Our generation will not have regretted both
crimes of the wicked, and the eerie silence of the kind.
Martin Luther King
Chapter 7
Mahadeyi Village, western end of Jabal Marah
Day outside the camp.
Second week of August 2003, 12:45 am.
CMcCoy HTMLXC slowed down to a few meters from the first construction. Drizzling lightly, so was not surprised that nobody came out to meet them, not even stray dogs barked at them when they arrived in this small village in its path.
Kirk awoke feeling that they stopped, and woke to realize that coming to a populated area, but totally lost in the darkness of the night, all bathed in the dim light the moon that filtered through the clouds. Neither noticed the absence of life, perhaps because of the darkness and the quiet stillness that enveloped the place.
-Biin, our first stop, "said Jim McCoy, undoing the seatbelt and opening the door of the jeep. I'll see if the principal can patriarch greeted by a couple of hours.
- I can go? I think I need to stretch their legs.
"Sure. Only I warn you not twenty-four hour shops around here.
-Ha-ha-ha, how funny, Bones. I'll remember.
The two travelers got off the car and walked toward a nearby house. A few meters from the vehicle to have, McCoy was the first to sense that something strange was happening. Slowly, as he turned to all parties, noticed that no house had one light on inside. Kirk also noted the environment, with a strange foreboding pressing his chest.
"Something is wrong here," she said quietly, in a cautious approach. It is too dark, and no dogs at home ...
-Ni
cats or chickens, or even crickets, "said the doctor, stopping. I fear that the place is deserted. Did you bring your lamp?-oup ... no. I left her in the jeep. Want to que back ...?
-No. Do not leave me.
McCoy that he had brought a lamp he was carrying mostly middle belt. Drove to the house that was closer to them, determined, cautious, followed by Kirk, now with the adrenaline shot.
However, to illuminate the interior of the building, they found only chaos there. The pots and women usually used for preparing food were scattered all over the floor, the poor beds and chairs and the odd piece of furniture, were destroyed and scattered as well. As if they had theirfered a sudden assault.
addition, the place was completely deserted.
"There's nobody. Come on, get out of here, to see if someone found out.
McCoy and Kirk went, intrigued and alerts. It seemed that the whole village was under the same conditions. Randomly chose a few houses, and at the insistence of the journalist, they separated. Although it did not take long to meet in the middle of the muddy gap was the main street near the jeep.
"All is well. No one in the place, "Kirk looked frightened, with senses alert and thousands of questions buzzing his head. What happenedhere, Bones?
"I'ma doctor, not visionary," said Jim McCoy, looking towards the mountains. The only theory that comes to my head, is that fled precipitously, perhaps by a surprise attack. The theft came later, but could not say how long ago it happened.
- What now?
Turning off the flashlight, McCoy urged on him a look.
-Going. There is nothing to do here, just report the abandonment of the village, both boarded the jeep, and mhile they put on the road, the doctor told him he planned to do. Drive along the bottom of the mountain, no lights, only with flashlights. Maybe we'll find something there.
- Is not it dangerous?
"Too, if this was an attack by army troops, or some group Janjaweed. Like I said, I have no idea how long ago it happened. But if it is recent, perhaps we encounter a patrol or guards.
"We must be very careful then," said Kirk.
"You said. Open your eyes, Jim. Go slowly, but do not want surprises.
Without turning on the lights of the jeep, guided only by dim natural light of the rainy night and flashlights, walked a long way from the village until the bottom left of the mountains. They found no traces of inhabitants in all that time.
Nearly twenty minutes later, McCoy was arrested in an area where bushes and trees were a little more dense, providing a temporary shelter. It looked pretty tired and the stress of what they had discovered minutes before he had toterado over the account.
- Why are we stopped?
"We need some sleep. Believe me, Jim. Nobody is going to come through this area, now that we've seen that is completely deserted.
-Bones, I could ...
