Body Bags & Blarney

by Shaw, J. D.

  As they were not too far from town, help would arrive within ten minutes but Vivienne knew she would not last that long. “I was hoping to save this for myself, but you leave me no choice in the matter.”

  Vivienne reached deep within herself and performed the healing ritual. Her magic slowly pulled the poison gases from her blood and released them harmlessly into the air.

  Alexis suddenly chocked and gasped for air as she came around. “Johnny?” She croaked hoarsely. “Where’s Johnny?”

  “He’s here.” Vivienne replied, not wanting to upset her as the sound of sirens drew closer to where they were sitting on the cold snow-covered ground. “Just breathe normally.”

  Alexis opened her eyes weakly. “Who are you?”

  “Vivienne Finch.” She took hold of her hand and concentrated with all her might to jump into her memory and discover the truth. “Tell me what happened.”

  The woodlands around them swirled away as the light faded to black. Vivienne felt her stomach knot up as she jumped into the young girl’s memory. Suddenly, she found herself riding in the luxuriously-appointed black Escalade with Johnny Guido at the wheel.

  “Hey babe, why are you acting so nervous?” He asked.

  Vivienne found it best to remain passive in this instance, letting the exact course of events unravel just as Alexis had experienced them. In such a state, she could observe the event from a detached viewpoint, not locked into one body. But, she would be unable to control the memory or gleam further information as needed. It was a drawback at times, but she found this version of her power the easiest to control.

  “I’m fine.” Alexis answered.

  “No you’re not.” Johnny put his right hand on her upper thigh and massaged it roughly. “You’re all tense. I can feel it.”

  Alexis pushed his hand away from her leg. “You don’t know anything about me, Johnny.”

  Johnny glared at her, his red-tinted sunglasses reflecting her image in the lenses. “Oh really?” He took a sharp turn and accelerated down a country road.

  “I’ve been waiting a week for you to introduce me to some of the fashion designers you said you knew.” Alexis whined. “I’m starting to think that you just said that to get me into bed with you.”

  “But we haven’t been in bed together, babe.” Johnny replied in a calm voice. “So you can’t really argue that point.”

  “I’m tired of this crappy little town and all the ignorant people that live here.” Alexis yelled at him. “I want to live somewhere with an actual nightlife. Where people wear Versace and Prada, not whatever the Old Navy Outlet has on a buy one, get one free special for the week.”

  “I can’t move you into my parent’s home because they’re very cautious about outsiders.” He tried to reason. “I told you that.”

  “Then get your own place so we can live together.” She argued back. “For God’s sake, Johnny, you’re twenty-two years old now.”

  “I won’t get the trust fund money until I’m thirty.” He replied and turned a sharp corner. “That’s why I’m helping those guys with the jewelry thing.” He looked into the rearview mirror and admired his reflection. “With the money I’m going to make with my cut, I’ll have my own place by the end of the month.”

  Alexis took a deep breath. “Your stunt with that cost me my job with Kathy, and if you don’t follow through with your promise I’m going to end up with nothing.”

  “You went into this with me as a partner.” Johnny reminded her. “You’re the one who gave me the key to get into her store.”

  “I still don’t understand the deal with that.” Alexis replied. “Why are these guys stealing fake jewelry?”

  “Because it’s not fake.”

  Alexis gasped. “What do you mean?”

  Johnny accelerated down a long stretch of road, passing a slow-moving farm vehicle that was making its way along the shoulder. “It was real gems put into cheap settings.”

  “I still don’t get why.”

  “Because, all the gems are stolen goods from their ring of thieves around the country. They can’t sell them right away because of the police reports and descriptions floating around. But, if they put them in costume jewelry settings and send them out in display cases they can wait things out without anyone being the wiser.” Johnny explained.

  “Oh my God.” Alexis smiled. “That’s genius.”

