by Vr McCoy
Then the Great Mother took out the feather of a large bird, perhaps an Eagle. She made hand and arm gestures towards the fire with the feather, and then handed it to Nina. She asked us to hold hands in front of the circle as she began speaking to the spirits, and then to us.
“You are strong, Nina, like most who bear the mark of the Eagle. Like her, you are incredibly patient and courageous. The Eagle peers down from the highest of trees, waiting patiently for hours to strike. You are a relentless tracker, you won't give up on anything or anyone. Once something or someone is in your sight, you will pursue it until caught. The Eagle is extremely dedicated and loyal. Once its powerful talons grasp a hold of something, it won't let go. This is why you chose the work you do.
You are very emotional like the Eagle, but being very powerful and emotional leads to extremes. This is why the eagle flies erratically at times, like when it does the death drop. It falls out of the sky at extreme speeds; racing down, coming so close to the ground, and pulling up at the last minute.
The powerful beak and jaws of the Eagle makes you talkative. You are straight to the point and your words are strong; direct and blunt. Sometimes you speak without thinking of the consequences and end up hurting others when you had good intentions in mind. Your words also hold the power of your emotions. You can say what's in your heart that others can't convey. The Eagle has extraordinary hearing. People can hear what is in your heart as well as you can hear what is in theirs. The Eagle also has great vision and insight. It will help you illuminate what is hidden. You are able to see and hear what others can't or refuse to see or hear.
The Eagle lives in the Upper Realm of Heaven and Middle Realm. You are attracted to the light and the sun, yet you also look for the shade for comfort to build your nest for your family. You often fly too close to the sun because you are fearless, and need the cool that the shadows have to offer.
You both live in trees, you see. Just as the panther climbs to be closer to the heavens, yet lives in the dark, the Eagle soars in the sky yet seeks the shadows to be closer to the dark. This is why you are here together. It has been destined. Nina's wings will help you acquire the aerial perspective that you need to continue, Cheveyo. She will be the one who rescues you when you can no longer see past the darkness.”
Then she got up and began chanting in front of the fire. She took the thurible and threw smoke to the four corners, again. Then she gave us each a pipe with peyote and sat back down. We lit up the pipes and began chanting again. I guess the peyote ceremony was pretty much universal, but the languages and chants differ. She chanted to Massauu to assist us in our travels. She guided us into the vision quest. We visited the Great Havi in the Spirit World, where she showed us the Hopi's history from the Ancient People to now.
We stayed with the Great Mother for three days straight. She fed us and provided a place for us to rest, but we didn't get much sleep while we journeyed in vision quest with her. We took the batteries out of our cell phones and I contacted Steve via dreamscape. I let him know that we were safe and what we were doing. I'm just glad he was open-minded and intelligent enough to accept the dream implant.
When we completed our journey with the Great Mother, we were arrested and taken to see the Tribal Council. They wanted to bring me up on charges of trespassing on reservation property and get Nina fired from her job. Ortega and Steve were present, but the A.D. wasn't aware of what was going on. Steve intercepted the phone call from the council members and flew down. The Great Mother intervened on our behalf and informed the council that she had invited us to her dwelling, and to stay with her. The Great Mother was revered throughout the Hopi Nation, including the Tribal Council. She was a descendant of the first Hopi Snake Priest. I spoke to the Tribal Council in Uto-Aztecan with Steve and Agent Ortega looking on in astonishment.
“The Great Mother has enlightened me about the past, current and future of the Hopi People. She has shown me the injustices and wars brought about by the Spanish invaders, other tribes, missionaries and priests past and current. She has alluded to cover ups involving missing priests and the Order of Jemez. We were shown the secret societies of the Hopi, in particular the Coyote Society which Agent Ortega, with his Hopi heritage, is aware of. When the killer identified himself as the Coyote, Agent Ortega felt the need to hide this information. The Coyote Society are the protectors of the Hopi Tribe, security guards and warriors. Since the days of the Anasazi, the Ancient People, they, along with the Kachinas or Great Spirits have been the hunters and guardians of the Hopi. They have been in conflict with outsiders and missionary priests for centuries.”
“The Great Mother has summoned me on this quest for the truth. I will get to the bottom of this. There are some missing priests involved, and I hope the investigation doesn't lead me back here because I will come with the full force of the U.S. Government. The Great Mother has placed a lot of trust and faith in me. Your land is sacred and if I do return, I hope it is to be welcomed as a brother. One who fights righteously for Hopis, not one who covers up injustices or wrong doings.” I looked directly at Ortega when I said the last.
The entire assembly was in awe, including Steve and Agent Ortega. They were astonished by my command of their language. The entire Tribal Council shook my hand afterwards and accepted me into their Nation. Agent Ortega just looked at me like the A.D. always did, and departed.
“I had no idea you knew the Hopi language,” Steve stated.
“I didn't, Steve. I acquired it during a dream with the Great Mother.”
“What did you say to them?” he inquired.
“I told them what I learned while with the Great Mother,” I replied, and then inquired, “Can you take Nina and me to Jemez?”
