Murder on Easter Island

by Gary Conrad

  “So your work here is done?” asked Mahina, a concerned look on her face.

  “It is, but I still have no idea where the time cave is.” Recalling a conversation from long, long ago, he added, “Mahina, do you believe the moai can speak to those who need answers?”

  “The moai are the living essence of our ancestors. It is my belief they possess great powers, and yes, I feel they can and will talk to those who are sincere in their questions.”

  “Have you ever talked to one?”

  “No,” she confessed.

  “When I am stronger,” Daniel said, “I’d like to try. Perhaps one can give me the information I need.”

  “Perhaps . . . but enough of this. I must tell Pakia and Uka that you’re awake. They will be pleased to know you are better.”

  She turned away, stepped outside and called for them.

  As he waited, Daniel was sure he noticed some discomfort on Mahina’s face as he talked about leaving. In fact, Daniel sensed that she was actually starting to believe him about the time cave. But, without knowing the cave’s location, there was nothing for her to worry about.

  At least, not yet.

  Three days later, at sunset, Daniel sat on a large smooth stone in front of the solitary moai standing at ‘Anakena. While still not at full strength, he felt capable of sitting in meditation and planned to be here till sunrise, if necessary. Mahina had offered to sit with him, but he declined. He knew he had to do this by himself.

  Daniel had chosen this particular moai for several reasons. First, it was close and easy to get to. Second, he recalled how both Alame and Tiare had some sort of affinity for it. Finally — and he smiled to himself as he thought about it — since some months ago he had personally been involved in keeping it erect, perhaps if the moai did indeed have some sort of consciousness, it might be favorably inclined to help him.

  Daniel again fondly recalled his grandpa, and how he had once told him that, if one needed inspiration, it was best to fast and spend time in isolation to make your mind receptive. And so, since noon, Daniel had chosen not to eat and kept to himself. Strangely enough, he didn’t feel hungry.

  His grandpa had also told him that spirit and matter were connected through the breath. “Concentrate on your breath,” he had said, “and before long you will enter the world of spirit.”

  Daniel heard the evening chatter of ‘Anakena murmur in the background as he closed his eyes and began to focus his attention solely on his breath.

  Breathing in, breathing out . . .

  Breathing in, breathing out . . .

  Breathing in, breathing out . . .

  Over and over again. Without being consciously aware of it, his breath gradually became shallower.

  In minutes, hours, days — there was no way for him to tell — Daniel’s surroundings completely disappeared from his consciousness, and all that was present was his breath. He suddenly felt his mind expand upward to first envelop the moon, then the sun and the planets, and eventually exploding outward to encompass the entire universe, and, for that moment in time, he and all of existence were one.

  Daniel was surprised to discover that the universe had a pulse, a rhythm, just like his breath, expanding, contracting, in and out, in and out. He was not only breathing with God, he was God.

  All at once he found himself walking along a beautiful beach. Daniel didn’t recognize it, but he was sure it was on Rapa Nui. He strolled along, watching the waves flow in and out — with a rhythm much like his breath — and shortly he came upon a young boy playing in the sand next to the water.

  Daniel asked, “Who are you?”

  “Sit down beside me,” the boy requested.

  Daniel did and felt the cool ocean water wash upon him.

  The boy smiled at him. “Here — take this stick and draw with me in the sand.”

  Daniel grabbed it and began to doodle along with the boy, and they both laughed. Daniel looked closer at the boy; there was something about him that was familiar — uncomfortably familiar.

  Finally Daniel asked, “Are you . . . me?”

  “You guessed it,” the boy said. “I was beginning to wonder how long it would take you to figure it out.” The boy giggled. “I am the little boy that lives inside of you. Everyone has one, you know, well, except for women — they have a little girl.”

  Daniel again joined the child in laughter, and then asked, “Why are you here?”

  “Don’t you know?”

  “No,” admitted Daniel.

