Ghosts of Bliss Bayou

by Jack Massa

  The room is dim, lit only by the twilight coming in the big bay windows. I feel a little surge of magic. When Fiona switches on a table lamp, I see Margaret Alden standing in the corner, watching us. Raspis is a lurking black figure at her shoulder.

  Fiona notices where I’m staring. “They are here, aren’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  She takes a deep breath, like someone enjoying pure mountain air. “It must be wonderful to be gifted like you. I’ve had to work so hard to build up my occult senses. I can hear them clearly now, but seldom actually see them—except, of course, in the circle.” She waves me to a chair. “Sit down, Abby. Tea will be ready soon. You’ll be the first guest for tea in my new house. Isn’t that nice?”

  I choose a chair as far from the corner as possible, where I can keep an eye on everyone. Margaret and Raspis watch me silently. Fiona settles on the couch like a regal hostess.

  “So Mr. Deering and Mr. Tyler are part of your circle?” I ask.

  “That’s right.”

  “So the whole development fight was a fake. You’ve been in it together from the start?”

  “Well,” Fiona says, “we’ve had to use a little deception. But all in a good cause.”

  “What exactly is your cause?”

  She spreads her hands. “To save Harmony Springs, of course. That is what Margaret and our patron spirit wish—the springs left undisturbed, as they were a hundred years ago.”

  “Then why are you working with the developers? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Well, we also need money. There’s lots of money to be made through this magic. We will preserve the land around the springs and make money developing the land farther out. Everyone wins.”

  I’m struggling to make sense of it. “But why did you need to invent a fake plan by this Texas company?”

  “Oh, the plan is real. Elston works as a consultant for Texas-Brighton. He drew up a proposal. You see, people needed to feel that the springs were threatened, so they’d have incentive to rally to our cause and approve the easements.”

  “But all the vandalism and fighting…”

  She presses her lips together. “Things did get a little out of control. I just think our patron needed a certain amount of…energy to grow stronger, so he could help us.”

  “Yeah. I’ve heard that he feeds on fear and rage.”

  In the corner, Raspis hisses like a snake.

  Fiona looks shocked. “Oh, I wouldn’t put it that way at all.”

  “What about the Wainwrights?”

  “Hired help. Phil employed them for us. They’ve been useful at different points. Tonight they’re just here to make sure we’re not disturbed.”

  Tonight. “What happens tonight?”

  More stirring in the corner. Margaret speaks: “She knows already.”

  Fiona seems to hear her. “You’re a very smart girl, Abby. I think you know the answer.”

  There’s a knock on the door. Adam opens it and comes in, carrying a silver tea service.

  “Lovely,” Fiona says. “Thank you, dear.”

  He sets the tray down on the table. “We need to start getting ready soon,” he tells Fiona.

  “I know. We won’t be much longer.”

  Without looking at me, Adam goes out and slides the pocket doors shut.

  Fiona pours two cups of tea. “Oh, dear. He neglected to bring lemon. But we do have milk and sugar.”

  “Nothing for me, thanks.” I’m afraid it might be drugged.

  “Oh.” Fiona looks disappointed. “Are you sure?”

  I’m playing for time, trying to figure out what to do next—hoping Annie or Lebab or somebody will speak to me, give me a hint.

  “So what about tonight?” I ask. “Where do I fit in?”

  Fiona takes a sip of tea, then sets down the cup. “That’s really why we needed to have this talk. You have a choice to make, Abby. Margaret and I recognize your gifts. We’d like to invite you to join our circle.”

  Well, I expected that. Over in the corner, Margaret and Raspis are watching me. In the silence, I hear the antique clock on the mantel ticking.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Fiona looks sad. She reaches for her cup again.

  My eyes flick back to the corner, drawn by a sudden motion. Raspis has flung out his hand sharply. A jolt of force lurches through the room.

  Now everything feels quiet—incredibly still. Fiona is frozen, the teacup suspended near her lips. Margaret stands by the wall like a statue. The clock is no longer ticking.

  “Do not be afraid,” Raspis says, gliding toward me. “I have simply stopped time so we can speak together in private.”

