The Exile and the Mapmaker: a compassionate testament to the human spirit by Emma Musty

Author:Emma Musty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Legend Press

Elise walked swiftly up the Rue de Condé from the Odéon metro station, past rows of mopeds and bicycles chained up as if someone was afraid that they would make a break for it. Theo and Nebay had been at a visiting Cezanne exhibition at the Musée de Luxembourg when Theo had gone missing. He could not be too far away; he was slow on his feet these days.

She reached the Jardin du Luxembourg and saw Nebay. As she walked up to him she became nervous. They had never been alone before. She felt unsure of how to greet him or what to say.

‘Hi,’ she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. The warmth of his skin reassured her.

He returned the greeting.

‘How long is it since you saw him?’ she asked, trying to sound calm.

‘About half an hour. You came very quickly.’

‘I ran. Let’s start with the gardens.’

‘I’ve already searched them quite thoroughly.’

‘I’m sure you have.’ She looked him in the eye. ‘I just need to see for myself.’

‘Okay.’

They began to walk towards the gate near the museum entrance. A sculpture of Hercules met them as they entered. His muscles strained as he fought against the rocks that sought to crush him. The tennis courts were deserted but a loud basketball game was being played, each boy jumping higher than the one before.

After they had completed a circuit of the gardens, there was still no sign. He had seemed so well last night, happy about some outing he had had with Nebay that he would not tell her about. She had not expected this.

‘Maybe we should call the police,’ suggested Elise.

‘He cannot have gone far. I am sure we will find him soon,’ replied Nebay swiftly.

‘You sound so sure.’

‘I am an optimist.’

She decided to leave it a little longer. They walked on. The rows of green metal chairs that lined the gardens had been disturbed by the memory of conversations now past. Had Theo sat in one of these? Some chairs had broken ranks; one sat lonely under a tree, another was upturned by the pond, all were whispers of human activity.

They walked swiftly through the endless rows of chestnut trees, but it was no good. How would they ever find him here? She directed them to a café they had been to before, but the waiter dozed on his feet in front of the coffee machine. All the tables were vacant.

‘It’s no good, he’s not here.’

They walked back towards the main street and an ambulance with its siren blaring raced passed them, a police car following as if in pursuit. The air around them changed. Sirens seemed to be sounding in all directions.

‘Do not worry, it is not for him,’ Nebay tried to reassure her.

‘How do you know?’

Nebay was quiet. Elise started walking in the direction of the sirens. She was aware of Nebay calling her back but walked on regardless. More emergency vehicles passed them as they headed further away from the river and the Sorbonne. With every siren her pace increased until she was almost running.

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