Forest

Chapter Four

"Tonight is a night of remembrance. It is a night to live and see the truth." Elder Hakahns voice carried through the room, it was so quiet a single drop of water would sound like a bomb dropping. "Long ago, on this land, our ancestors settled, a new forest to explore, new animals to familiarize ourselves with. It was beautiful, the ground was fertile, and animals were plentiful." The Elder took a breath, and blew it out into the bowl of ashes. There was a small glow, like a spark. He blew again, the spark grew, another breath of air, and it turned into a small flame. He continued with the story. "On the first day, everything was calm, temporary shelter was set up, until homes could be built. After a week of bliss, it all turned around." He waved his hand steadily over the flame, it grew a fraction bigger. "The Chief was worried, he couldn't sleep, his people had come to him, telling him stories of strangely large wolves. The Chief had gone scouting the day before the end of the week, he needed to see one of these beasts himself. He came up empty handed." Another steady wave of Elder Hakahns hand encouraged the flame to grow again. Sparks crackled out of the fire, gently lifting toward the ceiling. "He wouldn't have to worry, though. Because that night, in his tent with his sleeping wife and child, a scream ripped through the calm night sky!" Using his hand, he acted as though his hand was a knife, cutting through the air.
There were a few mumblings in the crowd behind me, but they quickly ceased when the Elder continued, "Running out of his tent, he saw tribe members waking up, walking out of their own tents. At first the Chief didn't know what the problem was, but then, just there, in the forest. There were eyes watching them." The gray eyes of the Night-Walker flashed in my mind. They were eerie, and something I wish I'd never seen. "In a flash of anger, he called his warriors to his side, they rushed towards the woods! As they grew closer to the tree line, the Chief and warriors realized, the many pairs of eyes weren't moving. They weren't scared of the warriors. Animals don't act this way, that's when the Chief knew, they were something otherworldly." Elder Hakahn did a dramatic twist of both wrists in front of the fire, and the flame grew larger, nearly obstructing my view of the three Elders completely. "The Chief instructed his warriors to stand down, to stay where they were at. Bravely he walked up to the creatures that stared back at him, all of their eyes different shades of white, they glowed like the moon. The leader of the Terrors stepped forward, meeting our Chief halfway. The beast spoke the tribes tongue, and a deal had been made. One of peace and convenience." The Elder looked at me, almost staring through me, "The Terrors lived side by side with our ancestors for a long time, but something happened. A greedy warrior feel in love with a female Terror. She fell for him too. They left both of their tribes, and conceived a child, one of both worlds. One that should not have existed, but did anyways. The Chief found out, and instead of consulting with the Terrors, he killed the child. When the Terrors were informed of this, they released their rage upon the village and its people." Elder Hakahn lowered his voice, asking me, "Are you ready to see the truth?"
My body answered for me, Elder Hakahn scooped up a handful of ash, before I knew what was happening, he blew it in my face. My vision went black.
Waking up, I was standing in front of the carved wolf statue. Its large teeth bared at me. My head was fuzzy, my legs felt weak, it was still pitch black outside, so I knew it was still night time. Looking around I tried looking for anybody, for Paul, or one of the Elders. But there was no one around.
A feeling that hasn't really left since I've arrived went into full affect. I was being watched. Facing the direction I thought someone was watching me from, I saw a tall figure. One that was abnormally tall, I immediately knew it wasn't human. Was it real, though? I'm pretty sure Elder Hakahn blew ashes in my face, did he drug me? Staggering towards the figure, I'm sure if it's not real it'll disappear if I get closer to it. My brain is just putting shapes I'm seeing in the distance and creating a fake figure.
I was a good seventy yards away from this thing, it wasn't disappearing. It was becoming apparent that what I was seeing was real, I should run. I didn't, though, I stayed in place. The creature stalked toward me on two legs, its large-ness doubled. I could only guess its head was somewhere around twelve feet in the air. It didn't take long before it was directly in front of me, whatever was in my system dulling my senses tremendously, because even now I stayed. The creature lowered itself to four legs, its body shifting to look more wolf-like, but not completely, an amazing display of one's biological engineering. Even on four legs, its head was at least six and a half feet off of the ground.
