Rituals
March 21st 2010 00:40
Just as the car was about to run the figure down, the figure disappeared. There was a bang on the roof of the car and Cordelia could see, rather sense that the figure had flown into the air. She crawled into the backseat and looked out the window. She could see the faint outline of something in the air as they went away from it. It turned and veered to the right and out of her sight. William got back on the road and this time made a correct turn back onto the road that would take them to the highway.
They raced towards Interstate 4 deciding that they would go west to Tampa. They both knew that they had to put some miles between this place and them, only they didn’t know how many. If they knew beforehand, they’d take the Florida’s Turnpike north then take I-75 all the way into Georgia.
“The more distance, the better,” William thought.
Five minutes of driving passed when Cordelia spoke.
“I didn’t want to put the ring on now. I want to do it when we get someplace safe. I’m not sure if there is a safe place really, but I didn’t want to do it with him so close. I don’t know why but I had the feeling that if I did he would be drawn closer to us. Look, William, I’m sorry I yelled at you, but I was pretty scared.”
“I know you were, don’t worry about it. I was scared too and when I saw that the street was a dead end I almost shit myself.”
He let out a nervous laugh that seemed to ease things a little.
“What do you think we should do,” Cordelia asked.
“Not sure. I think we should find somewhere safe but if we are going to be staying somewhere we need some clothes, and other things.”
Cordelia knew what he was talking about, but wasn’t sure how it would work in a car.
“Do you think we should go back to one of our houses, maybe mine so I can get a few things?”
William considered this, then nodded.
“I think we need to go so we can get some supplies. Your house is better, but not great. He knows more about you than he does me but I think we NEED to.”
Cordelia agreed. She knew they needed to get to her house but she didn’t like it. She wasn’t sure if the figure would be there but didn’t want to risk finding out. Maybe that Occam guy will be there instead. This wasn’t good either, especially since she knew nothing about him and knew he was probably dangerous too.
“Can you think of anything you have at home that we can just go buy in a store? I mean if you can buy what you need instead of going to your house that would be safer,” William asked.
Cordelia thought about it for a long time before answering.
“I can get the salt pretty easily, but sage isn’t something you can just pick up at Publix.”
She looked at the clock, it said 7:39.
“The New Age store should still be open, but they might not have the sage. It’s out of stock a lot. Stupid wannabe witches buy the stuff up and don’t leave any for the rest of us.”
“It’s worth a try though,” William said.
“Anything’s worth a try,” Cordelia said grimly.
William exited the highway and they made their way to the store. About ten minutes later they were parking in front of the store.
“Just in time,” Cordelia thought, looking at the sign in the window that said the store hours.
“Ten more minutes and we’d be screwed,” William said, as if reading her mind.
William opened the shop door for Cordelia and they both went inside. The shop was small but very inviting. Incense was burning on the shop counter and music was playing. It reminded Cordelia of a lute or something out of a bad movie about Robin Hood. Something you’d find at a Renaissance Fair, in other words.
The shop owner looked up from his computer and greeted them.
“Wonder if he’s looking at Renaissance porn,” Cordelia thought, then giggled.
“What,” William asked.
“Nothing, just had a thought.”
Cordelia looked around. The shop was inviting with its overstuffed chairs and nooks for people looking to read, but it was also very cluttered. As soon as you walk in shelves of books, drawers full of crystals and stones, and counters with herbs and powders greeted you. To the left, statues of angels were neatly placed on shelves. To the right was a hallway with five private rooms used for giving tarot card readings. Directly behind the shop owner was a large table with jars on top. This was what Cordelia wanted.
She walked around the owner and stopped in front of the table. She picked up a jar, read the label, then put it back down. She picked up another jar, read its label, and put that one down as well. She stood there, frowning. Finally she saw it, a large jar with white sage in it. Next she looked for coarse salt. As she found the salt, William walked over to the shop owner and began talking with him.
William had a good idea what they were looking for, they went over all the things they needed as they were driving. William thought that now was a good time to test the shop owner.
“Sir, do you have any mustard seeds,” William asked.
