The Hidden Worlds

by Sandra Ingerman

George called Sunday evening to tell him that he’d taken Rose ice skating. “I just might have some athletic ability after all,” he announced. “I didn’t fall once. Of course she was holding my hand the whole time.” Isaiah wondered what it might be like to take Magda skating, and he wondered what it might be like to hold her hand. He shut the thought off just in case his mother beamed into his vibes and started klacking.

  Snow seemed to be falling every other day, and it was cold. Despite that, Bear was progressing nicely with his training. He sure loved that little guy who seemed to grow every day. And his asthma didn’t act up at all—with the cold or with the dog. Maybe he had outgrown it.

  Magda stopped asking if he had a note for her and was still to hanging out with her old friends at lunch.

  They all hoped that clean-up had begun at the warehouse even though it was cold and snowing.

  On Thursday, a week before Thanksgiving, their science teacher announced that they had a special guest today. A woman was sitting on a high stool in the corner, her gray hair in a big bun on top of her head and a pair of black-framed glasses pushed neatly into the arrangement. She was from the agency they had sent their letter to. Isaiah’s heart began to flutter with a little anxiety and lots of excitement. Someone had actually come up all the way from Denver to talk to them.

  After being introduced, she scooted her chair into the center of the room, cleared her throat, and said, “I want to thank all of you for notifying our agency about the toxins in the water. We appreciated your letter and are grateful that there are young people in our state who are concerned about the environment. That is very encouraging. We also received a telephone tip about a warehouse here in town where toxic substances were spotted. Our caller didn’t give a name, but we think she could have also been a young person from this school. This person mailed us a detailed log book and photographs that were extremely helpful to our investigators. We are so grateful because this information led us to the warehouse which was the source of the pollution in the pond. If that anonymous caller is in this room, thank you from the State of Colorado.” It seemed as if she looked right at Magda.

  Magda said, “It wasn’t me, but as a citizen of this state, I am grateful too.” She looked around the room.

  Isaiah hoped she hadn’t given herself away while she was trying to cover her involvement. He raised his hand. “Can you tell us what is being done to clean up the area?”

  The woman put on her glasses and began reading and explaining the action plan she was holding. As he listened, he realized that while they knew there were impacts to everything in the area, they’d really had no idea how far reaching they were. And what was involved in cleaning it all up. And how many years some of those poisons could affect the land and the water. He was aware that his mouth was hanging open in amazement, and he quickly shut it. His stomach felt tight as she talked about the impact on animals. He was certain that drinking the water is what had killed Bear’s mother. And he was so glad that they hadn’t touched the bird pellets. The woman explained how that poison could hurt someone just by getting it on their skin. “Are there any questions?”

  There were, but none from George, Rose, Magda or Isaiah. They high-fived each other with their eyes.

  Before she left, the woman said, “If the person or persons from the phone trip are in this room, thank you. We’d love to know who you are so we can thank you personally. Someone also gave a tip to the college radio station which ran an investigation of their own. The story aired last week, and if you didn’t get a chance to hear it, you might want to check their archives for it.”

  Isaiah called a meeting for lunch. It was too cold to go outside, so they met at a back table in the library.

  “Do you think I gave myself away?” Magda asked.

  Rose responded, “It probably would have been better not to say anything, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. George, I think you deserve a big thank you for your log book.” She smiled at him.

  “And for closing the valve,” said Isaiah.

  “I think we owe a lot to Jeremiah for helping us with that plan,” George said. “And Wind and Fire and our power animals. And Magda for making the call. And Rose for almost getting caught by a madman.” They all laughed.

  “I’m sorry for getting mad at all of you, especially you, Rose.” Magda tugged on her ponytail.

  “It’s okay. We all had our moments, but in the end, we were successful AND none of us got in trouble. That’s something new for me.” Rose smiled at all of them. “And I have China, and Isaiah has Bear.”

  “I miss our dreams,” Isaiah said with a long sigh.

  “Yeah,” they said in unison. And the bell rang.

