Corey and Ankad

Charlie Red Feather's eyes had been bothering him lately. Well, to be honest, for the last year or so. He was a seer and a healer and didn't have much time for traditional Western medicine. No time at all, really, when you came right down to it. Traditional ways were the best, and that's what he was doing for his eyes. In this case, drinking a daily dose of tea he made using a mixture of various herbs and a touch of ground birch bark. He'd been raised that way. He'd raised his kids that way, and he was damned if he was going to change now and go to the clinic in nearby Loon Lake just because of a little problem seeing things.
      So, there.
      But now, as he bumped and rattled along the dusty back road on his way to a favorite blueberry patch, Charlie's problem seeing clearly became hard to ignore. He peered through the dusty windshield of his old Ford pickup. What was up there? Up ahead on the side of the road? Was he seeing double? Or triple? He squinted to try to focus. It didn't help much, but through his hazy vision, it looked like some guys were standing to the side of the road with their thumbs out. Hitchhiking. Three of them. Yeah, pretty common up here in the North. Wouldn't surprise him at all if they were hitchhikers.
      Charlie checked the review mirror, although he needn't have bothered. County Road 17 was little traveled this time of year. Mid-October. Mainly 'peepers,' folks driving the backroads checking out the fall colors. Well, the colors had peaked a week or two ago. The golden aspens and fiery orange maples were fading fast and would soon lose their leaves. First frost was just around the corner, and for Charlie Red Feather, his 66th winter would soon be upon him. He hoped he was ready for it.
      Despite shaking his head to clear his vision, he could not see clearly ahead, and that bothered him. He slowed his old pickup for two reasons: one, to make sure he didn't hit anyone, and two, to check out what was going on.
      As the truck rolled to a stop, he saw that he was right. They were hitchhikers. That was for sure. Three guys standing there. A short, stocky white man with long hair tied in a ponytail. A tall, thin black man, and a skinny young white kid with long hair and a Minnesota Twins baseball cap who looked to be in his mid-teens. The two men were of indeterminate age but appeared to be in their mid-twenties. They all had backpacks. Charlie quickly figured they'd been camping back at Lone Loon Lake. It was a good spot to pitch a tent. He'd done it many times before. They seemed innocent enough, so he decided to offer them a ride.
      "Hi, guys," he said, leaning across the passenger seat and rolling down the window. "I'm going down the road a way. Like a ride?"
      "Yeah, that'd be great," the short, long-haired guy said and smiled through a short, scruffy beard. "Thanks."
      Charlie pointed to the passenger seat. "Got room for two up front, one in the back. Hop in. My name's Charlie, by the way. Charlie Red Feather."
      "Hi. Thanks! I'm Zendal. This is Broosken, and that's Corey."
      "Nice to meet you."
      Suddenly, out of the blue, a strong feeling came over him. There was something about the three guys who were soon to become his traveling companions. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it was something important. Something to do with the police. The young men were in danger. He was pretty sure that was it. He'd had his fair share of run-ins with the police over the years and was always cautious around them. Even though he didn't know these three guys, he felt a connection with them. Maybe he could help them somehow.
      Charlie reached out to open the passenger door, but he didn't make.
      A sharp pain shot through his chest. "Ow!" he called out. The sudden pain was overwhelming. "Help…," he started to say, but never finished his thought. Instead, he passed out and slumped forward across the passenger seat, his outstretched hand twitching.
      Zendal was the closest to what was happening. He yelped. "Hey, mister! Mister! Are you okay?"
      Broosken ran around the front of the car to the driver's side. "Of course, he's not okay." He yanked open the door, reached in, and felt for a pulse on the old man's scrawny neck. It was there. Faint, but there.
      "Zendal," he yelled frantically. "Help me. Let's get him out and get him some fresh air."
      "I'm on it." Zendal hurried around the front of the truck. He grabbed the young boy on the way. "You can help, too, Corey." He pointed. "This guy was kind enough to stop. The least we can do is help him."
      "Will do," Corey said.
      He'd only known Zendal and Broosken for a day, but what he knew of them, he liked. They had helped him escape the police who were looking for him by using some sort of magic that made all three of them invisible. Now they might be able to help this Indian guy. That'd be cool if they did. He turned to his friend, Ankad. Wow, this is so much better than being in that sanitarium and having to deal with that idiotic Doctor Layton and that psychopathic Nurse Brittlebone.
      Ankad grinned and gave him the thumbs-up sign. No kidding!
      As they administered to the old man, Zendal and Broosken watched Corey.
      "Looks like he's at it again," Zendal whispered.
      "Yeah," Broosken said. "Him and his invisible friend."
      In the short time they'd known the young kid, Broosken was still skeptical about Corey and his, in Broosken's opinion, imaginary friend, Ankad. Zendal was not. Heck, he and Broosken were from the planet Zalaphar in the solar system Xylan. Who were they to doubt that their young companion had an invisible friend?
      Zendal turned his attention to the old man lying prone on the ground between them. His breathing had stabilized, but he was still unconscious. He said to Broosken. "Let's do some magic, okay?"
      "Bring him back, you mean?" Broosken said. "Sure. He was kind enough to stop for us. It's the least we can do for him."
      "I totally agree," Zendal said. "We'll perform the hand ceremony. That should do the trick."
      "Perfect," Broosken said. He looked at Corey. "You want to help?"
      Corey nodded eagerly. "Sure!"
      "Great," said Zendal. "Give me your hand."
      Zendal took Corey's left hand, and Broosken took his right one. Then Zendal and Broosken held hands forming a circle.
      "On the count of three," Zendal said. He looked at Corey. "Just follow as best as you can."
      "Okay."
      "One, two, three."
      Zendal started chanting along with Broosken. "Onah, onah, onah. Quii, quii, quii. Kalli, kalli, kalli."
