A/N:I don't own Twilight. Stephanie Meyers does, I am just obsessed with them.
This is the first thing I've ever written.
If you feel so inclined, please leave a review. I would appreciate any words of encouragement or ideas that would make me a better writer.
Sincere thank you to my Beta Yeah Her.
_Chapter 7: Edward's Point of View
I loved taking the truck from the hospital to pick up supplies. Being at the clinic for such long hours was very rewarding but it was grueling and left very little time for private reflection. When we got back to the tents at night I was sleeping as soon as my head hit the pillow. My time in the truck was the only time I could really meditate and think of Bella.
I missed her so much. We were never apart this long and I sometimes questioned my decision to leave her on the other side of the world. When I witnessed the good work we were doing and the appreciation of the people, I knew I made the right choice. This was a life altering mission and I think that it would make me a better doctor when the day was done.
I picked up the supplies and was on my way back to camp when I saw someone lying in the middle of the road. I almost ran them over; I was deep in thought and stopped the truck before I ran over the man. When I got out of the truck to investigate I was ambushed by several tribesmen and pushed back into my truck. They pushed me into the driver's seat and were holding clubs and knives as weapons. I did not know what they could want from me. It was hard for me to think. I have never been so terrified in my life. I started to remember what we were told in the orientation about what to do if we were ever taken. They told us it was rare in this area but always a possibility.
I knew it was important to regain my composure. My heart was pounding and I was shocked but I tried to appear calmer than I felt. I tried to be observant and was attempting to remember as much as possible. All my senses became hyper aware.
There were six captors. They had knives and clubs that appeared hand carved. They appeared very thin in stature and were their faces were painted with white clay. They wore nothing but cloth around their groins. They were shouting in their native tongue which I recognized to be Amharic. Being here for two months I have learned some basic words which may now be helpful. One of them was shouting some words in English as well.
It was hard to determine their emotional state. They seemed unorganized and to be just as frightened as me!
They were pushing me and waving to the road so I started to drive and when it was time to make a turn they were all shouting and pointing. We were passing some typical mud huts with straw roofs. I knew we were heading towards one of the villages in the Omo Valley. We were riding along the Omo River and crocodiles and hippos were abundant. The landscape was growing thick with tribesmen and the road was dirt and unpaved. Cattle and goats dotted the land and everything seemed washed in dust. It is very hot and the flies are landing on my sweat soaked arms.
We stopped at a small village near the Omo River and they were gesturing for me to get out of the truck. I still had no clue as to why I was being taken. The many villagers were looking at me cautiously. I tried to look calm and friendly and I was cooperating with them, showing no resistance. I wanted to put them at ease and try to get information from them. I was brought to a hut that housed what appeared to be a family. There was a man dressed like the other men with a loin cloth on; a woman who was naked from the waist up with colored bracelets up both arms and there were 4 little children all naked. Thankfully the man spoke some English.
"You are here to care for my youngest son doctor. The elders have said that he is cursed to die. You may not leave us without helping. We will not harm you if you do what you are told. You will be given a place to live; someone will be with you at all times."
To say I was stunned would be an understatement. A curse? How would I be of any assistance with that?
