Falling

Twenty Four (Escape)

The air is seething with fear, like we're standing in the mouth of a yawning monster and darkness threatens to consume us!

Guns pointing, declaring death to anyone who'd defy their masters' desires!

Their lips are drawn tight against grinding teeth, eyes scorched with hate's determination!

Everyone seems to be frozen in this moment when waiting is the only answer to what will happen next.

"What now!"

A whispered screech drives my words into Sam's ears. My arms wrap around his waist from my standing position behind him, trying to still the shaking that fear is shuddering through my body.

"Do you trust me, Lyla?"

His whispered reply mixes with a silent sensation of a peaceful memory. Morning light is streaking across the receding black sky, like pulling open a curtain. Mother's voice follows the sweet smell of hotcakes, inviting us to the table for a love feast.

"Hold still...Men!" My eyes be fixed on Papa Legba an' his men.

"Hold still is right, Boss Man. Nobody want's to start a war here...Let's just stand still and think about how we can settle this misunderstanding."

Papa Legbas's deep, vibrating voice be a echo'n. An' I swings my eyes towards Sam. His eyes. They be look'n like they's covered with eggshells!

"What has you done to Sam?"

An angry red is pushing into Boss Man's face—red hot! His hand is shaking, challenging his trigger finger to hold still.

"We just gave him an eye treatment...Insurance against further damage you might say."

I be see'n a slippery grin streak'n across Papa's face.

I grabs Toby's hand an' steps out...forward. "He ain't go'n to be no more use to anybody now! So, just be let'n us on our way!"

Mary's words shake her body as they explode into the silent air that's wrapped around us.

"Mary!"

I release my arms from Sam's body and reach out to Mary.

Papa Legba's eyes swing into Mary's path, flashing a black fire.

Mary gasps and her feet seem to freeze in place.

Papa Legba's deep voice echos in the black fire that's now leaping from his eyes.

"Well...now. It seems you have some loyal friends here Sam...Friends willing to risk their sanity...for what...a blind man?"

His words speak out of the black fire stirring in his eyes.

"What you be want'n from him?" Boss Man demands.

I steps up and stands beside Sam. "Hey Boss Man!"

"Squito?" Boss Man says like he be see'n a ghost.

"Yeah! Papa be a scared of the eye!" I yells out. I sees Lyla step'n around from behind Sam.

"Look, Papa...He isn't in any condition to challenge you! Just let us go before someone gets shot!" Lyla yells.

"Lyla! Walk over here! Boss Man hollers.

"I'm not leaving without my friends!" My words come shaking out.

"I swear my men an' I'll cut you down if'n you don't be let'n them go!" Boss Man yells into Papa's face.

"Everybody be hit'n the deck when the shoot'n starts!" Toby's voice be grapple'n with his words, like whisper'n gravel.

"Wait! Squito has something to say!" I yell. "Step next to me, Squito. Are you ready?"

"Yeah." Squito's voice is low and solid.

I drop my right hand onto his shoulder.

"Go for it, Squito!"

"Papa!"

Papa be swing'n his eyes into mine. I sees the black fire burn'n fierce, leap'n up and cover'n his eyes. I lock on...feel'n that love'n streak a light go out to him.

That light, coming from Squito. I shake my head. But it's to late.

A memory stands up in my head. A tiny...like a seed of light...is billowing into sun light spreading across a black sky. It sparkles on the blue water below. I'm nine years old and running down to the sun baked beach, hot sand squishes under my bare feet.

My father's boat is sweeping across the water, heading to a landing where I'm standing. I wave. My body is bubbling with excitement.

The moment around me is standing still. I don't want to give up this picture...this feeling. Every thing else bows before this memory, draining the purpose of the present out of my mind. Only this memory matters. I don't want it to leave.

I shake my head and force my eyes away from Squito's stare. I'm looking around...and...nothing makes sense.

"Drop your guns and let them go!" I hear myself command.

The black fire has been extinguished! I'm Papa Legba who saw his father cut down by police, on account of a drug tip from a neighbor.

I ran to the Market and stole a bottle of black juice.I slipped it into the neighbor's food.

I am now Papa Legba, king of witches, the voodoo master of this island. I'm the one in control!

A gang of thoughts are boiling in my head, none of which are able to take control. I shake my head. A gasp of cold breath seizes my body as I watch them rush across the street. Why can't I act? Why can't I move?

I see my men, standing still, waiting for my command. Their eyes are questioning my inaction.

The light fades and with it that wonderful memory of waving to my father from the beach. Crashing into it is the next memory of him lying on the floor of our house, blood draining into a pool of red.

The black fire surges once more, rising like a volcanic surge of hate. Squito...That's where it came from, that quenching flash of light. How could that happen? The eye! He's got the eye!

"Follow them! We have to get Squito! I hear myself yelling.