The usual restrictions apply: please read no further if this type of story isn't to your tastes, or if you're under legal age. This story may not be reprinted anywhere without permission. The entire contents are copyright 2003 by James Frederic; All rights reserved. Comments to the author are welcomed at JFrederic87@netscape.net. Please visit my site at http://si-87.envy.nu/
The cool breeze blew across the sunny field, setting the numerous leaves of the Baobab tree, and the long grass swaying in the setting sun. Maseru looked on to the beautiful scenery with sorrow, recalling the events of the previous few hours. Why did this have to happen? He thought sorrowfully. Why did they send me to kill him? If only they knew how much I... How much I... He could not finish the thought, as tears were streaming down his face in unwavering lines a hand slowly crept along his shoulder, and a voice spoke briefly in his ear.
"Hey there love, what's the matter? You rarely ever cry." Maseru only closed his eyes and continued to weep deeply. The hand continued to rub the chocolate brown skin of his shoulders while a second hand began to softly rub the other shoulder. Maseru opened his eyes briefly to stare at the light pink flesh of the hands working over his shoulders in a light massage.
"Ah, there are those beautiful brown eyes," The voice cooed, while using one hand to hold Maseru's chin and steer it gently towards the other face. "Care to talk? It helps to get things out you know." The voice continued, while an accompanying pair of hazel eyes gazed into their brown counter parts. As hazel stared into brown, the two pair of lips slowly embraced before returning to their former positions. Maseru slowly let out a large breath and tried to speak clearly of his tragedy.
"Th, they ordered me to kill, to kill; oh god I can't say it." Maseru chocked out before collapsing into tears again. The man looked onto Maseru with apathy before speaking softly.
"So, the Mau Mau have ordered another assassination huh?" He asked softly, "But why did they want you to do it? Why not Omari? I know you hate killing, but why is it a problem? You have no choice, it's kill or be killed, easy as that. Just like the law of nature."
"Because Jason," Maseru broke out in a cry of sorrow, "Because they ordered me to kill you."
"I see," Jason commented unemotionally, "Well, I may not know much about the Mau Mau, but I do know that if you fail to kill your target, you die yourself." He contemplated this for a moment before continuing. "You know what you have to do then. I will not let you get hurt, I love you too much; and if that means I have to die, than so be it. I would rather die than see you get hurt." Maseru looked up abruptly before collapsing into the arms of his lover.
"NO," he exclaimed tearfully, "I won't kill you, I can't! I love you too much. We could fake your death, or try to escape into the United States, but I won't kill you Jason, I never could." Maseru continued to sob relentlessly as Jason shed a few tears of his own.
"No Maseru, they would find out, and kill you anyways for lying, and you know we can't go to the United States. You're black, they won't let you through, even if you do have a passbook, you know that Maseru." Jason continued to comfort his lover, rocking him back and forth softy while whispering reassurances into his ear.
After falling asleep in the dying sunlight, the two lovers rested thankfully. Maseru's eyes however, were screwed tight, and his features portrayed a grimace. As he dreamed of the day's earlier events, a pair of daunting eyes looked onto the two with malice before disappearing back into the void once again.
"Maseru, we have a new target for you," An old voice said, slightly crackling. "From the news reports, we have reason to eliminate one of the members of the white political extremist party."
"Why don't you have Omari do it?" Maseru asked uncaringly, "He has more experience than I do. Why not send him?"
"Because Maseru, you are more suited to do so. You already know this man, and have the opportunities to kill him."
"Oh, really?" Maseru questioned, barely paying attention to the tribe leader, Tiko.
"Yes," Tiko replied irritably, "His name is Jason Goldman, and you will have killed him by next week. Do I make myself clear Maseru?" Maseru looked up suddenly, his eyes wide with fear and apprehension.
"Wh, what?" Maseru asked, his voice starting to crack up like a brittle branch underfoot.
