Succubus City

Succubus is a demon from legend that supposedly preys on mortal men while he sleeps. The actual name has its origins from the Latin word succuba meaning prostitute, which in turn comes from the medieval Latin word sub cubaire meaning 'that which lies beneath'. The male version is the incubus from the Latin word 'that which lies above'. There are some sources who claim that the succubus and the incubus are one and the same creature who can change form at will to prey on mortals.

In medieval times, the succubus was seen as a fearsome creature who killed her victims by drinking their breath. This is interesting in that, at the time, the breath was seen as a part of the person's spirit, and in doing so, the succubus was thought to be stealing the victim's soul.

This may not sound familiar to all, but to people stuck in Hattiesburg, Mississippi this definition makes a lot of sense, seeing as so many people have tried leaving the "Hub City" only to return against their unwanted desires, and the longer we stay in Hattiesburg the more withered our souls become. Some souls lost, and some souls captured forever to the Succubus City.


It was in the summer of 95' and I was sitting next to John McBay at 7 South on Main Street (an old school techno dance club where you could find every drug known to man), and he made the comment, "Hattiesburg is like a black hole that you cannot escape. If you try to leave it just sucks you right back in EVERY TIME!" I thought he was crazy or high or both. Who would want to leave this great place?

When I first moved to Hattiesburg in 95', I thought it was a wonderful place full of open-minded, friendly, down to earth people. It was just beginning to bloom into the city it is now. It was a perfect mesh of the big city Dallas that I was born in and the small southern baptist town I was raised in (Henderson, TX). I met my first friend, Chris Story, on American Online and then he later introduced me to Shea Lyda, John McBay (who I dated 12 years later), Bill Scott, Ginger Fondrea (R.I.P), Karlton Bradley, and the list continues, and I met people through them and people through those people until I realized Hattiesburg is nothing but a sticky spiderweb of curious people. Everyone is intertwined so interestingly. You can find freaks in the nicest of bars and restaurants, and then later that night find the owner of that same bar or restaurant passed out or strung out at some random friend's house.

What do you know, out of the fifteen years I've lived here, I've been trying to leave for ten. I've watched so many souls perish, evaporate into the night to never return. I've listened to so many people talk about leaving yet never succeed. I've seen so many people get out, only to regretfully return. How could a city that greets you with such a friendly smile leave you frowning wishing to escape or searching for your soul each and everyday.

To those that are so lucky to not understand what I'm talking about, I guarantee you have a close friend that does.

This Succubus doesn't just have to prowl in Hattiesburg, MS, it can prowl in many cities all over the world.  I'm sure this story sounds familiar to many.

Here I am, back in TX, back at my father's house after living independently in Mississippi for 15 years. I can't decide if my soul still remains in MS or if I was able to bring it with me. When I'm in Hattiesburg, I hate it... when I'm away, I miss it, and something feels as though it's tugging me back. Is it the Succubus wanting my soul back, or me wanting my soul with me?

Texas is where I was born and raised, but I guess the truth is that the Dirty South (Hattiesburg, MS) is where I grew up and really experienced life as a young adult. I had it all: a house, good credit, a husband, a job, a car, a life, but I lost it all. I blame it on depression. I lived in MS for 15 years and tried leaving for 10, now that I'm away, I miss it. I'm bored. So now what?

Check out Succubus City Part II