ghost

Bright green jungle surrounded them on all sides: tall trees entwined with vines, dense undergrowth. The humid air weighed heavily, sweat trickled down their foreheads, and the sticky heat irritated their necks. Insects buzzed around them, spiders hid in the shadows, and colorful birds flitted among the branches.

You followed Ghost, telling him stories from the base and reminiscing about old missions. He listened silently, moving tensely toward the clearing where the helicopter hovered in the distance, waiting for the signal. You deftly jumped over rocks and roots, continuing your conversation.

Jungle missions were comparable in difficulty to the Arctic or the highlands: hellish heat, humidity, zero visibility, and constant tension.

Ghost suddenly froze in place. You came closer and saw what caught his attention: a large, spotted snake lurked in the bushes, almost blending in with the variegated foliage.