  “So the real jewels sit in store display cases, the customers place orders and get the actual cheap stuff they ordered.” Johnny finished. “When they are ready for the real jewels, they just call up the stores and request the display cases returned so they can replace them with an exciting new lineup for their loyal customers.”

  “Then they get the actual jewels back safe and sound and sell them?”

  “Now you’re getting it.” Johnny smiled.

  “So, how do you fit into this picture?” Alexis asked.

  “I met them at a club in South Beach about a year ago. Over drinks, we discovered we each had a plan for the future but neither had the ability to make it happen. They had the muscle and the connections to make the plan happen, I had the money to get them started.”

  “I thought you didn’t get your trust fund until you turned thirty?” Alexis interrupted.

  “I don’t, but these guys only needed a hundred thousand to get their plan going. I had that sitting in my fun money savings account.”

  “A hundred thousand dollars for fun money?” Alexis smiled. “I can’t imagine what that would be like.”

  “Stick with me, babe. Tonight, I’m going to get triple my investment back from this little adventure.”

  “Oh, wow.” Alexis wrapped her left arm around Johnny’s shoulders. “That changes everything then.” She giggled. “So when exactly do you get your money?”

  “That’s where we’re going now.” He replied back. “There was a slight problem when we went to swap out a display case of fakes for the real thing inside her store. Kathy had taken one of the necklaces for herself to wear and hadn’t returned it. My friend said it was a rather expensive jewel, worth over a million dollars.”

  Alexis whistled in admiration. “So can I ask you a question?”

  “What’s that?” Johnny asked.

  “Why did you guys smash the place up and make it look like a robbery?”

  “Because they needed her to report the robbery to the home office. They would ask her if everything was stolen and when she reported she still had the one necklace, they would instruct her to send it back as soon as possible so that a replacement display case could be sent out at once.”

  “Did she do it?” Alexis asked.

  “Sure did.” Johnny slowed down as they neared the community park at the edge of the lake. “It didn’t go as smooth as I hoped, but the guys were happy with my performance and I’m getting my share of the deal today.”

  He pulled into the lot where a solitary black van was waiting at the edge of the parking area by the woods. “There they are.”

  “Have you met them before?” Alexis asked. “That van looks kind of creepy.”

  “Sure, back in South Beach. They’re cool.”

  “Let’s just get this over with as quick as possible.” Alexis said cryptically as they pulled up next to the van and parked. “Where’s your security guard?”

  “I only hired him for the party that night.” Johnny confessed. “I can’t bankroll a salary for a full-time guy just yet.”

  “Oh, that’s just great.” Alexis rolled her eyes.

  “Relax, babe.” Johnny turned off the vehicle and slipped the keys into his pocket. “This isn’t like some low life drug deal.”

  “I hope not.” Alexis replied. “Can I wait in here?”

  “Are you scared?” He mocked her.

  “Just go and get it over with.” She ordered.

  Johnny stepped out of the Escalade as the van doors opened. Two figures, both dressed in dark blue hoodies flanked him. “Hey guys, I’m glad we can finish this deal and sta
rt planning the new one.”

  Alexis watched from the passenger seat as the deal began. She tried to remain calm, but she kept bumping her right knee against the glove compartment nervously.

  “You were supposed to come alone.” One of the men said.

  “That’s Alexis, she was the one who helped with the party at the store.” Johnny turned back and waved to her. “Don’t worry. She’s cool.”

  “You were supposed to be alone.” The other hooded figure replied.

  Johnny raised his hands up in the air. “I didn’t think bringing her along was such a big deal. I’m sorry, man.”

  “What do we do now?” One of the hooded figures asked.

  “Get her out of there.” The other figure spoke with no emotion.

  Alexis lowered the passenger window just enough to speak through. “Johnny? What’s going on?”

  “Come on out, babe. They want to make sure you don’t have any weapons or are wearing a wire or something.” He looked nervously at the pair. “Isn’t that right?”

  Alexis activated the power door locks. “I’m not coming out.”

  The hooded figure nearest the car grabbed the handle and yanked it roughly. “Open the door.” He demanded.

