The Mida Book Three, Destiny of Darkness and Light

By Kimberly Sigafus

It was the spring of 1965, and Sarah, the carnival cook, has returned to Prairie Bluff, Wisconsin where she managed The Prairie Bluff Inn and Amphitheater. Her fiancé was a musician and sang in the house band. But when a plane crash took his life and the life they had planned together, she ran from painful memories and lost dreams. Even though she wants to stay, she’s now married to Frank, the carnival’s creature whisperer. And she’s discovered her family tree has a complicated branch. Her decision to stand in the darkness or the light will affect not only her, but the safety of the carnival and those she loves. Will she be able to protect the carnival and her family, or will they need protection from her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly Sigafus
• Release date: Aug 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370573912

Kimberly Sigafus

Native American author, Kimberly Sigafus, is from Freeport, Illinois. An internationally-published, award-winning author, her writing includes both Native American fiction and non-fiction. A hybrid author, Kim is both traditionally and self-published.She’s won several awards for her work, including the Lena D. Myers Award for historical writing, and the Faith and Freedom Award for her eagle photography and accompanying poem. Her book, Native Writers, Voices of Power, which was co-written with writing partner Lyle Ernst, was recognized by the USA Best Book Awards in the children's non-fiction category. The book was also a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. An Ojibwa, her family is from the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. She crafts dream catchers and talking feathers, and drums and sings. In her native Ojibwa regalia, Kim travels around the Midwest presenting Native American programs. An accomplished speaker, Kim has spoken at libraries, conferences, retreats, individual group gathers, and reading councils. Kim is married, and her and Andy have six grown children. They reside in a 120 year-old Victorian house with their two dogs and Benny, their lovable cat. The author can be reached through her website: kimberlysigafus.com. Her print books can be obtained through Amazon.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

She was cold. Pulling the covers up over her shoulders, Sarah shivered. Her husband, Frank, still half asleep, automatically reached over to pull her closer. Sarah snuggled into him and sighed.

Moments later, she opened her eyes. What was that noise? Pushing herself up on one arm, her eyes moved around the tent. Some light was coming through the tent flap, and Sarah ascertained it was almost dawn.

A breeze which seemed to come from nowhere picked up and floated all around her, making her shiver. Frank grunted, and pulling the covers up over his shoulders, rolled over.

Sarah swung her legs off the bed and shoved her feet into her slippers. She began to stand up but froze as the sound came again. Whatever it was, it was outside the tent.

Glancing over at Frank she leaned over to wake him, but then thought better of it. He was up late the night before fixing their tent which had somehow gotten a hole in it. It was after midnight by the time he had patched it up to his standards. The man never did anything halfway.

Sarah got up and walked over to her robe. It was sapphire blue and was her favorite thing in her wardrobe. No matter where they ended up, that robe was always laying over the chair in their tent. It gave her a sense of normalcy in a world where there was little.

Slipping it on now, she tied it around her waist and then headed for the tent flap. Pulling it open, she could hear music. Not being able to make out the tune, she stopped to think about it. The song was familiar to her somehow and it drove her crazy that she couldn’t place it. She hummed along for a moment and then shook her head.

Taking a step out of the tent, she looked around. It was dark, but she could see shapes and shadows around her. Although nothing looked familiar, she had the nagging feeling she’d been there before.

She went still as the music started up again. It was coming from her right and she padded toward it through the newly-grown grass and brown patches of last year’s growth. After a few minutes, she came to the edge of the meadow the carnival was settled in. From there the ground gently sloped into the coulee below.

As Sarah stood looking out, the night seemed to lift a little. Glancing to her right, she could see a large Burr Oak tree, its thick branches reaching upward toward the wakening sky. It stood stark and leafless in the spring dawn. She moved her gaze to the left, and began to recognize the shapes taking form. Down in the valley below, was a huge outdoor amphitheater.

Sarah gasped and pulled her robe tightly around her. A strange light flitted across the stage and she could see a band playing. The music was suddenly loud, but she seriously doubted anyone else could hear it.

