Unbridled Chapter 8 Out of Africa

All Twilight characters belong to Stephanie Meyers

Special thanks and love to Twidictedteach and byrd009

BPOV

When I got the call from National Geographic, I didn't think twice about accepting the assignment. My friends are used to me picking up at a moment's notice and leaving for a job. I always call within 24 hours to let them know where I am and that I am okay. I can be a little flighty like that. Paul has fussed at me several times for not calling before leaving.

When Edward reacted the way he did, I was stunned and ashamed. I knew when I landed I needed to call him immediately to let him know where I was, but I just wasn't thinking of how my sudden departure may affect him. Sometimes, I will admit, I make dumb decisions, especially when I am in a rush. Of course, now I wish I had at least texted him. I get the feeling there is going to be a huge fight when I get back to the states. And now, apparently, I have a deadline. Edward said four days. If I'm not back by then, he is coming for me. I don't want that, because honestly this is a dangerous location. I can't even imagine having Edward in any kind of danger because of me.

And it is that thought that has me feeling like the worst person ever. This must be what Edward feels like. I don't know how I am going to make this up to him when I get back.

I can't focus on that right now. I need to get this assignment done as soon as possible. My crew and I are staying in the orphanage we are conducting the article on. What better way to get an understanding of what these children go through than to live in the same conditions they do.

It can't even really be called living. The building housing them is little more than an abandoned warehouse. The atmosphere is stifling, the food is barely edible, and the clothing these orphans have are mere rags. But the spirit of these orphans simple amazes me.

They take their situation all in stride. They live day in and day out never really complaining about what they don't have because they are too grateful for what they do have. We should all have such an outlook. These children are truly inspirational.

Riley, one of the crew members, has taken some incredible photos. The best ones are those when the children have no clue they are being photographed. We have a doctor with our small team also, Dr. Laurent Obosanjo. He is native to Africa, but speaks English as well as his Native tongue. He has been such a tremendous help with interviewing the children and the few caretakers who live here. He has also volunteered to give all the children a physical while here.

I can't help but replay Edward's words in my head while observing the children go about their morning routines. He loves me. He really loves me.

I've known for a while I loved him, but I was too scared to say it first. I have heard so many horror stories about guys bolting when the girl confessed love too soon. I should have had more faith in Edward. He is unlike anyone I have ever met. I knew that when he was so accepting of me wanting to refrain from having sex again. I know it seems ridiculous, but my conscious just got the better of me. And there was also a small part of me that needed to know that sex wasn't all he was truly interested in. I know he said as much, but for all the confidence people think I have, there is still a lot of insecurity when it comes to a man wanting to be with me. And this is the first serious relationship I have ever been in.

I have never really considered myself sexy or beautiful. I won't go so far as to say I think I'm hideous, I'm just fully aware there are plenty of women out there way more attractive than me. When I go out with my friends, I tend to assume if I guy talks to me it's just segue to talk to them. But Edward treats me as if I am the most beautiful creature he has ever seen. It just takes some getting used to.

The more I think about the concern and anger in his voice during our call, the worse I feel. I am usually so wrapped up in my work when on assignment I don't give anything else another thought. Now, all I can think about are ways to speed this up so I can get home, hopefully sooner than the four days Edward dictated.

As I am about to begin another interview with Renata, the caretaker who has been here the longest, I hear shouting coming from the entrance of the building. Suddenly, there is a flurry of activity. Children are crying and running to hide while the caretakers are trying to usher them to safety. Riley and Laurent rush towards Renata and I, pushing us into a corner of the room then standing protectively in front of us.

Before I have time to ask what is going on, about a dozen men appear in the doorway of the small room we are in carrying various types of guns. They are speaking in their native tongue so I am unsure what they are demanding. Laurent faces me and instructs me to stay silent and still. The children's crying must infuriate one of the gunmen, and he begins to shoot into the ceiling demanding their silence. Didi, the caretaker who ushered the children into the opposite side of the room, attempts to calm the children.

