Rise of the Jumbies

by Tracey Baptiste

  Malik dove into the water. He met Corinne on the beach and they took Ellie’s hands and tried to pull her back. Her fingers were brittle as glass and they cracked in their grip. Malik moved to scoop up the mermaid’s body. Corinne followed his lead. They tried to drag her back as her bright scales began to shrivel, becoming as delicate as tissue paper. The line down the middle of her tail darkened and sank inward, separating into two legs. Corinne and Malik tried to move more gently as Ellie’s entire body faded to the color of beach sand. The breeze peeled the surface of her skin like petals on the wind.

  “Ababuo!” the other three mermaids sobbed.

  “Slower, Malik!” Corinne said. “We have to be careful.”

  “Faster!” Bouki shouted. He was looking past Corinne and Malik. Ma Dessaly was running down the sand dunes toward them with her white dress flapping in the wind, her two sons right behind her.

  Ellie’s body was crumbling in their hands as Ma Dessaly and her sons were getting closer.

  “Come on!” Bouki yelled. He grabbed the stone from Dru and dropped it in his pocket, where it bulged against his leg. “There’s no time!”

  Corinne and Malik looked at each other. They were moving as quickly as they dared, but Ellie was still coming apart. Pieces of her fell to the beach and crumbled into the sand. Malik shook his head and stopped.

  “Brother!” Bouki yelled.

  “I’m not going without Ellie,” Corinne said. “We can’t leave her.” When they reached the water, they placed what remained of Ellie into the waves. The mermaid’s body dissolved like sugar, leaving only a few blue and gold scales in their hands. Corinne fell to her knees and gripped them in her palm.

  Malik pulled Corinne’s shirt.

  Corinne heard the footsteps getting close.

  “Stop!” Ma Dessaly screamed.

  Anger seared Corinne’s heart. “You see?” she said to the other mermaids. “Mama D’Leau will not let you stay here. And if you don’t return to her, you know that there is nowhere in the water to hide.”

  Malik pushed Corinne ahead as the men splashed into the waves behind them. A wave hit Corinne and washed the few glittering remains of Ellie’s scales to shore. Malik and Corinne ducked under the water as Dru dove from the jetty. Noyi scooped Dru and Malik under each of her arms, as Addie took Bouki and Corinne clasped hands with Sisi. The men swam into the surf behind them. Sisi slapped one of them with her tail. The other one stopped swimming and opened his mouth in surprise. He put his hand to his throat and surfaced, coughing up water.

  Ma Dessaly ran into the waves after them, screaming against the breeze. Corinne looked back as Ma Dessaly’s eyes widened at the sight of the mermaids. She picked something out of the water. It sparkled in her hand. She sank to her knees with her hands clasped against her chest, and her eyes raised. Ma Dessaly cried out over the waves, “Forgive me!”

  27

  Faded Memories

  The mermaids moved quickly through the midnight-blue ocean, staying near the surface, where they could see the stars shining down from the sky and occasional flashes of light illuminating the sea beneath them. Even though Corinne’s vision had lit up once again, at times she could not tell which way was sea or sky. The mermaids slowed when they approached the broken ship only long enough to exchange silent glances. Corinne was grateful they did not want to linger. Mama D’Leau’s pale blue current curved ahead. As soon as they entered it, the mermaids began to chatter.

  You’re in a better mood, Dru said.

  Why wouldn’t we be? Noyi asked. We’re heading home after a long swim, even if these two heavy fish don’t make it any easier.

  But you said Ghana was your home, Ozigbodi, Corinne said.

  What did you call her? Sisi asked.

  Ozigbodi.

  Sisi giggled. They don’t remember our names!

  Of course not, Noyi said. They only care about getting a ride. What if I dropped them here in the middle of the sea?

  For something to eat them up? Addie added, giggling.

  You wouldn’t, Gzifa, Bouki said.

  But what are these strange names? Addie asked. Is it a game? Are you playing with us?

  Don’t you remember Ababuo? Corinne asked. Or Kahiri?

  If this is a game, said Noyi, it’s terrible. We don’t know the rules and it seems very cruel to call us names.

