"Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost."
― Erol Ozan
12:00 p.m.
Janet Morris sat in her favorite chair with her favorite cup of tea on the table.
It was a cup of Chamomile tea.
It reminded her of her mother.
Miss. Morris doesn't remember a whole lot about her parents probably due to old age and she always stayed at her grandma's place. She doesn't even think her mother ever drank Chamomile so she's not exactly sure why she associated it with her mother. Her grandma died when she was 15 and her parents when she was in her 20s. Right after she got her bachelor's degree.
Most people address her as Miss Morris but she used to be known as Dr. Janet Morris. Renowned Sociocultural Anthropologist turned an old senile lady.
Miss. Morris's thoughts were soon interrupted by a rhythmic and unusual knock. It seems that she has been granted a visit by the girl next door.
Now Janet Morris has always thought of Angel as a young bright kid trying to navigate her new surroundings. It's been 3 years since Angel was brought to America and about 11 days since she died. Another knock snapped her out of her reminiscing.
"Alright, Alright I'm coming."
"Hi, Miss. Morris, I have something for you to look at."
"Hello to you too and hello Daniel."
Daniel happily wagged his tail knowing Janet always had a treat for him.
Janet sighed and ushered the duo in "Come on in dear let's see what you got."
Angel reached into her bag to pull out a book. She quickly sat down a showed Miss Morris the sketch.
Janet examined the sketch it was an intricate rams mask with a symbol in the middle of the forehead.
A Legba
"Now Angel I know you know that this is the Veve of Papa Legba but do you understand what this means."
"Not exactly that's why I'm here."
"We know that Papa Legba an Iwa is the connection between humanity and the Iwa in Haitian and Louisiana Voodoo. It's been recorded that he always appears at a crossroads he oversees the communication between spirits and us."
"I see."
"Angel you see the Parallels right?"
"You're gonna have to spell it out for me."
"Does this sound familiar? An Entity at a crossroads between life and death. Known for their ability to speak and communicate. Commonly associated with dogs."
Daniel looked up to see Angel's face a look of fear flashed on her face before it suddenly changes to determination.
Daniel walks towards the chair next to Angel and jumps on it. Giving both Miss Morris and Angel a scare.
"It looks like he has something to say."
"Yeah."
Angel turned and looked him in the eye
"Not everyone can learn as many languages as you have. Not everyone can speak to animals. Look at your magic it's directly connected to words. "
"Yeah, I noticed. Look Daniel I don't know if what happened to me was planned or not but there is an obvious deep connection."
Janet feeling curious asked, "What did he say?"
Angel looked back at Janet with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "He said that not everyone can learn as many languages as I have. Not everyone can speak to animals. He thinks there's a deeper connection to my magic, which is directly connected to words."
"Yeah, it's way more than a coincidence at this point."
"I've been thinking about this sketch, shadow creatures, voodoo, magic, past lives, and talking dogs I always knew there would be a deeper connection somewhere. Miss Morris, I think I've seen this mask before. Y'know when I was younger back in Haiti."
Janet's eyes widen in surprise " If you've seen this before that means that whoever fate or Papa Legba has been watching you for a long time."
With that statement Angel suddenly felt severe chills it's terrifying to realize all those times were you thought you were alone someone or something could have been watching you.
"Angel why don't you go home and sit on this. We can discuss this another time you still have that thing to deal with."
"Oh! I completely forgot about the shadow. I'm still not sure how this ritual would work."
"Maybe do it when Pa and Ma aren't home."
"They're not gonna like that."
"What they don't know won't hurt them."
Angel and Daniel soon left and headed back home as they made their way to the door suddenly out of nowhere in a flash of golden light an envelope appeared.
It only had one name on it
Angel A. Augustine
In a single move, Angel ran into the house to Daniel off his leash and locked herself inside her room. With an uncharacteristic caution, Angel slowly opens the letter at her desk.
To the young Lonbraj Chase,
It has been brought to my attention that I have something of yours. It in fact is something that has been in my possession for quite a while. I wasn't aware that this something had a living owner until recently. I was also told that you may have a little problem that I could be of help with. If you are interested head to the library you usually go to bring the shadow, book, knife, and your dog. You'll know what to do when you get there.
Sincerely,
Kent Nelson
(Formerly known as Dr. Fate)
"HOLY SHIT!"
"Goodness, Gracious! Angel Anaïca Augustine! What did I say about cursing in my house."
"Sorry MA!"
Pa a bit concerned knocked on Angel's door
"You got something in your throat or something."
"Um-mm *cough* Yeah maybe."
"Well get that checked out you sounded like a grown man for a second."
"Um, Pa I got to wake early tomorrow and head to the Library so I think I better wash up."
"OK but make sure you come back to help out at the store alright."
"Yeah okay."
With a cold shower and a warm dinner, Angel goes to bed, and as soon as her head meets the pillow she is met with a dream.
A baby's cry and a mother's whimpering
The people in the operating room speak a blend of English and Creole.
It's a baby girl with dark skin and unnerving blue eyes
The baby girl was born too early
The baby girl was born with her eyes wide open
Straight from her Mother's arms to Intensive Care
The Baby died and the Mother wept.
The baby was dead until she was visited by the man wearing a Rams head.
With the mother long gone in the wind.
The baby was placed at an orphanage that was until...
And there was when she woke up.
Daniel rapidly and franticly scratching at the door.
That night one of many the girl and her dog spent the night on the floor comforting each other.