*Thelma*The extraordinarily dense clouds of smoke approach like pillars, ready to flatten anything that lies in their way. Any sliver of daylight seems to be completely consumed by the fast-approaching darkness. All of my control is gone, replaced by a deep urge to hurt something or someone.The water in the creek begins bubbling and rising in angry waves. I feel a burning ache inside my veins, and a sharp stabbing pain in my temple, but I can’t stop. All the frustration I feel seems to be pouring right into the water.“Thelma, calm down! Remember to breathe, honey. Breathe,” Rhia’s voice pleads from somewhere in my head.I take a deep breath and exhale.Huge waves are thrown around and explode like lava from a furious volcano as a result of the ruthless winds that have gathered beneath me. I don’t have to look down to know that I am no longer on the ground but hovering somewhere in the air. I feel one with the raging water as it divides like a ferocious wild beast. With all of thei

*Thelma*Here I am again, sitting on the edge of Kyle’s bed, naked under my robe. I didn’t even bother noting the silk belt, as I know the routine. To him, clothes are just an unnecessary hindrance to his mission.I take a strand of hair and twirl it between my fingers. I can’t believe how long my hair has grown since I arrived here. I swear my hair follicles are receiving injections of steroids. I sometimes almost sit on my ends, but cutting or trimming my hair will be useless since it grows longer even as I sleep.I cross and uncross my legs impatiently. I am excited to see him, and maybe I shouldn’t feel that way, but I do miss his touch…Still, I am nervous as hell. This beast of a man probably killed my father, yet here I am, sitting pretty, waiting for him to give me the release I so ache for. Was I betraying my father’s memory by sleeping with his murderer?No. I am doing what is necessary until I find out the truth and am strong enough to take my revenge. At least, those are th

*Thelma*Nerves grip my stomach as if in a cruel vice. Pacing back and forth in my bedroom, I wait for Hilda to bring me some of the things I need to execute my secret mission. Every so often, I glance at the LG TV mounted on the wall. I went through so many romance films just to get an idea of how to entice Kyle.Hilda walks in with a box; she smiles in my direction as she places it gently on top of the table. I waste no time walking over to check out what she managed to bring.“I found a sachet of purple dried petals and some red fresh ones. Maybe you can use both? I also brought some of Madam Flora’s scented oils,” Hilda says as she shows me what’s in her special package.I frown as I look at the scented oil. In these searing summer temperatures, I will be sizzling like bacon in a pan if I grease myself tonight. I am beginning to think Hilda has a weird fascination with oils. Maybe in her times being slippery was considered sexy….Or is it a magical realm thing?I take the bottle of

*Kyle*“Cigarette or cigar, which one do you prefer?” Elsa asks me.The air in the murky small room behind the hair salon is cloudy from all the cigarette smoke. I watch as the curvy woman in front of me, who’s got a slim lit cigarette dangling from her lips, offers me a wooden box with the mentioned selections.“I am not really a smoker, but maybe a cigar will do,” I respond as I stretch my hand to retrieve a cigar from the box.Elsa nods, the action causing some ash from the cigarette in her mouth to fall onto her blouse. I am tempted to ask why it is important for us to smoke. I am not here for a social visit but rather for a reading.She takes a lighter from somewhere inside her blouse near h

*Thelma*An earthly scent swarms around the new arrival; it should be enough to quench my curiosity, but there is something unsettling about Tobias.He has a devilish grin that tells me he has more of a quirky and flirtatious side to him, unlike his brother, Kyle. With his dark curly hair, a tanned skin tone, defined cheekbones and almond-shaped brown eyes, Tobias looks nothing like his brother.“The two of you don’t look alike at all,” I muse. I clasp my hand to my mouth realizing I have spoken my private thoughts out loud.“Who is more handsome,” Tobias asks with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.I find myself mentally comparing the two men. Tobias is a little shorter than Kyle, but he is just