#also. and this is more mean spirited of me to say

[ftmancave]

So it JUST dawned on me that anyone who looks at my banner and sees the flag I have there, might be super confused what it is, so I'll go ahead and explain, since I love this flag and want others to know about it!

Original image with alternative design

This was designd by Johnathan Andrew (Captain John) in 1999, shared on his website Adventures In Boyland (not preserved), the same year as the most famous design we all know and love by Monica Helms.

The meaning behind the flag in Johnathan's own words, presumably from his website:

“And finally, an AiB Exclusive—the Transgender Pride Flag (c)1999. Yes, indeedy—it’s about time we had our own symbol to represent the community, ain’t it? Bears have theirs. Leathermen have theirs. Why can’t we have ours? And might we say that we feel these designs, designed by your friendly neighborhood Captain, embodies all aspects of our identities. Whether we’re transgender or transsexual, going from male (blue) to female (pink) or from female (pink) to male (blue), or just somewhere in between, both flag designs capture the subtlties and the strengths of our spirits (and the white accents in between the lines are the—supposedly—the little triumphs that happen upon us during our journeys to become whole (the flag as a whole)). The lavender-colored sex symbol—not to be confused with The Artist Currently Not Known as Purple’s symbol—can also designate FtM/MtF/or Intersexed/Both/Shifting. As you can see, both flag designs/symbols can be used to encompass all types of gender variation. Hell, who knows, maybe it just might catch on”

I know you might be thinking, "why not just use the Monica Helms flag? It's more recognizable and looks better" And I can't really argue with you there, the flag is... Crass, and 99% of people who see it aren't going to recognize it. But I like that, aswell as the meaning behind his design, I feel like a bold flag thats full of meaning without the need to be pretty is a metaphor in of itself for transness. But I'm also a bit biased, since I love connecting with the older FTM community in any way I can, so using this flag makes me feel like I'm kind of there with the older generations. I just never really connected with the Monica Helms flag, which I type as I'm looking over at my flag I have hung up on my wall haha. It's a beautiful design, but I don't know, I guess it's just to fluffy for me? And I never felt fluffy about my experiences as a trans person, maybe when I was 12-13 but I was a kid so probably doesn't count haha. But I just look at John's flag and see me, I don't really know how else to describe it, it just feels right.

[melika-elena]

do revenge

this fic is for @pittpilled who was having a rough day at work, and when i said i’d write a little pick-me-up fic, requested “frank and/or samira getting revenge on their boss” which, you know what that means! sorry (not sorry) robby 😇 i hope this satisfies the request.

Robby stood in front of his motorcycle, at a complete loss. His beloved Honda Hornet, which had gotten him through a multitude of tough times, including med school, residency, multiple relationships, and the pandemic, had been completely and utterly wrecked. 

It looked like something out of a country music video— tires slashed, mirrors smashed, deep grooves into the upholstery and the deep red detailing paint scratched into so thoroughly it looked like it was naturally striped. Just completely, utterly desecrated. His baby. Something he loved more than most people. 

Numbly, he made his way back to the Pitt and asked for security. 

Dana, who was also bundled up, ready to leave, hustled over to him. “What the hell happened to you?” 

“My motorcycle…” he said, just as security ambled over. “It’s been totally trashed.” 

Her face scrunched in disbelief. “What the fuck?” 

“I need to look at security cameras of the parking lot,” Robby turned to Ahmed and Olsen. The calm he felt wasn’t even faked; he was firmly in denial about what just happened. 

Ahmed looked apologetic. “You can, but we’ve been having trouble with the cameras, lately,” he said. “The unexpected heat wave a couple weeks ago fried some things, we think, putting everything on the spritz. We’re still waiting on replacements.” 

Fucking figured. 

“Let me see them, anyway,” Robby offered. He unzipped his hoodie, feeling a flush of frustration zip through him, throwing it on the counter of the charge station. He’d get it later, after his visit to the security offices. 

“Who would do this?” Dana asked, once they were firmly ensconced in the office, abandoning going home in favor of getting intel. “Some sort of revenge?” 

“Maybe?” Robby shook his head as Ahmed sat down to access the camera feeds. “I mean, we get dissatisfied patients all the time, but they would have to know this was mine.” 

“Premeditated, then,” Olsen offered. “Any disgruntled coworkers?” He looked uneasy saying it, pointing fingers at their own. 

Robby sighed, scrubbing his hands through his hair. He flicked a look at Dana. “None of this gets out to the nurses or anyone else.” 

She rolled her eyes. “What do you take me for?” 

Good enough for him. 

“I just wrapped up annual reviews,” Robby said. “And not all were great, of course.” 

At this, Dana looked surprised. “No one’s perfect,” she said, “but was anyone’s really that bad?” 

Robby shifted uncomfortably. “Well.” 

Dana frowned. “Well?” 

“Langdon and Mohan…” 

“Really, Robby?” Dana cut him off, visibly irritated. “What the fuck? They’re two of our best!” 

“Mohan’s speed has hardly improved, you know this!” Robby defended. “It’s a problem for everyone else.” 

“She has improved, and only because you’ve nearly broken her spirit to do it,” Dana pointed out. “Not to mention she does best when you’re not around. Coincidence?” 

Robby glared. “Whose side are you on, anyway?” 

“The truth,” Dana shot back. “Ok, fine, you were overly harsh on Mohan, what else is new. What about Langdon?” 

He refused to feel guilty. “He’s still too abrasive with the trainees. Favors King too much. Argues with Garcia in front of patients. Cherry picks cases. He’s a senior resident, he should know better.” 

Dana, Olsen, and Ahmed all stared at him. 

“What?” 

“Is that it, man?” Ahmed asked, incredulous. “I thought it was gonna be something serious, like he was using again.” 

Olsen sighed in exasperation. 

“You’re serious,” Dana said. “Like, completely serious.” 

“Yes!” Robby said, throwing his hands up, feeling a little cornered. “What part of senior resident do you not get? Not to mention he’s repeating it, so he should definitely know better.” 

“Robby, these are such minor infractions, it’s worth barely a mention while on the floor, let alone the focus of an annual review,” Dana said, irritation now bleeding into true anger. “Tell me it’s not going in his file!” 

“Well, no,” Robby said. “Although… I might have led him to believe it would.” 

“Un-fucking-believable,” Dana snarled. “I would’ve keyed your motorcycle myself for that kinda shit. What the hell were you thinking?” 

“I don’t know,” Robby said, too flustered to be anything but honest. “I just—” 

“Haven’t forgiven him for his addiction,” Dana said, “or forgiven yourself for not seeing it sooner. Or forgiven each other for fucking up your friendship over it. Take your pick.” 

Ahmed and Olsen noticeably did not say a word. 

“Right for the jugular, huh, Dana,” Robby said dryly, trying to break the tension. 

“Sure, just like you in those annual reviews,” she shot back. 

“Ouch,” Olsen muttered. 

“Let’s just see those tapes,” Robby said. He clearly wasn’t going to get any sympathy here. 

The tapes, as Ahmed and Olsen cautioned, were grainy, skipping in and out. To make matters worse, Robby had parked in a corner of the lot where the cycle was hidden in the shadows of the building for the majority of the time. At one point, a couple hours before, they noticed two figures,  average-height, clad in bulky black, dart towards the motorcycle, but then the cameras cut out again. 

“Dammit!” Robby said. “Wait, can we go back and pause?” 

Ahmed dutifully did, but they didn’t gain any other information from it. 

“Do you actually think it’s Mohan and Langdon?” Ahmed asked. “I can’t see either of them doing this.” 

“I can’t either,” Robby admitted. “Especially Mohan. But I guess I should investigate.” 

“Or you could call the cops and let them do their jobs,” Dana said, supremely unimpressed.

Robby waved her off. “Of course,” he turned to Olsen. “You’ll call?” 

Olsen nodded, already on the phone. Honestly, protocol stated they should’ve done it from the beginning, but well, sometimes the Pitt was the wild west when it came to involving the cops. 

Robby left the security office, Dana on his heels. “What are you doing?” She asked. “You can’t just go and accuse—” 

He held up his hand. “I’m not gonna do anything, just info-gather,” he said. “And I know the perfect person to ask.” 

Mel King had just come in for the night shift, and looked up with her usual sunny smile when she saw them approach her, although at their expressions her smile dropped, brow furrowing quizzically. “Good evening,” she said, cautiously.

“Hey, Mel,” Robby said, trying his best to inject some joviality into his tone. You caught more flies with honey, after all. “Question for you: I know both Mohan and Langdon are off today. You seen them at all? Heard from them?” 

Mel, gloves in hand, paused. “Um.” She said. “May I ask why? Is everything ok?” 

“He’s just being silly, hon, you don’t have to answer,” Dana assured her. 

“N-no, it’s okay,” Mel said, wringing the gloves in her hands. “Um, as far as I know Fr— Dr. Langdon took his kids to Hershey Park for the weekend. His sister’s in town. And Dr. Mohan is actually hanging out with my sister, Becca, for the day.” 

Robby blinked. “Oh.” He blinked. “Your sister, Becca? The one who… lives in the facility?” 

Mel frowned. “Yes,” she said, a little sharply. “Is there a problem with that?” 

“No, no,” Robby said. God, he was digging holes left and right. “Do you… happen to have pictures?” 

“Robby,” Dana said sharply. 

Mel shrugged. “My phone is in my locker,” she said, “but it’s on their Instagram stories? If you follow them?” 

“I do,” Dana said, and she reluctantly got her phone out. “Let’s just shut down this nonsense once and for all, okay?” 

She got on her readers, opening up Instagram. Sure enough, in @ FrankLan’s Instagram stories, there were selfies of Frank with his kids and sister, chocolate-y mouths spread into wide grins at Hershey. There was even, Robby noted, a repost from Frank’s sister of an artsy above-shot showing some chocolate bars, merch, and a chocolate-bar shaped ticket with today’s date stamped on it. So Langdon was out. And @ SamiraMohan showed smiling selfies of Samira and a brunette woman who looked like Mel, out and about at cafes, the movies, and a bookstore. 

“They look like they had fun,” Dana commented, sounding like a proud mom. 

“Samira and Becca are good friends, but she also knew I would want a quiet apartment so I could sleep before my shift,” Mel explained, although she only spoke to Dana, ignoring Robby entirely. 

“Thank you, sweetheart, for indulging us,” Dana said, putting her phone away and shooting Robby a look. “Right, Robby?” 

Robby deflated. His head hurt. He suddenly wanted to go home, right this instant. Too bad his ride was totaled. 

Just then, the cops walked in. “That’s my cue,” he said. He nodded to Mel, awkwardly. “Thanks, Dr. King.” 

“No problem,” Mel said, although it wasn’t as chipper as normal. Robby couldn’t blame her. Between his faux pas about her sister and what she surely heard about her friends’ reviews, he doubted even her good nature would induce her to think kindly of him. 

Robby half-turned. “Oh, wait, just let me grab my—” 

Whitaker, on the night shift, was also passing by. He was moving precariously, hands full, but that still didn’t save him from slipping on the newly mopped floors, pitching forward onto the charge desk.

Fortunately, Robby’s sweatshirt padded his fall a bit.

Unfortunately, it also padded the fall of the multiple urine samples he was carrying, completely soaking Robby's beloved, favorite sweatshirt. 

“Sorry!” Whitaker said, strangled. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” 

Of fucking course. 

“I give up,” Robby said, tilting his head up, speaking to god or the universe or whoever. “You won.” Fuck this entire day. 

He never did find out who wrecked his motorcycle. 

[massiv3tr33p3rsona]

Sorry For Everything (Part I) | Sinners Multi Pairings

Home Series Finale Part I.

Pairing (s): Annie (Sinners) x Elijah ‘Smoke’ Moore (Sinners) x Lucinda (Black Fem OC) (Woman in Top Left: Yseult), Valerie (Black Fem Vampire OC) (Woman in Middle: Nicole Beharie) x Sammie ‘Preacher Boy’ Moore (Sinners) x Pearline (Sinners), Valerie x Elias ‘Stack’ Moore (Sinners) and Valerie x Lucinda

Summary: After Stack escapes after being reborn as a vampire with Valerie revealing herself as one and being on their side, the group is now preparing to take on Remmick’s growing vampire cult amongst their ever growing harassment.

