EVDOKIYA
REFRESHED and awake, Evdokiya pushed open the curtains that covered her window. Caspian jumped up to the window sill and began to lick one of his paws, soaking up the morning sun. Moving away from the window, Evdokiya immediately entered the bathroom and proceeded to shower. Once finished in the shower, she changed into high-waisted jeans and a cropped, white, peasant blouse with an open back and bell sleeves. The open back revealed the Mandala tattoo on her back and covered the patterned, Mandala tattoo that covered all of her left arm.
Evdokiya's breakfast consisted of coffee and a slice of toast, she headed downstairs to the bottom floor of the shop and was surprised Poppy was not yet there. The two of them always shared a coffee in the morning before someone frantically came in wanting to know their future. Evdokiya placed her coffee down on the frontfront counter, finishing the toast and unlocking the door. Deciding to wait until she contacted Poppy, Evdokiya headed to set out her table for the day.
Cards were laid out, lamps were turned on and she lit some incense to have the place smelling nice. Once finished, Evdokiya moved back to the front counter to sip her coffee and pulled out her phone. Pulling it to her ear, Evdokiya pursed her lips when the phone went straight to message bank. It was odd, very odd, Poppy always had her phone on her and it was always one. Shrugging it off, Evdokiya decided that she would call Poppy's family.
"Hello?" Poppy's single mother, Evelyn, picked up on the first ring.
"Evelyn," Evdokiya announced, "Is Poppy there?"
"Evdokiya," there was dejection in the voice of Evelyn. "I thought you were Poppy. She never returned home from work, did she stay with you?"
It had happened on a few occasions, the two girls got along and sometimes Poppy's boyfriend made her cry. "No," Evdokiya was concerned, it was completely unlike Poppy. "Do you think she is with her boyfriend?"
"I checked with him," Evelyn's voice was frustrated, "He hasn't seen her since a few days ago."
"Oh," Evdokiya looked down at her bare feet, she wriggled her toes. "Thank you, Evelyn, I'm sure she'll turn up."
"I hope so," Evelyn's voice was heavy. "If you see her or hear from her, have her call me, won't you?"
"I will," Evdokiya promised and hung up the phone.
Heading back upstairs, Evdokiya placed her empty mug in the sink and moved to the end of her bench where the keys were. Beside it was the piece of paper that Special Agent McTaggart had given to her before he'd left, with their number. Was Poppy's disappearance serious? She wondered if she should call the two Agents, would they do anything to find Poppy? She wasn't married however, that would go against what the murderer was doing. Heart heavy, Evdokiya grasped the paper and pulled her phone out of her back pocket and decided to call them anyway.
It was better to be safer than sorry.
Putting the phone up to her ear, Evdokiya listened as the dial tone began. After the third ring, someone picked up, "Hello?"
"Agent McTaggart?" Evdokiya asked. "It's Evdokiya, the psychic from yesterday."
"Oh, yes," he coughed. "Is there a problem?"
"It may be nothing," she bit down on her thumbnail. "But Poppy never went home last night and she hasn't turned up for work."
"Is this a problem?"
"Yes," Evdokiya admitted. "She is always on time, I've never known her to be late. And she always heads home, unless she's with her boyfriend."
"Is she with her boyfriend?" Agent McTaggart pressed. "She isn't married so she's not like the other victims."
"She is not with her boyfriend, her Mother checked," Evdokiya breathed in deeply. "I know she isn't like the victims but I am worried."
"Oh," Agent McTaggert was kind. "We can visit her mother; do you have their address?"
Giving the address, Evdokiya soon hung up the phone and slipped it back into the pocket of her jeans. Evdokiya wondered if she should close the shop for a day, to perform her own investigation because Poppy could have gone to a friend's house. Evdokiya was just worried, so she headed up the stairs and slipped on some shoes. Evdokiya had never taken a day off before in the time she had opened her shop, but she was about to. Grabbing her keys, she gave one last affectionate pat to Caspian and headed downstairs.