Laurent begins to speak to who I can only assume is the leader of this small militia. The other men have gone to search the rest of the building; no doubt making sure everyone is in this room. I know the rest of our team is in one of the rooms in the upper level. I just pray no one panics and causes one of the gunmen to react badly. After going back and forth for a few minutes, Laurent turns to translate for Riley and me.

Somehow word traveled throughout Mogadishu that a group of Americans were staying at the orphanage. Learning we were here to do a humanitarian piece on the conditions the orphans lived in, some of the militia felt our objective was to disparage the culture, making the people of Mogadishu seem like heartless, malicious savages who had no concern for children left with any parents or family members. The militia group has come here with the intention of sending a message to those who may try to follow after us. Outsiders are not welcome. We are to be examples.

I'm not frightened for myself so much as I am for the children. In such a short time they went from laughing and playing, to now cowering in a corner of a dank room scared for their lives. I want to go comfort them, hug them, just anything to help them feel protected. I beg Laurent to ask the leader of the militia to let me go to them. He shouts his response, and from the look on Laurent's face it is obvious he is not going to let me go.

Using Laurent, the leader begins to ask us who the head of our team is. By this time, the other captors have brought the rest of our people into the room with us. There are only five of us in total, and for that I am grateful now. I am about to respond that I am the head of this assignment when Riley speaks up in my place.

I want to argue with him, but he gives me a warning look, as does Laurent, and mouths "stay silent" to me with his head turned so the others cannot see him. I can only surmise he fears the captors will be harder on me, being a female, than if they believe our team leader is a male. I am not comfortable with it, but I can't say anything now. Riley could be harmed at this point if they believe he is a liar.

Hours pass as we are watched like prisoners. We are all afraid to make the slightest move, unsure of what may set the captors off. Lunch time has come and gone. The children were allowed a small ration of food and water, while the adults were denied anything at all, apparently all part of our punishment. Occasionally, I notice the leader of the militia group have one of his followers take out a small video recorder and speak directly to it before scanning the area. Laurent is hesitant to explain to us what he is saying as he is being recorded. He gives us the toned down version.

I am not sure who this video is intended for, but he is basically taunting whoever will see this video, letting them know they take care of their own, but outsiders are considered lower than animals, not worthy of scraps or water.

As we all wait anxiously to find out our fate, my mind wonders to the only thing that can calm me right now. Edward. I think back over the conversation we had over the phone. Gad I wish I could have told him I love him to his face. The more the hours tick by, the less optimistic I am I will ever get that chance. I am slightly comforted in knowing I did say it to him over the phone. I think about the past two months and how incredible they have been. As night falls, and our captors show no signs of letting go of whatever plan they have devised, it occurs to me a letter may be the last opportunity I have to say everything I need to say to Edward. Since we are in the room we set up to do arts and crafts projects with the children, I am able to snatch a piece of paper and a crayon sitting on the floor not far from me.

I know I have to be discreet. Surely these men would not appreciate seeing me, an outsider they see as a slanderer, trying to write s note to someone on the outside, no matter who it may be to. I am not even sure if Edward will ever get it. All I can hope is that if I don't make it out of here, then maybe my body will. If I hide it well enough, maybe someone will find it on me and get it to him. Otherwise, it will simply be my last thoughts lost in the chaos, but at least floating around somewhere outside of my head.

Some of the hostages have managed to fall asleep, restless as it is. Even a few of the guards are dozing. They seem to be taking shifts for tonight, two guards at each entrance. From where I am sitting, the guards at the door can barely see me behind Riley and Laurent, as well as the rest of our team that joined us earlier. I begin to write, pouring my heart and soul out onto this paper as if I were actually speaking to Edward. Before I know it, I have covered almost the entire front and back. Knowing I may not have much more time going unnoticed, I end the note with the most honest statement I have ever uttered in my life:

Edward, you are my life, my love, and my heart. Always.