  “No.” Alexis refused and closed the window in his face.

  “Babe, don’t act like a child. Just open the door so they can make sure everything is cool and we can leave with the money.”

  “Open the door, Alexis.” The hooded figure tugged at the handle again.

  “I’m not coming out.” She yelled back. “Tell them to give you the money and go.”

  “That’s not the deal.” The hooded figure nearest Johnny spoke up.

  Johnny began to step away from the hooded figure. “Look man, we don’t want any trouble. Honest. I don’t know why she’s acting like this.”

  “Stay where you are.” The hooded figure ordered. “Give me your keys.”

  “No problem, man.” Johnny nervously replied and reached into his pocket.

  “Johnny.” Alexis screamed in frustration. She began to frantically search inside her purse. “I’m calling the police.”

  “Babe, don’t do that.” Johnny pleaded as he handed the keys to the hooded figure. “Here are the keys.”

  The figure pressed the key fob and popped the door locks. Alexis screamed again and manually forced the lock closed, using her palm to keep it down.

  Johnny shook his head. “You guys are scaring the crap out of her.”

  The figure pressed the key fob once more and popped the locks, but Alexis was too quick with her response. “No.” She screamed back. “I’m definitely calling the police now.”

  “I’ve had enough of this.” The hooded figure near Johnny reached out with his left hand and wiggled his fingers.

  Johnny cried out in terror as his limbs went stiff and he began to float upwards above the pavement. “What the hell are you doing to me?” He choked out, coughing and sputtering.

  “Get her out of there however you have to.” The hooded figure who had now raised Johnny helplessly about two feet off the ground spoke sharply to his partner. “We’re running out of time to cast the next part of the ritual.”

  The other figure threw back his hood to reveal a bald headed man that Vivienne recognized immediately as the one who had helped Harriet with the microphone trouble during the meeting and also ended up injured with Pastor Kilpatrick. He clenched his hands into fists and raised them slowly, revealing a chain bracelet on his arm that sported a multi-headed serpent design.

  The black SUV began to rise up off the ground, which caused Alexis to panic and scream like a mad woman. She held tight to the lock as the vehicle floated a few feet off the ground and then hovered.

  The bald headed man smiled at her. “Open the locks, Alexis. So we can be friends.”

  She shook her head and screamed again in terror.

  “Don’t toy with her.” The hooded figure warned. “Just get her out of there.”

  “As you command.” The bald man replied and quickly turned his wrists around.

  The vehicle spun wildly, like some kind of crazy carnival ride, throwing Alexis off her balance. With her hands removed from the lock control, the passenger door flew open and she dropped to the pavement with a thud.

  “Alexis.” Johnny tried to scream, but his voice was weakened, as if something were clasping his throat.

  The bald man grabbed Alexis by the ankles and pulled her into his grip. She opened her mouth to scream, but he covered her mouth with a free hand.

  The hooded figure pointed at her. “Enough of this. Be still.”

  Alexis’ body went rigid.

  “A paralysis spell.” The bald man commented. “Nicely cast.”

  The Escalade dropped to the ground suddenly as Johnny was spun around to face the hooded figure who kept him suspended in mid-air. “Please don’t kill me. My parents have money. They’ll pay you whatever you want.” He began to cry, tears streaming down his face.

  “We don’t care about the money.” The hooded figure replied with no emotion what-so-ever. “We only care about the ritual.”

  “I don’t understand.” Johnny kicked helplessly in the air.

  “The virgin blood must flow red with the sunset. As it has been decreed in the sacred texts.” The hooded figure spoke up.

  “If you kill her, I won’t say anything man. I promise. Just let me go and I’ll leave and never come back.” Johnny pleaded. “Just don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me.”

  “Such selfish desires.” The bald figure spoke. “Kill the girl and let you live?”

  “I’ll do whatever you say.” Johnny continued. “She doesn’t mean anything to me.”

