Final Challenge (18 page)

- Yes, this return to paradise makes us see things differently. Here we are part of nature, we must adapt to the environment to survive. We are more or less prepared to compete between us in order to succeed in today's
society, but not to integrate
in natu
re, to live in harmony with it,
it's a stage that we take for overcome. It would be nice that everyone pass through this experience!

- I always thought that the "homo sapiens" has been and is a born survivor, one of the greatest exponents of the theory of evolution
. And its desire for possession and
conquest, of not ever settle with what it has, are what led it to be a winner, following the purest Darwinian theory.

- Very interesting your view, do you see how this environment allows us to think from another perspective? ... Anyway, if I have interpreted correctly,
are you trying to say we can’t
avoid
to have
a certain degree of belligerence? ...

- In my opinion we took it in the genes, I mean, it's intrinsic to us. Once defeated the rest of the species, now it's time to elucidate the supremacy among us, to find a superiority over others.

- But ... that would mean that we are called to destruction, that our own genes we are playing us a dirty trick ... What
a hard
task, right?

- If we are unable to overcome it, I'm afraid so. Note that, thanks precisely to the same genetic determinants, the man has also been able to advance the science, art, culture.

- Perhaps it is to redirect, to put it in some way, our instincts.

- Y
eah
, Hans, I think you've used the most appropriate expression.

- Do you know? ... maybe you should have devoted to anthropology. Well, actually
you
know that I admire you,
in fact I
think
you would have been good in all that you had proposed.    

Kelly's smile became a laugh.

- And I you know that I think
you're a flatterer. A very dangerous flatterer, because you not only extol the physical part of a woman, but her soul ... - Kelly responded with a sultry voice, surround -

- Do not flatter yourself, I also have appreciated some defect in you.

  
  Kelly was struck by Hanson's remark. She had to admit that she expected to find another type of replication, following the lines she had drawn, but had met with a harsh response, seemingly out of place and certainly uncomfortable. Soon went out of doubt when Hanson, after observing the face of Kelly's surprise, continued.

- I don’
t know if anyone told you before, but considering that we both like to be direct, talk things clear, without hesitation, despite the consequences that may lead me, I think it's my duty to tell it. Perhaps this time I will be able to achieve once and for all breaking the seductive image that you've assigned me. 

Kelly's astonishment and perplexity continued to grow. Just came out weakly to respond.

- It must be. Come on, please, even if it hurts.

- It's simple. In my opinion you are a bit stubborn. Rather, I rectify, not a bit but pretty, almost reaching the range of mulish. 

Kelly laughed openly. No doubt that Hanson was as playful as surprising. He had taken the opportunity to drastically change talk and putting her on the ropes. And, when she expected to
find a nasty surprise, with a
the
oric default that he hated, he
merely
was
tell
ing
her humorously a fact that showed that Hanson began to know her better than anyone.

- Definitely you're silly! I was beginning to be worried!

- For example, I know perfectly you're giving me gab for I finally yield to you letting you make a guard, but I assure that you will not get it!

- Ah! You mean to say that I'm boring you? I'm sorry that I've disappointed you - Kelly said in a serious tone -

- I thought you knew enough to know when I'm serious ... or not? ..
. - Hanson replied as he approached
his face close to hers.
Then stared at her and stroked her hair –

- But ... what do you say? You are extraordinary, you know ...  I even love these small defects, if they can be regarded as such. You are a determined woman with character, there's nothing that could stop you.

- Some people label me as too much self-sufficient - she replied him with honeyed voice -

- I am sure they envy your ability. I've never met a woman like you.    

Their eyes looked as if trying to carefully scrutinize their feelings, making sure that now was the right time. Hanson then took her gently in his arms and kissed her passionately.

XXVI

Shortly before dawn Marvin was the first to get up, because he had to do the last watch, relieving Untai. He insisted unsuccessfully to get that he rested a while. He was surprised that the indigenous needed so little time to rest, but then thought that surely he was accustomed to long days of walking, in fact the day before had not shown any symptoms of exhaustion.  

Once all of them got up and had breakfast, they only talked and speculated about whether Souza would succeed in his risky task. There was no doubt that the Brazilian police knew what he was doing, but also that could be confused with any of the whites who had recently disturbed the peace of the village. That would make him an easy target for their anger. However, perhaps the presence by his side of the other guide could infuse them some tranquility allowing Souza achieve his goal.

 
They were collecting parsimoniously the camp and prepared to wait. Noon came, the deadline specified by Souza and still there we
ren't news of him. Nobody dared
to say anything, but the unrest was reflected in their faces. When it had spent nearly an hour over the agreed time, Hanson broke the silence to express the feeling of all.

- This wait is endless. It has spent
more th
an hour.

-
I know – simply a
nswered Marvin,
crestfallen -

- What do you think? Don't you think we should do something about it? I mean, ignore him and instead ...

