Angel Watch at Blacknest: A Supernatural Mystery Page 5

  Millicent Morgan, Anna’s front alter or dominant personality had been brutally abused by her foster parents, who were both coven members throughout her childhood. The purpose was to shatter her personality into fragments that could then be programmed by the doctors. The alters are not aware of each other. They had successfully placed two alters in her, Anna and Liz. Liz has not been used yet, she is a proficient marksman, a sniper. She is also quite the linguist. Liz speaks Russian and French. That is one of the things so special about Millicent; she can learn languages with ease although her dominate personality only speaks English. The Anna personality carries herself and dresses much differently than when she is Millicent. Today her golden blond hair is braided in a loose two strand braid at the nap of her neck. She is dressed elegantly in a navy blue pencil skirt and matching fitted blazer; with sparse jewelry, a gold pendant and earrings. She looks rich; someone important and older than her twenty years. Her facial expression is closed, with cool emotionless eyes; a picture of indifference. She speaks quietly in German to the doctor ignoring those around her. The doctor uses his key card and they walk into Lucis Hall. Dr. Meek is planning on talking to his colleges about Anna because her mission was so successful. He plans on persuading them to leave the Anna personality forward as the dominate personality and move her to their Stuttgart complex. Millicent Morgan’s disappearance has caused a lot of attention from the locals so, the move to Germany would be prudent he thought. After Anna’s debriefing session is over, a car takes her directly back to the private plane she had arrived in. The next morning she will be in Stuttgart. She will not return to the United States. They will use her off shore only. She is a valuable asset as well as her other alter, Liz; all the doctors had agreed with Dr. Meek.

  Lygari, a dark one, had sat on the roof of Lucis Hall and listened to the debriefing. Millicent going to Germany may spare him from the wrath of the Dark Lord, this time. She had told Dilly about her bad dreams and her memory loss. Dilly could have been a problem.

  Lygari was assigned to Millicent when she was a small child. He will be with her in Germany. Dilly is well protected by Velvel. The Christians don’t know how to mind their own business and just shut up. He hates them.

  Faith Tabernacle Food Pantry

  Meg walks into the churches food pantry thinking she is the first one here today but she sees Carrie already sorting clothes. What a sweet woman Meg thinks to herself. “Hi, Carrie, good to see you today so early.” says Meg. “Oh, I enjoy helping out.” Carrie says with a smile. They drink coffee and chat while sorting. The generosity of people is heartwarming. We set up a dressing room and a coffee and tea area with a couple of chairs. If people were in need, all they have to do is show up. The ladies at the church will help them in every way possible. The church volunteers and I try to keep things up beat and cheerful. The last thing we want is for visitors to feel self conscious about coming to the church pantry because they cannot make ends meet this month. Most of the food donated is dry goods. But recently someone has donated a very large upright freezer. So, we are able to distribute frozen food now. John Foster has recently butchered a cow and he donated half of it to the pantry. Bud helped John cut up and wrap the meat. The giving spirit has spread to the children in our congregation. They are bringing in extra toys, stuffed animals and games. We always praise them and sent them away with a pocketful of cookies.

  All this week, the sound of electric saws and hammers are echoing thru the building. Some of the men are putting in a small studio apartment in the back of the sanctuary. I think the area once was a tack room in the barn. The apartment has two sets of bunk beds divided with a partition for privacy and a bathroom with a shower. No more air mattresses in the sanctuary for our visitors; what a relief. The bunk beds, the other furnishing and building materials have all been donated. Bud built two large wardrobes for the apartment. He also, built some cupboard for the little kitchen area and a small bar with stools. There is a microwave and small fridge. If they need a bigger kitchen visitors are welcome to use the large church kitchen off the sanctuary. Next week some missionaries from Canada Yukon Territory will be here. They are going to talk to us about the need of the native people in their region of Canada. We know many live without any modern conveniences and most follow ancestor worship not Christianity. Meg is so glad the missionary apartment is almost done. It may be kind of an exaggeration calling it an apartment. It is only two rooms with a very small bathroom and a shower. There is one big room with beds on one side divided by pony walls and then the small kitchen is on the other wall. It is not fancy but Meg thinks it is turning out real cute. She had helped with the painting last weekend.

