Shadow man's POV
"Well there's one more soul." I whispered to myself while leaning back into my chair. I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes just wishing I could be done with this. Everyday was just becoming a burden now ever since I have convinced my messed up 'friends' on the other side to let me go. That one was a crap shot to convince them but waving a possible 2,000 souls in front of their faces along with my aura confidence and slyness helped with that. I slowly stood up and stretched out my back. Uhhhh, that was a hell hole, being constantly surrounded by fire…I stopped my thought right there. That is one place I will never return to. Look my mistakes are in the past, what's done is done, so all I have to do now is get those souls and I'm free. I slide my fingers though my brown hair, pushing it under my hat, and grabbed my cane. I walked to the door, twirling my cane around my fingers, and stopped by the mirror. Ohh yea, you slick cool cat. Haha no one can resist this devilish grin. I flashed the grin at myself that enticed all of my unlucky victims to their doom. Well better them than me, as my daddy always said. I smoothly opened the door and strutted out of my voodoo emporium. I just need to get out of here and into the fresh air for a little bit.
Closing the door behind me, I proceeded down the streets of good ol' New Orleans, keeping an eye out for wayward souls. I chuckled to myself; I really am addicted to my job. That didn't matter much to me as long as I could pay my debt and get my own life back. I looked over at my shadow that the scorching sun casted on the cool brick wall. My friend mimicked my walk with me, miming every move of my leg, every swish of my cane. I rolled my eyes at my old friend when the spicy scent of Cajun food hit my nose. I turned my head to follow my nose and mentally slapped myself as I realized I was being drawn to Tiana's Place. I growled at the sight of that restaurant. Even in the middle of this dang depression she still can draw a crowd. A flame of jealousy and hatred built up inside of me as I saw all of the people having such a grand time. Even my freaking business lost all of the middle class folk just looking to try something new because they all have to save their money. I have had to adjust to this change and feed mostly off of the really desperate folk. I have resorted to promising the world, money, food, and so on to them before getting them way over their heads and crushing them in the palm of my hand. Everyone is struggling, except for her, freaking Tiana. From what I have read in the newspapers, she and that prissy, spoiled Naveen got married and ever since then she has been living the highlife. They go to party's everyday and she's now just loaded with money from his royal family. I swiped and apple from a nearby table with a couple that were too busy gazing into each others eyes. Get a room! I bit into the apple and looked back over at the hopping restaurant.
"Is there something you need?" I was rudely interrupted by a voice behind my. I turned around to see Eudora behind me with arms full of various groceries.
"Why, Ms. Eudora!" I spoke slyly, putting on my irresistible smooth act. "Those bags look extremely heavy for such a…" I searched for the right word…old, no…ugly, no… "…dainty woman like yourself. Would you like some assistance?" I reached out a hand to grab the bags. I knew she wouldn't buy my act, but my instincts told me I had to at least try.
"Nice try, Shadow man, but I don't trust the likes of you. Next thing I know I might be a frog to." She stared me down intensely. She was normally such a calm and happy person, but now I knew one thing that made her tick…Tiana's 'frog' fiasco. Let me see how I can twist that around.
"Well, Ms. Eudora, that little…situation turned out quite well. You should be thanking me actually." I grinned at her hoping to keep her on my line.
"What? Thanking you?" She looked rather stunned that I'd even say that. Come on, just fall a little more and then I might have you too.
"Why, yes. You see we all know how hard poor Tiana's life was before, working two jobs," I stepped closer to her and gradually started to bring my voice down to a whisper, "never going out with friends," I eyed Eudora as she started to become absorbed in what I was saying. Her questioning look started to fade as I continued, "losing her restaurant to a higher bidder. But then, she met Naveen through me. If I hadn't done what I had done then look," I slide behind her and grabbed her shoulder as I waved my other hand in front of us, "this whole thing would be possible. She would not have her beloved restaurant or the man of her dreams. I made this all possible. I have been called the 'maker of dreams' and I can make your wildest dreams possible too." Now time for the kill! I placed both hands on her shoulders and leaned in close to her ears. "Let me make your dreams come true so that you can be happy like your daughter is." Yes! Yes! I am sooo good!