  Chapter 29

  Flow

  Friday was a little warmer so many kids went outside after lunch. Isaiah went back to the library. He found a comfortable chair and opened a book in his lap so he looked like he was reading. He pulled his hoodie over his head and closed his eyes. Grizzly, can you explain relationships with girls to me? Or more specifically my relationship with Magda?

  He was in the meadow, Griz beside him. They walked to a blue, sparkling lake. The water was so clear Isaiah could see rainbow-colored fish flashing past. Grizzly dove in and signaled Isaiah to follow. Isaiah dove in and warm and soothing water flowed around him as he began swimming. He followed Grizzly to a river that was flowing out of the lake. When Isaiah took breaths, the air tasted fresh, almost crispy. “Thank you, Wind!” he thought. Grizzly flipped onto his back and launched himself head first down the river. At a little waterfall, Isaiah watched Grizzly’s feet disappear over the edge. Isaiah followed. The waterfall sounded like it was giggling as he floated over it. He was airborne for a minute and then he felt watery fingers gently floating his head on top of the water. He sank into the river as it guided him around rocks and past log jams. It must be a magic river, he thought. He closed his eyes, letting the water massage him.

  Grizzly pulled him out at a bend in the river and placed Isaiah up on his back. Grizzly’s fur was warm as Isaiah buried his face in it. Hot air dried his hair and clothes as they flew back to the meadow.

  He knew he had received the answer to his question. But what did it mean?

  Back in his chair in the library, Isaiah thought about the journey’s message. The river must represent his relationship with Magda. Relationship River? He dove in, swam, went head first down the river and it all worked out okay. He was supported and when he let the flow carry him, he didn’t hit any rocks or get in any log jams. Okay. The bell rang.

  On Saturday morning, he did some more sketches. Then he laid them all side by side along one wall. Bear ran happily over them, sniffing each one. He finally sat down on the picture of Bear sitting beside Pathfinder, the statue at the college which Isaiah had drawn from memory. “Would you like to meet Pathfinder someday?” he asked Bear. The puppy yipped.

  His mom came into the den. She saw the sketches and stopped to admire each of them. “You really have a talent for drawing,” she said to him.

  “Thanks. I am drawing him since we don’t have a camera.”

  “They are very good,” she said. “Speaking of cameras, I’ve been thinking about Christmas. Would you like Santa to bring you a phone?”

  “YES!”

  His mother laughed. “I’ve been looking at family plans. Perhaps this afternoon we should go shopping?”

  Bear’s tail was wagging hard, and his ‘yip’ sounded just like “yes”!

  On Sunday he took hundreds of pictures and video of Bear which he couldn’t wait to share with his friends. He also sent his dad a text message with his new phone number. His dad sent a text back saying he would call on Thanksgiving night. “Can’t wait to hear about this new girlfriend of yours.” Oh boy…

  They only had two days of school because of Thanksgiving. Magda was thrilled about his phone and taught him how to set up a calendar which he doubted he’d need. She put Thanksgiving Dinner on it with an emoji of a heart next to it.

/>   Isaiah imagined he was floating on the river again going head first over a waterfall. At least he knew he wouldn’t drown.

  Chapter 30

  Thanksgiving

  “My name’s Robb,” the big man said to Isaiah’s mom as he stuck his hand out. “I don’t know if you remember me. Chemistry 201. Sophomore year at the U.”

  His mom said, “Yes, I remember the fire you started in a lab.”

  Robb let out a loud laugh. “Not one of my better days. And who’s this?”

  “I’m Isaiah.” He shook the big hand. A heavy gold ring with several diamonds ground into his finger. Robb had a lot of hair sticking out of his shirt below his neck. He smelled like beer.

  “So this is Isaiah.” Robb said it in a high-pitch, sing-song voice and then he laughed loudly again. “Magda’s little boyfriend.” The way he said boyfriend sounded like it had five syllables.

  His mother ground her nails into Isaiah’s shoulder as she guided him through the Duncan’s living room which was filled with the smells of dinner. “Marci,” she called. “Is there anything you need help with?”

