Voodoo Man

The little railway engine trundled down the track carrying ten cars loaded full of supplies and men. I was one of sixty Montanans recruited from the mountains and fields to do one thing, fill any gaps in the American lines. Looking around, it seemed as though half the country had answered the call, too. Thousands upon thousands of doughboys had gathered on the frontlines of France and we were part of the latest batch to arrive. By luck, Derrick and I had been assigned to Company B of the 308th regiment. Upon our shoulders was the copper-clad symbol of our nation, Lady Liberty herself. No doubt my own parents gazed upon her when sailing into New York harbor decades ago. They didn't think to stop in America though. Instead, mom and dad went directly to Butte, America.

Training was difficult. While Derrick enjoyed it the whole time, I couldn't take my mind off of home. At least the officers allowed us some personal items, including family photographs. The trouble was I couldn't keep the photos clean in this environment. With a blast of the whistle, we all unloaded our gear just like miners down in the mine at the start of a shift. I wondered if I was going to walk out of here or be carried out on a stretcher like the hundreds of patients in the field hospital a couple of miles back.

Derrick's smile never faded, nor did his spirit waver. My friend from the mines was as happy as could be and he was doing his best to infect me with such optimism. "Ah, cheer up Ethan! Look around you! A long boat ride, sure, but can you believe we're in Europe?"

"I was hoping this whole time we were in a dream, but I'm starting to realize there's no waking up from this."

"Oh come on, it's not going to be that bad."

"Derrick, you don't have the slightest clue of what awaits us. Look at the faces of those around us."

"Yeah, they're all kids like us!"

"I don't see kids like us, Derrick. I see grizzled men. We don't belong here."

"You know, Ethan, I've been trying to get you to see things on the brighter side now for weeks. When's this storm cloud over you going to end?"

"You keep your optimism for both of us, Derrick. I'll keep myself grounded and perhaps that way we'll both make it out of here in one piece."

As we marched closer and closer to the front lines, the distant roar of the cannon became louder and louder. After a while the sun seemed to dim as a thick layer of smoke hung in the air. The ground died underneath us and all living things lost color. Shades of brown and grey were all that remained. But the worst of it was the sudden stench. Even Derrick was starting to become uncomfortable, our noses had known pollution before. But this? Sulfur and garlic filled my nostrils. In the last half mile the smell of rotting filth became overwhelming. And finally there was the pinnacle of all smells. Death itself. A skirmish two days ago had yet to be cleaned up, or at least that's what one of the passing soldiers said.

"Still think this is fun?" I asked my friend.\

"It's certainly no summer camp, that's for sure. But it can't be all bad."

"Just keep telling yourself that."

Finally in the depths of the trenches, we were ordered to stand at attention as the major exited his field office with company captains in tow. I had expected to be under the command of a great beast of a cat. Perhaps he would stand taller than the rest of us? Or maybe he would bend a rifle barrel to demonstrate his prowess? Instead, I was surprised to see a feline of average height, and of slender build. His field cap was pinned in place by a set of ears that were sharp and clearly groomed. Despite the muddy conditions, even his tail was brushed to perfection. Yet experienced eyes lay behind his glasses, and at that moment he was sizing us up. After the Seargent inspected our shiny new rifles, the Major belted out his first order. "At ease, gentlemen."

His voice was strong with a midwestern accent, but with those orders we did as told.

"I am major Charles Whittlesey, commander of the 308th Regiment to which you've all been assigned. Behind me are your Captains, they will be escorting you all to your companies. I am told that you are all Montanans, and for that I am thankful. My own father was a logger, and so I know that you are capable of great deeds here in this terrible war. Follow orders, listen to those who have been here longer than you, and you will make it through this war. Soon will be the last push, the last full measure on the path to victory. Every feline in France is counting on us, and I ask for nothing less than your absolute best! Good luck, gentlemen, and God bless you all."

Brief, eloquent, and focused.

By dusk we had found our companies, but there was little room to make camp. As Derrick and I walked up and down the lines attempting to find an opening in one of the many hidden holes along the trench, but we had no such luck. We were packed together like sardines. Then Derrick bumped me with his elbow.

"Hey, Ethan, those guys have room."

A nearby private shook his head. "You boys don't want to stay in there."

"How come?" I asked.

"You see the older one in the center. He's been here longer than all of us, comes from Louisiana."

"So?"

