667

Children of the Beast

Issue #2
Activation

E.M. Moon

E.M. Moon

Copyright 2016 E.M. Moon

All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 1533642966
ISBN-13: 1533642967

E.M. Moon

This issue is dedicated to my Adam

Thank you for rescuing me and never giving up on
me. Youre one of the biggest reasons I keep
fighting.

Contents
3

E.M. Moon

1. Violet Eve
6
2. Adam Baudin
22
3. Violet Eve
33
4. Adam Baudin
44
5. Violet Eve
49
6. Adam Baudin
57
7. Violet Eve
60
8. Adam Baudin
68
9. Violet Eve
73
10.
Adam Baudin
86
11.
Violet Eve
94
12.
Adam Baudin
106
13.
Violet Eve
113
14.
Adam Baudin
117
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

26. 667: Children of the Beast

27. Issue #2
28. Activation
29.
30.
31. June 4th 2016
32.
33.
34.
35. Violet Eve
36.
37.
38.

My cab pulled up in front of

the Cats Meow and I slid my new
Visa card through the credit card
reader the cabbie handed me. I signed
for the payment and exited the car in
front of a karaoke bar with a line
halfway down the street.
39.
Using my phone, I dialed
Missys number but when she
answered, I could barely hear her.
40.
Vi! Are you here? Missy
raised her voice over the yodeling
sounds of a man singing a popular
Guns n Roses song.

41.

Yes, but the line is halfway

down the block. Itll be a minute
before I get in there. I watched as a
few of the people in line stopped to
gawk at the awkwardly dressed Irish
girl that was practically standing in
the middle of the road.
42.
No it wont. Give me a
minute and wait outside the exit
door. Missy instructed me as the
receiver abruptly clicked.
43.
I nervously stepped up on the
curb and waited alone by the exit
door. This afforded me even more
stares from the people in line; Im
sure they were assuming I would hop
the queue and I guess their
assumptions were correct.
44.
The left door opened and
Missys beautiful blond head peeked
through.
45.
Its alright, Alfonso. Shes
with me. Missy winked at the
bouncer by the door and he gestured
for her to sneak me in. But the queue
had seen this and groaned audibly,

hurling insults my way because I got

in when they couldnt.
46.
Lovely greeting from the
Americans. Whatever happened to
Southern hospitality?
47.
Youre finally here! Missy
squealed as she jumped up and down.
She looked way different since the
last time I had seen her. Granted, it
had been almost ten years, but I didnt
expect her to change this much.
48.
She had always been a dancer.
From the day I met her it was leotards
and ballet flats that soon evolved into
tutus and pointe shoes, but the look
she had now was something else
entirely.
49.
Now she was wearing a skin
tight cheetah print dress, heels that
made her tower over my short frame,
and what appeared to be hair
extensions in her bleach blond waves.
50.
I am. Im here. I smiled
awkwardly, but I felt really out of
place. The bar was loud; louder than
the Cock and Crow during Rugby

season, which was surprising. A

woman was now singing a terrible
karaoke cover of Barracuda and all I
wanted to do was put myself in a
corner, far away from all the noise
and drunken singing.
51.
Comfortable? Missy smiled
at me across the table.
52.
The table. In the corner of the
roomfaaaaar away from everyone
else.
53.
Yeah. I nodded, scanning
my surroundings. Hadnt I just been
at the front door of the bar? Maybe I
was just so jet-lagged that I didnt
realize we had moved to a table
occupied by three other women.
54.
This is Candy, Chandra, and
Christina. Missy introduced me to
the ladies sitting with us at the table.
All of them were augmented in some
way, wearing similar dresses to Missy
with equally big hair.
55.
Hello. ImIm Violet. I
introduced myself, trying to
remember which C name went with

which shade of blond sitting in front

of me.
56.
Missy has told us all about
you. The C in the middle gushed. At
least I think she was gushing over me.
I hoped Missy had told her new
friends about her awesome childhood
best mate. Awesome being the
variable in that sentence.
57.
All good, I hope. I grinned,
shrugging my shoulders slightly in
anticipation of their answer.
58.
Oh, yes. All good. She told
us youre an author? It was now the
C on the left who spoke.
59.
A writer. I dont really
consider myself an author yet. I
tended to get overly humble when I
spoke about myself; I was my own
worst critic after all.
60.
Youve had books
published. Missy pointed out, taking
a sip of the mimosa in front of her.
61.
Self-published. I argued.
62.
Just take the compliment, Vi!

63.

Regardless, shes good. Look

her up: Violet Eve. Missy tried to
sell me to her friends, but I wasnt
sure if they were buying.
64.
What? Really? C on the
right exclaimed as she cocked her
head to one side, You wrote the
Ghost Prophecy series. She pointed
at me with the biggest smile on her
face.
65.
I was really surprisedno,
baffledthat she had even read my
books. I, personally, thought they
were rubbish. I tended to not really
like anything that I wrote, yet I kept
on writing it. Maybe I wasnt that
terrible after all
66.
I did. I smugly replied. Wait
she didnt say she liked it.
67.
I fucking love that series.
When does the fourth book come
out? C on the right leaned over the
table, a slight excitement in her brown
eyes.
68.
Im sort of working on it
right now. Part of why I moved this

wayIm taking Felicity to the states

for an investigation intointo
something. Im hoping being here
will give me some ideas. I grimaced.
I am sure I sounded like I had no idea
what I was even talking aboutand I
didnt.
69.
Youll find plenty of ghostly
history here in New Orleans. I have
been on so many ghost tours since we
moved in to the city. Super spooky.
Missy finished off her mimosa and
hollered out to a man with cat ears on.
He wandered off and promptly
returned with a serving tray full of
tequila shots.
70.
I fucking hate tequila.
71.
Makes me queasy just
thinking about it. Even the smell
made me want to vomit.
72.
Tequila shots all around!
Missy shrieked, sliding shot glasses
across the table to each of us.
73.
To Violet! Middle C raised
her glass and the rest joined in. I
reluctantly lifted my own, clanked it

against theirs, and when they threw

their heads back to take their shots, I
threw mine over my shoulder and
prayed that it didnt soak anyone.
74.
This went on for quite a while.
Missy kept ordering shots, and
everyone kept taking themeveryone
except me. Eventually I had to get the
waiters attention and let him know
that I wanted water in mine and told
him to leave out the lime. When he
came back with the next tray and
Missy saw that some didnt have any
limesI lied and said those were
mine because I didnt like limes.
75.
I love limes.
76.
I thought you likedlimes?
Missy was starting to slur her words
as she propped an elbow up on the
table, her shot glass dangling from her
fingers.
77.
Nope. Nopecant do citrus
now. Gives me heartburn. I lied,
hoping that shed believe me.