Warnings: 18+ (MINORS DNI!), a bit lengthy angst, vampirism, emotional feelings, death/rebirth, self sacrifice, violence, blood, breastfeeding (flashback), mentions of racism and slavery, cursing, smoking, drinking

Dividers Made By: @cursed-carmine

Parts: I • II • III • IV.II • Epilogue • Prequel

A/N I: I do apologize for taking forever with this, but things have been so busy at work and I was trying to finish everything else I began writing on. I also may have reference: a song off Cowboy Carter.

THIS IS MY WORK, SO PLEASE DO NOT STEAL IT.

Grace continuously looks out the window to see where Bo was as Slim and Sammie picked up the broken door, putting it against the wall.

Pearline puts a bandage over her cut as Lucinda leans against a pole while Annie is mapping out a plan in the poker room.

Sitting on the floor, laid against the stage as Smoke, now in his bloody undershirt, sits in a chair in front of Valerie, who is tugging at her dress, not looking at him.

“….when did this happen?” he asks, moving his gun up and down.

Valerie looks at him, her eyes puffy and a little red from crying.

“The night I jumped off the bridge.” she said quietly.

“Turns out, I survived, but my body was paralyzed. Hence how I washed up on a dock, but couldn’t move.” she added.

“Was it him who turned you?” as he points his head towards the window.

Valerie shakes her head, moving a bit more to be in his view.

“No. We don’t share the same maker.”

“Makers? You mean there’s more of you out there?” asked Lucinda.

Valerie nods her head, coughing a bit from the stench of garlic on her leg.

“Every continent has them. At least that’s what I was told when I was first starting to learn about all of…..*this.” as she waves her hand over herself.

“So where’s your maker?” asked Pearline, walking up.

“…dead. Remmick killed him.”

Smoke stands up, walking to grab a cigarette from his coat.

“Keep an eye on her.” he says to Lucinda, which she walks up and sits in the chair.

“Who’s Remmick?” asked Sammie, walking over.

“That man who was at the door with his followers who was acting odd and interested in you.” as Valerie looked at him.

“Same one who attacked me and the Native hunters earlier. He was saw in your head when you were performing, dancing with the spirits.” she added, horrifying him.

“You saw that too?” asked a stunned Lucinda as she walked up, kneeling in front of her.

Everyone looked at her with shock, with Annie coming out to hear the rest.

“You were there?”

“Yeah.” as she nodded. “I was just dancing with Annie when the blurry vision took over me the first time. Saw the spirits dancing around……it was beautiful.” she added, smiling a bit.

“You didn’t hear me calling for help? I fell during it.”

Lucinda shook her head no as she got up, walking to the kitchen to retrieve something.

“I heard someone asking for help, but didn’t think much of it. You were also dancing, so it didn’t seem like you were hurt or anything.”

“……you didn’t see Remmick when everyone was dancing after the juke burned down, huh?” asked Valerie.

Lucinda shook her head, pulling out a first aid kit before walking back over.

“What are you about to do?” asked Smoke, an intense glare on his face.

“The garlic is clearly burning her, so I’m cleaning it out.” she replied, hearing him jump up.

“What if she attacks you, Lu? And you and the baby become exactly like her, Stack, Mary, and Cornbread?!”

“I don’t eat innocent people. I eat people who are evil!” yelled Valerie.

Smoke points his gun at her, cocking it again.

“Watch your mouth.”

“Fuck you.” she replied quickly.

“Smoke, I think we should hear her out.” said Pearline as she walks to him, but he points the gun at her.

“Stay out of this.” he said, now fully heated.

“Get that gun out of her face!” yelled Sammie, slapping it away and stepping to him.

The men eye each other down before Slim and Grace separates them, as Annie walks up, eyeing Valerie down.

“Be careful with the kit.” she said, kneeling in front of them.

“I will.” Lucinda replied as she looks through it.

“…..you.” as Annie looks at Valerie.

Valerie eyes her, thinking what is she about to do as Annie examines her long fingers and fangs, a peculiar expression on her face.

“How come she wasn’t able to see Remmick, but you two were able to see and be in Sammie’s head?” she asked.

Valerie thought about it for a second as Lucinda took out cotton balls, cloth, and an unidentifiable solid.

“…..You guys don’t have anyone who has a rare skill that pops up every few generations?”

“Depends on what you tell me.”

Lucinda begins cleaning the wounds, hearing Valerie wince.

“This is the best I can do to not burn you.” she said, continuing.

“….well, since Lucinda is not a vampire, I’m able to see certain spirits, but not all. Meanwhile, he can see all of them. But he can’t hear their thoughts like I can. I can also smell and feel when a vampire or something else is near, which explains how Lucinda can sense him.” Valerie replied.

“How come?” asked Slim.

“……his maker is the devil.”

The room went silent after that reveal, as Pearline walked closer, kneeling.

“What makes you two different?” she asked, examining Valerie.

“And why am I not behaving like y’all?” she added, pointing to the scar from her slicing her with the dagger.

“I can’t float like he can. He has more strength and speed. Mind control too, hence why Stack, Mary, and Cornbread sounded the way they did.”

“But like I said earlier: he can’t hear thoughts like I can. And he can’t really detect a vampire in front of him unless they do something that is noticeable.” she added.

“But both of you can see spirits in the same vision, without noticing each other.” said Sammie.

“Correct.” as she looks at her Pearline. “As for your second question, I only licked a little bit of your blood instead of biting and sucking like we normally do.”

Smoke scoffs, walking off.

“We normally do. You almost turned Pearline and here you are, saying it as if it’s common.” he utters, pouring himself a glass of wine.

“Would you prefer if I did?”

Pearline snaps her eyes at her, shaking her head as Smoke laughs uncomfortably, taking a sip.

“I preferred if you wasn’t reborn as a killer and invaded our space.” he replied, looking at her.

“Well, I didn’t kill Stack. Mary did.”

“And that’s suppose to make me trust you?”

“You trusted me all them times back in Chicago. What’s so different for now because I’m now a vampire?”

“How do I know you’re not covering just to help Remmick out?”

“…..nigga, I ran away from him as soon as I could. You call that me helping his evil ass?!”

“People go back to something they hate”

“Oh, that’s some shit he would say to Mary and I’m telling you, and the rest of y’all right now: I’m not her and he’s not him because we’re both smart enough to stay away from something so stupid even if we are that.”

“Wow……” Smoke said with a surprised expression.

“You would say that about him.”

“Because all of this could’ve been avoided if he wasn’t a whore.” she added

“You watch your mouth.” he said, but Annie mouths *stop to him.

“You’re just say that throw us off so you can lay out your plan to kill all of us.” he added.

Valerie lets outs a stiff laugh before laying back, slowly becoming annoyed by him.

“I don’t know, Elijah. She’s not acting like how they did.” said Lucinda, patching her leg up.

“Or going belligerent.” added Annie.

“Or still has that blood infused haze on her.” said Sammie.

“Like Mary did.” he added, looking down.

Pearline consoles him, feeling him cry.

“She-she said “We’re gonna kill all of you” again when she ran out.” he cried out.

Valerie nodded, seeing the memory of finding out Eros dying when she got that random sting on her chest play.

“Same thing I heard when he killed Eros.” she whispered.

Smoke rolls his eyes, taking a seat.

“If you wanna deal with her, be my guest.” he said, taking out a cigarette.

“You have no choice, Elijah.” said Valerie, watching him look away from her.

“Should we go look for Bo?” Grace asked, stepping up.

“He’s been gone for a while now and should’ve been back already.” she added.

Valerie, Pearline, Sammie, Lucinda, and Annie gave each other a “who’s gonna tell her?” look as Slim looks at her, trying to find the right words.”

“Grace…..with all due respect, I think they got to him.” he replied, an uncomfortable smile on his face.

“Don’t say that!” she yelled back, anger consuming her.

“He would’ve been back by now. They got Cornbread and Stack just ran out as one of them so….” he replied, shrugging a bit.

Grace shakes her head, walking away.

“Knew we shouldn’t have came here.” she mumbled.

Valerie laughs as Lucinda finish wrapping her leg, cleaning her hands.

“But you did because you knew the twins were gonna pay you a lot.” said Valerie, looking at her.

Grace stops, turning to her.

“You don’t know shit.”

“Oh I don’t?” as Valerie slowly gets up, still feeling the numbness.

“I think I know a little more about everyone in here than what you think because you’re letting fear slowly take over.” she added, watching Grace roll her eyes.

“I think Smoke should kill you since you’re the reason we’re in this mess.”

Valerie lets out a haunting laugh as her fangs retracts and her fingers go back to normal, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

“So it’s my fault that I just happened to stumble across a juke joint ran by my ex-boyfriend and his brother, his wife and her girlfriend, their little cousin and a beautiful woman and friends that they told stories about when I was still alive?” she uttered.

“…..she dated Stack?” asked Sammie in a quiet voice.

“Long, long time ago, Sammie.” said Pearline.

“….You knew?!” he asked in a surprised tone.

“Figured they had something when he saw her the first time tonight. Said “I thought you were dead” and shit. It’s a lot.”

“Calm down.” whispered Annie.

Valerie looks at her, somberness in her expression.

“Annie…..with all due respect, I need her to hear what I’m bout to say that will greatly explain everything right now. And I know you and Lu would know because this is what the both of you practice to protect yourselves.” she said, looking at the mojo bags hanging from her and Lucinda’s necks.

Annie was about to respond, but Lucinda stops her as Valerie walks to Grace, stopping a few feet in front of her.

“Grace, you and everyone were already in this mess before I even got here. We’re in the south for crying out loud. These crackas are never nice to us black folks and your folks as well, even if they’re on the good side. But business with the SmokeStack Twins?”

Valerie exhaled, shaking her head.

“You just got connected to a never ending web right there.”

“Since you Mrs. Know It All, what do you know about me? Since this is the first time we’re meeting.” asked Grace, arms crossed.

“……easy.” as Valerie smiled.

“Another thing me and Remmick share is that we can also see memories in people’s heads. He does it a little differently for me, but I only use it if I feel like I need to.” as she looked everyone else.

Smoke turns around, watching both women from his spot.

“Bo served with the twins in the war. You met him as you was his nurse, didn’t speak an ounce of English. You nursed him back to health while also falling for him. You two got married as soon as Annie and Smoke did and a few years later, you had Lisa. He was offered to go to Chicago with them, but he turned it down to start that convenience store business that’s in downtown, making a note to open a second one across the street.”

Grace was about to respond, but Valerie holds her hand up, stopping her.

“That was what they told me when I first started hanging around them in Chicago. Don’t think I just knew all that off your memories.” as she smirked, scaring Grace a bit.

“Since I only can be awake at night, let’s see what happened earlier today.” as she closed her eyes, feeling herself steps into Grace’s memories from her view.

“You were running the second store when Lisa came to get you, said Bo needed you. You went and that’s how you were reunited with Smoke. He asked you to make two signs that were due by tonight since they were opening and he paid you. Red is the only color you guys had and you threw those flowers you had in a vase. However, you wasn’t worried about what might happen working with them. You were actually happy to be around here.” as she opened her eyes again.

“And from my understanding, Bo always did favors for the twins, and you helped him because you knew them long enough to do so. So explain to me….” as she stepped closer, making Grace back up a bit.

“How is any of this my fault when you’re the one who also contribute to it?”

“That’s enough.” said Smoke, getting up.

“Better yet: how did you overlook the warning signs of what was gonna happen instead of staying home and being a good mom to little ol Lisa?”

Grace was slowly getting upset, about to hit her but stops, turning away to hide the tears.

“I said that’s enough, Valerie.” said Smoke, getting in between them.

“…..fine.” she replied, turning away.

“But I’m not wrong. Clearly everyone came here to have a good time” as she begins walking.

“Slim came to get drunk and play the piano as he’s well respected for.” as she looks at him.

“Annie and Lucinda came to cook and dance with the bun in the oven after you fucked them earlier today.” as she looks at them, both getting a surprise look on their face.

“Pearline….sweet and beautiful who came to see the young fella play and away from that useless husband of hers.” as she looks at her.

“And Preacher Boy Sammie Moore. The rising blues star who wants to break away from the church upbringings he’s in.” as she looks at him.

“That you also fucked.” uttered Smoke, making her turn around.

They stared at each other for a bit before she busts out laughing, watching him get even more angry.

“Lucinda told you that? Because what she saw is not what happened.” she said.

“Sammie ate me and Pearline out. I left before they started fucking because he was hers first.”

“Still outright low of you.”

“Oh, let’s not talk about what’s low and what’s not. Especially during your separated from Annie days.”

Smoke laughs, in disbelief at her saying that.

