Chapter 2

              Turning on the TV, she wanted to leave right then and there, but she'd only slept for an hour and her body ached for more sleep. Turning to her side, she closed her eyes again, this time she slept through most of the night.

Abey grabbed her bag, and checked out, and headed back towards the highway. Grabbing something from McDonald's. “Take exit 315, then bear right.” the GPS instructed.

Driving all day and into the next was tiring, she wanted to pull over, but she kept going. Driving down a long stretch of darkness, a sign, “Hollows Way 10 miles.”

              “Thank God,” she said turning the radio up. It'd be another half an hour of driving. Then a small hike up to the peak.

              Slowing the car down to a stop, she locked her car before wandering up the hidden path into the opening that led to her Tribe. She felt at peace walking through the entangled branches, carefully stepping over a branch, she caught her hand on a sharp piece of tree, ripping a good size cut into her hand. “Ow,” she whined looking at her hand. “Great, now I know I'm crazy.”

            Walking through the last patch of woods before she could see a small pattern of smoke, she was getting closer.

            “Little Dove?” Light Stick said coming into the clearing.

            “Grandpa!” Abey exclaimed, running into his arms.

            Light Stick was a warrior in his time, he was big and bulky, every woman in the camp wanted his protection.

           “I've missed this place, so many times!” Abey said.

           “Are you here on a good visit or a bad one?” he asked curiously, walking with her towards the camp. “You know the Tribe is going to be excited to see you, and how beautiful you are,” he said squeezing her closer to him.

          “Um, well I need help. I've had these dreams about this man Dremis, he threatens my family and friends in my dreams if I seek help to rid him,” she said stopping in her tracks.

         “You know among the Native Americans; they have a legend or something to that affect where Dremis is mentioned. We shall seek our Elders tonight. You dance with us by the fire. Your totem will come to you with the answers you seek. It will guide you in this misguided and dark path.” he spoke as if he were talking for someone else. “Dremis is afraid he will lose you; he wants you to come willingly yes?”

          “Yeah, how did you know that?” Abey knew the question was dumb, but she wanted answers.

            “Your soul is very troubled Little Dove, tonight we dance. The Elders will help guide you to find your totem and your answers,” he said pushing her down on a log near the fire that barely had a flame.

          The Tribe greeted her with gifts, as well as an outfit she should wear during the dance. No one stayed more than a few minutes, Abey watched as the Chief and his family walked into the middle of the village, they sat near the fire just across from her. Closing her eyes, she knew Dremis warned her about talking about him or them, but she wanted to rid of him and his threats.

         “Little Dove, are you rested enough for tonight?” Light Stick asked sitting next to her.

          “Um I think so, I just want to find out how to rid of my problem. I am afraid he might hurt everyone I love to gain what he wants,” she said with a sad face. “Sometimes those that are taken away from you, become your spiritual mentors, sometimes they need to cleanse their souls before they come back to you. But truly no one ever leaves you,” he said half smiling at her. “The Chief is going to do a prayer tonight, as we dance. You are to sit here and watch the flames, close your eyes, and await the voice of your totem.”

        “What if it does not come?” she asked almost biting the end of her words.

         “When you are ready to receive your answers, your calling will be heard. They will come to aid you; I promise Little Dove.”

        Closing her eyes, she knew he was right. She would just have to cast out doubt and realize magic is in her blood, and when she was ready her totem would come and help her figure out of this mess.

        The air cooled down; the sun started to set. It was a peaceful night, the Chief watched Abey closely.

         “It is time,” he said standing up, his daughters joining him.

          Abey stood next to Light Stick, the others joined him around the fire. “Tonight, we bring forth one of our own, to help find her way. Her soul has been trapped in the forbidden place, we must free it!” he chanted over and over until more joined in the circle.

           “Close your eyes, and sit and relax.” Light Stick said pushing her down on the log. “Let yourself go, you will find your way back once we start,” he said whispering to her, as the rest danced and chanting in another language.

            Closing her eyes, she let her body sway to the beat of the drum. The warmth from the fire encircled her, dancing through her ears. For a moment she felt at peace like nothing could harm her.

            Breathing in the fresh air, she opened her eyes. A dagger at her throat, screams of people dying surrounded her. Quickly glancing around, her grandfather was held by one of the 'hooded.'

           “I told you, speak of us, and death will follow,” Dremis whispered in her ear.

            Closing her eyes, she had to make a move, she had to save her Grandfather. He was her last chance; he was her only family. “Ah-ah I wouldn't try that if I were you. You see my seers told me you'd try and be brave to prevent me from killing Light Stick.” his hot breath sent shivers down her back.

           “What are you talking about? I came here to get away from you, I wanted a good night’s sleep,” she growled, wanting him to spare her grandfather.

         "Now, why lie about why you're here. We know you wanted to find your totem so you think you could find a way to get out of what I have planned for you,” he said laughing. “So, heed this as my warning.” his grip tightened around Abey's arm. The man holding her Grandfather stabbed him with a blade. He cried out in pain, as the man let him fall to the ground. Abey cried out in pain, she struggled to get free of Dremis, but he held on to her.

         “Let me go!” she growled trying to overpower him.

          “I'm starting to enjoy watching you suffer. Might have to mess up a couple more times before I come for you.” he let her go after that.

           Abey struggled to her feet, she fell near her grandfather. “Grandpa, please no,” she said tears rolling down her face. “I'm sorry.”

           He opened his eyes, touching her face. “Don't worry Little Dove where I'm going, I can protect you better. This was supposed to happen,” he whispered. “Go East until you cannot, there you will find your Totem. Dremis will play tricks.” he died shortly after that.

           “No! Please, no!” she cried into his stomach.

          Dremis knelt, he wanted her to attack him. He wanted her to give herself over to him. “Pity, he could have helped you.” Dremis teased her. “Glad at least one of my problems is out of the way. You ready to come home now?” he taunted. Abey turned and charged him, he grabbed her by the neck.

            “Careful Sweetie I'd hate to bruise you,” he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

            “I'm going to kill you!” she growled, trying to claw at his face.

            “Not today, and I'd be careful on the threats, your best friend will be next if you decide to disobey me again,” he said pushing her away. “We're always watching, now that I know how to summon you, maybe I'll punish you, there for a while,” he said before disappearing.

         Abey looked down at her Grandfather. The Chief wandered close by. “This is a bad omen, you must leave. You are plagued by Shadows, scat, scat.” he hissed at her.

          “But my Grandfather?” she whined.

          “Take this,” he said pulling Light Stick's necklace from his neck. He'll protect you as long as you wear this. Do not come here for aid. Go East as he says, you will find peace.” he said waving his hand across the sky. “When the sky bleeds red, you must battle Little Dove.” he pushed her away from the fire.

            She walked down to her car, looking down at the small globe that her Grandfather used to talk about. It was Native American legend that a place called the in-between existed only if magic was interrupted or used for evil. Many feared it would plague their village, they cast out the ones born on certain holidays. He said when his globe glowed red, a war would cast. Many deaths, many new beginnings.”