Two nights later, Cori brings her suitcase to the living room. Ms. Anderson is sitting at the kitchen table. “Okay, Ms. A…” Cori says, “It’s about that time.”
Ms. Anderson looks up at her. “What time does your ride get here?” she asks.
“Soon,” Cori responds, “you know you gotta get to the airport at least two hours early so...”
Ms. Anderson gets up from the table and hugs Cori. “Oh baby, I’m gonna miss you,” she says, squeezing Cori tightly. “I’m so proud of you for choosing to go to college!”
“I’m glad somebody is,” Cori says.
Ekanga sits on the back porch staring up at the moon. Cori watches her from the back door and then turns to Ms. Anderson. “She’ll come around,” Ms. Anderson says. “Just stay focused on what you have to do.”
Cori walks to get her luggage. “Yes ma’am,” she says, filled with sadness. She walks outside to the car waiting for her.
Ekanga watches from the wooden fence around the house. “Goodbye, Cori.” she says softly.
In the forest around the neighborhood, Kashuan is watching the house through his binoculars. He is wearing his school book bag.
“So, she really does live here,” he says, putting the binoculars in his book bag. “I can’t believe I followed this girl home yesterday. Man, I feel like the ultimate stalker! Why did I sign up for this?! Well, I guess I really do need the money. Get it together, Kashuan! Just go knock on the door and ask to speak to her!”
He inhales and looks at the house again.
“Alright, you can do this!” he says. He takes one step as his phone begins to vibrate. Livvy is calling him. “Ohh now you wanna talk?” he says as he sighs.
He looks up at the house again.
Inside the house, Ekanga is putting all of her designs from the fashion show into the closet. After she’s done, she sits on her bed and begins to look at pictures of Cori and her from earlier years. She smiles. As she keeps scrolling, she sees the picture of her and Kashuan in the store. Her smile fades as she stares at the picture before shutting off her screen. She then leaves the room.
Kashuan has entered through the back of the neighborhood. He is seemingly in a bad mood. “Love is stupid,” he says, “and girls are even more stupid.”
He comes to a halt. “Now which house was it? Gosh, I’ve gotta quit walking around when I’m on the phone.” He begins to turn in circles before stepping on a twig.
“Woah, what was that?!” he says, looking down, “Oh...just a twig.”
Moments later, he hears another sound. Knowing that the sound did not come from him, as he has not moved, Kashuan nervously stands still. When he turns, Ishui faces him.
“Now you are a huge deer,” he says as Ishui gives him the death stare. Kashuan backs up. “But you’re a nice deer, right, buddy?”
Ishui begins to scuff the ground with his hoof as Kashuan is nearly sweating. “It’s about to get real,” he says. Ishui charges at Kashuan, prompting him to run towards Ms. Anderson’s house.
“DAMN IT, THIS IS ABOVE MY PAY RATE,” he yells as he hightails towards Ekanga’s room window. Without second-guessing it, he jumps headfirst through the open window and rolls over to his back. Getting off the floor, he slams the window shut as Ishui stares at him through the glass.
“Gotta be quicker than that, buddy,” Kashuan mocks him while trying to catch his breath.
Ekanga enters the room carrying sewing supplies as he turns around in shock. She glares at him in confusion with a needle between her lips.
“Oh man,” Kashuan says, standing as if he is about to jump back through the window to escape.
Ekanga drops her supplies and takes the needle from her mouth. “Wait, it’s…” she begins.
“You!” Kashuan says.
“What are you doing in my room?” Ekanga yells.
Kashuan shrugs. “Home improvement,” he says, nervously. Ekanga takes a pair of scissors from her blouse and launches them at Kashuan who dodges them at the last second. “Wait, easy there!” he yells, “It was just a joke!”
“Don’t tell me that! You’ve been stalking me!” Ekanga yells as she rushes towards Kashuan, swinging a long needle at him.
“No!” Kashuan says, grabbing Ekanga’s hands and switching positions with her. “Listen, I need to talk to you!”
Ekanga, unable to use her hands, kicks Kashuan in his chest with her left foot. He stumbles a few feet backward as she rushes towards him again. Kashuan turns to run from her to the bathroom. He slams the door shut behind him and locks it. He leans over to catch his breath. Ekanga bangs on the bathroom door.
“Open the door! I swear I’ll kill you!” she yells.
“Just let me talk to you!” Kashuan yells back, still trying to catch his breath.
Seconds later, Ekanga breaks down the door using a wooden drawer in her room. She is breathing heavily as she glares at Kashuan as if she is ready to murder him. “Now was all that necessary?” Kashuan asks.
Ekanga charges at him once more and begins swinging at him with her bare fists. He avoids all but one punch that lands on his left jaw. He touches his face, surprised.
“You damn sava--”
Ekanga kicks him in his private area, causing him to grab himself in excruciating pain. His face has turned red as she shoves him into the bathtub. She then picks up a glass bowl from the sink and attempts to hit him with it. But he rolls out of the way, jumps to his feet and tackles her out of the bathroom. Kashuan grabs both of Ekanga’s wrists and holds her down to the floor.
“Will you listen to me?! I don’t want any trouble!” he yells to a squirming Ekanga.
“I swear, I’ll take my lobola blade and cut you straight down the middle!” Ekanga yells.
“As pleasant as that sounds, I’m not here for that,” Kashuan says, “I need to ask you something-”
“Get off of me!!!” Ekanga yells.
“I will,” Kashuan says, “just tell me, why did you leave your village?”
Ekanga stops moving and looks up at him in shock. “What?” she asks.
“You said you didn’t know much about the Kimoni Tribe...but my sources beg to differ. From what I know, you’re from that tribe, aren’t you?” he asks.
Ekanga’s eyes grow wider.
“I have something in that bag over there to show you,” Kashuan says, nodding towards his book bag on the floor, “I wanna let you up...but you have to promise to be cool...promise?”
Ekanga nods, nonchalantly.
Kashuan lets go of her wrists and gets off her. He slowly crawls backward to grab his book bag while eyeing her, making sure she doesn’t attempt anything again. Ekanga slowly rises from the floor, holding her side. Kashuan reaches into his backpack and grabs a small black box, opening the box, he pulls out the picture of Ekanga.
“Isn’t this...you?” he asks, holding the picture up to her. Ekanga stares at the picture in confusion. She observes the clothes she is wearing in the photo as her eyes become wide again.
“Where...where did you get that photo?” she asks.
“It belonged to a friend of mine...well, one of his friends…who died a long time ago.” Kashuan responds.
Ekanga crawls over towards Kashuan and takes the photo from him to examine it closer.
“Your friend?” she says. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Kashuan says. “I just wanna know...are you really from this city? Is Kongo even your real name?”
Ekanga looks up at Kashuan, confused. “Who...are you?” she asks, haltingly.
“You can’t answer a question with a question,” Kashuan responds, “I asked you first.”
“Matthew took this picture,” Ekanga says, smiling, “when we were in the forest. We were reading.” She looks at Kashuan again. “Was Matthew, your friend?”
Kashuan scratches his head. “Not exactly. It’s like I said. He’s a friend of a friend. How did you end up meeting a guy like that?”
Ekanga continues to examine the picture as happiness fills her heart. “This was probably the best and worst day of my life,” she says. “It was so much fun…at first.”
“Then what are you doing all the way over here?” Kashuan asks, getting up from the floor.
Ekanga pauses. “I don’t care to share anything about my life with you! You just broke into my house!”
“I accidentally broke into your house, and you intentionally tried to kill me,” Kashuan replies, “so we’re even.” He reaches out his hand to help her up from the floor, but she declines and stands up on her own.
“What business do you have with me?” Ekanga asks, “I told you, I’m not part of that tribe...at least not anymore, so there’s nothing we need to discuss. I am curious, however, about how you got this picture of me from so long ago. Now I’m thinking you may actually be a stalker...and that’s gonna cause problems.”
Kashuan observes the dangerous look in Ekanga’s eyes. He breathes. “I’m just here to bargain with you. I know where you’re from, we’ve gotten past that part. Now, I wanna make a deal...a deal that will benefit both of us tremendously,” he says.
“I’m not in the mood to do any favors,” Ekanga says while quickly glancing at her closet. “Besides, there’s nothing you have that could benefit me. I’m good.”
“Really?” Kashuan says. “Well, I need to ask you this.” His mood has become very serious as he holds the Love Stone out for her to see. “Would you be willing to take me to your tribe?”
Ekanga stares at the stone, stunned. Kashuan is still glaring at her, waiting for a response. As Ekanga watches him hold the Love Stone, her mind goes back to Matthew, holding it out towards her just seconds before his death. Visuals of the village fires begin playing in her mind as she walks backward and trips over her sewing supplies.
