Yuki sat next to me and had taken hold of my hand, but she didn’t want to speak, neither did I. It was all too much of a stress, what with the fear that some Nemesis people might be hot on our pursuit. The young man didn’t volunteer any comment, either. Only once, about ten minutes after we had left Mega, did he explain that we were now driving through a seasonal riverbed; but that the road was only flooded in case of exceptionally heavy rains. Even though, one could find water throughout the year, if one knew where to look for it. He lapsed back to silence thereafter and just told Josh two or three times to be aware of a rather sharp bent in the road.
Twice it happened that antelopes crossed the road and Josh had to reduce the speed to avoid hitting them. Then nothing else happened for what seemed an eternity. Looking out of the window, I could see the brilliant stars of the Milky Way above; the moon was just past New Moon and wouldn’t be visible for another couple of days. But the thousands upon thousands of stars twinkling above, made the darkness a little less obtrusive. Not that they illuminated anything much down where we drove, but their twinkling lights were strangely reassuring.
“We’ve made it half way.” Josh suddenly said after about an hour.
“And it’s only past eight o’clock.” Nin commented. “We will be able to spend the night in Moyale and set out from there tomorrow morning very early.”
“Do you really think that we will be lucky enough to find yet another plane to carry us south into Kenya?” Yuki asked drowsily.
“We’ll see; we’ll see. But I am very optimistic.” Was Nin’s short reply. He wrapped his arm around Yuki’s shoulders and made her rest her head against his chest. She sighed happily and snuggled up to him, closing her eyes. Good, she needed all the sleep she could get and as little excitement as possible.
We drove on in silence once again. Once or twice, I thought I could discern the outlines of hills in the distance, but maybe it was just my imagination. After all, all this staring into the night made one prone to see things that weren’t really there. What I noticed, though, was that we had changed the direction now. Where before we had driving in a more easterly than southerly direction, we were now heading full south. I commented on this and the young man briefly nodded and informed us that we were now fast approaching Moyale. Another fifteen minutes and we would be there.
Incredible.
I ventured a question. “Are you from this area?”
“My father had a business in Moyale, a little hotel with restaurant. Originally, we are from Mega. That’s why I know this area in and out.” He replied proudly before asking a question himself. “Is it true that most of the people all over the world have died of this terrible disease? Did you really come all the way from Europe? Have you encountered many people on the way?”
Nin explained what we knew of the Nemesis, of the Pathogen, how it had been spread all over and that probably close to 99,9% of all humans had died in the course of it. The young man was shocked and muttered something in Amharic. Nin further explained that we had really set out from Europe, but by plane and so couldn’t say much about survivors in Europe or the northern parts of Africa. He went on to describe how we had found Idris and his people and how we had travelled with them to Bahir Dar. When Nin guessed that between Idris’s group and the survivors in Mega here, there were probably no other survivors, the young man gasped in shocked surprise.
We drove on in silence and sure enough, a quarter of an hour later, we could discern houses on both side of the road; and they were rapidly increasing in numbers.
We had entered Moyale.
Following the front car’s lead, Josh slowed down the speed a bit, but otherwise kept driving.
Nin and I craned our necks to see as much as we could. Yuki and Alice slept through all of it.
“And how do we get to this airstrip?” Josh glanced over to the young man.
“Just keep on driving on the main road. The airstrip is a bit outside of Moyale, down along the main highway to Marsabit and Wajir. Before the highway junction where the roads to these towns split, you will find the airstrip.”
The young man gestured for Josh to be careful as the road was about to take a sharp turn.
We passed a low building on the right side and about twenty metres later the tarmac stopped and a wide dirt road began. The young man explained that we had just passed the border between Ethiopia and Kenya, the low building being the customs office building.
“And these Nemesis? Who are they really?” He then wanted to know.
“We don’t really know.” Josh replied and told him what we had seen back there in Europe. He was about to explain that apart from the Nemesis base in Khartoum and Gondar, which Abdella and Serag had destroyed, there might be another one in Addis, when the car in front suddenly veered to the right and pulled off the main road into a small dirt track.
“We are getting to the airstrip.” was the young man’s dry comment. “Be aware, over there is the main building, the planes should be behind it. He gestured to the right and directed Josh to park the car by a long flat building.
Nin carefully nudged Yuki and told her that we had arrived. She stifled a yawn, rubbed her eyes and express her gratitude that everything had gone so smoothly. Alice kept sleeping, so I lifted her out and carried her in my arm. We joined the others over by their car.
Paul immediately asked Nin to join him and to go have a look for a suitable plane. The young man offered to show them around.
Degu remained with us as we settled on some benches along the wall of the building. It was no use to unload the cars yet. First, we must find a plane.
Mahlet sat down next to me and I noticed that she was clenching and unclenching her hands. I put one hand over her clenched fists and quietly asked. “What’s the matter, Mahlet?”
