Uncoiling the Coil Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 1

  “You know what’s missing, don’t you, Henny?” Lotan was waiting outside the room where the Board of Directors’ meeting had been called randomly by the chairman, with leaked news that a journalist called Camila Annette had gone missing and had been reported as kidnapped.

  This information got to the news before anybody could seal it shut. Now the public knew a little about the third world country, Torbelli, and the heroism of this journalist who had a story that she wanted to tell but was silenced. “They want to keep this under wraps to make themselves seem superior to how far that stain can stick to their asses.”

  “You’d do best to not speak so loudly outside this room.” Henny starts to take a stroll to the elevator, “Why are you here, Lotan? I wanted you back at the office.”

  “I knew Camila personally. It struck me as odd because it was true that she had been absent for quite some time and nobody in the unit said a word on it. She was very close to our operations and wrote compelling columns and stories in favor of our busts and justice for the law.”

  “She was more of a reporter than a journalist... I’ll give her that.”

  “Is that all you can say, Henny?” Lotan pushes the button and the arrow comes back down from the tenth floor. They’re on the fifth. “You were close to her, weren’t you?”

  “Camila made me look good for a small fee, yes. She was not the equivalent of the pope. So, let’s not kiss too much of that pretty face.”

  “Henny, this Torbelli place they’re reporting on, where on this god-awful planet is that?”

  “Somewhere worse than Iran. Trust me, it’s nothing to do with you and your pay grade.”

  “I would think we were friends, after much of what I’ve done for you. Or am I wrong to think that, Henny?”

  The elevator door opens, and they get inside. Lotan waits awhile until they reach the third floor, then pushes the emergency stop button and covers it. He has about two minutes to say what he wants to until it raises the alarm of a malfunction, “Not to be a bastard, but you were the last to speak with her. She came to the office, and you had a conversation.”

  “I get the feeling that you and Camila were having sexual relations, Lotan? Or are you just internally hard for the young lady?”

  “She was a nice young woman. Nothing to do with attraction. You’ve been in a foul mood this past month and it’s affecting the morale of the entire two units. Since Lee left.”

  “What has Lee got to do with this?”

  “Nothing, I’m sure. But you’re a changed man. Things are different with you, and the directors. And the chairman. And... something is not right with this news leak. Is it fake news?”

  “Ask the one who reported it. Now, can we descend down so I can get back to my day’s job?”

  “Fill me in on the meeting, Henny? I deserve that much from you.”

  “Samuel wants to find Camila. So fake news, it’s not. And what will happen to her when they do, well, that’s between her and the government. For now, they want a team assembled and somebody to head out to Torbelli to track her down. A stupid thing to do. As if the young woman would be there.”

  “Who will you send?”

  “For now, nobody. I need a favor.”

  “I don’t think so.” Lotan starts the elevator again, “Ask your dread head for that favor. Wherever she is, I’m sure she’ll be the best asset, right?”

  Now, Henny is the one who stops the elevator and walks up to Lotan with an intention of being, The Hulk squashing a fruit fly, “Anything you may know, Lotan, is best given to me. If you want to know about the last thing Camila and I spoke about, then you should come to me with what you can’t say here and now. There are cameras here. You’ve stopped the elevator once already. And they’ll probably be watching us and wondering why we’re doing such a thing. So, what is it that you want to tell me?”

  “Not here. Let’s grab a coffee.”

  ...

  Shanti Town was split into three parts, with one that was run by a military junta, and the head of this was believed to be a man imported by Alabastor, as a fake rant to keep the people from thinking that they were solely without hope.

  It was littered with much military personnel and had cut-out signposts stuck on walls. Posters far and wide declaring that it was best for civilians—men and women, who could hold a gun to join and reside under their regime. Plenty of red markers swiped at buildings and homes that were owned by them, and there was no way to pass the barriers which had barbed wire around a huge soil perimeter with men chain-smoking, playing dice, cleaning their guns, and bothering women who enjoyed the attention as they strolled past.

  There were a few barracks with an armory, highly guarded. And men up high - mainly correctional officers who surveyed below from the high posts— peering down at everybody with their bottles of water and guns nearby. The razor wire reached quite high in front of the fence. And there were guard dogs sniffing civilians and receiving treats for doing their job.

  It was oppressive for Lee and Darren to see how these soldiers were prancing around with guns and chewing gum, spitting, bothering women and then practically declaring themselves morally capable of disastrous and destructive things.

  “It’s best to not think of what these men get up to... some are pretty bad. Hopefully, something will be done soon to get rid of their presence. But there is so much separation.” Sandra waits for the people with their bulls and herds of bronze and brown cattle to journey in front with their whips.

  Most are penniless farmers in reddish rags, others are women carrying bowls of rice and carts made of a light wood with their belongings and things to sell. Their young ones sit on top and wave at Lee. She smiles glumly at the state of them—dirty and toothless. All over the age of ten. There is no direct instruction with road signs, accurate lanes, miles to travel for safety or even stop signs. They rely on men to do the road works out here. And Lee can see that Shanti Town has many people living inside. “Is this the most populated town?”

