Far below the ocean
surface, off the coast of Haiti, an eleven year-old girl named Marie drifted
along the currents. Dark waters wrapped around her like a cocoon as she slept
fitfully. Her body twitched and jerked as images crashed and tossed in her mind.
Children laughed and called her malsòti, or “weirdo”. An old woman with dreadlocks
peered down over wire-rimmed glasses and scolded her for being disobedient. Their
faces twirled and crashed together, becoming a giant wave that swallowed Marie,
spinning her around and around until she couldn’t tell if she was up or down.
Help
me! she screamed. Someone please help!
I’m
here, dear one, a familiar voice said. I’ll
protect you.
The waters in her dream parted,
revealing her mother’s face. Soft brown eyes the color of warm banana yam pudding
watched her. Thin lips stretched from one high cheekbone to the other in the
most beautiful smile Marie could imagine. Tight cornrows peeked out from
beneath an emerald green head skirt.
Manman, the girl said. Is it really you?
You
called to me and I heard you, her mother said. It’s time for us to be together again.
I’ve
waited so long to hear that, Manman.
It’s time. Open your eyes.
Marie frowned. What do you mean?
The woman’s face
flickered and dimmed. Open your eyes.
Wait!
Marie reached out but as her fingers touched her mother’s face, the image
rippled and faded even more. Manman! Don’t
leave me! Please don’t leave again!
Open your eyes.
Marie’s eyes
flew open. Everything was dark.
She started to shout, “Manman! Where are you?” but as soon as
she opened her mouth, water rushed in. The salt made her gag. She spat it out.
More water rushed in. She flailed her arms and legs. She was really underwater!
Don’t panic. You’re safe here.
Manman?
Marie
thought as she stopped thrashing and moved only her feet to tread water, not
daring to open her mouth again.
No,
child, but you can trust me.
The
voice was familiar, yet strange and wonderful, rising and falling like the
waves. She heard it clearly as if she was on dry land. How could that be? For
that matter, how could she hold her breath for so long?
You’re
not holding your breath.
Marie
stopped moving. Was that true? Hesitantly, she released her breath. Tiny
bubbles tickled her chin. She parted her lips and inhaled, allowing a thin stream
to enter her mouth. The salty water trickled down her throat. It burned a
little at first, but then it didn’t bother her. Instead of spitting it out, she
drank in a little more. Soon, she was taking deep breaths.
That’s
better, isn’t it?
“Who
are you?” Marie said aloud as she searched the darkness. “How can I possibly be
breathing underwater?”
Anything
is possible here.
A
pinpoint of light appeared and hovered near the Marie’s nose. Startled, she
swatted it away. The light dodged her hand and moved a few feet away. As it
did, it expanded and brightened. Bigger and brighter it grew, until it exploded
in a brilliant flash, forcing Marie to shield her eyes with her hands.
Slowly,
the light dimmed enough for Marie to lower her hands. When she did, she gasped
in wonder.
Surrounded
by a ball of amber light, a beautiful woman floated in front of her with black
hair billowing from her head like a fan and an aquamarine gown rippling over
her chocolate skin. Her green eyes sparkled like gemstones as she smiled, displaying
teeth that glittered like sun-bleached shells. As she raised her arms, fish and
sea creatures of all sizes and colors danced and spun around her in a marvelous
ballet.
“Hello,” the woman said. “I am LaSirène.”
No comments:
Post a Comment