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Chapter 9

The Book of Brandon/ Confessions to Luna

Brandon was a large man about six-foot two, and built like a fullback. A real people person who could sell water to the ocean. On this particular day he was navigating the streets of Las Cruces in his bronze Toyota Camry. He was listening to a rap song that he had just finished recording titled Show Your Skills the bass shook the entire vehicle as he made a right turn on to Triviz. Brandon continued down the road until he came upon a two-story apartment building in the middle of the desert. It was the home of two of his dear friends Gregg and Darius. He parked his car in the parking lot, walked up the stairs , made a right turn, and strolled to the door of apartment forty-six. The door was open, he saw Gregg and Darius sitting on the floor staring at the television playing a very intense college football video game as Outkast played on the speakers in the background.
He noticed Shiloh and Diane sitting on a couch nestled to the right of Gregg and Darius smoking a joint. Brandon turned to his right and saw an older Hispanic woman sitting on a beige couch behind Darius and Gregg sipping a glass of tequila. Brandon walked through the open door and said
“Hey everybody”
He looked at Kathy and extended his right hand.
“Hi how are you doing I’m Brandon.”
Kathy reached out and shook his hand, then replied
“Mucho gusto mijo I’m Kathy, I live downstairs.”
Brandon gave her that huge infectious smile and then took a seat next to her. He turned his attention to Shiloh and Diane. He nodded at her
“What’s up Diane? How have you been?”
She smiled at Brandon
“I’m good baby, I see you are looking dapper as always.
Brandon had a huge grin on his face and simply said
“I try” as he gave a slight chuckle.
He looked over at Shiloh with a slightly more serious tone, and smaller smile
“What’s going on Shiloh?”
Shiloh took a puff of the joint and passed it to Brandon. He leaned back in his seat on the couch
“Sup B-Weez.”
Brandon took a hit off of the joint and turned his attention to Darius and Gregg still immersed in their game.
“ What’s up D? What’s up Gregg? Looks like we got us a game going on right here. I’m gonna have to get the winner.”
Shiloh barked
“Shit! Not until after I get on the sticks homie.”
Brandon smiled, but his eyes did not convey the same message. He seemed irritated, but calmly stated
“Alright Shiloh it’s not that serious.”
He turned his attention back to Gregg and Darius
“Hey I got you guys a little gift”
He took a CD out of his pocket and put it on the black coffee table in front of him. It was a copy of his latest album B-Weez For Mayor. Brandon always made it a point to never come over without a gift. When Darius and Gregg had their housewarming party he was the only one to show up, and he brought them a nice fruit basket. Gregg took a quick peek over his shoulder and said
“Cool man thanks. Why don’t you play it for us.”
Brandon stood up and put the CD into the player. He was a very good lyricist but in almost all of his songs he ended up just getting food. In the days of gangster rap he was not appreciated for the peace soldier that he truly was. The song playing was a track called You Don’t Wanna See Me. It had a very deep bass line which seemed to shake the apartment. Everyone was nodding their heads to the music, and when the music ended Shiloh blurted out
“Yo B I’m still kinda pissed about the other day. I wanted to talk to that fine ass lady in the red dress. I kept telling you to pull over. I know you heard me. You should have seen her y’all she was banging”
Darius, eyes still glued to the screen asked
“Was she a hooker?”
Shiloh laughed
“No it’s like she was mesmerizing, mysterious, all of that shit. I was drawn to her. I don’t know how to fucking explain it. It was crazy. But this fucking guy didn’t want to pull over!”
Brandon scowled, but kept a smile on his face
“Something about her wasn’t quite right. I could sense something evil in her. Plus she was just walking on the side of the road, tearing the petals off a rose, and throwing them on the ground.”
Shiloh chimed in
“Shit I was gonna tear her apart!”
Kathy sat observing the room, and enjoying time among friends she sat on the edge of the couch and said
“No mijo I totally understand. You should always trust your instincts. I like you Brandon you have a kind soul.”
Brandon nodded at Kathy his huge smile returning
“God bless you Kathy. Thank you for saying that.”
For some reason this really angered Diane who jumped up and yelled
“That bitch ain’t shit! As a matter of fact where’s my five dollars at?”
Kathy threw up her hands
“Here we go with this shit! We were just sitting here having a good time. What is this crazy bitch even talking about?”
Diane began to lunge at Kathy. Shiloh stood up and put his hands on Diane’s shoulders as she yelled
“Oh I’ll show you a bitch. Bitch!”
Brandon stood up and got in between Kathy and Diane. Gregg and Darius remained seated on the floor immersed in their game. Brandon began to speak quoting a scripture
James 1: 19-20 “ Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Diane sat back down unsure of why she did it. Shiloh did the same. Kathy smiled at Brandon as Darius threw down his controller.
“Another fucking pick! Looks like your up Loskie. Fucking Brandon always hitting them with that Bible shit.”

