Winds of Release, The Mida Book 5

By Kimberly Sigafus

Nebraska is the last place Frank wanted to return to. He loved his life in the carnival and had pushed past all the turmoil and devastation of his other life to find peace in the one he had now. Married to Sarah, the carnival’s cook and gifted psychic, he liked living within the invisible walls of The Mida.

But, of course, the carnival had taken him back anyway.

It was March 16th, 1913, and he lived in Yutan, Nebraska. He was married to Clara, and they had little Eva. He worked his farm, and was the local veterinarian.
But he had been tricked into trading his simple life for something more, and now his self-respect was gone. Trying to remove himself from danger, he had put Clara and Eva’s lives in peril.
Frank wondered if solving his issues would make a difference this time. He knew it wouldn’t stop the real threat coming their way.
An F4 tornado was about to rip through Yutan, and he feared that this time Clara and Eva would not be the only family it would take.

There was no way the carnival was going to make it out of there on time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly Sigafus
• Release date: Apr 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463841679

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 ONE

It was barely dawn. The trees still had shadows attached to them and the sun was trying very hard to break through the gloomy clouds. There was no wind; everything was strangely still and quiet.

Sitting just outside his tent, Frank eyed the sky and then closed his eyes, trying to block out all the painful memories that came flooding through him like a tidal wave. The wind, the rain, the screams of mothers looking for their children, the cries of families holding their dead loved ones filled his ears and for a moment he was transported back to a distant past.

He was back.

Shaking his head which was now beginning to pound into a migraine, he opened his eyes and glanced over at Carter. Frank held a lit cigarette he had bummed off the healer who had handed it over after a moment of surprise. Frank hadn’t smoked in years, but he figured this was the time to start up again. Sarah was going to kill him when she found out.

Carter sat next to him, eying Frank’s lit cigarette but not lighting one for himself. After being shooed out of his own tent by Carlotta, he had been relieved to see Frank awake. The urge to smoke was great, but he figured it was about time he quit. He played with the pack in his pocket, but left it in there out of temptation’s reach.

It was a momentous occasion for both of them. Carter was a brand-new father to twins and Frank was back in his own time. Neither spoke for a long while, as smoke swirled between them and then dissipated.

Damn, said Carter, sorely tempted by the smell of smoke from Frank’s cigarette.

Yeah, Frank echoed, sighing. Both shook their head and then glanced at each other.

You feeling alright? asked Carter.

I have a migraine coming on, answered Frank.

Need some help?

Frank shook his head at the healer and then grimaced. No. I’ll be okay.

Alright.

Frank sighed and then turned to glance at Carter.

I’m back.

I wondered why you were up so early this morning. Carter looked over at Frank and then looked away. You’re unhappy about it?

Isn’t everybody?

I know I was. Carter turned to glance over at his tent several feet away. But not anymore.

Frank gave him a faint smile. I bet. Congratulations, by the way.

Thanks. How are you feeling about it all?

When Frank didn’t answer, Carter glanced over at him.

I’m scared to death, muttered Frank.

Carter nodded. I can relate to that. Want to talk about it? When Frank shook his head, Carter stood up.

Okay, then. I’ll leave you to your thoughts. I’m going back to my wife.

Give her a kiss for me.

What?

Frank grinned. I mean in a congratulatory way, of course.

Uh, huh.

Carter gave him a look and then shook his head, sauntering back over to his tent.

Frank watched the healer leave. He knew he needed a haircut, but he wasn’t the only one apparently. Genny would soon have to get a hold of her husband’s hair. No sense in ruining Carter’s Errol Flynn look by running around with his hair too long.

He grinned in spite of himself and stood up, stretching. It was time to go back into his tent. Sarah would be awake soon and he had some explaining to do.

They’d never discussed their pasts and it wasn’t until Sarah got taken back to her own time that he even thought about her life before he came along. Now she was about to find out about his.

He’d been sitting outside the tent for what seemed like forever trying to think of a way to explain things to his wife. But no matter what words he came up with, he knew she wouldn’t understand.