  All morning she has been trying to figure out how to tell Bud her big news. After, all these years it looked like the Good Lord is blessing them with a child. She has been feeling sick lately, and the doctor had informed her of the happy news yesterday afternoon. She is planning on making Bud a special dinner and telling him afterwords. She knows that the ladies of the church are going to go nuts fussing over her. She is actually looking forward to the whole experience. She has prayed for so many years and finally her prayers are being answered. She loved children and her sister and brother both have big families. She always loved buying them gifts for the holidays but, now those little cute outfits will be for her little one. What an exciting time thinks Meg.

  That evening after dinner she tells Bud her news. He must have jumped three feet in the air as he hooted and hollered. He swung her around and did a little dance. It would be quite the understatement to say he was a happy man. Meg always knew he would make a wonderful dad.

  Yair and Deidre

  Yair, a Holy One, who has taken the form of an old man, sits talking to Deidre at the laundromat. He has been sent by God, the Father to talk to her. She has confided in him, how bad her and Frank have been doing. Yair tells her about the food and clothing pantry at Faith Tabernacle Church. She is encouraged and thanks him as he helps her carry her laundry baskets to the car. As Deidre drives away she smiles and waves at the nice old man she has just met. She thinks he must be homeless because he wasn't doing laundry and he is dressed so shabbily. As her car turns the corner, Yair disappears.

  The next day, Deidre is standing in the church food pantry. She can feel her cheeks getting hot because of her embarrassment. She has never asked for charity but things have been so hard lately. Her husband, Frank has been out of work so long and now he's drinking. She didn't know where else to turn. A woman named Carrie helps her load the food into the car. Deidre wipes away her tears quickly, so no one will notice. They have all been so kind to her. She thought the church people would be stuck up and judgmental. She doesn't have nice clothes and her car looks rough and sounds that way, too. Maybe Frank will let her go to church here although, he is dead set against church and church people. He gets to hollering when the subject comes up. He tore up the Bible her mama gave her. Maybe if she prays things will work out. She remembered her mama would take her to church when she was a little girl. She remembered standing up in front of the church with her Sunday school class and reciting scripture; that was so long ago. They would go three times a week, Wednesdays, and twice on Sundays. She had loved it. Deidre drove back home with some food and some hope.

  Mercy May

  I am happy this evening thinks Mercy May. I can sit out on my porch and not get eaten alive by mosquitoes. Jeb came over earlier and replaced all my screens on the porch and I hadn't even asked him to do it. Now it is a screened in porch that can be used. I shut my eyes and listened to the sounds of the swamp. It is real loud at night with all the buzzing and croaking. The air smells musty but I like the smell. I love it down here. Some folks think it is a scary place with all the animals roaming about at night and the night being so dark. Maybe all the lights in the cities makes those folks feel safe. But I feel no fear in the dark. To me it feels like a warm hug. I have my Lord and I know He is always watching over me and my kin. There is a lot to be thankful for, I thin
k. I don't have much but I have enough. I have all that I need and I am content.

  Further into the swamp, I can hear some loud noises starting drums, chanting, yelling. It is probably a mile or so away, sound travels here. Too bad they have to start up. I was enjoying my peace. It is most likely those crazy, wild Hoodoo people. I have heard them many times before. I say a quick prayer for them and go inside. On the kitchen counter is six dozen pint jars freshly cleaned waiting to be filled with jam tomorrow; my favorite is blackberry, second favorite dewberry. Hopefully, the Tully girls will get here early so we can get a lot done. One thing about all the Tully's, they are all good workers. I think Jeb will probably bring them by. Louise has a bad hip, so I don’t think she can walk the path all the way to my house. Tomorrow before Jeb leaves I’m going to have him check under my house just to make sure those gators aren't there. Two little ones have been hanging out; they’re maybe four to five feet long. One of the ways I have moved them in the past is to throw some marshmallows near the water line. They love marshmallows which always makes me laugh.

