Forty-Three

Leota swiveled her eyes to Destiny before slowly turning her head. With that impenetrable stare on her, Destiny fought the urge to lean back. Instead, she gripped the swing’s chains a little tighter and sat rigidly in place. She stared back, but knew her gaze was too soft to have the same impact. Her fingers flexed around the metal links again, passing through them and jabbing into her palms. Destiny struggled to keep her eyes locked, but her vision blurred with the effort. Her throat tightened and she felt she desperately needed to breathe, but couldn‘t.

Finally, she shut her eyes and turned her head away, annoyed with herself.

Leota snorted and laughed. It was a startling, loud cackle that made Destiny flinch. After the crescendo, it softened to a throaty chortle. With a slender finger, the medium wiped away a tear.

“Oh, that’s just adorable!” she cooed. “You are nothing else if endlessly entertaining, Dessie.” Leota brushed the tear off onto the jeans she was wearing, leaving a tiny dark spot on the knee.

Destiny’s oncoming anxiety attack faded. As the panic drained away, rage rose. She gritted her jaw tightly, which only made Leota giggle again. She shoved herself out of her seat and flung it back, smacking it hard against a pole. Standing in front of Leota, she grasped the swing’s chains. She glared down at her and snapped, “I’m trying to help you!” Her voice wavered only a tiny bit.

Sticking out her lip in a pout, Leota cooed, “I know, Dessie.” She stood up and gave her a condescending pat on the shoulder. “It’s not that it isn’t appreciated, my dear,” she continued, walking through her. She stopped, turned, and stood with her arms crossed. “But I know it’s hardly for my own benefit. It’s as transparent as you are.” She smirked and cupped her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “Not a bad look, I must say. I bet your little Brit brat finds it fetching.”

Destiny crossed her arms and stood with her hip cocked. She ignored the last comment. “Yeah, I admit, I have my own interests in mind.” She shrugged. “Why does anyone help anybody?”

“You’re pretending to be callous. That’s cute.” Leota frowned. “It’d be more admirable if you knew what I was talking about.”

Destiny huffed. “Of course I know! It doesn’t take a psychic to see that I like being a ghost! That’s what I came here for, to make a deal with you. I know it seems pointless, but I think we could come up with a good arrangement.” She gave Leota a smug smile that was identical to George’s. “I know you’re curious.” Tired of standing, she pulled her legs up and crossed them. With no strain or effort, she was hovering four feet above the ground, as if sitting atop a huge mound of cushions.

Now comfortable, she continued, “When we were watching you, I figured something out about you, Leota. You ditched the high heels and the dress for jeans and a sweater. You went out for ice cream. Strawberry, I might add, which is disgusting! At least get a decent flavor like mint chocolate chip!” She sniffed.

Leota sighed and sat sidesaddle on a spring-bottomed, wobbly pony. “What’s your point?”

Destiny grinned. “You don’t care about the powers, or making anyone suffer, or taking over the world!”

The medium’s stern scowl flickered for a second. She shifted her legs then crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you going on about?”

“I call your bluff, Leota. George is already trapped. Everyone is stuck in the mansion.” She furrowed her brow and lowered her voice. “There’s no more revenge to be had. You just want another chance at life. Why else would you do all those mundane things? You could have raised an army of zombies or stormed the White House! Instead you come here, to this little playground, to… what, exactly?”

Leota looked down at the pieces of stone. When a nudge of her foot, she sent cement chunks tumbling. “Remember,” she softly answered. She lifted her head and smiled tiredly. “We’re a lot alike, Dessie. Always trying to analyze people, trying to get into their heads, seeing what makes them tick. I hardly have to read someone’s mind if I just listen.”

Destiny scowled, not liking the comparison at all. “I try to help people.”

“So did I, for a while anyway, by telling fortunes and reading cards. All for a fee of course.” She chuckled. “I helped others to see what they couldn’t. I never lied about it being for a profit, though. A girl’s got to make a living. And that’s where I’m your moral superior.”

She crossed one leg over the other. Then she put her clasped hands on the raised knee. Sitting up straight, she continued haughtily. “You only go out of your way to ’counsel’ them because you want to make up for shutting out the world! When your father died, you wouldn’t even speak to your own mother, even though she was suffering!” She slid off the pony and strode to Destiny. “She’s cold now because of you!”

Destiny blinked away tears and stood. “I was just a child!”

“Even when you grew older, you pushed her away!”

“She made her own choices, too! You can’t pin everything on me!” Tears fell but she didn’t bother wiping them away.

“And what about Craig, eh?” Leota circled Destiny. “He cried and pleaded for you to come back. And you just left him!”

“He hurt me!” she screamed. She could feel her throat tighten, but she wasn‘t going to allow the panic to overtake her. Her hands were shaking, but she forced her breathing to stay steady. “And it wasn’t the first time! I had every right to leave. He needed help, and he wouldn’t get it!