He pushed his tent flap aside and stepped in to see her still asleep. He smiled tenderly as he took in her long, curly red hair billowing around her on the pillow. A wave of longing washed over him. Uncertainty stopped him from moving, though. There would be time for that later, he told himself…after he had a chance to talk to her.

He had a lot of explaining to do and he needed to start with Clara. He had the unenviable task of trying to explain the presence of his first wife to his present wife.

Frank sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. But first he had to tell Sarah that he had a first wife…

……….

Jiibay stood outside Carter and Genny’s tent. He could hear the twins crying and a soft voice trying to soothe them. Suddenly a voice on the wind caught his attention.

Jiibay.

He whipped his head around to see the faint image of someone standing behind him.

You! He stepped back. Why are you here? He turned back around. You have no power here. Go away.

The image smiled at his impertinence. "You know why I am here."

Jiibay turned again to face them. "And you know why I am here."

I will stop you from harming them.

Jiibay laughed and shook his head. You? That’s hilarious. Good luck. He watched for a change of expression in the image’s face but there was none. He sobered up and took a step forward.

Let me make this clear. I have no use for you. Go.

The faded image shimmered in the morning light and shook its head. Never again.

Jiibay’s eyes turned cold. His steps took him directly in front of the image he hated so much. He opened his mouth to speak but when he saw the way it was looking at him, uncertainty crossed his face and he stepped back again.

No.

Jiibay…

The dark entity shook his head and stepped back again. With a hand held out to his side, he blinked at the image a few times.

No! he said again. Opening and closing his hand, he slipped into the nothingness.

The shimmery image faded a little more and then dropped its head. Gliding over to the tent flap opening, it slipped inside.

CHAPTER TWO

Sarah sat at a table under the kitchen tent that was filled with carnival roadies. No one sat with her and no one spoke.

She had gotten up that morning and dressed in a long royal blue dress with elbow-length sleeves and black boots. It had a thick embroidered belt and embroidery along the neckline and sleeves. She pulled her long red hair up into a soft bun.

She glanced around at the men to see they were dressed in bib overalls and coveralls. The women were dressed similarly to her. The thought struck her that so few women actually lived within the carnival walls. She wondered why, but figured it was just the luck of the draw.

The land beyond where the carnival was set up was flat with little rolling hills to break it up. It was early spring, she surmised, even though it could have been fall. The air smelled different in the spring, as things started poking their heads up from the ground to see if it was warm enough to start growing. Even though she’d traveled with the carnival for a long time, she still couldn’t decipher from the landscape where they were.

The carnival had parked itself in a field as usual. It was surrounded by dirt roads on two sides and Sarah wondered where visitors would park when they came to visit. The carnival would surely open soon and Sarah expected many people would stop just to see what they were all about.

Sarah?

She turned around to see what was left of ‘The Eight’ gifted carnies walking up to her. She watched them file by her, some sitting at the picnic table with her, others standing behind them.

Where’s Frank? she asked, frowning.

She had gotten up a little while ago to find her husband gone. She had assumed he had gotten up to see if anything needed to be done on the midway. But he never returned and she had finally gone looking for him under the kitchen tent.

Ahwanan’s white feathers shone brightly in the sunshine as he sat on Tony’s shoulder, watching quietly. Tony moved from outside the tent to sit across from Sarah and lean forward, his arms on the table. He was dressed in brown coveralls.

He’s gone into town, he said, reaching up to rub the bird’s head.

Why?

He’s tryin’ ta figure out what year it is and when we’ve come back ta, answered Carlotta. She was standing to Sarah’s left, and Sarah turned to glance at the Cajun Wiccan woman.

Carlotta was wearing a burgundy dress with long sleeves. Her long black hair was up in a bun with soft curls hanging down. She also was wearing boots, but they were brown. She didn’t look much like the carnival Cooch dancer now, Sarah thought with a smile.

She sighed. Well, why... She stopped and bit her lip, glancing over at Tony.

He’s back, isn’t he?

Tony nodded.

Sarah frowned. How could the carnival do this to us? We just dealt with my issues and now we have to deal with his? She shook her head. It’s not fair.

Ya have ta have faith the carnival knows what it is doin’, answered Carlotta and Sarah shook her head again.

