Spring 2008
58 miles south of Laredo, Texas.
Near the Texas/Mexico border.
The girl paused at the door with the basket that held breakfast for them both and waited. Ears straining to hear a sound from inside the RV she called home. When the sounds of coughing could be heard, the girl breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door. She left the door open on purpose. It was already warm and the day promised to get hot quickly. The RV was equipped with air conditioning, but the owner would never waste gasoline to run it simply parked as they were now.
Outside, a few of her fellow travelers looked at her as she entered. She paused and gave a thumbs up, which encouraged the others to go back to their normal business of the day. They knew as well as she did now what might be coming. The tribe was usually mobile by now, not still sitting where they had camped away from the winter winds of the North.
Despite the urge to move on that was second nature to them all, respect demanded they all wait till an answer came.
Inside the rapidly warming RV, the girl sat her basket on the small table and lit the table top stove to begin heating water for tea. More coughing came from the area curtained off from the rest of the interior.
"Angela?" a weak voice called out. The girl approached and pulled back the curtain to reveal the old woman laying on the bed trying to sit up. Quickly the girl helped the woman to sit up and held her as she placed pillows for her to lean back against in place. A quick assist to help the woman with her morning duties and the waste water was poured into a bucket that was covered with a lid when they were finished. After the woman was settled, the girl would take it out into the surrounding area, dump it, wash it, and return it to the bedside.
"Thank you," the woman sighed as she settled back, then looked over the girl. "And how is my Angel today?"
The girl smiled and turned her fingers into a OK sign. then her fingers flowed into patterns.
Want some tea and breakfast?
"Just the tea for the moment. If you haven't eaten, do so." the woman wheezed a bit before beginning to cough again. In obedience, the girl prepared a mug of tea for them both. There was no sense fussing over the woman as she coughed. Katrina 'Nana' Machenka was not as weak and frail as she appeared to be. Her body might be failing her, but she had a force of will to her one dared not ignore. Angela would find one of those frail looking hands upside of her head for fussing where her grandmother said no fussing was needed.
She brought the lap tray and sat it in place, then brought the basket and cups over. Angela sat on the edge of the bed and watched her Nana inspect the contents of the basket.
"Who managed to get cheese?"
Randy did she signed in reply.
"And he made sure we had some before he let the rest know?" the woman smiled a bit. "Bless that boy." She took a small apple from the basket and pushed it back to the girl. "Save me a bit."
As Nana pulled a knife that was hidden under her blankets and began to cut the apple, Angela broke open a biscuit, placed a bit of the cheese and some eggs inside and ate her impromptu sandwich. "Better than the gold arches makes. right?" the old woman laughed a bit. Angela nodded her agreement as she took a sip of her tea. The rest of the meal was spend in silence. After a second sandwich for the girl and half the apple for the woman, Angela cleared the tray away and brought the woman a second cup. As she went to go and get water so the woman could wash up, Nana took hold of the girl's wrist with surprising strength and held it.
"I know why you are still here."
The girl blinked in confusion.
"I would not have blamed you for leaving," the woman whispered softly. "After what happened to Randal and you. The others have been hard on you since then, and your mother the worst of all. But still here you are."
Angela made motions for the woman to stop talking and relax, but the elder witch continued regardless. "You stayed for me. Randal too, I would guess and the few 'siblings' who still care about you." 'Siblings' was a loose term at best. The tribe was meant to be a family and the children of various smaller families within the whole had brothers and sisters with no ties of blood between them. "Your mother has made your life hell ever since that night and before it. You could have run, but you stayed."
Angela was confused now. She did not like the tone of voice the woman was using. Usually when her Nana spoke like this, it meant she had come to a major decision she would not be swayed from.
"Bring back the tray and get me my cards." the woman asked as her free hand petted the girl's flowing raven black hair. She let go of the wrist, and at once the girl began to protest. "Bring me my cards NOW!" Angela jumped as if she was hit with a cattle prod and nearly ran to do what her grandmother had asked.
TBC
Do what you must. Survive!
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Zodiac
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Do what you must. Survive!
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
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Zodiac
- Registered User
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: 02 Aug 2011, 22:23
- CrowNet Handle: Raggedy Ann
- Location: The Pandora Project
- Contact:
Re: Do what you must. Survive!
This was odd.
Usually she was the one who worked the cards. Granted, Nana had taught her about them, but usually Angela was the one who did them for customers.
"A glimpse into my Angel's future now," the elder witch sighed softly. She looked up to see her granddaughter watching her now. "Because I need to know,"
A tap at the door frame caught their attention. The pair looked at the teenage girl who stood on the steps waiting to be noticed. Angela smiled and waved as Nana cleared her throat.
"Good morning, Shira," Nana said with a smile.
"Morning, Nana." the girl smiled back. "Hey Angela. Some of us are going to town. Wanna come with me?" Before Angela could answer, Nana spoke up.
"I am sorry, Shira, but I will be needing Angela for most of the day. Perhaps tomorrow the two of you can go." The woman's dark blue eyes held the girl's honey amber ones hostage for a moment. The girl frowned but nodded her understanding.
"My mom hopes you feeling better, Nana," Shira replied.
"You thank your mother for me, dear. Now go along." The girl looked reluctant to obey the polite request at first, but soon stepped off the porch and left. Nana chuckled softly for a bit and returned her attention to the matter at hand. "That girl and Mary have been your best friends since I can remember."
Angela nodded her agreement. After the incident Randy and herself had been hurt in, four people occupied her world as she recovered. Nana, of course, Randy (once he had time to recover as well) , and Mary and Shira. The girls took turns keeping an eye on her as she convalesced both physically and mentally while her grandmother attended to her own business.
Nana pushed the 22 cards to the girl. Nothing needed to be said. Sure hands picked up the pile and began to shuffle them. Pausing to cut the deck occasionally, and then shuffle again. When she was satisfied she sat them back before her grandmother. The woman then spread them as a fan. Angela picked 6 of them and the woman stacked them in order. A flick of her wrist and the first card was revealed.
"How does my Angel feel about herself right now. The Star." Nana paused, appearing unsure for a moment. Angela signed, asking if she was alright, but the woman waved her off and continued. "You have felt sad, but good fortune comes to you soon. New things are waiting for you, child. A wish card the Star is."
Nana flipped the second card, almost as if not allowing the girl to ask questions. "And what does my Angel want most now? The Devil. You crave powers, my sweet. And even though they may be for what you feel are the right reasons, the paths you would have to go are wrong and against all I have taught you."
But...
The third card snapped down. Angela began to wonder if her presence was even required now. "My Angel's fears. The High Priestess." The girl's eyes widened and looked at the woman. "Insecurity, a lack of stability." the woman named the possibilities, but the girl had her own impressions. Yes, her fears could be linked to the High Priestess, but the fact being her 'priestess' wasn't getting any better.
"And in her favor. Temperance." The fourth card was turned. "A time of reflection. To gather yourself and prepare for the future."
'Prepare for what? Watching you die?' she thought bitterly.
The fifth card was The World to represent what opposed her. "Fear. Unable to decide what is the proper path to follow. Frustration." This was all normal to the girl.
When Nana picked up the final card, she stared at it for several moments, keeping it out of her granddaughter's sight. Instead of laying it with the other five, She slipped it into the pocket of her robe then set the tray to the side of her bed. "Angela, you can go now for awhile. See if you can catch up with Shira if you like. Come back late this afternoon with supper."
The girl shook her head firmly no and pointed at the woman's pocket.
"Later. I am tired now and want to rest. Leave the water bottle on the nightstand and go for now."
"I said GO!" The woman emphasized when she saw Angela refusing to budge. The girl got the basket and sat it next to the bed in reach and slammed the water bottle on the nightstand. "Don't take that tone with me, girl!" Angela froze at the sound of her Nana's voice. It suddenly had the strength and weight it had before the woman had taken ill. Nana's hand reached out and pulled her gently closer. "When you return with supper this evening, I will tell you all. I promise. Now go, my Angel." She kissed Angela on the forehead.
***
Outside the RV, Angela glared her displeasure at any and everything. It wasn't like Nana to just shut her out like this, but it was pointless to debate with her. When Nana said go, you best already be gone. She shook her head in defeat and began looking around for signs of Shira and the others.
From inside the RV, Nana watched her walking away. A frown on her face as she let the curtain slide back closed. She settled back and pulled the card from her pocket and laid it with the other five and concentrated on the six of them for a very long time.
TBC
Usually she was the one who worked the cards. Granted, Nana had taught her about them, but usually Angela was the one who did them for customers.
"A glimpse into my Angel's future now," the elder witch sighed softly. She looked up to see her granddaughter watching her now. "Because I need to know,"
A tap at the door frame caught their attention. The pair looked at the teenage girl who stood on the steps waiting to be noticed. Angela smiled and waved as Nana cleared her throat.
