I glance over my shoulder. From this angle, there are two, maybe three female lions and a male lion in a circle between the shrubs. They are far enough but still too close for comfort. We'll have to hurry along this shelter of ours.
The sun is almost all the way set which illuminates their golden eyes in the new moonlight.
"They seem relaxed for now. I'm not sure if the lions spotted us yet. Perhaps, if we're lucky, they would have had a full hunt last night."
Quinn hears me but doesn't react. He had pulled the wreck's doors off and positioned them inside the bars. The back seat cushion is flat on the ground, and Jelani lies safely on top. He examines Jelani's body with specific skill. He has one hand flat on his tummy and the other tapping on top of it before taking the small flashlight from his clenched teeth. Pulling Jelani's eyelids open he shines the bright light in his eyes and then puts the torch back between his teeth before measuring his pulse.
"Who are you? You look without question more skilled than I thought. You downright don't strike me as a rookie archaeologist. "
More like McDreamy in Grey's Anatomy with his starch-white collar shirt and shiny shoes, I add in my head.
I break another thick branch over my knee and throw the larger one in the fire, grateful for having been taught survival skills. The flames burn high now and should do the trick. I catch myself looking up at Quinn again. With his one sleeve off and his messy hair, he's quite a looker. Tall, dark and handsome. I don't look at men in this way anymore.
He looks up at me puzzled and spots the dreamy look in my eyes. My cheeks glow hot red under his warm eyes, so I look away into the burning fire and quickly throw another couple of logs of wood on. Crap! Crap! Stupid woman.
"Is he ok?" I quickly divert his attention away from my school-girl drooling.
"Afraid not, Alex. He urgently needs a hospital. I suspect he had a serious knock on his head too. If the internal bleeding doesn't stop by itself, he might not make the night. I'm sorry."
"All this is my fault." slumping down against the car.
"Don't be ridiculous. None of this is your fault. I shouted at Jelani to stop the car. But if I am honest, the man was driving like a lunatic and was in entirety out of control. An accident was bound to happen I'm afraid."
Stupid Agoraphobia! Why can't I just pull myself together? And now I've gone and lost my pills as well. My head hurts, and my skin around my neck chokes me. My father has gone missing. Jelani is dying, and I'm stuck in the middle of freaking Africa!
Quinn's hand is suddenly firm on my shoulder, his other hand under my chin, tilting my head back. At once something in his eyes gives me strength. Some unspoken assurance.
"We need to clean up your wound, Alex." He pulls out a bottle of sterilizing liquid and a cotton swab from his backpack. The blood dried up causing the sleeve to stick to the open wound, hurting my open wound terribly when he pulls the shirt off.
"Ouch!"
"Sorry. The alcohol might sting a bit, but you need stitches." dabbing the liquid on the open wound that started bleeding again.
"I'm going to need you to hold very still Alex. I'm not going to lie. It'll hurt, but I promise to work as quickly as possible."
"No bloody way!" pushing his hand away. "I am not having you stitch me up. With what, I might ask? Your shoelaces? We'll be at the hospital in the morning, and I'll ask a proper medical professional to care for me."
"The hospital might not be within our reach by tomorrow, Alex. Look around you. We're in the middle of nowhere with no idea where we are. Your wound is deep, and you can lose a lot of blood until then. Not to mention the fact that, with all this dust floating about, you can easily contract an infection. And no, I have a genuine suture kit. My shoelaces are too dirty." Adding a taunting giggle.
The blood trickles down my nose and over my eyes again but I spotted that twinkle in his eye. I suppose he's right. I have no choice. My head wound does seem to be bleeding a lot again and with the lions on the prowl, it might not be safe to leave the situation until tomorrow. We don't even have any idea of where we are either. At night we will have no light other than the fires, if we can keep them alive. Until the sun comes up, we have no way of telling how we will ever find our way back to civilization.
Still dabbing at my open wound, Quinn tilts my head back, flashlight back between his teeth.
"Okay, fine then. Do what you need to please." folding my arms like a spoilt school child who just got vetoed by her parent.