“Starting to understand why you and Smoke didn’t make it.” he revealed, nodding his head.

“You thought you could change him, but really. You were just something for him to be in until Mary came back around.” he added.

Valerie nodded, not hurt by that statement as everyone slowly got up, not sure what was gonna be said next

“Even in death, you’re still taking up for him when he almost got you two killed.” she said.

“Valerie…” said Pearline.

“Yeah? He’s my brother. And my brother would never sleep with your cousin and their partner many years after y’all two did.”

“But getting your wife’s girlfriend pregnant in a ritual is fine though.”

“Now you know that’s diff-“ said Lucinda, but she gets cut off.

“IS IT?!” Valerie asked loudly, spinning around to look at everyone, watching in shock.

“I get why you did that, and I don’t shame you or Annie, but you and him clearly did the deed while he’s trying to shame me for something that didn’t happen.” she added, getting hot.

“And I’m sorry for that. I am.” said Lucinda, looking apologetic.

“And I forgive you because in the end, we have to survive the night. But how can we when Smoke is trying to get me out?”

“Cause you’re not suppose to be here. You’re suppose to be in the grave like we last saw you.” he utters, stepping closer.

“You died three years ago. Couldn’t believe it because you seemed perfectly fine that day, crying over him, but assuring me you were gonna be okay. Saying that you loved me and hope I get back to Annie soon so we can try again.”

“You protected us throughout our time there, saying you can’t wait till they get everyone else so you can finally start rebuilding Chicago back how it used to be before they took over. Always kept your head up.” as he stopped, eyeing her down.

“Now I don’t know who this demonic spirit is, standing in front of me.” he adds, looking at her in disgust.

Valerie nods, looking at Annie before looking at Smoke.

“Your brother is the reason why I jumped off that bridge that day. Instead of being upfront that he was seeing Mary again, I saw them kissing on the streets when I was coming home from work at the center, which is why I ran to you and told you everything. When I came home, he was confused on why I was crying, so I confronted him about it!” she yelled, scaring everyone.

She calms down, relaxing herself as she continued.

“Got into a long fight that ended with him saying it was over and that I was never going to be his forever girl, hence why he went back to Mary. But you don’t care cause you knew this.” she replied.

“And cause Stack is your brother, you stood by him. Like you always do. I applaud Annie for even still having love for you, despite abandoning her.” she added, watching his jaw clench.

“You better stop.” he said, whispering in a dark tone.

“Does she know you and Stack double teamed a girl on the one year anniversary of your daughter’s death? Which is the same day you stop sending letters to her? Since we’re in an airing business out mood now.”

Smoke closed his eyes, clenching his fists as Valerie smiles devilishly, knowing she went very low as Annie backed up, hurt by the reveal.

“Why would you say that?” asked Sammie.

“Because this man is just as messed up as Stack and expects me to bow down still after death cause he big and scary? Nahh. Fuck that. And him.” replied Valerie, pointing at Smoke.

“Now Analise knows her daddy stopped caring about her for one day just to get his rocket shot off.” she added.

A gasp is heard as they all step back, except for Annie.

She walks up and slaps Valerie very hard, making her walk back a bit.

“You don’t mention my child’s name in an evil way!” she yelled.

Valerie looks up, the sting brewing on her cheek as her fangs comes out, hissing at her.

“Evil already took her since you owe them a soul.” she replied.

Smoke, now infuriated, takes out his gun and shoots at her.

She dodges each bullet as she runs around, with him following behind and everyone telling him to stop as Slim and Sammie hold him back, watching her run up the stairs.

“Yeah, you better run!” yelled Lucinda as she comforts Annie, who is now crying.

Pearline rubs her face in shock, can’t believe she just witnessed that as Grace feels herself slowly beginning to crack, waiting for Bo.

“Please hurry.” she whispers, looking out the window.

On the other side stood Stack and Mary, watching with a smile on their faces, happy that they’re falling apart in there.

“Now, all we have to do is get Valerie on our side. She’ll be the easiest one to go after.” said Mary.

“Or Grace. She’s about to crack any minute now.” said Stack.

“Leave that up to me.” said a familiar voice.

They looked at their left, where they see their leader standing next to them, his red eyes glowing.

“I got a great plan.” said Remmick.

“Just follow my lead.” he added.

Stack and Mary nodded as he smiled, looking at the juke joint.

A few hours go by as Annie, Lucinda, and Smoke are in the poker room, looking down at the map Annie made out of things she had in the kitchen: rice, wood, mini bottles of salt, pieces of glass, and threads from her dress.

Smoke has a little shake in his hands, still upset that Valerie revealed him and Stack sleeping with Hollie like that and insulting his deceased daughter.

“…..I tried to tell y’all about her.” said Lucinda.

“Yet, you were the main one helping her by tending to her wounds.” said Smoke, looking at her.

“Well, she saved your life. She knows I’m pregnant, despite the child not even developing yet. She had the same vision as me, she can hear everything. I’m not allowed to help back?”

“People like her don’t deserve help. Especially when they’re not suppose to be in places they’re not allowed in.”

“Gee, my bad for having a heart.”

“It is. Cause having one got us here.”

“Did it, Elijah? Because last time I check, gangsters don’t have hearts when they’re out, causing trouble.”

Smoke scoffs, turning his head.

“Going back to your old self before we made love.” he utters, annoyed.

“It was fine before you came back.” replied Lucinda as she walks away, passing by Annie.

She looks out of the entrance, particularly towards the door.

“That woman sure knew how to blend with everyone easily.” she utters, shaking her head.

“Too bad Sammie and Pearline fell for it.” as she looks at the latter chatting while looking out of the window.

“Cause we knew her.” said Smoke.

“Stack probably didn’t notice she was off. Maybe the eyes should’ve been a dead giveaway, but she was being exactly how she was in Chicago.”

Lucinda says ‘mm’ as she turns around, watching Annie look at what she made, thoughts racing into her head.

“While I did have my suspicions…..I can’t help but be on her side.” said Annie, looking at her two lovers.

“What?!” said both Lucinda and Smoke, making Annie to motion them to relax.

“I know. Sounds a bit crazy coming from me, but listen here.” as she walks up to them.

“She didn’t come here to purposely bring in the devil as she stated all night. He was already on his way here and she just happened to come at the right time in his eyes.” as she points at the door.

Smoke takes out a cigarette, lighting it quickly to calm himself.

“And she has done some things, said some things that seems like she’s associated with them……but she’s been telling the truth all night.” as she looks up, sensing Valerie is above her.

“And you know it, Lu. Since you are exactly like her, just in a different way.”

Lucinda looks away, knowing she’s telling the truth.

“So you’re saying I should just get over what she said about Analise, huh?” uttered Smoke.

Annie sighs, leaning up against the table.

“I’m not.”

“Then why are you vouching her?”

“When she was here…..I sensed nothing bad. She didn’t give danger, wanting to hurt us. Nothing. When I was in front of Remmick, I sensed bad things, but didn’t think it was serious. Until it took Stack.”

Annie places her hand over his heart, squeezing it a bit as Smoke looks down, wrapping his hand around her.

“You said people like her are not suppose to be in places they’re not allowed in.” said Lucinda.

“Imagine how she felt when you and him came to Chicago, adding onto the ruckus them Italians and Irish was causing up there.” she added, stepping closer.

“Now you know that’s different.” he said, removing Annie’s hand.

“Is it?” asked Annie, a stoic look on her face.

“And throughout your time up there, while wearing the mojo bag, who made sure to hide valid information from the Feds so you and Elias didn’t get caught up?” asked Lucinda.

“Who made sure you two knew Chicago well enough, even if she didn’t want y’all ruining the city more?”

“And who introduced you to all them people you call family, friends, and lovers up there?” asked Annie.

Smoke looked at both women before inhaling smoke, blowing it out.

“People can switch. And she did exactly that.” he said, bitterness in his tone.

“Elias pushed her to it. He did her dirty just to go back to Mary for what? First love feelings coming back?” said Annie.

“She could’ve just moved on like I told her to when she told me that.”

“And that just makes it okay to let him get away with his behavior?”

“I don’t wanna hear this.” as he begins to walk out, but Lucinda steps in front to prevent him from leaving.

“Lu, if you don’t get the fuck out of my way.”

“Its that anyway to speak to the mother of your unborn son?” asked Lucinda, a glare in her eyes.

“You don’t even know if it’s a boy.”

“Yet she can sense it.”

Smoke lets out a laugh, walking backwards as he turns to Annie, who eyes him down.

“You acting exactly like the day you left me.” said Annie.

“Distressed, in disbelief, not wanting to hear what I have to say about you running off with Stack again…..exactly like that day.”

“The day when I asked you why not of that shit saved Analise? That day?” he asked, getting closer.

“You still don’t have an answer because you know it doesn’t work all the time. Just won’t admit it, even eight years later. Even when I’m mourning my brother.”

“So you tried to forget it by fucking someone else and stop writing to me? Hm? Her and I didn’t mean much to you anymore?”

Smoke looks down, feeling his chest getting heavy as Annie pulls his face up, having a tight grip on his mouth.

“After everything we’ve been through together, I have never once went low with mentioning something to hurt you just as much as you have. And you don’t like it when someone else does after you started it.” she said, letting go of his mouth.

“I don’t like Valerie as much as you don’t. But I’m not gonna overlook her pain that was caused by your brother. She wouldn’t be a vampire has he just broke up with her before going back to Mary. And now, she’s stuck on this earth for the rest of her life, her spirit roaming freely until something takes her out.”

Annie swallows before turning back to the map, looking at some of the glass moving and a salt bottle being knocked over.

“That’s why I’m vouching for her. I do believe she can help us.”

“Well, I think you sound ridiculous.” he said.

“Take the bag off then.” said Lucinda, holding her hand out.

Smoke looks at her, not budging. She takes her back, motioning him to back up.

“Thought so.”

“So much for a damn baby mama.” he mumbled, sitting in a chair.

Lucinda flicks him off as she looks at the map, leaning close.

“I think they’re trying to tell us something.” said Lucinda.

“Like what?” asked Annie.

“I don’t know….maybe if I tried something. Like….walking with them?”

Annie nods, watching her pull her hair back as she goes over and snatches the lighter out of Smoke’s pocket, making him stare at her crazy.

“You got an extra bowl somewhere?” she asked Annie.

Annie nods before running out of the room, going into the kitchen as she goes through it, getting attention from everyone watching her.

“Everything okay, Ann?” asked Slim, a concern look on his face.

“Yeah, I’m just looking for…” as she sees an empty bowl, grabbing it.

“Something.”

She runs back into the poker room, placing the bowl in front of Lucinda, who yanked out a big piece of her hair, placing it in there.

“I remember you said if I have to do this, I have to give them something to let me through.” as she lights it on fire.

Annie smiles, giving her a small kiss on her lips.

“Proud of you.” she said quietly, placing a hand on her stomach.

“And he’ll be too.” she added, rubbing her stomach.

Lucinda smiles as she closes her eyes, saying a chant that will help.

“Mo wa pẹlu nkankan ni paṣipaarọ fun nkankan ti o ni. Mo wa pẹlu nkankan ni paṣipaarọ fun nkankan ti o ni. Mo wa pẹlu nkankan ni paṣipaarọ fun nkankan ti o ni. (I come with something in exchange for something you have.).” she says, feeling a vision coming over.

In a blurry view, she sees a flash of different things: running up the stairs, driving away holding something, watching two people leave, and watching the fight happen as they’re laying on the ground.

However, the next part that comes across is something she never thought was possible.

As they are trying to get a vampire off them, they turned their head to see someone else being bitten, with the vampire lifting up their head and looks at them, grinning while blood is all over their mouth.

That vampire was Stack.

Lucinda opens her eyes, gasping loudly, which scares Annie and Smoke, with the latter jumping up to comfort her as she breathes hard.

“You alright, Lu?” he asked, a worrying look over his face.

“What did you see?” asked Annie.

Lucinda calms down, shaking her head as she looks down, beginning to cry.

“It was scary!” she cries out.

“I saw a fight happening….two people leaving….think I was hurt. But the worst part? Stack killed someone! I don’t know if it’s telling me that’s gonna happen or what….but I’m scared.”

Lucinda lays her head on Annie’s shoulder, continuing to cry as Smoke looks at her, looking at the map.

“You can’t reverse it or something?” he asked, examining it.

“Elijah.” said Annie.

“Come on, I know there’s a way!”