"Good morning, Shira," Nana said with a smile.
"Morning, Nana." the girl smiled back. "Hey Angela. Some of us are going to town. Wanna come with me?" Before Angela could answer, Nana spoke up.
"I am sorry, Shira, but I will be needing Angela for most of the day. Perhaps tomorrow the two of you can go." The woman's dark blue eyes held the girl's honey amber ones hostage for a moment. The girl frowned but nodded her understanding.
"My mom hopes you feeling better, Nana," Shira replied.
"You thank your mother for me, dear. Now go along." The girl looked reluctant to obey the polite request at first, but soon stepped off the porch and left. Nana chuckled softly for a bit and returned her attention to the matter at hand. "That girl and Mary have been your best friends since I can remember."
Angela nodded her agreement. After the incident Randy and herself had been hurt in, four people occupied her world as she recovered. Nana, of course, Randy (once he had time to recover as well) , and Mary and Shira. The girls took turns keeping an eye on her as she convalesced both physically and mentally while her grandmother attended to her own business.
Nana pushed the 22 cards to the girl. Nothing needed to be said. Sure hands picked up the pile and began to shuffle them. Pausing to cut the deck occasionally, and then shuffle again. When she was satisfied she sat them back before her grandmother. The woman then spread them as a fan. Angela picked 6 of them and the woman stacked them in order. A flick of her wrist and the first card was revealed.
"How does my Angel feel about herself right now. The Star." Nana paused, appearing unsure for a moment. Angela signed, asking if she was alright, but the woman waved her off and continued. "You have felt sad, but good fortune comes to you soon. New things are waiting for you, child. A wish card the Star is."
Nana flipped the second card, almost as if not allowing the girl to ask questions. "And what does my Angel want most now? The Devil. You crave powers, my sweet. And even though they may be for what you feel are the right reasons, the paths you would have to go are wrong and against all I have taught you."
But...
The third card snapped down. Angela began to wonder if her presence was even required now. "My Angel's fears. The High Priestess." The girl's eyes widened and looked at the woman. "Insecurity, a lack of stability." the woman named the possibilities, but the girl had her own impressions. Yes, her fears could be linked to the High Priestess, but the fact being her 'priestess' wasn't getting any better.
"And in her favor. Temperance." The fourth card was turned. "A time of reflection. To gather yourself and prepare for the future."
'Prepare for what? Watching you die?' she thought bitterly.
The fifth card was The World to represent what opposed her. "Fear. Unable to decide what is the proper path to follow. Frustration." This was all normal to the girl.
When Nana picked up the final card, she stared at it for several moments, keeping it out of her granddaughter's sight. Instead of laying it with the other five, She slipped it into the pocket of her robe then set the tray to the side of her bed. "Angela, you can go now for awhile. See if you can catch up with Shira if you like. Come back late this afternoon with supper."
The girl shook her head firmly no and pointed at the woman's pocket.
"Later. I am tired now and want to rest. Leave the water bottle on the nightstand and go for now."
"I said GO!" The woman emphasized when she saw Angela refusing to budge. The girl got the basket and sat it next to the bed in reach and slammed the water bottle on the nightstand. "Don't take that tone with me, girl!" Angela froze at the sound of her Nana's voice. It suddenly had the strength and weight it had before the woman had taken ill. Nana's hand reached out and pulled her gently closer. "When you return with supper this evening, I will tell you all. I promise. Now go, my Angel." She kissed Angela on the forehead.
***
Outside the RV, Angela glared her displeasure at any and everything. It wasn't like Nana to just shut her out like this, but it was pointless to debate with her. When Nana said go, you best already be gone. She shook her head in defeat and began looking around for signs of Shira and the others.
From inside the RV, Nana watched her walking away. A frown on her face as she let the curtain slide back closed. She settled back and pulled the card from her pocket and laid it with the other five and concentrated on the six of them for a very long time.
TBC
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
-
Zodiac
- Registered User
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: 02 Aug 2011, 22:23
- CrowNet Handle: Raggedy Ann
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- Contact:
Re: Do what you must. Survive!
The sun was beginning to slip away in the west now. After their conversations and the reading, the day had shifted into a normal gear for Angela. She had missed the departure to town with the others, so basically just hung around for the day. Various chores around the camp, along with periodic check ins on the woman with lunch and in general. Some gab time with her friends and others. All asking the same question. Is she getting better?
She wished she could answer. Nana had been like a teeter totter over the last two months. Sometimes acting like she was at death's door and other times actually up and about. The longer this went on, the more scared the girl was becoming. She helped the woman brew several cure alls, made sure she took them, only to have little to no effect. Taking her to a real hospital had been suggested many times, but being travelers caused professional medicine to look down their noses at their problems as a rule. All of them together did not have enough money to even begin to lull a modern physician to prescribe a course of action and identify the problem. She wasn't alone in caring for the woman. Many of the other women in the camp offered aid and help as well and took turns, but as a group they were all coming to the same sad conclusion.
Save Amanda, of course. Outside of courtesy visits from just outside the door of the RV, the last time Angela had seen her mother in the RV with Nana had been three weeks earlier. The sound of the two women arguing had brought the girl running. Amanda was looking down at her mother laying on the bed demanding to know who had she chosen. Chosen for what, the girl didn't know but her mother made it sound like a matter of life or death.
"It's obvious you are not getting better, Mother. As your daughter I think I have a right to know who will be your successor." Angela's mother demanded in that 'I want' voice that had blistered the girl's ears since she could remember.
"I will name who will take my place when I am ready to and not a moment before." came the reply.
"You miserable old witch! Tell me!" Amanda pulled her arm back as if to hit the woman and Angela pounced from behind, trying to keep the blow from landing. Amanda was surprised, but quickly pulled loose and slapped her child hard enough to land the girl soundly on the floor.
Even to this day, the girl that would grow and one day be known simply as Zodiac in a town in Canada wondered if she had hit her head in the fall and that her eyes had played tricks on her in that moment.
Suddenly, Nana was on her feet with one aged hand locked around Amanda's throat. The deep blue eyes were glowing along with hints of color around her hand as well as her daughter fought to free herself. Amanda had the advantage physically but appeared helpless as a rag doll now.
"Strike that child one more time and you will see what kind of power this miserable old witch still has." her voice barely a whisper but it hung in the air like a presence in the small room. She let go and the woman fell backwards as she fought to bring air back into her lungs. "Now get out of my house."
Amanda left with a string of curses in reply. Angela sat up and watched as Nana seemed to suddenly deflate. Like a balloon loosing air, the old woman sat down on the bed and held her head in her hands for a few moments before opening her (now normal) eyes and looking at the girl on the floor. "Come here, Angel," She hugged the girl, kissed the mark on her face and whispered softly in Romany to her as she had when Angela was just a baby. After that she was suspicious of everyone except for Mary, Shira, Randy and a handful of others when it came to the safety of her grandmother.
She entered RV and sat down the makings of a cold supper. Nana was sitting up and folding a piece of paper to put into an envelope she had. The deck of her tarot cards sat wrapped in a silk cloth ready to be put back in the box. "All done for the day?" the old woman asked. Angela nodded her head and gestured at the basket she had.
"Ah yes, good. I actually feel hungry this eve." She wet her finger and ran it along the glue and sealed the letter. She motioned for the girl to join her while tucking the envelope under her pillow. "Lock the door and hang out the sign, please."
The girl did as she was told. The 'Do Not Disturb' sign hung out for all to see. "And the binds," Nana added. Angela shrugged and continued. She lit a small lantern to push back the slowly gathering gloom and joined the woman. They dined in silence.
"You want to know about the final card, I think." the woman finally spoke. Seeing her grandchild nod, she continued. "Soon, I promise. I want you to answer me true on a few things. Do you know where all our secret hiding places are?"
The ones were you keep your grimores and where you have me hide money? Yes.
"And have you ever taken from them unless I have said so?"
No the girl shook her head. Not a dime
"So then," the woman pulled a thin journal from under her mattress and did some quick math. "There should be close to 40 thousand dollars in those five boxes combined." Nana was amused at the look of shock on Angela's face. "Honestly or otherwise, we have earned every dime of it. So if the need arose for you to get them quickly and without being seen arose, you could do it?"
The girl gave a thumbs up, but was looking confused.
"And the books?" Again, a thumbs up. "Good, good. There are things you and you alone should have if something happens to me. Things your mother would abuse or use for the wrong reasons."
You aren't going anywhere! And if we have that much money, we can take you to a doctor. Get you well.
"And what a waste of money that would be. You know how they are, Angel. Take and take and take till there is nothing left to take and then there is nothing they can do. I would sooner throw that money into the sewers before I would hand any to those frauds. Going somewhere? Of course I'm not. I am simply making sure you know these things is all. The day may come when we have to disperse and I want to be sure you know what to grab and run with." She watched the girl clean up from their supper. "Come, up here with me." Nana patted the side of bed when she saw she was finished.
