Dawn of Defiance

by Dempsey, Albert

  After 7am they were legal once more and took to the tarred roads towards Citrusdal and over Piekenierskloof along the back roads towards the Kruger's farm. It was a longer route but a safer one. Too many trucks along the N7 headed towards Namibia with a high Police presence.

  Kate felt a sense of safety as she held Warren tight around the waist. The mountains in the distance beckoned her, calling to her spirit. Warren knew these roads well and she doubted if anyone would catch them out there. With the bike running low on fuel they stopped at a small fuel station in Cederberg before embarking on their final stage.

  It was late morning when they finally arrived at the main gate of the Kruger's farm. Kate recognized it immediately and felt a sense of relief. They had temporally left the cruel world behind, well part of it anyway. Yet, she also felt a little weak as they hadn’t eaten much since their flight to freedom. They were both dirty from the mud and dust and looked a mess as they dismounted outside the main house.

  "Well here we are, we finally made it!" Warren said as he took his helmet off.

  Just then Nicole and her father dashed out of the main house, obviously surprised to see them. It had been ages since he arrived unannounced and on the motorbike.

  They both hugged Warren and then stood back to see who this unknown girl was on the back of his motorcycle. They watched in anticipation as she took off her helmet. From the surprise on their faces, it was obvious they did not expect to see Kate.

  "Katy! Wow, what a surprise!" Nicole said with her arms still firmly around her brother.

  "Yes, it was all in the spur of the moment," Warren said as he made his way over to take Kate's helmet and to help her off the bike.

  They would have to accept Kate back into his life again, regardless of how they felt towards her.

  "Let's go inside," Mr. Kruger said, "it's almost time for lunch."

  Kate felt uncomfortable and she could see that Nicole was not pleased to see her.

  "I cannot believe you drove through on the bike; all the way with Katy!" Nicole said, looking at her brother.

  She was probing for sure, and Kate noticed it.

  "You're not just staying for the weekend, are you?" Nicole asked as Warren and Kate sunk down on the outside sofa.

  The Cederberg Mountain Range stretched all along the horizon, it was breathtaking.

  "You feel like a beer, my boy?" Warren's father asked him and smiled.

  "Yes, please Dad. God knows just how much I need one."

  "And what can I get you?" he asked Kate.

  A new life would be great thanks! She thought to ask.

  But Kate, in all her ways, knew that the Kruger's did not share her sense of humor.

  "Actually, Mr. Kruger, a beer and a cigarette, if I may."

  Mr. Kruger was delighted, finally someone to smoke with. She reminded him of Elaine; she had that English way about her that was so delightful.

  Chapter 19

  "There are only two forces in the world; the sword and the spirit.

  In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit."

  Napoleon Bonaparte

  "Katy, Katy!"

  Still bewildered by her surroundings she opened her eyes.

  "Here's some coffee for you," Warren said as he put it down on the side table next to the bed.

  For the first time in days Kate slept through until sunrise, her body felt revitalized once again. Perhaps it was the pampering the Kruger's gave her yesterday, especially Nicole, who carefully selected an assortment of pills and tonics to boost her immune system. However, it was the little blue sleeping pills that Kate enjoyed the most, sending her far away into a trouble-free mind.

  "Feel like a little breakfast?" he asked.

  Warren still carried a torch for her, it was so obvious and Kate knew it.

  "I'll see you on the veranda," he said, kissing her forehead.

  She smiled to herself when he left, memories flooding her mind of a scene they had in this very room not even a year ago. And then, within these four walls, time itself seemed suspended as nothing had changed at all.

  Things at the main house were now a little unsettled this Sunday morning. Nicole felt out of sync as she knew that Nathan would be wondering where she was. He, no doubt, would have seen the visitors arrive on a motorbike yesterday. She loved her brother very much, but did not share the same feelings for his ex-girlfriend. There was something strange with Kate, and Nicole felt it.