  “I am here to show you the way back home. You do want to get back home, don’t you?”

  “Oh, I do.”

  “Good. Now, look at my drawing in the sand. I’ve put an X where you start; that’s where you live now. If you follow this line, you will see that the trail curves around this hill, then around this one. Here you will walk around a rocky area until you come to a small tree. I believe it’s called a toromiro.”

  Daniel looked carefully at the sand drawing, recognized the landmarks and knew exactly where it was. He had walked by it at least a dozen times. Daniel asked, “Why have I not seen the cave before?”

  “It is well hidden,” the boy answered. “Poke around behind the tree, and you will find it.”

  “Thank you,” Daniel said.

  “I’m glad to help. Now, it is time for you to go.”

  “Before I do,” Daniel said, “may I ask a question?”

  “Yes?”

  “I thought I was coming here to talk to the moai, and I ended up talking with part of myself. What happened?”

  The boy responded, “Don’t you see? All answers to any questions already exist within you. All the statue did was to help you to know that. Oh, and by the way, the statue thanks you for protecting it.”

  Daniel smiled. “Tell it — you’re welcome.”

  “You can do that yourself.” He stood as did Daniel. “Come see me more often. We can have fun together.”

  “How do I do that?” Daniel asked.

  “Anytime you are like a little child, innocent, playful and happy, we will be together, whether you see me or not.”

  Daniel closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them the boy had disappeared, and he found himself sitting once again in front of the moai. The morning sun was just peeking over the horizon.

  Daniel looked up at the moai and respectfully said, “You’re welcome.”

  The moai stared at him silently.

  Daniel somehow knew he had heard.

  And now Daniel headed toward Pakia and Uka’s home.

  There was much to do before he took his departure.

  Chapter 14

  Daniel, with much on his mind, gradually walked up the gently sloping hill from ‘Anakena to Vai Tara Kai Ua. He felt confident of the information he had received while sitting in front of the moai and was certain he could find the entrance to the time cave.

  Still — thoughts crossed his mind, thoughts that made him doubt whether he really wanted to find it. He could stay here in old Rapa Nui and enjoy time fishing with Pakia, though he wanted to spend most of his hours with his love, Mahina.

  But the more he considered it, the more he knew his work here was done. The primary reason he was here was to find the murderer, and he had done that. And as much as he loved this life, he itched to return home. But he couldn’t help but wonder:

  Will Mahina come back with me?

  A sense of melancholy caught up with him as he approached Pakia and Uka’s hut. Pakia scurried around the front, preparing his fishing lines for a day of work.

  Pakia paused to yell out, “Uka! Come out! Dan-iel is back!”

  Uka promptly popped out of the hut with a big smile on her face. She hurried to Daniel and put him in a death-grip of a hug.

  “Dan-iel, I must know. Did the moai speak to you?”

  “Yes, in a way.”

  Pakia joined in. “What did it say?”

  “I was told how to get back home.”

  “Honestly?” Uka sai
d, in awe.

  “Yes.”

  A look of concern came over Pakia’s face. “When will you be going?”

  Daniel’s response was harder than he could have ever imagined. After a few moments, he managed, “Now . . . I must go now.”

  Uka began to sob, “But Dan-iel, you are like . . . family to us. We don’t . . . we don’t want you to leave!”

  Daniel touched her cheek. “Uka, you are like family to me as well, but I must go home. Before I do, I must share that many dangers will face you and your people in the years to come, and I was hoping that you both would join me and come to live in my land.”

  Pakia and Uka at first looked stunned, and then Pakia put his arm around Uka and answered, “Dan-iel, this is our home, and this is where our family lives. We love you, but we cannot go with you.”

  A tearful Uka blurted out, “Are you sure you have to leave?”

  Daniel fought back the urge to say no. “Pakia and Uka, I love you, too, but I have to find my way back.”

  Pakia was now crying as well. “Dan-iel, since you are set on leaving, take this with you and think of us when you see it.”

