The New Ones: The Early Child, #2

By Michael A. Susko

This work follows the adventures of a prehistoric youth, who had been offered by his mother to the Elements in exchange for protection. In search of his lost sister, he enters the tribe of New Ones and comes into manhood.  His greatest test is to battle much more physically powerful prehumans without speech.The results of love lead to an unexpected ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AllrOneofUs Publishing
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223630555

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 I

Among the New Ones

At first, the New Ones were hidden among the other groups. Long ago, they had learned to hide themselves, but they could not hide forever. And as they surfaced, they would not have survived, if there had not been Halflings who understood some of their words and ways.

The New Ones changed things, like wearing animal skins. At first, they were mocked for their strange ways. What saved the New Ones was that they were useful. One made a weapon that saved a family from a predator. Another led a group to a cave where water was found.

Bough’s children were given new names when they joined the New Ones. The boy had been called Howler, but that did not describe all that he did or felt. When it stormed, he would hold out his hands to receive the rain, and let lightning into his eyes. He stood without fear, and when there was not enough, he would try to make it storm more. And sometimes it seemed he did.

In the rain, the Child of the Elements would think of his mother Bough, how she had fought and protected them, and how a lion killed her. Then his anger would rise, and he would break into a rage.

Knowing these things, the New Ones gave Howler another name. They offered him Tinder, to remind him of softness, of what it felt like before the storm. Yet, it was still a true name, for Tinder could erupt.

Bough had saved Wolf Sister as well. She had a way with wolves and could befriend them. The New Ones called her Huntress, for she was helpful in the hunt. A few New Ones had objected, but after days of hunger, she had killed a deer, which fed them for days. Huntress has luck, they said. Sometimes, the powers do not see a man or a woman.

Tinder and Huntress squabbled over small things and sometimes came to blows. But they were brother and sister blows. Tinder did not use his full strength and took more hits than he gave.

Even among the New Ones, Tinder and Huntress were different. They had a kind side and treated others in the group as if they were brothers and sisters. Sometimes the New Ones said, He is Kinder, not Tinder, and she is Carer, not Huntress.

Wolf Sister preferred the name Huntress, for she did not want to be reminded that she cared. Howler had accepted Tinder, for it could explode into fire.

Gazelle wondered how these two could ever be as man and woman. Why had their mother, the Lion Fighter, told her this? How could they be anything but brother and sister? Still, Gazelle decided that she must speak about their mother’s wish.

I have something to tell you about the time before, she began one day.

Tinder and Huntress always wanted to hear more about their mother, and would come together for this.  

Gazelle was proud of them. Their bodies were lithe and strong, and it seemed there was nothing they could not do.

When your mother was dying, after she had fought a great lion....

How did she fight the lion? asked Tinder, as he always did. There must be more than what you have said.  

Women have hidden strengths, Gazelle replied with a sigh. She had lion wounds on her back and side, but the lion did not eat her. She told of wolves coming.

Huntress asked, She fought off wolves too?

Maybe the wolves fought the lion? suggested Tinder

We know this, Gazelle went on. "She was brave, and she had luck. But her luck ran out. Still, she escaped to us, and her last words were ‘Lion Mouth.’ So we named the cave that, where we lay her. Before she died, she had a wish for you both."

They waited, for this was something new.

Gazelle took a breath. She believed that one day you would be together as a man and woman.

Both Huntress and Tinder protested. She must mean something else. We are brother and sister.

Huntress is not from the same mother, Gazelle revealed.

Who am I from? asked Huntress.

You came from the Hill of Offerings.

I was abandoned?

Gazelle wondered if she were ready, but it was better that she know now than later. Yes, you were given to wolves. There must have been reasons. Sometimes, it is to save the group. Sometimes, the parents are too weak to care.

The wolves did not eat me!

Huntress explained, Bough carried you away in time. She became your new mother, and a wolf helped to protect you.

Why did the wolf not eat us? asked Huntress.

It was a young and Bough tamed it. You helped, for you had a gift.

Tinder interjected. What of me? I know Bough was my mother!

Yes, and you have a father whom you do not know and does not know you. So you were given another father. You were given to the Wind and Storm.

How can the Wind and Storm be my father? asked Tinder.

I do not know. But your mother believed that you needed their help. In time, you will find out more what this means.

If I am given to the Elements, what will they want from me?

I do not know.

We will never be man and woman together, Tinder decided.

Huntress agreed. How could we ever think such a thing?

I have only told you of her wish, Gazelle responded. She gave you both life.

The boy and girl walked on, going their separate ways.

They are still young, thought Gazelle. Who knows what the future will bring? Still, it does not seem possible....

It became even more impossible after a raid by the Fierce Ones.

CHAPTER II

Hyena Land

Fierce Ones would come into their land, seeking to kill them. Day or night, they would swoop down to kill and eat the ones they could take from the group. They would take anyone: man, woman or child. Such was their strength that they fought without sharp sticks.

One day, two Fierce Ones surprised them in the middle of the day. The New Ones held them off, but one of their men died. His body was saved. But as the Fierce Ones retreated, they came upon Huntress, returning with a bird in hand. She was taken.

Tinder raged when he heard. Where are they? I will find her. I will kill them!

Gazelle and Otter held him back. You cannot fight Fierce Ones by yourself! You do not know their strength. And the two that came are likely going back to others.

"I am a Child of the Elements. I will fight them with storms and floods! I will take her back!"

Tinder had not spoken his secret name before. Despite that, he knew he was unlikely to succeed. He became silent, seething inside.

What will happen to her? asked Tinder.

Gazelle could not bring herself to say.

Tinder saw the answer in Gazelle’s face. At that, he left, following the trail.

The Fierce Ones moved fast, but they did not hide their tracks, and Tinder kept pace. The farther away from his own group, the more danger he brought to himself. But his sister had been captured.

The Fierce Ones followed a corridor that went North. To the West was an impassable dry land, and to the east, the Land of Hyenas.

Tinder had an early close call. Another pair of Fierce Ones were searching for more victims. He laid low, and they missed his path.

Tinder pressed on, despite the risk of running into other groups. To his surprise, he came upon Huntress’s solitary tracks, heading toward Hyena Land. They were running tracks, spotted with blood. Somehow, she had escaped.

What hope could