Fledgling (29 page)

Niyol stood and patted his grandson’s head. “Thanks Chance.” He retreated to the confines of the house, leaving the teenagers outside on the stairs.

“Come on. It can’t be that bad. I’m sure we can find
some
things to do together that don’t involve you turning into an animal. And if it keeps us safe, let’s do it.” Ana kissed him, and he knew she was trying to distract him.

He pulled away smoothly not to hurt Ana’s feelings and gazed into her shaded eyes. “Ana, but I do it all for you. I want to protect you even more now. If I need to be just a little stronger to heal you, or to fight some crazy nut, then I want to be ready.”

“Chance, what would your family and I do without you? Please, just listen to him for now. Patience…
please
.” Ana grabbed the front of his shirt in desperation. “I
can’t
lose you.”

“I’m right here.” He lifted her to the next step and they clung to each other as though it were their last night together.

“Want to look at the stars for a while before you take me home?”

“Sure.” Chance lowered himself onto a stair ledge, pulling Ana into his lap. She giggled and leaned her head against his chest as she breathed in the crisp night air.

While Ana stared up at the stars, Chance’s mind wandered. He began speculating. If there were stories about brave protectors, he wondered if there could be other stories, ones about terrible animals haunting various tribes through history.

Of course there were
, he suddenly realized. All Native American tribes have stories about animal spirits. Some good and some bad.

Chance decided after he took Ana home, he would do some research on his laptop. There would have to be a multitude of stories that could answer his questions. If his grandfather wasn’t going to talk, then he would have to use another resource.

He enjoyed being with Ana. He hated being away from her, but tonight he was too anxious about the mysterious information from his grandfather. Questions were bubbling up that he needed to find answers to. He wanted to get her home so he could begin his private studies.

Chance stroked her face and said, “I bet you’re exhausted after today. You look a little tired-should I take you home so you can get some rest? Maybe tomorrow we can do the real date thing. Dinner and a movie. What do you think?”

Ana stretched while yawning and submitted, “Yeah. What a day, I guess I
am
tired. You’re so good to me. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” Ana dropped down to the next stair while Chance rose and jumped in front of her with his hand outstretched.

After pulling her up and walking into the house, they tracked down Chance’s parents sitting sleepily on the couch. Ben was reading the newspaper and Aiyana’s eyes were closed.

“I’m going to take Ana home now, I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh, okay. See you later Ana-and congratulations.” Ben lowered the paper as he spoke, trying not to disturb his wife who was propped against him.

“Thanks for everything tonight. The food was wonderful. Will you let her know for me? I’ll see you soon.” Ana waved, then Chance tugged her out of the house by the hand.

“Geez, where’s the fire? You trying to get rid of me?” Ana laughed, but her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“No way. I wouldn’t do that. I just don’t want you passing out. You’re
always
my first priority.” Chance put on his best poker face. He wasn’t lying about caring for her, but he didn’t want her to know he was going to poke around for more information, especially after he promised he’d let it go.

Chance drove her home chatting about the different movies they could go to the following night and Ana played along, indulging him. Indulging each other.

When the black truck pulled up the gravel driveway, the little blue house welcomed her home, shining brightly from within.

“I’ll call you in the morning and check on you. Oh, hey, could you stay in the house right now, no more star gazing for a while?”

“Yeah, no problem-I’ll stay in the house. And Chance, remember
your
promise.” Ana kissed his forehead, grazing his frown lines. His eyes followed her as she walked into the house.

He sped home. Along the way he realized he wasn’t as discreet as he thought. That or Ana had begun to understand him so well he’d be hard pressed lying to her in the future.

When he arrived in his driveway, most of the lights were out in the house. He sped upstairs to collect his laptop, unsure if using his accelerated abilities was included in the whole no-special-powers ban. His speed, hearing, sight and smell were things he had grown accustomed to. And didn’t want to give them up.

He opened his computer. The screen flashed blue as it came to life. Chance typed in,
Navajo animal attacks.

The first couple of results summarized superstitions Navajo have about dead animals. The next seemed promising, titled
Skinwalkers-Navajo Shapeshifters
.

He clicked on the link and read the first paragraph.

The Navajo yee naaldlooshii (“with it, he goes on all fours”) use their powers to travel in animal form. When a priest, or shaman has achieved the highest level of power and commits the act of killing an immediate member of the family, they thus gain the evil powers associated with skinwalkers. They have the ability to assume the form of any animal they choose, depending on what they need. Also utilizing the power to hurt victims by simple touch, they become the culmination of every bad character imaginable-put together. Many attempts have reportedly been made to shoot or kill one, but are usually not successful. Native People do not speak of them, for fear they will be attacked in retribution.

Chance rubbed his eyes and whistled. Although he was sure some of the information couldn’t be totally accurate, it was still illuminating. Especially the part about killing family members-that fell into line with what Grandfather told him. What
little
he had said.

Frustrated, he pounded his fist onto his desk, and then glanced to his door.

He had only heard positive stories and legends from his family. It could fall to reason that there would be ones who sought power at the highest cost-human life.
But what power did they seek? Were they just evil, getting gratification from hurting others?

He wondered what he needed to know to kill or stop another shapeshifter. From reading he gathered Native Americans thought shapeshifters were near impossible to kill. He remembered the countless times he had injured himself. And the countless times he healed himself after shifting. He figured that a shapeshifter would have to be
severely
incapacitated so they were unable to heal themselves from phasing. There was no way to know for sure, without him fighting another like himself. Or asking his grandfather. And both were out of the question.

