Someone grabbed my hand and covered my mouth abruptly.
I was about to unleash my Taekwondo moves on this intruder when they spoke.
"Ro! What the fuck? What are you doing out here in the middle of the night? If your brother hadn't told me this was about to happen, who knows what might've gone down! Maybe Jonah would've sucked the life outta ya!" It was Sera. She gripped both my shoulders and shook me vigorously. Ouch.
"Hey! I'm okay! Ow. That hurts!" I rubbed my sore shoulders, impressed by her unexpected strength. She had shaken me so hard, it felt like my brain was still rattling in my skull.
"Have you seen the tent? The one with the pretty fortune teller with white hair and—"
"Yeah, I've seen it all. It's exactly as your brother described it to me. Damn! Whenever Rolly does that, it gives me the chills. The way he details it, bit by bit, like he's narrating a story," I said, interrupting her.
"Wait, Rolly?" I was utterly confused by her statement.
"Yeah, remember Meg told you about Rolly's gift of visions? That's him. Rolly foresaw all this: you coming here, Rizanna being alive, meeting her, encountering the 7 gods and goddesses, and Kalfu... though I lost some of it because he was chattering like a parrot," Sera explained.
Good heavens. He foresaw all of it? I was beginning to entertain this Voodoo madness. Pausing to gather my thoughts, I scrutinized Sera. I noticed her bulky backpack and her outfit—a black t-shirt under a mossy green jacket, jeggings, and black Chuck Taylors.
"Are you on the run? What's with the outfit and the bag? By the way, that mossy green looks good on you," I teased, crossing my arms and winking at her.
"Asshole! Can't you hear what the lady said? We need to meet these 7 gods and goddesses to rescue your sister! Kalfu will return after the second red moon. We have until the 8th! Just one week left!" Sera snapped.
She was right. The woman hadn't given us specific locations to meet these gods and goddesses. We couldn't afford to waste any time—my sister had suffered enough, and she needed her family.
"So you heard everything the woman said?" I asked as we headed back home.
"Yeah, even saw you checking her out. You dirty goat," she replied, giving me a suspicious look.
"Forgive me, alright? I was just... amazed. Wish I had a pair like that. I'd rock a two-piece," I joked, touching my own chest and feeling rather inadequate compared to hers, which were like watermelons while mine were more like... baby tangerines.
"I followed you when you followed the blito. When you stayed in your room, your brother told me everything," she admitted.
"Psst. Sera, come here. I need to tell you something."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Rosetta will see a blito tonight in her room. It'll appear by her window, and she'll follow it. Sera, you need to follow her, make sure she's safe. Impure entities roam freely at night; she's still coming to terms with everything, and I don't want her overwhelmed. I had a vision that Rizanna is alive."
"Really? Wow, that's amazing news! We must inform the priestess immediately!"
"Shh, lower your voice. Rosetta's here for a reason. Tonight, she'll meet a woman under a big tree. This woman will tell Rosetta that our sister is alive, held captive by Kalfu."
"Kalfu? The moon god?"
"Yes. Legend says these gods reveal themselves only to the brave and worthy. They grant wishes, but always with conditions."
"And what about the priestess? She's brave too, the bravest I've known."
"No, only Rosetta can seal the deal. There's an ancient debt, unpaid for millennia. I always knew Rosetta and Rizanna had something special."
"But Ro knows nothing of this! She could be harmed, or worse!"
"I know. Kalfu's been waiting for Ro since he took Rizanna. I trust Rosetta. She's brave; she can do this."
"You should go with her. You can protect her."
"I want to, but now she's exposed. Jonah will come for her. I must stop him before he disrupts your mission. The second red moon rises on the 8th; time is short. You must reach Kalfu before then."
"We should tell the priestess!"
"Let's keep it quiet for now. Nana will understand when the time is right. A priestess like her can't interfere with Rosetta's mission. Only she can seal this deal; that's what the vision told me. But I won't let her go alone. She needs someone who knows Voodoo, who can protect her."
"And that's me?"
