— Very little is known about them, Nusier began his account. It's a criminal organization that started its activities two or three months ago—at least, that's when the first cases of disappearances and robberies involving them were recorded. No one knows exactly when the group was actually formed. Their objectives are equally unknown. The group originated here in Sudan, but now cases of their attacks have been documented across almost all of Africa, even in Somalia. How this plague spreads so quickly is unclear. Apparently, business is going well for them, or someone is backing them. As I mentioned, they deal in kidnapping people and robbery. Strangely enough, they mostly take young men between fifteen and thirty years old.

  — So your brother Alyad is gone? John asked, noticing Nusier's sadness.

  — Yes. Father believes he was killed, but the body was never found. I believe he's still alive! They very rarely leave their victims behind—perhaps it's how they cover their tracks. When there are bodies, they're mostly police or military who got in their way, Nusier's words carried notes of hopelessness.

  — And they also leave marks on the foreheads of the killed, Said interjected. A carved letter 'X,' but of irregular shape—they make one diagonal stroke longer than the other. It resembles a cross!

  — Those are just rumors, Said! — said Nusier.

  — They're not just rumors! A sergeant I know personally told me about it – he was one of the first to arrive at the crime scene, it happened in the village of Sindja! Saeed insisted.

  — Alright, Said. It's not that important right now. The Harami attack villages and small settlements suddenly, take everything of value, young men, and leave without a trace. In short, they're extremely dangerous, and so far no one has been able to find any lead to catch them. No names, no location of their base, no motives for their crimes have been discovered. No one even knows their leader! Elusive bastards! Nusier said with obvious hatred and anger.

  — They say they're recruiting men to create an army to overthrow the Sudanese government, then they want to seize power across all of Africa, and after that the whole world... And also that they're conducting some kind of experiments on prisoners to turn them into perfect killers, Said added in almost a whisper.

  — What nonsense, Said? Where did you pick up this drivel?! They're ordinary bandits who live for the thirst of plunder! Nusier said with contempt.

  — Yes, we were also warned before our trip to Sudan that some gang was operating here, Maurice chimed in. True, there haven't been any attacks on foreigners yet, but our management, apart from handing out a safety guidelines booklet, hasn't taken any measures!

  John listened attentively to his companions and turned the situation over in his mind. He couldn't understand how some robbers from Sudan could be connected to his movements. But he sensed something wasn't right here... and this might be the first piece of the puzzle in unraveling his mystery. He couldn't shake the thoughts about the — coincidental — chain of events that had happened to him and led him to Harami.

  — And then there's that flatbread seller, who might not have even existed at all, damn him! What did he mean? What if he was talking specifically about Harami? John pondered.

  — First of all, 'no body, no case,' as they say. So, Nusier, don't lose heart! There's hope that your brother is alive. And it's very strong! That's already something, John tried to encourage his friend. Secondly, it turns out that apart from petty robberies, these guys haven't done anything that bad! The fact that they kidnap people is certainly terrible. But nobody knows what happened to the kidnapped or where they are now! Right? John's second attempt came out rather poorly.

  — What, are you justifying the actions of these bandits?! Nusier exploded.

  — No, of course not! I'm just trying to understand the situation and look at it from a different angle... John reassured him. By the way, why do you call them the Harami? What does that even mean? Wait a moment... John paused and thought: it seemed to him that he knew the answer to his own question.

  — The surviving women said that's how they introduced themselves. And this was confirmed by eyewitnesses from completely different crime scenes, Nusier answered, not waiting for John to finish his interpretation.

  — In trading, there's a concept called the 'Harami pattern,' and there's also a technical analysis figure known as the 'Harami cross,' John spoke as if he had found something, anticipating the solution to the mysterious name of Sudan's criminal organization.

  — What do all these incomprehensible words mean? Said asked with genuine surprise.

  — The Harami pattern signifies a trend reversal. That is, a change in the direction of a security's price movement. In simple terms – changes for better or worse in the near future. The Harami Cross is a tool that signals to traders that a bearish or bullish trend is approaching. Hence the cross symbols found on the foreheads of the victims. The murders are a sign that changes are coming. And another thing – 'Harami' in Japanese means pregnancy or a body in the womb. This can be understood as the birth of new life! But what does Japan have to do with it?... John was reasoning, using stock market terminology, very emotionally and loudly, yet as if talking to himself.

