Indiana Jones and The Canyon Mystery (Originally the Cherokee Nation)

Posted by Tessa from PPPa57-ResaleBloomingtonIl1-1R7238.saturn.bbn.com on September 09, 2000 at 14:33:46:

Ok, not my best but here it goes....

April 1951
NEW YORK
Chapter 1
Indy gazed at the woman across the gallery of the museum, smiling to himself. The woman; with her blond hair piled on her head, the glistening earrings, and the dress that showed off her rounded figure and blue eyes; smiled timidly at the group of museum patrons, as a fluttering hand placed on her belly. He went over to her and said,
“Gentlemen, Ladies, I need to draw Dr. Tyler’s attention elsewhere. Excuse me,” as he led the woman away.
The woman smiled at him and said, “Thanks, I was running out of things to say.”
Indy grinned and said, “I know you like the back of my hand, Kate. You were bored out of your mind.”
“I was not!” her eyes sparkled as she faked protest to him.
Indy still could not believe that Kate was his wife, being married for six months, and pregnant for seven. Memories of their wedding first in India and then in the States drew back flashbacks in his mind, but he adored her and her other two children, Charlie and Rebecca, felt like his own.
“Indy?” as his thoughts drifted, “What’s going on in there?”
Indy smiled at Kate, and kissed her, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” smiling and then grimaced, “The twins do too.”
Indy and Kate had found out a month ago that their “child” was actually children. He chuckled at the prospect of having twins as he patted her stomach and said, “Hello to you, too.”
Kate winced softly as Indy looked with alarm, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” trying to smile, “It’s just that the twins think I’m a punching bag. Much like the gangsters that went after you,” as she lightly touched his bruised arm.
Although his wife approved of his archeology work, Kate often wished he would stay most of his time in the classroom. Indy knew how much she was worried, not knowing if he came back alive, but it grew more and more as the time of their children’s’ birth came closer. He hugged her and said, “How about we head on home, Mrs. Jones?”
“I’d like that,” smiling, “Doubtful I’ll get sleep but it’s worth a try.”
Chuckling, they said their goodbye to museum patrons and went on home.

Chapter 2
Two weeks later, Indy was teaching his class when James Brody came in. James, a nephew of Marcus, was now curator of the museum that funded Indy’s research. He nodded as James came in and said, “Any questions?” finishing his lecture.
The bell rang as the students walked out; the women still had an effect on him, even though he was married, batting their eyes as they went. James approached him, “Indiana, good to see you.”
“Is this a social call or business?” Indy asked.
“A bit of both,” giving a smile, “The work you did in Russia was extraordinary and the artifacts as well. You will be rewarded handsomely.”
Indy nodded, “Except for some scrapes it was worth it,” as they walked down the hall to his office.
“Hey, Dad,” called someone.
Indy turned and saw Rebecca, his stepdaughter. An avid young woman on the coming of her twentieth birthday, she was smart in the field of art history and got her beauty from her mother. He smiled and waved and she called out, “Tell Mom I’ll be over for dinner. Is that alright with you?”
“Fine,” grinning at her. Although Rebecca and Charlie, her older brother, lived on their own, they came to visit when they can. Rebecca lived closer to them, staying at an apartment near Barnett and Charlie lived in Cambridge, near Harvard, with his fiancée.
“You’re truly blessed,” James remarked, “Having a wonderful wife and stepchildren, and having a child of your own…”
“Children,” Indy corrected, “Kate’s expecting twins.”
“Twins! How wonderful!” as they stepped into his office, “Katherine must be pleased.”
“We both are. Now what is going on?”
James looked at him, “How well do you know Native American history?’’
“I’m an archeologist, James, remember? And I spent time in the desert town for most of my childhood. I know my way around.”
“Excellent,” James said, “I was approached by members of the Cherokee nation that have heard of your work. They need your help.”
“What sort of help?”
“There was a minor disturbance in their nation. An earthquake, they gather.”
“Earthquakes in Oklahoma?” surprised.
“They believe something odd is a foot,” James said, “They noticed that the ground spilt, making a crevice. One of their people is an archeologist of sorts and noticed rock drawings.”
“Rock drawings? You mean paintings?”
“They are not certain. They want your help in examming the crevice. See what you discover and they are willing to pay handsomely for your findings.”
“James,” Indy said, “I just got back from Russia and I wanted to get ready for the twins.”
“You’ll get back in time,” James concluded, “If not take Katherine with you…”
“Absolutely not,” he roared, “I almost lost her in India. If anything happened to her…”
James raised his hand, “Just consider it, Indy. Who knows what you can discover?”
Indy shook his head and said, “My mind is made up. Good day, James,” as he walked out of his office.
“I have a feeling,” James concurred, “that your mind will change.”