*****

As he walked through the Juarez heat, his decaying skin flailing off of his body, Brandon reminisced about the simpler times. He now walked with a limp and was very frail, corpse like, each passing moment losing a little bit more of his humanity, yet still devout in his faith. He was making his way to the Pink Lady to find the woman who put this vile curse of the undead on him.
Not out of anger or revenge. No Brandon wanted to find her so he could offer his forgiveness. Although he had looked pure evil in the face, he still believed in his heart that the woman could be saved. Brandon had made his peace with his fate, but wanted to do everything in his remaining power to stop this war. As he trudged down the street he repeated this scripture to himself over and over
Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the lord.”

*****

Dracula walked the land of Mexico as “The Count”. His hair which curled just above his broad shoulders bounced as he walked. The grey tails of his Turkish coat swayed and his cane led each step with a stomp that gently shook the grounds beneath his feet. He glided swiftly through the masses of poor, who held out cups for donations. He gave his charity to all in need on this day. He asked any ear who could hear if they had met or seen Mina in the area. The more he offered civility through contributions, the closer he felt he had come to finding the soul of his long-lost love.
Just around the corner in a different favela, Father Rahm walked the streets with his own limp. He consoled the poor, not with coins of charity though. His billfold was empty. He gave consolation by promise of a better day which could be earned through faith. He spoke boldly and loudly to any ear who might be saved in this ghetto of Juarez. He did not know it at the time but soon, soon, he would encounter ears that beat above a heart that truly needed saving.
Father Rahm and The Count headed towards each other with a certain type of desperation that was truly poetic. The Count handed a man Pesos and the man whispered and pointed to the left and nodded. The Count flipped a coin and with a skip in his step found his direction. The building was tall. It was a tan brick building. It had neon lights that read The Pink Lady. The count glided up the steps and entered the establishment that was said to be the place to find Mina.
As he entered the establishment, he sensed that The Council of Doom had been there and influenced the energy. Dracula walked in and found himself at a piano that had a stool to sit on. He laid his walking cane at an angle and sat in a studious upright position.
He stretched his fingers and out them down to the keys. The club was mostly empty except for a few quiet patrons who sat at the bar top on their wooden stools and sipped their agave and smoked in unison.
As the tune of the greatest vampire played, no one moved much but he captivated every ear with his classic and gothic style as only he could. He swayed against the rhythm of the music. His eyes fully concentrated on the call girls who sat in bunches in the corners.
As his song came to a slow and sad ending, one of the women who worked at The Pink Lady walked to him slowly and hesitantly. She did not know him but could certainly sense that he was not an average patron. She whispered in his ear and he pulled his head from her and glared in her eyes. He ordered the oldest bottle of wine. She walked away with a skip in her step and a stack of fresh hundred-dollar bills in her palm. She smiled almost out loud as she fetched the drinks for The Count.
As the waitress presented The Count with the finest bottle of wine, he still sat. He reached to her and with a palm, put to her abdomen, pushed in gently. She laughed with nerves as it tickled her body in a primal way.
“Good patron, please, control yourself. I am not a lady of the night. I will be happy to have our escorts line up for your selection though if it be your will tonight”
An ancient bellow of a laugh burst from The Count’s mouth.
“No my dear, and I’m sorry. I meant no harm or ill respect to you. See, I am here in search of my soul mate. You may have heard the term in your life, yes?”
The woman looked at Dracula’s mouth. She took in his aura and answered as if she was charmed and under his spell.
“I have heard the term good sir.” She uncorked the bottle and poured a healthy amount into a fine chalice for her customer.
“I think I once had a chance. He was young though. Too young and immature to be faithful and my date had brought me here to find my wage for life’s expenses.”
“Do tell me more young queen. What was his name? Where is he from? Maybe I could convince him to come to you and release the pressure I feel in your soul. I would also beg you to help me find the mate of my soul as well. Her name is Mina. Have you seen her? Do you know her? Is she well?” Dracula shed a tear as he asked his somber questions of the girl.
“I do apologize good patron. I do not know her. I have heard the name once before here. The story of the Mina I have heard is that she is not real, but a tortured soul who walks the Earth looking for a man who died in the Holy Wars. Some say, she was locked in captivity by Satan himself, in order for Satan to have control over the most important villain in the history of the world.” She replied.
