The Weathervane

Chapter IX - Steven

So when do you think we will get there Enoch, it’s been three weeks and we haven’t reached it yet, do you think we passed it?”  I ask as we sit around our campfire roasting the birds I shot this morning.  The food that Peggy and the girls packed was gone during the second week.  I’ve gotten used to sleeping under the stars and listening to the sounds of the forest. 

“We will reach the cabin tomorrow.  Steven, let me see that shoulder of yours.”  Enoch leaves his bird to me and goes to the other side of the fire to check on Steven’s shoulder.  Unwrapping Steven’s shoulder, Enoch checks the spot and gently pushes on the wound.  Steven winces, but doesn’t yelp in pain or jerk away. 

“Much better that before, I’m surprised, with the traveling I wouldn’t think you would be healing this fast I thought you would definitely heal slower, but you are healing nicely.  It should be healed by the time we have to leave for Huarenaum.”  Enoch returns to his spot and I hand him back his bird. 

“Isn’t it getting close to the time when the Weathervane will appear Peter?”  I ask and carefully cut my bird checking to see if it is cooked all the way through.  It is and I transfer it to a plate and wait for my answer. 

“A few more months, the weather is changing, something happened it will come but not for another month or so.  That is both good and bad, at this point I won’t say more but we will talk later.”  Peter says and checks his bird as well.  Finding his cooked as well he puts his on a plate and lets it cool. 

“There is a river near our camp; I’m going to fill our canteens.”  I say and collect the canteens before heading towards the sound of the river.  I walk until I can see the river in the dying light of the evening.  I dump the water from the day and refill the canteens one at a time and just before I am about to head back someone comes up from behind. 

“I’ve been watching you, from across the fire and when you sleep.  I’m in love with you.  You know back in Huarenaum I am important I can give you whatever you want.  I can give you wealth and land, clothing, anything.  This human is only my pawn, he is nothing, I am important, I am a big woman on the Lord’s side of the army.  I can find what you crave, what you truly desire in life.  I know that I can only sometimes take control of this human, but I can become stronger with your help.  A young man like you should be able to-”

“You know, I hate it when demons take over my friends, I don’t know about you, but it really bugs me.”  Peter appears and utter a few words. 

Steven starts screaming loud and high pitched, I lunge at Steven and cover his mouth.  Enoch appears and mouths something and then Steven shudders and lies still.  I let go of his mouth and then lie him flat, his chest doesn’t move and I almost do CPR when Enoch touches his forehead. 

“Don’t he will be fine, just let him lie for a few minutes, let him come back to us.  He has been gone ever since the second day of the trip.”  Enoch says and then sits by Stevens side. 

Peter taps my shoulder and we leave the two and head back to the fire.  I eat my bird once we get there and hope that nobody heard the screaming.  As the stars appear I lay my bedroll out and get ready to sleep.  The day’s events weigh heavy on me, the stress of trying to lure the demon out and into the open so that we could finally get rid of it was overbearing.  I get in-between the blankets and almost as soon as my head hits my shirt I am using as a pillow I fall asleep. 

“Wake up Leah, time to get up!”  Steven’s voice jolt’s me to reality and I open my eyes to see a very refreshed Steven standing in front of me.  I get up and silently roll my blankets up and put them by my saddle.  Peter is restarting the fire from the night before and Enoch is nowhere to be seen.