78.

But tequila doesnt?

Apparently Missy wasnt as drunk as
I thought.
79.
So, I gave in.
80.
I havent been drinking the
tequila. I think that the Ficus behind
me is probably knackered right now.
I was totally embarrassed. Missy and
I were exactly the same age, yet here I
was, sober as a granny, and Missy
was drunk in a skimpy dress and
perfectly manicured nails.
81.
Viyou should have just
said you didnt want to drink. I
wouldnt have been offended. Missy
seemed to understand.
82.
I hate tequila and I am just
too jet-lagged to drink. I had a really
bad nightmare on the plane and
apparently slept the whole trip here.
I scooted closer to Missy so the Three
Cs didnt overhear my crazy talk.
83.
We need to find you a doctor,
Vi. This isnt normal. Missy rubbed
my back out of sympathy.

84.

Its just stress. All of this has

been stressful. Losing Mum, losing
my scholarshipmy home. It didnt
start to get bad until then. I
explained. I wasnt going to any
doctors; I hated them. Mum hated
themand for good reason.
85.
Why dont you go home and
get some rest. I have a spare key
already made. Missy pulled a yellow
key with bumblebees on it from her
purse and placed it in my hand.
86.
Address? I didnt even
bother to argue. I was exhausted.
87.
Ill text it to you again.
Missy whipped out her phone and
began furiously typing away; I forgot
she had sent it to me earlier
88.
I shouldered my messenger
bag and stood from my seat. Is it
far?
89.
Youre leaving? I had lost
track of the Cs at this point and just
nodded in their genera direction; I
didnt really want any more
conversation.

90.

Shes had a long flight and

wants to get some rest. Missy
answered her before turning back to
me, Not even a twenty minute cab
ride.
91.
I said my quick goodbyes and
hurried out the front door of the bar to
face people standing in line that had
been there since I arrived. Some
sneered at me, obviously recognizing
me by my unruly ginger hair.
92.
I sheepishly covered my face
with my hand and bustled up the
street, completely forgetting to hail a
cab.
93.
I had only made it up a few
blocks before I realized that the
people of Bourbon Street had
dwindled to flickering street lamps
and shady alley ways.
94.
There were no cabs to hail
now, so I guessed walking was my
only option at this point.
95.
I passed several homeless
people begging for change, but my

loose money wouldnt do them any

good.
96.
My phone had finally gotten
good enough reception to GPS
Missys address. I was too far in one
direction to turn back for a cab now.
97.
A ferry? I have to get on a
damn ferry? A little boat blinked on
the route, right at the edge of the
Mississippi River.
98.
New city, new experiences.
99.
I tried to psych myself up for
the trip across the river; I was about
as fond of boats as I was of planes.
100.
I looked both ways
before crossing the road and headed
down Canal Street where I knew the
ferry terminal lay.
101.
There were just as few
people on this route as there had been
on the walk down here, but the faces I
did see were far from kind.
102.
Hey, darling. Looking
for a good time? A man appeared out
of nowhere with a fistful of tiny
plastic baggies. Each one contained a

blue dust that was supposed to be this

good time that he was offering.
103.
No thank you. I
nervously declined, trying to sidestep
him and continue down the street.
104.
I didnt mean the
drugs. He blurted, and roughly
seized me from behind. I tried to
scream as he yanked me under an
awning with picnic tables and flung
me up against one.
105.
Pleaseplease dont
hurt me. I pleaded. My heart was
racing as the man drew a knife from
inside his jacket and held it at my
throat.
106.
If you keep that pretty
little mouth shut, maybe I wont. He
pushed me back against the table and
spread my legs apart with his knee.
107.
Now was not the time
for me to play damsel in distress, but
he had a weapon and I had effectively
nothing.
108.
I clenched my legs
reflexively as he tried to pry them

open again; he was starting to get

frustrated that I wasnt complying and
pressed the knife harder against my
throat. I could feel the skin tear as the
sharpened blade effortlessly sliced my
throat, but just deep enough for me to
cry out.
109.
Lets play nice now,
princess. He hissed, leaning in over
me. He smelled like booze and bad
hygiene; the scent made my eyes
water.
110.
Getoff of me! I
growled, a sudden primal urge to
survive rising up in my gut. I raised a
knee and caught the man right in the
groin. He howled loudly, gripping his
manhood with one hand while the
other still held the knife. I tried to
make a run for it, but his stumbling
frame tripped me up and I came down
hard on the concrete.
111.
Ah. My knees
cracked against the pavement as I
practically fell on my face. In my
hurry to get up and away from the

man that surely wasnt trying to give

me a warm welcome to New Orleans,
I got the heel of my boot caught in a
drainage grate and went back down
again.
112.
You little bitch! The
man growled and jerked me up by my
hair. I finally was able to let out a
good long scream before he drug me
back in to the shadows and slung me
over another rusty table.
113.
I blacked out.
114.
I couldnt struggle any
more. I was already so tired from the
flight, from the dreams, from all the
stupid stress that I had been under for
the past six months. I just decided to
tune it out and hope that I somehow
survived.
115.
I decided that instead
of going to my happy place, a
peaceful mental destination to try and
detach myself from reality, I would
write myself out inside my head.
116.
It was something I had
done since a child: escapism. It was

part of what got me in to storytelling

and writing.
117.
This one might have
been my final story.
118.
I imagined that I was
stronger than my meter and a half self
and I was able to fight his advances. I
could feel his hefty body weighing
down on mine as he still held the
knife to my throat. The clanking of
his belt buckle as he unhooked it
caused my mind to wander to another
story. Maybe I would play the damsel
in distress after all and wait for my
knight in shining armor to save me.
Id never known chivalry before.
119.
So sweet. So perfect.
Such a pity I cant keep you. He
purred, sliding the knife from my
throat to the flannel shirt I wore. He
popped two buttons with the blade
before dragging it across the skin of
my chest.
120.
I snapped out of my
daydream long enough to

instinctively struggle underneath him,

but he wasnt having any of that.
121.
He back handed me
across the face, causing me to see
stars in the dim light. I groaned as I
tried to regain my composure, but the
man had already gone back to
popping the buttons on my shirt.
122.
I tried to meekly call
for help, but I knew it wasnt going to
do me any good.
123.
Now, this may hurt a
little. His gruff words were right in
my ear. I braced for whatever was
coming, letting myself fall back in to
the fantasy story I had fabricated in
my head.
124.
I felt his hands slide
down the front of my shirt as I let my
mind wander to someoneanyone
who could come and save me.
125.
I had just felt his
fingers find the button on my jeans
when he let out a loud cry and then a
gurgle.