  He handed Daniel a fishhook — the one from the thigh bone of the legendary Kahi — one that Daniel knew was Pakia’s favorite.

  “I can’t.”

  “You can,” Pakia insisted as he carefully closed Daniel’s hand around the fishhook.

  Daniel’s eyes misted as he turned to leave. “I’ll miss you.”

  Pakia and Uka clung to each other, tears trickling down their faces. Pakia begged, “We’ll miss you too. Don’t go . . . please . . .”

  “I must go,” Daniel said reluctantly. “I must . . .”

  He took one last long look at his dear friends and headed down the slope to ‘Anakena.

  He held the fishhook in his right hand for the longest time before attaching it securely to his loincloth.

  Daniel walked directly to the hut of the ‘ariki mau and found the entire family was gathered in front of the home, eating fresh bananas for breakfast.

  Mahina jumped up and embraced him, whispering in his ear, “Did you find the answers you sought?”

  When Daniel whispered back, “Yes,” he felt her shudder the slightest bit.

  Daniel and Mahina sat down together, facing Hotu Iti and his wife, Tavake. At that moment her brothers Kai and Poki ran off to play.

  Hotu Iti said in his deep voice, “Dan-iel, we have seen you sitting through the night in front of one of our oldest moai. Were you looking for answers?”

  “Yes, and I have learned how to find my way back home.”

  Hotu Iti asked, “And which way is that?”

  “Sir, before I answer, I must share something you don’t know about me.”

  Hotu Iti raised his eyebrows. “Yes?”

  Before Daniel spoke, he glanced at Mahina, who had a pained look on her face. How hard this must be for her, he thought.

  Daniel cleared his throat and said, “I am not from this time. I came from the future through a cave, which I lost track of. The moai told me how to find it again.”

  There was dead silence. Hotu Iti and Tavake were obviously astonished, while Mahina closed her eyes in discomfort.

  Hotu Iti finally replied, “Dan-iel, what you have said I do not understand. Let me sit in silence for a few moments to ponder your words.” He and his wife closed their eyes, while Daniel and Mahina waited.

  After a while, Hotu Iti opened his eyes. “I see the truth in what you have spoken. And I must say that I always knew there was something different about you, something special. Now I know why.”

  Daniel knitted his brow and said, “Hotu Iti, before I leave I must tell you that many difficulties are coming to your island. Times of famine, continued warfare, disease, and many other plagues will come upon you and your people. I would like to offer you and your family the opportunity to escape all this and come with me back to my time.”

  Hotu Iti responded, “Dan-iel, you are kind to offer, but I have a responsibility to my people. No matter what you say might happen, I must stay and guide them through the upcoming troubles.”

  Tavake added, “And I stay with my husband.”

  Daniel had expected that response and went on, “Hotu Iti, Tavake, I understand your commitment to your people. Now about Mahina —” He reached over and grabbed Mahina’s hand. As he looked at her, he discovered her face was puffy and streaked with tears. “You both must know that I love your daughter with all my heart. So I must ask if Mahina may come with me.”

  Hotu Iti did not seem surprised. “Dan-iel, Tavake and I have raised Mahina to be a capable woman. I have always wanted her to be self-sufficient and able to make her own decisions. You must already know that.”

  “I do.”

  “And so this choice must rest with her. I suggest you ask her, and I will abide with whatever decision she makes.”

  Tavake said, “And I as well.”

  Daniel nodded, turned to Mahina and took both of her hands in his. “Mahina, I love you and I want to share my life with you. I want us to marry, have children and grow old together. Will you come with me?”

  Tears freely flowed down her face. “Dan-iel, I love you too and want to share my life with you. Before I make my decision, I must ask a question.”

  “Yes?”

  “If I come with you, will I be able to return to visit my family?”

  Daniel’s face dropped. “No, when I return the time cave must be closed permanently. To leave it open would be too risky.”

