Prison to Pinnacle: Ex-wife's Eternal Lament

The young man steered the tactical vehicle to a halt in front of a shabby thatched hut. Unremarkable in every way, the hut stood out only because it was nestled in the sturdy boughs of a low-hanging tree.

The tree's thick canopy offered an extra layer of cover to the weather-beaten abode, making it all the more secluded.

To a discerning eye, it was clear that the young man, Edward, had a knack for feng shui.

"Don't they get what the Forest of Death signifies? What a pack of fools!" he grumbled under his breath. " Oh well, today I'll play the good Samaritan and yank you bastards back from the brink."

As he spoke to himself, Edward tugged at a brown hose by the entrance of the hut.

It was a water pipe, crafted from animal intestines, with a rooster's comb fixed to the end. "Time for a good scrub," he announced, twisting the blood-red comb.

A jet of clear water sprayed from the hose.

Despite residing in the pristine rainforest, this young man had managed to modernize his dwelling in impressive ways--a testament to his exceptional resourcefulness.

He directed the spring water out of the hose straight at the tactical vehicle, turning it into a car-sized bathtub.

The occupants instantly felt as if they were in a dream, the water cascading over them warm, like a luxurious soak in a hot spring.

"Isn't that nice? I haven't even had my bath yet, and here you are, being pampered." Edward muttered, seemingly accustomed to his solitary existence. "Life is so unfair!"

"It's been nearly three years now," he added, mumbling incoherently.

By this time, the tactical vehicle was brimming with water.

"Time to add some bath salts," he said, producing a bag of grey powder from his pocket.

With a gentle toss, not a grain of the powder escaped the makeshift tub.

The occupants continued their dream, dreaming of a grey world filled with the scent of herbs.

"Time to dry you off," Edward said, as their dream shifted to a midday sun hanging in the sky.

Golden sunlight bathed them, warm and healing—simply an illusion created by a string of solar-powered bulbs Edward had placed above them.

"Enjoy the pre-fried warmth reserved for chickens for fast-food joints," he remarked, his lips curving into a sneer.

A few moments later, Ray woke up.

"Am I still alive? Or am I dreaming?" he whispered in a weak voice.

His hand on his chest felt quite fuzzy. And instinctively, it wandered down to his private parts, also fuzzy.

"Oh my Goodness! Am I wearing my birthday suit?" he exclaimed, realizing he was naked. "How could it be? I remember being swallowed by the python. I must be dead and come to another world."

"You're not dead," Edward suddenly appeared in front of him, expressionless, "Your clothes were beyond salvage. Make do with that!"

He gestured to a pile of furs by the tree.

Ray quickly got up, relieved to find his body not only unscathed but filled with a strength he'd never known before.

 "What's going on?" he asked, puzzled.

"Even a fool can figure it out if they think it through," Edward replied with a scornful tone. "Come on, buddy, are you going to dangle that thing around in front of me all day? I guess you probably want to be a savage!"

Ray quickly covered himself and dashed towards the pile of unknown furs like a monkey. He grabbed one and pulled it on as quickly as he could.

He was lucky; the fur just fit perfectly.

As Edward glanced at him, it seemed Ray had transformed, looking like a half-naked beauty in a fur coat, sexy and alluring.

Edward laughed, "Like a beast in beauty's clothing. Wow, a beauty beast!"

"What... what kind of fur is this?" Ray sniffed it, detecting an unfamiliar musky scent.

"Wolf hide."

"What!?" Ray's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "It can't be!"

"Don't act so green, and stop yapping like an old woman!"

Edward turned away, heading towards the operating table set up in his hut.

Ray found the young man before him quite mysterious.

He followed, eager to discover what he was up to next.

Suddenly, Edward turned around, "No more talking. I need to work."

Ray covered his mouth, nodding vigorously. He had never been so obedient.

Could this be the person his boss was looking for?