Quinn didn't react, thankfully. I bite down on the stick between my teeth. With skilled precision, he proceeds to stitch me up before dressing the wound with a proper bandage from his backpack.
Chapter Five
The night is a long and a bitterly cold one. The Lions continue to prowl around our camp several times during the night but keep their distance as long as the fires are burning high, which is most likely the biggest reason why we can't sleep much. Who knew wood burnt out so swiftly?
Quinn manages to cut the dense atmosphere with one of his let's-lighten-the-mood stints.
"I guess we can thank our lucky stars we are in the middle of the bush, can't we?"
His sense of humor in the middle of the direst of circumstances is maybe why he is such a great physician. Somehow he always manages to lift my spirits.
At one stage he spreads the bonfires into three or four different piles of wood around our 'camp.' It looks as if he is ALMOST having fun doing it too.
"Are you a boy scout at heart Sam Quinn?"
"I wish. But I can't lie. I think I might be a pro at this now. Maybe I have a bit of scout in me after all."
Through the night Jelani's breathing becomes very rapid, and in the early morning hours, he develops a massive fever. With the limited water and medical supplies Quinn carries in his backpack, there is nothing we can do for him out here. I look across at him as I wake from finally having fallen asleep a bit sometime in the early hours of the morning.
He's still unconscious. The swelling in his abdomen is double in size with bright purple bruising all around it. By this time, Quinn is already up and checking on him. Has he been awake throughout the night? I suppose one can assume he is accustomed to staying up caring for his patients.
"Hey, there sleepyhead. How are you feeling?"
"Morning." flashing a slight smile as I sit up. My head suddenly spins, and the sharp, intense pain hits me between my eyes.
"My head hurts, but I'm okay. How's Jelani?"
"Not good I'm afraid Alex. We're going to have to get him to a hospital somehow. Urgently. It doesn't look like the bleeding has stopped, and his fever is spiking. Now that it's light, do you have any idea where we might be? "
I peep through the opening between the bull bar and the door.
"I can't see the lions."
"It's been rather quiet for the last hour or so. Let's hope the Lions gave up and left for greener pastures," shifting aside the door for us to get out.
It's daybreak and the sun is just about peeking out behind the now bright orange horizon. I look around across the vast African bush. It is altogether breathtaking. Nothing but trees and shrubs for miles in any direction. Could we have strayed from the road this far into the backcountry? It looks vaguely familiar, but I can't be sure. Bush is a bush, and trees are trees no matter where you are here. There is no way of telling at all. Everything looks the same. I pull out the map in a desperate effort to see if I can make any sense of it at all.
"I think we left this road here and possibly veered off over there. We need to head West. If I have my bearings right, we should only be about a kilometer or two out from the river. If we keep West, with any luck, we should hit the road we were on. If not. Well, then at some stage we should find the river, and we can follow it North."
"Right then. We'll have to get a move on quickly before the sun comes up in full. My guess is it gets sweltering out here during the day. Fancy a cup of coffee before we leave?"
"Ha-ha, hilarious Mr. Quinn."
I like a man with a sense of humor. His cunning ability to de-stress the situation is without fail what I need right now.
"Okay, I might have a plan." Quinn perks up. "I saw Bear Grylls do this on one of his shows once. We need to make a stretcher for Jelani. Let's see if we can find two long branches and something to tie down the car bonnet with on top."
"Bear Grylls? For real?" My giggle didn't throw him.
"What? So I'm a fan; A big one if I may? Never miss an episode. Grylls did it, and it looked fairly easy. So unless you have a better idea?" he shoots, hands on hips.
"Oh, I'm not laughing at the idea. Rather just how this adventure has already changed you. I'm just surprised that's all. With your crisp white shirt and shiny shoes, I just didn't peg you for an adventurer at all. And what's with all the medical stuff anyway? How is it that you know more about playing doctor than chasing relics?"
"I read a lot that's all." bending quickly to pick up a nearby branch.
"Nope. I don't believe you, Sam Quinn. Reading is one thing, but carrying a full medical kit into the bush and stitching up head wounds is an entirely different thing altogether. I watched you examine Jelani and seems to me there's an awful lot of medical training there. Call me naive, but somehow I don't suspect it being from watching Bear Grylls episodes."
