Chance’s paws were dusty and his pads stung. He was looking for the caves that a sign had announced a short ways down the road. It was quiet here. Not much traffic now that the sun had dropped to the horizon. There was a certain amount of risk of getting picked up by animal control running alongside the highways and streets, or even getting hit by a car, but it was the easiest way to make good time and to find food. Not that gas station sandwiches could really be defined as food.
The road veered off and a small metal sign with the symbol of a cave marked the intersection. Chance turned down the gravel lane and Batukhan followed. He picked up the pace and couldn’t hold his tongue in his mouth any longer. It rolled out into the wind, flapping free. He was beginning to get used to moving in canine form.
After a few minutes a small, empty parking lot came into view that was surrounded with trees. Chance continued across to a pathway that led to a rocky hill and stopped. His energy flared and his skin tingled. The fur that covered his body disappeared and he rose to his feet. Chance stretched his arms above his head and dropped his backpack to the ground. Soon he had on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
While Batukhan finished pulling on a long-sleeve, he said, “A good place to camp for the night. In many cultures, caves are considered portals to other worlds and magical creatures live in them.”
“Well, I guess tonight that’s true. So, tell me why we aren’t staying at a hotel again?” Chance combed his fingers through his shaggy, black hair, pulling free dirt and burs.
“I have told you, Chance. It is not safe for you to be around people in your current state. You do not want to hurt anyone, do you?”
“No.” It was like he was trapped in a moving prison. He guessed Batukhan was right, but he resented being treated like a criminal and sleeping on the ground really sucked. The sooner all of this could end, the better.
He slipped the strap of his backpack over his shoulder and started walking to the mouth of the cave. His vision blurred and he stumbled to a stop. Another memory began to form in his thoughts and he grew anxious. He never knew what to expect and he didn’t like being forced to watch against his will.
His skin burned in the sunlight. Long black hair hung around his shoulders while he leaned down behind a large rock. The scent he’d been tracking was strong here, but so was the aroma of blood.
Please be alive, Mai.
Nastas’s heartbeat was elevated and he was having a hard time steadying his breathing. He was staring at a cave in the rocky hillside ahead of him and attempting to adapt his vision to see farther and more clearly. There was no movement, but based off the thoughts tumbling around in Nastas’s head, he was certain Mai was there.
Father would know what to do, but he’s not here. What if it’s another shapeshifter? Or what if it’s a skinwalker?
The stories Chance had read on the Internet rushed back to him. He knew that term. He’d thought it was the Navajo name for a shapeshifter. Except all of the stories about skinwalkers were negative and frightening. What if it referred to shifters with the sickness . . . like him? A chill went down his spine.
There’s no time to get Father. Mai could be hurt or dying. I have to help her.
Nastas quickly formed a plan. He set the bird he’d killed onto the rock he was hiding behind and removed a small, sharp knife from his belt. Nastas raised his arm and cut along his forearm. Bright red blood bloomed from the wound and he pressed his arm to the rock, letting it saturate the stone. He wiped the blood from his blade and held it between his teeth. With his eyes closed, he mustered all of his energy and a blue mapping illuminated in his mind. The familiar tingling sensation rippled through his body and his skin felt like it was being poked with needles. The discomfort of his self-inflicted wound eased, and he knew his cut had healed.
Nastas extended his eagle wings and rose to the air, careful not to drop the knife that was held in his beak. He climbed higher and higher until the cave was far below him and he rode the currents down toward the rocky hills behind the opening in the rocks. His claws gripped at some scrub growing on the dusty hillside and began a slow and steady descent, careful to be as silent as the wind.
Movement came from the opening of the cave. Nastas scurried to hide behind a small boulder and then peeked around the side. A large hairy shape walked out on two legs. Its nose lifted to the air and it began to move toward the rock he’d marked with blood. While the beast had its back turned to him, Nastas continued down the rocky face until he reached the top of the opening of the cave. From there he could hear soft whimpering and an eerie gurgling noise from within.
Mai.
The large hairy beast reached the bloody rock and held up Nastas’s bow in his large humanoid hands. Nastas had never seen anything quite like the animal before, but they’d heard stories recently about the howler from neighboring tribes. Chance knew exactly what it was, however, and couldn’t believe it.
The sasquatch turned around and started back to the cave, but moved very slowly. He was scanning the wilderness and appeared very busy trying to pick up Nastas’s scent. Nastas pressed his body down against the stony lip of the cave and listened for the beast’s approach.
A man’s voice called out, “I know you are out there, young shapeshifter. Do not think I don’t know your game. I have been watching you for days and think you would be a fine host, if you can kill me. But that is always the test. Either way, you’re mine.”
Nastas risked it and lifted his head enough to look over the edge. No longer was the large hairy beast standing there, but a brown-haired man. His skin was much paler than Nastas’s and he appeared to be older, possibly in his twenties.
“Your woman is dying. You might want to hurry.”
The man got closer to the opening of the cave and just as he passed below, Nastas pinched the blade tight in his beak and coasted on his wings down a few feet. Before he reached the ground, he shifted back to human form, grabbed the knife from his teeth and drove the blade into the base of the man’s neck. Nastas’s adversary fell forward with a yell and Chance watched in horror as his head bashed into a rock.