I fold the note small enough to fit it inside my bra, hoping it will be secure there. Knowing sleep will not be coming to me tonight, I notice Riley and Laurent speaking in hushed tones. I move a little closer to join in on their conversation. It is frustrating to me to have to depend on Laurent for translations. I trust him completely; I have worked with him many times before in various other parts of Africa, but here in Mogadishu there are so many languages and dialects, it is just too difficult for me to keep up.

From what Laurent has been able to gather, we know the captors plan on releasing the children. As for the adults, including the caretakers, we are to suffer the consequences of what they consider our judgment on their way of life. There is no reasoning with these men. No matter how we try to explain our purpose here, they will never see it as a simple documentation of what an orphan in this part of the country lives through.

I've never been afraid of death. An ironic statement, I know, considering my issues with anxiety and panic attacks. For some reason though, right now I am almost resigned, I guess? My concern is for the others that have taken this trip with me. Maybe that is why I am not in the fetal position on the floor somewhere. My mind is working overtime trying to figure out a way to ensure at least some of them get out safely, even if I don't. There has to be a way out of this building that is not secured by these gunmen.

Without even realizing it, Laurent, Riley, and I have been quietly conversing until daybreak. It has been almost twenty-four hours we have been held hostage here. Time is running out. To be sure these militia men have no intentions in dragging this out much longer. I am sure they are too eager to get their message out to warn others, especially if news of this raid has reached anyone who may attempt a rescue.

Oh God, what if Edward knows about this. I can't even imagine what he may be going through. Please God, don't let him come here.

Any doubt we may have had concerning our time frame is quickly answered when half the group of militia begin to gather the children and usher them out of the building. The children are understandably upset and begin to cry out for Renata and Didi, but to no avail. They are viciously ripped away from the only parental figures they have ever known and forced into the back of an old military truck.

From the window of the small room we have been sequestered in, I can see the tears running down the cheeks of some of the younger children and it rips my heart out. What will become of them now? All I can do is pray this group of terrorists is so concerned with looking like concerned citizens of Somalia that the children will at least be relocated to another orphanage.

Now all who are left inside the building are Riley, Laurent, Renata, and Didi, the other members of our team from National geographic Jane, Mike, and Tanya. I don't have to be psychic to know things are about to get bad — really bad.

Once the children are carted away, the interrogations begin. While I can't be sure what the leader of the captors is asking, I can tell by his tone he is angry. Didi is the first to be questioned. Her fear is evident. Didi is a very quiet, demure woman, small in stature. Her life was full of violence, living in fear of upheaval and uncertainty. Being an orphan herself, she turned her tragedy into something wonderful by working with orphans much like herself, using her own experiences to help others learn to cope.

Thankfully, her questioning does not last long. Her answers must have satisfied the man asking the questions. Other than his angry tone, he never threatens her physically. Next up is Renata. She is a bit feistier than Didi, not one for mincing words. She speaks a little English, and we have had a few interesting conversations.

What I couldn't make out for myself, Laurent was kind enough to translate between us. Her love of the orphans is heartwarming. She has made it her mission to show them love and help educate them as best as she can. All she has ever wanted is to offer the children hope for a better future. I can tell by her body language she has a great deal of hostility towards the group who has taken over the orphanage.

I ask Laurent to translate for me what exactly the leader is asking Renata. Being the head mistress of the orphanage, I get the feeling the leader is going to assume she is the reason "the outsiders" were here in the first place. As far as they will be concerned, she allowed this. They will see it as an act of treason, an attempt to slur the people of Mogadishu.

Renata's questioning starts off much the same as Didi's. When the voices get louder and angrier, Laurent explains the leader is asking her why the Americans were given permission to enter the orphanage as guests. The entire conversation I have to rely on Laurent to translate for me. Renata explains she agreed to the article in the hopes of bringing much needed aide to the children. The leader takes this as an implication that the people of the city were unable to provide the basic needs of its own.