126.
My eyes had been
squeezed shut in anticipation, but the
sound of the man in pain made them
pop open.
127.
The would be assailant
was slumped over the picnic bench; it
looked as if his neck had been
crushed by a gorilla.
128.
I fought the urge to
scream when I saw him. Another him.
My knight in shining armor.
129.
Shh, shh. Its ok. He
was much taller than my assailant had
been, but he was standing in the
shadows and the street lamp couldnt
reach his face. Was he going to try
and hurt me too?
130.
A gloved hand reached
out in to the beam of light, offering to
help me.
131.
Im not going to hurt
you, but we need to go. His deep
New Orleans accent was almost
soothing.
132.
Is heis hedead?
I stuttered, reaching for this mans

hand even though I didnt even know

him from Adam.
133.
Considering I crushed
his windpipe, I would say so. He
took my hand and led me back out to
Canal Street.
134.
I could finally see the
face of my knight, and everything else
about his towering figure.
135.
He had to be easily
over six and a half feet with thick
chocolate waves that were pulled
away from his shapely bearded jaw.
His eyes were too dark in the low
light for me to tell what color they
were, but they were almost cat like in
shape. His lips were more of a
distraction than I would have figured,
and I quickly looked away to take in
the rest of him. He wore a heavy
hooded cargo jacket over a black tee
with baggy camo pants. It was June
in the Southhe must have been
burning up! And he had on gloves as
if he was waiting for a snowstorm

or preparing to knock off a petrol

station.
136.
Arent you hot? I
blurted rudely. Not exactly the way I
had planned on saying thank you.
137.
Miss, Im always
hot. He responded, fanning himself
with his jacket. I was becoming a
little hot myself.
138.
Sorrythat was rude
of me. Thank you. Thank you for
saving me. I immediately became
self-conscious and averted my eyes to
my combat boots.
139.
No problem. What
the hell is a girl like you doing out on
Canal Street at He checked his
wristwatch, Almost midnight? Now
he sounded like he was scolding me
for making him have to be chivalrous
at Midnight on a Saturday.
140.
Does it sound like
Im from anywhere around here? I
have no idea what this city is like.
Maybe I shouldnt have been letting
some stranger know how much of a

foreigner I really was. He could kill

me where I stand and no one would
miss me because I was green to this
cityto this country.
141.
Touch. We dont
need to stand around here talking,
though. If someone sees us and a
dead body, they are going to ask a lot
of questions. He took my hand once
again.
142.
We cant just leave
the scene of a crime. I protested,
trying to take my hand back.
143.
You really want to
wait for the fuzz to arrive and then
have to answer a bunch of questions
as to why that mans throat is
crushed? Because I wont stick
around for them so they can arrest
me. Besides, one less scummy fuck
on my streetshe was going to rape
you. The last two words of his
sentence made me draw in a sharp
breath.
144.
He was. He was going
to do it right there, out in the open,

without a care in the world. He

probably would have slit my throat
after and I would have just ended up
another casualty of the city.
145.
You coming? I had
been so engrossed with my thoughts
that I hadnt realized he was still
waiting for me.
146.
Yeah. Lets go. I let
him take my hand again and lead me
back up Canal Street the way I had
come. I wasnt going to ask where he
was taking me; I didnt care at the
moment. The magnitude of the
situation had just hit me and I began
to shake.
147.
He took his jacket off
without a word and draped it over my
shoulders.
148.
Youre going to be
ok. Youll realize soon enough that
this city isnt always forgiving. But
good people do exist. He reassured
me.

149.
He was right; good
people did exist and he was clearly
one of them.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.

162.
163.
164.
165.
166.

Adam Baudin

167.
168.
169.
The gloves Henri had
made for me seemed to be working.
He said they were made out of a
combination of Nomex and leather

and had been inscribed with some sort

of veve to keep the heat contained
within me unless I chose to use itI
never chose to use it.
170.
It may have been the
beginning of June in my city, but I
was cloaked in a heavy jacket and
gloves, just so I could go DJ at some
night club that hired me for the week.
I could actually touch the vinyls now
and not have them warp and melt in
my hands, but the heat inside of me
was getting worse.
171.
I could have taken my
bike to work, but I decided to walk.
Walking always did my head well
when it was in a bad place.
172.
I couldnt wait to get
away from Bourbon Street and back
home.
173.
Henri had taken me in.
He didnt like the apartment I was
living in any more than Nate did, and
offered me a room above the shop. I
was more than glad to take it.

174.
Since I decided to
walk, it meant taking the ferry back
home in the dark. It didnt usually run
this late, but I knew the boat captain
and he was out at the terminal most of
the night.
175.
I was getting ready to
cross on to Canal Street when I heard
it: a woman screaming in the distance.
Sadly that wasnt uncommon in the
city, but something about this one
made my heart skip a beat.
176.
How could a random
scream sound so familiar?
177.
I needed to save
whoever this was from whatever was
hurting her, and I felt a sense of
urgency to get it done quickly.
178.
There was just the one
scream, but I felt like it still echoed
off the buildings and I followed the
frantic panic that was palpable in the
air.
179.
I crossed the street
finally and was coming down the road
pretty quickly when I saw her.

180.
The street lamp cast
just enough of a glow where she was
pinned against a picnic table, making
her vibrant red hair almost neon in the
dark.
181.
Then I saw the glint of
the knife as it ran down her chest.
182.
I didnt have time to
mull the situation over in my head; I
had to actand I had to act now.
183.
Bounding down the
hill to the pavilion as quietly as I
could, I came up behind the man that
was about to harm an innocent
women.
184.
My hand shot out to
his shoulder and incapacitated the arm
that held the knife. He spun around as
quickly as he could, but he wasnt fast
enough. I took ahold of his neck to
remove him from her lap, but I
apparently didnt know my own
strength.
185.
I felt the bones in his
neck crumble and his windpipe
collapse like someone crushing an

empty water bottle. He made a wet

gurgling noise before sagging over
the picnic bench when I instinctually
released my grip.
186.
The woman abruptly
dropped the hands that were covering
her face and her large green eyes
popped open. She caught sight of me
in the shadows and I thought she was
going to scream by the way her brow
furrowed and her lips peeled back
from her teeth.
187.
Shh, shh. Its ok. I
tried to calm her before she alerted
anyone else. The man was dead and
we certainly didnt need to draw
unwanted attention to ourselves.
188.
I reached my hand out
to help her climb over the now very
deceased man that lay partially across
her right leg.
189.
Im not going to hurt
you, but we need to go. I urged her
to come with me, but she just stared,
dumbfounded.