“I can make that happen,” he stated.
“Good. We'll meet you at Polacca and give you a full briefing on the jet. We are finally getting somewhere, Steve,” I responded.
Ortega was waiting in the lobby for me after Nina and I checked out of the hotel.“ Mr. Sands, can I speak with you?”
“Sure. It's alright, Nina, I'll see you outside.”
She was hesitant and didn't want to leave. Nina was becoming more and more protective of me, especially around Ortega. The Watchful Eye of the Eagle, hovering from above and waiting to protect. I understood her feelings after finding out what we knew about him and his attack on me at the Residence Office.
“I never apologized for my actions at the Residence Office. I just want to say I'm sorry. I was beside myself after hearing the information about Gracie. She's the youngest of my agents and I feel personally responsible for her. She is the first neo I received directly from Virginia, since I've been the SAC,” he stated.
“I understand that, Agent Ortega. I didn't think twice about it. Most people do irrational things when faced with adversity, but we are in the business of facing those adversities head on and with rational judgment. If we don't keep our heads, who will? What I don't understand is why you hid the fact that you're Hopi?”
“I'm not Hopi. My mother is Navajo and my wife is Hopi. Aren't you hiding something as well?”, he asked.
“What do you mean?” I inquired.
“What tribe are you from?” he asked, raising his right eyebrow inquisitively.
“I am the descendant of Cherokee Freeman from North Carolina, but it's not a secret. The FBI hired me with full knowledge of who I am.”
“I just want to say again I'm truly sorry for the way I treated you. I thought you were just some kind of con man or mentalist, to say the least, until I saw what you did in the Council Chambers. The Great Mother could have told you verbally everything you know about us, but you could not have hidden the fact that you speak Aztecan and waited for this precise moment in the case to begin speaking it. Besides, you must be authentic if the Great Mother shared all the Hopi ancient secrets with you,” he stated.
“Thank you. She is quite a remarkable woman,” I replied.
“Sands, I don't know anything about any missing pri
ests, but I heard the rumors. You see, the Hopis don't share all their information and secrets, even amongst each other. There has never been any documented proof that they went missing. No one ever filed a missing persons report in reference to the rumors. There are no signs that these priests ever existed. Can we call a truce between us?” Then he extended his hand.
“Sure,” I replied and shook his hand.
“Is she really still alive?” Ortega inquired as I was leaving.
“Yes; she really is,” I stated, dipping my chin in confirmation.
While on the flight to Jemez, New Mexico, I gave Steve a full briefing.
“But how do these presumed missing priests have anything to do with the abduction of Gracie and the others? It doesn't fit our serial killer's profile of abducting young women in their twenties,” Steve inquired.
“That question I can't answer yet, but there has to be a connection or I would not have received it. It is all connected,” I replied.
Nina fell asleep on the jet while Steve and I talked. “How long has it been since the both of you slept,” Steve asked?
“I don't know; about three days,” I replied.
“It looks like it. You look like…”
Then I cut him off before he completed the sentence, “Yeah, I know.”
“Have you been eating? Looks like you've lost some weight,” Steve commented.
“I'll grab something from the kitchen before we land,” I replied.
Nina was wiped out. The Great Mother had used her as a conduit. Kayah was old and didn't have the strength that she once had. She needed Nina's assistance to continue. I guess the best way to describe it was that Nina was used as a vessel by the Great Mother, who channeled through her. There were times when Kayah would speak through Nina, as though she were possessing her, except Nina was still present as well. Nina knew everything that was going on. Kayah stated that it was Nina's strong spirit which allowed her to remain present. She also stated that she wouldn't have been able to enter Nina if she didn't want her to.
Nina was specially gifted, like others who bear the sign of the Eagle; their dreams can't be entered unless they invite you. Observing the Great Mother channeling through Nina was like watching someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder vacillating between personalities. I could see how taxing it was on Nina and asked her several times if she wanted to stop but she refused, stating that she wanted to complete the vision quest. I never asked the Great Mother if she was channeling through Mrs. Jerrells, but I felt very confident that she was behind it.
Steve spoke, breaking me out of my contemplations. “Look, Chris, I like to think that you and I are more than just co-workers. When I first came to you and offered you this position, I knew and believed in your abilities without question. You must admit, you've been acting a little more aloof than usual. Are you alright with all the changes that have been happening to you? When is the last time you've looked at yourself in the mirror? You look like a rougher version of Johnny Depp; the hippie look! Your hair is down to your shoulders! You haven't shaved in several days and you are in desperate need of a shower,” Steve commented with concern. He laughed, but I could tell his genuine worry for me; I felt it.
“I understand your concerns. I'm not going off the deep end if that's what you're worried about,” I stated. “I just want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk. Dr. Green is also just a phone call away,” he stated.
“Thanks Steve, but I got this,” I replied. He gave me a hit on the side of my arm as he got up and headed towards the galley of the jet.
