The spirit inside Cynthia

Cynthia spied the glass jar on the top of the short concrete step to her small modest home and thought nothing of it. It looked like just an ordinary glass jar that one of the neighborhood kids left behind while playing under the big breadfruit tree in the yard, and it sure  looked  innocent enough.

Absentmindedly,  she opened the bottle and sniffed at the brown powdery contents.

She broke into a coughing fit wheezing and gasping she went into the kitchen for a drink of tap water. She felt dizzy and sat down to get herself together. For the next few hours everything was fine, then Cynthia was ready for bed and started feeling lightheaded and dizzy again.   She woke up and made her way to the kitchen where her mother Julie found her fainted on the floor.

Jerome, Cynthia’s stepfather, had to assist his wife Julie in moving her daughter to her bedroom.

Cynthia could be heard fitfully tossing, turning and muttering in her sleep.   The next day she was running a high fever, her lips were parched and dry she was asking for water which she spat back up.

When her mom checked in on her later she was sitting up in her bed   smiling and muttering to herself.  It was weird.

“Bonjay sa ki faire Cynthia nuh ? e ka wi kor moun ki foll,”  (Oh God what is wrong with Cynthia?  She is acting like someone who is crazy) Julie said to Jerome in a very worried tone.

Cynthia’s behavior became erratic.  One time she was normal, except for her fever, and another time she sat in the middle of her bed rocking back and forth with her thumb in her mouth muttering and laughing silently to herself.  She looked like she was going crazy.

No one suspected a thing; the family just assumed that Cynthia caught a bug, but when Ma Julie went to check on her, she was restlessly tossing her head from side to side oblivious to anyone else in the room. As Ma Julie got a little closer, Cynthia  stopped tossing her head and started  speaking French in the voice of a man. Ma Julie rushed out of the room holding her head and bawling

“Bonjay Woy ! Woy ! ” she was screaming louder and getting more hysterical as the realisation hit her that something evil had taken hold of her daughter.

She went to relate the incident to Jerome, who came back to the room with her but Cynthia was sleeping as peacefully as ever and Jerome just told Julie that she was just behaving stupid over nothing.  Julie got mad because now she was made to look like a liar.   she shouted “mae sakway tonneh Jerome,  sah sah yeh nuh ou mem? chupes ”

A little later she decided to take some food to Cynthia and she asked Jerome to accompany her as she was afraid to go in by herself.

Reluctantly he went and Cynthia was up, this time he got a taste of what his wife witnessed earlier, the spirit manifested itself calling them every nasty name in the book.    Jerome was so surprised, especially when the glass of juice came flying towards his head,  luckily for him it just smashed against the door jam.

The news spread around that there was a jumbie on Cynthia and it was speaking French.  Everybody was curious and they were all came to visit to hear the jumbie cursing in French.  It was frightfully shocking to say the least, but unbelievably entertaining. Cynthia was normally a very docile and shy girl so it was very funny to hear such obscene and vulgar language coming from her. This ordeal had taken a serious toll on her appearance and she now looked a lot older than her 25 years and very haggard.

They made an attempt to get Father Jim the village Catholic Priest to remove the jumbie but there was a lot of protocol involved, so when someone recommended that they send to get a garday (Spiritual Herbalist) from Guadeloupe by the name of Serge, Jerome and Julie did not hesitate.   It was not very easy to get a hold of Serge, and his services were not cheap either, but Cynthia was getting from bad to worse, something had to be done and fast.

There was much to do and excitement when Serge arrived.  Tall, dark, and strikingly handsome Serge was in his mid thirties, his  neatly trimmed goatee, complimented his slicked-back wavy hair held tightly in a ponytail.   He created quite a sensation among old and young women alike.

Armed with a black duffel bag contents being a medium sized glass jar with cemetery dirt,  pure olive oil, protection oil, Florida water,  Banishing, Van Van, Double Crossing, Run Devil Run Incenses, Fiery Wall of Protection Powder,  a clear plastic bag of hot peppers, 7 white candles, a brand new  pair of very sharp silver scissors, fast burning coals , a small iron pot and a few pieces of low John the Conqueror root. He had also a large white cloth with a very large circle drawn in black.  In the circle were some ancient symbols and the four cardinal points.

