HAUNTED PARK

CHAPTER 8

SAM

We sit around our dilapidated tent basking in the warm sunlight and thinking of our next move. My body is warming up as the previous night's coldness is chased away by the sun. Soon we will be sheltering under trees because the sun will become unbearable.

Jose is a wreck still, and he keeps on telling us about what awaits us. The creatures, he says, will surely come back energized than before and they'll kill us one by one.

He is still talking when Nelson strolls back to our small meeting. He has heard something that has interested him.

“We are going to spend the nights on top of trees from today. Yes, like bloody reptiles. So I suggest you all identify good trees where you can spend your nights." He says. “As for me, that there is my office.” He says, pointing to a huge acacia tree with thorny leaves.

Jose attracts our attention as he gestures for us to be silent. Then we hear voices, clear human voices coming up the slope. I stand up and see people in uniform coming. They're policemen and wildlife wardens and they are headed straight to our camp.

“Goodmorning gentlemen? We are the police and we have come to investigate a case of someone who was eaten by animals here a few days ago." The leader says.

“We have also come to look for his personal belongings. Did you find anything here when you set up camp?” He asks.

We found nothing here but his question rattles me. People have lost lives here and the police think it's wildlife but we know better.

“We found nothing here, absolutely nothing. It was a clear field when we decided to camp here.” Nelson replies.

“And sir," The policeman poses, “what happened to your tents?"

“Strong winds brought it down and we were in the process of bringing it up again.” Nelson lies but I can see the police don't believe him.

“Really? Well, if you come across some personal belongings of one Mr Josh let us know." The policeman says.

“Sure. We will not hesitate to let the authorities know." Nelson assures them.

“We have no more business here so we will let you guys enjoy your vacation. But be careful, there are bad stories coming from this park.” He says.

Jose makes as if to say something but one look from Nelson changes his mind.

“Thanks for your visit,we really appreciate your concern. We will be careful sir.” He says but deep down I know he is in fear too, just like the rest of us.

The police look around and leave, and Jose looks at them pitifully as they go down the slope. I understand him, he thinks that his chances of escape have diminished.

After they have gone Nelson declares, “Everyone get back to business. I am going to the tree bedroom for a nap. Prepare our hunting gear." He walks to his tree and climbs to his makeshift bed.

“I'm going nowhere without my wages. I'll wait for him to wake up and pay me then I will walk out of this godforsaken park. Once I get to the city I will figure out my way home.” Jose declares as he lies in the open field to sleep.

“Wages for what?" The other man, whose name I can't remember, breaks his silence. I have never heard his voice since we came here. “We have not killed any game, we have nothing so basically we have not done any work worth paying for. What wages are you talking about?" He looks angry already and Jose's tirades have made him angrier.

“Shut up Jimmy." Jose interjects, getting up to a sitting position. “Remember I'm the one who brought you here from your village where you were wallowing in poverty. Don't forget that. I am going to leave you here to lick Nelson's bottom but don't interrupt me when I'm asking for my dues.”

This looks like an ugly confrontation in the offing and I am forced to step in.

“Listen ,Jose, jimmy, please calm down. Nelson will not be in that tree forever. Let's wait until he comes down and we settle this matter. It's okay if you want to quit Jose but always remember to leave your employment in good terms with everybody." I advice them and the tempers drop. We go back to our lying position and silence reigns.

Later we take cans of cold food for lunch and we go back to sleep. The sun is now covered by heavy clouds and rain may fall any time from now.

We have secured our hunting gear, covering it with waterproof polythene and hidden it away from the tent. All the other items are covered in a heavy tarpaulin.

At around four o'clock in the evening heavy rains start and we seek shelter in the damaged tent, some parts are still standing and they serve the purpose. Nelson's tree house has a nylon roof and he continues sleeping as until the rains subside.

Then he comes down to check on us. “I presume you are now ready for our mission. We will be moving around ten kilometers from here to hunt for meat for our own consumption. Once we have meat we can embark on our main mission. Any questions?”

Jose rises to his feet as if stung by an insect. “I am not going with you, give me my wages I want to go back. This is a doomed mission and I will not risk my life in this ghost infested park." He says.

“Ghost or no ghost we are in this together. If we die we die together. Do you understand me?" Nelson replies. They are now standing facing each other, their heads a fraction of an inch from each other. They stare at each other menacingly and Jose blinks first. Just then I hear voices down the valley. Noises from humans because I can pick some words.

The stalemate ends and we listen to the approaching voices. However they veer from our camp and head elsewhere.

“You see? The ghosts have other people to feast on tonight. We are all safe. Let's go hunting my friends." Nelson says.

“Maybe we should find out who they are, or better still tell them what to expect in this unforgiving environment?" Jose asks.

“Are you stupid or something? How do we warm them when they have come to act as a buffer between us and the f*****g ghosts? The ghosts will now get busy eating whoever the f**k is down there and by the time the last motherfucker is eaten we will be out of here. Think big young man." Nelson replies.

“Now, everyone, pick your gear. We are going to look for meat." He declares.

Josh and I take the bags we will need to carry home the meat while Nelson and Jimmy carry the guns, a hunting rifle fitted with night vision scope and a pistol.

The other rifles having been damaged beyond repair by buffaloes, we will use the only one we have.

Its already dark when we start moving and there are signs that the moon will be appearing earlier than yesterday. We will need it because the journey is going to be long in the thick forest and dense grassland.

Only one hour after into our journey we hear human voices, the same ones we had heard earlier. Nelson advises us to ignore them and focus on our mission. The ghosts will have a feast tonight, he declares.

As we traverse a grassy undergrowth the moon appears, illuminating the whole park and making our walk easier. At this rate we will be at our hunting range in two hours.

It's Nelson who announces a surprising development.

“Jose is not with us. At what point was he left behind?” He asks.

We look around us and surely Jose is gone, nowhere to be found.

“Should we go back and look for him?” I ask Nelson.

“Hell f*****g no. Let the ghosts eat him. Let's proceed." He declares.