The Kidnappers

The Kidnappers - Puzzle (Chapter 16)

CHAPTER 16 

 - Sapien's POV

"Transport is the love  

Speed is his friend 

But alone he still is 

Living with large mammals

Sifting through the sands"

I read, probably for the 30th time in the last few days. The others gave up ages ago but  I am more persistent, maybe too persistent. I don't know if it is a fault in me, that I will not let a task go without completing it, even if it is incredibly time consuming or I simply don't have the resources to finish the job. However someone has to figure this riddle out, besides I rather enjoy the challenge.  

"So what have you got, apart from the fact it's a boy and his power may have something to do with speed or moving." Zeki questions leaning over my shoulder, as he shovels pasta into his wide mouth. It baffles me how much the man eats sometimes. 

"Well, I think he may live in a desert as he "sifting through sand"." As I pull out the most current world map, which has all the deserts circled in red, on the screen embedded in the mahogany table's surface..

"So that means the "large mammals" could be elephants or giraffes?" Zeki asks.

"Oh yeah that's right." that's so obvious should have thought of that, I mentally bang my head. "Nice to know you have something in that big head of yours." I add, just to tease him, attempting to hide my own stupidity of not working that out for myself.

"Why do you sound so surprised? Of course I do, don't judge me mate, I'm awesome."

Yeah course you are Zeki, I roll my eyes.

"Anyway, since we have established that you're the 'bomb'. Let's go back to figuring out where this desert boy is. So if we're looking at elephants and giraffes, it's most probably going to be in the Serengeti, the African grassland." I point to the large continent, South of the map.

"But camels are mammals as well." Zeki shouts with realization. He has a point actually the riddle doesn't specify what  the "large mammal" is.

"So that means they are more common in places in the Saharan desert." again pointing out the red circlet.

"That means he could be in either place." Zeki confirms sadly, pushing the sauce tinged plate on the wooden table I am working on, the cutlery juddering from the impact. 

"I'm guessing the kid could be in the Serengeti." Dese's sleep misted voice enters the room.

We both turn as Dese enters the room, rubbing her eyes. We probably woke her up because we hadn't really kept our voices down. Guilt pangs through me at our obnoxiousness.  

 "Pink cupcake pyjamas!?" Zeki bursts out laughing. "I thought you were badass Dese. Clearly not,  you cutey." 

"I don't need to show that I'm badass, I am naturally, unlike you, who is all image but no substance. Besides they'e comfy." Dese shoots back, sitting down on the worn leather sofa.

"So we're going to the Serengeti." I say intervening, not wanting them to start at each other, which will wake up Love. 

"We just gonna wander around in the desert, hoping we will bang into some kid who is super fast?" Dese asks baffled at the idea. 

"Yeah, with added bonus of you hopefully getting a tan, Dese." Zeki shoots back, smirking. That was a pointless comment Zeki, she manages to absorb the most sun out of all of us. 

"Maybe you will incinerate in the heat Zeki, if not I'll just ask Love to finish the job off." 

"You're just jealous of my hotness."

"Nope you smell of sweat." 

At this point I just tune them out, there's no point of me speaking they'll just ignore me. I need to work on the logistics of our very weak idea of traipsing in the deserts. How long would that take? Too long, we only have ten weeks. 

Besides, how are we going to find someone in a massive space that's practically inhabitable? Well if he lives with "large mammals" then he must be near shelter and water so that means he can't be wandering the desert aimlessly. He could be near settlements then, as humans would use these mammals or protect them. My heart speeds up with excitement of potentially progressing with  this mission. 

"Right guys, we'll go to the settlements and tribes in the deserts, as there will be more chance of these "large mammals" being nearby because this is where water and shelter tend to be nearby." I say cutting off Zeki's comeback. 

"But aren't there thousands of tribes, that could take ages?" Zeki interrogates, bursting my bubble of hope.

Always the cynic. Why does he have to take everything apart? Although I should have considered that there being countless tribes in each desert, instead of being caught up in the sudden brain wave.  

"Shut up Zeki, just go with the flow." Dese snaps. 

"I'm not a river, I can't go with the flow." Zeki mumbles. "I go against the flow, that's what makes me unique." 

Yeah he is plenty "unique", in so many wrong ways.

"Right have fun drowning then." Dese says as she shuffles towards the kitchen.