Part One: "The Timberlands"
“You’re right, Irwin, these past few days are gonna stick with us for a long time! What a dumb idea this was, and we’re all idiots for signing up,” Mel snapped, angrily slashing at the thorny bushes with a broken branch.
“It’s all laid out in the contract, point by point. Our training is literally called ‘Extreme Life Group,’” Irwin replied.
“Oh, fascinating! And I bet the part about us getting completely lost in this godforsaken forest was written in tiny print at the bottom, just so we wouldn’t notice it, right?” Mel shot back.
“Alright, folks,” Irwin adjusted his glasses and spread his hands in a businesslike manner. “Now’s the time to tap into the survival instincts nature has hardwired into us. Feel that energy! Let yourselves be free in spirit and body, let these primal waves flow through you. They connect us to everything alive around us. Nature itself is calling—come and take me, conquer me, I’ll submit if you follow the wise laws of the universe. How you handle yourselves in these wild, untamed conditions will shape you as leaders in the business world. The corporate jungle is no different—there are predators and prey. This is your unique chance to train for that natural selection! Those who make it through these challenges won’t buckle under the weight of problems, office drama, or backstabbing politics. Yes, we’ll push through these thickets, trek through this forest, wade across rivers, sleep under the stars, feed the mosquitoes, and forage for food straight from what nature provides.”
“So, what, we’re switching to survival mode, eating raw fish, navigating by moss on trees, wiping with leaves, and lecturing local predators about natural selection?” Thomas Jason sneered with a sarcastic grunt.
“Exactly, Mr. Jason. Precisely,” Irwin confirmed.
“Free citizens, we’ve fallen into the hands of a maniac terrorist!” Thomas exclaimed.
“Relax, Thomas, this is actually kind of cool. For once, we’ve peeled our butts off office chairs, couches, and car seats,” Frederick said, throwing his arms wide. “Just look at this beauty around us!”
“Oh, I’ll be watching, alright. I can’t wait to hear your tune when you run out of chocolate bars, bottled water, and lighter fluid!” Thomas snapped back at his friend.
Despite the looming hardships he was describing with such relish, Irwin surveyed his group with the gaze of a victor. Four women and six men glanced nervously at the ancient trees of the mixed forest, united not by team spirit but by the fear and uncertainty in their eyes.
“Damn it, I should’ve listened to my gut this time!” Gigi muttered. “My mom always said, trust your inner voice, follow your intuition! I so didn’t want to come on this trip!”
“Can we turn back if we’re not okay with this?” Lita asked, tugging at Noel’s arm as he tried to protest.
“No, that’s not an option,” Irwin replied. “We were dropped off by helicopter in an uninhabited area. We have to keep moving to reach civilization.”
“Oh, yeah, sure. These poor souls are gonna wake up in a cold sweat for years, reliving the nightmare of this little ‘hike,’” Owen smirked.
Chase silently slung his backpack over his shoulder and fell into step beside Irwin.
The team set off. Kay and Angela lagged behind at the rear.
“Kay, I’m such an idiot,” Angela sighed.
“I’m afraid you’re not alone in thinking that. I regret coming too,” Kay panted, blowing a strand of hair off her forehead.
“No, I’m serious. I think I might be pregnant.”
Kay stumbled, barely keeping herself from falling under the weight of her heavy backpack.
“You *think*?! And how long have you been sitting on this revelation?”
“Since the second day of our expedition.”
“So, since we’ve been out here for three days, that means yesterday. Just great. But seriously, Ange, you need to demand that Irwin calls off this training and gets a helicopter out here. I don’t think anyone would object.”
“I don’t know. The company will demand compensation for damages, and they’re strict about it—ten times the cost. This week will fly by, it’s still early, I can tough it out.”
“I’m not so sure we’ll wrap this up in a week. This isn’t a park, it’s a forest. If we get lost, we could be wandering around these oaks for weeks. If I were you, I’d insist on ending the program for a valid health reason. God, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes!”
“Kay, don’t tell anyone. I only told you because we’ve been friends for so long. I barely know the others, even though we work in the same network.”
“I’m not one to gossip about stuff like this. Still, I’m telling you again—think it over. There are no conditions here for a woman in your situation. No proper rest, no decent food, no personal hygiene.”
“I’ve already decided to stick with the group. Just… I’m not even sure if I want to keep this baby. So, I’ll leave it up to fate.”
