Kesh Page 11

  He turned to walk toward his car then stopped and glanced back at the doorway. “By the way, boys, you can still pick up your door prizes at the plant. Your little friend, Kiran Curtis, got hers and I can’t wait to finish our little talk.”

  Jesse leaned toward Kesh and said, “Watch what happens.”

  Louis Garou shot them a jeering grin as his driver ushered him to the back seat of the big car. He slammed the door, and the huge vehicle backed out of the driveway before jerking to a sudden stop. The door flew open and Garou jumped out swearing and kicking the right rear tire, now completely deflated. He paced in the street and glared red-faced at the house while his driver changed the tire. Then Garou sped away toward the factory.

  Kesh laughed. “Good one, Jess.”

  Later that night, Kesh wrote this:

  It wasn’t until I had time to think about Garou’s trap that I realized how close a call it was. Most people would have been scared to death, and I suppose we were. But these are not your typical people. I don’t think I’ve ever met anybody like Mr. Madosh, and Jesse is one of the bravest, coolest people I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe I thought those things about him.

  Anyway, we were afraid, for sure, but Garou has gone too far. We’re not as afraid as he thinks, and we are going to beat him no matter what it takes. Tonight my family and my new friends set to work. Supper was crazy. Mom fired up the grill, and Mr. Madosh showed his mastery of barbecue. We ate too much and spent the night laughing and planning Garou’s demise.

  In fact, everyone was so revved up that nobody commented on the fact that a deer carcass was splayed across the dining room table. Maybe I’m the only one who saw it, but it doesn’t matter anymore.

  For the moment, Kiran is safe at home, so Jesse and I are going over to see how she is doing. I’m worried.

  Kesh went to bed with a strong feeling that a visit was imminent. He knew now that these were not simply dreams.

  The call of a coyote woke him. Kesh was already in his animal form when he stepped out into a crisp, clear, star-filled night where a white coyote waited. The ground crunched beneath his paw as he ran over crusted snow, and the cold air felt good on his face. Together they ran through the familiar streets, across fields, and into the woods like sleek ghosts who existed only in the shadows. If they had been seen, they would have been written off as figments of somebody’s overly active imagination.

  Even Kesh could hardly accept what was happening to him even though it felt awfully real at the moment. They turned up the avenue and in a moment stood in Kiran’s backyard. Jesse yipped softly. There was no movement. He called for her again. This time, a small, pale auburn haired creature appeared at the upstairs window. She pressed her forlorn face to the glass. Her unnaturally white skin created an eerie image against the fogged-up window. A droplet ran down the window.

  “She’s crying, Jesse.”

  He called out to her, “We’re going to help you, Kiran.”

  He didn’t know whether she understood, or even if she heard him through the window, but he thought she nodded. Then, she was gone.

  “Come on,” said Jesse. He took off, flying through the snowy streets. Kesh was at his heels, wondering how in the world they could keep Jesse’s promise.

  “Where are we going, Jess?”

  “To find Muskrat.”

  The two swift, silent creatures of the night flew through the streets and into the woods like winter spirits. The riverbank was white and bare. Ice fringed the water, but because it was early in the season, and because the current was swift, the middle of the stream was open. Steam rose darkly.

  “He’s not coming.”

  “He’s coming, Kesh. Just cool it. He’ll be here.”

  “Don’t muskrats hibernate?”

  “Kesh…” Jesse’s voice showed exasperation, “he’s not really a muskrat. He’s a man with a muskrat’s spirit.”

  “Okay. So don’t animal spirits behave just like the real animals? If you’re a muskrat, wouldn’t you hibernate?”

  Jesse lay down, his white muzzle on his paws. He said, “First off, bonehead, if that were true you’d be stopping to pee on every tree you saw. Also, you’d spend half your time sniffing things, and not all of them very pleasant, at least not to Kesh the boy. Besides, maybe muskrats don’t hibernate anyway. Just trust me on this one. I know what I’m talking about and he’ll be here.”

