"Hope!" My brother shouted. I heard his screams as my parents were slaughtered in front of us. I ran to him and grabbed a knife. "C'mon, Joseph!" I grab his hand and pull him to the door. We run out of the flaming building and don't stop until we are out of sight. The men search for us and for a key. I look down at my hand and glare. This thing, this "key" is the reason they were killed.. I look down at Joseph and insist we leave. "We gotta go. We aren't safe.." Suddenly the scene changes. I'm not away from the fire. I'm in it! I try to run, but my legs won't let me. I look around and see my parents burning.. Joseph lying next to them, groaning and screaming my name.. My knees falter and I fall to the ground, tears in my eyes.. I close them and sit, waiting for my end...
I wake up, shaking. "It was just a dream." I pant, sitting up and holding my head in my hands. I look over at Joseph, who is sleeping soundly, his hair sprawled out on his pillow. I fell asleep at my desk again, I realize as I look at my sweat covered papers.
"Damn.." I get up and grab my switchblade and the key, attaching it to my bracelet. It glowed slightly as my fingers brushed over it's designs. I walk over to Joseph and shake his arm.
"Poinabi... Poinabi, nitipuni.." I wait and see he isn't going to wake up so easily. I punch his arm and shout, "Nitipuni!" He sits up quickly and mumbled "Imup." and starts to rubs his arm.
"What was that for?" He exclaimed.
"For not waking up. We gotta go.." I walked over and looked through the window.
"Why? I thought we were safe." A truck pulls up and I recognize the men in black suits. They found us. "Not anymore. " I grabbed my hoodie and ran to the backdoor.
"C'mon! Hurry!" He grabbed his jacket and ran outside, me on his tail. We run to the tree line and hide behind some old logs. I peek over to look at the men, examining them. Joseph tugs on my arm. "Muhimogo'ni.. We have to go.."
I look over and nod, when the key started to glow. It was dim at first but then it let out blinding rays of light. I covered my eyes and when I opened them, Joseph was gone.. The forest was gone. Where am I? I'm blinded again and when I open my eyes, I'm back.
"Poinabi?" I look around and see deer scampering. I run back to the house but when I get there, there is no house, only wilderness. "What the fuck is going on?..."
I keep walking until I find a road. I eventually run into some men in red coats. They stare and one eventually speaks.
"Move, savage. We have important business. Run along." I look at him in disbelief. A savage? I haven't heard that one. As I open my mouth to speak, another shoves me to the side.
"Do ya' not speak the King's English! 'E said Move!" He pushes me again and I make my move.
I grab his wrist and twist it, hearing a snap. He screams in agony as his comrades grab me. I pull out of their grasp and draw my switchblade. I stab a few, ducking and weaving as one readied his musket- a musket?- and shot me in my leg.
I yelp and grit my teeth, ready to fight as they jab at me, stabbing my arm. I swing my blade, injuring few as I'm loos my footing and fall to the ground, clutching my right arm. I look up at the one in charge and accept my fate when a figure clad in white leaps out of a tree, a tomahawk in hand. He dances with them, slashing and twirling around their attacks. I roll out of the way one falls near me. I struggle to stand, keeping my knife in hand. As this man kills one, another attacks. Soon all are slain and only him and I stand.
"Thank you..." He looks over at me, breathing slowly.
"Are you alright, miss? You are bleeding." He asks, swaying slowly. His voice is soothing and has a tinge of worry.
"I'll be fine..." I wheeze as I begin to black out. He grabs my arms before I hit the ground.
"No, you will not." He looks at my clothes, which get redder every moment. "You can hardly stand.."
I grunt, attempting to speak, but a shot of pain pulsates from my leg.
"Damn it!" I groan. I grit my teeth, trying to not show pain. My vision is blurred as my legs give out.
"Miss? Miss?!" His voice is muffled as everything fades to black...
That's chapter one! I hope you enjoyed.
Poinabi (Po-e-na-bi) - That's Joseph's Northern Paiute name.
Muhimogo'ni (Moo-hi-maw-gnaw-ne)- That's Hope's Northern Paiute name.
Nitipuni (Ni-tea-pu-ni)- Wake up