Witness

by Lori Darnell

  My skin was no longer pale. It was a tan color; not my normal color but a color that I did recognize. Some of the older children in my village were this color, I had asked many times as to why the difference but my father said not to worry about it until I was older. My father and mother were this same color… but I had always assumed it was because of the sun. But now the realization had hit me. My body had changed, EARLY!

  I didn’t know what that might mean, and I didn’t have time to dwell on it now. I quickly dipped the rag into the bucket full of water and soaked the cloth. I scrubbed it through my hair, experiencing relief as the dirt washed away. I felt much better than I had in a while.

  Jacob came back and quietly grabbed the rag and bucket, touching my shoulder gently as he walked away. My eyes followed his tall figure walking away. I then surveyed the boat we were still on. The boat was not as large as I had imagined it. The deck was narrow, only a few feet wide. However the deck was longer, with piles of boxes and rope stacked at the end of the boat. At the other end there were seven other children huddled in the corner, pale as I was… or as I used to be. However, none of them had bags over their heads.

  The children were from my village. We all looked a lot alike - we all had dark blue-black hair, were tall for our ages, and all spoke our distinct accent. And we all had golden eyes. They were the trademark of our village. Other villages would likely know where we were from just by looking at our eyes.

  My assessment stopped abruptly… the little girl I saw. The girl with the dark blue eyes - she was from my village. She had all of the other traits we all have. But her eyes; I could see the faint glimmer of the ocean in them. Behind the ocean I could see a glimmer of gold. But they definitely looked blue as the flames engulfed her body.

  I ran to the front of the boat where Jacob had set the bucket of water. I dropped to my knees, closing my eyes as I leaned over the water. I had to see, but I was afraid to look. I slowly opened my eyes. Relief flooded through me. Other than the color of my skin, the rest of me seemed the same. I was staring back at my own golden eyes. The panic began to subside. I slowly rose to my feet and walked back to my isolated spot at the far end of the boat.

  Though we could see the shore in the distance, it would still be sometime yet before we reached it. I slumped down onto the deck and let myself drift into sleep. I dreamed of the children playing in the village square, and of myself sitting on the sidelines. No one wanted to have me play the rough games I wanted to, like kickball. Everyone was afraid I would get hurt. I wasn’t small for my age, nor was I weak. It was out of concern of a different kind that no one wanted to play with me.

  As I dreamed, I saw myself change in front of them. I became a glowing child that rose up from the ground. I was not afraid, and the others were in awe…not in fear… showing nothing but expectation and excitement on their golden faces.

  Chapter 4

  The boat ran aground on a shore somewhere, sharp wood under my body jarring with the rough movement. I was curled on my side facing the center of the deck, and had to brace myself to keep from rolling. Several new footsteps were now present, and new voices were talking on the boat. Still groggy from my restless sleep, I slowly opened my eyes just enough to see tall, black robed figures, both on the boat and on the ground below.

  I didn’t know these men, though I had seen these men before. These were the men I saw in the vision I had, just before I was ripped from my family. Apparently, our captors were changing hands - they were coming to collect the children, which included me. All of them were looking at the other children like prized cattle, pointing at individuals and making motions with their hands.

  One man stood out from the crowd, studying me. The man had the most quizzical expression on his face, as if he was working out a difficult puzzle. And then he spoke.

  “I want Marcus Unald. Which child is he?” The man was still staring at me, I guess trying to figure out if I was Marcus. Well I was, and Jacob told me not to show fear. I slowly rose to my feet, testing my balance. Luckily, my legs now felt sturdier. I calmly kept my eyes on the boards of the deck as the man approached me.

  He stopped a mere few inches in front of me. The closeness of his body made me uncomfortable. Cheap, musky cologne wafted toward me from his clothing. I fought the instinct to back away and wrinkle my nose. I spoke with all the confidence I could muster.

  “I am Marcus Unald. What do you want of me?”

