Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge
His lungs burned, each breath a ragged scrape of air that tasted like panic. Branches clawed at his arms as he tore through the undergrowth, roots snagging his ankles like the jungle itself was waiting for him to fall. Behind him, footsteps, closer now, unhurried, patient in a way that made his stomach lurch.
Then he saw it: a footbridge, arched and silver, spanning some unseen gap ahead. Safety. If he could just cross it….
He hit the planks at a dead sprint, boots hammering the metal grating, and burst through the tree line on the far side….
Only to stop dead.
No path. No road. No escape.
Just a still green swamp, choked with algae and rotting stems, stretching wide and silent in every direction. Duckweed shimmered like so many lies told in the promise of sunlight.
He turned, chest heaving, and the reality hit him like a boot in his gut: the bridge hadn’t led him to safety.
It had led him nowhere.
NAR©2026
This is “Run Through The Jungle” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Everything on The Elephant’s trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and is not to be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Lost hope. So terrifying.
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I’m glad that vibe came through, D. Thanks.
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Running used to be something that people did, but now it has changed into something that people are.
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That’s a heavy concept, Jim. Think I’ll get another cup of coffee and cogitate on that one.
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Coffee always seems like a good choice for me and the guy in your story was a runner, but I had no clue what he was running from, but your title made it seem like he did not want to be caught.
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Maybe too subtle? He’s an unarmed soldier, running through a jungle, fleeing from the enemy.
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Dang!! Now what??!!
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This would be a good time for Tarzan to swing on in!
https://youtu.be/MwHWbsvgQUE?si=gTMCifOAfDviHC76
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What a scary story!
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Ah, exactly as I planned it! Thanks, Chris 😄
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Oh, now what, we are at the bridge to nowhere … oh well, ‘look on the bright side’ … I haven’t played this one for while my friend
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Hahaha! 🦍 Love it! I see you’re on a Kinks kick now; could be worse! 🎶😎💙
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This is an amazing story Nance full of tension and excitement – puts a totally different slant on Crispina’s country strolls 😄
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That’s great to know, Ange! I enjoyed creating this contrast with Crisp’s always serene photos; so glad you liked it. Thanks! 😊
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This is a truly scary tale… with amazing music 🎶 love CCR🎶🎶
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Excellent! I’m glad that vibe came across. Thanks, Willow! 😊
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Lucky there wasn’t any quicksand. CCR had some fab songs
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Damn! I should have thought of that! 😂 Thanks, Brian. Hope all is well.
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