by Tony C. Skye
“Whatever you say, Mandie,” Jennifer says while taking hold of the SB7 Spirit Box. She flips the switch to the on position.
“Damn that’s loud,” Jennifer complains while sitting the object down as instructed.
“White noise over multiple frequencies,” Julianna explains, “Put your hand over the top.”
“Why don’t I just turn it back off?”
“You can cover it with your hand while it’s on, or we can play a spank-me game. It’s your choice.”
“You’re disgusting,” Jennifer says while her right hand compliantly covers the speaker. The spirit box quietens.
“You should be stuffed into my trunk just for saying that you freak.”
“Danny, say hello to your sister.”
“What is wrong with you?!”, Jennifer says angrily. She steps back from the box.
“Hi,” a boy’s voice calls through the air of white noise.
Jennifer covers her gaping mouth with both of her hands. She shakes her head, “It can’t be.”
“Jen,” the teenage-sounding tone speaks again.
Julianna nods as Jennifer looks at her within her confusion. The girl with burned hands begins to reach for the box. Jennifer steps forward and covers the speaker again.
“What is this, Mandie?”
“I was burned finding him,” Julianna gives her answer while holding up her hands half-heartedly, “But we’ll discuss that later.”
Julianna lowers her hands, “Right now, you should probably see if it’s really Danny.” Julianna knows the answer, but can plainly see the doubt racing through Jennifer’s mind; although, it is apparent the cheerleader recognized his voice.
Jennifer shakes her head, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Speak from the heart, Jennifer.”
Julianna sees Jennifer’s brown eyes glisten with the signs of clouding water. The stubborn cheerleader refocuses her pain into anger as she glares.
Jennifer responds, “Where are we, right now?”
A moment later, Jennifer speaks again, “See? This is all crap.”
“Move your hand,” Julianna answers the girl’s sarcasm with a gentle tone.
“Oh,” Jennifer responds by jerking her hand away.
“Home,” a voice calls through the noise.
Jennifer’s right brow lifts slightly as she covers the box again, “That was too easy.”
“The room,” Jennifer corrects before removing her hand.
“P-R-one,” the voice answers quietly.”
Jennifer begins crying as her hand covers the box, “Danny?” She removes it again.
“Jen, I love you,” the voice sounds more distant than before.
“I love you,” Jennifer answers. She covers the box while looking at the girl on the couch, “Why is it getting hard to hear him?”
“It’s his first time,” Julianna answers, “This takes a lot of energy. He is weakening. He won’t be able to respond much longer.”
“Am I hurting him?”
“No, he’s fine. And just because he can’t speak doesn’t mean he is gone.”
Jennifer’s bottom lip trembles as she studies green eyes of comfort and understanding. Julianna smiles and nods towards the box.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, Danny. I should have known. It was all my fault. I’m so - so sorry.”
Julianna watches as Jennifer removes her shaky hand from the SB7 Spirit Box. The cheerleader weeps while staring at the source of the white noise. Julianna isn’t sure if Jennifer is actually expecting an answer. Maybe the cheerleader just needed to say those words. Regardless, Julianna can clearly see she made the right choice in doing this. Her screaming and throbbing hands are well worth the scene before her.
A moment later, a voice answers, “My fault, Jen – mine. Love you, too...”
Danny’s voice trails into the distance, “…My doll-bird.”
Jennifer laughs through her tears.
“He needs some time,” Julianna informs reverently.
Jennifer sniffles with a partial-smile. She picks up the box, turns it off, and sits it back down. Her eyes linger – within the growing silence – upon the guest sitting on her couch. She lips the words: thank you.
Julianna returns her gratitude with a quiet version of: you’re welcome.
* * *
After Jennifer calms, she places the dumped contents back into the duffle bag. Her guest gives her the SB7 Spirit Box as a gift, but with special instructions.
1.) Always test the voice that speaks through.
