Footprints by Alex Archer

happening.

In the far distance, she could still hear the drums and chanting. It reassured her to know they were still there, but then Jenny's fear overwhelmed her again and she continued her journey.

Her body flew over the landscape to places that Annja didn't recognize. Hills too steep to climb rushed at her as she continued to move on and on, higher and higher until she felt as if she was above the treeline.

And then darkness.

It surrounded Annja. She could taste the fear in her mouth. Where was she? Who had taken her? She had no sensation of what had transported her, only that she was somewhere dark and dank.

It wasn't too cold, though. Somehow there was warmth in this place.

And then she heard the soft sound of crying in the darkness.

"Jenny?"

But no one answered her. Annja frowned. Of course not. If she was still sitting in the chair in Dancing Deer's home, there'd be no way for Jenny to hear her.

Still…

"Jenny?"

There was no response. Annja frowned. "I think you're in a cave up on a mountain almost above the treeline. If you can hear me, try to get out of there and work your way down. I'll try to find you."

It felt good saying that, and as soon as that relief washed over Annja, the darkness disappeared and she was flying back down the mountain to where she'd begun her journey. Everything happened in reverse. And then Annja was back by the pine boughs.

The drumming grew louder. So did the chanting. Annja realized that her trip was over. She could smell the sage again. She could feel the heat of the living room. She wanted to be back in the chair.

She flew down the trail. Back over the hills and valleys. And then into the air.

Annja drifted back toward Dancing Deer's home and then down through the ceiling, finally coming to rest in the chair.

The drumming and chanting grew louder now as she felt herself sink into the flesh of her own body.

Annja opened her eyes and felt incredibly light and refreshed. Dancing Deer's voice trailed off. So did Joey's drumming.

After a moment, Dancing Deer opened his eyes and stared right at Annja. "Did you have a pleasant journey?"

Annja smiled. "I don't know what happened to me."

Dancing Deer nodded. "I think you do, actually. You were the one to whom your friend has the strongest connection. As such, you were the one to take the journey. Not I."

"You mean I spirit tracked her?"

"I don't know," Dancing Deer said. "Did you?"

"I'm not sure." Annja frowned. "There was a lot of darkness."

"But you know where to look now, don't you?" Annja closed her eyes and then smiled. "Actually, I think I do."

Chapter 8
    Dancing Deer looked at Annja closely. "Be careful. You are still learning to trust your instincts. At this point, it can be very dangerous to be too trusting or too little trusting. Do you understand?"

Annja frowned. "I…I guess I do."

"You need only trust in the spirit that moves in all things. The Creator will guide you to what you seek."

The sage smoke had ceased billowing from the bundle and all that remained were the blackened bits of the herb in the dish. But Annja could still smell the sweet scent in the air.

Joey got up and took the dish to the kitchen. Annja could hear him washing it before he once again returned to the living room. "You ready to go?"

Annja rose from the recliner, feeling as if she'd been asleep for hours. She stretched and heard her back creak a bit. "I guess so." She smiled at Dancing Deer. "That is one comfortable chair you've got there."

Dancing Deer grinned. "And as soon as you're gone, I'm going to fall asleep in it."

Joey gave his grandfather a hug. "Thanks for your help."

Annja could see the pride in Dancing Deer's eyes as he hugged his grandson. "Don't be gone too long or I'll worry."

"You don't need to," Joey said.

"You're all I have left. I don't have a choice but to worry."

Joey stepped back and nodded. Then he turned to Annja. "Let's go."

Outside, the night sky was filled with stars not overshadowed by the