190.
Is heis hedead?
She stuttered, reaching for my hand
even though she didnt know me from
Adambut I guess she would.
191.
Considering I crushed
his windpipe, I would say so. I took
her hand and led her back out to
Canal Street.
192.
I could finally see her
full figure now. She was a tiny thing,
probably no taller than five feet, with
the brightest orange hair I had ever
laid eyes on. It looked as if it had
been braided back in pigtails, but the
right side had been yanked free and
draped her shoulder in waves. Her
clover green eyes studied me under
the street lamp, probably evaluating
whether or not I was safe to be
around. She fumbled to keep her red
flannel closed over her chest: all the
buttons were now missing.
193.
I watched as her gaze
wandered from my heavy jacket to
the gloves on my hands. She probably

thought I was on my way to a

robbery.
194.
Arent you hot? She
blurted, her brow still knit in concern.
I assumed she was in shock.
195.
Miss, Im always
hot. I responded, fanning myself
with my jacket. If she only knew how
serious I was.
196.
Sorrythat was rude
of me. Thank you. Thank you for
saving me. Her words trailed
together as she averted her gaze from
mine and favored her clunky booted
feet instead.
197.
No problem. What
the hell is a girl like you doing out on
Canal Street at I checked my
wristwatch, Almost midnight? It
was rather odd that any woman was
out at this hour all alone with nothing
for protection.
198.
Does it sound like
Im from anywhere around here? I
have no idea what this city is like. It
was then that I really heard her

accent. She was not from around here

and oddly sounded a lot like the guy
that ran the Irish Pub down the street.
199.
Touch. We dont
need to stand around here talking,
though. If someone sees us and a
dead body, they are going to ask a lot
of questions. I took her hand once
again.
200.
We cant just leave
the scene of a crime. She protested,
trying to take her hand back.
201.
You really want to
wait for the fuzz to arrive and then
have to answer a bunch of questions
as to why that mans throat is
crushed? Because I wont stick
around for them so they can arrest
me. Besides, one less scummy fuck
on my streetshe was going to rape
you. The last part of my sentence
caused her to draw in a sharp breath. I
dont think it had even occurred to her
that he was trying to do such a thing.
Based on the look of the knife and the
fact that I could now see blood

running down her partially exposed

chest, he wasnt going to leave her
alive.
202.
You coming? I
waited while she let everything sink
in, I just hoped she made the right
decision and I wouldnt have to try
and force her to come with me.
203.
Yeah. Lets go. She
let me take her hand again and lead
her back up Canal Street the way I
had come. I needed to get her back to
a well-lit area where she was safe. I
could tell the magnitude of the
situation had just hit her and she
began to shake.
204.
I took my jacket off
silently and draped it over her
shoulders as the tremors increased.
205.
Youre going to be
ok. Youll realize soon enough that
this city isnt always forgiving. But
good people do exist. I reassured her.
206.
I dont know if she
believed me or not, but I wanted her
to understand that I would keep her

safe. I felt compelled to. For whatever

reason, I had to make sure that she got
home in one piece.
207.
208.
209.

(*)

210.
211.
Awesome. Another
bar. She scrunched her nose up as I
held the door open for her.
212.
A safe bar. My friend
Nate owns and operates it. I
followed her through the door and
took her to a table in the far corner
away from everyone. I held my
fingers up for two beers as we passed
Nate bussing a table; he returned
shortly with two ice cold stouts.
213.
I offered her one and
she studied me for a minute before
taking it from me.
214.
I wasnt going to
drink tonight. Avoided tequila for
over an hour. Though, I feel like I
need this right now. She talked past
me as she cracked her bottle cap up

against the side of the table and took a

long swig.
215.
Maybe itll calm your
nerves. I uncapped mine and started
to drink. I was going to go home, but
this seemed like it was more
important.
216.
Maybe. Thank you
again She paused in her gratitude
and gestured her hand towards me. I
wasnt sure what she was waiting for,
but then I realized I hadnt given her
my name.
217.
Adam. My names
Adam. I would have extended my
hand to shake hers, but I figured she
had had enough of my lava hands for
one night.
218.
Violet. She smiled
slightly, taking another swig of her
beer. She seemed like she was
warming up to me.
219.
Well, Violetthis
your first night in The Big Easy? I
finished my beer and threw my hand
up for another.

220.
Yeah, fresh off a
plane just a couple of hours ago. She
nodded, finishing her own beer. I
changed my number of fingers in the
air to two.
221.
A couple of hours
ago? And you were wandering down
Canal Street after midnight, why?
She hadnt been here long and she
had already almost been killed.
Welcome to the dark side of the city,
Violet.
222.
I just moved here.
Got in tonight and met my friend at
the Cats Meow. I wasnt really up for
partying after a goddamn nineteen
hour flight, so I got her keys and
address and was going to take a cab
home. Only I got caught up in my
stupid head and before I knew it I was
almost at the ferry and figured it
would be a waste of time to go back
and find a ride. She sighed as Nate
brought over two more beers. He
unsubtly winked at me as he
wandered back off to the bar.

223.
I guess it was lucky I
was out there. It really was luckor
something of that sort. I cracked open
our brand new beers and slid one over
to her.
224.
It was. You saved the
Damsel in Distress. She had a funny
look on her face as she locked eyes
with mine for a moment.
225.
I always wanted to be
a Knight in Shining Armor. I
laughed and she laughed uneasily.
226.
Missy is going to be
worried about me. She was talking
past me again as she drank.
227.
Is that your friend? I
asked, trying to keep her calm in the
conversation.
228.
She looked at me
warily for a moment before
responding, Yes. We were friends
back in Belfast since we were eight.
She moved out here ten years ago and
I finally decided to follow. She
answered me, finishing her second
beer.

