She closed her eyes, tears streaming from the sides onto her pillow. Those days were over.

15

WAHALA DEY

A few nights later, Sunny walked into Anatov’s hut with Chichi, Orlu, and Sasha. It was just past midnight. When they walked in through the OUT door and greeted their teacher, Anatov told them he had a special lesson for them tonight. Then he’d pulled Sunny aside.

“Come with me for a minute so we can talk,” he said. “Excuse us,” he told the others. He’d tied his bushy dreadlocks on top of his head tonight. Sunny noted this. When Anatov tied up his dreadlocks, it always meant the lessons that night would be tough.

They walked through the waist-high wooden front door labeled IN. It was painted with black and white squares that Sunny had since learned were part of a protective juju that wove through the hut and the mile radius of forest around it.

As soon as they were outside, Anatov reached into his pocket. When he brought his hand up, he blew green juju powder in Sunny’s face. She immediately began to sneeze and sneeze. She stumbled back. “What . . .” Then she was overcome by another sneezing fit.

Without a word, he brought out his juju knife and made several quick flourishes. He put his knife on the ground at his feet and then snapped both of his fingers in Sunny’s direction. As soon as he did this, Sunny felt a force shove her backward. She stared at what remained in the place she’d just stood.

She sneezed another five times as she watched the green mist shaped like herself float there, slowly dissipating into the air like thick smoke. It looked around, as if shocked by its existence.

“What is that?!” Sunny said. Her stuffed nose made her sound nasally.

“You traveled fully into the wilderness. When people with your ability do that and then return, they always bring something back with them,” he said, staring at the green Sunny-shaped mist. It was almost gone now, but it was still looking around in shock. It made no sound, but Sunny could smell something. She couldn’t find the words to describe it. “It’s like swimming in the ocean. You come out wet and when you dry, you’re salty. You need to bathe.”

“So I’m clean now?”

He chuckled. “Is being covered in sea salt dirty?”

“Well . . .”

“If I didn’t do that to you, you’d become . . . strange,” he said. “I’ve seen it happen. I didn’t think I’d have to teach you how to perform bush medicine on yourself. Not so soon. But I guess when it comes to you all, things happen sooner rather than later. How do you feel?”

“I need a tissue.”

He chuckled. “Aside from your juju powder allergy.”

“I feel . . . lighter. Like I just took off a heavy coat.”

Anatov looked pleased.

“And I . . . I can smell something,” she said. “Even with my stuffed nose. What is that? Why’s it so strong?”