It was a concert, and one she knew she’d seen before. The problem was, it was impossible to see it again. The band performing had been killed in a plane crash after the concert. She knew that because she’d been there; she’d seen the crash. The man she loved had been on that plane.

With a sob, she quickly took a step back. She couldn’t bear to see anymore. She turned and headed back to her tent.

Being a sharp cookie, she realized immediately the mystically-powerful carnival had arrived in this next place for her. She just couldn’t imagine why they were here. She had nothing she wanted to go back to or had any inclination to fix. This carnival life was her world now and she wanted no part of her past existence. Frank was her whole life, and never would she choose to leave him and stay in her own time. She was sorry for the carnies. They were about to spend a week in this place for nothing. She had no intention of doing anything here. She probably couldn’t change anything anyway. This was a complete waste of time as far as she was concerned. She was going back to bed, waking up at six a.m., and then starting breakfast under the tent for everyone. Life would go on as usual and they would leave at the end of the week.

She stepped back into the tent, shed her robe, and climbed back into bed, wrapping her arms around Frank. Closing her eyes, she pushed back another sob as she thought about the man she had seen playing the guitar on the stage a few minutes ago. She’d forgotten how much she missed him.

Sarah wanted no part of the horrendous death and destruction of her old life. She was happy with the way things were now, and nothing, or no one, would take that from her.

******

Carlotta carefully set up her circle on the grassy land just beyond the carnival’s tents. She had been studying and watching the sky for hours until she felt the time was right.

Clothed in a sparkling white gown and bare feet, Carlotta moved quickly as dawn began to push the night away. She wore a beautiful necklace of tanzanite to help her meditate. It also gave her clairvoyance, deeper spirituality, protection, wisdom and communication. She knew it would help her connect with the spirit and animal guides that were always around her. Mesa had taught her that, and at the moment, she could use all the help she could find.

At the remembrance of her dear friend, a rush of tears filled her eyes. She quickly brushed them away. No time for that. It would be dawn soon.

Standing in the middle of the circle, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and started to chant. This chant would be like no other. It was a mixture of Wiccan and Ojibwa, which seemed to meld together into singular phrases.

The wind picked up and twisted her gown around her. The clouds moved quickly, swirling around each other, and then she felt rain on her face and hands. The grass felt damp beneath her feet as she shifted restlessly within the circle.

Other than the weather change, nothing else seemed to be happening for her. Frustrated but resolute, she stood steadfast within the circle. Not willing to give up, she closed her eyes and began chanting again.

She just had to get Mesa back.

CHAPTER 2

Tony grunted as he rolled over and shoved his pillow over his head. His mother’s bed was more comfortable than the old cot back in his tent, but he still had a restless night’s sleep.

The faint smell of gardenias drifted through his senses, and he threw the pillow on the floor. The whole bed had that faint smell…the sticky-sweet, girly-but-comforting smell of his mother.

Even though in his mind his mother had died the night before, he knew that with time-travel, he could be years away from the incident now. Either way, his emotions were still raw. Because of that, he wanted to hide himself in her trailer.

Rolling back over, he lay there staring at the ceiling for a few moments. He knew the second he got out of bed he was going to have to face the carnies who would be looking to him for guidance. He knew that at some point they expected him to take his mother’s place at the helm of the mystically-powerful carnival, and he had no idea what to do.

His mother’s smiling face drifted before him in his mind and he choked back a sob and closed his eyes. He had just begun to get to know her and now she was gone. He wiped a hand across his face resolutely. No one had seen him cry and they never would. He was a man and would act accordingly.

He sat up and swung his legs off the bed. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to get his bearings. According to his father, he had to step up and take control of things, including himself. It was time he grew up, and mighty fast.

His mind drifted back to his old stand-by when things got tough. He wished he had a drink. Barely twenty-one, he could find the nearest bar and get hammered if he wanted to, but that would not help the situation.

Sighing, he stood up and stretched, touching his fingertips to the top of the carnival trailer. He was tall and lanky like his father had been, but the dark eyes and Native American skin tones were definitely from his mother.

