Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:20:03 +0800
From: Pedrick Oman <pedoman1975@gmail.com>
Subject: The Captive Boy, Chapter 4

Foreword: This story was pure fiction.  I have to admit that it was not my
best writing, but was an important one for me.  The main story line was
developed when I was about 10 years old, and had been developed for more
than 20 years.  Now, in my middle 30s, I finally wrote it down, adding many
other elements to form a complete story.  I do hope that you like it.  I'd
like to get your feedback, about your thoughts of this story, or any other
things.

BTW, I received some feedbacks.  I'm really happy to know that you are
enjoying this story.  Most of you also told me that my English was not THAT
bad.  I do appreciate your encouragement. :-)

-- pedoman <pedoman1975@gmail.com>


The Captive Boy - Chapter 4


Joey knew that Johnny must become the center of everyone's conversation, so
he volunteered to be on guard duty that night.  He brought Johnny with him,
sitting in the high sentry box, and they listened to everyone talking.

The subject was, of course, Johnny.

"Did you see Pokerface's action?" said a huge guy named Ian.  "His action
was so fast, and he hit the snake's head dead center.  How did he do that?"

"Now I could understand why the Leer government would put Pokerface in
Linbus Jail," said Sam.  "If he is such a great marksmans, he must be a
thorn in the side of the government army.  Maybe there was a great reward
for capturing him?"

"Do you know where he came from?  Joey didn't tell us anything about him."

"Joey protected him so well, huh?" snorted Ian.

"Where did you learn to shoot, Pokerface?" Sam shouted.

"Pokerface, are you born to be a mute, or did they persecute you so much
that you became a mute?" shouted Ian.

Johnny didn't reply, just looked off far away.

Joey shouted back, "Don't ask him anything!  Finish your dinner and go to
sleep!"

"Ho-ho, you couldn't bear somebody trying to bully your little Pokerface,
could you?" laughed Ian.

"All right, all right.  Ask him if he would teach me how to shoot," shouted
Sam.

They didn't talk to Joey or Johnny anymore, but kept discussing Johnny, and
went to sleep late into the night.

The full moon was in the middle of the sky.  Johnny still looked off far
away, and Joey watched the side of Johnny's face.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Joey softly.

Johnny did not response.

"Do you know what I'm thinking about?" asked Joey.  "You made me recall a
boy I met in Vietnam."

Johnny turned his head and watched Joey.

"The boy was about 12 years old, a bit older than you are now," said Joey.
"He was tall and thin, and had a sweet smile.  When I was in Vietnam, I
lost contact with my fellows, and was trapped in the forest.  I was stuck
on the tree, and my legs were bleeding.

"The boy's name was Ming.  He was collecting firewood in the forest while
finding me stuck on the tree.  So he rescued me and brought me back to his
village."

Joey seemed to fall into his memory.  Johnny listened to him quietly.

"Although I was an enemy, everyone in the village still tried to heal me
very enthusiastically.  Ming sent meals to me every day.  I sent him some
small things back, and taught him some simple English.  We became very good
friends.

"After a few days, my legs were a lot better.  I started to fix the
villager's houses using the tools I'd brought.  I also took Ming to hunt in
the jungle, and shared the prey we got with everyone.

"However, the happy days didn't last long.  I had so much enjoyment that I
almost forgot the Vietnam Guerrillas must check the traps in the forest.

"I was bathing with Ming in a river that time.  We played a lot, and took a
rest on the river bank.  We were both nude.  I kissed him, and caressed his
body.  He hugged me tightly.  We fondled for a while, and were ready to go
back home.  Two guerrillas found us and shot us immediately."

Joey closed his eyes.  Johnny still watched Joey quietly.

"Ming was in front of me, and was hit by three shots.  I took my gun and
attacked back, and killed them.  However, I could not save Ming's life.
Ming lay down in my arms, smiling at me, and said 'Kiss me, Joey...'.

"I wept, and kissed Ming deeply.  Ming closed his eyes, and died.

"I dug a hole and buried Ming.  I didn't go back to the village, but tried
to go back to my army.  The next time I went to that village, all the
villagers were executed.  Their skeletons were in the middle of the square
in the village."

Joey's eyes were still closed, but he held Johnny's hands tightly.  Johnny
did not resist.

"I owe you so much, Ming," said Joey softly.  He put Johnny's hand on his
own forehead, and seemed to talk to Ming.  "Do you know how much I miss
you, Ming?  I love you, do you know that?"

After awhile, Joey woke up and released Johnny's hands.  He apologized to
Johnny.  "Sorry, I didn't mean to grasp you."

Johnny nodded slightly.  Joey smiled, because he got another positive
response from Johnny.  He hugged Johnny.

"They asked me why I treated you so nice," said Joey.  "That's because of
your face, your eyes, your everything.  They all made me think of Ming.
However, you are different from Ming.  I don't know how to describe the
feeling, maybe it was because of your part in this inner war, maybe it was
because you had so many experiences...  Anyway, please trust me.  I'll find
your fellows and bring you back to them."

Johnny lowered his head.  After a long pause, he raised his head, and said
the first words after keeping silent for two years.

"Forget it."


-- To be continued.