At least someone needed her; she reasoned and almost jumped when her mobile vibrated.
Andrea would literally kill her if she saw who it was, especially when they had all been warned about having non-totem friends; she had both.
‘Okay…I’m off now. Think I’ll pop into the hospital to see her,’ she said, shuffling a bit before realising that as usual no-one was paying her any attention.
19
Packs
Wrapped in the body of their totem, Seth and Nettles were finally free to follow the ancient Gaia law by allowing their totem to take control. It was a way of integrating with different packs. And tonight, they were on the lookout for any strays that had become confused. It was becoming quite common lately, and they often had to guide them back. For some, it was too late. They had wandered into gardens and were attacked by guard dogs.
Integrating was always risky. By losing, if only for a short time, the reasoning of the human mind, they put themselves in danger. But it was necessary to become accepted.
Seth, whose totem was a silver haired male fox, padded lightly through the woods, a light rain had fallen and he kept his ears alert to the keening cry of the others. Cries, not only distinguish different packs but also warn others that circle the village. Their instinct to feed was roused by a small rabbit that lay on its side with its throat cut, and at first they were wary – it wasn’t a fresh kill. Tucking their tails between their legs, they sniffed, hesitating between fleeing and eating.
Seth licked his nostrils, which flared in response, testing the air before moving in. Nettles held back the growling of his stomach and the scent of blood was too overwhelming. Once their stomachs were sated, the male licked his paws and flank, while the female whined again, identifying smells and judging the distance of each one. The smell of a fawn and its mother drifted towards her mingling with the musk of smaller animals that had passed the same way.
There was one smell that was stronger than the animals in the wood, and she nervously backed away from the stench of wet clothing, her ears twitching instinctively and alert. She circled the male cautiously, nudging him on his flanks, and he snarled at her. Defensive, her brownish hair standing on end, she sniffed the air - something was wrong. The grumbling cry of alarm sounded from her throat, her tail and ears flattening against the terror.
It was quiet, too quiet, compared to the previous week. Then the woods were alive with the chatter of birds and insect life. Apart from the normal badgers or antelope and abundant rabbit warrens, the reduced smells from their kind made them nervous. They knew they were alone.
The packs seemed to be choosing strange, untried routes that often got them lost, or worse, trapped on private hunting grounds where the dogs rounded them up for the kill. The female whined loudly now – they both sensed danger and with that their totems released their human mind. At first, Seth used to find this the most difficult when he woke up in the body of an animal but soon adjusted. For Nettles, it had always felt natural, and only took a few minutes to focus her vision until everything became crystal clear to the point of being psychedelic. She took in the remains of the rabbit, and the traces of blood left on the leaf. The only sounds she heard were her totem’s shallow breathing. Seth whined as he stumbled slightly after waking up in his totem.
Seth…can you feel it? The energy is wrong. It’s too strong here, we’ve got to leave.
Right…with you. Seth grunted in response, scraping the ground before bounding in the direction of dense woodland. He sensed an image to Nettles of a small cave, which he had discovered the last time, and she followed him.
His mind became foggy as they raced, his ears pricking at the sound of a low humming. In human form, they didn’t hear it, but it resonated through the ground beneath them. Whining as they broke through the undergrowth, into a small clearing, Seth padded back and forth before racing back to Nettles who was trying to shake off loose twigs and leaves by rolling on the ground.
Nettles, the cave…I can’t see it.
She stops then and looks around before noticing a soft bluish ribbon of light move towards them. They both whine backing away as it washes through them.
The frequency pierced their brain and Seth exposed his teeth, his heart pounding rapidly. From the tangle of bush, only the flicker of moonlight on their brown eyes gave away the power of the mist. Muscles became rigid paralysing movement as they panted in panic. The sound of crunching boots seemed too close. Nettles tried to move but failed; she was sluggish.
The urge to flee was halted by the pain that ripped through her animal body. This time she tries to separate, but it feels as if they are glued, and within moments, they both collapse onto their sides. Nettles diminished awareness, vaguely registers warped voices.
‘Over here. They’re here. Be careful now, don’t spook them.’ The woman’s gravelly voice is older than the second.
‘Look, she’s changing…you have to stop her. They’ll be no good if they change. Hold her for a minute.’
Nettles tried to send a message to the group, her weak mind battling to hold on. Hands grab the skin at the back of her neck, and she breaks contact.
‘Hey, you can’t do that, it’ll kill her…just wait…look…she’s not shifting anymore,’ another younger voice interrupted.
‘What about the other one?’
‘He’s gone already, out for the count.’
Seth?
‘I have to go, or I’ll be missed. I didn’t know you were going to ask me to do this – it doesn’t feel right.’ The younger one’s voice is tearful.
‘It doesn’t feel right? Does it feel right to know that you are nothing to them?
You have a chance now to make a difference. We are only at the beginning, and nothing is going to happen to them. We just need them to trade. Go if you want to.’ The older voice was sneering and Nettles shuddered towards sleep, her last thought was of the darkness, of Kekui
The sound of a dull smack echoed in the silence while their bodies were put roughly into the back of the van. Although they can’t voice it, deep down they both know they have been trapped.
