The next morning was very bright and lovely, so much so that Rosie suggested having breakfast in the garden. Four chairs and charming tea table set with tea, coffee, and muffins with one's choice of butter or jam to spread on it. Angel had ate about five muffins but Charlie and Vaggie could scarely swallow a thing.
"Is something the matter?" Rosie asked. "Neither one of you have touched your plates or your cups."
They had yet to reveal what had happened the night before. But now seemed like a good time.
"Rosie did you see or hear anything odd last night?" Charlie asked.
"Well I see and hear plenty of odd things at night. But that's the norm around here."
"What I mean is...Well...Last night Vaggie was sleep walking outside."
"Really?" She turned to Vaggie.
"Yes I was." Vaggie confirmed.
"That's weird, you've never sleepwalked before." Angel said.
"Well I did last night."
"And when I went out to get her." Charlie continued. "I found her with an animal."
"We do live next to a bayou dear. That's not so uncommon." Rosie said.
"But it wasn't an animal I recognized. It was huge and vicious and hairy-"
"Oh my God, Vaggie are you okay?" Angel asked concerned.
"Yeah, it didn't hurt me." Vaggie answered. "Charlie said it ran away once she showed up."
"It was probably a black bear." Rosie said. "When Vaggie collapsed the curious bear probably came over to figure out what in the world she was, but then it got scared off by Miss Charlie."
"It wasn't a black bear." Charlie said. "It was bright red and it had antlers and it's face was...Was...I can't even describe it, it was so horrible."
"Things are not always as they appear to you in the dark of night." Rosie said.
"I didn't imagine this. I...I don't know what that thing was but it definitely wasn't a normal animal."
"I hate to disappoint you, but the only thing supernatural about this places is the stories told by old men."
"Supernatural stories?" Angel said becoming intrigued. "Now you have my attention."
"Oh great, here we go." Vaggie sighed.
"What kind of supernatural stories are told around here?" Angel asked. "Vampires maybe?"
"Vampires? Ha-ha! I'm afraid vampires are more popular up North. Down South and in the Mid-West we have Demons, witches and witch doctors, the ghosts of venegeful slaves and army men. Even a few tales about pirates. But the most famous in Davenport is the one about how our town came to be."
"Would you tell it to us?" Charlie asked.
"Of course. Centuries ago, during the Anglo-French war, a town full of French farmers had their land seized by English soldiers. They saw no other choice but to immigrant to the another continent. They sailed to North Africa first but soon they were chased away by the fearful natives who had lost hundreds of their people to slavery, curtsey of The Spanish, French, and English traders. So they then sailed to the Southern States of North America but the land they arrived at was scarely livable for animals let alone humans. The earth was barren, water dried up, insects carrying dieases everywhere. It wasn't long til the settlers became ill and starving. Then the Davenport brothers, twins George and Quentin, set out in search of less harsh conditions."
Rosie paused to sip her tea and wet her throat which had become dry.
"They were starved and ill as well, but George was determined that his people would not only survive but flourish. The brothers eventually found land with fertile soil and close to the sea so they could fish as well as farm. With time and effort, a town of successful farming and fishing was established and the grateful settlers named it Davenport in honor of the two men who saved them. George was pleased only with the happiness and well-being of his people but Quentin relished in the adoration. It made him feel as though he was being a worshipped as a God and that was what sparked his thrist for power. He secretly began practicing voodoo rituals which he had learned during their short time in Africa. But when the locals grew suspicious of him, he framed his own brother George."
"Whoa! He framed his brother? That's low man." Angel said. "My brother and I can't stand each other but neither one of us would stoop to that."
"George was hanged for high treason against God and humanity, but not long after his death, the townsfolk realized that they had made a terrible mistake. Quentin you see had been praticing a very dark form of voodoo, one that was akin to devil worship. He performed a voodoo ritual where human sacrfices were made to demons inexchange for great but unholy power. With each passing day, more lives were killed and he became more demon like. Those who saw the error of what they had done to George, went to his grave on the night of the Harvest Moon, where they left offerings and begged for his forgiveness. This pleased George's spirit so that he led the ghosts of Quentin's victims to strike down his evil brother and cast a Hoodoo's curse in which he would be forever trapped in the darkness of the bayou. They say that ever since then Quentin is a priosner on earth, the living are scared and disgusted by him while the dead torment and punish him."
"Well that's a new one I haven't heard." Angel said.
"Do you believe it?" Charlie asked.
"Can't say for sure, I wasn't there. But come every Harvest Moon, this town celebrates Geroge's memory and heroics in hopes that his spirit will continue to protect our town from his brother."
"How do you celebrate?" Vaggie asked.
"Well the people here celeberate in numerous ways. Sometimes they have festivals, concerts, we have a masquerade ball at the house. It's a family tradition that goes back as far as when the house was first built."
"That's so neat." Charlie said.
"The Harvest Moon rises next Sunday which will be when we'll hold the ball. All three of you are welcome to attend if you wish."
"Oh we'd love to."
