WHERE THE OCEAN END

When missionaries came to Africa, they had the bible and we had the land. They said lets us pray. We closed our eyes. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the bible.

                                                                                                                            -Desmond Tutu-

PART 1

A big boat floats on the ocean. A cold breeze blow on the boat. Leo stands outside the boat watching the waves bury the moon. The moon is half in a pale blue sky. The blue waves bring a wave of childhood memories. Childhood memories playing with his little brother, Audain. But long gone are those memories now.  Three months ago, they buried their parents. Their parents died in a house burn. Leo couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the house engulfed in a cloud of flame. Behind him comes Audain who places a feather on Leo’s ear. Leo startles. Missing home already, Audain ask. What home, Leo replies. What do you think about South Africa. What to think of it. It’s a safe place, we can turn a new leaf there, says Audain. All leaves fall from the same tree says Leo. South Africa is different. How, Leo ask. There’s no First World War over there says Audain. How do you know that. I did my research. What research. Dad was already planning to move us out of Britain before he died. He had a friend down there who promised to take care of us. What friend. Brother Lewis, the leader of the Saints and Sinners church. Tribes believe in church, Leo asks. Not all but some do.

Brother Lewis built camps that provide food and shelter for the tribes that were removed from their ancestral land. Who moved the tribes Leo asks. The Native Land Act. The act limited black people to own land. And when the tribes lost their land, they lost their culture and their means of living hence why Brother Lewis built the camps. Sounds like a man of God says Leo. Yeah, he is Audain replies. How far are we, Leo asks. Audain unfolds a map and counts miles. About a week brother. Shit says Leo cursing under his breath. How’s Julie asks Audain. She’s sleeping. How are you. I feel a lot of emotions at the same time. For a beat they both remain quiet taking in the rhythm of the boat. I’m calling it a night man says Audain going back inside the boat. Are you coming asks Audain seeing his brother not following him. I’m fine right here. Leo remains outside the boat staring at the sky until dawn.

PART 2

A week pass and they arrive in South Africa. There she is brother what do you think, Audain ask with a joyful tone. Leo remains silent, his left hand remains fastened on Julie’s hand. On Leo’s POV we see the high mountains and the plain blue sky. It’s wonderful says Leo and his wife simultaneously. Julie’s hair is wrapped in a bun. Her eyes are green and her lips are red. Her sundress invites the sun to wrap around her waist. Leo’s head is covered with a battered cowboy hat. His black leather jacket invites the sun to wrap around his broad shoulders. On the harbor they meet Brother Hugo. A huge man with green eyes. Brother Hugo works for the Saints and Sinners Church. They share a heartly introduction then load their gear to a wagon. Leo and his wife ride on the separate wagon. Brother Hugo and Audain follow behind with a whispered conversation.

Everything is in place. The Native Land Act is officially implemented says Brother Hugo. That means the land is ours Audain ask. Not all of it. The leader of the Xhinguwu tribe refuses to move out. On account of what exactly. He claims the land bear his heritage. I’m not sure I follow. The Xhinguwu tribe buries its members on the land they possess says Brother Hugo. Audain contemplates at this and then asks how many are they. About two hundred. Weapons? They use spears and shields. How about us. We have guns, grenades and dogs. Get the men ready tonight we hunt says Audain.

Finally, they arrive at the Saints and Sinners Church.  It’s a big church with white walls. Brother Hugo pushes the door open and we see Brother Lewis in the pulpit reading a bible. Inside the church there’s a row of wooden chairs. There’s a piano next to the pulpit and a Jesus Christ’s cross on the front wall. Brother Lewis is a stout, bespectacled man with a sharp white tan. He keeps on reading until Brother Hugo announces their presence. Here they are Brother Lewis, says Brother Hugo. Ah my children you finally arrived says Brother Lewis engulfing the three of them in a big hug. They remain like this for a second. Then they break and sits on wooden chairs. Brother Hugo excuses himself.

I heard about your parents my deepest condolences. Worry no more my children this is a safe place for you. The house of the Lord is free from the grasp of evil, free from the gaze of evil and free from the will of evil. Here the will of God reigns supreme. Anyway, how was your trip. Decent Leo replies. I’m sure you’re all tired sister Isla will show you a place you will stay in. Brother Lewis calls out sister Isla. Sister Isla shows up. Sister these are our guests please show them the guestroom. Follow me says sister Isla. Thank you for your hospitality sir we really appreciate it says Leo shaking Brother Lewis’s hand. I’m just doing the Lord’s work son. They leave with Sister Isla and leave Brother Lewis preparing a sermon for tomorrow’s service. Sister Isla leads the way.