That’s not my fault!” She was getting dizzy trying to follow Leota. Instead of watching her anymore, she shut her eyes tightly. Clarity. I need clarity. Leota was in her head now, jumping through her memories, picking out weak moments and dredging up guilt. You have no right to be in my mind! “You’re nothing but a murdering witch! Maybe we have some things in common, but I never would stoop so low and take a life!”

Leota stopped, facing her. “But you did, Dessie. You took your own life.” Destiny could smell the strawberry ice cream on her breath. “You’re so eager to forfeit it! Is it really for love? Or is it so you can hide from life?”

“Why do you care?” Destiny spat. She opened her eyes, releasing a downpour of tears. “You have what you want, you spoiled bitch! I never should have pitied you!”

Leota’s features softened and the blaze in her eyes dulled. She took a step back. “George told me the same thing,” she whispered. She stumbled and fell, landing hard on a metal carousel.

“Well…good.” Destiny was slightly quieter. “You deserved worse than that.” She looked down on Leota, her emotions tangling in a knot. It was as if the medium’s pride had been holding her body upright. Now she sat slumped, elbows on her knees, shoulders down. She looked so pitiful Destiny was having trouble staying angry. All she had to do, though, was remember what her friends had told her, and the anger would come back.

Destiny slowly shook her head. “You have no heart. You have no love for anyone but yourself.”

Leota sprang up in an instant. “That’s not true! I’ve loved with all my heart!” In a soft voice, she added, “More than once.”

“After all the lies you’ve told, why should I believe anything you have to say?”

Sighing, Leota looked down at the gravel. “If you won’t believe what I say…” she began thoughtfully. There was only a moment’s pause before she lifted her head. Her frown was replaced with a grin. “Then I’ll just have to show you.”

Destiny arched an eyebrow and gave her a wary glare. Leaning back just slightly, she asked, “And how do you propose we do that?”

Ignoring the question, Leota bent down and scooped up a handful of rocks and dirt. She shut her eyes tightly. Pops and crackles erupted around them as the air became more and more statically charged. A gust of wind blew Leota’s hair back as she held her hands up.

“Right,” muttered Destiny. “Magic. Should have figured that one out.”

Leota had to shout for her chant to be heard above the fierce gale.

“Twisting time,

Now hear my rhyme:

Take me to my past.

Doorway open,

Seals are broken.

Now this spell is cast.”

The gravel flew from her hands and formed an oblong ring in the air. Within the circle a bright green vortex whirled faster and faster. “Come,” commanded Leota. She took a firm hold of Destiny’s wrist. “Time waits for no one. Not even me.”

Together they stepped forward and were pulled into the gateway.

“What’re we supposed to be doin’, anyway?” Asher asked crossly. “Sit here, twiddling’ our thumbs?”

Dustin gave a weary shrug. “There’s nothing I want more right now than to go after her, but…” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “I trust her to know what she’s doing.”

“Well, that and you have no idea where she is,” Bea added brightly.

“Yes, that, too,” he admitted. “I just wish I knew what she’s thinking. I’d be much more calm if she’d shared her plan. All she said was that she’d made a decision. I’m just dreading what it might be.” He started pacing back and forth anxiously.

George watched him for a while and then turned his attention to the other assembled ghosts. “Ezra, Phineas, Gus,” he instructed. The three stood at attention. “Check the first floor, cellar, and graveyard to see if anyone needs help. Bea, Asher, Emily, Clairece, search the upper floors, please.”

The hitchhikers saluted before flying away. George knew Phineas would especially want to find Amelia. Clairece gave a curt nod before she strode off. Asher scowled, but followed behind her.

Emily was a bit more reluctant to leave. “But what if my Kojikins needs me?” she bawled, her arms wrapped around his torso with the strength of a python. He could only squeak in response.

“I’m sure Kojikins will be just fine!” Bea pulled her away and drug her with her.

Koji wheezed for several moments. After getting his breath back, he said, “Thanks George. But I gotta ask, why’d you send them away?”

“I think we should speak privately. There’s a particularly delicate, personal issue to be dealt with regarding Mr. Dust. I would rather the others didn‘t hear.”

“Me, sir?” Dustin stopped pacing.

“Don’t play naïve, Mr. Dust. I think you have a very good idea as to what my granddaughter is up to. I’m sure we both have the same thought in mind.”

Dustin collapsed onto a chair. Elbows to knees, his face fell into his palms and he groaned, “I wish I’d never told her!”

“Told her what?” Koji asked. He and Little Leota were sitting cross-legged on the floor next to George, making a semi-circle around the open spell book.

Dustin pulled his face up and rested his chin on his folded hands. “George mentioned that Leota had tempted me,” he began quietly.

“Yeah?” Koji prompted.

Dustin opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it, and then exhaled quickly. “Um, well…” He ran a hand through his hair and scratched his scalp. “She had told me that if she’s set free, she’ll…” He stalled.

L. L. and Koji both had their eyes on him.

“She’ll… bring me back to life,” he finished feebly. He felt ashamed thinking back on how easily he‘d almost been swayed. “Now I’m worried that Destiny is making a deal with Leota to do just that. Who knows what Leota will ask for in return?” He sprang to his feet. “I can’t let her do it! We have to stop her!”