"Yes, Sera."
"What? Me? I'm just a novice! I'm not powerful enough!"
"You know more than most. You've witnessed the rituals, the initiations, you understand the herbs, the spells, the gods and goddesses. You know what they want, what they're capable of. You're almost ready, Sera. How long since your initiation?"
"Twelve years, with two more in apprenticeship. That's true, but what if I fail?"
"You won't. Now go, she just jumped from the window. She's following the blito."
"Wow. I don't know what to say," I exclaimed, genuinely impressed by Sera's confidence and readiness.
"Yep. And if anyone can save your ass, it's me. So if you insist on going alone, go ahead and die, 'cause I don't mind. But if you want to bring back your sister safely and in one piece, then you'll need me." Sera's tone oozed with self-assuredness, her demeanor shifting from playful banter to serious determination. I couldn't help but admire her boldness, even if it did come across a bit brash.
"Should we bring a cauldron? Or do we need to ride broomsticks while wearing pointy hats?" I quipped back, injecting a bit of sarcasm to lighten the tension. Sera responded with an exaggerated eye-roll, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Now get dressed, grab the essentials. Be careful not to wake the priestess, or we're doomed," Sera instructed, disappearing into the shop to gather additional supplies.
I ascended the stairs stealthily, mindful of every creak and groan underfoot. Slowly opening and closing my bedroom door, I retrieved my trusty backpack and methodically packed the necessities: pepper spray for defense, brass knuckles for close combat, spare clothes for practicality, and meticulously transcribed notes from my phone—clues, riddles, and cryptic messages bestowed upon us by the mysterious woman. I carefully wrapped a bandage around my hand, securing it with fingerless gloves, and tied my hair into a tight bun for practicality and focus.
The sound of Sera opening the door downstairs snapped me out of my preparations. "Where's the backpack?" I queried, noting the belt bag strapped around Sera's waist and the tactical pockets adorning her thighs and shoulder.
She tossed a drawstring bag in my direction, its weight surprising me. "Put it in your bag," she commanded, flopping down onto my bed with an air of casualness.
"What on earth is in this thing?" I asked incredulously, stuffing the mysterious bag into my backpack.
"It's not 'what,' it's 'what are.' Some 'ammunition,'" she retorted, her gaze drifting towards my chandelier, her fingers absentmindedly grazing the delicate fireflies.
"You brought bombs and guns? And you want me to carry it? Are you insane? And don't touch my fireflies!" Panic and disbelief tinged my voice as I realized the potential danger of carrying such items. We hadn't even started the mission, and already we were on shaky ground.
"You sick goat! No, of course not! Just some 'witchy' stuff for protective spells, charms, and the like. Geez," she reassured me, and I cautiously peered into the bag to find packets of dried herbs, candles, small bottles filled with mysterious liquids, and an array of other arcane tools.
She sprawled across my bed, and suddenly my phone buzzed. "Where is it? Hey, have you seen my phone?" I inquired, rifling through the contents of our bags.
"You dirty, dirty goat! Hahaha!" Sera erupted into laughter, brandishing my vibrating personal massager. I quickly snatched it from her grasp, switching it off in a flustered panic. How embarrassing! I thought it was a phone call, but it was just my vibrator buzzing away. It must have turned on when Sera flopped onto the bed.
"Shut up, Sera. Don't act like you haven't 'experienced it,'" I retorted, playfully using air quotes around 'experienced it.'
"Well, honestly, I haven't. Once you dedicate yourself as a novitiate, you can't marry or be in a relationship. Sure, I feel the hormones during ovulation, but I don't go that far. But it does feel good for body aches. Let me borrow it sometime. It felt great on my neck. Is it supposed to feel therapeutic?" She began to giggle, but I quickly threw a pillow at her to quiet her down.
"Shh. Nana might wake up. So you're still a virgin, then. Um, congratulations?" I stumbled awkwardly over my words, unsure how to respond. I quickly shifted my attention to another suitcase, extracting more clothes and, hidden at the bottom, my trusty steel batons. I strapped them into the X harness across my back, readying myself for any potential physical confrontations. Sera opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off before she could interject.