229.
Lets get you home
then. I finished my own and stood
from the table.
230.
You dont have to
take me home. Ill just get a cab. She
denied my help as she slung her bag
across her chest and stood up too.
231.
No, nolet me get
you home safely. I urged her, but she
still looked undecided.
232.
How do I know that
you wont hurt me? She asked,
pulling her bag closer to her body.
233.
I meanI did save
you once already. Not the type of guy
to play with my food. I responded
and quickly regretted it.
234.
Her eyes were wide,
one eyebrow arched as she stared at
me.
235.
Poor choice of words
what I mean is I went out of my
way to help you, why would I do that
if my plan was to hurt you? I could
have done that back down at the
ferry. The wording of this sentence

wasnt much better, but she didnt

seem as tense.
236.
Ill make you a deal.
Ill leave my phone and wallet here
with Nate, Ill take you home, and
when you get in safely you can call
up to the bar and let Nate know. I can
get my stuff then and all is well. It
was a bit of an unnecessarily longwinded plan, but I wanted Violet to
trust me.
237.
Ok. I guess you can
take me home. She caved, but she
still looked scared. I couldnt blame
her.
238.
I took my phone and
wallet up to Nate behind the bar and
explained what I was doing. He
thought it was a rather elaborate plan
for trying to sleep with someone
when I explained to him why I was
taking her home. He felt like a dick,
which he was, but I didnt hold it
against him.
239.
Ok, everything is set.
Nate has my things and now we can

get you home. She handed me my

jacket and I helped her outside.
240.
I dont know if I have
enough money for a cab now. Were a
good bit further away from Missys
than before. She spoke up as we
stood by the curb.
241.
I do. I held up a few
twenty dollar bills, Address?
242.
667 Seguin Street.
She recalled.
243.
I held my hand out as a
cab slowed and a man stuck his head
out of the window. Where to?
244.
667 Seguin Street. I
responded, opening the door for
Violet. She climbed in, still visibly
shaken and I entered behind her.
245.
The cabbie set the
clock and we headed off towards the
other side of the Mississippi River.
246.
247.
248.
249.
250.

251.
252.
253.
254.
255.
256.
257.
258.

259.
260.
261.
262.
263.

Violet Eve

264.
265.
266.
I think this one is
me. I tapped on the window of the
cab. The house looked like the one in
the pictures that Missy sent me, even
in the dark.
267.
The cab pulled up to
the curb and Adam got out to get the
door for me.
268.
Thank you. I
responded meekly and climbed out of

the cab, holding my bag closely

against me.
269.
Ill wait here while
you get inside. Make sure to call Nate
so I can get my things back. Adam
smirked at me and handed me a piece
of paper with a phone number on it.
270.
Ok. I agreed, not
making eye contact with the man. He
seemed nice enough, but I was still so
apprehensive and I had been holding
in ugly sobs for the past hour.
271.
I turned to walk up the
stairs to the house when Adam called
out to me.
272.
Can I see you again?
273.
I thought about it for a
moment. I dont know what interest
he had in me or why hed even want
to keep in touch with me after he
killed a man in my defense. That
would just draw unwanted attention
but he was so sweet to me. He saved
my life and didnt even know me
fromAdam. It was funny now.

274.
I dont know. You go
up to the bar often? I glanced over
my shoulder. I could only give him a
solid maybe right now.
275.
Almost every night. I
DJ up there on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. He replied, removing a
stray lock of hair that had fallen over
his eyes. His hair was just gorgeous.
276.
Then maybe we will
meet again. That was the only
answer I could give him. I hurried up
the stairs and fumbled with the key in
the lock before finally opening the
door.
277.
Night Violet. I heard
him say as the door to the cab closed
and sped away down the street.
278.
279.
280.
281.
Violet! Where the hell
have you been? Missy greeted me as
soon as I opened the door. She was
sitting on a huge sectional couch,
flanked by the Three Cs and a few

other women that were all pretty

much dressed the same.
282.
I got lost. Its a long
story and I just dont have the
strength tonight, Miss. I tried to
make myself look as tired and sickly
as possible. I clenched the top of my
shirt closed so she couldnt see the
blood that had dried on my chest. I
wanted a hot bath and a cup of tea and
then to sleep as long as I possibly
could.
283.
Get some sleep, Vi.
Your bedroom is in the back and your
bags arrived while we were still out.
You even have your own bathroom.
Ill see you in the morning, yeah?
Missy got up and came over to give
me a hug. The other women didnt
even really seem to notice me as one
lit up what smelled like a joint, and
began passing it around.
284.
Night, Missy. I
trudged off to the back bedroom and
locked the door behind me.
285.
Then the dam broke.

286.
I tore off my flannel
shirt and held it in front of my mouth
as I cried. My whole body shook with
equal parts fear and rage. Since I had
been here I felt like the only person
that really gave a damn about me had
been this Adam guy and I had just
met him!
287.
Missy hadnt even
called to check on me!
288.
I tried to suck the tears
back, but that only made the crying
worse. My sobs were almost silent as
I blindly rifled through my messenger
bag for my phone, but I couldnt seem
to find it. I angrily dumped out the
contents and spread them out on the
floor: my journal, keys, cigarettes, the
new lighter I bought when I got off
the plane, my lip balm, tons of pens,
and a bag of sour jelliesno fucking
phone.
289.
There was no way I
was without it; I knew I had it the
whole time because I used the GPS on
it.

290.
I had finally stopped
crying and wiped the tears from my
rosy face, fixed my hair in the mirror
and then poked my head out the door.
291.
Miss, do you have a
house line? I called out in to the
living room.
292.
Jeremy has one at the
end of the hall! She called back and I
stepped out of the room with the slip
of paper Adam had handed me.
293.
I picked up the
receiver and dialed the number,
waiting as it rang on the other end.
294.
ONeils Bar and
Night Club, this is Nate speaking.
Nate picked up the phone after the
fourth ring.
295.
Hi. I hesitated
nervously, This is Violet; I was just
with Adam up at the bar.
296.
Oh, hey Violet. Adam
got you home safely? He asked. I
could hear him cleaning glasses on
the other end.

297.
He did; you can give
him his wallet and phone back. I have
a question though Maybe my
phone was at the bar or Adam had
seen it and Nate could ask him since I
clearly didnt have his number.
298.
Shoot. He
responded. I could hear him set down
a glass and pick up another with a
clink.
299.
I lost my phone
somehow and I was wondering if
maybe youve seen it? I hoped hed
say that he already had it behind the
bar.
300.
No one has brought
anything up here and I already bussed
the tables and didnt see anything.
When Adam gets back I can ask him
though. That was kind of him to
offer.
301.
Thatd be great. Kind
of hard to function nowadays without
a phone. I joked.
302.
Dont I know it. Can
you be reached at this number? Nate

asked as I heard him switch the

handset from one ear to the other.
303.
Yeah, its my
roommates house line. Thanks,
Nate. Two good people in this city so
far.
304.
No problem. Have a
good night, Violet. He hung up and I
set the phone back down.
305.
I aimlessly sauntered
back to my room and immediately
drew the hottest bath I could stand.
306.
The cut on my neck
seemed pretty superficial and
wouldnt need stitches; which was
good since I couldnt afford them.
307.
I cleaned myself up in
the sink before climbing in to the tub
and fully immersing myself. I let my
hair down and felt it ripple around me
in the steaming water.
308.
I started to cry again; I
knew that I would.
309.
Stuff was just way too
much for me at that moment and I

surfaced, hanging myself off the lip of

the claw foot tub to get my bearings.
310.
Mumwhat the hell
am I doing? I asked to no one. I was
miserable without her. And to top it
off, I was still convinced that she was
murdered. My mother wasnt a drunk
and there was no way that she should
have lost control and collided with
that oak tree. Someone set her up
somehow, but no one would listen to
me. Maybe the break line had been
cut or somethingbut it was no
accident. I could feel it in my gut.
311.
She had been having
issues with a certain medical facility
whose name she wasnt even allowed
to mention because it didnt exist, at
least not as far as her department
went.
312.
It had to have been
themI knew it.
313.
Vi! Theres a phone
call for you! I could hear Missy
standing outside the bathroom door.

