Southern Beauty

chapter 12

ohanna felt the rush of adrenaline as she made her way through the cobblestone streets of Port of New Orleans. The French Quarter was a surprising place to be. The sounds of trombones and saxophones came out of every corner bar, the smell of incense and tobacco filled the streets, and candles flickered highlighting the drunken soldiers and sailors standing on the sidewalks talking to scanty clothed women. She tried not to notice any of this. She was determined to meet Malcolm and begin her trip to Virginia, to family once again.

Louisiana had just passed the vote and the state had now officially seceded. People were celebrating anyway they knew how. Fireworks filled the evening sky while people cheered at the sight. She couldn’t even remember which side she was on or supposed to be on. She thought about David. How long would he be on her side? If Virginia seceded, they would forever be at odds. Right now they were both from the Union. How long would that last, days, weeks, or months? How long did they have?

She wondered how far north she would have to travel to be an ally of his. Why she was thinking of him again in a loving way perplexed her.

The St. Charles Hotel was connected to small shops and apartments. She couldn’t quite make out the figures standing overhead looking out balconies and whistling and laughing while she grasped the door of the hotel to enter. She refused to look up and acknowledge their misbehavior. She hesitated and took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Excuse me, I am looking for someone I am supposed to meet here,” Johanna asked a hotel attendant who happen to be walking by her as she entered. Johanna was about to describe Malcolm when he grumbled.

“Try over there,” he pointed toward a table where a man sat, it appeared the hotel attendant was too busy to be bothered.

The man who he pointed to sat at a small table alone, glasses barely fit on top of his nose. He seemed to be trying to read scraps of paper that lay out in front of him, he was mumbling to himself. Johanna started toward him when a woman with a hooded cloak interrupted her path.

“Please come with me,” she ordered Johanna.

No words were spoken between them as they walked silently toward the hotel’s cellar steps. A light flickered from below as they descended. Before Johanna reached the bottom stair, a feeling of uneasiness pricked at her, but it was too late to turn back.

“I am looking for Mr. Graystone,” she tried to ask the woman whose face was still covered by her cloak. “Have you seen him, Private Malcolm Graystone?”

The woman made no reply until they reached the end of the stairs. Lantern lights flickered in the dark exposing a single door at the end of a hallway.

“The one you seek may not be the one you desire,” she smiled pulling her cloak off her head.

Johanna was surprised to see a beautiful young woman with dark features her Creole accent only enhanced her beauty. Johanna watched the woman walk gracefully toward the door and knocked once and then twice more.

The door opened and Johanna was pushed through a darkened room that was only lit by a small candelabrum which sat alone in the center of the room. Johanna focused on its light. Then she noticed the shadowy figure that ominously sat behind it.

“Welcome, Johanna Lee,” a rough voice came out of the darkness. Each candle flame swayed with each breath he took. Johanna continued to focus on the candles, their wax melting and slowly cascading down making a shape she could not place.

“Do I know you?” she asked with fear in her voice.

“I don’t think so,” he laughed. “But you will get to know me soon enough.” His men laughed.

“Do you know where I can find Mr. Graystone?” she asked ignoring his insinuation.

“Yes and no.” he came out of the darkness.

Johanna gasped. She knew who he was. He was Captain Darren Myers. But, he wasn’t a captain, more like a pirate. He stole cargo ships in harbors and kidnapped women in ports.

“Ah, you recognize me from the wanted posters,” he grinned with excitement.

Johanna still speechless stood still.

“They don’t do me justice. I think I am much more handsome in person,” he laughed. “Don’t you think?”

Johanna stepped backwards. The room had now brightened and she now could see Myers’ men blocking the stairs to her exit. The lamps they held flickered casting shadows about the room. Johanna noticed the woman who had led her into danger had now vanished.

“What do you want?” she asked with more courage than she actually had.

“You are in possession of something that is very valuable. It will come in handy as a bargaining tool for my freedom,” Myers grumbled.