  No sooner had John finished his sentence than the makeshift door of reeds and twine swung open and slammed loudly against the gazebo wall. All four of them immediately turned toward it…

  The silence that had settled over the gazebo was broken by the sound of unhurried yet confident and brazen footsteps. A man in military uniform entered the space, the uniform fitting his lean frame impeccably. The holster with his service pistol jutted out as if deliberately emphasizing its bearer's authority. The mockingly snide smirk on his face boded nothing good. His pronounced cheekbones and repulsive thin mustache lent his appearance the features of a cunning, mercenary, arrogant man. Two medium-sized stars adorned his shoulder boards.

  Six more armed soldiers rushed in after him, including Timon — and Pumbaa, — and spread out along the inner perimeter of the gazebo, surrounding those seated at the table.

  As soon as this happened, the officer surveyed the gazebo appraisingly and clapped his hands three times with deliberate loudness.

  — Everyone's here! Magnificent!

  — Lieutenant?! Nusier said in a timid, trembling voice.

  — Nusier… that's what they call you, isn't it, you pathetic traitor! — the officer replied. Quite an entertaining conversation you've been having here. No, I wasn't impressed by the delusional story about traveling in dreams, but the information about Harami is very interesting indeed. And I'm certain you have more to tell us, don't you, John?! If that's even your real name.

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  — I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, sir, John replied in a calm voice. I know absolutely nothing about this organization. Apart from those guesses you overheard. By the way, were you really sitting hidden outside all this time? John began to veer into mockery.

  The lieutenant's face contorted with rage! Through sheer force of will he contained his anger, though it cost him considerable effort. He walked over to the table, took an empty chair, moved it back several meters, and settled into it with an air of nonchalance, crossing his legs and interlacing his fingers.

  — Of course! My men and I have been watching you for quite some time. Did you really think I was fool enough to simply let this traitor go home? The officer shifted his gaze to Nusier. I knew right away he was in league with you, John. What I radioed to the sergeant was bait that this stupid Sudanese swallowed with pleasure. And then he led us straight to our target—to you, John!

  Nusier turned pale, and his eyes filled with regret and remorse. He realized he had made a terrible mistake that would now doom them all. Pangs of conscience, feelings of guilt and shame consumed his entire mind, gradually paralyzing even the slightest movements. Nusier wanted to sink through the floor, hide in a dark corner and curl up into a ball—he couldn't believe that his stupidity and carelessness had led to such consequences.

  — But I must give you credit, Nusier! You tried your hardest to reach the port unnoticed. And you almost succeeded. There was a moment when my men lost your trail. Fortunately, there are still honest and loyal sons of Sudan who will always stand up to defend their Motherland's interests! The officer shifted his gaze to Said.

  — Said??? — asked Nusier, stunned by this news.

  — Nusier, this is better for everyone! I'm sure I did the right thing, since we don't know John at all, and it's not clear who he really is. At least, that's what I thought... But if the government is looking for him, then there must be a reason! And I certainly have no intention of going to prison because of him! The lieutenant promised to release you too if we cooperate! Isn't that right?

  Said tried to explain everything to his friend Nusier, but he wasn't doing a very good job of it. After all, he himself had realized that he'd made a mistake. Having gotten to know John better, he had come to trust him and grown fond of him. But it was already too late.

  — How could you, Said?! We've known each other since childhood. Don't you understand that no one will help us, and we'll go down as accomplices!

  Nusier clutched his head with both hands, and in his eyes was reflected the dawning fear of a difficult future. Terrible thoughts once again filled his entire consciousness, and he could no longer utter a single word.

  — Accomplices?! What did you do? What did we do, officer?! John joined the conversation. Tell us what we're being accused of? We haven't done anything wrong! Yes, I ran from your men at the hotel. But that's hardly grounds for pressing charges, is it?! The most you can do is detain me pending investigation.

  The officer, furious at such insolence, leapt from his chair and rushed toward John! A moment later, barely four inches separated their faces. The sharp smell of sweat, cheap cologne, and the Sudanese soldier's rage hit John's nostrils.

  — Listen to me, you little shit!!! You're in Sudan, a country where me and my brothers are the law. We don't even have to investigate the circumstances, as you put it... we can just shove you in a hole so deep that no one – you hear me, no one will ever find you! I don't need to investigate anything to understand who you are and why you're in our country! I see right through people like you! And you know what I see? Another arrogant American who came to my country to sabotage the local population and turn simple free citizens against the order and peace we worked so long to achieve! The lieutenant finished his angry tirade and gradually began to regain control of his emotions.

