She learned about the cylinder. She was given the tools. She could set up the rules and if she displayed her dispassion and her cleverness to the Spirit, she might become his Old Soul. The Spirit would give her in return an improved face and body better than any surgeon could. Additionally, the Spirit would fade away Peyton’s mind’s eye by removing his blindness resulting in the waning of his powers of externalizing his mind’s eye. She had her Labors of Hercules and she would impose her own labors on the six young adults.
Currently she was in trouble with the Spirit. She promised the Spirit five dead animal guides and one dead young adult. She had to nightfall to complete the labors. She had to not only use the powers she was given, but also the powers that she developed over time. She must succeed. She will succeed. She will become the most powerful person in the world.
The cylinder rotated in a clockwise manner. Evelyn collected her arsenal and was whisked away through the funnel. Evelyn Sands had pressing business to attend to.
The Worst of Times
Mrs. McGruder is dead. The whisker of shrews and other rodents that devoured her scurried out of the grocery store. In the middle of the street they were squashed by the stampede of moose and wild bison which changed directions. But the rodents at the Indian compound were on the hunt for their next meal.
The mountain goats were accustomed to climbing and had little difficulty arriving at the second floor of the compound. Carol and Marilyn ran out and used their spears to skewer goats and toss them over the railing. Other Indians aided while the small rodents headed for the now unattended circle of young adults.
A cougar jumped in and caused a fright amongst the goats. It was shot dead on arrival.
Moles approached the circle of protection. It was Tricia that looked at them with interest. Rather than fear, she thought that the pelts of moles would make a lovely Christmas gift...for herself. One of the few things that she found interesting when studying English history was the fact that the wife of King Edward the VII wore a mole fur-garment made out of several hundred pelts. It started a trend and was a solution to the mole problem in Scotland. In her French class, she learned the color taupe, was French for mole. She thought that these were the things she learned high school that were important.
The moles ran towards the foursome’s circle but bounced back. The shaman’s protective herbs and chants kept them safe for now. The weasels ran around the circumference and tried their best to get in. Then, a 300 pound mountain goat charged the circle and its horns were ripped from its head. Tricia went back to sleep and continued to dream of clothes. The White Raven opened an eye as Ann continued to hold it. They were safe for now.
Sway and Banks, somewhat breathless, reached the Indian burial site. Banks asked, “What’s the plan? Something you know that I don’t.” Sway was about to answer when they heard a wolf’s howling. Other wolves answered back. This was bad news. Banks cautioned, “We better find high ground for the time being.” They found a shed and a nearby ladder. They climbed the shed and brought the ladder up.
Sway explained, “There exists a soul state for all things living and non-living.” Banks listened attentively to Sway’s plan of action as wolves organized in to a pack.
The Powers’ safe place was becoming unsafe. The door was rammed by goats and scathed by talons. Dassi had her hands to her ears as if she could lessen the impending doom by hearing less. Mrs. Kadet found solace in her husband’s arms. Julie drank. Suddenly, there was the sound of wings in flight, hooves on the run and then... a dead silence.
Stan put his ear to the door. He opened it an inch. “Evelyn? Evelyn Sands?”
She returned with, “How’s it hanging, Stan?”
Stan opened the door cautiously, “Where did the animals go?”
Evelyn answered, “I think I scared them off. Hey, Julie. Still taking yoga lessons?”
Julie questioned, “Peyton, Tricia? Are they still at the Indian compound? Are they okay? What is going on?”
“Thank you, Julie, for the ‘intel,’” smiled Evelyn.
Stan grabbed her arm, “What’s going on? What are you doing with my kids? I want them back and I want these animals out of my house.”
Evelyn Sands neared the tip of the funnel and waved to Stan. After she disappeared, Stan saw the funnel heading toward the compound. The goats returned and so did the eagles. Stan locked the pantry door.
