The Juju Girl

by Nikki Marsh

  "I didn't see anything."

  "You wouldn't. Anyway, I'm not sure how long that portal will be open. I'm on my way there now."

  "Aren't you scared, Gabbie?"

  "If you come with me, I wouldn't be."

  "I'll be there for you, Gabbie, even if I can't help."

  "You don't know that. Neither of us do."

  "You're right."

  "So, can you come with me now?"

  "Okay," he said. "Let's go."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The Other Side

  We had walked to the park many times before. But, tonight, each step plunged us deeper into the unknown. A disturbing sense of unfamiliarity took hold of me. Night gave familiar objects strange appearances and sounds. The park became a primeval forest with the full moon hiding behind smoky clouds. Harmless black crows transformed into menacing vultures. Small animals mutated into predatory monstrosities. Even the small broken tree branches along our path slithered like snakes. I held my breath and took Julian's hand.

  "Don't be scared, Gabbie. You're the bravest person I know."

  When we reached Goliath, the blue flame still glowed.

  Julian and I were quiet on our walk. The silence bound us in fear, but it also joined us in the hope we would make things right.

  "I don't see the flame. Can you?" Julian asked as we approached Goliath.

  "Yes."

  "Good."

  "Do you want me to wait?" Julian asked, but it sounded like he wanted my answer to be "no".

  "Yes, but not here. Having an 'outsider' might prevent me from making the journey at all."

  He smiled. "Me? An outsider?"

  We laughed, releasing the tension that had built up during our walk.

  "I'll wait at the entrance of the park, if that's all right with you. I promise I won't fall asleep. I won't be able to rest until I'm certain you're safe. All right?"

  "Definitely!"

  His expression grew somber.

  "What if you can't come back? What should I do? Go to Miss Marie?"

  "Believe I will return. Have faith in me. Don't even entertain the thought I can't."

  "I have more faith in you than anyone, Gabbie."

  With that, he reached over, pulled me to him, planted a kiss on my forehead, and walked away.

  As I gazed at the flame, it reached out to me, mesmerized me. It changed into a hand that pulled me into a vacuum that sucked me through a long, dark, cold tunnel. It snatched me so quickly, I struggled to catch my breath.

  When I emerged, a blinding light forced me to cover my eyes with my hands. It felt like I was staring at the sun. I peeked through the open spaces between my fingers and, after a few minutes, it dimmed. When I removed my hands, I stood on a deserted dirt road that meandered its way up a distant hill. My heart raced when I realized I was alone in this desolate place.

  Once I gathered myself, I started my trek up the hill, keeping my eyes fixed on the road beneath me, afraid to look around - afraid of what I might see. My breathing quickened with each step. Ice-cold air nipped my face but sweat oozed from my palms. Just before I reached the midpoint, my curiosity took over, and I gathered my courage to look around. Trees stripped of life looked like survivors of a raging fire. Fallen branches and the remains of tiny creatures littered the path. Eerie noises, the stench of death, the sound of my steps crushing the fallen twigs revived my fear.

  At the base of the hill, I learned the source of the strange sounds. Spirits, some missing faces, some missing other body parts, some covered in boils, some with stones for eyes crawled like cats in putrid dirt and wailed in despair. An invisible shield protected me. I saw them, but they didn't see me. I didn't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.

  As I neared the top of the hill, the landscape changed. Life sprouted up around me. Trees, while not full of leaves, were alive. Small, strange creatures scurried around. Light cascaded from the top of the hill, gradually revealing a stone castle on the horizon. Angelic voices and celestial echoes blended in the background. I calmed down.

  A golden fence with three gates surrounded the castle. At the center stood a golden gate, to the right one of pearls, to the left one made of bricks. I speculated where each gate might lead. I had a million questions. "What if I choose the wrong gate? What if I need a secret code? What if I am unworthy?"

  Then, I remembered what Maman often told me, "Don't get ahead of yourself, child." I took several deep breaths and cleared my mind.

