Chapter Text
|-Tuesday afternoon, April 2nd, 2024. The Cordelia, 4721 Azalea Landing Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina-|
It's been, what, a week and a half since Senara gave me the brooch? It's been... Weird. Yeah. Weird. That's one way to say it. On the one hand, the feeling of eyes on me is now sporadic. It's not a common occurrence anymore, though I do still see Murim and his crows from time to time. They just can't see me. But then there's... the other hand...
I swear, this brooch thing is talking to me.
I hear it. Small, almost inaudible. But it's there:
In the small moments where my attention is elsewhere.
In the dark when I'm positive that I'm alone.
In those shadowed corners of my psyche.
Even in my dreams.
It's a faint, feminine sounding voice. Sometimes childlike. Other times it sounds like a woman around my age. Regardless, it's da kinda stuff dat gives me da willys. I don't like to think about that. Is... Is some friggin' kid's soul stuck in dat thing? If it is, how'd dat even HAPPEN? How da hell? What kinda jawn voodoo can do dat? Jesus Christ... And then all that stuff Senara said about it... Was it really dis chick Elise's? She said it started out as just some regular green rock. How the heck did it turn purple and get all moth-shaped? Just... too many questions. And not enough time, I swear. Not that it matters. Don't think the answers would do my psyche any good.
I stand up from the couch, wanting to stretch my legs. A walk should do nice. River Road seems like a good place to go. But at the same time... I catch Bo in my peripheral. The thought keeps gnawing at my mind. Those old stories of his grand-dad's. It's tempting. Getting Bo to take me to where his grand-dad lives. Just to see if he knows anything we don't. But is it a good idea? I'd potentially be opening wounds that are over half a century old. All that shit with Murim and his brother happened back in '73. It's now 2024. I should let that man rest. Give him some peace. But if Murim somehow manages to mess with me again... I might have to shatter it. For now though, fresh air. I walk into Bo's room, grab my keys, slip on my shoes and head for the door, not looking back once.
The fresh air is nice, and I still don't feel eyes on me. Though I did see Murim up in the trees. Or at least I think it was him. Could've jut been the afternoon light messing with my eyes. In fact, the more I think about is, the more I realize that's probably the case. But there are a lot of crows out here. Murim's gotta be cheesed. Straight up heated that he can't clock me. He knows the general area I'm in. He just can't see me. And I'm playin' that jawn 'til it's done. 'Til he figures somethin' out, I'm golden. No point in worrying right now. Well, about the murderbird. This little voice in my head... That's a different story...
The woods... The secret lies in the woods.
What woods? What could that voice be talking about? Austria? No. That doesn't seem right. Maybe the Nature Park? That can't be it, either. Last time I was there, Murim somehow brought me to the Grove. Even with the brooch on me, I get the feeling that Murim would still be able to get me into his pad. I don't want to take that risk. Senara said that the brooch's protection wasn't foolproof. If I go to a place where Murim has a lot of power... that could potentially break through the brooch's defenses.
I take a deep breath. I don't want to think about that. Not now, at least. I keep walking down the pier, taking note of the boats that go up and down the Cape Fear. There are a few small islands in there. Maybe I could hitch a ride to one. Gotta be a dock somewhere, right? I walk back, heading towards my car until I see someone eyeing a speed boat. He turns to see me standing and staring. I can see the gears in his head. He knows what I'm looking for. As such, he approaches me.
"Looking for something?" He asks, voice curious but not overbearing.
"Any way to get to some of those islands in the river?" I ask in return, looking in the direction of the smaller one.
"You talking Shark Tooth? There's a launch for kayaks at the main building. Only $50 per person." He says, voice carrying strongly on the wind. "Any reason you're heading out there?"
"Just curious." I say as I start walking. Better get my wallet ready.