  He straightened up and added:

  — Besides, you've already said quite a lot here. And even this nonsense about traveling can be interpreted as an attempt to recruit local residents into your cell. So at best, I'll be sending you to prison.

  — And at worst? John asked with a smirk.

  A fire of hatred flared in the officer's eyes, and he struck John across the face with full force. A trickle of blood seeped from his left nostril. Maurice and Nusier immediately jumped up from their seats, protesting the soldier's actions. The guards standing around the perimeter instantly raised their rifles and aimed at them.

  The officer made a gesture with his hands, motioning for the men who had risen to sit down and for the soldiers to lower their weapons. Adjusting his tunic and straightening his belt, he ordered:

  — You are all under arrest and will come with us.

  — Sir! But what about me and Nusier?! You promised! Saeed whined plaintively.

  — He did. You'll be treated better than they were! Another snide smile added more vileness to the lieutenant's face.

  — John! What's going on? Tell them I have nothing to do with any of this! They're waiting for me on the ship, all my documents are in order, Maurice said in French.

  John raised his index finger, signaling for Maurice to be quiet. Wiping the blood with the sleeve of his djellaba, he lifted his head and addressed the officer:

  — First of all—nice punch, Lieutenant! Undeserved, but still. You're right, though. I do have a certain mission in Sudan, just as I do in any other country I visit. And yes, your country could use some cleaning up, at least when it comes to corruption. John nodded toward Timon — and Pumbaa. If you need help catching rats on your ship, you know where to find me.

  Secondly. These people are completely innocent. I dragged them into this affair by manipulating them to accomplish my own objectives. Therefore, I see no point in punishing them. I believe this was a good lesson for them, and in the future they will prove more vigilant and discerning about people.

  John looked at Nusier and Maurice, trying to say with his gaze – — trust me. But Nusier didn't catch this subtle hint, and emotions overtook him. He couldn't accept that the man he had trusted, who had planted hope for a free future in his heart, who had opened his eyes to the revelation of another life, had simply used him!

  Nusier stood up and directed all his indignation at John, paying no attention to the armed men!

  — So you were manipulating me to achieve your own goals?! John, everything you said—was it all lies? How could you do this?! First Saeed, and now it turns out you too! Do you understand that you've destroyed my entire life? I was helping you with all my heart because I genuinely believed your story! I believed you would help find my brother! You made me believe in something grand and bright, you ignited a dream! But it all turned out to be nothing but lies...

  Nusyer was tossed from anger to hurt. He was reeling, unable to understand what to do next. In his mind, his life had completely fallen apart. Tears of disappointment welled up in his eyes.

  — Listen, friend! I wasn't deceiving you. It just has to be this way right now. Trust me!

  — Enough!!! I don't believe you! Don't you dare call me friend, you liar! You're a scoundrel and a worthless wretch!!!

  Nusier completely lost control and lunged at John with crazed eyes, like a wild predator. They tumbled to the ground, and Nusier began strangling John. The scene resembled their first encounter at the hotel. Only now there was far more fury and rage.

  Everyone in the gazebo froze for several seconds, not expecting such a turn of events. Only the officer watched their struggle with contempt and a smirk. Having had his fill of the violence, he ordered them to be pulled apart.

  Three soldiers immediately pulled them to their feet, even managing to separate the two, but Nusier's wild fury was unstoppable! He broke free from one soldier's grip and struck him with a backhand blow. Tasting blood, Nusier returned to John, who had desperately shoved off the two soldiers. The fight resumed, but now on their feet.

  The highly charged air in the gazebo was shattered by a single shot, and everything froze. John watched as the rage in Nusier's bloodshot eyes gave way to terrible fear and pain… What followed was his friend's collapse to the ground and the sensation of a dull blow to the back of his head.

  Silence, absolute black silence descended upon John's consciousness. All of reality began to drift as if in slow motion. He understood he was falling, and his clarity of mind was evaporating, the light was fading, he couldn't feel his body. John fell to the ground so that his head ended up directly facing Nusier's face. He looked into his eyes and saw there the deepest abyss of despair, regret, fear, and pain. But at the bottom of that abyss, a dim spark of faith and hope still flickered.

  John felt his strength and consciousness leaving him.

  — Is this really the end?! – flashed through my mind as a final, desperately sad thought.

  Black silence. A single shot. And a thousand questions left in the air. Was it really the end, or just another shift in the paradox?

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