Tattoo Voodoo: After The Ink Dries

By William F. Seeds

When five friends reunite for a birthday celebration in New Orleans, there is a lot to unpack. With a shared past and an affinity for tattoos, the group looks forward to commemorating the occasion with some ink. But after one friend selects a meaningful design, no one can predict the tragic consequences that

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: May 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798822916531

William F. Seeds

William F. Seeds began his journey as a storyteller in his mid-forties, proving that passion knows no timeline. From guiding novices in Get into Investing to exploring the sinister in Tattoo Voodoo, William has showcased a vast narrative range. Nano Ops, his latest saga, delves into the adventurous world of drone pilots and high-tech espionage. When he's not penning gripping tales, William is sharing updates on his personal website and gearing up for his next thrilling venture.

Book preview

CHAPTER

I

Introduction

Where is my phone? He asks, moving the papers around the desk. A female’s voice exclaims from the other room, in the kitchen, on the charger!

I need to get the airline information. The flight leaves at nine-thirty, I think. He walks into the kitchen and picks up the phone and starts scrolling. You might think about downloading music or something too! She says as the light in the bathroom gets flicked off. He can hear her rustling in the bedroom and the zipper on the small suitcase.

I am going to need your help with the big one. She says, exasperated from attempting to close it. He walks slowly into the bedroom, still looking at his phone, swiping and clicking. He lifts his head to see her holding two garments.

Which one for traveling? She says to him, expecting a quick response.

The red one. It’ll be hotter than hell when we land. He says, without hardly looking up.

I knew you would say that, she says under her breath and folds the other sloppily and lays it on the top of the other folded items in the large suitcase. She finishes the packing of the large suitcase by pushing down with all the weight her small frame had, in an attempt to try fitting a pair of walking shoes into the small space. Nick, will you please get off your phone and help me?

Of course, but… He starts to reply, when she abruptly cuts him off.

It’s eight! We need to go! She says, pushing her purse full of additional items for the trip.

He leans over to grab the edge of the suitcase to close the top, which is full of hair care products, shoes and socks to soften the impact of the travel. He pushes the top of the suitcase and zips around it to seal the contents. He drags the seventy pound luggage off the bed and lowers onto the floor, extending the handle.

You know we are only going for four days, right? he says walking toward the front door. He leans the bag against the wall by the door and goes back into the bedroom, where she is now standing, looking at her phone.

He takes a second to admire her, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. Reading on her phone and not even blinking. C’mon Roxie, we need to focus on leaving. He says to her, standing in the bedroom doorway.

She slowly leans down to grab her backpack and purse on the bed. Still looking at her phone, she swings the backpack on her left shoulder and walks toward him. He turns off the bedroom light and walks behind her to the door. He stands by the door while she checks a few more things around the apartment.

Take the stuff to the car. She says from the kitchen.

Ok. I’ll be back for the last stuff in a sec. He says, as he grabs the two luggage items and struggles through the door.

I think Jeff will already be at the airport by the time we get there. He says, looking over his shoulder, with the turn signal sound clicking.

I haven’t seen him since he had that party at his house. She replies, looking at her phone scrolling social media.

He’s been working for a packaged meat company and the turnover is pretty high, so he works like fifteen-hour shifts seven days a week. Nick says, as he nods and continues. It’ll be good to see him in vacation mode.

Roxie lifts her head from her phone and smiles at Nick, he’ll probably be half drunk before we take off, since he hates flying.

Nick laughs out loud. I forgot! he struggles to say, after taking a sip from his coffee. You think a big guy, that tattooed, wouldn’t be scared of anything! He continues to say. He has the most tattoos of anyone I know, but then again no real time to do anything else I guess. As he checks the lanes, taking the turn for the airport.

Park at the airport this time, we are late. She says, packing items into her purse.

Nick pulls into a parking spot, shifts the car into park and turns his head to her. I should probably tell you that Nathan was also invited.

She exhales loudly and looks back at him, I guessed, but thank you for telling me now instead of two weeks ago.

