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Anwar was adamant. He wanted to get the sugar apples for his pregnant wife. He
wanted the best for his first-born. With only a plastic bag to put the apples
and armed with a short blunt knife, he tracked
into the abandoned plantation where a few good sugar apple trees still stood. As
he was about to place his foot forward, something darted across his path.
"Horrible lizard!" He hastily stamped on it till the lizard was just a sticky
blob on the ground. He continued on his way; his heart trembled all the way to
his destination.
He was aware of the reason for the hasty abandonment by the owners. Lately,
the attacks were getting more rampant and they were not taking any chances. They
had abandoned their lucrative business and moved elsewhere that was safer.
Anwar knew of the dangers but he had not seen them. Besides, the last attack
had occurred a few months ago and ever since then, there had been no news of any
new attacks. Anwar made his way deeper and deeper into the forgotten orchard.
Soon, the trees came to view. Anwar's heart leapt with joy to see the
branches hanging low, straining under the massive weight of the countless
apples. His heart trembled again, this time jubilant. With deft limbs, he
climbed up and helped himself. He ate as if there was no tomorrow. It was not
very often that he could eat his fill.
About fifteen fruits later, he started to choose the ripest, biggest,
juiciest ones to bring back home. Suddenly, he heard loud grunts. Anwar froze.
No, it could not be! He told himself to keep calm. However, his worst fear came
true. He looked down only to have his eyes locked in a hungry stare. They had
arrived!
The bag of sugar apples fell on the head of one of the two dragons that had
appeared out from nowhere. Anwar gave out a blood-curdling scream that was
promptly drowned by grunting and hissing.
Anwar scrambled higher though there was hardly any great distance between him
and the dragons. Sugar apple trees are but just stumps.
The dragons, attracted by the smell of the fruits initially, began to get
excited by a newer smell-fresh meat! They lifted their front legs and were
practically standing up against the trunk of the apple tree like excited dogs
seeing their owners. However, the similarity ended there. They_ were gruesome
creatures and as they lunged forward, Anwar screamed even more as he took in
their serrated teeth.
Anwar did not know when the screaming would stop. He tried to inch higher but
the fragile branches towards the end of the tree broke and he lost his balance.
Down to the ground he fell, his whole life flashing by. It was only a short
distance down but to Anwar, it felt like eternity.
He fell right on top of one of the two dragons, his body cushioned by the
impact of the fall somewhat but his troubles had not ended. Instead, they had
just begun!
Komodo Dragons can grow up to three metres long. They can weigh as much as 70
kilograms, have shark-like serrated teeth and a bite that can be deadly. Their
saliva contains roughly 50 different known bacteria strains, so infection is a
risk.
Anwar had no scientific knowledge about these dragons. All he knew was his
end was near. He fell to the ground and with blinding speed, one of the jaws of
the prehistoric reptile sunk deep into him.
Just as he was about to give up, he heard footsteps and gunshots.
"Help ..." |
