Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

I John 5:21

Only five hundred miles stood between him and his final destination, but his concentration was not on his mileage. He was positive he had secured them between his suitcases properly, but every bump and pothole in the road sent doubt throughout his mind and he could not help but worry. He took a great risk, but certain that it was well worth the high blood pressure he pressed on. If he could just keep the heads, his heads, intact everything would be fine. Usually he packed them better, but this time he was in a hurry. He laughed at the thought of taking three heads across two state lines and what the local authority’s reaction to his little surprise would be. He could just picture himself trying to explain that one.

The sun had started its nightly decent into the western horizon nearly blinding him, and his two-day trip from Illinois to Nebraska was finally nearing its end. Tired and exhausted he let out a deep sigh of relief and shifted his sore butt in the seat; again. Even a night at the hotel in Iowa gave little more than a few hours of rest and a headache. The couple in the next room made sure of that. People who fight that loud at three in the morning should be shot! he mused.

When the visor became of little use, he dug in the glove compartment attempting to find the pair of sunglasses he had dumped in there earlier. Maps, napkins, straws, and ketchup packets spilled into the floorboard, as did his much-needed sunglasses. Curses flooded his mind as he leaned over and began groping; his arms stretched as far as they could possibly stretch, and his fingers wildly probed the floorboard. Suddenly his car shuddered, banging his head repeatedly into the steering wheel. Panic welled in his gut, and he forced his body to jerk upright. He swallowed the lump in his throat and with it his fear resolving himself to regain control of his mind and his car. The loose gravel clutched the tires, refusing to let go, sending the wild auto into a series of spins. The sound of his spastically beating heart boomed in his ears and brain. He prayed that what he’d heard was true as he turned into the skid and steadily pumped the brake, fighting the urge to slam full force on the oblong pedal.

His prayers had been answered as the car slid to a stop just inches from a drainage ditch. Unsure of whether he was shaking from the slightly sudden stop or from pure terror he sat clutching the wheel unaware of his white knuckles and cramping digits. Dread turned to anger and vulgarities of every kind traipsed through his mind, yet You idiot! is all that came out.

‘All of this over a stupid pair of sunglasses. No, all of this because you were too lazy to pull off the stinking road. How are you gonna get there if you total the stupid car. Jeez you’d lose your head… head? The heads!’ Franticly he wrestled with the seatbelt, flinging himself out of the car and straight to the ground, kissing the gravel. Now he really felt like an idiot, but at least no one was around to witness his Stooge moment, or to see him on all fours shaking his head like a dog in the dirt.

He stood upright into a cloud of dust drifting nearly a mile down the deserted road, though the tracks gouged in the gravel measured only a few yards. He called himself a name even less flattering than idiot as he made his way to the trunk then realized he hadn’t pressed the trunk release button and had to return to his door. Being cautious, the now bruised and battered man looked both ways, just like his mommy had taught him, before opening the trunk and exposing its contents. A wave of relief, no damage had been done to his precious cargo and he was once again reassured that they would survive the last twenty minutes or so of his journey. He excitedly closed the trunk lid and sighed then sped off to the western horizon leaving behind yet another trail of dust to scatter in the dusk.

The dirt encrusted Ford slid into a lonesome driveway at exactly 6:07 p.m., just as the front door of the large log house flung open and out burst the skinny little boy he’d been wanting to see.

Uncle Alex, Uncle Alex, what’d ya bring me!? The ten-year-old boy flung himself into his uncle’s strong arms, giving him a huge hug… Uncle Alex smiled.

Well it’s my birthday today ain’t it?

All right Trev, are you ready for your surprise?

Now that’s a stupid question Uncle Alex, of course I’m ready!

Then let me get unpacked first; go see if your mom needs help while I talk to your dad.

You heard him, run on in while I help Uncle Alex with his bags. With his son safely out of earshot Nick turned back to his brother, Did you bring them?

Of course, but we have to hurry, we don’t have much time.

*****

With dinner digesting and all of the joy and excitement of presents coming to an end it was finally time for Alex’s surprise. Trevor’s own anticipation had occupied him while Alex and his brother made all the preparations, tonight would be one that they would never forget, especially Trevor.

