H Edward Schmidt

The Rift H Edward Schmidt

Created by the clashing of tectonic plates millions of years ago, the East African Great Rift Valley runs south from the Horn of Africa to Tanzania forming a depression filled with great lakes and forbidding escarpments. It is to the east of the Great Rift that little Willie Von Mecklenburg is kidnapped by a vengeful Somali ivory poacher and slave trader causing a rift in the hearts of the Von Mecklenburg family as it searches in vain for their lost son. Thus begins the fateful journey of two brothers, one in America, the other in Prussia. Excerpt: "Adiru stands before the white boy. He reaches down and touches Willie's shoulder, looking steadily into his eyes until the boy looks back at him. Glancing at the dead Somali, he wonders what the boy has been through. As he holds his hand on Willie's shoulder, the boy's screams slowly subside until only tiny whimpers of the little boy can be heard. Adiru drops to his haunches, bringing the sword down so that it waves in the face of the boy, who begins to whimper again. The Masai warrior assures the boys with his eyes as he cuts the rope from his hands and feet. For all the morani to hear, Adiru shouts, "We will take him to the village." He stands. Not looking back, he speaks to the boy. "Come." In silence, little Willy follows. Behind them, a lazy male lion has awakened and walks regally among the dead bodies. Vulture begin to circle waiting their turn. Jackals, wild dogs and hyenas move closer, smelling the fresh blood. As the lion begins the fruitless effort to protect the scattered corpses, a hyena races past him and grabs Ibrahim's head and races for the den. The pack races after him. "