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Chapter 9~ Dr. Zagaeski’s Wonders
Over the next few days,the Cabin Boy’s visits were strictly professional. I had no torturing injuries, so he had no real reason to stay. And part of me didn’t want him to stay like he used to. It was clear that I was no longer any kind of friend to him—to anyone. If he was content with that, I knew I must be as well. Sometimes, I would be released at night to get fresh air. But, I’d always be cloaked in case I was spotted. At least every hour, I’d wonder how long it had been since I first was kidnapped. Tew once said a ransom letter was to be sent. But, that felt like years ago now. My father was perhaps never coming. Who knows? Maybe Tew’s stilled actions meant he was ready to kill me once and for all and give up the hunt for Every.
Every day, I started coming to terms with my own potential murder so that when it came, I wouldn’t be scared. I could welcome it like a long-lost friend.
But today was to be very different than the rest. That previous night, Edmund had mentioned that we were to port in Cape Town in the morning. And we did. The island smelled of citrus, apples, and green plant life. I was released to roam the deck in the morning. All the while, the ship was being stocked for another long journey ahead of us. Men rolled in barrels of rum, sacks of sugar, and crates of mysterious substances. Everyone had their jobs and busied themselves. And, surprisingly, the security was lacking. Perfect…
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” said a voice behind me. 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DUQtv05yl
I glanced around and rolled my eyes. “What? Would you stop me, Edmund?” 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYFtVskJdS
He folded his arms and looked around quickly for anyone watching our conversation. “'Course not. But a bullet in the head might.” 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3Gi5zbZxD
I smirked to myself and watched the islanders load sacks into the pirate’s arms. Making a quick decision, I turned to face Edmund. “It was nice knowing you, Edmund. Good luck becoming a doctor.”
“What?” he laughed, amused. I nodded and approached an islander carrying another sack. Hiding under the hood of my cloak and lowering my voice to an uncomfortable level, I grunted, “I’ll take it from here.” The islander paused, a little worried about the figure before him but hauled it into my arms nonetheless. I turned to go to the back of the ship when the islander’s call stopped me.
“Wait,” he said in a thick African accent, “this one was in the wrong pile. Put it back with the other loads on the dock.” My head raised only slightly in surprise. This was it! The chance I’d been waiting for for months. Edmund was just as surprised as me, witnessing a possible miracle before him. But, I still looked to him as if to ask if I should do it. Wide-eyed, he nodded feverishly. That was all I needed. All those years of appearing unfeminine may pay off. Nonchalantly, I lugged the bag down to the dock, keeping my head down so no one would look at me. Maybe then I would disappear into the air. Terror and excitement flowed through my blood but I did everything in my power to keep from showing it. Seconds felt like hours and every face that I passed made my heart crawl closer and closer up to my throat. I could just imagine, any moment now, Tew coming barreling down the dock to drag me back into my personal hell. Nothing good lasts forever, after all.
My foot landed on the steady wood floor of the deck. It was the first steady ground I’d been on in forever; I could’ve kissed it. However, there wasn’t a moment to spare. I laid the sack down in the area the islander directed me to and quickly, silently walked away. So easy…Like they were just waiting for me to go.
Cape Town was nothing short of miraculous. That citrus scent was an uplifting, heavenly aroma that I could’ve gotten drunk on. Palm trees lined the shoreline, and the mountaintops in the distance called my name. The city was a wildfire of people in the markets playing joyous street music and selling goods I’d never even heard of in England. Everything about this place was entrancing and miraculous. But, I’d stopped walking. A voice inside me was yelling. So loud, almost deafening. It said I’d left something behind. I looked back on the ship and could only think of one reason I would ever turn back to that place. A reason I’d almost completely forgotten about in my haste.
“WHERE’S THE BASTARD GIRL?!?!”
And that was my cue. Without any more hesitation, I bolted from sight and dove into the maddening crowds of people. All around, I smelled wondrous foods grilling over fires. Women yelled out for their children. Vendors announced their products to the world and poets read lyrics to open, curious ears. I wanted more than anything to explore all the market had to offer. But, I could feel devils chasing behind me. Atop the building, wooden lanterns were strung about, sure to be lit later that evening. Full drum beats echoed in my ears and played along with the racing thump of my heartbeat. No matter what, I kept running and weaving through crowds and alleyways. And I loved it!
The chase kept my blood pumping. The excitement kept my head on my shoulders but my heart beating as fast as a speeding bullet. The ringing shots of guns far behind me caught my attention but never lessened my drive. People began to watch and crane their necks around to catch sight of the runaway cloaked figure.