He turns the car off, collects his phone and charger cable in the center console, then looks up and says, He doesn’t like you either, so hopefully you can keep some distance from him.

We all grew up together and life is different for all of us now. He says to her. She is now visually upset over the new information and he could tell she was getting anxious. He doesn’t want to upset her anymore before they are in the airport terminal, so he remains quiet and collects the baggage from the car’s trunk. She slowly starts walking ahead of him as he struggles with the old luggage handle. He swings his backpack on both arms and grabs the handle of the large suitcase.

Walking next to her, he looks up and says, He’s different now, after the Navy.

She doesn’t look up to respond. I know, that’s what I am worried about. I haven’t seen him in over five years. Roxie is worried they will get into a loud argument instead of spending time with their common friend on his birthday.

The couple walks through the airport terminal quietly and then walks to the security check-in. The security guard looks at Roxie’s identification and then at her, Good morning, Ms. Smith. She simply replies shortly g’ morning sir with all she could muster, without tearing up again.

Nick was closely behind, handing his ticket to the guard. The guard takes a few seconds to take the papers from Nick. He looks at Nick quickly and back at his license again. I cleaned up for my vacation sir, Nick says as he waits for the guard to reply. You should keep this look, Mr. Seasons. You look like a criminal in your ID. The security guard replies, handing the papers back to him.

The couple makes no more small talk with each other and quietly moves through the rest of the security line. After a couple minutes, Nick looks at her and quietly says, You guys had a long history together and that’s all over. We have a lot of opportunities together and I’m happy to spend forever with you.

She leans her arm around his neck and looks up. I know and there’s so much more love in my heart for you than drugs convinced me I had for him. She sniffles and wipes the corner of her right eye with the cuff of her sweatshirt.

A lot has happened in the last five years… You got a bachelor’s degree and you have a great job now. We have each other and you aren’t begging for change to eat every day. His pleas attempt to break up the solemn tone.

She looks from the side of her eye at him and says, Now we need to get you a GED and smiles.

Smart ass he replies as he takes the next step in line for the x-ray. They collect their items on the x-ray conveyer belt and walk toward their gate.

Sheesh, the gate is way at the end… of course. She says. Why the hell is Will having his birthday all the way in freaking Louisiana? she exclaims to Nick. He is looking at his airline ticket for the gate number and just says, He’s also different, Roxie.

Hey, here’s a text from Jeff. Looks like he’s in the bar and the gate is across from it. Nick says, as he starts to hurry the pace and looks further down the runway. She walks faster with him as neither of them have seen Jeff in a while. They come around the corner to enter the bar.

Jeffrey! exclaims Roxie as she runs over to Jeff, throwing her arms around his neck and holding herself up to his chest. Jeff was a large man that you would think rides a big motorcycle and smokes cigars. A few hundred pounds of hairy humbleness. While the smoking days are gone, he never owned a motorcycle and doesn’t like when people assume he has one just because of his long beard and relatable biker appearance. Roxie was attached to him like a trinket around his neck, with one of his large hands lightly holding her lower back. Her soft, pale white legs curled up, as if she expected to be carried in her little skirt. Jeff patted her back lightly to ease her grip, as she dropped from his grasp to her feet.

Nick walks up behind her, with right hand stretched out to his old friend. They all greet each other with previously missed connections and settle into the seats of the bar booth seating.

Damn, you two look great. Jeff says before taking a sip from his beer.

We need to catch up with you then… Waitress? Nick says as he turns around and lifts his hand in the air, looking at the young lady at the bar.

So Jeff, are you working a little less or more these days? Getting some time to yourself yet? Roxie eagerly asks.

Jeff looks at her and says yes, finally. In the last year or so and met a good girl that works at the grocery store. Not really sure if that means I’m getting more time to myself or not, but we have fun.

Gosh, I think the last time I saw you was at your party a few years ago. I was still in school, but graduated last year. Roxie says to Jeff as she lifts his beer to smell it. I’ll have that! She says looking at Nick.

The waitress arrives at the table, shuffling papers in a small billfold of receipts. "What are