On the way to the guestroom, they see a cloud of black kids playing in the mud. A tree-lined trail leads to the guestroom. They arrive and sister Isla waves them goodbye. The outside walls of the guestroom are white and blue. Inside the guestroom bible quotes hang on the wall. Leo and Audain choose rooms and rests. Audain is restless. He tosses and turns on the bed thinking about tonight’s raid. Masks, guns, men all should be in place. Audain goes out to meet with Brother Hugo. He passes a handful of houses before he sees Brother Hugo under a tree. Brother Hugo is having a whispered conversation with five men.

PART 3

It’s midnight in the forest and we see a black woman running with a baby. Behind her we hear muffled voices of men. The woman struggles to breathe and rests under a tree. As she sits still the moonlight catches her reflection. Her black skin glows in the moonlight. Her colorful beads glows in the moonlight. The muffled voices and the burning torches are looming close. The woman tries to run but trip and fall on her spine. The baby let out a cry. She hushes the baby. She leans on the tree. Once she’s on two feet she peels a handful of leaves, chew them then rub them to her feet. She lets out a silent traditional prayer. Then she climbs the tree. She disappears in the leaves.

We now can see the men chasing her. There are six white men. One of them is Audain, one of them is Brother Hugo. Shortly they stop. They hear no more running. They look up in the trees. Audain throws his torch in the trees. The torch unveils the woman. She remains silent. Come down sweetheart bird time is over, says Audain. Men laugh. Or you need a stone or a bullet to help you? I have both baby and I sure don’t mind hitting one bird with two stones. Men laugh again. Still silent huh. Last chance lady. The woman hesitates. She closes her eyes and remains silent. Boys lighten her up, says Audain. The men fires at the woman. They fire until her body falls from the tree. Audain kneels down to her. Sweet dreams my little bird, says Audain as he closes her wide opened eyes. Fun is over boys let’s go home says Brother Hugo. Men head out the forest while the baby buried by the leaves shivers in the cold.

PART 4

In the cold evening, we see Leo and Audain carrying logs. Their feet are racing. Audain’s ankles twist and he falls face first in the ground. The logs splatters around. Tears well on his face. Leo laughs so hard so loud that Audain can’t resist but laugh with his brother. Leo gives Audain a hand and peels off the grass from his brother’s clothes. Audain sees a cloud of smoke. Leo, Leo look at that, says Audain pointing to a cloud of black smoke. Leo looks at the cloud. Looks like it’s coming from home says Audain. Quick let’s go says Leo as he drops the logs and pick up his brother’s arm and runs with it. As they arrive home, they find the house burning. Leo is frozen. Audain tries to get inside the house but a neighbor tackles him down. Let me go, let me go cries Audain trying to break free.

Calm down, you can’t go in there says the man holding down Audain. The flames engulf the house even further and we hear the cries of their parents. The cries become louder until Leo wakes up, panting. Julie wakes up simultaneously. What’s the matter ask Julie as she strikes a match in the dark to lighten the candle. Once the candle is lit, she shines the candle on Leo’s face. Leo’s face is pale from the nightmare. That dream again. Leo remains silent struggling to catch his breath. I need air says Leo dressing up. Be careful out there. I will says Leo heading out the door. Leo walks around the camp. The camp is lit by torches. Leo picks up a torch then heads out to the forest. As he walks the thorns of the forest bites his boots. Suddenly he hears something. That can’t be an animal says Leo. He can’t see the baby but can hear the baby. He keeps searching until the torch unveils a baby wrapped in a traditional cloth. He picks up the baby. The baby cease crying but continue sobbing. Leo looks around then look at the baby. He wipes off the tears from the baby’s face. As the baby’s face dry with tears, Leo’s face well with tears. 

