Maurice sat down next to John and took out a pack of cigarettes. It was getting dark quickly outside. The sky in the east was gradually "burning out," leaving a blurred trail across the heavens, shifting from a bloody burgundy to a soft blue. From the west, the night sky was already taking charge, accompanied by its royal entourage in the form of the beautiful moon and solitary star sentinels. Lighthearted Maurice and contemplative John sat beneath the beautiful dome of the southern sky, and after taking their first drag, John broke the silence.

  — You still haven't told me how you ended up in Sudan. I understand that you work on that ship. But what are you doing in Sudan? Is this your first time here?

  — Yes, for the first time. In fact, I've been 'under sail' for three years now. We have a project here, conducting seabed surveys, as I mentioned, to find oil or gas deposits. Before this, we worked in the Philippines, off the coasts of Norway and Spain, and in many other places as well. I've spent a lot of time in Singapore... In general, I've been around quite a bit in these three years — Maurice replied.

  — So, how is it? Do you like this job? It must be very interesting...

  — Interesting... for a bachelor. New countries, new acquaintances, new perspectives. It's all great, but we work on a rotation: three months at sea, three months at home. You understand, this job isn't really suitable for a family. I left home just under a week ago, and I'm already missing my wife Michelle and our two little girls like crazy. If I could find a job on land with the same salary, I would definitely choose it. But for now, here I am — Maurice said with a sigh in his voice.

  — Oh! You have two daughters? How old are they?

  — Six and eight. My little angels... I'm crazy in love with them! And what about you? Do you have a family?

  — I did — John said bitterly. — Three years ago, my wife and I got divorced. We have a daughter, Jenny, who is ten years old.

  — That's sad. I believe that family is the only thing that sustains faith in life, motivates us to achieve great things, and prevents us from falling during the toughest times. What happened to you? Would you like to share?

  John took a deep drag, paused for a moment, and continued:

  — Yes, you’re right. I really miss their support… especially now. What’s there to tell? It’s all quite trivial. I committed a terrible act, betrayed the person I loved most, and she couldn’t forgive me. It’s understandable. We tried to fix things, but it was in vain. I inflicted too deep a wound on her. And honestly, I’ve never been much of a family man… I used to be… I struggled to cope with this event and started drinking. Heavily. I tried to numb the pain, not realizing that it only helped for a short while and ultimately just intensified the destruction within me. Now she’s with another man — John took another drag, finding it harder to speak. — I can only blame myself. Just recently, I realized that I need to turn the focus onto myself. What a fool I was… After all, we alone are responsible for everything that happens to us! I’d rather have been given the chance to travel through time instead of this crap! — John got angry and kicked a stone at his feet. — In reality, I’ve long accepted this situation. I’m to blame, but I need to move on.

  John pretended to be strong, and little things like losing a loved one wouldn't stop him.

  — I'm sorry. You must have loved her a lot... — Maurice said sadly.

  — And I still love… Very much… — John managed to say, swallowing hard, and a solitary tear rolled down his cheek.

  John was deeply immersed in his memories of the happy times when his family was around. The image of the ongoing conflicts with his wife throughout their life together surfaced, and of course, the final scene of confronting his betrayal. At that time, he thought it was normal, that scandals and quarrels were part of any family. Now he understood that the seeds of discord were sown back then... but he remained impervious. Every time John touched upon the subject of family, oceans of emotions surged within him. From absolute happiness and warm reverence to the heavy sensation of an abyss of loneliness and overwhelming guilt. It was as if something restless awakened inside him, devouring him from within with increasing pain. Although his travels had forced him to rethink many things, the experiences and bitterness of the past never fully let him go. After a few seconds of silence, a distant cry was heard coming from the port.

  — Joe-on!!!

  Only when Maurice nudged John with his elbow did he return to reality and realize that someone was running towards them, calling his name.

  — Nussier! — exclaimed John with the joy of a child who has seen his parents after a long separation. Nusser was running and waving his hand as he went. Following him, John saw Said, who, although not radiating the same joy, was nonetheless confidently keeping up with his friend.

  — John! I'm so glad I found you! — Nusier exclaimed, breathless. — I ran into Said on my way here and told him everything. He understands what you wanted from him. Said is one of us; we've been friends since childhood. He won't betray you. Besides, he can find a place for you to hide! — Nusier continued to speak rapidly. Said simply nodded encouragingly.

  — Nussier! You did great! I'm so proud of you! — John grabbed him by the shoulders and hugged him like an old friend. — But how did you get here? Did the military let you go? What a clever story you came up with about the crane! By the way, this is Maurice; he helped me at the port. Maurice, this is Nussier; he helped me at the hotel — John laughed.

  — Nice to meet you — Maurice extended his hand to Nussier.

  — Come on! Don't keep me in suspense! Tell me! — John urged, filled with impatience.

