Poverty

We stayed with a local fisherman last night and payed him one-tenth what would be expected for a hotel room in America, which included dinner (fish, naturally). We would have given him more, but we're running out ourselves. The people were really friendly, curious, but friendly. I wish more people were like them; always willing to help out strangers. That's especially true because the poverty in this small village was beyond extreme. The stench, the poor housing, the hunger.
"And all the while, leaders bicker over trivial things, passing laws that hurt people, even starting wars they ought to know can't be afforded. If only more leaders were more selfless." Vanderdecken12 sighed.
I nodded from my computer, which would've run out of batteries without my solar-charger.
Oleck sat up, frightened, and let out a small gasp. We all looked around to see what could have startled him, but he was only looking at Vanderdecken.
"What's the matter?" Aleck asked from where he sat unmoving in the corner.
Oleck considered for a few moments, leaned back again, and shook his head, "nothing." Then, as if to change the subject, referred back to what VD12 had said, "do you ever wish you could do something about it?"
"Of course." Vander nodded.
Oleck sighed again, but then we all went to sleep. He left in the morning, and the instant afterwards, a note fell onto the floor in front of us. It had a set of coordinates and a time that we had to be there by (on Sunday). The coordinates were for inside Beijing, and it also said for Aleck and me to be there, though I ought to be out of sight. Aleck presumed that just meant in case they had guns, that I, not being a secret agent or anything, ought to stay out of range. Sure.