Return to Dead Horse Canyon: Grandfather Spirits

NORTHERN CHEYENNE RESERVATION

July 27, Friday

7:50 a.m. MDT

Sun-parched prairie rolled past on all sides as he drove along Highway 212 back to White Wolf's. The drive back from outside Lame Deer where Charlie found cell service gave him time to absorb the events of the past few hours. He didn't question what he'd discerned, knowing its source was Maheo. However, it was taking time to adjust to the abrupt acquisition of such startling abilities.

White Wolf's statement the day before that the accident provided a jolt to wake up senses he already had made sense.

Like thunder in the dark of night.

Amasani taught him that thunder's return hailed the onset of spring, vibrating the Earth and waking up hibernating creatures of all kinds, from bears to insects. Thus, during the winter, ceremonies were not held where drums were beaten or rattles shaken, so as not to disturb the natural cycle.

Had the vibroseis trucks awakened the Earth Mother, instigating her rage?

Between that and the subsequent drilling, no wonder she exploded.

Now he understood why Maheo didn't reply to his prayers about working for LSO. The blowout's intent was to jolt his soul awake to these other senses.

They woke up, alright.

Previous whispers were now a roar.

Awareness of how important his abilities could be humbled him, but prompted impatience to hone his skills. The Creator expected him to use these gifts to help others. He'd wasted enough time foundering in unbelief.

His mouth formed a rueful smile as he recalled his reaction when the ex-cop answered. The instant he heard that man's voice instead of hers, he'd been annoyed.

Then, upon learning she was unable to answer, he was consumed by a blanket of light, admonishing him for his hostility.

Fernandez, like himself, was trying to help.

In that instant, his anger evaporated, replaced by a warm sense of gratitude. Shedding that huge lump of resentment had been a revelation in itself. To complete the process, he needed to ask the man to forgive him for his previous behavior.

Each day brought important lessons and new understanding. Now he was hungry for more, to discover all the things of which he was now or would be capable. As he neared the house, he hoped they could get down to the business of learning. If White Wolf had any healing calls today, that was okay—they would be important experiences for him as well.

It felt good to be back in his old truck driving again, now that his eyes were beholden to his will. The sense of freedom he'd lost following the accident had been restored. It felt as if the recent past were a different lifetime, the present a promising new one.

The revelation about Sara's condo awakened him to the responsibility he carried. The poison used was extremely dangerous. Some didn't have an antidote. It was good she was in a hospital where they could start some sort of treatment to purge it from her system. There were limitations to western medicine, but it was a good start to get her stabilized, at least.

An urgent need fell upon him to assure her recovery. He'd seen White Wolf heal people in astounding ways. So far, he hadn't been told anything about the process, only that it involved correcting life energy flows with the help of Maheo.

The auras around all living things, even rocks and minerals, were also beginning to make sense. How to interpret and work with them, however, had not been explored. How much would be intuitive, experience, or learned through White Wolf's tutoring?

So far, he'd looked to the past and remote locations. As soon as he got back, he hoped White Wolf would help him see what Sara's aura reflected about her current condition.

That vision of red-eyed snakes weighed heavily on his heart. Permanent damage or delayed effects were almost assured.

Whether or not he could help hammered his mind. He'd always cared about her as a friend. Now he couldn't bear the thought of losing her.