Kashuan freezes in shock. “Are you-”
“Where...where did you get that?” Ekanga interrupts him, “Where did you get that stone from?”
“Oh, is that what this is?” Kashuan asks, “I thought it was just an orb or something.”
Ekanga has become fearful as she yells, “Why do you have it?! It’s supposed to be in the temple!”
“Well, it’s not,” Kashuan says. “Is it something that you n-”
Ekanga rushes over to Kashuan and grabs him by his shirt. “What did you do?! You have to take this back,” she yells in fear, “or they’ll die!”
“Who’s gonna die?” Kashuan asks. “Your people?”
Ekanga pauses and stares him in the eyes. “My people...they’re in trouble...and it’s all my fault.” She lets go of Kashuan’s shirt and slowly walks away, stopping in the middle of the room to think.
Kashuan is still confused. “You wanna explain to me what’s going on?”
Ekanga is now standing in front of the mirror. “All this time,” she says, “all these years have gone by, and I thought I had gotten away from it. But I guess, as I should have expected, everything is catching up to me now.”
“What happened to you?” Kashuan asks.
Ekanga turns to him. She laughs. “I was...I was lost...and always looking for something, and it cost me everything. If I had just listened then, maybe I wouldn’t be here.”
Kashuan coughs awkwardly. “Well, ya know, everything happens for a reason,” he says, “so I’m here to tell you. If you’d like to…take me to your village, I’d be willing to make an exchange with your people. I’m in a financial bond as of now, about $40,000 in debt with my university and I doubt that I’ll be able to pay off these loans in this lifetime. From the research I’ve done on your tribe, I know that the land there is rich in gold and copper. I don’t need much, just enough for me to sustain myself financially.
Ekanga is looking at him bleakly. “You wanna what?” she asks.
Kashuan sighs. “Listen, Kongo. I’m not a man who asks for handouts. This is something I need to do to-”
“So, you know what happened to my people years ago and...no, not even just then, you know what your people have done to mine for the last four hundred years, and you expect me to help you exploit us again?!” Ekanga says, angrily.
“Your people?” Kashuan says, “I’m not-’”
“Yes, my people!” Ekanga interrupts him again. “Your people lie and steal from every person they encounter without suffering any consequences but, I won’t let you walk free today.” She reaches in her drawer and pulls out a knife.
“What exactly are you getting at?!” Kashuan asks, “I’m not trying to use you…I-”
The rage inside Ekanga grows. “Don’t lie to me!” Ekanga says. “I made up my mind a long time ago that I’d never trust another European again, I don’t care if you are black!”
“Fine, then don’t trust me,” Kashuan says, “and I won’t trust you either, but I’m kind of in a hurry...okay? I’ve gotta help my family!”
Ekanga loosens her grip on her knife. “Your family?” she says.
“This isn’t about you or me,” Kashuan says, “and I promise, after we do this, we’re likely to never see each other again, so, please...Kongo.”
Ekanga thinks for a moment. “I don’t know, I mean...I can’t say yes. I haven’t been home in so long.”
Kashuan plays his card. “But your people, they need this, don’t they?” He holds out the stone again as Ekanga glares at it.
“It doesn’t matter,” she says, turning around. “There’s nothing I can do for them anymore.”
“Yes, there is.” Kashuan continues to plead his case. “You can take it back and... well, we can help each other win. Kongo please, I know we don’t really know each other, but I need your help.”
Ekanga is not moved. “You can let yourself out,” she says sternly.
Kashuan has a look of defeat as he brings the Love Stone towards him. “Alright,” he says, “that’s fine.” He turns to face the window. “I’ll find it myself.”
Ekanga is nearly trembling as Kashuan walks to open the window. He lifts the frame and prepares to climb through before turning to her.
“I’m leaving Thursday morning at dawn from the city gate,” he says. “If you change your mind, that’s where you can meet me. If not, then I’ll take this trip alone. I have to say I’m actually thrilled about the chance to meet your people. I’ll let them know that I crossed paths with you.” Then, he smiles and utters a sly, “Kongo.”
Ekanga’s muscles tighten as she prevents herself from turning around. Kashuan climbs through the window and leaves the neighborhood. As Ekanga turns around to view the destroyed room, she has flashbacks of herself receiving the marks of dishonor. Ms. Anderson knocks on the door.
“Kongo? Kongo baby, are you in there?” she says.
After Ekanga does not answer, she opens the door to find her standing in the room silently. “Oh, baby!” Ms. Anderson yells as she runs to hug Ekanga. “I ran to the store to get some supplies, and one of the neighbors called me and said they saw a boy sneaking through your window! I know you’re a good girl. I knew you wasn’t up to no good. So, I thought we had gotten robbed!”
She looks at the messy room. “Did we get robbed?” she asks.
“No,” Ekanga says, “I was...careless.”
Ms. Anderson looks at her. “Well, Kongo, how are you? I know you’ve never been someone to express your emotions, but you didn’t say anything to Cori for two days. Please, she’s doing a good thing. You know Cori loves you, y’all are like sisters.”
“I know,” Ekanga responds, “I’ll call her later.” She slowly walks out of the room with the same bleak expression on her face. “I’ll be back,” she says.
Ms. Anderson stands and looks around the room in concern. She walks to the bathroom to find the broken door and glass all over the floor.
Ekanga silently walks through the forest, trying to conceal her emotions. She reaches an open area and stares up into the moonlight while thinking back on the weeks after Amir was banished. In the flashback, she is sitting on the end of the couch in the living room. Her mother, Elizabeth, enters the room and joins her. Her concern for her daughter is visible.
“Tina, baby, it’s been a few days since you’ve been home...you need to eat something,” she says. Ekanga does not respond. Joshua, Nene, and Beni are watching from the background. Elizabeth sighs as she turns to go back to the kitchen.
“He’s not coming back is he?” Ekanga says. Elizabeth turns to her. “Amir, he’s not coming back,” Ekanga says again with teary eyes. Elizabeth’s eyes begin to tear up as well. “Tina,” she says softly.
The flashback comes to an end as Ekanga continues to stare into the moonlight. Now thinking about her argument with Cori, she squats down beside a tree, placing her hands over her temples. As she pulls her emotions together, she stands back to her feet.
“It’s not over yet, Ekanga,” she says before turning back into the forest.
The next day, Ms. Anderson is on the phone with Cori in distress. “I’m telling you! I don’t know what’s going on!” she says. “Did she ever call you, Cori? She said she would. I mean I came in the house, and it was like a stampede ran through her room. She hasn’t come out of her room all day! Just call her and work out whatever y’all have going on, please! I love you. Bye.”
As she hangs up the phone, Nadira comes through the door. “Ms. A,” she says, “you said you had an emergency! I came as fast as I could!”
“It’s Kongo,” Ms. Anderson says. “She won’t come out of her room, and I’m scared. I don’t know what she’s doing in there, but I don’t wanna call the police cause well.”
“Cause what?” Nadira says.
“She don’t like police,” Ms. Anderson responds.
Nadira goes to knock on the door. “Kongo...you in there, baby?”
Ms. Anderson is wandering around the living room in distress. “What happened?” Nadira asks.
Ms. Anderson is visibly upset. “I mean, she found out that Cori was going to school and they had a little fight and... I don’t know. I didn’t think it was that serious. I just want her to be okay!”
“Okay just relax,” Nadira says. “Breathe...sit down, Ms. A, you can’t get worked up like this.”
Ms. Anderson sits down and picks up a cup of wine off the table, taking a few sips.
“Oh my gosh, is that wine?” Nadira asks.
“I’m under a lot of stress, okay? Don’t judge me,” Ms. Anderson responds. “I’ve got a lot of work to do, and Kongo won’t talk to me about her problems. I just wonder where I went wrong. All I’ve tried to do since I took her in is provide her with a loving home cause I could tell that she was hurting. I tried my best. I really did.”
Nadira smiles. “Ms. Anderson, you’re beginning to understand what it’s like to be a parent. You may not be Kongo’s biological mother, but you’ve definitely been a mother figure for her since she came here and I’m sure she’s grateful for that.”
“You think so?” Ms. Anderson asks.
Seconds later, Ekanga’s room door opens. Ms. Anderson jumps to her feet as Ekanga slowly comes down the hall. Reaching the living room, she leans up against the wall, holding her left side.
“Kongo…?” Ms. Anderson says, confused.
“Hi, guys,” Kongo responds.
About ten minutes later, Nadira has left Ms. Anderson and Ekanga alone to work things out. Ms. Anderson has brewed coffee for the two of them. She sits at the kitchen table as Ekanga leans up against the counter, nervous.
“Alright,” Ekanga says, it’s time to be completely honest with you. I’m a little embarrassed to tell you all this, and I don’t want you to think that it’s because I don’t trust you. You and Cori have been so kind to me since I’ve been here and I honestly consider you both my family.” She begins to cry while speaking. Ms. Anderson sits patiently.