A burst of blue light radiated out from the man’s body along with a shockwave of air. It pelted into Nastas, reminding Chance of the moments after Markus’s death. A rush of power flooded his soul, making Nastas lightheaded for a minute. He sputtered and coughed.
The world was a little brighter and more colorful. Smells and sounds overwhelmed his senses and a laugh broke free, echoing off the walls of the cave.
When the rush subsided, Nastas’s gaze fell on a lump a few feet away. Long strands of hair had fallen free from the bun on the top of her head. Dark blood ran from her mouth and onto the rock she was wrapped around. Her eyes were wide and unseeing.
“Mai?”
There was no answer.
You don’t need her. She was weak.
The voice echoed in Nastas’s mind and Chance recognized it immediately. It was the same, nameless guiding force within him.
“Chance!”
The scene inside of the cave dematerialized and Chance realized he was being shaken. The twilight sky and dark shapes of the trees surrounding him welcomed him back from the memory sequence. Batukhan was standing before him and was gripping his shoulders, staring worriedly into his eyes.
“What? Leave me alone!” Chance wrestled free of his grasp.
“That was a long one. What did you see?”
“What do you mean? I was just spacing out—I’m hungry.”
Batukhan led him into the cave and motioned for Chance to sit down. “You may be trying to fool yourself, but not me. I know what it is like experiencing memories of other shifters. That is why I am taking you to my friend. That is why we must hurry.”
Chance settled against the rocky wall and opened up his backpack. He pulled out his water bottle and a crushed bag of chips. The only person he’d really talked to about the memories was Ana, but she wasn’t here and he couldn’t talk to her. He wasn’t sure if he shoul
d trust Batukhan. The voices in his head argued if he was trustworthy.
One thing he was sure of was the fact that he couldn’t take much more of these memories. Why couldn’t he channel happy thoughts and not murders? The only time he was free of them was while he was in animal form. It was quieter then.
“I can see you don’t want to talk about it. If you do not, then you should at least try to center yourself after it happens. Feed yourself. Do you have enough protein? After you eat, let’s meditate. Calming your energy and reconnecting with it is a priority when there is so much noise in your mind.”
Batukhan held out a protein bar to Chance, who accepted it and tore it open. He was starved, and swallowed it down in three bites. After he ate an apple, a bean and cheese burrito left over from their stop at lunch, and a beef stick, he felt much more human.
The entire time Batukhan kept a close eye on him, something Chance was well aware of. He didn’t much like a sturdy Mongolian staring at him, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it but try to ignore him.
“Close your eyes. It is time to meditate.”
Chance did as he was told and took deep breaths, allowing himself to relax.
He is trying to hypnotize you into complacency. You must stop this. Are you his cattle? What about Ana? What if she’s in danger? It is your job to protect her.
Ana’s face traced his thoughts and his heart actually hurt thinking about her. How many days had it been? Weeks? Too many. Traveling by dog was slow going and he just wasn’t confident Batukhan was looking out for his well-being. What if he just wanted his friend to help kill Chance? This was crazy. The advice he’d had from his grandfather and great-grandfather was to be wary of other shapeshifters. Always be cautious.
The only thing Batukhan had done to display trust was giving him food and not killing him. Yet.
After a quiet period, they both lay down to go to sleep. Chance was tired from running all day and as soon as he tucked his backpack beneath his head, his eyes shut and all of the voices fell away into silence.
Life stirred around the mouth of the cave. Birds chittered and the distant sound of cars on pavement brought Chance from his deep sleep. The comforting, deep whisper from Niyol welcomed him back to consciousness.
Remain at peace, be true to yourself. Listen to your instincts and be patient.
When he opened his eyes, shadows clung to the ceiling and sunlight crept across the dusty ground. Batukhan sat cross-legged, facing out. His formidable form kept Chance’s face in shadow.
“Good morning, Chance. How did you sleep?”
He groaned and lifted himself to his feet. “As good as you can on the ground.”
Chance brushed the dirt from his clothes and thought longingly of his bed at home. He could almost smell the bacon and eggs his mom used to cook for breakfast on the days she didn’t work. He begrudgingly took a granola bar from his backpack and tried to imagine a heartier start to his day. Who knew how long he’d be traveling this way. If Batukhan had his way they’d remain sleeping in the dirt and eating out of their bags. He definitely didn’t need a pillow top mattress, but living like this left a lot to be desired.
“I think we can start heading northwest toward New Mexico. Do you have enough food to last you until lunch time?” Batukhan turned his head but didn’t look at him.
Chance looked in his pack again, pulled out an energy drink and took a swig before answering. “Yeah, but I’ll need something more than a bruised apple and protein bar for lunch. We’ll definitely need to stop.”
“Let us prepare ourselves for our journey.” Batukhan rose from the ground and stretched.
“So, I know you don’t want me to be around people ‘n all, but why can’t we at least rent a car or something? I’ve got the money. Wouldn’t we make better time?”
“That is a good question. Shifters who have the sickness fare better when they remain in animal form. Have you noticed the voices aren’t as loud when you’re a dog?”