TBC
She wished she could answer. Nana had been like a teeter totter over the last two months. Sometimes acting like she was at death's door and other times actually up and about. The longer this went on, the more scared the girl was becoming. She helped the woman brew several cure alls, made sure she took them, only to have little to no effect. Taking her to a real hospital had been suggested many times, but being travelers caused professional medicine to look down their noses at their problems as a rule. All of them together did not have enough money to even begin to lull a modern physician to prescribe a course of action and identify the problem. She wasn't alone in caring for the woman. Many of the other women in the camp offered aid and help as well and took turns, but as a group they were all coming to the same sad conclusion.
Save Amanda, of course. Outside of courtesy visits from just outside the door of the RV, the last time Angela had seen her mother in the RV with Nana had been three weeks earlier. The sound of the two women arguing had brought the girl running. Amanda was looking down at her mother laying on the bed demanding to know who had she chosen. Chosen for what, the girl didn't know but her mother made it sound like a matter of life or death.
"It's obvious you are not getting better, Mother. As your daughter I think I have a right to know who will be your successor." Angela's mother demanded in that 'I want' voice that had blistered the girl's ears since she could remember.
"I will name who will take my place when I am ready to and not a moment before." came the reply.
"You miserable old witch! Tell me!" Amanda pulled her arm back as if to hit the woman and Angela pounced from behind, trying to keep the blow from landing. Amanda was surprised, but quickly pulled loose and slapped her child hard enough to land the girl soundly on the floor.
Even to this day, the girl that would grow and one day be known simply as Zodiac in a town in Canada wondered if she had hit her head in the fall and that her eyes had played tricks on her in that moment.
Suddenly, Nana was on her feet with one aged hand locked around Amanda's throat. The deep blue eyes were glowing along with hints of color around her hand as well as her daughter fought to free herself. Amanda had the advantage physically but appeared helpless as a rag doll now.
"Strike that child one more time and you will see what kind of power this miserable old witch still has." her voice barely a whisper but it hung in the air like a presence in the small room. She let go and the woman fell backwards as she fought to bring air back into her lungs. "Now get out of my house."
Amanda left with a string of curses in reply. Angela sat up and watched as Nana seemed to suddenly deflate. Like a balloon loosing air, the old woman sat down on the bed and held her head in her hands for a few moments before opening her (now normal) eyes and looking at the girl on the floor. "Come here, Angel," She hugged the girl, kissed the mark on her face and whispered softly in Romany to her as she had when Angela was just a baby. After that she was suspicious of everyone except for Mary, Shira, Randy and a handful of others when it came to the safety of her grandmother.
She entered RV and sat down the makings of a cold supper. Nana was sitting up and folding a piece of paper to put into an envelope she had. The deck of her tarot cards sat wrapped in a silk cloth ready to be put back in the box. "All done for the day?" the old woman asked. Angela nodded her head and gestured at the basket she had.
"Ah yes, good. I actually feel hungry this eve." She wet her finger and ran it along the glue and sealed the letter. She motioned for the girl to join her while tucking the envelope under her pillow. "Lock the door and hang out the sign, please."
The girl did as she was told. The 'Do Not Disturb' sign hung out for all to see. "And the binds," Nana added. Angela shrugged and continued. She lit a small lantern to push back the slowly gathering gloom and joined the woman. They dined in silence.
"You want to know about the final card, I think." the woman finally spoke. Seeing her grandchild nod, she continued. "Soon, I promise. I want you to answer me true on a few things. Do you know where all our secret hiding places are?"
The ones were you keep your grimores and where you have me hide money? Yes.
"And have you ever taken from them unless I have said so?"
No the girl shook her head. Not a dime
"So then," the woman pulled a thin journal from under her mattress and did some quick math. "There should be close to 40 thousand dollars in those five boxes combined." Nana was amused at the look of shock on Angela's face. "Honestly or otherwise, we have earned every dime of it. So if the need arose for you to get them quickly and without being seen arose, you could do it?"
The girl gave a thumbs up, but was looking confused.
"And the books?" Again, a thumbs up. "Good, good. There are things you and you alone should have if something happens to me. Things your mother would abuse or use for the wrong reasons."
You aren't going anywhere! And if we have that much money, we can take you to a doctor. Get you well.
"And what a waste of money that would be. You know how they are, Angel. Take and take and take till there is nothing left to take and then there is nothing they can do. I would sooner throw that money into the sewers before I would hand any to those frauds. Going somewhere? Of course I'm not. I am simply making sure you know these things is all. The day may come when we have to disperse and I want to be sure you know what to grab and run with." She watched the girl clean up from their supper. "Come, up here with me." Nana patted the side of bed when she saw she was finished.
TBC
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
-
Zodiac
- Registered User
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: 02 Aug 2011, 22:23
- CrowNet Handle: Raggedy Ann
- Location: The Pandora Project
- Contact:
Re: Do what you must. Survive!
They spoke of many things that night. Nana swore her to silence as she ran down a checklist she wanted her granddaughter to follow in case the worst happened. Angela wanted no part of this all but the woman insisted. Once Nana was satisfied the girl had things right, she dismissed the girl. Once free of her grandmother's attentions and the trailer, Angela went to find three special people.
***
The four of them sat just in sight of the camp, periodically looking back to see if any was approaching.
She is scaring me to ******* hell! the girl's hands signed frantically. I don't know what to do. Her three 'blood siblings' all had a look on their faces of confusion now.
"I think..." Mary began but fell silent. Shira simply scooted closer and hugged Angela.
"Nana is trying to prepare you for what she feels is coming." Randy finally spoke up. He looked at them all staring at him. "Sorry, but someone has to say it."
"Yeah," Mary sighed. "Randy is not being cold on purpose, Angie. None of us are. She has been everyone's Nana here, and we all love her too."
"She knows if she dies it will hit everyone hard, but you the most of all," Shira added.
"And your mother won't be much help." Randy nodded. "How could you and Nana be so nice and your mother such a *****? I guess good things skip a generation like they say."
"Randy!" Mary snapped.
"Well it's true," Shira added. They all knew how Angela's mother acted toward her and others as a norm. "What has she told you to do?"
Just mentioned some things she doesn't want my mother to have. she half lied to her friends. Too many details would lead to questions she swore she would not answer. She loved the three she sat with and knew they would not betray her, but until something did happen to Nana she kept silent on the details.
"Anything you need to hide if something happens, you can bring it to my place." Mary offered. "I would dare your mother to tell my mother let her look around our trailer. My mother is on the council with your Nana and Amanda isn't."
"Me too!" Shira offered and Randy nodded his agreement as well. The rest of their time together drifted to more pleasant subjects finally. The quartet returning to camp as the light in the west finally fades from view. Spending some time with others before making their ways to their own dwellings before sleep.
***
10:45 PM
"Angel?"
The word was out of the old woman's mouth before the girl had touched the doorknob. Angela slipped inside and locked the door behind and approached the bed. In the lantern light she saw the woman smile at her. Nana sat up and for a moment looked like her old self again.
"There you are. And what did your siblings say about how badly I was scaring you?"
The girl was always unnerved when she did things like this. Nana always seem to just 'know' things.
"You did nothing wrong. Your friends are good ones and would not betray you I think." She patted the bedside. The girl sat down as Nana reached inside of her night shirt and lifted into view a silver necklace she wore around her neck. "Do you know what this is?"
Something you have worn ever since I can remember. A charm? Something that helps you with your magicks? The girl was curious. She had never seen it anywhere but around her grandmother's neck and only in sight when the coven was convened.
"As good an answer as any, I guess." the woman released the clasp and placed it around the girl's neck. Once secure, she tucked it out of sight down inside the girl's The Misfits t-shirt. "Later, when you wake, get the silver cleaner and make it shine for me, please." Angela nodded and touched the front of her shirt, feeling it against herself.
"Now," A drawer in the small nightstand was opened and two glasses and a bottle of greenish liquid was removed. "Medicine time. A little of my Great Aunt Theresa's tonic will do us both good." She held one of the cups out to Angela, who did not reach out to accept it. "What is wrong?"
The girl shook her head and signed nothing in reply. When pressed for an answer, she finally replied. Those tonics taste gross! Nana laughed.
"You have been feeding them to me lately. A little won't hurt you. Can't have you getting ill as well, now can we. What did I tell you before about taking these?"
Angela brighten up as her hand slipped into her jeans shorts pocket and pulled out some hard candy Shira had given her earlier. She popped a piece into her mouth and worked it for a few seconds before taking the cup. "On the count of three," The girl's head bobbed with Nana's count down and she tipped the cup to her lips and swallowed quickly. The candy helped. Sorta. Nana took a sip from hers and sat her cup down, as was her normal habit.
