The Circle We Keep

In Crawford, the streets emptied as night fell. Three figures traversed through town, moving between the shadows. Their dark skin blended with the moonlight as each carried the body bag over their heads. It was large and lumpy, though in the right light, it appeared to be an ordinary sack.

Jamie, the youngest, staggered as it felt like bricks crashing down on him. He dropped to the ground with a thud when the bag's feet pressed into his shoulder. “Curses! I knew crossing Crawford was a bad idea.”

Shaneka sighed and helped him to his feet.. "Come on, only a few more minutes till we reach the prayer circle."

He swatted her hand away. “Easy for you to say, you only have to carry the body’s stomach.” It took him a while to steady himself. He stammered, whispering. "Did you see them down there? I swear they looked at us. They know what we're gonna do with the body!"

"Quit your whining! I don't know why Aniya let you tag along. You're too high-strung!"

"I'm trying not to get us caught!"

Their bickering died when Aniya looked over her shoulder. She scanned for lingering townies. "Folks of the same skin won't tell on one another. Besides, they're smart enough not to stop us.”

“As long as you have the candles and Jamie has the camera, there’s no need to worry. Am I right?” They both nodded warily. “Good. Let’s move along now.”

Jamie returned to carrying the bag’s end without complaint. Fireflies illuminated the night sky. The bag still loomed over his head, but he reminded himself of his purpose. Just get the body to the circle, and you’ll never have to do this again. It’s all for a good cause. His eyes were shut until Shaneka nudged him, telling him to stop being a fool.

Just as they approached Crawford's gates, a bulky man stepped in front of them. Sporting a sleek black suit and campaign hat, he took a long drag of his cigar. A badge gleamed on his chest.

Crawford Country Cop.

"I haven't seen y'all around. His flashlight beamed on the three. "Where y'all headed?"

Shaneka wore her best smile. "We're headed to—"

"I wasn't addressing you." The cop blew smoke at Jamie. "You there, where y'all headed?"

Sweat dripped down his face as he scrambled for an answer. "Just heading home, sir."

"That's quite a large sack y'all have. Must be finishing chores?” He flicked the light between the bag and the family.

"Yes, sir."

"Really? What kinda chores y'all doin'?" He dropped the cigar butt at the boy’s feet, causing him to flinch.

"Cleaning, sir. This bag is for…"

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, boy."

"This bag is for supplies." The cop’s breath reeked of burnt ash. It invaded Jamie’s lungs as he faced him.

After a few moments, the cop leaned back and grounded another cigar butt into the dirt. "You must think you're pulling my leg.”

“No—”

“Don’t talk back, boy.” He rested his hand on his gun pocket. “I've been in the force for thirty years, and I know sneaks when I see one. So if you don't tell me why you're carrying that dead body, we're gonna have some problems."

"There's no need, officer. We're just doing what you couldn't."

He turned his head to Aniya, annoyance flashing across his face. "What'd you say?"

Aniya smiled and stepped in front of Jamie. "What we're doing doesn't concern you. You don't care when folks get shot at your doorstep, so why do you care about some negros taking a stroll through town?"

"Listen here, you—" He reached for his gun, but the leader stopped his hand with a crumpled newspaper.

She pressed it against his badge, pushing him backwards. "No need to get violent. We'll be out of your hair soon, so here's something for your troubles. Use it as an ashtray, yeah?"

Snatching it from her, he flicked the paper open. The headline stared back at him. The cigar quivered between his teeth, his demeanor shaken. His eyes darted towards Aniya with unease. “Who are you people?”

Aniya adjusted the body bag higher and stepped past. "Have a good night, officer."

For a long second, the cop stood frozen. Then he slowly lit another cigar. As he pressed it against the paper, he muttered:

"Y'all don't belong here. Don't forget that."

As soon as they reached the outskirts, Jamie let out a long, winded breath. He coughed up the remaining smoke in his lungs. "Thank the heavens!"

Shaneka shot him a glare, but she quietly exhaled as well. “The kid lasted longer than I’d expect he would. Damn pigs…”

Aniya looked straight ahead. “I see the riverbank not too far now. If we keep chatting, the body will go cold.”

The riverbank reflected the rising moon, casting a comforting glow on the family. They were almost there. As they marched east, muddy footprints trailed behind them. If anyone followed, the river would hide their tracks. At least, he hoped.

A large, roughly drawn circle marked their destination. Aniya dropped the body nearby and waited. A drawn-out breeze brushed against her face.

"It's time."

As Shaneka placed six candles around the circle, Jamie stared at the body bag. All he had to do was drag it to the center. But why couldn’t he move? The bag soiled the earth with its dark brown liquid.

