by Ann Patty
The only clothing that had remained intact was this person's faded red shoes. Most likely this was due to the shoes being constructed of a non-decomposable plastic. The washed green shirt was in tattered strips, yet a breast pocket was mostly intact. There wasn't much left of the pants, but the remaining pieces had the color of khaki. Shilah crouched down. With little resistance, he picked at and picked up the pocket. Almost thread barren on the top side, there was a bulge at the bottom. Shilah turned the pocket upside down to empty the contents in his hand. Out fell a small quantity of white translucent shells. Terra could not believe her eyes. Those were the exact type of shells that she had relinquished to the fire the night before. She couldn't even recollect where she got them from. Now here they were again. Terra said nothing. Instead she bent over with cupped hands and relieved Shilah from his hand full.
“This was a male probably in his twenties,” Shilah began. “This was no accident. He was murdered.” Pointing to the victim's skull and rotating it sideways, Shilah continued, “He was shot through the head here. One shot killed him.”
“Why would anybody drag a dead body out here? What's the point?” asked Gad.
“It's reservation land. There is little traffic here. If someone is looking to hide something, or someone, this is a remote spot,” Tahoma said, chiming in.
Shilah jumped back into the conversation. “This person was not dragged here. He was dropped … from an aircraft. Look here and here,” Shilah said as he showed several crushed areas of the bone structure. “This was impact from a fall. I believe since the body was right next to these rocks, someone aimed to make sure he did not come back to life.”
Atsa summed up all their thoughts, saying, “So this guy gets plugged in the head. And his killers dropped him from a heli or plane onto these rocks to crush him for good. Only it doesn't answer why they dropped him way out here.”
“No tracks, no attachment,” Tahoma stated, biting his lower lip.
Always practical, Yiska spoke, pointing out the obvious, “We need to burn every last shred of evidence of this corpse. We don't know who is involved in this. We don't need to be spotlighted, and we don't need any media attention on our reservation. So what things did we bring that we could use to dispose of the body right here and now?”
Gad, Shilah, Tahoma, and Atsa pulled various provisions from their backpacks. Of most importance was a quart of kerosene and a lighter. Meanwhile Terra was just an observer. Listening, absorbing, and fascinated at how one hour could turn over so much knowledge about a dead person. Deep in her short's pockets, her fingers twirled the little translucent shells over and over. Right now there was no sense to be made about them. But Terra knew that with time most mysteries were resolved.
Gad was all too eager to pour the kerosene over the body, but Shilah caught his arm in action to stop. “Do you all have any cotton or something absorbent in the pile of stuff?” Shilah probed. “Reason I ask is that we need to make sure the whole body—all the bones, everything is burned. No trace left behind...unless there are bone fragments left in which case we will bury them.”
Atsa handed Shilah a roll of gauze, saying, “Will this do?”
Shilah nodded. Taking the kerosene and soaking the gauze, Shilah proceeded to wet every bone for insurance. Without wasting time, Shilah pointed to Yiska, who was holding the lighter, and indicated for him to start lighting all the kerosene pieces. The dehydrated bones were brittle from the elements of the unyielding desert. The body and fragments of clothes, even the plastic shoes, burned into nothing. It went up so fast there was no hint of smoke. As the sun set across the horizon, this man's soul was given over to eternity. When the release was complete, the group honored the victim with a prayer allowing him peace into the afterlife.
The group was still bewildered over the circumstances that found this man here, in this remote desert. On the trip back to their boulder hotel, they each took turns coming up with stories and explanations as to why the victim ended up in their backyard. “Terra, you've been so quiet. What do you think happened to this guy?” Tahoma asked.
“Hmmm. Don't know. Maybe the aliens were done with him and plopped him back on earth.” Terra shrugged and then grinned at her attempt to break their intense reasoning session.
“That's cute,” Atsa whispered as he slid beside her and took Terra's warm welcoming hand.
By the time they got back to the boulders it was agreed this incident would not be spoken about ever again. It was over, done, and buried. The tribe did not need negative repercussions of any sort. There was nothing anyone could do about a body that had been rotting for at least eight months. And that was the end of the discussion. Once back into the protection of the boulders, everyone scattered to their rooms. Terra was tired and immediately found comfort laying on Atsa's bedroll. She fell fast asleep.
Past midnight Atsa probed deep inside Terra, once again. Atsa's long thick hair, released from Terra's earlier braid, hung loose and draped as a curtain around their bodies held as one. Hushed, the lovers squirmed and fawned over each other with their lips and limbs. Like school kids groping, their hands probed regions forbidden to others. Atsa stiff and ready plunged into Terra. Her rhythmic contracted spasms teased and beckoned to Atsa. The love-making was sweet, warmly intense, endearing, and juicy. Their groins banged together making a slapping song. Atsa topped Terra. Arching his back he released. A moment later Terra gripped Atsa with her legs wrapped tight, then squealed while gasping for air. Atsa smiled down at Terra. He leaned forward and kissed her deeply on the lips. She responded equally back. They lay wrapped around one another entangled in their dark and long hairs until dawn.
