by Madison Kent
It was true that the night had been clear and filled with beaming stars. Now she heard the distant cry of thunder and the sky was becoming mottled with black clouds.
"I have no fear of karma, and justice is also what we seek. Time will right this ship, and put those responsible for these crimes in jail," said Madeline.
Madame Clarice swatted at the smoke so that it would blow in their direction. They covered their mouths but still began coughing. Moving away from her, they went back to the main clearing with the other gatherers.
"The things she said. It was almost as if she had some knowledge of Hannah being missing," said Walter.
"Yes, but wouldn't it be a natural assumption to think we were looking for someone. That is what we are doing, searching for answers. A random statement of hers leaves room for a wide range of interpretation. That's what these charlatans do, and how they get you to believe in them," said Madeline.
"Are you so sure she is a charlatan? What I have seen of her so far makes me believe there is something there. I don't know what, but something," said Walter.
"I agree. That woman has the ability to unnerve me just by looking at me. I felt she was reaching into my inner thoughts. I suppose that is what happens when someone develops a reputation like her. You already have a preconceived notion about her, and that works in her favor. It's almost as if your mind is playing tricks on you because you've allowed yourself to think of her in that way," said Jonathan.
"It is like a mind control. She begins it, and your thoughts finish the process. I also agree that she possesses a certain something that makes you feel she has dominance over you. If we feel that way, imagine what those who do not question her are capable of thinking. They give their will over to her gladly. That is why it is so concerning to think that she could have easily bid someone to do these assaults. With so many suspects, how would we ever find out who was responsible?" asked Madeline.
"Let's find a place near here. It will be interesting to hear what her chants will be after our recent encounter," said Jonathan.
Once again, animal slaughter was evident by the cries of the wild things as their throats were being slit and the blood drained from them. She couldn't understand why there wasn't a law that prohibited this abomination, but it seemed as long as the animal being butchered was eaten, the law looked the other way.
There was a clamoring of loud cries as Madame Clarice came into view. Now wearing bright red roses that adorned her face like a wreath around her head. One of the thorns must have pierced her forehead, for there was a trickle of blood that descended her face. The sight of her like that held their attention. Madeline, without being conscious of it, had been holding her breath while looking at her, and now took a deep breath to compensate.
"She has an effect on you, even without a person realizing they have come under her spell," said Madeline.
"I would not like to be in the throes of grief and come across her. I feel it would be difficult not to be manipulated by her," said Walter.
"Look, I have not seen that before. The natives are bringing in a throne. It looks like something a king would sit in. It is a marvel," said Jonathan.
Madame Clarice began to dance with a large snake wrapped around her. The witch dancing seductively as if the snake were a man caressing her made Madeline blush, feeling decidedly uncomfortable. The men, however, appeared to be fixated on her as if they were hypnotized. As she looked around the crowd, they also had that strange look in their eyes, as if Clarice had abducted their souls.
When she finished dancing, two men lifted her and placed her on the throne, where women came and fanned her. Other women, in various states of undress, now danced around the caldron. Once again, there was sexual activity openly taking place in the background.
"If I had not seen this with my own eyes, I think I would believe someone to be lying if they told me this is what they had witnessed," said Madeline.
The Conga drums continued to beat, getting louder and louder. She could feel her heart racing and the ground beneath them tremble.
After a short while, the dancing stopped abruptly and once again, the crowd carried Madame Clarice off. She had abandoned the snake and just twisted her body around as if she were a contortionist.
"This night shall find the wicked punished and the believers saved. Come to me now and I shall grant the favors of those worthy.
"None that go against me shall find me merciful. The spirits have spoken: before the midnight hour, justice shall be served," said Clarice.
She went on chanting in guttural fashion, not speaking but grunting and spitting out unintelligible words.
When she finished, the crowd acted as if in a frenzy, dancing in circles and some writhing upon the ground. Then the feast of the charred animals that were awaiting consumption began. Madame Clarice disappeared into the darkness and for that, Madeline was grateful.
"She has such an effect on me that I am glad she is gone. It is like being in the presence of an evil force," said Madeline.
"Yet there are rumors that she had done good things. She is an odd sort. They say she takes some of the money given to her by the rich and helps the needy with food and clothing," said Jonathan.
"That's what makes her all the more a puzzle," said Madeline.
"The heat does not let up. I saw a stream nearby, I'd like a drink of fresh water and to wipe my brow," said Walter.
"Yes, we still have a long night ahead, I too would enjoy a splash of water upon my face," said Madeline.
"I believe the little patch of water you refer to is on the way to where our meeting with Anastasia will be," said Jonathan.
Jonathan led the way, this time. As she passed through the brush, Madeline was grateful to have the company of the men.
They sat for a moment upon the rocks, each of them using their handkerchiefs to absorb the cool water and wipe it against their foreheads. Madeline also placed it against her neck, the swelling still evident from the red marks that remained.