Steve returned with some sandwiches, fruit and juice. “Here, eat something,” he said in a commanding voice. “I contacted Nina's supervisors and Dianna when you appeared to me in my dreams and gave them an update as you suggested.”
“I'm just glad you retained the dream implant,” I said. Then
Steve became somber.
“Look, Steve, we are going to find her. And by the way, I'm taller than Johnny Depp,” I quipped with a smile.
“You're incorrigible,” he retorted, and laughed. It was good to see him laugh for a change.
The Jemez Order
Steve received a phone call from the A.D. just as we were landing at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport. He wanted to know his whereabouts. Steve informed him that he was following a lead on the Navajo Reservation and would brief him on it later. I hated to wake up Nina, who was sleeping so peacefully, but Steve had to get back to Albuquerque and we didn't have time to waste.
“It's time to get up, sunshine.” That was my new nickname for Nina, since her astral symbol was the sun. It took her a minute to figure out where she was again. She had been sleep deprived and wasn't used to it like the ViCAP team.
“Here's a large mocha latte, but you'll have to drink it as we leave. Steve has to hurry back to Albuquerque. Let's go,” I said as I handed her the coffee. She was still a little discombobulated, but got herself together and we exited the jet.
“Wow, Steve. You really know how to show a girl a good time. Invite her on your jet, then kick her out before she's had a chance to get breakfast. No phone number, no let's do this again speech or anything,” Nina joked.
She was never without something clever to say. It assisted in cheering Steve up. She gave him a reassuring hug and said, “Don't worry, we'll bring her back.” It was nice having her around. She was a part of the ViCAP family now and I was a part of hers.
Jemez Springs was a resort town. It was filled with retreat hostels, spas, bath houses, bed and breakfasts and weekend getaways. If you wanted to relax and have fun in New Mexico you couldn't go wrong here. With its hot springs and hot sulfur springs. This was definitely paradise, but we were here for something else. As tired and overworked as we were; no one needed a little R&R as much as we did.
We checked into the Elk Mountain Lodge near the Jemez River in the Jemez Mountains. It was the cheapest we could find in Jemez. As much as I wanted to keep right on working, Steve was right. We needed to sleep for a few hours before we fell out. This was the best place for it. Nina couldn't wait to hit the sack, and I decided to get some real sleep for a couple of hours. My mind and body needed it.
I lay down on the bed and checked my phone messages. Most of them were from Dianna. One was from Dr. Green and one from Steve. He probably called Dr. Green after his concerns during our last conversation. He was on good terms with her and had to talk to her, as a stipulation of me working with the FBI. She just wanted to know how I was doing and asked if I could call her when I get a moment, which wouldn't happen anytime soon.
Steve's message was pretty much the same as before. He was concerned about me and the direction of the case. He also reminded me of the calendar date. It was the one thing that remained with me day and night. Not only was I counting down the days, but the hours and minutes. My focus, senses, physical agility and gifts were sharper now, after leaving Cherokee. My Spirit Guide's presence was strong, even in my conscious state. She was a part of me now, with and all her abilities and attributes.
Dianna's messages were pretty much repetitious, stating that she missed me and urging me to be safe. She left two messages per day, sometimes three. I hadn't spoken with her in several days or seen her in dreamscape. I'd been so busy. We hadn't physically been together in over two weeks. Hopefully this separation period was winding down. I gave her a call after checking my messages.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hello, stranger. How are you?” she inquired in an upbeat voice.
“I'm doing well, and you?” I asked,
“I'm just missing you. I was beginning to get a little worried until Steve explained to me what was going on,” she stated.
“I miss you too,” I replied.
“How's Nina?” she inquired.
“She wasn't doing very well, but is asleep in her suite right now. We were up for three days with limited food and water. She wasn't used to it.”
“Where are you now?” Diana asked
.
“We're in Jemez.”
“Oh, you're back in New Mexico! That's good; it isn't far from here,” she replied.
We continued to catch up on the phone until I fell asleep while she was still on the line. I was truly exhausted this time. I woke up with my cell phone still on the bed and the battery low. Then I realized I had fallen asleep on Dianna. I quickly dialed her back and explained. She understood and we talked for a few minutes, after which she had to leave for the Residence Office. I was lucky to have someone so understanding.
Nina and I departed early the next morning. I began second guessing myself in the car on the way to the Jemez Order. After my last talks and texting with Steve, there was definitely cause for doubt. I was following up on dreamscape about a missing priest, whom no one including myself even knew existed. It was a suggestive implant by Kayah. The only one who thought this lead had any merit was Nina. I attempted to rationalize every angle that could involve the missing priest. Could the killer have experimented with the abduction of the priest first? Then I had to inquire why no one had reported it. This one did seem far-fetched.
“You seem to be staring into oblivion. What's on your mind?” Nina inquired. Her voice brought me back to a conscious state. I'm lucky she was driving the vehicle because I just completely zoned out, lost in thought.
“I'm sorry, what were you saying?” I asked.
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah, just thinking,” I replied.
“About what?” she inquired. I didn't tell her of my doubts and remained silent.