They traveled on for many days now, and by now the load had become easier for Migisi to carry, though she was not sure if that was a good or bad thing.

Many nights after they would stop to make camp, Migisi could always collapse into sleep afterwards with the other children and Honan, and being woken up so they could eat before going back to sleep again. That had become her routine since they began this journey, but now that her load had gotten lighter for her, she had a much harder time going into the land of dreams.

Migisi was scared, especially since Kwanita's words continued to echo through her mind, even after all these days of travel.

What did she mean? Was that woman really Gaia, and if so, why would she be there at the campfire that night? Migisi doubted that it was because of the people's prayer and offering, as she never appeared by the campfire after that when the people made their offerings before eating, nor did she see her in her dreams.

She found herself thinking over King Iamar's words, words she heard that felt so long ago now. What did they mean? Was something happening in the spirit world? Or was it this one? Migisi didn't know which one was worse.

Now, they stopped again for the night, and as soon as everyone had finished their meals, they had been ordered to hurry into their tepees for protection from the cold. Migisi was all too happy to comply, and she, Honan, and Kwanita were quick to get inside the tepee in order to get out of the ruthless weather.

It had been painfully cold these last few days, and even with all the hives she wore, Migisi still felt the painful chill as if she weren't. The tepee, with its blaring fire and the sleeping mats set up, instantly warmed Migisi up, but inside she still felt cold, and even with how warm she was growing, she still shivered.

Honan was also shivering, and his eyes were darting to the entrance of the tepee and back to the fire. Kwanita, while she kept still, had a look to her that frightened Migisi. Her eyes were hard and as sharp as an arrowhead, her posture was screaming for battle, and her lips were pursed so tightly that Migisi thought they disappeared into her face.

Suddenly she felt scared.

"Mother?" she asked hesitantly, and when Kwanita's eyes moved to her, the steel didn't vanish from them. "What's happening?"

Kwanita didn't reply at first, though her eyes moved back to the entrance. "They are on their way Migisi."

"Huh?"

"Eh?"

Honan also looked at their mother with worried confusion, and still Kwanita kept her eyes straight ahead as she continued.

"Do not speak of them my children, or they will take you away to their liar. Tonight is the night they come out."

"Mother, what--"

"Go to sleep my children. We'll be safe as long as the fires roar. I will keep watch, you just rest. We are going to be in here for two sunrises."

Migisi and Honan stared at their mother in bewilderment, but they moved to their sleeping mats and laid down, watching as the fire and shadows danced together on the tepee walls. Kwanita's shadow was among them, and although the shadow itself moved, Migisi never saw her mother herself move.

Outside, the medicine men seemed to be hard at work, creating something in the ground, their hives flapping in the wind. Migisi watched out of the corner of her eye as they finally finished up and chanted something, the symbols of whatever they made glowing brightly for a split second before they walked towards their own shelters.