  “Yes,” Hona winds down the window but regrets it immediately, the smell of farting cows overpowers the air. He grimaces his face at the smell, and everybody joins him. “Many people come to Shanti town for protection. The man in charge is disobedient to Alabastor, so they like him. But he is a strange man. And needs persuading. But there is hope with him. He just needs to sort out his dirty-minded men. My daughter and Sandra are often pestered and it’s not safe. But we’ll journey to another area of Shanti.”

  It took a while for the traffic of civilians, vehicles, bikes, animals, wild dogs who did as they pleased, and trucks with officers to find a common ground to part. But soon it all went underway, and Sandra was able to take a route that very few were taking.

  “Why are they all heading to the east near the barracks?” Darren checks from the back window referring to the traffic leading that way.

  “Most live behind that jurisdiction. East Shanti is ruled by Felis, and many want him to be the governor or prime minister. Whatever is best for this country. They want an election, and he would be the front runner. He has tried to drive Alabastor out. But he fights the rebels and then ends up succeeding to work with Alabastor to spare the people their lives.”

  “Are any of the rebels on Alabastor’s side?” Lee asks as he watches the insane traffic too.

  “Yes. Which is why it can be very dangerous for strangers to ge
t kidnapped. They could be taken to somewhere entirely different.”

  “Like Camila?” Lee faces Hona who’s giving his gun a double check. “Hona... like Camila?”

  “Yes. Just like Camila.”

  “But if she was here, then it would be likely that her pick-up would’ve been a contact in the west of Shanti. West is more urbanized. More electricity. Drinking. Young people protesting. A college and a school. Where we are heading, is the start to what people call—the advancement of our life out here.”

  Lee and Darren saw homes with orangey-brown rooftops that make the ugliest but very thick triangles. Many were half-finished, with weathered clay-like infrastructures and plenty of small streams that segregated some of the rough from the better looking. Much like a fishing village. It was dusty and eye-itching to drive through, but there was a clearer idea of lanes that vehicles could drive through and it was a very busy place.

  It was no slum, but much of these people lived in homes with no doors and used whatever they could to block it from intruders. Darren saw a few men offering to build doors for a cheap fee. And some made their own—hammering and nailing away at poorly made pieces of wood until it was more of a gate. They used plastic, tin, and some stacked up rocks until it was high enough to block the entrance to their homes.

  “It’s not paradise, that’s for sure.”

  “Angelina and I want to move out here. We feel it’s the better place to be than the more rural parts that we come from. It’s just finding housing is difficult. It’s already quite populated here and living isn’t magnificent.”

  “Is Felis in control over here?”

  “He was in negotiations with the Jerome who was killed. Jerome was the caretaker of each section of Shanti Town. But both had different ideas of what is right for the people. So close and yet, so far. Now he’s speaking with an organization.”

  “A real mess.”

  “It is. Lee, the first thing we must do with you and Darren is to find a safe place for you to rest.”

  “I was thinking, the motel where Camila stayed would be ideal.”

  “I’m not sure where she stayed.”

  “How long would it take a man like you to find that out, Hona?”

  “Not too long. All you need is in the west. But in a few days, there will be something progressing. And no good for the people. We need to find Camila’s notes, pronto.”

  “Hmm. And Diego?”

  “Will be somewhere within this radius, Lee. But that won’t be easy. He moves like a spy. Unseen and unheard.”

  “Darren and I can work on the N.O. angle. I have a few contacts back home that can now be implemented.”

  Darren gives Lee a nudge. “Who?”

  “I’ll tell you later.”

  “Alright. You can go with Sandra, as she has a home out here.”

  “Do you have plug sockets that we can use?”

  “I have an adaptor that will be useful. And yes, but only two.”

  Hona feels satisfied. “Right. We’ll be in contact soon. Get some rest. Because it’s going to kick off very soon. Plus, we don’t have much time to pierce through the mud.”

  ...

  At Sandra’s place, Lee and Darren find that there are only two rooms: one for her, and one for them. “Not religious, but maybe it’s best if us girls to share the same room?”

  Darren had other plans, but he accepts it without letting that be known to Lee. It’s a small little abode, a crappy carpet, some bright yellow paint with plonks of white made to look artistically appealing with shapes like daffodils, tulips, lilies, and a few roses. It’s nice to see, Darren thinks to himself, that Sandra has that sort of creativity with so much corruption out here.

  Sandra loves butterflies and has a camera that could be updated. She has taken plenty of photographs that are pinned on every available spot on her wall, are of various types. She lets Darren and Lee observe whilst she takes their things, but Darren takes his back, “I’ll bring it in. You’ve been more than helpful today.”

  “Aren’t you sweet.” Lee sniggers and Darren recoils in embarrassment.

  “I don’t think that’s something he’s used to hearing.” Darren makes himself comfortable in the room.

  “Oh. He is a tough looking guy. But quite nice and caring. Don’t you think?”

