The final portion of my vision quest was to find the soul that connects with the deceased on my mother’s side. Upon arriving at our tribe’s burial site I heard the shaman chant for a gathering to all deceased souls to return; that their absence caused sickness in my life and that they were needed to create my healing.
Swirling in the sky above were the souls of my dead relatives. They followed the shaman’s chants. I knew at that moment that my calling in life was to help others, to become an aide to a shaman or even become a shaman.
I looked to a massive land area that was being filled. It was the chosen site of some six thousand creatures that met their death last August. Marilyn, Carol and others were given the incredible task to collect and bury as many creatures as they could find. Marilyn referred to those pregnant months as the “time we had no soul.” And the creatures were “the ones without a permanent soul.” I thought about that and came the conclusion that she was right about the former and wrong about the latter. It made me think about my day of delivery.
Perhaps, I was the only one that wanted to keep my child alive. I protected it and would not let it transition to the flying monster. But the day before the wedding, I gave it a vial of honey that I stole from Banks’ refrigerator. I made sure that it could not escape from its hiding place but I thought it was its right to transition...it was its purpose in life. I stole a moment to float over to its nearby hiding place. The transition was a success. It didn’t seem to have that killing quality that the others had, but I couldn’t be sure.
The raven led my soul back to the cylinder where I had lain down and we became one. The shaman gave me nourishment and my tiredness lessened. He explained that the next couple of years would be a transition period for me and the Monarch Raven would be my animal guide. He told me to visit him once a week for the next year.
During that time things became easier, especially when I graduated high school. I learned about shape-shifting from the Monarch Raven. Sometimes he would shift into Banks Blackhorse and we’d have these wonderful conversations. It made me feel that I didn’t lose Banks. That he would always be a part of my life. Sometimes these fantasies were a cure to the foul realities of yesterday.
When I learned how Banks took on this blind boy to mentor, I found it sincere despite his fanaticism for becoming ‘white.’ I wanted to give him a gift. So I contacted the shaman and told him how involved I was getting with the raven’s shifting into Banks and it was time to release the raven. I added that I would like to give the best gift to Banks Blackhorse without his knowing that it came from me. I wanted to give Banks the guidance of the Monarch Raven. And the shaman agreed.
I realized today that our imprisonment was more than some cruel game that the Spirit Above Our Heads developed. I thought that maybe, just maybe, our captivity here was a continuation of Banks and my vision quest. That it was the beginning of a vision quest for the others. I thought this because I learned about balance in the world of spirits. And even if I found that the Old Soul was the essence of evil, that maybe the Spirit also designed the essence of good.
Since I believed that tonight was the last night of my physical world, I needed to complete something. To do this, I had to be calculating and manipulative; these are qualities I despised but at the same time admired its execution.
So I left Ann alone in the room and created a window of opportunity for Banks to have time with Ann. You might believe that I was very generous in doing that, but my purpose was to climb the stairs to Johnny’s room and let him know how much Ann was in love with him and how Banks and Ann were simply Platonic friends. The goal of course was to have Ann go up to Johnny and leave Banks for me. I hope you don’t judge me too harshly.
May your spirit sparkle.
Banks and Sway
When Johnny Angelo left his room, he thought about Ann and that Sway had suggested that there was an opening for him to become more ‘friendly.’ Johnny had noted the eye tag that Ann and he played. He would never act on his attraction for her for two good reasons: One was that she was too close to Tricia and that Tricia and he had a ‘history’ together. Acting on impulse and approaching Ann in a romantic way would increase Tricia’s ire. The other reason he stayed away from Ann was because of his loyalty and friendship with Banks. But the recent discussion he had with Sway seemed to nullify his reluctance.
Johnny held his breath and walked down the circular staircase and knocked on Ann’s door. When Banks opened it, Johnny asked if he were interrupting anything. Banks told him he was just leaving. “I just wanted to chat with Ann. We really hadn’t talked for a while.” Banks told him he should take all the time he needed and that he would be going back to the room.
Ann was delighted to see Johnny and welcomed him while trying to conceal her excitement.