The group rose from the table and with the birthday boy in front of them they guided him to his own pitch-dark bedroom. Confused, Trevor could only stare ahead straining his eyes to focus in the dark, yet saw only a slim line of boxes. Suddenly he was blinded by the light bearing down from above. He blinked feverishly before finally focusing on three rectangular plexi-glass cases, each containing the Holy Grail of the macabre; a perfectly repulsive severed head.

Trevor’s small fingers traced the corners of the protective cases then flipped the tiny switch at the base, lighting even the most delicate details of its contents.

How’d you get away with it? I mean I can’t believe that they’d just let you walk out with those. asked Trevor’s mother.

Uncle Alex! These are the greatest. Where’d you get them?

They’re from my private collection.

You mean you did them yourself? his mother gasped.

Sure, that’s what I do Betty.

I wanna be just like you when I grow up Uncle Alex!

A smile played on Alex’s lips, for there was no greater complement than that. It takes a lot of hard work, study, and talent… but I think you’ll do just fine. You may even be better than me one day.

You really think so?

Of course. Besides, special effects artistry is a booming business, even the computer techs still need models to go by.

Are they just rubber or what exactly?

Actually they’re a special latex blend fitted over an animatronic endoskeleton. The remote, which resembles a toy car remote, is still in my suitcase. He’s gonna need a few lessons before I hand that over to him.

Can we start tonight Uncle Alex? Please…PLEASE!

Not tonight partner, it’s bedtime.

The three heads, exquisite in every way, rested flawlessly on one long shelf against the wall directly opposite his black wrought iron bunk bed that was adorned with chains and handcuffs. Most nights Trevor would lie awake tracing his handmade spider’s web shadow as it danced eerily on the ceiling until he fell into a dreamless sleep, but tonight he would gaze at the still lit cases until the sandman worked his nightly magic.

Chapter Two

I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Numbers 12:6

Trevor bolted upright in bed, barely missing his tangled web. His heart racing as if the devil himself had been chasing him. The nightmare may be over and he may be snug in his bed, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying. Then it dawned on him, the true source of his night terrors was no further then across his room. He dropped to the floor and trudged over to the Plexiglas cases. There he studied the first of the three animatronic wonders, an exact match of the demon werewolf of his dream, obviously the source of his nocturnal adventure. Trevor cursed himself for being such a baby, then turned off the light to the wolf head’s case. No longer would it be able to influence his sleep. That and it spooked him a little now; though he would never admit it. He crawled into bed and snuggled back down in his sheets, sure that it would take forever to get back to sleep... in two minutes he was out.

Decay

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Part One

The Crossroads

… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…

Deuteronomy 30:19

What is more, if science ever gets to the bottom of Voodoo in Haiti and Africa, it will be found that some important medical secrets, still unknown to medical science, give it its power, rather than gestures of ceremony.

Zora Neale Hurston

Costly Obsession

Decay

Chapter One

O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Psalm 30:3

The lights of the paparazzi flashed in Eric’s brain, but there were no cameras and no cameramen, only the blinding flashes coming from his own dying mind. Light and darkness; past and present, all instantaneous in his eyes. Suddenly the light lingered, shapes and sounds, blurred and unrecognizable began to appear surrounding him yet he felt nothing. No pain, no pleasure, even the movement of the gurney rolling from the ambulance into Lake View Hospital was as oblivious to him as the emergency medical team rushing to save his life.

Latino male, 15, GSW to left temple approximately 20 minutes! With those crucial words EMT Emmett Bradley stepped aside, saying a prayer for the boy’s life and soul. As quick and efficient as ever Nurse Harrington snapped into action BP 50 over 32, heart-rate 164 and climbing! the team was a machine. All right let’s get him into o.r. 3 stat and prep. I want 3 amps of epinephrine ready.

Flash

All right, Eric, I just put the last box in the truck, it’s time to tell your little friend good-bye. Nine year old Eric turned to see his mother standing by the rental truck waiting to uproot him from his whole life which at this point consisted of his best friend and the only home he had ever known.