314.
Its open. I hollered
and she cracked the door, bringing me
the wireless phone from the hallway.
315.
Maybe Nate had found
my phone after all.
316.
Hello? I took the
phone and slunk back in to the water
after Missy closed the door.
317.
Hey, Violet. It
wasnt Nateit was Adam.
318.
Hey, did you find my
phone? I really hoped he had.
319.
Yeah, do you want
me to come bring it to you? Adam
asked. He sure was eager to see me
again.
320.
Not tonight. Maybe
we can meet up somewhere tomorrow
and I can get it from you. I suggested
instead. I just wanted to finish
scrubbing the citys bad first
impression off of my skin and get in
to bed.
321.
Sure. Want to meet
back at Nates bar? He wasnt pushy;
thats good.

322.
That works. What
time? I yawned. I needed to get out
of the bath and in to bed before I fell
asleep and drowned.
323.
Nate opens the bar at
eleven, so then? That way there isnt a
bunch of noise and distraction going
on. Adam suggested a mid-morning
meetup. What would he not want us
to be distracted from? I was just
coming to pick up my phone
324.
That sounds good.
Im going to go finish my bath and
drag myself to bed before I drown. I
yawned again.
325.
Yeah. You go do
that. There was a strange tone in
Adams voice.
326.
Night, Adam. I bid
him goodbye.
327.
Night, Violet. He
hung up and I sank back in to the
water to finish my bathing.
328.
329.

(*)

330.
331.
It was so goddamn hot.
The room was sweltering and I
thought I was going to pass out. I felt
like my hands were on fire as they
gripped the sheets. Waves of intense
heat were washing over my body,
undulating hot air in to my face so
that I choked.
332.
I couldnt decide if I
was asleep or not, but I assumed it
was just another nightmare.
333.
No more. Wake up,
Violet. Wake up! I tried to make my
lips work to form the words aloud
but I was already awake.
334.
No more. No more
fire! I heard myself blurt as I writhed
in the bed from the excruciating pain;
I felt like I was being incinerated
from the inside out.
335.
No more! I belted
and instantly I felt a wash of cold fill
my body up till I was almost shaking
from the chill.

336.
I pulled my blankets
around me and drug myself out of bed
over to the window. I wrenched the
curtains open to find that it was
already morning and it was incredibly
overcast outside.
337.
I wiped the sweat from
my body with the sheet and went in to
the bathroom to freshen up before
digging through my bag of clothes for
something to wear.
338.
When I was satisfied
that I didnt look like something the
cat dragged in, I left the room to find
at least seven girls asleep all over the
living room and Missy in the kitchen
cooking breakfast with a strange man.
339.
Morning, Violet.
Jeremy made us bacon and eggs.
Missy brought over a cast iron skillet
full of scrambled eggs and fat slices
of bacon.
340.
Thank you. I
responded, but Jeremy made me
anxious. He was already dressed to
impress this morning with a three

piece suit, slicked hair, and fancy tie.

His skin was deeply tanned and his
hair was dark, but they were at a stark
contrast to the light gray of his eyes.
He could have easily been Missys
father with his age, but who was I to
judge?
341.
You are most
welcome. Im so glad that Missy is
going to have someone here around
the clock when Im gone. He
gestured for me to take a seat right
next to him.
342.
Oh, do you travel? I
asked, taking a bite of my bacon.
343.
Yes. I am a manager
and promoter as well as an investor. I
travel all over the world and I cant
always take Missy with me. Jeremy
sipped at his black coffee. It was nice
of him to open his home to me, but
something about him still made me
uneasy.
344.
Im glad to be here. I
needed to get away. I had just put a

forkful of eggs in my mouth when

Jeremys response made me choke.
345.
Missy told me about
your mothers accident; Im so
terribly sorry. Jeremey lamented, but
something about his response was
disingenuous. I also hadnt wanted
Missy to go telling everyone about it.
I didnt want the pity and I didnt
want to talk about it.
346.
Yeah, wellI have to
go meet a man about my phone that I
lost last night. So if you both will
excuse methanks again for
breakfast. I grabbed a bottle of water
off the counter and rudely exited the
kitchen and straight out the front door.
347.
I hadnt meant to be so
curt, but just talking about the
accident made me want to fucking
scream because it wasnt an accident.
348.
There wasnt really
any money on my debit card and I
had very little cash, so I guess I was
walking to ONeils.

349.
At least it would give
me time to cool the anger that had
started to pool in my fists. Didnt
want to knock anyone out now.
350.
351.
352.
353.
354.
355.
356.
357.
358.
359.
360.
361.
362.
363.
364.
365.
366.
367.
368.
369.
370.
371.

372.
373.

377.

June 5th 2016

374.
375.
376.
Adam Baudin

378.
379.
380.
I got to the bar the
same time Nate did. He let me in the
back and poured me a soda before
getting to work on opening the place
up.
381.
You think shes gonna
show up? Nate flipped over one
barstool after another in front of the
long mahogany bar.
382.
If she wants her
phone she will. Shes going to need it
being in a new city with only one
friend. I propped my feet up on the
table and drank my soda.
383.
Two if she counts
you. Nate laughed, implying that I
had already laid claim to her.

384.
Shes cute. I agreed.
That accent really made it too. But I
wasnt looking for anything serious
with everything else that had been
going on. She wasnt a girl you just
slept with one time and never spoke
to again; she was worth more than
that.
385.
Not that now would
be a good time to ask her out after
what happened last night. Nate had a
point there too.
386.
Someone knocked on
the front door and Nate opened it to
reveal Violet dressed in cut off shorts
and a black shirt with a Hamsa on the
front.
387.
Morning, Violet.
Adams over there. Nate pointed at
me and I waved. She had her hair
down today and I could see how
incredibly thick it was, like a horses
tail. Despite being a red head she had
not a freckle on her body save for a
few light ones speckled across her
nose.