“But before I came here,” she continues, “I…I had a family. A large one at that. I have five sisters and one brother. We lived in a big house in an indigenous tribe of the Katanga Province, just miles outside of Lubumbashi. My tribe, the Kimoni tribe, is located within a forest that is so secluded from the rest of the world that most people forgot we ever existed. My father is the chief. My mother, my siblings, and I comprise the royal family.”
Ekanga grips her coffee mug tightly as tears stream down her face. Ms. Anderson looks thoroughly interested in her story.
“I know you think that I’m just...the star child that everyone dreams of having. I do everything you ask me to do without question. But the truth is I was never someone who liked being tied down by rules. I questioned everything, and I tried to do everything my way until one day I…I put my village in danger and got so many people killed!”
Ekanga places the mug on the counter as she begins to cry harder. “I didn’t mean to do it, I swear I didn’t, but I led them straight to us. They tried to take everything, and now it’s too late!” She moans in grief. “It’s too late. I can’t go back and change it.”
Ms. Anderson is still seated at the table, trying to process the information. “So that’s why you’re here?” she asks. “You were exiled from your village after you...what exactly did you do?”
Ekanga wipes her tears. “I trusted someone too soon. I thought because we had something in common that he wanted to be friends. Turns out, all he wanted was to take advantage of me and my people. He tried to steal everything we had...it was bad...and I’ve never been able to talk about it until now. I have to explain because of something that happened the other day that is starting to dig up my past.”
Ms. Anderson pauses for a moment to think. “I see,” she says, “well then tell me...who are you?”
Ekanga stares at Ms. Anderson nearly in shock. She stands up straight, clenching her fists and speaks. “My name is Ekanga, Princess Ekanga Yungo Maltina Lohembe.”
At Owen’s house, Kashuan is lying on his bed. He glances over at the picture of his family before getting up to look out the window. He picks up the Love Stone and stares at it, and then he looks up at the sky.
Ekanga is sitting on her window sill looking up at the sky as well.
The next night, Ekanga packs a bag. A single candle burning on the dresser lights the room. She looks at her reflection in the mirror as Ms. Anderson appears behind her.
“Another day’s journey, huh?” she says.
Ekanga turns to her. “Ms. Anderson,” is all she can manage to say.
“I packed you a lunch. I know you have a long journey ahead of you. Did you put blankets in your bag?” Ms. Anderson asks.
“Yes,” Ekanga responds.
“Good...’cause I want you to be warm…safe...and make it all the way there,” Ms. Anderson says. “I’m happy for you, Kongo, and I’m happy to know the truth about you. Not that it changes how I feel about you. You’re still the beautiful soul you’ve been since you came here and it was a pleasure having you here.”
Ekanga smiles. “Ms. Anderson, you didn’t have to do all this. All that you’ve done for me in the last three years. The day Cori found me asleep in the forest, you guys kept asking me where I was traveling to and to this day I don’t have an answer. I don’t know where I was going. I was lost...and honestly, I still am.”
She begins to cry while gripping her bag. “I feel like I’ve always known what I wanted in life, but never knew how to find it. I was just lucky enough to end up here and to meet people like you, Cori, and Nadira. Y’all gave me a chance to find myself again. I probably wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you, Ms. Anderson.”
Ms. Anderson hugs Ekanga gently. “Kongo, I knew you were special the day you came into my store. You didn’t luck out. You were blessed. And I’m blessed because I got to know someone as amazing as you. I understand that you have to go back home now, but whatever you do or wherever you go, make sure you choose your happiness over anything, Kongo...always choose to be happy.”
Ekanga looks up at her and smiles.
The next morning, around midnight at the research site, Kashuan has entered the building to meet Dr. Bernard, Owen, and Julie again.
“Are you sure about this, Dr. Bernard?!” Owen yells. “I mean I usually agree with all of your ideas but this...this is madness!”
“I’m sorry, but for once, I’m gonna have to agree with Owen,” Julie says. “You wanna send him off with our best experiment? That kid is the only thing holding this business together.”
“I understand your concern,” Bernard says, “I just need you all to trust me on this.”
Owen sighs. “I leave home from my nagging wife just to come to work and be stressed out even more.”
Kashuan enters the lab room. “Good morning, guys,” he says.
“Mr. Jones,” Bernard responds, “I’m glad you’re here, let’s get right down to it. Well first, let me ask, do you have the red orb with you?”
“Yes,” Kashuan says.
“How?” Bernard says, “You would have needed a code to get it out of the case.”
“I kinda sneaked down here the other day, and it wasn’t in a case,” Kashuan responds. “I mean, I wasn’t gonna steal from you, but I had to show it to Kongo if I was gonna convince her to take me to the village, ya know? I needed leverage.”
Julie sighs, “And you think you can trust him?” She stares at Bernard.
“Kongo?” Bernard says, “Oh, you mean the Congolese girl. Well, I must admit, Mr. Jones, I admire your persistence. You’re willing to do whatever you have to in order to achieve your goals. You’d actually make a good crew member here.”
Julie laughs.
“I appreciate that,” Kashuan says, nonchalantly.
“So, were you able to do it?” Bernard asks.
“Do what?” Kashuan asks.
“Did you convince the girl to take you to the village?!” Owen yells with frustration.
Kashuan nervously looks away. “Oh yea, sure. You bet I did. She was down with it. All the way down.”
“Good,” Bernard says. “Well, I’ve altered the plans of the mission just a little. Actually, I’ve added something to it.”
“What’s that?” Kashuan asks.
“You’re gonna have two traveling partners now. I’m sending someone else with you.” Bernard responds.
Julie and Owen roll their eyes.
“Wait. What?” Kashuan says. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean this is gonna be difficult as it is, I don’t need any other distractions.”
“I doubt they’ll be a distraction,” Bernard says as he pushes the button on the wall. A sliding door on the center back wall of the room slowly opens. Kashuan stares in confusion.
“Please come out, 0475,” Bernard says.
Kashuan’s mouth drops as Iman slowly walks out of the room. He is standing in handcuffs, and his hair is all the way down his back.
“Iman!” Kashuan says.
“I know you two share a brother-like bond,” Bernard says, “so I figured with him traveling with you, it’d make the experience more comfortable. You going hundreds of miles across the country all by yourself with a stranger would probably do more harm than good. So now you have a genuine travel buddy.”
Kashuan stares at Iman, who is standing with his head down. He is wearing the standard Thomas-Croite test-subject uniform -- a white T-Shirt with the company’s logo, black pants, and white shoes.
“He’s been isolated from everyone for a while,” Bernard says. “I think this will be a good way for him to finally see the world. Who is better to show him than you? You’ve been reading to him about so many different places. I know he’s excited.”
“Are you excited...Iman?” Julie asks. Iman nods his head.
Bernard directs his attention back towards Kashuan. “Alright, so what time are you leaving today?”
“I uh...I’m meeting Kongo at the city gate in a couple of hours,” Kashuan responds. “We’ll leave from there.”
“Perfect,” Bernard says, “that’ll give us enough time to get Iman cleaned up and ready to go. You can wait in the lobby until then. Let’s go, kid.”
Iman follows Bernard and Julie out of the room as Owen approaches Kashuan with a device. “Here,” he says, tossing the small chip at him, “This is your tracking device. There’s a switch on the side that you need to use once you’ve reached the village to notify us that you’re there. Understand that we’ll be tracking you the entire time you’re gone. So, don’t try anything stupid. You won’t know how to get back here if you get lost unless your little friend is gonna bring you back here herself. But I wouldn’t count on it...we’re the only ones who have your back.”
“Got it.” Kashuan says, “Don’t worry...you can trust me.”
“Alright,” Owen says. He turns around and exits the room as Kashuan stands, smiling.
It is the crack of dawn, and Ekanga is in her room preparing to leave. She looks in the mirror while putting on her diamond necklace and tying up her hair. She then walks to the closet and grabs her spear before turning to get a last glimpse of her room. Once she is in the makeshift barn, Ekanga leads Ishui out into the backyard.
“Come on, boy, it’s time to go home,” she says.
The sun has not risen yet, and the atmosphere is thick with fog. Ms. Anderson is sitting in a chair on the back porch as Ekanga comes around the house. She turns to her and stands silently.
“You off?” Ms. Anderson asks.
“...Yea” Ekanga responds, “I’m meeting someone at the gate...they needed help with something.”
Ms. Anderson stands up. “That’s just like you...helping people until the bitter end, huh?”
Ekanga smiles softly.
“I want you to be safe...okay?” Ms. Anderson says, “Rest when you need to rest and sleep when you need to sleep. Don’t go to sleep in nobody’s forest though.”
