The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 37

Arthur and the thirteen were all gathered inside another stately room within the mansion in which they were surrounded by three tables of nothing but delectable foods ranging from ice cream and berries to boiled plantains. Hanging in a corner of the room was a full grown green and yellow feathered parrot that would sit and stare hard at Arthur every time the man dared pass by the creature. Its beady eyes would never, not even once, leave the man's face.

Almost everyone seemed to be in a jovial mood upon hearing Arthur's passionate speech. There were a few in the crowd, however, that kept their distance, choosing instead to huddle to themselves and roll their eyes while whispering back and forth about the indecent young man.

"I applaud your initiative, my boy." One black man gladly shook Arthur's hands. "We need more young men like you in Parliament with such drive."

Smiling right back, Arthur said, "I agree, we do need more people like me."

"Ahh, and never a modest one to say the least," the white man laughed out loud.

The lone young lady who was dressed in a powder blue, silky knee high skirt, matching sandals and headscarf, came up beside Arthur with a glass of Cognac in hand which she promptly presented to the man.

Arthur took the glass before replying with a debonair grin, "I am honored."

The two stood and stared at each other for nearly ten seconds before a person outside the room and down the hallway suddenly caught Arthur's attention. It was a black woman, more mature in age, who was adorned in a white dress that appeared as if it were suited for the 19th century rather than 1977. The cagey woman kept glaring right back at Arthur with the most firm and frightful expression on her face. Arthur just looked back at her and smiled cunningly as if he was daring her to even say a word.

"Are you well?" The lady beside him asked.

Arthur watched as the woman in the hallway turned and walked away before he looked back at his new friend and confidently stated, "I am quite well."

All of the sudden, a loud crash from the hallway startled everyone in the room. All eyes were on the hallway and the kitchen attendants who were rapidly cleaning up a table and vase that were all lying in pieces on the floor. Everyone was chattering amongst themselves, everyone that is except Arthur, who only stood with his one hand inside his pocket and a self-assured grin on his dark, blushing face.

"It was probably one of the spooky ghosts in this old house that did it." One man quipped while sipping on his drink.

"I wouldn't doubt it." Arthur amusingly rolled his eyes away from the scene.

"Tell me, Mr. Bushard, just how do you propose to solve the issue of the gang violence in our country?" Another man asked. "I hate to speak without Mr. Manley being present, but I feel the need to pick your brain on the subject."

Taking a long drag of his drink, Arthur remarked, "Well, we must always remember dat de children are de future. Rejecting and ignoring dem only worsens de situation. Rallying dese young people to take responsibility in making dere communities safe is de first step in suppressing dis violence. Listen to dem, make dem a part of de process rather dan something dat needs to be cleaned up."

"I agree, we need to let the youth know how valuable they are." The white man said. "America did it back in the sixties, and Great Britain is finally catching up." Placing his hand on Arthur's shoulder, the man continued, "Someone like yourself, Mr. Bushard, would be instrumental in getting this train rolling in this country at last."

"Yes, dis political beast we call Parliament must be tamed!" One black man said aloud.

"Speaking of beasts, what have you with all dose horrible animal attacks in Negril?" The young woman asked Arthur.

The question caught Arthur completely off guard, but at least he was prepared to give an answer.

"Ahh, I just happen to be a strong believer in controlling Jamaica's wildlife issue."

"Yes, but this isn't just any kind of wildlife." Another man said. "Many have been killed over the past few days. I even heard reports that these animals caused an entire community to go up in flames."

"Mere exaggerations dat can be overlooked," Arthur reassured. "Dis country's issues go far beyond any wild creature dat is running rampant through de streets."

Snaking her arm around Arthur's, the woman looked into his eyes and said, "I agree, animals can be controlled, people on de other hand are a whole different story." She then began to lead the man out the door with a few others following in step.

"Yes, anything that can keep that foolish parrot quiet is more than welcomed." The white man grumbled. "Thankfully it hasn't squawked in almost an hour." The man then turned to Arthur and gathered his hands into his own. Then, with a warm smile, he looked straight into Arthur's face and gleefully stated, "I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot, young man. We'll have to straighten out that gaudy, gutter English of yours. But I assure you, my friend, you shall fit right in here."

***

It was sprinkling that warm evening. A slight hint of coolness breathed upon the quiet grounds making it feel overly pleasant and comfortable. The miniature white lights that lined not only the driveway but also the lavish water fountain in the middle of the courtyard illuminated the darkness, which in turn gave off a delicate wonder that was pleasurable to stroll about in. The sounds of men laughing on the

porch of the mansion could be heard clear down in the front yard, but by that late in the evening they were mere background noise that could be ignored.

Both Arthur and Janai walked arm in arm underneath the long boardwalk that had white lights streaming back and forth across the walkway. All along the yard the butlers were walking and tussling with their skittish Doberman pinchers who apparently wanted to go nowhere near the boardwalk. Some actually managed to break free and run away, while others fought and struggled to keep clear of the area in which Arthur inhabited.

"So, you had to settle for number three." Arthur sympathized with Janai."