PART 5

Leo bursts in the guestroom with a baby. Julie, Julie look what I found. Julie stirs. What Leo. A baby, I found a baby. What baby. Look look says Leo handing out the baby to Julie. Julie receives the baby with no attention. As the baby weigh in her arms, she wakes up. Oh my god its real. Where did you find it Julie asks panting. In the forest says Leo. You found a baby in the forest? Under the tree, buried by the leaves says Leo. Who leaves a baby in the forest? Leo shrugs.  The scene cuts to Audain with his raiders burning the Xhinguwu tribe’s land. The leader of the tribe lies in the farm bleeding. Surrounding him is a pool of blood from dead loyal warriors of the tribe. The raiders spare women and children. Where’s my wife the king ask choking with his own blood. One of the raiders translate for Audain. Oh don’t worry you will meet your wife soon. Send my regards, Audain empties his gun on the king. The king dies but its eyes remain open watching the land of his forefathers burned to the ground. Audain and his troop leave the farm burning.

Women and children are left in the dark. They cry until dawn. The sun pours on the window and we see Leo and Julie in bed. The baby is in the middle. Leo wakes up and looks at the baby. A warm feeling passes in his heart. But then a cold feeling passes on his heart as he must return the baby to its rightful owner. Leo kisses the baby and his wife. Julie stirs and opens her eyes. Morning love says Julie. Morning Love, Leo replies. Leo stares at his wife. Julie notice and then ask what. Nothing. Then stop looking at me like that. Like what. Like a kid asking for candy. Leo chuckles. Can we keep the baby. Leo the baby isn’t ours. But we found it. No, you found it. So what Julie the baby was left for dead. You don’t know that. What kind of a parent leaves a child under a tree in the middle of the night. I don’t know but what I do know is we are going to find the parents. And what if we don’t find them. Then we keep it. Leo smiles at the thought.

PART 6

As the sun sets in the sky the spared women and children walks in line heading to the Native Reserves. Crops don’t grow on this land. Extreme weather patterns fall on this land. Women and children goes to the camps built by Brother Lewis. The scene cuts to the guestroom. Leo is dressing up while Julie is bathing the baby. Leo heads out the room looking for his brother in the next room. Audain open the door. Why. I want to show you something. Show me later. No, I want to show you now open the door. Audain opens the door. Leo grab Audain by arm and lead him to the bedroom. Leo let me get decent says Audain breaking free from Leo’s arm. Hurry up. Audain dresses up and head out with his brother. Once they get close to the door Leo stands in front of Audain. Close your eyes. Why. Just close them. Audain sighs then close his eyes.

Leo leads him by arm until they reach the baby. Open your eyes. Audain opens his eyes and sees the baby. Startled, whose baby is this. Mine says Leo. Julie eyes Leo. Well not yet says Leo. What do you mean not yet. Well technically the baby isn’t mine but if we don’t find the parents the baby will be mine. Again, Julie eyes him. Well, ours. Let me get this straight you’re excited about a baby that isn’t yours. Technically not mine. It makes no difference Leo the baby isn’t yours whether you find the parents or not. Watch your mouth, says Leo his face turning red. Fine, anyway I’m going back to sleep says Audain walking out the door. What’s that smell asks Leo smelling the room like a greyhound dog. What smell asks Julie. A smell of gasoline. Gasoline where? Never mind its gone.

In his room Audain peels off the gasoline smelling coat he had on last night and puts on a new one. That was close says Audain with a voice lower than a whisper. Someone knocks at the door. Audain get the door says Leo from the bedroom. You get it yourself. Audain, I said get the door now. Alright no reason biting my ear off. Audain gets the door and opens up for Brother Hugo. What are you doing here Audain whispers. Who’s at the door Leo asks. If you were so curious you should have opened the door. I said what do you want here. Orders from Brother Lewis, Brother Hugo replies. What orders. Brother Lewis wants you and your brother to have breakfast at his place. Leo appears at the door. Oh, it’s you Brother Hugo come in. I can’t Leo. I’m here to invite you all to Brother Lewis’s palace for breakfast. Oh, wonderful says Leo. Gentlemen says Brother Hugo tipping his hat.

PART 7

Brother Lewis’s palace is tiled with marble floor. Biblical quotes art pictures hang on the wall. Outside there’s a green lawn and a high fence. We are in the kitchen and we see Leo, Julie, Audain, Brother Hugo, Brother Lewis and Sister Anna sitting around a sumptuous table. Sister Anna is Brother Lewis’s wife. She’s a tall lady with a tiny waist. The baby is on Leo’s lap. I found him last night. Where Brother Lewis asks. In the forest Leo reply. You love it ask Brother Lewis. I do; I want to keep it says Leo. But before I do, I will try to find the parents. Where will you start Brother Lewis asks. In the camps, I saw a cloud of black women coming in this morning. They finish eating. Brother Hugo and Audain excuses themselves. Sister Anna collects the dirty dishes and Julie feed the baby. Leo and Brother Lewis take a walk.

