The Serpent's Tale

Chapter 2: Two Eggs in a Palm

Chantale blazed down the road leading out of town. Franz struggled to both keep up with her and to avoid the dust kicked up into his face. 

"We probably shouldn't go looking for underground networks. I think that's one of the least believable stories I've heard, and trust me I've heard a lot" reasoned Franz.

 "My decision is final. Now I want to speak to Preval and see Damballa myself" replied Chantale. 

Franz and Chantale continued along the path until they noticed the sounds of a ceremony and then saw the bright light of torches slicing through the dark. A Vodun ceremony was taking place, oddly in the middle of nowhere. Chantale and Franz blended into the small audience and in a matter of seconds Chantale edged her way to the front. A possessed Haitian woman danced wildly in front of the crowd; her dreads were decorated with beads and as she flung her head around the beads made a subtle "hissing" noise.

 A figure stood behind the possessed woman with his hands closed. Franz felt another ominous sensation and paid close attention to the man in the back. Franz figured him to be the priest of the ceremony. The priest stepped from behind the woman and stood beside her. His hands were still closed. 

"Damballa is alive and well after this most recent earthquake. His home has been disturbed and he is in search of souls to rebuild his home before passing them through to the other side."

"Where can we find Damballa?" asked Chantale.

The small audience hummed and shuffled around nervously following Chantale's outburst. 

The priest peered into her eyes, the possessed woman blocked his view of Chantale, and Chantale's view of the hands of the priest which opened. The possessed woman clawed something out of his hands and then moved towards Chantale. The priest told Chantale to visit Kenscoff, a commune outside of Port-au-Prince, and then asked Chantale to hold out her hand. 

The possessed woman placed two white eggs into her hand; one egg had a "C" etched on the outside and a second egg had a "F" etched on the outside. The etches, however, were so faint that Chantale had not noticed. Franz offered to hold onto the eggs, but Chantale refused and stuffed them into her small bag.

Chantale had decided to rest for the night and Franz was happy to oblige, but his slumber was more transient than tranquil. The two were still a few miles away from Kenscoff and Chantale wanted to waste no more time. Therefore, the instant her eyes peeled open was the same instant her legs were back in motion. 

Chantale made no effort to wake Franz and he only realized she was taking off because she had tripped over his legs in her mad-dash. 

"You know I'm going along with you Chantale. I'm not just walking in the same direction as you." 

Chantale ignored Franz and continued her rapid pace before coming to a halt. A body was sprawled out on the ground in front of them. 

"Another victim of the quake" muttered Chantale. 

Franz studied the body and disagreed, "That man is alive." 

The man rattled around as his body coiled and uncoiled. Chantale took a couple steps back and watched as the man rose to his feet. The man had tattered clothing, an unkempt beard, and missing teeth. The man cupped his hands and motioned them towards the two, "

Would you two happen to have anything to eat?" 

"Just another beggar" retorted Chantale as she slid past the man. 

"Chantale, we have enough food to spare him something" Franz pleaded. 

"I don't believe in just receiving anything for free, so if you give me something to eat, I'll tell you a story" reasoned the beggar. 

Chantale finally came to a halt, "I've heard enough stories for two lifetimes. Haitians and your myths." 

Those last words hit like a strike to the gut and Chantale departed for good. Franz was ambivalent; he wanted to help the beggar, but feared upsetting Chantale. That is when Franz had an idea.