The Jumbies

This four-sentence chapter returns readers to Bouki and Malik’s narrative point of view. The brothers face the ominous, mahogany forest. They somberly shake hands and bravely step under its canopy.

In this succinct chapter, narrative perspective shifts to Dru, as she makes her way toward the forest, clutching the matches she took from home. At the edge of the woods, Dru nervously begins gathering dry twigs and small branches. As she enters the forest, her heart pounds, but Dru presses on. With legs shaking, she moves deeper into the forest: Dru plans to set a small fire that will create enough of a disturbance to distract both the villagers and the jumbies.

Narrative point of view shifts back to Bouki and Malik in this brief chapter. The brothers walk in the forest but do not need to venture too deep into it to enact their plan in assisting Corinne. They plan to quickly run out of the forest, so they stay close to the road.

As the brothers stop to ready themselves, the forest’s uncustomary silence catches them off guard; Bouki feels this is a sign