"He's a proper Cajun, practices voodoo."

"I see, well come Derrick. Surely there's a place we can—"

"An' what would be the problem with voodoo?" A southern voice asked from behind us. Turning around, we were both faced with the sight of a cat who, while in uniform, still maintained certain jewelry and other accessories on his body, not to mention various tattoos that were just visible under the fur.

I spun my head back to see if the soldier could offer an explanation, but he seemed to vanish in mid-air. Derrick stammered out an excuse, forgetting if he was addressing an officer or not. "N-nothing, s-sir! We were merely looking for a place to make camp, but clearly you and your group—"

"Always welcome the weary and the restless. Come, children. Share the fire with my friends." The cat then walked into the little hole and made himself comfortable alongside a small stove. Derrick turned to me for support. "We're not going in there, are we?"

"We can either take our chances here or keep walking until dawn. I say we stop here."

"But what about what that guy just said? What's a voodoo?"

"I guess we're going to find out. Come on, I'm tired anyway. If they turn out to be complete creeps, then we'll move on."

Sitting down amongst our new friends, Derrick and I sat quietly as old friends and comrades passed around stories. We were certainly out of place here amongst a group of people from Louisiana. However, the cat we were warned about ignored the banter of friends, instead taking an interest in us.

"Where are vous from?"

I tilted me head in confusion. "Pardon?"

"Where are you from, child?"

"Montana." Derrick replied, clutching his new rifle a little tighter than before.

"Bien, vous are among friends here."

"Among friends, huh? I suppose we do need to trust each other if we're to make it out of this war alive."

"Yes, but new soldiers like you won't last long. Not without help, that is." The cat then stoked the fire and began a low chanting, followed by what seemed to be an offering of materials he had collected beforehand. His friends stopped their chanting and instead listened silently. My god, the guy was speaking in tongues! The fire seemed to grow with each incantation, followed quickly by the fire dying down to nothing. "There, now you are protected."

"Protected?" Derrick asked.

"Yes, a spirit protects you now. Stay with us and I will show you how to survive this awful place. The Lwa will be here to protect us all."

"Who are these, Lwa?"

"Young child, the Lwa are the spirits which inhabit out world. You can call on them for protection, for wisdom, for guidance, and for much more. They will walk beside you. But beware, not all spirits are good. Some have a dark twin, a mirror to themselves. These spirits will enslave you; they will kill you. But do not worry, I will show you the ways of voodoo. If you are willing to listen.

Crossroads

A sudden smack across my face jolted me back into consciousness. I came to and tried to move but couldn't. As my vision began to clear up, I found myself tied to a tree in the dark. How long had I been out? What happened? There was a car chase, a sign, a garage. I remembered my boys downstairs being in a lot of pain. Oh yeah, then there was a fight. We were under attack. At least now my vision was starting to come around, and as I picked my head up, I could make out the image of three figures.

"Well, look who's awake." A baritone voice let out with a laugh.

"Yes. This one put up quite the fight. Ah, but don't worry cher, you're in good hands." Said a female voice as she joined in with her friend.

"Enough." Expressed an emotionless voice. It lacked any discernable accent that I could pick out, but it was still familiar.

"Ah, now there's someone I recognize." I said as I looked up, and my vision finally came back to reveal the face of Mordecai Heller. "So, I take it I lost."

"Not without taking our vehicle out of commission and destroying thousands of dollars' worth of property, courtesy of your friends. But apparently you were naïve enough to take on Nico in a fist fight."

"If I had my rifle, they'd both be Swiss cheese."

"Well, you didn't, and they aren't. Not that you could get that lucky anyway." Mordecai rebutted.

"So, I'm a hostage now, am I? And what would the great Mordecai Heller hope to gain from this situation?"

Sera laughed. "Hostage? Child, Moreau wants you badly. Vous deux partager a histoire. But we could always arrange for… a deal for someone like you." The woman said as she produced my bayonet and started making gestures with it on my chest. I didn't flinch, instead glaring at my captors.

"So the detective lives. I was hoping that bullet would have killed him." No sooner had the words left my lips that I realized I probably shouldn't have admitted that. The woman took notice of this comment. "So, you're the one who almost killed us." She said, rubbing the slight scar on her cheek. "a bienvenu surprendre!"

"English, ma'am?"

Nico laughed next. "Sera, he called you ma'am! You!"