  — So, the situation is as follows. Five minutes after I spoke with Said on the phone, the sergeant's radio crackled with an order from the lieutenant who was interrogating me. He said they didn't find you at the port and would continue the search tomorrow, as he was being called to headquarters. He also ordered the sergeant to retrieve the logbook from the hotel, and instructed me not to leave the city and to be at the hotel tomorrow morning.

  "That's strange... Well, let's hope they realized I'm not such a big deal after all! So, what's next?" John asked, eagerly awaiting the continuation.

  — What's next? The sergeant left the hotel, and I ran to the port, as I wasn't sure you would find Saeed. And here I am. "Everything is going too smoothly. Come on, John, it's all just your prejudices!" he thought to himself.

  — Well, great! How's the situation at the port? Have you seen any military or any suspicious individuals? — John asked, concealing his suspicions.

  — Although I was in a hurry, I was attentive. I didn't notice anything unusual. Work at the port is almost halted at night. Except for loading a large bulk carrier, but there's still a lot of work to be done, so they will be loading without interruption.

  — What's happening near the vessel "Samum"? The one with the large radar on board, the first one after the two barges. Is loading underway? Ask him, John — interjected Maurice. John translated Maurice Nussier's question.

  — Yes, they are loading something, but I understand that things are coming to an end there. John translated the words of the Sudanese into French.

  — Good! It's all thanks to you, John! — Maurice said, placing his hand on his new friend's shoulder.

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  — Anyway, it's not safe for us to stay here. Said, do you know any place where we can not worry about uninvited guests until morning? — John asked.

  — Yes, there's a piece of land not far from here that belongs to my friend, and there's a gazebo on it. We gather there with the guys during breaks from work. We play sit-go. John, I apologize for calling you a criminal; Nussier explained everything to me. Even though I don’t understand much, I trust him like my best friend! — Said apologized.

  — Don't worry about it at all! I understand how strange my appearance must seem. But let's get to that gazebo, and I'll tell you everything as it is.

  — How are you, Maurice? If you need to, you can go back to the ship — John said to the Frenchman.

  — You promised some grand story! How can I miss that? I'm with you!

  The night had almost completely enveloped everything around. The main source of light was the moon, which, like an incandescent bulb, increased its brightness, fueled by a sprinkle of stars that kept multiplying. Only the distant red lights of cranes served as a reminder of civilization's presence. The four travelers lined up in a "snake" formation and followed their guide, Said.

  — John, tell me what happened to you when you left the hotel — Nussier asked.

  — Oh, my friend! Nothing special, except for two 'twin brothers' who kindly agreed to accompany me to Maurice's ship. Of course, not for free... just for two hundred ninety thousand of your pounds. In short, I bribed two soldiers — John replied proudly.

  — Two hundred ninety thousand?! That's a huge amount of money! Wait. Where did you get that money? — Nusyer exclaimed in surprise.

  — Ah, yes! On the way, I found an ATM where I was able to withdraw my "daily allowance." And just then, those two "hawks" showed up. They almost caught me. To get out of the situation, I introduced myself as Sebastian and bribed the soldiers. They agreed to help find John, meaning me, and escorted me to the port.

  — For two hundred ninety thousand, I would guard you for an entire month! Well, you certainly have a knack for getting out of any situation! — Nussier marveled.

  — This skill is developed over time, especially when you don't have much of a choice... — John replied. — Then we headed to the port, and on the way, I bought some flatbreads from a street vendor, right off the cart. It was incredibly delicious! Probably because it was my only meal for the day!

  — What street vendor? What are you talking about! Selling from carts has been banned in the port for a long time! Food can only be sold in designated places – stores or cafeterias — Said interrupted John's story. — In the city, yes, but in the port, it's been prohibited for ages. I know that for sure.

  John suddenly stopped in shock. Fear took hold of him. "How can one not sell? Is this some kind of hallucination? Or was he selling illegally? It's unlikely, considering how everyone here is so afraid of prison. So what was it? Who to believe? My own eyes or the local Sudanese? But he said it so confidently, clearly, and casually, like a person who is a hundred percent sure of what they're talking about!"

  — How can you say that selling is wrong? I personally bought these flatbreads from him and then ate them. It really happened. The soldiers, if they were here, would confirm it! — John insisted, defending his point.

  — Listen, this is a port area and trading with shady dealers has been banned here for a long time. There have been cases of poisoning foreigners, even resulting in fatalities! Trust me, I've been working here for twelve years! — Said confidently replied. He said it so calmly that John had no reason to suspect him of lying. But what was it then? After all, the words of that merchant were the strangest occurrence during all of John's travels! And his gaze…

  The scents of dry grass and animal manure mingled with the salty sea air, creating a unique atmosphere that helped to paint a picture of the surroundings in near-total darkness. John envisioned women working the land and cows grazing under the scorching sun. During rare breaks from their hard labor, the peasants would seek refuge in the shade of a self-built gazebo, which resembled a shed made of dry sticks bound together with ropes. Here, they spent their moments of respite, allowing their aching backs to regain strength.

