The Spirit Warriors

By R.P. Deiss

After their dad retired from the Marine Corps Alex and Lindsey Barnett were hoping to finally be able to live in one place instead of having to move all of the time. Their parents, Jim and Sarah had a home built on their family farm in the woods so it was ready for them when they could finally come home for good. They were unaware of the secrets that were hidden in the woods, the remains of an ancient Indian village. Now the two of them are experiencing strange things. They see shadow people in the woods. Their parents are discovering strange forces that are strengthening inside their own home. As the forces increase inside the house so do Alex and Lindsey’s supernatural abilities. Soon they are visited in their sleep by the long dead chief of the village who tells them they are Spirit Warriors. Not knowing what a Spirit Warrior is they turn to the local Catholic Priest for help only to learn his methods for dealing with these dead are useless. As a last ditch effort they turn to two Indian shamans Grey Wolf and Soaring Eagle to bring their knowledge of the ancient ways to free them from the supernatural forces that have surrounded them. Can Alex and Lindsey keep everyone safe while the shaman try to bring peace to the woods or will the force on the other side of the portal prove too much for even them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.P. Deiss
• Release date: Jan 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311402721

R.P. Deiss

Hi, I'm a 54 year old Wisconsinite. I served in the Navy during the closing days of Vietnam as part of Operation Frequent Wind. I held a top secret clearance as a radioman. I honed my typing skills on the keyboard of a teletype while serving my country. I'm a 3 term commander of our American Legion Post and designer of our Veterans Memorial. I spent 19 years in the Boy Scout program including 8 years as scoutmaster and helped 11 boys reach Eagle Scout. I also did 11 years as committee chairman. I've written and given many speeches on Veteran issues. . I live in Northeast Wisconsin with my wife Darlene, I have two grown step daughters and six grand kids. I found that i have an insatiable love of writing. I did the first draft of Dead Men's Isle in three weeks. I also did a thriller called Copperhead which will be coming out in february and am now doing s sequal to Dead Men's Isle. I have now written a total of 5 books for your enjoyment. I hope that I can bring you into the pages of my books for a journey that will transport you on an adventure of a lifetime!

Book preview

Chapter 1

I could hear the U-Haul trailer thumping behind my Chevy Tahoe as I drove down thru the bluffs alongside the Mississippi River. After twenty two years in the Marine Corps I was finally heading home for good. My family was tired of chasing after me, duty station to duty station or worse yet, staying stateside while I served in one hell hole or another. I reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and usually served as the highest ranking officer in the military police force at whatever base I was stationed at.

My name is Jim Barnett. My wife Sarah sat next to me, as always she was by my side. We’d fallen in love fifteen years ago while stationed in California. The military had a problem with that because she was a sergeant and I was an officer. She’d decided to get out at the end of her enlistment and marry me, problem solved. She’d given up a lot by doing that. Sarah was a dedicated Marine and was planning to put in her twenty before retiring.

Our two kids sat in the back seat. We’d been on the road for over two days traveling from California to Wisconsin. They both had their ear buds in watching DVD’s. Alex is fourteen years old. He loves computers and building web sites. Sarah tells me Alex is starting to take a strong interest in sports. Being overseas I haven’t had a chance to see him play yet. Lindsey is eleven and our little lady. She loves when her mom includes her in baby showers and pampered chef parties. She is also very good with computers for her age. Like most kids they both love video games. Both of them were tired of getting uprooted every couple of years and having to start all over making new friends.

Rounding the last bend I could see the Mississippi River winding below me. Alex, Lindsey, there’s the Mississippi River, I informed them looking into my rearview mirror. The two of them kept staring at their movies oblivious to their surroundings. I gave a shrill whistle to get their attention. Their heads snapped up as they took out their ear buds.

Alex looked at me with a startled look on his face. What dad?

There’s the Mississippi River, I said pointing out the windshield.

Are we in Wisconsin, Dad? Lindsey asked.

We will be once we cross the river honey. That’s La Crosse on the other side.

Will we be home soon? Alex asked me. I’m getting tired of riding in the car all day.

We’ll be home in three hours or so, I informed them.