"There, not so bad, eh?" she asked. For a moment the girl felt as green as the liquid looked. "Good, now tell me about your day, Angel."
Angela began to run down the day. Answering specific questions as Nana asked them. As the conversation continued, Angela found herself stifling an occasional yawn here and there. "Tired? You had a busy day." Nana scooted over and made room for her. Angela nodded and kicked off her sandals and laid down next to her grandmother, who hugged her close. The girl tried to continue signing, but the old woman began to croon a soft lullaby in her native language that Angela remembered from childhood. The girl snuggled close and touched her chest and then tapped Nana's chest three times.
"I love you too, my Angel. More than you will ever know." she replied. Once she was sure the spiked tonic had done its work and the girl was asleep, the woman sat up on the bed. She placed her hand on the sleeping girl's forehead and began to pray. If Angela had heard her then, she would have felt that sense of quiet power again resonating in her whispered prayers. Katrina 'Nana' Machenka called out to the powers she believed in, the same ones she taught her grandchild to honor, respect, and use with wisdom, and made her promises and bargains. She imparted her power and authority onto the girl and begged the Goddess to keep her Angel within her hands.
TBC
***
The four of them sat just in sight of the camp, periodically looking back to see if any was approaching.
She is scaring me to ******* hell! the girl's hands signed frantically. I don't know what to do. Her three 'blood siblings' all had a look on their faces of confusion now.
"I think..." Mary began but fell silent. Shira simply scooted closer and hugged Angela.
"Nana is trying to prepare you for what she feels is coming." Randy finally spoke up. He looked at them all staring at him. "Sorry, but someone has to say it."
"Yeah," Mary sighed. "Randy is not being cold on purpose, Angie. None of us are. She has been everyone's Nana here, and we all love her too."
"She knows if she dies it will hit everyone hard, but you the most of all," Shira added.
"And your mother won't be much help." Randy nodded. "How could you and Nana be so nice and your mother such a *****? I guess good things skip a generation like they say."
"Randy!" Mary snapped.
"Well it's true," Shira added. They all knew how Angela's mother acted toward her and others as a norm. "What has she told you to do?"
Just mentioned some things she doesn't want my mother to have. she half lied to her friends. Too many details would lead to questions she swore she would not answer. She loved the three she sat with and knew they would not betray her, but until something did happen to Nana she kept silent on the details.
"Anything you need to hide if something happens, you can bring it to my place." Mary offered. "I would dare your mother to tell my mother let her look around our trailer. My mother is on the council with your Nana and Amanda isn't."
"Me too!" Shira offered and Randy nodded his agreement as well. The rest of their time together drifted to more pleasant subjects finally. The quartet returning to camp as the light in the west finally fades from view. Spending some time with others before making their ways to their own dwellings before sleep.
***
10:45 PM
"Angel?"
The word was out of the old woman's mouth before the girl had touched the doorknob. Angela slipped inside and locked the door behind and approached the bed. In the lantern light she saw the woman smile at her. Nana sat up and for a moment looked like her old self again.
"There you are. And what did your siblings say about how badly I was scaring you?"
The girl was always unnerved when she did things like this. Nana always seem to just 'know' things.
"You did nothing wrong. Your friends are good ones and would not betray you I think." She patted the bedside. The girl sat down as Nana reached inside of her night shirt and lifted into view a silver necklace she wore around her neck. "Do you know what this is?"
Something you have worn ever since I can remember. A charm? Something that helps you with your magicks? The girl was curious. She had never seen it anywhere but around her grandmother's neck and only in sight when the coven was convened.
"As good an answer as any, I guess." the woman released the clasp and placed it around the girl's neck. Once secure, she tucked it out of sight down inside the girl's The Misfits t-shirt. "Later, when you wake, get the silver cleaner and make it shine for me, please." Angela nodded and touched the front of her shirt, feeling it against herself.
"Now," A drawer in the small nightstand was opened and two glasses and a bottle of greenish liquid was removed. "Medicine time. A little of my Great Aunt Theresa's tonic will do us both good." She held one of the cups out to Angela, who did not reach out to accept it. "What is wrong?"
The girl shook her head and signed nothing in reply. When pressed for an answer, she finally replied. Those tonics taste gross! Nana laughed.
"You have been feeding them to me lately. A little won't hurt you. Can't have you getting ill as well, now can we. What did I tell you before about taking these?"
Angela brighten up as her hand slipped into her jeans shorts pocket and pulled out some hard candy Shira had given her earlier. She popped a piece into her mouth and worked it for a few seconds before taking the cup. "On the count of three," The girl's head bobbed with Nana's count down and she tipped the cup to her lips and swallowed quickly. The candy helped. Sorta. Nana took a sip from hers and sat her cup down, as was her normal habit.
"There, not so bad, eh?" she asked. For a moment the girl felt as green as the liquid looked. "Good, now tell me about your day, Angel."
Angela began to run down the day. Answering specific questions as Nana asked them. As the conversation continued, Angela found herself stifling an occasional yawn here and there. "Tired? You had a busy day." Nana scooted over and made room for her. Angela nodded and kicked off her sandals and laid down next to her grandmother, who hugged her close. The girl tried to continue signing, but the old woman began to croon a soft lullaby in her native language that Angela remembered from childhood. The girl snuggled close and touched her chest and then tapped Nana's chest three times.
"I love you too, my Angel. More than you will ever know." she replied. Once she was sure the spiked tonic had done its work and the girl was asleep, the woman sat up on the bed. She placed her hand on the sleeping girl's forehead and began to pray. If Angela had heard her then, she would have felt that sense of quiet power again resonating in her whispered prayers. Katrina 'Nana' Machenka called out to the powers she believed in, the same ones she taught her grandchild to honor, respect, and use with wisdom, and made her promises and bargains. She imparted her power and authority onto the girl and begged the Goddess to keep her Angel within her hands.
TBC
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
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Zodiac
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- Joined: 02 Aug 2011, 22:23
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Re: Do what you must. Survive!
2:12 AM
The first thing she noticed was that the lantern was still lit. A bit strange, considering how Nana was always on her about saving and not wasting fuel and other things. She rolled over to face the woman she had fallen asleep next to and tapped her. Angela sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned. She eyed the empty cup with suspicion. Normally she was a bundle of energy till this time of night. She picked up her cup and sniffed it, then frowned. It was a trick the girl would use many times in the future to keep others out of trouble or to help herself get out of bad situations.
Angela looked closer at her grandmother and tapped her again before pulling back the blanket. Katrina Machenka laid still with a look of peace upon her face. Her hands folded over her chest holding a letter marked 'Angela'.
'Nana?' the girl thought and actually tried to speak. The confusion of noise barely breaking the silence of the camper as she began to shake the woman. The coolness of the flesh against her hands and the lack of reply spoke volumes, and Angela had seen too many dead people over time to assume other wise but her shaking and croaking grew more frantic. 'NANA!'
An animal-like wail erupted from her mouth as tears blinded her eyes. She buried her face against the woman's body and screamed. She clung to the woman as if she could will her back to life until she felt like she had no more tears to give. Slowly she sat up and rubbed her now red eyes as she looked for her sandals. She had to let the others know what had happened.
But the note called her eyes back to her Nana. Gently she slipped the envelope free of her hands and held it-considering. She tore it open and moved so the lantern light would show the words clearly.
My Angel,
I have known for awhile I would not recover from this. In my cards and in other sources I saw this to be true. I wish I could have been with you the rest of the way in your journey, and in a way perhaps I will be.
When you have finished reading this, you will do as I told you. Gather the things I told you to along with anything this that may assist you on journey. This will be a sacrifice on your part to a degree because you simply cannot carry everything. Choose well, but the money, the tomes, and the other items I have discussed with you must go with you.
Do NOT remove the necklace until you are safe and never let it out of your care. I dimly see a day when you will understand and know when it is time to pass it on, but not now.
So this very night, this very hour, assemble your choices and leave under the cover of darkness. When they find me in the morning they will be too busy grieving over me to wonder about you and by then you will hopefully have many miles between you and here. Tell not your friends what you are doing. I know, it is harsh, but some may wish to go with you while others might try and keep you here. You cannot stay here with the gifts I give you now and you can move faster alone than in a group. Some you will see again- I know this- but for now you must simply vanish. Your mother will rage and curse you for this, but your destiny lies elsewhere, my Angel. Some of it I do not understand, but know this much. When the time comes you finally feel you are tired, and I do not mean normal tired from a day's work, but tired of traveling? Beware, for them you will have put yourself in the direct path of a destiny I would not wish for you, dear one.