  The man spoke to me with clear tones and a smile in his voice. “I am Father Richmond, and that is how you will address me. You are to be in my care until your fate is decided.” There was a long pause. I didn’t know if I should respond, so I didn’t. “You will look at me when I speak to you - do not be insolent, or I will be forced to punish you! This insolent behavior will not be tolerated by me or any other member of the Church!” he commanded, drawing the attention of those around him.

  I raised my head up to face him. He was at least a foot taller than me, and because of his close proximity I had to crane my neck painfully to do so. With what I hoped was a carefully blank expression on my face, I opened my eyes to stare at him.

  “Great merciful God! You are so beautiful.” He looked at me in shock. He reached for my chin, turning it slightly left, then right, and finally dropping his arm to his side after the short examination. His touch made me feel like piece of property. All of the other voices on the deck fell silent. I held his gaze with determination. I would not show fear. I would be brave.

  Father Richmond did not look at the other priests as they marched forward to see what the commotion was. He held my gaze with an odd mixture of horror and fascination.

  “The boy is close. We need to skip the primary training. He needs to go with me to the Church in Rome - now. The others you may do as you will to tame them. Just remember they are to reach their destination alive. The boy’s skin seems to glow and his eyes are too wild, we can’t risk the loss if he changes too soon.” His voice was urgent.

  “We are going to have to take the plane; we don’t have time for land travel. The Church will need to be contacted to expect our arrival by tomorrow afternoon. Captain!” The Reverend spun wildly, looking for the man. “Captain, we need you to escort us to the landing strip about 4 miles from here.”

  The burly captain appeared to take the presence of the tall, robed figures with visible revulsion as they turned their backs and walked away from him. When things you’re scared of are scared… there must be something to really fear from these robed men.

  “Sorry sir, but I can’t leave the boat unattended. My first mate, Jacob, can go with you. He is the one that found the boy.” The captain eyed Jacob with a reproaching glare. I thought for sure this was meant as a warning, both for me and for Jacob, who was already at my side. The Reverend grunted in assent.

  “Fine, we leave now.” Father Richmond grabbed my arm roughly and pushed me toward Jacob. I landed hard into Jacob’s side. He helped me gain sure footing, and then we were walking swiftly after him in silence.

  “Jacob, is it?” He looked Jacob over closely. “Is this the way you found the boy when you arrived in his village?” He waved his hand about my face to demonstrate what he meant. I wondered what he was told to expect, or if he was told anything at all about me.

  “Yes sir,” Jacob lied coolly. I caught the subtle shift of his hand as he turned his hand swiftly so that it was flat, palm facing me. I knew that this was my cue to play along and say nothing. I was grateful for his help, because I had no idea what was expected of me now. “He was kept separate from the others so we could watch him.”

  I knew that my change must mean something dangerous, since Jacob squeezed my elbow in a more direct request for silence. He didn’t want the Reverend to know of the changes I had experienced – that knowledge would put me into more danger than I was already.

  “Good, that would have been a wasted trip,” Father Richmond said, eerily echoing my thoughts. “But such potential! It would be a shame to see it go to
waste! Our records indicate that it can be dangerous to try to convert them once the changes have begun. We can’t control them as easily.”

  “Sir, is he headed toward a specific program? Not that I care, I was just curious why his name was at the top of the list? That list had quite a few names, but that one the Captain seemed quite urgent about.” Jacob was not as cool as he tried to sound. But the Reverend, distracted by his own thoughts, only looked at Jacob for a moment before responding.

  “Yes, the boy is to become a witness. Witnesses tell us what secrets the dead try to hide from us. The boy doesn’t know how to do this yet, but with proper training, he will be most useful in finding the deserters. But then, you know something of deserters yourself, don’t you Jacob?”

  The Reverend looked at him closely as if he recognized Jacob from somewhere… Was Jacob a deserter? Is that why he was helping me? I was suddenly terrified for him. If he was a deserter, he just gave it away - trying to help me.