The concern prevented her from sleeping for many minutes. What was happening? What was out there?

~~~

"Hello?"

That was the first thing Migisi heard, waking her from her dreamless slumber. Groaning lightly, Migisi opened her eyes, blinking a few times, the first thing she saw being Honan's sleeping face. The fire was dimmer now, but it still burned, and when Migisi glanced behind her, Kwanita was still in her sitting position, though her eyes were closed.

"Hello, is anyone there? Please, I need help!"

Migisi sat up, confused, and wondered if she should wake Kwanita up. She didn't hear any footsteps from whoever was making that noise outside, but this person sounded afraid and panicked.

Were they hurt? Were they running from something? Who was--

"Please, help me!" The voice took on a shrilling note, and Migisi winced in pain, wondering how her mother had not woken up from that, much less stirred. Honan didn't either, in fact he continued to sleep without any sign of disturbance.

Suddenly Migisi was afraid to walk out and investigate, for now something felt off about that voice. She still heard no footsteps, and the voice suddenly felt sinister, like this person was acting.

Then she finally heard footsteps.

They were small footsteps, taking the lightest steps in the snow, and Migisi froze, wondering who that person was and what they were doing outside. Shaking a little, she moved to wake Kwanita until she looked back outside.

A small shadow of a figure appeared, so small that Migisi immediately recognized was a child. From the way they were walking, she could tell that they were walking towards the voice, probably to help whoever was calling out for help.

Oh no...

Migisi could feel a cold sweat form on her skin, her body start to shake, and for something inside her chest to start pounding against her skin, like it was desperate to escape. She was quick to get out of her brother's embrace and head towards the entrance.

No, don't go over there, don't go over there!

She quickly exited the tepee, indeed seeing a child heading out of the camp. She hurried after them.

"What are you doing?!" she called out, causing the child to freeze. They spun around to face her, fear on their face, but they didn't move when Migisi reached them. "Where are you going?!"

The child pointed out of camp. "Mama, need help."

Mama?

"Where's your mother child?" asked Migisi. "I will take you to her."

But the child shook his head, his expression angry. "Mama, need help!"

"HELP ME!!"

The sudden cry caused Migisi to jump, and she looked out into the dark horizon, which was blurry from how much snow there was. Faintly, she thought she saw a figure, which made her freeze in horror.

What...

What is that thing?

"Mama!" the child cried, rushing out of camp and towards the creature, bringing Migisi from her thoughts. She cried out when she saw the creature begin to move towards him, its movement unlike a human's.

"Child, no!" she cried, rushing after him until she too was out of the camp. The snow was stinging her face and burning her eyes, but she kept going after the child, her longer legs managing to catch up to him and take him into her arms.

"Child, that is not your mother!" she was screaming over the wind as the child struggled against her in his attempts to escape from her hold.

"No! Mama! Mama!" he cried, reaching out towards the creature, which proceeded to get closer to them until finally it was within sight.

The first thing that greeted Migisi was the smell. It struck her nose so strongly that she would've collapsed to the ground and dropped the child right then and there if she hadn't been so horrified at the sight of the creature.

It was big, bigger than Kwanita, its skin was sunken into itself and a horrible brownish color, and its face...oh spirits.

Its eyes were red, horns protruding from its head. Its mouth resembled a deer's, but as it opened it, sharp bloodstained teeth greeted her. Migisi stared at it, eyes wide with horror, and then the creature screamed, a human-like scream that immediately got her to react.

She took off running, the now silent child limp in her hold. As soon as she started running, the creature screamed again and started chasing after her, its large paws creating a sound that sent more fear through her. She ran as fast as her feet would allow, but no matter how much she ran, she couldn't get away, and the creature seemed to be getting closer and closer to her.

Tears were burning Migisi's eyes at this point, and the child was now sobbing against her shoulder for a whole new reason altogether. Migisi slapped the child's back, hissing for him to silence himself, but he continued to cry.

Then, Migisi cried out as she tripped, causing her and the child to roll over the snowy ground and hit a tree. Crying out in pain, Migisi's grip on the child loosened, but he still clung to her tightly, crying loudly. Something warm started to spread across her back, and Migisi knew that when she saw red stain the snow that it was her blood.

Finally, she saw red eyes, and the salivating mouth of the creature as it finally caught up to them. Migisi felt her fear return, but found herself unable to regain her footing.

Oh spirits, she's lost too much blood. In this case, they'll--

The creature screamed again in victory, and Migisi felt the child cry much harder against her chest, crying for his father and mother, and she thought she heard him screaming for her to get up, but she wasn't sure.

Then the creature reached for them.

Migisi barely felt herself being lifted, but she did feel an excruciating pain torch her body as she was moved, and she suddenly felt sick. The child was screaming more now, and she saw him struggle against the creature, once more calling out for someone, anyone to help them, that he was sorry he wandered out of the camp, and that he'll be good. Migisi's eyes stung as he heard his words.

Her vision was starting to go black now. Was this it? Was this how she was going to die? W...What about Kwanita? What about Honan? How were they going to take this?

Finally, Migisi saw the creature start to pull the child towards its mouth, which was open so wide now that she could see its sharp bloody teeth. The child began to struggle when he realized the creature's intent, his cries for help becoming more intense.

No...

Don't you dare...

Don't you dare hurt him.

"Don't you...dare..." Migisi growled, and suddenly her body felt hot, hotter than a fire, and something began to stain her body and drip down her face, arms, and legs, while her eyes suddenly felt strange. But she paid no attention to it as she glared at the creature, all weariness fading from her.

"Let. Us. GO!" Migisi screamed, and as suddenly as she said those words, the creature burst into flame.

Its screams echoed throughout the land, and it dropped her and the child, the snow cushioning their fall. Migisi cried out in pain, which returned to her in full, and her vision went black for a moment.

It was a welcome relief.

~~~

The first thing she heard as she regained consciousness were the child's cries, then she felt him clinging to her, screaming for her to wake up, to not go to sleep, all while the smell of rotting flesh assaulted her nose. Migisi found herself unable to answer him, despite how much she wished to comfort him, and felt her consciousness fading away.

She smiled weakly. At least...she managed to save the boy.

Before all senses faded from her, Migisi heard someone, two people, a woman and a boy, screaming out her name, and enraged cries of a group of people joining them.