Downstairs, Evdokiya made sure nothing was flammable and headed out the door. Locking it, she turned around and was surprised to see one of her regulars. Julia Braun was a pretty young woman who was successful in Harvard, she hadn't made an appointment but often Evdokiya accepting walk-in appointments. Evdokiya kept her hand on the door, making sure the closed sign was visible as Julia walked toward her.
"Oh," Julia paused as she noticed Evdokiya in front of the door. "Are you closed?"
"Yes," Evdokiya pocketed her keys. "Is there a problem?"
"I just wanted to ask you if I would pass this exam coming up," Julia smiled shakily. "But I can come again another day."
"Sorry Julia," Evdokiya looked up at the door. "I thought it would be best if I lock up. I'm going to check on Poppy."
"Poppy?"
"She didn't show up for work today," Evdokiya answered.
"Do you want me to drop you off?" Julia offered, pointing to her small, beat-up car. "It's a bit of a walk to Poppy's home." Evdokiya often forgot the two of them were friends, Julia and Poppy were two different people.
"Thank you, Julia," Evdokiya smiled up at the taller girl. "But do you not have to study?"
"Well yes," Julia scratched the back of her head. "But I won't stay for very long, I'll probably drop you off and leave. Mrs Langdon will understand because Poppy has exams coming up too."
"Thank you," Evdokiya followed Julia to her car.
Julia's car was incredibly clean, Evdokiya sat in the passenger seat, keys and phone in hand. Julia pulled out of the carpark and Evdokiya looked out the window, her hair falling over her shoulders. Trees passed them and eventually, as Julia turned down the main street of the town, houses and buildings came into view. Suburbia of the town seemed to be on the exact opposite side of Evdokiya's shop, but most of her customers came from suburbia. Yet, Pastor Davis would probably attempt to hurt her if she even tried to move her shop closer to town.
"Was Poppy okay last night?" Julia suddenly broke up the silence.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Evdokiya looked curiously over to the girl driving her to Poppy's home.
"I'm just worried about her," Julia frowned. "She never asked about her boyfriend? I thought they were having trouble."
"Never mentioned him," Evdokiya was honest. "I don't think she ever wanted me predicting her future." Evdokiya murmured, perhaps Poppy could see right through her lies.
"Poppy's a bit of a sceptic," Julia grinned as she pulled up to Poppy's driveway. "Alright, here we are. I'll see you later, yeah?"
"Yeah," Evdokiya opened the door and slid out of the car. Before she was about to slam the door, Evdokiya stuck her head down to look at Julia. "I should tell you that you're going to past your exams."
"Really?" Julia grinned, "Thanks Evdokiya."
"You're welcome," Evdokiya then proceeded to shut the door.
Truthfully, Evdokiya had no idea whether or not Julia would pass her exams but telling her she would give her confidence. Evdokiya straightened her shoulders, heading up the front steps and standing in front of the door. Lifting her fist, Evdokiya knocked on the door and stepped back, waiting for Mrs Langford, Poppy's Mother, to open the door. Evdokiya bit down on her bottom lip, turning her head to look out at the street.
The door opened and Mrs Langford smiled worriedly at Evdokiya, "Evdokiya, I thought you were Poppy."
"Sorry," Evdokiya apologised and stepped over the threshold. "I just wanted to come to see you to make sure you were okay."
"You're so kind," Mrs Langford motioned to the front room. "Sit down, I'll get you something to drink. Orange juice okay?" Evdokiya nodded and headed into the front room.
Poppy's mother was one of the most open-minded people Evdokiya had ever met. She was so kind and liked to come to see Evdokiya, she never asked hard questions but really only came to give Evdokiya food, visit her daughter and see how Evdokiya was going. Poppy's mother was a highly religious person, she always went to church and she was the type of woman who cooked for those who couldn't cook for themselves. Evdokiya had heard these things from Poppy who seemed critical of religion, but still, Evdokiya didn't think Poppy was going to be anything like Evdokiya who was spiritual rather than religious.