388.
You have my phone?
She slung her bag on the table and
waited impatiently.
389.
I do. Youre
welcome. I pulled it out of my front
pocket and slid it across the table.
Violet snatched it and started going
through it like I was going to leave
lewd pictures somewhere on her
phone.
390.
You want to go for a
walk with me? Maybe get some
coffee and beignets? For someone
who didnt want to date, I sure
wanted to take her out to places. She
had this strange hold over me.
391.
I dont know
Violet looked down at her phone.
392.
Got other plans? I
figured she and her friend Missy
would be up to something with her
just coming in to town.
393.
Not till later this
afternoon. She spoke quietly, still
going through what seemed to be her

text messages. She did try to call

me.
394.
Missy? I asked.
Violet wasnt totally part of our
conversation.
395.
Yeah. She was still up
when I got home. I thought she hadnt
called to check on me, but she did; I
just didnt have my phone. Violet
finally stuffed it in the front flap of
her bag and stood from the table.
396.
You leaving so
soon? I lifted my feet from the table
to stand with her.
397.
Didnt you promise
me beignets? Ive never had them
before. Violet gave me the most
genuine smile that I had seen since we
met.
398.
I began to walk her
towards the door, I know just the
place.
399.
400.
401.
402.

(*)

403.
404.
These are like eating
the sweetest, fluffiest clouds. And the
coffee Violet licked powdered
sugar off her fingertips before taking
a sip of her coffee.
405.
Yeah, they really are
wonderful. I laughed. The
expression on her face was sheer joy
as she took the last bite of her beignet
and finished her coffee.
406.
Where do you want to
go now? I asked, walking closely
alongside her.
407.
Its only noon; I dont
have to be back till three. She
shrugged, checking her phone.
408.
Good; then there are
two things I want to show you. I
hurried her down the street towards
the spot I had found her the night
before.
409.
You know, I have no
idea where you found my phone.
Violet questioned me suddenly as if
she knew where I was taking her.

410.
Im going to show
you. I took her hand and jaywalked
across the street to the exact same
spot we had met the prior evening.
411.
I must have lost it in
the struggle. It dawned on Violet
when she had actually lost possession
of her phone.
412.
I walked back by here
last night on the way home and found
it. Notice anything strange though? I
stepped under the awning where the
tables were and waited for it to sink
in.
413.
Wheres the body?
Violet furrowed her brow and looked
from me to the spot where I had killed
the man that had been attacking her.
414.
It wasnt there when I
came back here last night. Theres no
police, no police tape, no chalk
outline. The body is just gone and I
dont think anyone even noticed it
was here. I pointed out the lack of
any sort of police presence.

415.
Somebody did
because the body is gone. Violet
pointed out. She was right about that.
Someone had to have found the mans
corpse, but why had they taken it and
not reported anything to the
authorities?
416.
Lets get out of here
just in case. I grabbed Violet by the
elbow, but she jerked her arm
violently away from me.
417.
Im sorry. She
sputtered, backing away from me as
her chest heaved up and down.
418.
No, Im sorry. I
should be more thoughtful. I wanted
for her breathing to level out before I
urged her to follow me in a different
direction. I was going to take her to
my home and introduce her to Henri.
419.
He had a few things to
say about the situation that I had
gotten myself in to with her the night
before, though I hadnt been very
specific. I figured hed change his
tune when he met her.

420.
421.
422.
423.
424.
425.
426.

427.
428.
429.
430.
431.

Violet Eve

432.
433.
434.
Seriously, whats with
the gloves? I joked with Adam as I
pointed at the black ones that came up
just past his wrists.
435.
I have sensitive
hands. He mockingly defended
himself.
436.
Or youre an XMen. I laughed at him. The gloves
really werent that odd to me;
everyone had their own style.

437.
Here we are: the
Crescent City Shaman. Adam held
the shop door open for me like a
gentleman and we both were greeted
with the scent of sweet woods and
smoldering resins.
438.
Adam. Come here
and taste dis. A beautiful dark
skinned man with short red locks was
rolling something between his hands
before he handed it to Adam, who
popped it right in his mouth without
even asking what it was
439.
That tastes like
strawberry ass. What is it? Adam
scrunched up his nose and let his
tongue dangle over his full lips. I
noticed then that the middle of his
lower lip was pierced with a silver
ring.
440.
Its supposed to make
you virile, but I dont want it to taste
too bitter because of the Horny Goat
Weed. He went back to rolling herbs
in a fruit paste and then in powdered
sugar.

441.
Well, thats not what I
need right now Henri, this is
Violet. Adam introduced me and
Henris head snapped to where I was
standing.
442.
She da girl you saved
last night, Captain America? Henri
studied me intently.
443.
Yes she is. Adam
kicked up in front of the bar and left
me to look around the huge shop.
There were rows and rows of books,
herbs, totems, dolls, and a large
assortment of occult items all around
me. I had always been interested in
the magical, metaphysical, and
supernatural. All my stories had those
themes. We had Witchcraft shops in
Ireland, but Voodoo was something
new to me entirely.
444.
Nice to meet you,
Miss Violet. Have a seat and Ill make
you something to calm your nerves
and help with that jet-lag you are still
feeling. Henri began snatching
pinches of herbs from the glass

apothecary jars behind the bar. It was

almost set up like an ice cream
parlour, but instead of ice cream there
were magical herbs and resins.
445.
Nice to meet you
too. I climbed on to the stool next to
Adam and sat down.
446.
Youre Irish, hm?
Always wanted to go over to da UK
and see da sites. I hear Stonehenge is
beautiful. Henri continued to mix
and mash herbs before smearing what
looked like a guava paste on to his
cutting board and began rolling it all
together.
447.
Yeah, Im from
Belfast. I nodded, watching him
expertly make the squishy herbal
candies. You both from here? I
figured as much, but I wasnt very
good at making conversation.
448.
Henri is, but I was
adopted. They think I was born here,
but they arent sure. Adam answered.
449.
Adopted. I hadnt
expected that.

450.
Our mother worked
for an adoption agency for years. She
saw Adam and just fell in love with
him. After me, da doctors told her she
couldnt have anymore, so Adam was
her miracle baby. Henri smirked,
winking at Adam.
451.
Brothers. Your
mother must be a very lucky woman.
I smiled. I loved to see blended
families; mine never seemed to work
out.
452.
What about you; any
siblings? Henri asked, finally rolling
up at least a dozen herbal candies
before piling them up inside a
parchment lined box.
453.
I had a few stepsiblings over the years, but none
blood. My mum re-married a few
times. I nodded, taking a loose piece
of candy that Henri offered me. I
popped it in my mouth and chewed; it
was most certainly guava.
454.
And wheres your
mom? Adam asked me.