Arms are tired, but it was a good workout. Definitely needed. I slide onto the sand bank far enough to where the little boat can't be carried away by the current. I'll need this later. Returns and all. I start looking around at the island. It's small, but homely in a weird way. As I'm looking, I spot more crows. All huddled up in the tree tops. He's still lookin' for me. And he's still bent outta shape he ain't seein' me. Gotta be flossin' this while I still can. I pay the birds no mind, walking into the tall grass that surrounds the trees. I don't want to go too far. No telling what's in there. But at the same time, the temptation is there. See what's in the underbrush. But I also know if I do that, I may be walking right into a trap Murim's set. Again, he may not be able to see me, but he can sense me. Knows the general area I'm in. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been setting traps for me to fall into wherever I go. Just to try and get his wings on me. But I'm not stupid. It pays to be cautious. That old jawn, that real primeval sense from Africa, been savin' my ass more times than I can count since I got that brooch.
I take one last look around me: The tree-line, the shore. The current of the river as it snakes around the island. I look the ground beneath my feet. I take note of footprints and shoes. I'm not the only person who's come here and I surely won't be the last. Maybe I should start heading back. But as I look at the tree-line one last time... I notice that the crows are gone. Hmm... Usually, I'm not miffed by it, but this time... This time I feel a pit form in stomach. Not a good feeling. That's a real jawnk feelin', I ain't gonna lie. I hate it. I hate it so gahd dam much. Murim musta found a way to get 'round dis dere brooch. Which means I gotta bounce outta here. I quickly get back to the kayak, start pushing it off and dropping in as soon as I feel the boat start floating. Don't wanna push it, so I'm outta here. I start paddling, heading back to where I had come from. It doesn't take long. Only a few minutes since I'm paddling fast. Before long, I'm back at the kayak launch, But I need to play things cool. I can't look like a heaving mess. So I walk up, dragging the kayak with me as I go. I reach the building, help but the kayak back and head back to my car. It doesn't take all that long. I slide into the driver's seat, and just breathe. I gotta huff, somethin' fierce. I'm feelin' around in my jawn pocket, runnin' my fingers over the pin, through the material. Not foolproof, huh? Think I'm startin' to see what Senara's sayin' wit' that.
|-That evening. Shark Tooth Island, Cape Fear River-|
Finally. Some semblance of Cameron. This small island in the river. He was here. All arrogant and cocky. Thinking that I would not be able to see him. But little does he know... I shake my head, running my beak through my feathers as I do so. Where is she? That damnable snake? I do not know how or why Master tolerates Aziel's tardiness. What is so special about her? When we are set on the same tasks? As I ponder, I hear rustling in the underbrush beside me. Soon, I see a snake slither her way towards me.
"You're late. As usual." I tell her, the annoyance in my voice making itself well known.
"Oh ssssspare me the insssssolence, you feathered buffoon. There isssss much to dissssscusssss." Aziel responds, the annoyance in her own voice quite evident. "Why are you ssssso singularly focusssssed on this man? What doessss he have to offer the Master?"
"A great deal many things. You would know that if you had been paying attention in the banquet hall." I say, quite enjoying this witty joust of words we have found ourselves in. Though, judging by the tone of her voice, Aziel does not seem to enjoy it.
"Thisssss man isssss none of my concern. My focusssss is on the wayward vixen. The one who wasssss let go." She responds, the venom now coming into her voice.
"Ah yes. The sheep fornicator. I've seen her as well." I say in return, continuing the witty joust, much to Aziel's dismay. "Why was she let go? She pleaded for her own life, and yet He still consumed the good company?"
"I do not know. He hasssss yet to give me an anssssswer. And you have to to shed light on thisssss... Cameron. What isssss it you sssssee in him?" The question that has been levied for weeks now. And I have an answer to give.
"Cameron has potential. He has gumption. He has skill and fecundity. He would make a perfect proxy for the Master. All I need to do is break his spirit so that He may take him." I say, voice solid and stern. But it seems Aziel is not convinced, the moonlight glinting off her golden scales as she slithers around me as if she were a constrictor. It is a dance I am adequately familiar with. "Potential, you sssssay? He will be the judge of that. And He will ssssse how much of a failure you continue to be, Murim. Enough of thisssss. I mussssst away." She says as she slithers back into the underbrush. I do detest that damnable snake, but Aziel's results speak for themselves. Then again, so do mine.
