Don't Feed The Troll

A Computer Archive

"Are you human?" she asked, a shiver in her voice.

"I'm not," I said and added before she could show fear, "but I'm Huldra, we're more known for falling in love with humans than harming them."

Her eyes went wide. "A Norse legend. It's true then?"

"Lot's of things are true," Kenna said. "I'm human, but I can talk to animals and animal spirits."

"I'm human, but my relatives work with the Loa back in New Orleans," Martine said. "Did you know the supernatural was real before the Skinwalker came after you?"

Weaver closed her eyes. "I think my belief in the supernatural is what brought the Skinwalker. I have a blog which I post under a penname, where I talk about the traditions of different native tribes. I did a series about the mythology of Skinwalkers. They were said to start out as Navajo witches and learn magic to transform into animals and even impersonate other humans. Someone started leaving me comments saying that they were a Skinwalker. I asked them questions as if they were."

"A stranger on the internet said they were a Skinwalker and you asked them questions about it?" Kenna asked. "Are you a little crazy, Professor?"

Weaver shook her head. "I don't know, maybe. It was when the person said they knew who I was and where I lived and sent me the correct information in a private message. That's when I became afraid. I shut down my blog and made plans to head out to the desert, but it was too late. The Skinwalker wants my archive of information on supernatural creatures. It hasn't got it yet. It couldn't make me give it access to my laptop."

"That's good. We're going to take you and your laptop out of here. Unfortunately, my friend sleeps during the day," I said. "You can come home with me." I glared at my companions. "Don't argue, you two have families and don't have super strength."

Martine put up her hands. "You'll get no argument from me."

"Alo can go with you," Kenna said. "He can let us know if the Skinwalker appears."

I was too busy wondering why the Skinwalker needed the Professor's research on supernatural creatures. Did it want to destroy others with power? Was it searching for a particular entity? What other native creatures might it have a grudge with? I helped the professor stand and we led her up the stairs. Alo landed on Kenna's shoulder as soon as we got outside.

"You have a pet raven?" Weaver asked.

"No, I have a pet girl," Alo said. "Spirit raven at your service." He bowed.

"I'm going to assume I'm not hallucinating. Nice to meet you, bird."

"You can call me Alo. We need to get out of here. I think we need to leave now. I sense the Skinwalker getting closer than I would like."

"I don't suppose you have a way to keep it from tracking Professor Weaver at least temporarily?" I asked.

"I might be able to lay a false trail. I won't be able to help you for a while."

"Do what you can. We'll all meet tomorrow night at the bridge. The Professor and I will be catching a Lyft to my place."