Shaking her head shamefully, Janai responded, "Dat's right. Little Miss Sandra Kong not only took de top spot, but she's now dating Bob Marley! Can ya believe dat?" She spoke aloud.

"How can anyone make you number three?" Arthur turned up his nose. "Dat's insidious!"

"If ya ask me, dey chose her because she's light-skinned. Dey don't tink we dark ones are very attractive. Dey never did, as far as I'm concerned." She griped.

The two carried on before Janai looked up at Arthur and asked, "Did you enjoy de ice cream?"

Chuckling, Arthur answered, "My diet consists mainly of meat and marrow."

"I heard dat bone marrow can actually be cooked and consumed. It is good?"

Smiling from ear to ear, the man said, "More dan you can imagine."

Arthur watched Janai's every movement that seemed to be more entranced and spaced-out than focused. It looked as if she were thinking hard on a subject.

"A person could get mighty depressed having to deal with all dis rain." Janai protested.

"It still rains in Negril as we speak."

"I have to admit dat I was so fascinated and heartbroken at de same time when you spoke of your family and de way you grew up." Janai patted Arthur's hand. "It just seems so tragic to me."

Nodding his head in humility, Arthur said, "It was far from easy. My mother and father were very heavy- handed with my siblings and me. But somehow we managed. I can only hope dat I can make dem both very proud."

"I am quite sure you shall."

The two continued to carry on before Arthur came to a stop in the middle of the walkway right beside a palm tree where a little, lone lizard was crawling up onto a branch.

"Tell me of Royson." Arthur peered into Jania's eyes.

The woman sighed before uttering, "Royson is, how do you say, eye candy. Bitter candy." She then giggled.

Arthur as well giggled and asked, "Does he make you irie?"

Janai thought for a moment and remarked, "In small doses. He was—

"Was?" Arthur blatantly interrupted.

Blushing, Janai replied, "Yes...was my dear friend, but strictly for image purposes. He figured dat with his lack of looks and personality, and my...assets, we'd make a perfect pair."

"What Mr. Royson does not realize is dat you are far more dan what your appearance makes you out to be."

Janai gave Arthur an appealing glance before bashfully turning her head away. "Arthur, I cannot—

Arthur placed his fingers on her chin and gently lifted her head back to his. "Why do you turn away?"

Blushing as deep as she could, the woman said, "I do not know for sure. You have such lovely eyes."

"My eyes can tell de greatest stories."

"I'm quite sure dey could, Mr. Bushard."

The two continued to stare at each other before Janai asked, "Do you have a love back in your Negril?"

Arthur pulled back a slight bit before saying, "Why do you ask?"

"Because, I would like very much to know if dere is any competition; I think I have faced enough competition in my life."

"Dere have been some." Arthur's tone somewhat dropped. "Dere was one whom I blessed with many riches, but rather dan thank me, she instead chose to run off to the America's and forget all about me."

Twisting her lips, Janai griped, "I bet ya she regretted it de whole time."

"More dan you can imagine. But I am not here to speak on my past." He drew closer to Janai.

The two locked hands and gave one another penetrating stares into the eyes. "I think it is so wonderful dat you came all de way out here." Janai spoke into Arthur's face. "I too want to travel near and far. I want to go to America, Australia, and De United Kingdom. Anywhere dat is far, I want to be dere." Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Arthur simply caressed her smooth face and asked, "What if I told you dat dere was a remarkable way dat could actually happen?"

"How do you mean?"

"What if I said dat dere was a power like no other in dis world? So much power dat it could add countless years to your life?"

Chuckling, Janai said, "You sound like Ponce de Leon."

"Perhaps, but unlike him, what I have to offer is a reality." Arthur then pulled away from Janai and leaned against the wooden fence of the boardwalk that overlooked the wet grass and lighted water fountain. "At first, it is striking and jarring. But after so much time, it becomes so exhilarating; orgasmic almost. It will electrify your entire being from head to toe."

Janai walked up beside the man and looked at him. "What is dis power you speak of, Enchanter?"

Arthur stood behind Janai at that moment. "Look out at de rain dat falls from de sky. Look at it very, very closely."

The woman remained absolutely still and gazed out at the rain that fell in the darkness. After a full minute had passed the rain that was sprinkling so incessantly had all of the sudden began to slow to a creeping crawl, like it were falling in slow motion.

"Are...are you doing dis?" Janai caught her escaping breath.

Smiling behind her, Arthur answered in a whisper, "It is not me, my love, but de grace of dis power dat I possess."

"How...how are you able to do dis?" Her eyes nearly fell out of her head. "How do I do dis?"

"You must first be reborn. Den, you must be willing to accept de rebirth for what it is. My entire family did so, but only I was able to fully comprehend its potency. Because of dis power, I have been able to traverse de globe. It has allowed me to unlock all of de secrets of de past, present and de future."

"You can see de future?" Janai kept her attention at the mysterious rain.

"Not everything at once."

"Is this heaven?" Janai's body shuddered.

Arthur gently turned the woman's body around and looked her in the eye before he slowly drew her lips close to his.

