Blood Forest (Suspense thriller) (25 page)

Guy smiled. “I have awakened him. He is ready to protect the forest.”

Polomo nodded, although the statement confused him.

“Let Chui be the judge of Temba now,” Guy explained. “The forest will protect him as it protects you if it finds him worthy. If not . . .”

Polomo glanced at the pit. The animal cries emanated from within, but the leopard had settled into the mud at the bottom.

Guy moved to stand beside Sam, and the BaMbuti followed until they had all gathered in the shadow of Guy’s house. Sam felt BaMbuti eyes upon her. Likely they were not used to prisoners or guests. She avoided their gazes and stared at the grated pit.

“A leopard is an opportunistic hunter,” Guy explained. “He will not attack a group.”

“Not unless he’s really pissed off,” Sam argued.

In response to her words, Guy whispered to the gathered Mbuti and the ones with spears raised them and held them at the ready.

“Why didn’t you show me that building?” she asked suddenly.

She drew a look of surprise from Guy. “What do you mean?”

She nodded in the direction of the stone building.

“It’s too soon,” he replied. “I don’t trust you yet.”

She suspected differently. “That’s not it. There’s something in there you don’t want me to see, isn’t there?”

He flinched, a subtle expression. It spurred her confidence.

“That’s really weird,” she said. “What could be in there that you don’t want me to see?”

A stone building. A power plant. She heard the thrumming of a generator inside. Of course, the stone building was the only one with no windows and she had seen that the door was built of sturdy wood and fitted with bolts. In fact, it would have made a far more secure prison than the meeting hall where Guy had kept her captive.

“Alfred’s in there.”

Guy didn’t respond. He whispered something to one of the closest spear-wielding Mbuti. The young man nodded and approached the pit cautiously, his spear held at length.

“That’s it,” she realized. “Alfred’s alive and you’re keeping him in there. I guess you can’t tie a one-armed man at the wrists, can you? You didn’t want me to know that, did you?”

Still Guy didn’t reply. He watched as the Mbuti reached the wooden frame and crept to the edge. The man wedged the tip of his spear into the lattice and lifted with all his might. Slowly the grate slid off of the hole.

She smiled to herself. He didn’t want her to know that Alfred was still alive because he wanted her to feel helpless and alone. If she knew she had an ally in the tiny village, she wouldn’t give up on escape, and she wouldn’t submit to his advances. But now she knew. If Guy wanted Alfred alive so he could reveal his experiments to the man, then that meant he wanted her entirely for other reasons.

The Mbuti raced back from the pit to join the gathering. His spear came up, ready to meet an oncoming attack. For several moments, the pit didn’t stir.

“Traditionally, man-eating leopards are feared far more than their lion or tiger cousins,” Guy explained. “Although admittedly, they are much rarer and their bodies and jaws are smaller, their hunting methods are deadlier.”

Chui emerged from the pit, easily bounding up the dirt wall. He was a little larger than a German shepherd. His yellow and black spotted fur looked puffed and ragged, stained in places by the filth below. Sam wondered how long it had been forced to swim in its own feces. Angry feline eyes glowed in the dim light.

“Leopards strike with the advantage of invisibility, usually from above. Their prey never sees them coming,” Guy explained with a touch of admiration. “They go straight for the neck and they choke the life out of their victim before it realizes what has happened. Then they drag the body up into a tree to consume at their leisure.”

Sam wanted to run, even though the cat stood a good distance away.

“Leopards show no fear of entering human settlements. Their attacks are far bolder than any lion or tiger. They are fast enough, strong enough, and clever enough to bring down whatever meal they choose.”

The leopard walked in a circle once, confused. It let out an angry growl and glared at the gathering. For several seconds, its shoulder and back muscles tensed as if it meant to charge. A deep hiss escaped its throat as it bared its long fangs at them.

Then, without warning, it turned toward the jungle and ran. Sam heard a slight rustle of brush as it bounded into the undergrowth and vanished. Around her the BaMbuti relaxed.

“Leopards do not normally hunt by scent,” Guy said. “But today, Chui isn’t hunting.” He leaned in close so she could feel his breath on her neck. “If you’re worried for your friend Temba, let’s hope he’s smart enough to leave my forest.”

24

W
e’ve been moving all night. That’s almost forty-eight hours without rest, mate. We need to give them a break.”