Mom can we stop for lunch, I’m hungry, Lindsey complained. I want to stretch my legs for a while.

Yeah, I want to get out of the car for a while too, Alex agreed with his sister.

We need to gas up anyway so we might as well get something to eat while we’re at it, Sarah said.

We were coming home to a brand new house. My brother and I had inherited our father’s farm along the banks of the Fox River and I’d decided to build our home in the woods that bordered the farm fields. Sarah and I had decided on a house plan and my brother had taken care of finding a builder for us so the house was ready to move into when I was done serving my country.

Dad, when are we going to get our new dog? Alex asked eagerly. You promised we could get one once we got home, he reminded me.

Let’s get settled into our house first and then we’ll get the two of you your dog.

How long does that take? Lindsey asked impatiently.

Sarah smiled across to me before fielding the question. We have to wait for our furniture to catch up to us and then we need to see what we still need to buy to make our house a home.

You only need to buy one thing to make our house a home mom, and that’s a dog, Alex informed her. So how long will we have to wait?

Sarah looked at me with a grin on her face. Well Jim, how long should we make them wait?

A puppy would make an awesome Christmas present, I teased the two of them.

Dad, the two of them cried out in unison. That’s not fair, you promised!

Alright already, we’ll get the two of you a puppy next week, I said between laughs.

Cool, what kind of dog are we going to get? Lindsey asked looking around at her family.

Yeah dad, what kind of dog would be a good one to have out in the country? We never lived in the country before, Alex reminded me.

Growing up we always had Black Labs, I told them. They’re great dogs to have for pets.

I had Golden Retrievers growing up on the family farm in Iowa, Sarah put in. They both make good pets.

Maybe we should get one of each, Alex said hopefully.

Nice try bud, but it’s going to be one dog per family, I said to the two of them.

There’s a Shell station with a Mc Donald’s attached to it, Sarah said pointing out the window.

Chapter 2

Finally we made it back home I thought to myself as we passed thru Omro, Wisconsin. Our new home was only about three miles upriver from here.

This is where you’ll be going to school next fall, I informed my two kids.

This is where you went to school dad? Alex asked me.

You bet, it’s been a few years but I still remember my old school mates. It’ll be different for you this fall than what you’re used to, I warned them.

What do you mean dad? Lindsey asked.

In all of the other schools you went to, all the kids follow their parents to different duty stations every couple of years. You had new kids coming and going all of the time. In a small town like this there sometimes aren’t any new kids all year.

Great, everyone will be staring at us, Alex grumbled.

You’ll have your cousins to show you around and introduce you to the other kids, it’ll be fine, Sarah promised.

Hey guys we are home, I pointed out as I drove our car down the winding driveway and into the woods that hid our new home from view.

Honey, it’s beautiful! Sarah said as the house came into view, a single tear sliding down her face.

We’re home for good, right Dad? Alex asked to reconfirm my new civilian status.

You betcha bud, we are home to stay, I said as I put the car into park and opened my door. I stood there stretching as the sound of gravel crunching under tires reached me. Turning I saw a police car, lights flashing coming up the driveway behind us.

The four of us stood together as the cop climbed out of the squad car. Well, well, what do we have here? The war hero come crawling back home to roost? Where’s all of your shiny hero medals boy? They take them back when they booted your bony butt out? he sneered as he took off his sunglasses.

Hi, Uncle Terry, Lindsey cried out as she ran up to her uncle for a hug.

Lindsey, you’re cuter than ever. Welcome home, honey, he said bending down for his hug.

I gave my brother a hug as we stood looking at the new house. It looks like the builder you picked did a good job, I said eyeballing the roof lines.

It was just inspected last week and it’s ready to move into, Terry informed me. Here are the keys, he said as he handed them over. The five of us walked in. I could smell the newness of the house.

Dad the house echoes, Alex said as he called out again.

That will go away once we have all of our furniture put in place, I promised him.

When is your furniture going to get here? Terry asked.

The mover said it will be here the day after tomorrow. So in the mean time we’ll stay in a hotel in town, I said.

No you won’t, you’ll stay at our house. Debbie already has everything planned. Alex, Lindsey, how would the two of you like to camp out tonight with your cousins in the tent in our back yard?

