Congo Terror by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shine-A-Light Press
Published: 2022-06-11T04:56:15+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

The rooster’s announcement sat Julia bolt upright from her deep sleep of emotional exhaustion. The weight of last night’s events morphed back into reality, and she felt guilty that she had been able to sleep at all. She wondered how James felt; if his condition had improved through the night or if it got worse with time, like a sore muscle. Either way, she knew she had to try and see him.

“Guard!” Julia called. “I need to use the W.C. Open my door, s’il vous plait. Soki olingi, salisa ngai,” Julia added the Lingala she had learned from Alessandra last year along with English and French, hoping something would resonate with the sentinel.

A moment later the lock was rattling, and her door opened. The day was barely beginning, and the morning light was still changing from gray to yellow. Julia raised her arms over her head, her body forcing the inevitable morning yawn and stretch, even though she didn’t feel the least bit rested. Turning to the guard, she said, “Howdy doody.”

The confused guard, who thought he understood American English, could not make out the meaning of this woman’s strange phrase. Julia smiled and continued to stretch while walking methodically in the direction of the outhouse near where she bathed the previous day. She continued to use modern idioms, hoping to communicate with James but confuse her captor.

“Do you catch my drift?” Julia asked, looking at the man. “I need to use the john but am cogitating on how my BFF is doing on this hum-dinger of a day.” A slight tap answered Julia’s ridiculous speech, giving her the assurance that she sought. James was still alive. She bowed a curtsey to her bewildered captor and headed to the outhouse. Not worried about an escape attempt without the man, the guard let her cross the village clearing unattended. Behind the cover of the last hut, Julia came face to face with a young girl, not more than twelve or thirteen.

“Good morning,” the girl offered carefully, glancing back toward the nearest hut window. “I am so glad you are finally here. I have prayed for you to come.”

Julia looked confused but offered a cautious, “Hello.”

“You are worried about the man you are with? I heard what happened last night. I will find a way to get him to you soon. I want to help.”

“What is your name?” Julia asked.

“Dinanga. Quickly, use the W.C. and return to your chair near the cook fire. I will bring the man to his chair very soon.”

Julia nodded and quickly finished her business. She dipped her hand in the bucket of clean water, washed her face, and purposefully allowed the bottom of the woman’s cloth to touch the water. Although the cold drip against her leg was irritating, it was for a purpose. Julia was hoping she would need the damp cloth in the very near future. She reached into the hovel and grabbed her backpack from inside the door to take with her.

Julia glanced around the camp as she slumped into her now- favorite plastic chair.

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