They laugh.
“I’m gonna miss you, Ms. Anderson,” Ekanga says.
“I’ll miss you too,” Ms. Anderson responds, “If you can, let somebody know when you make it there...Cori, or somebody...and always stay in touch, okay?”
“Okay,” Ekanga says, “I hope I get to see you again someday, Ms. Anderson.”
The older woman gathers her emotions. “Me too. You be safe now.”
Ekanga turns to exit the yard. Just before she enters the fog, she stops and begins to think. She seems worried as she turns to Ms. Anderson again, who is standing on the porch watching her.
“Ms. Anderson,” she says.
“Yes?” Ms. Anderson responds.
“Thank you,” Ekanga says, gently.
Ms. Anderson smiles and says with more resolve, “I’ll see you later, Kongo.”
Ekanga smiles as she turns into the morning mist, heading to the city gate.
At the research site, Bernard, Owen, and Julie are all observing Matthew’s belongings.
“And you’re sure this was a good idea?” Owen asks, “I’ve been living with this kid for ten months now. He’s a good kid, don’t get me wrong. But I’m not sure if even I know him well enough to be comfortable doing what you just did.”
“Seriously, Dr. Bernard, can you tell us what your actual motive is?” Julie asks. “You said it yourself, that kid was born for one reason...science. I know you don’t care about him seeing the world, so what was all that about?”
“You two worry too much, so he’s going on a field trip, what’s the worst that could happen?” Bernard says.
“Well for starters, Iman could expose this company for what it really is and if Kashuan does choose to betray us, he could run away with him,” Julie replies.
“You guys should know that I don’t do anything without reason,” Bernard says, “I’m not concerned about Iman running away.”
“Of course not,” Owen says, “I mean he wouldn’t get far anyway because of the chip in his--” He pauses as his eyes grow wide with recognition. “...Ohh I get it” he says.
“The tracking device…,” Julie says, “Iman has a tracking device somewhere in his body!”
Owen adds, “All of the test subjects do!”
“I hadn’t even thought about that….” Julie says, stunned.
Bernard laughs. “I told you to trust me...and don’t worry about Iman “exposing us.” After being in solitary for so long, he knows better than to rat out his creators.”
He lifts another device into the air. It is the same remote he uses to send shock waves through the test subject’s bodies.
“Yea, plus he’s a child, so no one would listen anyway,” Owen says.
“Dr. Bernard, you’re a genius...a sneaky, conniving genius and we stan,” Julie says. Bernard grins.
Outside at the gate of Bukavu, Kashuan leans against a large boulder. He is wearing a burgundy hoodie, khaki jogger pants, and black vans. Next to him is a small duffle bag. He checks his phone to see if Livvy has responded to his most recent message. The message reads, “Babe, can we talk?” It was sent three days earlier. As he sighs and places his phone back in his pocket, Iman emerges from behind the boulder, full of energy.
“Hey Kashuan, I sneaked up on ya, didn’t I?!” he says with obvious excitement. “Hey, what are we waiting on? You said we were gonna leave in 10 minutes 30 minutes ago. Where are we going anyway? You like my haircut?!”
“Iman...you’re so hype,” Kashuan laughs, “relax, we’re about to leave. Go get your bag.”
“Alright, I think I left it over by the river. I found a wasp’s nest, by the way, wanna go see it?” Iman asks.
“Leave the wasp’s nest alone,” Kashuan says. “Make it quick. We gotta go.”
“I’ll be super quick,” Iman says as he runs into the grass.
Kashuan looks down the long dirt road ahead of him while pulling out his phone again. He stares at the picture of him with Ekanga for a few seconds before closing it and opening up his maps app. He types in “Kimoni-” before hearing a noise behind him. He turns to see Ishui walking towards him. Ishui stops directly in front of Kashuan, and the two of them stare at each other.
“Aren’t you the same deer who chased me the other day,” Kashuan says. He reaches his hand out and rubs Ishui’s face. Ishui licks Kashuan’s face as he laughs. “You are a nice deer,” he says.
Ekanga comes out of the forest and is annoyed at the sight.
Kashuan is shocked as he sees her walking towards him.
“Kongo,” he says, “You came…!”
“I figured it was time for me to pay my people a visit,” Ekanga responds, “so...here I am, I’m gonna help you.”
She grabs Ishui’s rein as Kashuan watches, confused. “Wait... this is your deer?” He asks.
“Yes, Ishui is a close friend of mine,” Ekanga responds.
“Ishui.” Kashuan says, smiling, “Well, thanks for choosing to help me out. I appreciate you.”
“So, when are you hoping we’ll get there?” Ekanga asks. “Is there a deadline before you have to go back to your country?”
“Don’t worry about that, I have time,” Kashuan responds, “just as long as we get there.”
“Hey Kashuan, I’m back!” Iman yells, running out of the forest, “I didn’t touch the wasp’s nest, well I didn’t touch it with my bare hands at least. I used a stick, still wasn’t a good idea but they didn’t sting me, I was too fast.”
Iman notices Ekanga who is staring at him awkwardly.
“Who’s this?” he asks, “Is she coming with us. Woah, cool!!! What kind of animal is that?!” Iman begins to walk towards Ishui as Ekanga clutches her spear. Kashuan places his arm in front of Iman.
“Woah there little buddy, this is...Kongo, she’s a... a uhh... a friend of mine. I met her in the city and she’s gonna show us the way to where we’re going,” he says.
“Wow, so you’re coming with us,” Iman says. “I’m Iman nice to meet you!” He holds his hand out to Ekanga, who is still looking at him in confusion. She looks at Kashuan, who shrugs.
“Hey, it’s okay, buddy, we’ll meet and greet later,” he says, moving Iman behind him.
“You wanna explain to me what’s going on?” Ekanga asks.
“Listen, I know you’re confused. I understand that this wasn’t part of our plan.” Kashuan whispers, “He’s a sheltered kid, an orphan from a research lab actually. I haven’t spent much time with him in the last couple of weeks, so I gotta make it up to him somehow.”
Ekanga gives him a dissatisfied look.
“Look, I promise, he won’t be any trouble, he’s under my supervision,” Kashuan says.
“Ooh boy, that’s saying a lot,” Ekanga says, sarcastically.
“I know...wait, what—” Kashuan says, “anyway, you can trust me on this, so don’t worry.”
Ekanga looks past Kashuan to see Iman trying to feed grass to Ishui.
“I already know how you feel about ...them,” Kashuan says, “but I can promise you, Iman won’t be an issue. I always keep my promises.”
Ekanga glares at him. “I want to believe that you have no ill motives...that’s the only reason I let you live ...so don’t try anything you might regret.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Kashuan says with a nervous smile.
Ekanga walks past Kashuan as he turns to see Iman trying to jump on Ishui’s back. Ishui continues to move out of the way, causing Iman to plop on the ground.
“Oh boy...this is gonna be a problem,” Kashuan says stressfully.
At the research lab, Dr. Bernard is in the laboratory alone, examining a moving symbol on his computer screen. He looks over at a picture of Matthew on the desk. “Your death was not in vain, Matthew,” he says.
He opens a nearby closet door and pulls out a mechanical bow and arrow. He looks up at the screen to observe the moving symbol again.
Ekanga, Kashuan, and Iman are all walking down a long dirt road without a single word. Ekanga is leading the way with Ishui. Kashuan is walking awkwardly in the silence. Iman is playing with a dragonfly.
“Sooo, you said you’re kind of familiar with this area, Kongo?” Kashuan asks.
Ekanga ignores him.
“Is this the way you came when you left home?” Kashuan asks, “I’m surprised that you remember...had to have been a long trip, right?”
Ekanga ignores him again as she continues to pull Ishui. Kashuan sighs, taking his phone out of his pocket to check his map. “Okay, guess I’ll find the nearest city then,” he says.
“We’re going to Uvira,” Ekanga says. “We’ll be there by tomorrow.”
Kashuan looks up at her. “When were you gonna tell me that?” he asks, agitated.
“Oh, I wasn’t. I’m leading you, remember?” Ekanga responds.
Kashuan grunts as he grips his phone. “You’re--”
“Look, Kashuan!” Iman interrupts him, “I caught the dragonfly in my hands!”
Kashuan laughs. “Let it go, buddy. Insects deserve to be free too.”
“You’re right. I’m gonna let you go back with your family, okay, Spike?” Iman says, letting the dragonfly go.
“You already named it?” Kashuan asks.
“Hey, you named your monkey Ivy the day you met it,” Iman reminds him, shaking his left wrist.
“I named her on the second day,” Kashuan corrects Iman. “Is that wrist giving you trouble still?” Kashuan asks with concern.
“It’s just tingling again. I’m fine,” Iman assures Kashuan.
