‘Our escape kit,’ Joshua said, staring down at the pathetic collection of possessions. It was all that they had been able to scrape together over four months. The miner then handed Joshua a small plastic gourd of water. He drank from it deeply, before giving it to Luca.
‘Come on,’ Luca said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘We’ve got to keep moving.’
The group set off down the mineshaft with one of the miners leading the way and Bear closely tucked in behind. She moved stealthily, with her body pressed flat against the roughly hewn rock and her eyes fixed on the distant light of the atrium. As they drew closer, they heard the noise of the metal chains grow louder; the troughs moving up and down in constant motion.
‘Where the hell are all the guards?’ Luca whispered.
‘They’re too scared of the fire coltan to come down here,’ panted Joshua, his eyes narrowing in pain as he forced himself forward. ‘They’ve barricaded us in from the outside, leaving only a few of them on the top level to send down the bread and water each day. But every few weeks this evil son-of-a-bitch Captain comes in and they flush everyone down to the next level.’
‘So how come you’re still up here? You’ve been missing for months.’
‘We managed to dig ourselves a hiding place and they missed us the last three rotations.’
Joshua swallowed, trying to get some moisture into his mouth. He hadn’t spoken this much in as long as he could remember.
‘Mordecai himself even comes into the mine. He preaches at us, shouting down like some kind of goddamn’ Messiah, saying that we have to pass through the nine levels to “cleanse” our ways before they’ll let us out. Some even believe him, but most of us know that down there …’ he paused, the lines around his eyes tightening ‘… down there, there’s only death.’
‘So what the hell is happening to everyone?’ Luca whispered. ‘What’s going on here?’
‘He’s got us all down here digging, but something bad happens when this new coltan combines with heat. Tumours start developing, the cancer spreading faster than anything I’ve ever seen before. And the greater the heat, the worse it gets. Down on the lowest levels, those poor bastards only last a couple of weeks before the swelling gets into their brain.’
Bear and the lead miner reached the entrance to the atrium. The others waited, keeping out of sight in the mineshaft. Luca could see her crouching down, her face tilted up, searching for guards.
Joshua nodded grimly. ‘It’s like some sort of sick, fucking merry-go-round. Fresh workers brought in to the top, the dead flushed out from the bottom. Then, they just toss the bodies into the river and let them float off downstream.’
He slumped back against the wall, chest heaving from the effort of moving so fast. Luca could see his collarbones rising up and down above the threadbare neck of his T-shirt, his flesh sunken from malnutrition. Joshua was so weak, he barely had the strength to stand.
‘The worst part is, I don’t even know what they use it for. Here we all are, dying down here … and for what?’
Luca turned back to him, pressing his shoulder under Joshua’s arm to prop him up. ‘All we know is that it’s taken out of here by helicopter and then sold to the Chinese in Goma. We don’t know what happens after that, but Bear thinks it’s something to do with mobile phones.’
‘Mobile phones? We’re all dying so that somebody can make a fucking phone call?’
Luca nodded slowly. ‘It looks that way.’
‘Jesus,’ Joshua whispered. ‘What’s going to happen if they’ve started making mobile phones out of this shit? If it’s anything like what happens to us down here, then it’ll kill anyone that uses them. Don’t they get it? This stuff reacts to heat. And computers, phones … all those kinds of things generate heat whenever they’re switched on. Since I’ve been here, tons and tons of fire coltan’s been shipped out. God only knows how many phones they’ve made. Millions of people could be affected.’
‘Bear was only guessing. It might not be as bad as all that.’
‘If it’s got anything to do with that bastard Mordecai, then it’ll be worse, I promise you.’ Joshua shut his eyes. ‘We’ve got to warn someone. Tell them what this stuff does.’
‘Whatever happens, we’ve got to get out of here first,’ Luca replied. Bear was still squatting down by the entrance to the atrium. What the hell was taking her so long?
