Mad Woman Rambles

BAM, BAM, BAM! “We said open up Minerva! Make this easy on yourself. Come with us willingly and you won’t suffer,” the voice shouts from the other side of the door. Turning away from the door, bringing out my phone and dialing the number I dreaded having to call.  

“Hello, angel face,” he mused his voice all velvet haughtiness. 

 “Angel face?! Oh no, we aren’t doing this again. I don’t have time,” I hiss over the phone as the pounding at the door grows louder and more forceful.  

“Ah, Cher! Is that anyway to talk to the love of your lifetimes?” he chuckles. “I hear you got yourself into a bit of trouble. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You should know better.” 

“CLAUDE!” I shriek over the phone. “You little snit! You owe me.”  

“Alright, alright. Calm down, Cher. I know what you want and only I can get you what you want. For a price,” he trails off as a ‘CRACK’ sounds at the front door. I don’t know what Drex reinforced his door with, but it is definitely buying me time.  

“Name your price and be quick about it,” I huff over the line.  

“I know it has been a while, but I am sure you know how to grant a wish still,” he says. I can hear the smile in his voice. 

“Absolutely not!” I shout. “No deal. Wishes are a precious thing and I can’t give them out to just anyone. You know that.” 

“Then may I suggest you take a plane. It may be safer,” Claude laughs. making me turn a bright shade of red. “What will it be, cher?” he asks waiting on the only reply he knows I can give.  

With a sigh I reply, “Fine. One wish to get me to Atlanta.” 

“Atlanta? What’s in Atlanta?” Claude asks curiosity coloring his words.  

“That is for me to know. Now, do your whirly, swirly thing.” I respond tapping my heel with impatience trying not to panic.  

“Tsk, tsk. cher, what kind of trouble is trailing you?” he asks sobering.  

“The kind with a badge. Be quick about it.” I snap. In a flash Claude stands before me and I let out a sigh of relief. He grimaces at me, lifting his hand as if he would touch my face.  

“I prefer your other face,” he mutters before turning to begin. His fingers start moving in very deliberate motions. Each gesture bigger than the last. I huff at his comment. I preferred my other face too, but I didn’t want him to know that. My last face was closer to looking like my original body but that was a millennium ago. 

“Yes, well I prefer not to be caught. This is the only way.” I reply, folding my arms across my chest needing the touch to fight off these feelings of needing his help.  

“Minerva, you should have come to me sooner,” he finishes with a sigh. Claude stands aside revealing the colorful swirling lighted clouds. I inhale sharply. The air is charged with ozone and the colors dance along all of the surfaces of the tiny apartment.  

“I should have done a lot of things… differently.” I murmur as I step closer to the contained storm clouds. The banging resumes at the front door, a hole appearing at its center. I look over to Claude and place my hand on his chest. “I just need this lifetime to atone.”  

Claude nods in understanding, “Quickly now, cher. They will be through that door soon.”  

“Thank you,” I whisper before being swallowed whole by the portal. The bite of cold envelops me one moment and the next I am in the warmth of a store front stepping on something squishy.  

MMMMMEEEEOOOOOWWWW!!!!!! A large gray tabby cries out as I step on its tail. He rears up and scratches at me before he bolts away from me.  

“Fracking cat! That was my leg.” I shouted after the foul beast.  

“Have a care with my niece’s cat and put your hands out in front of you, demon.” A low voice calls out as I hear the cock of a gun.