He runs up towards Ekanga, who is still ignoring them. “Hey, Kongo, so you’re from the village we’re going to? Why did you leave? How often do you go back to visit? How many animals have you seen before? Have you ever ridden an elephant? Man! I’d love to ride an elephant one day, I’ve wanted to since I was a kid.”
“You still are a kid, Iman,” Kashuan says.
“No, I’m 11,” Iman responds. “I’m practically an adult, right?”
“Right…” Kashuan responds, “Listen, Kongo, my GPS says that there’s a Skytown up above somewhere. If we’re gonna be traveling all day I’m gonna need some coffee to give me energy, ya know?”
“Ohh, that’s the coffee store you always tell me about!” Iman says, “We’re actually gonna go to one!”
“Sure thing, kid” Kashuan responds. He looks up at Ekanga who still has not turned around. “Is that alright with you, Kongo?” he asks. “We wanna stop for coffee.”
Ekanga continues to ignore him. Kashuan is becoming more and more irritated as she stops walking. He approaches her, angrily.
“A river,” Ekanga says.
“What?” Kashuan responds.
Ekanga points to her left into the forest. “There’s a river in the forest,” she says, “Can’t you hear it?”
Kashuan listens closely and begins to hear the sound of flowing water passing through the forest. “Yea, I can hear it,” he says, “But why does that matter?”
Ekanga explains the significance. “It means that there’s a town nearby and we can take a shortcut.”
“Oh, so you’re finally communicating with me?” Kashuan asks. “Maybe now this trip will be less painful.”
Ekanga withholds assurance. “Maybe,” she says, leading Ishui into the forest. “Come on, boy.”
The three of them have entered the vast green rainforest, walking down a steep hill.
“Woahhh,” Iman says, “This is a huge forest.”
“We’re in the Congo basin, buddy,” Kashuan says. “This is the Northeastern Congolian Forest.”
“Ohh, so the gorillas you research live here?” Iman asks.
“Yep,” Kashuan responds. “There aren’t many of them, though, they’re an end--”
“An endangered species!” Iman says proudly. “That means that they’ve been killed by humans who take over the land for money.”
Ekanga rolls her eyes.
“Did you know that 1.9 million animal species have been affected by human activities?” Kashuan asks, “and most of them are unnamed…”
“Woww, I didn’t even know there were that many animals in the world!” Iman says. “I wanna learn about all of them, maybe you can read me a book about Madagascar, a lot of animals live there, right?”
“Correct,” Kashuan responds, “Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot and 90% of the animals there are found nowhere else on earth.”
“You love animals. Maybe you should go there, K.J.,” Iman says.
“One day, pal” Kashuan replies.
“Kongo, do you like animals? Besides your deer, that is?” Iman asks.
“His name is Ishui” Kashuan whispers.
“Alright, cool, Ishui!” Iman says.
Ekanga ignores Iman’s question and has stopped walking.
“Everything alright?” Kashuan asks.
Several noises moving through the trees are heard as Ekanga draws her spear and begins to look around the forest. “What is that?” she says to herself.
Kashuan grabs Iman and pulls him close to him.
Moments later, a group of short men comes walking through the forest carrying nets, baskets, and large knives. They are cutting open wild rubber vines and taking the sap from inside of them. Ekanga lights up upon seeing them.
“Locals!” she says. “Locals to where?!” Kashuan asks, nervously.
Ekanga walks towards the group of men to talk to them as Kashuan pulls Iman behind a tree.
“Who are those guys?” Iman asks, “And what’s that white sticky stuff they’re pulling out the tree branches?”
“Those are rubber vines” Kashuan responds, “and that white stuff they’re taking is sap that’s used to make tires for bikes and cars. Those guys are pygmy people...or just call them hunter-gatherers. A long time ago before there were rubber plantations, people like those guys were in charge of collecting it out of the forest.”
“Ohh,” Iman says, “What’s a plantation?”
Kashuan pauses. “Um...It’s a uhh. We’ll talk about it another time, buddy.”
Ishui walks over to sniff Iman and lick his face.
“Woah, Ishui” Iman laughs.
“I guess that means he likes you,” Kashuan says.
Ekanga returns from speaking with the locals when she spots Iman petting Ishui. She walks over to him, angrily.
“What are you doing?!” she says, pulling Ishui away from him. “Don’t touch him again.”
Iman stands up happily. “Hey, Kongo, did you know that there used to be rubber plantations in Africa?!”
Ekanga looks at him, confused. “Huh?”
“Kashuan just told me!”
Iman continues, “Men like those guys used to have to do it with their hands until somebody started a business where they wouldn’t have to work as hard. Cool, right?”
Ekanga’s mouth drops as Kashuan quickly intervenes.
“Uh, Iman, that’s not exactly how it went down!” he says.
“Then what happened?” Iman asks.
“I told you we’d talk about it later, okay” Kashuan responds. “So, Kongo, what’s new?”
Ekanga rolls her eyes at him. “There’s a village up a mile ahead, and there’s a Skytown there too.”
Kashuan is relieved. “Nice,” he says as they continue to walk.
“Hey, Kashuan, how long do you think we’ll be gone?” Iman asks.
“Buddy, we just started the trip” Kashuan responds, “Are you homesick already?”
“Noo” Iman responds, “I just didn’t know if Mr. Bernard would need me anytime soon.”
“Need you for what?” Kashuan asks.
“Oh, nothing,” Iman says, nervously, “I’m just saying ...for anything.”
Ekanga’s eyes wander in suspicion to her right side where Iman is walking behind her. She stops walking and turns to face them. “What’s wrong? Why’d you stop walking again?” Kashuan asks.
Ekanga glances at Iman and then at Kashuan. “Something about this doesn’t feel right,” she says.
Kashuan looks over at Iman, nervously. “Buddy, will you excuse us for a minute? I need to talk to Kongo.”
“Sure thing,” Iman says as he runs off into the forest, happy for a chance to explore.
“Don’t go far!” Kashuan says as he turns to Ekanga, “Alright, now I thought we made a deal to at least put up with each other long enough to run this mission.”
“Putting up with you isn’t the issue, I just can’t shake this feeling that you’re up to something,” Ekanga responds. “How do I know you’re not leading them straight to my village again?! I mean, what reason do I have to trust you?!”
“Oh, believe me, the trust issue feelings are mutual,” Kashuan says. “Don’t forget you lied to me about not knowing anything about this village even though you’re actually from there. And you won’t answer any questions on why you left in the first place! I don’t know what your motives are either, so this is a big risk for me as well!”
“You just don’t feel safe to me!” Ekanga yells.
“Why didn’t you kill me the other night then?!” Kashuan asks.
“I tried...you moved out of the way” Ekanga responds.
“So, what? You can’t keep up with me?” Kashuan says.
“Just know you won’t be so lucky next time. I’m not letting my guard down so you best not let down yours,” Ekanga says, turning around. “Now let’s move out.”
“Aye aye captain!” Iman says from afar.
“Next time?” Kashuan says, “So she openly admits that she’ll eventually try to murder me again. That’s just great.”
About thirty minutes later, they are almost out of the forest. Iman is exhausted. “You said a mile,” he complains, “more like a gazillion.” He falls to his knees as Kashuan comes to check on him.
“You alright, buddy?” Kashuan asks.
“Yea, I’m fine...it’s just been a while since I’ve walked this far...or really walked at all” Iman replies, grabbing his left wrist.
“Kongo, we need to break,” Kashuan says, “give us time to catch our breath, please.”
Ekanga ignores him and goes to sit down with her back facing them. Ishui walks over to her and lays down. She begins rubbing his fur.
“Are you tired too, boy?” she asks.
Kashuan stares at her as he thinks. “Kongo, I have water if you’d like some.” Ekanga ignores him. Kashuan rolls his eyes. “Ya know there’s no need in waiting until we reach the town if you don’t have to. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially in this heat.”
Ekanga continues to rub Ishui’s fur as if Kashuan is not speaking. Kashuan sighs. “I’m just trying to be a team player,” he says.
“Yea, it’s not like your soccer team, where the players actually like you,” Iman says cheerfully.
“Thanks, Iman, awesome compliment,” Kashuan responds.
“No problem, now can you finish reading that story to me? The one about the Big Bang theory,” Iman asks.
“Sure,” Kashuan says, reaching into his bag.
He mistakenly grabs his water container and notices the tracking chip on the bottom of it. After making sure that Ekanga isn’t looking, he removes it from the container and places it on his belt. Iman is distracted by a grasshopper.
“Here you go, bud,” Kashuan says, handing Iman the water container. Iman begins drinking the water as Kashuan pulls out a book. “Alright, we may have time to go over at least a quarter of a chapter,” he says.
Ekanga turns around to see what they are doing. She is shocked to see Kashuan holding a book.
