Rise of the Death Walkers (The Circle of Heritage Saga)

by Lawrence Nason Jr.

  The van was clearly smaller than a normal van. It was larger than a station wagon although the front was a similar shape. He motioned for me to come closer. Katie moved me and I saw what appeared to be a flap on the side of the driver’s side door.

  He reached behind the mirror and pushed a lever. “This is the system you will use to get into the car. There is one on each side so you can also access the passenger side in your chair. The two rows of seats are split in half so if you are driving, the half on the driver’s side slips back one position. With you in the chair there is seating capabilities for five people besides yourself.” He opened the door for me and motioned for me to position myself on the lift ramp. “Those are the controls for the seats.” He pushed one and the driver’s seat was moved to the back one position in the car to where it was near a sliding door on the side of the van. “There is enough room when the steering wheel is collapsed for you to turn your wheel chair and slip them into the grooves especially made for your type of chair. When you are in place, press this button on the dash.” He pointed to a red button on the right side of the steering column. “That will do three things for you, one; it locks your chair into place. Two; the steering wheel expands and three; the door closes and the outside lift will move into its stowed condition.”

  I watched from inside vehicle as everything he had described happened. “This is really remarkable engineering.” I had always been fascinated by mechanical things and this really blew my mind.”

  Katie slid into the back seat while Mr. Trevic slid into the passenger side seat. “Your grandfather, Mr. White, informed me that you have been taught to drive on an old standard transmission so this will be easy for you. This van has a fully automatic transmission. You use the grip lever on the right side of the steering wheel to control gas and the one on the left is for the break. The lever on the right is for putting the transmission into gear. The ‘D’ is for drive or forward the ‘R’ is for reverse. There are also two forward gears that you would use in different situations. For example a very steep upward grade you might want to use either the first or second gear depending on how hard the motor is working.

  The instruction was quickly finished and he had me drive through the streets for about fifteen minutes before he was satisfied I knew what I was doing. After Mr. Trevic left us Katie was about to get into the passenger seat I stopped her by asking. “Katie? Could you drive it now? The swimming and this bit of driving has made me a bit tired.”

  She looked at me with a bit of alarm and asked. “Are you ok love? We could go back to the house for a rest if you want.”

  I shook my head and said. “No I am fine I am just a bit tired from what I have done today. You can drive it for now. I will have time enough later to drive. Besides I want more time with you alone and we would not have that at your house.” I smiled at her.

  She reached over and put her hand on my forehead and looked me into my eyes. “Jason White don’t you go all macho on me. If you’re not feeling well I expect you to tell me. “She said sternly.

  “I am fine Katie; really, I just want you to drive.” I hit the appropriate switch to trigger the door.

  After we had switched places and I was secure in the passenger’s side she smiled at me and said. “Ok Jason, before we go I will stop to fill up.” She took out a card and flashed it at me. “This is yours from my father who said you are to use this for gas while you have this car.” She saw me about to object and reached over and clamped my lips shut with her dainty fingers. “No objections Jason. My father was beyond joy when he noticed the changes in me after I met you and this is his way of thanking you.”

  I waited until she let go of my lips and asked. “Were you really that bad?”

  “Worse.” She said with a smile. “Now that I look back I can’t see how either of my parents managed to stand me these past few years. I was a horrid monster, spoiled, and had to get her way, rude to my parents and most adults.” She smiled at me as she stopped at the gas station. After handing the attendant the card she turned back to me. “I haven’t told my parents but the person most responsible for my change was your grandfather?”

  I was shocked, “My grandfather? What did he do?”

  “The only thing he did is sat me down and gave me a stern talking to.” She said sheepishly, “He had seen how I was treating my mother when she first told me I was spending too much time with someone who would probably never waken again.” She blushed, “I was much worse than I am now.

  There is something about your grandfather that makes a person listen to him and really think. I did both and I reached the conclusion he was absolutely right. I had no right to treat the parents who had given me so much love in life the way I did. I woke up and realized the world was not centered on me and I began to really look at things in my life. I began to respect the contributions that so many people in this town give. Take school for example. What man or woman would willingly put up with what a teenager can do and try to provide them with the knowledge that will help them move further in life? The waitresses in the diners of the area all the people who worked in service oriented jobs. They were all giving a part of themselves to make other people’s life more enjoyable.”

  I nodded as she spoke. “That sounds very much like my grandfather. He has always been the kindest person in my life and it took an awful lot to anger him. I love him like a father.” My voice sounded sad, “Really the only father I have ever known.”

  Katie placed her hand on my arm and said softly, “Your grandfather told me about what you had gone through at home and in the schools before you went to live with him.” Her hand tightened on the steering wheel as she drove. “I am ashamed to say I was one of those who treated people bad in school before high school.”

  “That’s a part of growing up Katie. Nobody is perfect. We all have our faults.” I stroked her hand softly. “ I should have never let Roger treat my mother the way he has always treated her. I was fourteen before I stood up to him and to this day I have no idea how I did what I did.” I missed my mother and always in the edge of my mind I was wondering why she had never visited me in the hospital.

