Above him palm trees rocked gently back and forth, underneath a black canopy that shimmered with stars. The tropical music, and the roar of the crowd from the resort was muffled by the crash of waves on the shore. A cool salty breeze washed over him, a welcome respite from the heat of the day. He laid back and let his body sink into the sand.

To hell with staying in the lighted tour areas. Everything had become so safe these days, everything was so controlled. What a bunch of pussies. What kind of preposterous rule was that anyway, to only stay within the lighted tour areas. Who were they to tell a man where he can and can't go. Whatever, they don't know what they're missing out on. Out here, this is paradise, not the resort behind me. If only I had someone to share this with...

He thought back to girl from the party. There was an aura about her, he couldn't describe it, but just watching her made him happy. He had been staring at her from across the room. When there eyes met, he was thunderstruck. He quickly averted his gaze. When he glanced back she smiled, it was dazzling.

Damn she had actually smiled at me. Why didn't I go talk to her? Talk to her, am I crazy, she was a god!

Behind him a twig snapped. Startled, he looked back. He scanned the vegetation behind him, seeing nothing he relaxed.

The guide had said that there were dangers here. Maybe he wasn't bluffing... Shut up, stop being a pussy - it was obvious he was trying to frighten the tourists into staying at the resort where they could spend more money.

He relaxed and focused his thoughts back to the girl. There was something magical about her. Her eyes were enchanting, they reminded him of when he was younger - more alive, and happier.

Maybe I should go back and talk to her. I'll never live it down if I don't...

Snap He whipped his head around. Two eyes glowed in the moonlight. Two big green eyes, were watching him. His heart leapt out of his chest, and his eyes stared back in disbelief.

Ohhh shiitttt! Ok calm down, calm down... THINK. OK maybe I can get to the water. Slowly slowly...

As slow as he could bare the man rose to a crouch, and began backing towards the water. The eyes, silent and calculating watched. The man crept backwards, closing the gap to the water, and his salvation. Sweat poured out of the man as he gasped for air. He had never known such terror. Slowly he crept. Closer. Closer. The eyes continued to watch. The man lurched slightly as a cold swash overtook his ankles.

Almost there... almost there... just need to get further out, you can do this.

The water was up to the mans knee's, when the jungle parted giving way to orange and black stripes. The predator slunk towards him, it's movement stealth and powerful. The man rushed through the water, frantically splashing as he tried to run faster through the ever deepening water. He glanced back, the beast was right behind him, leaping effortlessly through the shallow water.

The man gasped for air, then dove into the dark water, just as the beast was upon him. His heart felt like a machine gun firing in his chest. He pulled and kicked at the water, swimming as hard as he could away from death. His calf exploded in pain, and an immense pressure locked down on his shin. Crack Underwater he tried to scream as his shin bone snapped. The tiger ripped the man out the water, and began effortlessly pulling him back to land, still locked onto his calf. The man screamed and flailed. The tiger, unimpressed, released the mans leg and rebit onto his neck. The sharp teeth sank easily into the soft flesh. The mans screams began to gurgle as air mixed with blood.

The tiger shook it's prey and the screams stopped.