Cool! Do you have extra sleeping bags we can use? Alex asked his uncle eagerly.

They’re already set-up in the tent for you, Terry said smiling. Debbie already has the two of you staying in the twin’s room, he said looking at Sarah. She also has a cook out planned for tonight with a few of the old gang coming over to welcome you guys home.

Dad, Lindsey and me are going to check out the woods, Alex said as he headed for the door.

Hold it bud, I want to go with you the first time to make sure it’s safe for the two of you. The river is right on the other side of the woods and I want to see it too.

Aw dad, we been cooped up in the car for three days. I want to go and have fun, Alex complained.

We’ll be careful dad, Lindsey added. There aren’t any lions or bears like there are out west are there?

Rumor has it there are lions in Wisconsin now but probably not around here. There are plenty of bears living further north. Around here there are wolves and coyotes though. But I’m not worried about them either. I’m more worried about dead trees that could fall and holes that you could get hurt in. The two of you can go outside and play but I don’t want you to go past the edge of the woods for now until we can check it out together.

Okay dad, Alex said reluctantly. Come on Lindsey we can at least get a closer look at the woods.

I’ll race you, Lindsey yelled out as she shot past her brother and beat him out the door.

No fair you got a head start, Alex yelled back as he ran to catch up.

Are you happy to be out of the Marines and home now? Terry asked the two of us.

You bet, it’s really nice to be home for good, I replied.

We had an agreement so when I quit the Marines we could get married. Twenty years and out, somehow he managed to finagle two extra years from me, Sarah said while giving me a hard look.

I was overseas honey. I couldn’t leave my men in danger and come back home. I wouldn’t have felt right about it. If something would have happened to them while I was safe back home I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.

Lucky for you I was a Marine too and I understand how you felt. But it’s over now Jim. Our kids aren’t getting dragged all over the world anymore. We can finally put down roots. Best thing of all for me is we’re only five hours from my parent’s home in Iowa. It will be easy to visit them and for them to come visit us.

Are you ready to go to work for me? Terry asked me.

Give me a month to settle in and take a little time off. I need to get some things done around here and spend some quality time with my family first.

My brother was the county sheriff. With my twenty two years in the Military Police it was an easy decision to go into the county police department.

Oh by the way, I have good news for you. I talked it over with the county commissioner and he agreed with me that you shouldn’t start out as a patrol officer. With your twenty two years of experience in police work we’ll be starting you out as a lieutenant assigned as an investigator. It’ll mean a big difference in pay and a lot more responsibility too.

That’s great Terry, thanks a lot for speaking up for me, I said gratefully. You can count on me to do a good job for you, I promised.

I know I can. That was a no brainer. Terry reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. This is where you’ll need to go to get your new uniforms. We’ll issue you a 9mm Glock when I give you your badge. Everyone on the force uses 9mm Glocks, its standard issue.

If you don’t have a problem with it I’d just as soon carry my own sidearm.

I have a couple of guys who prefer their own weapons. I guess it depends on what you want to carry.

I prefer the 40 caliber Glock for its superior knock down power. I’ve carried it for years and I’m comfortable with it.

Sure no problem, I thought you were going to tell me you carried some paramilitary weapon like a 50 caliber so you could shoot thru quarter inch steel plate or something, Terry kidded me.

No, that’s what I keep in the trunk, I shot back smiling.

I better get back to work, my brother said looking at his watch. I got to set a good example for my people. Head on over to my house, whenever you’re done looking around here. Debbie is home waiting for you to show up.

Thanks Terry, we’ll see you when you’re done working, I said as Sarah gave him a thank you hug.

Chapter 3

Dad, look what we found, Lindsey yelled excitedly as the two of them came racing into the house.

What have you got pumpkin? I asked looking at the muddy object in her small hand.

We think it’s a real Indian arrowhead dad, Alex said excitedly. We found it at the edge of the woods. Do you think that’s what it is?

I took the mud caked object out of Lindsey’s hand and eyeballed it. Let’s go wash it up in the sink and get a better look at it.

The kids raced into the kitchen and had the water running in the sink before I got there.