  John couldn't focus on the situation, as his mind was an absolute "mess." Thoughts of Catherine, his wife, stirred up a whirlwind of mixed emotions once again. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bury them completely. An inexplicable force kept this bright and warm feeling alive somewhere in the farthest corners of his soul. Gently and carefully cradling this powerful light between his palms and shielding it from all external winds, this guardian constantly fanned the embers of hope. John had never understood or been able to explain this remarkable inner glow. Since it had emerged long before his upheaval, it held much greater significance for him. He admitted to himself that it stirred him far more than the paradox he had experienced. Yet, he didn't know how to find the key to the cage with the dove of freedom, or the axe to cut the rope of the guillotine. This tortured him endlessly.

  Pleasant romantic memories were interrupted by the harsh reality of the material world, and the mental part of his being forced him to think about pressing issues. John did not like this; he would never have left his delightful daydreams and fantasies. But his mind deemed these "castles in the air" a waste of time, and each time it won the battle against the sensual realm, pulling its owner back to the task of addressing "real problems." At that moment, John switched to yet another analysis of events in Port Sudan and couldn't quite grasp the connection to the "false" bread seller. Something deep inside him hinted that discoveries awaited him ahead, which could be the key to unraveling the mystery. Yet, his mind was of no help. This intuition came from the very depths of his soul. So, he chose to trust his inner calling and continue his search.

  — We're here, this is our secluded spot. Stay here, I'll turn on the light — Said said as he stopped and pointed to the crooked gazebo that could be seen in the darkness. He then walked inside.

  — What's he saying? — Maurice asked in a whisper for some reason.

  — Oh! I recognize this place! I haven't been here in a while! I remember our gatherings in this old wreck — Nussier recalled joyfully. The gazebo was illuminated from within and resembled a cozy little hut from childhood, where boys would gather with their wooden weapons to discuss the capture of the girls' headquarters.

  — Come in, don't be shy! — Said called to his companions.

  — Come on, Maurice, don't be afraid, there are no Belgians there — John joked, giving the Frenchman a push forward. The three of them entered the gazebo, where Said was already standing, smiling like a sultan welcoming honored guests to his palace. Inside, the shelter was authentic, matching its exterior appearance. There were two homemade benches and a matching table. Above them hung a large light bulb on a wire. That was all.

  The four of them settled into their seats as if preparing for a proper meal after a long day of hard work. John sat with Maurice, facing Nussier and Said. Maurice took out some cigarettes and offered them to John. The others declined. John lit a cigarette, took a drag, and started to speak.

  — Well, it's time to share my story with you. Please take it seriously. I will be honest with you; there’s no point in lying. Silence reigned, in anticipation of something captivating and mysterious.

  — My name is John, I was born and raised in Boston, USA. Maurice, I apologize, but I will tell my story in Arabic, as there are more representatives of it here right now. I will translate it especially for you afterwards. Maurice nodded understandingly.

  — I am thirty-five years old. My parents are ordinary employees. In general, I come from a very typical family. I have no brothers or sisters — John looked at Nusayr. — I worked as a broker at a large company. I didn't earn much, and I spent quite a bit on 'reliable signals' from colleagues who supposedly had insider information. Mostly, I lost money, and as a result, I developed a dependency on alcohol. Naturally, my family suffered because of this... There’s probably nothing interesting to tell about my past life...

  John lowered his gaze, once again engulfed by feelings of guilt towards Catherine. But he tried to dispel all negative thoughts by focusing on the translation for Maurice.

  — I had a wife and a daughter. Catherine and Jenny. Of course, I did everything for them; I wanted the best for us. I even bought questionable stocks hoping for quick wealth. I imagined how we would live a better life, how I would fix everything... I fixed it... We haven't lived together for several years now. I moved out to a rented apartment. And from that moment on, my gradual decline began, and I fell into complete apathy towards everything around me. In reality, I completely lost myself in this world. I think I would have ended up in a ditch somewhere if it weren't for this incident that happened to me... But that's not the point. In general, I had a "groundhog day" life: work – bar – home. I hardly communicated with my parents.

  — How could you not have talked to your parents?! — Said asked sincerely and with confusion.

  — That's how it is. We have a somewhat different culture and upbringing than you do. Now I understand that it's not right. When I was completely alone, at rock bottom, I often thought about my mom and dad. But there are things that can never be brought back. So cherish and help your parents while you still have them.

  — My father will kill me if I don't call for a few days — Said stood up from the table and walked to the far corner of the gazebo. — I have some water supplies here, would you like some?

  — Yes, please! I would be happy to wet my throat — John replied.

  — Tell me what happened to you, how did you end up in Sudan? — Nussair was hanging on every word of John, but he was eager to learn the main part of his mystery. John looked at Nusiere, then at Maurice and Said. Seeing their focused gazes, he realized it was time to reveal the whole truth.

  — The first time it happened was on the night of December 14th to 15th last year...