Serge prepared the room by anointing the door frame and window panes with the pure olive oil and cleansing his hands with Florida water, he then annointed himself with the protection oil.

He proceeded to smoke out the room by mixing the various incenses on fast burning coals.  He had the jar with the cemetery dirt slightly opened and close to him.   Cynthia sat down in the middle of the bed with a blank expression, her mouth slackly opened, the demonic spirit was quiet within her.  Through her it was watching….waiting…to strike but Serge was ready, he knew his job, this was not new to him…he was prepared and very much alert. Through some mysterious manner he had subdued the spirit ahead of time, so that Cynthia did not harm him and herself during the cleansing process.

He placed the large white cloth on the floor and carefully lit the white candles placing them  around him and offered up a prayer to St Michael patron saint of protection. Slowly and deliberately he sprinkled the fiery wall of protection powder in the circle so that the spirit would be unable to possess him.   Glancing up towards Cynthia  with an intense and very stern look he addressed the demonic spirit in his native French language denouncing its occupancy of an innocent young girl and demanded that he leave her alone.   He muttered some more incantations.

Cynthia’s expression transformed from blank and empty to a look of pure hatred. Pig like grunts emitted from deep within her throat  and in a raspy voice, verbally attacked Serge, Cynthia, Jerome and everyone in the most vulgar and obscene manner imaginable.

Serge was ready for action, chewing on a piece of low John the Conqueror he stepped out of the protective circle  and with three swift and purposeful steps, he made his way to Cynthia’s side and deftly locked his left forefinger into the middle of her head.  He used his right hand and one by one firmly fed the hot peppers to Cynthia.  It was show time! Questions needed to be answered and the Borda Ma Jacque  (hot peppers) would surely do the trick.

When asked by Serge what his name, who sent him and what was his purpose, the spirit responded that he was Jean Jacques Labode of Guadeloupe who had died by gunshot and on the third day of his death, his spirit was summoned by one Monsieur Pierre Chateau of Guadeloupe, a garday working at the request of one Mamzelle Joanna Castille from Dominica, an ex-girlfriend of Jerome Prosper sent to kill one Julie Prosper.

Jean Jacque’s spirit was trapped in a glass jar with some cemetery dirt taken on the night of the new moon.   Jean Jacques went on further to brag about what a bad man he was while he was alive. He confessed to strangling his grandmother with his bare hands because she was always trying to interfere in his business and she was too nosy.

He said he spoilt a friend of his, by sprinkling cemetery dirt in his drink and turned the man mad.   He claimed that he never liked to see another man with a penny more than him and so out of jealousy he borrowed moneyfrom a friend and when the time came to return the money, he worjay it (fixed it) so that the man became poor and unfortunate, searching in garbage for food.   He told Serge that Cynthia was young and sweet and he had no intention of getting out of her body.

With precise and calculated timing, Serge twisted the center of Cynthia’s head a little tighter, and just as fast as the word of protest “Ow” came out of Cynthia’s mouth Serge cut the hair around his fore finger and quickly shut it in the glass jar.   The hair could be seen twirling and twisting in the glass jar as with a life of its own.

Mission accomplished,  Jean Jacques Labode reign of terror was over. Cynthia collapsed on the bed like a limp ragged doll, the whites of her eyes were clearly visible and froth was seen coming from her mouth.

Serge went over to her side, cleaned her face up and spoke soothingly to her.  She would be given a bath with some special herbs that he brought over from Guadeloupe, and she had to be in isolation for 7 days.  Serge would take the remnants of the ingredients back to Guadeloupe with him then he would go to the cemetery that the miserable Jean Jacque Labode was buried, and bury  the items  over his grave.

Serge would be making a follow up visit to purify and seal off Cynthia’s home from any more spiritual attacks.    As for Mamzelle Joanna Castille she was locked up in a mental home in Guadeloupe.  She did not pay the Garday Pierre Chateau for his services like she promised, and he made sure that her sanity was gone for good.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Persons are asked to submit stories about real-life ghost experiences, folklore, and anything related to [email protected] Submissions are strictly confidential, so do not worry. The column appears every Tuesday.

