Loving the Safari Guide

When we leave Audra's house, we make our way to Florida and check into a hotel. Since we no longer have a sponsor we are all crammed into two rooms. We need to figure out a way to now get Chloe out to the country by getting her a fake I.D. "What about the guy who made Jamie's fake I.D.?"

"No, with the authorities looking for Jamie and I, we can't risk it." Chloe shakes her head.

"If we weren't in such a hurry, we could take a freighter."

Jackson nods. "Yeah, I would give anything for a cruise to Africa right about now."

As we talk about different ways to help get Chloe and Jamie out of the country we hear Abe call out from the other room. "Hey, guys... Listen to this."

When we get into the other room and see a CDC agent speaking to a new host. "Afraid, no. Cautious, perhaps. The CDC is, however, looking into the matter."

"We've heard enough reports about aberrant animal behavior that we're considering the possibility of a virus."

"It's not a virus." Jackson shakes his head.

"What can the people at home do?"

"If you notice any odd behavior in your pet, see your local veterinarian."

I sigh softly and shake my head, sitting on the bed. "Well, that was helpful."

Jamie nods and sighs. "So... I got a question. If we keep driving south, straight through Florida, eventually we're gonna run out of Terra firm."

Jackson claps his hands. "That's it. Let's go to Clearwater."

Mitch, who has been leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, sighs softly shaking his head. "Why? Never in the course of human events has Clearwater, Florida ever been the solution to anything."

"Well, today it is. In Clearwater, there is a way to get back to Africa."

"What's in Clearwater?"

Abe and I look up to each other, realizing Jackson's plan. "Oh, no."

"You're thinking about Ray, aren't you?" I place my hands on my hips.

Jackson nods. "Yes, I am."

"No, not that. Not Ray." I stand, shaking my head and hands in protest.

"Who's Ray?" Mitch questions.

Abe sighs. "He's a nightmare."

The next morning Abe, Jackson, and I head out to Clearwater, which is only a little ways away from the town we had stopped in. When we get to the dock where Ray should be he is fighting with a few fishermen. "Come on, Baggo. I think there's been a misunderstanding... Can you at least take off the high school ring, sport? I know how proud you are that you have made it as far as high school."

Abe calls out to the men as they beat on Ray. "Alright guys, that's enough."

Ray looks over, as one of the men has him by the shirt collar and he's on his knees. "All the way from Africa to defend my honor!"

I sigh softly. "I see you're still as popular as ever, Ray."

"Meet my pals, David and Goliath. Bet you didn't know they reconciled and now they wander the globe doing the good work."

One of the men shakes his head. "This gotta stop, Ray. Gotta stop now."

"Yeah, yeah."

I sigh softly and crossing my arms. "I know he probably deserves this, but what did he do?"