by Peter Ralph
A few minutes later they couldn’t hear themselves talk as torrential rain pounded the canopy. Huge drops fell onto the palm fronds, which wilted, and bucket loads cascaded over the sheltering trio.
“That was a bright idea, Boss,” Maya shouted over the sound of the rain, a huge grin on her face.
Thirty minutes later the forest became lighter, and the rain abruptly stopped. They were drenched, and hungry. Huge drops continued to fall from the trees while the fierce sun added ten degrees to what was already a sauna. Maya felt something on her neck and screamed as she tried to pull it off.
“No, Maya!” Joseph shouted. “It’s a leech. Don’t pull it off.”
“I know,” she said, “but it’s revolting.”
Joseph tried to remove the water from his hands as best he could before pulling out the plastic bag. One of the cigarettes had broken, so he lit half and burned the leech off.
“Oh, thank God,” Maya said.
“Now take your top off.”
Maya’s top clung to her, and she couldn’t get it over her head.
“Let me help,” Joseph said, slowly rolling her blouse off. Her stomach was taut, her skin glistened, and the matching green bra she wore left little to the imagination. Joseph let out an involuntary gasp as he raised the cigarette to her back and for the second time thought, she’s all woman.
“What are you doing, Boss?”
“There are three on your back. Don’t move while I get rid of them. Check the inside of your bra.”
She pushed the cups of her bra away, looked down, and said, “That’s a relief − there’s none there.”
“I’m sorry, you’re going to have to take your jeans and shoes off too.”
Blood-filled, fat, black leeches covered her legs. They were also between her toes and under her feet. When Joseph had burned the last one off, he said, “Look down the front of your panties.”
“There’s none,” she said. “God, I’m glad that’s over.”
“It’s not. Turn around.”
Joseph pulled her panties down and opened her cheeks before burning the last leech off. “Now it’s over,” he said. “Moise, it’s your turn. Then you can do me, Maya.”
The sun beat down on the huge umbrella of leaves, but there were puddles on the muddy, slippery ground, and still the droplets fell. “The farther we walk, the more leeches we’re going to get on us,” Joseph said. “Let’s try to find a clearing where we can camp for the night.”
“I’m hungry,” Moise said.
“So am I,” Maya chipped in.
“I’ll find some berries and some manioc roots once we have a place to camp,” Joseph said.
“Manioc roots? I’m not eating manioc roots. If you don’t cook them properly they can kill you,” Maya said. “Anyhow, how are you going to get dry wood to light a fire?”
“Have you forgotten the jungle? There’ll be dry twigs and wood inside hollow logs and trees. A fire won’t be a problem. There’s a little patch roughly a hundred yards in front of us where the sun’s shining through. We’ll camp there.”
“I’m tired. I’m wet. I’m hungry,” Moise said.
“Shoosh.” Joseph pointed. “We just got lucky. There’s our dinner.”
Sunning itself in the clearing was a wet, curled-up black python. Joseph carefully put the spears and the knife on the ground and ran his finger over the machete. “This won’t take long,” he said, edging toward the snake.
As he raised the machete, the snake reared. Joseph shouted as rows of teeth penetrated his forearm. The creature curled around him, pinning both his arms. Desperate, he fought with every ounce of strength, all to no avail as the snake tightened its vicelike grip. He could feel it constricting with every breath and knew it would eventually crush him to death.
Maya screamed in horror and then, as quick as a flash, picked up the knife and drove it between the eyes of the snake, again and again. When Joseph felt the coils releasing, he reached down, picked up the machete, and severed the monster’s head. The body writhed for a few seconds before it was still.
“You saved my life,” Joseph said. “You’re so brave.”
Maya was trembling uncontrollably, and as he went to put his arm around her, she shied away. “Your arm is bleeding.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not poisonous.”
“I know. I wish I had some antibacterial cream to kill any infection. Here, let me wash it,” she said, picking up her canteen.
“Bad snake,” Moise said, giving the snake’s body a healthy kick.
Joseph and Maya burst out laughing.