  “Well sir… deserters… usually don’t want to be found." Jacob bowed his head, offering his hand to the Reverend in an action that could be viewed as nothing other than surrender.

  “Well played, my son. I guess both you and Marcus will be going with me to Rome. By the way, why did you give yourself up? Is it the boy - have you become so attached?" The Reverend looked at us both carefully as he tried to discern what kind of bond we had, or if any bond existed at all. A slow smile spread across his face as he thought of the possibility. I felt a deep chill down my spine as he looked at me again. Something was not right about this man.

  “I know I can’t change anything now, but I told him to be brave… I owe him to do the same thing." A smile played across Jacob’s face in such a manner that it looked like he was being playful, or even flirtatious. Very odd. Why would he show that kind of attitude, with what we were facing - was he insane?

  “Interesting… so what was your calling that you ran from? It must have been most severe, to be running from it?” the Reverend eyed him tentatively, with what could only be described as wanting. He stepped closer to Jacob, running his hand down Jacob’s back, almost in a caressing motion.

  “I was in line to become a Reverend. I was in the midst of the primary authority training. It was very difficult to see… the... punishments up close. I didn’t see the value to God.” Jacob’s voice cracked as he gave his explanation.

  “God calls on us to do all kinds of things. Not everything can be… pleasant. However, since you have given yourself over to me personally, I will grant you the pardon from death. I have my own punishment for you.” Leering at Jacob, the Reverend moistened his own lips and caressed Jacob’s hair. Jacob accepted this treatment with silence of one who has much to say but cannot speak.

  I turned away from them, feeling a strange sort of shame at having witnessed what had just happened. It was as if I had walked in on my parents during an intimate moment. I had seen people touch one another before, or hold one another, but this was different somehow. This action seemed revolting to me, though I couldn’t quite determine what about it was so awful.

  “But that will wait until I have delivered the boy,” the Reverend said, barely regaining his composure. “If you comply with your discipline, you will be allowed to return to the authority training and pick up where you left off. This is important work we do. It is very hard to find someone who has the calling for such a… demanding position.” A wicked smile played across the Reverend’s lips as he explained this to Jacob.

  “There are many positions that can be held within the Church,” the Reverend continued. “It can be quite difficult to find someone who would be well suited to work the justice we need on the sinners like a Reverend.” Jacob could only stare back. His eyes betrayed the outer calm his posture gave him. I could see the terror and disgust that clouded them with fresh tears.

  “Yes sir.” His voice sounded clear, without a hint of the emotion expressed in his eyes. How did he do that, I wondered? How could he be two opposite things - slack sailor and educated aristocrat, cruel and kind, flirtatious and revolted, courageous and terrified, all at once, all with the same words? I admired this ability of his, and wanted to be like him. I felt like everyone could tell exactly what I was thinking or feeling just by looking at me. I wished fervently that I could shelter myself as Jacob did, hide my true intentions. Then, they would never see me coming.

  Father Richmond led the way to the landing strip. A small white plane waited for us. Once the Reverend was no longer looking at us, Jacob took my hand. Instantly, I felt a little better.

  Very quietly, Jacob whispered, “Once my training is done, I will find you. I can’t protect you from everything; I can only offer to soften this life for you as much as I can… I am so sorry. I remember being in your shoes. I was terrified of them. Just, be careful, and whatever you do, don’t make a fuss – it’s so much worse if there’s a show.” The emotion that was contained in this statement was so strong, it startled me a little. It was as if he had hugged me tight and said the words with a father’s love. Jacob started rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand. It was strange, but also comforting.

  The plane was small, containing only two long benches on each side. Jacob sat next to the Reverend; I sat across from them, affecting not to notice anything aside from the floor near my feet. I could feel the Reverend’s stare as he continued to silently assess both Jacob and myself.

  We stayed locked in this position for hours. No one spoke. Jacob and I were afraid of what a conversation might mean under these circumstances. It was clear that Jacob didn’t want the Reverend to know how attached he may be to me. I was afraid to talk at all, partly because I didn’t want to give anything away, and partly because most of what the Reverend said made no sense to me.

