A Tale Of Choice

by Alexa Stewart

  THE STARS FADED with the growing light, while the clouds grew red and everything around Shelly took on a pink hue. Exhausted, aching and shivering with cold, she watched the landscape come into focus around her with the growing light. Nothing moved. She stretched to relieve her aches and pains, but the stiffness remained. Yet, she was relieved to have survived the night.

  As she climbed stiffly down, she froze in terror as she noticed large paw prints at the base of the tree, in the sandy soil. It looked like a real live man-eating cat had walked under her tree sometime in the night. Her heart skipped several beats. They looked fresh with their crisp outline in the earth. It seemed that the big cat hadn’t stopped and walked around the tree at all. In fact, from what she could tell, the pace of the predator never wavered. It just walked straight past the tree and on into the tall grass.

  Why didn’t it notice me? It had to know I was here. I can smell me, I’m so dirty and sweaty, but it just walked past me as if I didn’t exist and then vanished into field. Why? Was it well fed and not hungry? It looks like it didn’t even stop and look around from what I can see of the tracks. Did God intervene? But why would He? Why would He protect me and not Mattie? No, there has to be another explanation. I just don’t understand any of it, she thought miserably, trying to understand where God was in all of this. With a sigh, she thought, I’m just grateful to be alive and that it didn’t stop.

  With her heart still beating irregularly, she held onto the tree looking around the area to make sure that last night’s visitor wasn’t in the area. She didn’t see anything, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t out there in the tall grass, sitting there licking its lips, watching its breakfast intently.

  After what seemed a very long time, she cautiously and carefully climbed down out of the tree. She quickly walked west, looking around her and keeping vigilant, staying close to the trees and holding her walking stick very securely. But she was alone.

  As the morning wore on, she was finally nearing the highway. The plateau in this area was changing into rolling hills with long reaching fingers stretching out onto the valley floor, creating shallow ravines. Scrub-brush and stunted trees grew over and between the fingers of the earth, blocking the way. Yet she was able to work through them and around them, keeping out of sight in the gullies as much as possible.

  Shelly was heading for a couple of little dots on her map. One was marked Tsavo on the Mombasa Road and right next to it was a symbol marked Tsavo West Gate, the gateway to the National Park, or so she hoped. If she continued to follow the Galana River west, it would take her there. With any luck, she might find rescue.

  If war hasn’t broken out this far north, maybe I can get help from a park ranger or someone in town, if there is a town, she thought. I’ll have to be very careful, though. I’m beginning to realize that a mistake in this unforgiving place can be fatal.

  Shelly heard the highway, before she saw it. There seemed to be little traffic on it this morning. As she hiked through the terrain she heard the rumble of a truck passing and then another awhile later. When she got near the road, she heard the soft hum of a car. The desire to investigate prompted her to crawl to the top of the ravine and peer over the edge. She could see a shingled-roof structure over a park sign that read, “Kenya Wildlife Service, Tsavo West National Park” in the distance. I’ve made it! she thought excitedly!

  The road next to the sign was blockaded with vehicles and barricades. She watched men in camouflage uniforms, carrying weapons standing nearby. Were these Kenyan soldiers? Her heart skipped with hope. Would they help her, she wondered?

  As she lay there on her stomach, she watched a car coming from the south. It slowed and stopped at the barricade. One large soldier walked over, while the others pointed their weapons at the driver. Shelly could see the driver getting out of the car. As he was being interrogated, he was pushed around and roughed up by several of the soldiers. Then the large soldier hit him hard with the butt his weapon. He had done nothing wrong, that she could see. She watched them go through his car. The poor driver was searched and his wallet taken. After the soldiers took everything they wanted, they let him go… with his car and his life.

  Shelly’s heart sank. She realized that these men must be part of the group that had attacked Mombasa yesterday or at least bad people who were robbers and not in any mood to help her. They couldn’t possibly be the Kenyan military or park rangers, could they? Whoever they were, she wasn’t going to assume they would be kind to her.

  What was she going to do now? She was hungry, tired and dirty. The need to get to Nairobi and the embassy to find Jim had not altered. That was the only place in this country she could rely on. From what she could see, she must continue to struggle on by herself. She couldn’t cross here. There must be another way over the highway and the river, but where?

