Rules of Escape

Chapter 40 - Evan

"Kazuki! Where are you?" Evan calls.

Right here, my friend, with Ga and He, Kazuki replies.

Evan finds Kazuki sitting cross-legged in front of the smallest chicken coop, built for Kazuki's pets. Ga and He walk in their head bobbing manner, up and down the length of their cage, their fluffy white heads cocked to the side, each with an eye focusing on Kazuki and the morsels of food he tempts them with.

"Who is it?" Evan demands.

"Who is it? I do not understand."

"Who bought the land?"

"Bought the land?"

"Someone bought it and I think you know who. Tell me," Evan insists.

Look at how He pulls apart the apple so that Ga can have some. They are sharing, unlike the regular chickens that run away with their food, more intent on keeping their treasures to themselves.

"Answer me," Evan insists.

"Answer what?"

"Who bought the land?"

The land was purchased? The deal went through, then. That's great.

"I don't think it's great. Ro is sick with worry. Why?"

Ro doesn't understand. It got too big for her. Kazuki waves Evan over. Sit beside me. Watch Ga and He. They are very interesting.

Evan sighs. He knows Kazuki will tell him, eventually. Just not right now, while he is absorbed by the strange antics of Ga and He. Evan kneels down and watches the birds for a few moments, attempting to understand Kazuki's fascination with them. Ga and He are just birds. Odd little birds, whom Kazuki named after the exclamations of delight Eliza had uttered on the day they arrived. "Ga! He, he, he," she had laughed.

Evan takes Kazuki's chin in his hand and turns his head so he is looking at him. "Who bought the land?"

Kazuki looks at Evan in frustration. I suppose it must be Sandeep's father. That is my understanding.

"But why?"

He will buy the land and in return, we care for Sandeep. It is a simple trade.

"That's not a simple trade at all. Who is Sandeep?" Evan lowers his voice, conscious that other people may be outside and able to hear him.

He is like us.

Evan takes a piece of carrot off the dish in Kazuki's lap and pokes it through the wire cage at He. Or Ga. The silly birds look the same to Evan. Where does Sandeep live, now?

India, Kazuki replies.

Does he speak English?

Yes, quite well.

So the property across the street is his, now?

I guess. Or his father's.

When is he coming here?

I think in a few days. I don't know for sure. He is coming with his family.

Evan lies back on the grass and looks up at the bright blue sky. He watches a lazy wisp of white cloud float by on a warm breeze. This will be a big change for all of us. You should not have made decisions about Sandeep by yourself.

Kazuki lies down beside Evan. I do not understand how you feel. I thought you would be happy. The construction has stopped and I do not make myself sick looking at the computer anymore.