2.) Never trust their words until they have proven themselves.
3.) Don’t use the same test question.
4.) Above all, don’t live her life with the object. That is, she had to make a promise to only use it upon rare occasion. The box could not become her new sleep buddy, as it were. Jennifer, gladly, accepted the terms.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Julianna inquires after setting the rules for spirit conversations, “what is PR1?”
Jennifer grins, “Party Room One.”
“Oh I see.”
“See what?”
“I didn’t do this out of fun, Jennifer. You need to lay off the drugs. Your life is too important to trash it away.”
“I already made that decision” Jennifer replies, “I thought you knew that. Aren’t you going to be my sponsor or something?”
“Just making sure.”
Jennifer motions towards Julianna’s wrapped hands, “Care to explain?”
Julianna nods, “You’ve earned the truth.” She pauses before beginning her explanation, “My name is Julianna – not Mandie.”
Jennifer looks questioningly, “Why the lie?”
“I’m from a royal bloodline.”
“Pfft.”
“No, I’m serious.”
Jennifer crosses her arms.
“You drive around in a rust bucket.”
“I don’t like people knowing who I am or where I’m from.”
“And exactly where are you from – Julianna is it?”
“New Orleans.”
“Like Louisiana, New Orleans?”
Julianna chuckles, “That’s the one.”
Jennifer’s head retreats, “Now I know you’re lying. There’s no royal anything in Louisiana. Nothing I’ve heard of, anyway.”
“My family is a secret. We have to be. Too many enemies.”
“Enemies? You Al-Qaeda, Isis, or something?”
“A terrorist?”
“Yeah - you a terrorist?”
“Oh gawd no. I’m the mother of the antichrist.”
“Ha-ha-ha,” Jennifer laughs.
Julianna stares blankly.
“Um - you trying to be serious right now?”
“The prophecy calls me Mother of Darkwaters.”
“Of course. The prophecy. How could I forget?”
“Only those involved know of its existence. The Christians know a very minimal version of it.”
“Okay,” Jennifer replies, “You sure you didn’t drop some LSD or something?”
“I’m trying to explain everything to you.”
“With lies? You didn’t really expect me to buy into this, did you?”
Julianna opens her mouth to say something, but Jennifer cuts her off.
“Look – I appreciate what you did with my brother. And the shock factor of that horrid needle you gave me was a serious wake up call. But really – mother of the antichrist? Are you freakin’ kidding me?”
Julianna holds up her wrapped hands, “This happened when I found your brother. I can traverse the Place of the Dead. You probably know it as hell.” She lowers her hands back down, “Hades Escorts were having their way with him. Lucky for the both of you, they hadn’t tossed him into the fire yet. I couldn’t have got him out of that.”
Jennifer scrutinizes Julianna’s green eyes.
“Wait - you are serious.”
“Yep.”
“So my brother’s in hell?”
/>
Julianna confirms with a nod.
Jennifer pauses within her thoughts before responding.
“That sucks a big one.”
“Yeah, you kinda get used to that sort of thing when you realize how screwed up He is.”
Jennifer notices Julianna look upward whenever she uses the term He.
“You mean God?”
“That’s what I mean – ruthless. No mercy. No kindness. No love. None of that stuff those Christians pound into people’s minds. I should know. I’ve seen the Place of the Dead. And He’s the One who created it. Don’t bow down? Suffer. That’s His mentality and He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about anything else. Do you honestly believe that Danny deserves to be there?”
Jennifer walks over without a word. She sits to the left of Julianna.
“Damn,” Jennifer finally responds with a trailing voice.
“Tell me about it,” Julianna says, “My heart was broken when I saw your brother. I was sorta hoping that He would have given an exception and let Danny go to Heaven. But He didn’t – just like I thought. There’s no mercy, Jennifer. It’s His way or the highway; rather, it’s the Place of the Dead – hell.”