Staring up at the beast, I prayed it wouldn't eat me. Some God must have heard my pleas, because all it did was lower its head. His eyes were bright, and familiar. They were a pale gray, with flecks of black and gold in them. "Will she remember this?" I heard a deep voice ask, I couldn't tell if it had bellowed out of the beasts throat, or someone else's.
A disembodied voice answered, "She may, but it would be for the best if she didn't."
"I want her to remember me." The same deep voice stated.
Clumsy words rolled out of my mouth, "Th-this isn't real," I took a single step toward the creature, unsteady on my feet, "All of this," I paused, trying to get my bearings. My eyes never left the beasts eyes though, not once. "All of this is just a dream, or drugs." I told myself. My head was swimming again, the ground hurtled towards me. Those glowing gray eyes were my last memory before shooting up out of a hard bed.
Panicked, my breathing fast, I woke up on a bench, not even a bed. I was in the community center on the Monique reservation. That's a good sign at least right? I asked myself. "Glad to see you're awake." Elder Hakahn greeted me with a cup in his hand. Whatever it was, it was steaming, "It's for you, it's only tea. It'll help with the fogginess."
Taking the cup from his hand, I took a small sip, "What happened?"
"You went on a journey," Elder Hakahn stated, "A spiritual journey that hopefully brings you peace."
"Peace?" I asked, I didn't come here for peace. Or maybe I did? Would finding out any more about Night-Walkers brought me peace? Great, yet another question I have to answer.
"For your past. I'm sure it troubles you." Sitting back in his large chair, I couldn't help asking, "I saw something."
Elder Hakahns face briefly flashed with concern, recomposing himself, "That's what the ashes do, my child, they transport you to a different reality. It is expected for you to have seen things." Elder Hakahn explained.
Taking another drink of the tea, I asked, "So everything I saw, wasn't real?"
Nodding his head, "Right, it's just a vision. One our great spirits brought to you."
Placing the tea on the bench next to me, "Thank you for explaining a bit more about the history of Night-Walkers, but I would like to clarify a few things," Elder Hakahn waited for me to ask what I needed to. So I did, "You had said the Chief of the tribe had come to a deal with the Night-Walkers, they talk?"
"Yes, they are capable of talking. I'm sure they know how to speak english in this day and age." Elder Hakahn answered, his hands steepled in front of him.
"You'd also mentioned in your story, that there was a child born, one that was human and Night-Walker, it was killed. This broke the bond between the civilizations?" The Elder nodded his head, agreeing with what I'd said, "How did any tribe members survive? If the pack leader of the Night-Walkers declared war, how did anybody make it out alive?"
Elder Hakahn swiftly answered my question, "The Chieftain Terror was dethroned. His son took over, creating a new pact. He agreed that the child needed to be killed. There are drawings depicting the child, it was a mangled monster. Horribly deformed. This ended the feud between the two tribes, and peace fell over the land again, and has remained so to this day." He paused, "Or I guess I should say since the day your parents died."
My stomach was rolling, either from the tea, or the ashes he'd blown in my face. "Thank you, Elder Hakahn," I stood from the bench, my hand lightly resting on my stomach, "I think I need to go home."
"Of course, thank you for coming, it was a pleasure meeting you. You're a piece of history for us. Feel free to return at any time." Elder Hakahn smiled, I returned the smile. I wasn't sure what time it was, but it was late, I could tell, the moon was high in the sky. Wow, the moon, I let go of a breath, staring up at it. I've not looked at the moon since my parents' attack, I resented the moon. Tonight, there is no resentment, no ill feelings towards the moon. Tonight, mother moon was a sight to behold. The moon was in its waxing phase, not quite a full moon, but not a quarter moon either. All of the stars glittering and dancing around her were breathtaking. Why did I ever ignore the moon? I asked myself. I knew the moon didn't dictate life and death, or choose my family. That was the Night-Walker. The one with brown fur. Legend says Night-Walkers live longer than humans, I wonder if he's still alive today?
