The Dark Heart In 1838 two men were digging up graves in an abandon cemetery in the middle of the night.

The cemetery was just north of New Orleans. They had dug up the three graves so far; they were now digging up their fourth grave. Algernon Ames was tall and lean and in his 30s. His white hands were callous because of years of doing manual work. His skin was well tan. His clothes were very worn and dirty. His partner in crime was Alix Louis. He was identical in every way to the other man except he was a little bit older. The older one was the smarter of the two. Alix, I do understand how we can make some money digging up these graves? Ames asked. How many time I have to explain it to you. Blais Poindexter thinks himself a man of science. We are digging up these coffins to cut out the hearts to sell to him. Ames said. I can understand that but why are we digging here? Would it be better if we dig up that someone was just been planted? These graves are in nice quiet section of the abandon cemetery, so we will not be disturbs. But still we will have a better chance in getting a good heart from some who was just been planted. Ames asked again I got a feeling boy these hearts will be the right one to sell to Blais. Ames knew is friend to well to try to change his mind, and he was hoping his friend was right about these hearts. This body was plant over 30 years ago. You think there a good chance this heart is good enough shape to sell? Ames asked. I think it very good chance this will be the best of them all. It took 30 minutes for them to dig their way to coffin. What they found in the coffin surprises them. The man body found in the coffin was in perfect condition. His face ever had a hint of color in it. His black beeches, black frockcoat, red cravat, white shirt, black top hat, and highly shine Hessian Boots were all brand new. Algernon quickly cut out the heart. Without warning a great spray of blood came from heart. Everything was completely covered with blood. Alix nearly fainted away went the blood started to spraying from the heart. Once the heart was complete cut away from the body: the body turns into a rotting corpse: the clothing also turns into rotting rags. After Algernon put the heart into a leather doctor bag, they started their way back to New Orleans. During their walk back to New Orleans a voice started to speak to Algernon. At first he thought Alix was speaking to him. But, then he realizes the voice he was hearing was in his head, and he was the only one that could hear it. Being raise in this part of the country he heard and believes in the supernatural. What happen so far
Dneason April 27, 2013 Page 1 of 6

The Dark Heart made him believe that this heart had a spirit into it and it best to be on it good side. But still it was hard for him to believe. I am glad; I did not tell Algernon about the job I will be doing with Sam tomorrow night. He would want to come along. I am getting tired of Algernon. I think; I should kill him soon. Immediately he knew this what Alix was thinking, but what to do? He could kill Alix force Sam to take him on the job tomorrow. An old woman was sitting beside the road was begging for food. They pass by her without saying a word to her. They met and almost pass other beggar going toward New Orleans. Without warning Algernon heard the voice again in his head. This is a perfect disguises, no one would try to rob me. A beggar never carries anything of value. Little do people know I carry a small fortune in gold coin! He knew the beggar was thinking this. Algernon quickly and without warning he kill the beggar. They went through his pockets and found a small fortune in gold coins. They started to split the gold coins. I think I should kill him now and keep all the coins for myself. Ames immediately knew he had to kill Louis before Louis could kill him. Algernon saw Louis slowly going for his knife, but Amess knife was out already because he killed the beggar with it; then stabs Alix to death. Later that day he bought a large clear jar. The jar was large enough to place the heart into and cover it with alcohol. About 5pm that night at Rooster Tavern Algernon met with Sam Neville, Bellany Spencer, Chance Bellew, and Del Belcher. I am taking over for Alix. Algernon said in a voice that left no doubt he would kill anyone who question his statement. What happen to Alix? Chance asks cautiously. I kill him because he tried to double cross me. Do you know what we are planning tonight? Sam asked. Yes, before he died he told me about the house on Canal Street. The owner has a large fortune hidden inside the building. We kill him and take the fortune tonight. Ames said quickly. No one said anything about killing. Del said quietly. The reason I am your new boss is that I do know a few things you do not known. The owner is member of a powerful gang in New Orleans. I do not want to worry about his companions come after me went I steal this fortune. So no witnesses! After the job was done Ames felt pretty go about himself, he had a small fortune in gold and he was now in charge of gang.
Dneason April 27, 2013 Page 2 of 6