She didn’t immediately venture an answer. Suddenly she said. “I am afraid, I have been an idiot. You know, my sister and I wanted to stay in contact. W-we still had our mobile phones from earlier. I told her to throw them away, because we might be tracked through them. But then, we had the idea that we might shield the chips within the mobile phones from disclosing our whereabouts if we wrapped the phones in aluminium foil. And that’s what we did. When we parted, up in Bahir Dar, we each kept our phones, hoping that we might one day communicate with each other again. But more importantly, because of the photographs we had stored on the phone. About our loved ones. Do you think these Nemesis might now find us because of me?” Mahlet was clearly very distressed by this idea.
Josh who had listened into our discussion, chipped in with a chuckle. “You needn’t worry, Mahlet. If you wrapped that phone in aluminium foil and put it off, there want be any problem. Did you tell Paul about this?”
“I did, and he said the same that you did just now. But I wasn’t sure whether he was just trying to be protective and hadn’t really told me the truth.”
“He would never do that. He’s far too concerned with our all well-being and safety. It’s really like that. Of course, the safest bet would be to dispose of your mobile phone. But if you have personal photographs and videos on it, I understand that you wouldn’t want to part with it. Keep it, just keep it wrapped up, and turned off. There where we are going, we have a safe room, totally shielded from the outside, you may have a look at your pictures and films there.”
“Where’s this place where we are going to?” Mahlet inquired.
“Didn’t Paul tell you about it?” Josh asked back.
“No, he said he would later. Rob wanted to tell me, but Paul urged him to wait, he would explain me himself, later.” She sounded a bit disappointed and hurt.
Josh smiled at her and answered. “Then I don’t want to spoil it for Paul. Let him explain it to you later. I am sure he will do it before we leave here.”
Before Mahlet hat time to reply anything, Paul and Nin reappeared and gestured for all of us to follow them. Alice had woken up by now and complained that she was hungry. I told her to sip it for a little while longer,
as we were about to see our means of transport for tomorrow. She would get something to eat later. She reluctantly agreed and snuggled Piglet and Malinda closer to her.
Paul and Nin led us to a hangar behind the low building. In there stood several planes, most of them small bush planes which would never be able to carry all of us. There was also a bigger, four engine plane, though. It was obviously the one Paul and Nin had chosen.
“It’s perfect. A bit slow, okay, but one of these sturdy old planes that basically keep going and going without much maintenance or fuel. It’s in a surprisingly good shape. We will have enough space for our luggage and ourselves.” Paul was buoyantly excited.
“And fuel? Is there enough? And what’s the range of this plane?” Rob inquired.
“We already fuelled her up.” Nin replied and Paul added. “She can make it all the way to Nairobi in one go.”
“We will go to Nairobi?” Mahlet shyly asked.
“I think, it is high time that you told Mahlet where we are going.” Rob urged him and we all vigorously nodded.
“You can tell her, while we bring everything over here and load the plane.” Josh suggested sweetly.
Paul looked quite sheepishly, which made me wonder what his reasons had been for not telling Mahlet earlier. Mahlet, though, looked expectantly at him and he took her by her hand and steered her over to the other side of the plane. We left them to their discussion and went to get the cars. The unloading and loading of our luggage didn’t take all that long, within half an hour everything was ready.
We were standing by the plane, for a moment a bit at a loss as to what to do next. Degu suddenly wanted asked. “Will you tell us, too, where you are going? Or is it a secret?”
Rob, Winter and Josh exchanged glances, and Josh nodded to me to answer. But I didn’t know what to say. Nin took over.
“We are going to a place south of Nairobi. In the wilderness. We’ll be safe there. But only, if we keep its real location secret. I hope you understand this.”
“And how will we get in contact? How will we communicate?” Degu looked hurt.
“It’s near the Chyulu Range. That place where we are heading.” Rob added. “But it is far away from main roads or villages. You wouldn’t be able to find us, even if we told you. It’s very remote and therefore, hopefully, safe. And, no, we don’t want to lose contact with you or Idris and his group. It will be difficult to establish contact. We cannot use communication devices via satellite or so. We will try to contact you. But let us agree that we will initiate contact. It’s safer for us that way. And there are other people on our side involved. People, whose lives we cannot endanger.”
Degu still looked a bit put out, but he finally nodded his approval and the young man said. “I think that this is a wise decision. What we don’t know, we cannot reveal. What with us not knowing whether more of these Nemesis are heading our way. We are clearly the weakest link here and it is fair that you don’t want to tell us something which we might reveal under duress. You know where we are, you will find us, when time is ripe.”
Degu looked more at ease at this and nodded his approval. He briefly conferred with his two colleagues; Daniel, too, seemed to be all in favour of what had been discussed.
Rob thanked them all in our name and we agreed that we would try to re-contact them as and when we saw fit. I was very relieved that we didn’t have to say more. Even the mentioning of the Chyulu Range had been too much information. Blue-Hill-Farm wasn’t in the Chyulu Range, but south of it. But if anyone was to conduct a search in this area, with high-tech equipment and sensors, they might find Blue-Hill-Farm. That somebody else now knew the broader whereabouts of our hide-out, felt all wrong. However, the damage had been done.