The lounge room was large and light, two white, leather couches situated in the middle of the room. There was a light grey table that separated the two couches in the middle and a fireplace against the back wall. A large window lets in light and on the side of the fireplace were built-in bookshelves and a large, light blue rug that covered the floor. Evdokiya stepped on the plush rug and made her way toward the couches, sitting down with her phone and keys on her lap.
"Here you are," Mrs Langford came from the kitchen, "So why did you come over?"
"I worry for Poppy," Evdokiya murmured. "And I have called the FBI."
"Oh," Mrs Langford furrowed her brow. "I'm worried but she could have just gone to university."
"It is better to be safe than sorry," Evdokiya murmured. It was then she heard the rumble of an engine and turned her head to look out the open window, a car pulled up against the street, resting on the curb. Two men in suits appeared out of the car and Evdokiya turned her head back to face Mrs Langford.
Mrs Langford stood slowly, "That must be them."
Soon the two same men that had been in her shop entered the lounge room. Evdokiya got up to move to the separate couch, she watched the two of them as they took a seat before her. Mrs Langford took the seat beside her and Evdokiya's eyes narrowed. The two of them moved fluidly, they had to be brothers or they had been working together for a long time. Evdokiya pursed her lips, the two of them didn't seem very old so she was sure they were brothers. It was just the feeling she got from the two of them.
"Mrs Langford," Agent Johnson nodded at her. "Evdokiya."
"Hello Agents," Mrs Langford smiled, "Would you like tea, coffee, juice?"
"Coffee thank you," Agent Johnson nodded.
"Alright then," Mrs Langford looked to Agent McTaggart. "Anything for you?"
"No thank you," Agent McTaggart shook his head.
Standing slowly, Mrs Langford headed out of the room and back to the kitchen. Evdokiya turned her head away, looking down at her hands and then over at the two of them. Agent Johnson was watching her suspiciously while Agent McTaggart had his hands pressed together, studying the room.
"You came to offer support to Mrs Langford?" Agent Johnson suddenly asked Evdokiya.
"Yes," she reached forward to sip her juice. "I thought I would tell Mrs Langford that the FBI was coming."
"You're supportive," Agent Johnson nodded. "I can support that."
"Thank you," Evdokiya snorted, rolling her eyes. "We worry for Poppy, she is never late."
"But she does not fit the other victims," Agent Johnson challenged, a brow raised. "She is not married and she has not come to you suspecting her husband is cheating, correct?"
"Correct," Evdokiya lowered her head. "It could be nothing but I do not think we should be too careful with the disappearances and deaths."
Silence fell over the group of people. Evdokiya ran her finger over the top of her glass, watching the two men in front of her who shared looks of suspicion. Evdokiya could swear she were brothers, she could almost feel the fact they were related. Evdokiya clicked her tongue, perhaps she was wrong because she wasn't the greatest when it came to the future. She made it her business and was a liar for a reason, Evdokiya wasn't a fortune-teller. Scratching the side of her face she excused herself to the bathroom.
Inside the bathroom, Evdokiya looked at herself in the face. She turned her head side to side, pressing her lips together and turning on the faucet. With her hands underneath the water, she let her hands dampen and turned off the water. What would be the point of wetting her face when her face was covered in makeup? So Evdokiya shook her hands out, reaching out to wipe them on a towel and exited the bathroom. Pausing in the hall, she could hear the men talking about Poppy and the murders of the other women.
"Did Poppy regularly get readings from Evdokiya?" Agent Johnson asked, did they suspect her? Evdokiya narrowed her eyes.
