Invasion **** Chapter One Hundred Eight

I was having a difficult time differentiating reality from dream, I'd known I had been behind the bookshelves but it wasn't evident at all, the sword yet leaned against the wall and the shelves faced outward, books undisturbed. I wanted to leave immediately.

Something had enticed my sense of smell, I'd seen the ambrosia pudding on the island, my mouth began to water but I was skeptical of consuming anything at that point, what was its purpose? The pendulum balls clattered rhythmically on the large Mahogany desk that sat almost in the middle of the library, I'd known not to watch their movement too long, but I noticed a change of rhythm. I knew with Newton's Cradle that potential energy had to be changed to kinetic energy to effect the swinging spheres, and somehow my presence had slowed them down. The momentum of each sphere prior to collision should have been the same thereafter to produce the same movement back and forth, however it had slowed down and lacked potential energy---kinetic energy had by some means interfered.

I backed away from the door and retreated toward the room, feeling as if I was being magnetized to it when I walked away. I needed Troy! The distance between us was making me ill, I was in pandemonium and knew something had to be done. He needed me as well, I just didn't know how. I thought back to how mysterious he had been the first night I'd seen him at Koko Pelis, the dark skinned thug that just kept popping up. Even though I'd been wrong about the past relationships I knew there was something special about what we had. Who was he?

Who was I?

Nothing my father said had ever been a lie.

Why had the walls mentioned Troy? I'd read about the Trojan War, his reasoning was insignificant, there was more to it. Every minute he hadn't called seemed like an eternity.

As Kerri's scent filled the atmosphere I looked up the staircase and saw her descending into the foyer, she spake and I could hear her words clearly. "Yes, her scent." In no way offensive, but unique---

At that moment I sympathized for my sister, she'd found a place where she thought she fit in. Our conversation cordially began, "Have u spoken with Sharon?"

Her reaction to me addressing Mama by the first name was intriguing, she would secretly address her by her first name when we were children. "No," she responded.

"Your ambrosia is prepared," Kie announced to her almost as if she had deliberately interrupted the conversation. My phone chimed, with hopes of it being a text from Troy I wobbled past Kie down the hall to retrieve it and I now had two phones. I told my sister I would return, I hadn't wanted her to eat the pudding.

Not exactly disappointed to see he hadn't texted, I began to read the message from Keyon.

"I apologize for not getting back to u sooner, where are u?"

I didn't respond.

"There is something we need to talk about in person, I can come where ever u are."

"I'm at your father's home. Are u coming?"

I'd known he wasn't but felt he was somewhat on my side. He soon texted back, "Leave, now."

I took heed, was it a warning? I entered the dining room where Kerri now sat eating---my feet ached like hell but I knew I needed to leave, she met my gaze with her own eyes, "Let's go visit Mama," I said.

"No, she's lukewarm."

What the fuck? I needed to leave and the bitch was talking crazy.

Ok.

"WHERE'S AYDEN?" I wanted to get my nephew away from that bitch! "DON'T JUST TELL ME HE'S SAFE!"

Why hadn't I seen my fucking nephew? I was getting pissed at the thought, had she given him away?

"HE'S FINE!" she yelled standing from the table, she hadn't sounded normal at all. I didn't want to give up on my sister but maybe I didn't know her at all.

"He was sent to fulfill the prophecy. The Calliope, have u really heard one?"

WHAT PROPHECY BITCH? Also what did my daughter have to do with it? I would kill her behind my daughter!

"Father said peaches don't always keep it away?"

The bitch was talking stupid but frightening me! Why did Carmella call my baby Peaches?

I hopped toward the stairs, I hadn't seen any sign of Ayden on either visit! Where the fuck was he? I attempted to climb the winding stairs but my feet were throbbing, Kie ran from the kitchen---"It's not safe for the---"

While texting Ryella and yelling at Kie, I told that bitch to shut the fuck up! She ran to Kerri, I noticed the attempt to see if I had been an influence. I had googled 3636 and hadn't known why---perhaps because someone other than Twan had texted it, Troy had. How the fuck did he even know about the code! It had a hidden meaning---3636 meant message from a guardian angel! I found out, I googled it everything with Twan meant something. Nothing was what it seemed and if he would have ever texted 3636 it would have meant he was about to die! Sure it was coincidental in the shed wasn't it? Shit was getting real, the older I got the clearer I saw things. I'd climbed the first few steps and heard Kie on the phone, apparently she spake to Martin, my own phone soon rang as I contemplated calling the police, I didn't trust them either. I'd received a text from Shonda earlier, I stood her up but she had found information I requested she research.