"Oh quiet Nico, he's showing respect. The name is Sera, cher. Serafine."

"That accent, I know it. You come from down south, don't you?"

Nico stepped in. "Louisiana, the bayou."

I looked at the jewelry Serafine was wearing. Some of it had a striking resemblance to what I had seen on LaBlanc, the cat who had taught me so much in a few short weeks. She wasn't just Cajun, but voodoo. "I know your kind and those symbols. You two must be voodoo."

Sera's lips turned into a sinister smile. "Voudou, yes. But we follow the master of the crossroads. He looks out for lost children like you, but you must commit to him first."

Mordecai's ears went back with impatience. "Are you two really trying to recruit one of our adversaries into your little swamp cult?"

Sera dropped her smile, standing up to look Mordecai in the eyes. Gazing into his soul for a moment, she had yet to find anything but an inky black abyss. Still, she smiled once more. "You ought to show some more respect, cher. Maitre Carrefour gave you his blessing, and he can take it back just the same." She explained while handing Mordecai my bayonet.

The name was familiar. LaBlanc had taught me a few of the Lwa names, and it was a dizzying array of spirits and gods compared to the trinity that was taught to me as a child. Sera continued with her offer as she brushed her hand over my head. "Besides, this one's got a fighting spirit. Maitre has a use for fighters. Now then, what's your name, child?"

"His name is Ethan Kelly." Mordecai answered for me. "Moreau has told me a lot about you, Ethan. And you've got a lot to answer for. But don't let my associates fool you, I doubt our employers will extend the same mercy to you as they have to Nico and Sera. They're useful alive, you are not."

I couldn't help but smile before tilting my head back to look up at my captor. "Sorry, ma'am. Looks like my fate is sealed."

"We could still find an arrangement… for information of course."

"Information of what nature?"

"Oh, names of those you work with. Where they live, who they call family. Can't let the competition go unchecked. Switch to the winning side, child."

"Ratting on my friends isn't something I'm known for."

Serafine scoffed. "Maitre Carrefour is offering you a chance, Mr. Kelly. He's always there at the crossroads, and now you are there too. You should take his offer, and we'll see to it you are protected."

"Even at this crossroads, I must refuse. We all protect those we care about. I would sooner give up my life before I betray my family, and I doubt that concept is foreign even to the cold-hearted Mordecai Heller."

Mordecai glared at me. Perhaps I was stepping too close.

"Doesn't matter. Now, you've got me tied up to a tree. Why? If Moreau wanted me, then we'd be halfway to town by now."

The cat rolled his eyes. "Our car is disabled, and we are waiting for another ride to pick us up."

"And then?"

"For you? I imagine a quite painful and slow death. The detective is patient, he'll no doubt crack you in a couple days at the most."

"Pity… But your associate does make some sense. This feud between two empires, it doesn't need to be this way. We don't need to be enemies, and we certainly don't need to fight battles for those in power. Take it from an old soldier, the fat cats don't care. But family? That's worth fighting—" In one swift motion, Mordecai spun around and buried my bayonet in the tree just above my shoulder. He looked into my eyes, and I looked back, neither of us blinking. Where there was once an abyss, there was now fire behind those eyes. For the first time there was emotion, and it came from someplace very deep.

"There's no room in this business for family, Mr. Kelly! You are fighting for nothing except to delay the inevitable! If you want everyone you care about to survive, then you ought to change tactics while you can."

It dawned on me that he was offering advice. It was his way of telling me to shut up before I put both of us in peril. Our secret partnership was still on.

Mordecai stood back up and walked away. "Sera, Nico, we have matters to discuss." The siblings followed him until they were out of earshot. I exhaled and leaned back against the tree that was holding me. This wasn't good. Too bad there wasn't a way to… Then it hit me, literally. I bumped my head into the bayonet, which hurt. Then a light went off in my head and I realized that if I could get the rope up high enough, cutting it would be simple!

"What's the point of all this? It's just like the hatchet incident." Mordecai vented to his associates after walking to the road.

"Point? You done hit your head or something." Sera commented. Nico nodded and further explained. "Moreau has history with that one. He wants to make the cat suffer."

"Waste of resources is a better description. Doesn't he realize we're trying to run an alcohol operation here? We should be preparing to cripple the Lackadaisy, delivering people to headquarters to be broken and tortured for something as useless as pleasure."

