by K.E. Rodgers
*There’s a bit more to this, but it’s a bit boring. Future stories into the lives of the Eidolon will reflect more on these rules*
Physiology of a Flesh-Eater:
The living-dead or zombie preys on the living to continue their immortal and perhaps immoral existence. It is in the blood and tissue of the living bio-organisms of this planet that the life essence collects. This complex substance is also responsible for the chemistry found in the ectoplasm of non-corporal entities, ghosts. A flesh-eater retains little life essence in their system and must supplement their diet with a foreign supply. This compound should not be confused with the soul, which contains its own separate cosmic energy.
The internal organs of the flesh-eater are enlarged to maintain homeostasis within the body. A higher core temperature is normal. The complexion is similar to that of an average human, yet the enlarged heart beats sluggishly, not speedily as you might expect. It can, however, increase under stress or increased activity.
There is little to differentiate between them and the living, externally. If the flesh-eater does, however, defer from traditional nutritional practices they may appear pale. Dark shadows under the eyes that may be accompanied by dizziness and shortness of breath. The biological reactions going on inside a flesh-eater may seem similar to living humans diagnosed with acute hemolytic anemia, a malfunction of the immune system that produces autoantibodies that attack the red blood cells as if they were substances foreign to the human body. A flesh-eater’s body is constantly attacking itself, so consistent intake of the foreign blood and life essence found in largest quantities in the human genome allows for a renewal of what their body destroys. If not, this can result in neurological damage and bodily deterioration. A zombie is created from this chemical change in the flesh-eater body. * Not to be forgotten, along with the chemistry is the supernatural component of their conception*
The flesh-eater is fueled by the magick of its conception, the elements of the earth, and the biological urge to consume the flesh and blood of the living. Associated with animalistic characteristics, it is capable of quick athletic reflexes and is not slow or dimwitted. The zombie is those things.
A dense layer of tissue keeps the flesh-eater from injury, self inflicted or not. However, if the tissue is damaged by any supernatural means the flesh-eater is at the mercy of bleeding out if the injury is not taken under control. The tissue can regenerate quickly, but the clotting function is not as active as in a typical living human. The flesh-eater may lose too much blood before the tissue growth is complete if the wound is extensive enough.
The biting power of the flesh-eater jaw is similar to that of a snake or crocodile and can inflict substantial damage on the flesh and bone of most living creatures. Their elongated canines are needed tools to accomplish these eating practices. They are likely to leave little evidence of their victims once consumption is completed.
The night hours are the usual prowling hours while the day is reserved for rest. A flesh-eater may venture out during the daylight hours, yet it chooses to be less conspicuous within living culture. In their estimation, night is also when the living choose to be more reckless in their activities.
Social interaction between flesh-eaters leans more toward individualism. Yet, for the purposes of controlling the family’s activities and thereby decreasing liability the LeMoyne's have chosen to hunt in groups of two or more. The women go together most evenings. The more vicious flesh-eaters stay to themselves and are unlikely to form bonds with others of their own species. Corrigan remained on his own for most of his undead existence. *Aiden Mochrie, Corrigan’s brother, is one of these lone flesh-eaters (Frost Bitten – Book 3.)
The LeMoyne family is capable of communication through neurological wave lengths that help them during their hunting hours and can be used to warn the others of impending danger. Not all flesh-eaters are able to tie into this; a necessary familiar bond must be in place first. Their communication interaction is set-up differently than other telecommunication between those of psychic persuasion. The line cannot be tapped into unless there is a spiritual bond between them. (Example: Clarissa was able to overhear Corrigan, Helen and Chas. Already, her chemistry was connected with theirs through Corrigan, even if she wasn’t aware of it at the time.
The only thing a flesh-eater truly fears is the Death Bokor/ Death Dealer.