I stretch my wings, intent on flight. I feel the wind beneath me, and when a good breeze is beneath the feathers, I jump. I fly north, following the course of the river. I continue this way for some time until coming upon a large naval vessel of some kind. "Battleship North Carolina" is what the humans call it. A perfect place to perch and take stock of the city that lies across the river. "Wilmington" as it is known to those that live there. Fascinating how much it reminds me of Linz. Of Austria. Surely there is some kind of connection there. I would be surprised if there wasn't. I continue to watch the city, taking in the bright, electric lights that illuminate it's streets. Somewhere within that maze of man-made stone, Cameron makes his trek to his adobe, where he thinks he is safe. But he won't be. It matters not if he has tainted himself with Walpurga's filth. One way or another, I will bring him to my Master. He will be broken and he will serve. For now, I must bide my time. Wait for the perfect moment to strike. But as I do so, a new presence fills my mind. The sheep fornicator... Senara... What could she be doing? Trying to find ways to dispatch us? Or tussling with Aziel, perhaps? I would not be surprised of the latter. That snake has quite the vendetta against her. Not that I care. Senara left the Grove with what she required. I could do nothing after that point. Even as my Master toyed with her might so bluntly.
I take flight once more, intent of finding where Cameron has disappeared to. He cannot elude my gaze for too long. I can feel his heartbeat. Smell his fear. I know when I am near him. My mark cannot be discarded so easily. Cameron will be unveiled on this night. And he will regret ever associating with Senara and the filth that is Walpurga's magic. That old hag would never stand a chance against me. Her traces will be nothing more than an insect for me to devour. And so, I fly. Towards where I hear Cameron's fearful heart beating. Such a delectable taste... I cannot wait to feast.
I perch on the roof on the domicile, the sounds from within telling me that I am close to my prey.
"I... I don't reckon that's gonna work out like that, Cam. That lil' feathery rascal's slick as snot on a doorknob." I hear someone say. Indeed, I am quite slick. And indeed, I have found my quarry. I do not hear anythign from Cameron, but I can tell he's speaking. The rushed heartbeat is a tell-tale sign.
"So, this here brooch... it hides you? I just ain't seein' how that's gonna fly. Is that somethin' or nother conjured up, or what?" Oh, how little the man knows. "Well, I'll be hornswoggled! But then... Oh, sugar... Magic's real as rain... Now what in tarnation are we gonna do with that piece of news?"
A few more seconds of silence pass before I hear a new voice enter the conversation.
"Okay... So what do we do? We still need a plan to fight Mu- I MEAN- The crow." How foolish of them to think that they can defeat me. Nothing. Nothing, can stop me when I have my prey in sight. Cameron will break, one way or another. Another few seconds of silence pass before the first voice I heard speaks up.
"Cam, what's got into you? Nah, I ain't doin' that. Paw-Paw's done been through enough of that hocus pocus. I don't wanna stir up nothin'." Why does that feel familiar? "We ain't talkin' 'bout his kinfolk."
Ah, I remember it now. What a foolish boy he was. So foolish that I don't even remember his name. A dull farm-boy who would be set off by the scantest of sights. Quite a funny toy to play with. And it was easy to lure him to the Grove. Where we would eventually meet his end. Such a shame, too. He would have made a fine proxy for the Master. But no matter. Cameron is an even better candidate. I move closer to the edge of the roof in an attempt to hear the conversation better, but it is just silence. Whoever Cameron was conversing with must have moved to someplace new. But I can still feel Cameron's heartbeat. He has not moved. He is still here. I must wait. I cannot reveal myself. Not yet. I must find a way to isolate Cameron. I cannot take risks. So I continue to wait. Until the perfect moment arrives. I wait and wait and wait. Until I hear something peculiar...
"There's gotta be something. Something I can do that will hurt Murim. But what is it?"
Such a fool Cameron continues to be.
|-Tuesday evening, April 2nd, 2024. The Cordelia, 4721 Azalea Landing Drive Room 3G-|
Goddammit...
God... dammit...
GoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGod dammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammitGoddammit
GOD DAMMIT!
Holy shitballs, I'm a dumbass. How could I fuck up so bad? Now Murim knows where I'm at. Dis here brooch is useless right now, all 'cause I said that jawn-ass bird's name. God. Fucking. Dammit.
