Swirl Romance Stories

by Louis Alexandre Forestier

  “I was a little girl when he went to live with his father, who had a ruined life.”

  “And why did he go to live with his father?” Asked Federico.

  “I never knew, I was two years old.”

  Chantal had frowned, and she was obviously making an effort of memory.

  “I was about seven years old … I remember a big argument with my mother … I think she accused Emanuel of something serious. Oh yeah! Emanuel was a very harmful boy who amused himself by tormenting and killing small animals and insects. I reminded that Maman accused him of wanting to punch Anabelle eyes with a pin.”

  A shiver ran through the audience.

  “Then I remember that Emanuel just disappeared from our lives, for our peace. We didn´t even ask where he had gone, not to learn of his whereabouts fearing he might return. Later we were told that he had gone with his father who was dedicated to black magic.”

  After a moment of silence Lucas spoke.

  “We can assume that in his sick mind Emanuel blamed his sisters and especially Anabelle by his expulsion from the family.”

  “It makes sense, although a twisted sense.” Admitted Federico. “But the important thing is now how to cope with this threat. We are actually between two dangers: Emanuel and his enemies. The statement that the enemy of my enemy is my friend does not apply here. Chances are that they are dangerous people and the best thing for us is that they never find out the relationship of you two with Emanuel.”

  “The protection rituals I know are intended to cleanse the house of spells, protect against evil eye and charms of all kinds, or recover after suffering a spell.” Said Chantal.

  “But this is a different ball game.” Reasoned Federico.” It’s not a question of protection against imaginary ritualistic attacks but against very real attacks carried out by outlaws, even if guided by ulterior dark motives.”

  “Here it is about destroying someone who is threatening your life. There are rituals for this purpose, but they are very powerful magic and far exceed my capacity.” Answered Chantal. She then thought for a moment.

  “I must ask for help to someone who can perform these rituals, someone who has the necessary powers to act at a distance.”

  “Do not tell me you know someone who does this kind of witchcraft.” Exclaimed incredulously Federico.

  “Yes, I do know someone with the powers and experience for this kind of ritual, and who will be motivated to help us.”

  “Who is that person?

  “It is … our mother.”

  Chapter 13

  Cassandra

  “I don´t know how many other surprises do I have to expect from your family. Your father is out of the picture, your brother has a deviant behavior and is linked to drug traffickers, your mother a high-flying practitioner of voodoo and yourself using filters to get your goals including myself.”

  “Why are you complaining? Have things gone wrong for you so far?”

  “I am not complaining, but with you nothing is what it seems.”

  “You have a woman with mysteries. Don´t you find it attractive?”

  “It’s … challenging.”

  The boy turned to go with the others but then he addressed Chantal again.

  “I have a doubt about your pregnancy. I realize that it´s real because it is beginning to become apparent, but tell me. It is also the product of some magic potion?”

  “You’re the one who knows better than anyone how I got pregnant. It was a completely natural process.”

  “Well, at least our son is something I can understand rationally.”

  Both walked to the courtyard where the others were having tea.

  “When are you going to communicate with Maman.” Anabelle asked her sister.

  “In about half an hour, as agreed with her.”

  “And how it will be, through spirits, telepathy, mediums or something?”

  “No … by Skype.”

  “What? Does the witch use Skype? What a disappointment!”

  “Save your sarcasm. Maman is a leading priestess consulted by people in the United States, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba and many other countries. She needs to have effective means of communication at her disposal. If you do not change your attitude I will have tell Maman that you called her witch and you will have to bear the consequences.”Federico did not know whether to take it as a joke or as a threat.

  Cassandra was very different from Federico and Lucas´ expectations based only on prejudice.

  Instead of a fat person masquerading as a gipsy they found a slender woman with blackened skin, dressed soberly and with curly braided hair. Her face was beautiful and obviously Chantal had inherited her beauty.

