Going Back

Wafula didn't know how long he'd been out, but one thing was clear the fucking chalice did this to him.

He could have sworn he heard his ribs crack from that fall. The third floor wasn't a joke, and it was a miracle he was still breathing. And to make things worse, Heinrich had called him a coward who the hell hits a man while he's down?If Wafula ever wrote a book, he would dedicate an entire chapter to the injustice of that moment.

And that man the one swallowed by the chalice. The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine. He had seen it happen with his own two eyes. That poor guy just vanished into thin air. Did that mean he, Wafula, now had powers? Was he a sorcerer? Had he been walking around with superpowers this whole time, mistaking them for dumb luck?

He lay on the back seat of a Land Rover defender, he had been dumped at the back like luggage. A human cargo, unconscious and ignored.

When he finally cracked his eyes open, the first thing he saw was Lady Eleanor staring at him.

He jerked upright like a robot, his heart skipping a beat.

"Where are we?" he asked, his voice groggy.

Silence.

The girl just sat there, ignoring him like he was invisible. Eleanor had this strange presence she wasn't exactly rude, but she also didn't waste words. She glanced at him once, then turned her gaze back to the horizon like he was beneath her concern.

Wafula sighed and looked out the window. The sun was setting.

Another day gone just like that.

A whole day, and for what?

He had agreed to one week with these people, but now he seriously doubted his survival. If things kept going at this rate, he wouldn't make it to the weekend. Maybe it was time to ditch these lunatics and go back to Kenya on his own.

He searched for his phone, his trusty sidekick, his Google Maps, his lifeline.

Gone.

His gut dropped.

Then he remembered he had left it at the hotel.

"Fuck," he muttered. He had been so distracted by the whole trying-not-to-die part that he had completely forgotten.

He sighed and climbed out of the car.

---

As soon as his feet hit the ground, all eyes were on him.

The bodyguards always alert, always ready gave him their usual suspicious looks. They never outright said it, but Wafula could feel it in their stares:

"How is this clown still alive?"

And then there was Heinrich.

The man was sitting under a tree, leaning against the trunk, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was sharp when he spoke.

"Can't believe you can stand."

Wafula rolled his eyes.

"Can't believe you're still breathing either," he almost said.

This man this Heinrich what was his problem? Did he have some personal vendetta against Wafula? Maybe in a past life, Wafula had stolen his wife or burned his crops or something. The man never had anything nice to say.

And then came the killer question.

"Can you get us out of here?"

Wafula froze.

This man… was he serious?

This had to be a joke. A prank. A hidden-camera show.

Was he supposed to miraculously know the way out? Did they think he was Google Maps in human form?

Wafula stared at Heinrich for a full three seconds before he mentally screamed.

Who the fuck did they think he was?!

He was as lost as they were! He had been unconscious when they got here! How was he supposed to navigate them out?

He sighed heavily.

But Wafula was not the kind of man to lack solutions.

"Okay," he said finally.

If they wanted directions, he'd find them directions.

---

Wafula wandered away from the car, moving towards a small path that led to a residential area.

Luckily, they weren't completely in the middle of nowhere after some walking, he found a group of locals. With his natural charm, he struck up a conversation, making up some nonsense story about how their group was on a "road trip gone wrong."

The locals were kind enough to give him some directions.

When he returned, he found the group debating their next move.

He wanted to find a hotel get some rest, maybe a real meal but that wasn't an option. The group wasn't safe here.

They needed to get back to Kenya.

And there was another problem their vehicle had already been spotted.

That meant changing cars.

They called a rental service from Kenya, arranging for their old Land Rover to be collected. It cost extra fees, but Heinrich didn't blink an eye.The man had money this was pocket change to him.

In no time, they had a new car, and they were on the road again.

Wafula, exhausted, climbed into the backseat.

It was finally happening they were leaving Tanzania.

Headed back to Kenya.

Back to Mr. Muriuki's place.

And maybe, just maybe Wafula could figure out what the hell was happening with that cursed chalice.

But for now, he just wanted to close his eyes and breathe.

---