I watched the man, and I watched the snake, and I waited for the snake to give me some sign of recognition or understanding, but there was none.

It was just a snake.

And then I thought, Are you with me, Voice? Are you with me, my Aka Manah? I couldn’t feel him then, can’t feel him now, but it doesn’t mean he’s gone. After all, if I heard him shouting when he was far away and whispering when he was near… doesn’t it follow that his silence means he’s… inside me?

Top Hat Camera Clip #2

Naida Camera Footage

Time Index Not Noted

Naida moves around the crowd and Kaitlyn follows. She bypasses the screaming, which has grown in pitch and volume, instead taking a narrow path of darkness to the back of the room. We follow because Kaitlyn does.

It doesn’t take long to realize where she is headed. A man sits languidly in a large chair beside what appears to be an altar. It is decorated with flowers, fruit, seeds, broken mirror shards, bottles of liqueur, candles, baby dolls, and other statuettes.

He wears a vest shirt, revealing built arms covered in small scars in some obviously meaningful pattern. His earlobes are stretched to accommodate two large horn plugs, and he wears several talismans around his neck.

“Naida,” he says in a deep voice. “Sister.”

[END OF CLIP]

Diary of Kaitlyn Johnson

Sunday, 9 January 2005, Continued

Sister!

I stared at Naida, and if she knew I was thinking WHAT THE HELL, NAIDA? she gave no sign. I felt him before I saw him. I’ve never experienced that before. It was like it was is with Carly when we transition, except more vivid real. I could feel this guy, I could smell his power—if power is a scent. I could taste it, if it’s a flavor, feel it like a kiss or a stab.

Haji looked so much like Naida. The same chin, the same nose, the same pale skin… the same piercing, yet almost colorless eyes that seem to see so much and feel so little. Dead ocean eyes. I could barely look at him, even as he stared at me.

He caught me staring at the little straight scars along his arms.

“I cut power into my skin,” he said, pointing. “One for every sacrifice, and one in a perpendicular direction for every grant.”

There are more sacrifices than grants.

And he does have power. I could feel that too.

Top Hat Camera Clip #3

Naida Camera Footage

Time Index Not Noted

Naida curtsies low. “Haji, Brother, good health on your dwelling. I come seeking your blessing.”

“I told you never to come here, piuthar.” His voice is deep, tinged with a strong Scottish accent.

“I need help.”

He dips his head, but his eyes, penetrating and bright, never leave her face. “Does Seanmhair know you are here?”

“No. And I want to keep it that way. Our grandmother has enough to worry about. Haji, I need a guide for what I’ll be attempting very soon. I need advice.”

“Advice is not free. And guidance”—he laughs—“is really not free.”

“I know that, Brother. I also know that money is worthless.”

“Seanmhair taught you something at least, since I left.” He looks at Kaitlyn once more. “And you? Why are you here?”

Naida steps in front of Kaitlyn, blocking her brother from our view. “You’ll be dealing with me. Respectfully.”

“If you want advice, then my price is honesty.”

Naida hesitates. “You have it.”

“If you want my guidance as well… then the price is honesty from her. Your little dautie.”

Naida stands silent for what seems too long. Eventually she says, “What of… supplies?”

“Cash. Money is not so worthless when supplies are concerned.” He shrugs, gesturing helplessly. “Sannt.”

“You think it greed to request money?”

He raises his hands, as though helpless. “What can be done, eh?”

“Fine.”

Haji nods low. “It is a great shame I did not get to know you very well. I am sorry for that.”

Naida shrugs. “You were gone before I had a chance to remember you.” She hesitates. “I regret that too.”

Haji nods, regarding her, then gets fluidly to his feet. “Follow me.”

He turns and draws open the heavy curtain behind his chair. We follow him into a room a fraction as big as the entrance room, where the people writhe and moan. Here are the wares of his trade—rows of shelves holding jars of all shapes and sizes. The jars are old and murky, and it is difficult to see the contents of many, but numerous frames paused for detail reveal animal parts, root herbs, powders, and liquids of varying color. Here and there hang trickbag talismans and conjure bags.

Kaitlyn takes a superficial look at them before passing on with Naida into the back of the room, where Haji opens a door, this time with a key. He waits for Naida and Kaitlyn to go inside, and then shuts it firmly behind all three of them.

“Sit,” he says, gesturing to a circular carpet in the center of the room. Naida and Kaitlyn comply, while Haji walks around lighting candles that throw a warm, flickering glow over the dim surroundings. The room seems dank.

Naida, as though responding to a glance from Kaitlyn, shakes her head and smiles slightly as if to say everything is okay.

“What is your name?” Haji asks from the darkest part of the room, where he is still lighting his candles.

“Carly,” Naida says.

“My people call me Brother,” Haji says, eyes boring into Kaitlyn. “That is the truth.”

There is a small silence, then Kaitlyn shifts.

“Kaitlyn.” Her voice is soft. “My name is Kaitlyn.”

“She understands my price. You, it seems, do not. I will withhold one piece of information from you.” He looks at Kaitlyn. “And to you, I will give one truth.”

“I’m sorry—I…” Naida stammers. “Carly’s who we’re here about.”

Haji, finished with his candles, sits down, facing the girls so that they are sitting in a circle. His expression is hard, closed, and expectant.

“Tell me what is needed, and I will offer both advice and guidance. Minus one piece of information.”

“And one truth,” Kaitlyn says, and Haji’s eyes seem to sparkle as they turn on her.

Naida is about to speak when he holds up his hand.

“One more thing. After we are done, you must never return to this place. Never seek me out again. I have told Seanmhair to tell you this, and I have told you myself, long ago. Never come here, Naida, dautie. It is not safe.”

Naida hesitates. “I swear it.”

“Fine. Give me that hat, and we will begin.”

Naida glances at Kaitlyn, hesitates, and then nods.

The camera wobbles as Kaitlyn removes her hat and hands it over. We spin around, stare up into Haji’s stern face, and then the screen goes black.

[END OF CLIP]