“But we don’t even know if that’s what Destiny’s gonna do,” Koji pointed out. “We could be totally wrong.”

“But we don’t know!” Dustin persisted. “Can’t you send me to her?”

L. L. was already intoning over the crystal ball, her tiny hands hovering and swaying over the surface. A bright green light swirled in the center for several seconds before it was replaced by George’s face. “That’s… odd,” the girl muttered. “It won’t let me see Ms. Chalmers.”

“Could be because she’s with Leota,” Koji suggested. “Remember, she blocked us out.”

L. L. nodded and turned back to the glowing sphere. “I’ll try the sending spell. Get ready, Mr. Dust!”

He got ready as best he could. He didn’t know what that really entailed, so he just stood straight, arms at his sides, hands balled into fists, eyes shut tight, and mouth in a grimace to brace for any pain. He waited for the chant to finish, but when he neither heard nor felt anything happen, he cautiously opened one eye. Purple wallpaper with ghoulish faces looked back at him. Then he opened the other eye.

He was still in the hallway.

“Drat,” he growled between clenched teeth.

Giving him a clueless shrug, L. L. apologized. “Maybe we just can’t get to her right now. We can always try later.”

Eyebrows creased and lips pursed, George glowered at the book, giving it the most withering glare he could. Without any limbs, he had to settle for just an angry face. What he really wanted to do was fling the book across the foyer and into the fire. “I suppose,” he relented, “we just have to trust Destiny to do the right thing.”

Dustin trudged over to the group and somehow, even without having any human weight, heavily dropped to the floor in defeat. He crossed his legs and sat with his chin in his hands. No one had suggested moving someplace with enough seats. Staying in the hallway, as cramped as it was, seemed to be the right thing to do. It was an unspoken agreement within the group.

“What she thinks is the best course of action might not ultimately be right,” Dustin spoke softly. “She’s very…” he faltered, searching his vocabulary.

“Obstinate?” George suggested.

“Pigheaded?” Koji contributed.

Dustin crossed his arms. “I was going to say determined.” He smiled wryly.

“Same thing,” Koji shrugged. “Just a nicer way of putting it.”

George focused back on the book. “Since we have to sit around waiting anyway, let’s see if we can find a way to get me out of this blasted ball.”

“And,” Dustin interjected, “we need to be ready for when Leota returns. I will not let the woman I love sell her soul to the Devil for anyone’s sake. Not even my own.”

A thin sliver of moon hung over the swamp that night. Crickets and bull frogs sang together in a choir. Humming mosquitoes joined in and fireflies danced to the tune. Bubbles popped on the surface of the water and something that just a moment ago looked like a floating log blinked slowly and sank. A school of fish took refuge by a homely dock and waited for dragonflies. Scurrying life in the grass made the cattails and tall reeds wave from side to side. It caught the attention of a glowing eyed wildcat. Owls and bats took flight, politely acknowledging one another but never stopping for small talk.

In a little shack on the bayou, a green light blazed for an instant.

Destiny stepped out of a green haze and into shadows. They were cast by the glow of a single, pitiful candlelight. The tiny flame flicked from side to side on its wick like a fish fighting to free itself from a hook. Melted down to a short stub, the candle sat in a small dish on a shabby, uneven round table. A stone under one leg helped to make it almost as even as its fellows. What looked like lumps and cuts encircling the edge of the tabletop were actually designs of vines and leaves.

The rest of her surroundings didn’t take Destiny long to absorb. In one corner sat an iron stove, its belly burning a dull orange. A lone, bubbling pot on top helped cook what Destiny thought smelled like weak gumbo or watery soup. A shelf with three cracked plates, three bowls, and a pile of dull utensils was nailed up on the wall. A big basket with a pile of cut logs was nearby on the floor. Across the room from the stove and to the right of the table was a bed. It was barely bigger than a twin size and covered with a single blanket--a quilt, handmade with colorful patches that didn’t even look like they should belong anywhere near each other. Despite the varying sizes, unrelated patterns, and unskilled needlework, the quilt had a kooky design all its own that made an odd sort of sense from a distance. Two pillows, one full size and the other small, were laid in front of the headboard.

Destiny hadn’t even realized Leota was standing next to her until the psychic leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Mama and I slept there. Papa had a hammock outside with mosquito netting around it. You’d be surprised at all the things you can fit into one room.”

On the floor by the bed was a rug, just as mismatched as the quilt. “Mama took it upon herself to sew just about everything we needed. It’s all made from bits of scraps and clothes that don’t fit anymore.”

There was an unusual change in Leota’s voice. The deep throated raspy growl was slowly being replaced by a more natural New Orleans, Cajun drawl. It was far more pleasant. Destiny wondered why she hid it. Maybe it was to fit in. Or maybe it was just being back home that brought out something that had been dormant for years.