“You’re right, you really are an idiot,” Kay said, shaking her head.
They trudged along in a single file for hours, occasionally trading jabs and quips. When the sun hit its zenith, walking became unbearable. The heat scorched their already exhausted, weary bodies. Their heads buzzed, and their vision blurred. Finally, Irwin took pity and allowed a short break. Kay dropped her backpack and collapsed onto it right where she stood.
“Man, I’d kill for a shower right now, to chug a cold, fizzy soda, then burp happily and sink into a soft couch, stretch out my legs, get comfy, and fire up my tablet,” a sarcastic voice mused beside her.
“Shut up, Thomas,” Kay grumbled, not even opening her eyes. “I’m amazed at how guys like you find the energy to hike miles, haul a heavy pack, and still manage to crack jokes at every chance.”
“Wanna know why? Because this training just proves I’m a leader, babe. I’m gonna come out on top in this natural selection!”
“So, basically, you’re a predator,” Kay stated flatly. “Now shut up and let normal people rest.”
...
“Alright, up, up! No slacking, we’ll rest at night. Get up, don’t forget your stuff, and let’s move out!” Irwin’s voice boomed like a foghorn near her ear.
“Kay, come on, get up,” Angela nudged her friend, struggling to hoist her own backpack.
“How long did we sleep? I don’t feel rested at all. God, my shoulders are killing me. My arms are completely numb!” Kay groaned. “Hold on, Ange, don’t put on your pack yet. I’m sorry, but if you’re not going back, at least use the priority of your situation. I’ve thought about this a lot. It’s smarter to tell the others without getting into details. It’s necessary for survival.”
“Kay, no!”
But Kay waved her off and approached Thomas, whispering a few words in his ear. He looked at Kay with curiosity, then at Angela, and nodded in agreement. Kay did the same with the rest of the guys.
“Alright, let’s split up your pack. Each gentleman takes a little, and you’ll travel light. No big deal, it’s none of their business about your personal life. Plus, they’ll play the knight in shining armor all the way if you push the right buttons.”
“Okay, Kay,” Angela smiled, giving in.
...
The firewood crackled slowly in the campfire. Having chewed through the last of their dry rations, the exhausted travelers couldn’t muster the energy for casual conversation. Each lost in their own thoughts, they stared into the dancing flames and listened to the sounds of the night.
“Guys, let’s hit the sack. Let the mosquitoes feast on me, I don’t care anymore. At least I’ll get six hours of blissful sleep,” Gigi said.
“Hold on, Gigi, how about we debrief today’s events, discuss any moments that stood out to you?” Irwin jumped in.
“Irwin, buddy, you do realize my distant ancestors were cannibals, right? It’s not lost on you that I’m Black, is it? If we’re stuck in this cursed forest too long, you’ll be the first one my genetic memory takes a bite out of!” Gigi dramatically tossed a branch into the fire and headed for his tent. The rest of the natural selection experiment followed his lead.
The next day, they continued their trek.
Thomas, who had been walking behind Irwin, circled around the line and fell in behind Kay.
“I can’t take it anymore. He’s been droning on for two days about the wonders of the flora and fauna in this part of the world, their symbiosis, their metabolism.”
“So you ditched Irwin just to spend the next two days whining about our curious coach and annoying the rest of us!” Angela snorted, glancing back.
“I hate this primitive way of getting around! What’s wrong with loving the perks and comforts of civilization?! I’m a man of my time!” Thomas exclaimed. “Sports cars, restaurants, hot tubs!”
The others cheered him on with friendly hoots. After lunch, the forest abruptly ended, dropping into a gentle ravine where a slow-moving river flowed at the bottom. A thick fog blanketed the opposite bank.
“Here we are at our next challenge,” Irwin announced solemnly. “We’ll cross the river to the other side.”
“That’s weird,” Kay said thoughtfully. “Does fog even happen on a sunny day like this?”
“The higher the level of the game, the harder it is to reach the ultimate goal and come out a winner,” Chase whispered. “That’s the logic of programmers—create new, complex challenges, traps, and deceptive maneuvers to spark excitement in the player.”
“Chase, we’re not in a video game. We’re out in the wild, Chase, hello? Birds, branches, water. Snap out of it, your processor’s overheating!” Owen teased with a sly grin.
“How about a break?” Mel asked hopefully, looking at the coach.