  We can be cruel too, Addie said, eyeing Bouki and letting him slip out of her hold. Malik reached for his brother, but Addie quickly grabbed him up again.

  Sisi said, I was your friend. I helped you. Your grand-père—

  I know. I’m sorry, Corinne said. It’s just—

  But before she could explain, the mermaids began to sing. Corinne forgot what she was going to say. Bouki looked at her as she drifted off to sleep, and she thought she heard him say, Misdirection.

  • • •

  Corinne felt something brush against her side, and she opened her eyes. It was the sargassum they had passed on the night they left the island. Corinne lifted her hand out of the water and the tiny sargassum leaves tickled her fingers. Small, flat-bodied fish darted out of the plants. Corinne grabbed a handful of sargassum and passed it to Sisi, who popped it in her mouth.

  The seafloor rose, and Corinne’s friends began to wake. Beds of coral appeared in the distance and colorful fish, crabs, and shrimp darted out as the group drew near. Malik waved his hand at a blue-green fish, and when it came close, he traced his finger over its body. Dru shrank back against Noyi, but her eyes roved, watching everything that darted by.

  Where are all the fishermen? Bouki asked. All the fish are here, waiting to be caught.

  The water was beginning to brighten, so Corinne guessed it was close to sunrise. The fishermen always started before dawn, but the surface of the sea was empty. A school of flying fish dove under them and then shot back up, breaching the water. They spread their silvery wings and glided in the air. One of them hovered low and its tail made a long zigzagging line in the water.

  Bouki reached away from Addie, trying to touch it, but Addie pulled him back hard. Aren’t any of you hungry? What if there is nothing to eat when we get home? he asked.

  Bouki, you live in a bakery, Dru said.

  You can never be too sure of anything. At least let me try to catch one.

  Addie let him drop beneath her as the flying fish dove again, but she kept a tight hold on his hand. He came up empty.

  Shouldn’t we be there by now? Dru asked.

  You will be there soon enough, Noyi snapped.

  The flying fish continued in bounding arcs ahead of them, almost like they were escorting them home. Past the gardens of coral, Corinne broke the surface, anxious to see the island. She shook water out of her ears, and the dull silence was immediately replaced with a loud crackling noise and a series of pops. This wasn’t the sound of the sea. There was an acrid scent in the air.

  “Fire!” she cried. “The island is on fire!”

  The mermaids rose above the waves and watched as black smoke spiraled into the sky. White ash fell on their faces and in their hair. Some of it dissolved, and some marked them with white streaks that reminded Corinne of Ellie’s final moments.

  “Take us straight home,” Corinne pleaded.

  Sisi shook her head. “Mama D’Leau will want you right away.”

  “Our home is burning!” Dru shouted. “When you found your home across the ocean, you didn’t want to leave it. We could barely tear you away.”

  “This is our home,” Sisi said calmly. “Are you playing that game again? Because I don’t understand it.” She pulled Corinne roughly underwater. The other two mermaids followed.

  They found Mama D’Leau floating over the broken and bleached remains of a coral reef, which looked pale and eerie, like a ghost under the water. Mama D’Leau fussed over it like a mother might with a sick child.


  Our home is on fire, Corinne said before Mama D’Leau even had a chance to look up. We have to get back.

  What can the four of you little fish do? Noyi asked.

  Mama D’Leau raised an eyebrow, and Noyi bit her lip.

  She not wrong, eh? Mama D’Leau said. She tilted her head at the mermaids, who deposited the children and swam off. Seaweed wrapped around their ankles and held them in place again. And anyway, the fire burn two nights and one day. It mostly done already. Nothing you can do now. So hush. She came to Corinne and placed a long finger beneath her chin. Well?

  I did everything you asked, Corinne said.

  Mama D’Leau’s eyes settled on the three mermaids. Not everything.

  We tried— Corinne began.

  Tried? Mama D’Leau said. Why don’t I try something too, eh?

  Dru screamed. Her feet were suddenly rough and gray. The gray spread up to her ankles and then inched toward her knees. She was turning to stone.