"You heard me Maseru, you will kill Jason Goldman, or be killed yourself. Do I make myself clear?" Tiko asked loudly, not waiting for an answer before leaving the clearing. As Maseru watched him leave, he suddenly burst out into tears and began sobbing uncontrollably on the soft ground on which he sat. After a long while, a slender white hand worked its way onto Maseru's shoulder, and a loving voice asked.
"Hey there love, what's the matter? You rarely ever cry." As the voice rang out in Maseru's head, he awoke form his dream to find a pair of hazel eyes boring into his.
"Morning Maseru," Jason whispered softly, while nibbling gently on Maseru's ear. Jason slowly pulled back after a while and sighed dejectedly. "I have to speak at another political standing at the capital today. Mr. Horner will not accept it if I'm late again. Considering the reason I was late the last time, he would not appreciate it.
"Why do you speak for him?" Maseru asked curiously, "He only uses you, and you don't really even feel like that. If you actually meant half the things you said, you certainly wouldn't be dating me, that's for sure."
Jason only smiled and kissed him firmly on the lips before replying. "It's not that simple honey, I have a lot of respect in town. There are a lot of benefits to being an extremist. Even though I don't agree with it, it can be useful." Maseru smiled, not understanding, but agreeing with him anyway.
"By the way, why do you call us the `Mau Mau?' We're called the Land Freedom Army. Why did you people come up with such a silly name? It's not even in our language." Jason pondered Maseru's response and answered offhandedly,
"I guess it's our way of `demonizing' you guys."
"Ok, well that's ok I guess. I have to go as well. If I don't show some progress on your case, they'll get suspicious." Maseru finished his sentence slowly and looked sadly onto the ground. As he began to get up, Jason quickly reached his arm out and stopped Maseru.
"Where do you think you're going Mr.? I have yet to get a good-bye kiss." Maseru smiled faintly and turned to face Jason. The two kissed passionately and embraced tightly before parting. As Maseru left the clearing, Jason headed the other direction; quickly making his way to the car now parked a few yards away. As Jason approached the car, he saw a familiar face smiling knowingly at him through the window. Oh no, Jason thought sarcastically. Just what I need, interrogation and presumption. "Hello James," Jason said placidly.
"Hello Jason, I expected to pick you up last night, but after waiting for an hour I decided you were probably `preoccupied.'"
"You sick pervert," Jason said chuckling lightly. "Maseru and I did nothing last night. I found him crying, and for good reason too."
"Oh, and what was that?" James asked, clearly not believing his friend.
"The Mau Mau have ordered him to kill me," Jason replied, downtrodden. James's face quickly turned into an expression of sorrow and worry.
"Oh god Jason, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. What are you two going to do? I mean, something has to happen. If you don't die, Maseru does, if Maseru doesn't die, then you have to. It'll be impossible for Maseru to escape the Mau Mau, and if he fails to kill you, he dies himself." Jason looked down, his smile already well beyond his face.
"I know James, I know. But it's so hard; neither of us knows what to do. One of us will get hurt unless we escape to the United States or something." James looked thoughtful, and replied slowly,
"You know Jason, Uganda is a free country. You could escape there and ask for asylum. From there you could take a plane to the US." Jason sighed deeply and replied sadly,
"No, that won't work. Maseru doesn't have a passbook, and the government won't let him leave the country without one. I have to come out here to visit him because he can't go into any white townships." James thought for a brief time and said unemotionally,
"Well let's see how things play out then, shall we?"
Maseru watched curiously as Omari ran towards him, his face a display of worry and terror, his white-collared tee shirt waving in the wind. Maseru always wondered why the LFA wore the clothing of white people instead of their tribal clothes, but he never thought to ask. This did not seem like the time to ask, either.
"Oh god Maseru, you have to get out of here now! They know, and they're thirsty for blood." Maseru drew furrowed his brow and asked curiously,
"What do you mean they know? What are you talking about Omari?" Omari paused to catch his breath, then resumed his fast paced explanation.
