The Demon Stone by Christopher Datta

Author:Christopher Datta [Datta, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror, Thriller
ISBN: 9780996090896
Google: 3VrvoAEACAAJ
Goodreads: 22071301
Publisher: Christopher Datta
Published: 2014-05-03T23:00:00+00:00

Part III

This Hard Land

Chapter 1

Africa

Diallo sighed at Mosquito’s command to bring the boy, gazing longingly at his plate, then shrugged and left the table. A few minutes later he returned with a frightened child in tow. The boy looked to Kevin to be about nine. Diallo placed him between Mosquito and Bill, then returned to his seat to continue his meal.

Mosquito looked at Joku but the boy would not return his gaze. Instead, he hung his head, staring at the table. His hair was cut short, his clothes tattered and dirty. He was very thin. Tears rolled down his cheeks as Kevin watched him and his body trembled.

“I hear you’ve been a bad boy, Joku,” said Mosquito. “Is that true?”

Joku didn’t respond.

“Is that true?” Mosquito repeated, a harder edge to his voice.

The boy nodded.

“You see,” said Mosquito to Bill and Kevin, “Joku is the son of a wealthy family. We killed his parents but took him to work, to redeem himself. For the first time in his life he knows what it means to work, like the rest of his countrymen. He digs for diamonds. Do you work hard, Joku?”

Again, the boy nodded silently.

“But as you say in your country, Mr. Bill, the apple never falls far from the tree. And today Joku was caught stealing, just like his father stole from our people to enrich himself. Did you steal, Joku?”

The boy shook his head vigorously, his lips drawn back in a grimace. Mosquito’s hand shot out and slapped the boy on the side of the head, hard. He cried out but stood still, his head down.

“Don’t lie!” said Mosquito. “Isn’t it bad enough that you steal? Is there any crime you do not commit? Did you steal today?”

Slowly the boy wrung his hands, nodding.

“What did you steal?”

“Diamonds,” the boy said quietly.

“Speak up. I can’t hear you.”

“I stole diamonds, sir,” he said into the table, louder.

Mosquito held out his glass and it was filled with scotch. He took another long drink, smacking his lips. “So, you tried to steal from us just like your father. You still have not learned how to be an honest man even though we spared your life.”

“That’s enough,” said Bill. “He’s a kid. He looks like he needs something to eat.” Bill grabbed a plate and ladled food onto it.

Mosquito struck the plate and sent it flying against the wall, where it shattered. With a quick sweeping motion of his arm he cleared a space on the table before him, sending glasses and more plates crashing to the floor. He grabbed the boy’s right arm and slammed it onto the table.

“What the hell are you doing?” said Bill. He half rose from his chair. Soldiers, stationed just outside the doors, stepped quickly into the room and stared menacingly at Bill.

Mosquito smiled, holding tightly to the boy’s arm. The boy stared up at Mosquito, terrified.

“We’re punishing him. You punish bad children in America. I’ve seen the movies.”

At that moment, Kevin knew what the punishment was going to be.

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