Unfortunately, my legs weren’t such a fan of the getaway as I was. I paused my race and searched every nearby vendor and building. To my right stood a quaint shack, almost home-like. Above the door was a large wooden plank with the words “DR. ZAGAESKI’S WONDERS” painted in a blood-red paint with a golden shimmer. The sign was adorned with large, colorful feathers and strings of wooden beads. I looked almost a second too long. The gunshots drew near.
I trotted up the stone steps and slipped into the dark shack, free at last. No more was the panic haunting my every thought. All I did was breathe heavily and slowly, letting the air fill every crevice of my lungs.
The inside of the shack was far from the dingy, unattractive outside. In fact, I had never seen anywhere more mysteriously beautiful in all my life. The light was dim and the cold air sent shivers down my spine. The room looked much smaller with all the knick-knacks cluttering the corners. Skulls hung from the ceiling as well as beaded necklaces and charms. Savage remains were situated on every bookshelf. The books themselves were dusty and ancient-looking, filling the surrounding air with a musky odor. A large decorative rug lied on the center of the floor. On it was stitched stars and the moon, a whole universe I could stare at. But the real beauty lied atop the desk in the center of it all—a large bowl covered in strange dark engravings. All around it, candles of dripping red wax burned. I slowly approached the table and noticed the small shells that the bowl contained. I knew what this place was in an instant.
“Can I ‘elp you, ma’am?” There in the back doorway stood a tall African man. His skin was so dark that I had not noticed him in the shadows. Yet, after I saw him, I couldn’t take my eyes away. His looks were similar to those of the islanders, but this man radiated a sort-of theatrical aura. He was dressed in dark colors—blacks and deep purples. He wore a long leather coat and shiny metal jewelry all over his body. The man’s eyes were golden and striking. His gray hair was in thick dreadlocks and his head was wrapped in teal and scarlet rags. Strangely, the man’s earlobes had been stretched; the flesh hung a few inches from his unshaven jaw. This stranger was mythical.
“Who are you?” I marveled. This man suddenly smiled, exposing wide white teeth, and declared loudly, “I am Doctor Zagaeski at your service, ‘ere to amaze and reveal your footure’s path.” As I’d observed before, Doctor Zagaeski put on a dramatic act and bowed. Then, on his way back up, he shot off a cloud of red smoke that made me jump back against the door.
“You’re no doctor. You’re a devil! Witchcraft!”
“Oh, but you ah mistaken, miss,” the man rushed in a thick ethnic accent, “I am no devil. Just a simple mahgician.”
“Magician?”
“Maker of mahgic, not evil. I ‘elp customers find their way throo the mystehrious fog dat is life. Nah tell meh, child, who ah you running from?” I figured the best way to deal with the magician was to lie. The less he knew, the better.
“No one.”
“Den why ah you ‘ere?”
“I wanted a…palm reading.” 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq27r9zUNFj
The man held out his hand, waiting patiently until I remained unresponsive for several seconds. “I chahge upfront, child.”
“I have no money,” I replied. He chuckled, obviously not amused. Dr. Zagaeski folded his arms again and took a seat at the center table.
“I nevah asked for moneh. You pay or you don’t stay.” 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1z5eFhW0h
With reluctance, I dug into the hidden pocket of my trousers and retrieved the drawing of my mother—the only remains of her memory I had left. The Doctor held out his hand once again, and I forced myself to let go of it. He unfolded the paper and admired her beautiful depiction.
“Dis is you?” he muttered under his breath.
“No. My mother. She died many years ago. I only have my father now.”
“Is your fadah da one you running from?”
“No, I’m running to him.” 490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rz1BHFAnq
Dr. Zagaeski nodded, somehow understanding me completely, and hid away the drawing from sight. I watched the man flutter his eyes shut and relax every muscle in his face, as though he was falling asleep. But instead, he took slow, deep inhales, began to hum, and droned in another language.
“Mmmmmm…Ek is maar ’n bloke vlieg onder jou voet, God Cagn. Gee my wysheid. Gee my oë…Mmmmm…” he moaned. For a few more seconds, the Doctor remained silent, motionless until he finally awoke and took my hands in his. Those eyes of his bore down so fiercely into my palms that I almost felt a burning sensation in them. His clubbed fingers traced the lines and he kept whispering words in another language to himself. Finally, I pulled away, but he’d already finished.
“You are troubled deepleh, child. Something from your past ‘aunts you like your walking shadow. You must give up faith en dis burden. Only den will you be able to move on and live life. But I also see potential of a great leadah in your footure and you ‘ave more friends den you know. Howevah, you are shielded by a wall dat must be taken down very soon. You cannot be afraid of what may happen but let your ‘eart take control. And…”
“And what?”
He squinted his eyes and looked closer. “And you will be saved.”
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