Exoduster by Kristopher King

Author:Kristopher King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kristopher King
Published: 2023-05-04T09:24:46+00:00

Chapter 13

The Cobbler

The cobbler’s hut was a half mile from the row of huts that house the Gator Boys. The Boy took the horse and cart through the dense jungle. When he emerged into the circular clearing it struck him as another world, or at least one more part of the island he hadn’t seen. He wondered how big the island was.

As he approached the group of three huts he looked back at the two large alligators in the cart. He knew they were dead, but you couldn’t tell by looking at them. Their dinosaur skin and black eyes had not changed. The endless rows of teeth showing through their gaping mouths remained the same. His stomach squirmed with the thought of the disfigured baby.

“The cobbler and a few helpers make the boots for all us workin’ overseers on the plantation, including the Reverend.” Ras warned the Boy that the cobbler was a strange man. He said with a laugh,“Makes a mighty fine boot but he don’t say much and when he do speak, he sound crazy. Tell him what you need and ignore him if he starts talkin’ and you be all right.”

When he showed up with the alligators the cobbler seemed uninterested. The Boy stood there holding the reins. Without looking up from his work the cobbler pointed to a stool. The Boy began to utter what he thought the cobbler should know.“These are for a pair of boots for—”

Without looking up, the cobbler held up a hand to signal the Boy to stop talking. Again, he pointed at the empty stool. The Boy sat. The cobbler continued working. Three men approached and began unloading the carcasses. He watched the men wrestle the alligators. Everybody seemed impervious to the big, hard afternoon sun. Not knowing what to do with himself, he closed his eyes and tried to push away thoughts of yesterday. The heat and uncertain silence started the nightmares crawling into his conscious. He fought to keep them at bay when a voice asked,“Are you cut out for this work you’ve chosen?”

His eyes snapped open, and his jaw stiffened. His heart raced as he tried to make sense of what he thought was a voice in his head. He was a split second away from the horror on the beach when he heard the question again. Startled, he looked around for who was talking to him. The cobbler was still bent to his work. The other men were too far away and unconcerned with him. A second glance found the old cobbler looking into him. The old man’s eyes were gray, like they were filled with smoke.

Startled, all he could manage was,“What?”

The cobbler watched him for a moment more and returned to his work.

“I didn’t choose this,” the Boy finally managed.

«And yet here you are,” rose from the old man.“Come back tomorrow and I’ll fit you.”

He watched the old man a minute more and stood. A confused feeling of regret stirred his guts as he drove the horse and cart back through the jungle.

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