“Yes, but only for twenty minutes. You can take a dip if you want.”
“Thanks, we’ll get to it,” Gigi shot back at Irwin with a biting tone.
Kay leaned her back against a pine tree overhanging the bank and closed her eyes. Her legs trembled from exhaustion, her stomach cramped from hunger, and their drinking water had long run out. A cool metal flask pressed into her palm.
“Just a sip,” Thomas said, settling beside her. “God, I’m starving! I’d trade half my liver for a pizza. Kay,” he rested his head on her shoulder, “you got anything to munch on?”
“Unless you count shoelaces. We need to do something, grill the nerd about the river water. Maybe it’s drinkable,” Kay sighed.
“Let’s go.”
“Irwin, here we are in the wild, raw nature. How do we know if this water’s safe to drink or not? There’s no fruit growing in the forest, no mushrooms in this heat, even the pinecones are dried up. We’re dying of hunger! Hasn’t this gone too far?” Kay’s eyes flashed with anger.
“Well, not everyone’s stressing about it. Some don’t seem to care,” Irwin nodded tensely toward Noel and Lita, who were preoccupied with kissing.
“Don’t change the subject! Their hormones are keeping them going, but I need real food!” Thomas barked.
“Alright, the water needs to be boiled. We can try catching fish or looking for crayfish,” Irwin pointed toward the river.
Without hesitation, Thomas kicked off his sneakers, waded into the water, dove in quietly, and disappeared from sight for a while. He surfaced, then dove again. After half an hour, he gave up the futile attempt and climbed back onto the bank, angry and hungry. Without a second thought, Thomas grabbed Irwin by the collar and dragged him toward the water.
“Go catch us some crayfish, you jerk!” he roared.
“Thomas, calm down!” Kay said, setting a pot of water on the sand.
Thomas charged over and kicked the pot away from the fire.
“I’m not even sure this water’s safe to drink, boiled or not. Look at it, it’s murky, and there’s not a single fish in this river, no damn crayfish, no snails, no lousy algae! Nothing! Just this muddy slop! Where the hell did you bring us?!” Under his furious glare, Irwin started backing away.
“I… I don’t understand. Here’s the forest, and according to the plan, there’s the river. There should be fish, the water should be drinkable,” Irwin mumbled.
“Then go catch some fish according to the plan!” Thomas continued to fume. “Damn it, I knew it! I didn’t trust you from the start. Ugh!” he growled, kicking at the sand.
“Hey, everyone, calm down! No panic!” Owen shouted. “We need to sit and figure out what to do next.”
Frederick sat rocking on the sand, quietly moaning, regretting throwing out his melted chocolate bars days ago in the heat. Hunger made his gaze wild and unsettling. Gigi paced back and forth, ruffling his curly hair. Mel waded knee-deep into the water, craning her neck like a heron, standing still, trying to spot fish.
“I say we call for a helicopter and end this training. I want to terminate the contract. I don’t care about the penalty, I want to live. This is getting out of hand!” Thomas Jason proposed.
“I’m with him. If we were living in caveman times, first, I’d pick a different spot, and second, we’d have weapons for hunting,” Kay added.
“Who’s in favor?” Owen called out.
Everyone raised their hands unanimously.
“Well, Irwin, call for help. You’ve got no choice. We’ve put up with this nonsense long enough.”
“As you wish.” Irwin pulled out the transmitter. He fiddled with it, adjusted it, even shook it. All that came through the microphone was a harsh crackle. “I don’t get it. This is a brand-new radio, designed for long-range signals. You could pick up New York with this. Looks like we’ve got no connection.” His defeated tone genuinely alarmed the group, who had been watching him closely.
“Give it here!” Chase snatched the radio from him. He switched it through different settings like a bomb technician, carefully handling the device. He walked to the highest ridge, climbed a tree, but it was no use—there was no signal.
“It’s like something’s jamming the waves. Nothing! It’s working, but there’s no connection. Looks like we’re in deep trouble, folks,” Chase delivered the verdict.
Kay and Angela exchanged frightened glances.
“Time to eat Irwin. We’ll say he drowned during the crossing,” Gigi said darkly, glaring at the now-silent coach.
“We need to swim to the other side,” Kay said quietly.
“She’s right,” Thomas nodded. “We’ll keep moving. Maybe we’ll find a clean water source over there, catch a pheasant or something, but we need to get across.”
