Naked Crow 11: Jinn

Jinn

Jinn - © Copyright 2022 - P.Z. Walker

Book 11 in the Naked Crow series.

This is a work of fantasy fiction, and as a work of fiction, any resemblance to people, places or things is entirely accidental. The creation of certain buildings and locations is entirely the work of the author to avoid conflict and comparison with existing structures.

General notice.

This work of fiction deals with nudism and will mention nudity. It's sad that this has to be mentioned, as nudity should not be the shocking state that a person can be in that's it considered these days. Note that this means nudity, not sex.

License Notes.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the site where it was purchased and buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of the author.

Foreword

Welcome, dear reader, to the eleventh (!) Naked Crow book.

First off: when you think there’s been enough Naked Crow in your library, please let me know. I’ll stop writing about Sheila’s adventures.

Second off: clothes. I guess that’s a given.

I hope you will find pleasure in this new story.

Chapter 1

Sheila's phone mentioned Lizzy as it rang. She frowned. Lizzy? Who was... Then she remembered. Of course. Lizzy, from the Wiccan Coven she and Jeremy had belonged to. Together with Wendy and Josy they had left that group after Sheila's first strange experience at the Mighty Oaks, retrieving Josy from the strange place and time she'd fallen into.

Hi, this is Sheila. Lizzy? Is that really you?

Hello, Sheila. The voice on the other end sounded relieved in a strange way. I'm so glad this number is still working. The vibes Sheila picked up from the woman told her that Lizzy was scared.

Is something the matter? the Shaman asked directly. She hadn't heard from Lizzy in years, so this wasn't just a social call. Not with the fear she heard in Lizzy's voice.

Yes. There is. We have... an issue. And I really would like to talk to you about it in person. Somewhere. Not over the phone. Is that possible?

Sheila told Lizzy that, of course, that was possible. They just had to agree on a place and time, and they'd be good. Lizzy asked if Sheila knew a safe place somewhere outside.

And if we could go there tonight, that would be great.

That was quick, Sheila thought. I have to work until six tonight. Now I do have a place outside, but I'm not sure if you're up for that. She told Lizzy where she worked and invited her over for the evening.

No. No, Sheila, sorry but... I can't do that. I can't go to such a place. Isn't there a place near there where we can meet instead?

Of course, no problem, but I hope you don't mind if Jeremy comes along then. He's coming over for dinner here and it would be kind of stupid to run off and leave him waiting.

Lizzy said that was fine. They decided on a small recreational area, further up the road. They'd meet there at half past seven.

***

There it is, Sheila said and pointed.

And she's already there. I'm curious what's up that she called you all of a sudden. Jeremy turned into the small parking space. Lizzy, who sat at one of the wooden benches, got up but didn't come closer. I bet she fears we're nude.

I wish we still were...

They left the car.

Lizzy quickly got up. Sheila. Jeremy. So good to see you. She hesitated a moment before walking up to them. I heard you got married?

Your spies are right, Jeremy said. We got married.

I'm sure that's not why you wanted to see us, though, Sheila added. She winked. But we can tell you everything you want to hear about our wedding day.

Lizzy chuckled. I'll take you up on that later, okay? Maybe we can sit down?

The three found a spot at the picnic table, then Sheila and Jeremy waited for Lizzy to start talking.

Okay, this may sound very wild, she started. You remember the coven, don't you? It was a bit silent when you left the group, but we attracted a few more members. Good people, you know, serious in practicing Wicca, and sometimes we're stepping out to find something new. We've looked at Druidry, Shamanism and also some Germanic traditions. All that went fine.

Until something didn't go so well, Sheila understood. She was already picking up warning signals. They were so strong that she wondered if even Jeremy would pick them up.

Yes. We had a few newcomers to the group and they're Arabic. Really nice folks, and also fascinating traditions. But...

But? Sheila sensed there was trouble ahead.

But dangerous ones too. Lizzy spread her hands out over the rough, wooden table. Something went wrong. Well, not exactly wrong, but the effect wasn't what we had hoped for.

Sheila hoped the woman would stop avoiding the actual problem. It was obvious that the Wiccan group had managed to do something with a ritual, which was good. And that had blown up in their faces. And that was where she had to come in.

We summoned a Jinn.

A Jinn... Sheila had read about them, but that was long ago. That's an Eastern kind of spirit, right?

Lizzy shook her head. Not exactly. It's more than that. It's a powerful entity that can be demonic or helpful. The one we summoned is... helpful. But in the wrong way. We... Lizzy balled her fists as she tried to find the right words.

