The first rays of the sun just barely penetrated the morning fog as the group made their way through the muggy bayou. The larger motor boat they had commandeered from their neighbors putted along as Evelyn pointed out interesting features of her homeland to the two visitors that were accompanying her. Beverly held tight to the large sunhat adorned with mosquito netting as she feigned interest in the damp, unfamiliar environment. Davin on the other hand was fascinated with the various wonders that were unique to the region, eyes darting about as he tried to drink in every moss covered tupelo tree and all the river houses with peeling paint.
After they had secured the boat to the dock the group managed to hail a taxi to take them to the state penitentiary. As the car pulled up to the security gate Evelyn tried to quell the shiver that ran down her spine at the sight of the grim building. The oppressive grey cement blocks that made up the prison instilled a sort of heaviness on one’s psyche. The look the guards at the gate gave Evelyn had her feeling guilty, but for what she didn’t know. The taxi driver ushered them out, eager to get away from the depressing prison. The trio entered the building, Evelyn leading the way. The gruff guard that stood behind the plexiglass stared at the group with a harsh scowl.
“Who’re ya here ta see?” The muscular cougar gave each of them the once over, his marred face puckering in annoyance.
“Boug-Uh, Hippolyte Doubois.” Evelyn had to correct herself to give the guard her brother’s legal name.
“Right. Miss Evelyn?”, He looked over the clipboard he had held up to glance at Beverly and Davin, “...And company.” He made a few marks on the visitor’s sheet before standing up and stepping out of the small cubical. “Follow me.”
“Do ya want us ta stay out here, love?” Davin asked. Evelyn shook her head and motioned for them to join her. The short walk to the visiting area revealed that the inside looked very similar to the outside. The same general theme of ‘oppression’ was rampant with the decor, the generic, beige furniture that adorned the sparsely decorated visitor’s room was battered and worn. The trio took residence at a wobbly three legged table with equally wobbly chairs, the guard stopped in front of them with his arms crossed.
“Alright. You get one hug when greeting and one hug when saying goodbye. Otherwise no touching. No yelling, cursing, or excessive crying. Your hands are to be on or above the table at all times. Once you exit this room you may not re-enter-” Beverly chose this moment to interject.
“But what if we need to use the lady’s room?” She bit her lip at the blank stare she received from the guard.
“Hold it. I am obligated to remind you that smuggling contraband to inmates is indeed a crime and will not be tolerated. If you would like to leave before your allotted time is up then you must notify one of the guards. Do you understand these rules? I need verbal confirmation.”
“Yes.” The three spoke in unison and watched the cougar walk over to the heavy metal door on the other side of the visitor’s room. He tapped the door with his baton and after a few seconds the latch slid back and the door opened to reveal a scrawny looking coyote. Behind him was the inmate the group had come to see.
Boug Doubois was a brick wall, he towered over most and had bulging muscles that were the result of countless hours at the gym. His hair was cropped short and he had the beginnings of a boxed beard. While his face was pulled into a neutral expression that was bordering on hostile his eyes were alight with eagerness and as soon as his eyes landed on Evelyn his face broke out in a wide smile. Boug waited patiently as he was uncuffed, as soon as the guard stepped back the polecat rushed forward and enveloped Evelyn in a tight hug.
“Mon petit Veille! Cela fait troup longtemps!” He spun her around which earned him a stern look from one of the guards in the room. Boug set his sister down and went to shake hands with the other two visitors. His gaze lingered on Beverly and the leopard blushed before hiding behind her palm. The four of them took a seat and Evelyn’s smile dimmed a little as she remembered exactly why she made this visit.
“Boug, I’ve made quite de mess. And I’m hopin’ you can help me fix it.” Her silky tail twitched as her nerves got the better of her. She hoped Boug wouldn’t take it as poorly as Jean did.
“Well I dun know how much help I’ll be in de penn but try me.” Boug gave Evelyn an encouraging smile. Evelyn took a deep breath and expelled the circumstances she was currently in. Boug sat quietly and listened, occasionally nodding or giving a small huff of annoyance. Though when Evelyn came to her reasons for visiting his demeanor changed.
“-So you see, I need ta know da name of de shadow man that you went to when Cha-Cha was in trouble.” As Evelyn finished she watched her brother carefully, waiting for his response.
“I see you ain’t learn nothin’ from my mistakes. I’m sure Jean gave you de once ova already on why you shouldn’t have messed wit dark magic, so I’ll spare ya. Just know that I am so disappointed in you E-Belle for putting not only yo life in danger but the lives of all of ya friends,” He reached for Evelyns hands but thought better of it when a warning grunt was given from the guard to his left, “It goes against my betta judgemen’ but I tink talking to Le Fou is de only way out of dis mess.”