  Magda came up from the basement. “All the kids are down here,” she said to Isaiah. “Come on, Bear.” The pup gingerly hopped down stairs that were almost as tall as he was.

  As Isaiah turned to follow, his mother bent down and whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry about Robb. He’s always been an ass. Now go have fun.”

  Isaiah had rarely ever heard his mother swear. Lots of surprises come with puberty, he thought.

  At dinner, they were all seated around the same table—adults and kids. While Magda’s dad carved the turkey, Robb said, “Good looking bird. Plump. Ready to be devoured. I’ll take as much flesh as you can give me.” He stuck his plate out.

  Isaiah suddenly did not want to eat the turkey. He remembered the beautiful blackbird that had died at his feet. One last breath. Gone.

  Robb continued, “Did I tell you that last year I shot the turkey for my Thanksgiving dinner?” He went on to describe, in detail, the hunt. Isaiah felt tears constricting his throat.

  Magda said, “Uncle Robb, not everyone likes to hear hunting stories.”

  Isaiah smiled at her, wondering if she was remembering too.

  Uncle Robb said, “Only anti-hunting hippies and those people in Boulder. Everyone else knows animals are here to serve man.” He took a swig from a long, brown beer bottle.

  Isaiah felt Bear snuggle between his feet, and he thought about the frozen, lifeless body of Bear’s mother protecting her pups even in death.

  “So Robb, where are you living now?” his mother asked.

  “Kansas City. I run a large corporation. Make investments. Actually I make lots of money.” He laughed again. “At least I usually do. Just suffered a big loss due to stupid EPA rules. Here in town as a matter of fact.”

  “So you’re the one,” Isaiah said, facing the man. He felt Grizzly power fill him.

  “Yes, I’m the bad guy that killed a couple of fish,” Robb said. “Everyone got their shorts in a knot over it.” He laughed loudly.

  “You killed more than a few fish,” Isaiah felt himself growing bigger. “You also killed 109 birds and a mother Labrador and six of her puppies. And that’s what we know about.”

  “Son, it’s just business. You’ll understand when you’re older.” Robb drank some more beer.

  Isaiah could not believe what he was hearing. “I understand now,” he growled. “It’s called cause and effect. You made choices that have had a big impact on a lot of things in the environment. I hope you’ll learn to make better choices in the future.”

  Robb laughed again. “That’s cute. I guess if they slap me with enough fines. Pass the potatoes.” He scooped a big pile onto his plate.

  Isaiah said very clearly, “Businesses are run by people who determine their level of integrity.” Bear licked his leg under his jeans, and then he felt a foot on his other leg. Magda met his eyes, and he knew he’d gone around the bend in the river.

  Robb snorted. “Good luck with that. Integrity and business don’t go hand in hand.” He turned to Magda’s dad. “So I can’t wait to hit the slopes tomorrow. Is there anything new since the last time I was here?”

  After helping with dishes, Isaiah and Magda went downstairs to watch a movie with her siblings. She sent him a text, “I was so proud of you. You really stood up to Uncle Robb.”

  Isaiah wrote back, “I was proud that two of the people who got him shut down were sitting at that table! Integrity scored!”

  She took his hand and pulled a pillow over it so the kids wouldn’t see. He squeezed her hand and sighed. This wasn’t hard. He let the river carry him.

  As he and his mother were leaving, Uncle Robb pulled Isaiah aside. “Son, your passion is admirable. It’s rare in someone so young. It’s too late for this old codger to change, but you keep it up. There’s a place for you.”

  “People can always change,” Isaiah said. “It’s never too late.”

  “Guess I’ll have to give that some thought,” he said. He pounded on Isaiah’s back. Hard. “Take good care of my niece!”

  In the car his mother said, “That man is insufferable.” She sighed. “I was proud of the way you stood up to him at dinner. You’re really growing up.”

  Isaiah smiled. I’ve got this, he thought.

  She went on, “I’m ready to hear the rest of the story about Robb’s warehouse, and your part in getting it shut down.” So she already knew he’d been involved.

