Free Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl

Maina would do. She had to finish this, or Arthur would pay the price later.
     
    Another swing, and Simi’s skull shattered. Brains and blood showered the wall. Arthur’s hair and back were covered with little bits of baboon. Simi fell to the ground with a thud.

    A moment later, the rungu fell from her hand. She touched her throbbing cheek with her fingertips.

    “Beryl?” Arthur’s voice trembled. “Is it over?”

    “Yes, he’s dead.” She was panting.

    “You said that before.”

    “He’s really dead now.”

    She extended a hand to help him up. Arthur clung to her waist and began sobbing.

    “Why are you crying now?” she asked. “It’s over, you ninny.” She hesitated, then reached down and put her arm around him.
     
    In the corner, she spied the forgotten red ball.

    Moments later, the Captain and Emma came running. Emma’s anxious eyes searched only for her son.

    “Arthur, what happened? We heard screaming…” She pulled him away from Beryl’s arms, moaning at the bloody cuts. She ran her fingers over his face and shoulders. She glared at the Captain and said, “What did she do to him?”

    “Emma, why don’t you just ask me?” Beryl said in a flat voice. “And I didn’t do anything to him. I saved him.”

    Emma ignored her and began speaking with Arthur in a low, urgent voice.

    The Captain’s keen eyes were examining the porch. He caught his breath at the sight of Simi’s body. Then his gaze traveled to Arthur’s injuries, the rungu dripping with gore, and finally to the flecks of blood spattered on Beryl’s face and clothes.
     
    “You killed Simi,” he accused.

    “I’m sorry, Daddy. I had to,” Beryl said, without looking at his face.
     
    “Do you know how much he cost? And that was three years ago—I’ll never be able to get another.” His voice was cold and angry. It took all of Beryl’s courage not to run away.

    Rescue came from an unexpected quarter.

    “Charles Clutterbuck! Are you mad? That creature…” For once, Emma was not pointing an accusing finger at Beryl. “That vile beast nearly killed Arthur, who was only trying to play with him. Beryl saved his life. So don’t you dare talk about money!”

    Beryl finally looked at her father, deliberately widening her eyes so he wouldn’t think to ask why Arthur was playing with the baboon in the first place.
     
    “Why did you use my rungu?” the Captain asked in a more measured tone.

    “I didn’t have my knife. Arap Maina says a warrior should never be without his knife. I won’t make that mistake again.”

    “A knife wouldn’t have helped. Baboons have such a reach, you need a long weapon.”

    Beryl reviewed every detail of the fight in her mind. She nodded.

    “You’re both impossible!” Emma gathered Arthur in her arms, looking fiercely at the Captain. “This would never have happened if the children were properly supervised. And I don’t mean by that native!”

    “Emma, don’t start this again. Simi had the run of the farm; this could have happened anywhere.”

    “Very reassuring, Clutt. This time we have a dead ape, but…”

    “Baboon!” the Captain and Beryl said at the same time.

    “The children need to be protected.”

    The Captain stepped forward and put his hands on Emma’s shoulders. “Calm down. Simi is dead. Beryl took care of Arthur. Everything is fine.”

    Emma glared at him. “You’re deluding yourself. An eleven-year-old girl was the only thing between my son and…” She couldn’tfinish the sentence. “Nothing is fine.” She burst into hysterical tears. “I hate it here.”

    Beryl put her hands over her ears. The Captain looked as though he wanted to do the same. “Emma, take Arthur into the house and clean him up. Then we’ll talk.” He reached out and touched her hand. “Please?”

    She shook off his touch and led Arthur inside, slamming the door hard.

    “Whew.” The Captain wiped his hand across his brow. “I don’t know that I can talk us