Now go. Do as I say. Do not forget the notebooks under the mattress and the gun. I know you have your grandfather's razor, and your speed and wits, but you may need more on this journey. You will find another letter in the notebook for you, but you can read that once you are away from here.
Undying Mea dragoste, Angel. I know this will hurt, but you must do as I ask of you now. Please.
Do what you must- Survive!
Binecuvintari zeiţei pe tine întotdeauna, my brightest star in my eyes. I will always be with you.
'Nana'
Angela read the note several times, discovering she still had tears left inside of her. She opened the woman's night stand and removed several things including the silk bundle that held the woman's personal deck of tarot cards, the folded the letter and sat it with the items. The lamp was dimmed before she exited the trailer.
3:32 AM
It had been too easy.
Like a ghost, she moved about the sleeping camp, retrieving the things she had been told to get. A few days of easy to carry food and a water bottle filled rounded out her nocturnal hunt. She paused under her mother's camper after removing the contents of the last money box and wondered how ironic to have chosen this as a place to hide what her mother was always demanding. She did not bother to try and sneak inside. All of her few possessions she cared about had been in Nana's RV for months now. There was no love lost here to mourn.
But slipping past other trailers and vehicles brought stabs of pain to her heart deeply. Mary, Shira, Randy. She fought against the urge to go tap on the right window and tell them what she was doing. Her Nana was right, of course. To tell anyone was to complicate the situation at hand. Randy and Mary would be a quarter toss how they would react. Shira would come, she had no doubt of that much, but more than one gone would generate a larger desire to seek them out and unless they actually stole a vehicle, they would be an easy target to catch up with. To grab a van or car would be too time consuming and draw unwanted attentions.
'Dragostea Mea, fratele meu si surorile' she thought to herself as she slipped along from shadow to shadow. Only one member of the tribe had seen her, but he had been easily swayed to be silent. A few bits of day old sausage she had taken was enough to make Sirus, one of the guard dogs, calm down.
'I guess it's okay to say good bye to you, eh?' she hugged the German Shepard as it licked her face. 'You keep them all safe. Promise me.'
A few more bits of sausage kept the dog quiet as she slipped around a corner and vanished.
***
"You are wasting time, Angel! GO!"
Mentally Angela could imagine the woman saying that now. Under the RV and by the door, her bags were waiting. Everything the woman had told her to gather and a few of her own meager items were packed and ready. A couple changes of clothes and precious few personal items rounded out the load. So many things she was leaving. Her guitar, her grandfather's violin and the homemade chess set she had watched him carve into life, and other things that would be irreplaceable, but she had to travel as light as possible.
With a final strain of muscle, Angela had pulled the sheet she had placed her Nana's body on to the center of the available floor space. Without pause, her grandfather's razor came into play as she cut away the woman's bed clothes. She had brought a pail of water on her final trip back with her and added oils to it and began to bathe her as others of their tribe had been when death claimed them. She could not speak the words, but recited them in her thoughts as she labored. No matter how much anyone, including her Nana's ghost, might yell at her for this, she refused to leave the woman like a sack of garbage or leave her preparations to anyone else.
When she was finished, she looked through her Nana's wardrobe and pulled out her finest traditional outfit. Nana would wear this when they did the shows for the marks and true seekers (her own such outfit was tightly rolled and crammed into one of her packs along with the robe the woman had made her when Angela had been accepted into the coven).
Hoping the woman would forgive her for a lack of underwear, Angela dressed the woman properly. Details attended to with care. her hair combed and tied, her rings placed on her fingers (rings the girl could have taken and pawned for serious money), stockings, shoes, corset, and the rest. When she had finished, Nana lay in state looking like a true gypsy queen. It would just be a matter of burying her body now and the girl prayed the coven would send her off properly. She could do no more. Angela recited the prayer for the spirit as she had heard this woman do many times before, then knelt beside her and kissed her gently.
Angela then stood up and took a deep breath as she hardened herself within. If she would surrender to the emotional storm raging within her now, she would be here when others would begin to wake and come to inquire about the woman. A final check of the laces of her track shoes and she slipped on a windbreaker (despite the season, it was still chilly before sunrise) and shouldered the large backpack. Under the trailer a shoulder pack waited for her. She added a large, oversized purse she found in the back of her Nana's wardrobe where she had put the water bottle, the gun, a bit of the cash (she had no plans to root about her packs for money unless she was alone and safe) she had and the notebook, cards and other items. Her cigarettes, lighter, a pair of bandanas and sunglasses joined the mess within. If the girl 'stole' anything from the dead woman, it was simply the purse itself.
' Adio dragostea mea' she thought as she tried to force the words from her un-cooperating throat. She slipped on a Texas Rangers ball hat and exited the trailer. She moved like a ghost again, slipping her way to the western edge of the camp and began to head in the direction of the Mexico border. As dawn broke in the east, she turned northwest.
TBC
The first thing she noticed was that the lantern was still lit. A bit strange, considering how Nana was always on her about saving and not wasting fuel and other things. She rolled over to face the woman she had fallen asleep next to and tapped her. Angela sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned. She eyed the empty cup with suspicion. Normally she was a bundle of energy till this time of night. She picked up her cup and sniffed it, then frowned. It was a trick the girl would use many times in the future to keep others out of trouble or to help herself get out of bad situations.
Angela looked closer at her grandmother and tapped her again before pulling back the blanket. Katrina Machenka laid still with a look of peace upon her face. Her hands folded over her chest holding a letter marked 'Angela'.
'Nana?' the girl thought and actually tried to speak. The confusion of noise barely breaking the silence of the camper as she began to shake the woman. The coolness of the flesh against her hands and the lack of reply spoke volumes, and Angela had seen too many dead people over time to assume other wise but her shaking and croaking grew more frantic. 'NANA!'
An animal-like wail erupted from her mouth as tears blinded her eyes. She buried her face against the woman's body and screamed. She clung to the woman as if she could will her back to life until she felt like she had no more tears to give. Slowly she sat up and rubbed her now red eyes as she looked for her sandals. She had to let the others know what had happened.
But the note called her eyes back to her Nana. Gently she slipped the envelope free of her hands and held it-considering. She tore it open and moved so the lantern light would show the words clearly.
My Angel,
I have known for awhile I would not recover from this. In my cards and in other sources I saw this to be true. I wish I could have been with you the rest of the way in your journey, and in a way perhaps I will be.
When you have finished reading this, you will do as I told you. Gather the things I told you to along with anything this that may assist you on journey. This will be a sacrifice on your part to a degree because you simply cannot carry everything. Choose well, but the money, the tomes, and the other items I have discussed with you must go with you.
Do NOT remove the necklace until you are safe and never let it out of your care. I dimly see a day when you will understand and know when it is time to pass it on, but not now.
So this very night, this very hour, assemble your choices and leave under the cover of darkness. When they find me in the morning they will be too busy grieving over me to wonder about you and by then you will hopefully have many miles between you and here. Tell not your friends what you are doing. I know, it is harsh, but some may wish to go with you while others might try and keep you here. You cannot stay here with the gifts I give you now and you can move faster alone than in a group. Some you will see again- I know this- but for now you must simply vanish. Your mother will rage and curse you for this, but your destiny lies elsewhere, my Angel. Some of it I do not understand, but know this much. When the time comes you finally feel you are tired, and I do not mean normal tired from a day's work, but tired of traveling? Beware, for them you will have put yourself in the direct path of a destiny I would not wish for you, dear one.
Now go. Do as I say. Do not forget the notebooks under the mattress and the gun. I know you have your grandfather's razor, and your speed and wits, but you may need more on this journey. You will find another letter in the notebook for you, but you can read that once you are away from here.
Undying Mea dragoste, Angel. I know this will hurt, but you must do as I ask of you now. Please.
Do what you must- Survive!
Binecuvintari zeiţei pe tine întotdeauna, my brightest star in my eyes. I will always be with you.
'Nana'
Angela read the note several times, discovering she still had tears left inside of her. She opened the woman's night stand and removed several things including the silk bundle that held the woman's personal deck of tarot cards, the folded the letter and sat it with the items. The lamp was dimmed before she exited the trailer.
3:32 AM
It had been too easy.
Like a ghost, she moved about the sleeping camp, retrieving the things she had been told to get. A few days of easy to carry food and a water bottle filled rounded out her nocturnal hunt. She paused under her mother's camper after removing the contents of the last money box and wondered how ironic to have chosen this as a place to hide what her mother was always demanding. She did not bother to try and sneak inside. All of her few possessions she cared about had been in Nana's RV for months now. There was no love lost here to mourn.
But slipping past other trailers and vehicles brought stabs of pain to her heart deeply. Mary, Shira, Randy. She fought against the urge to go tap on the right window and tell them what she was doing. Her Nana was right, of course. To tell anyone was to complicate the situation at hand. Randy and Mary would be a quarter toss how they would react. Shira would come, she had no doubt of that much, but more than one gone would generate a larger desire to seek them out and unless they actually stole a vehicle, they would be an easy target to catch up with. To grab a van or car would be too time consuming and draw unwanted attentions.