The Dark Heart If you do, what I want you to do we can run a large part of this city. What do I have to do next? He thought. His captain orders him to meet the Archbishop at the Archdiocese of New Orleans at 11:00 AM. The Archbishop Burr was heavy set and bald man of 50ish. He was wearing is Archbishop Uniform when he saw Detective Peter Doriocourt. Doriocourt was a wiry man in his later 30s wearing a cheap suit. An Ascot cap was covering his grease brown hair. Your Grace; How can I help you? The detective asked. Your captain has some good things to say about you. You do not follow the book all the time but you try to do the right thing when you can. The detective knew instantly that his captain told the Archbishop that he cross the line to get justice when justice could not have been got by any other way. Yes: Your Grace. So what do you need from me? I need you find item or a man. The item was stolen from a grave couple night ago. What was it? A human heart. A what? The detective said with surprise. It most likely it been sold already to local medical school or medical student and cut up. I wish that was true, but I thinks its spreading it evil influence across the city Your Grace, I dont understand what youre saying? Do you believe in good and evil? I believe men do bad thing and must be punish, but an evil force no. About 30 years ago there was Voodoo High Priest who terrorizing New Orleans. He was buried in that grave. Your Grace you are saying we are dealing with case of Voodoo? Yes and No; with the cross and the faith in god, we converted many people to the way of our father. But still there are parts in this great city of New Orleans that is still rule by Voodoo. This part of New Orleans used to be control with iron hand by Voodoo High Priest who body was dug up and had it heart removed. Your Grace is worries that someone will try to reclaim this part of the city that Voodoo High Priest used to control by having High Priests heart. Yes, but we dont want the same thing that happen before happen again in that part of city. Voodoo had a very strong hold there and was own was defeat when a group of church zealot storm into the area and kill in the Voodoo High Priest. The zealot then buried and priest in a secret grave which they told no one. Forgive me Your Grace How do you know the grave that was dug up a couple night ago was this High Priest?
Dneason April 27, 2013 Page 3 of 6

The Dark Heart The zealot did not tell anyone the locating of the grave but they left enough evidence in the grave tell everyone this was High Priest grave went it was open. Do you have anything else? A couple priests of mine are quietly asked around for the pass couple days. Voodoo activity in the area is up. There are rumors that a large Voodoo meeting is about to happen in the next few days. You still want the power: then help me! Algernon thought to himself yes. I will direct you to mine secret altar where two of my loyal disciples are waiting for you. With the jar safely hidden in bag he rode on horseback for two hours to the Voodoo High Priest secret hidden out. Already there were four large Haitian males and in between two of males was a white female about 25 years old. Have the men put the girl on the stone altar. He orders the Haitian to put female on the stone altar. She tried to fight back but there was too many of them. She was placed on the stone altar. Expose her chest. Ames cut off every piece of clothing off her chest. Place my heart on her heart. He then placed the heart on her beating chest. At first none thing happen but then skin started to red. She screams in pain: he could see and smell why; where the heart was lying on her skin it was burning into her. After a few minutes she stops screaming and her body turns to a gray ashes. The four Haitian males bow to Algernon and said Your Master has return. To keep using my power you must keep give me human sacrifice. I must get rid of four men now! Who are these four men? and why do you want them dead? Sam Neville, Bellany Spencer, Chance Bellew, and Del Belcher. I want them dead because they know I kill Alix Louis. You do have a good reason to see them dead, and killing them will also help protect me! So Your Grace what do you want from me? Find out who has the heart now and tell me. We will arrange to capture the heart again and place it in a safe place. Does my captain know what I am doing for you? No, and do not tell him. The less people know what are youre doing; The safer it will be for you. Where was The High Priest buried? In an old section of The Blackroot Cemetery. The Cemetery was abandoned so there
Dneason April 27, 2013 Page 4 of 6

