. I looked back and saw the flames rising higher and higher. I ran further into the jungle. I stopped to catch my breath; my eyes landed on the unmasked man, looking straight at me. But due to the darkness, I couldn't see his face properly.
''I kicked him and ran from there. At that very moment, I saw two figures fighting and then...'' Leon said, relishing the suspense.
''And then what?'' Arthur leaned in closer, his eyes glued to Leon's face.
I shivered involuntarily as Leon's words hung in the air, feeling a chill run down my spine. There was something about his description that was almost too vivid, too real. It was as if he had transported me back to that night, to the heart of the action.
As I studied Leon's face, I saw a glint in his eye that told me this wasn't the whole story.
Arthur sat back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Arthur! My brother! You would not believe it, but they were not alone. In the pitch-black shadows, a group of men, rocking those slick black suits and blending like ninjas all over the jungle. The vibe was intense, man, with hushed murmurs floating through the air, giving that spooky feel an extra kick. You could tell this wasn't just some random coincidence. Those folks had planned it out real smooth, setting the stage for some mind-boggling shenanigans.
The masked guy goes in for the classic kick and...''
He smirked, leaning back in his chair.
''...then Boom! The other guy falls into the well that unfortunately happened to be you, Charlie!
''Just as he started strolling towards the well, I got bit by some weird bug on my butt, and a tiny sound escaped my mouth.''
This boy! Is he high or what?
What in the world is he saying? That makes no sense! Arthur and I exchanged glances, probably thinking the same.
''I know you guys did not believe it. It's just bad timing, right? So the masked man abruptly turned in my direction, And that's when I felt a shiver all over my body. I've never been so terrified in my damn life. I hightailed my ass outta there faster than a cheetah just to survive that insane night.
''Can you believe it?''' Leon took a deep breath, ''Straight-up thriller vibes, boy.''
Arthur leaned in, hanging onto Leon's every word. "And who was it? Who was behind that mask?''
''I did not see his face. However, what caught my eye was a glimmering ring adorned on his first finger, shining so bright it could outshine a disco ball in a power outage.
''As if it had its spotlight. The ring was no ordinary seems to hold secrets, like a symbol of immense power and wealth -a prize coveted by many and owned only by a select few.''
''Did that ring look like this?''
''Hell yeah! This is exactly the same!'' He straight up flew off his chair, utterly baffled. ''But how the hell did it end up in your hands—hold the eff up!'' Leon slapped his hand over his mouth, looking stunned. ''You were the masked man all along?''
Arthur and I exchanged incredulous looks.
The audacity of this man!
''What kind of dumbassry is this?'' Arthur's voice dripped with sarcasm.
I mean, who would believe this absurdity?
''Are you crazy or something?''
''Nevermind!''
Arthur raised his eyebrows in amusement, ''You have a knack for blurting out things...
''...don't you?''
Leon's facial expression changed in mere seconds.
''Anyways, I have to go there and find out the truth.'' I stood up from my seat, ''Leon, you'll have to come along.''
''Why should I go with you?''
Arthur casually examines his nails, ''My dear friend Leon, you have to go.''
He moves closer to Leon, ''After all, who knows how many truths and lies you've uttered?''
''Fine!'' Leon emphasized the word.
''Alright then, the plan for tonight is set. I'll come over to Arthur's house. Leon, you should also join us at his place. Then we'll depart from there.''
"Sounds good!''
Arthur's eyes widened, ''No wait–
– My house?'' he abruptly stood up, ''Why my house? I–''
But before he could finish his sentence, Leon and I ignored him, leaving him behind with mischievous grins on our faces.