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Joe returned to where Curt and Reggie remained tied. The sun was rising over the horizon. The vivid yellow, orange, and red pastel colors mixed the sky above the mountain peaks. He walked to where Curt and Reggie remained tied. Fear haunted their eyes. Anyone could tell upon first examination that neither man had slept overnight.
“How did the night treat you?” Joe asked with a firm gaze. “Did the spirits visit as I said they would? If they didn’t bestow you with their presences, perhaps I should leave you one more night.”
“I’d rather die than stay here another night,” Reggie said. His face was pale. His lips trembled.
Curt pleaded, “Cut us loose. We can’t stay here anymore.”
Joe smiled. “Cut you loose? After what you did to Misty and myself? You shouldn’t expect to get off that easily. You left my friend behind to die. He’s in the hospital. Had he died, your outcome would be far worse. But for what you’ve done, you have no reason to ask for mercy. You certainly shouldn’t expect any.”
“Then kill us!” Curt said. “Get your redemption for your girlfriend. I suppose you deserve that much. Just end this torture.”
Joe shook his head. “Death is too easy for you. Where you’re going, you’ll wish everyday that the spirits had taken your lives last night. You will have a long time to think about what you did. Your loyalty to this Alpha has cost your freedom and tarnished your soul.”
Reggie struggled with the ropes behind his back.
“The knots are no more loose now than after I tied them,” Joe said.
“Where are you going to take us?”
“Me?” Joe said. “Nowhere.”
Joe whistled a sharp piercing note. His two brothers rose from thick brush on both sides of the gully where the men sat. Broad smiles covered their faces.
Curt shook his head. “They’ve been there all night?”
Joe nodded.
“What are you going to do to us?” Reggie asked.
The old sheriff came down the steep dusty trail with slow, steady steps. When he got to the level area near Joe, he studied the two men for a moment, and then looked at Joe.
“These two are responsible for Misty’s death?” Sheriff Sterling asked.
“Yes.”
“They put the rattlesnakes in your house?”
“Yes, sir,” Joe replied.
“How long have they been out here?”
“All night.”
“All night? You abducted them? What gives you that right?” Sterling asked.
“They confessed to me and Lucas yesterday. You heard them just now.”
“Joe, I understand your anger, but you can’t exact your own justice. It’s not allowed.”
Joe smiled. “No harm came to them.”
“Ah, Joe, I think you should come back to town with me.”
“Sorry, Sheriff Sterling, but no.”
“I wasn’t exactly asking,” Sterling said.
Joe shook his head. “And I don’t have any reason to go.”
“They may wish to press charges against you,” the sheriff said.
Joe eyed Curt, and then Reggie. He stared into their eyes with a bold gaze. Both men shook their heads.
“No,” Curt said. “We won’t be. Just get us out of here.”
“Joe?” the sheriff said. “At least come and help us file the report.
“Not right now,” Joe replied. “I have things I must do. I need to check on my friend.”
Joe walked up the path and met Owl-hunter while their two brothers stayed behind to help the sheriff with the men.
“Mind if I borrow your motorcycle?” Joe asked.
“Not at all. Going to get the skull?”
Joe nodded. “It’s time.”
“Good. If you need our help, let me know.”
“Of course.”
***
After Joe rode to the gulch where he had hidden the alien skull, he drove another hour along winding, dusty paths until he reached his great uncle’s hogan.
The vivid, beautifully colored ridges and red colored buttes and plateaus were so spectacular that Joe wondered how anyone in the world could be as coldhearted and ruthless as Curt and Reggie were. How in the vastness of such tranquility could evil root its way to the surface and poison an otherwise magnificent world?
Joe turned off the motorcycle’s engine, grabbed the skull, and wrapped it in burlap.
His great uncle, Atsa, stepped outside the hogan and smiled. “Ah, Shadow-talker. It’s been a long time.”
Joe embraced Atsa tightly. “It has.”
“What purpose has brought you here?” He gave a gentle nod toward the wrapped skull. “Is it this?”
“Yes, Uncle. I need to meditate and seek guidance from the Spirit World about what I must do with this.”
“A dark chindi has attacked you?”
Joe nodded.
“And it seeks rest. Why did you disturb its grave?”
“It was by accident. My brothers and I were digging for artifacts.”
Deep creases furrowed on Atsa’s forehead. “How did they react when you discovered the skull?”
“They wanted me to rebury it.”
“And yet you chose to keep it?”
Joe eyed his uncle with shrewd interest. “Have my brothers visited you?”
“Not in many years. It’s a shame they did not come with you today. They could help you with this matter.”
“If they haven’t been here, how did you know that I had a skull?”
“I sense these things. Its presence is mighty.”