  Warren could not have chosen a more inappropriate weekend to visit. Yet, her father was so thrilled yesterday; she had not seen his spirits raised in ages. But perhaps the whiskey had something to do with it. They bonded, talking rugby and reminisced about the old days, when Elaine was still alive. Nicole soon forgot about Nathan and Kate during their excursion to the liquor cabinet last night, as Warren entertained them with his bar-tending skills. Kate turned in early and slept through the entire party.

  A new day unfolded over the Cederberg, and all those under its spell marveled at its majestic beauty. Kate looked radiant in the new set of clothes Nicole had lent her. She walked with more confidence and grace.

  "You slept well, I take it?" Nicole asked Kate as she sat down at the table next to Warren.

  "Yes, thanks, like a baby. Those tablets, wow, they really work."

  The farm house was old, dating back to the early nineteenth century, where three generations of Kruger's had enjoyed the wonderful view overlooking the Cederberg.

  Warren once again wanted to be her knight in shining armor, but Kate knew he would never be able to protect her from Kazak and his mobsters. A cold shiver went down her spine as the weight of her nightmare engulfed her once more. Drugs and sleep were always a temporary escape from reality. Kate's expressionless face was a blank as she switched off during Mr. Kruger's prayer. He was still very traditional; she liked it in a strange, unexplainable kind of way. But her thoughts carried far more weight.

  Does God really care about what we think anyway, and who really knows if He even exists at all? She thought to herself, as she bit into her slice of toast covered with marmite and cheese.

  I'm going insane, Kate thought to herself.

  She felt detached from these simple people, they lived in a world completely out of touch from the real world.

  What am I going to do?

  The thoughts kept on repeating themselves in her mind.

  I'm in so much shit, she thought again, while smiling at Nicole, watching her lips move up and down.

  "So, what are your plans for the day?" Nicole asked.

  She did not answer.

  "Kate..!"

  From her expressionless face, Nicole could tell that Kate was miles away.

  "Oh, sorry, I don't know," Kate looked at Warren for an answer. "Maybe we can go for a ride into the mountains, I really don't care, whatever!" she replied.

  After breakfast Mr. Kruger left for Clanwillam to check up on the store as someone had been caught shoplifting again; crisis after crisis at the shop.

  It was after he left that Nicole decided to turn up the heat.

  "So, how long you're staying for?" Nicole asked while the three of them still sat at the table.

  "Oh, I don't know, a few days, I really haven't decided yet," Warren answered.

  "Funny, I thought your work was so hectic you couldn't get away," Nicole replied.

  Warren got up.

  "Well, Nicky, we're here now. So, who needs to take a walk? I need to stretch my legs."

  Looking at Kate, but she declined.

  "Not just yet, I want my food to settle for a while, maybe in half an hour."

  Still with that glazed look on her face.

  A clear sign for all to see: not available, please leave a message.

  "What's happening? Something's is out of place with you two….." Nicole asked.

  "No, don't worry, everything is fine with us," Warren answered.

  "Really, Warren! So what's going on between you two? One minute you're not t
alking to each other, then the next you're back together?" Nicole said as she turned to Kate.

  Warren also looked at Kate who felt cornered.

  "No, we're not back together; I just needed his help, that's all."

  "Oh, you crush my brother's heart and now, when it's convenient, you rush back to him.

  Is that it?" Nicole's confrontation with Kate had begun.

  "Hey, Nicole, back off. Kate needed my help and I offered it, ok! Anyway, I thought that's what good Christians like you do; you help people."

  Nicole knew her brother well; he was trying to divert the conversation towards religion where he could just simply walk away without explaining anything.

  "Since when did you become the Good Samaritan, Warren?" she answered.

  He kept on checking his iBand for messages; a nervous look was about him.

  Turning to face Kate, Nicole began her second barrage of questions.

  "So, where's your fancy iBand, Kate? I noticed you never had yours on when you arrived."

  Kate just stared at her with a blank expression.