“Elijah!” yelled Annie, making him stop.

“If what she just said happens…..it happens. Nothing we can do about it.” she said, wiping Lucinda’s tears.

She gently lifts her head up, touching her stomach again as she pulls Smoke closer, having both of them in view.

“Which is why we need to be prepared.” she says, nodding.

Smoke looks over at Lucinda before shaking his head, giving up with fighting.

“Alright. What’s the plan?” he asked.

“Vampires are the walking dead amongst us. Meaning one way you can completely eradicate them is having them stand in the sun, where they’ll burn. But in our situation? That will take a while.”

“Okay. So what do you suggest to stay safe?” asked Lucinda, sniffling a bit.

“Stay inside as long as we can. Do not fall for their trap. Which means we have to make sure no one gives in easily. Especially Grace.” as she looks at the latter, who staring at the door.

“Create weapons. Guns is fine, but not enough. Another way you can kill them is by stabbing them through their heart with something. A knife….a wooden stick….even a heel.” she added.

“And then what do we do with their bodies after?” asked Smoke.

“They decompose after a few months. Usually faster since they’re already dead, meaning their spirit is 100% gone.” said Lucinda.

“And what if they don’t want that to happen?”

“They hide in the darkness of a shadow or sleep somewhere dark until it’s time to wake up again. So, they might escape. But if they don’t return, that means you scared them off.”

“Sounds easy.” as he nods.

“But it won’t be. These motherfuckers are fast as shit, so be very cautious with your movement. If not, you’ll get turned one of them.” said Annie.

“And if that happens….. I want one of you to stab me through my heart.” she added.

Lucinda and Smoke’s eyes widen at her demand, completely shocked and hurt that she asked for that.

“I know, I know. But I don’t want my spirit roaming on this earth if I get turned.” she said, rubbing her hands.

“No, no, no.” as Smoke shakes his head fast.

“This is not what we discussed.” he added.

“We didn’t have to. We said it in our vows.”

Smoke close his eyes tightly, trying to not cry as Lucinda walks up, her tears already forming.

“I thought you would be excited to see the baby grow up. Since that’s why we did that ritual.” she said, voice dropping.

“I am. I am.” said Annie, voice slightly cracking.

“So why you saying this? There’s still a likely chance you can survive.”

Annie shakes her head, a small smile on her face as she rubs both of her lovers arms, taking in their looks.

“I think I know why they showed you that. And I don’t think they’re wrong.”

“Baby, please….” said Smoke, tears streaming down.

“Elijah…my Elijah.”

“Lucinda….my little Lu.” as she looks at her.

“I thank the both of y’all for giving me love I always wanted, even if I lost something in the end.”

Lucinda looks down as Smoke shakes his head, in distraught.

“Don’t say that.” he uttered.

“I got someone waiting on the other side for me.” as she rubs Lucinda’s cheek.

“You do too.” as she rubs Smoke’s face.

Smoke closes his eyes, his face crying softly.

“…. you’re gonna be a great mama to that baby, Lu. He’ll be protected for the rest of his life because of what I taught you.” as she pulls Lucinda’s face up.

“And what his fine ass daddy did.” she said, hearing Smoke laugh.

Lucinda smiles, but the tears keep falling.

Annie rubs both of their faces a little more before pulling them close to her.

She kisses Smoke, giving his a long, sloppy kiss before breaking it, watching him catch his breath. She turned to Lucinda, giving her one as well.

“Now, Lu. You go and talk to ole girl while me and him help the rest make the weapons.”

Lucinda nods, walking out of the room quickly.

Annie takes out the mojo bag she was wearing under her dress, yanking it off and tossing it on the table as Smoke watches.

“Is this what you really want?” he asked.

“It’s not a want. It’s what needs to happen.” she replied.

Smoke nods, looking at the bag on the table as he notices the rest of the bottles fell over.

Lucinda is walking up the stairs, slowly creeping in case she does get attacked.

As she reaches the top, she looks both ways at the hallway.

Valerie is not near the end she’s at, which means she has to walk into the other direction, which she does.

As she gets closer to the end, she hears a singing voice, making her stop for a bit. In the corner, she can see a shadowed figure laying down, getting closer as the view becomes more clear.

Pale, pale moon

Pale, pale moon, Valerie sanged quietly, twirling her hair as she looks at Sammie and Pearline following Smoke’s instruction on how to use a gun.

“Just be careful with pulling the trigger.” she whispered, laughing a bit.

She stops when she hears movement, making her turn her head. She sees Lucinda standing there, an unreadable expression on her face.

“If you’re coming to kill me, make it quick.” she said, sitting up.

“You can do across, down the middle, but don’t do against my head. Or do it since I can’t hear thoughts anymore.” she added, tracing over her face and neck.

“I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to talk.” said Lucinda, kneeling down to her level.

“Ohhh.” as Valerie. “You wanna talk as if you’re not the reason why they don’t like me right now.”

“And I said I was sorry—“

“Well, sorry isn’t gonna cut it, is it?” Valerie asked cutting her off.

She leans back, annoyed that she’s in her presence.

“If you wasn’t pregnant, I would’ve fucked you up right now, but because I didn’t wanna harm your child, I let it go.” she uttered, rolling her eyes.

“…..how do you know I’m having a boy?” asked Lucinda, squint her eyes.

“That’s what you came up here to ask me about?”

“Yeah since you know it…somehow.”

They sit in silence as the noise downstairs fills the room, from wood being shaved, guns being reloaded, and bottle being popped open before stuffed with a cloth.

Valerie clears her throat as she turned forward, giving her full attention to Lucinda.

“When we first met, I got a whiff of your scent. I was able to identify all but one and couldn’t figure it out.” she said.

“Even though I said “congratulations, it’s a boy!” when we got into that little spat earlier, I wasn’t 100% sure if I was right.” as a small smile appears on Valerie.

Lucinda stared at her as the latter picks at the bandage.

“When Annie threw that pickled garlic on Stack and I got splashed with it, the mysterious scent was in there. I knew it wasn’t garlic, salt, sugar, nor vinegar. It was the rosemary.”

“What does that mean in your terms?” asked Lucinda.

“Rosemary is an identifiable herb that tells you what the mother is expecting weeks before they find out they’re actually pregnant. Mostly associated with the boy gender. So, it’s a boy.” she replied, her eyes looking down towards her stomach.

Lucinda rubs her belly, thinking about that confirmation as she stands up, her chest becoming heavy.

“So….Smoke isn’t gonna meet his son. Annie is not gonna meet him either.”

Valerie nods as she stands up, being eye to eye.

“But you’ll survive. Raising him. That’s what the ritual means.” she said, watching her get upset.

“That’s not what she told me!” she yelped, hurt by the reassurance.

“Even if she did…you’re already protected as you can see the same spirits and dead folks like I can. And I think she knew that, hence why she did the pregnancy ritual on you.”

Lucinda sends a confusing look, addled by the ‘protected’ comment.

“What do you mean, Valerie?” she asked.

Valerie smiled as she stepped closer, holding her hand out, motioning her to grab it. She does, moving closer.

“Before I show you what I want you to see…..was today the first time you ever got blurry visions?” she asked.

“…n-no. Had them my whole life. Even when me and her were taking to him when he came back earlier, but I thought that was normal.” replied Lucinda, now thinking about the many times she’s had those.

“Close your eyes. I think I found your answer to why.” she said, closing hers.

Lucinda closes her eyes, waiting to see what Valerie was going to show next.

Suddenly, the same effects she gets when a vision comes over her shows up, but this time, it takes her back to a time long before her existence.

She is brought to a room inside a barn, where a darkskin black woman, sweating and breathing softly, is holding a baby, cooing to it.

“Where am I?” asked Lucinda, slowly walking up.

“1820 Mississippi. About 85 years before you and I were born.” said Valerie, popping up next to her.

They get closer to the woman, who is softly rocking the baby to sleep while being on high alert around them, making sure no one comes to find them.

“You recognize her?” asked Valerie, looking at Lucinda.

Lucinda gets a better look, taking note of her slender lips, hollow cheeks, and small brown eyes that look similar to hers.

“….Nana.” she whispered, shocked that Valerie was able to bring her to this memory.

“Which means…” Valerie said knowingly.

“That’s my grandmother she’s holding.”

“Bingo.”

She walks closer, kneeling in front of them with tears in her eyes, in awe of finally seeing what she looks like.

“This…this has to be a few months after she was born. When they ran away from that plantation.” she stated, tears falling down.

“It is. But I want you to pay close attention to what’s about to happen.” said Valerie, leaning up against a pole.

Lucinda looks at her, before turning her head back as a humming sound comes out of Nana’s mouth, a small smile appearing on her face as the baby coos softly, reaching up for her.

“Careful, Josephine. We don’t want them hunters finding us now.” as Nana puts her finger into her little hand, watching her grip it.

“Grandma Jo. Her little self.” said Lucinda.

“God, I hope we don’t get caught.” Nana said quietly, closing her eyes as she prayed quietly.

Josephine begins to fuss a bit, making her snap her eyes open and stare at her disoriented, rocking her a bit.

“Girl, I told you to be careful!” she whispered harshly, watching her stop.

She did say she was a needy baby, as Lucinda moved to the side to get a better look at her.

Josephine looked exactly like Lucinda when she was a baby: chubby cheeks, little black curls, dimples, and a cute upward nose. Her twin.

Her watch is broken when Josephine begins to suck on Nana’s hand, hearing her slightly laugh.

“Oh, you’re hungry.” she said, moving her close to her chest, before taking one of her breasts out and seeing her latch on, exhaling at the sting.

She rubs her little cheek, seeing her calm down peacefully as she looks up, hearing rumbling luring in.

Outside of the barn, a group of hunters are riding by on their horses, making her hold her breath. She sees light passing by the broken window, a shadowy figure holding a lantern.

“That nig and her little one is definitely near.” he uttered, with the horse neighing following.

“Might be right. They never get too far.” said a second voice.

“Got a feeling they might be in that barn.” a third voice added, making all of their horses stop.

“Let me check.” as he jumps off.

Taking out his knife, he slowly walk towards the entrance, making Nana hold her breath as Josephine begins to whine, which sends fear into her instantly.

“Jo, please.” she said, but her whining got louder.

Just as the man walked in, he sees them, an evil grin on his face as he walks quickly.

“God, please stop this.” she said, closing her eyes as Josephine cried loudly, alerting the others.

“Well, well, well. Look what the wind brought me.” he said, chuckling darkly.

Just as he was getting close, an unrecognizable figure ambushes him, causing him to drop his knife in the process.

Among the sounds of grunting and hitting, the man’s screaming is heard, followed by a sound of ripping and gurgling, making Nana back even more up into the corner.

“Jim! You aight?” said one of the men, concern on all of their face as their horses began to move oddly, as if they can detect something’s wrong.

Suddenly, a loud thud is heard, with the man’s body falling into her view, blood pouring out of his eyes and an arm missing, making her gasp and let out a muffled scream.

The figure then throws the ripped arm outside, making sure it lands in front of the other hunters.

THUD.

THUD.

THUD.

The horses start neighing erratically, running off with the rest of the hunters after seeing the arm, hearing the men curse as they rode further and further away from the scene.

Nana stands up, shocked at what she saw. She checks Josephine, who was now peacefully sleeping, not disturbed by what happened.

“She okay?” asked the unfamiliar male voice, making her snap her eyes towards it.

“Who the hell are you?!” she asked loudly, picking up the knife and holding it towards the figure.

The man laughs as he steps out from the darkness, the light from the moon shining over him.

Revealing himself as a tall, darkskin man with long, luscious black hair and a goatee, face shaped like a Roman. He was very fit, his big arms being the most recognizable on him and his curved lips fitting his face.

Also covered in patches of blood.

His eyes were a light gray as he smiled at Nana, making her lower the knife, recognizing him.

“Hello, Fania.” he said, licking his lips.

“Who the hell is that?” asked Lucinda, looking at Valerie, now standing next to her, with tears and a smile on her face.

“…Eros.” said Nana, shielding Josephine away from her.

Lucinda’s eyes widen, shocked that her nana and grandmother once came across Eros during their time on Earth.

“What?!” she said, getting up.

“Yeah. Your people met the man who turned me.” Valerie said in a soft voice, wiping her tears.

“And you can tell he just became used to it too.” she added, sniffling.

“Come on, baby. Don’t do me like that.” as he got closer, but she held the knife up again, anger all over her.

