Even An Angel Needs Help Now and Then

“Thanks Danny.  We’ll keep an eye and ear open.  I’ll let Anthony know when he gets back.”  Tongson hung up the phone.  He glanced over his shoulder.  Two youngsters stood near the basic magician’s kit in the showcase near the front window.

One child nudged the other.  “How do you know that is a real magic wand?”  

The reedy thin tall girl tucked her hair behind her ears and glared at the boy next to her.  “’Cuz my Momma said so.”  She reached out and pinched the boy on the arm.  They exchanged more words in low hushed whispers.

Tongson smiled shaking his head.  Natalie spent many of her after school hours helping him unpack boxes and sort the used books that came into the store.  He paid her in books and food as well as minimum wage.  Her family tried to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.  He knew they appreciated the help he provided along with the tutoring Natalie received. 

 As Tongson watched Natalie and her young friend leave, he glanced up catching the young female cowering in the back semi-dark section near the storeroom in the mirror hanging high on one bookcase.

Octavia, my dear.  She’s here.  Can you please help with making sure she doesn’t hurt herself or us? Tong smiled as Octavia’s response rustled deep within his psyche.  Praise be for Tavia.  She could calm the fear out of most animals and folks.  Too bad the young snow leopardess didn’t understand help was only a few feet away.

I see her, my love.  I’ll handle this.  Stay put.  Bless Serge for keeping us informed.  Tongson nodded and acted as if he didn’t know the leopardess lurked nearby.

Angel swallowed hard.  Two days without food and her stomach growl louder with each noise it made.  The kits she carried needed nourishment.  She had to find a place to hole up.  Serge’s cryptic message made no sense.  A few simple lines written on a half sheet of paper wrapped around a one way plane ticket and some cash left her nothing solid to act upon.

She’d come to the right address.  Yet, the oracle Serge insisted she find hadn’t manifested itself.  Had she been foolish enough to believe someone cared?  Or had she blindly led herself into another trap?  She’d kill herself before she’d spend another second in Shere Kahn’s possession. 

A hand grasped her wrist.  Angel pulled and tugged, fighting to get away.  The more she fought the more tired she got.  Slowly words filled her subconscious until she closed her eyes and darkness engulfed her.

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Happy Weekend Gang!

Too much going on at the spice homestead this week to research sand sculptures for Jackson and Abebi to judge.  Maybe next week.  Instead on the way home from work Friday, a new character began speaking to me by the name of Angel.  She took form as a snow leopardess who needed help finding santuary far from Shere Kahn's reach.  What better place than Anchorage with our gang there.

Stay tuned to see what happens next.  

 Until then, share a good book or two with your loves and spice!

Solara