The Legend of the Firewalker (13 page)

“Um,” stammered Nathan, his words escaping him. “How did you
—? And you still have lighter fluid?”

“Yup,” Malick boasted, “and with plenty to spare.” He had a smug look on his face and shook what sounded like a half-empty bottle. “And how did you make out?”

“What do you mean?” asked Nathan, with an obvious look of frustration. “I don’t know how you did it, but I obviously lost.”

Malick smiled wide and his eyes continued to gleam. 

“So?” asked Nathan, as he wiped the sweat from his brow and on to his dirty shirt. He couldn’t help but notice how relaxed and clean Malick was; not one speck of dirt or one drop of sweat.

“So
… what?” Malick asked.

“So, how did you do it?” demanded Nathan. “How did you finish so fast? I mean, it should have taken you at least fifteen to twenty minutes.”

“Nah, it didn’t take that long,” he smiled. “Five minutes tops.”

“Whatever,” responded Nathan. “You must have gotten help, or something.”

“Are you implying that I would cheat?” Malick replied sarcastically.

“Give me a break and drop the act. You aren’t nece
ssarily playing for the good guys.”

“Well, I guess I should leave you to your work then.”

“I don’t understand why you’re upset,” said Nathan, while reluctantly walking back to the wheelbarrow. “I mean, I’m the one who lost.” He raised his eyebrows and impatiently waited for a response from a quiet Stephen Malick.

“Okay
… well … um,” stuttered Malick, “I guess since you will be here for a while filling the wood bin, you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on the bonfire until everyone else arrives.”

“Sure, of course,” responded Nathan sarcastically. “An
ything else?”

“Nope,” said Malick with a shrug, “I figured there is no reason for me to wait out here with nothing to do.”

“Really?” snapped Nathan. “Well, you can just sit back down over there and watch your bonfires!”

“Fine!” replied Malick, and he stormed away.

Nathan sighed. He decided to just ignore Malick and to get to work. As far as he saw it, he had lost the bet and wasn’t going to be a sore loser even if he thought Malick cheated.

On his third trip down the hill, he noticed that the wood bin was filling up faster now than when he first got started. He looked up after emptying another load of wood to find Stephen Malick standing next to him with his own cart.

Confused, Nathan asked, “What are you doing?”

Malick unloaded his cart of wood and had a wide grin across his face. Nathan was surprised to see he had a smudge of dirt across his forehead. “Helping you, of course.”

“Why?” Nathan asked, sounding shocked and confused.

“Well, I couldn’t just sit there and watch you do all the work, so that when Lafonda arrives, she can rave on about how hard of a worker you are,” Malick chuckled. “And b
esides, I don’t think sitting on the sidelines would win me many brownie points. I know she is already planning my downfall. I don’t have to add fuel to the fire.”

Nathan shook his head and laughed. “All right,” he said, “I owe you one.”

“Nah, let’s just call this one even,” Malick said with a smile.

Nathan and Malick continued to stock the large wood bin as the evening sun gradually fell from the sky, setting behind the cliffs. The reddish-orange flames from the fire pits pr
ovided enough light along the beach as they finished filling the wood bin.

“I can barely smell any trace of lighter fluid,” said Malick.

“Good,” said Nathan with a smile. He paused to brush off the dust and chips of wood from his clothing. “I noticed the smell earlier and had hoped that it would burn off.”

“You think we have time to head back to the dorm for a shower?” asked Malick.

Nathan kneeled down by the water’s edge and splashed water on his face and arms before responding. “Nope,” he said, “I expect everyone to arrive any minute now.”

Malick grinned and kneeled down next to him. “I guess this will have to do,” he chuckled, after cupping his hands and placing them into the water.

“Well, good luck with that,” grinned Nathan, while taking a look at the silver necklace now visible around Malick’s neck.

“What?” asked Malick, with a confused look on his wet face.

Nathan laughed. “I don’t think the water can help you,” he responded.

“Why?” Malick asked, innocently.

“Because you smell,” he laughed.

“Ha-ha,” chuckled Malick, while taking a whiff under his arm. “You don’t smell too hot there yourself, buddy.”

Nathan stared at him and then grinned. “So, are you going to tell me how you finished so fast?” he asked.

Malick let out a big laugh. “I told you,” he said. “It r
eally didn’t take that long.”

“Okay,” responded Nathan sarcastically. He paused for a second before asking his next question.

Malick had responded defensively the first time he questioned him about wanting to be called by his last name, but Nathan was still curious and decided it was worth a try to ask again.