True to Renata's nature, she retaliates by saying that is very much the case, as the children of this orphanage and several others suffer anything from hunger to lack of clothing. To say her statement infuriated him would be an understatement. With a dark chuckle, he gave no warning as he pulled his fist back and punched Renata in the face, causing her to fall harshly onto the floor. He then proceeded to kick her viciously, not focusing on one area, but all over her body. Renata's screams began to fill the room. Several of the other hostages covered their ears and closed their eyes to try and block out the violent display.

Unable to simply sit by and watch the carnage, I jump from my spot beside Laurent on the floor. He tried to grab my wrist to force me back down, but I have to do something. I can't sit by and watch this happen. None of the other goon squad have joined in on Renata's attack, seemingly satisfied watching their leader dole out his punishment. Without thinking, I charge the large man, whom Laurent informed me just before the attack began was named Abasi, and knock him back as hard as I can. It is just hard enough to give Renata a moment of reprieve. I bend down to try and assess Renata's injuries. There is blood covering her body. Before I can ask if she move, I am grabbed from behind by Abasi. He roughly pulls me up and around to face him.

In very broken English, he asks me only one question. "Are you willing to take her place, outsider?"

Looking back at Renata, I know she cannot take much more. I close my eyes and reply quickly.

"Yes."

Abasi stares at me in surprise for a moment. He motions for one of his followers and speaks in his native tongue again. He man to who he is speaking walks over to Laurent and speaks to him. Laurent rises and walks to Renata to examine her. I have no time to find out if she will be okay as Abasi and two of his men force me into a small adjoining room, separating me from the others. A feeling of impending doom suddenly washes over me. The only thought going through my head at this exact moment is I love you Edward.

I can hear the others cry and voice their concern for me as one of the men closes and locks the door. It is not the fear of dying I am experiencing. I have just disrespected Abasi in front of his men. Death would be too easy. Suddenly I hear Riley's voice. He has made it to the locked door and is banging loudly, trying to kick it in, while yelling for me. I should have known Riley would try to save me, it's just who he is. He is chivalrous by nature. While part of me loves he wants to help me, the logical part of me is desperate for him to just go back to the others so as not to anger the gunmen.

After a few moments, the choice is made for him. I listen in horror as a single gunshot rings out throughout the building. I hear the others scream as I hear the loud thud of a body dropping at the door to this room.

I see one of the men pull out a small video camera. Abasi then addresses me.

"What you did in there was both incredibly brave and incredibly stupid. You would willingly risk your life for one of us, a citizen of Somalia?"

"I would willingly risk my life for anyone who does as much good as Renata does. Her only crime is loving the children of this orphanage and doing whatever necessary to ensure their needs are met. That is all we are doing here — helping get her story, and theirs' out."

"How very noble of you. Too bad you must suffer for the both of you now."

That is the only warning I receive before the blows begin. All I can register is the feeling of punches and kicks all over. They are attacking me from head to toe, no place is off limits. I can see my own blood flying in different directions. I vomit as someone lands a particularly hard kick to my stomach. I am so dazed right now; I am not sure if I want to remain conscious or just simply pass out and die.

Suddenly, Abasi yells a command at the two mean assisting in my punishment. They instantly stop all activity and seem to be awaiting another order. I can barely see, let alone understand any of the movement above me. Apparently, Abasi has leaned down to me on the cold floor to whisper in my ear.

"As a reward for your bravery, I will not allow my men to rape you as they would very much like to. I will leave you that one dignity. However, I am afraid it will be of little comfort as you will still die with the others in this building."

Now that the attack has stopped, I can hear the others outside the door. Some are screaming my name. I believe I hear Laurent banging and yelling for me to answer him if I can. Abasi gives another order, and his men turn to leave. I notice the camera that was pulled out earlier sitting on a table. They have recorded this entire incident. The man who initially brought the camera out picks it back up and scans me with it once more, being sure to document every injury visible. Some of my clothing is torn allowing more exposure of my wounds. After shutting off the camera, Abasi unlocks and opens the door, the three of them walking out.