Chapter 3
“That was great, Mom,” Rebecca said, pushing her plate aside, “Now I know why I live at my own place. Too much of this and I would be big as a house.”
Kate chuckled and Indy smiled, “You’re as every bit as pretty as your mother, Becky,” and then looked at Kate, “But there are a few differences.”
Kate punched him lightly on his arm, “Watch it, Indy. Remember who you’re married to?”
Indy leaned back in his chair as Becky wiped her mouth with a napkin and got up, “I better head back. Big art history exam tomorrow.”
“You can stay here,” Kate said, “There is plenty of bedrooms, you know.”
“Thanks, Mom, but I’m meeting a few people for a study session,” kissing her mother’s cheek, “I promise I’ll be here longer next time.”
Becky left, the front door slamming, as Kate looked at Indy with a frown, “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? What could be wrong?” looking at her.
Kate sighed as she got up and picked up the dinner plates, “I know you too well. Something happened this afternoon. With James, perhaps?”
“Did you talk to James?”
“No, Becky mentioned it in passing,” as she put the plates in the sink and wiped her hands with a towel, “So, tell me.”
“He wanted me to go to Oklahoma, an expedition of sorts.”
“The Cherokee Nation?”
Indy nodded, “Apparently they had a minor quake and the ground broke way. They found some rock paintings and want me to look what they could be.”
“So when do you go?”
“I’m not,” taking a sip of wine in front of him; “I turned it down.”
“You turned it down?” astonished, “But why?”
“I just got back from one expedition. I wanted to take it easy until the twins were born.”
Kate watched him with curious blue eyes and said, “Go.”
“Go where?”
“Go to the expedition. It’s killing you inside. It’s like when we’re getting amorous in bed and then you back off, thinking it would hurt the babies. You’re aching to do it, but you’re trying to be noble. And frankly, I know you want to do it.”
Indy looked at her with astonishment; “I don’t know when I’ll be back, Kate. It could take a couple of months and I wanted...”
“I know you wanted to,” Kate said, “That’s why I’m coming with you.”
“No,” roughly, “That’s out of the question.”
“Nothing is going to happen,” she snapped, “Oklahoma is not India. India was just a fluke. And just like you were being noble of not taking the expedition, I’m being noble of not staying at home. I want to go.”
“Christ, you’re stubborn,” he muttered.
Knowing she won, she kissed his cheek, “Which is one of the reasons you married me. You can admit that, right?”
Indy smiled a little and kissed her back, “First sign of trouble, labor or other wise, you’re going home.”
“Aye-aye, Dr. Jones,” giving a mock salute, “Now shouldn’t you call James?”
Reaching for the phone, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was doing the right thing.