  The video transmission was of a good quality. The room in which Cassandra Lafleur stayed looked discreetly furnished and there were no strange or esoteric objects at sight. Altogether a sober and reassuring vision for the two men, who were meeting her mother-in-law by electronic means.

  Anabelle was the first to speak with her mother in the Creole dialect for a long time, after which both ended up crying. Then Chantal also greeted and then introduced everyone present, which had to stand in front of the laptop screen so the woman could see them. Cassandra thoroughly examined each of the men according to some rules that only she knew. In fact it became clear that Lucas felt a little uncomfortable with the scrutiny.

  Chantal eventually began a long conversation with her mother, always talking quickly in the Haitian patois. Chantal bore the brunt of the talk and her mother interjected questions from time to time. Cristelle tried to pay attention for a while but then abandoned her purpose.

  “They talk in a very closed dialect, very different from French and I can only understand a few isolated words so I cannot understand the general meaning.”

  Even Anabelle had to admit that because of the lack of practice in the use of the jargon she had trouble interpreting parts of the conversation.

  Finally the conversation seemed to get to the end. Chantal called her companions and told them.

  “Maman wants to greet each one of you using some Spanish words and would like everyone to talk to her, but please do so slowly.”

  At the end of the conference, when the connection was cut, all jumped on Chantal asking her to transmit the summary of the talk.

  “I explained to Maman our problem related with Emanuel.”

  “What did she say?”

  “That she will take care and solve the problem.”

  “But how? What can she do from Haiti? Tell us the details.”

  “Maman will take up the issue and pledged to solve it.” Repeated Chantal. “That’s all you need to know.”

  Chantal´s phrase left all disappointed but they could not take her out of her secrecy.

  A few days later Federico entered the bedroom he shared with Chantal and found her in the semidarkness, watching the Tarot cards some of which were deployed in the room table. The girl spoke without looking at him.

  “Maman called and told me that the problem with Emanuel is solved.”

  A silence followed these words.

  “Won´t you ask me anything?” Inquired the puzzled woman.

  “The truth is I’d rather not know how it has been solved. I’m not sure I would understand or share her ways.”

  The man approached the table.

  “ You’re pulling the cards again. That’s L’Amoureux, The Lover. Even I know that.”

  “You learn fast.”

  “I thought you already had a boyfriend. Let me know if it is not so.”

  “Fool. I’m not pulling them for me.”

  “I just saw Anabelle embraced with Lucas, and I don´t think Cassandra needs your help on this. So, who is it for?”

  Chantal pulled back her chair from the table.

  “I´m pulling them for Cristelle. She is still alone. She doesn´t tell me anything but I know she is not well.”

  “And you think that your cards are going to get her a boyfriend? She better d
oes not count on it.”

  Federico thought for a moment and then added.

  “When I reminded you that you had stolen her boyfriend you told me that Cristelle knew how things were and that she could manage by herself.”

  “I said that and now I regret it. You know, Cristelle is my friend and I’m a good person.”

  “Then give her back her groom!”Federico´s tone was sarcastic.

  “Before I´d kill both.” Said fiercely Chantal as she rose from her chair. Federico saw that her belly had grown in recent days.

  “Besides I do not think the groom would go back to her leaving me alone.” The girl decided to follow the joke.

  “Don´t be so sure. He had a good time when he was with Cristelle.”

  “Shut your mouth!” Said Chantal with a supposedly offended gesture. She dropped the man on the bed and threw herself over him.

  “ Be careful Lady! Remember that you are pregnant.”

  “My powder is not wet and I will use it until I can´t anymore.”

  The man’s response drowned in a kiss.

  Epilogue

  Cristelle had been excited all that Saturday morning and was dressed in her best clothes. She had not made any comments and no one had asked her anything despite the speculations.

  A little before noon the house door bell rang and the African woman rushed to open it. She came in with a big man, about forty years of little blond hair and beard. The visitor was carrying a bottle of wine in his hands.