Delani’s eyes searched the jungle behind them. Lavender light played on the green leaves. Ike knew that the soldiers still pursued them, but Ike was worried about Nessa. Raoul and Brandon practically had to carry her now.

Finally Delani nodded. “I know.”

“I’ll take the first watch,” Ike suggested. “Get yourself some rest.”

They moved back a few yards from the river before setting up camp. If their pursuers passed on the other side they would not be spotted. That and everyone had crocodiles on their brains and didn’t want to be anywhere near water.

They had been forced to ditch a tent along with some of their supplies a couple miles back. The strain had become too great and the extra weight slowed them down. But Ike made sure to secure a tent for Nessa. The sun would rise in a few hours and she could use the shade.

Once they helped her inside, the others didn’t take long to fall asleep on the rough ground. Aside from Ike and Nessa, no one remained awake for more than a few minutes.

Ike checked his rifle to make sure it was fully loaded and ready. Then he pushed aside the flap to Nessa’s tent.

“Shouldn’t you be on watch?” Nessa asked.

“I’ll get to it, luv. Just relax,” Ike insisted. “I want to have a look at those bandages first.”

Nessa lay sprawled on her back, her head resting in a thick pile of blankets. Ike’s bedroll was half-unrolled and served to elevate her leg in an attempt to control the bleeding. Her blouse hung open, her modesty protected by a white sports bra, coated with perspiration. Her pant legs had been torn off completely to better access the wounds on her thighs.

Ike knelt beside her and inspected the bandages. One leg had suffered the worst from the bite, shredded and crushed. That one was the biggest concern. Teeth had penetrated her other thigh and looked like in normal circumstances it would be quite painful, but that pain was eclipsed by the agony in the opposite leg.

Nessa licked her lips. “I’m thirsty, Ike.”

Ike frowned. “You’re dehydrated. It’s from the blood loss.”

“I know. I’d still like some water.”

“Right.” He felt like an idiot as he dug into his pack and retrieved a water canister. He held it out to her, and she took it and drank. When she was finished she placed it at her side.

“How do you feel?”

“It bloody hurts, Ike.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“You could give me some morphine.”

He chuckled softly. “I wish I could, luv. Do you have any? I’m fresh out.”

Nessa groaned and shifted, trying to get comfortable. “You don’t have to stay in here with me, you know. I’ll be all right.”

“You’re saying you want to be alone?”

She glanced away and shook her head.

“All right then.”

Ike sat down at the edge of the tent, assault rifle draped across his lap. He tugged the flap open so he could see dawn fall over the campsite. Lavender turned to bright pink and then to yellow. He gazed back at Nessa and watched the slow rhythm of her breathing. Her brown eyes came up to meet his.

“What?”

He hesitated then grinned. “I was just thinking how I’d like to buy you a drink when we get out of this mess.”

“Buy me a drink?” Her eyes went wide with laughter. “Now you’ve lost it, Ike. How can you think about that at a time like this?”

“What else would you like me to think about?”

She smiled and shrugged. “I think you’re supposed to buy the drink
before
the shagging.”

“I’ve always had bad timing.”

“Oh, I believe that.”

Ike’s face grew serious and he slid a palm over his forehead. “I just wish I met you before . . .”

“Before what?”

He slipped a hand over hers before gently lifting it. His fingers brushed across her ring finger and the diamond ring.

Nessa raised her eyebrows in realization. She gently pulled her fingers away and shifted uncomfortably. “Well. The thing about that, Ike,” she swallowed nervously. “It’s actually a funny story. And you’re going to think this is kind of strange.” She lifted her hand so the ring was visible. “I actually bought this for myself.”

Ike blinked in disbelief. “You what?”

“I did. I bought it for myself.” She began to chatter like an embarrassed schoolgirl. “You don’t understand the pressure they put on me, Ike. My family, I mean. They want me to be successful
and
they want me to get married. He has to be successful, and Jewish, of course. You know, I thought I’d found that kind of man at one point. He was very polite, respectful, and successful. But eventually, what’s it going to be, a husband or a career?

“We were engaged for six months and then he left. He took back his bloody ring. He met some girl in the States while he was on business. He said I was never around, that I was always traveling. Well, what do you think
he
was doing over there anyway? Traveling, on business, just like me.”

“Bastard.”