The man, who was eyeing them both intently, brightened up at this.
“Yes we do, what do you need it for?”
“You should know,” William thought.
“Well, I heard once from somewhere, I can’t remember where, that mustard seeds are good for cleansing areas of negative energy. Or maybe that was sage.”
“It’s both,” the shop owner said.
“Although mustard seed is also burned and used by particularly amorous boys to attract a love interest.”
William glanced at Cordelia and rolled his eyes. She gave a little “well-he’s-full-of-shit-but-j ust-listen-to-him” gesture and smiled.
“Does that work,” William asked.
The man thought for a moment then answered.
“Like a charm.”
So this guy knows jack squat, which is good. He probably won’t have sense enough to charge them what he ought to for the items they were getting. They continued talking while Cordelia was looking at the various jars.
She looked around for other customers in the shop, which there were none. Then she looked up and scanned the entire room for cameras. She didn’t see any so she reached into a few different jars and took out a few of their contents. She looked around again and slipped the items into her purse.
“Petty theft is the least of my worries right now,” She thought.
After she was finished she walked over to William’s side and began listening to the conversation.
“Did you find everything you needed miss,” the shop owner asked.
“Not quite, do you have rose oil?”
“Yes, let me get it for you, we just got in a new shipment and haven’t put them out yet.”
He walked over to a few boxes that were on the ground, opened one, and got a small bottle of rose oil. William looked at Cordelia and she nodded slightly.
“I think we’re finished,” She said.
She put a few items on the counter for the owner to ring up. He put the oil and her items into a bag and they paid for them. After they were done they needed to go two more places and then they could get to work.
Back in the car, William drove toward Michael’s where they would get some cheese cloth, glow in the dark paint, and a bowl. The last stop would be the grocery store where they would buy some garlic.
“Are you sure about the paint,” William said morosely.
“No, I’m not sure, but we don’t have many choices.”
“I don’t like the idea of painting my car.”
“Do you want another visit from the dark guy?”
William didn’t respond. No, he didn’t want another visit but he just couldn’t digest the idea of putting neon paint on his car.
After they got all the things they needed they decided to chance a trip back to Cordelia’s house. They pulled into her driveway next to her Honda. William turned the car’s engine off and grabbed the door handle.
“Wait a minute,” Cordelia said.
William looked at her quizzically.
“Do you want to just rush out of the car and into the open?”
“Delia, do you think that if he were here we’d be able to just pull into the driveway without a welcome home?”
She considered and then spoke.
“Maybe that’s what he wants.”
William nodded and put his hand back on the steering wheel.
“When he came, I had a flash. Maybe I’ll get another one if he’s here, so let’s just wait a little bit.”
They did, and when no flash or bad feeling came, they got out of the car and went into the house. Cordelia went to the kitchen and grabbed a garlic press from one of the drawers. She pressed the garlic into a bowl and when she was finished she added the mustard seeds. Then she cut up the cheese cloth into strips and added them to the bowl. Finally she poured some rose oil in and let it sit for a few minutes.
While the mixture was sitting, they both took handfuls of salt and began sprinkling it around the windows and doors. When that was finished they took the sage and lit it, walking around every corner of the house to purify the area. They smudged the entire house and with the remaining bit of sage they crumpled it up and put it into the bowl of mix.
Cordelia and William went into the kitchen and began work on the mix. The cheese cloth was now saturated in rose oil and they put small handfuls of the garlic and mustard seeds onto it. Cordelia tied each piece up and handed them to William.
“We are going to make enough of these to put in front of the windows and doors, then we’re going to make two for ourselves.” Cordelia said.
William turned up his nose.
“You mean we’re going to wear drippy cloth around our necks?”
“It won’t be drippy, we’ll get dry cheese cloth and put some garlic and mustard seeds inside then tie them up. If you want I can put yours in a little coin pouch I have, but you have to keep it close to your neck.”
“If I have to have it then yes, I want the pouch.”
Cordelia stuck her tongue out at him and went into her bedroom. A minute later she returned with the pouch.
“How’s this,” She asked.