  I tried to think about what the Reverend had called me - a witness - and the fact that I was going to be trained to communicate… with the dead? This was too strange a concept for me to wrap my mind around. I didn’t understand, but I figured I would find out soon enough. The idea grated uneasily through my mind, turning over and over but never coming to an even spot. The long hours of the flight gave me too much time to think about all the events that had occurred over the last few days. Life in my village felt like such a distant memory. I didn’t feel like a nine-year-old child anymore. My mind seemed to be more rational than before, more mature than it should be for my age. I could think of things in an adult manor without much effort. I felt detached. Maybe I was numb. Maybe numb was a good thing to be.

  For a long time it was too quiet; when the Reverend’s voice finally interrupted the heavy silence, it startled me.

  “Marcus, I have been rude - tell me about yourself. This must be quite the journey for someone of your age – and, how old are you, then?” His question seemed like more of an accusation.

  “I am nine years old. I will be ten in November.” I was still looking at the floor, trying not to look at Jacob for support. As I raised my head slowly, the Reverend jumped a little at my cold stare. I was furious at his stupid question – he was trying to make small talk? I couldn’t control myself. “My mother and father are dead, or at least dead to me. My village has been burned to the ground. My friends have been captured or killed. Yes, I’m sure rude about covers it.” Jacob’s mouth dropped wide open, mirrored by the Reverend’s gaping maw.

  The shock of my outburst was plainly visible in the Reverend’s face. I wanted to laugh about as much as I wanted to cry. I couldn’t decide which I wanted more, so I did neither. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of my emotions. They were all I had that was still mine, and I would keep them that way.

  “I see.” The Reverend stated in a clipped tone. His lips tightened slightly as he stared at me. “There are many children we rescue from their own fate. Many of them are grateful - YOU should be more grateful. Maybe you need to be shown how to be grateful; but we just don’t have the time at the moment.” The Reverend smiled grotesquely, and Jacob’s head snapped towar
d him, but quickly flinched away in an effort to hide his disgust. I could see fresh tears in his eyes, and I marveled a bit at this strong reaction. From his tone, I imagined that whatever the Reverend wanted to show me was something I didn’t really want to see.

  “I am grateful to be alive… for however long that lasts.” I said flatly. I really didn’t know what kind of response he was looking for. I guessed that I wouldn’t be told how long I might live, or what conditions I might have to fulfill to sustain my life. Nor did I know if I would be willing to endure them.

  “Well, it is quite hard to believe you’re only nine, with the way you speak. Most children of your age are wailing for their mothers for months after their rescue, crying and carrying on for years about their losses. They don’t see how lucky they are to be chosen to serve the Lord through the Church. But no matter, your rational mind will be able to understand better, which is good as we have little time to teach you.” He seemed quite excited that I was ahead of my peers. If I cared, I might have been proud of his assessment of my mental capabilities.

  I turned from them both and looked out the window. The little plane was descending through the clouds. I could see the buildings; they looked so small, but they were getting bigger. Jacob would probably be taken from me as soon as we landed, but he promised to find me. I could only hope that he would, because I knew I would miss him. In the very short time I have known him he had played many parts. But the part in which he sacrificed for me by not telling anyone of my transformation, would be something I would never forget. I felt like I owed him my life.

  Chapter 5

  Just as it had happened before I got on the boat, my body started to shake with the force of another vision. I couldn’t stop it, nor could I control my body. Conveniently, the plane chose this moment to begin is shaky, jerking descent. Feeling the urge to stabilize myself, I tried to stand, but I couldn’t seem to find my feet. All of the sudden, it felt as though I was no longer in my body, momentarily weightless - until I hit the floor. I held my eyes closed, trying to sway from the random pictures speeding through my mind, trying clear my head. I crouched on the floor of the plane, in an attempt to appear airsick.