How did you know my father. Your father and I met in a battlefield. It was my first time in the battlefield and I was shot in the leg. I couldn’t move. The army moved forward and left me crawling like a snake in the ground. Your father came back for me, dragged me to the safe side. From there on we struck a friendship. When we heard about the First World War your father and I planned our escape. Your mother was pregnant. He was sure it was a girl. He wanted to be there for her. I on the other hand wanted to start a church. My grandfather was a priest.  I wanted to be a priest too but my dad forced me into the army. Why did you build your church in South Africa. A church is no ground for a battle ground.

The scene cuts to Brother Hugo and Audain planning their next raid. Same as the last tribe. Same weapons same tactics it shouldn’t be a problem says Brother Hugo. Do we have enough ammo Audain ask. Yes, we do Brother Hugo replies. Get some rest boys tonight we hunt says Brother Hugo. Men scatter. Brother Audain a minute please says Brother Hugo. The land we took from our last raid is yours says Brother Hugo. Mine? Yeah, Brother Lewis gives it to you. Thank you. You earned it. The scene cuts to Leo and Julie searching for the baby’s parents in the camp. I say we keep it says Leo. I say we keep looking says Julie. We have asked almost everyone in this camp and no one claims the baby. You right we have asked almost everyone, not everyone. Leo throws a fist in the air. His wife ignores him.

PART 8

We take a view on Audain’s plantation. It’s about 18 200 acres. Black people work on the plantation. They are lean and thirsty. Guarding them are white men on horses shouting orders. They sing a field holler. The sun hangs high in the sky. The scene cuts to Audain and Leo in a wood paneled office. How did you get this place Leo asks. What’s the matter don’t you like it. No, I don’t like it. Why not. It doesn’t belong to us. Who does it belong to then. The workers outside. If my memory serves me well the natives outside own 7% of the land. It’s not fair. I don’t make the laws brother. But you can defy them. I don’t want to. We didn’t come here for this. Let the government and the natives fight their own war says Leo. I’m not fighting any war; I am just taking what’s mine. What’s yours, are you kidding me. No, I’m not.

For years we have been poor. Never had nothing. Never had shoes in our feet. Never had proper clothes to put on. Don’t you want a different life. A different life you mean this life? Because if you mean this life then I don’t want to be a part of it. Leo storms out the office striding breathlessly. Soon he tires and seeks refuge under a tree. He closes his eyes and starts breathing. The scene cuts to the church. The congregation is dressed in white complementing the church walls. Their high singing voice escapes the church walls. Brother Lewis is on the pulpit with Sister Anna and Julie. After a rigorous search for the owner of the baby Leo and his wife take Ray as their son. And today he’s baptized. Brother Lewis is praying one hand on the bible one hand on Ray’s wet forehead.

PART 9

25 Years Later…

Outside we hear rustling leaves. Inside we hear heavy exhaled breaths from Ray. We move closer to his face and its full of sweat. His whole adult body is shaking. Then he screams. He opens his eyes and they are full of fear. Julie storms in Ray’s room. It’s okay son you’re safe. It was just a dream. Hey look at me look at me baby it was just a dream says Julie embracing Ray. Ray cry in his mother’s arms. Shh it’s okay baby everything will be fine. Leo stumbles in Ray’s room, eyes full of dreams. He wipes the sleep in his eyes and sees his wife embracing Ray. That dream again, Leo asks Ray. Ray nods. Tell me about it says Leo. I saw burning wagons, burning huts and burning people.

I heard cries from frightened faces. I saw spears and bullets cut the air like swords says Ray with a trembling voice. Then what Leo ask. Then I saw this woman. Hair full of blood, back bent, knees down, hands clasped together.  She turns to look at me then I woke up. I’ll spend the rest of the night with Ray says Julie. Julie lays Ray on the bed then pulls the blanket over them. Her arms remain fastened on Ray’s neck. Leo mumbles goodnight and closes the door. In the morning the sun pours on the window and Julie wakes up. She looks at Ray who is still asleep with eyes full of concern. She kisses him on the forehead then heads out the room. In the kitchen she finds Leo burning eggs. What are you doing ask Julie rolling her eyes.

