by Botha, Johan
Once Rob’s head cleared, Mallory helped him off the floor and onto a chair, bringing him up –to-speed on what they were doing.
“We’ve already got things in motion Rob,” Detective Mallory said, while motioning to an officer for a Cola to be brought over for Rob. “Crups is on his way to your house, okay? We’ve got units everywhere…”
“Beandre! Did you call her… Where’s my phone?” Rob patted his pockets and pulled his phone out.
Detective Mallory put his hand over Rob’s, “We tried,-are still trying…she’s not answering…”
Rob stood up and started running for the door, pulling his car keys from his pocket.
“I’ll drive Rob!” Mal called from behind him and sensing Rob’s stubbornness added, “I’ve got the sirens.”
They drove directly to Rob’s condo and Mallory got a phone call on the way. Beandre had been found, was all Rob heard, he saw the police cars blocking off his street. So many of them, all for him?
Before Det. Mallory had time to put the unmarked car in park, Rob was out of it and running up the sidewalk to the entrance. Crups came running out from inside, trying to stop him, pushing him back, Rob looked at him, why was his face so red? Had he been crying? Rob remembered feeling sick and his ears feeling numb before he hit the ground again.
****
Lucky and Danny were transfixed by the pile of dust on the desk.
“What do you think it was?” Danny asked incredulously, eyes big and face too close to the mass of remains.
“We both know what it was,” Lucky replied. “We may not have seen it, but only one thing can do damage like that…”
“What?” Danny asked, looking at Lucky for answers.
“The Tokoloshe.” Lucky stated confidently and with much fear.
“Really?” Danny queried, shaking now.
“Yes! How can you even ask Danny! After what we have seen, and heard! Don’t you remember the drums Danny! What the hell? It’s the fucking Tokoloshe Danny and he’s not going to be done with us.” Lucky continued.
Danny began to shake.
Lucky went on, “Listen, these people, they don’t know what we are dealing with, you and I, we are probably the only people to have survived a Tokoloshe…so far, but we are still in danger.” Lucky confided. He looked at Danny, knowing that his friend now relied on him to save them both. He would not let him down.
Lucky’s mind searched for answers in the recesses of his memory. Surely all those stories he had heard in the kraal had some kind of answer for him.
Lucky’s eyes wandered around the room, as if searching for answers hidden in the picture frames and commendations surrounding him. His eyes landing on the pile of ash on the folder and grew big.
“I have an idea!” Lucky whispered loudly to Danny, grabbing a white envelope from Peens bookshelf and sweeping some of the ash into it. He shoved it in his pocket just as the door opened allowing his father, Big John, and the rest of the group to re-enter the office.
“Let’s go home boys…” John said tiredly. They were happy to oblige.
Chapter 15
Peter did not sleep at all that night. He couldn’t get rid of the nagging feeling that something bad was going to happen. He paced around the house relentlessly. Juanita kept clouding his mind, making him want to take a long swig from the whiskey bottle on the kitchen counter. Instead, he took a glass from the cabinet and poured himself a drink. It didn’t seem as bad that way… not as “out of control” when it was in a glass, he smirked to himself. The liquid burnt his insides as he swallowed it. The burning sensation made his mind stop racing and calm down a bit. He liked that.
He poured himself another drink and sat down on the cold tiles of the kitchen floor. If it was not for that fucking creature he shot, he would still be in his own house, mourning his own life. He thought about the conversation that he had with Peens, Beth and Big John at the station that evening. If only he could speak to Big John’s wife and find out what she saw or what she knows. That might help the situation. The more he pondered on the creature, the more he got an uneasy feeling that he was being watched.
He poured himself another drink and walked out onto the balcony. The moon was full and a strange red color. The stars shone brightly as if trying to compete with the moon’s beauty. Peter suddenly saw movement in the ferns below the balcony. A strange rumbling sound came from below him. It sounded like a heavy box being dragged across a rough surface. Peter leaned forward to see what was making the noise. Was it the alcohol or were there two yellow eyes staring at him from beneath the bushes? He took one last swig from his glass and threw it into the bushes. A wild cat darted from the ferns and Peter staggered back, giving a thrill cry. “Holy shit!”
He hit his head against the open door and passed out on the floor of the living room.
****
Beth just stepped out from the shower when the phone rang. She picked up the receiver and wondered who would call at this late hour.
“Hello?”
“Beth? Peens here. Sorry to bother so late, but I was thinking we could meet somewhere other than at my office tomorrow. You know, so we can talk this thing through and all.” Peens sounded like he was on edge.
“Peens? Oh, yes, sure. I will let Peter and Big John know early tomorrow.”
“Beth?”
“Yes?”
“That creature, “Tokoloshe” if you will, have you seen it?”
