The Chief will insist on knowing the truth and Alex knew the truth would not be easy to convey. Especially if she hadn’t come to terms with it herself yet either. There was no sugar coating it. She’d have to tell it as it was.
Riled up with the monologue in her head, she jumped the last bit from the tree and almost landed on what looked like a piece of Jelani's leg. The bile pushed up into her throat. If she had a full meal in her stomach it would have been out already. Lions were once majestic creatures to her. Not anymore. She stormed off in the direction of the river not looking to see if Sam was behind her. She just needed to get out of there. All she felt in that moment was anger. And a bucket load of guilt.
She dealt with her emotions far better in solitude. Locked up at her home. It was easier to sweep it under the rug and lock it down forever. She didn’t want a stranger around her and she didn’t want to deal with this. But deep down, she realized, much to her dismay, that her life was nothing like it was before. Everything had changed.
"Hey, Alex, wait up!"
She slowed down just enough to see that Sam was still trying to get down from the tree. He somehow managed to get himself stuck in the thorns. She was so absorbed with herself that she didn't even think he might be dealing with life too. She knew it wasn’t his fault. He had been nothing but kind and supportive from the moment they met. In that moment, she discovered that Sam Quinn was the very definition of a true friend.
“Go easy on me, Alex. If you haven’t gathered, I’m not exactly the Bear Grylls kind. Have you forgotten you also still have a head wound and by now, you are bound to be severely dehydrated on top of it. Let's just take a slow and steady walk okay?"
He always placed her needs ahead of hers. The fact that he was bleeding from the thorn scratches on his head wasn’t even a consideration for him. As long as she was okay then all was dandy.
And he was right. Again, of course. She was in fact a little dizzy, and she did need to take it easy.
As the Savannah glowed under the orange sunrise, Alex and Sam walked in silence. Her medical bracelet glistened in the morning sun. Alex Hunt - Agoraphobe. It didn’t ring true anymore. Something had changed right there in the African Savannah.
"I think you have come a long way with your disease, Alex. Fine, your emotions are a bit volatile still but look at yourself. You are out here in the open grassland in the middle of Africa. You fought off lions. Twice! If that doesn't say everything about your inner strength to overcome, then I don't know what will."
Sam’s words surprised her. He always knew exactly what she was thinking. How that was possible, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t sure she wanted him inside her head. She ignored his praise and instead, changed the topic.
“We should be there in about twenty minutes or so. It's an easy walk.”
It wasn't long before Alex heard the tribal whistle from a nearby tree. She recognized it in an instant and just about jumped for joy. With her hands clenched and positioned in front of her mouth, she answered back with the same whistle indicating that they were friendlies. Sam’s admiration for her skill made her smile within. She felt empowered and silently vowed she would let him in; just a little. There was a whole lot about the real her he didn’t know yet.
A watchman startled them as he jumped out from a tree about five meters in front of them. Alex didn’t recognize him but she answered him in Swahili and followed him to the village.
It was great to be back in the village again. Within minutes woman and children surrounded them, and Alex rejoiced in seeing a few familiar faces. They had made it. But when the welcoming committee settled down, reality of her father’s kidnapping was evident. A number of the bomas were burnt to the ground and under repair by the women. There was enough evidence of the callus attack by the rebels and the damage they had done. Burning the tribal houses were undeniably part of the plan to warn them about whom they were dealing with and that they meant war.
From the corner of her eye, Alex spotted Jelani’s father who was in hot pursuit to welcome them home.
"Lakicia, welcome my child. We expected you days ago. It has been too long since we have had the pleasure of welcoming you back in our village. I'm sorry it is not under more pleasant circumstances but my men will not stop until we find your father.”
Alex felt the familiar constricting feeling around her throat knowing the Chief had no idea just how dire the circumstances really were. Her father, at least, God willing, was still alive somewhere; unlike his son. The man had grieved the loss of his wife already and now his only son would never return to him again.
His firm embrace provided little comfort as Alex dreaded giving him the news.
"Come Lakicia. You need water and food." The Chief signaled to some of the women who hurriedly set out clay jugs of fresh water and a display of fresh fruit in front of them.
"Are you okay? What happened to you? Jelani left days ago to fetch you at the airport. I don't understand. Did you not find him waiting for you?“
It was only then that the Chief paused to size Sam up and down and Alex found great relief in the opportunity to delay her answer to his question.
”Forgive me Chief." She swallowed a large chunk of sweet melon halfway through her sentence to buy even more time. She was sick to her stomach and not much in the mood to eat, but the fruit was a welcome excuse to occupy her mouth and prevent her from having to speak.
"This is Sam Quinn. He is from the University. He has come to help me find my father."
And babysit, she added in her head.
"Welcome Sam Quinn."
The Chief’s blank expression hinted what was to come next as his eyes searched the village for Jelani.
Alex, on the other hand, searched Sam’s eyes; silently pleading for a way out. Regardless of how hard she tried, she simply couldn’t get the words out and forced another piece of fruit down instead. It was inevitable though. She had to say what needed to be said.
"Chief, uhh… Ahem... I'm afraid I have some devastating news,” she stumbled through. In her mind she cursed Sam for not jumping in and come to her aid as he had promised.
