Reclaiming Souls (13 page)

She just shook her head and we jumped through the portal. It was an amazing feeling. Almost like how dying and shooting up to see the big man would be, I supposed. Of course, I couldn’t remember how that felt so I pretended that that’s what it must have felt like. We landed in New Orleans. There was jazz music, street performers, and the smell of beignets made me want some so very badly.

“Okay, we’re listening for the sound of an offbeat heartbeat, does that make sense?” she asked me.

“Yeah, I think I can do that,” I nodded.

“Okay, let’s start walking around the French Quarter and listen very closely. Until we start getting closer to it, it’s going to be very faint at first.”

“Got it.” We walked out of the alley and onto the bustling street. No one knew we were there. We just walked amongst them. I heard it. Just like she said, it was a very
faint thu-thump thump-thuthump-thumpthump
. I stopped and tilted my head a little, listening.

“You hear it, don’t you?” she asked, enthusiastically.

“Yeah, I do. It’s really crazy sounding.”

“This is the best part. Let’s go chase down a soul.” We maneuvered down the winding streets until we approached a park bench with a young man sitting on it. “Clarence?”

“Yeah, who’s asking?” He turned his head and saw us. All the color drained from his face. He jumped to his feet and high tailed it across the park.

“Oh no you don’t! Why do you people always run away!?” Lexie huffed out in frustration. I was hot on her heels as ran as fast as we could behind him.

He did a quick move and turned directions. Lexie tried to keep up but I passed her and went after him myself. He ducked between some buildings and down an alley with a chain link fence at the end. I smirked, thinking he had to give it up by that point. He slammed a fist on the fence then turned to the building on his right and ran inside. We followed him in. Once we got inside, I stopped and looked around. We were in a voodoo shop.

The man we were chasing was laid out on the floor, unconscious. A woman came out from behind a curtain. She was stunningly beautiful. Her caramel skin and green eyes were awe worthy. She was wearing a black toga and head wrap. There were white markings all over her arms and face and she wore a necklace made of bones.

“I know you’re here,” she spoke as she walked around Clarence and sat at a table in the middle of the room. She lit a candle and placed it on the center.

“Can you hear us?” I asked, thinking surely she couldn’t.

“Of course I can. I am a descendent of Marie Laveau.”

“Who?” Lexie asked.

The voodoo woman shook her head, “She was the Voodoo Queen.”

“What’s your name?” I asked, moving closer to the table.

“Clotille,” she replied, a heavy island accent to her voice.

“Well, this is kind of awkward. No one else usually knows we’re around,” Lexie shifted on her feet, nervous of the situation.

“You don’t need to be scared of me, child. I know who you are and why you’re chasing this young man. He did some bad tings and he has to pay for it. The spirits are not happy with what he’s done. I knew you were coming before you hit the alley.”

“Oooookay then. If you’ll excuse us, we need to get his soul and bring him back for his judgment.”

“While you’re here, someone you know is being harmed back at the In-Between, Devalynn Rose.”

Whoa. She knew my name. “How do you know who I am?” I stepped closer until I was right next to her. She was laying out tarot cards in front of her on the table.

“I know more than you realize. You need to hurry and get back there but even then it will probably be too late for him...and Lexie.” Her voice was filled with sad undertones as she shook her head.

“Wait what do you mean too late for me?” Lexie got defensive and raised her voice as she poked her chest out a little.

“Your future is sealed and it does not end well for you, I’m afraid.”

“How does it end? I’m already dead,” she snorted and turned for the door. I silently began to follow her.

“You are dead, that is true, but you are about to not have even existed, ever. Dat is much worse than death.”

“Crazy ass Cajuns always trying to use their voodoo on me,” Lexie muttered as she stormed out of the room.

I remembered as I was about to step outside about Clarence. I turned on my heels and went back to him, watching the voodoo woman at her table until I was kneeling beside him. His breathing was shallow. I reached into his chest and pulled out his soul. Since I did not have a necklace I would have to carry it until I caught up with Lexie for the crossover.

“Stay strong. You think you’ve got no memories left and you may be right but nothing could prepare you for what’s about to happen to you.” That time she locked eyes with me for a moment. I felt violated, like someone was watching me change and get in the shower violated.