-not know the terrain. It has been raining for two hours, and are very treacherous mudflats. On the other hand, do not think the peak hour and you sleep helps you stay focused.
"But ...
"We will do this. A couple of hours sleep. As we recover a bit, we will resume the march. Even, you could drive. Kirk
reviewed the environment with some concern, not very convinced.
- Are we safe here?
-Absolutely. Unless you have to go to satisfy some need-Bones cinturóny unbuckled his seat back fell back, preparing to sleep. Kirk smiled at that does not take the eyes off. But I think if you do not go far from the car. There are wild dogs in this area, and may consider yourself a very desirable prey.
-Ok. I'll remember.
-Sleep. You will do well. I
mitándolo with some suspicion, the reporter leaned back in his seat. But he could not fall asleep immediately. On several occasions stood up startled, looking if the noise he heard was real, or if his imagination caused him night terrors.
did not know at what time he fell asleep.
Al-Sebhire Village, northwest corner of Jabal Marah
First day out of camp.
Second week of August 2003, 6:05 a.m..
half
Kirk woke with sunlight on the face.McCoy turned to him when she noticed movement, and greeted him with a smile.
-Hey, good morning, 'sleeping beauty'
-Bones ... good .... "The reporter sat in a rush to realize that they are in motion. McCoy! I woke up!
-not thought necessary. Have a rest?
Trying to stifle a yawn, Kirk nodded.
-Si. Where are we?
"Almost halfway. We stop in the village of Al-Shebire; want to see the clinic in the church is running a & desktop search, n. If so, we will begin outpatient rounds here.
"But not too early to arrive? I say, is just dawning.
"Do not worry about it. Look, we arrived.
Less than a mile away, could see the houses and huts of the village. Not yet fully dawned, however, many women came and went by the way, some filled with herds of wood, others with bags made their own clothes, which may carry food. Several youngsters who are also small herds grazing came forward.
"Oh, s & amp; iacute; that there is activity, "said the reporter, taking his camera and taking several slides of the place and people. I thought I would find them asleep.
"In many regions of the world, life does not begin during office hours, Jim.
"Yes, I realized," he said, avoiding a new yawn. Hey, Bones. Will you let me lead the next trip?
"Of course, if you are able to avoid all the puddles of mud that we are. Kirk
saw him with suspicion, distrust full of smile that was going.
"I do not know why I have a hunch that those mud puddles are not like that I know.
-Noupe-the doctor gave him the reason. This area becomes a swamp at this time. The mud could reach almost to cover your knees, or worse, to the waist. Besides, I've said if you read maps.
reporter frowned, but did not want to look foolish to the doctor.
"Of course I can read maps. That is basic.
"Well, we'll see how good you are at it-tMcCoy ermine the conversation, reaching the main road to the only solid construction site. Well, here we are. This is the church.
stopped before a building is a definite style of the English Anglican church, built with stone foundations and wooden walls with gabled roofs of a combination of roof tiles and branches intertwined. It was also the largest building, and apparently the best organized of the village.
got off the vehicle, walking towards the main entrance, watched all the time for suspicious people.
- Doctor McCoy! -Amiddle-aged woman, with dark skin and gentle features, clad in a blue dress with a white apron and a small cap on his head, opened before they could knock on the door. By having a doctor before her, embraced him in an effusive displays of joy. We expected both to the day to see them again!
"Sister Louise McCoy also embraced in an emotional greeting. I'm so happy to see you. I hope that others also follow here.
were separated smiling, as she nodded.
"Of course. S & oacutee, we have a new member in the church. Young Sulu, was then that he noticed the reporter. A You do not know.
"Oh ... well, is that I'm back in the middle ..." she smiled, holding out his hand in a friendly gesture. James Kirk, a correspondent for Central Iowa Herald.
At that, she hugged him as well, giving the same reception that McCoy.