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28 Comments

  1. citizen
    December 6, 2012

    lovely story,but why don’t people submit ghost stories anymore,i’ve read all of the stories so far and i’ve been looking forward to reading more.c’mon people start submitting more storiess

  2. daflower2
    September 29, 2011

    very good 8-O

  3. sweet rose
    July 27, 2011

    oh my god that had me going

  4. c.c burgins
    June 17, 2011

    aunty great story.. loved it but did this happen for real……. dats carlyn….

    • Corinne E Burgins
      July 21, 2011

      @c.c.burgins yes the stories are based on true life experiences with a bit of exaggeration to spice it up a bit :lol:

  5. Annonymous Reader
    May 4, 2011

    wow!!! that story had me spell-bound!! Miss Burgins you have talent eh!!! Now lemme go and ketch my bus to go home, your story make me late!!! LMAO!!

  6. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    May 4, 2011

    This is an excellent story. There is a message in this for us all.
    The world consists of some very wicked people. They are envious of others and want nothing good for them. When they die, their souls will be restless. Know that those souls are in Hell. It is said that they do not want to go to Hell or to remain there and that Satan allows them to return to earth to torment and tempt people. What they sow they shall surely reap in time and two-fold.
    Whenever you notice something in your way or in front of your door, do not pick it up. Do not smell it for it can make one sick. It could maim and possibly kill the person. You can kick it and push it aside with your shoes. Then when you get in take your shoes off and immediately wash underneath.
    The young lady made two errors by opening the bottle and smelling it. It was dangerous to do.
    The mother should have immediately thought of sprinkling her daughter with Holy Water.
    People must learn to utilize the godly power which they are fortunate to have and this is rather than or after they may get over their shock, quickly say a prayer and bless the person, home and surroundings with Holy Water. There are some Catholics who do not make use of those spiritual resources; some, not enough. Holy Water also gives much peace.
    Pertaining to the Priest, from what the mother told him, it is not impossible that he may have been afraid of going to the home. Some of them do not believe such a story and will denounce it. He could have gone to the home with some Holy Water, said a few prayers and bless the young lady with it including her parents and the home.
    A few years ago, one evening I came home late. I was alone. As I tried to open the door, I noticed something stringy, a little long which I would call a tiny snake in the corner. I do not really know if it was one for it was not moving. Do I hate those things. It was as if it was trying to enter or just remained there when I opened the door it would have come in. It really scared me.
    With my shoe I kicked it away from the door unto the steps. As I always carry a small plastic bottle of Holy Water in my purse, I sprinkled it with Holy Water – on it and around it.
    The next morning I opened the door to see it wrinkled as ever. I found it strange that it would be so wrinkled. Well, the Holy Water did it. I kicked it further down the steps away from the property. I wondered if someone had wilfully placed this thing in front of the door. Whoever placed it there, an enemy, was defeated by God Himself and His Sacramental – Holy Water.
    Some of us have had some strange experiences. We should not trust people, especially certain ones and more so those who do not practice the Christian Faith. I am not insinuating that some Christians are always godly people and always practice godliness. However, be careful whom you befriend and eat from. Always be alert. A person’s attitude and what comes out of their mouths, their conversation, tell a lot about them. Although some people could be pretensive.
    The devil never sleeps. He is always up day and night and so are his followers.
    I always wear a small blest Crucifix with my gold chain around my neck even when I am dressed for a special occasion. More so today.
    All religious articles must be blest by a Priest in order to be effective. Once the Priest blesses them just as Holy Water, God blesses them on high. Better believe it.
    The Mother of God, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary has said: “Restore the use of Holy Water in your homes. Wear blest religious articles at all times. Keep a Rosary in your purse to show Satan whose side you are on. Wear the Brown Scapular…and more…”
    These messages were said to visionaries which are messages for us all especially for Catholics who believe and practice their Catholic Faith. God does not discriminate against any of his children. Messages of Our Lady as we Catholics lovingly call her, is a message for the entire world.
    Those articles and the Holy Water do protect us and ward off evil. The enemy of God and of our souls know that we have them and wear them. He will not come near for he knows what he will get, the power of God in his behind. :lol: God has given us those means of protection for our mortal and spiritual health, happiness and peace and it is imperative that we utilize them.
    You Catholic Christians of all, please take note. :)
    God bless and protect everyone of us!