"But I don't think we can stay that long." Vaggie said. "Charlie, Angel and I have jobs remember?"
"Oh right. Sorry guys."
"Eh, no one will really care if the store is closed for another few days." Angel said.
"Well my bosses are going to care if I'm not back by Tuesday."
"Just call em up and ask for an extended period of time off. It's not like you don't need it toots, they've had you socking broads on stereoids every Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, President's Day, and Memorial Day for the last seven years. You've earned it."
"They may not see it that way."
"And even if we could stay longer, we don't have anything to wear to a masked ball." Charlie said.
"Don't worry, we'll provide the costumes. The wardrobes here are just full of 19th century clothes that are in perfect condition. If you like, I can let you all look through them."
"Oh yes, I found a lot of dresses from that period in my room." Charlie said amazed at the thought. "We'll look through them but we won't make any decisions until we hear what Vaggie's boss thinks."
"Very well. I hope for the best."
She poured herself another cup of tea. Charlie and Vaggie were feeling better now, so they helped themselves to something to eat and drink. A few mintues later, Husk brought in a fifth chair and Mimzy placed a fifth cup on the table, filling it with tea.
"Who's that for Mimzy?" Charlie asked.
"Why Alastor of course."
"But he doesn't like tea. Just black coffee or hot water with lemon."
"With all due respect mademoiselle, I have known Alastor much longer than you have and I think I know what he likes to have to drink in the morning."
"You may have spent a lot of time working for my cousin." Rosie said. "But I'm afraid you're wrong in this case Mimzy. Alastor does not drink tea. He much prefers the coffee."
"Yes ma'am, excusez-moi."
She left calmy and with a smile but her eyes burned a hateful glare at Charlie.
"How did you know Alastor didn't like tea?" Rosie asked Charlie. "Did he mention it to you?"
"Yes he-...Actually no. No he didn't tell me...Huh...How did I know that?" She wondered.
Soon Alastor joined them at the table. He didn't even make eye contact with anyone or say anything, he just poured himself a cup of black coffee and drank it without making a sound. For the longest time there was an awkward silence and it didn't cease until Angel said,
"What's with all the quiet?" Angel asked.
"I do apologize for coming off as rude." Alastor said in his usual happy tone. "I didn't sleep very much last night. The nosies I heard outside were unbearable on my ears."
"What did you hear?" Charlie asked.
"Oh just the wind beating against the roof and constantly causing my window to open more than once. Drove me mad, sleep was never an option."
"Miss Charlie seems to think she saw something supernatural last night." Rosie said. "Any idea what she could have really seen?"
"I wouldn't know. I stayed in my room all night."
Rosie just continued to drink her tea had a knowing look her in eye and it was directed at her cousin. Charlie was the only one who noticed this.
"Perhaps you should go back to bed and take a quick nap?" Rosie suggested.
"I would love nothing more at the moment, but I promised Mr. Mcknight that I would help him with his harvest. Remember last week when he broke both his legs in that plowing incident?"
"Oh yes, poor man, left bound to wheelchair." Rosie said sympathetically.
"Will he ever walk again?" Charlie asked.
"In about six weeks but until then farming will be much harder work for him. Husker and I have volunteered to help with his crops."
"But it's a real pain in the ass job." Husk groaned. "Mr. Mcknight is Davenport's top farmer. Half the markets in Lousiana buy from him, so it's a ton of land we have to work."
"Sounds too much for just two people." Charlie said. "Maybe I could help too?"
"That's kind of you my dear but you're a guest here. It wouldn't be right to have you groping around in the dirt and mud."
"I don't mind. Anything to help another. Besides, it's such a lovely day. I couldn't possibly spend it in doors."
"Well if you insist, you can come." He turned to Vaggie and Angel. "Would you two like to volunteer as well?"
Vaggie said yes only to make up for how she behaved toward Alastor the night before, and she pretty much forced Angel to come along. The five of them spent the entire day harvesting ripe, fresh, and tasty fruits and vegetables for Mr. Mcknight. Apples, pears, greens, onions, peppers, corn, tomatoes, turnips, figs, pumpkins, and herbs. It was hard work and it left them very tired and sweaty, but the grateful smile on Mr. Mcknight's face made Charlie glad that she volunteered. In fact, he was so thankful for their assitance that he gave them a bountiful basket free of charge.
"Fresh crops and fresh crawfish, dinner tonight will be sumptous." Alastor said on the drive back.
"My mouth is watering just thinking about it." Angel said.
"You know the food here is so good, I'd love to learn how to make it." Charlie said. "Do you think Niffty would let me help her in the kitchen tonight? Maybe teach me how to cook a few dishes?"
"Oh my dear she would be flattered." Alastor smiled.
He was doing it again, staring at Charlie with that longing look. Gazing upon her as if she were something he had spent years desiring and was impatiently waiting for the right moment to claim her. It rubbed Vaggie and now Angel the wrong way, little did they all know that from here on out, they would learn more and more about what went on in Alastor's mind and in his heart.