  "You, of all people, so obsessed with the technology," Nicole pushed more and more.

  "I lost it, ok!" Kate blurted out as she looked away.

  "That's strange; you never let it out of your sight.

  I'll say it again; something's not right, I can tell," Nicole insisted.

  It was then that she saw Kate wipe away a tear from her face.

  Perhaps that was the push Kate needed as tears began to flow. Nicole slide over to Kate’s side of the bench and put her arms around her.

  Kate began to tremble again.

  "It's ok, it's ok, just let it all out." Nicole said.

  Warren came closer, but the look Nicole gave him told him to back off.

  "I'm going for a walk," he said, taking the dogs with him.

  After more tears, Kate finally took a deep breath and let go of Nicole. They just looked at each other; both had tears in their eyes.

  "I'm in a lot of trouble; more than I can handle and I don't know what to do."

  Then it all came out, every little detail about the pressure at work, and her use of AKA to cope. How Kazak had manipulated her into debt and then forced her to work it off by delivering illegal drug packages to up market clients. However, it was the last incident that pushed Nicole to a deeper understanding of the trouble Kate was in. A world she had just barely escaped out of.

  Kate was in far over her head. She had been manipulated to such a degree that her very judgment was now in question. Why she had trusted him in the first place puzzled Nicole. Yet, when Kate mentioned Kazak's connection to the Nigerians, who ran the underground porn networks, her concerns escalated.

  "Does Warren know any of this"? Nicole asked.

  "No, and I don't want him to. He's such a wonderful guy and he'll just think the worst of me."

  In a way Nicole could understand just how Kate felt. Yet, it was not long before Warren returned in a state; he had run all the way from the dam. From the anger displayed across his face, something had happened.

  "They've just broken into my house," he showed her the images on his iBand, which automatically updated every hour. The state-of-the-art security device was not linked to any armed response; it merely recorded the CCTV footage.

  "I must go back now," he said. "The fucking bastards!"

  "What, I don't believe it?" Kate said.

  "Yes, they've traced you to me."

  Nicole just shook her head.

  "Oh shit, Warren, what have you got yourself into this time?"

  "Stay out of it, Nicole, ok. I'll handle it," he was working himself into a state.

  "I told Nicole everything," Kate said. She just couldn't keep it in any longer.

  He just looked at Kate and shook his head. Taking her aside he spoke softly to her, just out of earshot. Nicole gave them a moment and went to stand at the far end of the veranda. Yet, she still picked up a few words. Within no time he returned, helmet in hand.

  "I must get back now; I have to sort this out."

  The two girls watched as Warren raced down the long drive-way on his motorbike and out of sight. Without asking he knew Nicole would take care of Kate for the next few days until he sorted this out. But there would be far too many questions from her Dad.

  Nicole decided a little distraction for Kate would be good and she needed it fast. Even though Kate was a year older than Nicole, she seemed like her little sister today.

  "We're taking a little drive; I too have something I must share with you."

  The burning desire to share her own burdens with a friend now drove Nicole to be spontaneous and without hesitation she made up her mind.

  Within twenty minutes Nicole was ready; the quad-bike fully laden, packed and stacked, ready for their excursion. Kate reluctantly got on the back while Nicole revved the machine, warming the motor up. Then, when all was ready, they sped off down the gravel road, and then veered off-course into the bush and towards a cluster of trees in the distance.

  It was a bumpy ride but Kate hung on as the quad bike flew through the bush until it came to a stop next to a fence. They then followed the fence until it came to a gate. Kate struggled to open it for Nicole, but they soon made their way deeper into the fynbos and towards a ridge that led to a koppie.

  The quad followed the pathways effortlessly, it seemed unstoppable. However, close to the top the gradient got too steep and Nicole brought it to a standstill. She switched the engine off.

  "We go on foot from here."

