Bayou of Branches

Delphina and Lucian knew, since they were youngens, the Bayou of Branches held secrets. Those secrets came on the river that flooded every year. Those secrets only came with the floods. 

Delphina and Lucian never understood why their parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and so forth though having a camp for us children of the Bayou was a good idea at the Branches. Lordy, them Branches scared the devil right out of Delphina and Lucian. They grew up in the Branches ethereal shadows. The devil was meant to be scared outta them. So, the devil would not scare those who were not born of the Branches

“Voodoo Lucian. You know it”

“Yeah Phina I know”

“I hear the Branches is where Voodoo rituals were done to protect us from the white folk”

Luican eyed his twin. Delphina knew all to well what that look was. The look of “you ain’t supposed to know, but you know cause you are blessed” Didn’t matter if Phina and Lucian were not allowed to listen in, they still did. What momma, gran and great gran kept hush, their blood told Phina and Lucian.

“Blessed” Phina thought on this word. Phina was born, not blessed with the gift.

Just like her momma. Her gran, and her grans before. But what makes Phina unique is she has a twin who happens to be a boy. Lucian has the gift also, but he doesn’t like to speak of it.

The Branches, which everyone in the Bayou called it, was land given in blood. Phina, and Lucian’s ancestors blood. They say the river that snakes through the Branches ran with this blood, and the blood of their masters.

Now. The Branches is full of screaming children ages 8-12. A camp for poor children. Black. White. Hispanic. Does not matter. Phina, and Lucian’s gran and great gran made sure all poor children of the Bayou would be able to come to the Branches. For the Branches are beautiful. The Branches welcome all of those who have felt, in one way or another, the boot of a master. The Branches nourish. Protect. Defend.

Smiles come upon Delphina and Lucian’s faces hearing the laughter of so many who were close to not remembering what laughter was. 

“did ya hear that Luce?”

“Yup” luce smiled

The Branches responded with soft warm laughter. This is why the Bayou of the Branches is more heavy with the heat, and the river that once ran with blood, cleanses those who need a repreive

Cleo and Alistar watch over. Gators feel things beyond human understanding