Samuel jingles the coins in his pocket as he hums his favorite tune. Gold and silver twirl between his fingers as he enters the path towards the crossroads.
Emily shivers in fear as she grips Samuel's other hand with all of her strength. Dragging her feet, she fears what is to come.
Chief said this was the way. He insisted they walk to the crossroads. Having Samuel as her guide, gave Emily a sense of comfort.
Laveau had warned her of the banshee and the deceptions of the siren. She wished it all was just a bad dream, but as she rubbed her hairless scalp, she was reminded that dark magic was real. Her shiny black hair, missing. Gone. Not all, but enough to feel cursed and damned.
Laveau warned Emily. So did the great witch. Many of ill energy lurk within the shadows, just on the edge of the light, to harm you like the siren. Do not be fooled by your sight.
The banshee will come. Listen to her screams. She brings warnings. Protected, you will be.
Emily gripped her satchel tight, worried she would forget Chief's instructions. She longed to see Laveau. Screaming in her mind, she called to Laveau for help.
Emily's mind began to race as she ran her hand over the leather. It's all there. No need to worry. She could feel Laveau's energy with her. Keep going.
Thunder and lightning began to roll in, lighting the way as the sky grew dark. The wind began to gain strength, and the sky above New Brighton came alive.
The crossroads is an interesting place. It is a place where the living interact with the unseen magic of the universe. It is not a cemetery. It is a place of balance and order. It is a place to show respect to our ancestors that are now unseen. It is a place where paths cross. It is a place where change of heart can happen in the blink of your eye.
The great witch had told Emily that she was protected in the unseen by a chief, a healer and a banshee. These were her ancestors, protecting her throughout each lifetime.
With the tools from Chief, wisdom from Laveau, and guided by her lucky Irishman Samuel, Emily was ready to meet the banshee.
The wind calmed as they entered the crossroads.
Emily sat her satchel on the brick pathway.
Sage and feather, coins and hair.
Now it's time to set things right.
Across all lifetimes and timelines,
Balance the scales,
Make it fair.
Emily bursted into tears.
She died so many times inside to get here.
Her tears burned as they fell from her eyes.
Cinnamon and gold.
Silver and salt.
The banshee appeared and whispered, "It's not your fault. You shimmer and shine, blinding a few. They spent time, wishing harm on you. Now, you rise, dear child, here is your key. No one can hex you again, from now, past the end of eternity. "
As the banshee began to scream, all of Emily's tools disappeared and in its place appeared a skeleton key.
Memories of the cage that Emily escaped from, flashed in her mind. The banshee's screams began to fade. She was now screaming with no sound.
As Emily looked over at Samuel, she realized the deafening silence.
She now had the key.
The key to open every door.
Emily awoke in her bed at the dollhouse.
Her satin pillow drenched in sweat.
Was this indeed, a dream?
Emily grabbed Elizabeth's gold mirror.
She had to check and see!
Bright white strands of silky hair!
How can this be?
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