  A Gate Keeper stood watch, and I showed him my mark. After answering the three questions Miss Marie had prepared me to answer, the center gate opened, revealing a winged angel in a flowing blue robe. He took my hand, and we floated over woodlands, glistening streams, cascading waterfalls, mountains. Strange, but beautiful birds circled a city paved in gold. Colorful flowers, never seen on earth, bloomed everywhere, their fragrance perfuming the air. Colorful houses of various sizes radiated celestial light. The Land of the Dead teemed with Life.

  When we reached the castle, the angel led me to a room with a small marble table and chair in the middle. A large, fiery opal globe sat at the middle of the table.

  The angel gestured me to sit in the chair.

  "When you see only one color in the globe, chant these words to summon your Granpopá."

  With his finger, he wrote a chant suspended mid-air, and then he vanished.

  I alternated my gaze between the chant and the globe, finding it hard to concentrate. Finally, I fixed my eyes on the globe and peered into it. The colors became more intense but gradually turned pearly white. I began the chant.

  Granpopá, I summon you

  In this time and place.

  Hear my cry and plea for help;

  Show me now your face.

  Though the secret in your heart

  You may not want to share.

  It will save the life of one

  Whose love we both do share.

  Hear my cry and plea for help.

  Granpopá come to me

  With your help and knowledge

  We will set her free.

  Granpopá's face glowed, encapsulated in the globe. I had never seen him alive, only boxed up in a coffin. The face staring at me was a younger one, untouched by illness and death.

  "Gabbie, you've grown so much since that day at the cemetery."

  "That seems like a lifetime ago," I said.

  "What I remember about that day is how happy I was to see you and how happy I was that you were my granddaughter. I regretted I'd never get the chance to know you. I wished I could."

  "What I remember is your voice scared me."

  "Before I died, I wanted nothing more than to see you, your Maman, even your Popá, but it was too late. But now? You understand why you alone heard my voice that day, don't you?"

  "Yes, I know about my Gift. That's why I'm here. But first, tell me about Popá. I miss him so much."

  "He is at peace and watching over you and your Maman. When I first met your Popá, my stupid ideas about what I wanted for my daughter blinded me from seeing that he was a good man. I didn't like him because he took your Maman away from me. I misjudged him. That's something I regret very much."

  "Have you seen Popá here? Can I see him?"

  "I have. That's how I know he's at peace, but he's unable to contact you yet. When a soul leaves the body violently, he must wait some time before he communicates with those left behind."

  "Why?"

  "Earthly ties still bind him to his loved ones. That bond may be so strong that he can't move forward, and he can't go back. He'd be stuck between two worlds. It's better for him that more time passes. That he accepts his fate. Do you understand?"

  I did, but that didn't lessen my desire to see Popá.

  "Granpopá, something bad is going on between Maman and Auntie. You love both your daughters, and I would never ask you to destroy one for the sake of another. But, you must believe me. Aunt Lucinda wants to kill my Maman, and I have to prevent that, even
if it means harming Auntie."

  "Tell me more."

  The skepticism in his voice alarmed me, but I told him everything, including Suzanne's possession of Maman.

  "If you and Aimee are in danger because of Lucinda, I'm heartbroken that she has become so unbalanced."

  His face, stricken with sorrow, reflected his pain. He held back his tears and agonized to find the words to say.

  "Battle Suzanne for the soul of your Maman." He cautioned, "Even if you win, she might not leave the world of the living. She may still do harm unless someone convinces her to go. Be sure someone she loves is present when you perform the ritual. That person must convince her to move on."

  "I understand, Granpopá."

  "Once Suzanne's spirit leaves, your Maman's spirit will return. She will be safe from Suzanne, but not from Lucinda."

  "I will never let Auntie harm Maman, even if I have to destroy her."

  Granpopá's voice trembled as he spoke.

  "Lucinda's deeds have poisoned her heart. That's why she believes she is diseased. If you believe something strong enough, you can make it happen."

  What he said made sense to me.

  "I love your Auntie, but I hate the misery she has caused. You may not have to harm her. When her evil deeds come to light for everyone to see, she will no longer be a threat to anyone."