455.
Instant ragebut I
quelled it.
456.
She passed away
about six months ago. I drew my lips
in to a thin line.
457.
Im so sorryI had
no idea. Adam looked as if he felt
terrible for even asking.
458.
Dont be sorry; not
your fault. I assured him that it was
alright; I was going to have to learn to
control my anger.
459.
Is that what brought
you over dis way? Her passing?
Henri kept asking more questions and
I was oddly ok with that.
460.
Pretty much. My best
friend since forever moved down this
way about ten years ago. I had no one
left over there anymore so she
insisted I come here. I explained
how I had even ended up in New
Orleans in the first place.
461.
Shes worried about
you; you havent been sleeping well.
Henri handed me the box of candies.

462.
Does it show on my
face? I was sort of embarrassed that
he had even noticed.
463.
No; your face is
perfect. I can sense it in your energy
field; its weak. Having nightmares?
Henri started mixing a new batch of
something as he spoke to me.
464.
Uhwell, I do. I do
have nightmares. I was too baffled to
deny it. Adam was now looking at me
oddly as he chewed on a tea tree stick.
465.
What about? Henri
apparently had no boundaries, but his
intuition was spot on.
466.
Stuff. I dont usually
remember. I just know that I generally
wake up terrified. I tried to skirt the
answer, but Henri caught my
attention.
467.
I want to try a little
thing with you. He dusted the
powdered sugar off his hands and
started going through the dusty bottles
on the shelf behind him. He grabbed a
glass orb that swirled with an indigo

liquid; how it got in the seamless

globe was beyond me.
468.
What is that? I
wondered what the orb was used for.
469.
I call it the Destiny
Diviner. Its this fancy thing I
whipped up a few full moons ago;
very intense stuff. Henri came
around the counter with the globe in
his hand and stepped right in front of
me, offering it for me to take.
470.
This is going to
divine my destiny? A snow globe? I
was skeptical.
471.
She may not be ready
for that. Adam sneered. He started to
laugh as Henri pulled the globe in to
his chest.
472.
I know da first one
didnt work, but dis one is different. I
made sure I got it perfect dis time.
Henri waved Adam off and turned
back around to me.
473.
Just try it. Maybe it
will give you some insight in to your

dreams. Henri urged me to take the

orb.
474.
What could it hurt? I
lifted my shoulders in indifference
and reached out for the Destiny
Diviner.
475.
My fingers had barely
grazed the glass when I felt like an
explosion went off in my brain.
476.
Images of war and
famine, of pestilence and death
whirred around in my head. Leathery
wings, fire, bloodshed; these images
were unlike anything I had ever seen.
477.
Flashes of children,
happy children that grew up to be
monsters. Fire rained down from the
skies and the seas ran red with blood.
And then I caught a glimpse of
myself.
478.
I wanted to let go of
the orb, but it just kept showing me
more terrifying images...
479.
I was in the middle of
a cemetery, knelt down in front of a

gravestone as I laid a flower I

couldnt identify on the plot.
480.
Then I seized up.
481.
I watched as my body
began to twitch. I was alone, having
some sort of seizure and no one was
there to keep me from choking on my
own tongue. I flailed back on the
ground and started to scream, clawing
at my face.
482.
I could tell that I was
in immense amounts of pain just by
looking at myself, but I physically
didnt feel a thing.
483.
When the seizing
finally stopped I witnessed myself roll
over so I could finally see my face
484.
485.
486.
I screamed, almost
dropping the orb as I snapped back to
reality. Henri had torn it from my
hands before I could let it go and I
just stood there drenched in sweat,
eyes wild with fear.

487.
Keep that thing away
from me. I whispered, raising my
tone at the end as I batted Henri out of
my face. What kind of fucking game
was he playing?
What did you see? Henris
eyes were wide with wonder.
488.
Youre a sick bastard.
I dont know how you did any of that.
Was there something in the candy? I
began to gag at the thought of it being
laced with LSD or something worse.
489.
Before Henri could
answer me, I had turned heel and ran
out of the shop with Adam calling my
name as I fled.
490.
491.
492.
493.
494.
495.
496.
497.
498.
499.

500.

501.
502.
503.
504.
505.
Adam Baudin
506.
507.
508.
What the hell did you
put in that candy, Henri? I had never
been this furious with my own
brother, but Violet had been through
enough already.
509.
I didnt put anything
in da candy, Adam! Da Diviner
worked! Henri seemed elated, but I
could tell that the more he thought
about it, the worse he felt.
510.
Even if it worked
whatever she sawit scared the hell
out of her. I was rather furious at
Henri; Id probably never see her
again after this.
511.
I wish I knew what it
was; did you see da look on her
face? Henri widened his eyes as far

as they would go and flared his

nostrils. It was close to the face Violet
had made, but not quite.
512.
It was terrifying,
whatever it was. Im going to see if I
can catch up to her. I had already
swung my long legs to the ground and
lifted the hood on my jacket before
snatching another tea tree pick from
its cup.
513.
Tell her Im sorry,
man. I didnt know it would work dat
way. Henris forehead was crinkled
as he spoke.
514.
Will do. I nodded
and slipped out the door.
515.
516.
517.
518.
The street was filled
with panhandlers, street vendors, and
people just hanging out in front of the
shops. I stopped a couple people and
described Violet to them, but no one
had seen her. I wasnt quite sure how
that was possible because on this side

of the Mississippi, she basically stood

out like a sore thumb.
519.
Hey, Jackie. You see a
girl about yay high, long curly red
hair, cut off shortsuh, green eyes?
I stopped when I saw our cousin
standing outside of a convenience
store.
520.
Looked like a little
leprechaun walking around here.
Jackie laughed as he recalled her.
521.
Where did she go? I
wanted to find her before someone
preyed on her foreign sensibilities.
522.
Up dat way; she
looked like shed seen a ghost.
Jackie noted that she had been fearful
as she charged by.
523.
Thanks, Jackie. I
slipped him a cigarette and prepared
to jet.
524.
Hey, Adamfind her
quick, ok? Something just don seem
right today. Jackie had the Baudin
genes for foresight just like Henri.

525.
I will. Thanks again.
I nodded and took off up the street.
526.
I dont know what he
felt, but I could definitely say that
something was off. My hands were
hotter than usual and I was surprised
the gloves were retaining all that heat.
527.
The intensity had
increased when Violet had taken the
orb from Henri; it was probably just a
coincidence, but I had fire hands for
Christs sake.
528.
Regardless of the
searing heat I was feeling, I needed to
catch up to Violet and try and calm
her down before she got herself in to
trouble.
529.
530.
531.
532.
533.