En route to the camp his vehicle has an accident and stops near a rock; Silvestri continues by walking, but no physician is found at the construction site.

Later his unit kills people in retribution for attacks by insurgents in the area where he recognizes among the dead various civilians he observed the previous day.

He finally receives news that he has been granted a furlough, but while celebrating with his friend and a superior officer he learns that the white turban of the girl means she was leprous.

As he tries to return to his wife in Italy, Silvestri evades and even steals from his former and finally hides at the father of the girl, Johannes.

The movie switches back to the actual history of Ethiopia for some moments and Silvestri's former friend tells the aftermath.