  I felt sad for Granpopá when eyes welled up with tears. He explained everything I needed to know about the Grimoire. When he finished speaking, the room glowed and he disappeared before I had a chance to ask him about Brigitte.

  My angel guide led me to another room in the castle. Two angels guarded its entrance, but when they saw me, they stepped aside. Inside stood a bronze vault that held thousands of family Grimoires.

  The room was empty, except for the vault and a table covered with white silk cloth with precious stones embedded on it. At its center laid an old leather-bound book with an inscription on the cover. The only word I understood was our name. I reached for it, but it floated above the table and moved until it hung over my head. A shining light radiated from it and bathed me in warmth. When it was within my grasp, I reached for it, and it landed in my outstretched arms. One angel sprinkled some dust on it, and it shrank to the size of my Sunday Missal.

  Equipped with the Grimoire and a little knowledge from Granpopá, I was transported back to Goliath.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Betrayal

  I awoke slumped against Goliath, feeling as if I just awakened from a long dream. But, what I experienced was no dream. The Grimoire I clutched to my chest proved that. I rested for a few minutes, absorbing everything I saw and heard. The night had grown darker and colder, and the wind picked up speed. I felt like I had been on a lengthy journey. I wondered if time stood still in the Land of the Dead.

  I stood up to go home and glimpsed a figure emerging from the growing fog that crept through the park. My hands trembled, and my chest rose and fell rapidly. I struggled to breathe.

  The shadowy figure emerged, and I recognized Stefan. What had he seen? How long had he been there? A feeling of desperation set in.

  "What are you doing here, Stefan?" I dreaded his answer.

  His hostile glare alarmed me.

  "You're not as clever as you think, Gabbie. I heard you sneak out of the house. I followed you to Julian's. I followed you here. I watched that tree suck you up, and I saw it spit you out again."

  His raised and hostile voice frightened me.

  "Let me explain, Stefan," I pleaded.

  "You don't have to. I know what you are."

  "What do you mean you know what I am? I am the same person I've always been. The same person you know so well. The same person you love. The same person who loves you."

  "You're wrong, Gabbie. You're wrong about everything," he shouted as he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close to him, spewing hateful words.

  "No, I'm not wrong about us, Stefan."

  "I know about you and your entire family. You use trickery and supernatural powers to get what you want. You can't deny that." His grip got stronger, and I dropped the Grimoire.

  "Stop. You're hurting me," I pleaded.

  "Admit what you are. Admit you're just like Lucinda."

  When I realized he knew about Lucinda, I wanted to tell him everything.

  "Have you used your powers on me?"

  "I never would do that, Stefan. I don't blame you for being angry. I want to explain," I pleaded with him.

  "I don't want to hear your explanations. I wouldn't believe you." His rage consumed him. He scared me, but I tried to explain.

  "You're right about my power, my Gift, and I'm sorry I couldn't tell you about it. I couldn't."

  "You call what you have a Gift? It's not. It's a curse." He scowled. "How much does Julian know?”

  "Everything. I needed someone's help."

  "And, it couldn't be me?" He fumed.

  "Not until I was sure."

  "Sure about what?"

  "About Suzanne's death." I hoped this might calm him down, but it didn't.

  "I know all about Suzanne's death," he snapped.

  "But, you don't know the entire story."

  "What makes you think that? You underestimate me." His tone changed from anger to contempt. "I know my sister didn't die of natural causes. Your Auntie wanted Suzanne out of the way so she could marry Phonse. She killed my sister."

  He let go of me, and his shouting turned to sobs. I waited to hear if he knew what part Maman had played in Suzanne's death. But he said nothing. I believed he didn't know.

  Once he regained his composure, he continued to question me.

  "What are you up to, Gabbie? What are you planning?"

  I couldn't tell him my plans for Suzanne. I told him I only wanted my mother to get better.

  "But, she is better, Gabbie. What are you up to?" He moved closer to me. I had to think fast.