“Alright, so where’d we leave off? We’ve talked about the formation of planets, right?” Kashuan says.
“You’ve read about the Big Bang theory? You read?” Ekanga asks.
Kashuan looks up at her, surprised. “Yea, you know about it?”
Ekanga turns away from him. “I read about it a long time ago.”
Kashuan begins to get up. “Well, you’re welcome to come and give your opinion.”
Ekanga declines. “No, we’ve gotta keep moving if we’re gonna make it to the town before noon.”
Kashuan looks at his phone. “It’s already noon.”
Ekanga drives her point home. “Exactly, so break time is over.”
She walks away with Ishui as Kashuan stares at her, confused. “I’m saying what’s the point... Ya know what, whatever.” He says.
Iman goes through his duffle bag. “Hey Kashuan, where’s the book on Michael X you were talking about yesterday?”
“It’s in there somewhere, and it’s Malcolm X. Come on before we get left,” Kashuan says, taking the bag from Iman. “Hey Kongo, would you wait a minute, we’re coming!” Ekanga is already far ahead of them.
“What?! Can you not keep up with me?” she yells.
“Yea if you’d stop rushing us!” Kashuan yells back.
“Hey Kashuan, aren’t you in school for botany? What kind of plant is this?” Iman says while staring at a meadow saffron.
“Iman, don’t touch that, it’s poisonous!” Kashuan yells. He turns to grab Iman and steps into a net, hidden in the grass. Suddenly a rope snatches the net up along with Kashuan, leaving him dangling ten feet in the air.
“What the!” He yells with his body parts situated uncomfortably inside the net.
“It looks like those pygmy people set booby traps in the forest!” Iman laughs, looking up at Kashuan.
“Booby traps!” Kashuan yells.
Ekanga walks over to them and stares up at Kashuan. “Well that was fast,” she says.
“Kongo, please help me!” Kashuan says. “My legs are stuck!”
“You let your guard down. I asked you not to,” Ekanga says, drawing her spear. “Now I got you right where I want you.”
“Kongo, seriously?! I’m sorry okay! Whatever the reason is that you hate me, I’m sorry but please don’t do this!” Kashuan yells.
“I don’t need you anymore, I can take that stone and go back to my village on my own now,” Ekanga says.
“What?! But I thought we were in this together!” Kashuan yells. Ekanga stares him in his eyes, preparing to throw her spear.
“Kongo!” Kashuan yells, nervously.
“Kashuan!” Iman yells as he runs to stop Ekanga.
Ekanga looks down at the thick rubber branches below him. She smiles and throws the spear at the rope, cutting it and causing Kashuan to fall into the branches.
“Kashuan!” Iman yells as he runs to check on him. Kashuan climbs from out of the branches.
“Whew, these branches...they broke my fall,” he looks at Ekanga. “Are you crazy?!”
With a smile, she replies, “I might be.”
“You were better off stabbing me to death!” Kashuan replies.
Ekanga has begun climbing the tree with her knife. “I saved you like you asked me to! Since you wanna talk about being a team player, be grateful!” She yells.
Iman is amazed as he watches her climb the tree. “That’s so cool,” he says to himself.
Kashuan stands up and brushes the leaves off of him. “Well, this is certainly one for the books,” he says.
“K.J, I think you’ve got that white sap in your hair,” Iman says, pointing to Kashuan’s head. Kashuan feels his hair to discover that rubber sap from the branches has gotten caught in it.
“Ohh no, this isn’t good!” he says, “No way did I fall into a pool of rubber sap!”
Ekanga uses her spear to slide from branch to branch until she lands safely on the ground.
“Woah,” Iman says, “She’s like a trapeze.”
Kashuan stares at Ekanga walking away. “Let’s go, buddy,” he says.
About 15 minutes later, they have reached a riverbank. Ekanga and Kashuan come out of the forest arguing.
“Logically, what you did made no sense. What if your aim was off?!” Kashuan yells.
“Well it wasn’t,” Ekanga responds, “I could have left you up there to die, but I didn’t, and I didn’t hear a ‘Thank you,’ either.”
“Oh, really? Well, I haven’t heard hardly anything from you since we started walking six hours ago!” Kashuan yells.
Iman falls to his knees again. “You guys have been arguing for the last fifteen minutes...it wasn’t that serious, and I’m out of breath!” he says.
“So, the town should be right across… like...not far, right?” Kashuan says.
“I’m tired again,” Iman says, “I can’t believe those pygmy people walk a mile every day just for rubber,”
Kashuan explains the obvious. “They have families to provide for, buddy.”
Kashuan looks at his reflection in the water and feels his hair. It is even more sticky and tangled than before. He looks up at Ekanga who is standing on a small bridge over the water.
“Kashuan, I’m thirsty,” Iman says.
“Grab a water bottle from my bag, buddy,” Kashuan responds, walking up to the bridge towards Ekanga. Ekanga looks at him, confused.
“Hi,” Kashuan says, awkwardly, “I just wanted to say...thank you...for saving me.”
Ekanga looks away from him and towards the river current. Kashuan looks at the water flow with her.
“So, you like to read?” he asks.
Ekanga does not respond, prompting Kashuan to turn away from her. “I used to,” she says quietly.
Kashuan turns back to her in surprise.
“I used to read a lot, but I haven’t opened a book in a while,” Ekanga continues.
“Really? Why?” Kashuan asks. “I read to Iman all the time. He loves it.”
“Go figure,” Ekanga says, uninterested in his comment.
Kashuan sighs, “I know you’re not fond of him, but he’s a good kid. He just doesn’t get out much. Would you give him a chance?”
Ekanga looks over at Iman playing with a frog by the water. She turns from Kashuan. “The village is just up ahead, we need to get going,” she says, walking away.
Iman runs up on the bridge beside Kashuan and looks up at his hair. “You know, Kashuan. It doesn’t look that bad,” he says.
Kashuan feels his hair again. “I just hope I won’t have to cut it.”
About twenty minutes later, they reach a small village. They are inside a barbershop. “I’m afraid we’ll have to cut it,” the barber says.
“What?!” Kashuan responds, “But it isn’t that bad, is it?!”
The barber hands him a mirror. “You see, son, the sap has your curls in a tangle, and we don’t know exactly how deep it is in there, and so, we’ll have to give you a brush cut at least to be sure we got it all out.”
Kashuan examines himself in the mirror. “But c’mon, is this the only barbershop in the area?” he asks.
“For several miles,” the barber says. “Gahhhhh!” Kashuan groans.
“Kashuan, what’s wrong with cutting your hair, I got mine cut!” Iman says. “Besides, it’s the summer. It’ll be cooler.”
“Just figure out something, I’m tired of standing here!” Ekanga says.
“Sounds like your girlfriend is tired of your foolishness,” the barber says.
“Girlfriend?” Kashuan and Ekanga both yells.
“I’m not his girlfriend!” Ekanga says. “
She’s not my girlfriend!” Kashuan confirms.
“So, what are you gonna do?” the barber yells. “You’re holding up my line!”
Kashuan sighs. “I guess I have no choice,” he turns to Ekanga. “So, are you gonna go to the village while I... ya know...take care of this?”
“Yea, I’m not staying here,” Ekanga says, turning around.
“Well, I was thinking that maybe you should give me a way to contact you!” Kashuan says, shyly.
Ekanga turns to him, looking irritated.
“Y’know, so we’ll be able to communicate,” Kashuan says, “no other reason, but we’re a team--”
“You want my number?” Ekanga asks, sternly.
Kashuan’s face has turned red. “Well I mean, if that’s the only way to--”
“(243) 378-” Ekanga interrupts him.
“Oh, wait,” Kashuan says, pulling his phone out of his pocket, “I’m not ready yet. Okay, what was that number?”
“(243) 378-1554,” Ekanga continues. Kashuan types in the numbers and types her name as well, “KONGO”
“I think I’ve asked you this before? But is Kongo your real name?” he asks. Ekanga turns and walks away without another word.
“Hey, are you getting in the chair, boy?” the barber says.
“Yea, sorry,” Kashuan says. “Iman, just sit over there until I’m fini--”
He looks to see that Iman is nowhere in the barbershop.
In the village, Ekanga has come upon a fruit stand. She picks up a mango and feels how soft it is. Taking a basket from the stand, she begins filling it with different kinds of fruit as Iman pops up next to her, scaring her.
“Hey Kongo, I followed you to the village!” he says. “Oh, you came to get fruit. Why?”
Ekanga walks away from him and towards the stand owner.
“Is Kongo your real name? Is it because you’re from here? I’m from the Congo, so should my name be Congo too?”
“Excuse me, sir, how much will all this be?” Ekanga asks the stand owner.
“$12 dollars,” the merchant says.
