Samantha Jones and The Island Of The Walking Dead (standard:adventure, 6570 words)
Author: Waldo Pepper	Added: May 27 2003	Views/Reads: 3359/2372	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
In the third installment of this series Samantha Jones and Rebecca Clark are stranded on a small isaland near Jamaca. They encounter a woman and her daughter who are engaged in an achient voodoo ritual.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

that they are friendly." 

The two women made their way to the entrance and knocked on the large
door.  They were met by a maid who escorted  them into a large parlor.  
The interior of the house was as lavish as the outside with wood 
paneling and cut glass windows imported from Europe throughout.  The 
parlor was furnished with rich velvet curtains and leather chairs and a 
large bookcase that took up almost one wall.  Suddenly a door opened 
and a tall middle aged women entered.  She  was well dressed and  
attractive and a    ppeared to be the mistress of the house. 

"Good evening," she said moving to the center of the room  "I am
Constance Southgate and this house and estate is mine.  What can I do 
for you two young women?" 

"I am Samantha Jones and this is Rebecca Clark," replied Samantha. "Our
small boat has left us stranded on your island and I was wondering if 
you could put us up for the night?" 

"Oh how dreadful," she said. "You may stay as long as you wish.  I live
alone here with my daughter who is ill and is being treated by a local 
daughter.  The house and entire island was left to me  by my late 
husband and it will be nice to have some company.  I will have the cook 
set two more places for dinner." 

"That is kind of you Mrs. Southgate," said Samantha.  We will try and
stay out of your way and not cause you any trouble." 

Mrs. Southgate then rang for the maid who promptly escorted the two
young women to their bedroom.  This was located on the second floor of 
the house and one of its large windows overlooked par    t of the 
jungle and the servants quarters. 

"Mrs. Southgate seems nice," said Rebecca sitting on the edge of the
bed.  "But I still don't like this place.  I hope that we don't have to 
stay here long." 

"Now Becky you are just tired," said Samantha pouring some water into a
basin and beginning to wash her face.  "Some hot food and a good nights 
sleep will make a new person out of you." 

The dinning room was located in the rear of the house just off the
kitchen and was also decorated in a extravagant manner.  Oil paintings 
hung on the walls and a long solid oak table lay in the  center of the  
room.  Above the table hung a crystal chandelier.  When Samantha and 
Rebecca has rested and refreshed  themselves somewhat they entered the 
large room and were greeted by Mrs. Southgate. 

Ah Samantha and Rebecca," she said turning to  face them.  "You are just
in  time to enjoy a glass of sherry just before dinner is served.  I 
have a small  cask of it shipped in  from a modest little winery in 
Portugal     every year and I think that you will find it to your 
liking.  Doctor Simbaca is just looking in on my daughter and will also 
be joining us for dinner." 

"Yes, this sherry is excellent," said Rebecca taking a sip from the
glass that was handed her.  "Has your daughter been ill for long?" 

"No, not really," replied Mrs. Southgate.  Elizabeth's problems began
about three months ago when her fiance was killed in a boating 
accident.  She became terribly depressed and has never really gotten 
over it.  The doctors on the mainland were of no help and one of my 
servants recommended doctor Simbaca.  He suggested that I bring her out 
here were he could treat her." 

Suddenly the door opened and a tall dark skinned man entered the room. 
It was hard to determine his age but he was neatly dressed in a white 
shirt, tropical suit, and wore a dark blue turban on his head. 

"Doctor Simbaca would you join us," said Mrs. Southgate. I would like to
introduce Samantha Jones and Rebecca Clark. I was just telling them 
that     you are treating my daughter. How is she this evening?" 

"She is resting comfortably," he replied taking up a glass of sherry
that was handed to him after shaking hands with the two young women.  
"The sleeping potion that I have given  her will give her the much 
needed rest that she most desperately needs. this will allow us to 
proceed with her treatment." 

"And what treatment is that Dr. Simbaca." said Samantha? 

Dr. Simbaca continued to sip his sherry as if he did not hear the
question as if absorbed in his own thoughts.  Draining his glass he 
turned to face Samantha. 

"I  am not in the habit of discussing the treatment of my patients with
total strangers Miss Jones," he replied.  "If Mrs. Southgate feels the 
need to take you into her confidence that will be her decision." 