Not that I thought, our friends here would betray our whereabouts. Never willingly. However, there was no knowing what they would encounter on their return to Mega.
Meanwhile, Paul was apparently done with explaining Mahlet where we were going. They joined us by the plane and Mahlet looked very excited. She kept glancing at Nin, Alice and me, as if we were some kind of novel species she’d never before encountered. And there was a radiant smile on her face. She even winked at me and I grinned at her, a bit unsure what to say.
What the heck had Paul told her?
Paul sauntered over to Rob and punched him in the side. “Well, bro, you’re done loading the plane?”
“As you can see.” Came Rob’s dry response. “When do you propose to leave this place?”
We’ll need day-light. I want us to leave at dawn. That way, we ought to make it to Nairobi by noon.”
Wow, that meant that we might make it all the way to Blue-Hill-Farm by tomorrow evening!
Incredible! I hadn’t dared dream of this.
Finally, home, family and safety within reach.
It must have shown on my face, for Josh pulled me close and kissed me enthusiastically.
Everyone else was grinning too at the thought that we might be home by tomorrow.
Alice interrupted our reverie by complaining that she, Piglet and Malinda were starving, really. It was but ten by now; but we were all famished, the last real meal had been the one at Goytom’s village this morning. However, we quickly decided that we wouldn’t attempt to cook diner. Instead, we rummaged for some fruit in our boxes, and granola bars. Those we ate with the remaining bread and drank water to wash it all down. A very frugal meal, but at least we had something to eat.
When we were done, we settled down for the night, not wanting to talk much. A little discussion ensued as to whether we should stand guard and who would do this. Paul and Mahlet volunteered to take over the first watch. The second team would be Rob and Degu and the last team Daniel and Josh.
Alice was happy that she wouldn’t be separated from me. I helped her arrange Piglet and Malinda in her blanket. We had decided to sleep in the plane. Degu, Daniel and the young man preferred to sleep in the cars.
Josh, Alice and I settled down on the floor in one corner of the airplane, the others chose their spots nearby. I had barely wished Alice a good night, when she was already asleep. Dead tired though I was, I couldn’t yet sleep. I needed to tell Josh something. He lay on his back, one arm wrapped around me as I snuggled to his chest.
“You okay?” He whispered.
“Almost.” I answered, propping myself on my elbows so that I could look down into his face. He patiently waited for me to go on.
“I want to apologize …” I began.
“Whatever for?” He interrupted me, but I covered his mouth with my hand. This was important. He needed to hear me out. I could feel him smile and then he kissed my palm.
“I want to apologize for the sissy I was back in Mega. You were there for me when I broke down. But I never even inquired how you felt. I only saw myself and the disgust and anguish at what I had done. You helped me cope. But I did nothing for you. I feel utterly ashamed of myself. And I apologize.” I hung my head, anxious that he should understand.
I needn’t have worried.
“That’s what’s upset you?” He whispered in a hoarse voice. “That you had one weak moment and couldn’t be strong? Who do you think you are? Some kind of super-girl, or what?”
He propped himself up on his elbows now and made me lay on my back. Caressing my face with his hand, he went on. “What we experienced today, together, it was utterly horrible. But that you stood there beside me, that you were there, cool as a cucumber while it lasted. Lia, I love you so much it almost hurts! Afterwards, that I could be there for you made me so happy.” He bent down to kiss me and whispered. “You cried, for me as well as for yourself. You were there for me just as I for you. Together! Forever, my love!”
Oh, how I loved him! For that, for the amazing person he was, for the wonderful, generous, noble mind he had! I felt an overwhelming feeling of love, tenderness, awe and humbleness within. That he loved me! That we were together! That he understood! Always understood!
“You okay now?” He whisper
ed with a low chuckle. “My super-girl.”
“Just you make fun of me.” I teased with a happy sigh. “I love you, you know, and you are stuck with me now. Just so you know.”
“Wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”
“Good.” I had to yawn.
“Sleep tight, Lia, love.” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to his chest. With a happy sigh I lay my head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
I never even noticed, when he left to take over the watch.
Chapter 8 – home at last
25th May 2072
Josh woke me with a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. He willingly yielded and caressed my face with his hand, murmuring how much he loved me before bruising my lips with a hot, ardent kiss. I responded instinctively to his urging, but soon, oh too soon for my taste, he broke free with a groan.
“Hell, Lia, behave!” He scolded, but the blaze of love and desire in his eyes told me that he wasn’t really angry. It was too glorious a morning, we were close to home and I loved him so much.
I touched his lips with a finger and caressed his face.
“Love you so much, Josh!”
“Ditto.” He whispered happily and sat up, pulling me up with him.
Alice stirred and began rubbing her eyes, trying to wake up. She grumpily claimed that it was too early and that she wanted to sleep some more.
But when Josh told her that we would be setting out within an hour, she sat up, suddenly all eager to be up and get going. I cuddled her close and we all laughed.
Josh told me that nothing untoward had happened during the night, neither close nor far away. Degu, Daniel and the young man were apparently ready to leave us, they were anxious to get back to their people. But first, we would eat a last meal together.
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