May 1950
THE CHEROKEE NATION
Chapter 4
Three weeks into the expedition, Kate walked outside of their temporary home. The Oklahoma sun was too uncomfortable for being pregnant as she fanned herself and heard,
“Woman of digger, we meet again.”
She turned and saw Anna, or Owl Feather as she was called, coming towards her. Despite her protests, Indy insisted that she’d be watched after while he was gone to dig. Anna, who was the chief’s wife, brought it upon herself to help her. Kate smiled and waved as she came closer to her, “Anna…”
“Owl Feather,” the woman said, “You should be resting. It is getting close to the birth.”
“I’m fine,” dismissing her, “The twins are kicking and are restless. Resting would not help.”
Owl Feather smiled and said, “Your boys will be fine.”
Kate was astonished at the fact that Owl Feather predicted that her babies were boys as if it was too eerie somehow. When she mentioned it to Indy, he grinned and said, “Could be why they are kicking up a storm.”
Owl Feather continued, “It is almost lunchtime. The men will be back. Come and help me prepare the meal.”
Eagerly, Kate helped her prepare lunch for Indy, Owl Feather’s husband, and the diggers. Her husband’s hazel eyes was full of concern when he returned with the other diggers and started, “Kate…”
“She is fine,” Owl Feather said, “I have been watching her.”
Indy smiled and went to Kate’s side, “Are you sure…”
“Indy,” as she swatted his arm lightly, “I’m fine. I have been pregnant before.”
He shook his head as they sat down to eat, a shiver went down his spine, “Cold?” she asked.
“Just worried,” looking around, “I feel that something is wrong.”
“You’re just paranoid,” rebuked, “Everything’s normal.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Kate shook her head, “What could possibly go wrong?”
Indy smiled and squeezed her hand, hoping that his wife was right

Chapter 5
The next day, Kate was walking around the village, a basket in her hand and hat protected her from the shade. She grasped the stalks of corn as she heard, “Do not move.”
Thinking it was Indy disguising his voice, she chuckled and said, “Indy, you joker, what are you…” as she turned and faced an unknown man, “Who are …” as she slumped to the ground.

Indy came back from the dig, looking around for Kate at their lodgings. He went through the bedroom, peeked in the bathroom, and went into the common room, “Have you seen my wife?” asking the group of women sitting there.
“Not for hours, Dr. Jones,” replied one of them; “She went out to the fields.”
Hours? his eyebrows shot up and went back to their room, grabbing his Webley and whip as he heard, “Dr. Jones!”
He turned and saw Owl Feather, trembling, “What is it?”
“It is concerning your wife. She is in grave danger.”
“Where is she?”
“I do not know,” staring at him, “I sense her fear but she does not where she is.”
Indy was astounded by her revelation and said, “You must know…”
“No, Dr. Jones,” gravely, “I do not know. Not yet.”
Indy stormed out of the room, towards the fields, hoping to find some answers.

Chapter 6
Oh, my head, Kate thought as she felt the throbbing pulse in her forehead as she tried to rub the spot but found her hands tied. Where in the hell am I? , she wondered, staring at the dark lodgings.
“Ah, Mrs. Jones, so glad you have woken up. Or should I say Dr. Tyler?”
She turned to the voice, coming from the corner, “Who are you?”
“Names are not important,” the voice replied.
“Sure it is. Since you happen to know mine,” as she struggled with her bonds.
The person attached to the voice came forward as Kate remembered the man from the fields, “What do you want?”
“The dream catcher.”
“What dream catcher?” puzzled.
“It is buried in the crevice where Dr. Jones is at.”
“The only dream catcher I know about is a myth. A story in Native American history.”
“You know your archeology, Dr. Tyler. I am impressed.”
Kate ignored the remark and demanded, “Who are you?”
“You will find out soon enough. If your husband will cooperate.”
“What makes you think he will? Indy never cooperates with deceitful creatures like you,” she spat.
“On the contrary, Dr. Tyler,” staring at her with a wicked smile, “Once he realizes that I have his wife, who happens to be pregnant with his child, I know he will.”