Jeremy looked at Sheila. She knew what he was thinking. Would this ghost business ever stop? She knew it wouldn't and she was convinced that, deep down, he knew that too.

I guess we didn't really think this through. No one knew exactly how to go about this, so we read up on the subject as much as possible, and we trusted Abbas. He's the one who summoned the Jinn in the end.

Sheila noticed that Acaraho was following the conversation and sensed his curiosity. This was probably his first encounter with a spirit world that was so different from his own. It was also for Sheila. She didn't like what Lizzy had to say and even less how the implied consequences sounded. So what did you do? What happened? And... I guess you got the Jinn? That was part exciting and part scary, the more because she knew little about Jinns.

Lizzy explained that they had read lots of texts, translated from Arabic. Abbas couldn't read the originals either, so that was their best shot. Then they had collectively done a week of fasting and meditating in a shadowy place. According to Abbas, that was enough to build up the energy to call upon Jinns. After that week we joined Abbas in chanting Arabic texts while he called out for the Jinn he wanted. Lizzy pursed her lips and looked at Sheila, who understood that the Jinn had come. The wrong one.

How bad is it? the Shaman asked. During her years of dealing with spirits and demons, she knew that anything could happen. Certainly in the hands of amateurs who had no spirit guide. Sheila knew she'd been extremely lucky, meeting Acaraho, and later Coahoma too.

Lizzy clearly had to think about the right answer. "It's not, well, lethal. Abbas will live just fine. But at the moment it's not the way he had hoped. See, he wanted a Jinn that would help him get a girlfriend. Somehow things got messed up a bit and now he has a Jinn that wants to be his girlfriend."

Sheila had no words for that. How could that have happened? Acaraho informed her that neither he nor Coahoma could help with this. They were as ignorant about Jinn as Sheila and Jeremy were.

That's a very strange problem, Sheila said after a while. It felt neutral enough to be safe.

Tell me about it. Abbas is terrified to go out at the moment. When he looks at a woman, his Jinn is there to... inform him she's there for him. Only the people who were in the circle that summoned her are okay, but even us women have to watch our words.

Okay, that's downright scary. Sheila suddenly wished that Lizzy had lost her phone number.

And I've heard some... things about you, and so I thought you might be able to help us fix this.

The Shaman looked at Lizzy and wondered what and how she'd heard. She'd done her utmost to keep her abilities secret as much as possible. Perhaps she'd ask about that later. It was clear that Lizzy's group, or whatever they were, had a serious problem on their hands. It did mean that more people would learn about her abilities, which was the opposite of what she wanted.

Suppose I can indeed do something for you, Sheila said, wanting to keep her abilities a secret as much as possible for now, what do you expect from me?

Lizzy shrugged. I don't really know. I just heard some stuff about you, that you deal with spirits and such. The woman studied Sheila's face. Do you?

Let's stick to what you want first, okay? Sheila hoped this wasn't too much a dismissal that it screamed 'yes' in response to the question.

Okay. We're hoping that you can come and have a look first. To see what's happening with Abbas. And maybe you know a way to get rid of that Jinn, because we've tried a few thins and they didn't work well.

Sheila picked up something very bad or sad from Lizzy. How did they not work well? Lizzy's apparent faith in her knowledge should have been flattering, but she had no idea what those people were up against.

It took Lizzy a lot of effort to explain that two of the Coven members had ended up in hospital. They challenged the Jinn and Beth claimed Abbas as her boyfriend. Not that she would want him, but she had read some spells and thought that it would work against the Jinn.

And instead, the Jinn worked against her, Jeremy said. It was too logical not to see.

That's one way to put it. Lizzy sighed again. She was in the hospital for only a few days. Marvin's still in there.

Sheila didn't like the sound of that. She'd dealt with lots of nasty stuff, but none of that had put anyone in hospital through her fault. I'm really sorry your friend has to go through that, Lizzy. I... Goodness, how could she find a way out of this? Let me think about this, okay? I have no idea what Jinn are and what they can do, apart from what you just told me. I don't know what someone could do against them, or if that's even possible. That was as far as she wanted to go at the moment.

Lizzy nodded. I understand. You know, I'm relieved you actually wanted to talk to me. Listen to me. This isn't the stuff I would tell just anyone. But what I've heard people whisper about you gave me just enough courage.

That was the final straw. Which people? And what did they whisper? Sheila knew it wouldn't matter but she just had to know.