  Jeb and Pastor Tully this year are teaming up for gator season and Zeke will help. He’s a good shot. Don’t know how many tags they have, hopefully they’ll get some really big ones. They bring a good price. Just thinking about those gators gets my mouth watering. Someone asked me what they tasted like once. I told them like mildly fishy chicken. Funny, how so many things taste like chicken. Oh and there is also bass fishing coming up too; every year there’s a bass tournament. I laugh to myself. Mercy May you are a silly old woman, getting all worked up before bed. I’ll be dreaming of fish a frying all night, for goodness sakes.

  Berry picking with the Tully sisters

  Early the next morning, I sit on my front porch enjoying my chicory coffee with blackstrap molasses. It is a hot drink my brother, Jeb and I grew up drinking every morning.

  Then suddenly, I hear an air boat, a distinct sound I would know anywhere. Jeb is driving and the Tully twins are hanging on as it comes roaring up to my house. Jeb smiles and jumps out and starts unloading baskets, some empty and some brimming full of food. Then Louise jumps out wearing white rubber boots and a long sleeved summer dress over slacks. They are Pentecostal women, after all; if they have to wear slacks, they will wear a loose shift dress over them. I am dressed the same with an apron over my shift dress. The long sleeves are necessary, we know how bad the mosquitoes are especially when you walk through the brush picking berries.

  “Morning, sister, how are you today?” Jeb says smiling at Mercy. “You know I expect some jam for my services.” he adds. Mary and Louise give Jeb a hug and a loaf of zucchini bread out of one of their baskets.

  “We truly appreciate the ride Jeb.” says Louise. “Daddy was busy this morning; something to do with the plumbing at the church. He was making quite the racket pounding on pipes.” giggles Mary.

  “You don’t say? Maybe I’ll go over there and see if I can give him a hand.” says Jeb, as he steps back into his boat.

  “Oh, wait a minute, Jeb. Please check around for those little gators.” I ask.

  Jeb steps out of the boat carrying his rifle and wades through the tall grass.

  Crack! Crack! Jeb shoots off a couple rounds near the back corner under my house. Two, four foot gators awkwardly run back into the swamp.

  “Glad I checked Mercy May. I just scared them, gator season hasn't started yet. Well, you ladies have fun today and watch where you’re walking out there. Mercy May take your rifle picking.” says Jeb as he swings his large body back into the boat and drives off.

  I serve the girls some sweet rolls and chicory coffee as we discuss our plans for the day. The blackberries are plentiful, so we’ll pick them first. Then after lunch we’ll pick dewberries. They are similar to blackberries, but they have less seeds and the vines hug the ground. There are a lot of them along the path to Jeb’s. I bring out my homemade mosquito repellent to use. It is my mama’s recipe.

  I read the recipe for Louise, so she can write it down:

  Mama’s mosquito repellent

  1oz. alcohol, 1oz. oil, 15 drops citronella, 6 drops lemon grass, 15 drops pennyroyal, 10 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops lavender oil