“Do you like what? Seducing me out of my draws just to leave me with your baby alone and shunned?!” she yells, scaring him a bit.

“….wait a minute.” said Lucinda, confusion on her face.

“She said “your baby” to him…” as she is slowly piecing it together.

“Yeah. Eros got her pregnant. And if Josephine is your grandmother and Fania is your great-grandmother…..”

Eros is your great grandfather, uttered Lucinda, shocking coming all over her body.

“Meaning I’m half-“ she began.

“Vampire.” said Valerie.

She gasps, realizing everything she has felt over the years leading up is starting to make a lot of sense.

The visions. Sometimes being able to smell scents. Sensing evil is near. The way she practices her craft and how each rootwork she has done has worked.

All because her great grandfather was a vampire her great grandmother fell for.

The same one who turned Valerie the night she died.

“Oh my god….” she said, beginning to cry.

Eros’ laugh fills the room, stunned at what she said.

“You acting like them bitches wasn’t gonna shun you out anyway.” he said, which made both woman look over.

“You a witch who does rootwork and spells in a highly religious plantation.” he added, stepping closer.

“And you’re a member of the devil’s tribe.” Nana replied.

“Yet…..I didn’t take your soul. I harvested it because you told me to. Practically begged me to.”

“Cause we were making love.”

“Cause you were hurt.”

The two stared at each other in silence, being interrupted by the sound of Josephine’s crying, both directing their attention to her.

“Let me see her.” he said, reaching out.

“Why? So you can eat her?!”

Eros looked at her with disgust. He ran behind her fast, quickly taking Josephine before she could fight him.

“She’s my baby too.”

“And I’m her main provider!” as she grabbed and swung the knife, but get dodged by him grabbing her hand.

“Girl, are you crazy?!”

“Absolutely.” as she tries to break away, but he tightens his grip, eyeing her down.

“You better relax before you hurt her.” he uttered.

“You’re hurting me.” she whispered, trying to removing his grip.

“Are you gonna calm down if I let you go?” as he leans in, inches away from her face.

She looks away, exhaling hard as she stops fighting, giving up. He lets her go as Josephine cries again, with him rocking her gently and shushing, seeing her face relax as she sees him, her expression unreadable.

“Hey, pretty girl.” as he smiled, taking in her adorable features.

“Ya daddy’s here. Protecting you and your crazy ass momma.” he said, feeling Nana nudging him.

“Don’t curse at her.” she said.

“You act like she understands what the hell I’m saying.” he said, hearing Josephine laugh, making him look down.

“Oh, so you can hear me in your head or when I’m talking publicly.” as he coos at her, seeing her smile and squeal.

“So that’s how you found us.” said Nana, rubbing her wrist.

He looks up, staring at her as he leaned against the wall, rubbing his baby’s hand.

“Max told me you running away spread out fast. So I knew I had to get to you and Jo before they did.”

“Well, thank you. But I’m not going back.”

“Who said you were?” he asked quickly, offended by that suggestion.

“You think I came out here just to drag you back there?” he added, walking up.

Nana begins backing up a bit, heading towards where the women were standing, with Lucinda moving out of the way.

“You mentioned Max—“ she began, but is cut off.

“Max has no idea that we share a kid together. Yet alone our history.” as he grabs her arm, stopping her.

“And what do you think will happen when she begins to show more of your *traits, Eros?” as Nana stares him down.

He looks at her before smiling, pulling her close to him, wrapping his arm around her waist.

“She already has my smile. But I can assure you she and anyone born from her will be fine in the sun if that’s what you mean.”

“What about the hunt for blood?”

“Should wear off by the time her first grandchild is born. That’s the one that will go away first.”

Valerie looks at Lucinda, who nodded, confirming it did since she is her only grandchild.

“She, our grandkids, our great-grandkids, and so forth are going to be protected thanks to us. Your power and my power created a whole new bloodline, Fania. You should be happy.” he whispered lowly, leaning into her space.

Nana looks at him, shaking her head as she pushes him back, taking Josephine out of his arms.

“Only if there wasn’t a side effect of me dying before I can see her turn 16.” she said, laying her on her shoulder.

Lucinda faltered at that comment, looking done at her stomach, touching it.

“I’m…I’m gonna die before I can see him grow into a grown man?” she whispered, many emotions running into her body.

Just as Eros was about to respond, the room becomes blurry, sending fear into her as Valerie grabs her head.

“What’s going on?!” asked Lucinda, watching the room fade.

“I don’t know!” yelled Valerie, feeling the sting getting worse.

Then, POOF.

They’re in the hallway like they were previously, brought back to reality. Lucinda looks around, breathing hard before looking over the ledge.

Sammie, Slim, and Smoke cleaning the guns. Pearline, Annie, and Grace creating more weapons.

As Remmick, Stack, and Annie watching them from afar, continuously singing their song to get them to break.

“Why did it end like that?!” asked Lucinda as she turns to Valerie, anger all over her.

“That’s all I actually saw.” replied Valerie in a somber tone.

Lucinda scoffs, not believing her.

“What happens? And don’t lie.”

“I don’t know, Lucinda.”

“Don’t lie!”

“That’s all I saw! Her saying she’ll die before she sees your grandmother grow up!”

“LIAR!” she yells, making everyone pause and look up.

Valerie stares at her in disbelief, shocked that she doesn’t believe what they saw is what she saw the first time it happened, shaking her head.

“I lost my mother before my 12th birthday. She lost my grandmother before her 13th birthday. And her mother died before her 14th.” said Lucinda, shaking at the thought.

“I already made this baby out of love for them.” as she looks at Annie and Smoke.

“They’re possibly gonna die, never meeting him. And now, I might die before I can see my boy grow? Who the hell did my people piss off?” as she cries, hearing them run up the stairs.

Annie was first, wrapping her arms around her as Smoke followed, watching from afar.

“Hey, hey.” she whispers, kissing her forehead.

“I’m here.” she added, running her shoulder as she continues crying.

“You could possibly be the first to break it, Lu.” said Valerie, trying to give her hope.

“Please don’t start.”

“Think, Annie. She has the strongest power of her spiritual ancestors combine with Eros and the underworld’s power in a much stronger way. You know this.”

“What the hell is she talking about?” asked Smoke, walking up.

“She knows. Because she always *knew. Just didn’t want to scare her while they were working together.”

Annie looks as her, her wrath growing as Smoke stands in front of Valerie.

“This one of your little bullshit baits? Cause if so, lemme know so I can murk your ass.” he uttered, very riled.

“You had the chance and missed. What makes you think you’ll be lucky this time?”

Smoke whips out his gun again, pointing at her heart, but she doesn’t move.

“Cause Analise said so.”

Valerie smirks, looking at his gun before looking at him, her eyes twinkling.

“Look, I’m sorry about what I said about her, but that’s how the game goes, regardless of what you are. You ask for or take something, you get it. But they’re gonna want something back.” she said, eyeing him weary.

“Well fuck that game. And fuck you too.”

“Already been fucked out of my life, dead or alive, clearly.” as she looks at Lucinda.

“But her? She has a chance to live much longer to see that son of yours age. thanks to my maker.”

Smoke raises his brows, looking at Lucinda, who looks away.

“….you-you one of them too?” he asked, sorrow coming out.

“It’s in her family’s bloodline.” said Annie.

“Wha..what?”

“Eros, Valerie’s maker, is her great grandfather. He’s why she was able to detect the same shit Valerie can. Making her a very rare and strong ancestral which that comes every few generations.” said Lucinda, wiping her tears.

Smoke lowers his gun, processing the information as he slightly shakes, his tic coming in.

“My…my son is going to be b-born part vampire.”

“He’ll be protected.” added Valerie, which makes him point the gun at her again.

“You cursed her!” he yells.

“Not possibly since he already impregnated her nana before our time.”

“And yet you knew she was going to be here, huh?”

“No. I didn’t. I didn’t even suspect that she was connected to him. Until that moment when I was sitting up here.”

Smoke scoffs, taking out garlic from his pocket and holding it up, making Valerie hiss, covering her face.

“I don’t think you’re telling the truth. But I also don’t care.”

“Elijah, wait.” said Lucinda.

“Don’t! I had it with someone vouching for her like she didn’t ruin our night!”

“She didn’t. We all did.” said a familiar make voice.

The quartet turns their head towards the staircase, where Sammie and Pearline were standing, looking at Valerie.

“Pearline….Sammie.” she said softly.

“Of course it was you saying it.” said Smoke, sighing loudly.

“Maybe she was meant to be here to help us.” said Pearline walking up.

Smoke turns the gun towards her, making everyone gasp as Sammie stands in front of her.

“Put the gun down, Smoke.” he said.

“That charade bitch ain’t no savior. She’s the goddamn enemy.”

“Well, why isn’t the enemy attacking you or none of us then?” asked Pearline.

“She did. You got that cut on your neck.”

“From her dagger, not her mouth.”

“Same shit!” as he cocks his gun, startling her.

“Valerie ain’t kin, she’s one of him.” he added, turning back to Valerie.

“I would never be on a side that’s against you or us.” she replied, stepping closer.

“Take one more step if you want, woman.”

“Put the gun down, Smoke.” said Sammie, standing next to him.

“You’re not gonna do shit.” as Valerie laughs, walking around Lucinda and Annie slowly as the gun follows.

“You never have. And you know that cause I never folded under you nor Stack. Quite frankly, you need me more than anyone right now.” she added, standing next to Pearline.

“I don’t need anything from you.” he replied.

“Bullshit!” she yells.

Smoke cocks his gun one more time, with Pearline jumping behind Valerie, who still isn’t moved by his hazardous arm.

“Elijah, please put the gun down.” said Annie.

“You stay out of this.” he replied.

“Listen to her, Smoke!” said Lucinda.

He shakes his head fast, feeling himself slowly began to crack at everyone siding with Valerie instead of him. His anger boiling up.

“It needs to go with its true family.” he uttered.

“Remmick is not my family as Eros always said. That’s why he took him out cause he wanted to. And he’s gonna do the same if you force me out.” said Valerie.

“Well, that’s not my problem. That’s yours.”

Valerie scoffs, scrunching her face as she feels Pearline rubbing her back.

“Well what do you think will happen if Grace—“

“Don’t you dare.”

“Bo hasn’t returned. You know she’s crazy about him and she’s currently losing i—“ Pearline began, but it cut off by Smoke cocking the gun again.

“You shut the hell up!” he yells.

Sammie smacks the gun away, seeing him eye to eye now with anger.

“Don’t point that shit at her nor Val. We still gotta survive the night and Val can definitely help. You letting your anger get the best of you again.” he utters, with everyone being surprised at him standing up to him.

Suddenly, Smoke smacks him in the face with the gun, watching him groan as he falls to the ground. Pearline runs over, comforting him.

“Great! You just broke your cousin’s nose! Good job on being the leader, Elijah!” said Valerie.

“You about to next if you keep it up.” as he points at her.

“Sammie, you okay?” asked Annie, getting up to examine his face.

Sammie looks up, tears streaming with blood pouring out of his nose, which Valerie gets a whiff of his scent hitting her nose, making her fangs come out.

She turns away quickly, covering her nose and mouth as Smoke nods, feeling vindictively right about his stance.

“And that’s why I want her out. Blood being exposed and her ass turns into a junkie as it comes into her space.” he began, but feels his gun being snatched out of his hand.

He turns around, seeing Lucinda, holding it in her hand, putting the lock back on and tucking it into her top.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” as he tries to grab it, but she smacks his hand away.

“You done enough tonight and we’re not even close to the sun coming.”

Smoke walks up to her, but she backs up, keeping a good distance between them, watching him get more angry.

“Lucinda, if you don’t give my gun—“

“If I do. Your boy is gonna hear the story of how his mommy shot his daddy the night we got attacked by vampires. Just like how he killed his father.” she said, staring him down as the hazy effect returns.

Silence fills the room as everyone looked at them, with Annie eyeing Smoke down to see if he’ll try to touch her.

He looks at her, debating if he should attempt or let it go, seeing Lucinda’s eyes twinkle a bit.

“…..just give it back before they attack us.” he said quietly, turning away quickly.

“Thought so.” she said, hearing Valerie laugh a bit before coughing.

Suddenly, there’s a loud knock on the door, making everyone pause.

Another knock comes, jingling the door knob a bit.

“Hello?” asked a familiar male voice, knocking again.

“Grace? Baby? You still in there?” he asked, making the latter run to the door.

“Bo!” yelled Grace, a small smile appearing as she tries to unlock it.