  All who sat in the court were surprised and looked at the couple.

  “Let me introduce you to Gregorio. We have gone out a couple of times and now I have invited him to have lunch with us. He was born in the province of Chaco, in one of the Slav villages there.”

  “Hello Gregory.” Greeted everyone.

  Chantal looked sarcastically at Federico.

  “You see? L’Amoureux in action.”

  Author´s Note

  So this novel begins and ends with our heroine Cristelle´s romantic dates. I think this time she will get what she wants.

  Nubia

  Magickal Thriller

  Copyright 2016 by Oscar Luis Rigiroli

  This book is dedicated to all people and local or international institutions that in this wide world struggle against human trafficking.

  Author’s Note

  All characters and circumstances of this work are fictitious, human trafficking is unfortunately real

  Buenos Aires, May 2016

  United Nations

  RES 55/2

  General Assembly

  September 13, 2000

  Fifty-fifth session

  item 60

  Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly

  Millennium Declaration

  The General Assembly

  Adopts the following Declaration:

  Intensify our efforts to fight transnational crime in all its dimensions, including trafficking and smuggling of human beings and money laundering.

  Cast of Characters

  Alimah Koumi: Beautiful Sudanese expatriate.

  Marcos Ferrari: Young Argentine student.

  Sanwarit Eyasu: Young Ethiopian woman, Alimah´s companion in her captivity.

  Charles Barlow: “Uncle Charley”. Craftsman born in Mississippi and living in Harlem, Marcos´ friend .

  Jemal Gebre: Eritrean people trafficker.

  Patrick Paddy O’Halloran: NYPD Lieutenant.

  Laura Sandoval: NYPD Sergeant.

  Vincent Caruso: NYPD officer.

  Leroy Washington: NYPD office

  Walter Kolski: NYPD office

  Doc Jim: Medical Dr., former Uncle Charley´s army comrade.

  Eric Murphy: Veteran NYPD sergeant

  Sheila Flynn O’Halloran: Paddy O’Halloran´s wife and daughter of an old Eric Murphy´s friend.

  Loretta Gardner Washington: Leroy´s wife.

  Philip Gardner: Loretta´s father. Manhattan City Councilor.

  Dr Herbert Plummer: Director of the Comptroller Office of the New York City Mayor.

  Gonzalo and Fernanda Ferrari: Marcos´ uncle and aunt, residents in Buenos Aires.

  Prologue

  The girl ran along the isolated alley not daring to look back; as her high-heeled shoes prevented her from speeding she took them off with a quick gesture and continued her race barefoot running on the cold pavement of the dark street in Harlem. She heard a noise coming from the pursuers following her, three or four burly Africans who had participated in the horrible scene that she was leaving behind. The girl shook her head trying to ward off the recent memory that had shocked her to such an extreme degree. Her pace was very fast, like a woman born and raised in the steppes of Africa who as a child had run alongside their brothers. The woman knew that the heavy human bloodhounds who pursued her would not be able to catch with her and the distance between them widened every second. The same thought the pursuers who were at the end of their breathing capabilities. Several screams were heard, the men were shouting to each other giving orders in their dialect and Alimah trembled guessing what they were saying; without missing a beat she prepared for what she knew was coming next . Three detonations sounded reverberating through the narrow alley. The woman closed her eyes waiting for the result of the shooting. She felt a profound and gnawing pain in the right shoulder. Alimah knew that the bullet had entered her from the back and exited through the front of the shoulder so the blood loss would be twofold. The girl stumbled momentarily but could recover her step. Her father´s face passed fleetingly through her mind. She knew that wherever he was the old warrior would pride of his daughter.

  Thoughts from that moment began to fray although her legs still responded to a center of will over which the woman had no longer control, her brain darkened and Alimah passed out. Her body still toured several steps led by inertia and finally rolled between some trash bins resulting in their fall with a great clatter. A bitter cold began to invade her body.

