Fiction logo

Wind Witch

Introduction

By Sheila L. ChingwaPublished 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 8 min read
7
Wind Witch
Photo by Vinicius Wiesehofer on Unsplash

In the beginning

Jamison ran into the room of four people studying a map. With a startled jump they turned to focus on him. “The girl has been taken. This morning.”

The four men peered at each other anod quickly recovered from the shock of the news.

“The black robes found where we hid her.” Said Jamison with a shake of his head. “Jacque was severely hurt in the whole assault. He is being attended to, so we‘ll have to wait and see. The night hours will tell.”

Joseph thought for a moment then turned to study the map closely, “Which group raided her family?” Jamison sunk into a chair and took his boot off. “The southerners got her. They were focused on her where-about for some time. We should have moved them sooner.” Said Jamison.

Lyra’s eyes narrowed in on Jamison. Her gaze settled into the pit of his stomach and he wearied, then withered and sat down, “So, maybe next time you will listen.” Her eyes searched the room and those who made eye contact felt her unhappiness in the pit of their stomachs. “One day you will believe my visions.” With a sharp turn, she returned to her scrying bowl to see if she could find the little one.

By Steven Kamenar on Unsplash

Earlier, In the Lumber Jack camp

Jacque, rushed into the rudely hewed shed where the family sat eating. The echo of his voice filled the room and bounced off the walls as he said, “Quickly, they are coming. We must move.” Her parents gathered a hands full of food and necessities as quickly as they could. The rush of activity, the tears in her mother's eyes drove Sarah to tears. Fear was thick in the air and shots runging through the trees. “Quickly!” Jacque yelled as he scooped her up into his arms. The smell of his sweaty leather and earthen roughness of the skins he wore smelled from body filth. Rough hewn skin of the jacket rubbed against her cheek. The lumberjacks boots shattered twigs beneath his feet as he led them all through the forest. “This way, this is the best chance we have.”

Out of fear, Sarah buried her face into Jacue’s shoulder. In the distant background the thunder rumbled in the air and a flash of lightning silhouetted the outlines of her parents running behind them. Jacque’s breathing was starting to gasp with exhaustion and his muscles struggled to hold onto Sarah. The crunch of Jacques boots slowed and Sarah could feel his head scan from side to side. In a moment, he found a hollow log and began to sprint to it.

For a brief moment Sarah clung to his jacket with all her might. She knew if she didn’t, she might fall and get hurt or caught. With clutched fist, she held tight. Jacque stopped, and bent down. “Shush little one, Shush we have to crawl in. Go, go quickly.” Both parties squeezed in and Jacque pushed Sarah to go as far as she could. The log narrowed and Sarah was forced to stop. Jacque reached out and grabbed the child and tucked her inside the jacket.

Darkness surrounded them and foot steps crunched in the distance. Once in a while a shadow of a man would pass through the opening. “They must be here or nearby. He couldn’t keep running for long.” said an unknown voice.

Sarah chanced a peek from under jacques coat. She could see down the length of the hollowed out tree. She hid her face when the shadow of a man passed by. “Grab something long.” Men searched the forest floor and found branches and broke off side limbs that might catch. “That would make a good prodding pole laughed another.” Soon, every man had a long pole and began walking around the pile of logs stacked high. "Search every nook, boys. No mercy when we find them." Jacque held tight to Sarah as they could hear footsteps coming closer. “Check every hole. They have to be here.” Said a ferret sounding voice.

Sarah’s eyes widen as she watched the end of the stick come towards them. They were found. At first the pole's thrust was minimal then all of a sudden, Jacque was hit upside the head by the advancing wood. “Hide in side my jacket. It may hurt but you won’t get cut.” Surrounded by leather blow after blow, strike after strike, Sarah's and Jacques' body screamed in pain. Thuds and thuds could be felt and Jacques body became limp. Sarah clutched in fear inside the jacket and after a few minutes, she remembered no more.

By Илья Мельниченко on Unsplash

Dreams and Nightmares

Flash: “I told ya they couldn’t go far.” Look at the olf, He should be out for hours, or maybe dead.” Darkness ensued.