‘I guess the only good thing is that there’s barely any left,’ Joshua said, almost to himself.
‘What? But there’s hundreds of you still down here.’
‘I know, but trust me, the whole mine’s running dry. They had us breaking up all the old rocks that were already discarded, trying to scrape enough of it together for the last shipment. Everyone’s been terrified about what Mordecai was planning to do with us all when it finally runs out.’
‘Well, that’s not going to happen now,’ Luca said, pulling Joshua’s arm up over his shoulder again and dragging him further up the line of waiting miners towards Bear.
‘I still can’t see any guards,’ she whispered.
‘Just wait. They’re up there,’ Joshua replied, dropping down on to his hands and knees and shuffling forward. His face was caught by the silvery light filtering down from the top of the cavern as his eyes scanned the upper balconies. He waited, the seconds passing, each of them growing more and more impatient.
‘Look!’ he breathed, slowly raising a finger to point. A skinny teenager had moved to the edge of the wooden balcony, briefly peering out over the edge. He wore a bright red bandana tied across his mouth and nose and was naked from the waist up. An AK-47 was slung across his back with a small portable radio clipped into the waistband of his trousers.
‘How many are there?’ Bear asked.
‘I’m not sure. Eight to ten at the most.’
‘That’s it? How do they keep you all in line?’
Joshua shook his head painfully. ‘Just look at us. Most of us barely have the strength to stand, let alone fight.’
Bear tugged him back into the shadows as the soldier came further on to the balcony, turning his back to them as he leaned against the railing, casually speaking to someone out of sight.
‘Get everyone into the metal troughs and then aim for that tunnel down there,’ she said, pointing at the mineshaft they had surfaced through.
‘Nous devons descendre au niveau le plus bas,’ We have to go down to the lowest level, Joshua whispered. ‘Puis, suivez-moi au tunnel.’ Then, follow me to the tunnel.
As soon as he mentioned the lower level, the miners started protesting. They had spent so long trying to avoid being sent down there that the mere thought of it filled them with horror. They shook their heads, murmuring anxiously together, while the miner nearest to Bear slowly shut his eyes, letting a tear run freely down his grimy cheek.
‘Silence!’ Joshua hissed. ‘Venez maintenant ou restez ici. Choisissez!’ Either come now or stay here. Your choice.
They fell silent, realising that there was no alternative.
‘You and Joshua are the slowest,’ Bear whispered to Luca. ‘You go first.’
‘But what about you?’
‘Someone’s got to stay and lead these other guys out.’
Luca gently squeezed her left shoulder. ‘Bear, that was never part of the deal. You go first. We’ll wait until you’re clear.’
‘No, we’ll be moving faster than you and can catch up.’ She looked straight into his eyes. ‘And listen to me, Luca. In case we get separated, you have to head due south to the MONUC compound. There was this logging road I saw on the map that runs east to west through the forest. It’s about fifteen clicks from here. Hit the road, then turn west and it will take you straight to the compound.’
‘Bear, listen to me … it’s not going to come to that. We’re all going to get out of here together.’
‘I know.’ She paused, her eyes fixed on his. ‘There’s something else. When you get to MONUC, if they won’t help, then try
somehow to get hold of my father, Jean-Luc Étienne.’
‘Your father? What’s he got to do with any of this?’
‘He’s an old merc based in Goma, running a freighting business across the borders. He’s a military man and might be able to help if everything else fails.’
Luca stared at her blankly, confused as to why she hadn’t mentioned this before, but knew only too well that this wasn’t the time for explanations.
‘Now, get the hell out of here!’
Luca stared at her a moment longer, then nodded. ‘Stay right behind us, OK?’
Bear pushed him forward. ‘Allez!’ Go!
Luca shuffled forward so that he was squatting at the entrance to the mineshaft. Joshua came up next to him and together, they waited, watching the guard and the clanking metal troughs moving up and down. One to their right slowly descended past the first level, then the second, the chains swaying and banging against the rickety wooden balcony.