- Welcome! All who come with good will are welcome. I am the sister Louise, this time, without releasing the embarrassed visitor, ushered into the building, and without giving effusive talking about opportunitiesd to ask questions. Have you had breakfast? Guess not. Come, come. Doctor, you will see the pastor in the dining room. You know he has very good appetite.
As I said, they found the leader of the small mission in the dining room. The priest stood up when he saw the doctor, shaking so effusive as he had done missionary.
- Leonard! "I hugged her, patting her back with marked enthusiasm. Old fox! How nice to hear back from you.
-Pastor O'Brien, I'm glad to see it and recovered. The
rKirk eligious quickly repaired, and away from McCoy, was presented.
"You must be the new assistant to the grumpy doctor. I am the pastor Miles O'Brien.
Kirk shook his hand in a friendly gesture, presenting as well.
-James Kirk, a correspondent for Central Iowa Herald. And at times I am the assistant Bones.
"A reporter," said the missionary thoughtfully. Interesting. I think you'll have a lot of stuff around here. But come, they must be hungry. Sit down, and while we eat, talk a little. CHTM
LXC For a while, talked about the need for the area. The pastor informed them attacked several villages in the vicinity, and he confided his fears that militants or guerrillas could get there.
McCoy also said they had seen hours earlier. Gloomily, the religious had confirmed the suspicions of an attack on the village. Even said several families had got there, seeking refuge. They took with them some of the wounded, as had escaped just before the massive assault. Kirk
listened attentively, looking alternately at the otros two men sitting at the table. Reached the point where refugees from the village attacked, asked if she could interview them.
"I think it would be a very useful material if it were to make a report of the facts. Do you think you can talk to them?
The pastor nodded with a brief gesture, but said sombríoa what the correspondent asked.
I do not know if you want to talk to you, Mr. Kirk. They are very scared, and extremely suspicious of foreigners. Will have to earn your trust.
McCoy saw a curious gesture, only esperandor reaction.
I see. Anyway we will help to Bones in the clinics, "she smiled as he said this, and continued so they could recognize me when I approached them.
The other two nodded.
"Well, then," McCoy grabbed his empty plate in front of him, ending breakfast. The pastor agreed, and the three got up from the table. It's time we start our work in the clinic.
Before the doctor could take the plate, Louise's sister interrupted him.
"Oh, no. Knows that guests not wash dishes, rebuked him, taking it out of hand. Go to your work, doctor. Sister Anna and I will take care of the kitchen. And outside.
not made the request.
However, Kirk could see that the doctor, before leaving the room, kissed her cheek missionary, in thanks for their hospitality.
Clinic Anglican church in the village Al-Sebhire.
Second day out of camp.
Second week of August 2003, 10:25 pm.
Most of the d & amp; iacute; to were quite busy. McCoy spent hours poring over his work as a doctor, using vaccines, attending doctors who came to him in consultation, reviewing health facilities of the small clinic and making an inventory of the drugs they had an brought specifically for that village.
Meanwhile, Kirk and the two religious place was assisted in what was needed, lightening the load a little medical work.
One acted as a translator as he prepared children or women to receive the drugs they needed. There were many do & amp; about girls, you small, a situation which provided the journalist to leave at times to relief efforts, to devote himself to take pictures inside the clinic, both the physician and the religious full work.
Some children began to see him as someone nice, and before long, small knots of following him, attracted by their appearance, and to some extent, by the big smile that always lavished on Especially when it took some photographs.
in a while they stopped to rest and eat, Kirk took the opportunity to make brief written outline of what he had lived the last twentyticuatro hours. All he needed was to get closer to the refugees in the village long enough to obtain the testimony of one of them.
did not have to wait long.
Near the end of the day, a young mother who had aided the while working with McCoy, asked to speak with him. Were in the clinic when a young man dressed in a shirt that distinguished him as a religious, came to them, leading to women.
- Who is Mr. Kirk? Asked the young man, somewhat nervously.
leftThe aforementioned instruments that had happened the doctor, And approached them.