Too much pain, she muttered, and Carlotta reached out to put her hand on Sarah’s shoulder.

Ya can’t calm the storm, answered Carlotta quietly, but ya can calm yourself. Your husband is countin’ on ya now.

But I’m tired of all this…

Aren’t we all, remarked Connor, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Sarah glanced over at him and sighed. You most of all, I suspect. You have been here longer than the rest of us.

Connor rubbed his bald head and shrugged. It is what it is.

Hello.

All heads turned to see Frank walk through the crowd. He came up behind Sarah who stood up, watching him now. He was dressed in a grey long-sleeved shirt and a pair of overalls. His boots were scuffed and worn.

Sorry about this morning, he said tersely. But I had to find out where we were and when.

Sarah nodded. And?

Frank paused a moment and then glanced around, his gaze settling on Tony’s.

We’re in Nebraska, he stated.

What month? one of the roadies asked. Not winter, obviously, they added.

Frank smiled. No, it’s spring here actually. March 17, 1913.

It’s chilly for St. Patrick’s Day, commented Connor.

Frank shook his head. We’re in the Midwest. It’s about what it should be for this time of year.

Why are we here?

Frank turned to look at his wife who was waiting for an answer.

You look pretty, he remarked, taking in her dress and boots.

When she frowned, he sighed. We’re here for me. The carnival has brought me back to work through something traumatic that happened in my life.

Well, that’s a generic answer, said Sarah. That’s why we’re all brought back. Can you be more specific?

Frank hesitated, wondering how much he should reveal to everyone before he had a chance to talk with Sarah alone.

Seeing the hesitant look in Frank’s eyes, Tony stood up.

Maybe you and Sarah should talk before you finish telling us about your life, he said.

Frank nodded as he pulled Sarah in for a quick hug and to bury his face in her hair. Then he sighed and pulled away.

We are all about to be in grave danger if we don’t get out of here on time.

We always leave on time, said Carlotta.

If something happens and we don’t, we will not get out in one piece. He glanced over at Tony. I wonder if the carnival could leave early.

Leave early? The carnival has never left early, has it? Tony looked around the little group who shook their heads. Why do we need to leave early, Frank?

On Easter Sunday, March 23, a tornado rips through this area, killing many people.

Everyone started talking at once as Frank sat down and pulled Sarah down with him. He took her hand in his.

There’s more, honey.

What is it?

Wait…a tornado is coming here? Heading for the carnival? interrupted Carter. He reached for the cigarettes in his pocket and then swore because he had told Genny he would stop smoking. Well, we can’t stay here. We have to go.

Carlotta stepped forward. How? We don’t move the carnival. And where would we go if we could move?

We have to talk with whoever’s moving the carnival and tell them we have to go early, said one of the roadies. That’s all there is to it.

Really? That all, huh? asked Carlotta. Okay, go ahead and talk ta them.

There was a moment of silence.

Carlotta sighed and shook her head. We have ta trust that they will move us when the time is right.

What if they don’t realize what’s coming? asked Sarah, squeezing Frank’s hands. He squeezed back and pulled her close.

Then we’re stuck here, replied Connor. When the tornado comes through, we will die.

Carter nodded. We are human, time travelers or not. We will all die.

The carnival will not leave until Frank has worked through the issues that brought him back here.

Carlotta turned around to see a black man standing behind her. She moved to her right and David stepped through to face Frank and Sarah.

And that can’t begin until you tell Sarah everything, Frank, David continued.

Ah…are you David or Lee? asked Tony. Are you two still merged together?

Yes.

I can’t see how to work through my issues, said Frank, ignoring that conversation. That’s the reason I left in the first place.

But this time, you’re not alone, said Sarah. I can help you if you let me.

Frank shook his head and then startled everyone by laughing.

I wish that were true, he said, dropping her hand. But you are now part of the problem.

What does that mean? Sarah bristled. She started to stand up but Frank gently pulled her back down on the bench.

Honey, that didn’t come out right. What I mean is that you… well, I mean I am…that is to say…geez. Frank sighed and sat back to rub his eyes with his hands.

