Shop Steps

It was cold that night and the sky was darker than usual. It weighed heavy on her shoulders. Bethany crouched on the steps of the Voodoo Shop, hugging her knees tightly, her eyes darted nervously around her. Every sudden noise, every sudden movement made her jump out of her skin. Although she had been completely healed of the physical wounds she suffered at Blueray’s hand, mentally she was a wreck. Night terrors blurred into day terrors. The haunting visions became her constant companions.

“Hello.” A rough male voice disturbed the burdening silence of the night. It startled Bethany and she felt her blood drain from her head, making her dizzy. “Is there anything I can help you with?” he eyed her suspiciously, standing with his arms crossed in expectation.
She rose with shaking legs and nodded, “Yes, I...I need to talk to the man…” She gestured over her shoulder to the entrance of the shop, “who, umm, works here.”

The man shifted slightly, he was of average height and build, though his presence was daunting. He tilted his head questioningly, his dark eyes never leaving her. “Do you remember his name?”
Bethany shook her head, her mouth was dry, she tried to swallow. "No, he didn't tell me his name. He looked very powerful though…and he was studying at the desk."
The man grunted as though he knew to whom she was enquiring about, “What is your message? I will get it to him. He is not in town now.”

Disappointment etched her face, "Yes, if you could please. If you could tell him Bethany is wanting to talk to him."
The man nodded briefly, “I will leave him the message that you were looking for him.” He began to walk up the steps to the shop.

Bethany winced abruptly and started to feel a pulsating pain in her head, the unnerving premonition of another vision. She pressed her palms to her temples and leaned against the stoop, weakened by the pain.
The man stopped and turned back to her. “You seem to be in pain.” His voice became soft with concern. “May I lay my hand on you? I am a healer.”

Bethany head lifted and she tried to focus on the man. "It's been getting worse. I don't know what to do." She leaned back away from him, suddenly afraid. Her mind began to swirl with howling shadows of hell.
“I am not going to hurt you.” He said soothingly, “Why are you afraid of me?”
Her eyes turned glassy and she stared at him in a trance. Her body was still and she seemed to look right into his soul. She didn’t speak. The man moved closer raising his hand towards her head. She remained motionless as he approached her. Her eyes brimmed with tears, as though she was fighting to free herself from this catatonic state.

He placed a hand gently on either side of her head and looked deeply into her sea green eyes. “Relax. Let me help you.”
Bethany inhaled sharply and blinked several times, the tears fell down her cheeks. She relaxed at his touch and her body slackened. He moved his hand to support her sagging body. She returned to consciousness, she was quivering. She turned her head and looked intently into his face. "I saw something...in you."
The man brushed the tears from her cheek, “What is that Bethany?”

"Your soul was glowing." she whispered, her voice cracked with distress and her eyes darkened in fear. The vision she saw was the aura of his soul, it glowed crimson with blood. Her voice trembled with anxiety, "I need to see him...soon."