While Carol and Marilyn were busy keeping the second floor secure, the funnel removed the back window boards for Evelyn’s entry. She noted the circle of protection that circumscribed the four young adults and the White Raven. Now was the time to strike! If she could only kill two birds, so to speak, her promise to the Spirit would be fulfilled.
Evelyn approached the circle as she eyed the wounded White Raven. She attempted to penetrate the circle with her hands but they were met with a nasty shock. Further attempts of entry also failed. She thought that Peyton still had a bit of his power left. She attempted to communicate with him as she did before by ‘sending,’ “Peyton, I am here to take you to your parents. They are worried about you. They are in the pantry with neighbors and they sent me to bring you home. Can you hear my thoughts, Peyton?”
Peyton sent back, “You evil bitch, go away. You killed Plato. I hate you.”
Evelyn sent, “But Peyton, I gave you your sight. Plato was happy for you and he is now in dog heaven. You can be with him if that means that much to you.”
“I know your tricks. I don’t trust you. Banks told me to stay away from you. He is going to protect me when he is done at the burial site.”
“Why is he at the burial site, Peyton?”
“He and Sway are going to get rid of all these animals and destroy you.”
“Well if you don’t want me to take you to your parents, at least give me the White Raven and I will cure her, otherwise the bird will die.”
“No! Now let me sleep, evil bitch.”
Communication between the two ceased and Evelyn formed a new plan. A better plan. She would take a hostage at the burial site in exchange for the Monarch Raven. And just when she’d receive the raven she would kill one of the humans. She entered her spiraling cloud and created another cloud that touched down in the waters of Stephens Passage. She aimed her enclosed funnel at the Indian burial site.
Synchronicity
Banks and Sway were in each other’s arms atop the shed. The wolves circled the shed and drooled. Suddenly, it was raining minnows. Thousands of minnows came from the funnel tip above them that transported the contents of Stephens Passage. The wolves opened their mouths and began a feeding frenzy. Larger animals were arriving and the pack chased after a sea lion.
The window of opportunity presented itself to Banks and Sway and they climbed down the ladder. Banks ran over to the Indian burial site as Sway yelled from behind him, “Not that one Banks, this—“
Sway was interrupted by the appearance of Evelyn Sands. Evelyn opened her big black bag and with the speed of summer lightening, snapped one end of handcuffs around Sway’s wrist and snapped the other end around her own wrist.
Banks ran towards her, “Evelyn, this must stop. You have been responsible for many deaths and injuries. Quit now.”
Evelyn answered, “But don’t you see, Banks. I am judge, jury and executioner. That is my role. I follow the highest creator that you follow. I am here to bring balance to the world. I will be the new Old Soul. I only obey the Spirit Above Our Heads. Certainly as chief you can respect that. So here is the deal. Give me your bird and I’ll give you the girl.”
Banks had always suspected and at times felt he knew that no harm could ever would come to the Monarch Raven. The raven was immortal. So the deal was a no-brainer in his view.
“Don’t trust her,” cried Sway. “She’s going to kill the bird then me anyway.
Banks yelled, “Call the raven, Sway.” And Sway clicked and cawed and the raven swooped down as Banks placed the bird into Evelyn’s bag. “Now uncuff her.”
&nbs
p; Evelyn looked at the setting sun and placed the bag down and yanked out a butcher knife from inside her sleeve. As she brought the knife close to Sway’s throat, a wolf pounced on Evelyn and the two women fell to the ground. Other wolves joined in as they remembered how they enjoyed the taste of Evelyn from before.
Out of the grounded black bag flew the raven. It knew something that the others did not know and ignored the clicks and caws from Sway.
One of the wolves attacked Evelyn’s wrist that was handcuffed. The wolf gnawed at her wrist and it freed Sway’s hand. She slowly crawled away in the direction of the shed.
Sway looked behind her and heard Banks yell, “Stop!” Sway ran up against the black and white orca with its mouth open. She escaped in time to run into another hungry orca, and another, and still another. The killer whales flopped their bodies and encircled her. These killers hunt the same way that a pack of wolves hunt. They moved in on her and Banks was helpless. He was outside the circle and panicking. “Sway, I love you.”
