Page 1 of The Other Side

The Bayou

IRIS-MARIE

“Well, well, well…look what we have here.” I froze at the sudden sound of the man’s voice. The sun had set, fully dissolving behind the thick, brewing clouds, soaking the small bayou town in damp shadows. “If it isn’t the localwitch.” The man’s snarky voice crept up my spine as I stood in the middle of the empty street. I turned, looking cautiously over my shoulder at the gangly man eyeing me. He smoked a cigarette as a second joined him, drinking from a dark glass bottle. “What do you think, Louis? Should we have her read our palms?” The first man inhaled as the end of his cigarette burned bright in the night.

Keep your wits about you, Iris. If you stay calm, they may just let you go.

“It’s rather late, and I’d much prefer to call it a night. Besides, palm reading isn’t really my expertise,” I replied calmly, unsure of how safe I was out here alone with the two men. For reasons unknown to me, I had always been looked down upon in this rank town. The folks here seemed to despise me for working in what they called nature’s ‘dark arts’. It was ironic, though—theyalways secretly sought me out, begging to know their future, demanding love spells and special teas. I was ridiculed, spat on, and cursed during the day while being paid for my discretion and services at night. I was their mistress, the one they sought out for their dark and mystical fixes. But like any mistress, I wanted out. I wanted to be seen and heard and respected like all the others. They always denied me the privilege.

The second man, Louis, pointed to me, burping as he grinned.

“Nonsense. It won’t take long.” Louis stepped closer, past the first man, extending his free arm out to me, palm face up. “Go on,witch,” he hissed, leaning so close, I nearly choked on his alcohol-tainted breath. “Tell me my future.” His hand, still firmly clasping the glass bottle, tapped my chin. “That’s what you do now, isn’t it?” Louis grinned, causing me to shiver as thunder gently rolled in the distance. “You take our money and fork out a cheery tale of how we’re going to get rich or make it big out here in the bayou? You put on a show and tell us exactly what we want to hear.”

“Leave her be, Louis,” the first man exhaled as smoke clouded his face. “None of it’s real. She has no magic and we all know it. The only reason anyone seeks her out is ‘cause they’re too scared to admit the truth, so they pay her to lift their spirits, knowing it’ll never come true, living in her falsehoods.”

I growled faintly at the insult as I flared my nostrils and tilted my head up at the first man, wishing to prove him wrong. “What’s wrong? Too scared to see what fate has in store for someone like you?” I asked cooly.

I’ll show you power.

“Feisty little witch, isn’t she, Ray?” Louis chuckled. He shoved his hand closer, taking another sip. “Go on. Tell me: what do you see?”

Huffing with frustration, I reluctantly grabbed his palm, leaning in closer as I eyed the lines across his rough skin, the tip of my index finger tracing the indentions as I peered deeper into his sick soul.

“Quite the touch you got here,” Louis grumbled, playing with my locs as I tried to ignore him, my brows furrowed as I stared deeper into the abyss to read his current fate.

“Your hands tell me you are a hard worker, spending hours in the sun and heat—”

“No shit,” he chuckled, adjusting his footing. “I want to hear about myfuture. I already know my life now. What I want to know is what fate has in store for me—what do I have to look forward to?” I squinted, my head tilting as I explained to him what future I witnessed as it flashed over my eyes like a silent film.

“You have a woman who is bound to you—not the one who wears your ring, but one connected by the birth of a child.” Ray busted out laughing, choking lightly on the smoke of his cigarette.

“She's talking about your mistress, Louis!”

“Shut up, Ray!” Louis snarled, turning back to me. “I said, tell me myfuture.” My eyes lifted to his as I grinned.

“Oh, I see your future. You are going to take a hunting trip with a friend, trample through the rain, and just when you think you’ve won, you’re going to meet the eyes of fire as a beast of hell consumes you, dragging your soul into darkness to burn for all eternity.” Louis’ eyes widened as he ripped his palm from my hands, stepping back in horror. I laughed, lightning striking through the night sky above and echoing alongside me.

Foolish man.

“You’re right, Ray. She’s a fake. S-she’s just making shit up to scare me. She has no real magic. Hell, I don't even like hunting!” His eyes returned to his palm as he stared at it, the expression onhis face telling me, despite his words, deep down, he feared what I had said.

“You can insult me, but do not insult my abilities. I saw your fate, Louis. The beast will come for you.” I tossed the locs back over my shoulder.

“Enough of your tricks.” Ray flicked his cigarette and began to step in my direction, disgruntled and aggravated. “If you’re so powerful, then tell me: what doesmyfuture hold?” He shoved his palm in my face as I tried to look away, frustrated and disgusted by the thick scent of his cigarette. “Well? Go on.” He gripped the back of my head, pushing his hand in my face. “If you’re so gifted and what you say is true, then you won’t mind reading my palm.” My body tried to resist him, pushing back as his nails dug into my neck, forcing my face inches from his open hand. “Tell me!” My eyes shot to his as thunder grew, inching closer.

Just do as he says and then walk away.

“Fine,” I hissed, reluctantly taking his palm into my hands. I leaned in close, shoving his grip from my neck as my fingers repeated the motions and traced his life lines, studying their vividly encrypted tales.

“You’re right, Louis,” Ray laughed. “She does have a fine touch. One I wouldn’t mind feeling more of.” The two men laughed, my stomach tightening at their sick humor. I transcribed his fate, feeling satisfied by what it foretold. His eyes returned to me as I looked up at him, dropping his hand. “What’s wrong? Your‘connection’not working?” Ray teased as the two men laughed again.

Such ignorant fools.

“I see your fate clear as day, Ray.” He coughed, smiling as he cocked his head.

“Oh? Well tell me, witch: what future do I have to look forward to, huh? Riches? Glory—” He ran his hand across mycheek, sucking his teeth. “The warm touch of a woman such as yourself to tuck me in after a hard day’s work?” I raised a brow, the edges of my lips curling as I glared up at him, satisfied by the vision.

“More like the hungry embrace of a beast.” His own smile dropped, taken aback by my statement. “It seemsyouare the friend Louis here will be hunting with. And the only embrace fate has in store for you is the cold touch ofdeath.” The emotion that flickered across his face told me exactly how he felt, and I couldn’t help but poke at his fading ego. “I’d watch your back if I were you. The beast is waiting, and he seems mighty hungry.” I bit my teeth together, releasing a soft cackle before turning to walk away.

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