Between the bed and the wall was an oak dresser. On one side, the initials E. and C. surrounded by a heart was carved. Leota chuckled with the dark tone Destiny was used to. “Papa was such a romantic. Too much for his own good. He actually thought love could change people…”

The door slammed open, banging into an already dented wall. A tall man with one of the most endearing smiles Destiny had ever had the privilege to see sauntered in, his muddy boots clomping loudly. His faded red trousers and dingy long sleeve shirt had splatters of dark water and muck on them. He was singing a happy ditty in French. Destiny couldn’t translate it, but it sounded so jovial she couldn‘t help smiling. Behind him followed a puny girl singing along with him. She didn’t have the dark colored skin of her father, but it was only a few shades lighter. Her mane of thick, curly, long black hair bounced with her steps. Over her shoulder she dragged a dripping net with freshly caught crabs and shrimp packed inside. Her little boots didn’t quite clomp as loudly as her father’s, but she tried her best.

Before she could get further into the room, her father stopped her. “Now, now, little one, let’s not get your momma’s pretty rugs wet, eh? She’d have my tail in a sling if they were reekin’ of fish. You take off your boots and I’ll go get dinner started.” He took the net from her and she dropped to the floor to struggle with her shoes. When she got them off, she held up one leg and admired her big toe. She wiggled it, proud that she’d worn another hole in her sock.

“You know,” Destiny turned to Leota, “you were so cute when you were little! What happened?”

Leota rolled her eyes and scoffed. “I went from ‘cute’ to ‘beautiful.’ That’s what happened.”

Just as Destiny had suspected, neither the girl or man noticed them. “Does this make you Scrooge and me the Ghost of Christmas Past?”

“Shh!” Leota hissed. “Just watch.”

Young Leota pushed herself up and bounded over to the stove where her father stood. “Can I help, papa?” Even on her tiptoes, her nose barely reached past the stove top.

“You can help with th’ shellin’ later, but right now they need to cook.” He used a wooden spoon to push down a crawfish and put a lid on the boiling pot. “You best get ready for your lessons. Your mama will be home any minute.”

She let out a loud sigh and her little shoulders drooped. “Oh, but papa, lessons are so borin’! Can’t you tell me a story ‘bout pirates? Oh, and fur trappers an’ Indians! And monster ‘gators that eat people!” She slapped her hands together like chomping teeth and snarled.

He laughed, clucking his tongue. His dark brown eyes shone with the love he felt for his little girl. “I would’ve thought you’d had enough of my stories!” He picked his daughter up and carried her to the table. “Maybe after dinner, baby. You know how strict your momma is.” He put her down in a chair. “Why don’t you practice until she gets home? I bet you can really impress her!”

“Momma’s no fun! Not like you,” she moaned. She exhaled sharply, nearly blowing out the little candle. Lazily, she lifted an arm and waved her index finger. The flame followed it from side to side. When she moved her finger in a circle, it jumped up and did a loop in the air. A wide grin spread across her face and she clapped ecstatically. “Papa, did you see that? Did you see what I did? Watch!” This time she put two fingers on the table and moved them around like legs. The flame followed her movement and she led it around the table in a waltz. Her father sang and the fingers and fire danced to the tune.

Father and daughter were having so much fun they didn’t heed the hissing and bubbling of the pot. Shouting an obscenity in French, he ran to the stove. Leota giggled and her fingers bowed to the flame. It bowed back and jumped up onto its wick. Then the door swung open and pounded against the wall with a deafening slam, making young Leota jump. A silhouette towered over the demure little girl as a figure emerged from outside.

Destiny could see where Leota had gotten her looks from. She was the spitting image of her mother, with minor exceptions. Leota’s skin was darker, the color of caramel. Her face, too, was a little rounder than her mother’s, and her body more curvy. With her sunken cheeks and dark circles around her eyes, Leota’s mother was haggard and sharp. Gold bracelets, earrings, anklets, and necklaces with dangling charms jangled as she walked.

She untied her silk bandana from around her chin and shook her head, letting her curly hair tumble down. “Clement,” she addressed her husband, “has Leota been studying?” There was a long drawl to the question, a terrifying tone to the most obedient of children. It was the same drawl of a teacher asking a student is he’d put a tack in her chair, and daring him to contradict her assumption. It didn’t help that she had an eerie Eastern European accent that made everything she said sound ominous and exotic. There was only one acceptable answer to questions with that voice.

“Of course, Enrica! Why wouldn’t she be?” Clement gave her a grin, showing off his beautiful teeth. He stirred the pot. “You shoulda seen what your baby did just a minute ago. She made the fire dance and--”

“Oh, dancing fire!” Enrica gushed, not letting him finish. She walked over to the table and bent down, putting her hands on her knees. “You know what that eez, Leota?”

Put at ease by her mother’s smile, the girl brightened and ventured, “Is it good, mama? Did I do good?”

Enrica’s grim smile twitched just a tiny bit. “No, swee-tee.” She pushed herself up. “It wasn’t good.”