    • Corinne E Burgins
      May 4, 2011

      I thank you and the rest of the readers for those beautiful and encouraging comments. However I would like to give you the credit for inspiring me to use the Holy Water and the blessed artifacts. I did use them in the composition of “Mercury and the fight with the jumbie” I will also be using the Holy Water on my next story “The Sacrifice”. once again my humble thanks and appreciation I will
      welcome any suitable suggestions and ideas :)

  7. Kb lyric
    May 4, 2011

    great story

  8. believer
    May 4, 2011

    Corinne, there is a vividness in your imagery that is very refreshing.

    Very enjoyable story. Well written, with humor, suspense and a dose of

    patois to remind us its from Dominica for sure.

    Nuff Said.

  9. WENDY JAMES
    May 3, 2011

    NICE,CONTINUE TO WRITE.

  10. Why not encourage?
    May 3, 2011

    Thank u sugar for the correction. My apology virgin. Simple miss read

  11. Just wondering
    May 3, 2011

    Nice reading!

  12. Corinne E Burgins
    May 3, 2011

    Hi Folks thanks for your constructive comments look out for “The Sacrifice” :-D

  13. bella-ann
    May 3, 2011

    NICE ONE………………………………….

  14. Corinne E Burgins
    May 3, 2011

    @Hmm I am very proud of my talent and ability to write a good story you could probably learn
    a thing or two if you pay attention to the way its written. By the way, you may want to google
    “Educational topics” If you want to read something educational or go to a library :lol:

  15. Just Giving My Two Cents
    May 3, 2011

    That was a well written story which gripped me and brought me back to all the memories/stories I’ve heard about demons and the likes.

  16. sugar
    May 3, 2011

    @hmm Why are you wondering whether its true or fake ? If you think its nonesense why are you even wasting your valuable time? There is a time and place for everything. Do you watch horror
    movies ? Ghost Whisperer ? etc…. Its probably not stupid because its ‘something foreign’ but
    our own local folklore…? sweetheart its called Dominica News Online under columns
    Ghost Stories I think just for your sake why don’t you write a letter to the editor and ask them not
    to print those stories because you think they are foolish and the people who read them are fools
    Those stories show talent, written in proper grammar with a twist of local dialect and you have the
    nerve to down the work. What is your problem ? There are lots of educational topics on the website go read some of them and educate yourself some more stupesssss :mrgreen:

  17. cautious
    May 3, 2011

    lol good one

  18. Ultimate Judge
    May 3, 2011

    This was a good story.. True to every aspect of every day life.. When greed and jealousy steps in the innocent suffers but the guilty gets there reward also

  19. hmm
    May 3, 2011

    what is the importance of these pages really , i cant figure out , what is it advertising ,, is it real or fake , or is this really whats happening in dominica, people only put a whole hip of rubbish on the internet and must find fools to read them find something more constructive and more educational to put up here man ,just nonsense

    • Virgin
      May 3, 2011

      You are one of those fools to read this story. I did not call you fool You said it. Fool

      • True Dominican
        May 3, 2011

        Nice One Virgin ……………@ Hmmm i am a Christian but to tell u the truth things like that happen every day …………….i see them even in the churches but i love the stories keep them coming DNO

    • charmed
      May 3, 2011

      :-P

    • charmed
      May 3, 2011

      where is your sence of humour!!!!!

    • Why not encourage?
      May 3, 2011

      Why not encourage than this discourage. Last week there were no ghost stories and I said to myself that there was so much negative things said about the last story that the writer got discourage.
      However, he didn’t. Virgin, please do not come in here looking for more stories. Do me and yourself a favor.

      • sugar
        May 3, 2011

        Virgin was not the one discouraging it was hmm who could’nt find anything better but downpress

    • ignore the ignorant
      October 1, 2012

      it looks like you should invest your time in reading some more since you cannot even spell a simple word like “heap” and dont even bother trying to cover it up as a simple mistake…. so busy discouraging and you can’t even do it properly….. pure ignorance….. ignore the ignorant

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