Chapter 6: United

The wind outside was whipping the leaves off the branches of the trees and they ran past the windshield of the truck in a fury. A cold damp air out made Sarah shiver and she pulled her jacket around her. Flashes of lightning was crackling in the skies as the rain hit hard on the windshield. Sarah reached over to Lyra’s hand and held on tighter. Her breathing quickened but she kept her eyes lowered as she had promised. She could feel the sway of the truck as the wind pushed hard against it.

“Sarah, you must calm yourself” Lyra whispered into Sarah’s ear. “Take deep breaths and calm yourself.”

Sarah fought with all her might to steady herself. She thought, “Just relax and soon you will be safe.” Jacques body nudged into her when the wind blew hard. The rocking of the vehicle no longer struck fear into her and she calmed herself down. The rain slowed and the wind’s force merely tugged on the truck. She thought, “eyes down and stay calm.” The storm began to subside in response to Sarah’s fear was replaced with calm.

In the distance, Lyra could see forms of beings lining the trees. Dark forms that stalked low to the ground hoping it could disappear into the shadows of the trees. When the lightning flashed around them, their silhouette could clearly be seen. Yellow eyes reflected the lights of the truck and crying, and piercing howls could be heard. “That cry. I heard that when Father Unis turned into the monster.” Sarah began to raise her eyes to see if it was Father Unis until Jacque sternly spoke, “Put that pretty head down young lady.” With a quick nod she did just that.

“That voice. I know that voice.” Sarah thought as she steadied herself once again to follow instructions. In fear she steadied her resolve and held on tight to Lyra’s hand. Outside the window, Lyra could see men and ladies in the woods throwing spells at the shadows that lurked. With a glance at Jacque, she could see his concern and concentration as he aimed the truck down the road. Lyra loosened her fingers and rose her arm over Sarah shoulders and tucked her inside her woolen jacket.

A man, on a broom, swished down over the truck indicating that Jacque was to follow. “Hold on Lyra, this is going to be a bumpy ride.” Jamison said as he sharply made a turn and drove down a farmer’s field two track. Instantly, the riders in the truck were thrown back and forth as each wheel hit holes in the unkept road. The rider of the broom headed towards a barn and landed outside the door and ran to open it wide for the car to drive in.

“Thank you, Jamison! What in the world is happening?” Said Jacque as he climbed out of the truck and shook the hand of the wizard friend. “There has been lightning and rain since we’ve started. Not to mention seeing dark shadows lurking in the forest.”

“I know my friend. There are a team of wendigos hunting the three of you. We can’t kill those things. We can mame them but no one has been able to kill them. What is for certain, they want Sarah.” Jamison walked around the side of the truck and over to Lyra’s door and opened it. He bowed a hello to the two ladies as they exited the truck. “Young lady.” Jamison said with a smile. “We have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and keep them closed until you are told to do so.” Jamison said with a smile.

With a nod Sarah closed her eyes tightly. She scrunched her eyes to tight to the point where she scrunched her nose too. The lightning outside muffled the sound of the heavy boots advancing toward her. She could hear the big boots of the driver shuffle hay as he rounded the back of the truck. She felt warm, yet shaking hands, wrap around her little fingers. Rough, yet kind, they felt. She could hear a snuffle and the man cleared his throat.

“Don’t open your eyes yet little one. You see, the night I lost you and your parents, I received a frightful scar. Many people are scared of me now. I just hope you won’t be. When you are ready to see me, go ahead and open our eyes.” Said Jacque with a slight tear in his eye.

Sarah stood tall, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes. The darkness faded into a dim light and soon, she could see a man on his knees in front of her with his eyes lowered. His brown flannel shirt blended into his hair and Sarah stood and studied him. Her hand slipped from his fingers to his chin and lifted his chin until their eyes met. A sideways smile emerged from under his mustache as she took a look at her long-lost friend. In child-like excitement, Sarah threw her arms around Jacque’s neck and held on to him as she wept into his shoulder. Soon she was able to gain control again and stood back to look at her friend.

With puffy eyes from crying, Sarah took a good long hard look at her friend. The scar was deep purple and bunched together like a rope stapled to the side of his face. She met his gaze as she lifted her hand to touch it. Jacque’s hand met hers in midair to stop her. Sarah, smiled and shook her head, “no” to the large man and pushed his hand away. Her little fingers met the roughened skin and followed its path along its length. She then reached inside her jacket pocket and pulled out a little glass bottle and unscrewed the top.

Sarah’s midnight dark eyes studied the man’s face for a moment and she dipped a finger into the ointment. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment on her task. A warm breeze entered through a crack in the barn wall and wrapped itself around Sarah and Jacque. Sarah opened her eyes and applied the bear grease and herbs to Jacque’s scar. Jacque’s eyes closed as the warmth of the wind heated the ointment and Sarah touched his skin gently. His skin was warm and tingly, and then, a moment later he could feel Sarah creep close to his cheek and she blew a streak of warmer air on the scar. He shivered a bit as a breeze of cooler air followed the warm. Sarah’s eyes were intently concentrating as she continued to work. Her fingers slid and pulled the skin and tissue relaxed. A tug of flesh in one direction loosened and relaxed the knarled scar tissue. Sarah concentrated intently on her work.

Lyra watched the reunion of the two friends with such warmth. Even more, as she watched Sarah’s work with amazement. Sarah’s hands move gracefully over the scar and the more she worked the more the scar faded. Lyra watched Sarah’s magic unfold as she worked to heal her friend. Lyra wondered how this could be. No wands performing magic, no special item, it was all just her. The magic just is. Sarah’s fingers gently rubbed, and stretched Jacque’s skin so lovingly that the scar faded, as if, it was commanded to do so. The rope like scar no longer was, only a red line remained. When Sarah was done, she turned to Lyra with a smile.

“See, he’s as handsome as the day I remember him!” Sarah smiled up at Jacque. “By the way, you’re not as big as I remember you! Not to mention a lot older.” Sarah threw her arms around his neck and give him a big hug. “There you are, my friend.” She giggled as Jacque scooped her up in his arm and stood up tall. His arms held her close, not out of fear or protection, but in love for the little one.

Jamison, stood in amazement. Every child is different and has different abilities in the Native Culture but he had not seen this kind of magic displayed yet. The children are growing and changing in strength as the years have passed. Sarah, was marked to be a wind witch, this was very clear. However, many medicine men did not make it through the scourging of the government and the church. He knew that Sarah, was too amazing not to protect. Jamison took a deep breath and sat down to consider the implications of this child’s magic and all it could be.

The storm raged outside as the four of them remained safe inside the barn. Lightning flashed but thunder did not follow. “Unusual”, thought Sarah, “no thunder” just a lot of light. Yelling began to rise in the fields. Sarah ran to Jacque and clung to him. “Don’t let go.” She thought to herself as the yelling neared the barn. The parties’ eyes darted left, right, and in all directions looking for any clue to what was happening outside. “Strange storm we are having.” Sarah thought. Jamison and Jacque stood at the ready. Even though they were safe at the moment, they knew it could all change. There they sat in safety for the remainder of the night as the storm raged on.

Sarah could see the adults were all concerned but She felt safe for the first time in many years. She was surrounded by friends who rescued her from her nightmare. The adults seemed to be ready to keep her safe. Lyra could see Sarah’s eyes begin to droop so she made her a bed in the front seat of the truck. Wrapped in Jacque’s Jacket, Sarah fell fast asleep, all safe and secure.

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Thank you for reading Chapter 6. Previous chapters can be found on my writing platform page.