'Dragostea Mea, fratele meu si surorile' she thought to herself as she slipped along from shadow to shadow. Only one member of the tribe had seen her, but he had been easily swayed to be silent. A few bits of day old sausage she had taken was enough to make Sirus, one of the guard dogs, calm down.
'I guess it's okay to say good bye to you, eh?' she hugged the German Shepard as it licked her face. 'You keep them all safe. Promise me.'
A few more bits of sausage kept the dog quiet as she slipped around a corner and vanished.
***
"You are wasting time, Angel! GO!"
Mentally Angela could imagine the woman saying that now. Under the RV and by the door, her bags were waiting. Everything the woman had told her to gather and a few of her own meager items were packed and ready. A couple changes of clothes and precious few personal items rounded out the load. So many things she was leaving. Her guitar, her grandfather's violin and the homemade chess set she had watched him carve into life, and other things that would be irreplaceable, but she had to travel as light as possible.
With a final strain of muscle, Angela had pulled the sheet she had placed her Nana's body on to the center of the available floor space. Without pause, her grandfather's razor came into play as she cut away the woman's bed clothes. She had brought a pail of water on her final trip back with her and added oils to it and began to bathe her as others of their tribe had been when death claimed them. She could not speak the words, but recited them in her thoughts as she labored. No matter how much anyone, including her Nana's ghost, might yell at her for this, she refused to leave the woman like a sack of garbage or leave her preparations to anyone else.
When she was finished, she looked through her Nana's wardrobe and pulled out her finest traditional outfit. Nana would wear this when they did the shows for the marks and true seekers (her own such outfit was tightly rolled and crammed into one of her packs along with the robe the woman had made her when Angela had been accepted into the coven).
Hoping the woman would forgive her for a lack of underwear, Angela dressed the woman properly. Details attended to with care. her hair combed and tied, her rings placed on her fingers (rings the girl could have taken and pawned for serious money), stockings, shoes, corset, and the rest. When she had finished, Nana lay in state looking like a true gypsy queen. It would just be a matter of burying her body now and the girl prayed the coven would send her off properly. She could do no more. Angela recited the prayer for the spirit as she had heard this woman do many times before, then knelt beside her and kissed her gently.
Angela then stood up and took a deep breath as she hardened herself within. If she would surrender to the emotional storm raging within her now, she would be here when others would begin to wake and come to inquire about the woman. A final check of the laces of her track shoes and she slipped on a windbreaker (despite the season, it was still chilly before sunrise) and shouldered the large backpack. Under the trailer a shoulder pack waited for her. She added a large, oversized purse she found in the back of her Nana's wardrobe where she had put the water bottle, the gun, a bit of the cash (she had no plans to root about her packs for money unless she was alone and safe) she had and the notebook, cards and other items. Her cigarettes, lighter, a pair of bandanas and sunglasses joined the mess within. If the girl 'stole' anything from the dead woman, it was simply the purse itself.
' Adio dragostea mea' she thought as she tried to force the words from her un-cooperating throat. She slipped on a Texas Rangers ball hat and exited the trailer. She moved like a ghost again, slipping her way to the western edge of the camp and began to head in the direction of the Mexico border. As dawn broke in the east, she turned northwest.
TBC
Undying Mea dragoste, Angel.= My Undying love, angel.
Binecuvintari zeiţei pe tine întotdeauna = Blessings of the goddess on you always
Dragostea Mea, fratele meu si surorile = My love, my brother and sisters
Adio dragostea mea = Goodbye my love
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
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Zodiac
- Registered User
- Posts: 1987
- Joined: 02 Aug 2011, 22:23
- CrowNet Handle: Raggedy Ann
- Location: The Pandora Project
- Contact:
Re: Do what you must. Survive!
9:47 AM
She rested as little as possible. Switching the shoulder pack between her shoulders as she trudged along. It would take her a few days to get used to her burdens and she could move faster and farther. A glance at her watch told her all hell was breaking loose at the camp by now. She stopped and took a small swallow from her water bottle, then lit a cigarette and continued along.
Angela had crossed I 35 and kept to the secondary roads following the border. It was of course where anyone such as herself would go to avoid being found, but with all the criss crossing of side roads and a limited number of searchers to actually try and find her (if they did try) the odds were in her favor. Most would think she would thumb a ride on the interstate for speed and give up there. It was the best plan she could make on the fly.
She heard the truck approaching and when her eyes told her it was not one of the vehicles from the camp she turned her attentions back to the road in front of her. A soft squeal of brakes caught her attention as the truck and its load of chickens stopped beside her.
"Where ya headed?" The man asked around the chaw of tobacco in his mouth with a smile. Angela pulled a notepad and pen from her purse and wrote quickly, then held up the note.
Fort Stockton
Interstate 10 ran through it and would be easy to find a ride westbound from there to El Paso and then where she had not a clue. Normally small towns were better to hide in, but if one was being tracked by others who knew how to vanish as well in a small town, a full sized city would be too big a challenge to take on.
"I'm only heading as far as Carrizo Springs, but it's a start if you want to climb in back. Sorry about the chickens for company. What kind of Christian would I be letting a poor soul walk out here like this? Is already getting hot." Angela inclined her head in thanks and went through the motions to show she could hear the man but was unable to reply in voice.
"You're a mute? That's a shame. Well, get on in the back. little sister. Got to get moving before these chickens start to roast along the way." The man turned and spit out the driver's window away from her. She walked to the back of the old Ford and dropped the tailgate. At once, the original passengers began to cluck and complain. Angela got herself and her bags up onto the back of the truck and only then did she slip them off. She had witnessed (and helped in) too many scams of suddenly driving off once the bags were in but not the passenger to be so careless. Once the tail was shut, she squirmed to the front under the tarp and knocked on the back window and gave the OK sign. The Ford began to accelerate as the girl worked her way back near the tail where she could get air in her lungs that was feather free and relaxed. She finished her cigarette and flicked it out onto the road behind them. From the cab of the truck, she heard country gospel music begin to play. As the driver sang along with Hank Williams about what a friend he had in Jesus, she took a sip of water and pulled the second envelope from her adopted purse.
As she tore it open, a tarot card fell into her lap. Angela resisted the urge to turn over the card from her Nana's deck and opened the letter.
If you are reading this, my Angel, then my time must finally be used up. I admit to you I am nervous in ways of what is waiting beyond for me, but I do not regret the life I had and the blessing of sharing it with you. You were a comfort and a delight to both myself and your grandfather who I hope to see again.
I have put your feet on the road, my Angel. A road quite familiar to you, yet very different now. Now, you are alone. If the Goddess answers my prayers and accepts my bargains, that will not be so for long. It will be difficult, but not impossible. This journey is illustrated by the sixth card in your layout. Please look at it if you haven't already...
Angela flipped the card.
As I have taught you, very rarely does the visual image or title match the subject of the reading. The Fool card is not suggesting you are a fool, but tells me you are about to begin a strange journey of discovery as well as distance. You know our ways and how to survive, so take in the world around you through new eyes. Yes, it may be lonely at times, dangerous as well, but that is the lot of Syzgany. You wanted power that could save me and were ready to do anything to make that happen. As you suggested once when you and the others saw that one movie there is a light and a dark side to all things. A darker path may have had your answer, but the cost would not be cheap. Embracing the darkness, even for a true purpose, sometimes changes people, Angel. Changes them in such subtle ways that have long term effects. Changes I would not want to see in you.
And into darkness you will go, my star. I have seen it too many times to ignore it in various forms of divinations. Something on this road you are on now will change you in ways I do not understand. Changes that may shake you to the very core of what you are. You will not want these things, but they will happen regardless, but though you may change in ways your core can survive. Never forget who you are, where you have come from, and where your true self lies. That will be your anchor in the darkness. I wish I could protect you from this, my Angel, but I cannot. But I also know you will make me proud in that darkness as well. You will grow in ways you cannot imagine and yes, will be a power in your own right. How you will use those powers will decide who and what you have become. But consider this, in the darkness, a single light can be a dazzling thing to behold.
Do what you must-survive, but never forget who you are. You are Syzgany. You are Ferenczy. You are the grandchild of Katrina Machenka who is most pleased with you. You have made me proud in this life and I know you will continue to past this day. I bless you and impart to you my power and authority. You were my apprentice and now my heir. My secrets are in the books you have taken with you. Use them well and with wisdom. Parts of the history of our blood are in some of the others, and one day you will find the place to study and learn from them at your leisure. One day people will seek you for your wisdom and advice. Be gentle, yet honest as you always have been when it comes to the cards. There will be success in the darkness for you as well. As anything else, how you use it will be the measure of you and nothing more.