“Um, thanks for the heads up, Clotille.”

“Devalynn,” she called out. I stopped in the doorway and didn’t turn to look at her, “watch out for the dark spirits. They’re coming for Lexie and you can’t stop them. It’s best you not be around when they show up.”

I didn’t say a word and walked outside. Lexie was pacing back and forth next to the door. I handed her the spirit and watched as she slipped it into the necklace, sealing it shut with shaking hands.

“Hey, you okay?” I asked.

“Sure, just great. Never fails. These damn voodoo priestesses always mess with me when I come here for someone and end up in their shops or temples.”

“It looks like this one really got to you.”

“Well, none of them have ever been wrong before.”

“She said dark spirits are coming for you, that it’s a done deal and I shouldn’t be around you when it happens,” I whispered, looking at the ground since I couldn’t look her in the eyes.

“Figures,” she muttered.

“What was she talking about? What dark spirits?”

“They’re like...demons, but they’re just like us. They’re the dead who were sent to hell and became killers of us. They don’t do it often because they never know where we’ll be but every now and then, they catch us at the right time and well, kill our souls. There have been a few incidents where they lost and we won but they’re much more skilled. They’re trained to kill us. I will fight as hard as I can to not get caught by one but she is right. You don’t want to even be in the same city as me when it happens.”

“Can you talk to the Creator? There has to be something you can do.”

She shook her head, “There’s nothing he can do. There is no magic spell, no charm to protect us.”

“What about assigning you a different job? You know they’re coming, so fight for reassignment,” I pleaded with her.

“Dev, I can’t. I bring in a lot of souls. He’s not going to put me on a desk job. Look, let’s finish the day and go back to helping those that really need you; the souls that shouldn’t be reclaimed.”

“Okay,” I frowned. She wasn’t going to talk anymore. Not there at least. The portal opened up and took us to our next destination- Budapest.

When we landed, I instantly heard the drumming of the heart. We ran towards it and the whole time I kept wondering to myself if the dark spirits were going to come for her then.

“Okay, we’re here for Hajna. She killed her lover when he found out she was married,” Lexie shook her head, “What the hell is wrong with some of these people?”

There was snow all over the ground but it didn’t slow us. We ended up at an old, rundown building and slowly made our way inside so we didn’t startle her and make her run. We went to the third floor and waited outside an apartment. The lights were flickering in the hallway and everything was dirty.

At that particular moment, I was happy I was already dead. I wouldn’t have wanted to be there alive. There was a woman sobbing on the phone.

“I killed him. My God, what have I done,” she wailed. There was a pause. “No! I can’t do that. I can’t do that to his body. It was an accident. He found out about my marriage and I freaked out. I don’t know what to do.”

We walked in and when she saw us, she hung up the phone. “What happened, Hajna?” Lexie asked her.

“I swear, I didn’t mean to kill him! You have to believe me. It was an accident!” She got on her knees, begging us.

I felt the tears filling my eyes. She was a reason I needed to get back to work. “Was it really an accident?” I choked out.

“I swear on my life it was. He was coming after me with a knife,” she nodded in the direction of his body on the floor, “see, it’s still in his hand. I grabbed the scissors and--and--stabbed him,” she put her head in her hands as her sobbing caused her to start heaving violently.

I looked at Lexie then back at Hajna. “I have to reclaim your soul, but for what it’s worth, we’re working on changing the standards of the program. If you are truly innocent, the Creator will pardon you.”

“I understand. I can’t run from this. I have to face what I’ve done,” she laid down on the floor and spun the wedding ring on her finger. “Does it hurt?”

I shook my head, “I don’t think so. It’s time to go.” I reached down and into her chest, trying to be as gentle as I could, and wrapped my hand firmly around her heart, pulling her soul from her body. Her body went limp, eyes still open. After handing the soul to Lexie, I closed Hajnas’ eyes.

“I hate this,” she sighed, “but it’s not for us to decide who gets reclaimed and who doesn’t; not yet anyways. I guess we’ll go ahead and bring these two back and you can stay there and do some work to help them.”