“So,” he continued carefully, “why Malick instead of Stephen?”

Malick’s eyes connected with Nathan’s as if he was about to say something, but he stood up and walked over to one of the bonfires, instead. Nathan followed suit as Malick sat down and stared blankly into the fire.

“Because my father is a self-centered, manipulative jerk!” Malick blurted. “And I don’t want anything to do with him, let alone be named after him.”

There was silence, and they both stared into the fire. Nathan was surprised by Malick’s response and didn’t want to irritate him more by asking questions.

“I only signed up to be a counselor this summer to get away from him,” Malick continued. “Being at home a
lways makes things worse. And if it weren’t for my grandmother, I wouldn’t be here either.”

“What do you mean?” asked Nathan, unable to fight his urge to pry.

“My grandmother and LaDonda know each other,” Malick said. “LaDonda told my grandmother that she was looking for more counselors, and I decided it was a good way to get away from my father — as well as piss him off.”

Nathan had a confused look on his face. “Why would he be mad at you for being a camp counselor?” he asked.

Malick huffed. “He wanted me to take an active interest in one of his organizations this summer,” he said hesitantly. “He said it would be good for me … and the family tradition. Yeah, like I would be interested.”

The tranquility of the lake was interrupted by the sounds of approaching chatter and laughter from the fo
rest. Nathan and Malick both turned their heads towards the entrance to the lake. Through the dark, Nathan caught glimpses of campers on the trail as beams from their flashlights bounced off of them, creating shadows amongst the trees.

“I believe it’s showtime,” said Malick. “And I think I see LaDonda.”

“Yeah,” added Nathan, “and I
know
I hear Lafonda.”

They both laughed.

8

THE FALLEN ONES

“So, how did it go, Mr. Nathan?” asked a cheery Lafo
nda.

Malick grinned and ran his hand through his hair. “I’ll leave you guys to your conversation,” he said.

Lafonda pursed her lips and glared at Malick before returning her attention back to Nathan. “So,” she said, sighing lightly, “how did it go?”

“Not too bad,” he grinned.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

Nathan glanced over at Malick as he walked aimlessly around the other fire pits. He looked back at her and smiled again. “Nothing,” he said.

Lafonda rolled her eyes. “I found a copy of last year’s yearbook,” she said with a sigh. “I checked and Leah’s photo is definitely in there.”

“How did you find it?”

“Being back on campus, I have been thinking more about Leah lately,” she continued. “I remembered that you wanted to know what she looks like.”

“Cool. Do you have it with you?”

“No,” she said. “I actually ran into Jonathan Black in the lobby after dinner and he had it with him.”

“So, Jonathan finally showed up, huh?” Nathan asked with a smile.

She laughed. “Yes, Erin really let him have it.”

He grinned for a moment and then paused. “Why on earth would Jonathan Black be carrying around an IUCF yearbook with him?”

Lafonda stood silent and then took a quick glance out to the lake. “That’s a good question,” she said. “I didn’t think to ask.”

Nathan scanned the beach and the fire pits. Malick was having a conversation with LaDonda, and some kid was playing dangerously close to one of the fires.
Jonas,
he thought. “I don’t see Jonathan,” he said. “I wonder if he has it with him.”

“Oh, I have it,” said Lafonda reassuringly. “I bo
rrowed it from him. It’s upstairs in my room. I can show you her picture tonight when we get back.”

“Sounds like a plan,” smiled Nathan. He looked around the beach again. “I still don’t see Jonathan an
ywhere.”

She looked around too. “I don’t see him either. But I know I saw him with his group before we got on the trail.” She sighed. “Anyway,” she said with a shrug, “I better get back to the girls. And please do something with Jonas before he burns himself.”

Nathan nodded. “Believe me,” he chuckled. “I know.”

She grinned and then headed towards a group of girls who were talking and laughing around one of the bo
nfires.

Jonas spotted Nathan and waved excitedly at him.

Nathan shook his head. “Jonas,” he groaned. 

“Hey!” called out Lafonda. “By the way, good job with everything tonight.”

Nathan smiled.

“I agree,” added LaDonda walking over to Nathan.

Malick was following behind her.

“I was just talking to Stephen about this and would love it if you two would get the fires going again for me next week.” LaDonda paused and then placed a hand on Malick’s back. “I spoke to Argus over the phone and he said that you two were easy to work with. And Stephen here has already agreed to do it.”

“Argus,” Nathan grumbled. He stared blankly at her, thinking that of course Argus was pleased because he and Malick did all the work.