"Well, those are our orders. And we should follow then, shouldn't we? Or would you rather we leave your former friends alone?"

"I don't have friends; I only wish to be productive with our time and get the job done as cleanly and efficiently as possible."

"No fun…" Nico said with a sour expression. Lights down the road alerted them, and Nico smiled. "Ah, there's the ride."

"About time. Now, let's get him into the car in one piece, shall we? We don't need to make a mess of two cars tonight."

It took a great deal of effort, but eventually I was able to get the fibers digging into the bayonet blade. It was dull, but finally the rope caught on the blade and from there it was a quick operation to saw the rope in half. As my bonds slacked and draped off around me, I was stuck with a conundrum. "What now?" I thought. I couldn't fight all three with just my bayonet and I had no car to get me out of here. Panic was starting to set in, and I was doing my best to calm my mind. I needed to think. I needed clarity. Going back to the war wasn't going to help me.

Then I remembered an old story from home. John Colter once had a similar problem. He was hounded by the Blackfeet many miles from protection. They set him loose and intended to chase him down like an animal, but he outran them. Even naked and barefooted he managed to escape and find his way home. Yes, that's all I could do now. The alternative was a certain death right here or later in some back-room of the Marigolds. Picking a direction, I slipped away, speeding through the underbrush.

Race to the River

As the trio made their way back to the tree, they were greeted with empty rope. Mordecai looked confused, then angry. "What the hell happened? Where did he go?"

Nico laughed. "Man, this one is slippery!"

"He couldn't have gone far, find his trail."

All three were hot on my heels. I could feel it. I had maybe a 200-yard head start, and now my heart was pounding faster. It had been years since I ran this fast, and there's no way I'd be able to keep up the pace forever. I had to think about this, but I had to do so while running as fast as possible. If Mordecai's associates came from a Louisiana swamp, then no doubt they could track me through the woods. I didn't even know where I was! But if their car was all shot up, then we couldn't be far from…

Looking through a small clearing, I noticed the floodlights from the quarry. Bingo! I was near the river, meaning that I could make for the bottomlands. Continuing at top speed, the distance was starting to weigh on me and my breathing became labored. I hadn't needed to run this much since I came back from France. Still, the will to live pushed me on, so I glided over fallen logs and skipped over rocks. I could hear them behind me still, they were slowly closing the gap.

In the darkness, I found a deer trail and followed it. Surely that would lead to the river bottomlands! Just as hoped, the brush got thick, and the trees became dense. I was getting close to the river; I could sense it! Now I just had to find a road or something. Anything that wouldn't leave a footprint. But no road came. All I had to work with now was the glow of the city lights. The footsteps were getting even closer, I was running out of time. Now I needed to buy some more. My mind flashed back to what LaBlanc had taught me on that first dreadful day of our engagement.

"You have the blessing of a spirit, but no Lwa can protect you from everything. Use the land, the trees, anything you can. They are your friends just as I am."

The footsteps got closer and closer. Nico was fastest, running through the brush like a wolf on the scent of a wounded deer. However, he lost the trail at least a couple of times, only course correcting when he noticed the lack of footprints. This time though, Nico lost the trail entirely. Soon the other two caught up. Mordecai was none too happy. "Why did you stop? Did you find him?"

"He left the trail, lost him."

Mordecai growled in frustration. "Fan out."

Walking through the brush, Mordecai looked all around him. He hated the wilderness ever since an incident at the beach when he was a child. This was also a waste of his talents. Ethan had already given him all the information he needed. But then his thoughts wandered to the people in the speakeasy. Sure, he could kill most of them without much thought. But Atlas's goddaughter? His wife? That young girl Ethan cared for? Getting rid of them wasn't part of the plan.

Up above in the canopy, I clung to a large branch, not making a sound. Mordecai was right below me. I had the drop on him, but that wasn't part of the plan. Instead, I held my breath and waited. I even managed to steady my tail, a difficult task that took a lot of thought. In times like this it developed a mind of its own.

However, the danger soon passed as Mordecai's figure faded from view. Breathing a sigh of relief, I slid down the trunk, taking care not to make a sound. Spying my destination ahead, I slinked away toward the trail. It was difficult though as every twig may as well have been a landmine. After about five minutes of moving through the brush as silently as possible, I turned and headed directly toward the quarry. The river wasn't far from the fence line. I found another gear and gunned it, sprinting through the trees. I knew they'd find my trail again at some point, but I had to get as far ahead as possible.