Alright... Breathe. I can get through this.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
A mantra as old as time. And it manages to get me calm, if only a little bit. Little fuck could be here at any moment. Hell, Murim could be here right now. Listening to everything that was just said. Fuck. Just what I needed. That jawn murderbird knowin' all my moves and how to play 'em. Fuck...
I start pacing, anxiety pulsing through me as I try to weigh my options. Gonna be real wit' ya: Things lookin' kinda jawned up. I don't know what I can do. I'm half tempted to message Senara and see if she has any ideas, but that would mean roping her into Murim's bullshit. And I don't want to add a problem onto the mountain of shit she's dealing with. I keep pacing while I mull things over, catching sight of the window. The window... I move over to the pane, locking it. I give it a pull to see if it budges and it doesn't. Good. And just to be sure, to have my bases covered, I close the blinds and reel in the curtains. I don't want that feathered fuck to spy on me. Not that it really matters. He's probably been spying on me this entire time.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
I repeat the process again, wanting to have as clear of a head as I can get before I make any decision. Messaging Senara might be the only winning option here, as much as I don't want to commit to it. So I go to grab my phone, but stop dead in my tracks when I hear something hit the window. I'm having flashbacks to the morning of the 16th. When I first saw Murim. When all this started. He's out there right now. He wants me to open those blinds. But I'm not gonna. I get a deep breath in, grab my phone and head for the bathroom. It doesn't have windows. I should be safer there. For extra security, I close the door once I'm inside, at which point I start texting Senara.
'Got a problem.' I send, watching as it is immediately read. She's getting her response ready. I just know it. Those three dots keep disappearing and reappearing before Senara eventually sends her response.
'First off: You're so much dumber than I thought. Second: There might be something you can do, but it'll be risky.' Did she have to be condescending like that?
'How risky?' I then ask, willing to take risks at this point if it means getting Murim off my back. 'You'll need to come to me. Don't blame you if you decide not to. But if you want the help, that's what you need to do.' Fuck... I knew this wasn't gonna be a winning option, but this bad? Dammit. But at the same time, this might be the only thing that saves my ass. So I swallow my pride and ask one more thing.
'What do I have to do when I get to you?' I ask, not knowing what to expect. So when I read... 'Well, it involves some bloodletting. Just trust me. I'll guide you as you go. Make sure things are smooth and as painless as possible.' Aw, jeez... I just can't catch a fuckin' break, can Ise? I step out of the bathroom to grab one of Bo's pocket knives and my car keys. Knowing what I'm going to do is... Not pleasant. I don't do well with blood. Shit makes me feel like I'm gonna faint if I look at it for too long. But I can do this. I can get through this. I have to get through this.
I start walking towards the door, dread settling into my mind with the knowledge that Murim can get me now. All because I got cocky and fucked up. Royally. I get it now. When people say that complacency is the greatest enemy. And now I've got to deal with the consequences of that complacency. Fuck... Okay, think with a clear head Cam.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
I step out of the apartment door, and immediately feel eyes on me from every unobstructed view. It's even worse now that I've said Murim's name out loud. Because of course it is. He knows where I am. He can find me. So I have to get moving, and quick. I don't waste my steps. I move with purpose, wanting to get to my car as fast as I can without any incidents. Every chance I get, I look around, making sure there aren't any crows. Not that it matters. Murim is watching me as I go. He most definitely knows where I'm going. Afta all, if Aziel's chasin' Senara, Murim hadda be at one point too. I keep walking, being brisk and fast until I reach my car. I quickly get the car open and slide in, closing it just as fast as I got it open. Before long, I have the engine ignited and I'm moving. But as I'm driving, I can still feel the eyes on me. They're digging into my psyche.
Taunting me. Torturing me. I hate it. I hate that jawn so gahdamn much. I was doin' good for over a week. A week! A week of not worryin' 'bout that damn murderbird. Not worryin' 'bout gettin' turned into some proxy for Him. A week where I could actually live life for once without havin' to fear bein' brought back to the Grove. And it's over. 'Cause I got complacent. 'Cause I'm a cocky dumbass. God dammit.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
In through the nose.