There is nothing more to say. I am sorry it has come to this, my Angel, but some things we have no control over. I will be with you, Angela, some way, shape or form. I promise you. Be proud, be strong, be my dream.
Do what you must-
Survive.
My love,
Nana~
She made herself comfortable as the truck bounced along. Angela had traveled too many times like this to find the ride annoying at all. She pulled the silk bundle from her purse and opened it to replace the missing card, then kissed it before rewrapping it. She read the letter again as she would frequently along her journey. Satisfied for the moment, the letter was replaced in her purse and her sunglasses were put on. She leaned back into the Texas sunshine letting it warm her as every revolution of the Ford's tires put distance between her and the others. Angela did not mind the heat falling on her. She always hated the cold.
To be concluded~
She rested as little as possible. Switching the shoulder pack between her shoulders as she trudged along. It would take her a few days to get used to her burdens and she could move faster and farther. A glance at her watch told her all hell was breaking loose at the camp by now. She stopped and took a small swallow from her water bottle, then lit a cigarette and continued along.
Angela had crossed I 35 and kept to the secondary roads following the border. It was of course where anyone such as herself would go to avoid being found, but with all the criss crossing of side roads and a limited number of searchers to actually try and find her (if they did try) the odds were in her favor. Most would think she would thumb a ride on the interstate for speed and give up there. It was the best plan she could make on the fly.
She heard the truck approaching and when her eyes told her it was not one of the vehicles from the camp she turned her attentions back to the road in front of her. A soft squeal of brakes caught her attention as the truck and its load of chickens stopped beside her.
"Where ya headed?" The man asked around the chaw of tobacco in his mouth with a smile. Angela pulled a notepad and pen from her purse and wrote quickly, then held up the note.
Fort Stockton
Interstate 10 ran through it and would be easy to find a ride westbound from there to El Paso and then where she had not a clue. Normally small towns were better to hide in, but if one was being tracked by others who knew how to vanish as well in a small town, a full sized city would be too big a challenge to take on.
"I'm only heading as far as Carrizo Springs, but it's a start if you want to climb in back. Sorry about the chickens for company. What kind of Christian would I be letting a poor soul walk out here like this? Is already getting hot." Angela inclined her head in thanks and went through the motions to show she could hear the man but was unable to reply in voice.
"You're a mute? That's a shame. Well, get on in the back. little sister. Got to get moving before these chickens start to roast along the way." The man turned and spit out the driver's window away from her. She walked to the back of the old Ford and dropped the tailgate. At once, the original passengers began to cluck and complain. Angela got herself and her bags up onto the back of the truck and only then did she slip them off. She had witnessed (and helped in) too many scams of suddenly driving off once the bags were in but not the passenger to be so careless. Once the tail was shut, she squirmed to the front under the tarp and knocked on the back window and gave the OK sign. The Ford began to accelerate as the girl worked her way back near the tail where she could get air in her lungs that was feather free and relaxed. She finished her cigarette and flicked it out onto the road behind them. From the cab of the truck, she heard country gospel music begin to play. As the driver sang along with Hank Williams about what a friend he had in Jesus, she took a sip of water and pulled the second envelope from her adopted purse.
As she tore it open, a tarot card fell into her lap. Angela resisted the urge to turn over the card from her Nana's deck and opened the letter.
If you are reading this, my Angel, then my time must finally be used up. I admit to you I am nervous in ways of what is waiting beyond for me, but I do not regret the life I had and the blessing of sharing it with you. You were a comfort and a delight to both myself and your grandfather who I hope to see again.
I have put your feet on the road, my Angel. A road quite familiar to you, yet very different now. Now, you are alone. If the Goddess answers my prayers and accepts my bargains, that will not be so for long. It will be difficult, but not impossible. This journey is illustrated by the sixth card in your layout. Please look at it if you haven't already...
Angela flipped the card.
As I have taught you, very rarely does the visual image or title match the subject of the reading. The Fool card is not suggesting you are a fool, but tells me you are about to begin a strange journey of discovery as well as distance. You know our ways and how to survive, so take in the world around you through new eyes. Yes, it may be lonely at times, dangerous as well, but that is the lot of Syzgany. You wanted power that could save me and were ready to do anything to make that happen. As you suggested once when you and the others saw that one movie there is a light and a dark side to all things. A darker path may have had your answer, but the cost would not be cheap. Embracing the darkness, even for a true purpose, sometimes changes people, Angel. Changes them in such subtle ways that have long term effects. Changes I would not want to see in you.
And into darkness you will go, my star. I have seen it too many times to ignore it in various forms of divinations. Something on this road you are on now will change you in ways I do not understand. Changes that may shake you to the very core of what you are. You will not want these things, but they will happen regardless, but though you may change in ways your core can survive. Never forget who you are, where you have come from, and where your true self lies. That will be your anchor in the darkness. I wish I could protect you from this, my Angel, but I cannot. But I also know you will make me proud in that darkness as well. You will grow in ways you cannot imagine and yes, will be a power in your own right. How you will use those powers will decide who and what you have become. But consider this, in the darkness, a single light can be a dazzling thing to behold.
Do what you must-survive, but never forget who you are. You are Syzgany. You are Ferenczy. You are the grandchild of Katrina Machenka who is most pleased with you. You have made me proud in this life and I know you will continue to past this day. I bless you and impart to you my power and authority. You were my apprentice and now my heir. My secrets are in the books you have taken with you. Use them well and with wisdom. Parts of the history of our blood are in some of the others, and one day you will find the place to study and learn from them at your leisure. One day people will seek you for your wisdom and advice. Be gentle, yet honest as you always have been when it comes to the cards. There will be success in the darkness for you as well. As anything else, how you use it will be the measure of you and nothing more.
There is nothing more to say. I am sorry it has come to this, my Angel, but some things we have no control over. I will be with you, Angela, some way, shape or form. I promise you. Be proud, be strong, be my dream.
Do what you must-
Survive.
My love,
Nana~
She made herself comfortable as the truck bounced along. Angela had traveled too many times like this to find the ride annoying at all. She pulled the silk bundle from her purse and opened it to replace the missing card, then kissed it before rewrapping it. She read the letter again as she would frequently along her journey. Satisfied for the moment, the letter was replaced in her purse and her sunglasses were put on. She leaned back into the Texas sunshine letting it warm her as every revolution of the Ford's tires put distance between her and the others. Angela did not mind the heat falling on her. She always hated the cold.
To be concluded~
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
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Re: Do what you must. Survive!
Five days later. Twenty Four miles east of Van Horn, Texas.
Angela ran along the edge of the culvert calmly. Four days of walking and riding and the packs were beginning to ride easier now on her shoulders. Her progress was not rapid, but not lazy either, after she had stopped to grieve for a day. It was the way of this mode of traveling. So many miles on foot, snatching a burst of speed from a lift, then back to the feet. Slowly she was making her way to El Paso. Once she crossed into New Mexico she would consider where to go next. Mexico itself was tempting, but too many questions if their border guards would happen to find her. "And what do we have here? A little senorita with a bunch of money in a bag and no proof who she even is? 25 years." she imagined the scenario. No, she'd have better luck on the American side - for now. Once she managed to get some forged ID's in her grasp, she could consider a trip. Great food, great liquor, great parties, but trust no one.
What was concerning the girl now as she ran was the feeling someone was following her.
Her eyes darting to the left and right and she moved. She wanted a spot where she could hide but still see in order to catch a glimpse of whoever was tracking her. Finally she saw what she wanted. The culvert passed under an access road via a concrete drainage pipe. Hiding in the shadows of that pipe would hide her and yet be able to see. A quick look behind her and she hopped off the footpath. Her shoes splashing softly in the thin trickle of water as she dove for cover and waited.
She sat in the semi darkness for a good twenty minutes watching the path she had just ran down when she finally saw who was tracking her.
Well, it wasn't a who-but a what.
Angela blinked in surprise as the large black cat appeared. It walked calmly along as if it did this sort of thing everyday. It was a big one. Maine Coon or a large Persian was her guess. The cat walked up to the point Angela had jumped off the road and looked around in confusion. Meowing a bit as if suddenly it was lost. "So that is my stalker?" she wanted to laugh. This thing was HUGE! She snapped her fingers once, and the cat zeroed in on her location. "Meow!" it declared as it made its way down into the culvert and approached the girl.
"Where the hell did you come from?" she offered her hand for the cat to inspect. A few sniffs and the animal was rubbing against her hand purring happily. Angela figured this was as good a spot as any to take a small break and slipped the packs from her shoulders. She sat back against the concrete pipe and relaxed as the cat continued to sniff about her. She lit a smoke as her hand brushed through the thick fur of the beast. The cat did not flinch away, but leaned into the pets willingly. A quick check revealed no collar, but the animal was too healthy to be simply a stray. "Mystery cat. Following me down the road." she smiled. There was nothing out in this area to suggest the cat had simply wandered off from its home. "What's your story pretty....lady." a visual check confirmed the sex. The cat meowed and placed its paws against her chest as her head rubbed against her face. The purring sounding like a small train in the distance. "Friendly one you are." she laughed silently.