The LeMoyne Family:
The LeMoyne complex found on Anastasia Island is located just beyond the Anastasia Park and the Alligator Farm, set deep into the woods and connected to the main road by an unkempt dirt road. Beyond the high coquina walls that are harvested on the island are four separately spaced buildings. The largest, the main house, located near the center of the property with the four smaller homes laid out around it. Pathways connect the buildings with gardens that have been designed and maintained by Margaret Ann. Corrigan is the only sibling to not have his own home. He has made a place in the attic of the main house. Evening hours and Sunday dinners are spent in the main house where Ambrose and Maude make their home.
Sundays are the only day that the family has set aside to not go out. These hours are spent in human inspired activities. Maude makes a vegetarian meal and everyone gathers around the table in the main house. Flesh-eaters do not like cooked meats. These rubbery flesh morsels are likely to give them indigestion and they do not contain any nutritional benefit to their system. Xavier, however, does occasionally have a rare slab of meat. He’s eccentric like that.
They have only moved back to St. Augustine within the last couple of decades. Despite residing out of Florida for so many lifetimes, Ambrose has always owned and sold property in St. Augustine and the surrounding area, including a sizable portion of swamp land further inland which he sold to the Disney Corporation back in the mid part of the century for a hefty price tag.
The family, a mix-matched group of characters who somehow manage to co-habitat fairly well, lean on each other in a world that despises them and their life-style choices to no end. They may not always get along, but they would never trade each other for anything.
The Men:
Ambrose LeMoyne – (Death Date: c. 1566, age: 24). The self-appointed leader of this motley family; he is the youngest in living years but oldest in worldly wisdom. With auburn locks that tend to curl in the Florida humidity and a boyish complexion, he is misleading to the untrained eye. He is the spokesperson for the family and deals directly with Cyrus Cercopoly and these ghostly constituents directly. A simple farmer in life, he has accumulated a substantial amount of commercial property that he sells to ‘otherworldly’ investors.
Xavier LeMoyne (formerly: Vega) – (Death Date: c. 1787, age: 36). The second oldest brother in both living and ‘extra-living’ existence, he is the most vocal of the family. A Spanish soldier for most of his life, he met Ambrose shortly after Ambrose’s expulsion from St. Augustine. With dark brown eyes that are careful to watch out for a potential enemy. He is extremely loyal to the few he allows close to the sanctuary of his heart. He is also the shortest of the brothers which likely fuels his need to make up his lack of physical height with unnecessary bravado. He likes to collect weapons of various sizes and lethalness, keeping one on his person at all times.
Trueman LeMoyne (formerly: Holst) – (Death Date: c. 1823, age: 37). The third eldest brother is the polar opposite of his adopted male siblings, who treat each other to regular rounds of fights and caustic remarks. The quiet and thoughtful type, he is not to be seen as a push-over. In fact, if challenged, he could easily take down the brothers his intelligence outmatching their brute strength. As a college professor at Rutgers (Queens College), he was noted as being an unconventional teacher. His intelligence and drive for further knowledge is likely what led him into his current situation as a flesh-eater. *His conception is unlike the other members of the family. For purposes of story development I can’t reveal the technical details until (Frost Bitten- Book 3).* He wears a pair of similar looking glasses to those that he wore in
life. He doesn’t need them to see, he just prefers the familiarity.
Chas LeMoyne (father’s name: Gordon) – (Death Date: c. 1836, age: 20). The second to the youngest of the brothers, Chas was the last to find himself with the LeMoyne's before their move to New England. An ex-slave from South Carolina, he was the bastard son of his plantation owner father and a slave woman. He was killed in a fit of rage by his father, who was suspected to have been confronted by the lady of the house and wife. He is closest to Corrigan, with whom he goes out on the town with. He holds grudges, but loves his wife more than his own life/after-life. His other love is music. One particular vice of his is that he steals from his victims. His argument is that these poor beings have no need for these earthly possessions.