She hoped Hugh was all right, feeling somewhat nervous that the hour when he would finalize his transaction with Vinnie would soon be here. Vinnie had assured Hugh it would be an easy matter to get the funds from Jonathan and that all that remained was for him to pay his money. Jonathan would make himself available, and hopefully, Guy Finaldi would be true to his word and be in the area should Jonathan require assistance.
After they had met with Anastasia, Jonathan and Walter were to return to town. She would return to Belle Magnolia with Samuel.
"I can see the tree from here. It is almost ten. I don't know if Anastasia will appear if she sees the two of you. Perhaps you can wait and keep a look out for her from here. Once you see her, you can join us. I just don't want to scare her off," said Madeline.
"We'll keep watch...go ahead, but be careful," said Jonathan as he helped her up. He held her hands for a minute longer and added, "My friend, you will not end up with further injury tonight. I will promise you that."
She plodded along, watching for snakes and waving away the insects that buzzed around her head. Looking up to see the red scarf blowing gently in the breeze, she was startled to see that there was more than just the marker left by Anastasia. Marguerite DuPont was sitting upon one of the limbs high in the tree, rocking in such a way that Madeline thought she might fall at any moment.
"Marguerite, you must come down. It is dangerous, my dear," said Madeline.
The girl at her for a moment, but continued singing softly.
She wasn't certain whether she should attempt to climb the tree, fearing that Marguerite might move or become agitated.
Standing below the tree, she continued to coax her down.
"There's someone in the cabin...she's sick," said Marguerite.
"What do you mean? Come down and we will talk. I will help you get home."
"No home, no more, no home."
Reaching her arms out to her, she continued to persuade her to come down from the tree. Then, Marguerite threw her a
small doll she was holding, turned and began to descend, moving slowly and carefully down. Finally, she shimmied down the curve of the bottom of the tree and fell backward into Madeline's arms.
"Thank goodness, you are safe, child. What made you go up there?" asked Madeline.
"Afraid...afraid," was all she said.
By this time Jonathan and Walter had come to the tree.
"Are you all right, Miss?" asked Jonathan.
Marguerite did not reply or look up at him. She took Madeline's hand as if the men frightened her.
"These men are friends. They will not hurt you. I have something for you to keep you safe," said Madeline.
Madeline handed her back her doll and took a golden necklace that held a crucifix from her neck. She sat down with her, leaning up against the tree.
"Marguerite, once a man of God, a cardinal from my hometown, blessed this crucifix. I want you to have it. It may bring you peace," said Madeline as she placed it around the girls neck.
"Hopefully, Anastasia will still show herself. But, if not, we need to take care of this poor girl," said Madeline.
"In the cabin, she's in the cabin," said Marguerite.
"Who is?" asked Jonathan.
She kept repeating the same words but said nothing further.
"I think I know what she means," said the soft-spoken voice of Anastasia.
"You came. I was not sure you would come after you saw our ensemble gathered here."
"I know this child, but not your friends. I am Anastasia of the forest, a free spirit."
She looked the same as the last time she had seen her, dressed in a frayed black robe, and brown sandals that were all worn almost through.
Jonathan and Walter introduced themselves, Anastasia being warm and friendly.
"Cricket, where is your brother?" asked Anastasia.
Marguerite turned toward Anastasia responding to the name with a bright smile. She hugged her as if suddenly recognizing the old woman.
"I ran away. He is too sad. I want to live in the forest with you," said Marguerite.
"It is not safe, but I will stay with you until we find him," said Anastasia.
"You know Marguerite?" asked Madeline.
"Since she was quite young. I was once a nanny and school teacher. I know many of the children in New Orleans."
Then she turned to Madeline and said, "We must talk."
But Marguerite was pulling on her arm, like a small child wishing someone to come along with her. She pointed to the wooded area, becoming more insistent.
"I think we should follow her," said Jonathan.
Although Marguerite seemed almost unable to communicate, she was adept at leading them through the forest. She did not hesitate as she walked, not even looking back to see if they were following.
"Do you think this is a fool's errand or is she leading us somewhere?" asked Madeline of Anastasia.
"I think I know this path. It is familiar to me. You will see," she replied.
They continued for twenty minutes or so until they came upon a tiny cabin, not unlike the one she had met Madame Clarice in. It couldn't have been more than a two hundred square feet in space. Although rickety, it looked as if in some ways it had been maintained. There was a curtain on the one window, and the roof seemed to be in good condition.
Marguerite was no peering inside the window, motioning to Anastasia.
She and Madeline looked in, but there was no light inside. They knocked, but no one came to the door, however, when Madeline twisted the wooden handle, it opened. The moon had lit their way to the door, but inside was blackness.
They walked inside and found a table and a small bed. Even in the darkness, Madeline recognized Hannah lying across the bed.
"My word, it's Hannah," said Jonathan.
Moving his hand along a ledge, he found matchsticks and two candles.
The room being so small, the little candlelight brightened it considerably enough for them to move around in the tiny area.
"Hannah...Hannah," called Madeline as she tried to shake the unconscious woman into awareness.
