Page 18 of Red Hawk's Woman

Effie. All at once, as though struck, he was certain of it. It was she.

Odd, how the realization calmed him, until another thought struck him: Where was she?

It was seventeen winters since they first met…a long time in which to have gone their separate ways. She could be anywhere.

Treading water to relax his muscles, Red Hawk closed his eyes, letting his mind drift, searching, if possible, a spiritual connection with this girl whom he had never forgotten. With his mind, he asked, “Where are you?”

No response.

He inhaled deeply, then again, silently, he asked, “Where are you?”

He waited, then, faintly, came an answer. “I am here.”

Red Hawk’s heart lifted.

It was good. Time and distance faded. They were, at this moment, as attuned to each other as though their time together had been yesterday.

Perhaps it should be said here that one, in another culture, might express doubts, wondering if this were all Red Hawk’s imagination, that he only thought he heard her speak because his was a desperate soul. But then one would not be taking into account that such things as conversations with the spirits, with the Above Ones and with all of creation, were commonplace to the American Indian’s heart.

“Where is here?” thought Red Hawk.

No answer, except to say, “Here.”

Short. Sweet. Nonetheless it was enough.

Red Hawk smiled, for she had answered him in the best way possible—with a vivid image of her exact location. What was more, it was a place he knew vaguely.

Opening his eyes, Red Hawk realized it was time to bring his meditation to an end, while at the same time beginning his journey. With this purpose in mind, he swam toward the shore.

Though life might have thus far handed him a good bit of disappointment, Red Hawk was, at this moment, happy. Effie had returned to this country.

He would go to her.

Chapter

Five

Click!

Effie’s eyes flicked open.

The room was dark, but she knew she was no longer alone.

Fear shot through her instantaneously. She froze, fright taking its toll.

After a short while, her mind began to function and reason asserted itself. Though panic leapt through her, she realized she could not give rise to it. She must stay calm. Slowly, so as not to make any sound, she turned her head on the pillow.

A figure in black stole through her room. It was a slender man. What did he want?

The artifacts. Someone had broken into her room to steal the artifacts. It was the only thing that made sense.

But how would anyone know of them? Let alone that she carried them on her person. The only people who even knew of them were in her crew.

“You will not discover them here.” Perhaps she was insane, but Effie found herself speaking to the intruder as though she might, with simple words, change his mind. “Do you really think I would be so stupid?”

The figure faced her, even advanced toward her, but he said nothing.

“Who are you?” asked Effie. “How do you know of them?” She didn’t name what it was she referenced, certain they both knew exactly of what she spoke.