"Now Dr. Simbaca do not be over sensitive," said Mrs. Southgate smiling.
 "I think that your use of home remedies and ancient native cures is a 
breakthrough in medical science.  Already you have done wonders in the  
  treatment of my daughter." 

"Yes, well I suppose I have been a total bore Mrs. Southgate," he  said.
 "And to that Miss Jones I apologize.  What I am endeavoring to do is 
cure Elizabeth of her massive depression and feelings of self doubt 
that she finds herself in.  I am doing this with with some native 
treatment from this area and the result have been quite successful." 

"I see Dr. Simbaca," said Samantha putting down her glass.  "Perhaps you
would allow me and Becky to visit your patient  before we leave." 

"Why certainly Miss Jones I would be honored," he replied.  You may
visit her any time you wish.  As a matter of fact I have left orders 
that she be allowed to come down and join us for breakfast in the 
morning." 

The maid now entered the room and announced that the dinner was about to
be served.  She entered once more a few moments later with two serving 
girls carrying platters of steaming  food that were placed on the long 
table.  Mrs. Southgate and her guests took their places and b    egan 
to consume hearty bowls of soup, an excellent roast fowl, and fresh 
garden vegetables.  This was all topped off with a rich mango pudding 
for dessert and large cups of steaming coffee to wash every thing down 
with. 

"I can't remember eating a finer meal Mrs. Southgate," said Rebecca
sipping the last of her coffee.  "You must give my compliments to your 
chef." 

"I most certainly shall Miss Moore," she replied.  "and I hope that you
will find your bedroom comfortable as well." 

"It looks perfect," said Samantha stifling a yawn.  "And if you will now
excuse the both of us I think we will make use of it.  It has been a 
long day and both Becky and I are exhausted." 

"Why by all mends," said Mrs. Southgate.  "A good nights rest will do
wonders for you." 

The two young women paid their respects to Dr. Simbaca and left the
room.  Mrs. Southgate and the good doctor watched the pair depart 
through the open door and then disappear down the hallway.  Dr. Simbaca 
shook his head and turned to face Mrs. South    gate. 

"I just don't like it," he said.  "It is very bad Karma for those two to
show up now.  They will spoil everything and my work here will be 
ruined." 

"Now get a hold of yourself you old fool," said Mrs. Southgate her
pleasant manner suddenly changing.  "Those two will spoil nothing and 
if they get in our way your little creatures of the night will make 
short work of them." 

"Yes, I forgot about them," he replied a sinister smile slowly spreading
across his face.  "You are right we must concentrate all our efforts in 
making your daughter the new last great leader of the Walking Dead." 

The two young women entered their bedroom and Samantha threw herself on
top of her bed.  She drew a cigarette from a pack that lay nearby and 
lit it.  Rebecca seated herself on  the edge of her bed and sat facing 
her friend. 

"I tell you Sam this whole damn island gives me the creeps and that Dr.
Simbaca is down right  scary." 

"Yes, I agree with you Becky I wouldn't want to take him home to
mother,"     she replied blowing smoke rings into  the air.  "But what 
the Hell are they up  to?  What is this strange depression that Mrs. 
Southgate's daughter is suppose to have? 

"Both Mrs. Southgate and Dr. Simbaca may be trying to deceive us," said
Rebecca.  "Perhaps I was a little hasty in wanting to leave this 
island." 

"That is exactly what I have just been thinking Becky," said Samantha
getting to her feet and putting out  her cigarette. "Mrs. Southgate may 
be just a sweet old lady concerned about her daughter and willing to 
help everyone but she may be also the mastermind of some sinister plot. 
 And that Dr. Simbaca is a whole other story. How he fits in this we 
will have to see." 

"Yes, you may be right Sam," said Rebecca.  "And then there is Elizabeth
Southgate and her alleged depression problems.  What do you make of all 
that? 

"That is another huge question mark," she replied.  Elizabeth may be
nothing but innocent dupe caught in her mother's evil plans.  But in 
any event we must be extremely care    ful in what we say and do." 

As the two young women continued to talk in the confides of their
bedroom Mrs. Southgate unrolled and ancient piece of parchment that Dr. 
Simbaca had just handed her.  The printed matter was perhaps three 
hundred years old and outline a ceremony that would turn her daughter 
into the first ruler of the living dead. 

"You are certain that this document is is authentic," she said peering
up at the tall man through menacing eyes.  "For if this is fake or I 
learn that you have deceived me in any way your death will be long and 
unendurable." 