"Leave her and go." A still voice uttered inside of Arthur's ears.

Arthur halted his movements and looked all around without appearing startled. He wanted so badly to continue, but he knew that it would be unwise to disobey.

"You are to go to the one named Hugo. Then...you are to finish the girl once and for all. After she is dispatched, you shall travel to America to devour the child."

"What is de matter?" Janai questioned with shut eyes.

"Leave her now, you shall return. The girl awaits in the forest."

Ever so reluctantly pulling away, Arthur planted a kind and tender kiss on Janai's forehead before saying, "It is I dat must apologize. My dear homeland is calling me. I must take care of matters dere for an evening."

"But dis is so sudden, Arthur. Your home is so far away. How will you make it back in one night?"

Smiling so graciously, the man replied, "Remember everyting I have told you dis evening, my dear. It all can be yours, if only you keep your candle for me burning brightly."

"When shall you return?" She sounded perturbed.

Turning and walking away, Arthur said, "After tonight, you and I shall be as one. One king, and one queen."

"I shall wait for you. Do not forget to come back for me, Enchanter!" She waved.

Arthur waved back as the rain restarted its original motion of pouring all of the sudden. The man kept on walking before the sight of a light from a second floor window of the mansion abruptly snagged his attention. The man stopped right in the middle of the lawn and looked to see the same woman he encountered in the hallway hours earlier. Arthur only glared both his shining eyes and his growing fangs at the staring woman before the trembling of his right hand abruptly brought him back to his senses. He looked down at the appendage with such blatant curiosity that it nearly caused his ghoulish fangs to retract. He stuffed both of his hands inside his pockets before looking back up at the window to find both the woman and the light gone.

Arthur only cracked a crafty grin as he continued on through the grass and into the darkness of what appeared in his eyes to be the backyard of the mansion.

The deeper into the wide expanse he ventured the more it seemed that his own legs wanted to slow down. Eventually, Arthur ended up stopping directly in the middle of the backyard before gazing all around. Why he chose to stop didn't seem to register or weigh too heavily upon his mind, it was the sheer fact that something had all of the sudden seized his being that seemed to capture his soul. He was standing perfectly still, and yet, melting within his own body.

His nostrils flared in and out. The only things he could hear that evening were the crickets buzzing in the moist air and the men from the front of the mansion carrying on.

"Come out...now." Arthur whispered in a grunt.

Just then, directly in front of him, a figure was steadily approaching. Arthur assumed a defensive posture. He could see the individual's body, but their face was clouded by a darkness that not even his night eyes could penetrate. It unnerved him to where he began growing out his fangs. However, before he could even blurt out a simple growl, something from beneath him grabbed a hold of his legs and

began dragging him down into the earth. Arthur wailed out, clawed and grabbed for the grass that was rapidly escaping him. With every struggle that was all the deeper Arthur seemed to sink. He screamed once more before catching sight of the person that was coming at him.

"Sister," Arthur panted at the sight.

It was Akoni, naked and bleeding right before him. She stood above her besieged brother with a mournful glaze upon her face while the woman from inside the mansion came and stood beside Akoni. She as well wore a somber frown while watching Arthur succumb to the pit in which he was being pulled.

"Sister...aide me," he desperately hollered. "I am your brotha!"

But Akoni only stood and looked on at her brother while the demure lady next to her stared daggers down into Arthur's eyes, as though his just desert's had come at last. Just glaring back up at them as he descended only instilled an even harsher determination within Arthur at that instant. He stopped screaming long enough to gain a hold of a solid piece of ground before gradually struggling his way back up. The longer he stared at the two spiteful women the stronger he seemed to become.

Soon, the man found himself climbing upwards and out of the mud-filled ground. The very second he was able to stand to his feet he noticed both his sister and the other lady gone. From left to right he scanned the grounds only to find it completely void of life. Arthur then looked down at his clothes to find them ripped and torn to shreds, making him appear as though some wild creature had attacked him. Much to his own surprise, the hole in which he had been sucked in to was nowhere to be found. The ground was perfectly manicured and undamaged.

"My love, is that you?" A female's delicate voice inquired in the night.

Without thinking, Arthur quickly spun around and sank his fangs right into the woman's neck before dragging her down to the wet grass and devouring her until there was only bone left to savor. Arthur

kept on and on until he finally backed away and stood up only to discover that he had slaughtered Janai. The dead woman laid there on the ground a bloody mess of shredded flesh and exposed neck bones.

Wiping his filthy face dry, Arthur, with disdain in his throat, sneered down at the corpse, "The teacher tasted better."

Janai's dead, stunned eyes remained open, seemingly pointed lifelessly at Arthur who only slowly backed away as not to look directly back at them. The man was unfazed by the incident that had taken place just moments earlier; as a matter of fact, it only excited him.

"See here, what's going on out there?" A man's voice shouted out.

Arthur turned and heard men scrambling towards his direction and dogs barking in front of them. Within the midst of the darkness he could see flashlights swirling about. He snarled at the oncoming party before stepping over Janai's corpse and striking away into the night with a still unsatisfied stomach.