Deep and low.
Expand the diaphragm.
Out through the mouth.
I keep breathing, trying to calm myself. It's working, but marginally. I focus on driving, wanting to get to Lake Forest as fast as I can. But I know Murim will also be there. He's following me. He won't let me go easily. Our game of cat and mouse starts again and the stakes have been raised. I upped the ante. Now I have to deal with those consequences. So I keep driving. What's a little blood to a murderbird? Not like I saw ponds full of it in the Grove. Not like I saw all those deadheads caked in it. A little blood being spilled is a price I'm willing to pay if it gets Murim off my ass again. I just need to make it to Senara first. After that, anything is fair game. Provided that this idea of hers works. There's no guarantee that it does. And that scares me the most.
|-Midnight, April 3rd, 2024. 105 Pinecrest Parkway-|
"Do I have to do this? Is it necessary?" Cameron's sayin', voice shakin' somethin' awful, mind. Poor 'eart. Looks like 'is little cock-up 'as fair turned 'is insides out, 'as it.
"If there were another way, us'd be doin' it, sure," I tell 'im, not chuffed about this neither. I do proper wish there was another way, mind. Not too keen on all this spooky stuff. It's a bit much sometimes, innit? But seein' what we'm up against... Don't rightly have much choice, do us? Cam's in a right pickle. Needs someone sharpish to undo 'is little blunder. Reckon this 'ere's the ticket. Somethin' to keep 'im hid from Murim, even if 'tis just for a spell. So, aye... I'm lookin' at this 'ere pentagram I've rigged up, candles flickerin' a dim light in't room – romantic it'd be, if 'twas any other time. But 'tisn't, mind.
"Got a knife, do 'ee?" I asks 'im, seein' 'ow much 'e's squirming. He do heave a sigh afore 'e answers.
"Aight. I got one rightchea in my pocket." He says, his voice still tremblin', hands all a-shakin'. Aw, the poor 'eart... I leads 'im into the circle, right smack-dab in the middle o' the star, I does. A proper dread fills me guts. I bain't wantin' to do this. But 'tis the only way forrard.
"Bide 'ere, now. Do 'xactly as I tells 'ee. Mess up so much as a 'air, an' this 'ere ritual won't 'appen, see?" I tells Cam, once 'e's in place, like. Still shakin', still fidgetin' about. Slow-like, 'e reaches into 'is back pocket for the knife, but 'e 'esitates, see? Can't blame 'im, mind. I reckon I'd 'ave 'esitated, me 'ansum. Blimey, I 'ave.
He's still a bit shilly-shallyin'. Don't wanna do 'ee. I don't wanna neither. But us gotta.
"Breathe deep, maid. You'll be alright," I says, tryin' to settle his nerves, like. Seems to do the trick, see. He's got the knife unfolded now, waitin' for me to tell 'im what to do.
"Stick out your left 'and, now," I says, watchin' 'im proper close as 'ee does as 'ee's told.
"Left hand... out..." Cam, he says, voice still a-shakin'. He brings the knife over to his left 'and, all trembly-like, eyes fixed on me, waitin' for what to do next.
"Start at the thumb crease, see? Trace that big line around it. Needs to be deep enough for blood, mind, but not so deep it hurts somethin' awful. Proper careful now," I tell 'im, watchin' as he slowly presses that blade to his skin, wincing when it goes in. Breathin' all over the place, he is. Got to fix that.
"Steady on, now. Breathin' like that, you'll cut yourself proper. Can't be havin' that, can we?" I tells 'im, still keepin' a close eye so he don't mess it up.
His breathin' eases off. Arm's movin' steadier like, but 'e's lookin' right peaky, mind. Pale as a ghost, 'e is. Can't be 'andin' the sight o' blood, I reckon. 'E'll get used to it, though. Slowly makes the cut, wincing a bit, like. But 'e gets there in the end, right up to the wrist. I give it a look-see. Deep enough, but nothin' too bad. Good. This is proper good, this is.
"Now what?" Then 'e asks, eyes waterin' just a bit, mind.