  Lee knows he is. But her discomfort with admitting such things has her mind focusing on the photographs. “You have a good eye. Does it bring you any money out here?”

  “Well, with the new currency coming in, what I can get from my photographs isn’t much. But many love them. And want more than just plain walls with no art or anything. I have a dream... to... to sort of start a photography class out here. Teach people. Camila said I was talented and should share it.”

  “Judging by what’s on these walls, you definitely should share some creativity out here.”

  “Thank you. And you... do you like creative arts?”

  “Well...” Lee hadn’t been asked that since her tutor in college presented her with a multiple choice of what subjects she wanted to take. And everything but art was ticked. “I was never that good with a paintbrush or camera. Editing film was ok for me when I had help, but I was more into sports, track, and field relay races, just anything that kept me outdoors and using my whole anatomy for exercise.”

  “You look very fit.”

  “Thank you. Nobody’s ever complimented my body before.” But Darren, listening in on the girls, knows that many men have taken the time to oogle sincerely at her body. Not with ill-intent, but to scope out how well Lee takes care of herself. It’s only him who holds back from the wolf whistle and urges to emerge as one.

  “When exactly did you last see Camila?”

  “A few weeks ago. Not too far from here, at a run-down shack that gives out aid. There is a few scattered around. And some dry land where tents and a few charities are trying to give help to those affected by the economic crisis. They are young people mainly; the older folks tend to stay in their homes. The West is different. But I like it. And it gives me some hope.”

  “I see. Do you have what they call Wi-Fi out here?”

  “One place does. A computer cafe that lets users have no more than thirty-minutes. He also managed to snatch a printer. With such high demand, more are trying to come into effect.”

  “Can we go? I think it would be good to do some research on the N.O. organization.”

  “Sure. I will wait a while. In the next few hours, rebels will pass through, recruiting the young males over eighteen in a few camps that are near the rougher ends of the West. And I wonder if they have yours and Darren’s face from Peacock.”

  Darren comes out. “Not Lee’s. Is Peacock around here?”

  “More north of Shanti Town. That’s rebel territory a couple of miles by car, further by foot. Nobody goes there unless they’re looking to join or persuade Peacock and his crew to disband.”

  “We can’t wait here too long.”

  “I know. But let me make something for you both to eat. I have some hot water that can last a little, so have a bath and clean up.”

  They both reluctantly agree but then a bombarding of noises lurks from the slope that houses many homes that are similar to Sandra’s— like a long line with stoney foundations, and one-bedroom homes placed upon them, that a toddler would make if he had any architecture skills. And the colors are all faded heaps of junk scraped to make a home. It’s badly put together with no antennas on the roofs.

  Lee and Darren run out and see smoke rising from the center. A few screams, some shouts from women protesting, and shamrock green colored flags being burnt. Some have guns that they fire into the air and toss what looks like silver coins. The fear that arises, Darren and Lee aren’t that far on top from the hazardous excitement down there.

  Some cheer at the setting of flags on fire. Sandra comes brusquely to join them, “The color of money. Many make the flags, burn them, and walk all the way to the east of Shanti where they hope Felis will t
ake note that they won’t be led by Alabastor. The west really wants to huddle together and start a fight.”

  “In all this, we could easily slip-off to that internet cafe.”

  “Are you not hungry?”

  “I’ll take something for the road.” Sandra doesn’t get it. “A saying back home. I’ll eat and walk. I think it’s best to move when so much is happening.”

  “I think she’s right. But I’ll stay here and wait for Hona and Angelina.”

  “I can’t argue with you both. Ok. We’ll take my car then, Lee. Let me make something to eat quickly and then we’ll leave.”

  ...

  “Am I wrong to assume that you know more than you let on, Henny?” Lotan and Henny stopped at a non-alcoholic bar that was cop-friendly and kept tabs. Henny was a regular, and accountable to pay his dues when it got too high. It was near the station and had a setup of a long counter and small bar. If you couldn’t find a seat on one of the beige stools, then you had to go elsewhere. It was a first come, first serve sort of business for the cops. And many came during their break to discuss work and then leave.

  “I know what the chairman tells me. I work through them.”

  “You work through yourself!” Lotan sounded bitterly resentful. “Promoting that girl over me... how could you?”

  “Lee is a good investment.”

  “A good pawn for you to play with.”

  “Jealous, Lotan?”

  “Where did you send her, Henny?”

  “After Shaka. I told you all, she’s been sent off to bring down that spider. Never known a man to have so many legs in so many different branches. He’s better than our damn president.”

  “There’s been no word of him. Some suspect Shaka is dead.”

  “Some being the ones who would like the man to quietly disappear. They want him arrested and thrown away in jail for his world affair policies.”

  “And rightly so -”

  “I don’t know. He could be a very good proposition for riches beyond men’s wildest desires. And men love money and power, don’t they?”

  “Not all men.”

  “Haha. Darren Webb? Well, Lee and he are due back any day now.”