The Chief's eyes held hers firmly. As if he already knew the very thing she was about to say, but he didn’t flinch nor speak. He just sat there, hands on knees, waiting for Alex to talk. She was convinced he was mentally preparing himself in advance for what was to come as she bit at her thumbnail and tried again.
"I... Ahem …Jelani... well..."
Desperate she searched her mind for the right words to tell the Chief that his only son was devoured and ripped to shreds by a pack of lions.
"Chief, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Alex is finding it a challenge to inform you. There was an accident. The Jeep lost traction on the road on our way here and we collided with a tree. Your son, Jelani was seriously injured in the accident. We tried our best to sustain his injuries, but he developed a critical fever and fell into a coma. Considering the confined restraints of medical care, there was nothing we could do for him. It pains me to inform you that your son subsequently died from extensive injuries to his abdomen. He was a fearless man and a true warrior right until the end. I am truly sorry for your loss."
While Sam perfectly executed the bad news, Alex sat in silent awe. That did sound a lot better than the version she was hopelessly preparing in her mind. So effortless but yet with the utmost warmth and tenderness in his voice and eyes. Even though he didn't mention anything about the lions, he conveyed the exact sequence of the events that led up to Jelani’s death. The Chief’s grim look said he didn’t need to know the rest. How it happened wouldn’t change that his son was dead. But it still didn’t explain where his body was.
"You probably want to offer him up to the gods for your traditional river burial, I know, but we tried to carry him for a very long time but, ahem…” Alex cleared her throat again and Sam cut in.
“Circumstances prevented us from carrying him over such a huge distance. We took it upon ourselves and buried him under a tall,
strong tree and gave him a small ceremony in his honor."
Sam came to her rescue again even though it wasn’t the truth and she didn’t quite agree.
And with that the Chief seemingly heard enough as his elders gathered around him in consult. If they didn’t accept their story as the truth, they could be rejected from the tribe, or worse, put to death. It felt like eternity before the Chief finally spoke.
“Thank you Lakicia, Mr. Quinn. We will hold a ceremony in my son's honor tonight as we celebrate his life and submit his spirit to the gods."
When the Chief disappeared into his boma without speaking another word, Alex sat back angry and confused over the lack of emotion Jelani’s father displayed.
"That's it? That's all he has to say after losing his only son? Why am I the only one who is angry here?"
"People deal with death differently, Alex. Some make it a public display, and others do it in solitude. In the end, death is no man’s friend and he now has the task of delivering the news to Jelani’s wife and child. I’m assuming that’s who just followed him in?”
Alex covered her face with her hands and turned towards Sam, burying her head in the nook between his neck and shoulder. "Oh no, Quinn, yes! That's Jelani's wife and his little girl. I forgot all about them. Oh, this is unbearable."
"I am so sorry that it has come to this Alex. It is not easy losing someone you care for and far less even having to deliver the news to their loved ones. Tonight we will mourn with them and build up our strength. Tomorrow we need to face the new day and find your father."
Alex barely knew Sam, but the longer she spent time with him, the more she wanted to learn more about him. She quietly thanked Professor Keating for his apt selection. Sitting there with him made her feel safe. Like she didn’t have to worry about making things work on her own anymore. She shared her burden, and he shared his strength. Something told her they would be friends for years to come.
The evening, much to her surprise, was a jubilant and festive affair. It was entirely the opposite of the small family memorial they had for her mother. Instead, the tribe prepared a feast fit for a king and dressed up in strikingly decorated tribal wear. It was colorful and cheery filled with music and dance as the entire village came together and celebrated Jelani's life rather than his death. All evening, not one single tear lay on anyone's cheek. Not even his wife's.
"Have you ever seen a funeral this happy? I mean it's an amazing way to pay your last respects, isn't it Alex?"
"For sure, I mean if you think about it, we throw parties when babies are born so why shouldn't we throw a party when someone close to us goes off to a better place? It's just the sadness we don't deal with so well. The fact that you know, while you are partying away the night, they are not at the party with you nor would you ever see them again."
"Yeah but we are rather selfish then isn't it? We think of our sadness and loss first before we think of where they might be? Have you ever thought that they might be happier in heaven than on earth?"
His question silenced her tongue. She wasn’t even sure how to answer him.
"Do you mean you believe there is a heaven?"
"Don't you?"
"Not sure. I have never really thought of it much. I mean, I guess your spirit has to go somewhere right?"
"So after your mother died, did you not sense or feel her with you at times?"
"Perhaps yes, sometimes. What I mean is that I don't know for sure if it was my mother or just my imagination."
"I am a man of science Alex, and let me tell you what I have learned over my years of being a physician having to watch people die before my eyes. I see some with tormented looks in their eyes just before they cross over, and then I know they have not found peace on earth to move over to the other side. Then there are others who literally die with a smile on their face. Those are the ones who go to heaven. And I would far rather go to heaven than to hell. So yes, I believe in heaven and in hell. If I don't, then what else is there to believe in?"