At those words, Dracula stood. Shaking with anger he pulled his hand across his body as if was soon to slap the waitress. He saw the fear in her eyes as she made her fear known.
“I’m sorry sir, I know not of any truth to the story of Mina, but I will confess that the man who I shared my soul was also said to have died many times in many terrible ways! Every now and again though, I see him sitting where you sit. His silver hair shining in the moonlight glow and his confidence up to par with any man I have known. I’m certain your love is near if something brought you here. This place is not though, used for love, but for lust and, maybe you should seek council in the eyes of God!”
Dracula looked deep into her eyes and released her from his spell. He reached to her and grabbed her neck with his hand and applied enough pressure that she could not breathe but enough pressure that she did not panic or attempt to run either.
“My darling girl” he began with a smile. “When you met your soul mate, were you by any chance, about nineteen years experienced in this world?”
“Well yes.” She spoke as she now showed fear to his mystique.
“My dear, when he taught you to play the piano, did he tell you that he may not be enough to live in your world? While he said truths as such, did he provide you a better day and best an example of how to be treated by a man?”
“Yes… yes.” She whispered.
“His name is Gregorio. Yeah?”
“Yes! She said astonished by his claims of truth.
“Take me to your God and I shall heed your advice my dear. Once I find Mina, I will bring him to you. I know him. I know of him. He has made an impact on the life of a very close member of my… of my council.” He said.
The waitress nodded in approval and poured his glass full as some wine had fallen to the ground during their meeting. She opened her mouth and spoke one last bit before she left.
She said, “Just down the road good sir… there is a local parrish. Father Rahm is the priest to our community and is famous locally for his works with the poor and the damned. After my shift ends, I’ll gladly show you the way, should it please you sir.”
The Count nodded in approval. “What is your name dear? I bet it is not nearly as beautiful as you.”
The waitress blushed and looked at The Count. The lights of The Pink Lady made him look so young and radiant. Though he looked young, there was an aura about him that she understood. He had been on Earth for the history of man. He was more ancient than her beloved Gregorio. He was powerful and asked her help and she would gladly abide.
“Jamie. My name is Jamie.” She spoke. She turned and walked to another customer and whistled. A line of prostitutes lined up and the customer made his selection. The Count looked on with a malice in his grin. Only a fool would pay for what was free.
As Dracula watched two women escort the customer up a dark stairway and into a room, he boiled over in anger at the notion that Mina may have been in captivity. Not only possibly in captivity, but held by the likes of his ally Satan. He clenched his jaw and his anger. As his anger escaped his orifices, a dust storm began outside. Lightning struck and clouds beat the ground with hail and rain.
In the city of Juarez, storms do not come often. Rain is not really a thing and with the heat the way it is, ice falling from the sky is said to be God sending his cold anger down to steam up Hell. That is just legend of the people though and there is no evidence that actually supports this.
As the wind blew over the city of eight million residents and another three million refugees from other countries just as poor as Mexico, the people came out and filled the streets. Power outages surged through the city and all the people in all their culture, came out to witness the storm. Dracula sat calmly in the stool at the piano that had been played a countless amount of times by The Woman. As the storm raged on in darkness, a gust of wind pulled the doors open and the people on the streets were in panic. Riots and robberies broke out everywhere. The police were nowhere to be found because in Mexico, the police are the thieves and are the murderers alike.
The waitress Jaime ran to shut the door. A crash of lightning followed by thunder illuminated the room briefly as she reached out through the doors. As she came to the doors though, there were twenty-two gunshots that burst in rounds of three. None came through the doors, but windows shattered and cars in the streets peeled off into the dusty rain. Women and men alike could be heard screaming. Jamie just stopped. She looked at the chaos in front of her and with innocence and faith, knelt and pushed her hands together to pray.
Dracula stood quickly and glided to her where he knelt in front of her and took her hands and bowed his head as she spoke a prayer.
“Dear Lord, please make this stop.
Dear God, please send us a savior so we might all be saved.”
“Amen” Dracula spoke in an arrogant tone. He helped her off her feet and went to shut the doors. As he pulled them closed, a man of the cloth ran to the same doors and pulled them open. Out of breath and with panic in his eyes, he bent over trying to catch his breath again.
Lightning crashed again and two figures stood face to face in darkness for the first time. Father Rahm stood in front of Dracula. Jamie slid back into the safety of the shadows. All the customers at this point had run out into the looting and anarchy that was Mexico on a Saturday night.
(to be continued)