“This is some really jacked up stuff, Julianna. My brain is totally frying out right now. I don’t even know how to process any of this.”
“I made my choice,” Julianna says while staring at the silent stereo across the room, “But you haven’t. You can go to heaven, Jennifer. But your brother can never go. And you’ll have to decide if you can live with the fact that you’re serving the very One who has sentenced him to such an awful place.”
Julianna looks to her left. Jennifer is watching with confused eyes.
“It is awful. I wouldn’t dress it up to something it’s not. It really sucks.”
Jennifer looks away and glances down to the table – an SB7 Spirit Box adorns its surface.
“You’re asking me to burn forever. Is that what you’re getting at – to serve you?”
“No,” Julianna quickly answers, “I don’t need servants. I need friends. You can do whatever you want, Jennifer. I will not judge you. You want to serve something so evil and twisted as that, then by all means – live in eternal bless within His heaven. All I care about is that you have all of the facts and you make your own decision. I want a friend. That is all. Someone I can trust. Loyalty Jen, that’s why I’m here.”
The two girls sit in silence for a while before Jennifer reaches down to her coffee table and retrieve’s her stereo’s remote. She turns it on, cycles away from the playlist she made for Danny, and initiates a song from Amy Lee.
Jennifer sits back, “So Amy Lee is on her way to hell then?”
Julianna chuckles.
“What’s so funny? I don’t find any of this funny. You have me so freaked out I can’t even think straight.”
“Relax, Jennifer. You’ve made enough life-altering decisions for one day. As for Amy Lee, I have no idea. She’s a big girl. We have a don’t ask don’t tell policy. If she wants to be a part of that side of me, then she will ask. But she doesn’t. I respect her enough to leave it alone.”
“But you don’t respect me enough to leave me alone?”
“Um - I can if you want me to.”
Jennifer looks at Julianna after hearing the slight hurt within her voice. The cheerleader rolls her eyes, “Gawd, you can be such a pain in the ass. No wonder Tamara likes smacking you around so much.”
Jennifer’s eyes widen, “OMG – she is going to smash you like a little bug whenever she finds out you lied to her about everything. And Rebecca? Geezus! Caroline might freak out, too. She hates liars. I mean – really, really hates them. I might have to stuff you into my trunk to keep you safe.”
Julianna’s head retreats questioningly, “What is it with you and the back of your car trunk?”
Jennifer shakes her head, “Nothing – it’s just something I say sometimes.”
Julianna’s expression reflects the doubt cycling within her mind, “I’ll leave that be…for now.”
“Pfft,” Jennifer reacts by looking at her stereo, “There’s nothing to it. It’s just a saying.”
“I’m leaving it alone. There’s no need in defending.”
Jennifer looks back at the guest on her couch – her right brow lifts slightly, “So… you supposed to get down with the devil?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sex.”
Julianna’s nose crinkles, “Why would I do that? I’m rather sure it isn’t possible. Isn’t there some sort of DNA factor?”
“Heh – virgin.”
Julianna looks away.
“Damn girl. You’ve got quite the dilemma. A virgin who needs to have the devil’s child, but she’s a lesbo through and through.”
“Ha-ha-ha,” Jennifer laughs, “That’s some funny shit. I would have never thought of something like that as long as I live. But yet, here you are – in all of your lesbo virgin style. Ha-ha-ha-ha.”
Julianna looks guiltily at the girl on her left, “I never really thought about it.”
Jennifer realizes that Julianna feels self-conscious about her status as a virgin – let alone the concepts of lesbianism. She imagines that her so-called royal bloodline wouldn’t be too keen on the whole idea either.
“Listen,” Jennifer calms her tone, “If you can be the mother of the antichrist while a virgin lesbian, then I have to be your friend. There’s no way I’m not going to watch this insanity play itself out.”
Julianna forces out a small grin, “Friends?”
“If you can answer why you want me as a friend. What’s the point? Don’t they have friends in Louisiana?”
