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The old man began to chant with his arms lifted to the sky.
Johnny grabbed a burning limb from the fire and raised it over his head. “You’re not welcome here!” he shouted. “Go!”
Donja felt Makayla grab her arm, dragging her.
“Go!” Johnny shouted.
Donja staggered as a wretched moan escaped her.
“Let’s go!” Makayla shrieked as the old dog circled them, barking.
Weak in the knees Donja managed to follow, clinging to Makayla. They left the meager house, crossed the creek, ambled through the forest and found the car. Back on the road as Donja found a bit of composure and her heartbeat slowed, she whispered. “What do you make of it?”
“I don’t know,” Makayla answered, “but the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. The old man’s creepy as hell and that boy, he looked like he wanted to kill us.”
“I don’t think he wanted to kill us, I think he was terrified of what we might lead to his door. I think they both truly believe in this evil Miigis.”
“What is it?”
“Not positive, but if I had to guess, I’d say Scarface.”
“Really?”
“Search online and see what you get.”
Makayla grabbed her phone. “Hey, we have hit on the pictures from a man who says he has information. He wants to meet and he’s offering to buy them from us.”
“Is that the same man who offered a reward?”
“Yeah,” Makayla mumbled,” he keeps saying they were stolen.”
“Yeah right,” Donja sputtered. “Stolen, put in an attic and enclosed for God knows how long to what avail. Tell him we will meet him tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m curious to see what has to say. Now, look up Miigis.”
Makayla’s fingers flew over the screen. “How do you spell that?”
“Try M-E-G-I-S.”
“Nope.”
“M-I-G-I-S.”
“Found it,” she mused, “it’s spelled M-I-I-G-I-S and it’s a spirit, Professor Bapttise was right.” She scanned the phone, reading. “Ojibwe history speaks of seven great Miigis, Radiant Iridescent beings that appeared to them. One of them was evil and killed those in its presence. The other six were teachers and established dooden, which means ‘clans for the people’ and then they returned to the river.”
“And what about the evil one?”
“It doesn’t say, but it’s a similar story to the one Gage told me, but he didn’t call them Miigis.”
“Are you sure that the evil one left?” Donja asked. “Does it say that?”
“Well, it suggests that, but no, it’s not certain.”
“So, that can only mean one thing. It’s still here.”
“No way!” Makayla hissed.