Page 32 of Heat Force
They took them outside and sat on two rickety chairs on the porch, overlooking the clearing. It was early enough that the sun hadn’t warmed the ground up yet, and a low mist unfurled at the base of the trees at the edge of the clearing. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint mustiness of wet vegetation.
“It’s going to be another brutally warm day,” Lexi mused, gazing up at the pale blue sky devoid of clouds. A lone hawk floated on the air currents, scouting for breakfast.
“It doesn’t seem to bother you too much,” he remarked.
“You get used to it. When I first got here, I was melting. Now I’ve acclimatized, so it doesn’t bother me as much.”
In the distance, the call of awakening birds pierced the low hum of the jungle. Near the gorilla enclosure, workers were gathering, steaming Styrofoam cups of coffee in hand, chatting quietly as they prepared for the day ahead.
Everyone was on schedule.
A squad of UN soldiers loitered nearby, rifles slung over their shoulders. Their daily escort had become routine. The locals refused to walk through the rebel-controlled areas without protection, and Hawk had no problem footing the bill for their safety. Not that it made him feel much better about the situation. It burned him that these people—just trying to eke out a living—had to pay for what should have been a basic right: security. But Africa didn’t work like that.
This country played by its own rules, he’d learned that from many hours conversing with Robert at the Lodge. Local warlords and rebels controlled entire regions, using their power to exploit resources, extort taxes, and enslave workers.
Here, in the shadow of one of the region’s largest tin mines, the tension between government forces and rebel factions was palpable. Usala Park, with its endangered wildlife and hopeful sanctuary, often found itself in the crossfire. It was a fragile ecosystem in every sense of the word.
They chatted for a while, mostly about their respective schedules for the day, then Hawk downed what was left of his coffee. “I’d better get to work.”
“Sure, me too.”
The laborers began to stir, finishing their coffee and gathering tools. Nearby, a group of boys played with sticks and an old tire, their laughter cutting through the quiet morning. Hawk smiled, he loved the sense of community at the sanctuary.
Moyo, the boy he’d spoken to the other day came running over. He was clutching the pocketknife he’d given him. “Mister Hawk, you ready for work?”
He grinned. “Yeah, buddy. I sure am.”
Lexi smiled, and this time he did see her dimples.
“Catch you later,” he called, as he walked over to join the others.
She waved, and just for a moment, his heart sang.
It was nearlylunchtime when Hawk looked up and saw Lexi come out of the clinic. The sunlight caught the copper tones in her hair, making her appear more nymph-like than ever. She was carrying a tray of iced tea and a plate of sandwiches. He’d been working on building a brick wall, showing Moyo the ropes, so to speak. It was basic, menial work but he was enjoying it. With the sun on his back, the sound of men working all around him, and Moyo beside him, what could be better?
He wiped the sweat from his brow. It was hot though, and he could do with a break and something to eat. Moyo eyed the sandwiches eagerly.
“Time for lunch,” she said, setting the tray down on a pile of bricks.
“Thank you, Miss Lexi,” Moyo said, offering up a shy smile.
“You’re welcome, Moyo.” She smiled at the boy, before turning to him. “How’s it going?”
“Good, we’re making progress.” This would be the back wall of her new office, once it was completed.
“I’m learning how to build a wall, Miss Lexi,” Moyo said proudly.
“I can see that. Excellent work.”
He beamed and reached for a sandwich.
“It’s very hot out here,” she said, glancing up. The sun was nearly at its zenith, while the humidify had once again risen to crazy levels.
“Yeah, I know. We’ll break at two, and then start again at six, once it’s not so powerful.”
She nodded at Moyo and shot him a pointed look.
“Hang on,” he murmured, and disappeared into the makeshift office that they used as a base for the construction. When he returned, he was holding a baseball cap. He crouched down, handing it to Moyo. “Here. This’ll keep the sun off your head.”