36
The road seemed lined with staring people as Nkiruka ran, holding Jess tight in her arms, past the zebra crossing near the northwest corner of the park, and craning her neck to follow the movements of the raven. The people were not staring for dangerous reasons, simply at the spectacle, she knew. A black woman clutching a white child and follow a bird across the street was not a common occurrence in any part of the world. She promised herself she would not stop for anyone. Her feet smarted as they hit the concrete. She felt her arms weakening as she ran on. She made no eye contact with anyone she passed. It was too much to hope that none of them were hunting her. For minutes she ran under the assumption it was all over, the hunters would find the prey, and there was nothing to do but run furiously.
When her legs were truly threatening to give out and her breath was coming in stertorous gasps, she slowed down, surveyed their surroundings and let Jess down to the ground.
They were on a crescent street, lined with newly built terraced houses. The scene was actually too beautiful for Nkiruka. Each house had a green lawn, most with flowers offset with the next property. Years ago, she would have said that living in a place like this was enough for her. But now there was no enough, or maybe she had learned the word’s true meaning, because now enough was only breath and, perhaps, being able to see the sky.
Jess was looking to her silently.
There was an artificial flutter behind them, a shock that caused them both to jump in fright, but it was only the bird. It seemed they were safe for the time being, more than could be said for the Old Man. Some part of her wanted to say a prayer for the machine’s soul.
The bird stood absolutely still, and she could see herself reflected on it’s smooth exterior. It’s eyes watched her constantly without blinking, waiting evidently for her to make a move before it would follow. Jess rushed to the thing and bent over with hands extended and began petting the machine’s hard body. The action sent a ghostly crawl down Nkiruka’s spine—a child’s curiosity—so opposite her own. She wanted only to escape.
Come, child. We must keep moving.”
Jess stood up amiably and walked over to Nkiruka and took her outstretched hand by the forefinger. The older woman started to walk, but suddenly overwhelming admiration for this slender, strong little being flowed through her and she seized Jess in a great hug. The child gave a start.
Girl, I must see you become a woman!”
Jess hugged her back as hard as she could until Nkiruka released her and they made their way to the arc of the crescent shaped road. Jess had helped her decide; she would go to the place she most despised. She would go to that most established and fickle place; the place that had taken her fate, raised her family to within hope of salvation, then turned and cast them down just as quickly.
Muninn.”
The bird swooped to their feet.
Give.”
A plate along the the bird’s backside slid inside the body and revealed a small removable block, which clicked and popped fluidly outward. She took it and put it into her jacket, feeling as if she were carrying the whole world in her pocket. She would do it. She would go to the media and tell them her story, and hope to God it helped.