Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files
Chapter 17
Case # 19 - The Shady Shaman Part 5
Definitions:
Koyangwuti (also known as Kookyangwso'wuuti): Spider Woman, the special benefactor of the Hopi tribe. She created humans from clay (with the assistance of Sotuknang and/or Tawa) and was also responsible for leading them to the Fourth World (the present Earth.) Her Hopi name is pronounced similar to koh-kyang-woo-tee or koh-kyang-so-woo-tee, and in English she is sometimes known as Old Spider Woman or Spider Grandmother. She is also called, Grandmother Spider.
Author's Note:
~o0o~
Previously:
"I know, Sam, but sometimes I just have to make my presence felt if you know what I mean."
Sam nodded and then asked, "You want a beer? Can Guardian Angels drink beer?"
"Why, as a matter of fact, I'd love one. Thank you."
Sam retrieved one from the mini fridge and handed it to Michael, who took a long pull and smacked his lips, enjoying the taste.
"Now, let's get down to business. We have to lay this strategy out because this one is going to be tricky. The form that is being used is a very, very old god-form and is very powerful. I can't allow my two favorite detectives to be hurt now, can I?"
~o0o~
"So, let me ask you this, Sam, did you get an impression that this Ahote Tewanima is the one causing the deaths of the Navajo and that it was him, in fact, that just appeared to you?" Michael asked.
"Yes, I did," Sam answered.
"I have another question for you Sam. Do you think a fetish is involved, or is it originating from within this man?"
Sam thought for a moment. "I'd say it feels like a fetish is involved. A very old and powerful one."
"Then"-Michael made eye contact with both of them-"you both know what to do." With that, Michael disappeared.
"Does he do that all the time?"
"Ever since I've known him, that's exactly what he does. You remember how I first met him right?
Flashback
On my 16th birthday, I was still agonizing over my ability to read minds. On this particular night, I was with some friends. We'd had a couple of beers and then one of the bright, little idiots broke out a bottle of Wild Turkey. We were all sitting on the catwalk of the water tower closest to our school. Another one of my idiot friends decided we should all try to walk on the hand railings around the catwalk. Everyone else had taken their turn when it became mine.
I knew better.
Everything was spinning because I was drunk.
"God hates a coward," I mumbled as I tried to climb onto the handrailing. Sure, it was flat on the top, but it wasn't more than a couple of inches wide, if that. My friends helped me up and cheered me on as I wobbled and started to fall. Their cheers turned to screams of terror.
I screamed as I fell.
I was going to die.
I stopped falling.
Was I dead?
That was it?
I was dead.
I kept waiting for that tunnel of light to appear and suck me up to heaven.
However, that's not what happened.
I found myself sitting in the branches of a very old, large oak tree. Next to me was a middle-aged man all dressed in black. He was very distinguished looking, graying at the temples and all.
"Hello, Edward. I'm sorry we have to meet like this, but I couldn't let you die. It's not your time." The stranger's voice was a very mellow baritone.
That was good.
I didn't like higher pitched voices.
"Hello?" I managed to croak out. "Who are you?"
The stranger smiled broadly. "You may call me Michael. I'm your Guardian Angel."
"My what?" The terror from the fall had burned almost all of the alcohol from my system.
"That was a very stupid thing you just did, Edward." The Angel named Michael chastised him.
"Um, yeah, I know," I mumbled.
"Well, Edward, you're going to live to accomplish great things. You're going to be a tool to help maintain the balance between the forces of Light and Dark. So, you have been assigned to me to keep you from killing yourself or being killed before your time is up. Now, I'm going to let you continue your fall, which has been broken by this tree. You'll break your collarbone and your right arm. This is to remind you that all actions have consequences. See you later, Edward."
With a smile, the Angel pushed himself off the tree limb and waved goodbye.
End Flashback
Sam nodded, remembering.
"The worst ever was the first time I was driving and he just suddenly appeared in the front passenger seat, talking as if we'd been in a conversation for a while." Edward grimaced. "I damn near wrecked the car!"
Sam laughed. "I probably would have had to change my underwear too!"
They both had a laugh over that, and Sam got them both another bottle of beer. They sat to work each thinking on how to get the fetish away from Ahote Tewanima.
~o0o~
A few hours later, Edward's cell phone dinged. He looked at it and saw Bella's name. "Hey, Baby. How's it going? How are the Twins?"
"Actually, that's why I'm calling. They are both freaking out and crying for their Daddy. What are you and Sam about to do?"
Edward chuckled. "Just our normal everyday actions."
"Please explain, Edward."
"Ok, listen, in magic, there are several ways to get results depending what you want to accomplish. This case involves a very old Hopi fetish. It's sacred and has actually been profaned. All we need to do is find it and get away from the one who's using it. That's the downside of using something like that. If it's removed from your possession, then you lose the power that fetish has."
"Alright, Edward. Will you and Sam be able to do it without serious harm?"
"I believe so, Bella. We have Michael with us." Edward chuckled. "In fact, he just left."
Bella sighed. "I love you, Edward. Please be careful. May I call Angela and pass this along to her? I know she's as worried as I am."
"Just a moment."
"Sam, Bella wants to know if she can give Angela an update?"
Bella could hear a mumbling in the background.
"Ok, I'll tell her. He says you may if you wish, but he'd planned on calling her later anyway. Kiss the kids for me. I love you, Bella. Bye."
"Bye Edward. Call me. Seriously. Don't make me call you again!"
And she was gone.
~o0o~
Sam and Edward were about to drink their second beer when there was a knock on their room's door.
They both rose and went to the door together.
Edward peered through the peephole and saw what appeared to be a very very old Navajo woman who was stooped with age. Edward asked, "Who is it?"
"I've been asked by Michael to come help you."
Edward and Sam just looked at each other, nodding before Edward opened the door.
Without waiting for permission to enter, the old woman pushed her way inside saying, "My feet and back hurt, so move aside so this old woman can sit down."
"Who are you?" Edward and Sam asked together.
Settling herself in the comfiest looking chair, the old woman looked at them and replied, "My children call me Grandmother Spider."
~o0o~