"I assure you Mrs. Southgate this is the genuine article," he replied
suddenly growing pale.  "With this and the drugs that I have given 
Elizabeth she will be our new supreme leader." 

"Good," she said carefully rolling up the sheet and handing it  back to
him.  "I will leave the ceremony arrangements to you but I am concerned 
about our young guests.  What if they learn what we are up to?" 

"Leave them to me Mrs. Southgate," h    e replied a cruel smile slowly
spreading over his face.  "If they dare to interfere I will make them 
regret ever being born." 

Rebecca snuggled under the covers of her small bed and turned out the
light cloistering the room into darkness.  A small amount of moonlight 
filtered in through a window on the far side of the room giving the 
bedroom an eerie presence.  Suddenly one of the shutters banged against 
the side of the house and the young woman got to her feet to close it.  
Looking out over the courtyard Rebecca was able to make out the slim 
figure of a young woman.  She was perhaps twenty two with long blond 
hair and dressed only in night ware.  She appeared to be in a trance 
and was  being led to an iron gate by one of the dark skinned servants. 
 All at once Dr. Simbaca emerged from the shadows and ordering the 
servant away took the young women by the arm and escorted her back into 
the house. 

"Becky, what are you up to," called Samantha sleepily from her bed? "why
aren't you sleeping?" 

"I was just     closing the shutter when I thought I saw Mrs.
Southgate's daughter and a servant below our window," she replied. 

"At this time of the night," said Samantha getting to her feet to join
her friend. "What would they possibly be doing at this hour?" 

"Whatever it was Dr. Simbaca put a stop to  it," Rebecca replied.  "He
took her back into the house." 

"This is indeed strange," said Samantha making her way back to her bed
and sitting on its edge.  "Why would she be out there at this hour and 
with one of her servants?" 

"She also looked as if she were in  a trance," said Rebecca turning on a
small light..  "What would cause  that?" 

"I have read were a different form of Voodoo is practiced in these
islands," replied Samantha.  "And someone under  its spell could be in 
a trance. But I never thought that it was true." 

"Well whatever it is I think  that we both should get some sleep and
discuss more of this in  the morning," said Rebecca.  "Perhaps we may 
be able to see Elizabeth alone and get     her to throw some light on 
it for us." 

The new day dawned bright and clear.  Rebecca had fallen into a deep
sleep and was dreaming ghosts and spirits all chasing her over a stormy 
sea and through a heavy wooded area.  As fast as the young girl could 
run they were after her and as they were just about to  overtake her 
she awoke with a start and looked about the quiet room.  Sunlight 
filtered through the small window and Samantha slept soundly in her 
bed.  she must have been dreaming she thought laying back against her 
pillow.  That was not unusual with the day she had just had with that 
frightful storm  and this mysterious little island.  Suddenly Samantha 
moved and opened her eyes. 

"Oh, you are awake," she said pushing herself into a sitting position. 
"How did you sleep?" 

"Pretty good considering what I have been through," she replied.  "Do
you think the motor on our boat has dried out enough for us to leave?" 

"That is hard to say," said Samantha getting to her feet and beginning
to     dress.  "We can have a look at it after we have had breakfast.  
It will also give us an opportunity to take a closer look at this 
island." 

After dressing the two young women made their way down to the dinning
room were they met Mrs. Southgate.  She sat at a small writing table in 
the main hall catching up on  some neglected  correspondence. 

"Ah, Samantha and Rebecca," she said looking up.  "I hope that you two
had a good nights sleep.  The weather has cleared and it looks to be a 
marvelous day." 

"Yes we did Mrs. Southgate," replied Samantha. "After we have eaten we
plan to check our boat and perhaps take a closer look at your island." 

"I wouldn't venture too far," she warned.  "A great portion of this
island is covered in dense jungle and treachery quicksand.  I would 
feel terrible if anything happened to you." 

"We will be careful," said Samantha.  "A little walk about in the
sunshine may be good for the both of us." 

They then followed Mrs. Southgate into the dinning room and were served
a h    earty breakfast of rich black coffee, eggs, bacon and toast.  
Dr. Simbaca suddenly appeared at the doorway and entered the room. 

"Good morning doctor," said Mrs. Southgate putting down her coffee cup.
"I thought that Elizabeth would be joining us today?" 