“I’m going to gut it,” Joseph said, picking up the knife. “Then I’ll scavenge some dry branches and build a raging fire.”
At six o’clock, Joseph’s cellphone rang, and Chuck Bennett asked, “How are you holding up?”
“We’re okay. When are we getting picked up?”
“Tomorrow morning. There’s a clearing below a break in the canopy three miles to the north. Make your way there as soon as the sun rises.”
“Will you be there?”
“Yes, but as I told you, it’s a face-saving exercise for the Congolese. The rest of the world sees them as having lost you. Now they’re going to be seen as rescuing you. Do you understand?”
“What will I tell Gizenga?”
“What he wants to hear. You shit yourself when you heard the shooting and ran. He’ll tell you what to say to the media.”
“What a load of bullshit.”
“Don’t spoil it, Joseph. An awful lot of diplomatic work went into this deal. If the Congo wasn’t the most-resource-rich country in the world, we would’ve pulled you out last night.”
“I won’t. Is the jet still at Lubumbashi?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I need you to do me a favor. I’ve got a young boy with me. His name’s Moise. I’m going to leave him with my cellphone so you can find him after Maya and I have been picked up. Take him to the plane.”
“Shit! I can’t do that. Do you know what you’re asking?”
“I’ve told you what I want. Call Jack Costigan and get it cleared. Let him know I could get used to living in the jungle. If his answer’s no, tell him not to send the Congolese rescue team in. Do you understand, Chuck?”
“He’s not gonna like it.”
“If the answer’s ‘yes,’ call me at six in the morning. If it’s not, don’t bother.”
An hour later, they sat around a blazing fire using the metal tips of the spears to barbecue twelve-inch snake steaks. Joseph had cut thirteen and was cooking them all just in case tomorrow didn’t pan out.
“I’m glad the mosquitoes have gone,” Maya said. “They were eating me alive.”
“They don’t like the fire,” Joseph replied.
“This is the best snake I’ve ever tasted. Isn’t it nice to be dry again?” Maya said.
“Watch the ribs, Moise,” Joseph cautioned, “clean them with your teeth.”
A steamy haze engulfed the forest, and Maya asked, “Will the fire last through the night, Boss?”
“I’ll make sure it does because it’ll keep us safe. You saved my life today, Maya. Without you, that snake might have eaten me.”
“He might’ve eaten a soft American boy, but a Katangese warrior would’ve been far too tough.” Maya giggled.
As they were talking, Moise tipped over, sound asleep. Joseph took his T-shirt off and draped it over him. “Poor little Moise.”
“I know you mean well, Joseph, but how are you going to take care of him?”
“I told you. I’m taking him back to the U.S. with me.”
“You can’t just take someone home with you. There are passport, visa, and citizenship considerations. Besides, when are you going to get the time to look after him?”
“The paperwork won’t be a problem, and no matter what happens, he’ll be better off in the U.S. than here.”
“You’re so serious. You always have been.” Maya yawned.
�
�Come over here. You can use my shoulder as a pillow.” Joseph smiled.
“And you have such a lovely smile,” Maya said, snuggling up to him.
Joseph kissed her, and when they pulled apart, she said, “I always dreamed of kissing you.”
“You said that at the hotel.”
“Yes, but tonight was a real kiss. I’m sorry, I’m so tired I have to sleep. Goodnight.”
CHAPTER 21
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IT WAS SIX O’CLOCK, AND the birds were singing when Joseph felt his cellphone vibrate. The embers of the fire were still glowing, and Maya and Moise were starting to stir.
“Yes,” Joseph answered.
“Jack Costigan’s not happy, but he agreed to your demands. You need to be at the clearing within two hours. Make sure the boy stays hidden. We won’t land until you’re on your way back to Lubumbashi. Good luck with Colonel Gizenga.”
“Thanks, Chuck, but there’s been a change of plan. I can’t leave Moise in the jungle by himself. It’s too dangerous. We’ll be at the clearing in ninety minutes. Be waiting for us. You can tell Gizenga where we are after Moise is safe.”