  “He would make an excellent disciple.” The bald headed figure looked happily at the hooded figure. “How long has it been since you’ve been worshipped?”

  “She has been with a man before.” The hooded figure replied. “Pity. I was almost tempted to anoint him as our first herald.”

  “I’m not a virgin either.” Johnny spoke up. “I’ve been with dozens of women at parties. I’m no good to you.”

  The hooded figure sniffed the air near Johnny. “I can smell the fear in you, but I can smell the purity in your heart.” He tipped his head back as the hood slipped away.

  Vivienne, nearly lost control as she stared in shock at the visage of Pastor Seamus Kilpatrick. His skin was drawn tight against his skull, darkness around his eyes.

  “Hey, I know you. You’re that preacher man that had the tent fall down during his show.” Johnny cried out. “You’re a man of God, how can you kill me?”

  Seamus looked at the bald man with puzzlement upon his face. “A man of God?”

  The bald headed man shook his head. “No, you’re something greater than that. You’re magnificent now.”

  The withered features that made Seamus resemble a walking corpse began to fade away. A healthy pallor started to return to his face. “I am a man of God. You cannot keep me under your control.”

  The bald headed man hissed in defiance. “No. You are a puppet for the master to command.”

  Seamus cried out in pain and threw his hands up to his temples. “No. I am Seamus Kilpatrick.”

  With the control released, Johnny dropped to the pavement, his left ankle twisted and he cried out in pain.

  “You are nothing. You are weak.” The bald headed figure commanded. “Release control back to the master or I will kill this innocent girl.”

  “Don’t do it.” Johnny pleaded. “It’s a trick.” He scrambled to get up, but the pain in his injured ankle prevented him from putting any weight on it. “Please don’t do this.”

  The bald headed man placed his hand upon Alexis’ throat. A small dagger rested against her skin. “I’ll slice it clean open, she’ll be dead before she hits the ground.”

  “No.” Seamus stepped forward. “No more bloodshed.”

  Johnny scooted awkwardly away from him as best he could. “You guys can keep
everything. I don’t care. I just want to go back home.” He pleaded with a tear-streamed face.

  Seamus ran his hands along his arms and cried out in pain. His features withered back to his corpse-like state and he started to laugh. “It feels so strange to be trapped inside this flesh.” He glared at Johnny. “Where do you think you’re going?” He reached out and seized him once more in a magical snare.

  “Are you demons?” Johnny cried out as he was floated up into the air and spun around to face his captor.

  “Would that make you feel less scared?” The bald headed man laughed. “No, he’s not some simple-minded demon from your Bible stories. You’re dealing with something much older and far superior in intelligence.”

  “I’m an Elemental.” Seamus walked slowly toward Johnny. “And you’re going to get to see exactly where we come from in a few moments.”

  “No.” Johnny squirmed in the air. “I don’t want to go to hell.”

  “You’re not going to hell.” The bald headed man spoke softly. “You’re going somewhere even further.”

  “Where?” Johnny whimpered.

  “The Plane of Chaos.” Seamus smiled as he reached out with his left hand and held it over Johnny’s mouth. “A place of neither light nor dark, cold or hot, liquid or solid.”

  Johnny coughed and then his image doubled. A faint, ghost-like duplicate of him drifted away from his body.

  “Your flesh is so fragile, yet your spirit so nourishing.” Seamus Kilpatrick coaxed the image toward him and opened his mouth. In an instant, the image swirled down his throat and he licked his lips.

  “The time will soon be at hand.” The bald headed man spoke softly. “Soon, your kind will have free access to this world. Cayuga Cove has hundreds of host bodies just waiting to be controlled.”

  Johnny’s lifeless body floated over to the Escalade and took position behind the wheel.

  “This one is no use to us.” Seamus pointed at Alexis. “We must cover our tracks for now.” He walked over the van and opened the back doors. Returning with a garden hose, he willed one end of it into the exhaust pipe and other into the back window. “Put her inside and lock the doors.”