Sway answered back as the Orcas’ hunting techniques successfully captured Sway. They simultaneously brought down their conical and interlocking teeth. And Sway thought, “May your spirit sparkle.” Her death was instantaneous.
Simultaneously, Evelyn died a horrid death.
The White Raven died as the Monarch Raven flew into the protective circle and cawed a song of despair.
At the gutter of the Powers’ house, the egg hatched and out came a beautiful yellow raven chick. It took its first steps, then walked slowly with a graceful sway.
And as the sun set, one thing was for sure: If Evelyn Sands could not keep her promise to the Spirit, the Spirt would keep it for her. There must be balance.
The wolves and orcas forgot their hunger as if they sensed the balance of the world was being reordered.
Banks felt as if he were being reordered. He was devastated. His existence was meaningless without her. He wanted no more of this physical world because the pain of the loss of love was too great. He had no preparation from his vision quest last August. Just when he found what was important in life, it was taken from him. He was overwhelmed with guilt that he was unable—no incapable—of saving her. She was the quintessence of good. He scolded himself for his stupidity of giving her up during secondary school just because she was an Indian. He hated himself. His state of consciousness was unbearable. He wanted to be numb. He crawled on top of a random Indian grave and lay there waiting to die.
The last sunlight of Labor Day dissolved.
PART III,
“WHAT IS DONE CANNOT BE UNDONE”
Resurrection
BANKS BLACKHORSE’S death wish was overriding his life forces. The natural instinct for all animals to survive had escaped his body. He welcomed the wolves to devour him slowly as they did Evelyn Sands. Or better yet, for orcas to take him away so he could join Sway. Sway, yes Sway. He could see her in his state of despair. The sight of her involuntarily brought his life instincts back. But when he heard her voice, he came alive!
His neurological senses picked up her sound. She was talking. Maybe he was dead and rejoining Sway in Otherworld. His eyes opened. He looked up from the grave and he saw Sway!
“Banks, you need to do more. You need the help of the deceased souls to carry them back from whence they came. Now, Banks. Now before the animal world gets its bearings back from the shifting of souls.”
“Sway, you’re alive! You’re alive.”
“No, Banks. I am the shape that was shifted from my reincarnated animal. I am reborn with knowledge of my past. My physical human life is over. My new animal life has begun. We will talk more later. Tempus fugit, Banks. Awaken the souls, you know how to reach back to your Indian heritage. Now use it to guide and lift these animals back to their habitats.”
“But, Sway, these dead Indians—“
“—Not the Indians, Banks. No, over there. The deceased creatures that you brought down...their souls must be resurrected to guide the animals and lift animals back. Now, Banks! Now do it like you did with Peyton when you made the sky fall. Feel the spirit of the deer hooves around your neck. Sense the gallop of the black horse. Yes, you were a winning thoroughbred in your previous life. Connect with your Uncle Dan. Connect with your father and your grandfather. Understand what they know, see what they see. Go back to your great blind ancestor that discovered The Night the Sky Fell. Be him. Be an Indian. Now lift these souls of these dead creatures and order them to return them to the animal world...to their respective habitats.”
Banks’ neurons were receptive to Sway’s essence. She mesmerized him to follow her instructions since he currently could not think for himself. He could see and feel the Braille book of his ancestors. He felt the words in the Tlingit language chanted as Sway coached him. His eyes were shut tight so he could not see the 5000 plus transparent creature-souls rise from their grave site. He could not see that several dozen souls needed to work together to lift an orca back to Stephens Passage. Their talons turned from soul state to physical state during the lifting process. He continued to chant while Sway’s shape-shifting essence directed him, gave him intensity, gave him purpose.
The wild bison and moose exited the town slowly but with purpose and direction. The rodents were scooped up and returned to the forest. On Skyline Boulevard, the animals were removed from the Powers’ house. All different groups of birds were guided back to their respective habitats. At the Indian Compound, animals were ushered away.
