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Date Posted: 22:44:35 05/03/02 Fri
Author: Repost Fairy
Author Host/IP: 64.193.19.25
Subject: Gypsies and Criminals - Part 3a
In reply to: KT 's message, "Gypsies and Criminals" on 22:11:54 05/03/02 Fri

Gypsies and Criminals - Part 3a
By KT
Copyright April, 2002


Nikita hid in her usual place, watching for the gypsies to make camp. The wagons came, forming a circle, their wheels creaking a somber song. No fires were lit, no joyous music rang out. There was no feasting, no dancing. The magical mood of the previous congregation had vanished. All was quiet.

The beautiful black-haired woman sat with her son on her lap, her lovely features marred by sadness. She stared across the circle to the place where the man had stood. Her colorful dress with the fine gold threads had disappeared, replaced by a cloak of black wool. Her feet were bare, and a black cross marked her forehead.

Silent tears stole down her cheeks as she looked at her child. The boy slid off her lap and began walking, his tiny steps taking him into the center of the circle. The woman stretched her arms out. Nikita could see her calling his name, but heard no sound.

A lantern appeared as a figure emerged from one of the wagons. Nikita could not make out the form, but saw the lantern swing to and fro as its carrier approached the edge of the circle. A face materialized out of the dimness, the face of the man who had watched them so intensely at the dancing, eyes now transfixed on the woman and the boy. He knelt at the edge of the circle and set his lantern down.

The boy plodded forward without hesitation until he stood in the center, exactly between the two. His mother's arms were ever more outstretched, her pleas unheeded, her tears flowing now. The man extended his arms toward the boy, beseeching him silently to come to him. The child took a last look over his shoulder at his mother, then moved ahead toward the man.

The woman stood, her head thrown back, her hands offered up to the night sky. The boy was captured by man's tender embrace. Large gentle hands stroked his hair, and soft lips pressed a kiss to the top of his head. The man's eyes filled with liquid as he directed them upward, fixing gravely on the woman, as if to hold her captive, but without success. She was slowly becoming invisible, fading into the blackness until she could no longer be seen.

Nikita saw the man bow his head and cover his eyes, his chin resting on the boy's shoulder. After a moment, the man rose, lifting the boy upward, the child's arms wrapped around his neck, his little face buried against the soft material of the man's shirt. He was crying quietly, unconsoled by the words of comfort the man was whispering in his ear.

As he had done previously, the man turned in Nikita's direction, peering intently into the thicket. This time, when their eyes met, she knew that he could see her. Once again, she stood as still as the deer in the forest, caught in the hypnotic moment, unable to look away. Her heart pounded, her blood roared, her limbs were as water, as she feared what might come next.

But the man made no move toward her, only stared, his tears finally spilling over the rims of his eyes, coursing hotly down his cheeks, his face contorted with pain. Nikita felt as though a fiery blade had been slid between her ribs, piercing her to the heart, as his pain became hers. Her eyes grew wide, her lips parted as if to speak, but still she did not move.

So imperceptibly that she did not notice that he went until he was gone, the man backed away from her, gliding like an animal that had been cornered by a hunter, eyes never leaving hers until he and the boy disappeared into his wagon. Nikita drew a deep breath, then fainted. The lantern flickered out as the stars held their mute watch over the night.

CRRRRRRAAAAAACKKKKK!

Nikita sat bolt upright as the thunder woke her suddenly. Sounds in the darkness indicated that other family members were also awakened by the great lightning strike. After a few minutes, things settled down again, but she lay wide awake, the images of her dream too vivid to ignore. Her hand strayed to a place on her solar plexus where a nagging pain was throbbing. She rubbed it gently until it subsided.

When all became perfectly quiet, she rose and walked out into the rain toward the privy. A faint glow, like the rising of the sun, was growing on the horizon from the direction of the grain field. She continued on toward the crude wooden structure to relieve herself. As she emerged, she saw that the glow was becoming brighter. Looking up, Nikita realized that it was still the middle of the night. The glow could only mean one thing: FIRE!

Panic set in as the possibility of their grain being destroyed hit her, and she ran into the house shouting.

"Walter! Jason! The grain field! It's burning!" She shook Walter awake as Jason quickly appeared at her side. she turned and barked at him. "Go!"

He gave her a bewildered look. "But what can we do?"

Walter was now awake and on his feet. Nikita led him outside and he saw instantly that she was right. Robie and Jule had joined them, and Walter gave them each a scythe and instructions.

"Make a line around the fire and cut down the grain until you have a path twice as wide as you are tall. If the fire moves, move with it. Let's go."

They began to run, Nikita at Walter's side. "Will it work?" she asked between breaths.

Walter glanced sideways. "I think so. If we're early enough. Good work, Nikita."

She tried to smile at him, but was so frightened by the fire and her dream that all she could do was nod her head in acceptance of his praise. The line spread out as they neared the edge of the fire. It wasn't too large, and Walter reassured everyone that if the acted quickly, they could save the field.

As he spoke, another bolt of lightning cracked in the distance, its thunder coming soon after. A moment later, the heavens opened and rain poured down so hard that they stopped running. Walter looked up with grateful eyes, then back at his family. They awaited his judgment.

"I think the rain will stop the fire, but we should go ahead and cut a path anyway, just to be sure."

Walter and Jason set out in opposite directions, swinging their scythes as the grain fell before them. Robie put her arms around her daughters and drew them close for a moment.

"It will be all right," she whispered. She looked into their faces, then released them to their task.

It took the rest of the night, but eventually their accomplished what they had set out to do, and with the help of the rain, arrested the progress of the fire. It continued to burn the grain until it reached the break they had cut, then died. They stayed until they were sure it was completely out, then trod back to the hut, exhausted from the ordeal.

As they stood in the yard, looking at one another, they began to smile, then laugh. They were all covered with soot and smoke, their arms, legs, and faces all smudged. Tired as they were, Robie herded them down to the river to bathe. As they returned to their home, the dawn's faint pink glow began to illuminate a cloudless sky.

Despite the hour, everyone fell back into bed and slept. Nikita dreamt no more. She was simply too tired.

* * * * * * * *

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  • Gypsies & Criminals - 3b -- Repost Fairy, 22:47:21 05/03/02 Fri
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