**The following is a short story dedicated to my beloved birth country South Africa. **

Charles jumps down to the last dark grey rock and then walks slowly towards the thundering sea. Moving to Knysna will be good for Hunter. Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best-known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon. The boy is taking Marina’s death harder than he thought or was prepared for. When Marina told him that she had terminal cancer eight months ago they had been divorced for five years. He sits down on the cool damp sand and feels the warm lagoon water stroke his feet as it moves back and forth. From here he can see the two monolithic sandstone "Heads". These two great sandstone cliffs guard the mouth of the lagoon, which connects the estuary with the sea. He remembers that day vividly when she told him as he felt nothing and he thinks he was supposed to feel something. At some level he understood her struggles with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder but he blames her for not having herself diagnosed and seeking medical assistance. She could have been a more attentive and responsible parent and wife if she could only accept herself and her shortcomings. He is thankful that he persevered against all Marina’s negative denials to have Hunter diagnosed with the same disorder three months ago. He watches a small boat leave from the beach to an oyster hatchery. The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports an oyster hatchery. And the Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world. He remembers back in 1985 when he went on a month long vacation with Gerda. They went to a local restaurant in Knysna to smack on the world famous oysters. They were immensely tasty, salty and slimy. You could taste the ocean in them. Living a student life studying to become a Veterinary Surgeon was so simple back then.

He makes his way back to Walvis street in KnysnaHeights where he can see the side of their new house through the thick established shrubs. It was a well-maintained double storey timber home in a quiet cul-de-sac with a large northwest facing deck overlooking the awe-inspiring endless mountains & valleys. There were two comfortable bedrooms both with direct access to the long wooden deck for him and Hunter. Downstairs was a double garage still filled with unopened boxes. The surrounding garden of this 1074 m² erf was low maintenance due to the establish plant life growing wild. With a Mediterranean Maritime climate, Knysna has moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas, most of which occurs in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean. The property is fully fenced with the usual 6-foot electric fencing. The alarm system connects to all the vulnerable points and is linked to an Armed Response Security Company that guarantees a three-minute arrival. Living in South Africa has become progressively more dangerous since 1994 when Nelson Mandela was released. Crime and violence grew rapidly as political promises were not followed up with actions by the Mandela government. Corruption of public officials soon followed and driven by the discrimination against whites, the brain drain followed. Hundreds of thousands of whites previously driving the economy packed up and left out of fear for their family’s safety and victims of hatred and discrimination. He could not leave South Africa as all his friends did as he was locked in custody and child support court hearings year after year with Marina. She seemed set on revenge and spitefully refused for him to travel with Hunter overseas on vacation. She made allegations of secret revenues that he was receiving and her incompetent lawyer seemed to get a high from throwing fuel on the fire. He knows now as he knew the day Hunter was born that he would never give up custody of his son whether it took his last breaths to fight Marina. Her constant allegations of him being a bad father taxed his energy levels and at times he became impatient with Hunter. Guilt floods through him as he recalls Hunter’s hurt and frightened face two years ago when he totally lost it on him just after yet another horrific email battle with Marina. Hunter needed his help to glue an ice-cream stick onto a paper character that he had made. Instead of helping him, Charles loudly yelled impatiently at Hunter to get out of his sight. When he had calmed down, he realized that he needs to change the way he communicates and reacts to Marina. His son should not suffer because of the mutual resentment between his parents. How he wished he could just take Hunter and re-establish him in a new country where he can grow up without this constant bombardment of crime, violence, corruption and hatred. Right now will not be an appropriate time either as Marina’s death is still to fresh in Hunter’s mind. Hunter insists on visiting her grave once a week. Every Sunday they make the thirty minutes long drive to Plettenberg bay to visit Marina’s grave. He gave up his flourishing Veterinary Practise in Pretoria to move closer to where Marina’s parents wanted to lay her to rest three weeks ago.

Johannes Gouws came by last night and offered him a partnership in his local Veterinary Practise on 40 Trotter Street. It was a stroke of luck even though he was not too worried, as his credibility amongst the Veterinary community was well known across South Africa. He will start at the new clinic in one month from now. Hunter has to first settle down in his new private school called Oakhill on Uitsig Street, Heuwelkruin. He felt safer knowing Hunter travels by private bus to school everyday. The driver, Kobus Vermeulen, is heavily armed and an excellent shot. Kobus also works at the Armed Security Company. Vehicles getting hijacked are a way of life and a hijacking has a very clear rule: kill or get killed. There is no regard for life anymore. He can remember a different way of life when he grew up during the sixties, seventies and even eighties. Now being armed is as acceptable as carrying a watch. It is part of your wardrobe. He tries not to fear for Hunter’s life during the times he is not with him. If he had to loose Hunter now it will devastate him to the point where he does not think he can ever return. Suffering from nagging chronic depression these years in constant conflict with Marina has taken their toll on his mental health. The suicide thoughts return quicker when he is faced with challenging situations. His Psychiatrist increased the dosage of his medication but it does not seem to always keep those dark thoughts at bay.

His cell phone vibrates vigorously in his right pocket as he stands on the long wooden deck. He answers and listens to a teacher, Mr. Viljoen, from Hunter’s school. Suddenly he breaks out in a cold sweat, his hand shudders as he desperately tries to hold on to the phone. Warm tears well up in his eyes and he slumps down in the deck chair as his muscled legs fold under him. Dear God, Hunter is being held hostage at his school by a black radical group called Igazi Elimnyama (Black Blood) claiming that white children must die to pay for the sins of Apartheid. This is Hunter’s first week at Oakhill, how could this happen? Why was he not told that this could happen? Where is the school security for God’s sake? How did these people get onto the school grounds? Blood wildly pulses through Charles’ head as he tries to think. Beads of sweat run into his eyes already filled with tears. He feels sick, his mouth is dry, why the hell can’t he think! He runs to the bedroom and trips over the loose carpet as he dives for his bedside table. His arm hits the corner of the table and he feels his skin tear. Warm blood spurts onto the wooden floor. Nothing matters right now except saving Hunter. He stabilizes himself and frantically grabs his 9mm Luger from his drawer. The Luger feels cold in his sweaty hands. He grabs five already filled Parabellumcartridges and piles them into his pants pockets. He propels the 9mm into his belt and pulls his shirt over the weapon. He turns around swiftly and hits his right knee on the side of the bedroom door as he tears out of the room. Racing out the front door he forgets to activate the house alarm. The Toyota 4x4 spins off in a thick ball of dust towards the school.

To be continued……..