Still have that migraine? asked Carter, stepping forward.

Yes.

Carter put his hands on Frank’s head and closed his eyes for a few moments.

Why does Frank have a migraine? whispered Carlotta. I didn’t even know he had those.

He hasn’t had those since he left Nebraska, guessed David.

Frank stood up and helped Carter sit down in his place. The healer held his head in his hands for a moment and then Carlotta walked over to help him up.

I think ya need ta lie down, she said, gently guiding him through the crowd. Let’s go ta my trailer.

As they passed David he gave them a dark look and she paused. It was obvious Lee didn’t like the idea of Carter going into her trailer.

Lee, he has babies in his tent, she said defensively. How much rest will he get in there?

Lee hesitated and then nodded, conceding she was right.

Sensing there was friction between them, Carter hesitated.

Look, I’ll be just fine in a few minutes, he said. Maybe I should go back to my tent.

Genny has her hands full with the babies and their cryin’ will keep ya up, answered Carlotta, moving him through the crowd again. Ya need some peace and quiet for a bit.

Sarah, let’s go back to our tent and talk, said Frank, grabbing her hand again. She nodded and together they walked past the crowd and toward their tent.

As she passed Carlotta, the Cajun woman caught the look of fear in Sarah’s eyes. But before she could say anything, the two had passed through the crowd and disappeared around the corner.

The crowd dispersed quickly and only Tony and Connor were left under the kitchen tent.

No matter what Frank has in store for him this week, we have got to get out of here a day early, said Tony.

Connor sat down across from the carnival owner and nodded.

It looks like he may need a little more help than we normally give people when they arrive back, replied Connor. I hope he accepts it because if he tries to do this alone, we may all be dead at the end of the week.

It also looks like Lee will be popping in and out via David, remarked Tony. I wonder if he knows who moves the carnival.

I don’t think it’s him, replied Connor.

I don’t think so, either, but I do think he knows who does.

I wonder if it’s the Gatekeepers.

Tony nodded. I wondered that myself.

Do you think they know about the tornado?

Tony shrugged. If not, Lee will tell them.

What if we have to go and Frank hasn’t worked through everything yet?

Tony shook his head. It’s going to be a race against time.

Isn’t it always?

There’s a difference this time, Connor.

What is that?

"This time we will die. No one can battle a tornado."

Tony paused and then fixed Connor with a look of fear. Connor sat forward and frowned. What is it, Tony?

Tony sat back and ran a hand through his hair. Then he leaned forward again and Connor felt Tony’s next words send shock waves through his body.

This could be it for us, Connor. If we can’t get out of here on time, The Mida will be destroyed.

CHAPTER THREE

Genny was sitting in a chair holding both babies. One was busy eating and the other was sleeping contentedly. She, herself, was exhausted.

Carlotta and Sarah had already been by a few hours ago to help, and Genny was glad for that. She’d watched from her place on the bed as the babies’ diapers got changed. Carlotta had insisted she lay down to get some rest, and after a few moments, she’d fallen fast asleep. Now everyone was gone including Carter, and she was alone with her children.

Her children. She shook her head, gazing lovingly down at them. She was a mom. Her life would never be the same again.

She glanced at the tent flap opening and sighed. She had expected Carter back by now. He had gone over to the kitchen tent for a meeting but hadn’t returned.

He was having a tough time of it. She had asked him to quit smoking when he told her second-hand smoke was bad for others. She had no idea that was the case since in her own time, almost everyone smoked. She herself had never picked up the habit, but Carter smoked profusely.

Genny slowly got up and carried the babies to the small baskets next to the bed. She laid the babies on the bed and then picked them up one at a time, placing them in their baskets.

Tony had brought the baskets over that morning and Carlotta had given her colorful blankets to lie inside each one. They were a soft yellow and green, and felt like a cloud.

The new mother peered down at her little ones and smiled. As soon as Carter returned, they were going to have to decide on names. They had kicked around some names in the last few weeks, but nothing had been decided upon.

Genny lie back on the bed, pulling the cover back up over her. Closing her eyes, she sighed deeply and settled into the bed. She was ready for another nap, and thought she’d better get it in before the babies woke up hungry again.

