Message from the authors : In recognition of this being a non-factual story written to entertain, whilst we have referred to some aspects of Hoodoo practice and beliefs, the rituals described herein have been altered and adapted and are, therefore, purely fictional. No offence is intended to practitioners of the Hoodoo religion.

C28

-oOo-

Sam came back with the table-cloth in hand and helped Missouri spread it out over the long table. He looked closely at the intricate symbols hand embroidered around the edges of the cloth, recognizing the similarities in design to those which had been on the outside of Usagi's trunk and to some of the information he had garnered from the books he and Dean had searched through.

"What do these represent?"

"Mostly they're for protection and containment. We'll be putting the trunk on the cloth when we bring it indoors, along with some black candles. The protections we're going to put around the place will be centred here. This is where, if I do things right, the protective shields will be at their most powerful. Hopefully powerful enough to prevent any bad mojo from being released and spreading through the house."

"Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"

"Does a magician give away the secrets to their craft? I know what I know, and that's all you need to know! Now where is that brother of yours? He can tell his right hand from his left, he knows which is which, doesn't he? You did both watch Sesame Street when you were wee ones I assume?"

Sam snickered at the reference, remembering how Dean loved Animal from the show, even though he would never admit it. Sam heard the back door open and close; he couldn't help but smile widely when Dean walked back in carrying two good-sized bundles of herbs.

Dean hesitated, eyeing Sam suspiciously, trying to figure out what was so funny.

"What did I miss?"

Missouri was twitching her lips and biting the lower one to restrain her grin.

Still smiling, Sam shook his head.

"Nothing really, just reminiscing is all."

"And why am I thinking it's something about me again? Leaving you two together when I'm not around's bad for my paranoia levels, like they aren't high enough already!"

Missouri closed in on Dean and impulsively hugged him.

"Oh hush up sweetie; we're only laughing with love. Now, those herbs need breaking down and tying into smaller bunches. You'll find string and scissors in that drawer. I need enough for each of the rooms and to hang over the doors front and back. You can lay everything out on top of the cloth and work there. Go on both of you, I'll make us a nice cup of tea."

Sam and Dean looked at one another, Dean's eyes flicked over to the half empty bottle of whisky standing on the kitchen counter and back to Sam, mouthing Tea?

-o-

Lucenda and the dogs were already outside when Bobby pulled up. He grinned when he saw the dogs come running up to the truck barking. Climbing out, he was already talking to them in friendly tones and holding out a hand for them to sniff.

"Now then my good boys. Ain't you gotta lot to say for yourselves my handsome lads?"

Lucenda walked across wiping her hands on her jeans before holding one out to her visitor.

"Mr Singer? I'm Lucenda and these here are Zeus and Sampson. Pleased to meet you in person."

Bobby grinned as he shook the young woman's hand and Lucenda was surprised to instantly find herself warming to the older man with his kind eyes, friendly smile and air of self-confidence. She suspected that this was a man who, when you were his friend, would not let you down.

"Call me Bobby. That's two fine lookin' dogs you've got there."

-o-

Missouri carried two mugs of steaming tea over to the two busy brothers.

"Now, let's see how you're getting on...That's looking real good boys. I've got something I need to do so I'll leave you both to take them and hang them. Every room will need one, don't forget the utility now. They should be hung at the window in each area. Got that?"

Sam and Dean both nodded.

"Don't forget to put one over the front door and the same at the back. I'll be in my study, that's the room opposite the lounge. And I'll be needing to concentrate, so no interruptions unless I call for you."

Ever keen to learn something new that might prove a useful addition to their skills, Sam was curious.

"What are you going to be doing?"

"I have to prepare my candles. Otherwise they'll be ineffective. Feel free to make yourselves some lunch if I'm still busy by the time you're done. You both clear on what I'm asking?"

Combined nods answered her.

"Good. Here's your tea, I want you both to drink it all up now, understand?"

Sam looked at the yellow liquid filling his cup, frowning at the loose leaves floating on its surface. Dean was giving his a wary sniff, immediately scrunching his nose. Sam glanced back up at Missouri who was hovering as if waiting to make sure they both drank.

"Is this a part of what we're doing here?"

"Yes it is. So, Dean Winchester, don't you go throwing it down the sink! There's nothing in there going to poison you, child, quite the opposite. It's an added precaution while you two and that trunk are under the same roof, so get it drunk. Sammy? You make certain your brother finishes it."

"Don't worry, he'll drink it."

Satisfied she could safely leave Sam and Dean, Missouri took her leave of them and headed down to her locked private study.

-o-

Entering the room, Missouri walked silently across the thick carpet covering the floor and directly to an alcove within the room which had been fronted with a pair of floor to ceiling cupboard doors. Opening both doors, she gazed at the altar before her.

"Time to get to work Missouri old girl. Now, where did I put those candles?"

-o-

Lucenda sat on her sofa staring in disbelief at Bobby who sat opposite her.

"You're not kidding, are you? Hell's Bells! All this time my great-great grandmother's remains were in the store-room over the shed? I can't quite believe it! It's so...Creepy! If I'd known, I'd have got rid of that damn trunk years ago. There's no wonder that side of my family wanted it so badly. Crap! To think what might've happened if they'd ever got their hands on it! Know what? I think I need somethin' stronger than coffee. Would you like to join me? There's beer, bourbon, or I've got a single malt."

Bobby smiled sympathetically at the pale and shaken young woman.

"I'll have whatever you're having, thank you."

"Bourbon it is then. Double? Or treble?"

Bobby gave a short laugh.

"I'll stick with a single if that's ok by you, but don't mind me, you go for it. It's a helluva thing to take on board."

"That's an understatement. Jeeze, it's so freakin'...Creepy!"

"I think you said that already."

"I'm trying to keep it clean. Believe me. There's a whole lotta other words I could be usin' right now!"

-o-

"Ah! There you are."

Missouri extracted a black candle out of one of three wooden boxes stored underneath her alter and popped it into a short but ornate grey pewter candle holder which she placed in a central place on a black cloth covering her alter area. Taking pride of place on her altar was a foot high crucifix. The plain, undecorated symbol was carved from black onyx that had been polished almost to a mirror shine. To the left of the crucifix, she placed a simple white metal bowl and a folded face towel, next came a small silver flask filled with Holy Water. On the right hand side of the bowl she placed a delicate bone handled, silver bladed pen knife and alongside that, an antique aqua coloured glass ink bottle containing blue ink. The final items were a piece of parchment paper and a tiny, slender, old-fashioned dipper pen carved out of ash wood. Once her items were in place, Missouri knelt in front of the altar. Reaching for the flask, she unscrewed the top and splashed some of the Holy Water on to her hands and rubbed them together. That done, she bowed her head and recited a short prayer, stating her goals, confirming her good intentions and asking that she be granted the powers to succeed. Lifting her head again, she was ready to begin her cleansing of the candle, the first part of Missouri's Hoodoo ritual.


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