He offered his hand to Kay and pulled her up from the sand.
“Let’s go, kiddo,” Thomas winked at her with smiling blue eyes. Kay tensed. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, reaching up to whisper in his ear.
“Thomas, I can’t swim,” she said, terrified.
He said nothing, just stared at her in stunned silence.
“I mean, I used to, but the water… I went through a horrible tragedy… a long time ago. Since then, I can’t go near it. I thought this training would help me face my fears, but I can’t. I just can’t!” she whispered, choking on her anxiety.
“We’re not dying yet, no need for goodbyes,” Owen chuckled, looking at them.
“Hold on to me, got it? I’ll help you cross. It’s not deep, the current’s weak, and there are no critters in there—I checked. Don’t be scared,” Thomas whispered, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.
“Alright, folks, I hate to break it to you,” Gigi interjected, “but we’re only taking the essentials. We’ll have to leave the backpacks behind so they don’t drag us down. No, Lita, the tent, sleeping mat, and makeup bag have to go. From now on, we’re savages. Brr.”
Choosing the essentials proved difficult. Gigi had to forcibly pry items from the women’s hands. They took only the clothes on their backs. The men carried just flasks, a first-aid kit, ropes, knives, a pot, lighters, and a piece of canvas tent.
They swam, trying to stay close to one another. Thomas and Kay entered the water last, holding hands.
As soon as the water reached her neck, Kay started thrashing wildly, sheer terror flashing across her face. Thomas supported her with one arm.
“Kay, Kay, look at me! It’s okay, we’re swimming.”
But she didn’t hear him, gasping for air, and a second later, she grabbed his neck with both hands.
“Damn it, Kay, you’re gonna choke me and drown us both!” Thomas pried her hands off with force and shook her as best he could. “Calm down and look at me! Say something, anything!”
“What do I say?”
“Recite the first paragraph of the Constitution to me.”
“Get off! I can’t swim. My leg’s cramping!”
“Don’t make excuses! It’s just plain, ugly fear! What am I gonna do with you? Fine, let’s try another trick. Close your eyes and kick your legs.”
Thomas pushed off and started stroking with one arm. Flipping onto his back, he pulled Kay close and kissed her on the lips. Kay kicked frantically, but Thomas didn’t stop until they reached the opposite bank, shallow enough to touch the bottom with their feet.
“You’re quite the engine, Kay. Couldn’t catch you even with oars,” he said with a grin, stepping out of the water.
“Interesting way to teach someone to swim. Got a patent on that? I bet you’ve splashed around with more than a few mermaids for fun.”
“You got it! My method works even in a storm.”
“Aren’t we just amazing. I hope we don’t run into any more water on this journey!”
“Not even a thank you?”
“Thanks, Thomas, you snapped me out of it. But nothing personal,” Kay warned, wagging a finger at him.
“Sure, sure,” he nodded with a sly smile, looking up at her from the sand.
“It’s noticeably cooler here. And that wind—it’s unpleasant,” Angela shivered.
Indeed, the change in the environment was striking. The sun had vanished behind looming clouds, gusts of wind carried patches of fog, and the temperature had dropped sharply. Most astonishingly, they were now surrounded by a completely different forest. The trees on this side looked equatorial, a jungle trembling in an almost autumnal breeze. This clashed with their understanding of tropical climates, not to mention that tropics shouldn’t even exist here at all.
“Well, isn’t this something. The further we go, the crazier it gets. Soon we’ll bump into dinosaurs, like in Jurassic Park. Of course! The company must’ve bought up Canadian land, created artificial jungles, and now breeds suckers like us here,” Mel cursed. “What a scam!”
This discovery threw everyone off balance, leaving the exhausted group racking their brains for answers.
“Water and food, water and food,” Frederick muttered. But no one rushed to mock him anymore.
Irwin looked utterly deflated. He absentmindedly picked at one plant, then another, mumbling incoherently under his breath.
“I suggest we set up a temporary camp,” Gigi spoke up. “Build a fire and head out to search for water and food.”
“You’re right, bro. Chase, Kay, and I will look for water,” Thomas agreed.
“Then Owen, Mel, and I will go hunting.”
“That means the rest of you gather dry branches and start a fire,” Owen added.
“Guys, don’t get lost,” Irwin called out weakly, wiping his fogged-up glasses.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Thomas said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. “We’ll try not to let you down, our dear scout.”
