Eight months later whispers still surrounded the odd murders over the summer but no official report ever was released. The police had been amazingly efficient in covering the whole matter up, blaming drug dealers for the grisly killings. Pete Landrieu won an overwhelming election and with his influence, all connections to Gus and therefore to him by the odd events were quickly buried. Bribes were paid, threats were made, but lips remained closed.
Doug was never found nor missed. It was assumed that he came to some bad end and after a few weeks, no one spoke of him again. Ed and Lorraine Clearwater were the subject of several documentaries and many in the so-called "supernatural" community spoke of a dark conspiracy around their death but due to the chief prosecutor being an old college roommate of Pete's no official inquiry was ever had. Zeke returned to his bar and despite now sporting a crucifix around his neck, he never spoke of his experience ever again. Father Aviles, after dutifully reporting the exorcism to the Arch-Bishop was promptly transferred to a monastery in Rome and placed under a vow of silence. Similarly, Sarah now resided in a convent in Alabama, deciding to take her vows after her brush with evil. Back at Magnolia Grove however, the atmosphere was surprisingly light.
"Hey Babe, what is that delicious smell?" Gus called out as he strolled into the kitchen, Angeline wagging her tail madly as she followed.
"King Cake you heathen! You know Mardi Gras is Tuesday right?" Jasmine called back as she spun around to look at her two kitchen visitors.
"Mmmmmm, God that smells good." Gus replied as he reached forward to scrape off some of the icing off of the cake. "And I love the baking outfit!" Licking his lips, he felt himself grow hard at the sight of his girlfriend, wearing only one of his old shirts and a pair of panties cooking semi-naked in their kitchen.