Corrigan LeMoyne (formerly: Mochrie) – (Death Date: c. 1853, age: 31). The most recent addition to the family, the ex-sailor of the English navy traveled around the globe before finding death on a moonlit sandy shore in the Caribbean. For most of his undead existence he has spent it either alone or as the play thing of his Bokor mistress, Elmira. (See. Death Bokor/Death Dealer). His small craft washed ashore on the beach one night several decades back and there he stumbled upon the LeMoyne’s. Standing completely nude on their doorstep, they welcomed him in without too much question. Corrigan is aware of him-self in an unfriendly world and accepts his bestial nature without remorse, or at least he thinks he does. He loves to paint, something left over from his old life. It is what reminds him that he doesn’t always have to be a monster. Yet, for Corrigan, the Eidolon people are more of what he has known for too long; people who treat him less than as a man. He doesn’t trust them, their leaders, who he’s sure is harboring unpleasant secrets.
Corrigan’s canine companion is Archú, pronounced AWR khoo. His name means Hound of Slaughter. He is a black dog, a mythological creature from Northern England. He is larger than most dogs with sharp, lethal teeth and glowing red eyes. Archú is a very loyal dog, though Corrigan does not consider him a pet. Legend states that those who try to touch the beast will be instantly struck dumb and die. (Grave Danger – Book 1)
The Women:
Debora LeMoyne (formerly: Van der Berg) – (Death Date: c. 1902, age: 25). She is the eldest, the first of the women to join the family. Her marriage to Trueman (not a legal marriage) in 1926 gave her the surname she has adopted today. A New York socialite at the turn of a new century, shrouded and weighed down by the cloak of the previous generations before her, she was poised and prepared to follow in the footsteps of her ancestral predecessors. Looking back, she is almost thankful for her death. Like her adopted sisters, she strives to acclimate herself in an ever changing modern world, though she still retains some traditions of old. When not working with Trueman in his family lab she is following behind him, trying to organize the chaos he leaves behind. She likes to dance in front of her bedroom mirror in which she pretends she is Isadora Duncan. Debora has a strong aversion to alcohol. *Debora has hidden files in their home laboratory that Trueman is unaware of, which include her personal experimentations and studies. Don’t tell Trueman.*
Maude (formerly: Ryan) – (Death Date: c. 1944, age: 28). As the wife to the family leader, Ambrose, she is able to hold her own not only with the sisters but with the brothers and husband. Maude’s long auburn locks are most usually held in a pony. She rarely lets her hair down, except with her husband. With a softly spoken word she can command almost anyone to her bidding. It is likely why many of the family members look to her for guidance and assurance; her own husband included. At one time she had thought to open her own restaurant or teach cooking in a school. But the gastronomic world was a man’s domain. A woman couldn’t go beyond her own kitchen. Now she must satisfy her culinary desires through her family. In the early hours of the morning, when Ambrose has retired to bed, she watches old Julia Child’s kitchen shows that she has copied from tape onto the new modern DVD’s. Cooking is one of her greatest pleasures.
Helen (formerly: Kingdon) – (Death Date: c. 1962, age: 22). One of the youngest sisters on both spectrums of the living scale she is the last sister to be adopted into the family. Even at an early age, she had strong feelings about the level of social injustice in this country, to which she is still striving to make aware in this existence. The product of a bi-racial couple, she had a different upbringing than her husband, Chas. Parents, who instilled in their child convictions that led her to air her grievances to the public. It was at an event in Georgia that her life was unexpectedly taken.
Margaret Ann (formerly: Sloan) – (Death Date: c. 1967, age: 34). The eldest in life living years, she is the youngest of the sisters and the most likely to get into an argument. Her husband, Xavier, and she are equally matched in the hotheaded department. Spending much of her adult life in a mind-expanding commune out west, she has lived a life full of mistakes. She is still sometimes surprised that despite her past she has been allowed to find happiness through her husband and adopted siblings. Margaret Ann is more than likely to be found in her garden, which she tends to each afternoon. Though she has given up the drugs, she still retains some of her hippy sensibilities. She has gardened in the nude in the past, but was asked to stop by her husband. He has delicate senses, she says. Over the years she has collected various mind expanding paraphernalia from all over the world, which she proudly displays around her home and in the main house. Margaret Ann cannot stand profanity, something left over from her living past.