What to do now? If this was indeed her stalker, the cat would continue to follow her no matter what she did to discourage it. She always wanted a cat of her own, but to keep one as she wandered the country was insane at best. Too much could happen to the furry beast. ('As if nothing could happen to you as well?' she argued with herself) It was the truth. Nana told her to go-simple. No destination, no particular goal in mind and no time table to follow. A million and one things could happen to her out here and depending on who it was, anyone curious would not find a trace of her. She was sure if anyone from the tribe was searching for her, they would have given up by now. A couple more days of quick travel then find a spot for a day or two so she could rest and make plans. Solid plans from point to point.
"You wanna hang with me, fuzzy britches?" she thought as she warmed to the idea of the cat for company as she traveled. She looked stern at the fawning animal for a moment. "Everybody pulls their own weight. No free lunches and no free rides. You understand me?"
"Mrow," the cat replied as if it heard her.
"Good good then," Angela stood up and dusted herself off before grabbing her packs and slipping them into place. So far, she had had no problems. After the chicken man, she caught a ride at a truck stop, some calm walking. She broke a fifty on a couple packs of smokes and a quick meal at one of the fast food hells. She only allowed herself three cigarettes a day, so they would last for awhile. Sadly (or gladly) the food did not last. "It was fast, alright!" She had also bought a canteen to help her water bottle along. The strap alone was helpful to free her hands if needed.
Once she was balanced, she climbed up out of the culvert and onto the path. Below, the cat meowed in confusion. "Hey, I said no free rides! I got enough to carry without your fat *** as well." she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she began to walk again. A few seconds later she could hear the cat scaling the side of the ditch and fall into step next to her.
"I'm thinking California." she rambled in her mind as if the cat could actually hear or understand her. She had been there before, but it was a case of the tribe following available work. Never to the potential fun places. "Camp out on the beach somewhere and set up shop. Be the smexy gypsy witch of the sands. Rent one of those little fold up shops and when I am not telling fortunes just lay out and work on my tan. I could so do that."
"Rarw." the cat sounded like it disagreed with the notion, again-as if it could hear what she was thinking.
"Hey, just for a month or so. I am sure we will find a spot to make home before fall gets too far along. Somewhere warm." She smiled. Angela would be happy to reach Van Horn, get some solid rest and then find a semi or other ride heading to El Paso after a quick meal. But the quest to find a solid place to call a home would draw out far longer than she or the cat realized. Over the course of the next fifteen months the girl and her traveling companion would visit many places in America and Mexico before she found herself one fall afternoon in Canada reading a sign that said 'Welcome to Harper Rock.' when she was working her way back to warmer places before winter sat it. Such was the fate or destiny of Angela Ferenczy and the cat that would eventually be named Ginny Sweethips. Her Nana had told her: 'Do what you must- survive!' and the pair continue to follow those instructions even now.
But that is a tale already being told.
FIN
Angela ran along the edge of the culvert calmly. Four days of walking and riding and the packs were beginning to ride easier now on her shoulders. Her progress was not rapid, but not lazy either, after she had stopped to grieve for a day. It was the way of this mode of traveling. So many miles on foot, snatching a burst of speed from a lift, then back to the feet. Slowly she was making her way to El Paso. Once she crossed into New Mexico she would consider where to go next. Mexico itself was tempting, but too many questions if their border guards would happen to find her. "And what do we have here? A little senorita with a bunch of money in a bag and no proof who she even is? 25 years." she imagined the scenario. No, she'd have better luck on the American side - for now. Once she managed to get some forged ID's in her grasp, she could consider a trip. Great food, great liquor, great parties, but trust no one.
What was concerning the girl now as she ran was the feeling someone was following her.
Her eyes darting to the left and right and she moved. She wanted a spot where she could hide but still see in order to catch a glimpse of whoever was tracking her. Finally she saw what she wanted. The culvert passed under an access road via a concrete drainage pipe. Hiding in the shadows of that pipe would hide her and yet be able to see. A quick look behind her and she hopped off the footpath. Her shoes splashing softly in the thin trickle of water as she dove for cover and waited.
She sat in the semi darkness for a good twenty minutes watching the path she had just ran down when she finally saw who was tracking her.
Well, it wasn't a who-but a what.
Angela blinked in surprise as the large black cat appeared. It walked calmly along as if it did this sort of thing everyday. It was a big one. Maine Coon or a large Persian was her guess. The cat walked up to the point Angela had jumped off the road and looked around in confusion. Meowing a bit as if suddenly it was lost. "So that is my stalker?" she wanted to laugh. This thing was HUGE! She snapped her fingers once, and the cat zeroed in on her location. "Meow!" it declared as it made its way down into the culvert and approached the girl.
"Where the hell did you come from?" she offered her hand for the cat to inspect. A few sniffs and the animal was rubbing against her hand purring happily. Angela figured this was as good a spot as any to take a small break and slipped the packs from her shoulders. She sat back against the concrete pipe and relaxed as the cat continued to sniff about her. She lit a smoke as her hand brushed through the thick fur of the beast. The cat did not flinch away, but leaned into the pets willingly. A quick check revealed no collar, but the animal was too healthy to be simply a stray. "Mystery cat. Following me down the road." she smiled. There was nothing out in this area to suggest the cat had simply wandered off from its home. "What's your story pretty....lady." a visual check confirmed the sex. The cat meowed and placed its paws against her chest as her head rubbed against her face. The purring sounding like a small train in the distance. "Friendly one you are." she laughed silently.
What to do now? If this was indeed her stalker, the cat would continue to follow her no matter what she did to discourage it. She always wanted a cat of her own, but to keep one as she wandered the country was insane at best. Too much could happen to the furry beast. ('As if nothing could happen to you as well?' she argued with herself) It was the truth. Nana told her to go-simple. No destination, no particular goal in mind and no time table to follow. A million and one things could happen to her out here and depending on who it was, anyone curious would not find a trace of her. She was sure if anyone from the tribe was searching for her, they would have given up by now. A couple more days of quick travel then find a spot for a day or two so she could rest and make plans. Solid plans from point to point.
"You wanna hang with me, fuzzy britches?" she thought as she warmed to the idea of the cat for company as she traveled. She looked stern at the fawning animal for a moment. "Everybody pulls their own weight. No free lunches and no free rides. You understand me?"
"Mrow," the cat replied as if it heard her.
"Good good then," Angela stood up and dusted herself off before grabbing her packs and slipping them into place. So far, she had had no problems. After the chicken man, she caught a ride at a truck stop, some calm walking. She broke a fifty on a couple packs of smokes and a quick meal at one of the fast food hells. She only allowed herself three cigarettes a day, so they would last for awhile. Sadly (or gladly) the food did not last. "It was fast, alright!" She had also bought a canteen to help her water bottle along. The strap alone was helpful to free her hands if needed.
Once she was balanced, she climbed up out of the culvert and onto the path. Below, the cat meowed in confusion. "Hey, I said no free rides! I got enough to carry without your fat *** as well." she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she began to walk again. A few seconds later she could hear the cat scaling the side of the ditch and fall into step next to her.
"I'm thinking California." she rambled in her mind as if the cat could actually hear or understand her. She had been there before, but it was a case of the tribe following available work. Never to the potential fun places. "Camp out on the beach somewhere and set up shop. Be the smexy gypsy witch of the sands. Rent one of those little fold up shops and when I am not telling fortunes just lay out and work on my tan. I could so do that."
"Rarw." the cat sounded like it disagreed with the notion, again-as if it could hear what she was thinking.
"Hey, just for a month or so. I am sure we will find a spot to make home before fall gets too far along. Somewhere warm." She smiled. Angela would be happy to reach Van Horn, get some solid rest and then find a semi or other ride heading to El Paso after a quick meal. But the quest to find a solid place to call a home would draw out far longer than she or the cat realized. Over the course of the next fifteen months the girl and her traveling companion would visit many places in America and Mexico before she found herself one fall afternoon in Canada reading a sign that said 'Welcome to Harper Rock.' when she was working her way back to warmer places before winter sat it. Such was the fate or destiny of Angela Ferenczy and the cat that would eventually be named Ginny Sweethips. Her Nana had told her: 'Do what you must- survive!' and the pair continue to follow those instructions even now.
But that is a tale already being told.
FIN
Some day I'm gonna be happy. I don't know when just now
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.
I still have clouds to dance upon, and the moon expects me for tea
The Pandora Project.