Banks climbed the stairs to his room and walked in. The opening of the door covered Sway and she shut and locked it. She announced, “Now I’ve got you
Banks Blackhorse. There is no escape.”
Banks legitimate surprise was followed with, “What are you—“
“—doing here? I am here to make...paste with you, Banks,” Sway completed his sentences and questions as she did so many times when they were younger.
Banks chuckled as he reflected to when he was five, “I still remember. I think you made me eat it.”
“Do you remember anything else about kindergarten, Banks? Do you remember our agreement?”
Banks looked up. The faded memory returned, “Of course, I remember, Sway. And I remember all those wonderful times together while we were in elementary school.”
She walked up to him as he looked at her with curiosity. Memories of their youth flooded him. This was the girl that he was to marry. Then he remembered the distancing during the times when he was to put his goals into action. Unfortunately, there was no room for Sway in those goals but he knew that he must sacrifice the very thing that he cared for the most. He hurt her so much. Guilt swept over him. When they were eye to eye he said, “I am so sorry for all the—“
“—hurt that you inflicted? Apology accepted.” She quickly unbuttoned his shirt and removed it to expose his bare chest. She rubbed his white stickman tattoo. “Are you still into this white thing? This desire to be white?”
Some believe that guilt is a wasted emotion. The Catholic-Powers’ house and the Jewish-Abrams’ house would disagree. As for Banks, at the very moment that Sway touched, rubbed, and massaged his chest; the guilt receded as quickly as it consumed him. Now, there was only room for one emotion...lust. He started breathing heavily. He didn’t answer Sway’s questions. He didn’t want to talk. He simply wanted for this to continue to its ultimate conclusion.
Sway licked his chest. Then she started to kiss his nipples. She looked up at Banks, “In every relationship, there is a kisser and a ‘kissee.’ I initiate and enjoy the act of kissing. You anticipate and receive the kisses.” Sway unbuttoned her blouse. She rubbed her breasts on Banks’ chest. Her free hands went to his pants zipper. Inside his pants she cupped his hardness. She then unbuckled his pants and removed all things below his waist. She followed up with slowly removing her garments.
She wrapped her naked body around Banks and slowly led him to the bed. “Don’t worry about anything, Banks. Just let yourself go.” She inserted his penis into her warmth. They gyrated harmoniously. And their mutual orgasm came. They both lay in bed quietly in a state of afterglow. When Sway rolled to her side, Banks noticed her tattoo: Two letters were marked on her butt—one letter on each cheek. Each cheek was marked with a capital “B.”
“And just what do those “B”s mean on your ass?”
“You know what they stand for, Banks Blackhorse. They’re my grade averages in elementary and high school,” she smiled.
“And I thought you were a straight “A” student,” he added.
Banks held her in his arms during a period of silence. After ten minutes, Banks finally spoke, “In every relationship, there is a lover and a ‘lo
vee.’ And Sway smiled as Banks initiated the second act of intercourse. The second act for each of them in their respective lifetimes.
After completion, Banks led Sway to the shower. They soaped each other down and engaged in passionate kissing. Later they took turns drying one another. Combing each other’s hair. Laughing, touching and kissing. The love making of Banks Blackhorse and Sway Garland was finally consummated. But the heavenly encounter ended and afterglows ceased at the moment that the gong sounded. “Get against the wall, Sway,” Banks urged. He ran to the staircase, “Everyone, against the wall!”
Johnny and Ann, both naked, stretched hands against the wall. Peyton led Plato against the wall as Tricia screamed, “Again? It isn’t time yet!”
This time the cylinder wall moved counter-clockwise. Banks knew that instead thrusting objects out of the vortex, in would create a funnel dragging objects into the vortex. And the whirling brought new sounds from out of their rooms.
The rotations lasted longer than before. And finally as they slowed, all were feeling nauseous and sickly. They needed to lie down until their sense of balance returned.
