The Extinct

CHAPTER
33

Eric walked around the town with William for almost an hour; haggling with the hawkers and buying little wooden trinkets for less than a dollar. They stopped at a cafe and had some ice cream, the scoops melting into thick syrup from the heat almost before they were served.

When they returned to the hotel the jeeps were fully packed and Thomas, Sandra and Douglas stood next to one talking. Jalani was checking everything in both jeeps, her brow heavy with sweat. She saw Eric and smiled.

“You will be riding with me today,” she said.

Jalani climbed into the second jeep as Thomas and Douglas went to the first. Sandra pointed to them, asking to join, and William nodded before climbing into the passenger seat next to Jalani. Eric stepped up into the backseat. It was cramped because of all the supplies loaded behind him but there was a cooler full of ice and bottled water next to him and he took some of the ice and slid it over his face and neck.

The jeeps rumbled to life. Douglas was driving the other one, Thomas sitting next to him smoking his pipe with his boots up on the dashboard, appearing like a nineteenth century aristocrat in his full canvas garb. They began slowly winding through the neighborhood, honking at the various crowds that gathered in the street to talk or conduct business. Soon, they were out of downtown Kavali and heading north on the highway.

The ocean quickly became a distant glimmer behind them as they moved farther inland. William and Jalani were discussing the colonial history of Andhra Pradesh and William seemed genuinely interested, aptly paying attention to anything Jalani said.

After a few hours, they steered away from the highway and onto a wide dirt road. Around them the grass, gold and dark green, became waist high and thick. The trees were growing more sparse and large boulders and rock formations were beginning to appear. “Do you know what the animal is?” William asked Jalani. “No, we do not know.” “Oh?” William said. “Thomas told me it was possibly a rogue tiger.” “I met a man who claims to have seen it. He said it was too large to be a tiger.” “Really? So what else could it be?” Jalani shrugged. “I do not know.”

The surroundings quickly went from a clear dirt road, to just dirt. They were miles away from any type of modern civilization. There was only sky and grass and trees. A herd of Asian elephants were slowly crossing their path and Douglas stopped in front of them, laughing at the sight of it all. He brought out a flask and took a long drink before passing it to Thomas and Sandra.

It took less than five hours for Eric to feel sunburnt and dehydrated. He guzzled water from the frosty bottles and constantly rubbed sunblock on his face and arms. Jalani hardly did anything; the heat didn’t seem to bother her at all.

“There’s a village down a few kilometers,” Jalani said. “We can eat there.”

The village was nothing more than a few huts placed around a large pit used for fires. The inhabitants were a dark black with ornate jewelry and red and yellow cloth wrapped around them for clothing. Their feet were dry and cracked with inch thick calluses from their toes to their heel. Children gathered around the jeeps as they parked a couple dozen feet away and Jalani said harsh words to scatter them and then laughed softly.

“I remember when I was here,” Jalani said, “this village had no money. Nothing from the modern world. Now they have cigarettes and liquor and rifles. They have only taken what is bad about the modern world.”

Thomas and Jalani went to greet some of the elders and Eric stayed by the jeeps with William and Sandra. He saw William wrap his arm around her and she pulled away and leaned against the jeep.

Eventually Jalani waved them over and they all sat in a circle around the pit as some of the tribal women lit a fire. They had killed a lamb recently and, in honor of their guests, were going to cook it with roots and potatoes. Eric sat next to Jalani and listened to the sing-songy language. It had beautiful upward inflections which gave a wholly different sound from any language he’d ever heard. “The elder says he’s seen your monster,” Jalani said. “What is it?” Thomas asked. “He couldn’t say exactly. But it was large.” “How did he see it?” “They’ve lost one of their tribe two days ago in the night. A man.” “Tell them we grieve with them and that we could use a tracker if they could spare someone.” Jalani asked and the elder shook his head and said something harsh. “What’s the matter?” Thomas asked. “They’re scared. They say this animal can’t be killed.” “Why not?” Jalani asked. “They say he is the devil.” “A devil?” Thomas said with a grin. “Well assure them it is only an animal and one that we intend to get rid of.” “One of the children claims that it spoke with them.”

