Chapter 52

“Cassia. We’re here.” Keanu gently shook me awake as we approached the glow of a bonfire in the distance. Even in the dark, the welcoming ambiance of my village warmed me from head to toe.

With the light of the large fire, I scanned the entirety of the township, making sure everything was okay. If the Majestic 12 had been here, it didn’t appear that they destroyed any of the homes or buildings. I’d had terrible visions of them desecrating our entire village in their fury to locate me.

As soon as Tanaka’s truck stopped, I began shoving Keanu to get out. I needed to find my grandmother. She was old and frail and if she had gotten hurt by the Majestic 12, it was my fault. I had to know she was okay.

Keanu smiled at my impatience and quickly opened the passenger door and hopped out of the truck. Extending his hand to help me out, I wriggled myself and my big belly across the bench seat.

Tribal members had already started wandering toward us out of curiosity. Once close enough, a few of my friends recognized me and moved to hug me.

One such friend was Nova.

“Nova! Where is my grandmother? Is she alright? Is she here?” I couldn’t hide the panic in my voice.

“Of course, Cassia, she’s fine. She’s probably gone to bed already, that’s all.” Her chestnut eyes filled with worry as she scanned my face and then glanced down at my stomach. “Are you alright?”

“Um, I can’t really talk about it right now, I’m sorry.” Pushing my way through the crowd, I made my way to my grandmother’s house.

My lower back ached as I walked through the dark paths of the village. Stretching, I tried to release the tension that was pinching the nerves and muscles.

Nearing my grandmother’s tiny home; I was suddenly self-conscious about my pregnant belly. Would she be disappointed? Surprised? Yes, definitely surprised. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too upset.

I walked up to the door of the familiar home. Rustic, yet enchanting, it always reminded me of the homes described in The Hobbit. A wooden shack was surrounded by vegetation; her house seemed to invite nature to rest itself upon it. Large trees hung their heavy branches, lush with foliage, like a protective umbrella over her house. Shrubs and cacti had nestled themselves close to the side of the house as though protecting the old woman’s home from intruders. An enormous Aloe Vera, with its mystical healing properties, grew close by in case of an emergency.

Knocking lightly on her door, I cringed as I imagined her sleeping and then being startled awake by my intrusion.

I hope it’s not too late.

I realized that my thought had two meanings. Too late in the evening and, of course, too late to save her from the evil that killed Amy.

With my heart thudding hard in my chest, I was nervous when I couldn’t hear anything from inside the shack. Then, I recognized a familiar shuffle emanating from within. She’d always had a bit of a limp but refused to use a cane. Hearing a click on the other side of the door, I waited with trepidation as the old door groaned open.

Tears filled my eyes as I saw my grandmother for the first time in at least two years. Clad in her nightgown and robe, her long gray hair, normally held back in a tight bun, flowed passed her shoulders and draped over her forearms. Her ancient brown eyes, shrouded by the weathering of time, stared at me with a calm that only comes with the wisdom of the ages.

Speechless, I reached out to hug her. I had to stoop over a little to wrap my arms around her tiny frame. Enveloped in her loving embrace, I sobbed tears of relief and gratitude. After several blissful moments, I stepped back.

“Hi Grandma.” I spoke in the Hopi tongue.

Taking my hands into hers, she held them as she stared affectionately into my eyes and said, “Child, you’ve come home.” Glancing once at my enlarged belly, she added. “And I see that the prophecy is once again at hand.”