party.’
Jack sat.
Kevin got out his flashlight and joined Melanie on the dock. ‘We’ll work
very quickly,’ he promised.
The first line of business was the bridge. Without it, the plan would
fail no matter what the response was from the animals. Kevin put in the
key. As he turned it on and pressed the green button, he held his
breath. Almost immediately he heard the whine of a battery-driven
electric motor from the mainland side. Then in slow motion the
telescoping bridge extended across the dark river to make contact with
the cement stanchion on the island.
Kevin climbed up on it to make sure it was solidly seated. He tried to
shake it but it was rigidly in place. Satisfied, he got down, and he and
Melanie hiked in the direction of the forest. They couldn’t see the
cages because of the darkness of the shadows, but they knew where they
were.
‘Do you have any plan or are we just going to let them all out en
masse?’ Melanie asked as they walked across the field. Kevin had the
flashlight on so they could see where they were stepping.
‘The only idea that came to my mind was to find my double, bonobo number
one,’ Kevin said. ‘Unlike me, he’s a leader. If I can make him
understand, maybe he’ll take the others.’ Kevin shrugged. ‘Can you think
of a better idea?’
‘Not at the moment,’ Melanie said.
The cages were all lined up in a long row. The smell was rank since some
of the animals had been in their tiny prisons for more than twenty-four
hours. As Kevin and Melanie walked along, Kevin shined the light in each
enclosure. The animals awoke immediately. Some backed against the rear
wall, trying to shield themselves from the glare. Others stood their
ground obstinately, their eyes flashing red.
‘How are you going to recognize him?’ Melanie asked.
‘I wish I could count on seeing my watch,’ Kevin said. ‘But the chances
of that are slim. I suppose it’s up to recognizing that awful scar he
has.’
‘It’s rather ironic that he and Siegfried have almost the same scar,’
Melanie said.
‘Don’t even mention that man’s name,’ Kevin said. ‘My gosh, look!’ The
light illuminated bonobo number one’s frightfully scarred face. He
stared back defiantly.
‘It’s him,’ Melanie cried.
‘Bada,’ Kevin said. He patted his chest as the bonobo females had done
when he, Melanie, and Candace had first been brought to the cave.
Bonobo number one tilted his head and the skin between his eye furrowed.
‘Bada,’ Kevin repeated.
Slowly, the bonobo raised his hand and patted his chest. Then he said
‘bada’ as clearly as Kevin had.
Kevin looked at Melanie. They were both shocked. Although they had
tentatively conversed with Arthur, it had been in such a different
context, they’d never been entirely sure they were actually
communicating. This was different.
‘Atah,’ Kevin said. It was a word they’d heard frequently starting from
the moment bonobo number one had yelled it when they’d first encountered
him. They thought it meant ‘come.’
Bonobo number one didn’t respond.
Kevin repeated the word then looked at Melanie. ‘I don’t know what else
to say.’
‘Neither do I,’ Melanie said. ‘Let’s go for it and open the door. Maybe
he’ll respond then. I mean it is hard for him to `come’ when he’s locked
up.’
‘Good point,’ Jack said. He stepped around Melanie to reach back along
the right side of the cage. With trepidation, Kevin released the latch
and opened the door.
Kevin and Melanie stepped back. Kevin directed the flashlight toward the
ground rather than shine it in the animal’s face. Bonobo number one
emerged slowly and stood up to his full height. He looked to his left
and then to his right before redirecting his attention at the two
humans.
‘Atah,’ Kevin said again while backing up. Melanie stayed in step.
Bonobo number one started forward, stretching as he walked like an
athlete warming up.
Kevin turned his body around so he could walk easier. He repeated ‘atah’
several more times. The animal’s facial expression didn’t change as he
followed.
Kevin led to the bridge and climbed up on it. He again repeated ‘atah.’