Black Gold PT. 2

I remember asking Jed if that stranger would offer Pa a job or something, saying that he looked like he had money. But I was young then, young and naïve. Now all I can think about is putting an arrow in that stranger’s forehead. He took my whole world from me. I figure it’s only right to return the favor. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, I suppose I’ll go back to the beginning.

When that stranger came callin’ we actually thought all our issues were over. I mean Jed and I were never pressed for meals, and our clothes were fine enough I suppose, but who wouldn’t want more?  It had been unseasonably cold the night that stranger came. Then the lightning struck the house, damn near killed me and Jed. Luckily Jed passed out from it, he didn’t have to see what happened next, or see how Pa paid for his favor. I still have the darkest nightmares about the things he made Ma do, and how Pa just stood there and let it happen. the Black Gold aside, for me? My father died that night, I could never look at him the same way again. That night I went to bed but I didn’t sleep, I couldn’t because all night all I could hear was my mama crying. It took several hours, but I finally got some semblance of rest. My sleep was plagued with the vilest nightmares, the types of things that I’ll likely have etched in my soul till my final breath

Mama woke me up early the next morning, the first thing I noticed was the haunted look in her eyes. She shushed me and ushered me towards the door, I got to look back at Jed one more time before she led me outside, to the edge of the woods. She handed me a satchel and admittedly I was confused

“Now you look here Sadie, run and don’t come back. I mean it.” Mama said frantically

“Mama what do you mean? I don’t understand?” Sadie stammered

“You listen, you get out to those woods and don’t ever come back to this house! You hear me girl?” Mama said shaking Sadie

I didn’t answer her back. Something in her eyes made any words I had seize up in my throat. I looked at my home, at my mother one last time, then set off to god knows where. When I made it into the clearing I got my first glimpse at my father, or at the very least the creature that replaced him. As soon as we made eye contact, he bolted for me like a wild dog. I was terrified, I quickly turned on my heels and ran away as quickly as my legs would carry me. I had no idea where I was headed, all I knew was that I had to escape. I could hear Pa behind me, yipping and howling with psychopathic glee, he screamed about the Black Gold, about it being our future. All I had to do was take a drink. I couldn’t think about it, I just kept going running until I felt as though my lungs might burst. Then I could hear it. The roaring of Snake River. I broke through the trees and found myself sandwiched between a cliff leading into the river and the mad wailings of my father, I made my choice, and leapt. The water pulled me under quickly, but frankly I would have rather drowned than had anything to do with the Black Gold.

Dasan had come down to the riverbank, he needed a drink before he continued his hunt, There had been wolves spotted near the tribe and his father had tasked him with hunting them. While he drank, he saw a body floating in the water. Dasan felt compelled to find out why. The water was cold, and as Dasan swam out to the body he felt a sort of cold foreboding. He reached the body and turned it over, seeing that it was a young woman about his age. Dasan got her back to the shore as quickly as he could. He did what he could to get the water out of her lungs. Dasan hoped it would be enough.

The water rushed up out of my lungs. My thoughts swam to my father, my mother, my brother. Of the Black Gold. The dark had been inviting, and simple. I wish I never had to leave it, But life is a cruel mistress, nothing is ever so easy. So It was that the sun shown in my face, and as aside from that an unfamiliar face. After what I had been through, my reflexes took over and I slugged him

“Who are you? Where am I?” Sadie spluttered still coughing up water

“Im Dasan, do you punch everybody who rescues you in the face? Maybe I should have left you in the river.” Snorted Dasan  nursing his jaw.

