The master bought Orion for a large sum of money, ensured by his previous master that he was an amenable, hard worker, but thus far, he's only received resistance from Orion. The master tries to Christianize him, but Orion is unwavering in his dedication to his culture, refusing to hear the so-called good word of the lord. The master has brainwashed another Black man, and also tries to convince Orion through him. Orion is only obedient when he is receiving lashes for his disobedience. An adolescent boy who will soon be old enough to transfer from the house to the fields has a budding relationship with Orion, witnessing his subtle resistance and learning of his culture from him as well. One day, the boy repeats a word he'd been taught by Orion to an enslaved woman, Lissy, in the house: damballah. At that, she is frightened, slapping him and imploring that he never repeat that word again, lest a White person hear it come from his mouth. Speaking with the preacher, they agree that Orion serves a great danger to his community and must be eliminated. The master sends a letter to Orion's former master, asking for a refund on the defunct slave but to no avail. Orion has only caused him more debt than profit, so it is time to do away with him. The next day, the overseers capture him and behead him. The boy watches as Orion is dragged to the barn. When the barn has cleared out, the boy goes inside, finding a horror of blood and body parts. From his body, the boy witnesses Orion's ghost float out and into the air, where all his other ancestors linger. Wanting to honor him, the boy takes Orion's head down to the river he adored, dumping it into the water, where he is a welcome companion to the fish.