Chapter 1

Wheels and feels

Tunnels and trails

Weave your magic

Embalm your

Wicked ways

Root

Him

Up

And

All his

Tales

All hail

The

Noni King

The brown pelican with its bill stretched wide swooped gently onto the turquoise water in search of a midday snack. It disappointedly ascended from the ocean and continued its flight in search of a meal. In the distance a brand-new ship had set sail, venturing to the other side of the world with a bevy of wonders stored upon it.  Consuela sat on the top of the wall which at the edge of the dock swinging her legs and humming. She often wondered about the ships' journey and its passengers. The exotic places they would visit and the mesmerizing memories they would create. She was unable to leave the quiet island of Blu Caicos since the incident years ago. Consuela wasn't disappointed that she could not leave the beautiful island especially since all her family and friends lived there, but she still wanted to explore the outer world. The king had taken that freedom from her more than fifteen years ago on her sixth birthday. She shook her head to dissolve the memories and stood to her feet. Arching backwards slowly to stretch she extended her long arms and begin walking towards the ocean. The gentle rolling of the waves relaxed her as she strolled along the white sand. She bent and let herself settle onto the cool sand. Digging her hands into the sand she scooped a handful of the white diamond of the island and let it slip slowly through her fingers. The sun reflected onto her dark brown face and the wind swept through her shoulder length Locs. Her long legs rested safely in the fluffy comfort of the sand. If she could live here forever in this moment, she would.

The salty scent of the sea in the air was interrupted by a scent so putrid it was almost sweet. Consuela could recognize that scent anywhere. She swiftly turned, expecting to see him but was instead greeted by one of the elders. The old man held a bucket which was perfectly rested upon his clothed head. He removed the bucket from its perch and sat it down near Consuela. Her dark brown eyes which were filled with fear a few minutes ago were now sparkling with excitement.

"Granwald, you scared me! I thought you were someone else!"

The elderly man cracked his fingers and grinned, "who do you think I could possibly be? You got somebody else who sells you Noni?"

She kissed her teeth playfully and motioned for him to open the bucket. Granwald pulled the top from the bucket and the majestic green Noni with its putridly sweet smell was revealed.

"I ain’t never find this much before! It is a miracle, and I want to give you the first chance to buy yours. Pretty women deserve nice things."

Granwald was well known for his charm as a street vendor, and he seemed to use it for everything else as well.

"As much as I am flattered by your charm, you very well know Ma Len would hex you if you didn't drop off her PAID for Noni. Nice try though." Consuela smiled and wagged a finger at him before she reached for the coin pouch from her dress pocket. She paid him and collected her Noni in a sack she had bought with her.

"That's alright pretty girl, I was just playing, don't tell Ma Len what I say."

He prepared his bucket once again for travelling and continue along his journey.

Many people were frightened by the mere mention of Ma Len's name, but to Consuela she was the sweetest person. Having completed her day's mission, she hoisted the heavy sack across her shoulder and began her trip home. Once again, her wandering mind led her to thinking of how different her life would be if she had the ability to travel. She daydreamed of a place where she would no longer have to struggle everyday doing errands for others. A place where she wasn't scorned because of the hex placed on her by him. Somewhere she could live a normal life with doting parents, happy friends and a handsome beau who lived on her every word. Fifteen years of being in near solitude did strange things to a young woman. The curse had changed her life in so many ways. The dreams which plagued her every time she closed her eyes and the visions, she endured during the day, were a bonus to the king's curse. There was one bright ray of sunshine which came out of the curse. Consuela could converse with lost souls and help them change their fate from spending eternity in the underworld. Her newly found gift was still a secret. She didn't want to be further labelled as a demon in addition to the titles of cursed, wicked, evil, witch or whatever else dark words the islanders could find. Peace was what she sought most and if she could at least pass it onto those who needed it she may be able to partake in its rewards.

Trapped deep in her imagination, Consuela failed to realize she had missed the path to go home. The pathway which was normally lined with a hub of trees such as tamarind, sapodilla, neem, and meringue was now replaced by a wide breadth of water which resembled a pond. Consuela had never seen this place before. She slowly began backing away towards the path she had entered and turned quickly has her back hit what felt like a wall. Turning slowly, she noticed movement from the corner of her eyes. Spinning quickly on her heels, she grabbed the closest object to her which could act as a weapon and found her efforts to be wasted as she raised the scrawny twig towards the stranger.

A broad smile spread across the intruder's lip as she growled, "am I supposed to be frightened by a pauper Jumbie's twig?"

As Consuela stared into the vanishing face of her opponent, a silent scream escaped her lips as she was submerged below the pond.