Ekanga pretends as if she is looking for her wallet. “Oh no!” she says, “I think I forgot my money at home, how much did you say it was?”
“12 doll--” Ekanga flips her long braids and smiles as the man begins to speak. He is gazing at her beauty and stumbling over his words.
“12...It’s free...It’s all free,” he says. “Oh, thank you, sir! Au revoir,” she says as she takes her basket.
Iman follows her out of the village. “Wow, you really tricked that man just now,” he says.
“Why are you following me, little boy?!” Ekanga asks, somewhat annoyed.
“He gave you a whole basket of fruit for free, what are you gonna do with all of it?!” Iman asks.
They have come out to a post where Ishui is comfortably seated in the grass and flowers. Ekanga brings him some apples to eat. Ishui spits out the green apples.
“Green apples are pretty sour,” Iman says.
“Eat the red ones, boy,” Ekanga says. Iman stares at Ishui eating.
“How long have you and Ishui been friends?” he asks.
Ekanga rubs Ishui’s fur. “.... Since we were little,” she says.
“I have friends from when I was little too! Jesse, Mya, Chinzy, and Lio. We all grew up together at the corporation. You remind me so much of Chinzy, you two look alike, and you both like playing pranks on people!
“Really?” Ekanga says.
“Yea,” Iman continues while standing on a cement block. “When we used to play pranks on the guards, we’d all run out into the forest and hide. But somehow, they always knew where we were even though we hid in different places every time. It’s so weird!”
Ekanga glances at him then down at his left wrist. She continues to rub Ishui’s fur when her phone receives a notification. An unfamiliar number has texted her, “Ready now.” She looks up and begins to think.
At the barbershop, the barber puts the finishing touches on Kashuan’s hair before showing him his reflection in the mirror. Kashuan glares at himself with a bleak expression on his face.
“Back to where I started,” he says, “Thanks, mate.”
“That’ll be $15 dollars,” the barber replies.
Kashuan begins feeling his pockets for his wallet.
“What’s the issue?” the barber asks.
Kashuan looks at him awkwardly. “Uhh...I can’t seem to find my wallet.”
The barber angrily shoves him out of the shop, yelling in Lingala, “Bima! “(Get out!)
“For heaven’s sake, it was just a brush cut!” Kashuan says, dusting off his shirt.
Iman walks up to the steps. “Fresh-cut man!” he says.
“Thanks, buddy,” Kashuan says as he notices Ekanga walking up to them.
Ekanga pauses and stares at him for a few seconds. Beginning to blush, she looks away from him. Kashuan smiles as Iman stands in confusion.
“So, we’ll go to Skytown now?” Kashuan asks.
Inside of Skytown, Kashuan has ordered a black eye, which is just dark roast coffee with two shots of espresso. He sits down at a table with Ekanga and Iman.
“Kashuan! Isn’t expresso that stuff that gives you lots of energy?!” Iman asks.
“I need it,” Kashuan responds, “especially after all that’s happened today. Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
“No, I’m fine, but I have to use the restroom,” Iman says. “Where is it?”
Kashuan points towards the back of the store. “Right back there, buddy.”
Iman gets up and walks towards the back of the room. There are two doors. One says “Employees Only,” and the other says ‘’Bathroom.” Iman stands between both doors, confused, as Ekanga stares at him.
“Kashuan,” he calls.
“I’m coming, bud,” Kashuan says, getting up from the table.
Ekanga quietly sits alone until Kashuan comes back from the bathroom and sits down.
“So, I hear you finessed a businessman out of some food,” he says.
“He was no businessman. Con-artists run most of these stores,” Ekanga responds.
“Well, you surely impressed Iman,” Kashuan says.
“This business that you mentioned. What do they do exactly?” Ekanga asks.
“C’mon, I thought we were done with this,” Kashuan responds. “It’s just some type of research facility, and it’s kind of like an orphanage as well. They raise kids who don’t have parents to take care of them, or at least that’s what Owen says.”
“Owen?” Ekanga asks.
“He’s the guy I’m living with...a total pain in the ass, but he has a good heart...sort of. In fact, he’s how I met Iman,” Kashuan says. “A couple of weeks after I arrived, his business was going through a tough time. They had to move the orphans into different homes in the neighborhood. Iman lived with us. From the moment he saw me open a book, he’s had me reading to him about any and everything. He’s so curious but…”
“But what?” Ekanga asks.
“Well...the way Owen talks, he can be a troublemaker at times. But I don’t see it. I know he’s a handful, but I feel like I owe him this trip. He deserves to see the world after being isolated from it for so long.”
Ekanga begins to think deeply.
Iman comes out of the bathroom. He sees a pregnant woman walking with her husband and stares for a moment. Kashuan and Ekanga are still at the table waiting for him.
“So, what do we do next?” Kashuan asks.
“We’re going to rent a boat for you two” Ekanga responds.
“For us?” Kashuan says, “What are you gonna do?”
“Ishui will be too heavy to ride, so I’ll be with him. We’ll meet up with you in Uvira. The river current will take you straight there,” Ekanga explains.
“Oh, I see,” Kashuan says as Iman approaches them. “You ready to go, buddy?”
“Yea...I’m ready,” Iman says.
“Kongo, lead us to the boating dock please,” Kashuan says, smiling. Ekanga opens the door and heads down the steps. “Oh, that’s right, you give the orders,” Kashuan says.
Ekanga stops at the bottom of the steps. “Ekanga,” she says.
Kashuan is confused. “Huh?”
Ekanga turns to him. “My name is Ekanga.” Kashuan stares at her as she smiles and walks away. He smiles.
The four of them are now walking silently along a dirt road in between the forest again.
“Can I ask you something?” Ekanga asks gently.
“What’s up?” Kashuan says.
“Why did you stop playing professional soccer? Or “football,” as y’all call it in your country,” she asks.
“How did you know I played professional football?” Kashuan asks.
“I heard Iman mention it earlier and I saw the logo on your bag,” Ekanga explains, “The New England Bronzers.” Is that who you played for?”
“Yea,” Kashuan says, “I loved it, but uhh...I just kind of ended up going to school somehow, so I only got to play for them for three seasons. Man, do I miss it…”
“I bet,” Ekanga says.
Kashuan glares at her softly. “Well, can I ask you something?”
“I’d rather you not,” Ekanga replies.
Kashuan asks anyway. “Why did you leave your village? And why were you afraid to tell me that you were from there?”
“You wanna know so much about me, don’t you?” Ekanga says.
“I’m just saying. I’m not the only one who seems suspicious,” Kashuan responds.
Ekanga thinks for a moment. “Just know that I was different a few years ago. Like a completely different person from who I am now if I must say so myself.”
“Were you gentler?” Kashuan asks.
Ekanga laughs. “Gentle? That probably would have saved me.”
Kashuan stares at her, confused about what she means. They both become quiet.
“So, he can’t read, can he?” Ekanga asks.
“Huh? who?” Kashuan asks.
“Iman,” Ekanga says, “I saw him today when he was confused about which door led to the bathroom even though there was a sign right in front of him. You read to him all the time. Why haven’t you taught him to read for himself?”
“Well,” Kashuan says, “I don’t know. I’ve never really had the time. Or maybe I’ve never found the time to.”
Ekanga doesn’t respond as Kashuan looks away from her, slightly embarrassed.
The sun is beginning to set as the gang makes their way to the riverside. They don’t know they are being watched by people in the forest when they reach a small hut with about five boats surrounding it. The boats are all different sizes and are tied down to large cement blocks. Two little girls are in the yard playing with their dog when they notice the trio walking towards the hut.
“Tatá!” (dad) they say, “You have customers!” A noise comes from the forest, and Kashuan turns around to check their surroundings.
“You guys hear something?” he asks.
“This is where we’re gonna get our boat from?! Can I pick it out?!” Iman asks.
“Be patient, Iman. Let us talk to the people first,” Kashuan says.
The boat owner comes out of the hut and greets them with a bright smile. His daughters grip his waist as he approaches Ekanga and Kashuan.
“Mbote,” (hello) he says.
“Ehh never mind, Kongo will talk to him,” Kashuan says.
Ekanga walks over to the owner and begins to speak in Lingala. Kashuan pets the dog as it tries to lick his hands.
“Good boy,” he says. “A Basenji...never thought I’d get to see one in person.”
“His name is Alex!” one of the girls says, happily.
The dog begins to sniff the air and bark repeatedly. “You sense something too, boy?” Kashuan says.
Ekanga makes her way back towards them now.
“What’s he saying?” Kashuan asks.
“He’s gonna charge us $300 to take us to Uvira because we’re still over 70 miles away,” Ekanga responds. She is quite angry.
“Is there no train station nearby?” Kashuan asks.