  The recent events immediately prior to the persecution paraded through her fevered and delirious mind. What her psyche had been dodging to remember when she was fleeing to avoid its crushing weight now returned to her memory, devoid of the protection of the will. The image of Samwarit, the beautiful Ethiopian girl that had tried to escape with her from the hands of their captors clearly appeared in her memory, as well as Jemal´s, the human beings trafficker band leader in whose hands the girls had fallen with the complicity of the ship captain that had brought them to New York. Alimah recalled the twenty-five day’s journey from the distant port on the Red Sea, located near Port Sudan but devoid of any control by the local authorities. On that ship traveled twenty Ethiopian, Eritrean, Sudanese and Somali women, all young and beautiful, in what undoubtedly was a human trafficking trip linked to prostitution. All were constrained to stay inside two grimy containers within which they sometimes had to do their physiological needs, and out of which they were only allowed to come to breath pure air on deck when the ship was far from shore and out of busy shipping routes .

  Upon reaching their destination they had entered the port of New York inside the containers and were carried overnight out of the port area and brought to what they later learned was Harlem. As the area was strongly patrolled by the city police, the women practically were not allowed to leave the abandoned warehouse where they were kept.

  While most of the women were terrified and moved like zombies to the beat of the orders of the men who had imprisoned them, Alimah and Samwarit were looking from the outset for an opportunity to escape from their confinement. It had been almost a month since their clandestine arrival in New York, and some of the women had been sold to who knows what sordid brothel organization and had never returned. The girls received only one shower and decent clothes when they were exhibited to unknown buyers and delivered to their new masters.

  One night the girls woke up due to an uproar coming from the ground floor of the ruined warehouse including cries of men, sounds of broken things and fi
nally shots and groans. A rival gang had attacked the premises in order to chase the newcomers away from what they considered their hunting ground.

  Alimah took Samwarit´s hand and led her down the dirty stairs leading to the ground floor. On the lower steps lay dying one of the captors, a gigantic black with his face and arms full of tattoos. He still had a knife in his hand. Amilah pushed the body down with her foot to release the stairs and as she passed by took the knife into her own hands. Sanwarit was always holding Alimah by her skirt. In one of the corridors of the ground floor lay one of the kidnappers, with several bullet wounds in his chest. The warehouse door facing the alley was ajar, but another body blocked it. The two women jumped over the corpse and finally came to the long awaited freedom. They ran towards a corner in the flickering clarity of the public lighting and their blood froze when they saw one of the thugs who appeared turning the corner less than five steps away from them. The man was even more surprised than the women and did not react immediately. Without a moment’s hesitation Amilah sharp dagger stuck in his belly and the man fell heavily.

  The two girls ran desperately trying to put distance to the site of their confinement but soon heard voices that were familiar. The traffickers that had held them prisoner had recovered from the attack and were already in their pursuit. Suddenly the youth heard a noise that they desperately recognized as an approaching motorcycle. They realized that fleeing on foot had some chance to escape but they could never outrun a motorcycle.

  The screech of the braking vehicle sounded incredibly close. Two men, who like everyone else in the band were of Somali origin jumped on the women. One of them took Sanwarit´s long hair and cut her throat with a single stroke, while the other bore down on Amilah. However he slipped on an unseen stream of oil in the dark and fell; although he immediately tried to stand up Amilah stuck the dagger in his neck from which it began to emerge a jet of blood. She momentarily stared up and looked back to the corner Sanwarit and she had left moments before; fleetingly the girl glimpsed another car with the headlights turned on; in the light shed by them she distinguished the silhouettes of two very tall men; both were dressed in suits, unlike the thugs who were chasing her who wore baggy casual clothes. Amilah could clearly discern that one of them was white, with very light skin and blond hair, and the other was black and very corpulent. The next time she looked in that direction the car and the men had vanished. This vision, forgotten in the welter of events that unfolded later, was however recorded somewhere in Amilah´s memory.