The van drove as quickly as possible, bouncing through potholes, tossing the two sleeping foxes like they were lumps of meat. Only one person was left alone in the woods and she drew on the blue energy, calling it towards her. The smoke curled obediently up from the ground like a child to its mother. It was her discovery, gleaned from ancient texts and trusting councillors. For ten years, she had worked in secret, honing her skills, increasing her powers. It was a gift from Khaos himself, and it bent to her will.
She sent it out to track the one person that would listen to her. His gifts were well known, and it was time to send a message.
20
In-between
Hawk hovered near the doorway. It seemed quiet in there, even though he couldn’t quite see behind the curtain. He picked up her heart beat, and he relaxed, briefly closing his eyes.
‘Have you come to see Nevaeh?’ He looked down to find dark eyes staring curiously up into his. He nodded, uncertain of what to say. Hawk recognised her from before, it was Nevaeh’s mother and he immediately held out his hand. She was so different from Nevaeh, but she still had the traces of the dark haired beauty of her youth.
‘Sorry…nice to meet you Mrs Morales, my name is Hawk, I’m a friend, just wanting to see how she’s doing.’ He knows he is stumbling over his words and that the energy from the trancing is taking its toll. He pushes at his hair wearily, a motion that wasn’t lost on Nevaeh’s Mum. She placed a light hand on his arm.
‘You look tired…have you been here long?’ she asks.
Day and night blended together and he was exhausted, but he smiled and shrugged.
‘Come and look, she’s out of danger now,’ she coaxed pulling the curtain back, and Hawk gulped guiltily at how pale and fragile she looked. He damned himself for talking so much to Nevaeh. He should have concentrated on getting her back safe. Tha
t was his job, not to be involved personally, although it was too late now. He thought of their short time together, and wondered if his ancestors had seen the connection between them. He knew the answer would be yes, they knew everything, and time didn’t exist on the other side. He felt his stomach lurch thinking again of Nevaeh, and prayed she hadn’t wandered too far.
He watched the way that Nevaeh’s mother gently swept a stray hair from her forehead, thinking of his own mother. Both his parents died when he was younger.
He wished now, he remembered something about them – a voice, a laugh, a touch. Nevaeh didn’t realise how lucky she was, and he sighed, wondering what she was thinking, if she was thinking at all. Had she been to Nirvana? Was Mother helping her? His thoughts turned back to his ancestors, and Aponi. The vision was quite clear, she was cocooned and somehow that gave him comfort. He clenched his fists, angry that they hadn’t told him anything else. But deep down he knew that they had their reasons. They had never failed him yet.
Nevaeh’s mother touches his arm, startling him out of his thoughts.
‘We’ve had a bit of a scare, her heart lost its rhythm a while back, but she’s clear now, if you can call a coma fine. Apparently the doctors reckon that she is in a light coma and should be opening her eyes soon. Her brain activity is good...’ Her voice trailed off, and Hawk automatically put his arm round her. Until now, he hadn’t considered her family, just himself and the needs of Gaia. He stared at the still figure on the bed.
Nevaeh…if you can hear me…wake up…everyone needs you…I need you.
When everyone had gone, Hawk slumped into the chair, where he was soon lulled into sleep by the sounds of the industrial cleaner in the nearby room.
He was immediately overwhelmed by visual fragments of dreams and visions - someone was trying to reach him. He was being shown the woods, near Nevaeh’s home, and fear took hold of him as soon as he heard the pitiful crying. He felt the muscles in his legs expand as he ran towards the sound, dimly aware of the sticky mud that dragged at his feet, slowing him down.
Around him, the woods changed shape nearer the clearing. He wasn’t worried. Dreams always change shape and visions are never about the details but the symbols. Even though blue lightning flashed round him, he could still hear the crying; it was louder. The vegetation around him was becoming difficult to move through and for the first time he felt as if he was fighting Gaia herself. Strange tangled plants appeared in front of him, snagging his legs and clothing. He felt sweat begin to pour as the cries pushed him forward.
In the distance was a clearing and summoning up the last bit of strength he had left, he punched his way through. There, the scene rooted him.
Blue mist trailed through her hair, making him think of Medusa. On a grassy mound in front of her, lay two whimpering foxes, which he recognised as Seth and Nettles. Anger seared through him when she smiled, it made her face look ghoulish, especially when she extended her arm. The mist crawled down it like a large caterpillar until it slid from her fingers into the ground.
He swayed as the earth vibrated beneath his feet and a jagged gash opened Gaia’s skin. The grass around it swept back from the heat and he knew without looking that it was deep.
‘What do you want?’ he whispered, his voice hoarse. It didn’t feel like a vision, it felt real.
She answered him by picking up the foxes in each hand like they were toys. It widened their eyes and pulled their mouths open into macabre grins. He wanted to sense them to tell them to release themselves but he felt powerless. She had the control, not him.