-Yo, James Kirk. She smiled at the woman, who only turned to look at your guide, and nodded. Sister Louise arrived at that time.
"Oh, I see that you found them. You can go, I'll serve as a translator.
-beginning to wonder if he could communicate with her on the basis of signs, "joked the American. McCoy was only obliquely. What is it, sister Louise?
"Look, she is Habiba Mukta-introduced, leading her to a chair. Kirk accommodate aboutto that other two, one religious and one for him. The pastor told several refugees was an American journalist here, and they needed his testimony to denounce those who attacked his village. She has been the one who wanted to talk to you.
reporter smiled, looking instill even more confidence. Reached the backpack he was carrying, pulling out her tape recorder, a notepad and pen. Then he informed the mission that he was ready to hear the testimony of Habiba Mukta.
For three hours, the woman said between bouts of long silences. He recalled the sound of the enginesjeeps leading the Janjaweed, the bustle of the barnyard animals and dogs, the cries of the guerrillas to enter the population, and then, those of women and children trying to escape surprise attack to interrupt his sleep. He spoke of how entire families were separated, the young people and children abducted by the assailants, several adult males killed before their loved ones to oppose, and the appalling violation of women, from very young almost elderly, perpetrated in front of everyone.
I recounted how she and other families had managed to escape, hidden by the constant drizzle, theshadows of the houses and the chaos, and how, from a makeshift cabin in the mountains, they found a mass grave was dug several meters which had been the school. Habiba said, staring, how she witnessed the massacre of most of the inhabitants, forced into the pit, and shot after the weapons of the guerrillas. Kirk
imagined that recalling these events was too much. Louise's sister was holding the trembling hand of the witness, supporting and encouraging her to continue every time their words were lost in the midst of a dry sob.
McCoy offersed a little water, which had a mild pain reliever to ease the interview. Thus, sitting in the middle of the small clinic, heard hours of terror that the population lived in the early morning attack was perpetrated.
Finally, tired and very pained by the memories, and the effect of the tranquilizer, Habiba retired. Before I left the clinic, the correspondent shook hands, promising that his story would listen the world.
When left alone, Kirk sat down, visibly exhausted.
"Hey, Jim. Are you okay? -asked the doctor to see it, with a trace of concern.
"Yes, yes. I'm just exhausted, in addition to the testimony of Habiba impact on me. "McCoy nodded, giving a glass with a little whiskey. He wore himself a glass. Where'd you get that?
"We could say it's a small store that I did a few months ago. I left here a couple of Jack Daniels, and looks, have been very useful.
"God, Bones. I'm realizing that you are full of SORPbetween businesses.
drank in silence. This done, McCoy decided it was time to retire.
"Well, I advise you go to sleep, Jim. The days here are busy.
"Oh, perfect," Kirk got up from the chair that was, grieving a little knees. I think I'll sleep like a baby. I am tired.
left the clinic, going to church.
However, they got a little surprise when the pastor led the sleeping area.
"I'm afraid, Leonard, who must share Habitació securcute, n 'he said while walking with luggage that had left the hall, hours ago. With the arrival of several serious injuries in the village, we had to use two of the bedrooms here.
-Uhm ... Well, I do not think that is the problem, "said the doctor, giving him a furtive glance at the reporter. He also made a nod, letting him know that it was not inconvenient for him. In addition, we can not afford in these times require.
-Yeah, okay. However ... -Re-emphasized the religious hasand something else they should know. There is only one bed. It is very small, it is a couple.
Kirk paused a moment to listen.
- Only one bed? "Without help, he turned his eyes to the doctor with some nervousness, and once again saw the pastor. I'm afraid ...
"Jim, do not tell me you are so prudish, they would not share the bed," McCoy said with sarcasm butt. Just sleep on it.
-Bones, is that I think is not very good idea ...