Lizzy shrugged as she blushed. Just... people. From where you work. I don't know them by name but I do get around and I hear things.

I see. Sheila looked at her husband as he put a hand on her arm. Jeremy shook his head for a moment. She understood. Don't go on about that. Okay. Let me think about this for a while, Lizzy. This is all... a bit overwhelming. That at least was something she could say in all honesty.

Lizzy said she understood that. They, as in the group, were still having trouble coping with the whole situation as well, even though they'd been dealing with this for a few weeks already. I'm grateful that you were even willing to listen to this crazy stuff, she said. And I really hope to hear back from you. Somehow she'd tangled up her fingers and took some time to undo that. But I would understand if you think it's total madness.

As I said, I need some time, Lizzy. Sheila didn't want to give the woman high hopes, but she also didn't want her to feel as if she was going to have to deal with that Jinn on her own. And I'll definitely get in touch with you, okay?

Okay. Lizzy nodded. Thank you. That's wonderful. She hesitated as she fumbled with her fingers again, visibly nervous. "And don't worry, Sheila. I just heard things, and those are what I based my hopes on. She got up and pulled her car keys from a pocket. I, ehm, I'd better go now."

Sheila and Jeremy also got up. We'll let you know. And Lizzy? Take care, okay?

I will.

***

A Jinn. Jeremy shook his head as they drove off. I hadn't expected that.

Neither had I, Sheila said. I'm not even sure if I know how to write that word. We'll have to read up on that.

Where do you want to go? Back to the resort? Or home?

Sheila opted for home. That was the safest place to look into Jinn and what they could do. You know, I'm not sure if this is something I should get involved in. Jinn. That's so distant from Native American traditions.

So were the ghosts of those subway workers from Argentina, Jeremy reminded her, and you did a kick-ass job with them, remember? But if you feel this is not for you, just tell Lizzy. They got themselves into this fix, they should be able to find a way out.

Sheila shook her head. But they can't, you heard that. They tried, and some folks ended up in the hospital. She frowned. Maybe your dad can help with that. If he can find out who they are and where they are, I could go visit them and ask what they encountered. What do you think? Would he do that?

I'd say you call him.

Sheila dug up her phone and dialed the number.

Chapter 2

The next morning Jeremy dropped Sheila off at work because her own car was still there.

It was quiet as she walked down the path towards the parking lot. A few times she stopped and closed her eyes, just to breathe in and feel the serenity of this place around her. Coming here this early has its advantages, she told herself.

She reached her car, stripped and put her clothes in the back where they'd wait for her. The early hour made the air feel chilly. Coming here this early also has its disadvantages, she decided, so she walked a bit faster. Nothing like a bit of exercise before a day of running around, right?

Mandy? Sheila was surprised to see her friend there already.

Mandy was opening up the reception building. Hey, you're early.

Look who's talking, Sheila responded. What happened? Usually you're not that early.

John called me; he's not feeling totally great today so he asked if I could open up. And so, here I am. Mandy looked at Sheila. You're not scared, are you? It's just a bit too cold for me now.

Hah. I had already locked away my clothes so I just went for it. And as long as you're moving, it's fine. But now I need coffee, so hurry up, girl!

As Mandy unlocked the door and powered up everything inside, she told Sheila that Victor had dropped off two new summer helpers. They were already doing the first round of trash bag collecting, using a map Victor had given them. Sheila was impressed.

Fifteen minutes and a great talk later, the sun was reaching into the building and warmed everything nicely. Sheila praised herself again for having this job.

Are we getting many new people in today? she asked Mandy, who had fired up her computer.

Not much. One family, later today, Mandy replied. Bit of a special care kid, he's on crutches. Missing half a leg, but they didn't ask for special amenities apart from having a large cabin close to the parking lot. Which we arranged.

Of course you did. Sheila rinsed her mug and put it away. I'm going to make a round.

Sometimes I envy you for that, Sheila. It has to be so cool to go around the park the way you do, and see if things are alright.

Next time when John's here, you're coming with me, okay? Sheila winked. That's not today, but I mean it.

You're on! Mandy looked happy at the prospect. But a short round, okay? I can't leave John alone for too long.

That made Sheila feel good. Mandy had had this job for less than a year, but she showed a responsibility as if she'd helped to build this enterprise.

"Oh... when you go out... could you check cabin 19? That's Mr Barnum. Bernard Barnum. He complained about something being broken. Mike was going to look at it but he