Chapter 24: The Refugee Returns

The Iron Lady

I squirmed in my sweaty plastic seat. The journey was taking twice as long as usual. Over twenty soldier's checkpoints had appeared between Freetown and Serabu. I had offered to share the driving but MT did not want to relinquish control. Her tactics, if not her motives, were sound, as dressed in full veil and habit and wearing her most determined expression, MT was enough to send the young soldiers scurrying to lift their wooden barriers with a tug of their forelocks. Since my services were obviously not needed, I settled down for a snooze.

Suddenly we screeched to a halt. A soldier stood, pointing his gun through the windscreen.

"Take me to Mokanje, Sista."

"Oh shit," I gasped.

"Please," MT corrected the soldier. I clutched the dashboard. Good Lord, how could she argue the finer points of etiquette looking down the end of the barrel?

"Please, Sista. Take me to Mokanje."

"Very well. Dr. Joy will get in the back."

"I get in the back, Sista, no problem."

"In the front, soldier, so I can see you." MT ordered.

"No problem, Sista, I get no ammunition."

"Well let us thank the Good Lord for that. Seatbelt."

Soldier boy fumbled with the buckle, then started to chat away as though MT was a long lost aunt.
"I done kill two rebels, Sista."

"Indeed?"

"Yes, Sista, I get for show you."

"That will not be necessary."

"They are very close. I go show you." MT did not reply, although I did hear the slightest of sighs.

Five miles down the road he called out. "Here, Sista! Look Sista. Stop. Stop!"

MT slowed down a little. "Look. Look at my rebels." He pointed to two human skulls adorning the side of the road.

"Oh God," I whispered. Until that moment, this whole rebel business had seemed like a Famous Five adventure. Suddenly I realised it was all really happening.

The skulls were displayed on three-foot wooden poles like a pair of ghoulish lollipops, with bits of flesh still hanging from the cheekbones. MT hit the accelerator with a hint of unsisterly irritation. I gaped in horror at the skeletal mirage departing through the back window.

"Did you see them, Sista?" he enthused. "You see, I go protect you from the rebels."

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