Lunar Gaze

Chapter 3

Warning: Violence

In the dark, Josephine struggled to make her way back to the party. She made many wrong turns and at times put herself further into the woods. Where's a Maroon when you need one? She thought. After a long while, she finally made it back. But by that time, the party had wrapped up.

Most of the people in attendance were making their way out, some were left behind and too intoxicated to move. Josephine made her way through the ballroom and back out the front door with the rest of the crowds. She forced her way through, still shaken up by the experience and in dire need to become reunited with friends.

"Josephine!" Maria called outside once she set eyes on her. Once Josephine caught up, she took one good look at her by the nearest tall lantern. "You look haggard, what's happened to you?"

"I caught Perode with Quincy." Answered Josephine as they began walking together.

"Quincy Whitten?" Marie asked. "Is that who that was? Oh, that little wretch. She snatches everyone's courters simply because she can't. She never even accepts proposals! And her family surely wouldn't let her marry a negro."

"I'm absolutely heartbroken." Josephine cried. Marie entirely stopped and pulled her friend in for a hug. After a moment of comfort, Maria spoke up.

"I'm sorry things hadn't gone as planned." Whispered Marie. "But keep your chin up. You're still the prettiest girl in Westmoreland! You are sure to find a husband."

"As a free black girl it's hard enough to find a gentleman to Marry. If not Perode, then who?" Josephine cried. "I fear that I won't find a man of my stature."

"Oh, there, there. Don't cry— it's alright. Hey, maybe if marriage doesn't work out, you can do an alternative." Marie said slowly as she played with the fabric of her gloves. Josephine could hardly believe her ears.

"Are you suggesting I? No... never." Josephine answered. "I'd never put myself in that position. Being a play thing for some Buckra."

"It was only a suggestion." Marie said. "And it's a last resort. Come on, don't look so pouty. You're in the prime of your youth. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Easy to say coming from a Mulatto." Answered Josephine. Marie pressed her lips together at that comment. Josephine looked past Marie. "Where's the coach?"

"Coach?" Marie repeated. "Oh the coach. Turns out Rose Tinsely needed a ride and so we decided to just give her one."

"How will I get home then?" Josephine asked.

"We expected for you to be dropped off by Perode, you know, since you were getting engaged and everything." Maria said with slight sass.

"Well I could possibly squeeze in." Josephine suggested as she stepped forward.

"I doubt that would be a good idea. It's best you just walk home." Marie declined.

"At night? Alone?" Josephine said in shock.

"There's many people out walking too!" Marie reminded her friend. "Come on, we all know each other here. No one will harm you."

Josephine was speechless as she watched Marie walk off and hop into the nearest coach. All the girls aboard looked at Josephine as she stood on the ground. "You be safe. Night, I'll see you in the morning."

At just like that, they all set off. In the beginning of Josephine's journey home, there were plenty of people around in groups. They drunkenly sang, or chatted, or danced along the way. She engaged with them, trying to forget about her embarrassment. They were kind enough not to mention it.

But the more distance they made, the more people reached their destination. The crowd became less and less. Josephine lived the farthest away. Her and only one other gentleman were left.

"Josephine, are you sure you don't want me to walk you home? I don't mind if I have to walk all the way back." Zhi offered.

"It's alright. I've made it this far and it's almost sunrise anyhow." Josephine declined. He nodded, admiring Josephine's independence, then walked off toward his house.

Josephine hadn't remembered how far she lived from Zhi Chin's house. She began getting particularly tired. And then it became cold, the night air becoming all too bitter for her. And finally her feet began to pain her in her boots. She just hoped to finally make it home soon, and she had only a little more distance to go.

Suddenly, a figure appeared. Josephine began to get nervous. She'd heard stories since she was a child about bad spirits, duppies, popping out to follow people home. Maybe it was her superstition or maybe it was her tired mind, but she didn't imagine it to be a real person. Another person appeared, this one with a lantern. He walked right up to her and held it to her face.

She shielded her eyes from it. "May I ask what brings you here? This is my family's property."

"Is it now?" He asked slowly, his voice was hard and coarse. He walked closer to her, and she saw his face. "Is this her?"

A third man appeared from the woods, and now Josephine filled with panic. He walked into the lantern night to look at her, and immediately she recognized his face. "That's her alright. Snatch her."

"Wait! No!" Josephine shouted. "I'll give you anything! Here, have my earrings!"

"It's not those earrings we want." One of them laughed. "It's you."

"You can't do this! I'm free!" Josephine shouted as they grabbed each of her arms. "Allow me to show you my papers!"

"We have nothing to do with The Crown." One of them laughed. A cloth with a strange perfume was pressed over Josephine's nose and mouth, and she screamed in panic until finally everything faded away.

Once she awoke, she found herself in a dark room. It was damp on the floor, and a mouse scurried past her. The room rocked to the left, and she slid across the filthy floor and hit the wall. Then it rocked to the right, and to the right her body dashed until it hit the wall. She cried out, realizing she was on ship. She wondered where they planned on taking her. She was almost certain they'd illegally sell her into slavery. Possibly in America, where black people were even less likely to be free.

"Help!" She cried out as she stood up and ran to the door. She banged on it with her fists, using all her might. "Please, release me!"

No one answered.

She began hyperventilating as she stumbled into a corner, holding onto a wall as she tried to catch her breath. She placed a hand on her neck, then realized something: her earrings. She fled her ear lobes, but they were bare. Her captors had stripped her of her jewelry. Her hoop spirit was also removed. Falling to the ground, she screamed out, not in physical pain but emotional. She could hardly believe her predicament.