Slim stays behind as everyone runs down the stairs, making sure nothing is wrong with him.

Smoke and Sammie gets to the door in time, stopping Grace from opening it, who begins to push them back.

“Let me go!” she yelled, trying to get to the door.

Smoke pushes her into Slim, who holds her back as Annie and Pearline stand in front of her, trying to calm her.

“Look, I know you wanna see him. But we have no idea if they got to him or not.” Annie said, pointing at her.

“And we sure as hell not gonna fall for another one.” said Slim, looking at her.

Grace sniffles, looking away as Valerie and Lucinda walk up, standing in front of Smoke, who eyes them both down.

“What are y’all feeling?” asked Sammie.

They both closed their eyes, taking in the vibration Bo is bringing, despite him being on the other side of the door.

“…I would be cautious.” said Valerie, opening her eyes.

“Might be conflicting. It seems like he’s hiding something.” said Lucinda.

“Or they’re hiding around him to *attack.” said Smoke, turning to the door.

“You stay in the back.” he says to Sammie, pushing him back.

“Annie and Slim, come with me.” as he walks forward, grabbing the piece of wood off the door hinges.

Annie and Slim are behind him as Sammie stood next to Pearline, with Grace standing behind Lucinda and Valerie.

Grabbing the door handle, he exhales loudly before slowly opening it, grabbing his hidden stake in his pocket.

There stood Bo, who seemed unharmed, confused on why the door was closed and locked.

“Smoke! Thank god someone heard me.” said Bo, looking around the room.

“Bo!” yelled Grace, pushing the women out of the way before running to the door.

“Damn, bitch!” uttered Valerie, making Lucinda nudge her.

“I’ve been waiting for you all night, where have you been?!” she asked.

“Sorry! I was hiding in the car cause everyone was getting attacked by…whatever the hell that was.” he replied, rubbing his head.

As soon as he did that, a pungent, unfamiliar scent hits Valerie’s nose, making her look at him.

“You smell that?” she asked Lucinda, who nods

“Not good.” she replied, carefully pulling out her dagger.

Lucinda whistles at Annie, who turns around. She signals a warning gesture, which the latter catches on.

“Glad you’re safe. Now we can go.” as she began to go out, but is stopped by Annie.

“Not so fast.” she said, eyeing Bo down.

Bo looks at her confused, taken aback by her stopping his wife.

“Annie, it’s safe to leave. The coast is clear.” he said, looking back.

“How do we know that?” asked Smoke, stepping up.

“Because I been in the car for three hours watching? They’re gone.”

“Bullshit.” said Lucinda, earning a hard glare from Bo.

“You know, I don’t have to take this shit from any of you, so Grace. If you’re ready, let’s go.” as he snaps his fingers at her, beginning to walk.

Grace doesn’t budge, looking at him fearfully as he turns around, noticing her lack of movement.

“Baby, come on. Lisa is waiting for us.” as he points at the car, waiting.

“Grace, that’s not him.” Valerie said quietly, seeing her turn back.

“You sure been running your mouth tonight.” he said, eyeing her.

Valerie scoffs, folding her arms.

“I like being cautious of who’s been in and out of here.”

“Hm.” as he nodded, going back to Grace.

“Okay, I won’t force you out. But I’m not gonna be waiting long for you to move.” he said, looking around.

“Why can’t he keep his focus on her?” mumbled Sammie.

“Cause that’s not him.” said Pearline, very aware.

Bo leans against the door, keeping his distance from everyone as he swings the keys in his hand.

“Or you can just…invite me in.” he said with a smirk on his face.

Slowly, his eyes turn a gold color, confirming that he did in fact, get turned.

“My god.” whispered Slim.

Everyone gasps as Grace let out a shriek cry, very hurt that they got to him.

“Knew it.” said Smoke, stepping back.

Cornbread jumps out, scaring everyone as Lucinda hands Smoke his gun quickly, with him pointing it at the men.

“Y’all better back the fuck up!” he yelled.

“Oh come, Smoke. That’s not being kind.” said Cornbread.

“Fuck all that.”

“Mmm, mmm, mmm.” said a familiar voice, making everyone look around.

Remmick appears from the shadows, an absurd expression on his face as he gets closer, taking in the fear and strong expressions he sees in the group.

“I figured you all wouldn’t fall for that.” he said, laughing a bit.

Smoke’s face twitches as Grace steps back, in disbelief at her Bo not being her real Bo anymore.

“What do you want?” asked Annie.

“To join me. And my ever growing community of people who wants to be free.”

Stack, spinning Mary around as she giggles, and Joan and Bert, holding hands together, all appear, standing around the men.

Smoke’s body shakes as he looks at Stack like a ghost is in front of him, with Annie consoling him by rubbing his back.

“One of you already has.” as Remmick looks at Valerie, who has a disgusting look on her face.

“You outta be ashamed of yourself.” she said, stepping up.

“Terrorizing a community because you got sent down to the deepest parts for all the crimes you committed.” as she’s now face to face with him.

“I did no such thing to be treated how I was. Not allowed in places because of how I look. The vibe I bring. That’s not fair.” he replied, watching her shake her head.

“So you come to a juke joint with mostly black people in rural Mississippi and try to force your way in because you liked our vibe?” asked Slim, eyeing him down.

“Sounds familiar, does it?” said Lucinda.

“Yeah. Very.” said Smoke.

Stack laughs, stepping up to get in more of his view, with Valerie moving close, eyeing him.

“Now why you acting like we didn’t go to Chicago to do the same thing?” said Stack, looking at him.

“Or Arkansas.” added Mary, making Stack chuckle.

“Mastermind not taking credit for the ideas he implanted into his brother’s head.” said Annie, annoyance in her voice.

“Oh, cause yo little HooDoo shit is going to save everyone here huh?”

“It kept y’all alive long enough, right?” said Lucinda.

“He wasn’t talking to you, Lu.” said Cornbread.

“And yo wide back big ass jumping in?” said Slim.

“Ain’t nobody talking to your drunk ass either. So shut the fuck up.”

“No, you shut the fuck up. Talking to me crazy cause you got a white man’s blood in you!”

The vampires laugh loudly, making Slim even more upset as everyone shake their heads, repulsed at how much they’re enjoying this.

“As if Valerie, and some of Lucinda, don’t have the same blood like I do.” said Remmick.

Lucinda backs up, with Sammie getting in front of her as Valerie rolls her eyes.

“Gabriel was Eros’ maker by the way. A black angel in hell.” Valerie said sharply.

“And how do you think Gabriel became that?”

“I know a white man didn’t make him. If that’s the lie you’re trying to go with.” as she eyes him up and down.

“But then again…..that’s a natural move for people like you.”

“People like me, huh?” as he leans in.

“Like you don’t have the same instincts as me. Especially with that lie you been telling everyone about “helping” the community in Memphis.”

Valerie eyes widen, watching him smirk as his eyes glow, backing up.

“What is he talking about…” asked Sammie, making everyone look at him.

“Sammie!” said a gleeful Remmick, laughing.

“Just who I came here for truly.” he added, biting his finger.

“Well, you’re not getting him.” Slim said fast.

“But we need him! He’s our hope for us to last long on this place.” said Mary.

“How? He’s just a young man who plays the guitar and sing.” said Pearline.

“Yeah, singing the blues. Which can bring in a company you weren’t expecting to happen.” said Stack, smiling evilly.

Joan and Bert nod, understanding what he’s talking about.

Sammie falters, realizing what he may have done as the conversation with his preacher father from earlier play in his head, along with what Valerie was saying.

“Cause he woke the spirits up.” said Lucinda.

“Which signal him.” said Annie.

“Which is how he found us.” said Valerie.

“Oh no, Valerie. Don’t blame this on me. You played a part in it by running off instead of complying.” said Remmick.

“I didn’t have to do shit for you!”

“You’re right. And you won’t now, so why don’t you step to the side and give us the boy?”

“Not gonna happen and I wish any of you would try.” said Smoke, holding the gun up.

“Come on, brother..” said Stack, stepping up.

“You know how free you’ll feel by being a vampire? Not having to worry about running away when things go wrong? And how much strength you have with killing folks?” he asked, a small smirk on his face, flashing his gold tooth fangs.

“I don’t care about none of that shit. All I care about is protecting my family right now.”

Stack laughs, shaking his head.

“Annie is not gonna save you. Valerie sure can’t. Not even that little bastard child your magic vamp worker whore is carrying.” he uttered.

“Fuck you.” said Lucinda.

“The real Stack wouldn’t be saying that shit. Especially after everything Valerie and Annie has done for us.” Smoke uttered bitterly.

“Well, he’s long gone. And I don’t abide to you or them anymore. Wont be long until *she turns on all of you.” as he looks at Valerie.

She shakes her head, watching Smoke look away.

“Come on. Fight back, Elijah, she said to herself.

“Unless you hand Sammie over. And all of this Will be over.” said Remmick, holding his hand out.

Sammie, with fear all over, begins to walk forward to join them, but is held back by Slim and the women, except Grace.

“Sammie, don’t you ever submit to the devil, even when it’s begging.” said Slim.

“Just like your friend did when them people hung his ass at the station?” asked Stack.

Joan, Remmick, Mary, and Bert laugh loudly as Slim reacts angry, attempting to charge at him.

“Man, fuck you! Knew as soon as you started messing with Mary, your ass was gonna get caught up!” he yelled, pointing at Stack.

“Good. Maybe your drunk piano playing ass needs to fall in line, but until you do, keep that big ass buck teeth mouth of yours closed.” Stack replied.

Slim continues to yell at him, threatening to get his ass when the chance comes while being pushed back as Remmick does a fake scared pose to taunt him.

“Y’all don’t get it, do you?” he asked before turning to Joan and Bert.

“You see them?” as he points at them. “They’re Klan. His uncle is the fucking—

“Grand Master of Clarksdale.” said Valerie, cutting him off.

“How you know that?” asked Bert.

“About two hours after I ran away from Remmick and hunters, I got picked up by some white man. He too me to his house, which was donned in KKK colors. He has a photo of himself getting sworn hanging up, with you and Joan being in the photo.” as she eyes them down, her eyes glowing bright.

“Based on how Bert looks….” while sucking her teeth.

“I’m gonna assume the man whose heart I ripped out, ate, and cover the whole house with his blood after tearing him apart was his father.”

Bert jumps at her, but is held back by Bo and Cornbread, calming him down as she smirks.

“Not funny when it’s you being hurt, huh?” she said.

“Maybe, but you actually completed the next part of our plan before we could.” said Stack.

Everyone looks at him with confusion and scarcely, backing up a bit. But Valerie? Stayed where she’s at, eyeing him and Remmick down.

“You see…” as the latter wraps his arm around his neck/shoulder.

“When Stack and Smoke bought this land from Hogwood, he made it seem like he was telling you a building where nothing bad happened.” he added, looking at the juke joint.

“But he was actually hiding the true reason why. And I found out when I turned Joan and Bert after getting away from the hunters. And why the KKK connection was important to note.”

Stack nodded his head, feeling Mary wrapping her arms around his heads.

“They were going to kill us, Smoke.” said Stack, seeing his face drop.

Everyone let out soft gasps, shocked about that information as Valerie looks appalled, realizing she forgot to tell Stack that when they first reunited.

“This was meant to be a slaughterhouse for them when they come back in the morning. Not a long standing place for people like you to have.” said Remmick, clapping his hand.

“Let’s all thank Valerie for completing that part!” he yells, with the rest of the vampires cheering and clapping.

Valerie feels nauseous, slowly falling back but is held up by Smoke, gently pushing her to the wall.

“And I found out based on their memories. In fact, I can see every single one right now.”

Remmick looks at a scared Grace, whose tears are flowing and face is slightly red. He says something in her native, which made her scream loudly and try to attack him, but Slim pulls her back, with Bo laughing.

“You right. She does go a little crazy.” he said.

“He knows about the way I fuck you too.” said Stack, looking at Valerie.

“And so does anyone who can hear me all the way from Texas to New York City. You ain’t special, *nigga.” she replied.

“Come on, Valerie. We can share Elias forever. Have a tight schedule and whatnot.” said Mary.

“I rather be brought back to life and get hunged from the Empire State Building by my own attempt than share Stack with you.”

Stack whistles, stepping back as Remmick moves closers.

“This place left you for dead….even if you arrived liked that.” as Remmick looks her.

“And the rest of you are next if you don’t join.” as he looks at everyone else.