William eyed it and was appalled at the pattern on the pouch. It had a floral pattern on it and frilly lace around the edges.
“That thing is hideous,” William whined.
“Quit being a baby, you don’t have to put it anywhere that can be seen. I’ll just put the cheese cloth in it and you can put it in your shirt pocket. Wear a jacket when we go out so it can be covered up.”
When they were finished Cordelia wrapped her cheese cloth up and put it in her bra. William put his pouch in the pocket of his shirt. She then got the rose oil and put some of it on her neck and on her wrists. She did the same to William. They both grabbed a light jacket and went outside with the paint and a flashlight.
Outside it was quiet and there was no breeze. It was muggy and William began to sweat at once. The jackets were making them both warm but they continued towards the car.
“You do it,” William said. “I don’t want to watch.”
Cordelia took out the tube of paint and squeezed some onto her hand. She traced a shape of the cross onto the windows, onto the doors, onto the hood, and onto the trunk. She opened each door and stepped up so she could put a cross onto the roof of the car. William shined the flashlight beam onto the car.
“Looks good, I just hope it works,” He said.
“Yeah, me too,” Cordelia agreed.
After they finished they went back inside to clean up. They both took showers and when William was done Cordelia was in the kitchen making them both something to eat.
“I hope you’re hungry, I’ve made us some sandwiches.”
William thought about it and agreed. He was hungry.
They ate their sandwiches and after a long few minutes they decided to pack some things and leave.
“Maybe we should go somewhere north, but I’m not sure how far north.” Cordelia said.
“I don’t think we should go too far. I think that guy Occam can help us against the dark guy.”
“How about we go to Saint Augustine? If we have to get away at least let it be to a nice place, you know how much I love Saint Augustine.”
“Yes I know Delia, but this isn’t going to be a vacation.”
“Maybe while we’re there we can go to the fort?”
“Sure, but let’s not get carried away with the sight-seeing, and by the way it’s called the Castillo de San Marcos.”
“It’s Witching Hour,” Cordelia said, eyeing her watch.
“Three more hours and the Devil comes out to play.”
“Maybe he’s getting the party started early. When do you think we should leave, Delia?”
“NOT at night, that would be insane!”
“Insane,” William agreed.
They raced towards Interstate 4 deciding that they would go west to Tampa. They both knew that they had to put some miles between this place and them, only they didn’t know how many. If they knew beforehand, they’d take the Florida’s Turnpike north then take I-75 all the way into Georgia.
“The more distance, the better,” William thought.
Five minutes of driving passed when Cordelia spoke.
“I didn’t want to put the ring on now. I want to do it when we get someplace safe. I’m not sure if there is a safe place really, but I didn’t want to do it with him so close. I don’t know why but I had the feeling that if I did he would be drawn closer to us. Look, William, I’m sorry I yelled at you, but I was pretty scared.”
“I know you were, don’t worry about it. I was scared too and when I saw that the street was a dead end I almost shit myself.”
He let out a nervous laugh that seemed to ease things a little.
“What do you think we should do,” Cordelia asked.
“Not sure. I think we should find somewhere safe but if we are going to be staying somewhere we need some clothes, and other things.”
Cordelia knew what he was talking about, but wasn’t sure how it would work in a car.
“Do you think we should go back to one of our houses, maybe mine so I can get a few things?”
William considered this, then nodded.
“I think we need to go so we can get some supplies. Your house is better, but not great. He knows more about you than he does me but I think we NEED to.”
Cordelia agreed. She knew they needed to get to her house but she didn’t like it. She wasn’t sure if the figure would be there but didn’t want to risk finding out. Maybe that Occam guy will be there instead. This wasn’t good either, especially since she knew nothing about him and knew he was probably dangerous too.
“Can you think of anything you have at home that we can just go buy in a store? I mean if you can buy what you need instead of going to your house that would be safer,” William asked.
Cordelia thought about it for a long time before answering.
“I can get the salt pretty easily, but sage isn’t something you can just pick up at Publix.”
She looked at the clock, it said 7:39.