"She was feeling rather poorly this morning Madam," he replied.  "I
shall have something sent up to her.  Perhaps later she will come 
down." 

"What a shame," said Samantha sipping some coffee.  "Becky and I were so
looking forward in meeting her." 

"Yes Miss Moore it is indeed a pity that she could not join us," said
Dr. Simbaca taking a seat.  "Miss Southgate's condition has been very 
difficult to treat.  I have administered some drugs and she is now 
resting comfortably.  I hope that she will be well enough to join us 
later this afternoon." 

When the breakfast was concluded the two young women left the house and
made their way down a rough path to were they had hidden their boat.  
As they approached the site Samantha began to think o    f what Dr. 
Simbaca had said over breakfast and his words troubled her.  He was 
obviously trying to hide something, but what.  the good doctor also 
became very vague when Samantha had asked about Elizabeth's illness and 
together with the help of Mrs. Southgate changed the subject all 
together. 

You look worried Sam," said Rebecca.  "Is something wrong?" 

"I have just been thinking of what Dr. Simbaca was telling us over
breakfast and it has me worried," she replied.  "What do you think of 
the man?" 

"He really scares me," she said coming to a halt before their boat.  "I
would say that he and Mrs. Southgate are both up to no good but what 
they have planned is anyone's guess." 

"Yes, you may be right," said Samantha.  "Perhaps we should pay
Elizabeth a visit ourselves and see just how she is." 

The engine compartment of the small boat was still to wet for the motor
to start and would need another day in the hot sun to dry out.  
Concealing the vessel once more the two began to make their way back 
toward    s the house. 

As the two young women approached the old sugar mill that was to the
right of their bedroom Samantha saw Dr. Simbaca talking to what she 
thought was one of the workers.  The young woman he was having a 
conversation with was the servant girl that Samantha has seen below her 
window the previous night.  Hiding behind some empty wooden barrels the 
two watched as Simbaca appeared to be arguing with the girl.  He 
finally struck her several times knocking her to the ground and then 
storming off.  Samantha and Rebecca rushed to the woman's side as she 
struggled to her feet. 

"Are you all right," said Samantha helping the young woman?  "Perhaps we
should fetch a doctor." 

"No, Naomi has been beaten many times for what she believes in," she
replied hanging onto the arms of Samantha and Rebecca as she regained 
her balance.  "One day that man will pay for all that he has done to 
me." 

"Yes, but why did Dr. Simbaca hit you," asked Rebecca? 

"It has to do with a spell he  has ordered me     to cast on the young
Miss Southgate," she replied.  "It is to the supreme Voodoo God Tubia 
and has not been conjured for over one hundred years.  No one is 
certain of  the consequences that may occur. Simbaca wishes to make 
Elizabeth the next supreme ruler of the Living Dead." 

"But all that is just ancient superstition," said Samantha.  Surely it
cannot be true." 

"It is very true Miss Jones," she replied.  "With the proper alignment
of the moon and stars which occurs tonight and the drugs that  he has 
given her it will come to pass." 

"But he must be stopped," said Rebecca.  "Has Mrs. Southgate nothing to
say in this matter." 

"She is more diabolical then him," replied Naomi.  "It was her that
brought him to this island, gave him money to conduct his fiendish 
experiments, and finally offered her daughter as a guinea pig." 

Becky is right Naomi they must be stopped at any cost," said Samantha. 
"Will you help us?" 

"Yes, I will try," she replied. "But Dr. Simbaca holds my sister capti  
 ve in his secret laboratory and is even now beating and torturing her 
for the disrespect that I have shown. It is the one hold that he has on 
me and the young girl has suffered greatly on my behalf." 

"Sam and I will free your sister Naomi," said Rebecca.  "But is there
anything in this ceremony that could put a stop to Dr. Simbaca's plan?" 


"Yes, possibly," she replied.  "But it will be risky for once I call
upon the supreme Voodoo God Tonga the ritual must proceed as scheduled. 
Any change would be disastrous." 

"We will have to take that chance," said Samantha.  "Perhaps in the
confusion we will all be able to escape.  When is this ceremony to be 
held?" 

"A few minutes after nightfall in Mrs. Southgate's den," she replied. 
"the old woman has waited for months for this day." 

"Well we certainly must not disappoint her," said Rebecca.  "Now were is
this laboratory located?" 