  Turning around, Kate looked down at the farmhouse in the valley; the entire area was breathless, just what she needed to escape from her tormented soul. Memories flooded Kate's mind of this route before, as she and Warren had done it once on horseback. But it seemed Nicole was in a hurry, not really taking time to enjoy the scenery.

  I wonder what she wants to tell me, Kate thought.

  She followed Nicole, who clambered over more rocks then a boulder, before disappearing into a gully and out of sight. Kate liked the outdoors but did not appreciate being left alone in the African bush, which still seemed strange to her.

  "Nicole, wait for me!" she shouted.

  Struggling over the rocks and bush, moving as fast as she could, Kate could still hear Nicole up ahead. Now, in a rush to catch up, Kate stumbled and fell to the ground just as Nicole appeared on a boulder with a man by her side.

  Kate lay on the ground, looking up at Nicole and the stranger.

  "You ok?" he asked.

  She lay there, just looking at them. Elegantly she recovered her composure in true style.

  But still she could not believe what she was seeing. They spoke to each other in whispers and Kate could see the man was visibly upset and kept on looking back at her.

  "What's going on here?" Kate asked.

  "Relax Kate, everything is fine."

  Kate looked around just as Zane and Hannes appeared on a rock to see what was going on.

  "Hi," the man said as he jumped down off the rock to help her to her feet.

  "I'm Nathan," he said as he took her hand.

  Nicole stood on the rock, looking down at them with her hands on her hips.

  "See, I also have a secret, so I hope you can trust me with yours!"

  Kate just smiled and then realized what Nicole was trying to do.

  "You're not from around here, are you?" Kate inquired in her British accent.

  "No, I'm not and neither are you."

  Now standing, Kate dusted herself off.

  "Come, let's go to the campsite," Nicole said.

  She took Nathan's hand until they got to the ridge before letting it go. Kate followed behind them, ever present of the two strangers who watched her from a boulder. The one was armed with a cross bow.

  The camp was well arranged; three tents pitched in a semi-circle with a fireplace in the middle. From their vantage point they could see the entire region, but no one could see them hiding between the boulders and fynbos.
However, Kate soon felt uneasy as she noticed another girl with a compound bow.

  "I know it looks a little scary but don't worry, we're totally friendly," Nathan said.

  "So, what's with all the weapons?" Kate asked.

  Not to mention, she also noticed that the girls looked wild; hair unkempt and clothing a little dirty. That was something she could never do. From the look of things, it seemed they had been living there for ages.

  Taking a seat on a rock, Kate looked straight at Nathan.

  "So, what's going on?" she asked.

  "We're just camping, doing a little survival training, that's all," he said.

  "No, I mean what's going on between you two?" she pointed to Nicole and Nathan.

  "I'll let Nicole explain that to you later," he said.

  The others still could not keep their eyes off Kate. She looked completely out of place as her British elegance was still unblemished.

  "You're from England, aren't you?" Chantel remarked.

  Already Kate noticed that she had taken a shine to her.

  "Oh, you noticed, did you? Yes, that damn British accent."

  They laughed a little to ease the tension.

  "So, really, what's going on? I mean, what the fuck are you guys doing here?" She asked.

  From Nathan's response Nicole could tell he did not want to broach the subject with a total stranger. The silence hung in the air as everyone looked at Nathan to explain.

  "You're kidding right, you want me to explain to a total stranger now?" he asked.

  "Yes, Nathan, you need to tell her what you guys have been through.

  Kate really needs to hear about your experience," Nicole pleaded.

  He sat down on a rock and took his time; explaining as best he could, without going into too much detail, the raid on the Kibbutz, his escape to the farm and how Nicole looked after him. It was when he mentioned being expelled from the Kibbutz that Kate started to get worried. At first it seemed they were a bunch of New Aged eco-hippies. But when they started talking about God she started to feel a little uncomfortable.

  "A Christian Kibbutz raided by the Police sounds a little farfetched to me. Why didn't we hear about it on the news?" Kate inquired.