Glancing over at the cage by the window, he realized Ahwanan had been up for a while and was impatiently waiting to go out. Tony went over and opened the little window next to his cage and then opened the cage door. The bird gave him a look, hopped out onto the ledge, and flew off.

Immediately realizing he had to use the restroom, Tony wasted no time heading for the trailer door. Bounding down the stairs, he turned right, but stopped abruptly when he saw Lee’s green tent parked in the spot where his tent usually sat.

His tent was gone. Tony shaded his eyes from the morning sun and looked around, but it was nowhere to be found. Confused but still having to go to the bathroom, he headed into the privy down a ways from his mother’s trailer.

A few moments later, he emerged and started back for the trailer, glancing around him. He could see carnies setting up the joints for the day. The cotton candy trailer had its flags waving in the late spring breeze, and he could see Lee in the hot dog stand. Something must not be working right in there, Tony noted to himself.

Did you sleep in your clothes?

Tony whipped around to see Connor standing behind him with his arms crossed.

Well, you apparently did, Tony shot back, eying the stained pants and t-shirt that were once white.

Go change, said Connor, not moving. We have a lot to do this morning.

Don’t tell me what to do, Tony replied balefully. I’m in charge here now.

Connor gave him a rare smile. Really? Okay then…what date is it?

Tony looked away as he shifted his feet. I don’t know yet, he mumbled.

Who are we here for?

Tony shook his head. I said I don’t know. Just leave me alone. I haven’t even had my coffee yet.

Connor gestured to the trailer. Go get dressed and meet me under the breakfast tent, he said, walking away.

What are you talking about? My clothes aren’t in there, Tony yelled after him.

Connor kept walking. Then where are they? I noticed your tent is missing.

What?

Connor sighed and stopped, turning around now. Use your brains, kid. You’re the carnival owner now. He pointed to the trailer. That’s the carnival owner’s trailer. He turned and headed for the breakfast tent again. He pushed away the deep sadness Mesa’s loss had caused him. He had to take care of Tony now. He knew she would want him to do so.

Tony watched Connor walk away and then turned around to look up at his mother’s trailer. Taking the stairs slowly, he opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the door ajar as he gaped.

Gone was everything he had left just minutes ago, replaced by everything that belonged to him. He had taken a suitcase full of his stuff when he left his grandmother’s to join the carnival, and it was all neatly put away on shelves. His mother’s bed was still there, but the pillow and blankets were his.

Tony blinked several times, wondering if he was seeing things. To the left was his mother’s little table, and on it was her floppy sun hat and herbs. That was the only thing left in the room that was hers. Her knick-knacks, the special Native American mementos she’d collected over the years, her toiletries…they were all gone. Even the gardenia scent that had greeted him when he awoke this morning was gone.

Why? he cried out, whirling around the room. Why did you do this?

Silence greeted him and he yelled expletives his mother would be not be happy to hear coming out of her son’s mouth.

Growling, Tony plopped himself down on the bed. You had no right to do this, he muttered. These things…that’s all I had left of her. And you took them away.

He jumped up again. Who are you? Who keeps moving this carnival? He strode over to the little table where his mother’s hat lay, and slammed his hand down on the table hard. Where are my mother’s things? I want them back. You have no right…

The trailer door creaked shut and then latched. Tony froze a moment and then walked over to it and opened it up. He opened and closed it a few times and then frowning, pushed it closed again. Must have been the wind, he thought.

When he turned around, the closet door was open. There were his clothes, but there was no sign of anything of his mother’s. Her hats, dresses, jeans…everything was gone.

Walking slowly over to the closet, he eyed the contents and then looked up on the little shelf above to see a Jack-In-The-Box. It was the only thing on the shelf and Tony knew he hadn’t seen it before. It was a strange thing for his mother to have had, he thought, reaching for it. Maybe it was his when he was a child. But with almost everything else of hers gone, why was this still here?

Yelling outside of the trailer window caught Tony’s attention, and he turned and walked over to look out. It was Lee and Frank. The hot dog trailer was tipping and Tony realized there was something wrong with the stabilizing underneath. He’d better go out and help them.