“Oh, I wish. You don’t know how I wish he was. The truth is, I know why he left. He was always saying it. I’m a cold bitch. I’m heartless, he’d say.”

Ike leaned over and cupped the side of her face. Her skin felt cool and moist to the touch. “Well that’s not true. I know you’re not heartless, luv.”

“Don’t say that. I’m a bitch to you and you know it.”

He grinned. “Maybe, but you have a heart. You just like to hide it.”

Nessa inhaled, her eyes wet. Ike’s words seemed to soothe her at least. She turned her wrist, inspecting her hand. “Anyway. When he broke it off, I couldn’t bring myself to tell my family. I bought this.”

“A lot of money to please the fam, don’t you think?”

“It’s worth its weight. I’m not worried.”

“True enough. Why do you wear it? I don’t see your folks around.”

Nessa sighed and rolled her eyes at Ike, the corner of her lips showing a smile. “I need it to keep away the horny mercenaries.”

“Whatever made you think
that
would work?”

They both laughed at that, but Nessa winced in pain.

“Honestly, it takes the pressure off. I don’t have to think about it when I have it on. I forget it’s there most of the time.”

Ike paused in thought.

“I know it’s stupid,” she said. “Don’t pretend like it isn’t.”

“The only thing stupid I see about it is, what happens if you run into some nice bloke while you’re wearing that? Aren’t you worried you’re gonna miss an opportunity?”

She shook her head. “I don’t care all that much.”

“Well, that’s a load of crap.”

Ike leaned over and glanced outside the tent. The others snored peacefully, wrapped in their bedrolls. Otherwise, the forest sounded quiet.

“What? You expect me to be waiting around for some guy to come along and save me? And then we fall in love and get married and have children? Can you
see
me with children, Ike? The poor brats will end up in a crazy home. No, none of that’s for me. My parents want it. I don’t.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Don’t tell me you want that?” She laughed. “You?”

“Yeah, I do, all right,” he replied, wounded.

“Then what the fuck are you doing out here? You’re not going to find your pretty wife in some bloody jungle.”

“I know that,” he agreed. Ike lifted the assault rifle so it rested across his chest. Its weight gave him comfort. “Trust me, I know. I’m just not done with Africa yet.

“You sure you don’t have to piss?”

“I’m positive.”

“You’ve been drinking a lot of water, Nessa.”

“I know. It’s hypovolaemic shock. You don’t have to spell it out for me.”

“You can come back from the blood loss, you know.”

Nessa tried to roll onto her side, but she couldn’t quite make it in such an awkward position. Her teeth gritted and her eyes squeezed shut in pain. “My leg hurts so fucking bad. I think you should check under the bandages.”

“I checked them an hour ago.”

“Just do it, please. I’m in pain here.”

“All right, luv.”

Ike bent forward and slowly unwrapped the bandages. Layer after layer of bloody gauze came off until he reached the bare flesh of the thigh. The last layer stuck and he winced as he tore it off. Half-dried blood crusted over everything, obstructing much of his view, but he could not miss the discoloration. Neither could Nessa as she sat up to look.

The moment she saw her thigh, she lay back down and slammed her fists against the ground. “Shit.”

“Try to relax.”

“Stop telling me to fucking relax. The tissue is necrotizing. I’ve already lost the leg. I’m going to fucking die. And it’s going to hurt like hell.”

As far as he knew, her leg was untreatable. The cells were self-destructing and without an immediate amputation the dead tissue would only spread.

Nessa used her good leg to kick Ike’s bedroll out from underneath her wounded thigh. The movement yanked another cry of pain from her lips. “I don’t need this bloody thing anymore. Between shock and necrosis, I’d rather die of shock.”

Ike barely heard her protests. He was still digesting what he saw on her leg. He imagined racing from their camp and finding a hospital in the jungle. Could she even survive an amputation when she was down so much blood already? Maybe with an infusion.

He tried to shake the thoughts away.

Nessa Singer would never leave the Ituri Forest. Ike had barely gotten to know her and now they only had hours left. It was such a change from the day before, when he felt content to take his time and wonder where things would lead.

“Let me check the leg again,” he said.

“Stay the hell away from it, Ike,” Nessa growled. “Just keep away. It fucking hurts.”

“Maybe—”

“No.”

“We need to see—”

“What I need is some bloody morphine!”