“No, I haven’t. But I know that there is something weird at work here. Peter won’t just say things like that for the fun of it. I know that Juanita’s death made him reach for the bottle way too much, but he is a good guy.”
“Suppose so. Hill Valley does not know these kind of things. It just doesn’t happen here, that’s all. With these youngsters dead, one can just imagine what can come of this…” Peens’s voice trailed off.
“Yeah… How ‘bout we meet at Bert’s shop?”
“Great. Have a good night Beth.”
“Thanks Peens. You too.” Beth put the phone back in place.
As she walked to her room, her Doberman, Mila, suddenly sat up straight and started whimpering.
“What’s it girl?” Beth kneeled down to pat her dog. She never acted this way before.
Mila got up and ran to the ragged desk Beth kept in her room. She hid under the chair and looked distressed.
For a moment, Beth could have sworn that she heard the faint beating of drums in the distance…
****
“I’m worried about Peter.” Big John sat on an old wooden stool in their khaya.
“Hay cha.” Lettie finished scrubbing the putu pot and went to sit next to her husband. “There is nothing else we can do for him. He has to make peace with his past himself. You can’t do that for him.”
“I’m not talking about Juanita’s death, woman!” Big John was not happy about the way his wife spoke to him without the needed authority. He felt very strongly about this. He loved his wife, but African woman were to agree with whatever their husbands say and do not dare question their words.
Lettie did not seem to notice and carried on talking. “Peter will one day realize that he has to move on and live his life.”
With a sigh, Big John decided not to scold his wife for speaking her mind. “Peter showed me something. He showed me the ash and bones from the Tokoloshe.”
Lettie stopped breathing for a few seconds before slowly letting the air move through her lips. “The ancestors want what is theirs and they will stop at nothing to get what they want.” She turned around to face her husband. “We are all in danger John. I saw it.”
Big John looked at his wife, got up from his stool and went to stand outside their hut. The air was crisp and the frogs squawked their songs in the nearby pond. There was something else in the air, but he could not pinpoint it. A darkness that clouded The Guardian made it look as if the spirits of the ancestors were trying to protect the outside world from what hid deep inside the mountain.
; He loved his wife, he loved her dearly. He also knew that she had seen many hardships over the years. It had taken many years for her to trust Big John. Her trust in all men was broken. She was raped as a small girl and had been saved and raised by a Sangoma for a few years and the scars it left in her mind had always stayed with her.
Lettie never spoke about it much, but as far as Big John could gather, the Sangoma had taught her to speak to the ancestors and gave her a gift. Lettie could see things. He wasn’t sure what these things were, but he knew that it scared Lettie. Lettie, being a traditional African woman, knew that she had to put the past behind her and be as strong as an ox for the husband she would one day marry. African woman were not allowed to talk about the things that bothered them. They were not allowed to show emotion or fear. They’re purpose was to bear children for their husbands and take care of them and make sure that they were well fed. But Big John knew that Lettie was special…
****
Peter and Beth were first to arrive at Bert’s shop. The shop however, was closed and no one had seen Bert yet. Although it was still early, Beth couldn’t help but feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end as Peter bent down to get the key from under the flower pot that stood in front of Bert’s shop. He always kept a spare key there in case of emergencies.
Big John walked around the corner of Bert’s shop just as Peens pulled up in his station wagon.
“Morning. Why is Bert closed?” Peens asked as he walked up to Beth and Peter.
“Hi. Don’t know. Have not seen him yet today.” Peter looked thoughtful as he unlocked the door.
“It’s still early, perhaps he overslept.” Big John shrugged.
Peens looked at Peter. “Shit, Peter, you look like hell! Are you okay, man?”
Peter didn’t remember much of the previous night. He woke up with a hell of a headache this morning and the feeling of Juanita in his mind was driving him crazy! He also saw an empty Whiskey bottle as he stumbled out onto the porch this morning, on his way to pick up Beth.
Big John shook his head. He had been at Peter’s house early in the morning. The front door was unlocked so he could just step inside the house without even knocking. He saw Peter passed out on the floor and rushed to his aid. With a groan, he helped Peter up and made him sit on the couch.
“Peter?” Big John didn’t know what to think of the spectacle in front of him.
“Hmm naah…” Peter mumbled. “I must have fallen asleep…” his voice trailed off.
Big John gave one look at Peter and said, “Do you want me to stand at your grave and mourn you AND Juanita? I have known you since you were a little boy, Peter. I worry for you and yet there is nothing I can do for you.” Big John turned and walked out the open front door.
Peter was dumb founded. Never had Big John spoken to him like that before. He knew that he was drinking to forget the ghost of Juanita haunting him. Dammit, he just wanted to forget! One thing that he was starting to realize though was that if he wanted to help rid the town of whatever evil lurked in its corridors, he’d better sober up and fast. He got up and reached for a khaki shirt laying on the couch before stumbling out the house.
