American accent
James and Ally had been looking forward to their South American adventure for months. For the past year and a half, they had been working extra hours, living on beans and toast, and saving every penny they could for what they believed would be the holiday of a lifetime. And the six-day jungle trek was to be the highlight — a chance to see places few tourists ever reached
Their guide, Ernesto, seemed perfect. Quiet, confident, and calm, he moved through the jungle as if it were part of him.
“You listen to me,” he said on the first day. “The jungle is beautiful, but it is not kind.”
The first two days were challenging but exciting. The heat was intense, and the air felt heavy. Bright birds flew above them, and strange sounds followed them everywhere. Ernesto walked fast, using his knife to clear the path. Ally loved the adventure. James was less certain, but he trusted the guide.
On the third night, they camped beside a fast-moving river. Ernesto cooked dinner and talked about other groups he had led.
“Some people are not ready for this,” he said. “They panic.”
Later that night, rain began to fall. James woke before sunrise. The fire was cold. Ernesto’s tent was empty.
At first, James thought Ernesto had gone to the river. Then he checked his bag.
“Ally,” he said quietly. “Our phones are gone.”
They searched the campsite. Their wallets, passports, map, and emergency radio had all disappeared. Ernesto had taken everything.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The jungle seemed louder, closer.
“He planned it,” Ally said finally. “He waited until we were far enough.”
They knew they had to move. Staying meant waiting for death. Ernesto had once said rivers usually led to villages, so they followed the water downstream.
The jungle fought them at every step. The ground was slippery, and thick plants cut their arms and legs. Insects covered their skin. The heat drained their strength quickly.
On the fourth day, James slipped on wet rocks and injured his ankle. Pain shot through his leg.
“We can’t stop,” Ally said, supporting him. “Not now.”
That night, they heard animals moving nearby. Something large crashed through the bushes. James gripped a heavy branch, ready to defend themselves. Sleep came only in short, frightened moments.
By the fifth day, their food was gone. Their water was low. James began to slow down. Ally forced herself to stay focused.
In the afternoon, they heard a distant engine.
They ran toward the sound, shouting until their voices broke. A small boat appeared on the river.
Hours later, they reached a village. The police were called. A rescue team was sent into the jungle.
James and Ally sat together, exhausted, dirty, and alive.
Their adventure had become a fight for survival.
And they had won.
📒 Key vocabulary
- trek – a long and difficult walk
- highlight – the most important or exciting part
- intense – very strong or extreme
- downstream – the direction in which the water moves down a river
- slippery – easy to fall on
- drained (drain, drained, drained) – make something run out
- bushes – small trees with many stems
- gripped (grip, gripped, gripped) – hold something tightly
- rescue – saving someone from danger
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