Come on dad wash off the mud, Alex said impatiently.

I scrubbed the caked on mud off of the piece of stone carefully using my thumb as a scrub brush. Well it looks to me like you have a genuine arrowhead, I said smiling at the excited looks on their faces.

Did you ever find an arrowhead when you were a kid dad? Alex asked me excitedly.

I used to go look for them sometimes in the springtime. When my dad had the farm fields freshly plowed, Terry and I would go looking. The frost would push them up out of the ground. Every year we’d find a few of them.

Cool dad, were they as nice as this one? Lindsey asked me wide eyed with excitement.

I don’t think so. This one is a pretty nice one. I remember one time though I found one about a quarter the size yours is.

Why was it so small dad? What could of they used something that small for? Alex asked.

I didn’t know either so I took it to a museum and asked the curator. He told me it was used for hunting birds. Like ducks and geese or maybe turkeys.

Lindsey grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door. Come on dad, we want to show you where we found it.

Sarah, you’d better come along and see where the arrowhead was found, I said as I let myself be dragged out of the house.

We’d had an acre and a half cleared of trees for our new yard. The contractor had laid sod on the whole area so we had no bare dirt or mud to deal with.

We found it right here, Alex said pointing to the spot.

I’ll bet if you took the time that you could find more of them lying around, I said.

We might be able to if we could go into the woods, Lindsey reminded me.

Well then we’d better look the woods over now so you can hunt for some more of them, I said.

Yeah dad let’s check the woods out! Alex said excitedly jumping back to his feet.

Yeah dad let’s check the woods out, Sarah kidded me while punching me in the shoulder.

What kind of trees are these? Alex asked as he looked at the branches overhead.

Mostly they’re maple trees but we have basswood and scrub oaks scattered around too, I told him.

Wow, there’s the river, Lindsey yelled as she ran towards it. It’s bigger than I thought it would be.

Slow down Lindsey, I warned her. I don’t want you by the river without me, its deep.

The four of us stood by the rivers edge looking across the fifty yards to the other bank. I did a lot of fishing on this river growing up, I said reminiscing about my childhood.

Are we going to go fishing too? Alex asked eagerly. We never went fishing before!

I’ll tell you what. First thing tomorrow morning we’ll stop in town and buy each of you a fishing pole of your own. It’s high time I taught the two of you how much fun fishing is.

Cool, can we try them out tomorrow dad? Alex asked the excitement written on his face.

Sure, later in the afternoon is a great time to go fishing. We’ll make sure to find the time.

Is it alright for us to be in the woods alone now dad? Lindsey asked me hopefully.

The two of you can explore the woods all you want but I want you to both promise me to stay away from the river unless your mother or I are with you.

Okay dad we promise, Alex said excitedly. Come on, Lindsey, let’s go find some more arrowheads! Alex yelled as he went running thru the woods with Lindsey in hot pursuit.

Sarah and I stood watching them running thru the woods. I gave a sigh as I watched them exploring the woods we would be calling home. I’m sorry Sarah, I said sadly.

What are you sorry about? Sarah asked looking up at me with a curious look on her face.

Our kids missed so much growing up. Already today they know they are going to camp out for the first time. Tomorrow will be their first time fishing. They never ran thru woods or found an arrowhead. I didn’t realize my years in the military cost them so much.

We don’t always get to do what we want to in life. You had your career to worry about. Our kids had it better than a lot of kids do Jim. Anyway they’re going to experience it all now and they’re still kids so it’s not too late. You’re a loving husband and good father and I know you’ll bend over backwards trying to make up for lost time. We’d better head on over to your brother’s house. Debbie will be wondering what happened to us.

Chapter 4

My brother had moved into the old family homestead. He’d spent a lot of time and money on updates and improvements. The farm buildings were still standing, barn, machine shed, corn cribs and silos. All of the rusty old unused farm machinery was long gone and in its place was a thick lawn.

Mom was still alive and lived on the old farm with Terry’s family. Mom is 85 year old and we all felt better knowing that she wasn’t living alone. Plus it was her wish to stay in the home she’s lived in for over 60 years.

