“What’s going on?”
He turned. Another man was heading toward the group, his face grim, a heavy backpack slung over one shoulder. He passed Kirk without acknowledging him.
“You guys didn’t come out to meet me,” the man said, his voice quiet. “What’s the delay?”
“These kids. They surrounded us and picked our pockets. Now this chick is interfering when we want to get Rob’s wallet back. And that one. That one took my flashlight and stuff from my back pocket.”
The new guy looked around. “I told you to be careful with the kids. They’re mostly orphans looking for a quick victim. Don’t tell me you wusses let them come that close. Hey, miss, sorry, but can you ask these kids for our stuff back? Look, I’ll reward them with food and some money. We’re just hikers here and really need our IDs back. Please?”
His tone was casual but his stance was alert. He’d deliberately placed himself between the first two men and Surya.
“Well…” Surya said, giving them a considering look.
“Well, what?” One of the others took a step forward. “I’m through being nice. Why don’t you hand over that kid before I show you how—”
“Rob, why don’t you get the other stuff from the car?” the man with the backpack interrupted. “We need to get started hiking back because we don’t want it to get too late. Know what I mean? Let me handle this.”
His voice was firm, like someone who was in charge.
His friend hesitated for a second. “Sure. You just get our belongings back from these thieves. Fu—”
“No cussing in public,” the man interrupted again. “Come on, dudes, you know the rules.” When the two guys reluctantly went off, he turned back to Surya and smiled apologetically, “We’re really in a hurry, miss. Don’t be scared. My friends are just upset about their wallets. Here, see? I have some chocolate for the children.”
Kirk watched him pull out some candy bars from his cargo pants and they were instantly grabbed by a few of the kids nearby. He noticed the quick way he swatted off a few of the hands from his body, making sure his own pockets weren’t being picked. Instead of walking any closer to the group, Kirk decided to hang back at one of the stalls and play spectator. He didn’t want to get in the way of whatever Surya was doing.
“Okay, I’ll help because you’re a nice man,” Surya said. She turned and spoke to the kids in their language before two pulled out things from their pockets and showed them to her. She took them and examined them. “Wallet, ID, map, and flashlight. Right, mister? They say this is all the stuff but you must give them food, like you promised.”
“Of course. Here, let me set down my backpack on the table over there so I can get the food out. Now, I don’t want any of the kids to come near me while I’m doing it, okay?”
Again, Kirk noted the easy yet careful demeanor of the man as he stationed himself at the table, facing the kids. From his vantage point, he could see the newcomer. Probably mid-to-late twenties, dressed in a tee and cargo pants with hiking shoes, backward cap on, he looked like a regular tourist hiker, one of many in the area enjoying the trails set up for visitors. But the watchfulness in his eyes and the way he was handling the situation were telling. Even as he unzipped his backpack and pulled out food items—cans, plastic bags—his gaze never left the kids. His smile never reached his eyes.
“Here you go, miss,” he said, pushing the items forward. “Why don’t you come get them and just set my friends’ stuff down on the table? Fair exchange, right?”
Surya walked over after giving the kids an order. At her soft words, the latter hung back. Like him, they stood watching Surya.
“How about a few more cans?” she asked after a moment. “You look a lot less hungry than these kids. Look at those big arms and compare them to their skinny little ones.”
Kirk grinned. She would make a fine negotiator.
“You drive a hard bargain, lady. You’re a good friend to have,” the younger man said as he dug in and pulled out a few more cans.
Surya shrugged. “That’s what friends are for. We stick together, especially in times of trouble.”
Kirk looked on thoughtfully as the man froze and there was a long moment of silence. Surya didn’t appear to notice, fiddling with the cans and throwing them one by one to the waiting kids nearby.
“Stick together in times of trouble,” he repeated slowly.
“True, no?” Surya asked. “Well, then, here’s your friends’ stuff. I take care of my friends and you take care of yours.”
The man gave a short bark of laughter. It sounded humorless to Kirk. He zipped everything up and hefted the strap to the bundle onto his shoulder again.
“Where were you when I needed to hear that?” he asked as he walked around the table. “Here come my friends.”
“I go now,” Surya said. “I don’t like them as much as I like you. I think you’re a better friend than them.Selamat malam.”
She walked off back in the direction of the kids. Throughout the whole incident, she did not once acknowledge Kirk, although he was sure she was aware he was within calling distance.
The youths and kids milled around her excitedly, all of them happy with their “loot.” Kirk knew the number one problem among poor Indonesian children was malnutrition, especially in the rural areas. The food items were going to take care of some hungry kids tonight and all because of Surya being there. A wave of tenderness filled him as realization dawned. She was a GEM operative, often working among camps and international social services in Third World countries. She knew exactly how to handle this type of situation because she understood what was wanted and needed. She’d seen enough poverty to know what to negotiate for, instead of the usual shouting back at angry tourists. With just a few well-chosen words, she’d conveyed to the stranger the children’s plight and he’d willingly parted with more of his food.