The gravity of the situation weighed on him. There was nothing he wanted more than to keep Ana safe. If he could protect her…if only he was stronger…if he had Thunderbird. Snapping his laptop shut he glared out the window.

Patience was not his strong suit.

Chapter 35.

“So hey, want to go out tonight? Dinner and a movie?”

“That depends…is it a comedy, a chic flick, horror or action movie? Let’s see how well you know me.” Ana curled her hair around her finger, smiling coyly.

“Hmmm, guess horror is out. I don’t think you’d go for action. And a chick flick would make you laugh more than cry and our time would be better spent watching a
real
comedy. How ‘bout it, you want to go laugh with me?” Chance paused and added, “What do you want to eat? Burgers or pizza? I’m going to go with hamburgers. Well, judge-how’d I do?”

“Eh, I’ll let you slip by with a B. Yes, to the movie, but I’m in the mood for burritos, feeling kinda nostalgic today.” Her thoughts tumbled over their first kiss when Chance rowed them to picnic on the island.

“Of course, your wish is my command,” he growled into the phone.

“Okay, I command you to stay out of trouble,” she said with a laugh, then turned serious. “So, what did
you
do last night?” She pricked up her ears to see if he would try to lie.

“Oh, just did some reading, and then went to bed.”

Although he kept his tone casual, she knew he wasn’t being forthright. “Ummm-hmmm, good one. Well, as long as you’re staying out of danger. Okay, when are we going?”

“How ‘bout I swing by around five?”

“Sure. You going to hang out with your grandfather ‘til then?” Ana suggested not so subtly.

“Uhh, you trying to get a babysitter for me?” he laughed into the phone, getting agitated.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Alright, I’m gonna hang with Eva for a bit and I’ll see
you
later.”

After snapping the phone shut Chance leapt up the stairs four at a time, reaching the top landing in just two and a half strides. He grinned. It never got old. He loved his powers.

He ducked into his room, closing the door without a sound. His blinds were open; his mother must have come in earlier to let in the light. Chance craved a cave-like space right now. It would serve him better.

Darkness encompassed the room as he moved from one window to the next, twisting the blinds shut. His shirt dropped to the floor. Soon his pants followed.

He poised himself at the edge of his bed and closed his eyes. The radiant energy held within his body fluxed at his attention. The static blue power listened eagerly, waiting for his next impulse.

Had his grandfather been in the room he would have seen Chance flashing from fox, to squirrel and back again. In an energy conserving exercise he tried to move from form to form to build up endurance. Every shape shift depleted his reserve.

He sat in his room while his family was unaware of his activities for over an hour. Tired, after expending all of his strength, he went downstairs to make a snack. His body required constant sustenance and with the effort he put out, he was ravenous.

Once he ransacked the fridge he went to take a nap on the couch and slept for a couple hours, exhausted after his secret training.

Light beamed in the living room window, waking him from his slumber as it crept across his face. Chance rubbed his eyes, disoriented.

Ben walked through the room, and chuckled at Chance’s leisure activity. “Enjoying your school-free day?”

Chance frowned, “No, actually. I’m bored.”

“You could always go by Kenny’s.” Ben offered. “I worked at a gas station when I was in school. Wasn’t the best money, but it was something to do. Kept me out of trouble. Well, for the most part.” Ben’s eyes glazed over and an impish grin broke across his face.

“That’s great, Dad,” he yawned and stretched out. “I think I’m gonna’ enjoy a couple more days of boredom before heading back in. Kenny told me to take some free time-his graduation gift to me.”

Ben nodded, “Enjoy. Okay, well, I’m off to the shop. I need to deliver a custom order. Mom should be off her shift late tonight. I’ll be back later.” He wandered out of the room carrying a leather briefcase.

Chance sat up and stared out the window. The trees swayed in the breeze, making a low rumbling sound. Cotton white clouds slid across the sky like pads of butter on a griddle.

He headed back to his room and shut the door; a bear reentering his cave. Most of his energy had returned, but it felt like sap-sticky and resistant. He sat again on his bed and reached for the claw his grandfather gave him. It sat innocently on his side table. He held it at each end, staring intently at it. What animal could it belong to? It seemed too long to be a claw. He imagined some massive ancient raptor, prowling the pre-historic plains.

Electricity surged within him, charged and hot. It coalesced and grew in intensity, a tentative pulse of crackling power reached down his arms, pooling in his hands. Surprised, his eyes flared open as he stared at the gigantic claw. Blue threads wove across its surface, meeting in the center. He had never seen anything mapped that wasn’t part of a living animal before. His heart pounded in his chest.

A light knock came from his closed door. His head jerked to the side, and his eyes flashed in shock. So absorbed with his new exploration it took a moment for him to remember his surroundings.

The sound of his grandfather’s voice met his ears. “Chance, I was going to sit on the porch. Do you want to join me?”

“Yeah. Let me get my shoes on,” He answered as he moved to open his door. He turned and sat on his bed, lacing his sneakers up with shaking fingers.

Niyol peered into the room observantly, his eyes sweeping over everything.

“Did you take a nap?” he asked, squinting at Chance.

“Uh, yah. Why?”

“Your blinds are shut. Well, let’s wake you up before your date with Ana.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The two generations of men sat out on the porch together. Niyol filled the quiet with stories of his childhood. His deep murmuring voice painted pictures of another time while Chance closed his eyes imagining his grandfather as a youth.

Niyol’s melodic tone was so soft and low, it diffused as it rose to the towering evergreens. A large black crow sat on a high branch and cocked its head.