Leota hung her head.

“It was pathetic!” her mother spat, startling her husband and daughter. “Day, after day, after day, I’ve been teaching you! And this is all you have to show for it? Some stupid parlor trick?” In one fast move, she sent the table tumbling to the floor.

“Enrica!” Clement cried, running up behind her. “That’s enough! She’s worked hard every day for your sake!” He crouched by his daughter and held her close as she cried. “She has a gift! All you’re doing is turning it sour!”

Enrica turned her blazing eyes on her husband. “No, I’m making her stronger. She’s not going to be pitiful like you!” Grabbing Leota’s arm, she yanked her out of Clement’s grasp.

“Mama! You’re hurting me!” Tears streamed down Leota’s cheeks. “Stop! I want to be with papa! Leave me with papa!” Enrica’s fingers only tightened when Leota, grunting and straining as hard as she could, tried to pull away.

“Your papa eez nothing more than a worm! All men are!”

In a hollow voice, Madame Leota spoke along with her mother as the scene played out before her. Destiny just watched with wide eyes, unable to speak.

“Shallow, brainless, weak worms! They toss money by the ‘andful, snorting like fat pigs as their coins clatter on the table. They stare and leer and smirk, undressing you with eyes that not an hour before were gazing upon their own wives. And this is why you train, my dear. Because it doesn’t take much to empty their wallets with promises of fortune and fame. You can turn them into your puppets.”

“Stop it!” Clement shouted. He pointed a shaking finger at his wife. “I’ve spent years tryin’ to thaw your frozen heart! It’s still ice!” Weakly, he moaned, “Please, just give me my daughter!” He reached out a hand to Leota. “You can keep all the money for yourself. We’ll leave. Just please, let me have my little girl! I can‘t let you poison her like this!”

Enrica held out a hand and then tightly clenched it into a fist. Clement screamed and dropped to the floor, clutching his head. His body wracked with seizures while Enrica watched. She wore no smile nor frown. She just watched him with the attitude one watches fish in a tank. “I’m teaching you and Leota a lesson, Clement,” she spoke in a monotone. “See Leota? See how easily he falls. See him writhe, Leota?” He twitched and convulsed as his mouth frothed. “See how sad he is?” Clement coughed up blood. “I can teach you how to do that. I can teach you everything you need to know.” She shoved Clement with her foot. “Or you can be like papa: Useless.” She leaned down close to Leota’s ear and spoke in a sugary voice, “Papa’s useless now, isn’t he Leota?”

Clement’s body ceased moving.

Destiny put a trembling hand to her mouth. She didn’t even try to hold back her tears. “Monster!” she choked. She whirled to face Leota. “You have magic! Save him!”

Young Leota broke free from her mother and collapsed, burying her face in her father’s side. Her little shoulders shook with sobs.

“He’s your father! He loved you!” Destiny screeched.

Leota stared motionless, watching this traumatic scene of her past play out once again. The life of the only one who had ever truly loved her, who was always there by her side, was just snuffed out as if he had been a miniscule insect. The medium's lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to speak, but no sound emerged from her throat. Her eyelids closed tightly as she struggled to hold back any tears that might form.

After taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, she said, “These are but shadows of the past, Miss Chalmers. Nothing can be changed or undone.”

“But…magic--” she feebly argued.

“Magic can’t do everything.” The world around them faded, becoming a dark blur until they stood in a void. Destiny couldn’t see anything, not even her companion. Leota’s echoing voice served as ample proof she was still there. “My heart grew cold that day.” That cold, husky voice was back. “I trained and studied, hating my mother more and more as time passed. I wanted to be better than her.”

A phantasm of Leota, several years older now, appeared next to Destiny. It made a stack of tarot cards float up and circle above her head. “I never got as good as her, though.” The cards fluttered to the ground. “She broke her promise to teach me, and on my own I learned little. I worked to hone my abilities…mind reading, intuition, manipulating elements. I swore to give anything to be as powerful as her. Anything!

“In time, I completely forgot about my father. All I focused on was my hatred. I forgot what I originally hated her for. Now I despised her because she married a new man, a man who lavished her with gifts for showing him the right cards every time. The hypocrite!

“Even if she had forgotten her lesson, I hadn’t. I still remembered her words when I’d forgotten the father who loved me. Now that she was married to a rich husband, she no longer worked. So I took over her business.”

Now Destiny and Leota were standing on soggy grass. There was no gradual emergence into the scenery like last time. They were just there with no trace of a trail behind them. Destiny peeked over her shoulder. There was nothing behind them except for swamp. A crowd walked past and through them, making their way to booths full of fine wares, produce or jewelry. Chickens in wire cages clucked and bawked, throwing tantrums of poultry fury when one of their own was sold and taken away. In a little tent, someone put on a puppet show for a group of children while their parents shopped.

“Heh,” Destiny chuckled dryly. “An old school flea market.”

“Basically,” Leota remarked. She purposefully led her through the throng, walking a path she knew by memory.

