by Serena Mis.Ta-Nash
It was a beautiful winter night. The sky was clear, stars slung so low it seemed they were a blanket. Close tinges of green northern lights built into castles and cathedrals high overhead.
Although the cabin was cold when I got home from work before long Miss Piggy, the barrel stove, chomped wood wildly as she warmed the spaces. My husband, a trucker away on a road trip had left the porch full of split wood. Miss Piggy had lots of fuel.
Before long the cabin was warm and glowing with the yellow glow of kerosene lamps. A whole evening to myself. I'd looked forward to this and curled up in my favourite chair by the big picture window. A new book, a cup of tea, peace and quiet. My palace on the hill. I loved this spot where I felt so connected to the Earth and other Beings whose space I'd invaded. There's a pine forest with a squirrel midden; and a pond where the ducks raise their young in the brief northern summers. It's backed by rock cliffs covered with crocuses each spring.
The Hudson's Bay tea I picked that summer was relaxing, and before long the pages of the book quit turning as I slipped into that otherworld space deep within. Far away from up the mountain sounds drifted down and gradually penetrated my consciousness. The book dropped from my hand with a thud and I jerked out of my dreamstate. Yip, yip, hoohoo, over and over, growing louder and clearer as the coyotes moved down into the valley for a night of rabbit hunting. I listened intently as the wolves joined the chorus followed by the neighbourhood dogs.
My dog Red lay on his rug beside Miss Piggy, the end of his tail twitching slightly, obviously deep in his own dreamworld. Oh well, whatever was going on out there, even if the wild ones came into the yard, I was safe in here and quite enjoying the music of the forest creatures.
Back to my book, the sounds faded again. This
was a good story about Australia and the songlines of the Aboringinal people
there. It all seemed so pleasant, singing your way around the country.
The songs told you where you were and I wondered if the songs of my four
legged relatives were like that too.
The crunch of snow on the doorstep caused me to stop reading and listen closely. Only one thud, sounded like someone coming, but now stopped. I waited a moment then walked to the door to listen again. No more sound. I opened the door and looked out. No sign of anyone or anything, just the bright night sky and the crackle of green dancing light. Back to my chair and book, I took note of the yipping and howling, -- sounded like they were on the other side of the pond. They usually didn't come into the yard. Red slept on.
I skimmed the next pages quickly, staying aware of my surroundings, not really absorbing the contents of the pages. There it was again, that crunch sound, two of them. Must be someone here this time. Starting to feel nervous I glanced at Red. He was still sleeping, paws going rabbit chase speed. Must be okay, he's a good dog and lets us know when someone is coming. Convinced there was no problem, I opened the door to check. Nothing, same sky, same green castles, same crackle.
I filled my teacup and Miss Piggy and got settled down with the songlines again. This time it took longer to read each page, more alert for strange sounds than before. Suddenly there it was, that crunch, only this time the thuds continued all the way up the steps and across the outside porch. The hair on the back of my neck rose and a child sweat broke out. I moved slightly and Red woke up, ears perked.
I waited for whoever was there to knock. Silence, no knock, no retreating footsteps. Shakily I got to my feet and crept toward the door, taking slow baby steps. As I passed Red I signalled for him to come and together we silently approached the only door in the place. I was sure the being on the other side could hear my every breath. It sounded like thunder in my ears. No movement, not a whisper from out there. I reached for the wooden handle deciding to just fling it open and confront whatever was there.
My hand closed tightly on the familiar worn wood and my brain willed my arm to make the motion. At last I could feel my arm move and just as the door opened a crack Red broke into a blood curdling yowl! The door seemed to finish opening on its own. I screamed and Red howled louder. The wolves and coyotes answered until I was surrounded by their collective voices. I froze for a moment, then looked out and around. There wasn't anything there. Slowly I caught my breath.
I still don't know what was out there that night but when I returned
to my senses I put on my outdoor things, took the flashlight and went out
to the yard. Red came along and we watched the green castles and touched
the stars and I thanked Great Spirit for THE INVITATION.
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