  “If you say so, Jess.” For just a moment, he was a little stung at being called a bonehead, but he smiled when he remembered this is the way best friends talk to each other. Kesh curled up tight with his paws tucked close, covered by a blanket of his own fur. He had noticed his gray coat growing thicker with the winter. In any case, even with his natural insulation, it was cold. He was getting restless and was about ready to give up when he heard the familiar voice.

  “Ah, Jesse and Kesh. There you are.” Muskrat stopped and looked from one boy to the other. “Finally something has happened. I wondered when it might, but I knew it would. Come with me, boys.” Muskrat shuffled into a thicket and the coyotes followed. Not far from the river, well hidden in the brush, was a small, three-sided structure, much like the ragman’s shack from that first night. Just in front was a small rusting barrel that held the still-glowing embers of a fire. The makeshift stove cast a warm glow into the simple shelter. “Mind the fire, fellows. It’ll singe your whiskers clean off if you’re not careful.” The young coyotes skirted the barrel and settled against the wall. “So, tell me what you think about all of this.”

  Jesse glanced sideways at Muskrat. “But I thought you knew”

  The smaller creature shot the coyote a stern look. “I know what I know, Jesse Madosh. But a coyote’s story is not a boy’s story.”

  Kesh began. He was surprised at how keen his memory for detail was. Every scent, every movement came back to him in crystal clarity.

  Muskrat listened intently, with little more than an occasional twitch of his nose while the boys took turns narrating the events of the past few days. When he had finished, Kesh said, “Jesse’s dad says that Garou will kill the spirit inside of you.”

  Muskrat sighed. “Jesse, your father is a good man, maybe the best of men. He is a man who speaks from his heart, and right about now his heart is worried. But he knows more than he lets on, and he has a great deal to teach you. What Garou and his kind do to the others will break a good man or woman’s heart for sure. But the factory men are not as powerful as they might seem. In fact, one of their great weaknesses and our strongest allies is our knowledge that they are not nearly as powerful as they believe themselves to be.”

  “You see, Garou believes in the power of chemicals and drugs, almost as much as he believes in his own power. He has good reasons for this. Chemicals can have powerful effects on the human body and mind, some very good, others very bad, even evil, but in the end, they are just substances, and Kiran, you boys, and everybody else, are not simple physical beings. People like Garou can injure and muffle Kiran’s spirit, but they can’t kill it. For that matter, even when we die, our spirits live on.”

  Kesh rolled his eyes. “That’s reassuring, Muskrat. Kiran will be fine because even if she dies her spirit will just keep on rocking.”

  Muskrat sighed. “No, no, lad. Your friend will come through, and in this life. I truly believe that.”

  “Don’t just say you believe it, Muskrat. Promise me that Kiran is going to be all right,” said Kesh.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I can’t say for certain how she’ll fare, but somehow I know she will get through this. Of that, I’m confident. It may not be right away. Whatever Garou did to her created fear, forgetfulness, and maybe much worse. I can’t pretend that the lass did not suffer a terrible attack. But she is a remarkable creature, as are all of you coyotes, and yes, I believe she will be fine. But these things take time, so be patient. Besides, like I said, Garou has the means to break a man or woman. I don’t think he yet understands the power of a boy or girl. I can’t say exact
ly how, because he has shown a great weakness. He underestimates you. He underestimates what you are capable of doing.”

  Muskrat stopped and wrinkled his nose thoughtfully, and said,” Wait a minute! I think I have something that might help.” From the corner of the shack, he pulled out a small branch, little more than a twig. The boys studied it closely. On one end of the branch was the slightest strand of gossamer webbing glowing with soft green light. “It’s Grandmother Spider’s web. I saved it. I don’t know if it will help, but…”

  “We’ll take it to Kiran,” said Kesh.

  Suddenly Muskrat snapped to attention, his nose twitching, his ears and eyes alert. Kesh felt the fur on his neck stiffen, and Jesse’s muscles went rigid, his strong body aimed at a point in the woods and a growl coming from his throat. Kesh caught just a brief flash of eyes and the quick motion of another creature slipping away in the underbrush.