Marking their path with a military knife, they pushed through the jungle. Time passed, but aside from exotic plants and the cries of equally exotic birds high in the canopy, they found nothing.
“This is all nonsense, Thomas. We’ve gone a decent distance, but it’s pointless,” Chase sighed.
“Thomas, Chase! I see big boulders over there, some kind of hollow. Can you smell the dampness?” Kay called out.
“There’s our bonus, Chase. Today’s our lucky day,” Thomas said, filling their flasks with water. “Plenty of animal tracks here, so the water must be drinkable. Our HR manager found water—she’s got a knack for it now. Am I right, Kay? We’ll take you onto our predator team when we get out of here.”
Kay snorted, tying the flasks to her belt.
“Let’s dream that Gigi scores some food and we get back just in time for dinner,” Chase sighed.
“Well, worst case, he’s got a Plan B. Gigi’s been threatening to eat Irwin for a while now,” Thomas replied, noticeably cheerier.
“Predator tracks. This isn’t funny anymore. These prints could only belong to something like a tiger. Jokes aside, I don’t want to end up as dinner!” Kay said, alarmed, examining the tracks near the spring.
“It’s pretty clear we’ve landed ourselves in a real mess. Unreal jungles with very real beasts. Chase, have you ever seen a predator tear into its prey?” Thomas squinted, his tone ambiguous—half serious, half joking.
“A few years back, I designed games like that,” Chase replied, unsure of where Thomas was going with this.
“So, no, you haven’t seen it for real.”
“Oh, come on, Thomas, as if you have! What’s with all the theatrics? We need to get out of here,” Kay frowned.
“Believe it or not, sweetheart, I have. In India. I ended up there once. Tigers are smart, cunning creatures. They can track their prey for days. And if a tiger has already killed a human, it’ll attack again—not out of hunger, but out of principle. They’re like maniacs, venting their rage through bloodshed, proving their victim’s weakness.”
“Are you stupid, Thomas? Thanks a lot, I feel so much safer now knowing that!” Kay huffed angrily, turning to head back.
A rabbit was indeed waiting for them, though slightly overcooked.
The whites of Gigi’s eyes gleamed with excitement in the firelight.
“I caught it! I did it. We’re not gonna starve now—turns out I’ve got a hunter in me!”
“Thank God it’s not a cannibal,” Irwin muttered under his breath.
“It’s cold, so damn cold,” Lita said wearily, pressing herself against Noel. “Something’s seriously off with the weather.”
“Speaking of which, Irwin, care to explain how this is even possible? That forest back there and this one here. I don’t think crossing a river magically transported us to the equator. How could we go from Canada to, say, Indonesia?”
“Yet it’s cold as Alaska,” Frederick managed to say through chattering teeth.
“I have no idea. I’m honestly baffled. Maybe it’s some kind of landscape designer’s vision,” Irwin replied, realizing as he spoke how absurd that sounded.
“Oh, of course, why didn’t we guess sooner? These pristine lands must’ve been a playground for stoned designers,” Thomas snorted. “First, they spent ages planting ancient oaks on the other bank, then came over here to weave vines and probably still stir up the water to mess with us.”
To stifle a wave of hysteria, Irwin stood up, walked off to the side, and lay down for the night in a pile of leaves.
“What do we do now?” Owen’s profile was illuminated by the flickering campfire. “Our coach’s silent boycott just proves how clueless he is.”
“We’ll take turns keeping watch by the fire. There might be predators around here,” Thomas said, winking at Kay before adding seriously, “Someone needs to keep the flames going.”
“Just let the guys take the shifts,” Mel chimed in. “And we should all sleep close together. At least that way we can keep warm.”
“I wouldn’t agree with the first part—you’ve fought so hard for equality all these years—but the second part suits me just fine,” Thomas quipped, and the guys burst into laughter, echoing his sarcasm.
“Pile in next to Irwin. I’ll take the first watch,” Gigi said. “Owen, I’ll wake you in an hour. Mel, don’t be shy, you can cuddle up to our coach. His navigation system might be busted, but he’s still warm.”
Kay curled up, pressing close to Angela. On her other side, Thomas’s arm wrapped around her, but right now, it didn’t matter. Their minds had truly switched to survival mode. Each of them wanted to make it through and get back home safely. Even though they no longer had a clue where they were, hope and a belief in luck hadn’t yet abandoned them.