You’re almost there. Do it for her.

Jamie squeezed his eyes shut and dragged the body out. Dust rose in the air. He pinched his nose, preparing for the worst. As the plastic unraveled, the smell of rotting flesh pierced his nostrils, making him gag. Gritting his teeth, he pulled the body to the circle. A trail of blood streaked the ground. Tears filled his eyes as it squelched beneath his hands. Once it was centered, he placed the final touch: a family photo.

Jamie hurried back to the family as they got into position.

"Ready?" Aniya began the chant. "Oh, higher power, god of the living. We offer this sacred life to your hands. Rise, and let your favor fall where it may."

Shaneka lit the candles. They erupted into a fiery wall, scorching the earth. Violent flames blocked the view of the body. They locked hands, praying for success.

Minutes later, the fire subsided.

Though the trees obscured the moonlight’s glow, the body’s pale skin was still visible. Soiled dirt covered his nakedness. He lay dormant, his expression almost peaceful.

Then he took his first breath.

He coughed blood and phlegm, struggling to rise. Burnt candles circled him. A long trail of blood lay nearby. Three robed figures stood in front of him, watching.

His legs buckled when he tried to stand. Running was pointless. So, he faced them, eyes searching for answers. "What am I doing here? What is this?"

No one spoke. That was, until Aniya stepped forward. As he backed away, she crouched, eyes piercing and unwavering.

"Don't you remember me?"

The man's voice trembled as her gaze fell upon him. "You must be mistaken, I don't know any of you people."

He tried to crawl towards the forest, but she gripped his leg, chuckling. "Let me be clearer then." She leaned forward, staring straight into his soul. "Don't you remember Naomi Waters?"

Upon the mention of her, color drained from his face. He thrashed around, praying for his legs to regain control. "No! Let me go! You’ve got the wrong person! I don’t know her! I don't——"

A crushing kick to his gut sent him heaving, bile spilling out of his mouth as he hunched over in pain. The leader stepped back, smirking tightly. "Where are my manners? My name is Aniya Waters. My Auntie, over there, is Shaneka Waters."

Shaneka's scowl cut through him, freezing his spine. He desperately crawled to Jamie, "Help… please…"

Jamie turned away.

"And that boy? Jamie Waters. My cousin." Aniya patted him on the back before facing the man again. He wallowed in his own vomit, letting out a guttural moan.

"It’s okay, breathe in and out for five seconds." She modeled, coaxing him. Reluctantly, he joined her, until his body relaxed. "My sister taught me that when we were young."

Aniya sat down beside him on the soil. "I was always emotional over little things. One time, there was a mean lightning storm. Cabinets banged up a commotion, driving me mad. Naomi searched all over the house to find me cooped up in the basement. 'Come out Aniya! It's just a little rain!’” She gleamed a soft smile. “I was as stubborn as a mule, so she stayed with me all day, teaching me how to breathe. I didn't notice the storm passed until my Ma found us giggling in the cobwebs.”

"Naomi taught me how to toughen up, how to live. So when she asked me," She paused, "When she asked me to go biking with her, I said yes."

Her eyes closed as she gave her best recollection. "It was five o’clock. The other kids headed home, but I begged her for one last race. From Crawford’s gate to the back. I was in the lead when the rock struck her tire. It took me twenty-four seconds to realize she fell. When I went back,——"

"——I was there. I took her away." His voice shook as his memories flooded back. "Aniya, I'm so sorry."

"I wasn't done!" Her tone sharpened. "You took her from me. Do you want to know how I found out she died? The first penny I got, I spent on a newspaper. Do you want to know what it said? 'Mangled Body Identified as Negro Teen.’ My sister was front and center. They didn't even print her fucking name!"

"And when I finally found your identity, you were already six feet under. Did your loved ones, Robert, surround you? Did they say you were a good man?"

He stammered, trying to find any words to make this better. "I'm sure your sister was a great girl. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it."

"Bring me my baby sister back!" Her eyes blazed. The others prepared for the next step. She breathed slowly, then spoke. "You've done enough, we'll take care of it."

Shaneka handed her a hammer. Jamie readied the camera.

"Wait, y'all don't have to do this. I-I'll turn myself in!"

"You had that chance years ago." She tested the hammer’s weight. "Now? I'm going to beat you. Again, and again, and again. Until no one can recognize your piggish face, just like Naomi."

The man made a desperate break for it, but it was no use. “Aniya, please!”

Jamie loaded the film just in time. As the hammer struck, the camera caught the shot.

Clack.