Chapter Fifty Five
Leah
I didn't think the police would come looking for us on the reservation, the local deputies knew we stayed as far from the reservation as possible and one had even commented on it when we were talking in the diner one evening. We had explained our attitude by telling him that our tribe was considered an enemy by the Fox and Sac, going back into the mists of time and we had promised our parents we would steer clear of them. I could see there were other questions in his head but he never asked them, I think my cold tone told him to back off. So, as far as they were concerned we wouldn't run to the reservation for help or to hide and they probably wouldn't shelter us and even if a deputy did drive into the village he wouldn't see or hear anything suspicious and we weren't suspects, the cops were looking for wolves, not women. Hell, we might even be victims if we were found to be missing from home and didn't reappear.
When the flap opened next a collapsible bucket was pushed through, how thoughtful! And some water in a pitcher, but no food this time and it appeared someone wanted to speak to us because the flap remained open allowing in a little moonlight and some badly needed fresh air. There was a murmur of voices and we could tell the elders had assembled, were they ready to talk to us again? Maybe they'd heard something that told them we were not guilty just as we had insisted earlier. Then the sound of a voice drifted in,
"We are gathered here to decide the fate of the two shapeshifters who have killed several women in this area over the past two weeks. The violence of the acts show they could only be carried out by the most ferocious and strongest of beasts, giant wolves, and these two seemingly normal women are just such creatures."
If they thought we were going to stay quiet as well as out of sight while they tried us they were very much mistaken.
"Hey, you listen to me. We are entitled to a trial before you decide on our fate and just for your information we are not murderers, we haven't killed anyone, ever. Now let us out of this fucking box so we can confront our accusers."
There was no response to my words, it was as if I hadn't spoken, the elder merely continued.
"We must be careful, the humans do not suspect that these girls are responsible for the murders and we must be very sure that they do not find the girls were ever here, once justice has been seen to be done."
Jackie had moved closer to me and we crouched trying to see out of the slit at our accusers but it was difficult being so low to the ground. All we could really see were feet and the glow of a recently lit camp-fire.
"Mahkwa, what are we going to do? Have we heard anything from Denali?"
This was a new voice, younger and more nervous than the first.
"No, but I told you that we had word that the two shapeshifters were banished so perhaps their leader sees them as our responsibility."
"But he would never have allowed them to leave if he suspected they were dangerous to humans, or ourselves, surely?"
"Perhaps they hid their real natures even from him but it doesn't really matter. We are going to take care of things in our own way. Are we all agreed that the creatures are guilty?"
I was getting really pissed off by the arrogance of this elders attitude.
"Hey, we are not creatures, we are human beings like you and we deserve to be heard. Call Denali again, ask Johnny to come and we'll talk to him, he's our leader after all."
For the first time, he addressed us directly,
"I believe he washed his hands of you after you betrayed your people so why should we be surprised that he threw you out and you became killers just like those you favour, the vampires?"
"We are not killers and you have no right to keep us locked up here. Call the police, they'll soon tell you we are not responsible."
"Of course, they will, they don't know what you really are but we do and we are the only ones who can take action against you."
"What action? Are you going to keep us locked up here indefinitely? This isn't exactly luxury."
"It's better than you deserve."
This was another voice, one colder, more angry and younger than the others.
There was more talking but very low and almost impossible to overhear from inside especially as the flap had been shut once more.
"What do you think they'll do? They can't mean to keep us locked up in here forever surely? I can't stand it much longer Leah, I suffer from mild claustrophobia and this is getting to me. I want to go home."
Hearing the desolation in Jackie's voice I pulled her close to comfort her, feeling her trembling under my arm.
"It's OK Jackie, we'll find a way out, besides they won't keep us in here. They just built this out of fear to hold two wild wolves. Once they see we are human like us they'll let us out."
I hoped I sounded more certain than I felt, my gut instinct was telling me this was bad, real bad, and we needed to find a way out of here before they decided to act against us so while I cuddled Jackie I thought furiously.
When the flap opened once more it made me jump, I must have been thinking so hard that I hadn't heard the sounds of the bar being drawn back. A tray was pushed in with more food, hot this time, and another pitcher containing orange juice which was an improvement on the stale water they had supplied us with before.
"Eat and drink. When we finish our meeting and are ready we will reveal our decision."
The flap was pulled back with a bang and we were left in darkness once more but the smell of hot stew was mouthwatering and even Jackie sat up to eat. We soon cleaned the bowls wiping the gravy from the sides with the fresh bread.
"Well, hot food is a good sign isn't it? Maybe they are going to let us go or wait till Johnny gets here. Don't you think so, Leah?"
"Sure, you're probably right. Why don't you try to sleep? I'll wake you when they come back."
"I couldn't sleep Leah, I'm too scared, more scared than I have ever been in my life. I'm just glad we're together."
"Yeah, me too Jackie, me too."
I expected them to be back quickly from the words they said but no one came and I had to wonder why? What we they doing in the meantime? We should try to break out again but I didn't have the energy to phase, I felt hot and tired and both Jackie and I curled up on the hard floor and fell asleep. By the time the flap was drawn back again the sun was up and I was glad that the sound didn't disturb Jackie whose sleep had been uneasy and restless disturbing me from time to time although I always managed to go back to sleep myself. I waited but there were no voices, just the sunlight hitting the floor of our prison and I became uneasy so I shook Jackie gently and she sat up quickly blinking in the half-light.
"What is it? Are they going to free us? What did they say?"
"Nothing yet but it looks like they are feeding us so that's a good sign I guess."
Another tray had appeared with two bowls of hot milky rice and wooden spoons plus another pitcher of fruit juice and we ate and drank, watching the gap nervously for any sign of life. I expected to hear someone moving about or even a voice but there was nothing, it was as if we had been abandoned for a while. Then the light faded slowly away as my eyes closed of their own accord.