Wow, Terry really did a lot of work on the old place, I remarked as we pulled into the farm yard. All of the old, rotten, broken down fence has been torn down. Everything looks so different.

It looks like they replaced all of the windows in the house too, Sarah pointed out.

New windows, new roof, siding and shutters sure dressed the old place up, I agreed as I stepped out of the Tahoe.

The front door opened and my brother’s family came out onto the porch to meet us. Our niece Kara and twin nephews Ben and Hunter just about knocked their mother over racing to the car to welcome their cousins’ home. All of our kids were about the same age and got along great together. But being in the military at most they only saw each other once a year.

Uncle Terry said we’re going to camp out in a tent tonight, Alex said to his cousins excitedly.

It’s all set up behind the barn already, Hunter told them. Come on we’ll show you your sleeping bags, he said racing off with the others.

Terry said you were expecting us, I said to Debbie as I stepped onto the porch and into her hug.

It’s good to have all of you back home for good Jim, she said as she gave me a tight hug and turned to Sarah to hug her.

I heard the screen door spring squeak behind me and turned to see my old grey haired mother standing there.

It’s good to have you back home for good son, I’ve missed you, my mother said with a shaky emotion filled voice.

Mom, it’s good to see you too, I said kissing her cheek and hugging her at the same time.

The old homestead looks incredible, I complimented them. You’ve done a lot of work.

It never seems to end, Debbie admitted. When you have a home as old as this one you never run out of things that need doing. Just this spring we had all of the wiring redone.

I see the old barn is still standing and has a new coat of red paint on it, I said as I looked over her head at the old dairy barn.

You’d be surprised with what we’ve done with it. Come on and I’ll show you, Debbie said as she led us off of the porch.

The barn doors were standing wide open as we walked up the grassy slope and into the second floor of the barn. Tables had been set-up and the place was spotless. New lighting hung overhead to brightly illuminate the interior. The inside walls were freshly painted white and brightened up the huge room.

Wow, I said speechlessly. It doesn’t look like this barn was ever used for farming, I said incredulously.

The lower level where the cows were kept has been changed too. All of the cow stanchions have been removed and the old barn cleaner pit has been filled in with concrete. We rent the space out for storage now. In the winter time people store their boats and campers there.

Do you rent out the upper level too? Sarah asked her sister in-law.

We do as long as they promise to have their toys out before Memorial weekend. We have a few parties topside during the summer, it makes a great pavilion. You saw the tables that are set up there now. That’s for the get together we’re having for you tonight.

You shouldn’t have gone out of your way like this for us Debbie, I said. It’s too much work for you to do.

Nonsense, we’ve been getting calls for weeks asking when you’d be home and when the party was going to be. All of the old gang will be here. We’ll cook the meat on the grill and provide the refreshments. Everyone who comes will bring along a dish to pass. It’s the way we do our summertime parties here and seeing as its June this qualifies as one.

I saw a couple of port-o-potties set-up alongside the barn. Just how many people are you expecting? Sarah asked.

I’m not really sure but probably around a hundred maybe a little more, Debbie said with a little thought.

They really know how to throw a party around here, my mom said. Being out in the country they don’t bother anyone with the noise.

We always invite our closest neighbors anyway, Debbie explained. First of all we like our neighbors and secondly it’s hard for anyone to complain if they’ve been invited to the party.

I don’t suppose it hurts that the party is being thrown by the sheriff either, I said with a grin.

It does if you want to be reelected again, Debbie reminded me. Anything you do when you hold a public office is kept under a microscope. Screw up one time and you’ll be in the papers for the next six months. If someone drinks too much we make sure they have a ride home. It’s the safe thing to do. We don’t want to see any of our friends get hurt. Not to mention the media would have a field day it they were able to report someone getting picked up for drunken driving while leaving a party the sheriff threw at his home.

I see your point. I’ve been in the Military Police for twenty two years. We dealt mostly with service men and women and not the public sector. So we have a more controlled environment than you do. It’ll take a little getting used to being off base. Don’t get me wrong, we had dealings with the civilians but not on a daily basis.

It might not be as different as you think it is, people are people, Debbie reasoned as she led the way back out of the barn.