“I have nothing in my possession,” she replied.

“Oh but you do, my sweet,” he said.

Johanna stared him down, “I am telling you, I have no jewelry or anything of value on me.”

Captain Myers laughed and his men followed. Shadows continued to dance around the room, giving it a haunted feeling.

“Jewels and money I have plenty of. That is not what I am speaking of,” Myers continued. “Freedom is what I seek.”

“There is no way anyone would give you pardon for what you have done. Not even for all the riches in the world,” Johanna said in frustration.

“No, but for winning a war, there are those who would sell their souls,” Myers said.

“You must be mistaken,” she said. “I do not have anything in my possession worth any value.” She again surprised herself with her lack of fear.

“Oh, I think you do pretty lady,” said Myers. “There is a rumor that your uncle is friends with a balloonist. He made a secret map for him, an original. It is a treasure many men will pay for and even die for, and many women too.”

The men in the room laughed. There were more than she first thought.

“I am sorry you must be mistaken. I have nothing, and if I did, I still would not give it to you,” she boldly declared.

“Oh, I do like feisty women,” Captain Myers laughed. “It’s a shame I have to let you go.”

“You will let me go?” she asked.

“As soon as I get what I want from you,” Myers explained.

“I have nothing, I tell you,” Johanna repeated.

“Yes, you said that. Maybe I should have my men search you?” he asked. “I know they would enjoy that immensely.”

The men in the room laughed and cheered in agreement.

“You wouldn’t?” asked Johanna now frightened.

“Maybe, I will keep you instead for my collection,” he stared her down. “I bet I could get a pretty penny for you.”

“You can’t keep me here,” warned Johanna who was now frightened. “I am in the care of the U.S. Army and they know where I am. If you take me, they will hunt you down like the dog that you are.”

“It seems you have forgotten who I am,” Myers laughed at her courage. “I have many friends and family that are hidden in the deepest, darkest shadows, Miss Lee.”

“I’m not surprised,” Johanna said under her breath. “What do you want from me?” she asked.

“I will give you until dawn to retrieve my items,” said Myers. “We will find you. Remember any inquiries from the local authorities and you will not live to see another sunrise.”

“By dawn, is that a joke? I don’t even know if I will ever see him again,” Johanna frustrated now being threatened once again. “And besides, that’s only a few hours away.”

“Then you better hurry,” said Myers grinning.

Suddenly to everyone’s surprise, a hidden door behind Johanna suddenly slammed open. Johanna, caught in the door’s path, was knocked to the ground. With no time to brace herself, she hit her head hard onto the basement floor.

Men she didn’t recognize rushed through the secret door, their guns in hand. Myers’ men who had been taken by surprise, found themselves surrounded now by a new set of men who had descended the basement steps from behind.

Before everything went black, Johanna saw a figure of a man standing in the doorway.

Johanna teetered in and out of consciousness. She tried desperately to keep her senses. She had now become aware of the extreme ache that pounded the back of her head. Even with her vision blurry, she tried to focus on the men who fought before her. Their confrontation seemed to escalate with angry words but they seemed too far away for her to comprehend what they were saying.

“Your business here has ended,” said a voice. “I suggest you leave the premises immediately. The authorities are on their way.”

“We don’t want any trouble,” said Myers raising his hands in defeat. “We will leave.”

“She must be quite a handful if you need all these men here,” mocked the man.

“Yes, she is quite captivating. Don’t you think?” asked Myers.

“Absolutely,” he answered.

Captain Myers nodded to his men to halt their brawl and leave. Before he followed, he leaned down near Johanna who still lay motionless on the cold basement floor.

“We will meet again, my lady. That you can count on,” he warned Johanna.

Johanna tried to respond, but no words would form on her lips. A dark shadow of a man stood tall over her, but before she could recognize him, darkness enveloped her.

“Bonjour, ma chérie,” he said looking down on Johanna. “It seems we meet again.”