“Good luck getting that to happen. Cause we not budging.” said Annie.

“You will. Someone has to. Just like it has always been.”

The vampires, except Stack, slowly depart, with Remmick backing up.

“You ask for, deny, or take something, you get it. But they’re gonna want something back. Whether it’s the easy way or hard way. And trust me, I play very rough with either or.” he added, everyone’s eyes glowing.

The rest of the partygoers appear from the shadows, all covered in blood and eyes are glowing, staring at the group with hunger in their eyes.

“My god….” whispered Pearline, holding Sammie tightly.

“Join us!” Remmick yelled, with them cheering.

“Be free!” yelled Cornbread, with them cheering again.

“For equality.” said Mary, smiling big.

Stack walks up, looking at both Smoke and Valerie.

“Come on. All Valerie has to do is turn you all. And you’ll be right there, killing every single Klan that comes across.” he said, smirking.

“I’m not falling for your trap. You have no idea what he’s capable of. And I’m sorry for that.” she said, choking up.

“What can you even do, baby? Just die with them?”

Valerie nods, tears streaming down her face before storming off, brushing past everyone.

“I’m sorry for everything.” she mumbled.

“What do you say, Smoke?” as he steps closer, with the latter backing up.

“I can get you and Ann to see niece again. She’s waiting for you.” he added as he held his hand out, seeing his eyes fill with anger.

Smoke shakes his head, slapping it away, surprising Stack.

“You keep her out of your mouth.” uttered Annie, pulling him away.

“Taking her side again. As usual.”

“Close the door.” Smoke uttered, walking off.

Sammie runs up, closes the door slowly, keeping a tight eye on them.

Stack scoffs, turning around to face the vampires.

“No vision.” as he points to his head.

Valerie sits on the stage, looking down as everyone was arguing loudly, trying to figure out what to do next.

“It’s not worth giving in to them!” said Annie, filling up jars with garlic and water.

“He just said we either join them or die. And trust me, I’ll die, trying to get back to Lisa while freeing Bo’s spirit.” yelled Grace, walking back and forth.

“You can survive, you know? Use the damn weapons we all made.” said Slim.

“And if that don’t work? Then what?”

“I don’t know, run?” said Pearline, looking at her.

Grace scoffs, shaking her head.

“They move fast and one can fly. We better off joining them.”

“Girl, don’t you “we” us. We don’t have to do shit they expect. They’re just using it to scare us into it.” said Lucinda.

“Well, if you don’t want that. Or the rest of you don’t, then I’ll do it myself! Sick of waiting in her….” she began, getting ready to leave.

A gun cock freezes her, making look back.

Smoke is pointing his gun at her, lighting up a cigarette and puffing it out sparsely before looking at her.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re not gonna put everyone in danger that easily now. Especially my unborn. Now sit your ass down before you join Bo.” he said profoundly.

Grace breathes quietly as she sat back down, not saying another word. Smoke puts his gun away, turning back to everyone else.

“No one is going anywhere. If we have to fight them, we just gonna have to. But like Annie said, we gotta survive until the sun rises.”

“Which is two hours from now.” said Annie, walking to stand next to him.

“Remember what we taught y’all: go for the heart or the head. Should kill them instantly. If not, drag them out much longer so when the sun rises, they’ll burn.” she added, looking at everyone.

They nodded, continuing moving around as Valerie sniffles, feeling bad about everything that’s happened.

“This is all my fault.” she whispered, shaking her head.

Everyone looks her way, concern on their faces.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” asked Pearline, walking over and sitting next to her.

“I…I should’ve stayed in Chicago. And maybe I wouldn’t have encountered Remmick when I got here.” she said, laughing a bit.

“Or came here after killing that man and stayed. Fighting with Lucinda over her assumptions that were very valid since yeah, I’m a stranger here. Should’ve listened to Stack when he told me to go after our fight.”

“No, no. Don’t say that.” as Pearline comforts her, rubbing her back.

“You staying saved us from getting turned by him. If you didn’t, imagine if we didn’t sense something was wrong while Pearline was singing.” said Lucinda, walking up.

“Would’ve been sooner if I told him ahead of time.” said Valerie.

“What do you mean?” asked Slim.

“The plan of what the Klan was gonna do to everyone when they came back? That’s what I was trying to tell Stack before Mary interrupted us. This was before Sammie performed.”

She looks at Smoke, feeling his anger burning through her.

“It slipped my mind while I was roaming around the rest of night with him and Pearline, so I feel bad for not remembering before it was too late.” she said somberly.

“What was he talking about back there?” asked Sammie, making her look up.

“About you lying about Memphis or something?”

She sighs softly, feeling uncomfortable with wanting to share it, but has no choice.

“I was killing people out there. Bad people that was causing harm to others there. Don’t know why he mentioned it when I only told Stack about it, but that’s the power of seeing people’s memories.” as she shrugged.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to you fast enough with it, Smoke. Maybe if I did, we would’ve prevented Stack getting t…” she said, but is cut off by Smoke telling her to stop with his hands.

He walks up to kneel in front of her, keeping his eyes up.

“Don’t. It’s not your fault. Mary shouldn’t have went out there. I should’ve kept a tight eye on him. He should’ve took her out when I told him to, but no. He don’t listen.” he said, scoffing a bit.

“I don’t forgive you for what you are and said earlier about Analise….but I’m willing to let it go so we all can survive.” as he nods, seeing her smile a bit.

“Maybe Lu’s right. You being on our side can help us.” said Annie, rubbing Lucinda’s side.

“And maybe Eros biting you was his way of getting you to us before it was too late. He wanted us to meet.” said Lucinda, kissing Annie’s cheek.

“Yeah. He would probably be happy.” said Valerie, squeezing Pearline’s hand.

“And wanting to kill Remmick cause I would too.” said Slim, making everyone laugh.

Suddenly, the vampires’ singing becomes louder, making Grace cover her ears as she slowly begins to crack.

Picked poor Robin clean, they all sanged, walking close to the building.

Picked poor Robin clean

I picked his head

I picked his feet

I woulda picked his body, but it wasn't fit to eat

IIIII, as Grace gets up, walking away.

“They’re really not gonna give up, huh?” asked Pearline.

“Not until they get what they want.” said Sammie.

Bo appears in window, smirking and blowing kisses at a distressed Grace, making her crack even more.

“That’s it!” as she runs to the table, grabbing a wooden stake before running toward the door.

“Grace, no!” said Slim, stopping her.

Grace shoves him back, trying to reach the door but Smoke and Annie grabs her, pulling her back.

“It’s not worth it!” said Annie.

“Two more hours and they’ll be gone!” said Lucinda.

“I don’t give a—lemme go!” said Grace, trying to pull away.

“Grace, please listen to them!” said Slim.

They continue fighting as the singing becomes even more unbearably loud, almost like they’re being teased.

Valerie gets up, slowly moving to the center of the room as she watches the windows, seeing a bunch of glowy eyes staring.

“What do you feel, Val?” asked Pearline, standing next to he instantly.

Valerie doesn’t reply, turning slowly to where Grace was being held back as she locks eyes with Lucinda, who has a worrying look.

“Get ready.” she said, turning around.

Smoke attempts to cover Grace’s mouth, but she bites his hand hard, making him yelp in pain.

“Come on in, motherfuckers!” she tearfully yells.

Everyone gasps as the singing stops, with Annie and Smoke letting Grace go.

“Told y’all she gonna be the one to do that!” yelled Valerie, tossing her shawl across the room.

“Lu, stay behind Smoke and Annie!” she added, her fangs coming out and fingers growing long.

Pearline and Sammie grab their gun and stake respectively, standing on Smoke’s right as Annie and Slim grab their gun and stake respectively, standing on his left.

Grace lights a Molotov on fire before picking it up, standing next to Slim.

Lucinda stands behind them, holding her dagger as Smoke holds his gun and a stake, preparing to fight.

Silence is heard for a few moments, not a single movement.

Then, BOOM.

The wall collapses, with Cornbread, Bo, Remmick, Stack, and Mary standing in the front of the vampires, all having gleeful smiles on their faces.

“Y’all ready to join us?” asked Remmick, stepping up.

Grace screams and runs towards Bo, making everyone follow behind as the vampires charge towards them, with Valerie leaping across to attack a few of them, killing them by ripping an arm or head off.

Grace jumps on Bo before tossing the Molotov on herself, instantly catching on fire with him attached, killing the both of them.

Lucinda stabs a few vampires in their chest before Jo jumps on her, trying to bite her neck but misses. She runs them into the wall a few times, with Jo falling off.

“Die bitch!” yelled Lucinda as she stabs Jo’s heart, watching her scream loudly as blood pours out of her mouth fast.

She feels the blurry vision come over again, making her look around the room to see what was about to happen.

She lands on Pearline shooting vampires, not knowing that Remmick is slowly appearing behind her, about to attack her.

“Pearline, watch out!” she yells before a tall male vampire jumps in front of her, hissing.

Pearline turns around as Remmick approaches, slapping him in the face with a jar of garlic water, watching his skin sizzle and him hiss.

“Shit!” he yells, running out.

Lucinda does the same, slapping the vampire with a jar before stabbing him in the heart.

Smoke and Annie stab and kill multiple ones as Slim tosses fire towards a few, hitting them.

As Sammie is shooting at some, Bert appears from behind, yanking him his collar before they both tumble to the ground. Bert attempts to bite his neck, but Sammie gets the upper hand, stabbing him in his heart, killing him.

As he gets up, he sees a hungry Cornbread standing near the opening, eyes glowing and face grinning before charging at him. He tries to pick up the gun and shoot, but it jams, causing him to panic.

Suddenly, Cornbread is tackled to the ground by a reappearing Valerie, collapsing on top of him. She punches his face a few times before using her heel to stab through his heart with constant stomping, seeing her force push pushing him into the ground with each jump.

“Holy shit…..” mumbled Sammie, watching in shock.

Seeing him now completely dead, Valerie rips him open, tearing out his heart and aggressively stuffing her face with it, blood pouring out that spreads all over.

Pearline holds Sammie tightly, both watching her fall into a bloody haze before looking at them, a smile on her face.

“Sorry. Get a little too messy with my eating and killing.” she said, killing a vampire running behind her by punching her hand through its chest and squeezing the heart, feeling it burst.

As Lucinda runs over, Mary lands in front of her, gleefully smiling.

“Back up, Mary!” she said, swinging her dagger at her, but the latter dodges.

“Come on, Lu. It’s not safe for you to be fighting while carrying a baby.” Mary uttered, laughing afterwards.

Lucinda elbows her in the face, watching her falling as she tries to stab her, but she moves out of the way before the blade hits her, stabbing the floor.

“Look behind you, Lu!” yelled Annie, sees her struggling to pull the dagger up.

As Lucinda looks up, a vampire is about to pounce on her, but she lipped the dagger just in time, watching land on it via its heart, screaming as blood poured out of its mouth, hitting.

Annie smiled, thankful that she dodged it just in time.

Suddenly, she’s knocked to the ground by Stack who pins her down, shocking her.

Smoke attempts to knock him off, but a vampire knocks him down, jumping on him.

Lucinda tries to run over to them, but Mary knocks her down, about to attack her until Valerie ambushes her, tossing her against the wall.

As Smoke and the vampire struggle, he sees Stack biting into Annie’s neck, watching her body shake from the shock and pain, tears streaming.

“No, Annie! NO!” he yelled, but its no use as Stack continued to suck her blood, not giving a damn.

Lucinda is helped up by Valerie, horror on her face as she realized the visual of someone watching someone else being bitten was her Annie and Smoke, attempting to run but Valerie holds her back.

“Let me go!” she yelled tearfully, but gives up as she collapses to her knees, crying hard.

“I’m sorry, Lu.” she mumbled, consoling her.

All the memories of her being with Annie, from when they met, the first time she caught feelings for her, their first dance, their first hookup, and the session from early flows into Lucinda’s head.

Stack lifts his head up, blood all over his mouth as he looks at Smoke, smiling evilly. Valerie sees his face, hers dropping in shock that its him who’s killing Annie.

“She tastes good, bro. You did good, choosing her.” he said, continuing to suck.

Smoke becomes even more enraged, trying to get this vampire off him, but the vampire overpowers, trying to bite.

Suddenly, a dagger goes through its heart, making it scream and collapse to the side, revealing Valerie above. She tackles Stack off of Annie, bashing his head into the floor.

“You fucking idiot!” as she hits him in the face.

