As I walked through the house, I was a bit sad; Sunday had already come. I had been at Grandma Annali's since Thursday helping around the ranch. There were endless chores to be done, like tending to the horses, weeding in the garden, and of course, making fry bread! These were always treasured times with grandma, all the more sweet since grandfather, Shay, had passed. But now it was time to head home. Grandma always made sure I had my jish, a leather pouch with things to keep evil spirits at bay. I knew I would see her in a few weeks, but leaving was always bittersweet.
Home was only a few miles away, but the clouds warned of a storm coming. I offered a prayer of thanks as I walked, it had a been too long since we had our last rain. We had gotten a bit of snow recently though! The sweet smell of rain was on the air as the dirt and small rocks crunched below my feet. I was dodging small puddles of water where the snow had melted, and some chunks still left to melt. My feet carried me, almost bouncing along, joyful for the coming rain. But my joy was soon interrupted as I saw a flash; off in the distance lightning had struck. My heart sank as the thunder rolled in moments later.
There was a forest that the trail took me around to get home. I had never gone through the forest, not alone anyways. There were far too many tales of danger lurking in the darkness of the woods. This time, however, my mind raced as I weighed my options. I HAD to get home before the storm over took me, but I couldn't think bad thoughts. Oh they were always listening...I must think happy thoughts.
'At least dwell on the rain that we are getting!', I told myself.
I had walked this trail so many times, I was sure of where I was. I could cut off the corner and be home before the storm. I had no choice but to clutch my pouch head into the woods. Why am I so scared? I'm a grown woman, they're just trees, just animals. No, I couldn't believe that no matter how hard I tried.
Grandpa Shay had told me of the owls living in the woods. What a time to remember every...single...tale, as I shuddered. The sky was grey with the storm rolling in, but it got considerably darker as I entered the woods. That should have told me to get out. This time of year, there were no leaves yet; but it grew darker, with each step feeling heavier.
As I stepped further in, careful to keep my path, there was some snow left, crunching, grinding, underneath my feet. No tracks that I could see, the remaining snowfall thankfully shedding light in the woods. It was eerily quiet, with the silence interrupted from shifting tree limbs and falling snow. As I moved on, some birds took flight as I drew close to them. I smiled as I saw two sparrows fly off, but circled around, not completely abandoning me, almost protecting me. But then I stopped, frozen, as a lone crow sat some distance away. A single beam of light shining through, directly to his black feathers; almost to highlight his presence. I turned around and the sparrows were no where to be found.
Fighting back tears and clutching my leather pouch, I whispered, "Oh, Grandma Annali, help me....Grandpa Shay, guide me!"
I pressed on, but soon I suddenly became confused and didn't seem to know the way. A tree shifted, snow fell, I turned around, but nothing was there. Movement to my left, turning and seeing nothing. I was so turned around now. Grandpa Shay always chided me about my impatience. He would warn me at times that it would endanger me.
'I'm so sorry Grandpa Shay', I cried out, not hiding it in a whisper now.
Then I heard it, a whisper, or was that the wind. I traveled past me like a small narrow breeze, but it seemed like a faint voice.
'Calm yourself woman!', I reassured myself.
Then I heard it again and chills ran down my spine.
'Get home', the voice whispered
I heard it, I know I did. I didn't know which way was which, but I just started walking. Eventually, I would exit the woods, att their biggest point, it's a 3 mile walk to cross it. I might get caught in the storm, but I will exit these woods...now!
I had been walking for close to 20 minutes. Well over half way at worst, I thought, and I haven't seen any tracks in the snow. But I also haven't heard any thunder. Was it a single bolt of lightning? No rain was coming through the trees. What was going on?
There was a noise behind me. I wheeled around and stared right into his eyes. He sat on the tree branch staring down at me. I never heard his silent wings, I never heard him land. Only the snow falling from the branch got my attention, and now I was caught. I was paralyzed. He hopped off the branch and landed in front of me, looking me up and down with his large yellow eyes.
I had heard tales of large owls, but this?! I stand at a proud 5'5" and he was at chest level. He must have been able to hear my heart beating. Even the snow could not absorb that *thu-thump* *thu-thump* *thu-thump*
I couldn't move. Maybe if I stay very still, he will leave, right?!
"Grandpa Shay warned you, didn't he?"
"Dont be alarmed, it's not your voice, it's my voice. You know the woods are no place for you. Not at this time, nor any, by yourself." The voice spoke.
How is he in my thoughts?! But I spoke out loud,
"I offer many apologies, I was concerned for the storm approaching and wanted to get home before it reached me", I tried to explain.
"What storm?" he asked, punctuated by a crow calling. His caw echoing through the woods, piercing the utter silence.
"Ah, it seems you may have been led...astray by my dear friend. But not to worry, I will take care of you. That I will see to!" he said, responding to his own question.
"I am so grateful sir, and I promise to heed Grandpa Shay's words and your warnings as well. I am indebted to your graciousness..." I said, regretting my words almost as soon as I spoke them.
"Indebted are you? Hmmm, bold words for such a lovely woman" he spoke.
My eyes closed as he stretched out his wing. I jumped as my cheek was caressed by a human hand, but I could not open my eyes.
I felt the soft kiss on my neck, floating to the ground, the cold snow bank on my back. But it didn't make me cold. His hands caressing me, kissing me. My lips, my jaw, my neck, my collar bone. Oh how wonderful it felt, no! I can't this is wrong! But I couldn't move, only he could.
On top of me, kissing me, I could feel him between my legs, his legs pushing mine open. He sat up on his knees, his hands caressing down my body. Through sheer willpower I forced my eyes open, but they only barely parted. The owl was gone, and here was a man, kneeling between my legs. He called out and raised his hands, vines wrapping around my wrists and arms. Tied to Mother Earth. Betrayed by my dear Mother Earth. I could not make out his face, as my eyes would not open further.
As he undid my belt and slid my pants down, I let out a whimper.
"Oh my sweet girl, Mother has gifted you to me tonight. All will be settled." He informed me.
He leaned down, kissing my exposed tummy. My shirt was still on, but the hem had raised up with my arms. I couldn't control it, my hips were rolling. Why was I so turned on?! Kissing around my navel, his hands running down my sides, over my hips. His fingers hooking into my pants; a soft yank, the metal from my belt clanking. He sat up more, adjusting himself as he pulled my pants down. He took them completely off and laid them beside me. He hadn't been forceful at all when he took them off.
His hands returned to my legs. I knew I had been tricked, and the trickery continued. His hands felt so soft, but so strong, rubbing and massaging my legs. A leg and foot rub always feels good, but after all this walking? It was so good! I was melting, no! I can't! I have to resist.