Laurent rushes to my side. I hear his gasp as he looks me over, but right now I just want to get on my feet. I don't want the others to see me in the fetal position on this dirty, cold floor. Laurent is hesitant to move me, but when I insist I will do it alone, he relents and slowly helps me up. Everything hurts. My vision is blurry, I can barely stand straight, my back is in agonizing pain, and at this very moment I really wish I were unconscious.

With assistance from Laurent, I make it back into the room with the others. They are instantly at my side, trying to clean up what wounds they can easily reach. The groups of militia men have gathered in the corner. My best guess is they are trying to decide the most effective way to kill us all.

After conversing for what seems like half an hour, I notice some of the men head outside to one of the vehicles they drove here in. He begins to unload things from the back, but my vision is still unreliable. Laurent and the others are trying to keep me informed of the movements, but I think this is more to keep me alert than anything. When the men re-enter and begin to unload the crate, I can hear a curse escape Laurent's lips.

He then explains to us that it seems Abasi has determined the most news worthy way to purge his city of its outsiders is by blowing up the building. He wants to ensure that any reporters even considering coming into Somalia for any reason is aware of the fate that awaits them.

As I lay on the floor, the others huddle around me. It is bizarre sitting around simply awaiting your fate and knowing there is nothing you can do about it. I let my mind wander to all the things I had yet to accomplish. Funnily enough, I can't imagine anything of my future without Edward in it. It was so stupid of me to not tell him how much I love him the instant I knew. It all seems like wasted opportunities to me now. Edward is it for me — or was from the looks of things right now. Just as I am thinking these things, a most horrifying thought enters my mind.

Abasi plans on sending all the recording from today to any and every news outlet he can. Edward may actually have to watch the beating Renata and I took. I can't even stomach to think how this may affect him. And dear God, if he watches as the building goes up — my only prayer is that someone stops him from watching. He doesn't deserve to see this. He doesn't deserve to have this etched into his memory.

As Abasi's men set up several explosive devices throughout the building, I continue to go in and out of consciousness. I have no idea how much time has passed, but I am slightly aware when Abasi and his men begin to retreat out of the building. They make sure to lock up all doors leading outside and nailing the windows shut. As soon as they are finished, the quickly leave, blocking the last means of escape from the outside. Jane runs to the window to see where they are headed. From what she can tell, they travel far enough away to avoid the blast, but still close enough to record the destruction of the building.

Didi walks over to the nearest explosive device, looking it over and announcing we have about ten minutes before the bombs go off. She then instructs everyone to follow her. Renata and I are in no condition to move without slowing everyone else down. We try to insist they leave us behind and save themselves if possible, but they adamantly refuse. Mike lifts Renata while Laurent lifts me with little effort. With one last glance at Riley lying dead on the floor, we begin to follow Didi into another room. Unsure of what she is doing, she motions to what looks like a simple floor board. Upon closer inspection, Laurent realizes the floor board is actually a trap door.

Tanya and Didi work together to get the door open. We are soon climbing down a set of steep stairs that lead to a tunnel. Making our way quickly through the narrow tunnel, we come across another set of steep stairs leading to another cellar door. Jane, Tanya, and Didi get the door opened quickly. From what I can tell, it leads outside, somewhere beyond the building. Mike follows with Renata as Laurent and I bring up the rear. Once outside, we begin to get as far away from the building as possible before it explodes. Mike and Laurent are slowed by having to carry Renata and myself. We convince Jane, Tanya, and Didi to run as fast as they can, we will be behind them. It seems senseless to risk their lives as well. After their own internal debates, they finally heed our advice and take off.

Mike and Renata are slightly ahead of Laurent and I. Laurent is trying to be careful as my injuries seem to be worse than Renata's to him. I am not sure how far away we have actually gotten from the building when we hear the first of the explosions. A wave of heat and debris come from behind, knocking Laurent to the ground and throwing me out of his arms. Before the darkness takes me, I can see Mike stumbling to keep his balance without losing Renata, but falling after making it a few more feet.