(A report from the desk of Police Inspector Roseline Baptiste)

  Translated from Haitian Creole

  There was a momentary pause, Elvis and his friend both stared at me.

  "I have a plan to help you two escape, but I need some time to set up a distraction." Elvis continued staring at me. He shook his head in disbelief.

  "What do you mean by distraction? And nevermind about that, you're still hurt-"

  "Please,-" I cut him off. "I need you to trust me. I do not have time to explain but I want to help you." I motion up the stairs. "Take your friend and get moving. The police will be here any moment now."

  Roseline rolls a 19 on a diplomacy check

  There was a deafening silence. He looked at me still in confusion. Eventually he looked over to his partner.

  "Al, I think she's telling the truth." His friend began a series of hand movements. "He says he trusts you." His partner glared at him disapprovingly. "Sorry, I mean why should he trust you? Hey Al man I'm trying here but I need you calm down a little. Your signing is all spastic when you're upset."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Signing? Is he deaf?" Al began to signal a response but was interrupted by the sound of distant sirens. A distant sound that was quickly becoming louder.

  "They are coming for you." I shift my.gaze between the two men. "Please, go now!" I point up the stairs again.

  This time there is no push back as both men started up the stairs. As I turned away and started to prepare the "distraction" I was called from behind.

  "Hey Rosie, I…thanks." I wanted to say "You're welcome." But I could not make my mouth form the words in time. Before I could fully rotate to look up the stairs the men had disappeared onto the roof.

  At last it was just me standing alone on the stairs. I had a plan but I did not know if it would work. I started down the stairs I had regained my vitality from earlier. When I reached the bottom floor I closed my eyes. Then grabbing the charm around my neck I spoke the words that had been pervading my brain since the night.

  Papa Legba, hear my cries…

  I need your help and your advice.

  I opened my eyes to the elderly figure I had seen in my dream. He had white hair, a long white beard. He wore a straw hat with a long black coat, his eyes were striking white pits set deep into his gaunt face.

  "Hello my child." He started. "What can I do for you?"

  I took a deep breath and looked up into the glowing embers that were his eyes.

  "I want power, strength enough to help Elvis and his friend escape." He stood puzzled for a moment. His eyes focused on me and his hand running the length of his chin. Then he let out a chilling laugh.

  "Yes," he flashed a big twisted grin. "I think we can manage that."