“Why would you do tha—“ she began, but is cut off by him pushing her off, landing hard on the floor.

He grabs Valerie’s leg, tossing her against a wall, which she hits very hard, wincing from the stinging as she sees the fights continuing on the ground.

Lucinda realizes the vision of that was from Valerie’s view, running to her.

Stack gleefully smiles, about to go after them until he sees Mary staring at Annie’s body tearfully, running to her.

“Annie!” she yelled, but Stack grabs her, running them out.

Smoke crawls to her, wrapping his hands around her wound, covering them in her blood. She wraps her hands around his, giving him a tearful glance.

“Annie, I can still save you….” as he cries, seeing her shake her head.

“Do it. We’ll be waiting.” she said, coughing a bit.

Smoke sniffles, grabbing the stake and positioning it over her heart. He locks eyes with her one more time, seeing her do the same.

“I love you, Annie.” he uttered.

“I love you too, Elijah.” she replied, feeling herself doze off.

Smoke pushes the stake through Annie’s heart, instantly killing her. He collapses on top of her, mourning her dead body.

Lucinda helps Valerie up, seeing her shake herself off as Sammie and Pearline runs over, killing more vampires along the way.

“You two good?” asked Pearline, checking the both of them.

Valerie nods as Lucinda doesn’t respond, cautiously walking to Smoke.

She kneels down to gently pull him off, bringing him to his feet as she pulls him into a direction.

“Come on, we have to get out of here!” she began, gesturing the rest of them to follow her.

They all, with Slim joining, run towards the stairs, but more vampires begin charging at them, in which they fight off.

Lucinda leads with Smoke, Valerie, Pearline, and Sammie following, but Slim stopping at the end, turning to face the vampires.

“Slim, what are you doing?!” asked Sammie, trying to go back for him, but Pearline pulls him up.

“Go! I’ll hold them off!” yelled Slim, taking the stake and dragging it across his arm, bleeding.

He walks towards the stage, luring them in as Sammie and Pearline follows the rest of group, now in a room with a door at the end.

“Y’all go ahead. That exit will get you far away.” said Smoke, loading his gun.

“I’m not leaving you here.” said Lucinda, hearing him sigh.

“You have to. Annie knew she was gonna die. And you had your visions.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t change it!”

“Lu, please!” he yells, silencing everyone.

He grabs her hands, gently kissing them as he looks at her, sadness in his eyes.

“You need to go. You gotta get him, Valerie, and Pearline out of here. I know I’ll survive, but I’m not letting you get killed by them or them Klan members.” he said, hearing her sniffle.

He kneels down, kisses her belly before kissing her, hugging tightly.

“You’re gonna be a great mama to our boy, Lu.” he whispered, hearing her cry.

“I don’t want to go!” she cried, shaking her head.

Smoke laughed, gently letting her go. He takes out his military dog tags and car keys from his pocket, giving it to her.

“Take care.” he said, looking at her as he removes the mojo bag, watching it hit the ground.

Lucinda nods, walking over to the group.

“And the rest of y’all better make sure you protect her.” he said, looking at Sammie, Valerie, and Pearline.

The trio nods as Lucinda joins them, heading to the door.

A/N II: Once again, I do apologize for the long wait on this. But part two is coming as I once again reached a text limit. Should be out tomorrow night or Friday.

🏷️ : @iloveekeiarah @childishgambinaax @ziayamikaelson @ssamm1984 @turbulentvoids @fadingcherryblossompeach @angryflowerwitch @amethyst09 @motheroffae @cerya @thatitbitch @darkfairymoon @j0ysyndr0m3 @blaqueberrykreads @theogbadbitch @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @dollys-world224 @blaqueberryk

[sideblogdotjpeg]

ive been thinking about the red string superstition recently and also sol bufo always and it makes me sick how uncannily caldwell tanner has made sol to perfectly target me personally

(+ cropped versions !)

[sadhorsegirl]

as someone of read-the-wicked-book-when-i-was-too-young-and-only-remembered-the-weird-sex-parts experience, it's been really interesting to reflect on certain reputations the book has taken on in the fandom in the decades since the musicals release. for a long time it felt like it was just kind of the accepted narrative that elphaba went insane bc fiyero died, and for more recent readers ive seen discussion of whether the books politics are leftist enough; both of which i think are oversimplifications.

sure, elphaba doesn't really complete any radical action successfully but isn't that the crux of her mental break down? she is someone living in a rapidly changing fascist society who has total clarity of moral vision for the ways in which disenfranchised classes are being hurt by the system who cannot for the life of her figure out a way to actually change said system on her own. and fiyero's death is a part of that without a doubt but i don't think its the only contributing factor in her own death. she is thwarted at an approaching cosmic level (shout out to any yackle heads in the building) at every turn: her intellectual questioning coincides with doctor dillamond's murder, her first attempt at a more democratic approach by negotiating with the wizard are a complete flop and she loses one of her most important allies in the process, her turn to more extreme methods are a bust when she can't bring herself to potentially harm children which domino effects into fiyero's death, she abandons kiamo ko at a critical moment and returns to find sarima and her family have been captured, literally all of her familiars save the monkeys get killed trying to stop dorothy, etc etc. and throughout the book we run into countless people who's positioning to what's happening politically is basically "if i don't look at it it's not there and can't hurt me," even if they are otherwise relatively kind and well-meaning people

if anything, i think the book is arguing that inaction (or faulty action) in times of great political peril whether by choice, acquiescence, or circumstance is ultimately completely poisonous to the self and others. and as an american (sorry) living through uncertain political times i think a story about someone who goes insane because they watch the news and understand what is going on and what is coming is going to be horrible but feel helpless to stop it is um VERY topical........

[sonknuxadow]

really bad sonic take that i still remember every once in a while because of how outrageously awful and out of character it was is that sonic would be ableist and mock people with mobility issues for being slower than him . he would NOTTTTTTT fucking say that

[cutter-kirby]

i think it could be significant that we never directly prompt kris to plug in the odd controller

we have the choice to "play" the game, sure, but i think it's deliberate that kris plugging in the controller is notably separate from that (they do it on their own every time). we know they can find loopholes from doing commands literally (like turning the doorknob in the church), so theoretically i don't think they had to plug in the controller (it's a bit of a stretch but it stood out to me the way they plugged it in every time)

i think this is important specifically because of how the mantle boss and ramb comment on what kris wants, the knife growing dull without play... fun and freedom. the mantle sidequest is significant to me because it is something we the player and kris are both participating in. the soul inhabits the little kris sprite as we see in the game loading, but kris is very much inputting actions on the controller alongside us (as they try to make us move away from the shelter later). the sidequest ends with us the player and kris standing face to face. they back away from us. i think there's something about this being a team effort.

[son-of-avraham]

Something interesting I've noticed about conversion stories is many people seem to have both a rebellious streak and a deep-seated, insatiable desire to learn everything.

One of my shul's well-respected members (who runs the hebrew/judaism class that will start soon) talked about how, when he lived in my town, he would sneak out of the house just to go to shul. That's what I'm doing now, and it's funny (I'm not sneaking out per se, but I am also not telling anybody I'm going to shul). There's an aspect of free-spiritedness that I notice in many converts, and it's fascinating to hear each of their stories. And you know the funniest part? They sound like my story.

[flaming-toads]

You strike that pose, Miss Cackle!

[quilleth]

Bioware made a mistake bringing Isabela back for da4 because like hell she wouldn't tell the entire da2 crew about what's happening with Solas which means they'd all show up ready to curb stomp him about Varric. Even moreso if hawke was left in the fade. That's two of their number down because of this fucker. Also Merrill should get to deck him specifically while also being like "what, like it's hard?" about fixing the eluvian that was blighted and cost her two of her closest childhood friends (potentially), her place in her clan, and her home. Again, going back far enough, because of him.

I just miss them 🥺

[wildehacked]

you know one reason i'm sad about the shipwar is that i know, deep in my soul, that if we hadn't had a shipwar, there would have been a lot more fic that appealed to me personally

[trensu]

do you think you'll put "Stasis in darkness" on AO3 eventually?

see, when the idea first came to me, I hadn't really planned on doing anything with it because I wasn't sure if I could make it work. there's a level of gravitas in the relationship between a god and their devoted servant that I didn't think would translate well to steddie because, let's be real, those boys are goofy dorks. but the idea wouldn't leave me alone so I typed up the original post in an attempt to work it out of my system and move on.

(the post kind of blew up, which I was not expecting at all!! like, not even a little bit! i post all sorts of rough little ideas for my own amusement and I've been able to do that without drawing much attention until that point.)

Anyway, I wouldn't have done much with it but @acowardinmordor left some comments/tags/what have you that helped me nail down the setting in my head which really opened the door for me to explore how the story could progress. (apologies, strife, I'm not sure I ever properly thanked you for that burst of inspiration, so please accept this shoutout as an expression of gratitude). And the amazing @ent-is-indecisive allowed me to rant about it which really helped flesh out the story. Seriously, there are elements and lore coming up that would not have existed if it weren't for ent. (and thank you once again ent for the ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL fanart you made for the reveal scene, I'm still overcome with joy whenever I think about it!).

Once it got to that point, I knew I wanted it to be a self-contained story and I was afraid that if I did a multi-chapter fic I'd lose the thread and never make it to the ending I want the fic to have. (no, the end scene hasn't been written yet but I KNOW what it's going to be and I hope everyone will love it as much as i do). So I promised myself that I was not going to post it on ao3 until the whole thing was written out completely.

However, I occasionally need a confidence/motivation boost so I've been posting consecutive parts of the rough draft here. you have no idea how much the people who reblogged with tags or left comments have helped me fight off the discouragement my brain likes to bog me down with; off the top of my head, @godsweakestboy , @redfreckledwolf, @fuctacles , @spectrum-spectre , and @lawrencebshoggoth have given me lovely, enthusiastic words of encouragement. and they're only the ones I can think of at this moment. there's so many other people who've done this, so if you've ever left me nice tags or comments, please know that I've read every single one of them repeatedly whenever I need to get over a slump. I'm so grateful for all of you!

Anyway, all this is to say yes! It is going to be posted as a oneshot on ao3 once I've finished writing it. <3

[voiider]

fake psychic Tim but its just. its just psych. Jason dies and batman goes off the deep end so Tim (instead of becoming robin) starts going ham on the 'tips to the police' bc if the police can deal with the smaller crimes then Tim doesn't have to worry about batman killing a petty thief.

Except he's running himself into the ground and he starts getting sloppy bc he's giving the local police info, and bludhaven info (bc dick) AND probably giving Nightwing info when he can and someone catches him or he leaves a paper trail and then Officer Dick Grayson apprehends him and takes him in for questioning and Tim is like "you can't talk to me without my parents or a lawyer present, I'm a minor. And my parents are in Guatemala, so you better call my lawyer."

and Dick is like "kid you're not in trouble i just need to know who's giving you this information." Because there is NO WAY this kid isn't working with someone. Someone who is using a child to drop off information, which while noble to help the police, is putting this child in danger and tim is like, pretty offended actually. That it's being implied that he COULDN'T do this himself.

So he's like "im not working for anyone."

and Dick is like "you have to be getting the info from somewhere. I just wanna help."

and Tim is like AUGH ADULTS "I just- i figured it out on my own" and its CLEAR that Dick doesn't believe him which is, first off, super insulting, never meet your heroes, and second he shouldn't be talking anyway or admit that he goes out at night or Dick will do something stupid like try to make him stop. So he's like (rolling eyes) "I'm psychic. Are you happy? Can I have my phone call now?"

[carlottastudios]

Every day I get closer to making an unhinged behemoth of a post listing all of the things about Kaeya and his possible connections to mythology & stuff that I notice but NOBODY ELSE SEEMS TO BRING UP IN THEIR THEORIES

(edit: OMG I reached the tag limit I'm so sorry)

[iaminjail]

woke reani be like helga west: relesbianator

[ego-sum-deus-fractus]

I am so sorry to bug you and this might be incredibly weird but your tags to the post I posted made me very happy, happy stim and smile like an idiot, and I wanted to express that. Again, sorry if this is extremely weird or odd, or like not socially acceptable to go out of your way to send an ask to thank someone for making your day over a reblog but I wanted to say thank you and I apologize for any possible intrusion for sending this ask

Awwww!! No it's not a problem at all! I appreciate that you saw my tags, and honestly you are relatable, atleast to me. As someone who doesn't see people talk about aesthetic attraction being mistaken for romantic attraction, your post actually made me seen!