Chapter 13 – The Beasts of Tarzan begins with Jane Clayton confronting a renewed horror. Captured once again by the ever-persistent Rokoff, she is brought face-to-face with the cruel intentions of a man driven by vengeance and pride. In his twisted attempt to strike at Tarzan, Rokoff presents Jane with a child, under the impression that it is her own son. He mocks her maternal instincts, planning to turn the child over to a cannibal tribe, using this act as a symbolic victory over Tarzan. What he doesn’t know is that the child in question is not alive. Jane had already realized this, and with a calm exterior, she watches as Rokoff discovers the truth—his plan shattered. His face contorts with rage, not only because he has failed, but because he was deceived by a woman he considers beneath him.

Rokoff’s fury does not settle. In a frenzy of spite, he threatens Jane with one of the most harrowing fates imaginable—he intends to make her the bride of a savage chief, but not before exacting his own control over her. His threats reek of desperation, masking his crumbling dominance. Jane, terrified yet unbroken, mentally distances herself from his words, her mind focused on her real son, Jack, whom she believes is still safe in London. Despite being surrounded by jungle dangers and human depravity, she draws strength from this belief. It serves as her invisible armor, allowing her to endure without collapsing under pressure. In this grim situation, her ability to maintain composure reveals the deep reserves of strength she rarely had reason to call upon before.

Forced to march through the jungle to Rokoff’s encampment, Jane remains ever alert. Her steps may seem submissive, but her thoughts are alive with calculation. Each detail she absorbs—the weapons, the layout of the camp, the position of guards—feeds her plan. Once inside Rokoff’s tent, fortune favors her resolve. The Russian, arrogant and distracted, underestimates her determination. Jane seizes a moment when his guard drops, grabbing his revolver and striking him with a blow fueled by months of trauma and a desire for justice. Rokoff falls unconscious, and Jane, without hesitation, snuffs out the lantern’s light, plunging the area into darkness.

This critical moment is more than a physical victory. It is a reclamation of power. For too long, Jane has endured—now she acts. The jungle outside roars and hums, a dangerous realm, but for her, it promises something else: freedom. Stepping into its shadowy depths is a risk, but it offers more than captivity ever could. Jane weighs her next move with urgency. Her life and the hope of finding Tarzan or allies depend on the choices she makes within the next few hours. Each rustle in the underbrush could be a predator—or a path to salvation.

Jane’s escape into the jungle is not just about fleeing Rokoff. It is also a trial of her own inner fortitude. Having lived as a noblewoman in society, she is far removed from the wilderness. Yet now, every vine she pushes aside and every hidden trail she follows reshapes her into something stronger. Though the jungle’s dangers loom large, her will to survive outpaces the threat. She is driven not by fear, but by the belief that her child is waiting somewhere, safe and unaware of the sacrifices made for him. This belief shields her from despair and sharpens her instincts. Even in exhaustion, she presses forward, refusing to succumb.

Back at the camp, confusion spreads like wildfire. Rokoff’s men discover his condition but fail to understand what exactly happened. Some suspect an animal attack, others whisper about jungle spirits, and a few blame each other. The absence of Jane sends unease rippling through the group, already strained by their leader’s increasingly violent outbursts. Without her presence and without guidance, their cohesion begins to fracture. Meanwhile, the jungle reclaims the woman who vanished into its depths, offering her both danger and disguise. Her fate becomes a mystery, hidden by shadows and silence.

This chapter does more than showcase another thrilling escape. It deepens the transformation of Jane Clayton from a passive captive into an active force of survival. Her choices under pressure, her intelligence, and her bravery serve as a counterbalance to the cruelty of Rokoff and the wild nature of the jungle. It highlights that true strength often lies not in brute force but in the unshaken spirit of someone fighting for love, family, and justice. As she disappears into the wilderness, Jane’s journey continues, now guided by her own hand rather than someone else’s chains.