“Jesus, Joseph, why do you have to make things so hard?”
“Can you do it?”
“Yeah, we’ll be there.”
“Is everything all right?” Maya asked.
“We have to move,” Joseph said, chewing on a piece of the snake while dowsing the fire. “Come on, Moise, snap out of it. Are you two having anything to eat?”
“Not snake,” they both responded.
Joseph wrapped the remaining pieces in his T-shirt and knotted it.
“Why did you do that?” Maya asked.
“Just in case things don’t go according to plan.”
When they reached the clearing, the chopper was waiting. Joseph lifted the little boy off his shoulders and knelt down. “Moise, meet Chuck and Brett. They’re going to look after you. If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll make sure I do in the morning. You’ll be safe with them.”
Maya gave Moise a quick hug, and then Brett took his hand and led him to the copter.
“Jack Costigan’s gonna tear strips off you,” Bennett said. “He’s an angry man.”
“You already told me he’s pissed off,” Joseph replied. “He won’t be tearing strips off anyone. He needs me far more than I need him. Have you told Colonel Gizenga where we are?”
“Not exactly, but he’s not far away. We’ll make contact once we’re in the air.”
“How did you know where we were after I had turned the cellphone off?”
“I thought you would’ve guessed. The phone’s CIA-issue.”
“What else does it do that I don’t know about?”
Bennett laughed. “I can’t answer that.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both. I have to get going. I’ll see you in Lubumbashi.”
“Sure. Take good care of Moise and don’t feed him too much. His stomach’s shrunk, and it’ll only make him sick.”
As they watched the helicopter ascend, Maya said, “I couldn’t keep my eyes open last night, but I wanted to ask you about those two soldiers you killed.”
“Not soldiers, vile thugs. What would you like to know?”
“Have you thought about them?”
“You mean, do I have a troubled conscience?”
“Yes.”
Joseph smiled, but his lips were compressed. “Do you have a troubled conscience about killing the snake?”
“Of course not.”
“It’s the same with me. Like the snake, they were reptiles.”
“I know what Yannick told you about your mother and Safi. Are you going to kill General Zamenka?”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed. “If I get the opportunity. I want to see his face after I tell him why he’s going to die.”
Maya shook her head. “You’re a good man. I was wrong when I called you soft. You’re tough. I’m glad. You’re going to need to be.”
Joseph was about to respond when they heard the thumping of a chopper. It was larger than the Sikorsky, and when Gizenga got out, he had five of his men with him. He shook Joseph’s hand, held his nose, and said, “Fuck, you stink.”
Joseph unwrapped his T-shirt and said, “Would you like a piece of snake, Colonel?”
Gizenga looked at one of his men. “Get him a clean shirt and get rid of that shit.”
One of the other soldiers was leering at Maya, so Joseph stepped in front of her. “What are you staring at?” he demanded.
“He didn’t mean anything,” Gizenga said. “She’s an attractive girl. He’s allowed to look. I wouldn’t upset him if I were you. Unlike you, he didn’t run from the village with his tail between his legs. I know how you won your gold medal now. You’re a terrific runner. You ran so far you got yourself lost. You didn’t need to worry. We killed most of the rebels.”
Gizenga’s men smirked and nudged each other.
Joseph was fuming but forced himself to maintain his composure. “I only saw terrified, unarmed villagers whom your soldiers chased into the forest. I saw their village go up in flames. I didn’t see any rebels. Are you sure you and your men weren’t jumping at shadows?”
“You’d be wise to be more careful with your mouth. Two of them were murdered. Like me, these soldiers would like nothing better than to avenge their brothers.”
Gizenga’s using the two thugs I killed to prove rebels were attacking the mine. Shit! “I’m just saying I didn’t see any rebels.”
“Of course you didn’t. You were too busy running. You would’ve needed eyes in the back of your head. You’ve embarrassed our government. I would’ve left you in the jungle, but the president insisted we find you.”