“A swamp meet.” When Leota didn’t respond, she persisted. “A place where you can bayou any knick-knack you could ever want.”

Leota groaned. “God, I should have just killed you and been done with it!”

Destiny stuck out her lower lip. “Aww, you should learn how to have more pun.”

Leota stopped. Destiny leaned back just in case the psychic was planning on smacking her.

They stood in front of a wooden wagon. It had multiple striped canopies waving above the flat roof . Two poles sticking out of the front with limp horse reins attached were braced on the ground. The cart had four thin, wide wheels painted red. The front two were small, and the back two were large. The paint on them had once been vibrant, but it was now dull and peeling.

Light spilled out of a small, square window on the side, slipping out between the cracks of the shutters. Under the window and along the length of the side of the wagon were detailed carvings of the phases of the moon. To the left of the window was a picture of an open palm with lines pointing to various marks. A wire with a bat, spider, and dream catcher dangled from the roof. Waving in the breeze, a flag dangled from the same pole that held the wire. Stairs, four in all, lead up to a rounded back door. Hanging from a nail on the door was a sign that read: The Mystical Madame Leota! Fortunes Forecast! Tarot Telling!

“You use asinine alliteration, but abhor puns?” Destiny scoffed.

“Puns would go over most of my clientele’s heads.” Leota gestured to the cart. “For years, I lived and worked in this wagon. I thought no space could be more cramped than that.” She sneered. “Luckily George proved me wrong.”

With Leota in front, they walked up the stairs and into the cart. Much like the shack, it had a small, round table, a stove, and not much else. Wires with animal bones hung from the ceiling. A short shelf of jars filled with powders, spices, and unidentifiable things floating in liquid, was crammed against one wall. There was no bed to be seen, but a cot was shoved up against a corner. The scent of incense wafted through the air.

Madame Leota sat at the table and a handsome young man was seated across from her. She clasped his dark hand and traced along his life line with her index finger. He kept grinning at her, trying not to let his brown eyes waver from her face. Most of it was hidden in the shadow of a velvet hood.

“How’s it look, Ms. Leota?”

She stared pointedly down at his palm. “That’s Madame.”

His grin never faltered. “I’m sorry,” he spoke genuinely. “Madame Leota.”

“You will get…” She jabbed a line hard.

“Ouch!”

“Fame… annnnnd…Wealth. Ooh, and you will have three children. Two boys and a girl.”

“That’s a blatant lie and I know it.”

Her green eyes flashed and she set her jaw in a grimace. When he did nothing but continue to smile, she allowed herself to drop her guard. She leaned back into her chair and pulled the hood away from her face. She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.

After staring at him for about a minute, she asked, “What are you?”

He took off his cap and wrung it pitifully in his hands. “I’m just a poor man down on his luck lookin’ for some good news.” He pouted and batted his eyes.

Her glare didn’t waver.

“You’re not buyin’ it, huh?”

“No.”

He put his cap back on. “I’m a lot like you, Madame Leota. Just in a different way. You have gifts of intuition. It’s not by chance you’re so good with tarot.” He gestured to an upright row of tarot cards. “You can tap into people’s heads. You can’t dig, at least not yet. But you could tell enough to know I’m not like every man who walks in here. I know you can read palms, but you’re flat out lying to me to get more money. I don’t blame you!” he quickly added, hands up. “No one wants to hear bad news. But I already know I ain’t long for this earth. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”

She mulled over this. “Are you psychic?”

“In a way,” he drawled. “I talk to spirits. They told me to come here to see you, and they say you have a gift, but it’s being wasted here. I was also told you’ve got a lot of potential, but you don’t know how to use it.”

She furrowed her brow. “Why did they tell you this?”

It took him a moment to answer. He cocked his head to the side, as if listening to someone whisper into his ear. Then he nodded. Turning back to Leota, he said, “Because people like you can be really dangerous when their powers aren’t controlled. You need schooling. And I know who can do that.”

“Who?” She was leery, but had trouble masking the hope in her voice.

“Mama Mambo.”

Leota’s jaw dropped.

He grinned. “I take it you’ve heard of her.”

“Heard of her?” Leota sputtered. “She’s only the most famous voodoo priestess in New Orleans! How do you know her?”

He shrugged and leaned back in the chair, putting his hands behind his head. “She’s my grandma, and she’s willing to teach you everything you need to know. So,” his eyes twinkled, “what do you say, Madame Leota? Are you ready to truly use your gifts?”

She hesitated only a moment. “Yes!”

“I knew you’d say that.” He got up and shook her hand. “I’ll be back later tonight to get you.”

“Wait!” She stopped him before he got to her door. “I didn’t get your name.”

“I’m sorry. I’m Kayode Loa.” Before stepping out, he quickly tipped his hat. “I’ll be back soon!”

She was still standing there staring at the door after he’d left.