“No, there’s just the road we’ve been traveling on that will lead us straight to the city. But we’d be walking for at least two days if we factor in break times,” Ekanga responds.
“As dreadful as that sounds, it may be our only choice,” Kashuan says.
“Hey, what are you doing?!” the boat owner yells.
Kashuan and Ekanga turn to see Iman playing in one of the boats. “Hey, one day I gotta go to the Caribbean so I can be like Johnny Depp!” he says.
“Iman!” Kashuan yells as he rushes over to grab him.
They hear a loud scream. They turn to see the daughters being abducted by two unknown men. The boat owner watches in distress.
“Ona, Kiza!” he yells, running after the men.
One of the men turns around with a gun and begins to shoot at the boat owner and Alex as they duck for cover behind a small wooden fence. The men cut one of the boats free from the cement, and they hop onto the river.
“We need to get out of here!” Kashuan says.
Ekanga stares at the men paddling away and takes off running towards them. The man with the gun begins to fire at her as she hides behind a tree.
“Kongo, what are you doing?!” Kashuan says.
Ekanga takes a boomerang out of her bag. She checks angle measurements of the thieves’ location and hers. She leaps from behind the tree and launches the boomerang, knocking the gun out of the thief’s hand. He falls miserably from the boat into the water.
“Woah…” Iman says, amazed.
“lève toi!” (get up) the remaining thief yells to his partner. He looks up to see that Ekanga is preparing to launch her spear at him and tries to use Kiza as a shield.
“No, don’t do it!” the boat owner yells, scared that Ekanga may hit Kiza.
Ekanga lowers the spear, irritated as the boat owner leaps into the water.
“Here!” Iman says, handing Ekanga some rope.
The boat owner swims after the boat as the thief paddles harder, trying to escape. The other thief has emerged from the water and tries to stop the boat owner from chasing down his partner. A fight ensues between them.
Ekanga ties the rope around the end of her spear and launches it at the side of the boat. After piercing the side, she begins to pull with all her strength as Ishui rushes to her side to help. Kashuan and Iman also run over to assist her.
“Need some help?” Kashuan says. “Hurry up!” Ekanga yells.
The thief tries to cut the line with a pocket knife before being pushed into the water by Kiza and Ona. He climbs from the water and makes a run for it as his partner is knocked out cold by the boat owner. Ekanga, Kashuan, Iman, and Ishui have managed to pull Kiza and Ona back to the riverside.
About twenty minutes later, the police have arrived and handcuffed the unconscious thief. The police speak to the boat owner and Ekanga about what occurred.
“Child predators, I hate having to share a world with them...but since they do exist...I suggest you move your business to an area less rural,” the police recommend.
“One of them got away!” Ekanga says. “You should be looking for him, not giving tips on how to run a business!”
“There are hundreds of people just like that guy running around this area,” the police responds. “We can’t find them all. What do you say we do with the one we do have?”
Ekanga crosses her arms. “For a child predator? Chair, but make it electric,” she says. Kashuan and Iman watch from a few feet away. Kiza and Ona are standing next to them with blankets around them.
“Wow...did you see Kongo?” Iman asks, “She was so freaking cool!”
“Yea…she was…,” Kashuan says, softly.
“She’s my hero,” Kiza says.
“And mine too,” Ona agrees.
The police begin to leave, and the boat owner begins to bow to Ekanga.
“Oh, dear stranger!” he says. “You will never understand the gratitude I have for you for what you have done for my children! You rescued them from the snares of death and destruction, and for that, I am forever grateful!”
Ekanga smiles. “It was my pleasure.”
“Death and destruction?” Kashuan says, confused.
“Oh, how will I ever repay you?!” the owner says, “I do not have much but I owe you everything I have!”
“Oh no, it’s fine...you don’t owe me that much,” Ekanga says, “but...you do own these boats over there, right?”
“Take whichever one you want!” the owner yells, “Take the biggest one for you and your friends ...although I don’t think I have one big enough to fit your hairy friend there.”
He glances over at Ishui, who is sitting comfortably in the shade.
“It’s fine, Ishui and I are gonna travel by foot,” Ekanga says. “The boat is for them.” She motions towards Kashuan and Iman as the boat owner looks at her awkwardly.
“You plan on walking?” he asks.
“Yes, that won’t be an issue, will it?” Ekanga asks, confused.
“Not for your antelope friend,” the owner responds, “but this is the Ruzizi River. It will be extremely more difficult for you to maneuver along the banks than it would be for him.”
“So, you think that I’m just gonna leave my best friend to walk by himself, that’s not even like me!” Ekanga says.
“Ma’am, you need to listen,” the owner replies.
“Alright, it was nice meeting you!” Ekanga says. “Goodbye. Thank you for the boat!”
She prances off towards the river.
“Come on, Ishui!” she says as the boat owner and Kashuan watch her.
The owner sighs. “Some girl you got there.”
Kashuan glances at the man in confusion then back at Ekanga. He smiles.
Iman is standing by the river staring at his reflection in the water. He has a flashback of himself inside a large glass filled with bubbling water. Ona approaches him with Alex by her side.
“Are you okay?” she asks. Iman nervously breaks from his trance.
“Yea, I’m fine! Sorry, I gotta go, it was nice meeting you!”
Ona awkwardly watches as Iman runs past her. She smiles and begins to pet Alex.
Ekanga saddles Ishui as Kashuan walks up behind her.
“Hey,” he says, “not too shabby for day one, huh?” Ekanga rolls her eyes without turning around.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Ekanga responds. “We’re not friends, and I still don’t trust you...just follow my lead so we can get this over with, okay? We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.”
“Wait… We’re not friends yet?” Kashuan says, “So what are we then? Associates, acquaintances?”
Ekanga turns to him and thinks. “More like...coworkers.” She turns back to Ishui as Kashuan becomes annoyed.
“Co-workers,” he says softly. Then he speaks out loud. “Well you certainly could work on your companionship, that’s for sure.”
Ekanga pauses and turns to him. “I don’t need companionship with anyone except Ishui. My loyalty is to him before anyone.”
“The boat guy was right, Ishui won’t have an issue walking because that’s his natural habitat out there!” Kashuan yells, “Let him roam free for once, stop coddling him!”
“Ishui is not interested in the wild! Stop thinking you know him!” Ekanga yells. “Come on Ishui-”
She looks up to see Ishui trotting along the riverside without her. “Ishui...” she says, confused, “Ishui!!!! Where are you going?! Come back, baby!”
She tries to chase Ishui down before falling into the river. Iman stands next to Kashuan smiling. “This is gonna be some adventure,” Kashuan says.
A helicopter has landed at the Thomas Croite corporation. An ethnically ambiguous man gets off of the helicopter. Owen and Julie greet him.
“Mr. Rizaldo,” Julie says, “It is an honor to have you here...I’m sure Dr. Bernard is thrilled.”
Rizaldo looks at her and smiles. “I’m thrilled to be here.”
Dr. Bernard is in his office, sitting at his desk when the sliding doors open and Rizaldo enters. Bernard does not even bother to turn around in his chair.
“Jerry?” he says.
“I’m home,” Rizaldo responds, “Did you miss me, old man?”
Dr. Bernard slowly turns around in his chair to examine Rizaldo. “You’ve lost a lot of weight, haven’t ya?” he asks.
“Well with all the stress you all put me through in this hellhole, I couldn’t eat for years.” Rizaldo says, creepily.
He and Bernard stare at each other for several moments before they both burst out laughing. Bernard stands up and shakes Rizaldo’s hand, then hugs him.
“It’s good to see you again, Jerry,” he says.
“Same to you...Dr. Bernard,” Rizaldo replies.
On the Ruzizi River, Ekanga, Kashuan, and Iman slowly flow down the stream. Ekanga is sitting on the right side of the boat. She closely watches Ishui, who is walking along the riverbank, eating grass and playing with fireflies. Iman stares at his reflection in the water again. Kashuan glances over at Iman and then to Ekanga and gently smiles.
The sun is setting in the Katanga province. A white bunny rabbit comes hopping out of the forest before Beni picks it up. “Gotcha!” she says, subduing the kicking baby bunny. She walks to the top of a hill and rubs the rabbit’s fur while looking up at the sun. A few seconds later, she turns to see a mother bunny and three of her other babies in the grass staring at her. Beni and the baby bunny she’s holding begin to stare at each other.
“Oh, it’s time for you to go,” she says, putting the bunny down. “Go on, go on, girl. Your family is waiting.”
The bunny family hops into the forest as Beni turns back towards the sun. Sefu and another guard from the village appear behind her.
“Princess Beni, your father has requested you to come home now,” the guard says.
Beni turns to him. “Yes, sir,” she says. She walks past Sefu, who observes her mood. Sefu then turns to look at the sun as it sets upon the land.