The drive to the site where the statue was buried and subsequently destroyed passes by uneventfully. You don’t see anyone, living or dead or otherwise.
As the site comes into view, you reach out and grasp hold of Walter’s hand. It’s not fear, not exactly. But this situation is a scary one. The dead are supposed to stay dead.
As the site comes into view and Walter parks the car, you speak up. “Did you recognise that woman outside the precinct?”
Walter shakes his head as he switches the engine off and squeezes your hand. “Only as much as I believe that hers was the body we found before.”
“We still don’t know who killed her,” you say softly.
Walter sits in silence for a few moments, his eyes narrowed and his lips pursed.
“What are you thinking about?” you ask, gripping his hand a bit tighter.
“I’m not going to say I know every single person on this reservation,” Walter answers. “But I know a fair amount of the people living here. I don’t recognise her and no one had reported her missing. Perhaps it’s because she didn’t have any family.” He grips your hand for a moment and then leans in, brushing a kiss across your lips. “There’s no point in theorising right now.”
You press a bit deeper, pushing against his body, before pulling back and glancing towards the area. “It doesn’t look as bad as it did before.”
“I suppose because the statue’s been destroyed.” Walter follows the line of your gaze, surveying the area before he comments, “There are still patches of dead land. It hasn’t all grown back.”
“What did you do with the pieces of the statue?” you ask.
Walter frowns. “There weren’t any pieces,” he replies. “When you shot the statue, it just shattered. Nothing left.”
“So I might have freed whatever darkness was inside to wreak havoc?”
“Yeah.”
“Shit.”
Walter’s lips quirk into a smile that contains no humour. “Yeah,” he agrees.
You can’t help but groan. “What are we going to do?”
Walter opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, the sound of another car pulling up behind you. You twist round in your seat and frown. “I don’t recognise the car.”
“Neither do I.” Walter gets out of the car, drawing his gun.
It takes you only a few seconds to get out as well, drawing your own gun and aiming it towards the car.
“Don’t shoot!” Grant quickly exits the backseat of the other car, his hands raised. “They’re friends.”
“Who are friends?” Walter asks.
As if in answer, two other men exit the vehicle; one appearing to be about Grant’s age. The other looks to be closer to your own and Walter’s age. He glances around, looking curious, while the younger man walks towards you and Walter. His hair is black and over-long. He’s dressed all in black and also appears to be wearing eyeliner. “You must be Walter Crow Horse and Ray Levoi.” He looks at you each in turn. “My name is Anubis.” He focuses his gaze on Walter. “I’m a guardian spirit for another area. I felt something that makes me believe the guardian spirit here has been corrupted. Damaged in some way.”
You snort. You can’t help it.
Anubis doesn’t glance at you. He doesn’t react. But Walter presses your hand and you can feel the warning in his touch. You should subside, but how can someone who looks so young be a guardian spirit?