History of the Eidolon Community:
The first recorded account of the Eidolon people date back to ancient civilization in which dark spirits are thought to have come back to influence the living. Throughout recorded history there is evidence of peoples who believed that they had seen or felt the presence of an otherworld entity. Even in a modern world of science and shrewd disbelief in the magical world there are still those who believe in an existence beyond the grave.
The hierarchy of the spirit world can be broken up to categorize the level of supernatural energy in the spectral realm. At the top of the ladder is the Ghost, a non-corporal interactive entity suspended in life-like animation by the elemental energy of the land and the composition of a human soul. The exterior of a ghost is not intangible as many would speculate, though they must use a high level of surrounding energy to maintain their form. St. Augustine is believed to have more than its fair share of ghosts based on its eventful and sometimes bloody history as well as geological energies within its city borders. Many of the local ghosts in St. Augustine have come from other cities because of the pull of this geological honing beacon. The old gates that stand at the north entrance to St. George Street are believed to be the central hub of this elemental energy.
Of the many spiritual forces that do reside in St. Augustine, not all are classified in the genus of the classical phantasm, the ghost. Many of the activities are from residual haunting. These are not persons, but in fact tangible memories that have been imprinted on the environment. Some eye witnesses will explain that the creature seems to perform repeated tasks. These insubstantial forms cannot interact in the way the higher life forms can. Others are ghosts that have faded from extended existence in a kind of deathly old age. They may or may not interact with their surroundings. There are still many underdeveloped theories regarding this species and further inquiry is needed to understand the life cycle of ghostly existence. Cyrus is unwilling to divulge much information on this subject. He is the oldest ‘living’ ghost in St. Augustine.
The governing system is in some respects a doppelganger of the governing systems found in the living world. The officials who reside over the many cities throughout the United States are overseen by a larger party that is located in the Washington D.C. area. *These officials are not deceased politicians. Some of them are, but most have gone on to other places after their death.*
Much of the local businesses and most especially the tourism trade in St. Augustine are managed by the Eidolon Community. This is accomplished through the living persons
known as the S.S. (Spectral Services).The St. Augustine Eidolon community takes great measures to not only protect their interests, but those of the livings who they must use to act on their behalf, (See. Spectral Services) and who are needed to maintain economic prosperity.
Physiology of a Ghost:
Existing in a suspended deathly animation the beings known as ghosts are anything but wispy, vaporous persons. Their forms are composed to resemble their living body, a doppelganger with a human brain imprinted inside these otherworldly bodies. They are tangible and can be touched by those who have been created by the magick of the earth. Living persons are unlikely to see a ghost because of the barrier set in place in a typical living brain. Those with extrasensory development in their brains, a genetic imprint that is found at birth, can see and interact with the ghost entity to varying degrees.
A lack of a human casing does not mean that they should be seen as weak when compared in scope to other paranormal creatures. A spirit can be a very dangerous being. The levels of life essence found in a typical ghost range to about forty or fifty percent to the levels found in the person during life. Some, Clarissa, maintain nearly all of the life essence of her living body. Depending on the strength of the ghost a ghost can manipulate the surrounding energy of their environment, manipulating and reforming it into a means of defense or attack. A ghost is also able to transport themselves through the lateral plane of space and time, a type of teleportation as well as manipulate the tangible objects of the living world. They are telekinetic beings.
Clothing – The recently deceased have imprinted on themselves a death garb. It is permanently connected to their forms psychologically. A ghost may change their clothing like a typical living. The death garb will remain intact and appear when the latest fashion choices are removed or dissolve back into its natural state. The garments created by the Eidolon people are unable to be permanent. Preservatives can be placed within the creation of these articles, but over time the energy is dispersed back into its original state.