  "She's better, Stefan, but she's still not herself yet."

  "If she's not herself, then who is she?"

  An unnerving feeling enveloped me. He already knew the answer to that question.

  "Would it surprise you to know my sister came to me after Brigitte died? Would it surprise you she told me that Lucinda had killed her, and your Maman helped? Would it surprise you she told me she killed Brigitte to get back at her? Would it surprise you to know she asked me to pretend that I loved you just to get close to you? Would it surprise you to know...?"

  "Stop. Shut up!" I yelled. "That's not true. You love me. I know you do."

  "You're wrong, Gabbie. I don't love you. How could I?" The weight of this truth crushed me, but I had to set the record straight.

  "Did Suzanne tell you how much Maman regretted helping Auntie even a little. Suzanne must know Maman wanted no part of it. Did Suzanne tell you that?"

  "That's the only reason she decided not to kill her but to get her revenge on you. That's why I faked my love for you."

  My voice cracked under the strain of my anger, but I continued. "No, you didn't. You couldn't fake those feelings."

  My world crumbled. The more he said, the more it crumbled. His eyes revealed the truth as he spoke.

  "I never loved you. I wanted to hurt you. I've got to finish the plan."

  He threw me to the grass, pinning me down with his body. He kissed me, not gently like before, but forcefully. He tugged at my skirt. I fought him, pushed him, scratched him and started screaming, pleading with him to stop.

  "Why don't you make me stop? Use your magic. Make me stop."

  He pushed me deeper into the ground, stroking my breasts. I struggled to push him off. He kept whispering, "Make me stop, make me stop."

  I let out a scream I didn't recognize, a howl of some ancient beast, and it filled the park. It muted my voice. The sounds of those other worldly creatures from the Land of the Dead joined in. It startled him, but he did not stop. He became more determined. I wanted to use my power to stop him, but I couldn't think.

  Julia
n heard my screams and ran towards Goliath. When he saw me fighting off Stefan, he pulled him off and beat him unmercifully. Stefan fought back, but he was no match for Julian. Julian pinned him down, badgering his face. It was Stefan's turn to beg for mercy, but Julian showed him none. I wanted Julian to hurt him as badly as he had hurt me. I stood there, tears streaming down my face, unable to utter a word.

  Something in me wanted Julian to kill him, but I realized, if he did, he would ruin his life. I found my voice and begged him to let Stefan go, reminding him of his school motto, shouting that he must become the man he wants to be.

  “Stop, Julian. Stefan’s not worth killing. He’s not the person I thought he was, but you must be the man you’re meant to be.”

  Julian released Stefan, and we looked at his battered, twisted, bleeding face. He looked like the Devil.

  Julian rushed to me.

  "Are you hurt, Gabbie? Did he hurt you?" He wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged me.

  "He hurt me in the worst way, Julian."

  "I will kill him," Julian said as he pulled away from me. I stopped him.

  "What I mean is he told me he never loved me and he never could. You were right, Julian. I was such a fool."

  Stefan stayed on the ground, writhing in agony. Julian stood over him, one foot on his chest.

  "If you ever hurt Gabbie again, I swear you'll regret it."

  "I already do, Julian. I already do."

  Stefan struggled to stand up. After a few attempts, he did.

  "I don't blame you for hating me, but please listen,” Stefan moaned between his labored breathing.

  When he caught his breath, Stefan told us when the Great Storm thundered through the family graveyard in Buras, it awakened Suzanne’s dormant spirt. She had slept peacefully in her grave all those years because she was unwilling to let go of this world. She told him the truth about Auntie and Maman and admitted killing Brigitte to get revenge on Lucinda. She demanded that he get revenge on Maman by hurting me.

  He wiped his bloody face with his shirtsleeve but tears still trickled down his face.

  "I hated my sister for killing Brigitte, and I told her so. I didn't want to hurt you. I explained that you were like the little sister I never had. She begged me to listen to her, reminding me she was the only real sister I would ever have. Suzanne was a mother to me. I couldn't let her down."