  Shelly lowered her head onto her arms and tried to think. I can’t continue north, the river is blocking my path and crossing the highway here is out of the question, even after dark. I’ll have to go south, following the highway until I can find a place to cross… where I can’t be seen… Here I go again, losing time and walking in the wrong direction! she thought in exasperation, as she retraced her steps part way down the ravine.

  She kept low and out of sight of the barricade. Traveling south, she scrambled and climbed over obstacles, darting from one safe place to the next, keeping the road in sight as much as possible. Fifteen minutes later, she came to an area where she felt she could run quickly, always being cautious, trying to find a place to cross.

  Suddenly, the sound of water reached her ears. Keeping her head down, she cautiously moved toward it. She soon stumbled upon a creek running under the highway through a culvert. To her delight, it was big enough for her to walk through, if she stooped. During the rainy season, it must come through here in a deluge, hence the huge opening under the roadway. But today, a moderate flowing stream rushed over a stony bed.

  This time, before they got wet, she took off her shoes and socks. Placing the socks in her shoes, she tied the shoelaces together and slung them around her neck. She walked carefully over the stones, trying not to slip and sprain… or even worse… break an ankle. The sound of the water echoed inside of the pipe. The water was cold, very cold. It felt good on her hot, sore and tired feet. The rumble of a large vehicle sounded overhead, as she made her way to the other side. She could envision what might lay ahead for that driver, but there was no way she could warn him.

  As she immerged on the other side, she carefully looked around. Determined not to be spotted, her heart pounding, she took the time to find a hiding place. With the noise of the water masking her presence, she sat down on the bank next to the culvert, among some bushes. She observed that the land steadily rose to the mountains ahead. The water channel became deeper, as it cut its way into the foothills.

  Making sure she was alone one more time, she pulled out her map. Now that she knew where she was, just about, she noticed that the Mombasa Road traveled in a northwesterly direction for miles. Since the Mombasa Road was too dangerous to travel, she found a secondary road going due east from Tsavo, marked C103 on the map, and then another smaller obscure road going north and dead ending just below the Mombasa Road near a dot on the map called Mtito Andei. She had no idea if it was a town or not, but it might offer refuge of some sort, or a place she could find food. She was hungry. Her stomach growled and ached its demands to be fed.

  Which way should she go? Should she take the smaller road going north and walk through the wilderness hoping to find the highway, or should she stay with the main road, going west, in the hopes of intersecting the highway, in that direction? What was the terrain like at the end of the small road where it stopped? Could she walk the miles it would take to get back to the Mombasa Road, from there? She hoped so, as she sensed a gentle, soft urging to go by the secondary road. It looked safer somehow and she didn’t want to stay near the main road and risk capture.

  Then there still remained t
he problem of getting across the river. It still flowed east and west, only on this side of the highway it was called the Tsavo River, instead of the Galana River. There had to be a crossing over the river somewhere, but were? The map didn’t show one.

  Shelly sat there, trying to decide. I’ll have to risk it. I just can’t see following the main road when it’s so dangerous. Then, when I come to the river, I should be able to find a boat or someway of crossing it. I need to continue north, I just have to. One problem at a time, she thought. Just take it one problem at a time. First, let’s see if I can find the road west.

  She rose and followed the creek. It rose gently toward the hills and mountains beyond, at first. She stayed low and watched intently for anything moving. Nothing stirred. As soon as she had walked away from the highway sufficiently to feel safe, she prepared to leave the creek.

  She took her hat off, rinsed it in the fresh flowing water and then drank long and deep. God only knew when she would have the opportunity to find water again. Hopefully, at the river she would get another chance. But the possibility of more crocodiles, or lions near the water, had crossed her mind.

  Well, I can't just sit here. She put her shoes and socks on, and then climbed the bank.

  Shelly headed northwest now, in the hopes of intersecting C103, the road that headed west. The sun had climbed past its zenith, in the afternoon sky.

  Please, Lord let me find that road before it goes past the little road north, she prayed. A huge sigh left her body and her stomach growled persistently.

