“Peter!” he bellowed to a crewman who had just come up the ladder. “Take the old woman to the ship’s doctor. And have some of the slaves clean… No, have some of the crew clean up this mess!” He rushed to the ladder himself but took a last look at the girl before he went below. She seemed to have already lost interest in him and was intensely focused on the old woman.
*
Nyira went below when they took Benzia to the white doctor. They laid the old woman on a cot, and then just left her there.
“I can’t do anything for her,” said the white medical officer. “She isn’t worth anything anyway.”
Nyira went to Benzia’s side. The tails were a vicious weapon, and apparently, the evil Cliegman had added some type of metal to the tips of the thing. Benzia’s throat had been cut. The old woman could look at her, but she couldn’t speak.
“Benzia, I am sorry,” said Nyira. She had to listen to the old woman’s mind.
What are you sorry about? You didn’t do anything.
“I should have been watching. I could’ve stopped him.”
And were you going to be on the plantation, when someone whipped me there for being too slow? I wasn’t even supposed to make it this far. My life was fine. I have lived long enough.
“No you haven’t,” said Nyira. “I will make—”
Stop child. Please just stop. You are very special. And you need to concentrate on the ones you can save, and on yourself. I have enjoyed knowing you, but my friend is here now.
“Who…?” She looked up and saw Lumumba standing in the doorway.
“I didn’t come to fight with you,” said the spirit. “So if you want a little more time with her, I’ll step outside.”
No. Don’t go, said Benzia. It’s time. I am tired.
Nyira just stood back and cried, as Lumumba stepped up and took hold of the old woman’s hand. It was over very quickly, and Benzia was gone.
Nyira spent the night next to the body, and insisted on washing and dressing her friend’s wounds.
“It won’t matter,” said Piggy, when they came to get Benzia’s body. “She is going into the wa—”
“Shut up!” said Rubin to the stupid youth. “Or you may be going in as well.”
When Nyira was finished, she wrapped the old woman in some clean sailcloth. She was dressed neater in death than she ever was in life. The seamen came in and handled the body with reverence, as Rubin had directed. They then slung Benzia out into the sea.
16
There was no way for them to choose how it happened: André, a moody, angry field hand bashed in the head of Henri Bissett. Henri was Alphonse’s younger brother. The slaves knew about it right away, because Henri had been trying to whip André, and had taken him into the stable to tie him to the center beam. André had simply not been inclined to be punished that day and had gotten hold of a blacksmith’s hammer left out by Big Giles. André didn’t often think when he did something, especially when he was angry—he’d been furious at something his wife Clarissa had done that morning and had attacked her in the fields. When André ran out of the stable and Henri did not, all the slaves knew. They also knew that Alphonse would want blood for the death of his kin, and not just André’s blood either. By the time the rest of the overseers discovered Henri’s body, André had disappeared.
*
Bruno was yet on edge over Christian’s intentions toward Juliette and was a little frustrated with her. She refused to take the threat seriously and insisted on coming to his shack every single night after she left the western fields.
“I am being reasonable,” she told him. He was trying to make her understand that Christian cared nothing for love. “But I do,” she replied, as she spooned more of the stew she had made him onto his plate. She wanted him to take better care of himself. So she had cooked for him and also washed his clothes in the little creek out behind the slave quarters. He only had two shirts and one pair of britches, so she made some for him. Although he preferred items that were plain, so he could wear them in the field, she forced a bit of color on him.
“You can wear them when we attend the next calenda,” she told him.
“Juliette, please,” Bruno implored her. “We are in danger! At any moment, Christian could kick down my door and hack off my head.”
“You are worrying too much,” replied Juliette. “Christian knows I don’t love him. Here, have some more stew. I think I’ve made too much.”
Bruno didn’t want to sound like he was afraid, but the danger was very real. It didn’t matter anymore what happened to him. That’s when he knew he was in love. He wasn’t afraid for himself. He was afraid that after Christian killed him, he might do the same to Juliette. It was obvious that he didn’t really want her, but was exacting retribution upon the person who had been closest to Arnaud. He wanted to relax and accept Juliette’s argument: that Christian was only mourning the loss of Madeline, and it was just an idle threat. Bruno wished it were true. Juliette had brought so much to his life, such as color and warmth to his home. There were fresh wildflowers on his table and pretty accents all over the room. It brought back memories of how his mother had been such a vibrant and loving presence in his family’s hut. There were spices sprinkled all over the beds and on the floor. He tried to tell her that it was too much, that he must not allow himself this and have it taken away. He picked up the bundle of fragrant flowers tied in a bunch at the center of the cedar table.
“These are not mine!” he cried, and sat down in the chair at the table, placed his head on it and groaned. “How can you not hear me?”
Juliette stopped sweeping the floor for a moment and looked at the man she loved.
How can I love someone who is in such pain? she asked herself. But she knew the answer.