  “Well,” Katie said cheerfully, “Enough of the somber talk now. Tell me what were you thinking of for your birthday?”

  I smiled at her and was distracted from my line of thought. It was not until much later that I realized Katie tended to distract me a lot from certain conversations. “Well, I hadn’t given it much thought but I do have something for you.” I took something out of my pocket and slid it onto her finger. My grandfather had brought me the materials to the hospital and I had worked in it for several weeks before it was finished.”

  She looked at it and almost lost control of the car. “Jason is this what I think it is? Are you proposing to me?”

  I smiled at her and said, “With my people this is a symbol of something much stronger than a proposal for marriage. It’s called a promise ring. This ring, if you accept, it will not only bind us in this life but into the next life and beyond.” I knew I was beet red by this time. I was serious about her I could not see myself with any other person in my life.

  She pulled over to the side of the road and stared at the ring I had given her. I waited while she processed everything I had just told her. “Jason?” Her voice was charged with emotion as she gazed at the gold ring with several settings of Amber and diamonds set in arrangement much like the birthmark on my left hand. “This is beautiful, but what will my parents say about this?”

  “My grandfather has already explained to your parents what a promise ring is. And after a few weeks thinking about it, both your mother and your father consented.” I smiled at her softly. “My grandfather has told your parents about many of our customs and they understand there is nothing more sacred to us than the commitment symbolized by a promise ring. The final decision whether or not you accept this ring from me is totally up to you. If you need time then I will understand.”

  She looked at me as if I was totally ma
d. “Jason White if you think I am going to turn this down considering what you mean to me you are nuts!” She threw her arms around me and started kissing me tenderly. “Yes, Jason I accept this promise ring and everything it stands for.”

  We never made it to Ogdensburg that day. We spent the rest of the day sitting there on the side of the road talking about the feelings we had for one another and envisioning possible futures for us. When darkness set in Katie turned the van around and headed home. As we turned into the driveway I noticed that Katie’s car was parked there and the lights were on in the house. Katie’s father sat on the porch waiting for us to arrive.

  His eyes went to the finger of Katie’s left hand and he said, “I see you have made up your mind Katie. You have both your mother’s and my blessing in this matter.” He shot his eyes to me and said “But, I am holding you to the promise you made me earlier today son. Not one moment before its proper. Do you understand me?”

  I saw Katie turn beet red as he said this. “Yes sir, on the honor of my tribe I swear it to both you and Mrs. Grant.” I grinned at him and continued. “And you can count on my grandfather to hold me to this promise sir. He has no tolerance for breaking promises.”

  Dr. Grant stood up and shook my hand and hugged Katie. “Eleanor, you might want to come out and congratulate your daughter and future son in law.”

  The door swung open and when Mrs. Grant saw the promise ring on Katie’s left hand she broke down crying and rushed to Katie’s side. “Are you sure about this baby?”

  Katie looked at me and rolled her eyes. “I am surer than I have ever been about anything else in my life Mama.”

  Mrs. Grant pulled Katie over to me and wrapped her arms around both of us. “Then I am happy for both of you and no more of this Mrs. or Dr. Grant from you Jason you are a son to me in the short time I have known you and I expect a Mom and Dad from you. Is this understood?”

  Katie’s parents never ceased to amaze me. I looked over at Dr. Grant who nodded once to me and said. “No problem Mom, I guess I have to get used to being one of the family.” I smiled and Dr. Grant had a big grin on his face. Unwillingly I had another family besides my own. I didn’t realize until later in the week just how much that would mean to me.

  Chapter 10 - Loss and Purpose

  My world has been turned inside out and upside down. I feel as if my heart has stopped beating and the very air that I breathe has been sucked out of my lungs. The first day I was home from the hospital my grandfather informed me my mother, my loving mother, was killed by the very dog I wanted to protect her from. I didn't even get a chance to see her again because I was completely out of it. First I wanted revenge, I wanted to go and find the dog responsible and tear his heart out of his chest.

  Then I was told about my sister. She had taken the knife I left for her and actually gutted that pig of a man. He had made his advances on her and my little sister ended his sorry life. Right now my sweet little sister was in a sanitarium, her mind gone from the experience she had to live through.

  After I heard the news I rolled myself into the woods, to the edge of the pond. I questioned my own existence as I looked at the pond, it would all be so simple... I rolled the chair further forward. I was torn from my inner monolog of self-pity by a scream.

  "Jason NO!! Don't do it! I knew that voice anywhere, it was in my dreams during the night and in my ears every day.

  "Jason White! You stop that right this minute!"

  I turned my tear blurred eyes and tried to find her. "My mother is gone!" I wailed.

  "And my sister has lost her mind!" I had never been so overcome by emotions in my life.

  She came to me and held me in her arms. Rocking me back and forth.

  "I know my love, I know. You have to mourn for her, but to do yourself harm is not what she would want."

  "It was my job to protect her." I moaned "She’s my little sister. What have I done to her?" I buried my face in her shoulder and cried like I have never cried before.