With a snap of Leota’s fingers, everything became dark again. “And yes, I did go with him that night,” she told Destiny. “In the following years, I trained with Kayode and Mama Mambo. From them I learned how to read minds and summon spirits. Kayode taught me to enjoy life and let go of my distrust and anger. Before long, I was able to hold séances and act as a medium. I’d forgotten about my hatred for my mother. All I knew then was that I was happy, successful, and in love…”

Around them, faint specters of people cheered and clapped and threw rice over the shadowy forms of Leota and Kayode. The two then danced in the center of the crowd as a band played and everyone sang. Leota’s simple, white dress spun out around her as her new husband twirled her. The images faded from sight, but the sounds of cheers lingering a few moments longer.

“After we bought our own house, we soon started a family. I continued making money by holding séances. It’d become a fascination with the rich, and unlike most of the young women going door to door, I actually had talents that went beyond rigging sheets on wires or shaking rattles under a table. Kayode, too, worked with offering spiritual advice. Never once did we bring up his mention of an early death. It seemed impossible anyway. Everything was going so well. He was healthy. We were happy…” Leota’s voice trembled.

Destiny’s tone was soft and wary in the darkness. “What happened?”

“Hate found us…”

Stars filled the darkness around them and grass was once again under their feet. The past Leota stood in the front yard of her home, clutching a shawl tightly. A soft bang made her turn, and she saw Kayode coming down the porch to come join her.

“Careful,” she spoke when he was at her side. “It took hours to get Maddy to go to sleep. Don’t slam the door and wake her up!”

“Sorry.” He grinned bashfully and scratched the back of his neck. “She’ll be fine. Girl sleeps like the dead.”

Leota shivered. “Please, don’t mention work.”

He put an arm around her and kissed her head. “Why’d you come out here?”

“I needed fresh air. I’m not feeling well.”

He hugged her a little tighter. “Same here. I think we should go in. I got a bad feelin’ in the pit of my stomach.”

“You sure it’s not your grandma’s Cajun gumbo?” she teased.

“Oh, that’s one step too far!” He tickled her sides as she squirmed and gasped for air. “No one makes fun of my grandmamma!”

She tore away from him. Breaking out into fits of giggles, she ran and he gave chase. He managed to grab hold of her shawl as she sprinted across the yard. He stopped and waved it above his head like a prize. “Lookie what I got!”

She whirled around. “You give that back!” Laughing so hard, her sides hurt, she sputtered, “I made that! It’s the only good sewin’ I’ve ever done! And I don’t have the patience to do it again!”

“If you want it so badly, why don’t you come and get it?”

The shawl suddenly exploded. Kayode screamed and pulled his bleeding hand to his chest. The sound of the gunshot still echoed around him.

“Kayode!” Leota screamed as she ran to him.

“I’m okay,” he hissed. “Just skinned it. Get back in the house!”

“But we gotta get he—“

“Back in the house now!” Together they ran for the porch, but the sound of pounding hooves closed in.

A rough hand reached down and grabbed Leota’s hair. Screaming and kicking, she was hauled up by her hair onto a lap draped in white. A covered arm wrapped around her waist. She wrenched free and turned to look in horror at beady eyes showing through holes in a white mask.

“Would you lookie what I got’chere, boys?” her captor drawled. “I do believe this is our infamous little witch! The darkie who talks to the dead! Ha ha ha!”

She leaned down and bit down hard on his arm. He screeched a curse and dropped her. Hitting the ground running, she bolted for the house. She had to get to Maddy! Had to get her to safety!

A horse reared up in front of her. “What’s yer hurry?” the masked rider asked. “We ain’t got ta have fun yet!”

Three Klansmen were circling Kayode, taking turns hitting him with the barrels of their rifles as he tried to duck and run away. She screamed as he took a blow to the head and fell. She tried to run, but her wrist was grabbed and she was dragged to the circle. Slapping, kicking, and biting, she tried to break free, but it was no use.

Her hair was yanked again, and her head was snapped back. Tears welled in her eyes and she silently prayed.

“I like ‘em firey! I think we oughta have fun with this one. Make her tame; show her to respect her superiors!” The Klansman gave her another sharp yank, making her gag. “I cain’t stand it when a woman don’t show respect for a gentleman, ‘specially when it’s one of Satan’s whores!”

Kayode spat out blood and crawled forward. He rolled under a horse and lunged up at Leota’s attacker. He knocked him from his horse and they hit the dirt. With the robed terrorist under his knees, Kayode commanded, “Get inside!” Hands wrapped around each other’s throats, the men wrestled, using all their strength to try to choke each other.

“I’m gonna see you fit for a noose, boy!” One of the Klan members raised his gun to take aim… Leota leapt and knocked it down and dirt and grass exploded. “Stupid bitch!” The butt of his gun caught her forehead and she fell.

Everything became hazy…

“Leota!”

Kayode’s scream pierced the air. His arm went up to grab her. It all moved in slow motion…

A trigger was pulled…

A shot went off…

Red spread across the front of Kayode’s shirt and he sat up for only an eternal second before he dropped.