‘Ready?’ Luca breathed. He could feel the muscles in his thighs tense with anticipation. As the trough passed their level, he surged forward, yanking Joshua on to his feet and pitching him over the low railing. Joshua’s body slammed in like a deadweight, the back of his shoulders and head smacking against the beaten metal. With a quick look up to the guard, Luca nimbly swung his legs over the railing and landed at the other side of the trough, his knees flexing under the impact. Both of them stayed absolutely still with their bodies pressed down flat. Only their eyes moved, watching.
Down the trough went, the chains slowly grinding through the distant pulleys as they steadily descended into the belly of the mine. They could feel the air grow hotter, while the natural light slowly faded to a deep grey, lost in the hanging clouds of dust. The dim electric bulbs were all that was left; their orange-yellow light casting little more than shadows against the black walls.
Luca jumped out and pulled Joshua to his feet, skirting round the side of the central well and over to the shaft they had entered by. He looked up, unable to see Bear but knowing that she would be watching their every move.
‘Come on,’ he whispered under his breath. ‘Please, get out of here.’
‘Maintenant!’ Now! Bear hissed, waving her hand forward. First one, then two of the miners moved out on to the wooden balcony, their backs bent as they kept low. Both had their eyes locked on the highest level. The guard had gone, but they were terrified he might suddenly reappear.
‘Vite! Faster’ Bear urged them on as the metal trough slowly drew level. The first miner awkwardly swung one leg up on to the railing, trying to manoeuvre his body over, but he wasn’t quite tall enough. He struggled for a few precious seconds, while his companion waited for him to get clear.
‘Merde!’ Shit! Bear cursed, watching the debacle slowly unfold. She sprang forward, crossing the balcony in only two strides before crashing into the miner, shunting him over the edge and into the trough. She heard a low metallic thud, then grabbed the second miner and manhandled him over the railing, into the open arms of the container below.
As the trough slowly continued downwards, she ran back under cover, crouching in the shadows and waiting for the next trough to pass. She could feel her heart pumping in her chest as she waited, the seconds dragging by. Staring down at her watch in frustration, she realised four minutes already had passed without another trough even coming close. Then, just further to the left, one finally drew level.
‘N’arrêtez pas!’ Don’t stop! Bear hissed as the next two miners clambered past her, scrambling over the railing without looking back. They threw themselves over the edge with such abandon that the first nearly missed the trough altogether, only managing to pull himself back inside with the help of the other.
Bear turned towards the last remaining miner, who was crouching next to her. He was a small man, with long hair so dirty that it had matted into thick, fist-sized clumps. As their eyes met, she realised that he was absolutely terrified. Bear reached out and took hold of his hand, feeling his whole body trembling in her grasp.
‘Il sera bien,’ It’ll be all right, she whispered, attempting a smile. ‘Quel est votre nom?’ What’s your name?
The man stared at her as if it was the first time anyone had ever asked him his name.
‘Idi,’ he said softly. His lips then curled slightly as he tried to return her smile. ‘Merci beaucoup de nous aider.’ Thank you for helping us.
Bear gently squeezed his hand in response, then glanced up to where another trough was slowly pulling level.
‘OK, Idi,’ she said. ‘Suivez-moi.’ Follow me.
Letting go of his hand, she bounded across the decking, clearing the railings in a single jump. But as she landed inside the trough, her right ankle buckled from the impact, sending her toppling over and on to her back.
‘Sautez!’ Jump! she mouthed to Idi, raising her arms as if to catch him, while the distance between them yawned wider with each second.
‘Sautez!’ Jump!”
Without looking down, Idi hurled himself forwards, misjudging the distance so badly that only the top half of his body made it into the trough. He came crashing down with a massive thud, his whole body sliding down towards the abyss. His eyes pleaded for help, while his legs kicked out, desperately cycling in mid-air, until finally Bear managed to lunge forward and catch hold of his wrists.
