Chapter 33 Congo Basin, 4° 46′ 43″ S, 11° 51′ 49″ E, Cuvette Centrale

Cecilia, Akiko, and Lian Xi sat on firewood in front of the Elder's house. They were invited to drink honey water before starting the journey to track Sefu in the forest. The elder who seemed to be getting better after taking Malaria medicines from Cecilia, gathered several of their best trackers.

It was getting dark so the Elder suggested the group to stay the night. They could start the search early the next morning. Cecilia agreed because to be in the forest at night would be against all logic.

Hearing Cecilia's approval, the Elder gave orders to several people to prepare their place to stay.

Akiko was speechless as the three of them moved from the Elder's house to the overnight accommodation that had been prepared. Yes, a traditional tree hut was available for those who spent the night. The hut did not look much but it was sturdy and safe. It meant for preventing Leopard's attack, the Elder explained.

Lian Xi and Akiko nodded but then gasped in question. Didn't Leopards climb trees?

A leopard would never attack anything on a tree, the Elder explained as Cecilia continued Akiko and Lian Xi's question.

Again Akiko and Lian Xi nodded. But what about large snakes like Anaconda?

We have smeared the herb leaves on the tree where you are staying. Snakes would stay away because the potion was dangerous for reptiles. Again, the Elder gave an explanation to hear the follow-up question translated by Cecilia.

Akiko and Lian Xi didn't ask much anymore. The Pygmies made a small bonfire around the tree hut. In addition to keeping them warm, they also repelled insects and kept wild animals away.

That night Cecilia slept soundly. She had been sleeping in a warm and soft bed for a while. She longed for a life in the forest even though it was not as simple as lying on the branches covered with thick leaves.

It was the opposite for Akiko and Lian Xi. The two of them were just stunned to watch Cecilia snoring softly in no time. While their eyes were still wide open while holding the M16 in their hands.

The night passed quickly for Cecilia who woke up early and came down from the tree hut. Akiko and Lian Xi came down soon after with droopy eyes because they only slept for a very short time.

The three of them sat close to the fire which was kept on by few people to warm the hut. Cecilia was deeply moved. These people who often called by the city dwellers as being backward and uncivilized, yet they tried to make their guess comfortable by keeping the fire on all night long even though they never lit a fire for themselves at night.

A Pygmy woman brought some warmed honey water for the guess to drink. While drinking, Cecilia felt moved again. It was unusual for Pygmies to wake up this early. They really value their guests. Meanwhile the dwellers with all the progress of their civilization came to the forest and destroyed their home. The very forest where these simple people had been living and depending on all their life.

Cecilia cursed herself for taking part in acting like a city slicker.

The sun had risen a little higher. After having breakfast of roasted tubers and forest fruits, they set off for the journey accompanied by three guides and trackers.

On the advice of the Elders, they started the journey along the River Zaire. Some people might survive without food for some time but not without water.

Fortunately they were accompanied by capable guides and trackers. Within half a day they managed to find traces of human footprint.

Even though it wasn't necessarily Sefu's but at least it was a sets of footprints from one person. Akiko was worried that they would find traces of the attackers who ambushed them yesterday instead.

The trackers confirmed that it was only one person and that the traces were still quite fresh.

They walked slowly because the trackers occasionally stopped to make sure that they were still on track. From time to time the guides narrated what he saw from the trail that the person climbed up a tree to get some fruit and eat it or at another time he said that the person stopped and peed next to a big tree.

Cecilia, Akiko and Lian Xi was amazed by all the details of the story from something as simple as human footprints.

By noon the trail led them toward the banks of the River Zaire. The guide said if the person had slept under a tree and was visited by a Leopard but the animal did not bother him. Cecilia shuddered. Animals have a keen sense of smell and instinct for danger. Maybe he realized that his potential prey contained a deadly poison if eaten.

The lead guide put his finger on his lips. He gave a signal that there was someone ahead. Cecilia's heart was beating faster because she really hoped that it was Sefu.

The trackers crept behind the trees and shrubs. Cecilia and the rest followed behind. Akiko and Lian Xi got ready with guns in hand.

They ended up at...the Anaconda, and they heard the sound of someone snoring inside the speedboat!

Akiko jumped in and pointed the M16 followed by Lian Xi. Cecilia waited on land. Akiko told her to wait there.

Cecilia only saw Akiko make moves as fast as a swooping eagle followed by Lian Xi carrying a rope.

The boat wobbled as there was a struggle on it. But it wasn't long. Akiko popped her head out from behind the tarpaulin covering the back of the speedboat and gave Cecilia an okay sign.

Cecilia got on the speedboat and looked into the passenger cabin. Someone with blazing eyes tried to break free from the ropes that bound his legs and arms. Sefu!