Food – The creation of food is not a necessary need for ghostly lifestyle. It is a cultural desire that is left over from each ghosts living past. Eating is a recreation for the ghost where as eating is a biological need for the flesh-eater. Food is a manipulation and uses the effect of magick to create a product that is very close to its original living counterpart. *Clarissa is the only ghost of known existence who is able to consume living food and drink. That is very strange, indeed.*
St. Augustine Eidolon Citizens: (Grave Danger)
Henry Portier – (Death Date: c. 1924, age: 43). The appointed polestar for the newly deceased, he helps those new citizens get settled and acquainted with the rest of the St. Augustine deathly community. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Henry moved to the St. Augustine area in 1938. His quick smile usually hides his true feelings from those closest to him. Behind those sweet dimpled smiles and laughing eyes is a wounded soul that is in desperate need to be healed. As a long standing member on the advisory council under the direction of The Four, Henry is sought out for his great diplomacy. He is also a personal favorite of Isabella Canova. Many speculate that Henry is her personal play thing.
Eleanor Masters – (Death Date: 1858, age: 38). A native of Savannah, Georgia, she is usually soft spoken with a sweet southern disposition. The petite blonde is easily riled by those who rub her the wrong way, even those closest to her. She moved to the St. Augustine area sometime in the 1960’s during a great restoration time in the area. Eleanor is very tuned into the elements of the paranormal world and makes it a priority to know as much about her fellow deathly neighbors as possible. She is sometimes judgmental, but always sincere. An insightful woman who is always trying to match up unattached ghosts, she is unable to recognize a perfect match for herself.
Richard Pomar – (Death Date: c. 1983, age: 33). He is the resident poltergeist. He spends much of his after-life messing with the minds of the tourist who have come to St. Augustine for a good, hopefully safe, scare. His move from California shortly after his death led him to oldest city, St. Augustine. He feels it is his obligation to keep up the paranormal appeal of the city. Unfortunately Richard is stuck in the time period of his death, both physically and mentally. He is unable to move on in this life or stop his impossible attraction to someone he believes is too far out of his ghostly league. He is impossibly in love with Elisabeth (Lizzy) Sands, but is sure she does not reciprocate. (Phantasm Fantasy –Book 4). He, Josh, and two more ghostly members form the garage band group the Deadbeats.
Clarissa Schofield – (Death Date: Oct. 13, 2009, age: 29). *Grave Danger was written and set in Oct. 2009. My best friend’s birthday is Oct. 13, hence the death date.* Dead on her birthday, this unusual woman and main character of the first book is left confused and alone in the Orlando hospital when she awakes to realize she’s now a ghost. Memories flash through her mind, yet she is unable to piece the fragments of these memories together to form her living past. It has been difficult to acclimate herself to this new existence, as it is for most ghosts. She strives to find her place in the Eidolon world. She is put in a difficult position when she becomes entangled with a being whose kind has been on opposing forces with her new community. When the truth of her past is revealed that she is a Death Bokor, Clarissa is forced to confront her old love, Olivier Prince, and new enemy, Francisco Fatio. Because of them she is compelled to use her gifts. Clarissa is unsure if her gifts are blessed or cursed. (Grave Danger – Book 1)
Diplomatic Authorities of St. Augustine:
Hanna Zespedes – (Death Date: c. 1846, age: 36).
Francisco Fatio – (Death Date: c. 1904, age: 47).
Isabella Canova – (Death Date: c. 1887, age: 16).
Cyrus Cercopoly – (Death Date: c. 1780, age: 27).
These political figures have resided in St. Augustine over the course of many living lifetimes. The prior authorities have long since passed, or are unrecognizable by most of the local citizens. Few can remember a time when these four did not stand over the oldest city, their collective hands moving the pieces of this community. Cyrus is the eldest in otherworldly years, and despite his youthful complexion it is easy to read the years of his existence in his eyes and stoic mannerisms. A Greek immigrant, his tall stature and cold grey eyes are off-putting to most people. Clarissa refers to him as the old man. Followed in line is his close constituent and good friend, Hanna Zespedes. Her ancestral family has lived in St. Augustine since the first beginnings of European colonization. She is followed closely by Isabella Canova, who is nothing like the adolescent she resembles. She has more womanly experience than many women twice her living age. Isabella is also related to the first families of St. Augustine. The last in line is Francisco Fatio who remained an elusive mystery to many of the community’s citizens until recently. He was exterminated by Clarissa when it was found out that he, along with Clarissa’s ex-fiancé, were killing psychic peoples to increase their abilities. *More will be revealed about Fatio and Prince in the follow ups to Grave Danger*.