Joe smiled. His uncle was a more powerful Shaman than Joe with many more decades of spiritual experience and visions. Atsa’s name meant the Great Eagle, full of power, wisdom, and strength. His attunement to the earth and the spirit world enabled him the understanding that Joe would eventually achieve should he continue to devote his life search to their bestowed gifts of knowledge.
Atsa smiled through his sun-aged wrinkles. “Odd that you’d come today.”
“Why?” Joe asked. He gently tucked the wrapped skull under his arm.
“Last week a terrible storm crossed the valley,” he said. “Lightning struck that Foxtail Pine tree. I gathered needles this morning with great urgency. Now, I understand why. You were coming. Let me prepare the sweat lodge. Shall I call your cousins to join you?”
“No,” Joe replied. “This is one I must do alone.”
“Alone?” Atsa shook his head. “Against the chindi? No, that is too dangerous. It’s best to be in company during such a confrontation.”
“Not this time.”
Atsa studied Joe’s face for a few minutes, staring long and intently. Finally, he acquiesced a nod. “Very well. At least, let me get the ceremony prepared for you.”
Joe helped his uncle raise the dark blanket door of the sweat lodge. The small lodge was made out of red mud and stood about four feet in height, almost resembling the top half of a hornet’s nest. Joe carried several melon-sized stones and laid them on a large log in the fire pit, which was about four feet from the door. Then he gathered dried kindling and stuffed it beneath the log.
It had been a while since Joe had visited the lodge. He was looking forward to what revelations the spirits brought him.
Atsa sensed the chindi and seemed to believe it to be a bad omen, much like Owl-hunter had first pointed out to Joe. And yet, Joe had never felt this. He knew the skull had a purpose for being found. Burying it and hiding it from the world wasn’t something he felt he should do.
But why did his brother and uncle believe the skull must be buried?
There was only one thing Joe knew he must do. He must seek the guidance of his ancestors and whatever they deemed best, he would obey without question or protest. This was how he lived his life. Disobedience brought disharmony and uncertainty.
***
An hour passed before Atsa had the fire prepared.
He mixed water, cedar, and pine needles together, and then he motioned Joe inside the sweat lodge. He handed Joe a pitchfork and reminded him where to place the heated stones to impede the north wind to ward off sickness. After completing the task, Joe ducked and entered the lodge. Atsa dropped the blanket door behind him. Darkness surrounded Joe. Only the glow of the rocks was visible. Heat radiated from the stones. Because of the low four-foot high ceiling, the warmth immediately surrounded Joe.
Joe unwrapped the skull and set it in his hands. He closed his eyes and began his first chant. His other senses heightened. After several minutes, Joe poured some of the water mixture onto the stones. Steam rose quickly. The aroma from the needles brought the sweetness of spring. The cleansing moisture drifted through the air and clung to Joe’s skin.
Warmth pulsed from the skull into his fingers. The heat traveled through his hands and radiated up his arms. He felt no alarm or any threat. No attack. The peace-filled power eased slowly through him until it reached his core. Dizziness overcame him for a few brief moments as this unknown energy connected with him.
Outside the blanket door, Atsa chanted along with Joe. Apparently his uncle sensed the urgency that weighed on Joe’s soul.
Joe waited and wondered if what Atsa sensed might actually reveal itself to Joe. He had no anxiety about being alone, nor did he have any sense of dread. Joe’s great uncle sensed an unwelcome presence around the skull, but Joe didn’t detect anything formidable about it. In fact, Joe perceived something quite the opposite.
Destiny.
Finding the skull had not been an accident. It was fate. This was something only meant for Joe.
The fire crackled. The fragrant steam fell into a heavier mist on Joe’s sweaty skin. The outside sounds quieted. His soul lightened.
With eyes closed, Joe let his mind drift, searching and hunting for the answer. The unseen power vibrated softly through his body. The skull, whatever once occupied it, tapped into his brain neurons.
Joe’s head tilted upward. A rush of vivid colors splashed through his mind. Chills covered his skin even though the lodge was nearly ninety degrees. He knew he was about to enter his vision quest. Answers would be revealed.
Still chanting, Joe’s body swayed as if he danced to slow music. He allowed his soul to drift and be carried to wherever the power beckoned.
A tall man came into view in this netherworld where his soul journeyed. Blurry at first, but slowly refining, he finally made out who the person was. He was puzzled to see the man holding and admiring the alien skull with great interest. It wasn’t what he expected.
Peace settled over Joe. He couldn’t bury the skull. That wasn’t its rightful place. The skull needed to be delivered to the man in his vision. Joe had only met this man one time before and didn’t really know him, nor did he understand why the skull insisted it be given to him.
Joe had no other choice except to obey the vision. Otherwise, if his brothers were right and he was supposed to bury the skull, no vision would have come. At least not this vision.
Destiny had given Joe the skull and determined that only one other person should possess it. The reasons were not given, but the recipient was shown, and now Joe’s journey was to find the man.