The morning came and with it an amazing amount of new foods to choose from. During the feast, Shilah and Gad announced they needed to return to the village by afternoon. The cousins were hosting an all-night barbecue for a mutual friend's reception. Shilah and Gad were a hot commodity within the community for helping with events, ceremonies, and family celebrations. They loved it and never declined an invite to help. By 9am the cousins were packed up. Hugs and kisses were a standard part of their goodbyes which included Terra as well. She was considered family now. A final farewell left Terra, Atsa, and his two brothers behind. The brothers decided to hang out for one more day. The boulders held such beauty and the pools so daunting that it was a shame to waste time anywhere else.
The rest of the day, Atsa, Tahoma, and Yiska chatted and caught up. The brothers in recent years had each gone off on their own journeys. Atsa, the architect, had developed a new infrastructure for skyscrapers that would make them even safer. Thus he traveled the country far and wide, to inspect and redesign. Tahoma was a geology instructor at the local community college. He actually might have had more in common with Terra as he worked with the elements of the earth. Yiska, a natural leader, was a spiritual man. He was a registered nurse who was instrumental in heading up the community hospice center. Each brother was accomplished in their own right and had much to be proud of. None, however, were married. Terra listened to their backgrounds with interest. Right now, she was a nothing with no job and no future. None of that bothered her though. For the first time in her life, she felt liberated from the expectations of others and very free to roam in a multitude of ways.
Uninvited Guests
The day was lazy and that was welcomed. Late afternoon came on with the customary breeze. Tahoma had made a tiny fire in the pit lined with rocks. The brothers and Terra sat in a four corner circle around the miniscule blaze. Jerky was passed around as a precursor to dinner along with dried fruits. Everyone was staring blankly into the fire when Terra intuitively sensed tension in the immediate vicinity.
Shadows were cast on the boulder walls. Two extra tall silhouettes to be exact. The tiny flame exaggerated all who trespassed its path. The group looked up then rose to their feet. Before them were two young men. While Atsa and his brothers were well into their thirties, these two were well into their late twenties. The two looked rough, a bi
t tired, and perhaps like they were looking for justice. They wore bands on their arms akin to the ones worn by local gang members. The next thing that did not go unnoticed were the guns in their shoulder holsters carried right there out in the open. To look at them one would think perhaps Navaho, but they were not. Not really. Many referred to them as half breeds. A cross between Navaho, or some Navaho lineage, and anything else. Mexican, White, Asian, you name it. These two strongly resembled Asian with a touch of Navaho. But who knew the truth was only those two, and right now was not a time to quiz them on their heritage.
Tahoma made the first gesture. He nodded his head which said both, “Hello” and “What's up?” They said nothing. They circled the group, as if looking for something. Like hound dogs on the hunt, they were determined to find fault. They had no problem using intimidation by way of flaunting their holsters stuffed with robust power revolvers. The brothers and Terra did not cower. They waited. Atsa motioned to them to have a seat. A vacant look bounced back. They continued their prowl and began checking out the rooms. Evidently, they were not interested in the contents of the backpacks as they soon returned to the main room. Terra had an inkling that it was best that she stay disconnected from all that testosterone. She walked outside the boulders' entrance and parked herself upon a flat sitting rock.
Terra gazed at the six o'clock sun poised for setting in a bit. Then she heard voices. These were the voices of the new gang members. Dressed in city sneakers, low rider shorts, and jean sleeveless shirts, the two looked harmless enough. But, those guns. Who would carry such a weapon of this caliber through a desert? Only those looking to kill or avenge someone. The echo of the cavern helped Terra hear their issue. They had come looking for someone. One of the two was the missing man's brother and the other was the best friend. The seekers wanted answers and they were running out of places to look.
Atsa asked for a description of the missing brother. What came back was ironical. The last they had seen their brother, he was wearing a green tee shirt with a breast pocket, khaki colored pants, and red sneakers. Atsa looked down in order to avoid their eyes. Tahoma and Yiska diverted their stares as well. For all four of them thought the same: What were the odds that this victim was sought out after all this time and that he was in their desert? What synchronicity set this in motion? It was a good thing Terra was unseen, as when she heard them say, red shoes, she cupped her hand to her mouth and let out a silent gasp.
Yiska stepped up to the plate. “We are sorry. Why would you look out here? This desert?” The two half breeds just stared at Yiska, appalled he would ask such a question. They disregarded him and did not answer.
Next Tahoma took a turn. “No, we have not seen your brother. If we do can we give him a message?” Again, the two did not respond. They looked agitated and frustrated, which was possibly due to being out of options, and at a dead end.
Atsa chose to stick with the plan. See nothing, hear nothing, and above all, know nothing. He also decided to remain silent.
