A Pile of Ashes
When the wings cleared, nothing was left of Madame Papillon but a pile of ashes. A couple of butterflies rested for only a moment on the ashes before clearing…
Burst
“Troubled souls find dehr way into my eye.” “Troubled? My daddy is in there, isn’t he?... My father was a happy man. He was in love with my mother. And she was…
"You killed my father."
“He’s dead!” Inez panted as she banged on the trailer door. “Mama Freeman...” She just wept, covered in dirt and naked, banging on that door. “Mama, he’s…
Payment
Sarah played in the yard as Alex kissed Inez in her plastic lounger chair. Everything seemed wonderful. The summer was full of catching fireflies and sleeping…
Magic is What You Want It to Be
“You’sa special one, didn’t ya know, child,” her slithering s-less words dragged together as she sat in her quilted rocking chair, rotting. Sarah held the…
Nasty Nostalgia
Her sliced palm pressed the door open to Serafine Papillon’s house just as Inez’s calloused hand had many years ago. -- Sarah, with blood still dripping from…
Death of a Butterfly
Serafine opened the trailer door and ashes spilled out onto the gravel. “I am done,” she winked at Alex and blew Inez a kiss before walking back to wherever…
Serafine Papillon
Serafine Papillon arrived and waiting for her in the driveway was Inez Andre. “Please, Sera. It’s Melinda. She’s got a bad spirit in her. We didn’t know who…
The Mind Gave Up
Melinda thrashed around on the kitchen table as Mama Freeman tried to hold her down, but her bones were so tired. Inez and Alex hurried in through the…
Something's Happened
Inez sat at the bus stop, feeling her pregnant belly grow presently as she sat. “Hush, child,” she spoke down at it. Alex got her into this mess and here she…
Poisoned Blood
Blood oozed out of his mouth, his face was fixed in confusion. His coffee cup came tumbling down smashed. The liquid pooled on the floor. “Sarah...” George…
Afraid of Magic
Sarah explained the situation to Madame Papillon. With a sweep of her hand over the wicks of the candles, they lit and the dark room was illuminated with a…
Introductions
Sarah felt her hands shake; She steadied them by holding tighter to high-end purse. Walking toward the direction of the Madame Papillon’s voice, her eyes…
Voodoo Queen
The shop was dark compared to the outside where the big, throbbing Louisiana sun fried eggs on sidewalks. In orange letters, swirling, read ‘VOODOO QUEEN…
Dinner Time!
“What is that?” Riskardoo indicated the rabbit in Padarmic’s arms with disdain as she entered the hut, followed by the massive hulk of a bodyguard they…
"Hello, My Bunnies!"
“OH, I’m a Padarmic Suskaflee I barely come up to anyone’s knee Nobody knows what it’s s’posed to BEEEEEEE But I’m a Padarmic Suskaflee!” He had the demeanor…
Witch's Valley pt 2
“Witch’s Valley is bullshit, Ezekial, and you know it!” “I know no such a thang, boy! You best just let it drop.” Zeke piloted the boat toward the town-docks…
Witch's Valley
Zeke steered his swamp boat up-river towards town; Harry poised on the bow. The morning paper flapping in the passing breeze. “Says here, they’re gonna re-open…
And now you are real
“And now you are real.” Pushing back the tendril of hair from my forehead I surveyed my handiwork. I had never taken this inordinate amount of time on a…
In the Cemetery
“You sure this is how we see the witch, Cal?” whispered JoAnn. “Yes, just leave a dead cat on the unmarked tombstone and she will come after it.” JoAnn…