      As instructed, Corey followed as best he could.
      So did Ankad.
      When the chant was complete, the old man continued to lie still. Nothing had happened.
      Corey swore. "Damn!"
      Zendal squeezed his hand. "Don't worry, my friend. It often takes more than one try."
      "Okay." Corey felt an inexplicable need to help the old man. He looked at Ankad.. Hope it works.
      Me, too.
      Zendal led the chant again.
      "Onah, onah, onah. Quii, quii, quii. Kalli, kalli, kalli."
      Again, nothing happened.
      "Damn!"
      Broosken turned to Corey. "Hang in there, okay? I know it's going to work."
      "Okay." He looked at Ankad. What do you think?
      This is kind of cool. Let's keep trying.
      Okay.
      The third time was the charm.
      "Onah, onah, onah. Quii, quii, quii. Kalli, kalli, kalli."
      They did the chant (Corey and Ankad had caught on by now), and slowly, Charlie came around. Became conscious.
      The old man blinked his eyes as if trying to focus. After a minute, he coughed and cleared his throat. "Where am I?" he asked. He was still flat on his back, blinking and looking around. Then his eyes focused on Zendal, Brooten, and Corey standing over him. He even saw Ankad but didn't say anything. Charlie was a seer and, as such, had a feeling that Ankad was a topic best left for another day. He propped himself up on his elbows.
      "Easy, there, mister," Zendal said. "We're right here with you. Take it easy."
      "What happened?" Charlie asked.
      Zendal knelt next to the old man. "You passed out," he said. "You gave us quite a scare. How are you feeling?"
      Charlie shifted so he was sitting up. "I've been better." Then he cracked a slight smile. "But I've been a lot worse."
      Corey laughed.
      Broosken glared at him and put his finger to his lips. "Shush."
      Corey turned red. "Okay."
      Zendal ignored Corey. He looked at Broosken. "Why don't you tell him?"
      "Okay. I will." Broosken looked at the old man with a kind expression. He knelt next to him and said, "We noticed something when we were helping you."
      Charlie nodded. He knew exactly what was going to be said. "My heart, right."
      Brooten nodded. "Yes. Your heart."
      Charlie said. "Yeah, I've got a bad ticker, that's for sure." He put his hand on his heart. "But to tell you the truth. Right now? It actually feels pretty good."
      Zendal and Broosken both nodded.
      "Yes," Zendal said. "We felt that."
      Charlie frowned. "Felt it? My heart? You did?"
      "Yes," Broosken said. "It had an irregular beat that was probably causing your problems."
      "Wow."
      And we've got a surprise for you."
      Charlie was very intrigued. "What's that?"
      "We fixed it."
      "Fixed it!" Charlie exclaimed,
      "Yes," Zendal said. "You were kind enough to stop for us. It was the least we could do."
      Corey added. "They helped me yesterday." He looked between his two new friends. "They're kind of magicians."
      "Really?" Charlie responded. Magicians, maybe. But healers like him? Certainly. Then he grinned. "Kind of like me. I'm a healer."
      Zendal and Broosken nodded. "We kind of felt that, too."
      Corey looked at Ankad. You know what?
      What?
      I think we need to stay with these guys.
      I agree. Ankad smiled. I like them.
      Me, too, Corey responded. A lot.
      Zendal and Broosken had a feeling Corey was talking to Ankad. They looked at each other. "Let's keep those two with us for a while," Broosken whispered.
      "I agree," Zendal said. He looked at Charlie. "We're trying to get to Lake Superior. Do you know how far it is?"
      Charlie nodded. "I do." He pointed to his truck, "In this old thing, it'll take about three hours." He looked between the two. "How about if I give you a lift. It's the least I can do."
      "Sounds good," they said.
      "Great," Charlie said. He turned serious and added. "I have a feeling there's more going on here," he said. "Something about the police?"
      Zendal nodded. "Yes. The police are looking for us. A Doctor Layton, too." He turned to Corey, who nodded for him to continue. "Corey's escaped from a sanatorium, and we're helping him."
      Charlie held up a hand. "Say no more." He looked at Corey. "Rolling Hills?"
      Corey nodded. "Right."
      Charlie said, "I've heard some bad things about that place. You're more than welcome to come along."
      "Oh, wow! Thank you so much." He looked at Zendal and Broosken. "Is it okay with you guys?"
      Broosken nodded. "You bet."
      Charlie looked between the two and winked. Then he said to Corey, "And you can bring your friend with you. What's his name?"
      "Ankad," said Corey.
      "Fine. Bring Ankad, too."
      "Thanks!"
      Zendal and Broosken looked at each other and grinned. This was good. They gave each other a fist bump to seal the deal.
      They all got in the truck, and three hours later, just like Charlie said, they were at Lake Superior.
      They pulled off the highway at a wayside rest area, got out of the truck, and stood on the shore. Zendal and Broosken were in awe. So did Corey and Ankad.
      Charlie said. "This is the biggest freshwater lake in the world. It's sacred to my people.
      Zendal said, "I can see why."
      "Me, too," Broosken said.
      "Me, too," Corey added. He turned to Ankar. What do you think?
      I think it's awesome.
      Charlie grinned. His new friends may be a little different, but that was okay. He had a feeling they were all going to get along just fine.
      "Okay, everyone," Charlie said. "How about if I get some food going for us?"
      "We'll help," Zendal, Broosken, and Corey said.
      Even Ankad pitched in. Like he told Corey. Yeah, like I said earlier, this is a lot better than the group home.
      As far as Corey was concerned, Ankad was right. It was. Now all they had to do was stay one or two steps ahead of the police. And Doctor Layton, too. He had a feeling that being with Zendal, Broosken, and Charlie was going to help. It was going to help a lot.