PART SEVEN
Charlie shook his head to clear it of the thoughts of his recent past. He had passed the Mississippi Alabama line a few hours back and was now driving through the Bienville national forest in Mississippi. He slowed the bike down and coasted onto the gravel that lined the road on either side. He squinted into the fading sun, considering whether it was worth it to risk checking into a motel for the night.
Deciding against risking the motel, Charlie eased down the road a little further until he came to a hiking trail that led off into the darkening woods. Charlie rode the motorcycle down a couple of hundred yards until he came to a clearing.
After he had put down his bedroll and taken off his boots, he decided to go hunting and eat some fresh meat for a change. He used his knife to sharpen a stout oak branch and returned an hour or so later with two rabbits and two pockets full of chestnuts. He soon had a small fire going and set to work skinning the rabbits.
With a belly full of rabbit and roasted chestnuts, Charlie stretched out on his bedroll and stared at the starry night sky.
"Nice night."
Charlie vaulted up from the ground and was instantly ready for action. He had no idea how someone had snuck into his camp, but he was ready for whoever it was.
That was when he noticed the shimmering blue figure sitting cross legged across the fire from him.
"Nate?" Charlie asked, the doubt clear in his voice.
Nathaniel "Nate" Shadow-Dancer, a former Totem Warrior, had been Charlie's spirit guide for a couple of years after he had received his Totem powers. Nate had suddenly and mysteriously quit appearing to him. Charlie had still had dreams, until recently, that urged him in certain directions, and he had always suspected that Nathaniel was responsible for them.
"Afraid so." Said the spirit as he stared wistfully into the fire. "How've you been Charlie?"
"Good I guess. I'm still alive." Charlie stumbled in response.
Nathaniel smirked. "That's always a good thing. How's business?"
"Slow lately." Charlie responded. "The damn government is hot on my heels. I can't risk stopping anywhere long enough to be much of a help to anyone."
Nathaniel nodded his head. "So I've seen."
"Where the hell have you been?" Charlie said in an almost yell before he could stop himself.
"Out of reach." Nathaniel stated. "Look Charlie I can't explain everything, but things started happening that required my full attention. Mainly the fact that in the last few years there have 18 new Totem warriors, now you're the only one again."
Charlie stared at him for a moment before Nathaniel continued.
"Out of those eighteen, the longest lived was a little over a year."
"What happened?" Charlie asked, as his anger at Nathaniel dissipated.
"That's just it, most of them died at the hands of minor demons or vampires. The minions have been doing them in, and I can't figure out why Charlie." Nathaniel looked sadder than Charlie had ever seen the usually cheerful spirit look.
"I mean, look at you." Nathaniel continued, gesturing at Charlie. "You've been in more fights and full fledged battles than anyone can count, and now you've got a major black ops agency after you. But you're still alive and doing a good job of staying that way."
They both sat in silence for a while before Nathaniel continued. "How do you do it Charlie? What makes you so different from these kids I keep sending to their deaths?"
Charlie pondered the question for a moment. "Do you remember what I was like when I first got my powers?"
Nathaniel nodded with a smirk. "You were cocky, headstrong, hard to get along with, and lived for a fight, preferably one where you could kill something."
"And if you'll remember I wasn't much different before I got my powers."
Nathaniel nodded again, clearly confused at the direction Charlie was taking. "SO are you saying we need to choose more psychos?" Nathaniel added weakly.
Charlie shook his head before he continued. "No, what I'm getting at is that I led a rough life before I got my powers. I was already used to looking out for myself. Being in orphanages in ten states in ten years will do that to you."
"I think I see where your twisted mind is going with this." Nathaniel responded, teasing Charlie. "You were more prepared for the powers because of your upbringing. That actually makes sense."
Nathaniel stared intently into the fire before continuing. "I need your help Charlie. I need six more warriors, and I want you to help me choose them."
Charlie stared at Nathaniel with a look of horror on his face. "Come on Nate, I don't play well with others, you know that. Especially when the others are kids. Not to mention the fact that I've got the government hot on my heels."
Nathaniel nodded again. "Yeah, you'll have to do something about that. But I might be able to help. But if I do, you'll have to agree to not only assist in the choosing but in training them as well."
Charlie was beginning to think that he was having a nightmare. The last thing on earth he wanted to do was go looking for kids to train and annoy him. But he also considered that fact that when Nathaniel offered something he always came through on his end.
"You really think you can help with the goon squad?" Charlie asked reluctantly.
Nathaniel nodded. "I may be able to do something."
Charlie still wasn't sure it was a good idea, but Nathaniel had never steered him wrong in the past. "Where are the damn kids going to be needed at?"
"Grizzly Peak, it's in southern Oregon."
"It'll take me a while to drive there."
"That's ok; you can look for prospects along the way."
"I still don't know if this is such a good idea Nate." Charlie said as he glanced up at a shooting star. But when he only received silence as a response, he glanced back down to discover that he was again alone by the fire.
I hate it when he does that." Charlie grumbled as he lay back down to go to sleep.