  She walked on, in and among more trees, as the afternoon progressed. It soon turned into a sporadic forest as it climbed the gentle terrain. The trees were alive with singing birds and monkeys creating a racket as they played and fought over food.

  Food! It slowly dawned on her… If the monkeys can eat it, why can’t I?

  All thought of danger fled, as she ran under the trees looking for any fallen fruit. But the only fruit she found was rotting on the ground and disappearing quickly with insects like ants and beetles’ swarming all over it. She tried to climb a tree, but she couldn’t get a handhold or find another way up. Then she tried throwing rocks at the fruit. The monkeys chattered and screamed at her efforts, taking affront at her attempts to take their food.

  Finally, after a long and exhausting time, a piece of fruit fell to the ground. She pounced on it greedily and took a bite. It tasted nauseatingly sweet. She ate every bit of it, but it made her feel sick and even hungrier, if that was possible. Her stomach was achy, sour and protested loudly with the small offering. She sighed and decided she couldn’t afford to take any more time and energy getting another one. So, not feeling any better, she turned and continued to follow her little compass northwest.

  Then, in the distance, she saw a constructed dirt road, well graded and wide enough for two-lane traffic. It lifted her spirits to see it. It must be the road she was looking for.

  Let’s hope I haven’t gone too far west and missed the road I want going north, she thought with concern.

  As she neared the road, she heard the sound of a car engine approaching. Torn between getting help and being caught, she decided to take the safer option and hide. She ran a few feet from the road and hid in the tall grass near some brush. She sank as low as she could and listened to the vehicle coming closer. Then it passed. The sound diminished as it continued on its way east.

  Whatever it was, whoever it was, they were going about their business and the opportunity to be helped was going with them, if help would have been offered.

  She stepped onto the hot, dusty dirt road and now followed it west. The road took her between fields and forest. With her hearing attuned to any noise that might be danger, she scanned the terrain ahead. Silence surrounded her. Gone were the birds and monkeys. No vehicles approached, no humans appeared, the sky was vacant and the wilds silent. She seemed to be alone in the world, nothing stirred.

  After about a half-hour of hot, dusty walking, she noticed a small trail taking off into the fields on her right. It disappeared into a congested line of trees and shrubs. A small sign next to the path read, “Tsavo Footbridge”.

  A way across the river, maybe. I need to find a way across somewhere, but will this get me lost? Will I be able to find the road again? The same gentle nudge in her heart told her to try.

  She followed the dusty path through the field and into the trees. As she came out of the woods, there was the river flowing deep and wide. Trees and brush lined both sides of its bank as far as she could see. A suspension bridge, made of ropes and wood, stretched out across the wide flowing water. In the middle of the river was a sandy island that accommodated a wooden structure that propped up the flimsy, ropy, foot bridge.

  It looks old and ill kept. But, I’ve got to cross somewhere, somehow. Is it safe, though?

  As she approached the footbridge, she looked all around her and didn’t see or hear anything out of place, just the silence. Heart beating hard, she walked out onto the flimsy structure and started to cross as safely as she could. The ropes were no support at all, so she stopped trying to hold onto them so tightly. The wooden planks swayed with her weight and effort as she walked. It was awkward and cumbersome, but she was slowly making her way across. She could see the river flowing deeply and swiftly below her.

  With care and concentration, she reached the other side, quickly jumped off the bridge and found a place to hide in the nearby trees. Sighing with relief, she rested a minute. Then she looked at her compass and turned west again, following the trail along the river.

  The path followed the shore for a ways and then turned and entered a small sparse forest. The periodic shade was a relief from the hot African sun. Soon, she saw that the trail left the trees and exposed itself out in open fields again. Shelly stood in the last remnant of shade, scouting out the open terrain before her. At the far end of the field, she could see the end of a stone bridge on her left, next to where the river probably flowed.

  I bet the road I was on crosses the river there. It sure would have been easier to walk across that bridge, she thought with frustration.

  Then she saw the jeep. It was parked at the end of the bridge, off on the shoulder, in and among some trees. Three armed men sat in the vehicle, while one stood near the road as lookout. They appeared to be hiding and waiting for anyone who happened to come by.

  Shelly ducked for cover.