"It's a long story. Come, the sun is getting higher. We're running out of time."
"Look around Quinn! I've got nothing but time. We are stuck in the African bush with prowling lions and Militia and who knows what else after us. Spit it out. My life might be at stake, and I deserve to know what I am letting myself in for here. Heck, I might not even live until tomorrow. "
He's looking slightly uncomfortable as he ties up the cords from his backpack around his original piece of engineering. I'm determined to know the truth. Who is this man in reality? Professor Keating suggested he accompanies me. Said he was his top student, but it's evident Sam Quinn has never been on an actual dig before. So I push again exerting my rank (for what it's worth).
"I'm waiting Mr. Quinn. What's your story?"
"Okay, okay. I'll tell you. Gosh, you're a pushy one, aren't you? Just don't judge me okay? It's a long and detailed story but in the event of us perhaps not seeing another day, I'll spill the beans. I am a qualified trauma surgeon okay? Happy?"
"A Doctor? What do you mean you're a Doctor? Professor Keating is head of Archaeology. It doesn't make sense."
"Hold the knot down there please."
"Quinn! Stop trying to derail the conversation with this stupid stretcher-ma-jig. Will you tell me the truth, please? Who are you? I deserve to know. If anything, at the very least, what I have gotten myself into with you. I mean, do you have any experience with relics and chasing?"
"Not exactly. This exploration is my first if you must know" sounding sarcastic and annoyed.
"Crap. These antics are so typical of Professor Keating. I thought you were his 'best student ever.' Of course not. I should have known the moment you sat on that plane with your white as snow shirt and shiny shoes. You are just a pawn in an elaborate plan to get me to go chase after an ancient city that I'm not even sure exists. Not to mention the mysterious Key everyone thinks is real. It's a bloody joke. So you're nothing but a babysitter to keep my stupid Agoraphobia at bay. You're probably going to get us both killed at some stage too."
Have you ever? Bloody lying bastards conning me into this.
"No wonder Keating insisted I come. It wasn't just a case of finding my father, but finding Rhapta."
Sneaky Bastard.
"How could I be so stupid? I'm not some puppet the uni can use how they see fit. Conned me! Is this a joke?"
"Are you quite done Miss Hunt?" pulling tight the last knot of the cord. He stands tall next to me before ducking in under the car.
"Stop whining and help me get Jelani on the stretcher."
"You're ignoring me? For real? Ugh!!"
I puff much like the Lions did last night. Bloody nerve of this man. Who the hell does he think he is? Indiana Jones? I look across at poor Jelani burning up under the wreck. Instantly the guilt wash over me as I see him lying there so helpless and innocent in all of this. He didn't think twice about helping me get my father back. He depends on us now. Depends on ME. I need to swallow my pride and focus on getting him to the hospital and fast.
"You lift his feet." I say in a muted tone. That's all he gets for now. At least until such time as I decide he’s not part of this con. For Jelani and my father’s sake.
With Jelani safely secured on the make-do gurney, I start gathering my bag and whatever supplies I could find from the car. I squash it in my pack. Great. There's an emergency kit a couple of bottles of water in the cubby. And a... just can't get my hand in...elation! It's a compass! Gift from God, that's for sure!
"Hold on Jelani old friend. We'll get you out of here now in no time."
Excited I spread open the map in the sand and pinpoint the road I suspect we head out on when we left the airport. I was right. The river lies to the West, but I have no idea where along the river the village is.
"I'm going to need to speak to Jelani Quinn. Will he wake up?"
"No way of telling right now I'm afraid. We can try?"
"Jelani? Jelani, can you hear me? It's Lakicia."
I wait, but he lies very still.
"Jelani. It's me. I need your help to get us home. Can you hear me?"
He groans the faintest of groans.
"Jelani! Quinn! He can hear me!"
I try give him a sip of water, but he is frail and lies with his eyes still closed.
"Jelani, forgive me. I know this is tough. I need you to please point out the village on the map. Do you think you can help us, please?"