  His shadow form is huge now: bulky shoulders, long, sleek arms, small and narrow head. For the first time, I see eyes glinting in the blankness of his face. I glance at the door, terrified, wanting to run.

  “I know.” He lifts his hands reassuringly. “You are afraid of me. But it is a fear you can easily overcome. You have so much to gain as my ally—wealth, power, pleasure. With your gifts, there is nothing we could not accomplish.”

  He steps closer, his long hands stretched toward me.

  “No! Stay away. You hurt my Granma!”

  “Your grandmother was hurt because you opposed me. But it’s not too late. You can heal her. You can save Violet.”

  I stare at his fingertips, inches away. I feel energy rippling across the space between us, caressing my skin, seeping into my body. It’s soothing, like a numbing drug, deadening my fears, my will to resist.

  “No! Get out!” I leap from the chair, feeling sick and filthy. “Stay away from me. I will never join you. Never!”

  His shoulders slump. “Very well. Your choice is made.” He waves a hand and floats back to the corner.

  The clock on the mantel starts ticking again.

  Fiona looks up, confused to find me standing. “Oh, well…you’ve decided not to join us?” She sets down the teacup. “Unfortunately, Abby, your other choice is…not a happy one.”

  Yeah. Tell me about it. I feel weak, confused. I had some sort of plan when I came here, but I can’t remember…

  From the parlor outside, I hear men’s voices, loud and agitated. An anxious look crosses Fiona’s face. She gets up and heads for the doors.

  As I follow her, I hear Casper Wainwright: “He threatened to come back with a search warrant. What was I supposed to do?”

  Fiona pulls open the doors. Standing in the parlor, facing Casper and the other men, is Ray-Ray Quick.

  23. Exactly the thing I planned not to do

  Ray-Ray locks eyes with me, then faces Casper. “Well, look. There she is. I thought you told me she wasn’t here.”

  Casper shuffles a foot. “I just meant, it’s none of your business. This here’s a private party, and I was told to keep people out.”

  “Young man,” Phil Deering says. “I know you work with the Harmony Springs police. Are you here in an official capacity?”

  Ray-Ray is not wearing his uniform. “Not exactly, sir. I’m just looking for Ms. Renshaw. Her grandmother was worried about her, and I found the car she was driving abandoned up the road. Abby, are you okay?”

  Not really.

  “Abby paid us a visit,” Fiona explains. “To discuss some Save Harmony Springs business. Of course, if your grandmother is worried, Abby, perhaps you should phone her. And tell her you’re all right.”

  My brain’s in a fog, the lingering effect of Raspis’ caress. But piercing the fog is a stab of fear—for Ray-Ray. He needs to leave and not get sucked into this. “That’s okay,” I say. “Just tell Granma I’m fine. I’ll be home in a little while.”

  Ray-Ray’s not buying it. Even if he wasn’t training to be a detective, I don’t think he’d buy it. The tension in the room now practically reeks.

  “I think you’d better come with me now, Abby,” he says.

  “Um, okay.” I have to get him out
of here.

  But as I start toward him, I hear Raspis’ voice behind me. “No! He has strength that could protect her. They must both stay.”

  That makes me freeze.

  “Just a moment,” Fiona says to Ray-Ray. “Abby is a guest in my house. I don’t think I like your insinuations.”

  Ray-Ray tenses. “I’m not making any insinuations, ma’am. Although it is strange to find the leaders of the two sides of the development fight sharing drinks in your house…while the house itself is being guarded by men with guns, who also happen to be under indictment for criminal mischief.”

  Now everyone starts talking at once.

  “Hold on right there,” Adam says.

  “Mind your own business, police boy,” Casper growls.

  “You have no legal grounds…” Phil Deering begins.

  As the shouting match continues, Fiona walks calmly over to a desk. The shadow that is Raspis trails behind her. She opens a drawer and pulls out a wand.

  “In any case, this girl is a minor,” Ray-Ray is saying.

  “Ray-Ray,” I scream, “you need to leave now!”