"Uh, no," came Mrs Langdon's answer. "Poppy didn't really believe in that stuff, she was just grateful to have a job. She and Evdokiya were friends, I like Evdokiya. She's a bit strange, her accent is rather thick but she's lovely. And she's one hundred per cent correct, the women boast about how spot on she has been about their husbands cheating."
"You've never been suspicious of her?" Agent McTaggart asked kindly.
"Well, yes," Mrs Langdon's honesty made Evdokiya close her eyes. "Of course we were at first. Here is this foreigner who has opened a shop where she reads fortunes and sells crystals," she sniffed. "But Evdokiya is lovely, everyone will tell you that. She has become part of the community, we would not have it any other way."
"So she hasn't done anything that could be considered… worrying?" Agent Johnson pressed.
"Why?" Mrs Langdon sounded confused, "She's a lovely girl, do you suspect her of something agents?" Mrs Langdon sounded insulted, "Because I'll have you know that Evdokiya is not the type and I do not appreciate your accusations." Evdokiya heard her stand, "Please leave agents. Find my daughter, do not accuse her friend of having something to do with it."
Entering the lounge room, Evdokiya watched as the two agents stood up and looked at her. Evdokiya pressed her lips together and turned to gather her phone and keys. "I should go Mrs Langdon."
"Oh, Evdokiya," Mrs Langdon turned to her. "Are you sure? It is such a long walk back to your place."
"I'll be fine," Evdokiya then turned to the agents. "I am sure the agents would not mind dropping me off at home. I'll be fine Mrs Langdon," she waved at the woman before turning to the FBI agents.
Sliding into the back seat of the car of the FBI agents, Evdokiya leaned forward with her hands resting on the back of the seat. She said nothing as the two of them slid into the car and neither of them said anything either. Evdokiya narrowed her eyes, the two were suspicious of her but she wanted to clear it up before they arrested her. Evdokiya would never kill anyone, she had no need to and she was rather annoyed that someone would go to the length of accusing her. It also meant they were listening to Pastor Davis who could not be trusted.
"Next time you wish to ask questions, perhaps you should ask me yourself," she purred from the back seat, still leaning against their seat. "I promise I do not lie."
"Pardon?" Agent Johnson cleared his throat, meeting her eyes in the rear-view mirror.
"You suspect me of the murders," she looked down at her nails, feigning disinterest. "You are on the wrong path, I am not the one you should be suspicious about."
"Right," Agent McTaggart turned to look at her. "We're just trying to cover all of our bases."
"I suppose you'll question someone close to Pastor Davis, no?" She met his eyes. "It would only be fair."
"We do not mean to offend-"
"Offend?" Evdokiya interrupted Agent McTaggart. "You are not offending me, I am only attempting to steer you from trying to catch me when I am not the killer. You're going off course."
"So you know who the actual killer is?" Agent Johnson snorted, rolling his eyes. "We've heard that before."
"Well, I have not predicted it," she admitted. "But I know."
"Sure you do," Agent Johnson murmured tiredly under his breath, he pulled into the carpark in front of her shop and apartment. "This is you."
"It is," Evdokiya took off her seat belt and slid across the leather seat, placing her hand on the door handle and peering out the window. It was then she paused, noticing the door to her shop was open. "Sorry," she apologised, "My door is open and I locked it earlier," she pointed to the door and then slid out of the car.
"Are you sure you locked it?" She heard Agent McTaggart call behind her as the two men got out of their car.
"Yes!" She yelled over her shoulder, coming to the door.
It was open, Evdokiya shook her head and shoved it open even further. She made her way through the shop and paused in the doorway leading to the place she often gave readings. Hands coming up to cup her mouth, she stared at the chaos that was in front of her. Crystals had been smashed, pillows were strewn across the floor and a lot of her belongings had been ripped. Across the wall many of her pictures had been torn down, ripped or broken. Evdokiya shook, staring at the scene in front of her.
In blood-red on the wall her pictures had been torn down there was a word written.
Witch.
