Chapter 1-An excerpt from Commitment a Novel

Papua, New Guinea, looked serene from 12,000 feet above sea level. Even from thirty miles away, John could make out the rain forests beyond the strand of the southern shore. Light wisps of steam hung over the island, revealing the high humidity common to this area of the world. The changing waters of the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria graduated beautifully from light green at the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, to a beautiful azure and back to light green in the billowing waves on the shores of New Guinea.

So this is home. John pressed his forehead against the cool cabin window. The island in view was roughly the size of Greenland with the tall Puncak Jaya, rising 5,030 meters above the ground. Neighboring peaks perched above the haze like pyramids.

Instinctively, he reached for his flight bag as he had done five times throughout the flight. He unzipped it and sighed with relief at the two familiar slim books. Approvingly, he nodded as he flipped through page after page of his first flight log, recalling his hundreds of hours of experience behind the controls of planes and helicopters. He tucked it back into his bag then pulled out the second book. The pages he flipped through were blank reminders of experiences yet to come. Just a thousand more hours, that should do it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the pilot’s soothing expressions of intent to land. The southern coast filled the windows on the left side of the plane. He could almost make out the waves cresting to shore as the plane rolled out of a right bank. John squinted to see the airport runway stretching before him like welcoming arms.

Find out what happens next in the exciting novel Commitment:

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Primal Screams

Marta felt sick to her stomach as she tried to put on a brave face for Digul. She was as white as a sheet and didn’t feel very effective in comforting her little friend. She looked down and choked as she saw his sad eyes plead with her for an end to the torture.

“Marta, we’re not finished yet. Are you going to be all right?” Reese asked.

“I don’t know... when are we going to be done?’ asked Marta.

“Soon, but I still need you to hold the boy. We still have to set the leg. The sooner we get started, the sooner he can be out of his misery,” informed Reese.

Marta sighed heavily.

“It’s okay, Marta. Believe me, he will survive this, and I seriously doubt if the pain will ever be a factor in his life. Thousands of people have been through this.”

“You’d better be right,” Marta snipped. “At least the anesthetic should help.”

With one hand below Digul’s knee, and the other below the break, he suddenly pulled straight out with a twisting motion, held it, and released.

The bright lights danced in front of Digul’s eyes as the pain resounded from his shin bone and up his leg before racing the length his spine and slamming into his brain. He let out a slow long moan increasing in tempo and volume until it produced a primal scream.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is an author of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

The Needle-The Shot

Benji stopped the vehicle in a worn part of the lawn bordered by logs. He jumped out immediately and opened Marta’s door.

Marta followed the entourage of other medical assistants, led by Benji, to the third room on the right. They sat the doctor’s stretcher down and transported Digul to the waiting examination table. Dr. Reese asked her to translate the procedures of x-ray and diagnosis to Digul, and then asked everyone else to leave. Dr. Reese went behind a protective screen to take the x-rays and returned with the results in no time. Marta patiently waited as Reese and Benji read the film.

Marta stared out of the open window slats. She was enthralled with the spectacular garden, totally at ease with a doctor in control. The flora amazed her. She had exactly the same plants surrounding her village, but took for granted its splendor and beauty. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

“I’m afraid I’m going to need your assistance for a most unpleasant task,” the doctor informed.

“What’s wrong?” asked Marta.

“Don’t be alarmed. The boy is going to be all right, but we have to set his leg. The break seems clean, so it should set easily. But it could be very painful,” said Reese.

“What can I do?” Marta didn’t want any part of it.

“We need help holding him down. Benji isn’t strong enough. In fact, I don’t know anyone who would be. When that pain kicks in, his body is going to do anything to eradicate it. He’ll scream bloody murder, kick, and anything else, it could cause further damage,” said Reese.

“I don’t know, doctor. I hope I have it in me,” Marta said quietly.

Marta reluctantly approached Digul. Poor guy doesn’t know what‘s coming. Marta saw him smile and cupped his face warmly in her hands. Marta knelt behind him and started whispering something. His face became hard and determined, but his eyes scanned the room fearfully. Dr. Reese nodded to Benji, who slowly lay across Digul’s torso and helped hold him down. “Marta, would you please try to divert his attention, I don’t want him to see this,” said Reese.

Marta strained to see what the crinkling of plastic revealed, as the doctor worked with a package. She regretted her curiosity immediately, thinking she could’ve lived a long life without having ever seen such a huge needle.

“I think half should do it,” said the doctor.

Marta gazed in horror as she anticipated the pain Digul would soon be experiencing as the guided needle would find its mark. Digul released a high pitched wail as he struggled to get free of the people holding him. Marta felt like a traitor, exposing the boy who trusted her to so much. She realized, as she kissed his pain-twisted face over and over, that this was no simple procedure.

The needle entered half its length, twisted, and plunged back in as the doctor pointed it in all directions around the center of the break. With each jab, he released the pain-killing medicine that Marta hoped would soon provide relief. Finally, after much torment, the needle backed out.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is an author of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.