"Well…I…" she sounded breathless. I could not hold back my grin as she was about to fall into my trap. "Can you…"
"MAMA!" We both heard a voice scream and Eudora was ripped from my hands. NO! Get her back! I looked over and saw Tiana holding her mother's hands. "Mama, you ok?" she had a very worried look on her face.
"What?" Eudora blinked a couple times and regained her composer. "Oh, yes I am, baby girl. Thank you." Then, quicker then you could say Marti Gras, Tiana snapped her head towards me.
"What the crap is your problem?" She yelled with eyes of fury.
"I'm trying to help a friend out." I spoke back to her, trying as hard as I could to keep my cool. I looked down at her as I straightened up to my full height. Using body language to show them who was boss, I made sure that they had to look up to see me. "See how much that I have helped you out. I gave you this restaurant, I gave you your husband, I gave you your…"
"Shut the heck up!" Tiana interrupted me as she took some groceries from her mother. "We are done." She spoke the last part a little softer and walked up to her restaurant with Eudora. "Lottie, could ya open the door for me and help with the groceries?" she yelled over to her right when she got to the door.
"Uhh, yea." Spoke a young blonde who was busy wiping down a table. She set down her rag that she was wiping with and ran to help her friend. Ohh, haha they have that spoiled girl actually working? Wow, pigs must be flying now or something. I gave my cane a twirl before heading back up the road
***2 hours later***
The sun was beginning to set as I made my way home. The few quarters that I have received from my card and palm readings I spent to buy myself a bowl of classic gumbo at a small and cheap restaurant. It was significantly tastier and more satisfying then something I'd probably get from just snatching whatever I could sneak off when no one was looking. I just felt like treating myself before I'd return to hell…I mean my voodoo emporium. It was another extremely exhausting day, but I knew nightmares would keep me up through my much needed peaceful slumber. I took the more scenic way back to my shop so I could be out for a bit longer; I need to walk some of this stress off. I strolled down the lane of the richer part of New Orleans with all the enormous houses, well groomed lawns, and full blown gardens that wrapped around the houses. The lights on all of the mansions began to flicker on as the sun began to set even lower behind the trees. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply trying to release some of the stress from my body. As soon as I tried to relieve the tension it jumped back into my min. I also chocked as I realized I was being visited by my friends again in another freaking vision.
I was thrown into a room of total darkness. Everything was pitch black until their cruel, colorful surrounded me. They started to circle me, watching my every move, making me feel sick to the stomach. They twirled around faster and fast making my head have a migraine from the dizziness.
"Remember," the leader of this little circus spoke to me. He moved out from the chaos of circling faces and grew larger as he approached me. Closer and closer he glided to me until he was a mere few feet apart and he was as large as an elephant. He sickly chuckled and made all of the hairs on my back stand up tall. I didn't mind my friends, until I was tossed on their bad side; now I'd give anything to get away from it all. It was so hard to control my legs from not turning into jell-o or running like a coward. "You still have 4 months, 600 more souls." He looked down upon me and smiled again, "We will be waiting to see you again." They all snickered at his last comment and I covered my head with my arms as he opened his mouth and swallowed me back into my body.
I jerked my eyes open as I felt a wave of relief rush over me when I realized I was walking the street again and away from those freaks! Before I could regain my bearing I felt my foot suddenly hit an object below me. In a matter of a second I went from seeing my worst nightmare to getting a face plant on the side walk. I tripped and toppled over, lying spread out on the path. What the heck tripped me? I yanked my face around to see what person or thing made me fall over. I made the most furious face I could to show whoever did this that they would pay but I came face to face to the one blonde that I really did not want to run in to.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." She said to me.