  But it’s too late. Fiona and Raspis have moved behind him. She touches the wand to the back of his head. He turns, startled, like he’s been stung. He starts to say something to Fiona.

  “Sleep,” she says.

  His knees buckle, and he sinks to the floor.

  Fiona leans over him. The rest of us look on in shock.

  Raspis murmurs in Fiona’s ear, and she repeats the words to Ray-Ray: “It is good to sleep. You are resting well. You will sleep until your name is called three times. Then you will remember nothing of this.”

  Fiona stands up, an eerie, triumphant light in her eyes.

  “Oh, this is great,” Adam says. “Now we’re holding the son of the police chief hostage.”

  “Shut up!” Fiona snaps. “I have to think.”

  

  “Ray-Ray Quick…Ray-Ray Quick…Ray-Ray Quick.” I call his name softly.

  His eyelids flutter, then open. He looks at me, bewildered. “Where are we?”

  They left him lying on the floor, and I’m kneeling beside him. He struggles up on his elbows.

  “They locked us in a storage room, behind the kitchen,” I tell him.

  He grips the top of his skull. “Who are they?”

  “How much do you remember?”

  He climbs to his feet, leans on the wall to steady himself, looks around. The storage room is the size of a large walk-in closet. No windows, just an overhead light that I’ve switched on. The room’s empty except for stuff left over from the renovations—drop cloths, cans of paint, a broom and brushes.

  “What do you remember, Ray-Ray?”

  “I’m not sure…Molly called me from your grandmother’s house. They were worried and asked me to look for you. I found your car up by the mouth of Bliss Bayou. Then I drove down the road and saw…Cletis Wainwright, holding a rifle? Abby, what’ s going on?”

  “Sit down. It’s a long story.”

  He slumps with his back to the wall.

  I explain that we’re at the Alden house, and that Fiona Alden-Gathers and her husband are in an occult circle with Phil Deering and the Texas guy, Elston Tyler. That the whole development fight has been a fraud. That tonight they’re doing a ceremony to raise power for an evil spirit.

  Ray-Ray looks more and more incredulous. “That’s crazy.”

  “I know.” I’m not surprised he doesn’t believe it. As both Violet and Kevin have told me, most people, when confronted with supernatural events, will choose any rational explanation—no matter how unlikely.

  “So what’s your theory, Ray-Ray?”

  He rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t know. Maybe they bashed me on the head. A concussion can cause memory loss…”

  “Okay. Have it your way. They bashed you on the head and locked us in a storage room. Either way, we’re in a lot of trouble.”

  “You’re right about that. We’ve got to get out of here.”

  He stands up and examines the door. He grabs the knob and shakes hard. It doesn’t even rattle. “Steel frame and a deadbolt.” He looks around at the walls and ceiling. “This is one of those safe rooms built for hurricanes. The whole house could blow down, and we’d still be locked in here.”

  “Well, I don’t think we need to worry about that.”

  He sits down beside me again. “They can’t keep us prisoner for long. Molly will have the police out looking—how long was I unconscious?”

  “Only about ten minutes. I was able to wake you by saying your name three times. That was the magic charm.”

  He looks startled, then searches my eyes. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. It’s serious, Ray-Ray.”

  I think he’s starting to believe me.

  “So what’s your part, then?” he asks. “Why are you here?”

  “That’s another long story. But to give you the short version, I’m sort of the maiden sacrifice.” Despite my trying to sound cool, my voice cracks, with a little pitch of hysteria too.

  Ray-Ray’s jaw drops. For the first time, he looks frightened. He puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. “Don’t worry, Abby. We’ll get out of this. I won’t let them hurt you.”

  I’ve been holding in my feelings all day. Now they break loose, and I shudder. Ray-Ray hugs me—I cling to him. I’m really scared. As much for Ray-Ray as myself. He’s gotten into this mess because of me. And now he could end up dead.

  But the main thing he’s worried about is protecting me.

  I’ve never been in love. I don’t really know what it feels like. But I’m sure of one thing: what I feel for him right now is closer to love than anything I’ve known before.