The evening of Labor Day ended with the creatures following the orders and restoring animals to habitats. They returned to their soul state and back to the creature burial site. Once they had returned, Banks collapsed. He was out cold. He needed to sleep from exhaustion. And while he slept he was consumed with the feeling of purpose, the feeling of growth and most of all the feeling of being alive again.
The shape-shifted body of Sway Garland returned to its correct physical shape. The yellow chick flew off to be with her father.
Skyline Boulevard
Julie shut off all the loud music and checked the upstairs for any remaining animals. Stan noted the mess on the main floor and left a message for the insurance company to assess the damages...again. Dassi got off the phone with Ann and let the others know that the kids were fine. She told her husband Murray that she would go down to the compound and pick the kids up. Murray walked to the house next door expecting his house to be in shambles. He was shocked to discover there were no signs of damage or remaining animals. He even thought that his house was nicer now than when he sought safety at the Powers’ house.
Mrs. Kadet stayed on to help Julie with the upstairs’ mess. Mr. Kadet wandered across the street when he saw his neighbor Ms. Amor lying supine near her garden. He ran over to her and helped her out. She was in shock and he guided her to his house.
Farther down the street people took safety in cars during the onslaught of the bigger animals. Car doors were opening slowly as if there still might be some peril. Mr. Kadet yelled to them and ran to the cars and told them that the animals were gone. He walked in to his house with Ms. Amor and covered her with blankets and put on the tea kettle.
Up and down the boulevard human noises came alive. People got their bearings. This was the second horrific experience for the people within a month. Dassi joined Stan and they drove slowly to the Indian Compound. They drove very slowly because some of the telephone lines were down, tree branches lay in the street and they noted a few corpses (or body parts) that were attended by fire and rescue workers, volunteers and police.
Most of Juneau’s injured were spread out all over the emergency room at the Juneau hospital. Murray had wanted to go but realized he would be more of a nuisance than an aid. He made a call to the hospital and left a message that he could be called at home if anyone had a serious eye injury. His phone started to ring shortly after he left the message.
Dassi told Stan that after they got the kids, she would like to volunteer at the hospital. For now, she wanted to s
ee Ann. As they approached the compound, they saw the residents hard at work. The corpses of dead animals were everywhere. The shaman insisted that they were to be heaped together away from the compound and to be burned as soon as possible. Behind Stan’s car came a honking by a station wagon. He pulled over and saw tribesmen carry out Banks Blackhorse on a stretcher...he wasn’t moving. Stan parked the car and Dassi and he ran out to discover that he was in a deep sleep and a state of exhaustion. The shaman knew they were coming and had prepared his own apartment as a healing room for Banks. The shaman promised Dassi he would have better care here than at the hospital and he had everything under control.
Ann walked slowly down the steps holding the deceased White Raven. The shaman took the raven from her and said it would have a special burial. When Ann caught the stretcher of Banks, the shaman explained that he was going to be fine. He turned to Dassi and Ann, “Is it okay if Ann stayed with Banks, I think she could be of help?” Dassi thought about this for a while. She realized that everyone wanted to help in one way or another. Dassi herself wanted to report to the hospital to assist the nurses. She looked at her daughter, opened her welcoming arms and hugged her and spoke in Hebrew. She understood that Ann wanted to help and would be safe here.
Stan opened his arms to Peyton. Peyton knew that Stan was his dad because Tricia told him so as they arrived to meet him. Peyton’s eyes were almost at full force. Tricia exaggerated how she was attacked by flying porcupine quills and milked the injury for all it was worth by dragging her leg and emphasizing her limp. When Peyton teared about losing Plato, Tricia feigned sadness for the loss her pet. Peyton angered with, “Your animal was one of those creatures and you said you were glad it was dead.”
Tricia pursed her lips and asked what she thought was really important, “Dad, do you have any gum?”
The Day the Sky Shattered Page 8