“The New Age store should still be open, but they might not have the sage. It’s out of stock a lot. Stupid wannabe witches buy the stuff up and don’t leave any for the rest of us.”
“It’s worth a try though,” William said.
“Anything’s worth a try,” Cordelia said grimly.
William exited the highway and they made their way to the store. About ten minutes later they were parking in front of the store.
“Just in time,” Cordelia thought, looking at the sign in the window that said the store hours.
“Ten more minutes and we’d be screwed,” William said, as if reading her mind.
William opened the shop door for Cordelia and they both went inside. The shop was small but very inviting. Incense was burning on the shop counter and music was playing. It reminded Cordelia of a lute or something out of a bad movie about Robin Hood. Something you’d find at a Renaissance Fair, in other words.
The shop owner looked up from his computer and greeted them.
“Wonder if he’s looking at Renaissance porn,” Cordelia thought, then giggled.
“What,” William asked.
“Nothing, just had a thought.”
Cordelia looked around. The shop was inviting with its overstuffed chairs and nooks for people looking to read, but it was also very cluttered. As soon as you walk in shelves of books, drawers full of crystals and stones, and counters with herbs and powders greeted you. To the left, statues of angels were neatly placed on shelves. To the right was a hallway with five private rooms used for giving tarot card readings. Directly behind the shop owner was a large table with jars on top. This was what Cordelia wanted.
She walked around the owner and stopped in front of the table. She picked up a jar, read the label, then put it back down. She picked up another jar, read its label, and put that one down as well. She stood there, frowning. Finally she saw it, a large jar with white sage in it. Next she looked for coarse salt. As she found the salt, William walked over to the shop owner and began talking with him.
William had a good idea what they were looking for, they went over all the things they needed as they were driving. William thought that now was a good time to test the shop owner.
“Sir, do you have any mustard seeds,” William asked.
The man, who was eyeing them both intently, brightened up at this.
“Yes we do, what do you need it for?”
“You should know,” William thought.
“Well, I heard once from somewhere, I can’t remember where, that mustard seeds are good for cleansing areas of negative energy. Or maybe that was sage.”
“It’s both,” the shop owner said.
“Although mustard seed is also burned and used by particularly amorous boys to attract a love interest.”
William glanced at Cordelia and rolled his eyes. She gave a little “well-he’s-full-of-shit-but-j ust-listen-to-him” gesture and smiled.
“Does that work,” William asked.
The man thought for a moment then answered.
“Like a charm.”
So this guy knows jack squat, which is good. He probably won’t have sense enough to charge them what he ought to for the items they were getting. They continued talking while Cordelia was looking at the various jars.
She looked around for other customers in the shop, which there were none. Then she looked up and scanned the entire room for cameras. She didn’t see any so she reached into a few different jars and took out a few of their contents. She looked around again and slipped the items into her purse.
“Petty theft is the least of my worries right now,” She thought.
After she was finished she walked over to William’s side and began listening to the conversation.
“Did you find everything you needed miss,” the shop owner asked.
“Not quite, do you have rose oil?”
“Yes, let me get it for you, we just got in a new shipment and haven’t put them out yet.”
He walked over to a few boxes that were on the ground, opened one, and got a small bottle of rose oil. William looked at Cordelia and she nodded slightly.
“I think we’re finished,” She said.
She put a few items on the counter for the owner to ring up. He put the oil and her items into a bag and they paid for them. After they were done they needed to go two more places and then they could get to work.
Back in the car, William drove toward Michael’s where they would get some cheese cloth, glow in the dark paint, and a bowl. The last stop would be the grocery store where they would buy some garlic.
“Are you sure about the paint,” William said morosely.
“No, I’m not sure, but we don’t have many choices.”
“I don’t like the idea of painting my car.”
“Do you want another visit from the dark guy?”
William didn’t respond. No, he didn’t want another visit but he just couldn’t digest the idea of putting neon paint on his car.
After they got all the things they needed they decided to chance a trip back to Cordelia’s house. They pulled into her driveway next to her Honda. William turned the car’s engine off and grabbed the door handle.