“I don’t care, Bruno,” she replied. Bruno raised his head and looked at her. “You seem to think you’re the only one who’s in pain. I came here just like you, in the same ship. And yes, my sister is with me. But we both saw the slavers kill our mother and father, then take us away. And we’re stuck here. But I…” She dropped her broom and sat on one of the beds, and then broke down. Bruno wasn’t used to seeing her cry, or sad at all. He went and sat beside her and held her. This was oh so dangerous. At least he had someone to… die for.
“I understand that you are worried,” said Juliette, with her head on his shoulder. “Christian may well come and try to take me. I just choose to focus on what I can do. I can be here with you. I can cook for you. I can give my heart to you.” They were still holding each other when someone kicked Bruno’s door in.
*
“I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” said André. Bruno had insisted he hide beneath one of the beds. In case someone happened by and saw him through the window.
“So you decided to put my life in jeopardy, too?” asked Bruno. He had started to reconstruct the flimsy framework of his shattered door.
“That wasn’t…” André paused to finish off the plate of stew Juliette had provided. She seemed pleased that it wouldn’t go to waste. “I never intended that. I just heard a rumor that—”
“What rumor?” demanded Bruno.
“That you know a means of escape,” replied André.
“What! That is… How could such a rumor have started? No one could know such a thing!”
Juliette suddenly looked guilty.
“I am sorry, my love,” she said, as she handed him another piece of board to hammer in place. “I told Babette—”
“Ow!” cried Bruno. He had missed the nail he was aiming for. He quickly felt much better when Juliette took his hand and began to massage it. “And why did you kick down my door?” he snapped at André.
“I… I don’t know. I guess I was afraid you wouldn’t be home. I also needed someplace to hide. I couldn’t trust anyone else.”
“You didn’t think, André! You never…” Bruno seemed to get more furious as he thought about it.
“I had no other choice, Bruno. They’re
going to kill me if they find me.”
“You killed the master’s brother. And now you’ve killed us!” Bruno moved toward him with the hammer in his hand.
“Bruno, please,” said Juliette, wrapping her arms around him. “We have to help him.”
“Who’s going to help us? You think no one saw him kick down my door?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do,” replied André.
“I’ll take the potato to the tree,” said Juliette. “It’s dark now. You finish the door.” She headed outside.
“There’s one more thing,” said André. “My family will have to come, too.”
Bruno leaned his head against the remains of his shaky door. Juliette put her hand on his shoulder.
“That’s right,” she said. “If he escapes and leaves them, the master will take his revenge on them.”
Bruno walked over to André and shoved the hammer toward him.
“Why don’t you take this and bash me over the head, André,” said Bruno. “It will be a lot quicker and less painful than what the master will do to me for hiding you.”
“I’d best get to that tree,” said Juliette. “Hopefully he gets the message tonight.”
“Yes,” said André. “We won’t have a chance once the sun comes up.”
Juliette took off at a quick trot toward the eastern fields. Bruno was sorry he ever broached the escape question with the Indian boy.
*
Juliette returned an hour and a half later. Bruno had begun to worry when he heard a light knock on the repaired door. When he opened it, Juliette looked very excited.
“Bruno, I brought…” There was no one beside her. “Where did he go? He was just right—”
“I’m over here,” said Enriquillo, as he appeared on the bed above André.
André was in shock.
“You are the divine one!” He scrambled to his knees and bowed before the boy. “Oh, great and powerful one—”
“Tell him to stop that!” said Enriquillo, scrambling away as if he’d been stung by a bee. “Why is he doing that?”
“That’s what happens when you appear out of nowhere,” said Bruno.
“Then I will stop it! Tell him to get up!”
“I’m sorry,” said André. “Have I offended him?”
“Yes. Get up,” said Bruno, exasperated. “He doesn’t wish to be worshipped.”
André looked confused. “But he—”
“He’s just a boy. So get up. We don’t have much time.”
Bruno wasn’t happy with the idea, but Juliette had to go across the property alone again.
“And something else, Bruno,” she said.
“What?”
“You are not going to like it.”
“Then I’m sure I won’t. What is it, Juliette?”
“You and André must hide in the jungle, right now!”
“Oh, yes. I know what she means,” said André. “I’m sorry, Bruno.”
“I’ll tell you when we’re hidden,” replied Juliette. “We must go now, Bruno!”
“Okay! Okay! Let’s go!”
“Don’t worry,” said Enriquillo. “I know the best hiding place.”
The boy led them along a barely visible trail through the bush. The foliage was dense and vines growing along the ground were thick as ropes. Enriquillo picked up one of them and started pulling it; the vine ran all the way into the upper branches of a giant elm tree. “We will have to climb,” he said.
“But before we do,” said Bruno. “Now, Juliette. Why did I have to leave my home?”
“Because I realized that if André came to you seeking escape—”
“Others will too,” continued Bruno. “…and they will bring the overseers.”
“Looking for me,” said André.
“All because of me,” replied Juliette.
“But if we climb,” said Enriquillo. “We can see if someone comes.”
The boy was right. Once they reached the upper branches, they had a view of the property along the eastern fields. They also saw torches hovering in the area near Bruno’s cabin. There was no way to tell if they were slaves or overseers.