Lying in bed, Ann and Johnny put on their robes. There was a pounding at the door. They looked at each other and Johnny got up. When he began to open the door, the door unhinged and its force flung Johnny down. When he stood up, there was an eight foot grizzly bear standing above him. The growls’ vibrations shook the contents of the room. Ann and Johnny ran for the bathroom and locked the door. Again the door was knocked down and the grizzly stood in front of Johnny. The growl of the bear softened. Its large mouth opened and its tongue came out. It licked Johnny all over his face. Ann appeared from the parted shower curtains of the bath tub, “Johnny, your animal guide seems to be quite fond of you.”
Animal Guides
As Johnny dressed in his robe, the bear sat close to him. When Johnny moved, the bear, now on all fours, followed him. Ann watched and wondered why a bear was his animal guide. She thought that surely, if things went according to Evelyn’s plans, the bear would be the lone survivor.
Ann so enjoyed her first sexual experience with Johnny. She thought about what her mother Dassi might say, “Ann, dear, make sure to send him a ‘thank-you’ card.” Her mother was so Emily Post. But that was exactly what Ann was thinking. It really wasn’t love or even friendship. It was simply sex. And if she had lustful feelings for Banks, then he would be the one to provide everything. But a few weeks after the town’s deliveries, Banks was becoming more and more like the sister she never had. In many ways that was a good thing. But in one way, it was a bad thing.
Johnny had all those lines around his stomach area that her high school friends would define as a six-pack. He had bulging biceps when he raised his hands. He had the cleft in his chin, a masculine face that oozed sensuality. And her high school friends would define him as a hunk. Ann reveled in the thought that her first experience would be a hunk. And then a slight moment of despondency began to flood, “Everything sex-wise is down-hill from here.” She stared at Johnny for a moment and thought, “He is definitely something out of Greek mythology.” She smiled and made a promise to herself that she would do it again with her Greek god. And why not?
Thoughts of a sexual nature waned as Johnny opened the door. The bear stood in case something untoward might approach. Ann stood behind the bear in case other animals were outside her door.
As the group cautiously exited the room they heard Banks from the floor above, “Let’s all meet on the ground floor.”
Sway and Banks descended the staircase hand in hand as Johnny’s group walked down to Peyton’s room. Ann called for Tricia, but it was Peyton that opened the door with Plato at his side.
“I haven’t had any sleep, I want to go home,” complained Peyton as he and his animal guide walked down the stairs.
Tricia came up behind him and snarled at Peyton, “You think you have problems? I am chewing my last piece of gum, you little brat. And it’s losing its consistency. Hello, Ann and Johnny, you two getting along okay?” Tricia with raised eyes, whispered to Ann, “Tart.” Then she realized that there was a grizzly bear standing on its hind legs and growling at her, “My god! It’s a ‘Wookiee!’”
Peyton said, “I never heard of a—.” And then the group in unison said, “It’s a bear.”
From inside the cylinder, the walls were now opaque. There was no way to tell exactly where they were. If they were at the summit of Mount Juneau there would probably be loads of rescue people outside. Banks’ eyes traveled to the gong, “Did anyone ring the gong?” They all responded by shaking their heads. Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound from above. Then loud caws. The Monarch Raven was slightly above the heads of Banks and Sway. It circled them as if it were undecided where to land. Sway sounded a series of caws and clicks that the raven acknowledged and it landed on Banks’ shoulder.
Ann thought about the raven’s indecision and reasoned correctly that the raven was originally Sway’s and that in a time of need, she gifted the bird to Banks. She thought to herself, “What a loving act!” Her knowing eyes were met with Sway’s and she knew that her dearest and best friend Banks had found the love of his life. She teared for an instant and then smiled with grace and warmth. Bitter sweet. Sway acknowledged the depth of Ann’s epiphany by returning a knowing smile and a grateful nod. They were in synch.
A loud roar silenced the group. From the floor above leapt a lynx. It sat down between Tricia and Ann. “Oh look, Ann. I got a big cat to protect me. It has such beautiful fur. I could make a Christmas coat once it’s skinned.”