"I will draw you a map," said Naomi. "The cellar of the old house is a
maze of passageways.  It is easy to become lost." 

Ten minutes later the two young women slipped quietly into the house and
quickly made their way to the parlor.  Standing in front of the large 
bookcase that covered most of the east wall Samantha looked for a 
raised piece of casement that when pushed would open a panel leading to 
a secret passageway.  She quickly found it and the partition swung 
open. 

"This way Becky," she said stepping into the darkness.  "Naomi was right
about this passageway we would have never found it without her help." 

The opening led down a flight of stone steps to a maze of corridors and
and passageways that disappeared in every direction.  Samantha unfolded 
the map that Naomi had given her and studied it under the light of her 
flashlight.  Selecting an avenue to the right of were she stood she 
signaled to Rebecca to follow. 

"I wouldn't have believed that all this lay under the old house," said
Rebecca as she followed her friend through the darkness.  "Why were 
these passageways built?" 

"Originally as an escap    e route from pirates that raided in these
waters," said Samantha.  "This passageway probably leads to were you 
could hide a small boat." 

The passage led into a large room that Dr. Simbaca had outfitted into a
laboratory.  Three long tables occupied most of the room and on it lay 
bunsen burners, flasks of bubbling liquid, and other scientific 
apparatus.  Against one wall lay small cages for animals used in 
experiments and next to these two larger ones were a human could be 
held captive.  suddenly muffled voices could be heard from the passage 
and the two women slipped into the shadows to hide 

"I tell you Doctor Simbaca the servant girl Naomi and her and her
arrogant sister are becoming quite a problem," said Mrs Southgate 
stepping into the room. "I really don't know what to do with the two of 
them." 

"You leave them to me," he replied.  "Once we have the ancient document
to summon the supreme leader of the undead and that worthless girl has 
preformed the ceremony for us I will turn both of them over to     our 
creatures of the night for their pleasure.  They will make short work 
of them." 

"Yes, that is an excellent suggestion my good doctor," said Mrs.
Southgate a cruel smile slowly spreading over her face.  "But we must 
locate that document and learn the exact time of the ceremony for if we 
don't all will be lost.  Has she told you anything?" 

"No, she is as stubborn as her sibling," he replied. 

"Bring her out and let me question her," said Mrs. Southgate.  "Perhaps
you have been too soft of her." 

A few minutes later the young girl was brought out of her cell and
shackled between two heavy chains that hung from the ceiling.  She 
struggled against her bonds for a moment then stared with contempt at 
her captors. Lea was perhaps a year or two older then her sister and 
her dark skin glistened in the subdued light. 

"Now, are you going to tell me were the ancient document of the undead
is hidden and when this ceremony is to begin," said Mrs. Southgate.  
"One quick answer will spare you a gre    at deal of pain." 

"I will see you both rot in Hell before I tell you anything," she
replied. 

Mrs. Southgate then reached for a heavy leather belt and began to
savagely flail the buttocks and back of the helpless girl.  She 
screamed as the belt tore into her flesh and after six or seven stokes 
fainted. 

"This is no good Mrs. Southgate," said Simbaca.  "Let her recover and
later I will give her some drugs to make her talk." 

"Yes, perhaps you are right," she said.  "But her stubbornness has
filled me with so much anger I will be glad to be rid of her.  Maybe we 
should search the mausoleum one more.  The document may still be hidden 
away." 

The two then turned and left the laboratory leaving Lea hanging from the
chains.  the instant they were gone Samantha and Rebecca moved to her 
side and and found that she was beginning to regain consciousness. 

The two then left the laboratory leaving Lea still hanging from her
shackles. The instant that they were gone both Samantha and Rebecca 
rushe    d to the girl's side. 

"Is she all right Sam," said Rebecca? 

"Yes. I think so," she replied opening the cuffs with a key that lay on
the table.  "She is just beginning to come around." 

"Are you all right," said Samantha as the young girl began to open her
eyes. "We are friends of your sister and have come to help you." 

"Yes, I think so," she replied.  "It is so good to be free of those
chains.  "I thought that I would die when she began to beat me." 

"We must get out of here," said Rebecca.  "They could be back at any
moment." 

"No, let me rest a bit," said Lea.  "They will be still searching for
the ancient document of the undead but will never find it." 