"Beautiful night tonight, isn't it?" An unfamiliar voice asked from beside me. Looking over at the man, he was tall, and he had plenty of lean muscles. My cheeks turned a light shade of pink, I could tell. I don't do very well when attractive men talk to me.
I couldn't get my vocal cords to work, so I settled for a simple, "Mhm."
The mans face was turned up to the sky, but in the moonlight I could tell his features were sharp. "Not many people appreciate the moon and her stars." He said, a very subtle grin on the corner of his lips. I stared at him, where did he come from? He doesn't look like a tribe member, I didn't see him in the crowd earlier this evening. While I was trying to place him, he spoke again, "I haven't seen you around here before, are you a visitor?"
Shaking my head, I answered, forcing my vocal cords to form words, "No, I-I'm a local. Are you from this area?" I asked
"Yeah, I'm not too far from home here. What brings a city girl out here?" He asked, it would have sounded rude, if not for the completely gentle tone he was using.
"I needed some questions answered." I stated vaguely, "Who are you?" The question sort of just burst from my lips.
He looked away from the sky, looking down at me, "I'm Lakoda, not like the Native American tribe."
"Do I know you," I asked, he seemed so familiar
"No, this is the first time we've met." He answered
Waving my hands, "Sorry, I-"
"It's ok," He smiled, interrupting me before I embarrassed myself further
"I'm Mavelynn, most people call me Mave." I said, holding my hand up for a handshake. Lakoda took my hand, instead of shaking my hand, he planted a kiss on the back of my hand. My face went from pink to red. "It's nice to formally meet you, Mave." His eyes met mine. They were uncanny, and bells were ringing in my head.
"You're eyes," I muttered. His pupils dilated, "They're," I breathed, my brain was making connections I wasn't even sure were possible. "Gray."
"It runs in my family, gray eyes." He stated. I was going to ask him more questions, but there were howls in the distance, and I'd bet a lot of money that they didn't belong to regular wolves. They were Night-Walkers, I was sure of it. "Before you go, can I get your number?" He asked.
My red face darkened, looking over both of my shoulders briefly, pointing to myself, "Mine?"
"Yes, yours." He stated
In no world am I this handsome man's type of woman, but maybe he isn't looking for a relationship? I don't have to be so pessimistic and believe the worst in everything, and everyone, although I'm quite good at turning everyone's actions into something negative. "If not your number, could we meet up somewhere, coffee maybe?" He asked, he was standing a few inches closer, I couldn't tell if I was intimidated, or comfortable.
"Um, sorry," I let out a choked laugh, "I'm not usually asked to go out for coffee, or having people offer up their phone numbers."
"Really? A stunning young woman, like yourself? I'd have guessed you had a boyfriend." He gave me a charming, small smile.
"Uh, no, I'm single," I said, I was completely beside myself. This man, all tall, dark, and mysterious just called me stunning? And he wants to get coffee? Or my phone number? "Coffee? Where would we go?" I asked.
"Somewhere in the city, there's a nice little cafe in the old district. How does tomorrow sound?" He asked
Pushing hair behind my ears, "I'd have to look at my plans for the week, you can have my number." I finally decided giving him my phone number was safer. He pulled his phone out of his back pocket, flipping it around to me, the screen already unlocked. Adding myself to his contacts, I returned his phone. He tapped his phone screen a few times, shortly after my phone dinged. My phone's lock screen lit up with an unknown number that I already knew was his.
"I'll see you around, Mave." He gave me a wave, and a charming smile, and left, walking towards one of the houses on the edge of the village.
"Bye," I said softly, but he had already walked off. In a daze, my stomach full of butterflies, I made my way to my car. Sitting in my vehicle, turning my vehicle on, I couldn't stop myself from smiling. Pulling away from the Moniquoi Reservation, I tried my best to sort through everything that's happened tonight. From having ashes blown in my face, to a really trippy day dream? Then waking up in the Indians community center, and meeting Lakoda. Everything felt like it was swirling around in my head, and it was starting to give me a headache. I just had the hottest guy I've ever seen, hit on me?! I squealed in excitement. Glad that I was alone in my vehicle, and more than likely will still be alone when I get home.