Evelyn visibly relaxed, glad her eldest brother was more rational that Jean. She listened closely as Boug recited exactly how to get in touch with Le Fou, it was a bit less sinister than Eve had thought it would be and it seemed as if Le Fou was far more lenient in terms of payment. Though Evelyn figured that’s why he was so popular, it was hard to find quality dark magic for a reasonable price around these parts. But they didn’t call him Le Fou for nothing, he enjoyed communicating on the other side and embraced all the risk that came with it. After Boug had finished the group sat back a mulled over their next task.
“Well Boug, it’s such a relief to know we’ll be out of the woods soon thanks to you. I was afraid Evelyn would have to do some serious prying to get this information out of you.” Beverly babbled on as she put her sun hat back on, ready to get out of the depressing prision.
“Glad I could be of service.” Boug made to stand and the others followed suit. He gave Evelyn another long hug, and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. Evelyn turned away as she teared up, not wanting Boug’s last image of her to be one filled with sorrow. As the guards lead Boug away it was all Eve could do not to run after him, he still had a few more years before he was eligible for parole and Evelyn missed him terribly.
“Now what’ye want ta do?” Davin was the first to break the silence as the three waited for their cab to arrive outside the prison.
“I’m goin’ to see Le Fou tonight, you two dun havta go if ya don’t want to.” Evelyn shrugged as she watched the cab come to a halt at the curb.
“Of course we’re going. As if we’d let you make a deal with the devil on your own.” Beverly rolled her eyes in exasperation. Giving Evelyn a wink before stepping into the cab.
---------------------------------------
“You sure this is the place?” Beverly tilted her head as she regarded the grandiose mansion that Le Fou supposedly resided in.
“Tha’s what Boug said. 1809 Tupelo Boulevard ” Davin nodded as he double checked the house number.
“Well, there’s one way to know fu sho.” Evelyn ascended the steps and boldly knocked on the large, elaborately decorated front door. After a few minutes the door opened to reveal a casually dressed river otter, he sized them up silently.
“What can I do ya fer?” He had an interesting southern accent, not as jarred as Evelyn’s and it lacked that lazy southern drawl that Dee had. Probably a southerner who’s spent too much time with Yanks, Evelyn thought to herself as she flashed a smile and braced herself for what was to come.
“We’re hia ta see Le Fou? My brother, Boug, said they could help me with a certain….issue.” Evelyn struggled to come up with a euphemism for their situation. The otter have a half smile and chuckled.
“Geez y’all, no one’s asked for ‘Le Fou’ in a while,” He rubbed the back of his neck with a slightly sheepish look on his face, “Declan, Le Fou, was my brother. He passed away a few years ago.” The trio let out a collective groan at the information.
“Just great. Can anything else possibly go wrong?” Beverly had trouble stopping herself from ripping off the bonnet she was wearing and stomping on it in frustration.
“Well-”
“It’s a rhetorical question, Davin!” She all but screeched. Evelyn was about to come to his defense when the otter at the door cleared his throat.
“Look if y’all need help I could give it a go. I’m not as savvy as my brother but he taught me quite a bit about his work.” He stepped aside and motioned for them to follow, “The name’s Sawyer by the way.”
“I’m Davin, this is Evelyn, and tha’s Beverly.” Davin offered as he examined the lavish house with wide eyes.
“I’d offer y’all something to drink but I’m guessing you just want to get right down to business.” He lead them down a long hallway with several doors, opening none of them and instead walking up to a life-sized portrait of a stuffy looking otter in a confederate general’s uniform. With a huff he managed to slide the extravagant painting to the side to reveal a hidden doorway. The group descended the steep staircase into a musty, dimly lit room.
“I think I’d like to go home now.” Beverly whispered as she clung tightly to Evelyn and Davin. Her tail quivering as she stared at the strange collection of artifacts that littered the room. Sawyer sat behind a dust-covered desk and watched his guest with curiosity in his eyes.
“Now, why don’t y’all tell me what’s been ailing you folks today? Let this amateur Shadow Man see what he can do for ya.” The smile Sawyer gave was almost sinister. Evelyn was still incredibly uneasy but her back was up against the wall and this stranger was their best chance at getting out of this ordeal mostly intact. So with a deep breath to calm her nerves Evelyn spilled her secrets.
---------------------------------
HMMMMMM can we trust this 'Sawyer' character?? Though honeslty would you trust your life to an amature Shadow Man? Hell, would you trust your life to a professional Shadow Man?