Silent Owl
Chapter 4
By: Wolfa Moon
SO 4
Josiah had taken them aside to discuss English with them. Trying to teach them the language of the realm. Regretting ever trying. For nightmares hit that night. Both boys clinging to their mother who gave evil eyes at him. It went on for a week. But somehow the nightmares awoke their knowledge of the language and a little of their past. A past he wished he never help resurface. But learned a lot about them. Learning the older name was Vin and the younger was Ezra. But they despised those names. Wanting their Indian names that they earned on their own from their family. Josiah sighed as he sanded the wood of the church.
Their mother was very quiet. She would do work, clean, cook. But her heart is sad. And in this strange land she felt even smaller and suffocating. Her boys past coming back. Hating how people look at them. So the giant of a man got them Pale face clothes like that would fix everything. They refused to wear them. Except Tsaa o'ó who had fallen in love with a red jacket. She smiles as it bring a smile to his face after so long without. She misses his smiles. Vin smiles a little but returns the clothes to the shop lady. Josiah not to pleased about it but understands. Can't force the world on people who had a world of their own. Even if it is gone.
SO 4
Tsaa o'ó, Ezra, sat on the roof of the church. His brother and him always loving to be up high. Sitting there he looks to the stars. He could find their way home but them. To bad home was no more. The town is always alive with people. Hating their stares and cross comments. Hating the nightmares of his past. The man who had hurt him.
Shaking his head he ponders. When were they going to leave?
Tosaabitu pia wa'óo, Vin, climbed up to join his brother on the roof.
"What are you doing?" They refused to speak English even if they understood it again.
"I want to leave." He liked and dislikes it here. Understanding his brother better than anyone he sits beside him.
"I do to. But where do we go?"
"We could join another tribe." A good suggestion but they had overheard people talking about how they should take them to the reservation but also learning that since they are white Indians and not true born. They would be separated from their mother and placed in an orphanage. Tsaa o'ó had to explain that to his brother for he had spent time in them. Telling him it is place for unwanted children. And it is better to runaway than be in one of those places. Agreeing that if that did come they would be free or die trying.
"I have found no signs of any tribes near by."
"Then maybe we should look." They nodded in agreement. Tomorrow they would set about to see if they could find a tribe and join them. Be with the spirits again. Away from these people.
SO 4
Tsaa o'ó watches as his brother connects with the inebriated white man. Saw how they began to communicate without words. Like he's done with him. But now to see it with a pale face. The tides have changed. Originally wanting to run away from the pale face world. Swearing to one another that they would always remain by the other. Yet now as he watches the two. Tosaabitu pia wa'óo, no Vin, his pale face name. Turning his back on this heartbreak he goes to where the horses are. Shrugging out of the red jacket he had become fond of. It is white man clothes. Elements of a past that he did not want to remember. Yet everyone is forcing him to.
No, he would be what he is. Mounting his horse he heads off. To find a tribe to take him in. Take him and his mother.
SO 4
Vin entered the man's cabin. His instincts telling him to trust.
Chris looks at the white Indian. Smiling at the position he is in.
"So Vin," picking up another bottle. Vin watches as he pours another glass of firewater. "What are you doing here?"
"Hunting down tribe."
"You get lost from them?"
"No Pale faces killed them."
"Sorry kid."
"I'm a warrior."
"Well excuse me." Vin watches as he drank the firewater.
"You should not drink to much."
"You're right I shouldn't." pouring another glass. Chris looks sad eyes upon his visitor. Lifting the drink then setting it down. "So what you doing out here Vin?" he says with a drunken smile.
Vin closes his eyes seeking words. Then he feels it tugging deep inside him. The world is changing to quickly. Sure he could adapt to it. But did he want to. Did he have a choice? He sure as hell did but then. He looks around then he remembers. Remembers what he has and must hold onto if he has to adapt. If he doesn't want to change. Wants to maintain what is losing. Then,
Vin looks around. He had entered a home of a white man. An unknown dangerous white man. Then left his …
"Tsaa o'ó!" Chris watches the boy who awoke something run from his house. Getting up he goes to see the boy cry the unknown words again. Then as he watches he remembers. Remembers the other boy who was with him. The one he ignored. The one…
SO 4
Taking a breath and the thoughts running through his head as he mounts his horse
What has he done?
Going back on a promise.
I will always be with you brother…