"Come on, Sera. We're all set now," I declared, my tone resolute.
"Ooh, that's cool. So, where to?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity piqued.
"Wait, let me check." I retrieved one of my post-it notes and scrutinized it closely.
______________________________________________________________________________
1. "See thy man on where two paths bond. With a hat, walks in three. Mutt be your guide."
______________________________________________________________________________
As Sera expertly maneuvered her matte black motorbike through the dimly lit streets, I couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline mixed with anticipation. The cool night air rushed past us, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and distant hints of jasmine. I held onto Sera tightly, partly for safety and partly to ground myself in the reality of our surreal mission.
"So, Sera," I shouted over the wind, trying to make conversation amidst the exhilarating ride, "how did you learn all this stuff about Papa Legba and voodoo?"
Sera glanced back at me with a mischievous grin, her eyes glinting with amusement even in the faint moonlight. "Well, let's just say growing up in New Orleans isn't your average childhood. You pick up a thing or two, especially when your grandma is a bona fide voodoo priestess."
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Your grandma is a priestess? That explains a lot."
"Yeah, she's been teaching me the ways since I was a kid. Voodoo isn't just about spells and charms, you know. It's a way of life, a connection to our ancestors and the spirits around us. But before the ceremony, she passed away. Murdered. I was young back then and didn't fully understand what was going on. Your Nana took me in till she became a priestess." Sera explained earnestly, her voice tinged with reverence.
After hearing that, I went silent for a while. I sense a bit of awkwardness and pity for digging up such past. To slightly ease the situation, I shifted the topic.
"And Papa Legba?" I prompted, curious to hear more about the guardian of the crossroads who would play a pivotal role in our quest.
"Papa Legba is like the gatekeeper between our world and the spirit world," Sera continued, her tone becoming more serious. "He opens the gates for communication with the spirits, and he's known for his wisdom and protection. Many people seek his guidance in their journeys, both spiritual and physical."
I nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information as we zoomed through the quiet streets. The city was asleep, unaware of the mystical mission unfolding under the cover of darkness.
As we approached the outskirts of town, the surroundings grew darker and more rural. Sera expertly navigated the bike along winding roads, the headlights cutting through the night. The hum of the engine was steady and reassuring, a constant beneath the rushing wind.
"Almost there," Sera called back to me, her voice tinged with determination. "Just a bit further."
I tightened my grip on Sera's waist, silently marveling at her confidence and skill. Despite the urgency of our mission and the weight of the clues we carried, there was an undeniable thrill in the air—a sense of purpose and destiny driving us forward.
Finally, we arrived at a secluded crossroads illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon overhead. Sera brought the motorbike to a smooth stop, and we dismounted, taking in the solemnity of the place. The air seemed charged with energy, as if the spirits themselves were waiting in anticipation.
"This is it," Sera whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Papa Legba should be here."
We stood in silence for a moment, letting the gravity of our task sink in. I glanced around, half-expecting to see an old man in tattered clothes with a straw hat, accompanied by a crane and a dog. The night was still, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
Then, as if conjured by our thoughts, a figure emerged from the shadows. An elderly man with weathered features and a kind, knowing gaze approached us, his steps measured and deliberate. He wore exactly as Sera described—a straw hat atop his head, worn-out clothing that seemed to blend with the night, and indeed, he was followed by a majestic crane and a loyal dog at his side.
Sera and I exchanged a glance, our hearts beating in unison with a mixture of awe and determination. This was the moment we had prepared for, the intersection of fate and destiny that would lead us closer to rescuing my sister and unraveling the mysteries that entwined our lives with the gods and goddesses of voodoo.
"Papa Legba," Sera spoke first, her voice steady and respectful. "We seek your guidance and protection. We come in search of answers and a way to save a loved one."
The old man regarded us with eyes that seemed to pierce through the veil between worlds. His presence was both ancient and timeless, a beacon of wisdom in the darkness.