  Stop! Corinne yelled. You promised to take us to the missing children!

  I bargain with you. Not them, Mama D’Leau said.

  As the stone reached Dru’s knees, Malik began to scream. His feet were turning to stone, too.

  You won’t get what you want, Bouki said. We won’t give you the stone.

  What make you think I can’t just take it, Mama D’Leau said.

  How? Bouki asked. You don’t know where it is.

  Mama D’Leau narrowed her eyes. What you mean?

  I mean I hid it, he said. And if you don’t stop hurting them, you will never find it.

  The water churned and became an ominous dark gray at the same time as Mama D’Leau’s eyes. What if I kill one of them anyway? Real slow so you can’t stand it.

  Malik and Dru continued to scream. Bouki’s lower lip trembled but he kept silent. The jumbie’s eye twitched and she turned away in one sweeping motion. The water calmed, and the stone flesh that had crept up Dru’s and Malik’s bodies faded away.

  I will show you where I put it, Bouki said. After they are safe on land.

  Bouki, you can’t— Corinne began.

  Now! Bouki shouted.

  Mama D’Leau clapped her hands and Corinne, Dru, and Malik were ripped from the seaweed and tossed toward the island. They washed up on the gritty sand with ash raining down on them. The beach was empty. Corinne was exhausted, but she grabbed Malik and Dru and pulled them to their feet. Malik looked over at the sea, but Corinne turned him around.

  “We need help to save Bouki,” she said. “And there’s no time to waste.”

  28

  Two Cons

  Bouki’s heart beat hard, but he kept his face steady as Mama D’Leau coiled her tail beneath her body and sat heavily on top of it. I could kill you, you know, she said.

  But you will never find your jewel, Bouki said.

  I can taste your sweat in the water, Mama D’Leau said, laughing.

  Bouki’s heart did a triple beat. This was not going to be like his usual stare-down with people trying to cheat him. Mama D’Leau was formidable. But he reminded himself that all he had to do was wait her out. Even a jumbie had to lose her patience sometime.

  Mama D’Leau’s eyes narrowed, and she brought her fists down on the dead coral. Chunks of it broke away.

  Why did you hide it? she asked.

  I know a con when I see one, he said. The others might not have seen it, but you can’t swindle me so easily. I’m too old for that.

  Mama D’Leau swam close and brushed her long tail against his skin and over the top of his curly head. Just old enough, I think. She grinned.

  Bouki stiffened. He remembered the white witch’s warning. But he also knew that this was just another one of Mama D’Leau’s tactics to scare him and rattle his plan. You don’t need me for a husband.

  Who said I need them? Mama D’Leau asked. So where is it?

  You’re in a big hurry, Bouki said.

  You worried? I wouldn’t hurt you.

  At least not until I hand over the jewel, Bouki said.

  You have brains, boy. I’ll give you that.

  Bouki tried not to look pleased. She might use it as another opportunity to pounce. He cleared his throat. There’s something I don’t understand.

  What? About them? She turned toward the mermaids, who swam in a circle laughing and chattering.

  No. You didn’t have that stone for a long time. You don’t need it.

  Mama D’Leau shrugged. Is mine. I miss it.

  The real thing I want to know is whether you and Mami Wata are the same.

  Mama D’Leau whipped around and everything turned pitch-black. All Bouki could see was her wide, white smile.

  29

  The Ash Trees

  Malik, Dru, and Corinne ran up the hill, coughing in the smoke-filled air, and burst into Corinne’s house. It was empty, and Corinne could not hide her disappointment. Before they went back to the road, Corinne picked guavas from a small tree in the yard and tossed them to her friends. It was early for guava, and the thick green flesh was crisp, but sweet enough. The pink insides were heavy on Corinne’s tongue. She sucked around the little seeds and spat them out as she ran.

  Midway up the road people passed buckets of water to douse the flames. Corinne gasped at the sight of a lagahoo at the front of the line. The jumbie was twice the height of any person around it. Its teeth dripped saliva and its spiky fur heaved over its muscles. The chains around its neck clinked as it turned and saw Corinne.