The Dark Heart was no guard on duty to keep grave robber away. Why would any go to abandoned cemetery to dig up an old heart? How much help will I get from my captain? On you first question I dont know. Your captain was asked to give you his full cooperate, but not to ask what you are doing. Went he got back to the station, he went direct to see his captain in his office. Did anything happen on Blackroot Trail a couple nights ago? Detective asked. After consulting some papers on his desk, he said. Several graves were dug up in the abandon Blackroot Cemetery. An old female beggar was killed on the road leading from the cemetery to New Orleans. Also killed was a special courier carrying a small fortune of gold coins. He was disguise as beggar but someone got the jump so fast he didnt have a chance to defend himself. The courier was arm with a small derringer which was still in his pocket undisturbed. Alix Louis was also killed near by the courier and the beggar woman. The detective next stop was central record to see what they had on Alix Louis. Alix was small times crook. He did anything for a quick buck. The only thing he did not do was to join a gang. Know associates of Louis were: Sam Neville Bellany Spencer Chance Bellew Algernon Ames Del Belcher Sam grew up on the street of New Orleans, and like all street kids he developed a sense for trouble. He knew it was not the police or rival gang that was tracking him but who was it? The only thing he saw were some Haitians around. Spencer and Bellew were in a local tavern called The Red Sailor. They were drinking up their share of the loot. A couple white whores were trying to get Bellany and Chance to spent money on them. Then couple Haitians whores try to take away Spencer and Bellew from the whites whores and fight broken out between the two group of whores. Spencer and Bellew started to laugh and made lewd remarked about the fight. A second group of Haitian whores led them outside. When they were outside the tavern a group of Haitian male seized them. Bellew and Spencer were taken to the secret altar and when they got there the first group of Haitian whores who approached them were also there. Then they knew they were set up by the first group of whores. Bellew was the first one place on the stone altar his shirt was ripped open and The Heart was place on his bare chest. Within minutes the body was turns into a gray ash. Seeing what happen to Bellew; Spencer try fought harder than Bellew but without any
Dneason April 27, 2013 Page 5 of 6

The Dark Heart result. Ames turns to this head disciple and asked about Neville and Belcher. He said Sam is being very caution but they will get him before he talk to anyone. Belcher is a real problem; he went into the deep swamp after the robbery, and no one knew where he was and went he was due back. Ames then asked his head disciple if the police and/or church are looking for anything could connect him to The Heart. The head disciple said no.one. On the following day, Sam was involves in fatal accidental. He was kills when a deliver wagon hit him. The wagon was driven by Haitian. Isadora Alva identifies his body in the morgue. When she was in the morgue, she ran into Det. Doriocourt. She told him about Sam feeling he was in trouble ever since Algernon did the job instead Louis. When she left morgue, she was grabs by some Haitian and was kill on the stone altar that night. After the detective talk to Isadora, he went to see Archbishop Burr. He told the Archbishop the man he was looking for was Algernon Ames and he reason why. Your Grace what do you want me to do next? Are you sure he is the one? Yes Then we handle it from now on. The Catholic Church condemned any kind of secret society. The church repeated said they never had or ever had a secret society working for them. But, if secret society was working for the church the Catholic Church would not supports them in any way. Once they had the name of the person who had The Heart: it was easy to find him and watch him. Over the next two months: they could see Ames fortunes and influence increase. They also noticed an increase numbers of people disappearing from the area. They finally identify were heart and stone altar were located. The heart was kept under the stone altar when there was no ceremony happening. One night the secret society finally killed Algernon. After they kill him, they dismember him and completely burn his bodys parts to ashes. Then they took the heart from it jar and nailed to a small oak board. The nails were a compound of gold and iron. The heart was reburied in another secret place. It is rumor that The Dark Heart was placed somewhere in St. Patrick Church.

Dneason April 27, 2013

Page 6 of 6