"Why is this paper so important to Dr. Simbaca and Mrs. Southgate," said
Samantha?  "I thought that crazy old woman would actually kill you if 
you didn't tell her were the document was hidden." 

Yes, I think that she probably would have if someone hadn't stopped
her," said Lea.  "Mrs. Southgate tends to be very radical in getting 
her own     way. You see her husband died only last year of jungle 
fever and ever since she has been obsessed in contacting his dead 
spirit to the extend of offering her daughter as a means of obtaining 
it." 

"Is that possible," said Rebecca? "I always thought that the
supernatural was something that was preformed in the parlor by someone 
who was a fake." 

"Yes, that my be true in your American cities," said Lea.  "But here on
these remote islands Voodoo magic has been practiced for hundreds of 
years.  Even the educated Dr. Simbaca has filled under the spell of the 
Shaman.  He has become obsessed with learning the secrets of this 
twilight world and with the aid of Mrs. fortune has set up this 
laboratory to study every aspect of it." 

"Do you think that Elizabeth is also involved in this fiendish plot,"
said Rebecca? 

"No, I think she is nothing but an innocent pawn that has put in Harms
Way by a domineering mother," replied Lea.  "And I am afraid that if 
this ceremony is allowed to be carried out the     results could be 
catastrophic." 

"Well in that case we must put a stop to it," said Samantha.  "Or at
least not allow Elizabeth to be offered as a sacrifice." 

"Yes, I suppose you are right," replied Lea getting to her feet and
moving towards the door.  "But we must make our plans with great care 
for once this ritual has begun there is no turning back." 

"Perhaps there is something here that will help us Sam," said Rebecca
looking over the array of chemicals and powders. "I did always enjoy 
chemistry in high school." 

"Good idea Becky, said Sam. "Pick up anything that you think may create
a diversion. It may be our only hope." 

As the three women gathered a few chemicals, glass bottles and an array
of apparatus and left the laboratory hurrying to rejoin Naomi Mrs. 
Southgate and Dr. Simbaca searched the family crypt for the ancient 
document. After an hour of hunting an d finding nothing Mrs. Southgate 
sat on one of her family burial stones frustrated. 

"I can't understand it Dr. Simbaca," she said     turning off her
flashlight. "We have serched every inch of this miserable place and 
have found nothing." 

"But it must be here," he replied taking a seat next to the elderly
woman. "I am sure that the servant girl Naomi knows were it is located. 
 If I could only get her into my laboratory for a short spell I would 
make her talk." 

"Now Dr. Simbaca be patient," said Mrs. Southgate.  "We still hold the
sister and we also have that new drug that you have been experimenting 
with. It may prove to be useful." 

"Yes, that may be the answer," he replied.  "I have a vile of it here in
my bag. One injection of this and that pesky servant girl will be 
completely under our power." 

The sun was beginning to set as the three young woman slipped out of the
house and made their way towards the Sugar Mill.  Naomi was nowhere in 
sight and only one workman was on duty pushing long strands of sugar 
canes into a crusher for processing. 

My sister Naomi, have you seen her," said Lea to the workman? 

"Yes, on    ly five minutes ago," he replied.  "Mrs. Southgate and Dr.
Simbaca were here and the doctor gave her something.  They talked for a 
moment more and then she went away with them towards the Southgate 
crypt." 

"I would say they are using a drug to make her preform the ritual for
them," said Rebecca.  "What can we do to stop them?" 

"We may be able to use some of those chemicals you took from Simbaca's
laboratory Becky," replied Samantha.  "Do you know what they are?" 

"My collage chemistry is a little rusty Sam," she replied. "But what I
think I have here will either explode, burn, or give of a rather nasty 
gas.  In that small confined mausoleum they should work quite well." 

"Good bring them along," said Samantha moving towards the door, "My plan
is to slip into that crypt and disrupt that old woman's ritual and get 
both Naomi and Elizabeth out of there." 

The three then quickly made their way to the small cemetery and quickly
entered the crypt.  Crouching in the shadows they watched as M    rs. 
Southgate lay her drugged daughter on the altar and lit the candles 
that surrounded her. she then turned to face Dr. Simbaca. 

"You are certain my good doctor that Naomi will preform the ritual for
us," she said.  "For if she learns that her sister has escaped all will 
be lost." 