This time, the soldiers broke into laughter, slapping their thighs and each other on the back.
“How did you find us?” Joseph smiled through compressed lips.
“Never mind,” Gizenga snapped. “Let’s go.”
The silence on the flight back to Lubumbashi was palpable. No one offered Joseph and Maya anything to eat or drink. Gizenga ignored them by sitting in the seat next to the pilot. Sullen soldiers stared defiantly at them. Joseph put his arm around Maya, smiled, and told her not to be intimidated.
As the helicopter landed, Gizenga turned around and looked at Joseph. “The media’s waiting. Follow my lead and watch your smart mouth. Remember, it’s a long way to Kinshasa, and I can stop your jet from ever taking off.”
Flash bulbs popped, and television cameras pressed closer as Gizenga led Joseph and Maya from the chopper. Gizenga put his arm around Joseph’s shoulders, smiled, and said, “Our Olympic hero got lost in the jungle after fleeing from the rebels. I’m pleased to say, thanks to the tireless efforts of my men, we have managed to rescue him just in the nick of time. Who knows whether he would’ve survived another night in the jungle?”
“What did you eat and drink, Joseph?” a reporter asked.
“Nothing,” Gizenga responded. “He was on his last legs when we found him.”
“Did the rebels try to kill you?” another reporter asked.
“I don’t know. Once I heard gunfire, I made for the safety of the jungle.”
“He made a wise decision,” Gizenga said. “If he had waited, he mightn’t be with us today. The rebels killed two of my best soldiers in the jungle.”
“How did you cope, Ms. Tansi? Were you scared?”
“No, not at all,” Maya said. “I knew Joseph would protect me.”
“The naivety of youth,” Gizenga said, shaking his head.
“You must be grateful to Colonel Gizenga and the Congolese army for saving you,” a planted stooge said.
Joseph looked down at his feet and mumbled, “Yes, if it were not for Colonel Gizenga and his men, we would still be in the jungle. We appreciate the trouble and time they took to find us.”
Gizenga patted Joseph on the back and said, “No more questions. They need food and rest.”
The
reporters, photographers, and camera crews applauded and broke up.
Gizenga removed his arm from around Joseph’s shoulders. “You did well,” he said. “Don’t stir up any trouble in Kinshasa. I’d hate to hear your girlfriend had had an accident.”
CHAPTER 22
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AS JOSEPH AND MAYA MADE their way up the stairs of the jet, an excited Moise – wearing a light blue T-shirt, jeans, and Puma sneakers – greeted them. The two Americans and the flight attendant were sitting in the front seat, drinking beers. “He’s a real live wire,” Chuck Bennett said. “We took him shopping while we were waiting for you. He likes the clothes but won’t keep the sneakers on.”
“That’s kind of you, Chuck. Thanks for looking after him. Hey, Moise, let me get some photos of you in your new clothes.”
“We probably won’t see you again, so we wanted to say goodbye,” Bennett said.
“Yeah,” the dour Brett Kronk cut in, “and we wanted to warn ya. We don’t know if they bought your story about running and getting lost. They know you’re a friend of Yannick’s and think he’s the rebel leader.”
“That’s rubbish. You know there were no rebels.”
“Yeah, but we overheard a conversation. They blamed him for stirring up the trouble at the mine. They think ya might have helped him. Be careful. Your gold medal is not gonna help ya with these pricks.”
“Thanks for your help and advice,” Joseph said, shaking their hands as they stood up.
“See ya, Moise,” Kronk said, patting the little boy on the head.
Joseph looked at the flight attendant and said, “Tell the captain to take off as soon as he can get clearance.”
“Yes, Mr. Muamba.”
“Would you like to take a shower, Maya?”
“After you.” She giggled. “Gizenga was right about one thing. You stink.”
Thirty minutes later they were wearing white fluffy nightgowns and matching slippers while sipping hot chocolate and eating chicken salad sandwiches. Moise was stretched out in his seat, sound asleep. “What are you going to do when you get back to Kinshasa?” Maya asked.