"You and Jason, they know about you two. They know that you're lovers. One of the tribe members was looking for you last night, and found you sleeping in Jason's arms. They came back and told my father. The whole tribe is ready to skin you alive." Maseru's face slowly turned form confusion to fear as Omari explained.
"The whole tribe knows, oh no, this can't happen. My life was so happy, I had Jason, the LFA were leaving me to my devices, life was perfect. Why did it have to go so wrong? If I know your father correctly, Tiko is out for blood, mine and Jason's. What am I going to do?" Maseru sobbed hopelessly. Omari was about to reply, when his eyes widened in fear, and shoved Maseru to the side. An arrow flitted past Maseru's ear as he stumbled uncertainly away from Omari.
"Oh no! It's an ambush, run Maseru." Omari shouted fearfully, "You don't have much time, get out of here now, I'll try to hold them off." Yet another arrow nearly crossed paths with Maseru as he began to run in the direction of Jason's car, desperately hoping that he was still there. James looked behind Jason for a moment, and spotted a panicked Maseru running frantically towards them. Jason followed James's gaze and frowned worriedly.
"Something must be wrong, get in the other side and I'll start up the car," James said quickly, turning the key, and starting the car. As Jason began to speak, an arrow flitted past Maseru and stuck into the chrome finish of the car, inches away from Jason's thigh.
"It's an ambush, GO!" Maseru shouted, pulling hardly on the door handle. Jason followed his lover's body into the car, and slammed the door abruptly. The car screeched off as more arrows hit the chrome, only a select few actually denting it. Jason looked into Maseru's eyes and asked knowingly,
"What happened honey? Why were they shooting at you like that?" Although Jason already knew the answer, he felt justified asking the question. Maseru looked away pitifully and answered shakily,
"They found out, about us. One of my tribe members spotted us sleeping last night. They want me dead now." Maseru looked down sadly and began to recite something from memory. "I swear that if I am sent to cut off the head of a European or any of enemies and I return without doing it, due to fear or cowardice, let this oath turn against me." James stared ahead onto the road, but asked placidly,
"Hmm, that part of the initiation oath?" Maseru looked out the window, and replied calmly,
"Yes, there are seven oaths. As we take each oath, we eat a piece of goat meat." Jason followed Maseru's gaze out the window and asked, changing the subject,
"So, what do we do now, how do we get Maseru into town, and where do we keep him? He has no passbook, and no one will let a Bantu with no job stay in town."
"Easy," James replied, as if it was clear as day, "We hide him in the trunk, and if anyone asks in town, he is a new servant who doesn't have his papers yet." Jason looked apprehensive, but assented anyway,
"I guess that will work, but it's only temporary; we can't keep him there for long. And what about you Maseru, how do you feel about all this?" Maseru looked pensive for a moment before giving his response,
"I don't want you to get in trouble Jason, nor do I wish to burden your friend. I could just stay outside the township, and wait for you." Jason looked doubtful, but it was James who spoke first,
"No Maseru, that won't work, they'll clear you out. This isn't your homeland, and white township or not, they won't even let you stay on their land. You're better off staying with us." Maseru looked unsure, but quietly agreed anyway. Jason, sensing his uncertainty, held his lover's face gently in his hands and began to speak quietly.
"We're going to get through this Maseru, don't you worry. I won't let anyone hurt you. I love you too much. Let us do the worrying, you just try to look as nonchalant as possible." James interrupted, pointing out the fact that they were nearing the city.
"Get what you want in now guys, we're almost there." Maseru and Jason gazed into each other's eyes, and brought their lips together, closing their previously open orbs. Before they drew apart, they hugged each other tightly, and separated to the opposite sides of the car. As they approached the guard station, a man wearing the uniform of the government's military, adorned with a British flag waved them down. Jason rolled down his window as the guard approached, and looked into the car. "What do we have here," He asked somewhat sadistically as he noticed Maseru sitting shyly in the back. "A Bantu, eh? Where's his passbook?" Jason looked at the guard, and replied calmly,
"He's lost them. He is a new servant for my friend here. The Bantu's records were destroyed when his house was burned down by the military." The guard looked cruelly at Maseru and said uncaringly,
"No passbook, no entry. He can't enter here without records." Jason looked furious at this point, but focused his anger into more convincing reasons.
