“Ok sis, I’ll talk to you later, if anything else comes up be
sure to call me,” Richard says.
Jessie responds, “I will Richard, goodbye.” Richard rolls back over and goes to sleep.
It isn’t long before he’s awakened by a loud crash. He jumps out of bed, grabbing his robe he heads for the living room where turning on a light he notices broken glass on the floor by the window. He also notices the curtains blowing in the breeze and resting on the carpet a rock with a note attached. Removing the note he reads what it says, “Stay a way from Jamie he’s mine!” It was signed an old friend. Richard wonders what the hell is going on with Jamie.
Richard walks outside by the front window and notices foot prints in the mud and a round hole like some kind of rod or stick had been poked into the ground. Then haunted memories start to flood his mind. Richard thinks, Lucifer!
He turns and heads back to the house locking the door. He grabs a broom and dust pan and sweeps up the broken glass on the
floor sets the rock on the fireplace mantel.
He goes back to bed and is awakened by the phone ringing.
He looks at the clock, “Shit, I missed the lecture!” Richard yells. He answers the phone, “Hello.”
“Hey Richard,” where the hell were you this morning? You
missed the lecture buddy.”
“I’m sorry Tom.” Richard says.
“Don’t worry, Jerry covered your ass, but he says you owe
him big time.” Tom says laughing.
“Hey Tom,” Richard says, “I need a favor.”
“Oh,” he replies, “another favor buddy? What do you need?”
“Could you fill in for me at the college this week?” Richard
asks.
“I guess I can do that. What’s up?” Tom asks.
“Not really sure, it’s my nephew Jamie.” Richard says.
Tom asks, “Is he in some sort of trouble?”
“I think he is. I need to go to New Orleans and check on him.” Richard replies. “You know my class; I’ll drop off my notes to you so you know what we’re working on.”
Tom says, “That won’t be necessary, just poke them in your mail box as you leave, I’ll spin by and pick them up.”
“Hey, thanks Tom you’re great!”
“Yes I know, but this will cost you.” Tom says laughing.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Richard says smiling.
Tom says, “You just go take care of your nephew and have
a safe trip, and watch out for those damn hurricanes while you’re down there.”
CHAPTER TWO
“Thanks again Tom,” Richard says, “I’ll call you when I get back.” Then hangs up the phone.
Richard gets up and gets dressed, the phone rings and he answers it. “Hello.”
“Hi doll, it’s Susie. So when are we heading down there?”
“Come by around seven tonight.” Richard says.
“Ok sweetheart, I’ll see you then.” Susie says and hangs up.
Richard heads for the kitchen and throws some eggs and bacon into the skillet and heads out to the deck to sit and enjoy the sunlight and warm air. When he’s done he walks back into the kitchen and sets his plate in the sink. Pouring a cup of coffee he heads for the bedroom to get dressed. He lies back on the bed and soon falls back to sleep.
Later that afternoon, he awakes and realizes he’s over slept, looking at the clock he realizes that Susie should be arriving any moment.
He gets up and walks towards the living room when he feels a strong presence behind him, turning he finds himself looking into the eyes of Lucifer. Richard looks at his suit and cane and says, “Well, I see your taste of clothing hasn’t improved any
over the months, still wearing that old worn out suit and hat.”
A wicked grin comes over Lucifer’s face and he says, “Well long time no see Richard, I see your sarcasm hasn’t improved any over the months either.” Lucifer asks, “Planning a little road trip are we Mr. Devine? If I remember right, last time we met you were pretty rude to me, so I left peacefully and simply
set up shop where I’d be, let’s say, more welcomed.”
“That’s funny,” Richard says, “as I remember it, you left in a heated rush after I tossed Holy Water in your ugly face.”
Suddenly Lucifer’s red eyes turned to stone cold ebony glaring at Richard. Richard asks, “What are you doing here?”
“Damage control,” Lucifer says. Then he screams, “You are a spineless wimp, and if you know what’s good for you and your little slut, you’ll stay the hell away from New Orleans! And you can forget about your nephew Mr. Devine as his ass is mine!”
Richard says, “I always thought you were gay!”
Lucifer, eyes glowing like hot coals, screams, “You’ve been warned college boy!” And then Lucifer disappears in a cloud
of putrid smoke.
It isn’t long after the door bell rings. Richard heads for the door and opens it. Susie leaps into his arms kissing him. Richard, a bit agitated, tells her, “Stop it! Now’s not the time Susie!”
Susie frowns and yells, “Well what crawled up your ass?”
“Come into the kitchen,” Richard says, “I need a drink.”
Susie says, “Make that two!” Susie follows Richard into the kitchen and takes a seat at the table; Richard pours them each a shot of bourbon. Susie says, “Alright, you’re breaking out the good shit!”
Richard says, “I have something to tell you and you’re not
going to like it I’m afraid.”
“What do you have to tell me?” Susie asks.
“You can’t come on the trip.” Richard says turning away
from her.
“You damn asshole! Why the hell not, have you got
some other girl you’re taking instead?” Susie asks.