But the lynx was not for Tricia. It nudged its head against Ann and she petted it. It purred. Then the lynx looked around at its future combatants...sizing each one up and planning its attacks.
Another swooshing sound. It was the White Raven. The Monarch Raven went berserk. It cawed and squeaked out orders for the white one to return to their egg. Sway understood and acted as interpreter to the others. Peyton astounded with, “You speak raven?”
To which Sway replied, “Fluently.”
Sway continued to click, tweet and caw at the star-crossed lovers until finally, the Monarch Raven settled on Banks’ shoulder, while the White Raven landed atop Sway’s head.
At that instant, atop the Powers’ roof on Skyline Boulevard, the unattended egg moved. It had just enough momentum to escape the protective nest and roll down to the gutter where it came to a rest unscathed.
Tricia whined, “How come everyone has a pet except me? Does this mean that I am the one who is going to die? Damn, I can’t even crack my gum.”
Peyton interjected, “It’s okay, Tricia. Plato will look after both of us.”
“I don’t want that smelly pooping animal near me. I want my own pet,” cried Tricia.
All eyes turned to Evelyn Sands. She was wheeling a cart in containing a late supper for all her guests. Evelyn turned to Tricia, “Don’t worry, my dear. You will have your own animal guide. I had difficulty bringing it in so I needed some help. Your...pet will be arriving shortly. Now, let’s all sit down and have a late supper. A last supper for one of you. Who will it be?”
When the group sat at the table, their animal guides were close by. Evelyn served tofu, sea weed, pea soup, whole grain breads with pure honey, kale and quinoa. Peyton questioned, “Where’s the beef?”
Evelyn reiterated, “Now I know you are all of average intelligence so I will remind you once again. When the animals begin their battle, be careful that you do not become an inadvertent casualty. Remember also that today one of you will die. Peyton is almost released of all powers. The moment his eyesight is 20/20 he will be removed from the Spirit’s control and the transition will slowly begin for another. After the battle of the animals, you must leave as quickly as possible; the exit way will open for you. Pass the zucchini, please.
Johnny questioned, “Why are you doing this? Why are we going through this nightmare?
Evelyn answered, “All good things come to thos
e who wait.”
Peyton screamed, “What are you talking about? Why do you kill living things?”
Evelyn pointed her fork at Peyton, “Finish your tofu, Peyton.”
At that instant came a horrifying roar that was familiar to all. The group looked straight up and saw the one last remaining creature nose diving towards Tricia. Tricia got up screaming and running to hide, but the creature followed her. It flapped its wings and was at eye level with Tricia. Then it slithered out its serpentine tongue towards her breasts. Tricia ran screaming and it attached itself to her robe fastener. Tricia’s animal guide had arrived.
Sway got up. She knew that she was the deliverer of that creature. This was her child. She looked at Evelyn and screamed, “You are even more hideous and cruel than I ever thought.”
Evelyn patted her lips with her napkins, “Thank you, Sway, you don’t know how much that means to me. Now Tricia, return to the table and finish your meal.”
Combat
After supper, Evelyn cleared the table. She went into her kitchen/pantry and shut and locked the steel doors. The group concluded rightly that this was her safe room. The group realized that they needed a safe room as well.
Johnny looked straight up to the opening of the cylinder. The first signs of dawn had begun. Banks stood up, “Hurry, Peyton. Let’s go to your room.” Plato began to growl at the Monarch Raven. Sway grabbed Peyton’s hand and the trio ran up to Peyton’s room with Plato beginning to foam. They shut the door.
Johnny grabbed Ann, “We’d better leave the bear and the lynx. Hurry.” Tricia brushed the creature from her belt and yelled, “You’re not leaving me alone.” They ran up two flights to Ann’s room while Tricia’s creature flew up and attempted to follow Tricia into the room. The creature missed its opportunity and looked down at the remaining bear and lynx.
Meanwhile, Banks pushed Peyton into the bathroom with Plato and told Peyton that he should be safe in there. The ravens showed no sign of a combative mood once Plato was behind the door with Peyton.
The Day the Sky Shattered Page 5