Have no fear Mrs. Southgate," he replied. "My new drug will save the day
for us. See how it is working on Elizabeth and now Naomi is completely 
under my power. Her sister is of little impotence." 

Samantha glanced over to were Naomi stood as if in a trance.  The young
girl then slowly moved to the far end of the altar and pushed one of 
the raised stones revealing a secret passage and a piece of ancient 
parchment.  With this in her hand she began to read. 

"Supreme ruler of the underground come forth and give us all that have
gathered here a sign," she said.  "We present to you this virgin in 
good faith on this day when the sun, the moon, and the stairs are 
aligned in the heavenly bodies to do with as you wish." 

Suddenl    y a distant clap of thunder was heard and a cold wind began
to blow through the crypt.  It rustled the candle flames on the altar 
and then a second more powerful clap was heard shaking the room. 

"Oh supreme ruler of the underworld I have heard your answer to my
call," she said. "Show yourself to me and take this poor helpless 
virgin girl into your most sacred order." 

Suddenly a scraping of stone could be heard in the darkness and a second
later the shuffling of feet.  An elderly tall thin figure of a man 
flanked by two young attractive women emerged from the gloom and moved 
forward.  They walked as if in a trance and stopped within three or 
four feet of the altar. 

"Who calls the supreme ruler," said the elderly man? "And why has the
ancient document of the dead been exposed?" 

"It is I that have summoned you," said Mrs. Southgate stepping forward. 
"I wish to learn learn the secrets of your world and offer my daughter 
as payment t  for obtaining those perplexity." 

"Some secrets should     be left well alone," he replied.  "Are you
fully prepared for this undertaking?  For once you begin there will be 
no turning back. To drink from the sacred cup of the undead is not to 
be taken lightly." 

"Yes, most certainly," she replied. "I have spent my entire life trying
to learn your secrets." 

"Very well then," he said pushing yet another stone in the side of the
altar. 

A moment later a second opening appeared and a golden goblet emerged. 
It contained a green frothy mixture and the supreme ruler reached for 
it. 

"Then drink," he said handing her the cup. "We will then see if your
loyalty is true and your daughter will be one of us." 

"I would reconsider the whole matter Mrs. Mrs. Southgate," said Samantha
stepping out of the darkness and into the light. "That liquid may 
unlock terrors that even you may be afraid to face." 

"Ah Miss Jones so good of you to join us," said Dr. Simbaca emerging to
the right of Samantha and brandishing a large black handgun. "Now I 
suggest you rem    ain quiet and let this ritual proceed." 

"Thank you Dr. Simbaca," said Mrs. Southgate lifting the heavy goblet.
"I trust there will be no further interruptions.  I now drink to my 
daughter's forevermore life as a disembodied spirit and proud member of 
this sacred order." 

As she drained the last of the liquid from the cup a terrified
expression spread over her face.  Her eyes began to cloud and the once 
attractive woman began to instantly age.  Rebecca reached for one of 
the glass vessels of chemicals in the darkness and passed a second one 
to Lea. 

"No, this cannot be happening to me," cried the elderly women her hair
turning snow white and her face taking of the appearance of leather and 
puss emerging lesions.  "This is too horrible to imagine. Please make 
it stop." 

As Mrs. Southgate sank to her knees Lea threw her glass vial into the
center of the room.  It shattered emitting a large quantity of blue and 
white smoke and a pungent odor.  Rebecca let her bottle fly in the 
direction of Doctor Simbaca     igniting his coat.  Samantha grabbed 
his revolver and broke away from the now flaming man moving towards the 
altar. 

"Becky you and Lea get Naomi out of here," she cried loosening the bonds
that held Elizabeth.  "This whole place is about to become an inferno." 


Are you all right Sam," said Rebecca moving to the side of her friend?
"You were right about this place turning into an inferno." 

"Yes, we  may have seen the last of Mrs. Southgate  and Dr. Simbaca
Becky," she replied.  "Nothing could live th   rrough that fire." 

The next morning Samantha started the motor of her small boat and
watched as Rebecca said goodbye to Naomi, Lea, and Elizabeth.  The 
drugs that Dr. Simbaca  had given the three young woman  had worn off 
and everyone was fine.  But Samantha still thought of the ancient 
ritual she had witnessed and the mysterious stranger she had seen.  The 
experience had proven to her that voodoo cults really do exist and just 
possibly there is a twilight world between the living and dead. 

The End 


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