Rufus Henry Wite's Story

Colette Bodreaux In Delinquent Cove

It had been a week since Colette had awoken with a start in completely unfamiliar territory. Her last memories were of arriving in Africa for a "business trip" as she called them and having a meeting with an ambassador. She had stepped out the door to her waiting transportation and the world had fallen dark. When she awoke she was surrounded by other individuals of every age, color, size, and origin. One thing she noted was that most appeared to be more supple and strong than herself. At first she thought she was dreaming and she reached one hand up to rub almond brown eyes but failed to awaken. Not one for panic she stood up and assessed the situation. She was in some sort of holding cell, her deep red hair hanging around her shoulders a bit tangled from travel and her clothing matched what she had been wearing the last day of work--knee high leather boots over closely fit dark washed denim, a white t-shirt that fit to flatter but was not tight enough to be trashy, and her familiar leather jacket. Thank heavens for that jacket. Everyone around her seemed just as confused about what was happening, and Colette spoke to no one. Instead, she lowered herself down sitting and waiting, surely the American consulate would realize her absence soon. As if on key she heard a voice cry out "Colette Bodreaux!? Colette Bodreaux!?" and a wave of relief washed over her as she stood up and approached the one calling her name. "Come with me." was all the short bald man said and Colette seemed to know better than to refuse. As they exited the holding cell a chill ran over Colette, this was definitely nowhere she had ever been before. The man who had called her name walked quickly, turning back every so often to make sure Colette was following as they walked what felt like miles to the gates of a large palace. The man was admitted to the palace without question and Colette continued to follow, eyes wide as she took in her ever changing surrounding until she found herself in front of a man who introduced himself as Rufus, leader of the land. He continued to explain that she had been brought here with a group of his "athletes", whatever that meant, and that he may be in need of her assistance soon. His eyes had scanned her as if assessing her worth and Colette in her typical stubborn ways held his gaze with her own despite the small pang of fear that ebbed at her mind. After that moment she was dismissed to "live as she saw fit" according to the man until she was needed.

She had been a week now of street wandering, unsure what to do in her new environment. She had reached in her pocket to fish out her cell phone more than once but appeared to have been lost or taken away before she awoke. She had managed enough odd jobs, and wins at cards to keep a steady supply of cigarettes in hand. Smoking-she loathed the habit- but her nerves were shot, her nails chewed to the quick, and it was a vice she just couldn't shake at times like this. On this particular day she had that flash of red hair pulled back into a high pony tail, the only set of clothes she currently owned she was wearing, and she heard word of a fight between a man named Chang and a giant of an individual named Amun. The fight didn't last long, Amun was the easy victor. As the crowd dispersed she decided it was time to seek real work, but where she wasn't sure.