Chapter 5

Dad, Mom, Lindsey yelled as she raced around the side of the old barn. You have to come and see our camp site, she said excitedly jumping up and down.

Is it alright if your grandma and aunt come along? Sarah asked. I think you forgot to give them hugs before taking off. They haven’t seen you for over a year.

I’m sorry grandma, Lindsey said as she wrapped her arms around her grandma’s waist. I’m just excited to be here for good, she explained.

I’m excited to have you home too sweetheart, her grandma said with a kindly smile.

Hi Aunt Debbie, she said with a second hug.

Lindsey how you have grown since the last time you were back home, Debbie said while hugging her to her side.

Okay now will you follow me? she said bouncing on her toes.

Alright, I relented. Lead the way and we’ll follow. Remember you’re grandma isn’t going to leap over any fallen logs, I said laughing.

Dad, there aren’t any logs lying around, Lindsey said exasperated, now come on.

We followed her around to the back of the barn. There was a small half acre grouping of trees I remembered from boyhood, fifty yards behind the barn. They had the tent set-up against the back drop of trees. A ring of stones were placed for a campfire with logs cut in half, flat side facing up for sitting on. A ready supply of firewood was piled nearby. The whole area was neatly mowed. When I was a kid this had all been cow pasture.

You never run out of surprises, I said as I looked over the set-up. How did you guys find the time to do everything that you’ve done around here? I asked bewildered.

We had work parties for the barn and this old field. A bunch of our friends talked us into turning the barn into a party room and offered to help with the work. Matt owns a landscaping company and brought his equipment in and leveled out the old pasture and planted the grass seed. We got the old barn done in only four weekends. There must have been thirty people helping out.

Just like the barn raising you read about in the old days, Sarah said.

This will end up being a tent city tonight. Most of our friends have kids and they’ll bring their tents and spend the night. Some of the adults will stay over in tents too. The rest will be back first thing in the morning to collect their kids.

Alex came running up. Pretty cool huh dad?

You bet buddy. It sounds to me like you’re going to meet a bunch of your new classmates tonight.

Yeah, Hunter told me about all of the kids that would be here tonight. Ben told me we’d get along with them.

Same thing, different duty station Alex, I said to him gently. I promise this will be the last time you’ll have to readjust to new classmates.

I know dad, Alex said with a nod, looking down at his feet.

But like you said going thru town this will be different because kids around here don’t move around like we’re used to doing.

It’s only early June, Sarah explained to him. By the start of the school year you might already know most of your new classmates.

Lindsey had walked up while we were talking to her brother. I hope so, she said wishfully. It really sucks having to do this all of the time.

Lindsey, you know that your mom and I don’t like to hear you talking like that, I scolded her.

But she’s right dad it really does suck, Alex said defending his sister. Neither one of you had to do it growing up. You were both raised in the same house until you joined the Marines.

I know, I know Alex but there’s nothing I can do about that now. We did what we thought was right. Maybe we were wrong but either way we can’t back up the clock and do it over bud.

I’m sorry dad, Alex said regretfully. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about it.

I hugged both of them to my side. I’m sorry too Alex but we’re home to stay now. Let’s make the most of it. When you meet all of the kids tonight keep in mind they’re going to be your friends from now on and not just for a year or two.

Sure dad, we’ll remember, Alex promised.

Dad did you ever camp out when you were a kid, Lindsey asked changing the subject.

Sure I did. We camped out, went fishing and told ghost stories around the campfire at night, I said reminiscing. We chased fireflies at the edge of the woods and put them in glass jars and watched them as they lit up the inside of the jar.

Cool, can we do all of that tonight? Lindsey asked me hopefully. That sounds like a lot of fun.

Well you can do everything but the fishing. Remember tomorrow I’m taking the two of you into town and buying you your own fishing poles.

I remember dad. Kara said we’d probably play baseball or kickball when the other kids get here.

That sounds like a lot of fun honey. It should be a good way for you and Alex to get to know the other kids.

Kara is calling me so I better run dad, Lindsey said turning away.

I didn’t know how hard it’s been for the little ones Jim, my mother said from behind me.