Richard says, “Now damn it, you know better than that!”
Susie says, “I don’t know do I!”
Richard says, “It’s for your own safety Susie!”
With that Susie stands up throws her glass to the floor. As
glass shatters everywhere she turns and storms out of the house
screaming, “Well you can just go to hell!”
Richard gulps down his glass of bourbon and says, “Well
that went extremely well.”
Getting up he takes his suit case to the Jeep sticks it in the back, and then returns to the house. Heading into the den he picks up the phone and calls information for New Orleans, prepays for a room at a well known hotel on Bourbon Street. Richard then makes
a final walk through the house leaving a few lights on for security reasons. He then heads out the door locking it behind him and climbs into his Jeep.
Starting the engine he clicks the garage door opener and backs out down the drive way, he hits the remote closing the garage door then pulls out onto the road.
It isn’t long before he pulls onto the interstate and sets his
GPS for New Orleans, Lighting a cigar he picks up speed and
heads down the interstate. As he drives along his cell phone rings, he puts it on speaker, “Hello.”
“Richard it’s me Susie.”
“Sweetheart, I’m so glad you called, are you alright? Are
we alright?” Richard asks.
“I love you Richard, I’m so sorry I threw such a fit earlier, I
understand why you didn’t want me to go. You are only thinking of me and my safety.” Susie tells him.
Richard says, “I’m glad your not mad sweetheart and we’re
clearing the air. I had planned on taking you but something happened before you came to the house. I had an unexpected
visit from our old adversary Lucifer. He threatened me and you!
He told me to stay the hell away from New Orleans or we’d
suffer the consequences.”
“Well now I completely understand,” Susie says, “but now
“I’ll be real careful Susie,” Richard says, “but I have to help my nephew. Lucifer talked as though he has Jamie. I’ve got
to go see if I can locate him and get him the hell out of there
before it’s to late.”
“I understand, just promise me you will be careful darling.”
“I will and I’ll call you when I get there.”
Susie says, “Be safe, I’ll be waiting for your call.” And
hangs up the phone. It’s late in the evening when Richard arrives in New Orleans, locating his hotel he pulls in and locks his Jeep and goes inside to check in. Entering his room, he puts his clothes away and
settles in for the night. He picks up the phone and calls Susie and lets her know he arrived ok and has checked into his room. After hanging up he undresses and turns in for the night.
He awakes the next morning feeling well rested and heads
down to the dining hall for breakfast. After finishing his breakfast he heads to the parking lot, gets in his Jeep and pulls out onto the street and heads for the college campus.
He soon arrives, and pulling into the parking lot, he gets out and walks into the Administration office and asks the secretary at the front desk if she could get on the PA system and have Jamie come to the office.
Having waited for what seemed to be an eternity he thanks the lady and turns walking out of the office when he is approached by several students. One of the girls asks, “Are you the one looking for Jamie?”
Richard says, “Yes, do you know where I can find him?”
“Not here,” she says, “he hasn’t been for days now. My name is Bobbie Lynn Blanchard. Jamie hasn’t been acting himself
lately, ever since he joined the group.”
“What group?” Richard asks.
“It’s sort of a secret society you might say, they’re weird,
how Jamie got involved with them I’ll never know. They’re nothing like him,” Bobbie says, “they are all creepy looking if you know what I mean. They’re into all kinds of weird shit, black magic, crap like that.” Bobbie says.
The others chime in, “You can say that again. Freaking weird!”
“I know a lady who might be able to help you,” Bobbie says, “her name is Madame Juju. She’s a Voodoo priestess, and she knows all the ‘Cults around here. Basically what they are up
to and where they hang out.” Bobbie continues saying, “She has a shop on Bourbon Street, you probably drove right by it on your way here, she can help you I’m sure.”
Richard says, “Well Bobbie, I thank you and your friends
for your concern for Jamie and for the information. I’ll go see this Madam Juju right now.” With that Richard heads out of the building and walks to his Jeep, climbing in he drives away.
Bobbie and her friends stand watching as he leaves. Bobbie
says, “I hope he knows what he’s getting into.”
The others chime in, “No shit!”
It isn’t long before Richard pulls up in front of Madam Juju’s shop and parks his Jeep and gets out and walks towards the front of the shop.
Walking through the door Richard notices a line of brick
dust across the entryway. Stepping into the shop he brushes a wind chime of animal bones and small bells with the top of his head announcing his presence. Scanning the room he sees that the shop is full of customers looking at books, herbs, candles, and various other items. A long line at the back counter with customers waiting to pay for their goods.
Behind the counter stood an older lady who notices Richard
looking around, she calls out, “Are you looking for something in particular?”
Richard answers, “I was hoping to speak with Madame Juju.”
Suddenly a hush came over the store where you could have
heard a pin drop; everyone turns and stares at Richard. Then they return their attention back to what they were doing, the old lady points towards a room in the back with a long beaded curtain
hanging over the door. Richard enters the room the smell of incense hangs in the air.
As he looks around he notices an older lady dressed somewhat like a gypsy sitting at a table, crystal ball before her, runes scattered before her and a deck of tarot cards off to the side.