  Jesse said, “Come on, Kesh. Let’s get him,” and he bolted into the trees. Kesh followed without thinking about it, but moments later they stopped as the sounds of the animal faded into the night.

  Kesh said, “It was the wolf.” Jesse nodded. “He’s afraid of you, Jess.”

  The white coyote still watched the woods in the direction the wolf had disappeared. “I don’t think so, Kesh. I think there’s something else, but I don’t feel fear from him.” With that, he closed his eyes, raised his head high, and howled into the night sky.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A Brother, a Twig, and a Badger

  When Kesh woke in the morning, the small reddish twig from a maple tree was on the nightstand, the sliver of glowing spider web still clinging to the end. Kesh lay in bed for a moment studying the small piece of wood and bark and wondered if anything at all would help Kiran. Then, he rose and shuffled into the kitchen to find something for breakfast, and to wait for Jesse.

  The older boy barely tapped before throwing the door open. A short time before, Kesh had thought of Jesse as someone to fear and, even worse, revile and pity. Now both knew that neither one had to knock. In one day, the two boys had become brothers, and neither would ever have to ask if he could come into the other’s home again.

  “So, what’s for breakfast?” Kesh gestured toward the cereal bowl on the table brimming with small blue speckled songbird’s eggs. “Oh,” said Jesse. “I was expecting corn flakes.” He snickered. “Maybe later.”

  They shuffled briskly through six inches of new snow in the bright, cold morning, making their way to Kiran’s house. This time, they knocked on the front door. A short woman of about sixty answered and studied them suspiciously. “Yes? What do you want?” She stared straight at Jesse.

  He stood tall and smiled at the woman. “Hi. We’re here to see Kiran. Could you please tell her that Jesse and Kesh are here?”

  “She’s sick and can’t see anybody,” she snapped and slammed the door.

  Kesh growled. “What an old…”

  “No!” Jesse cut him off. “She’s upset, Kesh. She acted that way because she’s worried. Something is wrong with Kiran.” He knocked once more, and again the door opened.

  “I told you boys she can’t see you, so please leave her alone.”

  This time she started to close the door more gently when a soft voice said, “It’s okay, Aunt Gwen. They’re my friends from school.”

  The old woman glanced toward the back of the house then back at the boys. “Are you sure, Kiran?” Kesh noted her expression had softened a little and the anger in her voice and on her face disappeared, leaving only concern.

  A small, tired voice responded, “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Fine,” she huffed. “But they can’t stay long. You need rest, Kiran.” She wagged her finger at Jesse. “You got that?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She stared at the boys for another long moment. Her face wrinkled up as if she tasted something rotten. “Okay, if Kiran says it’s okay. Just don’t be too long. Come on in then.” She led them through a neat, dark living room and into a sunroom at the back of the house where Kiran sat listlessly in an armchair. Her skin was pale, and her small hands shook slightly.

  “Hey, that was something, wasn’t it?” said Jesse.

  “Yeah,” she replied flatly. “It was really something.”

  Nobody spoke for several minutes, while Kiran stared into the wall. Finally, Kesh said, “Are you all right, Kiran? We’re worried about you.”

  She gave them a forced smile. “I don’t know. I just feel kind of empty now. You know?”

  Simultaneously, the boys said, “Yeah,” but Kesh knew they were both lying. Finding his animal spirit was terrifying in more ways than he could count, but he could not possibly know what Kiran had experienced. Suddenly he understood that losing that connection to the coyote, to nature, would be like having a huge chunk of his soul ripped out.

  Even she, he thought, couldn’t really understand what she has lost. So he wondered if it was fair to say anything and to risk making her even unhappier than she already seemed to be.

  “We have something for you Kiran.” Kesh had placed the tiny branch with its delicate bit of the spider’s web into a little gold cardboard box his mother had given him. The twig rested on a puff of cotton from a medicine bottle.