“I’m uh, I’m sorry, I had a rough morning. Thanks for rescuing me, I’m Sadie. It’s good to meet you.” Sadie quickly responded

“Ok, well let’s go.” Said Dasan offering his hand  

“Go? Go where?” asked a bewildered Sadie

“Um back to my people? I figured I’d get you some dry clothes. Unless you’d prefer to die of sickness?” Dasan said in a snarky tone

“Ok fine, take me to them smartass.” Spat back Sadie letting Dasan help her up

The trek back to Dasan’s tribe was a  wild one. Dasan stalked through the woods as though he was born there, and with my clothes so wet and heavy I found it difficult to keep up. But I didn’t complain. Though he didn’t offer any evidence I could tell, Dasan was evaluating me. He wanted to know If he had made the right choice in saving me. Not that I cared much what a stranger thought of me, but I wanted to stick it in his smug face. As we stalked trough some brush Dasan suddenly stopped me

“What is it?” I asked before he shushed me

“Wolves, Sadie. Listen” whispered Dasan

I got down next to him and listened, sure enough I heard the soft growling.

“They’ve been stalking us since we left the river, you trying to keep up with me was greatly appreciated, but it gave up our position. We need to tread carefully.” Said Dasan calmly

As soon as he spoke there was a great crashing and a white wolf pounced on top of us. I saw Dasan draw a knife but he wasn’t quick enough It was all teeth and claws as I tumbled down the hill with the wolf. I found myself in a clearing with the beast. There was blood on her coat, I couldn’t tell if it was the wolves or mine but the battlelines had been drawn. I looked around for something to defend myself I eyed up a nearby rock and lunged for it. I locked eyes with the she wolf one last time before she lunged at me and I swung the rock with all the strength I could muster.

“Sadie? Sadie?!” Dasan called

“I’m down here!” I responded to him

“Spirits, that’s impressive.” Said Dasan looking down and seeing Sadie with the wolf’s corpse

“Oh this? She and I had a disagreement. I ended up winning.” I said cavalierly trying to hide how winded and tired I was

“I see. Well, pick her up the chief will want to know of our success.” Said Dasan happily

Heeding his words I hefted the wolf onto my shoulders. She was heavy but my work on the farm had prepared me for it. Now that there wasn’t wolves stalking us, the journey to Dasan’s tribe was much more succinct. To my summation the first time, Dasan had led us in circles because he knew we were being stalked. Though I’d never admit it he was actually starting to impress me. We arrived back to Dasan’ s tribe. I hadn’t been there a minute and I could already hear the hushed whispers about how Dasan had bought back an outsider. I could feel the eyes on me as I continued to follow him to a central part of the camp. Dasan led me to a large tent and told me to wait outside. I heard Dasan talking about the wolves, and about finding me. Then the next thing I knew I was being beckoned into the tent. I was in sort of an awed reverence as I walked in. Dasan led me to a man that could have been his twin if not for the more weathered skin. I understood instantly that he was Dasan’s father, I put down the wolf carcass, curtsied and introduced myself

“Hello sir, I’m Sadie.” I said in an unsure voice

“Yes, my son has told me much, I am Quanah. Tell me how it is that you came upon our tribe?” Quanah asked

“I’m not sure how long I was floating in the river, but it started with a deal of sorts. My father made a pact with some sort of stranger for wealth. then everything unraveled.” I began

“What did your father agree to sell?” Quanah prodded

“Something called Black Gold. I’m not sure what it is, but it made him deranged he tried to attack me, chased me through the woods, I jumped into the river, and then Dasan found me.” I answered solemnly

“I don’t know what this Black Gold is, but it sounds dangerous, dangerous enough to drive you from your home. I normally wouldn’t do this, but you’ve earned your place after helping my son kill those wolves.” Said Quanah pensively

“I appreciate the offer sir.” I said gratefully

That was ten years ago. Now Dasan and I hunt all manner of creature to keep the tribe safe. I’d been having nightmares of late, and they’ve led me here, back home to Devil’s Worth. The Golden Ones were all over the place, there were too many to kill them all so Dasan and I kept to the shadows. There were too many close calls to count but we made it to the outskirts of town. I saw people down there, that I recognized from days long passed. I wanted to help them, but now? I could do nothing. As we left the town Dasan and I walked the familiar path to my old house, then we heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. We hid in the brush to see who or what it was. Then I heard the voice

“Is that you Jed? You’ve grown! I’ve missed you!”

It was undeniable, that was my father’s voice. And that name, did Jed survive? I had to hurry over to see for myself. If It was Jed, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. And I refused to lose him twice.