Chapter 2

July 2, 1989

So, after adjusting to the memories of the guy who occupied this body before me. I realized now the true meaning of wasted potential. Let me tell you, this guy is 5'6" a little tall for 9-years-old I know, golden amber eyes, and has been picked on the guys because he has white-silver hair, but the chicks love it…

This guy is a total stud… and know I'm a total stud. I can't complain, really. I've always wanted a girlfriend. I never know if it was because of my Mambo mother, looks, or the fact that was only 9 and people don't really have girlfriends until maybe 12/13, I guess.

But anyway, this gut allowed himself to be bullied and was extremely shy. He had a good physique and never played sports, my test grades were better than his which is weird because his head is full of more chemistry and physics than id like.

All he seemed to care about was trains, High-speed trains which is kind of groovy, I can dig but I refuse to act like this guy. Plus, I have better shit to do than sit around and read about trains. So, this Papa goes downstairs for breakfast and all these people eat at the orphanage is cream of wheat.

This papa can't dig that, but the free time the head lady gave us for the day was really groovy. And I used it wisely. I grabbed a phone book and found all kinds of Occult shops. I tore out the page, took a backpack from the steps- Yes, I stole it- and I left.

It was about a 30 minutes walk from the orphanage when I got there, it was a neat little shop with a big sparkling sign that read 'Lady Black Swans' Occult Corner'. I mean I guess but, why black swan?

When I entered the store it's the first thing, I asked her.

"Excuse me, love? Why Black Swan?"

She turns around sharply and stares me down before replying

"Because I'm an elegant oddity of society. However, they can't help but admire my beauty" in strong London accent as she put the back of her hand on her forehead and tilt her head back striking a dramatic pose to emphasize how much hot shit, she thought she was.

"Hahaha Okay, I can dig it," I tell her as I walk to the sign that says candles in the back of the store to start my shopping.

I Pick up candles, chalk, tarot cards, maraca, Red and black cloth, and a coconut. On my way to the door, I came across the book section and started to browse through the pages. The more I browsed the faster I went through the pages, something felt different. It came to a point where I could look at the page for a couple of seconds and remember everything that was on the page

At first, I thought it was my imagination so went through at least 10 more books before I realized two things. The first thing was, I have a photographic memory. The second, this world's view on my magic was complete horse shit. Putting down the book I noticed that it was getting late and it was time for me to head back. I stuff everything in my backpack and ran out of the shop door -What was I supposed to do? Pay with imaginary money.-

I'll pay her back another day.

When I got back to the orphanage. I took a bottle of rum and cigar from the head lady and took some candy from the other kids that stayed there before heading to the attic and lock the door.

Cleansing the space. I lay down my cloth to set up my ritual space.

Taking the chalk, I looked deep within myself self before drawing Papa Legba's veve to bring him here for some answers. Placing the bowl of candy on the cloth, I lit the cigar and placed it on a tray while it burned.

Grabbing the bottle of Rum, I called out to that old trickster:

Papa Legba, open the gate for me, ago e!

Atibon Legba, open the gate for me!

Open the gate for me, Papa, for me to pass,

When I return, I will thank the loa.

However, this time something was different.

The magic felt different than when I performed it in New Orleans. Instead of a presence, I could feel magic coursing through emitting out of my body to the world…

Before I could figure exactly what was happening, I was pulled into dark space.

"What you want boy? You should be off enjoying your life"- Papa Legba called out from the darkness

"My mother was murdered in front of me and then I died myself. I know she's okay, but, I'ma still need some time. I called you for a different reason though… The world is backward. They have no concept of magic, Voodoo isn't voodoo. Magic doesn't feel the same anymore, I'm 9 years old, in London, and it is fuċkɨnġ 1989! This shit is not Groovy! Now tell me something before I call my momma..."

I was getting pissed, and he supposed to be my daddy.

He ain't no help. But he appeared out of the darkness with wide eyes, waving his hands and said,

"Hold on, hold on now. No need to call yo momma. Trying to get me in trouble… Listen up because the next time you call for me the Bondye won't allow me to answer…. This is his last gift to you, Little papa Dubois."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A Loa was scared of my momma, well actually she one badass mambo, he should be scared.

"Okay, well tell me something, papa. Start with this whole Bondye restriction."

Now brace yourself. He told me a whole lot.

"This is not your world boy, everything is the same but it's different. Common folks know nothing about magic. Magic is something you are born with here. Voodoo isn't real here, so the Loa don't exist here but, the Bondye has access to this plane so he allowed us a one-time phone call.

The magic folk of our people on this plane call voodoo, ancestral magic only the Africans and Native Americans have access to. And its considered dark magic because in this world spirits aren't needed to perform magic. But they tie the spirits to a pocket dimension to draw on the dead ancestors' magic, amplifying theirs.

Now in this world magic is a secret thing, that's why the humans' concept of magic is all fuċkėd up and you need to keep it a secret as well. Because I'm sure the magic you just used alerted the head honchos that you a sorcerer or wizard, that's what they call male magic users here. That's what the Bondye told me. Females are still called witches though. Anyway, the Bondye said take this time period or go back to Baron Samedi (Death).

And also, the Bondye said to find a place called 'the leaky cauldron' on 'Charing Cross Road' and ask for access to 'Diagon Alley'. You have a photographic memory and if want something, be a man and go get it.

Yo momma said she loves you and good luck. And I'm telling you, boy, you gone love it here. So, stay true to your heart and live free, son"

After he finished saying his piece, I was back in the attic. I guess I'm here to stay. At least I have a better understanding of what's going on though. But tomorrow should be interesting…