Chance didn’t need to think about it. “Yes, it’s much quieter.”
“This is why we are traveling in this manner. Unless you have any other questions, let’s prepare ourselves to leave.”
They quickly got ready and were soon on the road again, running along the dusty shoulder in canine form. It was a long morning and when they stopped at midday, Chance was ready for a rest.
Behind a gas station and a pair of dumpsters they shifted into human form and pulled on their clothing. Short of having a little extra grime on his skin, he looked like any average teen. He pulled out his tennis shoes from his bag and noticed his cell phone. Since leaving Balam’s home in the Yucatán, he hadn’t checked his messages. He didn’t have any battery life left in it and he hadn’t exactly had the opportunity to stop and charge it. His parents had probably checked in and would be wondering where and how he was. Besides that, he was afraid to hear Ana’s voice and the pain that would be impossible to miss. Even if he got better, would she ever forgive him for abandoning her?
“What is that?”
“Just my phone.” Chance slipped it back into his bag and zipped it up.
“Mmmm.”
“What, do you have a problem with phones too?” Chance asked in agitation.
Batukhan eyed him. “You will be tempted to see your family and friends, but I recommend you wait to speak to them until you are in control of yourself. I can hold it for you so you are not tempted.”
“No, you’re not taking my phone.” Chance slipped his backpack over his shoulder and sauntered around the brick building. He was hungry, tired and seriously annoyed with his travel companion. Who did he think he was, his mom?
The gas station had a Mexican fast food restaurant attached and Chance was eager to have something other than prepackaged meals that tasted like plastic. He ordered ten burritos and ate five while Batukhan watched him warily, like he was some kind of ticking time bomb.
Chance put the remaining food in his pack. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom. Be right back. Could you get me some waters?”
“Yes.” Batukhan watched him move away to the far end of the convenience store.
The men’s room was empty when he walked in, which was a good thing, because as soon as he stepped inside his vision grew fuzzy and he stumbled against the wall. Another memory absorbed his thoughts and his breathing quickened.
Instead of standing in the bathroom, he was biking down a rural neighborhood street. Chain-link fences lined the small, one-story homes and loud music poured from the window of a parked car.
He turned to look behind him and spotted a large black crow on a telephone pole. Wind combed through his hair and a lock fell across his eyes when he turned to face the sidewalk. Clouds streaked across the sky and a chill was in the air.
It’s him. I know it is. Mom thought we’d be safe here, but he always finds me.
Chance recognized Markus’s voice in his head. This memory took place in a different town from last time, he was almost sure of it. It was more rural than the last one.
Markus’s blood pressure was rising. The veins in his neck were throbbing painfully, and it was transferring to Chance. He gasped for breath against the bathroom wall and stared blankly at the stalls as the memory continued.
Markus pedaled ahead, turned down a dusty gravel street and kept his eyes ahead of him. Down the road he could see a gleam of metal shining in the sun. An Exxon sign came into view and the small service station was empty of cars. He pumped his legs and then coasted up to the building.
I don’t want to move again. I can’t put Mom through this again. It isn’t fair to her. If grandfather kills me like he did with dad and Ricky she’d lose it. She’ll have nothing left. I can’t let that happen.
Fear transformed into resolve and Markus climbed off his bike and went to the door. A bell chimed when he went inside and he put his hand into his pocket to pull out a five-dollar bill. He grabbed a soda from the case and a candy bar from the small display rack and threw them o
n the counter.
After he paid the attendant he asked, “You got the key to the bathroom?”
The old man behind the counter handed him a key hanging off a metallic tire rim. “Bring it back, you hear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Markus took it, lumbered back outside and sniffed the air. Rain was coming, he could smell it. He rounded the corner of the building and approached the bathroom door. A black crow flew down to the gravel and cawed at him. Markus paused and turned his back to the cinderblock wall. He kept his eyes on the bird while it stared at him.
Chance realized just how rural the town was in that moment. He hadn’t seen a passing car on the dusty road since Markus’s memory began. There were only bushes and trees nearby, no other businesses or homes. A few rooftops were visible, but he knew they were alone. So did Markus.
“Come to visit me again, grandfather? Take me to the zoo and get an ice cream cone?”
A black feather floated to the ground as the bird stretched out its wings and shifted into a man’s body. His head was not that of Nastas, but of a grotesque beast. A wolflike face with a wrinkled maw pulled back to reveal sharp teeth. Fierce eyes flashed at Markus and fear grabbed at his chest like a vice.
“You can’t scare me,” Markus whispered.
The frightening beast’s face shifted until Nastas’s almond flesh was revealed. His eyes gleamed as he stared at his grandson. “I don’t believe you. I know my face gives you nightmares. I hear you crying into your sheets when the moon is high. You can’t escape your fate. You will be mine, just like your father and brother before you.”
Markus remained quiet, but his mind was racing. I can’t let him kill me. I can’t let him hurt Mom again. It’s either me or him.
“You’ve got a foolish look in your eye. I’d rather let you live a little longer so you may grow more powerful before I kill you. It is better for me that way. But if you’d prefer dying today . . . I can arrange that.”
Emergent Page 17