BAM, BAM, BAM! “Open the fracking door, Drex!” I shout. The hallway is eerily quiet. I raise my fist to knock again but gasp when the door swings open and I’m face to face with the barrel of a gun.
“Oh, it’s you. I thought you were the police or SNOB,” he commented lowering the gun. He takes a step into the hall and looks around. “Hello, Mrs. McGregor. Sorry for the racket. Please, go back to your soaps.” With a humph, the little blue-haired lady just frowns and clutches the teacup chihuahua to her chest before slamming the door.
I glare at Drex. “It’s about damn time. Why would the police or SNOB know your name?” I ask as I shove past him into the tiny apartment.
“Please, do come in, Minerva,” Drex says sarcasm dripping as he closes the door behind us. He taps the wall and a panel opens. He places his gun back in its hideaway spot. “What brings you to me this fine morning?”
I give him an incredulous look. “You know damn well why I am here,” I reply poking him in this thin chest. “They are on to me. This body didn’t fool them whatsoever. I need another one and fast.” I state taking in the takeout trays, laundry on the floor and stains on the couch. There is no possible where to sit and not catch a deadly disease, so I keep standing.
“Yeah, I got your message. But wait, did you lead them here,” Drex pauses from taking a drag from his vape. His calm exterior crumbles as he storms back to the door opening a panel on the wall next to it.
“You stupid cow! If they find out that I helped you they will crucify me. And I am not exaggerating. They will literally crucify me,” he states, his voice raising in pitch.
“Yes, yes, I am well aware of the consequences of being in your line of work, warlock. But you will get over it, and soon. If you don’t this deal is over.” I threaten slamming him against the door. His feet dangling off the ground with my manicured hand wrapped around his neck.
“Don’t let this body fool you. I am more than I appear, and I will end you.”
“Grgagdhdfjk…” his strangled response comes out. I release him with a thud.
“Cough, cough, cough. I got it. I got it. But I can’t help you. Not anymore. Not with the heat you have on you now,” his response comes out rough from his bruised vocal cords and I feel my ire rise. I approach him ready to plant my six inch stiletto in his gut. He cowers and raises his hands just as an alarm starts to go off, complete with flashing red light.
“FRACK! They’re nearby. You have to go,” he announces scurrying to his feet and racing over to the flashing screen on his laptop on his cluttered coffee table. “Damn it, Minerva!” he swears at me as his cell phone begins to ring.
“Don’t blame me. I did what you told me to do. I took the train, then a taxi and then another train. But I had to get off because it was in an undesirable neighborhood. Then I took an Uber.” I replied checking out my manicure to make sure he didn’t chip my nail polish.
Drex glares back at me then his expression changes and he swears, “Shat! We both need to leave now.” His phone started ringing again. He stares at the screen and swears again, this time in a foreign language.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” I implore, curiously glancing at his phone. He swears again.
He sighs and answers. “Hey, Abbey! How are–” he pauses his face turning red. “I know, I know but –” he pauses again, his face turning purple. “I understand. She is standing right here. Okay.” Head hung low, he hands me the cell phone. I take it daintily and wipe the front before tentatively putting it to my ear.
“Yes, this is Minerva. Whom am I speaking to?” I respond to the unknown caller, Abbey.
The voice on the other end is crisp in reply. “This is Abigail Moncrief, Warlock priestess of North America. I hear that you have been causing trouble in Chicago. You need to leave. Drex is off limits. And don’t bother looking for any more of my warlocks. You are officially blacklisted.”
I gape at the phone before putting it back to my ear, “Who in the seven Hells do you think you are talking to? You two-bit hack of a magician.” I yell into the phone making Drex cringe, and Abbey go silent.”
After a minute of silence as if she was collecting herself to remain professional, she replies, “I know who and what you are. I also am well aware of your deal with Drex. He will answer for his indiscretions. In Atlanta where I will be. I suggest you find alternative means for your little problem.”
“How dare you?” I spit through clenched teeth.
“I dare. If you want to try me, you know where to find me. Good day to you, Madame,” she pauses. “However, if I were you, I would stay away.” Click. Silence follows as I pull the phone away from my ear staring at it. The implications of what she said finally started to sink in. I scream and throw the phone across the room. I turn my gaze to Drex who had managed to pack a bag and swore at his now broken phone.
“Who the Hells was that?!” Drex sighs and thrusts a piece of paper into my hand.
“You don’t want to find out. Trust me. She will end you, Minerva. That woman is one of the most powerful magic users I have ever met.” He responses.
“What’s this?” I ask shaking my head and smoothing out the piece of paper in my hand. “Krystal Ball?” I ask confused.
“Krystal has magic that will help you take care of your problem. I can’t help you anymore. The address is on the paper. Have a care with her though. Her aunts are gate watchers. Blessed be.” he finished and patted my hand. Another alarm sounds in the tiny apartment.
“What is that alarm?” I ask exasperated by the turn of events.
“They’re here. Shat!”
“Drex, what are we–” I began to ask looking around the room to see that I stand there alone. BAM, BAM, BAM! “Frack!”
“Open up, Minerva! We know you’re in there. Come on out.”
Mad Woman Rambles 