Making breakfast. More like making a mess if you ask me. Well, I’m not asking you says Leo. Leo holds the burning pot and drops it on the floor. Mind if you give me a hand says Leo wincing in pain. I thought you said you were not asking. I’m asking for your hand not your opinion. Well, my hand comes with an opinion and you know what that means. No mam. It means clean your mess.

Suddenly, they hear a cry from Ray’s room. They hurry toward the room. They find Ray, sweat pouring from his black hair, mouth foaming, hands shaking and eyes full of fear. He struggles to breathe and his chest heaves. Breathe Ray, breathe baby says Julie. After a moment Ray catches his breath and takes in his environment. As he feels the warmth of his mother’s hands his fear dissipates. I saw the… the old woman. What woman. The old woman I saw earlier. And? She looked at me for a long time then a bullet cut through her forehead and her withered body fell to the ground. Go for a walk says Leo or better yet go to the marketplace. What good will that do for him. It will clear his head. Leo leaves a few notes of cash on Ray’s bed and leaves with his wife. They go to their bedroom.

We gotta help him. I don’t know how but we gotta help him says Julie pacing the room. Maybe if we can move out of here the nightmares will go away. There’s no place to hide from nightmares. Then what. You want us to stay here and watch him go through this every night. We will find a way. When. I don’t know when but we will find a way. The scene cuts to Ray in the marketplace. The marketplace has saloons, food stores and brothels. Patrons and salesman line the street. In the maze of patrons Ray sees a woman. He freezes for a moment. He studies her white hair, her freckled face, her tired eyes and her rapid gestures. Then he follows her.

The old woman moves swiftly in the crowd. Ray picks up his pace. The old woman gets on the wagon and a young man slaps the reins against the wagon and they set off. Ray looks around, sees a man tying a horse to a pole. He goes to him. Mind if you lend me your horse. I sure do mind sir. Look I will pay you. How much. Ray peels off a few notes from his coat and give the man. He wastes no time and gets on the horse. The wagon halt at a small shack. Sagebrush and cypress trees snake the shack.

The old woman dismounts and the young man slaps the reins against the wagon and heads back to the marketplace. Ray watch from a distance. Once the young man is far off the shack, he rides closer to the shack. As he enters the shack, he’s met with a cold blade pointed to his neck. Who are you, the old woman ask. I am… am Ray. Ray who. Ray Shaw. Weapons. None. The old woman retreats the blade. Why you here. You’re the woman I see in my dreams. Oh, how romantic. Ray smile. I mean nightmares. What’s the difference. You both wake up to them says the old woman. Ray sighs to catch his train of thought. I keep having this dream. In it I see a burning village, men die merciless deaths, women are crying and children are frightened. I see you saying a prayer then a bullet cut through your head.

The old woman sits down. She offers Ray a seat. That burning village is your village. It’s where your forefathers lie, where your heritage lie and where your peace lie. Who burned the village and why. They called themselves the night warriors. They burned the village to ban our traditions. Land to a black man is heritage. Land to a white man is profit. Money is a prison of humanity. They killed all men and left women and children. Why. To grow the church. What church. The Saints and Sinners church. Ray drops his head to his hands. Does God exist? God exists because God is earth. Churches and bibles are illusions the human mind created to close the distance between us and God. We are much closer to God than we think.

Your presence marks my absence on his earth. The prayer I had on your dream was for your arrival. Now that you arrived my soul is no longer of this earth. Where do I find this village. Head east.  Through the walls of the shack a bullet cut through and hits the old woman. Ray lays down. More bullets pierce the shack as Ray struggles to cock his shot gun. For a moment the bullet stops pouring in. Ray uses this moment to fire back. He fires at the man on the horse and he falls back. The other two men fires back at Ray until the shack falls down. Ray gets out of the shack just in time. Think he’s dead the first rider ask. Thinking won’t kill him, let’s go find out says the second rider. As they approach the shack, they find Ray, rifle in hand firing at them. He hits them until his shot gun runs out of bullets.

He approaches them. He leaps onto the first rider and starts tearing his pockets. Cigarettes and rand notes spill from the pockets. He leaps onto the second rider and starts doing the same. Cigarettes and a folded map spill from the pockets. He unfolds the map and studies it. The map shows a path to a huge plantation. He gets on the horse and whips the flanks of the horse.