“Because you speak your mind, call it like you see it, are upfront, loyal to those you love, strong enough to throw a needle down in exchange for a helping hand, and your love runs deep – not shallow with selfish intentions. Yes, I could choose to have friends in Louisiana, and I have them. But right now, I’m in California. I was here to give my cousin an opportunity, but then I met the rest of you. I met you. And you’re a great person to be around.”
Jennifer’s lips are partially open, “Damn girl, you are good. I’m willing to give it a shot if you are. But now you must explain this stuff about a cousin. Who’s your cousin? Do I know ‘em?”
“Caroline.”
“Get outta here. I’ve known her forever. There’s no way she could have kept you a secret from me; especially, from Becca.”
“You talking about that blood oath?”
“And how do you know about that? Tamara told you.”
“No, I told her just like I told you.”
Jennifer holds up her right hand, “Wait a minute. Who knows about you?”
“Tamara knows I’m from royalty, but that’s it. She still believes my name is Mandie.”
“Yeah – squished like a bug.”
“Anyway,” Julianna attempts to avoid that thought altogether, “Caroline just found out about me and has been asked to keep my secret. The car was a gift from me. But she hasn’t decided to become part of my inner-circle yet.”
“Ha - I knew it!”, Jennifer says victoriously, “There’s no way to get that car without some serious pull.” The cheerleader pauses as she contemplates Julianna’s claims as of late. Maybe there is some credence to her words after all.
“You said inner-circle.”
Julianna nods, “If you choose, you can be part of my family. I don’t make this offer lightly. This is the real reason we are sitting here right now. I am very selective. I have to be really careful about who knows and who doesn’t know. The enemies I spoke of are crazy. They have it in their head that I’m supposed to bring about the end of the freakin’ world.”
Julianna pauses as she looks down at the space between herself and Jennifer. The cheerleader is patient while she regains her confidence.
Julianna looks up – her eyes meeting a watchful Jennifer, “I’m just a girl, Jen. I just want to live my life around people who ca
re about me. I’m tired of everyone around me always looking at me like I’m either their savior or the harbinger of death itself. This is why I am making this offer to you. No matter what, I know you’ll not judge me on what ifs.”
Jennifer glances downward in thought.
“And I doubt very seriously that you’ll be quick to bow down and worship me.”
“Pfft,” Jennifer looks up, “You got that right. And if you ever expect it of me, then you can kiss our friendship good-bye. See ya sister.”
Julianna grins, “So that’s a yes?”
“Yes.”
Julianna screams and hugs Jennifer with her burned hands. Jennifer, uncomfortably, pats her on the shoulders.
“Okay - okay. That’s enough,” Jennifer says while gently pushing Julianna in order to reestablish her comfort zone.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Jennifer says, “I’m just not a touchy feely person.”
“Noted.”
“Does Becca know anything?”
“Clueless.”
“And I am to remain silent until instructed otherwise?”
“You are. Anything about my personal life must remain on me to reveal. This is what I trust you with. In return, you will become part of my inner-circle – power beyond your current understanding. Those little tricks with that blood oath pale in comparison. But we’ll go over that stuff at another time. Right now, I’d like to call Caroline over here so we can all get to know each a little bit better. If that’s alright with you?”
“I don’t have a problem with it,” Jennifer says, “But I’m jonsing out right now.”
“Think you can drink without turning into an alcoholic?”
“Pfft. I’m pretty sure I can handle it.”
“You like Crown Royal?”
“Love it,” Jennifer replies eagerly. In truth, any type of alcohol would do at the moment. This call of the cocaine sucks. Jonsing sucks.
“I’ll give Caroline a call and have my security team pick up some supplies.”
“Security team?”
“Later,” Julianna answers, “But soon you’ll have one, too. You can even help me pick them out.”
Jennifer stands up from the couch, “It’s about time. Treated like the awesome woman I am.”
