1. The Storm

A white tail Deer ran through a forest. Its life is in danger. A boy chased after, carrying a bow and arrow. He slipped on mud. The moccasin of his foot got caught in the mud. He pulled his foot out, and continued his chase. He slid onto his knees, quickly nocking an arrow, and pulling back. He took a few deep breaths. His blue eyes reflected the sky behind the deer. He released the arrow, letting it fly. It scraped against the Deer’s neck, but largely missed. The boy sighed before quickly returning to his chase.

The Deer ran, bursting out of the forest into a field of brown grasses, and maize. The boy stopped at the edge of the forest, and watched. Nocking another arrow, and drawing it. He steadied his breathing, and closed his eyes. He loosed the arrow with confidence. It flew straighter, and faster than before, creating a hissing sound. The deer heard the hiss, and looked back. It slowed down, confused by the sound. The arrow didn't hesitate, piercing the Deer's hide. The boy lowered the bow, and took a few deep breaths, watching as the deer fell onto the ground. He looked at the sun, and smiled. “Yay,” he whispered.

He walked to the Deer. It was hollering, and squealing, attempting to rise. Wanting to get back onto its feet. The boy set the bow on the ground, and pulled out a knife. He slowly approached the Deer, and set his hand on the Deer’s head. Comforting it. His hand almost matched the deer’s coat, only slightly lighter. “Wakada. Watch his Spirit. Ensure him peace among the Spirits.” the boy whispered.

He took the knife to the Deer’s neck, and rid it of its suffering. He wiped the blood from the blade, and sheathed it. He grabbed at the Deer. A loud boom. The sound of lightning hitting the earth. Startling the boy. He looked up over the plains, seeing a dark cloud. A storm. It was far away. But the boy knew that it would come. He picked the deer up. Grabbing his bow, and returning towards the forest.

Continuing through the forest. To a clearing. Dozens of houses sat in the clearing. The houses, rectangular and made of wattle and daub. Roofs that were made of thatch or bark. Surrounding the small village were fields of Maize, Squash, Beans. Women were going through the fields, picking the ripe. Leaving the rest to finish growing. The boy walked into the village holding the Deer.

Children played beside the path, with wooden toys and small balls. A few rolled carved wheeled toys through the dirt, while others were playing a cup and ball game. Near the plaza, older men played Chunkey, betting food and tobacco as villagers danced and chanted nearby. He watched them, seeing them happy. He exhaled, not feeling connected to them.

The clothes the villagers wore were similar to his. A mix of deerskin and textiles made of plants and barks. Skirts of varying sizes for the women. Pants and breechcloths for the men. Some men didn’t wear shirts, some wore deerskin shirts. As for him, he wore a sleeveless textile shirt, along with pants that didn't fit, so they were baggy.

“You're back, Apizhi. That’s a small Deer.” a villager said, taking the Deer from the boy. “Did you expect me to carry a bigger one? Ak’a?” Apizhi asked. Apizhi watched as Ak’a carried the Deer towards a drying rack. Ak’a looked to Apizhi, setting the Deer down. He smiled. “Not yet. But in time.” Ak’a said. Apizhi looked to the dark clouds, as they slowly took over the forest. “Anything yet?” Apizhi asked, setting his bow and quiver next to Ak’a. “No, but in time. Hopefully I can dress the Deer before the water comes in.” Ak’a said. Apizhi nodded, and walked away.

Apizhi walked into the fields. Walking past the working women. “Hello Wabinapizhi.” a woman said, giving him a smile. Several other women called him a similar name. Apizhi didn’t respond to them. He walked to a row of Blue Corn. “The western Corn looks healthy. I think.” Apizhi said. He crouched down and rubbed his finger against the ripe Blue Corn. “Wita xuye lezhe, pick the Corn. It’s healthy.” a woman said. Apizhi looked at her. “Mom, are you sure it isn’t poisonous?” Apizhi asked, pulling several ripe ears off, and tossing them into a basket. “Do you question me?” his mother asked with a chuckle. “I question the Corn.” Apizhi answered. “Xuye, it’s safe. The traders didn’t give us poison,” his mother comforted him.

They picked Corn together. Working in silence. “You’ve gotten used to their name, haven’t you?” his mother asked. Apizhi stopped. He let go of a Corn ear, and looked at his hands. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “The storm is coming, we should hurry and finish before it comes.” Apizhi said. Ignoring the question, and picking up the pace, moving away from his mother. She looked at him, holding out her hand. But she retreated, continuing to work.