There were so many rooms at the top of the stairs, I hadn't known which room was Kerri's and Kie had attempted to stop me. The sound of water was returning, as I got further upstairs. WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME!!!? WHY COULDN'T I HEAR? I began a message to Keyon, I needed someone! I'd read the walls, I knew Ayden was gone! I would have Kerri's ass locked up! Had she sacrificed Boogie too? WHERE WAS AYDEN'S BODY? Ryella had not responded! Why had Twan named her Calliope?

As fast as I could I looked in the rooms when I finally made it upstairs out of breath, they were abundant in the large home.

WHY DIDN'T I BELIEVE THE BITCH HAD EVEN BEEN ABDUCTED NOW!?

I needed the water in my ears to STOP! I felt I was in danger, something had come over me in an instant---there was something demonic in the atmosphere and I could smell it.

Simultaneously the messages poured in.

Brown:

"Kill is in jail for murder, Breakdance's murder."

Shonda:

"Her mother is in The Blake retirement home. She said she came by last week in dark shades and a baseball cap."

Nathaniel:

"I disowned him long ago, his mother had him brainwashed---not everyone could see the demon she had. Percy could, that was his gift it ran him crazy."

I had asked what happened with Nathaniel and Trenton, why hadn't they seen eye to eye. He then informed me the flight to Miami was scheduled. They had all ran together, Martin, Cliff, LaDonna, Nathaniel, Pam, and Veronica...also Mrs. Creighton Lamont's mother.

I opened a door to a room filled with lit candles as I read the message. I looked up in total shock. A symbol was in the middle of the floor, I found Dario naked on his knees with his arms across his chest, head bowed, and without even considering my feet were swollen to fuck I ran out of fear back down the upstairs hall, what the fuck was he doing?

I made it to the staircase and became dizzy while looking down, his lips moved! WHAT WAS HE SAYING? I knew Kerri could translate! She could speak it!

What the fuck had Sharon done?

Kie seemed to be in a panic when she again came into view.

When I finally made it to the bottom of the stairs again, I walked past that bitch to the Babylonian room. I grabbed my belongings that were in sight and left out to find Kerri's car gone. HOWSO? I HAD THE KEYS! I needed somebody or I would die, it was simple. I couldn't take anymore! I went to Pooh's message thread and texted I NEEDED U! I hadn't expected a response but as I walked down the steep driveway expecting Martin to arrive at any minute I received a message from Pooh, "Bitch u got me robbed! That bitch made me take off my clothes and told me to get the fuck out before she cut my dick off! FUCK U HOE!"

No wait! I could explain! But WHO?

I messaged and asked who robbed him, "The bitch with the cockeyes!"

Kerri?

Something wasn't right! I was glad he was alive, I needed him! I sat down on the ground, I couldn't go any further. I was becoming so tired. I'd seen the keys to the truck and knew where they were but I went to the Uber app even though I knew the truck probably wasn't far.

The car shortly arrived, I needed to go to Slidell, I was so sorry and I needed help. Martin Poindexter was evil. Troy had warned me. I missed him so much, he was all I had left besides my children.

I messaged Pooh again, I needed his address, he would not give it to me. "Call me," he instructed and I did, however I could not hear him clearly, as I couldn't hear the driver but I knew he was constantly asking for the correct destination, I'd entered a default. I verbally read what Pooh finally texted and headed toward Slidell. Why had she taken her car? I had belongings inside. My hearing was slowly coming back but the voice was present as always. I was afraid to go back for the Honda.

The ride to the projects Pooh lived in was quiet, I'd texted Troy and told him everything and how I really felt even though he couldn't read it, but it was somehow delivered and read.

How could he be in jail for murder?

Nathaniel had texted back halfway there, "Jennifer, Trenton's first wife contacted me about his property, she disappeared a long time ago—-

Hold on---Jennifer? Trenton's first wife?

I began to search for Jennifer Myers as I rode, there were so many but I soon found an article of Lawrence's and Nakia's wedding from long ago. It listed the bridesmaid's name, Jennifer Hayes. Could it be her?

Why had she left---as Carlita had? He never mentioned a first wife.

I was so happy to see the big ass nigga come to the door barefoot, I would get on my knees and cut his toenails outside if he wanted me to. I saw his new Dodge Ram and knew it was my ride to Metairie and Mississippi to get my children, and then to Pam's home. Nothing could stop me now. I had enough knowledge to take Martin down, I would use what he had given me against him. Also I planned to visit the retirement home and wanted to reach out to Christy's mother, but since I couldn't hear good I contemplated calling.

I had a fight on my hands, I had practically said I'll do anything to have Troy freed and knew I was indebted, I wouldn't get off that easy.

I wanted to know who the albino was at the table, the earthly version.

Pooh seemed disappointed, he'd seen everything that night when I was in some way seduced. I couldn't feel him out, he was now distant, had he been traumatized?

My story was so unbelievable I just had to shut the fuck up. Martin had too much power and was untouchable, so he thought. I had nothing on him substantially, but there had to be something!