“Well that settles it,” said Bruno. “You can’t go now, Juliette. It’s too dangerous.”
“I have to go, Bruno. If they find her, the master will kill her and the children.”
“I’ll go with her,” said Enriquillo.
“And what can you do if someone attacks her?” asked Bruno.
“I will make sure they don’t.”
“Let’s go while it’s still dark,” said Juliette.
“Yes. I can protect you better in the dark,” said Enriquillo.
“With what weapon?” asked Bruno.
“A vine is all I’ll need.”
“That is foolish, boy! What can—”
“We must go, Bruno. Or the daylight will catch us,” said Juliette.
Bruno felt like a coward watching his woman climb down the tree to embark on a journey she might not return from, accompanied by a boy armed with nothing but a vine.
They made better time along the edge of fields and staying near the jungle.
“We need to stop for a moment,” said Juliette.
“Why?” said Enriquillo.
“We must decide what we can do to protect ourselves.”
“Well, no one will see me. So I don’t—”
“How will that help me, Enriquillo? I am the one who is in danger. What can you do with a vine? I must know if we are to have a chance.”
“I can also make sounds that will frighten them?”
“What kind of sounds? Can you make the sounds of a lion?”
“What is a lion?”
“It’s a fierce beast in the land I come from.”
Enriquillo thought for a moment.
“I think I know a way you can show me.”
“What? I can’t show you a lion. Not unless we can go back to my home.”
“No. There is another way. It is something only our medicine man has done. I will make an attempt at it. You must sleep for a moment and think of this lion, and I will peek into your dream.”
“I don’t know if I can sleep now,” said Juliette. “I’m too worried to be tired.”
“Don’t worry. I can help you,” said Enriquillo. “It will only take a few moments, and when I see this lion, I can make it be seen by others.”
“That is… magic,” said Juliette.
“No. It’s something our behike does to take evil from our dreams.”
“Where does he put it when he takes it away?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never asked him. But sit here beside this tree, and I will try and see this lion that will protect you.”
Juliette sat, but could not relax.
“I won’t be able to sleep like this.”
“Yes you will,” said Enriquillo. He placed his hand at the base of her skull, and she dozed off. He couldn’t venture very far into her dream but was amazed at the incredible things he saw in that brief glimpse. He awakened her after a few moments.
“Did you see it?” asked Juliette.
“I think so,” replied Enriquillo. “You have incredible creatures in your homeland.”
“Yes. I hope they can keep us alive tonight.”
They picked up their pace, but only got so far before they had to use the road into the slave quarters. Just as Juliette feared, a couple of men stopped her.
“Where are you going on this night, woman?” This was a slim, wiry slave named Anthony. He was a known informer for the overseers. There was also a second younger male with him. A boy of sixteen, named Octavius. He was Anthony’s son.
“Good evening, miss Juliette,” said Octavius. He smiled at her in a way that his father could see he had eyes for the woman. Anthony backhanded him.
“Keep your grinning to yourself, boy.”
“Let me pass, sir,” said Juliette, trying to go past him.
“You’re Bruno’s Juliette
? That picks and keeps house with him?”
“What about it? I need to be getting home.”
“No, not yet. I hear your Bruno knows of an escape route.”
“Well, that doesn’t make any sense,” replied Juliette. “We would escape ourselves.”
“That might be true. Or you could be helping others. Maybe you know where that murderer, André, is hiding. The master is offering five livre and a job in the house for the one that finds him.”
“I don’t know anything about a murderer,” said Juliette. She tried to push her way by him. He backhanded her this time.
“You will be sorry for that,” said Juliette. She didn’t look as afraid as Anthony expected.
“I don’t think your Bruno is much to be feared.”
“It’s not Bruno. I have a spirit guarding me. And if you don’t let me pass, I will call it upon you.” She reached down and picked up a hand full of dust from the road. Anthony was curious, but Octavius looked worried.
“Papa, maybe we should let her—”
“Shut up, boy! If you want your teeth!” He looked at Juliette and smiled. “I want to see this magic you have, woman. Then I’m going to show you what happens to witches in my village!” Juliette tossed the dust in the air.
“I call the divine one!” Before the dust cleared, a deformed creature stood in the shadow cast by Anthony’s torch. Octavius screamed and ran. The thing stood regarding Anthony, who froze in shock. Juliette was confused and afraid herself. This was not what she’d called. It wasn’t a lion. It stood upright like a man, with a leopard’s head but the body was some type of ape and one leg like a hyena. The thing let out a scream and charged Anthony. Juliette screamed too, and ran in the same direction as Octavius, while Anthony just collapsed.
When Juliette looked back, the thing was still chasing her, so she kept running.
“Why are you running,” called Enriquillo. He had become himself again. Juliette stopped and looked at him.
“That thing was chasing me. It was horrible.”
Enriquillo looked confused. “It was your lion thing. I did the best I could. It scared the men away.”
Nyira and the Invisible Boy Page 10