Ike closed his eyes. Not a good idea to come apart in front of her. He took a deep breath and tried pushing the situation away. “I’ll see if Devereaux has some palm wine.”

“Thank you.”

Ike didn’t wake Raoul. Instead he pilfered the man’s pack and returned to the tent with his canister full. When he slipped back in through the flap, Nessa was on her side, staring toward the back of the tent. Tears streaked her cheeks, but she didn’t make a sound.

Ike slid up behind her. “I’ve got some for you.”

Nessa rolled onto her back. She didn’t bother to wipe her eyes. When he handed her the canister, she took it gladly and tipped it back.

“Easy, luv.”

She gulped the wine down without hesitation. When she pulled the canister from her lips she said, “What are you worried about, a hangover?”

Ike smiled weakly.

“Bloody, fucking crocodile,” she cried. “What the fuck is with that anyway? What the hell was it doing there? Talk about rotten fucking luck.”

He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. She tucked her head against his neck, and he felt her cool sweat on the crook of his shoulder. He figured that with the amount of blood loss that little bit of palm wine might have quite the effect. In the absence of painkillers there was nothing better.

“Such awful luck, I hate this goddamned place.”

“I can agree with you there.”

“And that palm wine is the most watered down bottle of piss I ever drank. That bloody Devereaux’s a fucking lightweight.”

“You have quite a mouth on you, don’t you?”

Nessa fell silent, and he felt cold tears against his neck. He suddenly worried he’d said something wrong. “It’s okay. I like a woman who can curse.”

He felt her cheek bunch into a small grin.

“Now, enough tears. You’re gonna dehydrate.”

Nessa laughed. “You’re a real sweetheart, aren’t you? Worried I’m going to dehydrate?”

“Just looking out for you, don’t get on my case.”

“Hangovers, dehydration, forget about that funny smell coming from my leg.”

An awkward silence followed. Ike wished he could make her forget her condition for a moment, but she knew all too well that her life was slipping away. She curled against him, as some wave of emotion came over her. For lack of words, he brushed a hand along the hairs pulled tight by her ponytail and kissed her forehead, quietly, softly.

“I hate this thing,” she said suddenly. She squeezed the ring between her fingers and pulled it off, holding it in her palm. “Who am I kidding?”

“I thought you didn’t care.”

“What’s worth worrying about?” Nessa cried. “If I wanted to, it sure as hell isn’t going to happen now, is it? I wasted too much time. I had all of this time and I wasted it, because I wanted to have a good job. I don’t even
like
chemistry. I hate pharmaceutical companies. Do you think we’re out here to save lives? All H. Hurley cares is how much that little flower can add to their net worth. If I was out here to help people, then maybe I wouldn’t feel like shit.”

“Just because you’re making money doesn’t mean you’re not helping people.”

“Seriously, Ike, find someone. Don’t waste your time like I did. Fuck Africa. Go home to Sydney or Perth, or whatever backwoods Aussie shithole you came from.”

Ike sighed. “Brisbane. I’m from Brisbane.”

“Is it nice there?”

“It’s a beautiful city,” he said. He swallowed past the thick lump in his throat. “And besides, you’re wrong. I found somebody out here.”

Nessa let out a long breath. “Stop it, Ike. Just shut up.”

“I’m completely serious.”

“You were just horny.”

“Not
just
horny,” Ike said with a grin. “You didn’t give me a chance with much else.”

“Don’t lie to me because you feel bad for me,” she cried. “That’s only going to make me feel worse. I don’t need you to pretend things to make me feel better.”

“I’m not pretending anything.”

“You’re saying if this was Brisbane, you would have fancied me?” Nessa asked incredulously. “With all those other girls running around?”

“I would’ve needed earplugs,” Ike replied. “But, yeah, I think so. I think we could have made quite a couple.”

“That’s sweet, Ike. That really is. But it’s total bullshit.”

“Well, I’m not wealthy, I’m not successful, and last I checked I’m sure as hell not Jewish. But I would’ve given it a shot. And who the hell knows?”

“You think you might have proposed?”

“Sure as hell, yeah. Once you warmed up to me of course. Hell, I’d even convert. I’d get the operation and everything.”

Nessa laughed into his chest. It felt good to feel her curled there, living, breathing. Ike wondered how much time was left. He wanted to squeeze her, but he had to be gentle. She was, after all, in considerable pain.