A faded image stood in a dark corner of the tent, watching Genny. When it determined the young woman had fallen asleep, it glanced at the tent flap opening and then glided over to the babies. Reaching down into the baskets, it touched each baby on the cheek and then pushed back the dark mass of unruly hair. When Genny stirred, the image stood up and glided over to the tent flap opening. A moment later, it was gone.

……….

Frank sat at the top of the Ferris wheel in a red car. Connor had operated the ride and left Frank at the top like he was asked to. Now he sat in a chair under the wheel with his eyes closed, waiting for Frank to want to come down.

It’s windier up here, Frank thought, leaning back in the rocking car. He pulled his coat around him tighter and shoved his hands in his pockets. His too-long brown hair was blowing into his face and he tried unsuccessfully to push it away.

He had just left the tent and Sarah, who was sitting on the edge of the bed quietly. He knew she wasn’t mad. After all, each of them had lives before they ran to the carnival. But he knew that she was wondering where their marriage stood now since they had come back to a time where he was married to someone else. The whole thing was awkward for everyone involved.

Frank gazed out at the land that spread out before him. It was mostly flat, with little hills. There were fields as far as he could see, and it drew him in and made him comfortable.

They were in Yutan, Nebraska. He had been born here, and had explored every inch of the town and countryside as a child. He had run through the fields barefoot, and had ridden his new bicycle down the dirt roads to get to his friend’s house. He had gone to school there, met Clara, and had gotten married, settling down on his family’s farm just outside of town. It was there Eva was born.

Frank sat forward now, peering out over his hometown. Warmth spread over him like a favorite blanket and he smiled, thinking about his life there.

He had always had an interest in animals. He had nursed many creatures back to health as a child, learning what worked and what didn’t. Setting a bird’s broken wing with a little stick helped heal it; setting a butterfly’s wing that way did not.

In the beginning, he tried to drag the little animals into the house and they had been promptly thrown back out. Eventually Frank was given a little corner in the barn as an animal hospital, and animals seemed to know to come to him when they were hurt.

Frank’s dad, Clyde, had no time for such things. He was a farmer, and had more than enough work around the place than he had time to do it. He worked from sun up until sun down, and sometimes later. Frank helped as much as he could, but his mother had insisted he go to school and for once, Clyde had listened to her.

As he grew up, Frank’s father began to appreciate the way his son cared for the farm animals. One day his father went into town and brought back the veterinarian. The man took a look at Frank’s work on one of the horses and patted him on the shoulder.

How would you like to come and work for me, learning the trade, son? he asked, and Frank jumped at the chance. He was seventeen and his life as a veterinarian had begun.

Frank? You gonna be up there for a while?

Frank jumped at the interruption to his thoughts and almost fell out of the car. It rocked precariously and Frank hung on until it righted itself. He glanced down to see Connor standing there staring up at him.

I can come down if you don’t want to sit there anymore, he called down to the little bald-headed man.

Connor shook his head. No, I just thought I would grab a cup of coffee and bring it back here if you’re going to be a while.

That’s fine. Frank waved him off. I’ll wait here.

Connor laughed. I guess you won’t have much choice.

Frank watched Connor saunter off toward the kitchen tent and turned around to gaze back out over Yutan again.

Suddenly a different landscape spread out before him. He had been dragged back to Nebraska with no way to reconcile the life he had there. Now the normalcy of his life had changed and Sarah was responsible for that…her and the carnival. He was a part of something different now.

He glanced down at his dog, Rex. The Shepherd/Husky mix sat under the Ferris wheel waiting for his master to come back down.

One of the first things Frank noticed as the camp started to stir that morning was his inability to talk with Rex the way he used to. That particular gift was gone, at least for now.

Frank sighed and stared out over the familiar landscape again. He realized that no matter how much of a mess his life had been in, Nebraska was still his home.

In some ways, life had been so much simpler here. He woke up in the morning next to Clara, sat down to the hot breakfast and steaming cup of coffee she had made for him, and teased his seven year-old daughter about her long wavy curls that always seemed to be in her eyes. It was the usual morning banter and he had missed it very much.