The Temple

Pulse racing, I stood trembling in front of the vast, abandoned temple. Like hungry anacondas, thick green vines encircled its crumbling pillars. Grotesque demons, carved into the stone walls millennia ago, glared at me, their soulless eyes brimming with cruelty. The whole place made my skin crawl. I didn’t want to enter but I couldn’t, I wouldn’t, leave without Mosi.

“Here boy!” I shouted.

Suddenly, a flock of parrots rose from a nearby tree; their startled squawks breaking the eerie silence. Why was it so quiet? Normally, the jungle was alive with sounds - something wasn’t right.

“Mosi! Come out wherever you are!” I called, waving a banana.

Overhead, the sun beat down mercilessly in the bright, cloudless sky. Sweat poured down my forehead, the salt stinging my eyes.

“Where are you?” I muttered in frustration.

Last year, I’d adopted the little monkey after his mother was killed by hunters. We’d been inseparable ever since. However, when he’d run away after breakfast, my father forbid me to search the temple. According to an old legend, a forgotten god, who craved human sacrifice, dwelled within. I hadn’t listened. Instead, I’d snuck away in secret. I had to find my friend!

Then, I heard something. It was coming from inside the temple. It sounded like squealing – the same noise Mosi made when he was scared! I was right - he was inside! Swallowing hard and mustering every shred of courage, I ran up the steps. For a few seconds, I hovered in the doorway, before disappearing inside.

I shivered at the sudden coolness, while my eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness. The rotten stench of something long-ago-dead assaulted my nostrils. Nervously, I stepped forward. Thick cobwebs coated the walls and ceilings. I felt a light tickle on my arm and glanced down. A huge, hairy tarantula stared back at me! Screaming, I flung it off. My heart beat louder than our village drum.

“Mosi! Please boy. Come out!” I pleaded in desperation.

Next, I found myself in a huge chamber. At the centre, was an altar and what looked like a sarcophagus. It was open. My eyes narrowed in concentration. What was that hanging over the side? Was it… no it couldn’t be. Was it a bony hand? Out of nowhere, I felt a weight on my shoulder.

My heart threatened to explode, until a familiar squeak filled my soul with joy.

“Mosi! Where’ve you been! You naughty monkey!” I cried, tears of relief wetting my cheeks.

I dashed from the creepy room and stumbled towards the exit. Relaxing, I stood outside. After the murky darkness, the sunlight almost blinded me and I took a moment to readjust. On my shoulders, a dusty Mosi did the same.

“Come on boy – let’s get out of here!” I said, stroking his soft fur.

Together, we descended the steps and headed in the direction of home. We were quite far away when I froze. A peculiar feeling washed over me. Mosi was acting uneasily too. Filled with dread, but clueless as to why, I turned around and regarded the temple in the distance. It was now almost hidden amongst the dense jungle foliage.

My eyes widened in horror. Although I couldn’t be certain, what looked like a figure was standing in the doorway of the temple, staring back at me. My blood running cold, I shook my head and blinked in disbelief. I looked again but there was nothing there! Was I seeing things?

Smiling at my own foolishness, I fed Mosi a banana and we set off once more. Only little kids believe in those silly old legends, right?