I hold the map up and lift his arm, unfolding his limp forefinger and placing it on a river on the map. I watch as he reaches deep within, forcing his eyes open with all the strength left in his frail body.
"I got you Jelani. I got you. Help us find our way out of here my friend so we can get you to the hospital."
He moves his hand left, ever so slightly and points to a spot by the river.
"It's there? Excellent! Okay, rest my friend. We're going to get us out of here, okay? Just hang in there a little longer."
I squeeze his weak hand gently against my cheek.
"Hang in there Jelani. Don't give up. Fight!"
"It looks like we are all set then? Let me check your wound and then we can head off."
"I'm fine. Let's just get out of here," gathering up the map, holding down my still sulking mood.
"Alex, I need to clean your wound. We can't afford it going septic. It's fine if you're upset with me but Jelani, your father... heck yes, even I depend on you."
"Of course you depend on me. You won't last beyond that bush over there. Just because you made one Bear Grylls experimental thingumabob and a couple of fires doesn't mean you'll find your way to the village. So I guess I'm babysitting YOU, Sam Quinn."
I storm off looking up at the sun making sure we're walking away from it. At least he finally changed his clothing although it shouts never-been-warn-before. I bet I'll find the price tag still swinging on it.
"Okay, Alex, please wait? I'm sorry if I told you to stop whining. It was chauvinistic of me."
"You think that's why I'm pissed?" turning back at him dragging the stretcher behind him.
"Well, what then?"
Ugh. Ridiculous. How can a man as intelligent as he, not know? Ignorance is the very reason why I don't date and choose to live alone. Men are freaking annoying. Not that I'm even thinking of dating this one. Am I thinking? No. It's ridiculous. It's the bump on my head. I have a concussion. Yes. That's it. A concussion.
"Well? I'm waiting. You're storming off like a bull is chasing you. Do I look like a bull?"
"Oh, so this is funny to you? Well, let's see then shall we? You're a DOCTOR! I asked for an archaeologist, and I land up with a DOCTOR! Clearly to hold my hand and keep an
eye on my stupid condition. What if we never had the accident huh? Would I even have found out?"
"Can you slow down please Alex? I can't keep up. Jelani might be as thin as a stick, but he is nonetheless heavy to haul about on my own. Is this our first fight?"
Oh! That's it!
"First fight? Are you joking? Couples fight and last time I checked we are NOT by ANY stretch of the imagination a couple!"
The nerve. A couple. Imagine. He thinks this is one big fat joke being out here in the bush exposed to all kinds of prey animals.
"Ah come on Alex. I'm just playing with you. I'm sorry, okay? Wait. Just stop for a minute, please? Let me explain."
I'm in my full mind to explain a thing or two to him but decide to stop under the shade of a large thorn tree.
"You deceived me, Quinn. Where I come from it's wrong to lie to people."
"I wasn't lying though Alex. Merely not volunteering any information upfront."
"That's hiding the truth. Same thing as lying."
"In my defense though, Alex, Professor Keating didn't flat out play open cards with me either, you know? He gave me the assignment, and I took it. No questions asked. The fact that you have an illness was only disclosed to me just before I got onto the plane. Heck, I thought you were a bloke! Besides, I owe him."
"What do you mean 'you owe him'?"
Quinn finally caught up with me under the tree. I see Quinn shuffling restlessly under my line of fire, wiping his face before answering.
"I have a very old-school and controlling father okay? I come from a long line of physicians, and he insisted I carry the tradition and pursue a medical profession too. But it isn't my passion in life. Never has been. From as far back as I can remember I've been interested in artifacts and ancient history. I spent hours at the museums. I read every journal there was and by the age of fourteen stumbled upon a National Geographic with your folks on the front page. I was hooked. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and followed your parents' discoveries all over the world. Becoming a Doctor was never on my wishlist. Archaeology is down to the core fascinating, but my father didn't want to hear anything about my dreams. It would have placed shame on the stupid family legacy, so I succumbed to his demands. But last year, I lost my best mate in a cycling accident. And suddenly life as I knew it, changed forever."
ALEX HUNT and the Chase for Rhapta_A Relic Chaser Adventure Page 5