The Adventures of Kia

The Adventures of Kia

By Great Spirit 17

 

Chapter 1: The Surprise

 

Kia trudged through the snow as he headed back to his house, the bag of meat slung over his shoulder and his mind buzzing with thoughts and questions.

 

I can turn into a dog, he thought. This is so cool.

 

He looked at his hands, or the one that wasn’t holding the sack.

 

These can become paws, he thought with wonder. It’s amazing what has happened all in one night. Yesterday I was just another Joe wandering through life. Now I have this amazing ability to change into a dog, the animal I have always loved and wanted to get to know so much.

 

Kia thought about what had happened right before he had left to go on this hunt.

 

“It’s too dangerous,” said his mother. “You need to stay home and keep away from those wolves. They always seem more aggressive this time of year.”

 

“But mom,” said Kia, “I’m 19 years old. I’m a grown man, not a little child.”

 

“That’s what your father said, and he was much older than 19.”

 

“He wasn’t killed by wolves, mom,” pointed out Kia.

 

“No, but he might as well have been,” said his mother turning away.

 

“Look, I know you’re upset about what happened between you and him, and I know that it was the wrong thing to do for him to walk out on you like that,” said Kia. “But don’t you think that I’m upset about it too? He was my dad after all.”

 

“I know,” sniffed his mother, “but I can’t help thinking that things would be different if he were still here.”

 

“Well he’s not, so why mope about it,” said Kia a little harsher than he meant to.

 

His mother looked up at him with a wounded expression.

 

“Look, I’m going out to find some food,” said Kia pointedly. “There should be enough in the meat locker for about a week. I should be back by then.”

 

With that he strode out the door and into the woods.

 

His mother walked out and called, “Be careful. I love you.”

 

But Kia was determined to stay angry about his father and his mother for dwelling on it, so he walked on without turning back.

 

I didn’t even say goodbye, thought Kia mournfully. Oh well, I can make it up to her when I get back. I have a big sack full of food and this special power that lets me do things that no other human can. She will be quite impressed with me. Maybe so much that she will forget about father and we can continue on with our lives.

 

Kia climbed the next hill and looked down on the town of Applegate. There was the sleepy little town settled in the backwoods of Alaska and there about a mile or two off to the west was him and his mother’s house.

 

Kia trudged doggedly on towards his home, trying to think of how best to make up with his mother.

 

What if I apologized to her, then showed her the bag of meat, and then showed her my power. He thought about it for a second. Maybe if I walk up to the door as a dog dragging the sack of meat, then apologized. That sounds like the best idea.

 

Making up his mind, Kia jogged the rest of the way desperate to make up with his mother.

 

As he neared the house, he called out, “Mother, I’m …”

 

The house was in ruins.

 

Bits of the door lay all over the front yard and snow had blown into the house.

 

Kia ran in.

 

“Mother,” he called, “Mother, where are you?”

He turned a corner, and there lay his mother. At least what was left of her.

 

Her right arm was missing and there were cuts and bite marks all over her face and body.

 

Kia ran over to her.

 

“Mother?” Kia shook her gently. “Mother, can you hear me?”

 

His mother stirred and opened her eyes.

 

“Kia,” his mother mumbled, “is that you?”

 

“Yes,” said Kia hugging her. “Yes, I’m here. Everything will be fine.”

 

“Kia,” said his mother, coughing. “Listen son, my time is nearly up.”

 

“No, mother,” Kia said softly. “You will make it. We can get you to the doctor in town.”

 

“No Kia,” said his mother groaning,” listen to me. You must not blame yourself for what happened.”

 

“But if I had stayed, like you asked then you would be alright. If I hadn’t been so angry with father.”

 

Kia stopped and looked up.

 

“Father is responsible for this,” Kia said.

 

“No Kia,” said his mother after a fit of coughing. “Your father is not responsible for any of this.”

 

Kia looked back at her.

 

“Then who did this?” Kia asked forcefully.

 

“A pack of wolves,” answered his mother.

 

“Wolves,” Kia muttered to himself. “I wonder…”

 

“These wolves were huge,” said his mother. “Bigger than any I have ever seen. And they all had a strange look in their eyes. Kind of a red fog mixed with fire.”

 

“Shade,” Kia said through gritted teeth. “He did this.”

 

“The wolf demon?” his mother said.

 

“Yes,” said Kia, looking down at her. “How do you know about him?”

 

“He was the haunt of all the woods when I was with my people. He was the polar opposite of the white wolf.”

“Yes,” said Kia, “I think I know why he attacked you.”

 

“It does not matter,” said his mother. “Kia, before I go there are some things you need to know.”

 

“Tell me at the hospital after the doctors treat those wounds,” said Kia.

 

“No,” said his mother. “It is my time. Now listen to me. There is a battle in this world. The fight is not for land, money or territory. It is for souls. The white wolf and Shade battle for all of nature’s souls, each wanting all for themselves. The white wolf seeks to bring all of creation to paradise with it, but Shade seeks to take as many to hell with him as he can. Resist Shade, and if ever you do get to meet the white wolf, listen to what it has to say. I … love… you Kia.”

 

With that his mother laid her head down and breathed her last.

 

Kia looked at his mother with tears in his eyes.

 

“Mother,” he sobbed, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I got mad at you. I’m sorry that I walked out on you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be here for you when you needed me. I’m sorry for everything.”

 

Kia turned his eyes up to the ceiling and yelled, “Why. Why did she have to die. Is this the price of my gift and helping Aniu.?”

 

Kia sat there and cried for what seemed like hours.

 

After he could cry no more, he sat up and thought about what he could do.

 

There’s nothing left for me here, he thought. I might as well move into town. Too many bad memories here.

 

Kia got up.

 

He searched around for his rifle and the sack of food that he had discarded upon seeing his mother.

 

After finding them, he trudged out the door and headed toward town.

 

Before going to far, he looked back and said goodbye to everything he’d ever known.

 

With that, he turned and marched into town dreading what new hardships awaited him.

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