The two hoods pulled off to one side and had a deep discussion among themselves. Atsa and his brothers resumed to sitting in front of the tiny fire. There was nothing they could do. Certainly nothing they could say. They definitely were not going to admit they found the man's body and burned him into oblivion. Heck no. The brothers were defenseless. If their fate was brought to an end by those guns so be it. This Navaho family had a firm belief of standing tall in the face of fear, but peacefully. When their time came to cross into the spirit world they would go easily. There was no doubt the spirit world would be waiting with welcoming arms.
The two Asian-looking half-breeds separated themselves, went silent, took one last look around the rock room, and walked out. They did not get what they wanted here. They also knew the three brothers were not going to talk. The two heavies wandered out to the front of the cave and pulled out their hand held GPS. It appeared to Terra they were going to head back. Most of their hiking would be after sunset. One of the two turned his head around sharply and focused on Terra. One knee up, the other leg dangled, and her back braced by her arms, Terra was still perched on the rock. She eyed them both.
The dead man's brother came over to her. “You know something. You all know something and you won't tell.” He raised his eyebrows and looked into Terra's eyes with intensity and determination. Terra thought to herself, How far would he go. A person that carries a weapon such as his, will he use it? Terra cocked her head to one side almost in a flirt, not quite a tease, but let on that indeed he might be on to something. There was a very long pause of silence. He was not going to budge.
“All right. All right,” Terra beckoned in a practical voice and taking charge although she faked it. “Now for what I am about to divulge you absolutely must not tell the boys. In there. It's because they do not know.” She pointed to the entrance of the rock room. “Deal?” she stated and if she had a position to bargain from, which she did not. The two gangsters gathered around Terra. She had their attention, fully.
“I heard you say red shoes, that your brother wore red sneakers. I saw red sneakers, but not in this desert. It was up north, behind that diner, I can't remember its name … I went hiking behind that restaurant quite far out and was shooting for the amphitheater.” Terra was winging this story as she gained momentum. She believed the guys were buying it. “When I was exploring the grounds, I spied a pair of red city type sneakers. So I picked them up.” Terra was nonchalant in her delivery.
Terra's hand was in her pocket. Fidgeting fiercely because of nerves, but just then, it hit her. “You know. I don't know if this means anything, but I found a pile of these left in those shoes.” Terra scooped up all the shells she could muster in her hand and held it out to the men. One took a step back. The other put his hand to the temple of his head. Terra hit pay dirt, but she was perplexed. “What do these mean? Please tell me.” She really wanted to know because this was the third strategic appearance these shells had made.
The brother of the victim reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out a three strand necklace. He held it out to Terra. The exact same shells. Terra was confused and shook her head.
The brother spoke, saying, “My brother and I had the exact same set of shells in a three strand necklace. We made a pact that the shells would always reunite us.”
Terra put her hand to her heart in empathy, and said, “They have. These shells have reunited you. You have a starting or stopping point now.” Terra was thinking: Wow, the coincidences were thick on this trip. What were the odds that the trail of these shells would lead to such intrigue? And what were the odds that a body would lay waiting eight months for Terra to discover it? Then in the same day, at the same spot, his brother and friend come looking for his remains? The desert was vast, so why this place? Was the spirit of the decease orchestrating this reunion? It was all too much to fathom.
The brother was overtaken with wonder and pushed any stirring emotions away. He walked up to Terra's face, took her other hand, and placed his necklace into her palm. “I do not believe I will need this anymore. All along it might have been meant for you.” He nodded in appreciation as he stared straight into Terra's amazed eyes. Then he fingered at his brother's best friend's arm and together they strode back towards civilization and into the dark of the night.
Terra sat on the rock looking over the necklace draped in her hand, while shaking her head. Then she saw that Atsa had appeared by her side. He removed the necklace from Terra's grip, went around behind her, and clasped it on. “These have good fortune, Terra. You did good. Actually, more than good. Your spirit mentors guide you strong.” He took her back to the cave where Yiska and Tahoma both came out and they touched her as if she was a good luck charm. Terra felt weird—off center. She had so much adrenaline pumping through her. She was on high alert. It was a natural reaction to stress and a threatening predicament. Atsa brought her some green herbal tea, blended it with fresh lemon juice, and handed it to Terra to drink. He sat behind her and rubbed
her back. For some reason, Terra believed this incident was not over. There was some other piece to this puzzle, and she was sure it would lock an answer into place. In time the universe gave answers. She was positive this incident was no different.
They slept that night outside under the open sky without rocks as barriers. It was only a myth that walls could protect. Of course in their pool room the ceiling was also the sky. Yet, tonight a change of location felt correct. Atsa and Terra lay side by side on his bedroll. They spoke for a long time with just their fingertips roaming over each other. The cosmos was filled with shooting stars. With each streak, either Atsa or Terra pointed it out to the other. It became a game who could point out the most shooting stars. This went on until both drifted off into oblivion.