There was the sound of yelling from somewhere higher up, then a burst of machine-gun fire. It rang out across the mine; the tat-tat-tat of bullets cutting above the heavy thud of the pneumatic drills. They raked across the rock face before smacking into the metal rim of the trough and ricocheting off in a blaze of white sparks.
Bear felt Idi’s body suddenly stiffen in her grip. A split second later, his right shoulder exploded in a spray of blood and splintered bone, splattering across her face and into her eyes. She went rigid, holding on to his wrists with her eyes screwed shut against the blood, and temporarily blinded. She waited for the next burst of gunfire, but none came. High above their position, the soldiers were reloading.
Idi’s wrists were slipping from her grasp. Then, the trough suddenly smacked into one of the support beams of the mine, pitching them violently to one side and tearing him away. Bear cried out, dragging the back of her hand across her face to wipe the blood from her eyes, but it was already too late to see where he had fallen. He was somewhere beneath her, lost to the darkness of the mine.
There was another burst of gunfire. Bear screamed, pulling back from the edge and curling up into the foetal position with her hands clamped over her ears against the deafening noise. Bullets hammered into the metal and wood all around her, but it was obvious that the soldiers were firing blind and she was too far away for them to be able to aim accurately.
Curling up tighter, Bear lay still, her mind reeling from fear and shock. There was nothing she could do except wait until she reached the floor of the mine.
Her trough stopped. The chains bounced up and down, flexing under tension as, slowly, they began to bring her back up to the surface once again.
‘Aidez-moi!’ Help! she screamed, looking frantically from side to side across the atrium. But there was nothing for it. She was going to have to jump.
Clutching the rough metal rim of the trough, she crouched down as low as she could. She tried to judge the distance below her, but everything was blurred in the darkness. There was no way of telling how high she still was above the ground. There was only the void, with black clouds of dust hanging in the breathless air.
She just couldn’t do it – couldn’t let go and fall into nothingness.
There was another burst of gunfire and Bear suddenly lost her grip. She felt a second of weightlessness, then her whole body slammed into the ground. The force of the blow jarred through from her ankles to knees, then up the length of her spine, folding her in half.
She lay there with the wind driven from her lungs, feeling as if her whole spine had somehow been twisted in two. She tried to shout for help again, but the wor
ds died on her lips. Staring out, she felt her vision start to tunnel, darkening at the edges until all she could see was a single electric light bulb hanging dimly in the distance.
Hands grabbed her body and arms, lifting her off the ground. It took several seconds before she realised it was Joshua’s miners. They were dragging her towards the mineshaft and the tunnel beyond.
With their shoulders supporting her, Bear stumbled past the long line of timber supports. She saw the miner’s crowbar, then the opening to the lava flow. This was it! They were at the tunnel entrance. The miners immediately pressed her down into the tunnel, so that she was lying flat on her stomach on the hard ground. She could hear the pained grunts of one of the other miners already working his way further ahead, but could see nothing in the darkness.
Forcing herself forward, she moaned softly, feeling as if every muscle in her body had been bruised by the fall. But she kept pushing, trying to inch her way out as the heat and smell intensified. It felt as if the tunnel were closing in around her and, as the minutes passed, she could feel herself becoming weaker. The adrenalin was starting to fade, leaving her utterly exhausted. There was nothing left to give. All she wanted to do was lie still and finally let it all end.
She stopped, too drained to continue, but hands pushed against the soles of her feet. One of the miners was just behind her, shoving her on, desperate to get out of the hideous tunnel.
Up ahead, she could see a glimmer of light. The tunnel opening was only fifty feet further on, but instead of feeling elated, she suddenly felt a cold wash of fear. Then she realised why. The light wasn’t natural. It was coming from a torch beam.
Somehow the LRA had already found them.
The Secret Chamber Page 22