“KAY!” Leota didn’t hear her own scream; she just felt the burn in her throat after it. “Kayode!” On elbows and knees she dragged herself through the dirt to his body. Muddy and cheeks dripping with tears, she collapsed on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. “Kay!” she screamed. Face buried in his neck, she sobbed so hard she couldn’t breathe. “Kay!”

Her body stiffened when she felt the shotgun barrel against the back of her head.

“I just love monkey huntin’,” drawled the hooded man behind her. “It’s like shootin’ fish in a barrel!” He guffawed and the others around him joined in. “You know what’s the most important thing ‘bout huntin’?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Destroyin’ the nest!”

“NO!” A huge boot kicked her down and planted itself on her back. She writhed and bucked, flinging arms, legs, and dirt. Curses tore from her throat as blazing torches sailed through the air and landed on her roof and porch. “MADDY!” Windows shattered, sending broken glass sailing through the air like jagged snowflakes. More torches found their way inside, and the house crackled and buckled in the inferno.

A newfound strength rolled her and pushed her up and sent her legs pumping as hard as she could. She tore across the lawn and was halfway to her porch before anyone realized it. She ignored the gunshot and ignored the bullet as it burned into her leg. She kept on, limping and crying, not letting the pain stop her.

“Momma’s coming! Mommy’ll be there! Hold on for momma, baby! Hold on for momma!”

She dragged herself into the house, coughing and gagging in the smoke. A falling beam missed her by millimeters. Blindly, but knowing the way by heart, she staggered into the nursery. She lunged at the crib and ignored the stinging when she caught a bar across her chest. Reaching in, her hands were stopped short by plaster. “No! No! No!” She shoved bits of broken ceiling aside, hoping, praying, pleading.

Finally she reached her baby.

It lay limp in her arms, giving not so much as a cough or a twitch.

Furniture started falling through the attic floor above her. She pushed her baby to her breast and staggered for the door. Blood seeped out her leg and left a trail behind her. Dizzier by the second, she weaved, moving forward on pure shock and adrenaline. Fires licked at her, grabbing at her with their scorching tongues.

Her toes caught a fallen stool and she pitched forward. She twisted and landed on her side, her daughter still held against her safely. It didn’t matter, though. Smoke filled her lungs. Her vision twisted and spun. Her leg screamed.

She curled up, sobbing with all of the breath left in her. With her last ounce of strength, she hated those men, she hated them with every bit of energy she had, she hated them more than she had ever hated her mother, and she hated them more than she hated herself for failing to save her child.

She wanted them to die. She wanted them to squirm, to scream, to bleed, to beg for mercy. She wanted them to feel the pain she felt a hundred fold!

“I can’t die,” she wheezed. “They must pay!”

Energy, brilliant green, engulfed her and lifted her up. It soared up and pushed away the smoke and flames. It sucked the bullet out of her leg and lifted her up to her feet. With the force of a battering ram it blew off the door.

Eyes filled with green light, hair flying, she looked like a demon as she floated out of the house and down the porch steps. The cloaked men screamed and whipped their horses, but the animals couldn’t move. They were frozen in fear.

With one sweep of her hand, the Klansmen fell and the horses bolted. They stumbled and fell and tried to get away, but her magic kept them on the ground.

One arm still held the baby to her body. The other curled her fingers into claws. “Have a taste of Hell!” she screamed and energy flew out of her palm and down into the men’s throats. They gagged and choked, tearing at their throats as the magic wiggled like fat snakes down their esophagus.

“Let your intestines boil and swell! Let them bubble and melt! Feel the agony I felt!”

One by one, they dropped, clutching their stomachs, vomiting bile and blood and black chunks. She walked past each one and ripped off their pointed hoods. “You weak cowards! Never dared to show your faces! I see you now! Pathetic excuses for men! Worms! Scum of the earth!”

She crouched down by one man. He couldn’t keep his head steady as he quivered. His pale face contorted in pain. “Why Mr. Ramsley,” she cooed. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise? I remember I gave you a reading just yesterday. I never would have thought this was the reason your life line was so short! What a co-inky-dink!” She stepped on his face, grinding in her foot. Teeth broke and tumbling down his throat, and then his jaw dislocated.

Then she made her way over to her dead husband. At once the spell on her was broken and she fell to her knees and cried. The wailing of sirens forced her to leave her baby and her husband. She laid Maddy on his chest. With a final kiss for both, she fled into the woods…

“I couldn’t stay,” Leota whispered, watching the trucks arrive. “So many of those men were important…A judge, policemen, tax collectors… I had to get away. I knew if I was found, they’d send a mob after me. Leaving them was the most painful thing I’ve… I’ve ev-ever done.” Her legs buckled and she put her hands to her face and screamed out a body shaking sob.

Destiny got on her knees and wrapped her arms around Leota and cried with her. “I’m so sorry! Oh, god, I’m so sorry! I’m sorry!”

The two women rocked slowly back and forth in an tear filled embrace and once again, time and its shadows moved forward…

A/N: As always, thanks to Werecat Boy for all of his help with editing.