Well Eddie, I guess I gotta go, standing in his best friends front yard, which incidentally happened to be right next door to his own and telling him goodbye was the hardest thing Eric had had to do so far in his young life.

You got my number and email address right?

Yeah, and I promise I’ll write you every day.

Me too Eric, I promise. Eddie hung his head kicking the grass, trying to prolong the moment.

I’m sorry you’ve gotta leave. Why’s your mom making you move to Michigan anyway? It’s cold there and there’s no Mardi Gras parties.

I know. I wanna stay, but Mom says that it’s not safe here in Louisiana anymore and that I’ll understand why when I’m older.

That’s stupid. What does ‘not safe’ mean? It’s great here!

Yeah, I know.

Eric, hurry up honey, we have a long way to go and we need to get started.

Hold on I’m coming!

Now young man!

Defeated and humbled he cast his eyes down to the ground and obeyed, Okay Mom. Bye Eddie, I’ll miss you.

Bye Eric. and with Eddie’s last goodbye the images began to fade back into darkness.

Flash

Eric baby, Momma’s here, Momma’s here baby, don’t you leave me you hear, don’t leave, you’re going to be all right! Everything’s gonna be fine. Camilla Ramis had come from nowhere appearing by her son’s side in an instant, ignoring the nurse’s questions.

Ma’am, are you his mother? Ma’am are you his mother?

Of course I’m his mother! Camilla’s own reaction and tone took her by surprise and suddenly she was sorry, but that was her little boy that lain covered in blood on the stretcher. Nurse Harrington, on the other hand, understood completely and went about the routine unfazed. Ma’am, we need some information. Eric is his name; correct?

Yes Eric Ramis, I’m his mother Camilla.

Is he allergic to anything Mrs. Ramis?

I don’t think so, everything was happening so fast. She had think, she had to remember, … no, no he’s not.

Is he on any medication?

This one she knew, No. but as soon as she said it a doubt rose inside her and her recent fears came to mind.

Noting her change of countenance the nurse continued her questions. Could he be on something that you’re not aware of..., she continued with caution and sincerity. Something not prescribed perhaps?

Camilla’s gaze dropped and she gave a slight nod, I hope not, but lately... I ....

Thank you for your honesty Mrs. Ramis; it may go a long way in helping your son. Now Mrs. Ramis you need to go to the emergency desk and fill out some forms. Can you do that for us? and with that his mother was no longer by his side the emergency door swung shut behind them, closing her out completely.

Flash

Thanks for lettin’ me hang with you. I haven’t made any real friends since I moved here last year… except you that is. To be perfectly honest JT was the only friend he had made real or not.

Yeah, rents think that just coz they move us into these neighborhoods with lots of other kids that it’s easy to make friends. JT’s only other friend was his big brother whom he looked up to like a hero deserving of worship and which he hung with every day. The two preteen boys were spending their summer walking through the maze called a subdivision in an attempt to have fun or at least not be so bored.

So where does your brother hang out anyway?

JT pointed between two houses on the corner, At the mini-mart at the end of the block.

And you’re sure it’s okay for me to hang too?

Sure. Race ya! The two were off before the sentence was even finished, jumping over flower beds and squeezing between garages, tying as they skidded to a halt at the sidewalks edge. After all they couldn’t be seen acting like children when they joined the gang, that wouldn’t be cool, so they caught their breath and walked as smoothly as possible to the mini-mart.

Hey Bro. This is Eric. I told him he could hang with us.

So Eric, you wanna chill huh? MT loved toying with his younger brother and his little friends.

Ya, is it okay?

What an accent! Where’re you from little boy?

I’m no little boy, I’m almost 11 and I’m from Louisiana. Gotta problem with it?

Well excuse me.

Eric was so scared of MT the sixteen-year-old giant before him, that he was trembling on the inside. His young heart raced as loud as hoof-beats in his throat, MT had taken the name claiming that his heart was as MT as his soul and everyone was expendable, but Eric stood his ground and attempted to show no fear, waiting for MT to make his move… and he did.

If you wanna hang with us you’ve gotta prove you’re man enough. Think you can do that?

Despite all his efforts his