Chapter Ten

 Something sinister was going on in the mind of Major General William Robinson, and Colonel Martin Parker couldn’t help but wonder what it was. He watched the General lock his fingers together in a tight grip. His attention was on the paperweight that sat on a bunch of blank papers.

The Colonel had never seen the General like this  before. He was calm and collected, even in the face of death.

Both men went a long way back. They had been cadets when they were about eighteen at that time, and they were best friends. About two years later, they were into the infantry units together, going on missions in several countries until fifteen years ago when William was given the post of Major General. It was only four years later that Martin was promoted to Colonel.

Colonel Martin Parker understood the General almost better than any other person, and looking at the General now, he knew the man was cooking up something, and was going to be bad for the victims involved.

The General released his fingers and peered at the Colonel. He watched the Colonel watch him and he then he shifted in his chair. He pulled out a small red ball with two numbers, one and two, on both sides and placed it on the table between himself and the Colonel.

“You  know,” The General started. He spun the ball and stopped it’s revolution mid way. “They say what goes around, comes around.” A pause, and then another spin. He continued. “No matter how many times I spin this ball, as long as it spins the complete the three-sixty, I’ll end up with the same number facing me. It’s amazing isn’t it?”

The Colonel wasn’t sure if that was a rhetorical question or not. He answered anyway. “I guess so General.” He said.

“Of course it is Colonel.”  Another spin. “It’s rather amazing because if I spin again and again, I will end up the same number staring at me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you believe in God?”

“I know that there is a God.”

“Have you ever wondered why he made the earth so round?”

“Nope. I don’t even go to church.”

“He made the round so we could get what we give. Get me?”

“I don’t know-”

“Listen Colonel,” The General was standing now. “I have been betrayed by everyone around me. Everyone but him.” The General pointed to Lyons who stood awkwardly chewing gum. “And him.” He pointed to the Colonel.

Colonel Parker began to sweat. He pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at the sweat. “What are you saying General.”

“God betrayed me too.” The General ignored the question. He placed his hands on the rim of his chair and let it spin. He stopped it midway and returned it to its normal position. “I hardly did anything wrong during my young days, and still, I got punished for that. Isn’t that betrayal?”

The Colonel stared confused.

The General continued. “Now, I have to do bad things to get my mind away from this punishment.” He changed his tone to a more serious one. “It’s not gonna be pretty for them.”

Colonel Martin Parker looked at his watch. He stood up, sweat pouring from his face. I have to be on my way.”

“The door is right there, we’ll continue this conversation later.” General William pointed to the exit.

The Colonel stared at Lyons who just  stood, unsmiling and chewing gum. “Okay.” The Colonel walked out of the office.

Staring out the window, Major General William Robinson watched Colonel Martin Parker exit from the building and hop into a black Mercedes and drive off. He looked at his most trusted man. “I could see through him you know?” The General started. “He’s holding something, just like the old man.”

“Want me to get it out for you?” Lyons let the gum swell and then pop.

“No, no.” The General went back to his. He opened a drawer in his desk, pulling out a KEL -TEC -PMR30. “Let’s give him time. He’ll come around.”

“But if he doesn’t?” Lyons asked, smiling.

“Well, then we’ll take care of him.”

                                     **********************************************

Sam started the line towards the Brazil-A****n border. A light rain began to fall. The sun dipped in the horizon looking like an orange ball over the trees. Sam could hear his shoes squeaking on the damp earth beneath his feet. Each little step forward ruined the surface of his shoes.

They were on the skid as they continued heading east towards Brazil. Two of his men, Leigh and Tyler, made the rear. They just kept on talking about unimportant things. Sam figured that they were just trying to comfort themselves, seemingly taking their minds off the gruesome truth that faced them.

The rain began to beat the earth even harder now. Six-inch droplets broke the hard dirt turning it to weak mud. The continuous splatter was beginning to become unbearable for Sam. He walked faster now, almost running. Behind him, he heard Kurt curse and rant. But he couldn’t blame the guy. They were out here, being batted continuously by rain, forcefully walking on slippery mud, with no idea of what intended to face them and no knowledge of where it was -that was the annoying part. It was painful enough that they were almost out of supplies, and even more painful knowing that they might make it out of the forest alive.

When -if they made it out alive, Sam was ready to quit the army. Ten years in service was enough for him -ten years in service and this was his mission ever; it would also be his last, whether he died or not. This is his last mission as a U.S soldier.

He pushed further, moving as if he was alone. It seemed as though he wanted to leave the rest. He felt too much responsibility on his shoulders now that they were alone. He could derive no comfort from anything.

Sam turned to face his men, they looked liked shit, tiredly dragging their feet along the mud. It sickened him. He didn’t feel irritated looking at them, the irritation came from the reality of the mission. They could as well give up and just walk aimlessly across the rainforest waiting for what ever wanted to come after them. But the urge for survival kept them going, heading in the direction Cory had picked. Sam looked up at the disappearing sun again. It was almost gone now, with only a very small segment left. “We should rest here.” He looked at his men as the rain washed their faces. “The sun is almost gone.”

“Resting is not an option now captain.” Winston challenged. “The rain is still pouring we have no idea of when it’s gonna stop.”

Sam looked at the rest of the team. “What do you guys think?”

Tyler stepped forward. “Winston is right.” She said. “We just have to keep on moving until it stops or till we can move no more.”

“I have to agree to that.” Kurt backed her up.

“Alright then, we move.” Sam concluded.

The sun was gone now, leaving the men in pitch darkness. The rain still poured, heavier this time, drawing with it flashes of lightning and heavy claps of thunder. Each man had their flash light on, though it wasn’t very bright, but it was enough to help them see where they stepped.

By 22:15hours, the rain had reduced to a slight drizzle, and by 22:48, the rain had stopped, leaving the group drenched and cold. But years of military training had steeled them just about enough to withstand the weakening cold that fought against.

The pain of the journey wasn’t as strong as their urge to escape from the A****n. It was that urge that pushed them, hence they continued walking even as the night grew thicker, and the first break of sunlight began to show. The sun climbed over the morning sky, the breeze cool and soothing, as the trees swayed and their leaves rustled against each other creating a soft rhythm. The air was damp and the ground was muddy. It was 7:15am, they had walked for twenty-two-hours straight, and they were worn out.

Tired, hungry and helpless, the team decided to rest -no harm in taking hours worth of rest. If anything, they had already done themselves much harm by walking through mud all through the night.