“So, what do you think?” she asked.

He crossed his arms and shifted his glare into the trees. “About what?” he pouted. “I thought you already assigned me for the rest of camp.”

LaDonda placed her hands on his shoulders and smiled.

“Oh, all right,” he agreed reluctantly. “Sure.”

“Thank you, Nathan,” she responded cheerfully. “I’m sure Roy will be proud of you for all the work you’ve done.” She cleared her throat. “Have you called him since you left for camp?”

“Um, no, not yet,” he stammered. 

“Well, I guess you can tell him all about it when you call him tonight,” she said.

“Jonas!” she called out and walked quickly in his direction. “Get out from over there. You are too close to the fire!”

Nathan and Malick glanced at each other and both laughed heartily.

“So, who is Roy?” Malick asked.

“Oh,” smiled Nathan. “Roy is my grandfather. He works for LaDonda and maintains the grounds of the Devaro e
state.”  

“Okay,” Malick nodded. “So your grandfather is the car
etaker.”

“Yup,” Nathan said. “We stay in the cottage behind the main house.”

“Cool,” said Malick, with a nudge. “Now I know where to find you when camp is all over.”

“Ha, okay,” chuckled Nathan sarcastically. 

LaDonda gave a good scolding to Jonas about tossing rocks, cans, and whatever else he could find around the beach into the fire. She then recruited him and some of his friends to help set up the refreshments, tables and chairs carried down the trail by some of the other counselors.

Lafonda sat around one of the pits with some of the girls from her floor; Erin, Angela and Alan were seated with them. Nathan thought about joining them but changed his mind because he doubted that Malick would want to hang out with Lafonda and the others. He had almost walked past the group when he noticed Jonathan Black. Three girls were
sitting around him, and he looked like he was the center of attention.

“What’s going on over there?” Nathan asked.

Lafonda stopped her conversation with Erin and looked up to acknowledge him. “Oh,” she said with a pause. “Jonathan is sharing some of the Cahokia legends with some of the campers.”

“Oh, hi Malick,” said an upbeat Angela. She quickly made space between her and Alan. “Are you going to sit down with us?”

Malick stared blankly at her for a moment before finally glancing at Nathan. He almost looked embarrassed.

Nathan cleared his throat while giving him a slight nudge. He then took the seat that was closest to Jonathan.

Malick ran his hand through his hair before taking the seat next to Angela. “Umm — sure,” Malick uttered through pursed lips. 

“So,” said Nathan so loudly that Jonathan spun around. 

“Oh, Nathan,” he responded, surprised. “How long have you been sitting there?”

“Not long,” he said, with scrutinizing eyes. 

Jonathan rubbed his red eyes from underneath his square-rimmed glasses. They appeared irritated and puffy. “Well, nice to see you,” he said wearily.

A couple of the girls seated around him giggled while he continued to speak.

“I was just sharing some of the Cahokia legends with Samantha, Christina and Eva Marie here.”

“Hi, I’m Eva Marie Evans,” said the girl with the short wavy hair. “And this is Samantha Darding and Christina Williams.” 

Samantha ran her fingers through her long, brown, curly hair, placing a lock of it behind her ear. She smiled. “My friend’s call me Sam,” she said.

“And let me guess,” said Nathan with a grin. “Chris?”

“Nope, just Christina,” she giggled.

Jonathan opened up a black and green spiral notebook that was sitting in his lap. “I was just explaining how the Cahokia Indians
—”

“Wait,” interrupted Nathan. “Did you say Samantha Darding? As in Patricia and Jim Darding?”

She placed a loose lock of her hair behind her ear again and smiled. “Yes,” she nodded readily. “Patricia and Jim are my parents.”

“I knew that Jim had a little sister,” Nathan said, soun
ding surprised. “But I thought when he said little, he meant little.”

“No, not that little,” she laughed. “I’m sixteen.” 

Jonathan cleared his throat. “Well, Nathan probably already knows this, but the Cahokia Indians have several stories that are part of their folklore, or religion,” he said with a smile. “We know a lot of these stories because they have appeared quite frequently in their paintings and in their writings.” He paused to reposition his glasses. “I would say the most commonly known story is the legend about the Fallen Ones. Wouldn’t you agree, Nathan?”

Nathan raised his eyebrows and shrugged. He wasn’t even sure if he knew the story, let alone anyone else. “Pro
bably,” he replied slowly.