He got halfway to the door before he realized he still wasn’t dressed for the day. Heading for the closet again, he grabbed a pair of pants and a shirt, not caring what they looked like and put them on. Then he headed out the door.

He didn’t notice the closet door shutting itself behind him.

As he headed for the hot dog truck, he realized Lee and Frank had the situation under control so he made a detour to the breakfast tent. He was supposed to meet Connor there anyway. He didn’t like the creepy little man, but Tony knew Connor had been his parents’ best friend, so he decided to show him some respect. He didn’t have to like it; he just had to do it.

Due to the recent death of his mother, the kitchen tent was somber and silent when he arrived, but soon glances and giggles drifted his way. Frowning, he sat himself across from Connor and pulled the coffee pot toward himself. Clumsily dumping coffee into his cup, he swore as it missed his cup and spilled all over the table. Connor jumped back from the hot coffee heading for his lap as Tony took the rag from Sarah who was now standing next to him. He wiped up the mess, but when he handed back the rag, he saw she was trying not to laugh.

What could possibly be so funny? he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Nice pants, she replied, and broke out laughing as she turned and headed back to the breakfast cooking on the stove.

Tony’s eyes narrowed as he looked down to see he was wearing a pair of pants with big black and red stripes on them, and a blue button-down shirt with colorful circles all over it.

What the hell? He glanced around to see everyone openly laughing at him now. I look like a clown, he said shaking his head at Connor. Can this day get any worse? No one’s going to respect me in these duds.

Connor sat down and took a drink of his coffee and set the cup down in front of him. Don’t worry about it, he advised. No one cares what you look like, just what you do.

Well, you would say that, snapped Tony. Do you ever change your clothes?

Connor nodded. Every day.

What? All your clothes look the same.

I know.

But they’re stained…

I work for a living…

But no hard work. Seeing Connor’s eyes narrow, Tony added hastily, I mean, you sit at a table and read cards for a living. Hardly anything you do could cause those sorts of stains.

Connor took another drink of his coffee. Well, I guess I am a little messy.

Tony snorted and went to retort back but thought better of it. He took a drink of coffee instead. So, where are we?

See if you can figure it out.

How do I do that?

Look and listen.

This isn’t grammar school…

Maybe it should be. Seeing Tony’s eyes narrow, Connor sighed. Look around you. Are we in the country…the city…the ‘burbs? What are people wearing? Sarah’s got the music on. What’s the song?

For the first time, Tony looked up and saw who was under the tent with him. The carnival’s fat lady, Veronica, sat across the way with a maxi dress on. It had bright pink patchwork flowers all over it. She wore sandals. Carlotta had on a checkerboard orange and white, sleeveless mini dress and white go-go boots that went up to her knees. A long orange scarf tied her hair back, and the scarf’s tails were trailing down her back.

Tony turned to look at Sarah who was cooking. She had on a tie-dyed flowy tank dress in bright blue and purple. Its hem stopped several inches above the knee. Her gorgeous red hair was pulled back into a pony tail tied with a long white scarf. Just looking at her made Tony smile, and he wondered what Frank thought about his wife prancing about in something that short.

Tony turned back to Connor who was watching him. So everyone’s dressed like kooks.

That’s subjective, replied Connor, holding his coffee cup in his hand. Can you tell what time we’re in?

Tony shook his head. I’ve never seen clothes like this before.

Connor nodded. That’s probably true I guess. I would say we’re in the sixties.

The sixties? Tony looked around again. This is what I had to look forward to? He shuddered. I’m glad I joined the carnival when I did.

It’s harder when we go ahead in time from when we joined up, remarked Connor. Nothing seems familiar.

Turn it up, Sarah!

Tony turned to see Veronica push herself up from the table and start to snap her fingers. Swaying her body back and forth she said, I love this song.

Me, too. Sarah joined Veronica and the two began dancing around the tent. Frank and Lee came into the tent just in time to see Sarah wiggle across the room in one of her signature moves. Frank was incredulous. He had never seen her dance like that before.

Sarah?