I went back to the web as Pooh listened to me, I told him I would pay him whatever I just needed to get to Metairie. I'd taken Troy's debit card and prayed it didn't get cancelled, I promised Pooh a lot of money for his trouble. I wondered why Martin hadn't had his accounts frozen, surely he'd known it had come from the same accounts, the ones Veronica had.Perhaps it was someone else, Martin was rich.

I sat on his torn pleather sofa, he had taken a loss fucking with me. I would repay him for his sorrow. He asked when I was due, I didn't know, honestly.

I couldn't wait to see Nathaniel, he seemed like my own father. He had given Trenton an ultimatum---after his grandfather died he met Martin, or had been targeted. "My son was the best a man could have before he met Martin, he just wouldn't listen. I would take the boys fishing, he has always been a mature boy. He gave him a demon. I'd warned him but he had become fascinated with the luxuries. I tried to kill Martin myself, and knew he would get revenge on Trenton."

There was little information on my father's father, but I looked at a census record and found details about him at the orchard, the address was the same. He was twenty-seven and had two sons, Percy and Elijah. Had I had an uncle? The frequency in my ears was aggravating and I was starving. I knew Pooh liked to eat so I mentioned being hungry. My cravings were abnormal I only wanted fruit, he wanted crawfish etouffee'.

I explained to him I needed to go to the home in Metairie and I told him about Trenton, he remembered the body found in the swamp and also had seen news coverage about his killer being in custody, in New Orleans.

Come again---?

Oh, but of course...someone had written down the license plate number to the Tahoe. FUCK!

Again, I had fucked up, we were supposed to leave Keithville immediately, did he know they would come? He had taken a chance for me. I still wasn't convinced Trenton was dead and I had to prove it to free my man.

I believed it was Martin's doings, he knew I would return for help. My plans had fallen through, I felt as if my soul was snatched from my body. Pooh slid on the Crocs and got the keys to the 2018 Ram, I sat confused. I couldn't leave just yet. "Wait, just hold on," I said---maybe aggressively, I don't know what triggered that muthafucka!

He was initially excited about the 5 grand I had promised him, but as I sat he said, "Im so tired of u billshittin ass females! Get the fuck out! NOW!"

He reached behind the door, picked up the 12 gauge pump and pointed it at me. He was angry! With one hand up, the other across my belly I told him it wasn't a joke, "I have nowhere to go!" I knew a Shreveport nigga would kill a bitch at the blink of an eye, I begged him not to shoot me."

Why wouldn't he be angry though! I don't know what Kerri had done to him but as if he had a flashback of the incident he became furious! The tears burned my eyes.

"U ain't shit, u ain't going NOWHERE!"

He labeled me to be as the rest, I genuinely considered him to be a friend.

"I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING HARMFUL TO U, I JUST NEED A MIN---"

"Bitch, fuck that," he closed the door that had been opened since I arrived, "get on your knees."

"No!" I refused to get on the dirty floor, it looked like it hadn't been swept in days."

I looked through both barrels as he stepped closer, "I knew u wasn't shit, I didn't even wish I could fuck u."

I slowly got on the dirty floor, but sat with my hands out and upward.

Is that what he wanted? Naw for real, I would fuck him silly---some way, with his obese ass! Just please don't kill me! I told him but not in those words and it made him angry, he was so fat he had probably never had any pussy. Killing me would be easy for him if he had never connected with a female.

"Bitch Ima do u like they did my mama," he said.

"We can talk about it! I have money! Wait---I'll still pay u the $5,000---just don't kill me! Im pregnant, and I have babies!"

My eye leaked but I wasn't crying anymore---I knew he had neighbors, I tried to get through to him but he had snapped! I read the word Remington on the side of the shotgun, Mentoring! Ok, he needed a mentor---I was the muthafuckin one!

"I know life hasn't been easy for u, I know u were teased, I was too! I even ate my grandmother's ashes! We can get throu---"

"BITCH SHUT THE FUCK UP! I HAD TO WALK NAKED BECAUSE OF U!"

Renting---"U have neighbors! They will hear the shots! I don't want u to go down because of me, I'm not even worth it!"

"U damn skippy bitch, u aint SHIT!"

Spit flew from his mouth, he was angry and one incident had not brought on that much anger there was more to it, I needed help!

ego---oh?

"U are the sweetest person I ever met! U are just as beautiful inside as u are out! I love your flaws!"

"BITCH! WHAT FLAWS!!?? GET ON YOUR KNEES I'M NOT JOKING, I CAN DO JAIL TIME EASILY, I DID JUVENILE LIFE IN THE DETENTION CENTER!"

What?

