We spent the night in my room. The window was open, the smell of fish still lingered on the bed sheets. It didn’t bother Nora at all. She threw her clothes off but lost her balance when stepping out of her panties and fell to the floor. Instead of standing up again she crawled into bed on all fours, just like the tiny woman the night before. She was all wiry muscles and damaged skin. Scars lined her rib cage like so many frozen waves, long, uneven cuts, the healed flesh pink. On her back the skin was ruptured in several places, marked by different kinds of instruments. Some of the scars looked like cuts and whip marks, others like burn marks. Her body was a map of pain.

I undressed without falling and lay down next to her in bed. I touched her body gingerly. Her flesh was hot like an oven. I dragged my fingers along the scars, taking stock, but it was impossible to count them all.

I found them beautiful. I found her beautiful.

‘Did you do all of them?’ I asked quietly.

‘No,’ she said. ‘But I wanted them all.’

We kissed for a little while without purpose, since it was clear we wouldn’t have sex, then she turned away from me. She licked her palm and fingers and put her hand in between her thighs, rushing herself towards a climax she might never reach. I was incapable of moving, the room was spinning around and around and I was afraid I might get sick from all the booze I’d had that night. The only fixed point in the world was her body next to mine, and I didn’t dare to touch her. I stared at the scars covering her back, the muscles working underneath the skin, for a long time before I fell asleep.

The bus

Early the next morning the bus was waiting for us at the entrance to the hotel, like a dormant animal. It might have been bright red once, but the humidity had faded it to the color of tree rot. It had no brand; maybe it was a local make.

Jufus had asked us not to take any luggage with us, only a light backpack with the most essential things. I packed a bottle of water, a box of matches, a flashlight, and a withered apple. Jufus didn’t give us any advice as to what was worth bringing on the trip, and I can’t do so either. None of the objects I brought was of any use later on.

I settled down next to Nora. On the bus the seats are uncomfortable; the metal frame cuts into your back and bottom. People with back pain, lower back problems, or a hernia had better bring a cushion pillow or lumbar support to make the trip somewhat endurable.

The German pensioners sat right behind me, just like on the plane. I couldn’t decide whether this was a good omen or a bad one.