***1 hour before***
Charlotte's POV
I was knelt down on my hands and knees totally covered in dirt. My knees hurt, my back ached, huge calluses were forming on my hands, and to top it all of I was still recovering from running away from bees. I sat up on my knees for a bit and I felt relief instantly hit my back. Placing my gloved covered on my back, I stretched it out and felt totally sore all over. Come on, Lottie, Daddy may be gone but you got to show all of these bimbos that you can do this…this…horrible labor! It's your second week and Sandra Clark is already betting on how long you will stay their gardener before quitting.
I grabbed my hand-sized gardening shovel as I began to think about that awful witch, Sandra…my EX-best friend. I still couldn't believe that she completely shunned me out like an outdated old dress all because Daddy's money ran out. I could still picture that day like it was yesterday…or about two weeks ago.
***flashback***
About a week after Daddy's funeral I walked to her house, this same house that I am on my hands and knees working for now. She opened the door for me and I ran inside only looking for a friend. The one time, the only time that I really needed her there for me I looked up into her chocolate eyes and went to hug her. I needed someone to show me some love and attention but that stupid girl actually pushed me away with bitter arms and a cold glare that was paired with a smirk. I could feel the tears starting to form as I couldn't believe what she did. Everyone I loved was pushing me away.
"You don't belong here." She spoke and those words just sliced at my heart.
***End of flashback***
I felt a single tear streak down my face as I snapped back into reality. I blinked and looked down at the now very deep hole that I didn't realize I had been digging. Oops, silly me. What am I doing? I set down my shovel and filled some of the hole back with dirt so that it was not too deep. I picked up one of the absolutely gorgeous red flowers and planted into the newly dug hole. I frowned at the thought that she could actually afford such an expensive flower like this, let alone a bunch of them. I shook my head as I reluctantly went to digging the next hole. Now I know how Tiana felt working all of time. Karma or what? I spaced out again like I usually do while tending to the gardens here, watering the bushes, weeding the flowerbeds, and planting mew flowers. I had to admit, I was feeling proud of this amazing garden that I'm helping to create, even though I have only been working two weeks.
I placed the last flower into the hole and admired my finished work. Ten red flowers all planted in a line on the side of the walkway up to their house. I grabbed my watering pail and knelt down again on the sidewalk to water the one at the beginning of the walkway. I gasped as I felt a foot bang off my side and a body fall over me.
I landed on my belly on the sidewalk with a pair of heavy legs on my back. I looked at who I tripped and saw the man push himself up a bit and stay still for a second. My heart was racing at the suddenness of it all. I gasped as he whipped his head around and glared the most evil glare I have ever seen.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." Was the first thing to pop out of my mouth. He just continued to stare at me for a moment with that furious look on his face. I rolled out from under his legs and stood up off the side walk. He rejected the hand I offered out to him and got up too. I watched the man, scared as I ever have been. What is he going to do? He looks so mean. He dusted off his coat and walked over to a hat that I didn't notice before. I probably rolled off his head on his way down. He sat it upon his head and looked at me again. "Shadow man?" I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand as I finally recognized him.
"Yes, girl, it is me; now shut that big trap before a bug flies in it." I instantly closed my mouth as he spoke to me. I was never used to taking orders from people, especially someone like him, but ever since I work around bossy people I have adapted to this. I immediately regretted following those orders, I mean I am above him why should I listen to him. I looked up at him hard in the eye and stood a little taller, smiling to myself as I felt my rightful place again. I mean, I'm not a mean person or anything but it's how you are raised with money. I only did realize this is how I really acted only after I was kicked out of my glamorous life. I miss my daddy, the dresses, the princes, the parties, the fairytales…only now that I lost all of that do I realize how good my life was. I continued to stare before something about his face seemed different to me. It was probably the dark circles under his eyes, the tired frown, dirtier clothes than usual, or maybe the chewed fingernails. I didn't pay anymore attention then that. He's the Shadow man, if you don't want to end up a frog like Naveen, then just back away and head back to your work!
I frowned at him and walked away, keeping my head tall and unafraid. I could hear an angry and frustrated sigh as I heard him turn around too and continue down his way to wherever. I shook my head is I knelt down and tended to the flowers again.