Streak and Cave Bear Dreaming: The Dreaming Series, #2

By Michael A. Susko

Finn, an independent explorer and researcher, discovers a prehistoric Cave Bear and a paleolithic clan in the Canadian Rockies. Declared a shaman, he joins  the clan who are threatened by mysterious electrical beings. When Finn returns to civilization, no one believes his story. But he does offer proof from something he shows at the very end. Read this, if you would like to experience adventure and humor from paleolithic times.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AllrOneofUs Publishing
• Release date: Nov 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393172192

Michael A. Susko

With an interest in interdisciplinary studies, the author majored in Philosophy and obtained a Masters in Psychology. He has taught college courses, including Archetypes in History, the History of Madness in Western Civilization, and the Symbolism of Indigenous Cultures. In reading history over his lifetime,  a generational scale has proven to be highly useful, and he wishes to share this work to make history accessible to all.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

BILLABONG REUNION

Six had gathered for a reunion by the billabong. Gofer, who had a successful career in advertising, had come the furthest from America. The Whiz got away from his demanding job as head of Paleontology at the University of Queensland. Cory, an indigenous Australian, was on staff at the university as an anthropologist. Stuch had gone into business for himself in New Zealand, managing a sporting goods company with exclusive rights to Australian products. Brad’s career was atypical: an independent scholar, adjunct faculty, and popularizer of unorthodox theories. Last, Joanie, from Jamaica, had become a nurse, was engaged to marry Brad. Recent events, however, had made her hesitant, for Brad had not been revealing about his last adventure.

There was a lot of catching up over wine and fruit spritzers.

The business Joanie had in mind got started when Stuch asked Brad: So Finn—you don’t mind us calling you by your old outback name—I know you would go to Queensland every year hoping to find that archaic preserve again, maybe glimpse the Giant Salamander.

Finn frowned. Not anymore. But I still like to go to remote places to explore and think. Some of my best ideas come from being out in nature alone.

There was more small talk, after which Gofer returned to the elephant in the room. Finn, we’ve all heard about your recent trip to Canada, and that something happened there. You stayed longer than expected... We know it’s too cold for you to have run into Giant Salamanders there. Anything you want to share?

Finn wasn’t forthcoming. I enjoyed the weather and visited some museums after the conference.

Vancouver’s Natural History Museum has an outstanding collection of fossils, the Whiz prodded.

They have interesting specimens, Finn answered. An early tetrapod with webbed feet backs my hypothesis that some species returned to water.

Yes, several of your ideas have been born out, the Whiz complimented. And your writings combine the sense of an explorer with that of an academic.

Going back to your first adventure, Gofer interjected. Do you believe the Giant Salamander was real?

Finn looked down at the scars on his hands and arms. Whether or not she was real, several of my interpretations have been accepted.

Cory put in aboriginal support for Finn. A dream animal instructs you in the deeper realities first. After that encounter, the other reality falls into place.

I’m surprised though, said Stuch. You went the scientific route, rather than writing fiction. How come?

Finn shrugged. The two work together. Paleontology starts with hard fossil evidence. But you have to imagine something like a story that leads you to your next hypothesis. I’ve done some of both, but it’s hard to make your living from stories.

I hear they spice up your presentations, Gofer allowed. Gives you the reputation of being a wild man.

Back to Canada, Stuch interjected. "Did you encounter any interesting creatures  there?"

Finn fell silent.

What’s the matter? Stuch asked Joanie, who was visibly upset.

Something happened back in Canada, but Finn won’t talk about it. I wonder if he got involved with someone else.

The group was surprised by the sudden intrusion of a personal issue.

There was no one else, Finn answered, "but the dreaming started again."

For that long? questioned Joanie with more than a hint of anger in her voice. How could a five-day conference turn into five weeks? No one could find you. You ended up in a psychiatric hospital! When you finally came back, you were distant.

I can explain ... It hasn’t been the right time yet.

How about now? encouraged Stuch. It’s the five-year anniversary of your adventure in Queensland, and you told us all about that. No doubt you made a new discovery in Canada. If you can’t share that with your friends, who will you share it with?

And if you two can work it out now, put in Gofer. You won’t have to pay the big bucks for couple’s therapy.

The Whiz brought out a pad to keep notes. It’s time to tell us what happened in Canada.

Finn saw everyone nodding. Alright ... two rules, though.

We know, no interruptions, and no questioning about whether something is true, said Stuch, pouring himself another glass of wine.

If you interrupt, I may not finish, warned Finn.

Mum’s the word, Stuch replied. And don’t leave out anything interesting.

CHAPTER TWO

MYSTERY TRACKS

After a day at the paleontology conference, I became restless. There were too many words, too much talk about bones, and not enough about the wild of nature. After the conference, I had planned a weekend of camping, and to take some photography of the Coastal Mountains. If I left early, I would have two extra days in the mountains.

I still had a longing for adventure and discovery. For two years, I had returned to Queensland, where I met the Giant Salamander. But the prehistoric land never returned. Now, across an ocean and on a different continent, I felt something stirring. The mountains held giant tetrapod fossils from the Mesozoic, but the chances of finding an archaic preserve in the cold of Canada were remote.

I rented a boat named Raven Claw and packed it with supplies. Soon I was motoring up Excursion Inlet into Canada’s immense interior. Huge glaciers rose on either side, with mountains over a mile high. With my Nikon, I was sure to take shots in succession, which I could later stitch into panoramics.

The inlet received rushing streams from the mountains, causing the air to fill with positive ions, which refreshed me. The stream’s outer banks were dotted with specks of bright red among the green. It couldn’t be flowers, so I veered closer to investigate. Clumps of reindeer lichen held red pods the size of fingers.