She waved at him but kept moving with Veronica right behind her. Lee whistled and hollered out as the two women came by.

Eventually Sarah ended up next to Frank and danced up against him. He watched bemused as she gave him a come-hither look. Veronica danced near-by and even Connor couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

What in the world has gotten into you? asked Frank.

I love this song, replied Sarah, grabbing his hand. Dance with me.

Ah…no. I don’t dance. Not well, anyway, he answered, pulling his hand away. Then his eyes narrowed. How do you know this song?

The band was playing the last few chords of the song when Sarah stopped dancing to catch her breath. Veronica stopped, too, and sat down on the nearest bench, almost flipping the adjoining table over in the process.

"It’s the Stones, honey, said Sarah. Satisfaction. She smiled, remembering back. I got to see them in concert when they were here. Mick is a really nice guy."

I know the song, said Frank. You met Mick Jagger?

Sarah nodded. He’s great.

While Frank stared at her in confusion, Tony was putting two and two together. He took in their surroundings…the rolling hills, the valley below. They weren’t in the city. He stared at Sarah and then looked down again at his clothes. Connor had said they were in the 60’s. Sarah just said she had met the Stones when they were here…

His eyes flew back to see Sarah watching him. It’s you, isn’t it? We’re here for you.

She bit her lip and looked away. Then she glanced at Frank. It’s me. We’re here for me.

Sarah Jean! What do you think you’re doing? I’ve been looking all over for you!

The carnies all turned toward the direction of the booming voice which was coming across the field. They watched as a big, burly red-headed man huffed and puffed his way through the grass toward the breakfast tent. Green eyes flashing, he stopped in front of Sarah.

Eying Frank, he asked, Who are you people? You weren’t here last night.

Frank, caught off guard, was silent, but Lee stepped in. Why, we are a carnival, of course, he answered. We are here for the week.

Who told you to set up here on my land? the man demanded.

Dad, you know this isn’t our land, Sarah quickly cut in. It belongs to…

I know who it belongs to young lady. It might as well be our land. It butts up right against ours.

These are my friends… she tried to explain.

Friends? The man gazed around the tent. I’ve never seen any of these people before in my life. He looked back at Frank who shuffled uncomfortably under his gaze. Where’s Jimmy? I’m sure he would not be happy to know you are hanging around with the likes of… he stopped to give Frank a contemptuous look. Him."

Frank bristled. Now just a minute. I’m her…

Dad…leave my friends alone, Sarah quickly interjected, giving Frank a pleading look.

Friends or no friends, you have work to do. Quit fooling around and get home. We have a band coming in this afternoon for a concert tonight. I expect you to handle whatever they need.

At that statement, Frank found the rest of his voice. What exactly does that mean?

Sarah’s father turned to scowl at him. I know what you’re thinking and I don’t appreciate that at all. You don’t know my daughter very well, do you? You must be a new friend or you would know what Sarah does for a living. She manages the theater.

Sarah saw Frank set his jaw and knew he was not happy to be talked to in this manner. Look, I’ll be down shortly, Dad, said Sarah quickly, stepping back and pulling Frank with her.

Who’s Jimmy? whispered Frank, catching her eyes.

I’ll explain later, she whispered back.

Her father shook his head. You’ll come now. And with that, he pulled her out of Frank’s grasp and walked away, pulling her along with him. Frank went to move after her, but Connor caught his arm and shook his head.

The carnies’ mouths dropped open as they watched Sarah being dragged off by her father.

When the duo disappeared down the hill, they turned to Tony.

Tony’s gaze went from the shock in Connor’s eyes to the fury in Frank’s. He cleared his throat.

Tony? Frank took a step toward him. Now what? You’d better have a good idea how to get my wife back.

The new carnival owner watched Frank clench and unclench his fists as he turned back and stared after his wife who was being pulled down the hill against her will. When Tony didn’t speak, Frank turned back to scowl at him. With a growl no one in the carnival had ever heard before, Frank pushed a table over knocking dishes all over the ground.

"Since you, our new fearless leader, have no idea how to get my wife back,