Faith was a troubling concept for Alex. She remembered how her mother told her the very same thing Sam just did some time back. ‘Life is not worth living without faith,’ she used to say. Perhaps this man, Sam Quinn, was sent from the very heaven they believe in. An angel in human embodiment. Someone to rescue her from herself.
Alex fiddled with the flower that one of the little ones placed in her hair when they first arrived. She pondered whether Sam was her soulmate and if he was the very one whose sentences she would finish. What if he was the one her mother always said she would meet someday and stay with for the rest of her life?
That last thought scared her. A lifetime with someone was something she was not prepared to do. But beyond putting up with their idiosyncrasies for life, he had to put up with an agoraphobic wife. No man would ever want that.
"We should get some sleep, Alex. We need our strength to find your father before..."
Sam didn’t finish his sentence, but Alex knew all too well what he was about to say.
Chapter Ten
3 years ago - Izzy
"Are you sure you need to go Charles? We can hold off and wait for you to hurry back?"
Charles chuckled at Izzy’s plea for him to stay.
"Look after your mum okay, Alexandra? She thinks she can't do this without me; as if she needs any of my help finding Rhapta. But let me tell you something, there is no stopping your mother. Once she is out there doing her thing she's like a bull in Pamplona. Just you wait and see."
“I still think you should pop over to London, finish the business as quick as you can and hurry back so we can make this discovery together,” Izzy made a final effort to persuade Charles to stay.
He planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Izzy my love, it is time to spread your wings and do this on your own. It is your dream, remember? I'm going to take care of business back home so we can take this thing to the very end. Make us proud. You can do this.“
He gave her one last kiss on the mouth before he drove off to the airport. His mind had been fixed and there was no changing it now.
"Have a safe flight Charles," Izzy added as she watched her husband drive off.
She wasn’t quite sure why she was so emotional. It wasn’t as if her husband had never gone off somewhere without her. But something that day was different from the times he left her behind before.
She stood watching the cloud of dust in the road long after he left. She just couldn’t shake the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. Like something terrible was about to happen. In the depths of her heart she didn’t want Charles to leave her. Not this time. A sudden rush of fear propelled an intense vulnerability and precariousness within her and for the first time in a long time, she silently sobbed.
"We will be fine Mum, really. Let him do what he needs to, and we will focus on finding Rhapta okay? You can do this,” Alex consoled. “Besides we ought to get cracking to the river before the sun sits too high. Come. The chase waits for no one right?" Quoting one of Charles's favorite phrases.
"Now you sound just like your Dad you silly girl." Izzy let off a nervous giggle before they turned and made their way to their new dig site.
The river was fast flowing and opened its mouth into the turquoise ocean off the East coast of Tanzania.
"It's a paradise isn't it Mum? I mean look at these crystal clear waters."
"I can't agree more, my love. See that island there? Can you still remember which island that is? That's Zanzibar, remember? And that one there, is Mafia Island. They call these the Spice Islands because they were one of the first islands trading spices between the Middle East and Africa. In fact, they still do. We believe Rhapta disappeared under the ocean right around here and it is in this riverbed your Dad and I found the first pieces of ancient pottery years ago. We should start our search somewhere in this vicinity."
Izzy turned to the crew behind her. They were patiently waiting for her instructions. Now this was precisely where Charles usual
ly took over and whipped their camp in order before anyone could say, 'dig for gold.' Never once has she done any of their explorations without Charles by her side. She needed to stay focused and fake her way through it.
And miraculously she did manage to get into Charles's head, and within an hour and a half, their campsite was up and running like clockwork. And if she was honest, far quicker and more efficient than when her husband did it. When the crew finished and retired for the night, Alex and she settled in their own tent.
"See Mum. Dad was right. You are a born natural with all this stuff. Now, if only we can figure out what this cypher was for, right? Do you think it is quite literally a key we have to find? And even if it were an actual key, where would it go? I don't see any buildings around here. Perhaps another wooden box or something?"
"It could be, although, I think it might in effect be more like a fundamental solution. Like it is the key to something that holds together important things, a clue that will unlock another riddle or part of the puzzle. The question is what though? I feel like we're missing something."
Izzy paced the small three by four tent and heard the sound of twigs breaking under feet outside. Alexandra heard it too. They froze and waited in an attempt to figure out what it was.
It was close to midnight, and the crew would have already been asleep so it was highly unlikely to be any of them. The thought of it being animals was more probable although lions and elephants rarely ventured so close to the beach. There was a definite chance of it being salt-water crocodiles. With their camp sitting right on the river mouth it was rare, but certainly not impossible. But Izzy’s instinct alarmed her to the fact that it could just as well be imposters. She silently wished Charles was with them, but consoled herself in the knowledge that she was a strong independent woman with a daughter to protect.
Keeping a gun was something Charles, and she started doing many years back when they first encountered the rival relic hunters. They were not as friendly as they had hoped, and Charles and she found themselves in a couple of sticky situations over the years. This was certainly not the first time they had uninvited guests around their camp. Charles and Izzy were unlike so many of the greedy treasure hunters looking for a quick fortune so when they were hot on the trail of a new relic, these fortune seekers would snoop around their camps for clues.
The Alex Hunt Series Page 10