Thomas laughed. “Nonsense. Tell them we’re willing to pay for the services of a good tracker and that I will not stop until this beast is dead. Tell him it’s in his interest to help us so no more of his tribe should suffer.”

Jalani translated and the man thought awhile, then said something and offered his hand. Jalani took it and they held each other for a moment. “He agrees,” Jalani said, “but not for money. He says only because you are serious and he does not wish any more of his tribe to die. He also invites us to stay the night.”

“Tell him that’s very gracious and that we accept.”

Eric found the people of the tribe friendly and welcoming. Anything they had, they shared. They ate fresh lamb which was greasy but had a slightly sweet taste that he found appealing. The villagers, mostly vegetarian, ate only the roots and potatoes. Afterward Thomas shared some beers with the elders and they sat around telling stories. Eric wandered off to the outskirts of the village, standing on the edge of the green shrubbery and golden fields. The wind rustled through the plains in a soft whisper, almost like it was speaking. It was enough to send a chill down his back. “Beautiful isn’t it?” William said as he walked up and stood next to him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sky so blue.” “I like these people. They’re innocent, like children.” “I doubt that, Eric. We all have the capacity for evil inside us. Even them.”

Eric picked a long strand of grass and twirled it in his fingers, squinting as he looked far out into the fields at the water buffalo grazing on the open plains. “Why’d you come here, Will?”

“Vacation.”

“You hunt man-eating animals for a vacation?”

William smiled. “No. My wife is friends with Thomas, I think they went to school together in London. He offered a once in a lifetime trip and she insisted we come. I don’t think she likes Boston very much. It can be really gray and cold.” William took out his cigars and handed one to Eric before lighting it and taking one for himself. “What are you gonna do after the animal’s dead?” “I don’t know. I can’t go home.” “Why?” Eric didn’t answer. “Oh,” William said. “What?”

“You don’t need to lie to me, Eric. I can see it in you. You miss your home but can’t go there.” He took a puff and decided to change the subject. “This tiger’s supposedly killed a lot of people.”

“Yeah. I guess you think we’re doing God’s work, huh?”

“God doesn’t ask anything of us. He doesn’t even ask us to be good, not really. He just shows us both sides and has us decide. But no, I don’t think animals can be evil. But hell, I don’t know, maybe they can and we’re just too arrogant to see it.” “Gentleman!” Thomas yelled out, “it’s very rude to be apart from the group during a feast.” William put his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Do you have anything you want to tell me?” “No.” “Maybe some other time.” “Maybe.”

As they walked back to the group, Jalani handed them a large bowl filled with a rancid, fermented drink. William took a long drink and handed it to Eric as they proceeded to get drunk. The tribe lit a large bonfire, making it roar with dry timber and a type of moss. As darkness fell, they pulled out a few drums and began a dance, chanting a melody that Sandra and Thomas took up as well. Soon, they were all drunk and dancing and chanting melodies that would last well into the night. Jalani would glance over to Eric and smile. Eventually, she came up and sat next to him. “How do you feel?” she asked. “Fine.” “You saw death today. Sometimes, that can change a person’s soul.” “I don’t know if I believe in a soul.”

“Really? I believe everything has a soul. In my tribe, we believe that the soul, at least a small part of it, leaves the body with the breath. If two people breathe into each other, they will be part of each other forever.” Eric smiled. “You find funny our beliefs?” Jalani said playfully. “No, it’s just amazing the things people like to believe in.”

Jalani glanced over at the group. They were all around the fire, dancing and singing in melody to the music. “Will you dance?” she said. She stood up and motioned for him to follow.

Eric stood up and followed her close to the flames. Her slender figure appeared exotic next to the fire, her silhouette like that of goddess; darkness against flame. Her dance wasn’t like the others’ drunken movements. She was very purposeful, her hips moving in line with her legs and her muscular upper body. She took Eric’s hands and wrapped them around her hips. He ran his hands up and down her body as they danced. When they were coated in sweat and their muscles were warm and stretched from the movement, she turned to him and put her arms around his neck. She put her lips to his, and breathed in. He pulled away and saw the mischievous grin she had before she leaned in and kissed him.