Although a work of fiction, this religious thriller has been packed with so many true events that it will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. Even the backdrop of the Vietnam War and what happened to Nickolas and his fellow soldier...
As already mentioned, as soon as Nick had finished burying the map tube, he gathered his things and began making his way north. On the afternoon of the third day he finally spotted a river and with renewed hope, knew that his only chance of getting out of Vietnam alive was to eventually float down it. The added weight of the raft suddenly didn't seem such a burden to carry. Leaning against a large tree, Nick felt that if he got lucky, he'd be spotted by friendly forces by the end of the week. But he also knew that he had to be careful. Taking his time and keeping his sight on the river below, the steep terrain finally gave way to a gentle slope and before long, there it was beside him. Nick bent over and put his hand in the water.
It was almost five in the afternoon. He planned to stay close to the bank and float only at night when the odds of being spotted by enemy soldiers would be far less. But what Nick didn't know is that he had already been spotted—not by a soldier but by a young boy who had been quietly trapping monkeys in the forest. When he saw Nick, he clipped the lock on the cage door and ran to tell his parents. Just like that his fate was sealed.
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photo: Bluefuton
Unfortunately, considering who the little boy's parents were, that was pretty much the same thing as telling the Vietcong of Nick's whereabouts. Actually, it only meant that his demise would be postponed a day, at the most, until soldiers could be summoned.
For now Nick rested, safely hidden on the bank above the river. A lone monkey sat absolutely still on a branch high above him, not sure what was going to happen next.
With a few hours to wait before evening, Nick began to doze off. He was tired. The Holy Name entered his mind like a soothing breeze. It was just a matter of time. Within minutes he was fast asleep—the inflated raft and some branches on top of him for protection.
