Creatures of the Earth

CANELO

Arriving late at home, Canelo found no signs of Paloma. Her things were still in her tiny closet. Perhaps Quique was with her at the police station. But his deputy had not reported. Canelo wanted to go back out and search, to make sure she was safe.

Out of sheer exhaustion, he collapsed on their bed. He awoke at four in the morning, and knew she was there. After searching for a moment in the dark, he found her. She stood by the front door, as if waiting for an invitation.

"I thought you were still with the riversfolk," said Canelo. "What's wrong?"

She smiled and the wind came in and it was all her perfume. Cat-like, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was speechless. This was not his Paloma. The version before him was full of youth—her body radiated light and heat. In her hair were small flowers and vines and sparkling things that twinkled. And around her waist was a skirt of leaves and on her breasts were flowers. Her brown feet, bare as always, were the only things familiar to him.

Seeing her like this filled him with so much longing and sadness. How could he hurt her when she had been there for him always? He kissed her and promised he would change and things would change and all that change might bring a new life into their home, one they could parent and watch grow.

The wind picked up again and she was gone. He stumbled backwards, expecting to wake from some dream, and yet awake he remained.

"Paloma..." he said, alarmed. He should have been out combing the streets, looking for her! What was he doing here asleep?

Quique and Armando were there in seconds, banging on his door. Thick Quique was all sweat and could hardly speak. Armando was on a crutch, but he simply stared at Canelo.

"What is it?" said Canelo.

"Nobody is at the dam," said Armando. "Culantro is without electricity."

"They found Lorio two hours ago..." said Quique. "He was wandering the streets, raving about a monster at the cemetery..."

"We dispatched the soldados and they confirmed that Esteban was dead and left like the other bodies," said Armando. "The graves were open. All of the fresh ones."

"Townsfolk are leaving, Jefe," said Quique. "There is a rush of horses and wagons on the main street."

Wonderful. The city under his charge was falling apart. With the mayor dead, Canelo was the defunct city leader, until elections at least.

They were quiet now. And Canelo sensed more bad news. He pinched his nose.

"Give me the rest," said Canelo.

"I lost Paloma, Jefe," said Quique. "I think she's with the riversfolk, but I'm not sure..."

Canelo could not be angry with Quique. It was his responsibility to care for Paloma, not his deputy's. He nodded. "Anything else?"

Armando and Quique said, "There are at least six other cases besides Esteban..."

"There's going to be more," said Canelo and grabbed his things. "Night's not over yet."

"What should we do, sir?" said Armando.

Canelo often took pride in telling Paloma that his men would support him no matter what. Of course, he had said that when things were normal. Now, staring at them, at their tired eyes, breathing in their body odor, he knew they really would.

"Go home," said Canelo.

"Sir?" said Armando.

"Go home and make sure your families are okay. Get some rest and if you come back to the station later on, I hope you can help me keep the people safe," said Canelo.

They were quiet.

"I have to find Paloma now," said Canelo. "I'm taking one of your horses."

***

The noon sun and the humidity lathered up both human and horse with sweat. Using a handkerchief, Canelo wiped his face. He stopped by the Rio Amargo to allow the beast to drink and him to think. They had just finished their second lap of the homes that were scattered along the river.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw them: A family of riversfolk. He urged the horse to go to them. The group of five, three adults and two children, tried to walk away, but stopped when he spoke his name to them.

"Hola, Sheriff," said the father, a man Canelo had never met.

"Have you seen Paloma Chanul today?" said Canelo.

"Chanul!" said the old woman. She, like Lorio, spoke the indigenous language common to riversfolk.

The wife addressed Canelo. "My mother saw her. Paloma went to the Yuca Estación. But this was yesterday," said the woman. "Before...the mob..."

"Do you know why she went there?" said Canelo, trying to avoid the awkward subject of the mob.

The old woman spoke to the wife again in her native language. At the end of it, the wife said, "To fight the evil in Culantro. She will heal the land."

He let them go. There were no words he could give them that would reassure them, especially after all they had been through. And, honestly, he felt they were not safe if they stayed another night.