"Let us through," He exclaimed angrily, "I bought him so I could put him to good use on my manor. And if you keep us here any longer, I'll personally see to it that your life becomes a living hell!" The soldier looked surprised at Jason's outburst, and closely inspected him, finally recognizing who he was.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you. You're Jason Goldman, aren't you?" Jason nodded his head slowly, but the soldier continued without noticing. "Wow, I'm really meeting the real Jason Goldman. I've heard your speeches on the radio. You're amazing. Ok, I'll let you through this once, but make sure you have his papers this time. All I need is your signature." As the guard handed Jason a slip of paper, he signed it with the also provided pen. They drove off, failing to notice the soldier staring at the signature with awe. Jason sighed, and spoke out annoyedly,
"God, I can't believe those people. How can they be so narrow? I just don't get it. Why do they feel justified hating people just because of their skin color? I could never imagine hating you Maseru, just because you're black." As he commented on this, he took Maseru's hand within his and squeezed it lightly. Maseru smiled, and laid his other hand on top of Jason's. James looked back and commented softly,
"Were in public now, you might want to lay off for a while." The two lovers, knowing he was right, drew their hands back, and placed them in their respective laps. As they drove through the largish industrial city, they finally reached the nondescript building of James's news station; the three got out and headed for the small iron door placed in the wall. Many people commented on the presence of Maseru as they walked through the building.
"Don't worry," James whispered into Maseru's ear, "This newspaper is very open and non-racist; you won't find any people here who disagree with you. Maseru visibly relaxed after hearing this, but was still somewhat tense.
"And what about us, what would they think of Jason and I?" Maseru asked tentatively. James pondered the thought for a moment, and replied to the best of his knowledge,
"I can't speak for everyone here, but you would probably be better off not sharing it. These people have nothing against blacks, not gays. Homosexuality is still frowned upon these days." Maseru looked slightly disappointed, but hid it well. What the three did not notice however, was a rather gruff looking man standing not three feet away from them, obscured by a doorway. As he turned away, he scribbled something on his notepad. The day continued on, and Jason left Maseru and James at the news station for his political speech. After he returned, Jason and Maseru said their goodbyes to James, and proceeded to head to Jason's home. The following night was spent enjoying each other's company, and sleeping until the late afternoon. The two were awoken by two police officers furiously breaking down the front door. Jason heard the commotion downstairs and quickly ushered Maseru into his walk in closet. As soon as he closed the closet door, the police officers burst into the room, their guns pointing directly at Jason.
"Jason Goldman, you are under arrest," The first officer shouted, advancing on Jason. Jason looked at them confusedly and asked `innocently',
"Why am I under arrest officers, I have done nothing illegal." The second officer looked at Jason with pure malice in his face and shouted furiously,
"Liar, you are getting what you deserve faggot. Now come with us, or do we have to beat you?" Jason, realizing it was futile to argue with them, placidly followed into the awaiting police car outside. Maseru, hearing the whole thing, burst out of the closet and into tears on the floor. Hours later, James looked at the remains of Jason's front door and called out to anyone that was home. Maseru came down the stairs, his face flushed, and his eyes red and puffy from crying. After an explanation and consolation, the two set out to the police station where Jason was no doubtedly kept. After reaching the police station, Maseru was instructed to stay in the car while James went in and checked on Jason. After an hour or so, James returned, his face crestfallen. While getting the car, he explained what had befallen Jason.
"He's going to be tried under the immorality act. They assumed that he had had sexual relations with you, so they have free reign to prosecute him." Maseru looked distraught, and asked timidly,
"What's going to happen to him? Will he be alright?" James looked at Maseru and replied as best he could,
"Jason will no doubt lose the trial. The best we can hope for is that he is let off easy. That however, is unlikely." Maseru looked highly distraught, but continued his questions.
