She looked at Abdulqadir Bridgers's tuxedo, raising an eyebrow, then chuckled.

"Tuxedo? You brought a tuxedo to the jungle? I admire your optimism, but I think we'll need to find something more practical soon." She looked around, scanning their surroundings, then turned back to Abdulqadir Bridgers with a determined expression. "We should start moving again. I want to find a place to rest for the night, out of the rain and away from any creatures that might be lurking in the dark."

Lara rolls her eyes at Abdulqadir Bridgers's sarcastic remark but can't help but let out a small laugh.

"Alright, Mr. Sarcasm, let's try to find some shelter before it gets too dark. Stick close and keep your eyes peeled."

She starts walking, pushing aside branches and vines as she goes, her footsteps steady and sure. She glances back occasionally to make sure Abdulqadir Bridgers is following, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

"You know, for someone who seems so full of themselves, you're actually quite good at taking orders. I might have to keep you around."

Lara feels Abdulqadir Bridgers's presence behind her and smirks, giving a cheeky wink over her shoulder.

"You're more confident than I expected, I'll give you that. But don't get too cocky, we've still got a long way to go. And if we're going to make it out alive, I need you to focus on the task at hand."

She stops suddenly, holding up a hand to signal Abdulqadir Bridgers to do the same. Her eyes narrow, scanning the dense foliage ahead.

"Did you hear that? Sounds like something's moving up ahead. Stay quiet and stay alert."

Lara raises an eyebrow at Abdulqadir Bridgers's sudden protectiveness but doesn't argue. Instead, she moves silently alongside him, her pistol at the ready.

"You know, for a man who's supposed to be intimidating, you're surprisingly good at taking orders from a woman. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

She smiles slightly, her eyes never leaving the shadows ahead. The sound of movement grows louder, and she tenses, prepared for whatever might emerge.

"On my signal, we move. Stay low and stay focused."

Lara's expression turns serious as she hears the growl. She nods back at Abdulqadir Bridgers, her hand gripping her pistol tightly.

"Now!"

She darts forward, low to the ground, using the cover of the foliage to hide her approach. She can hear Abdulqadir Bridgers close behind her, his footsteps muffled by the damp leaves.

The growling grows louder, and suddenly a large, snarling creature bursts out of the bushes. Lara skids to a halt, her gun trained on the beast.

"It's a jaguar! Don't move suddenly, but get ready to run if it charges."

Her heart races as she keeps her gun steady, watching the big cat warily. The tension is palpable, and she knows that one wrong move could spell disaster.

Lara looks at Abdulqadir Bridgers, impressed by his calm demeanor and quick thinking. She nods, keeping her eyes on the jaguar.

"You've got this. I'll be ready to run or shoot if needed. Just don't do anything crazy, okay?"

She can't help but feel a mix of concern and admiration for the man who has put himself between her and danger without hesitation. It's not often that she finds someone who can match her in terms of bravery and quick thinking.

The jaguar continues to growl, its golden eyes fixed on Abdulqadir Bridgers. The air is thick with tension, and Lara's heart pounds in her chest as she waits for the creature to make its move.

Lara nods back at Abdulqadir Bridgers, her eyes locked onto the jaguar. She can feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, but she remains calm and focused.

"Got it. I'll be ready to move as soon as you give the signal."

She can see the muscles in the jaguar's powerful legs tensing, ready to spring into action. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what's to come.

The seconds feel like hours as they wait for the animal to make its move. Lara's mind races, going over every possible scenario and contingency plan. She knows that one slip-up could mean the difference between life and death.

Her heart is pounding in her ears, and she can feel the sweat beading on her forehead despite the cool jungle air. She takes a deep breath, centering herself and preparing for whatever may come next.

Lara's breath hitches as Abdulqadir Bridgers draws the jaguar's attention away from her. She watches, heart in her throat, as he moves with surprising agility, dodging the animal's swipes and keeping it focused on him.

"Careful!" she calls out, her gun still trained on the jaguar. "Don't let it get too close!"

She can see the sweat glistening on Abdulqadir Bridgers's skin as he continues to evade the animal's attacks. He's putting himself in harm's way to protect her, and she feels a surge of gratitude and admiration.

But she also knows that they can't keep this up forever. The jaguar is relentless, and it's only a matter of time before it lands a hit. She has to do something.

*Her mind races, trying to find a solution.

Lara's eyes widen at Abdulqadir Bridgers's command, but she doesn't hesitate. She's a professional, and she trusts his judgment.

"Got it!"

She takes a deep breath, steadying her aim on the jaguar. She knows that she has to be careful not to hit Abdulqadir Bridgers, but she also knows that they can't keep running forever.

She waits for Abdulqadir Bridgers's signal, her finger hovering over the trigger. Her heart is pounding in her chest, and she can feel the sweat dripping down her back.

The jaguar lunges again, and Abdulqadir Bridgers barely manages to dodge. He glances back at Lara, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Now!"

Lara takes the shot, aiming for the jaguar's shoulder. The gunshot echoes through the jungle, and the animal yowls in pain, staggering back.

Lara watches as Abdulqadir Bridgers's blade finds its mark, drawing blood from the jaguar. She feels a rush of relief, knowing that they have a chance now.

"I'm fine," she calls out, seeing the concern in his eyes. "But we need to finish this quickly. That wound won't hold it back for long."

She readies her gun again, aiming for the same spot. She knows that if they can injure it enough, the jaguar will eventually retreat.

Her heart is still racing, but her focus is sharp. She's been in dangerous situations before, and she knows how to handle them. But she's never had someone like Abdulqadir Bridgers by her side, putting himself in harm's way to protect her.

*It's a strange feeling, but not entirely unpleasant.

Lara nods back at Abdulqadir Bridgers, her gun at the ready. She can see the exhaustion on his face, but also the determination in his eyes. She feels a surge of respect and admiration for him.

"On your signal," she confirms, her finger hovering over the trigger.

She keeps her eyes on the jaguar, watching as it paces back and forth, clearly in pain but still dangerous. She knows that they have to end this quickly, before it regains its strength or becomes even more enraged.

Her heart is pounding in her chest, but her mind is clear. She's ready for whatever comes next. With Abdulqadir Bridgers by her side, she feels like they can face anything.

She just hopes that this time, their luck holds out.

Lara watches as the jaguar disappears into the jungle, her heart still racing. She lets out a shaky breath, lowering her gun.

"Is it gone?" she asks, her voice hoarse from the tension.

She turns to look at Abdulqadir Bridgers, taking in his disheveled appearance and the blood on his blade. Despite everything, she can't help but feel a sense of awe at his bravery.

She takes a step closer to him, her eyes searching his face. In that moment, all the words she wants to say seem to catch in her throat. Instead, she simply reaches out and touches his arm, a small gesture of gratitude and admiration.