  She skidded to a stop and fell backward in the dusty road. A half-eaten guava fell from her hand and rolled to the lagahoo’s huge paw. The fruit speared itself on a clump of the beast’s coarse fur.

  The lagahoo bared its teeth at the person behind it on the bucket line: Corinne’s papa. Malik reached into his back pocket where his slingshot usually was and came up empty. Corinne scrambled to her feet and grabbed the guavas out of Dru’s and Malik’s hands. She ran screaming and pelting fruit at the lagahoo. It turned to her and growled.

  “Corinne!” her papa cried. He ran and lifted her high off the ground into his arms. “You’re safe!” His tears mixed with the ash on his face, streaking him black and brown. Behind Pierre, Mrs. Rootsingh reached for Dru and folded her daughter into her soft arms.

  “Watch out!” Corinne looked for something else to attack the lagahoo with.

  “No, Corinne. They are helping.” Pierre put her down and stepped back so she could see.

  The early morning light was still dim, but Corinne could make out several jumbies passing buckets of water. Douens were helping Hugo pull the buckets from the well, and two smaller lagahoo passed them along. The largest one was taking the bucket in its mouth and throwing water above the trees, where the people on the line could not reach.

  The lagahoo passed the empty bucket to Mrs. Rootsingh.

  “They really are helping,” Dru said.

  Malik pulled off to the back of the line and dove at the baker’s neck. Hugo dropped to his knees, and then he looked toward the sea where Malik pointed and began to sob. Mrs. Rootsingh passed the next pail carefully to the lagahoo as she held Dru to her chest. She kissed Dru’s head and swept her uneven hair behind her ears, leaving a trail of soot on her cheeks.

  When the biggest lagahoo twisted its body to throw more water on the fire, it grimaced. There was singed fur and raw, exposed flesh on its front legs. It returned the empty container, baring its teeth again. Corinne went in closer, holding her papa’s hand. She passed the next one to the jumbie herself, placing it carefully on the sharp teeth behind its black lips. The creature’s large eyes shone. It blinked slowly and turned, throwing water over the trees.

  “What is this?” A booming voice rang out behind them. It was Victor, one of the fishermen. In his hand was the same large metal hook he carried the day that Mama
D’Leau had taken the children.

  Pierre stepped between Victor and those working to put out the fire. “Go home, Victor.”

  Victor aimed his hook at the lagahoo at the front of the line. “It’s their kind who caused all of this, Pierre,” he said.

  “They didn’t set the fire,” Pierre said.

  “So now you have your child back, the rest don’t matter?” He looked Corinne straight in the eye. “Did that jumbie show you where the children are?”

  Everyone stopped and looked at Corinne. She bit her lip and shook her head. “She didn’t—”

  “You see? They took our children, and then they took our gifts, and what do we have to show for it?” He planted his feet and faced the first lagahoo. “They don’t belong here. They are not like us. They are savage.” Victor’s lips were set in a long, hard line, and his forehead puckered as he stared the jumbie down. “I could do this myself. None of you can see sense.”

  “There is no sense in harming them,” Pierre said. “It’s not their fault. And now you’ve destroyed their homes.”

  “And you’ve put our homes in jeopardy,” Mrs. Rootsingh added.

  “You are all fools!” Victor shouted. “You can’t fathom how cruel these jumbies are, because your child is one of them, Pierre. Your wife tricked you. But they can’t trick everyone on the island.” He took a running jump and brought the hook around and over his head. It curved toward the lagahoo. Pierre pulled Corinne out of the way as Victor’s hook caught on one of the lagahoo’s claws with a screeching sound like metal on metal. The lagahoo’s paw and Victor’s hook stuck in the dirt road just inches from Corinne’s feet.

  Without thinking, Corinne jumped on Victor’s back and wrapped her hands over his face. Malik pried Victor’s fingers away from the hook, as the lagahoo pulled its paw out. It licked at a fresh trickle of blood between its claws. Victor shook Corinne off him. He lowered his head and squared his shoulders. Pierre pushed Corinne to Mrs. Rootsingh and stepped in front of his friend.