“I think that would be best. I feel kind of like a distraction to you.”

“You’re not. If anything, you’ve outshined me, that’s for sure,” she smiled.

“I don’t see how.”

“Just trust me, you’re really good at this job,” she replied, looking up for the portal.

“When you come back, please be careful. I can’t lose you. You’re the closest thing I have to family up there. You’re like a long lost sister I’ve just found and I don’t want to lose that.”

“Don’t worry, little sis, I’ll be just fine,” she smiled then hugged me tightly.

“Okay.”

The portal opened and took us back to the In-Between.

I was sitting in the little office, going through more of the laws when the horn blew loud and obnoxiously again. I dropped my pen to cover my ears. It rang out again and a third time after that. There was a lot of commotion outside so I ran to the door and swung it open. Collectors were in the streets covering their mouths with their hands, eyes wide with horror. I didn’t understand what was going on. Everyone began running to the judgment hall so I followed them. Once I pushed through the crowd and took a seat up front, the Creator came out. Everyone grew quiet when he raised his hands to speak.

“I’m sure none of you have any idea what is going on right now, do you?” he asked with a sad expression. No one said a word so he continued. “A fellow Collector has been the victim of a dark spirit. They are battling right now and I wish I could stop it, but, I cannot. There will be no more reclaiming today. I ask everyone to stay in here and wait for me to return.”

Oh shit. No-no-no-no-no. I started freaking out because I knew who it was and she was alone with no one to help her. “Excuse me!” I raised my hand and jumped to my feet. Everyone turned to stare at me.

“Not now, Devalynn,” he replied.

“It’s Lexie, isn’t it?” I didn’t back down; not when it had to do with my best friend.

He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead with a hand before looking at me. “Yes.”

“Why can’t you do anything? You’re the Creator of life, death, and everything else! WHY can’t you save her!? She’s one of the best we have here and you’re just going to let her die; let her soul be crushed!?” I yelled...probably louder than I should have but my anger was about to boil over.

“Do not cross me! I told you, there is nothing I can do. If she can out-battle it, then she will be here soon. If not, I am so sorry.” He walked out of the room. I sat down in defeat and began picking at my fingernails and bouncing my legs like I was shivering. I felt completely sick to my stomach.

“Hey, can I sit by you?” Jackson looked down at me, despair in his voice.

“Sure.”

He scooted in next to me. “How did you know it was her? I’ve been asking questions and no one knew anything so how did you?”

“I-uh-I was with her when she found out from a voodoo woman in New Orleans that the dark spirits were coming for her. She made me come back so I wouldn’t be around when...” I let my voice trail off.

“You just didn’t feel the need to tell anyone?” he snarled at me. His eyes pinched down with disgust at me.

“I had no idea it would be today! I honestly didn’t. Please, Jackson, you have to understand!”

“Understand? What, that my Lexie is down there, about to die and have never existed? I’m about to lose everything I have in the afterlife. SHE is my everything and you did NOTHING to stop her or tell anyone so please, tell me what I should be understanding right now!?” He yelled so loud his voice echoed off the walls. Jumping to his feet he walked towards the doors to leave.

I wanted to cry. I felt like her ultimate death was going to be my fault because I didn’t warn anyone. If I knew what death felt like; if I remembered how it was...I could only imagine that the feelings rushing through my body at that moment were worse than it. The loud whispering of everyone became silent again. I looked up and watched as the Creator came back in the room with his hands clasped behind his back.

“It is with utmost sadness that I report that Lexie has lost the battle.” There were a lot of gasps. “Please, everyone, respect your boundaries and go home to mourn in peace. Do not go to her house or talk to Jackson. He has some things to work through. Anyone caught disobeying will be entombed at once, no questions asked. Do I make myself clear? I will be in my office but not seeing anyone until at least tomorrow. You are all dismissed.” No one moved. We all sat there like stone statues. He had left but we didn’t.

I could feel the eyes of every collector boring into me, knowing what happened could have possibly been prevented. I felt like complete shit for letting my best friend, my sister die. Without looking at a single person, I ran through the hall and back to my house where I locked myself away in my bedroom and screamed into pillows until I passed out from exhaustion.