Flash: “Are you sure she is the right one? Squeaked Father Unis.

“Yes, grumbled the old bishop. See, on her arm, the mark of wind. She is the right one.” She felt her arm being tugged again and again as each man inspected the mark. They ran their fingers over the curving mark on her right arm.

“She is one of four running around in this world. If she meets the other three, then the world will change.” said Father Unic. Sarah squirmed again and a stinging pain shot through her head and darkness surrounded her.

Flash: “No, we must take her far away. She would be easily found at the Indian school here. We must take her to a school further away.” said the Father. A hiss of agreement from the men lofted in the air as she drifted off to sleep.

Flash: A bright light flashed as a door opened letting in the light. Another small girl was rolled in. Curled up in a little ball, the girl sobbed as she held tightly to a corn husk doll. Sarah laid there on the hard floor helplessly as she listened to her sobs. With her eyes closed, the pain in her head subsided.

Flash: A sharp kick in the shin startled Sara awake, “Keep your foot in your space.” Said a young scowling boy sitting across from her. She grabbed her knees and rubbed her shin and a tear rolled down her cheek as she fell back to sleep.

Flash: “Thank you for your help sirs. Here’s the $50 dollars I promised you for her.” squeeked the Father. She could see the two men shaking hands as their silhouetted forms stood in front of the opened cart door. The Father’s robes were covered in forest matter and he supported the biggest grin. The brightness of the streaming light caused a great pain in her head and once again, sleep beccond her.

Sarah’s eyes slowly opened to see a man sitting near her on the ground. The doctor smiled down at Sarah and said, “She will be fine, she was hit pretty hard.”

Slowly Sarah stirred and tried to wake up. As she shifted, the doctor placed a firm hand on her, “Shshsh, little one, you must rest.”

Sarah opened her eyes in time to see that another little girl being placed into the back of a wire truck. She felt the man lift her and carry back to the holding cage. As he laid her back on the floor, he told her to sleep.

With a sudden jolt, Sarah startled awake. The wagon fell into a rough rut in the path and jarred the passengers inside. A sharp pain shot through her head but she didn’t feel the need to pass out. Slowly she opened her eyes. Only one line of light streaked in from the moon. The light touched the roughened wood of the truck and few bodies of sleeping children. Their lobbing chins touched their chest as they swayed from side to side. Taking a deep breath, she lurched herself up to a sitting position. She felt the burn of the ammonia smell and covered her nose. She could see that the girl across from her wet herself at some point in the trip. The horses stopped, yelling and crying could be heard. Sarah jumped as a gun fired off and crying sounded from screaming women and children. Sarah went numb, for she knew a few other Indian children will join her and the others in the cart.

In a flurry the door of the wagon flew open. Small feet could be seen kicking at the air and small hands pushing and scratching the captors. Sarah could see his small hands ball up together to began throwing effective punches. His eyes searched this way and that way looking for a away to make an escape. “Get in there you little Savage.” said the driver of the wagon as he thrusted the little boy the back of the wagon. The boy rolled a bit and found his footing. He turned and made a mad rush for the door. The men laughed and pushed the boy back on to his bayside. The sobs of his mother rung in his ears. Her words beckoned him to come back to the safety of her arms. Through the narrowest slit in the door jam he could see his father’s arms around his sobbing mother. The sound of the truck starting up alerted the children inside that they were on the move again.

Space was getting tighter as the little boy found a spot to settle in. Fury burned in his eyes and it was evident he wanted to be left alone. Stone glaring gaze passed across the others sitting in the wagon, as if, he dared to challenge them to speak to him. The children sat in silent shock and settled into an helplessness.

Thank you for reading, Chapter 1 will be coming soon.

Adventure
7

About the Creator

Sheila L. Chingwa

Welcome to my world.

Welcome to my thoughts.

I am proud to be a Native American Elder born and raised in Northern Michigan. Thanks to my hard work I have a B.A. in Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision in Education.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.