PART 10

We see a wind mill turning. We hear nothing but the sound of the wind mill. Not long do we hear footsteps stumbling in the hot dry sand. Not long do we see boots biting the dust. We stay on the boots running toward an unknown destination. We hear a gun shot. The boots lose motion. They stand still, blood pouring from legs to them. Then a man falls down. The dust unveils Audain laying in the sand. A shadow moves closer to him. The shadow is Ray. Why are you doing this? You want money, I have money, plenty of it. I can give it to you and you can start a new life far away from here. Ray listen with disgust then cocks his shot gun.

He pulls the trigger and his gun jam. Audain sees this, then shoots Ray. Ray stumbles backward as bullets rain on his body. He falls on his knees and stares at the sun. The sun seems to stare at him too as the golden rays of the sun illuminates his eyes. Audain puts a bullet on Ray’s forehead that shatters the light in his eyes. He stands up, stumbles towards the lifeless body of Ray. That was close says Audain as he struggles to catch his breath. The scene cuts to the guestroom. Julie is wrapped in a blue apron baking pancakes in a low flame. Leo is outside the porch; legs crossed on a wooden chair. The sun hits his eyes. His eyes tears. Blood tears. He wipes them and screams when he sees the blood in his hands.

Julie storms out the kitchen. What’s the matter. Leo’s tongue fills his mouth leaving no space for words. Julie sees the blood tears tearing a path on Leo’s face. She screams. Leo holds her. It’s going to be fine. Let me go find him says Leo heading to the marketplace. He gets on his horse then set off. He arrives at the marketplace and starts searching for his son. As unfamiliar faces pass his eyes his fear mounts. Finally, he sees a man waiting impatiently. He goes to him.

Afternoon sir. The man doesn’t answer. Have you seen my son long, lean and black. The description strikes an image in the man’s mind. I want that boy. He took my horse and I want it back. Where did he go. He was following a wagon. What wagon. That wagon the man points to the wagon Ray was following. Thanks. Tell that boy to bring back my horse. Leo tips his hat to the man. He goes to the wagon and finds it empty. No owner, no goods just horses. He waits.

A young man comes out the liquor store. He holds two whisky bottles. He sings a cowboy song. Once he arrives on his wagon he sees Leo. Who are you. I’m Leo. Want a drink. No thank you. How can I help you. My son was following your wagon. What wagon, my wagon? Yup, your wagon. Where have you been. I have been everywhere. Have you seen a black boy following your wagon with a horse. Not that I remember. Leo goes back to the impatient man. Besides the wagon what was he following. The man remains silent.

Listen if you don’t help me find the boy you will never find your horse. A woman. That wasn’t so hard wasn’t it. Now find my horse. Leo returns to the wagon. The wagon man is fast asleep on the wagon. Leo shakes him up. Hey, hey, hey. What ask the wagon man almost knocking two whisky bottles off the wagon. Where did you drop the woman. What woman. The woman that was on your wagon. The wagon man points east then west, south and north. Hey I need you to be more specific. The shack. What shack. The shack outside Blue Plains. Leo knows the shack. He let the man rests then heads to the shack.

When he arrives, he finds the shack down and three dead men. He checks their wounds; they are all new. He sees a trail then follow it. It’s a long winding trail leading to his brother’s plantation. He hasn’t seen his brother in twenty-five years. He gets on the horse and heads to the plantation. On the plantation he’s met with four dead bodies. He loads his gun. He hears footsteps. The steps are coming on his direction. 

Finally, he sees Audain dragging Ray’s body. He lowers his gun, eyes full of tears. Audain sees the shadow of the horse and stop dead in his tracks. He lifts his face and sees his brother. They lock eyes. Audain breaks the silence. He wanted to kill me. What was I supposed to do. Let him kill me? You had it coming says Leo. So you’re choosing him over me. You chose long time ago Audain. You chose this plantation over me. Audain lets those words sink in. Leo picks up the lifeless body of Ray and mounts it on the horse. He gets on the horse and stares at his little brother for a long time.

I don’t even recognize you anymore says Leo leaving the plantation. Audain falls on his knees.  He looks at the sky. Tears well on his eyes. No, he screams in despair. The scene cuts to Leo coming home with Ray’s body. Julie sees Ray’s feet dangling in the horse and runs to Leo. Once they meet Leo holds her. She fights him, bites him and kick him. Leo holds her even more. Though he holds her he cannot hold his tears. Julie stops fighting him and they embrace. The sun dip in the horizon and a cold breeze blow.