  "Jason," she pushed me back and looked sternly into my eyes. "None of this is your fault. You were not even conscious when this happened and there is nothing you could have done about it." She shook me lightly. "Don't take the blame for something you did not do."

  I looked at her and finally reason entered my tormented mind. "I know you are right baby, but it hurts me here so bad right now." I took her hand and placed it on my heart.

  My grandfather's voice distracted me. "Emotions run deep in our tribe, Pasche. Never be afraid to show them but," he slapped the back of the wheelchair and smiled at me. "Don't you ever try to do something as stupid as you just tried again or I will have to drag you into the woods and break a tree over your hard head."

  I had to laugh at the way my grandfather put it.

  I turned to him and replied, "I promise Grandfather. It was stupid of me especially since my life has been completed by this wonderful girl."

  "Yes, I see that you have. It is time for both of you to learn the truth." He turned and headed deeper into the woods. He waved his arm in a motion that indicated we should follow him. "This way Pasche is the way to the truth."

  I looked at him puzzled and was surprised that Katie was already pushing me in that direction.

  "I learned several months back that your grandfather is someone you had better listen to." She smiled at me when I looked up and then leaned down and whispered, "Pasche?"

  "That's a name my grandfather has called me since I was a kid." I looked where my grandfather was heading with very determined steps.

  "I think he is headed toward the Circle of Heritage." I saw the puzzled look on Katie's face. “It's the place where our most sacred ceremonies are carried out.”

  We pushed forward deep into the woods on the well trodden path. The wheels of my chair were riding in the soft grass that grew on each side of the path. It was not very long until we reached the Circle. My grandfather's voice lifted in the ancient tongue of our people. He then switched to English, for Katie's benefit I was sure.

  There were already elders from the tribe at the circle waiting for us.

  "The gods of the ancient world look down upon us on this eve of celebration. The chosen one is among us and will soon take his place among the warriors of the future." I had never heard these words being spoken at the Circle so my attention was fixed on my grandfather as he spoke.

  "We welcome a new worthy member to our tribe without reservation. Gods of the ancient welcome the white woman Katie Grant to our tribe."

  I was shocked. I turned to Katie and said. "You must have really impressed my Grandfather because we have never bestowed this honor on any white person. Go to him and kneel in front of him. Accept the neckpiece he is holding out to you."

  Katie walked forward with a deep red face and kneeled before my grandfather. "The gods of the ancient world are pleased by your deeds Katie and pleased about your forthcoming union with a son of this tribe." He leaned forward and placed the neckpiece around her neck. Then he kissed her on the forehead. The other elders in the circle walked to Katie and placed a hand on the neckpiece and kissed her on the head. When that was finished he turned and motioned me forward to join him at the circle’s edge.

  I approached the circle. When I arrived he picked up my hands and placed them in Katie's hands. When he began to speak the ancient words that seal a union I was shocked. I had only heard of one time that a union was blessed before the actual union had taken place.

  I spoke to Katie in a low tone as my grandfather chanted. "Love, he is blessing our union in the ancient language." She looked at me with a puzzled look.

  "Normally this ceremony takes place after the wedding dance. Only once in the history of our people has this been done and that was over one thousand years ago when a chief’s daughter had been promised to another tribe in the six nations."

  My grandfather continued the chant which was basically an explanation of the union between two people for this life and into the next. The commitments made by
a man and a woman during the wedding dance exceeded the ones made in a typical union being made outside of the tribe. When the chant was done my grandfather laid a braided wedding rope across our hands and looped it in a crossing motion under our hands.

  "What was bound in this life cannot be broken by the spirits or men of the world and shall continue into the next life."

  Then he did something that astonished me. He waved his hand over us and we began drifting up off the ground. He turned and looked up to me and nodded. Somehow I knew deep within me what I should do. I opened my mind and spirit and let them wrap around Katie's spirit which was suddenly visible to me.

  I heard her gasp in astonishment. The sensation was unlike anything I have ever felt before. I could feel Katie's reaction to my own spirit.

  I raised my arms and chanted the acceptance speech as was require and asked the ancient gods to approve my union. then I turned to Katie and whispered to her. "Speak after me love if this union is something you want." I watched her nod and continued. "Ancient gods we lay our spirits open for your observation and approval in the union we are making. If this union is wrong. Strike us down. If the union meets your approval, send us a sign in the form of the symbol of our clan." I turned to her and spoke softly. "Now we wait for the sign."

  "What sign?" she asked me puzzled about the whole ceremony.

  "Watch and observe." I told her. I had never been a part of the union ceremony before so I was not sure what we would see. I looked around at the circle of elders carrying on the chant. We waited thirty minutes before I noticed the brush around a tree to our left move slightly. I was surprised to see a snow white wolf step into the clearing and approach us slowly. I put my hand on Katie's arm and whispered. "Don't be afraid.”

  “We are of the wolf clan and he won't hurt us." The elders in the circle looked at the wolf and several gasped in surprise. The wolf moved forward and sniffed both Katie and myself and sat down. Lifting his muzzle to the sky he howled.