Hunger

"We have found the cave!" Those were the words my younger brother Michael jubilantly declared at the beginning of the video. The video then focused on the entrance of a recently cleared cave showing remains of sandbag and bamboo fortifications. Michael appeared again, "Hopefully this cave will prove to be the much rumored prison cave where American prisoners of war were held and never seen again!"

"Hey! Stop yapping and lets' explore!" someone yelled and the rest of the group cheered. The video then showed Michael and his group of five eagerly yet cautiously entered the cave. I've watched this video a lot and still shake my head about how this mess started.

Michael first got involved in this a year ago when he was following a web site about American prisoners still missing in Laos. He became obsessed, spending hours, days on the computer, reading books and contacting like-minded armchair sleuths. First I humored him now to my regret but when he started talking about forming an expedition to Laos, I put my foot down, arguing that he was wasting his time chasing unicorns and pots of gold. I warned him that he was setting himself up for trouble. He backed off or so I thought. A month after our exchange he vanished. Shortly after that I recieved a postcard from him saying, 'Everything's great here!' I wanted to kill him.

I tried to find that damned web site that started this mess but it was pulled down. I went over all his research material making my own notes trying to zero in on his location. I just got the video after following a tip on the dark web. Expensive but worth it. I was also just able to track down the rest of Michael's group. They were still in Laos.

After making contact and introducing myself as Michael's brother, I grilled them as to what happened. Their leader, Tom was evasive with answers. I told him about the video clip and sent him a file. He went silent for a few seconds. He demanded to know where I got it. "Reliable sources." was my curt reply. 

Before he could answer, I interrogated him about the second part of the video when the group was inside the cave. Light beams played on remains of structures then the lights focused on bamboo cages, inside of which were mummified human corpses frozen in terror. "Michael sounded awe struck, "They really are here! My God! What happened to them?!" he wept.

"Who or what is that?!" someone else asked and all the lights concentrated on a gaunt, cadaverous human figure shuffling towards them. It stopped and shook convulsively then it opened its mouth from which loud agonized screams erupted then black silence.

After a couple more minutes of silence,Tom mumbled, "I dunno know about that."  I declared that I was going to catch the first plane to Laos and they'd better meet me at the airport or I would make trouble for them. After getting everything in order and needed I texted my date and time of arrival then I was on my way to Laos. During the inflight I was playing that video again and again. 

After arriving  and meeting Tom and his crew, we got down to business. I demanded that we form our own expedition to that cave. Their eyes lit up when I said money was no problem. Tom claimed that the cave was in a restricted area and heavily patrolled but he knew someone who could make the trip easy. I told him to make the call. Tomorrow we would head to Mike's known location of Vieng Xai.

The following day we reached that village where we met Tom's 'friend', a Laotian army colonel. After formalities and an agreed upon price, we were good to go only on condition that we take a couple of his men along. The next day, I was surprised to see more than a couple of soldiers. I looked at Tom. "Sorry." was all he offered, "Only way we could get permission."

A young lieutenant introduced himself, shaking my hand. He claimed that his men were for safety and security. By the way they were armed, they looked like they were prepared for war. Our little convoy drove the first half of the trails. At midday we had to leave them and hike on foot. One of the soldiers leading the way would stop us, pointing to what appeared to be rusted tennis balls. "Bombis!" he warned. They were cluster bombs. A reminder of America's past war adventure here. After a few stops and pauses, we gradually made it to the cave.

The lieutenant ordered us to wait while his men went inside first. It gave me time to ask about Mike's expedition and how come no soldiers accompanied them. It seems that they had a guide who knew how to skirt the system. The colonel was his uncle and my involvement saved Tom and his gang from prison - possibly death. The lieutenant reappeared and motioned us inside.

We treaded cautiously with our headlamps and flashlights, letting our eyes get accustomed to the gloomy interior. We stumbled upon gear lying around but no bodies. When we came upon the cages, the soldiers blocked our way, pointing their weapons at us. "Nothing to see here!" said the lieutenant, "We're here to find your friends. Nothing more!" he laid his hand on his gun for emphasis.

I grabbed Tom, demanding what he got me into and he stammered some apologies and kept repeating that it was the only way. I wondered if we were going to be killed. I was about to strike him when we heard something in the distance, shufflings. The sounds came from further down the cave echoing, growing louder till we saw dark figures slowly approaching - they turned out to be Michael and his group. We were relieved and ran up to them. When the lieutenant recognized the guide, he shouted with joy.

The group were almost zombie-like. Our relief turned to worry when they started shaking spasmodically. When they opened their mouths an unholy chorus of screams and moans erupted. Shadows escaped from them rushing towards us. One shot into my mouth, almost choking me. Pandemonium broke loose. Shouts, screams and gunfire killing some of our group. Those attacked by the shadows crumpled and collapsed like broken dolls.

There was an explosive flash then darkness and silence. I stumbled and fell trying to find my way out until I felt what was the cave's opening then I passed out. I don't know how long I was out. I heard Michael waking me up. I opened my eyes to a blurry world. "Thank you for finding me. I knew you would come." I felt his presence, like he was inside me. He was helping me. Guiding me. "They knew we are family, that's why I could save you." First I didn't understand until I felt other presences inside me as well. Those souls who were entrapped so long ago now are Mike's family and mine. All those years imprisoned growing hungry and now free. Now we're all being driven on by an insatiable hunger until we are stopped by armed soldiers.

I stop to rest with hands on my knees. as they come closer with pointed rifles I lift my head up and smile then with a trembling rush - we feast.