  Or ever will know. If I die tonight…

  In the back of my mind I hear Violet’s words: “Love is good for you. Take chances.”

  I raise my head and look into his eyes. “Listen, Ray-Ray. Just in case things don’t work out tonight, there’s something I want to do. That I don’t want to miss doing.”

  “What’s that?”

  Sometimes I’m impulsive, and this is one of those times. I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him, hard.

  When I lean back, my heart’s pounding.

  He looks at me, totally amazed. Then he grins, like I’m the freakiest girl he’s ever met. “Well. In that case, there’s something I want to do too.”

  “What’s that?”

  He pulls me close and kisses me again. This time our mouths open and our tongues slide together. The kiss goes on and on.

  When it finally ends, I snuggle against him. He feels wonderful—so big and solid. And he’s a great kisser.

  I start thinking how crazy this is—sitting here making out when we’re probably about to be murdered.

  But then I hear Violet again: “Love recklessly. It’s good for your magic.”

  

  I’m resting my head on Ray-Ray’s chest, listening to his heartbeat, when the lock turns. We jump up as the door creaks open. A glimpse shows me that they’re all in the kitchen, dressed now in robes. Ray-Ray and I step to the doorway.

  “Just Abby is coming with us,” Fiona tells him. “You stay here, please.”

  Ray-Ray grips the door frame. “I don’t think so.”

  Adam, Deering, and Tyler are standing behind Fiona. Their robes are gray and their hoods pulled up.

  Ray-Ray takes a step forward.

  Elston Tyler raises a pistol. “I wouldn’t do that, son.”

  I scan their faces. Fiona and Deering look calm and determined. Adam looks frightened. Tyler is cold and rock-steady.

  Ray-Ray has stopped, but he’s not giving up. “Whatever this is, I don’t believe you’re all willing to commit murder for it. You know you’re bound to get caught.”

  I see Adam’s mouth drop open. But Tyler just points the gun
higher, aiming at Ray-Ray’s heart.

  “Son, I’m a gambler. Right now all my chips are on the table. I wouldn’t like to shoot you, but I will if I must, then take my chances.”

  I put my hand on Ray-Ray’s chest. “Don’t. He means it.”

  Ray-Ray’s shoulders slump. “Yeah, I can see he does.”

  He takes a step back. Deering closes the door and locks the deadbolt with a key, which I notice he leaves in the lock.

  “Come, Abby.” Fiona grabs hold of my wrist. “We have lots to do.”

  She pulls me away, and the men follow. We go out to the hallway and up the grand staircase. The door leading to the attic is open, and we climb the steps.

  Since last time I was here, the attic has been wired. Electric lamps hang on the walls of the nine-sided magical chamber. Candles are laid out on the floor, forming a circle, waiting to be lit. Inside stands the ghost of Margaret Alden in her black dress and pearls. Raspis waits beside her, looking solid and oily black.

  My throat tightens with fear. “What are you going to do with Ray-Ray?”

  Fiona leads me into the circle. “That’s actually worked out very well. Our patron explained it to me. You see, Abby, tonight we’ll repeat the pattern from a century ago. There’s great power in that, because the pattern is already laid down. I will play Margaret’s part. You, of course, will be Annie. And your friend downstairs will stand in for Otis. He will watch, paralyzed, as you throw yourself off the dock. Later he will testify that he saw you drown yourself, and was unable to save you. Do you see how perfectly it all fits together?”

  Her cheerful, matter-of-fact voice makes it all the more horrifying. I realize that she, like Margaret, is completely under Raspis’ control. I look into the faces of the men, who wait at the edge of the circle. Their expressions differ—nervous, cool, grim. But none shows any mercy.

  I’m dead. This is real, and they’re going to kill me.

  The fear inside me slips into rage. They’re going to murder me, hurt Ray-Ray, probably kill Granma and Violet and Kevin. All because Raspis promised them money and power. I have a terrible urge to grab Fiona’s neck and strangle her.

  Beside me, Raspis seems to quiver with pleasure.

  Fear and rage both feed him. This is exactly what he wants. I need to get hold of myself.