Suddenly, Jonathan perked up, his tired blue eyes ge
tting some life in them. “Nathan here has Cahokia ancestry,” he smiled and nodded. “His mother’s tribe was a descendant of the Cahokia American Indians.”

Jonathan paused as if he was waiting for Nathan to say something.

Nathan looked embarrassed as Samantha, Christina and Eva Marie stared at him. Over the flames of the fire, Nathan could see that Malick was looking at him too, but Nathan wasn’t sure if he had heard what Jonathan said. Most of the people around the fire, including Lafonda, were still having their own separate conversations.

Christina threw back her long brown hair and leaned in towards Nathan. “Is it true?” she asked.

Nathan answered slowly. He wasn’t too thrilled about the sudden attention. “Yes,” he said.

Both Christina and Eva Marie grinned at each other and then beamed at him. “That’s awesome,” they giggled in unison. 

“Indeed, it is awesome,” added Jonathan excitedly. “See, years ago, when they started excavating the caves and mounds in this area, they found that almost every wall had the same symbols written on them. When the symbols were finally deciphered, they all included some aspect of the story about the Fallen Ones.”

He paused to reposition his glasses again. “Most scholars agree that the Legend of the Fallen Ones is a part of Cahokia mythology on how the world began
— you know, their creation story.”

“This is exciting!” shrieked Eva Marie. “Tell us the st
ory — or legend.”

“Does it involve any cute guys?” asked Christina enthus
iastically.

Samantha, Christina and Eva Marie looked at each other and laughed.

“Cute guys?” shouted Angela over the fire. “I have to hear this story. I’m in.”

Jonathan smiled as everyone around the fire, including Lafonda, Erin, Alan and Malick, listened closely.

“There really isn’t a Cahokia symbol for cute,” said Jonathan. “But the symbols tell a story about five angels that were created out of the heavens in the beginning and shared in the power with the creator of the heavens as givers of light.”

“Cute male angels,” said Angela. “I love it!”

Jonathan laughed. “Well, I don’t know how cute you will find them by the end of the story,” he grinned. “See, according to the legend and the hieroglyphs found in the mounds and on cave walls, one of the five Angels of Light, as they are sometimes referred to, had a thirst for power and wanted dominance over all of the heavens.” He held up a page in his black and green spiral notebook. “The Cahokia Indians used this symbol quite frequently when talking about this angel.”

Nathan squinted and cocked his head a little. He was tr
ying to make out the sketch in Jonathan’s notebook. After a few moments, he could see that he was staring at a drawing of a broken wing that was engulfed in flames and constricted by a serpent.

“Some other cultures tell a similar story,” said Jon
athan, placing the notebook back in his lap. 

Silence fell around the fire, and Nathan was surprised to see that Jonathan still had everyone’s attention.

“So, the legend is the same story as the origins of the devil in the Bible?” asked Nathan.

“Not quite,” smiled Jonathan. “The popularly held b
elief that Satan, also known by his angelic name Lucifer, was once a prideful angel that rebelled against God is mostly based on inference. This isn’t written explicitly in the Bible. It is quite clear, however, that Lucifer was not the mirror image of his angelic brethren Michael, Raphael, Uriel and Gabriel.” He paused. “But he did find refuge in and allegiance from his other brethren Lucas, Lucius, Laban and Luke.”

“Who are they?” asked Nathan. “I’ve never heard of them.”

Malick chuckled and Jonathan frowned. He gave Malick a stern look over his glasses before continuing.

“See, the Bible gives a fair account about the fall of one angel,” Jonathan said, “but according to the Cahokia legend, the story doesn’t stop there.”

Nathan’s face frowned. “But the Bible —”

“Yes,” continued Jonathan, “the Bible does make refe
rences to other fallen angels, like in the book of Jude, for instance, but who they were and what their names are, the Bible does not say.”

“So, according to the legend,” said Nathan, “these
other guys Lucas, Lucius, Laban and …”

“And Luke,” said Jonathan.

Nathan smiled. “And Luke, are the other fallen angels?”

“Or other Angels of Light,” Jonathan said.

Lafonda bounced her leg impatiently as her long, silky black hair drifted off to one side. “Okay, I think Nathan finally gets it now,” she said. “Can we move on with the rest of the story?” 

Nathan rolled his eyes and pursed his lips in protest, and Lafonda smiled back at him.

Jonathan gave a quick smirk and turned to another page in his notebook. “See, the other four fallen angels each had a similar symbol like Lucifer’s,” he said. “Just absent the serpent — but each still engulfed in fire.”