Slowly she started to open her eyes, and when she did she yelled out, "It's her...that girl, she did this to me," said Hannah pointing to Marguerite.
Marguerite's eyes flew wide open, and she screamed, running from the place.
"Jonathan, don't let her get away. Please go after her," said Madeline.
"Look at my head," she said as she showed Madeline the large lump on the back of her head, also indicating the coagulated blood stuck to her hair.
"I remember opening the door to someone. They pushed me, and I fell into the table. I don't know how I got onto the bed, but before I lost consciousness I saw that girl...that wild-eyed girl," said Hannah.
"I don't know if she is lucid enough to answer those charges, but we will try. What in the world are you doing in this place? It was that girl who led us to you. It is she you have to thank," said Madeline.
Hanna began to speak, then hesitated when she looked at Walter, who then said, "I will be just outside."
"I came here to meet with Andrew. I sent him a telegram and asked him to meet me here. I was certain he would come. It is the secret place we once met at when we were young. He confided in me that sometimes he came here when he wished solitude and that he kept the place up, to a degree," said Hannah.
"Because of what was in Wesley's desk?" asked Madeline.
"Of course. What other reason would I have? You can't for a moment believe I still care for him."
"No, I never doubted your feelings. I was just wondering about Andrew's."
"I suppose he was more attentive and kind to me than he should have been. But I never gave it much thought until this happened. I dismissed it as my imagination. There must be a reasonable explanation. I was sure he would come, but he never arrived.
"I was too ashamed to tell anyone of my plans and also afraid that someone might think it was for a rendezvous of a more ardent nature," explained Hannah.
"We must get you home and let Father tend to your wound before it becomes infected."
When Madeline walked outside, Jonathan and Walter were sitting with Marguerite. Anastasia was gone.
"She's trembling—heaven knows how frightened she must be right now. Marguerite thinks she's in some trouble," said Madeline.
"Marguerite, we just wish to speak to you about Hannah," said Jonathan.
"What did you see?" asked Madeline.
"I want to go home. I saw nothing. Home, I must go home now," said Marguerite.
She sat frozen, not lifting her face. They surrounded her, making a man-made wall, one she seemed to respect.
She spoke a little about Hannah's injuries, but when pressed as to how it happened, she stated she wanted to go home again.
"I think that is enough. It is time for the two of you to leave and for me to get Hannah and Marguerite home," said Madeline.
"But where is her home?" asked Walter.
"I suppose all we can do is take her back to town, or maybe to the hotel," said Madeline.
"Are you certain you will find your way back to the clearing?" asked Jonathan.
"Yes, I will follow the path I marked. Besides, Marguerite brought us here. I can trust her. Go, you need to show yourself among the crowd for our plan to work with Vinnie," said Madeline.
"I'm not comfortable with it, but you are three in number. We will see you back at the mansion in a few hours," said Jonathan.
He brought Marguerite inside, and she dutifully sat this time. She found some cloth; ripping it, she bandaged Hannah's head.
"I feel dizzy. Perhaps in a little while, we can leave. I don't think I can walk," said Hannah. "I am so terribly thirsty."
"There is a stream nearby, I will bring you some water on my way back," said Madeline.
"Back from where?"
"I need to take Marguerite to the clearing and see if anyone knows where she lives. If only Anastasia were here, I could have left the girl in her care."
"Who is Anastasia?"
"There are so many stories; I will tell you all on our journey home."
"Home. I want to go home," said Marguerite.
The girl now smiled and looked askance at Hannah, still seeming afraid of her. Hannah turned her head and once again Marguerite put her head down. Madeline wondered if, in her convoluted thoughts and actions, she could have inadvertently hurt Hannah without meaning to.
Taking Marguerite by the hand, they continued back through the forest to the area of Madame Clarice's rituals.
When they reached the oak tree with the red scarf, she felt a great sense of relief knowing they had arrived safely at their destination. She could still hear the sounds of people singing and hoped among the residual crowd; there might be someone who could help her with Marguerite.
She needn't worry, for as soon as they appeared on the grounds, a familiar face screamed at her.
"I'll have you up on charges. How dare you take my sister? What kind of person are you? I have been looking everywhere for her," said Pierre DuPont.
Marguerite ran to him, placing her arms around his waist, she buried her face into his chest and began to weep.
"Look what you have done! She is shaking."
"I did nothing. I found your sister sitting upon a high branch in an oak tree. With encouragement, she came down, and I have been trying to get her to tell me where she lives, but she has been unresponsive, so I brought her back here."
"I don't believe you. I believe nothing from anyone who resides at that place," he said with contempt in his voice.
"We are not your adversary. That person still exists somewhere in this city. How wrong you are! For the last time, Guy Finaldi and Wesley Randolph are innocent of the charges you have so diligently brought against them."
"Perhaps you didn't mean to harm my sister. I will never truly know the answer to that, but she is now safe so we shall leave here. We have suffered enough. I will ask you to leave my sister alone in the future."