‘What do you want?’ he shouted again. The heat was becoming stronger and he could feel it scorching his skin.
‘Bring her to me or they will die.’
Hawk felt his entire being scream when she tossed them casually towards the opening. Steam and pitiful cries of agony made him fall to his knees and cover his ears to the horror of it.
‘If they die, so will she. She belongs to me.’ Her voice is hard.
He is woken to the frantic calls of Andrea and a young nurse pulling him free. He leans towards Nevaeh’s bed, to check her heartbeat.
‘Hawk, are you ok?’
He shakes his head wiping the tears from his face, breathing heavily.
‘Seth and Nettles, they’re in danger.’
‘Is he alright?’ The young nurse asks, baffled.
‘Just a bad dream, a cup of tea might help,’ Andrea whispers, trying to sound casual.
Andrea stared back at the still figure of Nevaeh, resembling a porcelain statue. She would have seemed serene if it wasn’t for the lone tear that ran down her face. She watched Hawk pace round the bed, before stopping him and asking for answers.
‘She wants them back in exchange for Nevaeh,’ his voice was low.
Andrea opened her mouth then closed it wondering if she’d misheard.
‘A trade then?’ She whispered, looking back at Nevaeh. Hawk nodded, noticing the consideration on her face.
‘Don’t even think about it Andrea.’ He warned.
‘It’s not even an option – understand?’
Andrea didn’t answer.
He pulled her further away from the bed as if the very act of separating them made a point.
‘Sometimes we have to sacrifice one to save the whole, Hawk. You’re too close.’
Hawk steps closer towards her.
‘If anything happens to her, I’ll know where to go.’ He didn’t disguise his threat and Andrea looked away.
‘Understand?’ He repeated gripping her arm again. She gasped.
‘Yes, okay I understand.’ He went back to his seat next to Nevaeh. He inhaled deeply.
‘Andrea, we need reinforcements, another totem group – the eco group, they’re the most invisible, to watch over her. We’re two down.’ he added, seeing the flush of anger in her eyes.
‘As totem leader, I’ll call the meeting.’ Andrea said evenly.
21
Ma-ehti
‘Well, I know where we’ll be holding the next trancing session, Claudine whistled trailing behind. Hawk had driven them all in his beat-up old panel van for half an hour. It wasn’t the most comfortable drive, and they were all holding on for dear life as they hit every pothole in the road.
When the group finally stumbled out of the van, rubbing their backsides, they could only stare around in awe at an old timber and stone house in the middle of the woods. The windows were small, as if a child had made them before popping them into the wood. A timber porch extended from the front with two rocking chairs while the top was thatched. On one side, a large stone chimney stuck out.
Claudine and Caro skipped towards it, their bangles jingling in unison, before coming to an abrupt stop. They turned simultaneously to Hawk who was grappling with the door.
‘Where’s Seth, Nettles and Amber? I tried texting them, but there was no answer.’ Hawk looked at Andrea before unlocking the door.
‘Andrea?’ Caro whispered, sensing something was wrong. Andrea looked at the twins for a moment before ushering them inside. Amber’s not feeling well.’ she muttered.
The twins trailed behind looking at each other.
‘Amber is always around,’ Caro whispered.
‘Yes, but remember yesterday?’ Claudine replied.
Caro pulled a face before nodding. She had never seen Amber so angry, and over what? A girl she hardly knew. It annoyed her that, after a few months, Amber expected to be initiated. It sometimes took years for that to happen and even then, she had to be able to trance at the basic level first. She couldn’t even perform some of the small tasks of sight. First level trancers were expected to at least visualise the next room. Claudine looked at Andrea and wondered if she was losing her touch. Amber’s feelings for her were obvious to everyone, apart from Hawk. She dismissed the thought, vulnerability creeping in, a feeling she sensed to her twin.
They held their breath as they took in the room.
‘How are we going to chat to them without everyone noticing us,’ Claudine whispered to her sister. At first, it seemed like they wouldn’t have the chance to catch up like the last time. A red-haired woman from across the room was calling to them and they looked at her miserably.
They were closest to the door, and she wanted them to fetch the remaining bags of food from one of the cars parked outside. They almost whooped in delight when Gabe and Garren were told to help them. The boys made a beeline for them, and when they were in the kitchen, they were all grinning from ear to ear. ‘Where’s the rest of your group, I was hoping to see Seth,’ Garren said as they set down the remaining bags. Caro shrugged in response.
‘They got out of it,’ Claudine mumbled, still fuming that Amber hadn’t bothered to turn up either. Gabe picked up on her mood and put his hand in one of the bags.
‘Bruv…me thinks there’s something very fishy going one.’ He pulled out a large grey fish, holding it by its belly and shaking the head.
‘Idiot!’ Claudine laughed.
‘Fool!’ Caro bumped him with her hips.
‘Hey steady on, no touching on the first date,’ Gabe said and Caro blushed. Garren put his arms round the back of Claudine’s waist.
Heaven's Children (Earth Totem) Page 10