The old woman’s focus shifts to Richard standing before her and says, “Madam Juju has been waiting for you to come.”
Richard asks, “Is she here?”
“You are speaking to her, come sit.” she says, “You seek
information do you not?”
Richard says, “Yes, that’s right.”
“You seek the brotherhood of wolves.”
“Is that the name they go by?” Richard asks.
“Yes.” She says.
Richard tells her, “A young lady informed me you could tell me where they could be found. My nephew is among them, I wish to get him away from them as I’m worried about his safety.”
“Ah, if only it were that easy.” Madam Juju says, “You see,
your nephew is with a group who have sold their souls to the Devil himself in return for forbidden powers.”
“What kind of powers?” Richard asks.
Madam Juju says, “Have you heard of shape shifters Mr.
Devine?”
Richard says, “I teach a class about the paranormal and
ancient beliefs, yes I’ve heard of this belief, especially among the native Americans.”
Madam Juju says, “Ah, so you do know of this power.”
“Only what I’ve read about.”
Madam Juju says, “Yes, the brotherhood of the wolf has the power to transform into wolves, but not the type of wolves most people are accustomed too, for these are Werewolves I speak of.”
Richard asks her, “Have you ever heard of a cursed object
known as the Devil’s wolf strap?”
Madam Juju’s eyes widen as if in shock she screams, “You
should not speak of such things!”
Richard says, “I speak from experience, I know of the Devil’s Master Wolf." The wolf strap gives him the power to transform at will, moon phases are of no concern to the Master Wolf.” Richard continues, “That’s what makes him so deadly.”
Madam Juju says stunned, “You know of this cursed object?”
“Oh yes.” Richard says, “I’ve battled this creature and
defeated him, and drove Lucifer away. But he has set up shop
here in New Orleans unknown to the people living here.”
Madam Juju says, “You’d be surprised what people are aware of here, Cajuns know only too well of the devil’s powers. He is a constant concern to those who believe in his existence, to
those who don’t believe, he walks among them unknown.”
Madam Juju spreads out her tarot cards and looks into Richards eyes and says, “You have faced this beast, the cards reveal you speak the truth. They also reveal you will face him again! Lucifer knows you’re here, and he is not happy about it. You were warned to stay away,” she says, “and he means to keep
his promise to you.
You are in danger, grave danger! The runes reveal you have cost him many lost souls, and have brought them back to the light. You’ve made a dangerous enemy, and Lucifer has no intention of letting you cost him more, he’ll see you dead first Mr. Devine. You will have to make a tough choice in the near future, one you will not want to make, but you will have no choice. You will have to pay the ultimate price, are you prepared for this?”
Richard looks into Madam Juju’s eyes with concern and says, “Yes, I’m willing to take that chance if need be.”
Madam Juju says, “You must leave here and locate a Cajun
guide who knows the Bayou like the back of his hand. This mans name is Pierre Leblanc, he has lived in the Bayou all his life, he knows its dangers as well as its secrets. There are many dangers, poison snakes, gator
s, and spiders among a few.” She continues saying, “Now go! You will find this man waiting for you at the docks; tell him Madam Juju sent you. He will already know where it is your wanting to go, as well as what you’re wanting to find. And find it you will.” She says as she strokes her crystal ball.
Richard asks, “What do I owe you?”
She looks into Richards eyes and says, “What good is money to a dead woman? Now go!”
Richard turns and walks out of the shop. Unlocking his
Jeep he starts it and drives away wondering what she meant by
her last statement.
Lucifer watches from across the street, and walks slowly towards Madam Juju’s shop. Entering it isn’t long before screams of terror ring out as customers come running out of the shop with Lucifer slowly walking out behind them in his familiar white suit, Panama hat and cane in hand.
Just as he clears the door of the shop it suddenly burst into flames. It isn’t long before the shop is completely engulfed in fire.
Madam Juju can be heard screaming in agony. Lucifer crosses the street and slowly walks away with an evil grin on his face whistling as he strolls out of sight disappearing in a cloud of putrid grey smoke. Off in the distance you can hear the sound of sirens as fire engines make their way down Bourbon Street.
Richard soon arrives at the boat dock. He shuts off his Jeep,
climbing out he locks the doors and slowly walks towards the
docks.
A couple of docks down he sees a small motor boat and a man wearing a bandana around his head sporting a long grey beard. Richard realizes this must be the man Madam Juju spoke of as he heads towards him.
Pierre Leblanc looks up at Richard and sees him approaching and smiles a wicked smile. Standing before Mr. Leblanc Richard sees that one of Leblanc’s eyes is covered by a black patch. Richard introduces himself and asks, “What happened to your eye if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Ah Mister Devine, you mean the patch. Well, this is what
happens when one holds a snake to close to his face. The snake, he does not like it, so it lets one know the hard way.” he says laughing as he slaps Richard on the shoulder. “Now,” Pierre says, “how may I be of help to you my friend?”
The Devil's Belt Vengeance Is Mine Page 2