Déjà Vu

Ch 4: A Trip Down Radio Lane

It's been a couple of weeks since I began my first broadcast here in New Orleans and ratings have gone through the roof. It didn't take long for people to know my name and voice thanks to my radio broadcasts. Very few people recognized my voice when I would speak in public places like the store or a Café and would ask me if I was that new radio host that they've been listening to saying that I have a beautiful voice and could listen to me for hours.

I would receive mail from some of my listeners either asking for advice on different topics or giving me some of their opinions about my show and how to improve it. Even most of my fans would call in to either ask various questions or request a song after I speak about the topics happening in town.

As the months went by my manager tried his hardest to get me to make an appearance on TV and have my picture taken for the local news paper which I declined to both because one I despise technology and two I hate having my picture taken no matter what the reason may be.

"(Y/n) people want to see what you look like! Not just know you from the sound of your voice on the radio! You've been working here for over two months now!" He yelled.

"I've told you over and over again that I'm not doing it. No matter how many times you ask me. I absolutely despise having my picture taken and anything to do with technology. Especially that damn TV." I say to him calmly making sure to keep my anger in check.

This man has been nothing but an ass to me ever since I've been here. He's lucky that I'm even here. I've seen the way he's been treating most of the other employees around the station especially the women who work here. I hate men like him who think they can take advantage of anyone they want because they think they're so superior than others. One day he will get what he deserves I'll make sure of that.

After the long silence between us he sighs and sits in his chair with his hands folded in front of him. Then he says something that pulls me out of my thoughts.

"You're just like him..." He whispers.

"Like who sir?" I ask confusion written on my face.

"Well... there was a radio host who lived back in the 1920's that used to work here. He was as famous as you possibly even more. Everyone loved him for his voice and his charm as long as he was behind the radio. He had the office and broadcasting booth that you are using now..."

"What do you mean they only liked him being behind the radio? What was his name?" I asked as I sat up straighter in my seat.

"His name was Alastor Hartfelt..." He said.

"I wonder.... could the boy in the picture that's sitting on my night table be him?" I say in my mind.

"Alastor was one of our best radio hosts in New Orleans through the years. He began working here at the age of 18. But people didn't exactly like the way he looked. He was a tall slender man with rounded glasses that sat atop his nose, brown hair, brown eyes and his skin color resembled that of a deers coat. People back in the 1920s didn't consider him to be called a human. Instead they would call him "a half breed."

"What the hell?!" I scream.

"Please keep your voice down! As I was saying he was treated very badly in public but was well loved when he was broadcasting about different topics happening in New Orleans especially the murders that were taking place around that time..."

"Murders?" I ask.

He nods his head.

"During that time there was an apparent serial killer wreaking havoc across Louisiana. They called him "The New Orleans killer." His only victims were men but no one knew the reason as to why he only killed men. His victims were found either sliced up in the park, buried on the hunting grounds or even disposed of entirely..."