“I definitely don’t have as much as Libby to add, just that I’ve finished scattering bones and the earth has begun to settle down. It wasn’t in high alarm, it was just disgruntled as if it had recently been disturbed. Libby or I can try to speak to the earth, but I don’t know if the information it provides will be current. The disturbance feels as if it matches Tewow’s timeline of a few weeks ago. But if that’s the case, how does that match with the body in the frozen stream?” Tiko asks.
“The trees and plants in this area were afflicted weeks ago, confirming Tewow and Tiko’s timeline,” Maddie begins. “However, they are still alive, and the destruction is not as progressed as other areas we’ve visited. This is even allowing for the difference in exposure time. Something in the vicinity is protecting the trees from death, though they are still sickened.”
“I didn’t explore the other areas of disturbance this morning like Maddie did, but it does feel healthier, or at least less sick, than what I felt months ago where the children were attacked. That area was ominous with illness and I don’t know how those kids could even stand to be there in the first place.”
“Well as to that, Wendy, I have news,” Sheriff Ulate responds. “Originally, the children were in a larger group and split off to play in the forest, or so the larger group said. As they recently confessed, they actually dared each other to spend an hour in various parts of the spooky forest and a few children were attacked. In fairness, the rest of the kids heard the screaming and ran to help the children attacked. Most stayed with the kids and a few trekked out to the road to get cell reception to call for medical help. And Libby, as far as wanting further analysis of the adult victim, I’ll speak to Dr. Rademacher about it first chance I get.”
“Thank you, Sheriff, I’m sure Libby appreciates it. And your info on the kids explains it then. A dare is powerful motivation to ignore your instincts telling you something is off.”
“Anything more, Wendy?”
“Nothing specific, Sully, just a general feeling of being observed. Not hostile, just watching. Though having eyes on me this whole time has made me a bit antsy.” Wendy sees a couple of nodding heads, she isn’t the only one to experience the sensation of something watching them from the shadows.
“Let me talk to the water, I might have an explanation.” With these words, Diego walks to the edge of the frozen stream, right next to the narrow bowl of ice covered by river water. Talk to the water? Wendy thinks, what does that mean?
Apparently, it meant that Diego crouches and sticks his left hand in the water, is quiet for several minutes, and has an absent-minded look on his face. The rest of the group looks at each other and shrugs, not entirely sure of what is going on.
“Right, I’ll go to see them then.” After speaking, Diego stands up and casually steps onto the frozen water. Or that is how it first appears as he proceeds to stride on air across the stream to the other side. Well, alrighty then.
CHAPTER SIX – Diego
“The water tells me I need to speak with Ga-hon-ga. Please, come join me and my companions on the other side of the stream. I assure you, we just wish to speak with you. I believe we’re the help that you’ve been waiting for.”
Diego feels a sharpening of the watching gaze and the air tells him his words were heard by the observer. While the focus remains on him, Diego returns to the original side of the stream then dissolves the air bridge he created. “I think we may have someone join us soon. They aren’t hostile, or so the water says.”
Minutes pass before the wind becomes stronger and begins swirling the sparse winter foliage lying about the ground. In the midst of the dance of dead leaves, small people-shaped individuals begin to materialize. Within minutes, several dozen inhabit the clearing. Sheriff Ulate, Ranger Brunner, and Sepulveda keep their sidearms holstered while Sully continues to hold his rifle at the ready. Sully’s only concession is to keep most of his focus outside the clearing, continuing to monitor for the dark entity.
The small people are perfectly proportioned between two and three feet. The males wear long fringed deerskin shirts down past their hips with thigh-length leather band-laced leggings underneath. Many have their hair shaved bald on the front, sides, and underneath leaving a scalp lock with feathers or plumage entwined. Others have their hair pulled back in knots or different designs shaved in their hair. Some faces are adorned in various markings of red and black paint and bone or wood piercings. The females are more uniform with ankle-length dresses over leggings with knee-length porcupine quill embroidered skirts. Their variety came from the colors of white, purple, blue, and violet hewed dresses and skirts. While looking around the clearing, Diego notices the eyes of the police officers not focusing on the people inhabiting it.
“Sully, what do you see?”
“Just a bunch of fog at the center of the clearing. I can see outside the circle just fine, but inside is hazy.”
“Yes, me too,” Sheriff Ulate confirms. “I suspect we won’t be able to hear whatever is being said, at least by the visitors. I’m assuming the fog is masking whoever you warned us about from our sight.”
The number of individuals appearing abates and Diego can see everyone looking at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. Diego feels obligated to get the ball rolling,
“Hello, I am Diego. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. The water mentioned that you may have some information about the strange dark entity that haunts this forest. But first, will our police companions be able to hear or see what you do? Then what