****
As they stepped into Bert’s ice cream shop, a musty smell filled their nostrils.
“Hell, it smells like shit in here!” Peens covered his nose.
From the back of the shop, Bert appeared. “Mornin’ guys! Sorry for the stench, one of the ice cream stands tipped over last night and now I’ve got fucking sour cream all over the shop! Gotta clean it first before I open today.”
“Oh gosh, let me help you! Beth picked up a rag that was lying on the counter.
“No!” Bert yelled and ran to her, grabbing the cloth from her hand. “No, its fine, I’m almost done.” Bert threw the cloth into the dustbin.
Beth could have sworn that she had seen a red stain on it, almost like a blood stain…
“What can I help you all with today?” Bert said, going to stand behind the counter.
“We just want to discuss a few things, that’s all.” Peens said and went to sit in the booth nearest to the window.
Beth, Peter and Big John followed. They ordered a round of coffees and as Bert came over with the mugs, Peens started talking.
“How do we… how do we get rid of this Tokoloshe, if it is what you say it is?”
“Tokoloshe?” Bert asked.
“Yes.” Big John filled him in on the details of what was on discussion the previous night.
“You stay away from those things.” Bert pointed his finger at the group sitting in front of him. “You stay away!”
“Why, Bert? Do you know something? Peter asked.
“No, but those things are evil. The devils you want to seek out will kill you all and you know that!”
“Not if we kill it first.” Peter said.
Bert sat down on a chair beside the table. “You will be killed.” He said matter of factly and did not want to speak another word.
“A Tokoloshe is a strange and unnatural being.” Big John said. “Some say that you have to take the ubuthongo, the sleep from a dog’s eye, and put it in your own eyes in order to see the Tokoloshe. Others say that only children can see him where he plays near water and watches the children bathe. In order to fight the Tokoloshe and all the evil he carries, your mind must be strong and your heart true.”
“Your mind must be strong?” Peter asked.
“Yes, your mind must be free of darkness and despair. Your mind, Peter, is very darkened. It will be a good idea for you to deal with the ghosts in your own mind before you deal with the Tokoloshe. You must sober up and be true to yourself. The Tokoloshe, he knows your weaknesses and will use it to his advantage.”
Peter knew that Big John was referring to what had happened in his house earlier in the morning.
“The Tokoloshe,” Big John continued, “is very afraid of smoke and fire. It will banish him and he will take the evil that hides in The Guardian with him.”
“You mean, like exorcising the mountain?” Beth asked.
“Yes, that will help yes.” Big John said. “It will not help to ask the Sangoma’s help. She is too weak to call the spirits for guidance.”
“We need to go up there and end this, before it’s too late.” Peens said. He knew how many families depended on the safety he provided for this town.
“You will all be killed.” Bert said and got up to leave.
“Bert…” Beth said imploringly, but he disappeared into the kitchen.
They decided among themselves that they will go up to the mountain and try to lure the Tokoloshe to a place where they banish him. The plan was hatched. They would carry torches and together they would call out the Tokoloshe and burn him from the mountain
As they got up to leave Bert’s shop, Beth stepped into the back room to let Bert know they were leaving the shop empty and unattended. Bert didn’t seem himself this morning; she hoped they hadn’t upset him. She leaned into the first room down the hall from the shop and saw bed sheets on the floor, torn and full of blood. Startled, she gasped and backed away quickly and turned to call Peter.
She backed right into Bert.
“You looking for me?” Bert was standing so close to her, she could feel him breathing down her neck.
“Uhm, yah, I just wanted to let you know we were leaving…” she slid past him and out the door. Why was he making her feel so uneasy? She had known him for so many years!
Peter was waiting for Beth on the sidewalk, ready to take her home. He peered up to The Guardian, so majestic and menacing. He closed his eyes and thought back to the last day he spent with Juanita.
****
The sun had been scorching hot and Juanita’s tanned legs loved the sun. She was smiling as he helped her tie the knots in the rope they used to climb the mountain. He could smell her perfume, a faint scent of lavender. She leaned over the mountain edge, ready for Peter to help her descend down the cliff. She hopped over the edge and bega
n her descent.
There was a flash of silver light in his eyes suddenly, as if the sun was shining off a blade of some sort. He remembered closing his eyes against the sudden harshness of the light. The rope in his hands instantly went limp and he could hear Juanita scream. They both scrambled for the rope, her arms flailed in the air, eyes wide with fear, she tried to grasp the rock, rope, Peter’s hand, but she fell fast, as if pulled off the mountain from behind.
There was coldness in the air at that very moment, an evil presence that was keeping guard over the happening on the mountain. The more Peter thought back on those fateful seconds, the more he could remember the faint sound of drums…