PART 11

Snow is falling in the moonless night. Wind is blowing on a leafless tree. We hear sounds from unseen shadows. The shadows move towards a house. They surround the house with burning torches. Then they hurl the torches through the windows. The torches burn the curtains then the rest of the house catches on. Inside the house a white family of four burn to ashes. As the flames illuminates the house, the shadows come to light. They dance around the flames and sing in unison. These are mountain warriors. An indigenous tribe of Blue Plains that was raided first by Brother Lewis’s army. The few that survived lived in the mountains and now they lurk in the shadows killing White Christians. The scene cuts to Leo and Julie in the guestroom. A lantern lights the room. We must go back home. After we bury Ray, we must go home says Leo.

The scene cuts to Audain sleeping. He sees his mother drowning in a pool of blood. He screams her name until he wakes up, panting. His chest heaves. His hands are full of blood. He wipes them in the walls, in the doors but the blood remains. He goes to the window and opens up the window. In the window he sees the falling snow.  He goes outside with a pistol in his hand. He kneels before the falling snow. He aims the pistol to his temple and pulls the trigger.

The scene cuts to Brother Hugo’s palace. His wife is fast asleep and he’s wide awake reading a bible. Outside we see lurking shadows surrounding his house. The shadows light the torches then hurls them through the windows. The angry flames engulf the curtains then the rest of the house catches on. Brother Hugo tries to save his family but fails. He barely can save himself. The mountain warriors drag him out of the house and watch the house burn into ashes. His half-burned body burns in the snow as they drag him to the gate. Once they arrive at the gate they scalp his head. He roars. After a few moments watching him suffer, they shoot him in the head.

PART 12

After an eventful night dawn finally break. The snow has ceased falling and the sun has seized the sky. The sky is blue and pale. Leo is digging a grave. We can’t bury him here says Julie from behind. Audain won’t allow to bury him on the plantation. He’s your brother talk to him. I can’t talk to him. He killed him it’s at least he can do. I don’t know honey I will try talk to him. Leo gets on the horse. He loads Ray’s body on another horse and spurs the horses. I’m coming with you says Julie following behind.

Leo arrives at the plantation and sees a heap of melting snow. He watches the heap as it melts. Julie arrives and sees the heap. What’s that. I don’t know. They watch the heap melts until it unveils Audain’s body. Leo’s eyes are filled with hate and love, cold and warmth, hatred and forgiveness. Julie throws up. Leo gets off his horse and starts digging. He wraps Ray with a traditional cloth he found him in and lowers him to the hole. As the soil fall on Ray’s body Leo’s eyes well with tears. He fights them back but they fall anyway.

The scene cuts to the church. Brother Lewis is on the pulpit giving a sermon. The church is half full. Low hymns of sadness are sung by the congregation. Suddenly, the church door bursts open. Six mountain warriors storm in with rifles in hand. No talk they just open fire to the congregation. The warriors shoot until nobody moves except Brother Lewis. I want you to feel our pain, our rage and our grief says the leader of the mountain warriors.

This is the hell you created and you will burn in it. Brother Lewis sees no reason to reason with them, sees no empathy in their eyes. The warriors drag him to the cross and fasten him in it. They light the cross and watch him burn. The flames bleeds on the wooden chairs then the fire engulfs the whole church. The mountain warriors watch with delight as the church burn to the ground. Black people that live in the camps sees this then joins the mountain warriors. Together they sing a song of freedom. Together they sing a song of grief. Together they sing a song of unison.

The scene cuts to Leo and Julie. Leo is piling logs on Audain’s body. Julie holds the burning torch. Once Leo is done piling logs, he stares at his brother for a moment. It should have been me says Leo tearing up. It should have been me laying there not you. I failed you. I abandoned you when you needed me the most. Love cannot describe how I feel about you. Hate cannot erase the memories I have of you. Farewell little brother. Julie hurls the torch to Audain’s body. Leo stares at the flames. His eyes are fierce. He closes his eyes and sees his parent’s home. He hears the hissing flames. He hears the cries. He moves closer to the fire. Julie pulls him out. Leave me says Leo pushing back Julie.

He moves close to the fire until the flames bleeds on his coat and he burns. No, Julie screams in despair. She waits until the flames die down then scoop the remains of her husband onto the vase. She does the same with Audain’s body. As the smoke climbs the air, the sun dims in the sky. Julie heads to the harbor with the vases. She loads the vases on the boat then drive the boat back home.                                                        

                                                                                    -THE END-