Chapter 1 - My Intro

Derry; a tiny run down looking little town with lots of history and nothing to show for it. It's a place where kids grow up, and elderly retire; nothing else. Most people leave with a bad taste in their mouth and never return. But to me, it's a new start.

I lifted another moving box and dropped it onto my "new" old table which was cracked and chipped, displaying its lifetime worth of stories on its surface. I slid my knife along the top of the box as the contents started sprouting though the crack as if gasping for air.

"Guess I packed this one a little too tight." I half chuckled to myself.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Miss Jones, are you home?" The elderly landlord lady, Mrs. Bocswell called from the hall.

I hustle over and open the door for her as I answered, "Good after noon Mrs. Bocswell! Come on in, how are you?"

"Good dear, good," she cooed, shuffling her slip on shoes past the threshold, "How are you making out?"

"Great! I think it may take some time to finish unpacking," I said sarcastically, smiling and pointing to the six boxes spread about the room, "but I'm sure I will find space it all. Would you like some tea? I believe I have a kettle and some mugs in this box over her."

"Oh, no thank you hun, I do have a few stops to make today so I had better get moving. This old hip of mine doesn't mosey like it used to." She patted my solder and started shuffling towards the still open door. "Let me know if you need anything, Miss Jones. You are my youngest tenant," she took my hand, and gave it a pat. I smiled at her comment. "so I have to make sure you get all comfy and settled in your new home. Don't forget about the cute little diner down the street I told you about." She turned and headed down the hall, waving her hand back to me. "Good luck dear! Have a great day!"

"Yes, thank you! You too Mrs. Bocswells!" I smiled some more as I watch her hustling her frail frame down the worn out stained carpet. Closing the door I thought back to her comment about me being her youngest tenant. Mrs. Bocswell doesn't really know my story; most people assume a girl in their 20s moved out of a home with a family. Striking out on their own for the first time! But that is not my case.

I walked over the cardboard box on my couch. It had a star drawn in sharpie on its side. This was my special box; this holds my only meaning full items in my life. It holds who I am.

I have never had a real family, not in the traditional sense anyway. I grew up in the Meadow Springs Association, an orphanage in New Orleans. Reaching my teenage years, I gave up all hope of finding a family of my own, so I started working there and giving hope to the younger ones. Once I reached my 20s, the head of the house, Miss Ketsel, started encouraging me to move on and spread my wings beyond the orphanage. She had told me that I am not destined for a life like hers, and that I am meant for greater things. Meadow Springs was the only family I have ever had, and I felt as if they wanted me to leave, and I couldn't help but feel unwanted..

I reached into the cardboard box and pulled out a small wooden chest engraved with sacred markings and symbols. Inside it contained my talisman necklace and small vial filled with a liquid that smelt like vanilla; both items where blessed by a voodoo priestess. I held the wooden box close to my chest, and peered into the cardboard box to see the rest of my Hoodooism items. My cards, my candles, my tea set and my incense all wrapped up in a dark silk scarf. These items were all i had lef of what i had called home..

BANG! I jumped! Getting violently pulled back to reality by a commotion from the other side of the wall. Muffled voices were spitting back and forth to each other. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but I could tell it was a man and his daughter.