“Wait a minute,” Cordelia said.
William looked at her quizzically.
“Do you want to just rush out of the car and into the open?”
“Delia, do you think that if he were here we’d be able to just pull into the driveway without a welcome home?”
She considered and then spoke.
“Maybe that’s what he wants.”
William nodded and put his hand back on the steering wheel.
“When he came, I had a flash. Maybe I’ll get another one if he’s here, so let’s just wait a little bit.”
They did, and when no flash or bad feeling came, they got out of the car and went into the house. Cordelia went to the kitchen and grabbed a garlic press from one of the drawers. She pressed the garlic into a bowl and when she was finished she added the mustard seeds. Then she cut up the cheese cloth into strips and added them to the bowl. Finally she poured some rose oil in and let it sit for a few minutes.
While the mixture was sitting, they both took handfuls of salt and began sprinkling it around the windows and doors. When that was finished they took the sage and lit it, walking around every corner of the house to purify the area. They smudged the entire house and with the remaining bit of sage they crumpled it up and put it into the bowl of mix.
Cordelia and William went into the kitchen and began work on the mix. The cheese cloth was now saturated in rose oil and they put small handfuls of the garlic and mustard seeds onto it. Cordelia tied each piece up and handed them to William.
“We are going to make enough of these to put in front of the windows and doors, then we’re going to make two for ourselves.” Cordelia said.
William turned up his nose.
“You mean we’re going to wear drippy cloth around our necks?”
“It won’t be drippy, we’ll get dry cheese cloth and put some garlic and mustard seeds inside then tie them up. If you want I can put yours in a little coin pouch I have, but you have to keep it close to your neck.”
“If I have to have it then yes, I want the pouch.”
Cordelia stuck her tongue out at him and went into her bedroom. A minute later she returned with the pouch.
“How’s this,” She asked.
William eyed it and was appalled at the pattern on the pouch. It had a floral pattern on it and frilly lace around the edges.
“That thing is hideous,” William whined.
“Quit being a baby, you don’t have to put it anywhere that can be seen. I’ll just put the cheese cloth in it and you can put it in your shirt pocket. Wear a jacket when we go out so it can be covered up.”
When they were finished Cordelia wrapped her cheese cloth up and put it in her bra. William put his pouch in the pocket of his shirt. She then got the rose oil and put some of it on her neck and on her wrists. She did the same to William. They both grabbed a light jacket and went outside with the paint and a flashlight.
Outside it was quiet and there was no breeze. It was muggy and William began to sweat at once. The jackets were making them both warm but they continued towards the car.
“You do it,” William said. “I don’t want to watch.”
Cordelia took out the tube of paint and squeezed some onto her hand. She traced a shape of the cross onto the windows, onto the doors, onto the hood, and onto the trunk. She opened each door and stepped up so she could put a cross onto the roof of the car. William shined the flashlight beam onto the car.
“Looks good, I just hope it works,” He said.
“Yeah, me too,” Cordelia agreed.
After they finished they went back inside to clean up. They both took showers and when William was done Cordelia was in the kitchen making them both something to eat.
“I hope you’re hungry, I’ve made us some sandwiches.”
William thought about it and agreed. He was hungry.
They ate their sandwiches and after a long few minutes they decided to pack some things and leave.
“Maybe we should go somewhere north, but I’m not sure how far north.” Cordelia said.
“I don’t think we should go too far. I think that guy Occam can help us against the dark guy.”
“How about we go to Saint Augustine? If we have to get away at least let it be to a nice place, you know how much I love Saint Augustine.”
“Yes I know Delia, but this isn’t going to be a vacation.”
“Maybe while we’re there we can go to the fort?”
“Sure, but let’s not get carried away with the sight-seeing, and by the way it’s called the Castillo de San Marcos.”
“It’s Witching Hour,” Cordelia said, eyeing her watch.
“Three more hours and the Devil comes out to play.”
“Maybe he’s getting the party started early. When do you think we should leave, Delia?”
“NOT at night, that would be insane!”
“Insane,” William agreed.
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