"Chuck that knife away, dip yer finger in the blood, just a touch, and grab a bit o' parchment." I says, reachin' for the paper meself. "Got to make a proper symbol with it, see?"
"What kinda jawn-ass booshit..." E starts, but I 'ad to cut 'im off, like.
"I know, I know, b'y. Just 'ee trust me, right?" I says, givin' 'im the parchment. "Follow 'long now, proper: Start at the top o' the paper, aye? Draw a line straight down to the bottom. From there, go to top left, then down to bottom right, see? After that, put a circle 'round the middle." I says, watchin' Cam's face as 'e figures it out. Right, 'e's startin' to do as 'e's told. Proper goin' through the motions, same as I said: Top o' the paper, right down to the bottom. Bit o' a trace up to top left, then bottom right afore puttin' the circle in. Then 'e looks at me, eyes meetin'.
"What's after dat?" Then he's askin', colour comin' back to 'is skin, bit by bit, like. Still fidgety, mind, but I reckon 'e's gettin' into it. Needs to be, see? Only way this'll work, that is.
"Take the paper, now, and 'old 'im over one o' they candles. But don't you be burnin' 'im, not yet. Just want a bit o' soot in the middle for now." I says, watchin' as 'e does just as I tell 'im.
"So... Whatchoo even tryna get at wit dis?" Cam's askin', see, makin' me twig I 'aven't even told 'im what this 'ere ritual be, or what it's meant to do. Reckon I best do that.
"From what I could gather, mind, it's a protection ward, like. Found it in a proper old book at one of the public libraries in the county, I did." I tells 'im, watchin' 'is eyes dartin' 'tween the windas and the sigil on the floor.
"Was the book about... the Crow?" He carries on, his voice still shakin', see.
"Twas 'bout a fair few things, that book was. Demons, shadow people, djinn, ghouls an' all. This 'ere ritual, mind, 'tis mainly for keepin' away some of the nastier demons from that Ars Goetia, but it also puts His Marquises as some o' them things that gets affected. Dunno why they'm listed, mind you. They ain't demons, far as I can tell." I says, still watchin' Cam. He don't quite believe me, like, but he knows well enough there ain't much choice. Ere, 'stead o' that, 'e gits along to the next bit. "What's the next step?" I 'ear Cam askin', keen to get this 'ere ritual done an' dusted. I takes a gander at the book in question, joggin' me memory so's we can do 'un proper.
"We need more blood, see. Ain't gonna make 'ee cut yerself again, mind. Where's the knife to?" I asks back, knowin' 'ee probably won't last another few seconds if 'ee cuts 'is 'and again. 'Ee points to where 'ee set 'un an' I moves over to take 'un. I knows 'ow this goes, but I'm needin' a cup or summat to 'old that red stuff in, I am. I fair pelted inter kitchen, grabbed a lil' glass an' filled 'er wi' water, see? Not too much, mind. Then I sliced me palm right open an' let the blood thin out in the water. Once there's enough, I went back to Cam, glass in 'and, see. I set the glass on one point o' the pentagram afore tellin' 'im what to do next. "Dip the paper in the glass, do ee."
"Okay... Okay..." E's takin' 'is time gettin' to the glass, see, dippin' the paper in 'e is. All four corners, mind. Proper guess, that was.
"Cor, 'eck! You got it spot on without me 'avin' to say a thing," I says, turnin' to 'im. "Right, now us'll burn it, us will."
I'm watchin' as Cam 'olds the parchment paper 'tween 'is 'ands, over one o' the candles. We'm slowly watchin' a 'ole burn right through the middle o' the paper, an' as it gets to the edges o' the circle, somethin' goes and 'its the window with a right loud thump. Reckon we'm bin spotted, eh.
"Aw, for the love of Pete..."
"Don't you worry yourself, do 'ee? Got the blinds down snug and curtains pulled tight. He'll 'ave to fair bust the door in, he will, to get a peek at us."
"Don't do nothin' for the nerves, ya know..."
"I knows, see. But I knows summat else too, mind." "Dat bein' what?"
"We'm 'bout to see if this 'ere ritual do be workin'."