"How did they find out, we didn't tell anyone." James at least did know the answer to that question.
"Apparently someone at my work overheard us talking and reported it to the police. They were only too happy to arrest him from there."
James finally pointed out that the police were looking for Maseru as well, and they should leave soon. As they sped off Maseru looked back onto the decrepit building and whispered softly,
"Please my love, be safe." The trial came and went, and Jason became banned. He was removed from his job, and placed in a small manor outside the city limits under constant surveillance. James frequently visited Jason, and brought him news of Maseru, who continued to live with James, unhindered and unnoticed by the police. Finally, two months later, Jason began to speak with James of his plot to escape.
"We could escape to Ethiopia. It's a free country, and they could grant us asylum, and a plane to the United States. You could meet me on the field a mile from here. While I go on my morning walk, I could meet you and Maseru, and we could drive to the border. From there we could sneak across at night." So the plan developed, and a month later was carried out.
The fateful morning the plan was to be carried out, Jason stepped out his front door and walked along the path next to his house as he always did. As he was walking, Jason was painfully aware of the cold stared emanating from the guards. Luckily, he had been let off easy at the trial. His lawyer had argued that the police had no proof that Jason had had any sexual relations with Maseru. They however, could not prove that he and Maseru were not boyfriends. He was banned for seven years, and the police set out a search for Maseru. The police however, did not find him. James's house had an area built into it where people could hide. Much like the houses the Jews hid in in the holocaust. Maseru stayed with James, and had not seen Jason since the morning he was arrested.
Jason continued his walk, ignoring the comments he heard every morning. The guards used to taunt him, but soon grew tired of it when he would not retaliate. Jason walked along the trail, passing the point at which he usually turned back. After walking for another fifteen minutes, he reached the road, and spotted James's car resting on the other side. Jason observed his surroundings, checking for anyone who might stop him. From what he could see, there was no one lurking in the tall grasses, nor hiding in the gnarled branches of the lush trees. Crossing the dirt road, he reached the car, and noticed its occupants. James sat in the front, his hands on the wheel, and his lips upturned in a smile. Maseru sat in the back, his smile nearly blinding. As Jason opened the door to get in the back, Maseru pounced on him and exclaimed happily,
"Jason! It's really you. I missed you so much, I'm so glad you're alright." Maseru finally finished speaking, and took Jason's face in his hands and kissed him passionately. James only smiled, watching the two kiss heatedly in the back, thinking of him and his boyfriend, who lived in America.
"Okay you two, that's enough, I don't need to see you two playing tonsil hockey when we need to go." Jason and Maseru separated reluctantly, and smiled at each other before saying softly,
"I love you." James looked out the window, checking for any police, the proceeded to back the car out and drive towards the border between Kenya and Uganda. After parking the car a short distance from the border, they headed into the dense forest overlooking the guard lines and rested peacefully. As Jason and Maseru slept lightly in each other's arms, James kept a constant vigilance, making sure no guards ventured into the woods. After night fell, the guards left their posts, and were replaced by a sparse range of replacements. James woke the two lovers up, and directed them to a grassy hill unnoticed by the guards. The tall grass provided as a cover across the border. After they reached the other side, they ventured back into the woods again, coming out at a road about a quarter of a mile away from the border. Jason and Maseru embraced tightly, and exclaimed cheerfully,
"It worked. We're in Uganda, no more Kenya, no more ban, and no more Mau Mau." After resting for a short bit, they continued on their walk, finally getting picked up by a large truck heading for the capital. When they reached the Ugandan government, they asked for asylum, leaving out the fact that two of the three were lovers. After a period in Uganda, in which they were asked about their experience in Kenya, they were granted a flight to the US. Life after was calm and peaceful. James and Maseru lived together in Washington, while James published a book about their experiences in Kenya with his boyfriend, and helped Maseru to publish a book on his experiences with the Mau Mau.