  Thank God I didn’t cross there, she thought with relief. Who knows what would have happened to me if I had stayed on the road. I know I felt the need to take that trail, but was that me or God? I wish I knew.

  As she peered out from her hiding place, she observed the road continuing from the bridge, across the field, in a diagonal direction away from her, and into a small forest. It looked like the type of road she had been on.

  It must be the right road, but I can’t go across the fields, there’s no cover. I’ll have to try and sneak through the trees that skirt the field.

  But, as soon as she tried the noise from walking on the leaves of the forest floor and moving branches caused such a disturbance, she panicked and retreated to her hiding place. With relief, she could see she hadn’t been detected, but what was she going to do now?

  She looked out across the field again. The only cover I’ll have is the tall grass. Will that be enough? I don’t want to go back. I can’t go back. Maybe I should stay here until dark? That thought ran chills down her spin. The idea of sleeping out in the open again didn’t settle well with her at all.

  Besides, she continued, I can’t stay here all day. I can’t waste any more time. I need to get to Nairobi!

  So, with a determination of will and resolve of heart, she moved slowly onto her belly, trying not to make any noise. She found that if she took her time and moved deliberately, slowly and softly, she could move almost silently across the field. She picked a diagonal path away from the gunman and towards her goal, the road. But the road also took the same slanted direction. It was going to tak
e a long time to get there, but what else could she do. Above all else she didn’t want to be discovered and everything in her drove her towards the north and the American Embassy.

  About every twenty minutes or so, she would rest and take a peek at her position and what the gunman were doing. They were still there, waiting.

  On one occasion, a snake appeared near her, and then retreated quickly into the grass, avoiding her all together. A small squeak could be heard, as she stifled a scream by covering her mouth. She then breathed softly, once she knew the danger was gone.

  Did they hear me? she wondered as she raised her head to check on them. The guard on the bridge was standing on top of the stone wall looking out into the field in her direction. She dropped her head down as if it had been shot. Did I cry out? I must have made a noise, she realized as she cowered in fear. She laid still as stone listening for footsteps, for any sound, but nothing happened.

  After what seemed like an eternity, she looked up, oh so carefully. They were still there, but the guard wasn’t paying any attention to the field anymore, he seemed to be relaxed and back at watching the road. With a prayer of thanks she continued to crawl.

  It was hard, hot work as the sun moved across the sky. It was taking so long to go such a short distance. After a while, though, she reached the trees and crawled into the sheltering concealment and shade. Looking back she could barely see the soldiers. Cautiously she made her way through the forest as quietly as possible. Finally, she was far enough away to take to the road again.

  I hope this is the same road. It certainly seems to be the same type of road I was on this morning. I sure hope so. She got out her compass which was pointing almost due west. At least it’s going in the right direction.

  Quietly she walked, near the side of the road, peering around, trying to be as alert. She listened to every sound, observed every movement. She was making better time now… miles instead of inches.

  Why is this road so deserted? Shouldn’t there be some type of traffic on it? Has everyone in the area fled? Probably. I guess I’d have left long ago too, if a war had broken out near my home. Well, that just leaves the gunmen and me. Swell!

  Steadily the sun crossed the sky.

  It must be late afternoon. I wonder how far I’ve traveled today, certainly not as far as I’d hoped.

  Thirst started to make itself known again. She was starving, nauseated, tired, sore and hot. Up ahead she noticed a dirt road branching off to the right, if it could be called a road. It looked more like a track that was only there because vehicles had traveled over it once in a while. But it did run in the direction she wanted to go, north. Was this the little road she was looking for? She couldn’t tell. Should she go on and see if there was another road further west? What if there wasn’t and this was the one she should take? There was no way of knowing.

  Well, I guess I can start walking down this one and see if it veers off course. If I don’t make the right decision, I’ll be wasting my time, either way! I just don’t know what to do, she argued with herself.

  She took out the map and tried to see if she could mark the distance, but she couldn’t decipher anything. There was no way of knowing how far she had traveled that day. But, one thing was for sure, she wanted to get off this road. Fear of discovery motivated her.

  With a fervent prayer for help, she turned down the dusty track and walked north. As she did, she was unaware how this decision would forever change her life, but God knew. He always knows.

 

  The Farm