  Mahina turned and looked at her parents, then back at Daniel. “Then here is my decision: I cannot leave my parents, my brothers and my people. If hard times are coming, they will need me.” She clutched Daniel’s hands even tighter adding, “You must go on without me.”

  Daniel felt his throat closing; he could barely speak. “Mahina, are you sure about this? Once I leave, you will not be able to find the time cave without my help, and we will never see each other again.”

  Mahina gazed at him silently, confusion troubling her beautiful face.

  Daniel thought quickly. “You could at least walk there with me. Perhaps you will change your mind.”

  Mahina said, “There is no reason for me to come with you. I will not change the decision I have made.”

  Hotu Iti said, “Then it is done. Dan-iel, I wish you well in your travel back to your time. May you find happiness. We will miss you. You have brought much honor to your people, the Miru. For many years to come we will speak of how you defeated the dread warrior, Hito, and how you came to win the Birdman competition.”

  Daniel responded, “Thank you for all the kindness you’ve shown me. I will always be grateful.”

  Daniel then grasped Mahina’s hand, and both stood. He softly asked, “Are you sure?”

  Mahina had no words; she merely nodded.

  One last look and he released her, turned and slowly headed out of ‘Anakena, southwest toward the time cave, hoping she would find it in her heart to change her mind and come with him.

  Daniel turned and looked back over and over again, and with each glance there was no one in view. When ‘Anakena disappeared from his sight, he bent over at the waist and wept uncontrollably.

  When he was finally able to straighten up and walk again, he knew he had lost her forever.

  No words could describe his pain.

  Chapter 15

  Daniel sat beside the toromiro tree and took a few moments to rest. He hoped at any moment he would hear Mahina in the distance, calling his name in the way that only she could.

  Finally Daniel sighed and began to carefully search the wall behind the tree. He relied on his sense of feeling rather than his eyes, knowing the entrance was well concealed. Before long, behind a dense layer of brush, his hand disappeared into what appeared to be solid rock. The hole seemed to be just large enough for him to wiggle through. Daniel marked the spot and went back to the toromiro tree, hoping to hear or see Mahina hurrying to catch up with him.
/>
  He waited and waited — and waited . . .

  It was not to be.

  With a heavy heart he slowly returned to the cave and crawled through the opening, fresh tears forming in his eyes. The cavern beyond was pitch black, and Daniel wished he had a flashlight to steer his course. When his eyes adjusted, though, he could see well enough — if only barely — and once again he encountered numerous spiders. As before, he brushed them off and moved on.

  Daniel picked his way ahead carefully, and as the entry grew larger, he discovered that walking on the wet rocky floor was easier this time. All those months living barefoot had been good for his balance. Other than that, he felt numb all over — his senses had completely shut down — and it was all he could do just to put one foot in front of another. He couldn’t think about what he had left behind — but he did. With every step he thought of Mahina.

  Before long the light completely faded, and he had to rely on touch rather than vision, deliberately making his way. After an hour or so, just as he remembered, the cavern began to narrow, and all too soon Daniel was crawling on his hands and knees. He eventually found himself flattened out on his stomach, caught between sharp stones above and below. He didn’t remember it being this tight on the way in, and as his ability to move forward became even more painful, he realized he had no doubt muscled up living the life of a fisherman. He groaned and fought to breathe as he paused to rest.

  He tried to reorder his thinking, pull himself together.

  So what if I become all cut up — I have to get out of here.

  With that thought, he pushed himself forward, and as he wedged deeper and deeper into the passageway, his arms out in front of him, he discovered he was stuck. He couldn’t move, not even an inch.

  Panic threatened to overwhelm him as he realized he might never get home again.

  I’ll die and rot in this godforsaken time cave.

  He tried to pull a deep breath of air into his chest and couldn’t do it.

  Yes, I’m going to die here.

  It was then he remembered what the little boy — the boy that was him — said as he sat in front of the moai: Answers to any questions could be found inside him.