Ok, it wasn't working, I didn't want to die---I was sickened by his smell and becoming nauseous. I prayed to GOD---"SAVE ME!" I put my hands flat on the floor on all fours, got on my knees, held my head down and gave him the opportunity to kill me. I needed to know if he would really kill me. I felt the cold barrell in the top of my head and the unsteadiness of the 12 gauge. He was shaking! He wasn't a killer! I knew it---or was he! I couldn't make up my mind!

"I waited for u to show up again, on my mama I was gone kill u, get the fuck up and let's go! Bitch I want the money---all of it!"

He removed the barrel from my dome, I grabbed my head and folded up on the floor. I felt him walk away.

"Come on! Now!"

This was not the nigga I had stayed with, I felt he would still kill me, he held the apartment door open holding the gun still, barrel to the floor.

I felt as if I had been in a dream at Martin's but this was real! I could not get in that truck I felt I would not get out alive! Pooh had turned into something sinister, he had every right to be angry but I had no harmful intent, I needed him!

My own heart thumped inside my ears, I could hear my breathing and hoped God answered my prayers--- Why did he need the shotgun if he was not going to kill me? He headed toward Metairie. We arrived at the home Trenton and I had shared, the ride was suspenseful, I had been slapped with his large knuckles. I looked at the home and could tell he hadn't been there long before his death---I had been gone since June, it was now December. The rest of the homes were decorated for the holiday season and as usual I wasn't in the spirit, that had all been ruined by Daddy.

I told him to pull into the driveway and stop at the garage. I would go inside and get the $60,000 I left behind in June, pay Pooh and pray he left! The spare key was always under the doormat for Lawrence, I got out, but to my surprise so did Pooh with the shotgun. He held it on me while I unlocked the door.

Home.

I stood before the alarm! It was counting down preparing to sound off if I didn't move quick. "I can't remember the code!"

"What? Who shit u got me in?"

"I live here!" I said.

He seemed to have panicked, I could tell he had done home invasions before. Sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. I knew if I didn't disarm the alarm the police would shortly arrive. I intentionally punched in the wrong codes, he paced now back and forth, I appreciated everything he had ever done for me but I couldn't let him kill me! There were rotten apples on the island, but there were also some that hadn't rotted. My mouth watered, either someone had recently left them or the unrotted ones were different.

"I'm about to get the fuck out of here!" He raised the gun at me, "Come on, I'm tired of playing with your bitch ass! I'll shoot u right here!"

NOOOOO! Ok, ok! I had to do something!

I tried to recollect everything, and its place---"The money is in the back! They will call my phone if the alarm goes off!"

It was silent and already sounding, the countdown had ended 58 seconds prior and after no answer on Trenton's phone and password retrieval, they would come!

My feet ached so bad, I was about to give up on life itself but knew I had to keep moving to save my babies.

Without a word I headed toward the stash spot I had chosen behind the vent in the hall and discreetly dialed 911. I had to remove the shoes, they were worsening my condition. I laid the phone face down and waited for Pooh to yell out---I knew he would, I sat quietly on the floor and couldn't make it 20 feet to my bedroom door. The home was musty, there was molded food everywhere in the kitchen. TJ2's bottle had curdled and sat half filled with water on his swing. Why did I see all of his belongings? WHERE WAS MY BABY?!

I looked between the vent openings to spot the yellow bag that I had placed the money inside. It was dark and I had been unable to see. The hall light remained off, the worse thing he could have done was let me out of his sight. I stood quietly as possible as I heard Pooh opening drawers---the nigga had pulled kick doors, I was convinced!

I crawled into the girls old bedroom and broke down in tears after attempting to silently close the door. I MISSED MY CHILDREN! I HAD LEFT THEM, IT WAS MY FAULT! Why had Martin gone to Pam's? My baby hadn't texted me back yet! Oddly, Ryella had written me a note, Mommy was on the backside. I picked it up and tucked in the left tennis shoe I held in my hand. I measured the window and wondered if it would open enough for me to get out, however, I couldn't leave the money!

I looked at the phone, the 911 operator was still holding on, it had been 4 minutes and 27 seconds since I called. I waited for Pooh to yell out and when he had, I said from behind the locked door, "I'm not going to let u kill me POOH!"

I felt the vibration of the dispatchers voice against my leg.

Pooh was angry, I heard glass breaking in the kitchen before he came down the hallway trying to figure out where I'd disappeared to. I'd locked the bedroom door and removed my babies letter from the shoe.

He soon began to kick the bedroom door, I pictured the dusty crocs.

As the bottom half came off of the hinges the brakes of the patrol car squealed, "What the FUCK? BITCH U CALLED---!" Pooh yelled.

He ran back down the hall to look, an officer greeted him at the door, I heard, "PUT DOWN THE GUN!"

HA!

Then I heard gunfire.

I soon emerged, crying and screaming but they also pointed the guns at me.