Page 68 of Pocus

Don’t look for me. I’ve simply returned home.

I’d read those impersonal words over and over again, trying not to find some hidden message – a signal of distress but that’s just me relying on the foolish hope built on a few lies and some explosive orgasms. To think I’d rode all over the streets of New Orleans like a mad man in search of her. I scoff at my stupidity and pour myself another shot of moonshine. In the end, she threw my sincerity in my face and returned to Anderson.

What did you think was going to happen, Pocus?

I’d dared to wish that someone actually saw something good in me – something lovable. As if that would ever happen.

“You are so convinced that she sent that message,” Seer says from his place beside me. He’s been quiet for so long that I’d almost forgotten he was there. I suppose sitting out here with me in the afternoon heat is his way of reassuring me of his presence and support.

“And you’re not?” I ask after a few seconds of silence.

Seer shrugs. “It just doesn’t seem right to me. Abigail doesn’t seem like someone who takes the coward’s way out.”

I scoff lightly and take a drag from my cigarette, releasing the smoke. “You don’t know her enough to sound so sure of yourself,” I say finally.

I’d made the mistake of thinking I did.

“But….”

“She left on her own, alright?” I fixed Seer with an intent stare until the refusal in his eyes disappeared. I nodded my head slightly and sipped some more moonshine. “Her mission here is accomplished, obviously.”

Seer remains quiet for a moment, studying my face like it’s an interesting canvas and he’s the artist. “You look miserable, mon ami,” he says finally. His voice holds no judgment... just compassion.

“Only at this moment,” I reply with a simple shrug. “Right now is all I’m allowed.”

Seer is about to say something to that but is interrupted by the sound of a vehicle. I look up to see a familiar looking old red pickup truck rolling down the driveway.

Seer sits up quickly, blinking at the truck in surprise. “Isn’t that…?”

The truck pulls to a halt, and the driver steps down and comes into view.

I gasp softly. “Mama?” I wonder what she could be doing out here. Mama almost never leaves her shack except when something big is about to happen. I stand up and walk down the porch stairs to meet Mama halfway with Seer hot on my heels.

“Where’s the girl?” Mama asks without preamble.

I didn’t need to ask who she was talking about. “She left,” I reply quietly.

“You fool!” Mama snaps, surprising me with her outburst. “She’s dying.”

I stare at her dazed. “What are you talking about?”

Mama huffs a frustrated sigh. “I can feel her life force running out by the hour. You shouldn’t have let her out of your sight, Pocus!”

“Th...that can’t be,” I say, shaking my head adamantly. “She left on her own accord.”

Mama snorts humorlessly. “Has she ever done anything of her own will?”

“What are you saying, Mama?” Seer asks urgently.

“Anderson cast another spell to draw her out,” Mama replies. “A dangerous spell. It’s bad because she’s already under the clouding spell. Now, there’s only a little the dragon tears can do if administered.”

I clutch at my chest as a sudden pain strikes my heart, cracking it open. I stagger back, and Seer quickly grips my shoulders to hold me steady.

“You alright, Prez?”

I close my eyes for a few seconds until I can get the wrenching anguish in my guts under control. I open my eyes and step calmly away from Seer.

“I’m going to bring her home,” I say, looking Mama square in the eye. “You keep her alive, Mama.”

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