- Go in
his
search? - Interrupted Marvin - I'm glad you asked me that, because I don't stop of mulling about it some time ago. I think so, that's what I think and what I feel, despite his warnings. Souza is a great guy, if all of us agree ... - looked at Kelly, who was quick to respond -

- I am with you. We need to get going.

They put on their back
packs, did not need to make
understand their
decision to the guide, as it was clear from his gestures that he had understood their a
ttitude and agreed with it. As
they had finished up, they heard noises of steps ever closer into the thicket. Marvin and Hanson loaded their rifles, but soon they moved from uncertainty to joy when they perceived between vegetation the figure of Souza, who showed his satisfaction as a broad smile, surrounded by two Indians, one of them his guide.

- I'd prefer not have to ask about decision you had been taken - said while hugging Marvin - but I must admit I'm glad you were still here.

 
Souza then hugged Kelly and Hanson, who stared at the new Indian and nodded his head to him.

- I notice that you not only are back, but have done it with a new companion. We burn with desire you tell us what has happened, if not too tired.  

Souza sat and others followed suit, leaving their backpacks on the ground. Then he began to speak slowly, with many pauses to breath and wipe the sweat from his forehead. His voice was a true reflection of his fatigue.

- I'm exhausted, I must
to admit it, please allow me a short break and then continue - Souza told them - I will be brief.
I can’
t say I have received with open arms, the fact to be accompanied has saved my life. It was hard to
convince them of the reason
for
my presence, they were extremely reluctant to listen. It is logical, given that several members have disappeared from the village over the past three years, not just the two we had been told. It has been like a slow but relentless drip. They are captured at the rate of three or four every six months, when it seems tha
t the phenomenon has finished
, it comes and hits them again. They are hunters who venture into the forest and never return. At first they blamed the ferocious Suruahas, who wandering naked through the forest and commit suicide before the age of thirty years for accessing to the best of the four heaven that awaits them in the afterlife, but then found their warlike neighbors seemed had also disappeared as if by magic. They didn't know what it was exactly, so spirits had been imposed over common sense, until this last time one of the victims of the attacks managed to escape and tell them what had happened - He got to stand up but not without doing a great effort and came near the new I
ndian, then put his hand on his
shoulder - I introduce you to Ukekeni, our key.

-  Key? Who is it? - Marvin asked echoing the general feeling -

- The hunter who was saved from the ambush of the white men.

- Whites? Are you sure? ...

- Yeah
, my dear Marvin, white men, because he managed to see one of them during his escape.  He hates them, but now he knows that
we are here to help him. He is going to
lead us to the site where they were attacked. It is a brave man.

- Is he going to do
it only for bravery? - Asked Kelly -

- Human beings have values
above religions, ideals
and cultures
, values
that make life pays off, don’
t
you think so? - replied Souza-  Ukekeni, hopes to find and rescue his lifelong friend, one of the indigenous that whites were carried.

- Souza,
please
allow me a question befo
re we get going.

- Of course, Mr. Hanson, as many as you deem appropriate.

- You came to say that the susp
ected area was extensive. Don’t
you think that, despite everything, is like finding a needle in a haystack?

- Of course, I still think the same. So I suggest that - looked around at all and ea
ch of the three as if waiting they gave him their approval - t
hey are who find us.

- My God! - Kelly exclaimed -

- I think it’s
the only possibility, entering the area where the last ambush took place and then wait - Souza cont
inued trying to synthesize his
opinion - but if you  disagree, we leave now.

- Excuse my initial reaction, I bet to follow - corrected Kelly -

- We all agree, I'd wish they find us ASAP - he added Marvin - 

While everyone was encouraged to continue, Souza was on the verge of exhaustion, so they decided to eat and let him to
rest for a few hours. The walk
would be resumed early in the afternoon.

XXVII

They were surprised by the physical background
of
Souza. No one could have imagined how that man, slightly overweight, had needed only a few hours of sleep to recover and walk to that rhythm. How much they neglected, Souza and Indians took them distance enough until the point to be forc
ed to increase the pace. At the
accumulated fatigue had to add a moist heat, burning, although the thickness rarely allowed a ray of sun reached the ground.  

There came a time when Kelly was visibly tired, but true to her character, she hardly got to go on. Hanson, always by her side, suffered when he saw her on the brink of exhaustion, felt she had gone too far in her zeal and courage.

- You are very tired. We should stop - he said quietly, in order that no one else noticing her state -

- Don’
t even think - responded hardly Kelly with a whisper of voice, while stopped for a moment to catch her breath - I can't and I don't want to be a drag on this expedition. We must reach our target as soon as possible.

- But not at any cost.

  Kelly stopped again and looked back.

- What happen? - Asked Hanson -

- I have a strange feeling - again she took a breath and went o
n trying to control her panting
-