CHAPTER 1
All that the poachers could see in the darkness was a large white rump crashing through the thick brush. They were chasing the large beast and as their black older model truck closed in, their headlights finally made out the rest of the animal; thick legs that looked like logs, flattened hooves that resembled pancakes, and a thin, swishy tail with tufts of hair at the end. The chase was maddening. They were not on any road; they were creating one instead. Inside the truck, the pair of men tried to hold steady as the truck bounced and rattled. They were careening over shrub and rock on uneven ground. Dust and dirt kicked onto their windshield. Branches cracked and flung back at the windows and fenders.
Ozzy sat in the passenger seat, cradling a long rifle with one hand and holding on to the dashboard with the other. He had blonde, long wavy hair, and his face was scruffy, like he needed a shave. He wore a white-collar shirt with the sleeves rolled up exposing his light skin. In his mouth, he puffed a cigarette.
“We got him, broer. Steady now,” Ozzy said using terms in both English and Afrikaans, trying to sound confident. He was anxious to fire, but it was too soon, too erratic. “Don’t lose him.”
“Never mind me!” Kool snapped as he gripped the steering wheel. He wore a green army style cap with black hair poking out underneath. He too was lightly bearded over his dark skin. His cheeks were round, his nose flat, his chin dimpled. “Just get ready to fire the bloody gun! I don’t want to lose him either! He is far too precious!”
It had been a long while since Ozzy had fired his rifle. In fact, it had been a few months and he was anxious to fire it again. If it wasn’t for the solders that patrolled Kruger National Park, they’d be out there every day, scouring the bush for their heavily valued prize belonging to the animal they chased. However, the scars that permeated his right hand reminded him that the large beasts can be unpredictable and dangerous. Gun or no gun.
“He’s a big bugger, isn’t he?” Ozzy stated. The full moon cast a wide shine on the bush, allowing the men to see more than what appeared in the headlights. The prey was dodging trees and bushes effectively. “I am amazed he can be so nimble, even if he cannot see that well.”
“This one, he is a big boy,” Kool agreed and fought the steering wheel. “I think I will purchase a mansion.”
“Ja. That front horn that white rhino has? Three hundred fifty thousand US dollars my friend.”
“It went up then,” Kool noted. “I’m counting the money in my head already.”
“Keep your mind on the beast,” Ozzy reminded him.
“And you keep your eyes peeled for any nosy park rangers. Even the skies. I was told the park rangers purchased a new helicopter.”
“Bah,” Ozzy said with a wave of his hand. “Pay them moolah, they look away.”
The brush ahead suddenly stopped moving. Both poachers leaned forward, confused at the stillness. Kool decided to speed up and crash through some small branches. Suddenly, they emerged into a large clearing, the size of a football field. Strangely, in the vastness of white moonlight over the foot-long grass, their quarry was not to be seen.
“What the hell, man?” Kool asked and braked. His head swiveled side to side. “Where did the bloody creature go?” More dust circled the truck and for a few moments, they couldn’t see. When it cleared, the men were seemingly alone.
“He was just in front not a second ago,” Ozzy said. “Impossible.”
The white mass suddenly appeared next to the truck on the passenger side. It was a rhinoceros with a pair of horns; one large up front and a smaller just behind it. Its ears twitched as the animal lowered its head. Small, black eyes focused on the men. The rhino was confused and agitated. It had no more run in him but it was still ready to fight.
“Ah, he’s a big boy!” Ozzy cried. “Look at him!”
“Brother, get your rifle out fast before he gets wise and flees!” Kool yelled at his partner.
“I’m on it,” Ozzy replied and quickly pivoted in his seat. The rhino stamped the ground and both men shook inside the truck.
“Quickly, before he charges…” Kool said, but it was too late.
Just as Ozzy pulled up his rifle, the rhino launched an attack, slamming its massive head into the side door. The impact lifted the truck in the air momentarily, jarring the men, causing it to rock side to side. Ozzy looked down and saw that the door had bent inwards, just missing his left leg. Outside, the beast then swung up and smashed its horn into the passenger side mirror, snapping it free from the truck. Glass from the mirror tinkled inside. Ozzy felt the rhino’s hot breath from the open window and instinctively smacked its snout with an open hand. Startled a moment, the rhino backed away, but kept glaring at the men.
“He wants to challenge us,” Kool smirked. “They are not smart, these animals.”
Ozzy lowered his rifle again. “Just be ready with the axe. We must be quick. The shot will be loud.”
Reaching back between the seats, Kool pulled out a three-foot axe from a large bag. The blade was stained red. “Chop, chop,” Kool said.
Ozzy smiled and aimed the rifle out the window.
He then pulled the trigger.