Flying through the brush, I finally came to the quarry fence. Taking another left, I followed it right to the water's edge. This was it, nowhere else to go. I grabbed the bayonet and dove in. The water was cold, but it was also fast. Looking back at shore, lights were getting closer. Even worse, the quarry lights partly illuminated the water's surface. I swam out toward the middle of the river where the current was fastest and for the first time, I prayed to God that he protect me.

Minutes later, Nico, Sera, and Mordecai followed the tracks to the waters edge. Nico stopped just shy of the water and held out his arm so Sera didn't fall in. Mordecai slowed to a walk and came up behind them, panting. "Well, where is he?"

"Crazy fool must have dove in the river. He'll never swim across."

"Well, this evening was a waste of time anyway. Come on, we have preparations to make."

Walking back, Sera couldn't understand how Ethan was able to slip her knots. She tied them herself. This Ethan Kelly really was a slippery one. Even so, she was confident that they'd have another meeting sometime soon, and if he refused Maitre Carrefour again, she'd just have to kill him herself.

Popping up, I had held my breath as long as possible. Looking back toward shore, it must have worked because no one was standing on the bank. The current had already carried me well away and at this point they probably couldn't shoot me even if I was discovered. The current was strong enough that trying to swim the whole river would be stupid, but I took the opportunity to float on my back and just let the current carry me away. Far away. After about twenty minutes, the railroad bridge came into view. Sweet relief! Swimming across the current, I made my way to shore. Climbing the rocks on the riverbank, I crossed the road and immediately made for the railway tracks. The cemetery road followed the tracks right into town, but staying on the high iron would be safer than walking on a rural road where the odds were good that a car of Marigold agents would be prowling around.

A long hour later, I stumbled into the outskirts of town. I was soaking wet, and the night air wasn't helping matters as I tried to stay warm. I looked up from the first intersection I came to and there, near a building, was a payphone inside a small shelter. Digging around on the ground, I eventually found a nickel under some leaves. Picking up the receiver, I waited for the operator. A few seconds later a woman's voice came through. "St. Louis Operator center, how may I direct your call?"

Mitzi picked up the phone that was tied in with the café number. On the other end of the line was a familiar voice, though he sounded tired. "Mitzi? Rocky? Someone there?"

"Ethan! It's Mitzi. Are you alright, hon?"

"I had a pretty close call, but yeah, I'm alright. Took a bath in the river and everything."

"Where are you at dear? I'll send the boys out with the farm truck to get you."

"I'm on Belle Fontaine and New Jamestown Road not too far from Wick's quarry."

"Stay right there, Ethan. Rocky and Freckle will be there soon."

"Thanks. Listen, before I hang up. We've got a problem."

"You can tell me when you get back. Try to stay warm, the boys are on their way."

Rescue

Hanging up the phone, I slumped down in a corner. I survived the night, but now things were more dangerous than ever. We were going to have to close the shop and make ourselves scarce before an attack could be launched against Lackadaisy. There was a plan in place, but now it was all up in smoke. I wasn't going to abandon the crew, though. They were going to need me now more than ever. Still, the best thing to do would be to find someplace to hide until this all blew over. If Asa Sweet thought we had abandoned ship, then maybe he wouldn't pursue us?

I was shivering when the familiar form of a farm truck rolled up to the intersection. Getting out, Freckle and Rocky spotted me instantly. I stumbled to my feet and walked over, taking care to find my balance.

"Ethan!" Rocky said. "I didn't want to leave you, but Ivy—"

"Did exactly what I wanted her to do. If we had all been captured, then things would have been more difficult."

"But what if they killed you?"

"That was a calculated risk. Fortunately it seems I have a guardian angel."

Freckle came up to help me into the truck. "You had us worried. You had Mitzi worried."

"Well, I'll try not to pull that kind of stunt again."

Before they could say another word, I grabbed both the boys and held them close. "Sorry, I know I'm soaking wet. I'm just so glad to see you two again. As scary as that was, I was worried sick about whether you all made it out in one piece.

"It's alright, Ethan. We're relieved you escaped." Rocky said, embracing my hug. He didn't get hugged often so he appreciated every chance he got regardless of the circumstances.

Letting them go, I gave out a sigh of relief. "Alright, let's get moving. I need to see Riley, and then we've got a lot to discuss."