Local Businesses/ Owners and Workers:
Happy Haunts
Location: St. George Street Owners Anita and Roger Mendez opened the quaint tavern back in the 1940’s to accommodate locals and tourists. After a sun-baked day sight-seeing many livings take a well needed reprieve inside this casual eatery and bar. Catering to both the living and dead the staff is a mix-up of ghostly waiters and those of the living persuasion. Anita and Roger have been married since 1952 when they realized their partnership extended beyond the business. Josh Anders (Death Date: c. 1948, age: 24) coordinates the dead and living staff members. He is also in a garage band with Richard Pomar called the Deadbeats. Clare Diamond is the restaurants ghostly chef. She creates wonders in the culinary arts for her deceased constituents. In her life she was a renowned chef with a specialization in confectionary.
The Boneyard Grill
Location: Off San Marcos Ave., across the street from the Old Jail House. Owner Frederick V
ern (Dead Fred) is an expert in the art of Barbeque. He oversees the making of traditional BBQ for his living customers and his responsible for the alternate ghostly version for the Eidolon population. It is an unspoken rule that no alternate forms of condiments be put on his creations (ketchup, mustard, and the like). Those found with these sauces will be asked to leave.
Lizzy’s Dress Shop
Location: Charlotte Street Elisabeth Sands (Death Date: c. 1974, age: 26) moved to St. Augustine three years ago from New York where her still living husband lives with his second wife and their family. She is the local dressmaker for the St. Augustine Eidolon as well as a consultant for the larger Eidolon community. A love of fashion has led her to pursue this art even after her death. A petite woman who is unlikely to engage in confrontation, she is involved in a strained relationship with Richard Pomar who treats her kindly one moment and then reverts to cruel remarks the next. Lizzy cannot deny that she is attracted to Richard despite their differences in age and personalities, yet she is unable to move on from her past or her love for her husband. (Phantasm Fantasy – Book 4)
Psychic Imprints
Location: St. George Street, across from Happy Haunts Owned and operated by three generations of Korean women: grandmother Mi Sun Moon, her daughter Hana Scott (Hanna Zespedes and Hana Scott have great fun in addressing each other and are good friends.) * Don’t get confused. One is dead and the other is a witch.*… and the final owner Leah Moon, who had her name legally changed to suit her personality and to adopt her grandmother’s maiden name. Korean women do not take the last name of their spouses. A local bookstore that caters to independent and small publishing houses and authors, it cannot compete with the larger book depots. Many of the stores most loyal patrons believe in conspiracy theories and the occult.
Mi Sun Moon – A name that means beauty and goodness, she is an intelligent women with special abilities and has schooled her daughter and granddaughter in the ancient arts of her homeland. (S.S.)
Hana Scott – Her name means and flower and favorite. She is the only child of two Korean parents. Her father, living in the States at the time had joined the navy and was stationed just off the coast of North Korea. His future wife was a hostage during a skirmish between the warring Korea’s and he save her. He fell in love with her instantly, making arrangements to take her home to the States with him. They married several months later and several more months later they had Hana. Hana’s husband is an American with English parents. (S.S.)
Leah Moon – part owner and underpaid worker, Leah calls herself a witch, but that is not an accurate title for her and her families talents. She opens and runs the store for her family, keeping the shelves stocked with paranormal read along with unknown fiction and non-fiction works by new and returning authors. (S.S.)
Dark Spirits
Location: Off of U.S. 1. This newest night club spot is owned and operated by Josephina Palos (More about her in Dead End – Book 2). Only the Eidolon and those in friendly acquaintance with their kind are allowed inside this establishment.