  Kiran looked at the glittering strand, and then looked to Kesh as if she were searching for something that was almost in reach. Her eyes were dull and gray, no longer the color of the sky at twilight. Then she turned away, leaned into the wall, her head tucked into her arms, and she began to sob softly. Kesh looked to Jesse, his eyes imploring. The older boy shook his head, helpless.

  It couldn’t have lasted more than a minute or two, but Kesh felt the crush of indescribable pain on his heart, and it seemed to him that he could not breathe for a very long time. Then the web glowed intensely for the briefest moment, and Kesh breathed. It was as if the oppressive air in the room suddenly lifted, leaving a softer, lighter atmosphere.

  Kiran sniffled and wiped her face with her sleeve. She smiled weakly and said, “I’m sorry guys. I’m going to be okay, so don’t worry about me.” She took Jesse’s hand, then Kesh’s in each of hers. “Really.”

  Kesh did not expect the strength and determination that showed in her eyes, and he saw something else there, something unfamiliar and distant. She said, “I’m okay guys. I mean it.” Softly, she added, “I’m so glad you came, and…,” she hesitated. “I love you both.”

  Outside, neither boy spoke for a while. Each walked as if he were alone though the quiet, snow-muffled morning until, finally, Kesh said, “Garou really hurt her, didn’t he?” Jesse said nothing. Kesh said, “Did you see her eyes, Jess? Jeez. I don’t know what to think; I don’t know what’s going to happen to all of us. He really hurt her, Jess.”

  Jesse stopped, gripped Kesh’s shoulders in his hands, and looked hard into his friend’s face. He laughed out loud, and said, “She remembered, Kesh! She remembered!”

  “What you mean?”

  “When she took the Web, just before she turned away, just before she began to cry, I saw the coyote in her face. I saw it, and I know she felt it at that moment. I’m sure of it.”

  “Come on, you imagined it. I didn’t see anything.”

  “You were looking at her hands and the box, so you didn’t see. You had to be watching her face, man. It was just an instant, a flash, but I tell you the coyote was there. Kiran’s spirit showed itself to me.”

  “Okay, so what if it did? She’s a mess, Jesse. It couldn’t have been much, so it probably didn’t mean anything.”

  “So what? So what? Don’t be so dumb Kesh. It means she’s going to be back. Kesh, she needs time, but Kiran will be back.”

  Kesh sniffed. “Even if she is, it won’t be in time.”

  “Listen, man. Maybe it will come in time, maybe it won’t. What’s important is that my…. I mean Muskrat was right. Kiran is going to be all right.”

  “I hope you’re right, Jess, but there was something else, somethin
g else wasn’t right.”

  “Duh! Of course, something was wrong, you idiot. She’s been through a lot. You wouldn’t be right either. But now I’m sure the coyote in her is stronger than anything Garou could do to her.”

  Kesh fell in alongside his friend as they walked home. “You’re probably right, Jess. She’ll be fine. Still, something felt wrong, and I’m worried.”

  That afternoon, snow began to fall in flakes as big as soft white paws. Kesh watched from his bedroom window as his front yard, the street and the town were softly cloaked in a deep, cold cushion of snow. He thought the world had never been so quiet or so beautiful. Yet he could hear hidden, muffled sounds, the movement of things beneath the surface, of creatures burrowing down through the deep drifts of snow, through layers of leaves and grass and soil and roots into cool, dry dens.

  There was more, something troubling and unseen. His senses caught traces of sulfur and chlorine and other, even more dangerous substances, mixed into the molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the pristine snow covered town. This sky, he knew, brought Garou’s poisons to every inch of his small world. It laced the snow and, he also understood, it seeped into the ground and soaked into roots, stems, and leaves along with the soil’s nourishment. The plants were constantly fighting off the toxins and, with them, the insects and other creatures struggled to survive.

  He was observing this secret world with the ears and nose of a coyote. So when the doorbell rang, it surprised him so completely that it could have been from an alien place. He snapped back to the world of his room and hurried downstairs to answer the door. His mother was already at the front door.