Channeler's Choice by McCorkle Heather

Author:McCorkle, Heather [McCorkle, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Compass Press
Published: 2012-02-18T06:00:00+00:00

“During the hunt, we give over to one of

our most basic instincts, that which connects

us with our place in the circle of life.”

~from Life In A Society

Chapter 20

Wearing only a pair of drawstring pants and carrying a backpack containing bedding and snacks, Aiden had everything he needed. They spent the entire first day hiking deep into the Mayan woods, tirelessly covering mile after mile. Hardly a word was uttered the whole day. They didn’t want to alert everything in the area to their presence. The quiet gave Aiden time to think, and he had a lot to think about.

He had never been camping, nor done any other type of bonding with the father figures in his life. Calling his dead adopted father a tyrant seemed like a woefully inadequate description. Their bonding time had consisted of him chaining Aiden up in the basement and beating him. It was hard not to compare the man’s inadequacies to the two amazing men who had taken him under their wings, especially since his adopted father had been Alin’s brother.

By nightfall, they reached the camp site. It was a sandy area with a rock-lined fire pit in its center beneath a gazebo. The roof and fire pit were the only luxuries they’d have. They would be sleeping on the ground and gathering food for every meal. The thought made Aiden smile.

While walking up to the gazebo, he spotted something off to their right. In the trees a short distance from them was a strange structure that looked like an enormous bowl lying upside down on the ground.

“What’s that?” he asked Fane.

“Grandfather’s sweat lodge. You’ll get to see it later,” Fane said.

“Aiden and Fane, you gather firewood. Zolin and I will get dinner,” Alin said.

“Yes, Father,” Fane said as he dropped his pack next to the fire pit.

He practically bounced on the balls of his feet as he started off into the trees. Casting a glance at the fading sunlight on the distant horizon, he realized they’d have to hurry. It would be hard to gather firewood in the dark. Dumping his pack next to Fane’s, he jogged to catch.

By the time darkness settled around them they had a roaring fire going with three good-sized rabbits roasting over it. The rabbits were provided by Alin and Zolin and he and Fane contributed a bunch of potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.

There was a clearing nearby where Fane, his father, and grandfather had planted a small garden many years ago. The wildlife ate a lot of it, but there was more than enough left over for them. They ate remarkably well for having brought so little. As they relaxed around the fire afterwards, Fane pulled out a bag of marshmallows.

“Oh, you’re awesome,” Aiden said as he reached into the bag.

Despite their laughter, Alin and Zolin took a few when Fane passed them their way.

Aside from the time he spent with Eren, this was the most relaxed Aiden could ever remember being. They swapped stories and jokes, reminiscing about past hunting trips.

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