Chapter Ten

I woke up in the middle of the night and shot up out of bed. I ran to Lexie and Jackson’s house, collapsing on the ground in front of it. There were cards on the front porch, pictures of Lexie, and different memorabilia for her.

“Devalynn? What are you doing out here?” Jackson stood at the front door with his arms crossed, leaning on the doorframe with only a candle lit behind him.

I shook my head, “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” I stood to my feet and began to walk off.

“Hey, come here for a minute,” he called after me.

“I can’t take being yelled at anymore, I really can’t,” my voice cracked, unsteady and giving away the fact I was scared to death.

“I’m not going to yell at you. I just want you to come in and let’s talk, okay?” He unfolded his arms and held the door open for me.

“I can do that,” I responded. Slowly I made my way up the stairs leading to him. I was scared. I was hurt. I was angry. I didn’t know what to feel because they all ran into each other and blended.

He sat on a chair in the living room and relaxed, watching me fumble around nervously. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what? You have nothing to be sorry about.” I crossed the room and sat on the couch across from him.

“I do. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. That’s the kind of person Lexie was. She would have preferred to be alone and be killed than risk someone else’s life. If she already knew the dark spirits were coming for her than she knew she couldn’t escape them. I’m sorry I took out my anger on you. It’s not your fault. I have to work through this all alone and I don’t know how to deal with her not walking through that door ever again or never hearing her beautiful voice, and the thing that is going to eat at me forever no matter what is that fact she died alone. No one was there with her. I was supposed to protect her!” He stood and threw the vase from the little table next to the chair against a wall. He flipped the table over and screamed as he collapsed to his knees and put his face in his hands.

I instantly fell from the couch and wrapped my arms around him. “Please, don’t do this to yourself. You know just as well that she wouldn’t have put you in danger, too. She loved you so much. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. You can’t fall apart like this,” I choked out. If tears could fall down my face, that room would have been flooded.

“Then what am I supposed to do?” He looked up at me with defeat in his eyes that had lost their sparkle. His smile was gone and replaced with a hard line.

“Get through this. I am still around. You are not alone.”

“No offense, but you don’t even remember me from before the Creator zapped your damn memory so yeah, I am alone. You just don’t understand,” he sneered at me.

I sat back and blinked my eyes a few times. “What do you mean before the Creator zapped my memory?”

“Oh shit,” he ran his hands through his hair and covered his mouth with them, “you didn’t know, yet, did you?”

“Hell no I didn’t know anything! What do you mean zapped my memory!?” I raised my voice.

“You had your memory wiped so you could do this job and be unbiased and whatever. I don’t know all the details. Lexie, Kellin, me, and you...we went almost everywhere together. Your memory is gone, Lexie is gone, and Kellin is being put on trial,” he sighed and sank to the floor and rested his head on it.

“Wait! What!? Kellin is on trial for what!?” My unbeating heart lifted into my throat.

“Last night, they came for him. You didn’t know?”

“Why did who come for him!?”

“He has been called a traitor for killing another Collector. Michael came for him.”

“There has to be a mistake. Kellin isn’t capable of doing that,” I shook my head with astonishment.

“There was a witness.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. The Creator is being all quiet about the whole thing.”

“Who was the Collector?”

“Dev, I don’t know any other details. They haven’t said who was killed. Some newbie I’m sure since no one has noticed they’re missing. We can go to the start of his trial tomorrow morning.” He yawned really loud. “Okay, I think it’s time to get some sleep. You should be getting back home. Thanks for coming by. I haven’t talked to anyone else about anything.”

“I honestly wasn’t expecting you to be awake. That’s why I came,” I replied, sheepishly.

“It’s okay.” He stood and walked me to the door.

“I’ll see you in the morning. If you need anything, you know where to find me,” I hugged him tight. “I’m so sorry.”

“Get some sleep and thanks.” He kissed my forehead and went back inside.

I walked casually back to my house but there was no way I could sleep. There was too much on my mind. Kellin’s very existence was on the line and I didn’t believe the crime he was accused of. Someone had to know something. I just had to find the one willing to talk.