  We spray each other with the repellent and gather up our baskets which we lined with plastic and wade through the tall grass to the blackberry patch. The morning is cool, maybe seventy five degrees. The breeze is blowing, slightly. We talk and pick and eat blackberries. I don’t know how you can pick without eating a few. After a few hours, we are ready for a sweet tea break. The kitchen is still nice and cool so, we get the big water bath up on the stove and put the kettle on to keep the lids and jars hot. We work in a production line cooking the berries with sugar and pectin then filling the jars and screwing on the lids with rings. We gingerly place the filled jars in the water bath and set the timer. After a few hours, we have six dozen pint jars of blackberry jam. Whew, time for more sweet tea and lunch. Mary pulls out some vegetables for a salad out of her basket. Louise starts putting the sandwiches together. We sit and eat our lunch. We talk about the summer and what needs to get done. In a month, we will go lotus seed picking or as we call them Cajun peanuts. They are the pods of lotus flowers that have died. They’ll be ready to gather towards the end of August to mid September; pretty much the same time all the men will be off gator hunting. Hopefully, they will fill their tags quickly so, one of them can take us out to the lotus flower paddies for our gathering. The lotus flowers float in huge paddies in the fresh water bayous and waterways. They are a seasonal treat that we all look forward to in the late summer. Too harvest you just reach out of the boat and grab the pod and snap it off. At home we shuck the seeds out of the pods kind a like shucking corn. Each seed is covered in a green casing which has to be boiled off. In Cajun we call lotus seeds, "graine a voler" (Grah-NUH-VOH-Lay) meaning seeds in the air, because if the pods are not harvested they will wither and pop out and float thru the air like dandelion seeds. We use these "Cajun peanuts" raw, fried, in soups, etc... We all love them, so we'll have to gather for a few days.

  The rest of the afternoon the girls and I picked dewberries. By evening we are too exhausted to process them so, into the fridge till tomorrow. The Tully sisters will spend the night on the extra fold-out bed in my living room. What I may lack in luxuries I try to make up in hospitality. I always want my company to feel welcome. We have been friends for almost thirty years. We are now old women, but we get too giggling like girls when we are together. I am glad for their company. It gets a little lonely out here sometimes. Sure I have Jeb just a short walk away but, he is a man albeit a wonderful brother but still a man. Women folk need other women folk, sometimes.

  We are now all in bed but Louise is snoring so loudly, I am having a time getting to sleep. So, I am reading my Bible and praying, mostly for Silas. I feel that Jeb and I have failed him somehow. I had taken the boys faithfully to church and Sunday school. But they have gone the way of the heathens. Zeke's been drinking and carousing around with his wild friends from his high school days. And Silas has always been drawn to the dark side. The last letter from him said he was coming down for a visit but to not expect him to stay with me. He is planning on staying with his mother's family. I have heard some rumors about them I don't think Silas deceased mother, Eva was the only one into Hoodoo. I can only pray after all he is a grown man now.

  Silas

  Snitch, a dark one, sits next to Silas on the couch whispering in his ear. Snitch is trying to persuade Silas to stay up north among the Hill people in hopes of dragging him deeper into his master’s service. It doesn't seem to be working this evening. Silas is not listening, so Snitch slinks off, cursing Silas’ grandma Mercy May under his breath. She prays for him almost constantly. He despises her and her kind.

  Silas is sitting in his apartment watching a baseball game and thinking. I am fed up with the Hill people. They are uppity and secretive. I am not allowed to attend their gatherings. I have told Xander and Colin McNeil about my mo
ther’s family and that I also knew about the dark arts and my mother’s family serves the Dark Lord, too. They just snickered at me and walked away. Who do they think they are? I am twenty eight years old and they treat me like a snot nosed kid.

  I think, I might just move back to the swamp. Where people don’t put on airs. My mother’s brother, Leeboy said I am welcome and he’d put me to work. Leeboy runs shine all through the south. He is an important man down there. I cannot figure out these northerners. I have done everything they asked of me. I got the girls and kept my mouth shut. Yet, they still don't give me respect.

  Yes, back to the swamp seemed to be the best move. It'll be good to be back with my people. I think about my grandma Mercy May, often. I love her, but she gets to talking about God to much. I just feel uncomfortable around her and her friends. I'll go over to her place for a short visit and maybe help her out a little around the house; chop some wood and clean up the yard. She's old and she’d appreciate the help. If I'm chopping wood and clearing brush, then I won't have to listen to her much. I know how to deal with my grandma. All I have to do is get her telling her stories because she loves to talk about the past. Of course, I wouldn't mind eating some of her cooking. I sure have missed her food.