Apizhi was in the storage house. Setting up different baskets and cases of varying foods, making sure they don’t fall. He noticed the pittering sound of soft rain hitting the roof. He left the house, letting the rain hit against his face. He saw the lightning in the sky, not hitting anything, but dancing among the clouds. Many of the women walked past Apizhi, carrying the baskets into the storage house. As did Apizhi’s mother.

She stepped out and watched him. As he watched the sky. “Do you want to chase the lightning? Follow it to the end?” she asked, walking to Apizhi. She watched the sky alongside him. “Many people feel it, but none of them is as drawn to it as you are,” she said. Apizhi looked at her, wanting to say something, but nothing productive came. “We should get indoors.” Apizhi said.

He walked away, hiding under another roof, and watching the rain. It continued to pour, slowly getting harder, and louder. His mother followed, sitting next to him. “You can’t run away from me.” she said. They both waited, watching the clouds. “Mom. Do you think father has found his way to the Sun?” Apizhi asked. “I don’t know. After-, I don’t know what happened after he disappeared. I don’t even know if he is dead,” she answered. A moment of silence passed. “Are you thinking about him?” she asked. Apizhi didn’t answer. “You are like him, you know that?” she asked. “In what way?” Apizhi asked. She looked at him, but couldn't answer.

Lightning continued to dance in the clouds, then boom. It slammed into a house, destroying it. Wood and daub flew everywhere, as a cloud of smoke covered the area. Apizhi instantly sprang up, running into the smoke. He noticed a log, pinning down Ak’a. Without hesitation, Apizhi grabbed the log, and bore it onto his shoulder.

His mother ran up, watching her son. Apizhi fell onto his knee, before tossing the log. It landed a foot away. Not far, but impressive due to the weight of the log. “Thank you.” Ak’a said. He slowly got onto his knees, trying to breathe. Apizhi was breathing heavily. “How did I-?” Apizhi started, unable to finish his question. He looked to the log, then to his hands. “You really are your father's son.” Ak’a said. Apizhi looked to Ak’a, and sighed. "Cewaye, your son is strong." Ak'a said, looking at Apizhi's mother.

“Ak’a, Xuye, go. Get everyone away. Now!” Cewaye commanded. Apizhi looked at her face. Seeing pure dread. He followed her gaze to the sky, seeing a Tornado as it started forming. “A tahe ophe.” Apizhi whispered. Ak’a stood up, and grabbed Apizhi. Attempting to pull him away. Apizhi stood, not moving. “Xuye!” Cewaye yelled, looking at him. She grabbed his shoulder, and pushed him into Ak’a. Apizhi looked at his mother, trying to stay calm. Ak’a dragged Apizhi away. “Everyone! Run!!” Ak’a yelled out, getting everyone's attention. Apizhi looked at the Tornado, as it continued to form. His mother held out her hand. Raising it to the Tornado. She closed her hand. A small coloured rope made of Spirit was attached between her hand, and the Tornado. She pulled on it, drawing it away from the village.

Apizhi pulled himself from Ak’a, and ran towards his mother. “Cewaye!” Ak’a yelled, getting her attention. Cewaye noticed her son running towards her. Apizhi ended up getting caught in the Tornado’s wind. Being thrown from the ground, into the cyclone. “Stupid boy.” Ak’a said, watching. Cewaye let go, causing the Spirit rope to dissipate. She let the Tornado pull her up into the sky. She saw Apizhi, and roped onto her son. Pulled him to her. “What were you thinking?!” she asked Apizhi. “I never saw that look on your face before.” Apizhi whispered. “There is a reason for that.” Cewaye said, holding him closely.

She held onto her son, hugging tightly, as they are thrust inside of the Tornado. In the eye of the cyclone the two looked into the sky. Seeing a red eye, staring down at them both. “What is that?” Apizhi asked. “An Evil One. They shouldn’t-, they can’t. The Cixowe promised me.” Cewaye whispered. “An Evil what?” Apizhi asked. “Cixowe odasoje. Wananghe, odashce.” a voice said, thundering throughout the Tornado.

Cewaye grabbed Apizhi’s wrist, and slinged him harshly. Hard enough to escape the Tornado. Falling from the sky, Apizhi looked at the Tornado, watching as lightning and fire clashed inside it. The Tornado faltered, and dissipated. Cewaye tossed the Spirit Rope to Apizhi. He caught it, and Cewaye pulled her son to her, as they both reached closer to the earth. She hugged him, and held him close. Positioning herself under Apizhi, planting his face into her chest, hiding his eyes. As they slammed into the ground.