The Soucouyant - Chapter 1
Sinclair gripped Matthew by the arm and pulled him forcefully behind his pick-up truck that was parked just behind the coconut stand. “Come here boy! You going to help me figure out exactly what went on this morning!” Matthew protested meekly, dragging his feet, but he was no match for Sinclair. Though equal in size and younger by 20 or more years, Matthew knew that Sinclair was more than capable of pulverizing his very bones. His strength was legend in the village, and no one dared challenge the myth.
“Now listen here boy; I want you to tell me the whole entire story. From the top to the middle to the backside. You is not to leave out nuttin’ at all at all. I want to know the howcome,whycome, whocome and whatcome. Start from the first and go right down to the last, you hearing me Matty? Allright – I’m ready now – GO!” Matthew stood frozen to the spot. He was in a quandary. Unsure of what he could, and should tell Sinclair. He knew Tantie would give him no quarter. Especially as Sinclair was convinced that Tantie was somehow involved.
And if Tantie could be implicated in any wrongdoing, Sinclair would pursue it until the cows came home. The bad feelings that Sinclair held towards Tantie were a much discussed issue amongst the villagers. But no one knew or was willing to warrant a guess as to the cause of the bad blood between the two.
Sinclair, like Tantie was older than anyone in the village, however, unlike his nemesis he never seemed to age. Yes, his face was weathered and bore the evidence of measureless age, yet he carried himself with the vigor of youth. It was often whispered in the shadows that he’d made a pact long ago with the devil, for how else could one account for his youthfulness? It seemed as though he’d been born with the village, and just like the boxtree in the schoolyard, he would always be there, as long as the village existed, so would Sinclair.
“Matty! Wake up boy, before I thump you upside the head!” Matthew was literally shaking in his shoes. Timo had sworn him to secrecy, and if he blabbed Timo was sure to find out. Sinclair was not adept at holding his tongue. By the same token, if Sinclair found out that Matthew had withheld pertinent information he would have hell to pay. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Matthew could only stand in mute indecision.
His silence infuriated Sinclair, as he was convinced that the boy knew something but wasn’t speaking. He knew that Matthew loved to carry news, so somebody must have influenced him, or threatened him into silence. Somebody with influence…but who? His interest was fueled by Matthew’s obvious reluctance to relate the incident to him.
Curiouser and curiouser. But come hell or high water he would get to the bottom of this or his name was not Sinclair!
Chapter 2 tomorrow!