- Did you hidingsomething I should know? He asked with some suspicion, squinting as he watched him closely. Kirk
red with the comment. Maybe I should make a clarification on his personality. When there was a moment of privacy between them, of course. He shrugged his shoulders, after a few seconds of hesitation under the scrutinizing gaze of the shepherd. He smiled and went into the room.
- Of course not! I just hope it does not throw you. I usually move too.
"We'll see.
Minutes later, both andCornflower in bed, covered with a thin sheet. There, Kirk regretted not having fought some more. Perhaps the jeep to go to sleep would be a good option. The doctor, however, began to fall asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow on his side, turned toward the wall. The
in a quiet room remained silent, until the reporter dared to speak, trying to see his companion in the dark.
-Bones ... Are you asleep?
- ... uh ... almost replied slumbering &; Mdash;. What?
"I feel strange.
- Mhhjá, yes? Why?
"Long ago he had not slept with another man at my side. Of course, never happened without having had sex before ... but this ... I feel weird ... McCoy
fully awakened to hear him, surprised.
- What?
"Actually, I have not had sex in several weeks, I think. And the strangest thing, I had not seen while we were in camp, perhaps because the bedroom was large and we were in cathree singles and stuff. Although I must say I thought as we walked there, with Uhura, Spock and maybe, I do not think they would have agreed.
's not true ... Muttered the doctor, trying to ignore it.
"And I had not noticed in anyone else, really. I think none of your colleagues drew my attention. Of course there are many who are attractive, as Nurse Chapel, and also some of the AI I met with Spock. But really I did not feel attracted to any of them ... until I saw in the theater ... and it was strange, porque never thought someone like you could be impacted the way you did.
-Kirk ...
"Not that you're not attractive, is that in all my life even thought about it, that is, noticing I did not think someone like you. But now, seeing this strange situation ... I mean, we're lying in the same bed, without having ever had an appointment, or a formal output, we have not even had a "touch" friendly .... Well, just the day that hit me, and we take the bottle of rum he had. But that does not mean ...
McCoy sat up abruptly, turning to & eacute; l. The reporter could not see because of the darkness of the room, but could almost bet that had severely wrinkled brow very few inches from his face.
- James Kirk, if you shut up and go to sleep, I'll have to sedarte! "He threatened, feeling a little confused, with a mixture of surprise and anger.
-Yeah, okay. Sorry.
returned to their previous positions, keeping still and silent. This situation lasted until
McCoy turned again without joining, nearly a minute later, making the company & amp; about girls, ero again try to distinguish their expression in the penumbra. -Jim, aclárame something.
- Yes?
- You're admitting you're gay? Kirk
blushed again, and silently thanked the gathering dusk avoid that the other could see. She bit her lower lip, and replied in a whisper.
-Uh ... well ... not that it is totally gay. I mean, I like women, and men ... and that I would rather call it ... keep an open mind free of prejudices and taboos, & amp; iQuest, no? A rare strain
almost materialized in place. Kirk spoke again, more to get rid of that unbearable feeling.
"But, back to your question ... well ...
" Okay. Enough. "McCoy turned to its initial position, trying not to give too much importance to the issue. Sleep. Tomorrow we talk about it more calmly.
However, that was not the last of the conversation. At two minutes, the journalist spoke again.
-Bones ...
-"Mmmmhhh?
- Are you angry? "His voice carried a slight hint of trouble. Like a little boy scolded. I say ... if you do not like guys like me ... or ...
-Kirk, I will send to the floor, gagged and sedated, if you ever say a word.
"Yeah, right. Good night.
This time, though that was the last of the conversation for those hours, none of them could sleep until after a while.
Shortly before dawn, thanks to his medical training, McCoy awoke & oacute; to hear Kirk muttering in his sleep. He did not move when he curled up against his back, looking to feel the contact. For a second thought about retiring, but he did not listen to again, realizing the great need I had to feel some warmth.
----------------------------------- CONTINUED ... Go to the next
Chapter 8
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