Dr. Helmsby.
***
Kat nudged Lucian after the helicopter landed. His eyes opened. He rubbed them and shook his head. He turned to face her. She smiled.
“We’ve landed,” she said.
“Damn. Already? I was sleeping pretty deeply.”
“I know. You’ve snored for the past three hours.”
Lucian wiped his chin. “And drooled, too, apparently.”
Kat kissed his cheek. “At least you’re not still feverish.”
“That’s a plus, I suppose.”
Lucian stood and took his pack. He unzipped it and found his 9mm. After checking the clip, he slapped it into the gun before tucking it behind his belt. He took another gun, did the same quick inspection, and tucked it inside his boot.
Kat took her gun and placed it into her shoulder holster. Then she pulled on a thin vest jacket to conceal the weapon.
Tim Felson opened the rear side door of the helicopter. He was a large, retired Air Force pilot with silver hair. He could fly almost any plane or chopper. His hands were huge and menacing, but his warm smile reminded most people of their grandfather. He spoke softly, slowly, and with a gentleness that eased folks into conversation without the slightest intimidation. Few people ever witnessed the man angered, and those that did, never dared to arouse that side of him again.
Felson had been a close friend of Kat’s father in the service and like an uncle to her whenever he visited. After her father passed away from lung cancer, Felson checked in on her from time to time. She was thankful he did, and he always insisted that if ever she needed his help, he’d be there. Like now.
“You needn’t worry about a big welcome reception here,” Felson said, extending his hand to Kat to help her step down.
“Why?” Kat asked.
“Damn landing strip isn’t much more than a corn field.”
Lucian stepped from the helicopter and looked around. Thin sheets of fog were growing thinner. He looked at Kat. “I thought we’d be able to rent a car.”
Kat looked across the large fields and shook her head. “I did, too. Tim, this is it?”
“Ma’am, you both have weapons. Not much chance landing in a larger airport and getting through security without causing a big stir. Then you’d have unneeded attention.”
Lucian nodded. “Agreed. Kat, call Mitch and let him know we’ve landed and that we’re trying to get transportation to find them.”
“Okay, sure.”
“Come with me,” Felson said to Lucian.
Lucian followed him to a small private plane near the fuel pumps. A small hanger was behind the plane and pumps. Felson walked to the door and peered through the window.
“No one’s here,” he said.
Lucian glanced at his watch. “It’s still quite early.”
“Yep. Probably trains people how to skydive or offers pilot flying lessons. Not a big operation here.”
Felson turned the doorknob. It was unlocked. He entered and Lucian followed.
Inside the small hanger, Lucian noticed a motorcycle in the midst of three small airplanes. He smiled.
“I think we could use that,” Lucian said.
Felson nodded. “I’ll be here if the owner returns. I’ll explain that we had an emergency and that we’ll pay them for using it.”
“Thanks.”
Felson shrugged. “Don’t mention it. It’s not like I’d leave you here.”
“I know. But we don’t have time to wait for him to show.”
“Could be hours or not at all, depending upon his schedule.”
Lucian inspected the motorcycle, found the key still in the ignition, and then he checked the fuel level.
Felson stepped beside him. “I don’t know what you and Kat are here for, and I don’t want to know. All I know is that she needed a chopper ride, and I am always more than happy to oblige. But do one thing for me.”
Lucian looked up at Felson. “Sure, what?”
“Keep a close eye on her.”
Lucian smiled and nodded. “I always do.”
“I imagine you do, but after her father passed away, I made a solemn promise to him that I’d ensure her safety. But, as you can see, I’m getting old and no possible way I could even attempt to keep up with you two.”
“Say no more. I’ve dedicated my love and life to her. I’d died before I let anyone harm her.”
A broad smile crossed Felson’s face. “As would I.”
“But, for what it’s worth,” Lucian said. “She’s one tough lady. One of the best with a handgun, and she’d have never been recruited by the FBI if she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself.”
“Yeah, but she’s like the daughter I never had. Once upon a time, I thought I might settle down and have kids, but the military kept me occupied so I never did.”
“Sometimes life gets in the way.”
Felson nodded and grinned. “Yep. And sometimes your country needs your expertise.”
“So do friends.”
Lucian pushed the motorcycle toward the hanger door. Felson opened a small set of double doors to let Lucian pass through.
Kat stood outside with the cellphone to her ear.
Lucian smiled inside and out at the determination set in her eyes while she spoke. No one looked more beautiful. For such a peaceful morning, he feared the outcomes might become bleak. Danger awaited them, and with his deteriorating health, he wondered if he could keep his promise to Felson and himself.
Although he did feel a lot better, inside his body struggled to survive. With his current physical weaknesses, he didn’t want to confront whoever had attacked Mitch and murdered the others in this town. But he had to do what was necessary to right the wrongs. This might be the last time he carried out such a mission.