  Isaiah told her everything.

  Chapter 31

  Upper World

  On Saturday the four of them went ice skating. While they laced up their skates, Magda told the story of Thanksgiving dinner. “Isaiah said the owner’s of businesses determine the integrity the business has, i.e.: you don’t have any, Uncle Robb. It was beautiful.” She laughed.

  “That took major courage,” Rose said.

  “Standing up to bullies is an art form,” George said, fist tapping Isaiah’s.

  “Especially when you’re in an octopus costume,” Isaiah said. “That’s the real art form.”

  They moved out onto the ice.

  “Hooray for us!” Rose shouted. She linked arms with Magda, chanting, “Octo-Gira-Bear and Pant. We no longer need to rant.”

  “We know there’s nothing that we can’t,” Magda added, looking at Isaiah as she linked her other arm through his.

  “Change our lives in a mo-mant.” Isaiah said, hooking arms with George.

  “With the help of our power animals, words of kindness we do plant!” George finished. Everyone laughed.

  The four of them skated around and around the lake. It was a blue-sky Colorado day. Their breath froze in front of them, but skating with friends kept them warm.

  When they took a break, Isaiah took in a deep, deep breath. “It’s so great.” He fell backwards off the log into a snow bank, pulling George with him.

  George, looking up at the sky, said, “I wonder if we’ll ever share dreams again?”

  “Well, we haven’t tried journeying to Upper World yet,” Rose said, making a snow angel.

  “Let’s go there now,” Magda said, lying down in the snow beside Isaiah.

  “The landscape is different from Lower World,” George commented. “Airy, misty maybe.”

  “I’ll meet you on a cloud then,” Isaiah said. “Let’s tour Upper World.” He put his arm over his eyes.

  Eagle flew overhead and called to them. He circled, lifted his wings, and flew into the sun. The kids followed.

  About the Authors

  Sandra Ingerman, MA, is an award winning author of ten books, including Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self, Medicine for the Earth: How to Heal Personal and Environmental Toxins and Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of Shamanic Life. She is the presenter of eight audio programs produced by Sounds True, and she is the creator of the Transmutation App. Sandra is a world renowned teacher of shamanism and has been teaching for more
than 30 years. She has taught workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture addressing the needs of our times.

  Sandra is devoted to teaching people how we can work together as a global community to bring about positive change for the planet. She is passionate about helping people to reconnect with nature.

  Sandra is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional mental health counselor. She is also a board-certified expert on traumatic stress. She was awarded the 2007 Peace Award from the Global Foundation for Integrative Medicine. Sandra was chosen as one of the Top 10 Spiritual Leaders of 2013 by Spirituality and Health Magazine.

  www.sandraingerman.com

  www.shamanicteachers.com

  Katherine Wood, MA, taught reading and writing to middle and high school students for 31 years, twelve of those as the Literacy Coordinator for a large metropolitan high school. She has over 2000 hours of shamanic training, teaches shamanic classes and has a shamanic healing practice. She is a member of the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators, was a co-creator of The Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, and has an extensive resume of both taking and teaching writing workshops since the early 1980s. She was the Colorado English Teacher of the Year in 1990.

  She has had poetry and professional articles published. This is her first young adult book.

  Katherine is an avid reader, writer, and a journeyer who loves to travel both in ordinary reality and in the hidden worlds. She believes that we can bridge these worlds, bringing gifts through to help all of humanity.

  www.KatherineWoodAuthor.org

  E-Mail: KatherineWoodAuthor@Comcast.net

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  What is Paganism? A religion, a spirituality, an alternative belief system, nature worship? You can find support for all these definitions (and many more) in dictionaries, encyclopaedias, and text books of religion, but subscribe to any one and the truth will evade you. Above all Paganism is a creative pursuit, an encounter with reality, an exploration of meaning and an expression of the soul. Druids, Heathens, Wiccans and others, all contribute their insights and literary riches to the Pagan tradition. Moon Books invites you to begin or to deepen your own encounter, right here, right now.