"You have come seeking," Papa Legba's voice resonated like a gentle breeze, carrying with it the weight of centuries. "But the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Are you prepared to face what lies beyond these crossroads?"
I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze with determination. "We are," I replied firmly, my voice echoing Sera's resolve. "We will do whatever it takes to bring my sister home."
Papa Legba nodded slowly, his expression softening with a hint of approval. "Very well. Follow me," he gestured, leading us deeper into the crossroads where the boundaries between worlds seemed to blur.
As we followed Papa Legba into the unknown, the air grew thick with anticipation and the forest around us seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. Shadows danced eerily in the moonlight, and faint whispers brushed against our ears like secrets waiting to be unraveled.
Soon, we came upon a series of challenges laid out by Papa Legba himself. Each challenge tested our resolve, our knowledge of voodoo lore, and our ability to trust in each other.
The first challenge was the Labyrinth of Illusions. We stepped into a clearing where the ground beneath us seemed to ripple like water, and the trees around us twisted into unnatural shapes. As we walked further, the world distorted, and we found ourselves standing before the entrance to the labyrinth—a towering structure made of twisting vines and flickering shadows.
Papa Legba raised his hand, and the entrance opened, revealing a dark, winding path inside. "In this labyrinth, nothing is as it seems," he warned. "You must rely on your wits and your bond with each other to find your way through."
Taking a deep breath, Sera and I entered the labyrinth. Immediately, the entrance vanished behind us, leaving us in complete darkness. I reached for Sera's hand, needing the reassurance of her presence.
"I've read about this," Sera whispered, her voice steady but low. "Illusions meant to trick us, test our resolve."
As we moved forward, the darkness lifted slightly, revealing multiple pathways ahead. We chose a path at random and began walking. The walls seemed to shift and move, creating a disorienting effect. Suddenly, the path split into three, each route looking identical.
"This way," Sera said, pointing to the left. I followed her, trusting her instincts. But as soon as we turned, the path transformed into a dead end, the walls closing in on us.
"Not real," I murmured, closing my eyes and focusing. "It's just an illusion."
When I opened my eyes again, the walls had receded, and the path was open once more. "We need to keep our minds clear," I said, gripping Sera's hand tighter. "They'll use our fears and doubts against us."
As we continued, the labyrinth threw more illusions our way. Shadows morphed into grotesque figures that lunged at us, only to dissolve into mist as we stood our ground. Whispered voices tried to sow discord between us, but we held fast to our trust in each other.
At one point, we entered a large chamber filled with mirrors. Each reflection showed different versions of us—some battered and broken, others triumphant and strong. It was disorienting, and for a moment, I felt lost in the myriad of possibilities.
"Focus, Ro," Sera's voice broke through the haze. "This is another trick. Look for the truth."
I nodded and took a deep breath, grounding myself. I closed my eyes again, blocking out the distractions, and when I opened them, I saw it—a faint, shimmering path through the mirrors.
"This way," I said, leading Sera forward.
As we stepped through the final mirror, the labyrinth began to dissolve around us, and we found ourselves back in the clearing with Papa Legba. He nodded in approval, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"You have passed the first challenge," he said. "But there are more trials ahead. Are you ready to continue?"
With newfound confidence, Sera and I nodded. Together, we faced the next challenges, each one testing different aspects of our strength, knowledge, and bond. Through it all, we relied on our trust in each other and our determination to save my sister.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of trials and tests, we reached a clearing bathed in moonlight—a portal to another realm, guarded by the spirits themselves. Papa Legba stood before us, his presence a reassuring beacon in the face of uncertainty.
"You have proven yourselves worthy," he intoned solemnly, his voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "Cross this threshold with courage and faith. Find your sister, and may the spirits guide your path."
With heartfelt gratitude and renewed determination, Sera and I stepped through the portal, leaving behind the familiar world for the unknown realm where my sister awaited. The journey ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but with Sera by my side and Papa Legba's blessings upon us, we ventured forth, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us in our quest to bring my sister home.