Ten of Swords
I sit up with a jolt, scaring the two EMTs who are riding in the ambulance with me. I tear at the cannula in my nose, glaring at them. “Take me to Tulane Emergency. There’s something there I need to speak to.”
I promptly pass out.
Whispers of the Past
The darkened room came alive in vivid colors. I had a hard time focusing on any one thing, but within moments, I could see things that shouldn’t be there. I looked back at the photograph of my grandparents and felt myself pulled into a vision. I saw an old storefront. In the window, I saw the words Whispers of the Past. I could smell salt air and moss, and I could hear the sounds of trumpets in the distance.
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A Simple Action
I know my eyes are crimson, so I close them, containing the beast as it bucks against my control. I don’t know what it is about New Orleans, but ever since I got here, my body is reacting as if every day is a full moon.
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The Italian
“I’ll be there in five.” He hung up before I could say anything. Before I could really start to enjoy my sub, the bell over the door rang, and a large man dropped into the chair in front of me. He sighed as if his entire life depended on the meal in front of him, and I smiled wider. I leaned back and sipped on my coffee, giving him a few minutes to enjoy. You don’t get between an Italian and their food.
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Ghosts From the Past, part I
I curled up on the cushions in front of the steerage. Even in the lockdown, the music of the city rang true, and I could feel the magic drawing me forward. I knew, intrinsically, that I had made the right decision in coming to New Orleans, even if the city was not my favourite place. I closed my eyes, wrapped myself around the pillows like a tiny dragon clutching her hoard, and fell asleep.
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The Last Rites of Ramone Alvarez
I scoff at his attempt to justify his actions. Hadn’t I attempted to justify my actions when I was alive? I honestly think all the hellbound souls do it. It’s how they sleep at night without being plagued by nightmares. It’s how they quell their consciences. What they don’t know and what they find out, as I did, is that they killed that fucking cricket. They only imagine it’s still there on their shoulder, whispering in their ear.
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The Morning After
I have a love/hate relationship with crowds. I love how easily you can get lost in them but I hate having so many people so close to me. My therapist said it was because I couldn’t control the situation or anyone else around me. He’s probably right. I do have a slight issue with control but I already knew that, so I fired him and ate street tacos for the next month. There’s really no better comfort food combination than taco and whiskey.
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An Unexpected Visitor
My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open at the man standing before me. He hadn’t changed in five years. He still had the same chocolate brown glance, the wavy brown hair, and the smile that made his eyes dance. The same man who had left me standing at the altar because he had to chase an important story. It was because of him that I had sworn off men forever.
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The Big Move
I knew just then that this was the place for me. My first exposure to Native Americans was when I was eleven. Grandfather had me reading The Last of the Mohicans along with a grueling eight-week practice course with spears and hatchets. The book was brilliant, and I was instantly hooked. I could not get enough, so I kept reading whatever I could find. I was fascinated with their way of life and often fancied myself as one of them.
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