Chapter 7
by: the Fiddler
Indy looked quickly around the fields, seeing nothing he headed toward the neat rows of corn that were higher than his head. Corn, she knows I love some good corn-on-the-cob. Maybe she's in here.
Noticing a row that had the shucks of corn bent inward as if someone had passed through, he entered the field.
The ground was damp from recent watering; this caused tracks to be easily formed. Indy was no tracker, but it was quite obvious that someone with small feet had passed through this way, sinking into the damp dirt as much as he was. The profile fit his wife because of the added weight of the babies.
Following the row further, Indy came to a miniature "clearing" in the corn. Here the corn had been smashed down in a small area spanning three or so rows. The row he had come down continued on the other side of the trampled area, but looked as if something had torn through the corn without thought to it's well-being.
Quickly Indy continued down the row. As he did he noticed the ground was extremely torn up in the row. Instead of the smooth little ditch that is created after water has flown down a furrow, there was signs of people passing, and what looked to Indy like something being drug.
As he neared the other end of the field he slowed his pace and stepped carefully from the end of the row.
There was nothing on the other side... just miles as miles of wide-open space. A two-track dirt road ran down the end of the field, perpendicular to the rows. The footprints and markings from whatever had been drug, ended here. Damn!
Heading back to his lodgings to pick up some gear and see about using an auto, Indy jumped, as something was suddenly jammed into the ground a few feet in front of him. The arrow had sunk deeply into the ground. Instantly on guard, Indy crouched as he whirled around looking for the source from which the arrow came.
Seeing nothing, it hit him: there was something attached to the arrow, it hadn't been meant to hit him, just deliver whatever was attached to the arrow. Indy retrieved the arrow and carefully removed the small piece of parchment that was wrapped tightly around the shaft of the arrow. The arrow was not of Native American construction, but rather a hunting arrow with a cross-style hunting head and three plastic "feathers" on the tail end.
Had anyone been observing, they would have seen Indy open the note, then slowly read it. As he read, they might have noticed his eyes slowly narrow into a scowl. Then, after reading, look up, and crumple the note in his hand as his jaw bulged slightly from clenching his teeth underneath already tightly closed lips.

Chapter 8
It’s a trap, Kate realized, A trap Indy’s going to walk into. Panic overwhelmed her, as the twins started kicking her furiously. She winced in pain and placed a hand on her stomach, “Calm down,” she said gently.
She looked around in her damp surroundings, wondering what to do. She paced back and forth as she heard,
“Woman of digger.”
“Owl Feather?” Kate wondered, “It can’t be.”
I am here, the far away voice said, Where are you? Your man is looking for you.
“I don’t know,” she cried, “It’s dark, damp. Very little light,” her voice wavered.
Her dark blue eyes watered in frustration and fear. She fought back the tears as she pleaded, “Find me. But be careful, it is a trap.”
She collapsed to the ground to her knees, and hugged herself tight, “Be careful, Indy,” she whispered.

Dammit, Indy thought, if Kate only listened to me…as he ran furiously out of the fields, Damn Irish temper of hers…
“Dr. Jones,” said a voice.
Indy stopped short and saw Owl Feather, “What is it?” he snapped.
“I know your wife’s fear. She is frightened, cold, and worried.”
“Where is she?” he demanded.
“I do not know,” looking around, “I sense her, but she does not know where she is.”
“You must know….”
“I do not,” grimly, “She will lead us to her, never fear.”

Chapter 9
Kate was dreaming, as cold tears came down on her face. She was having a nightmare, a cruel horrid nightmare—
Dear God, no! as Kate watched Indy and her captor fighting. She screamed for them to stop, put down their guns, but they didn’t hear them.
Instead, Indy took one look at her, smiled as he was shot in the chest.
Noooo!!!!, sobbing hysterically as she ran to her husband’s side. She tried to stop the blood from flowing out as the captor laughed menacingly. He looked at her with wide eyes and mouthed “I love you.”
She whispered back to him as he took his last breath and died in her arms. She was crying furiously as she felt her water break, the life’s blood flowing out of her. The babies came out, dead and lifeless, as she cried for them both.
Gasping, Kate woke up, sobbing, her eyes rimmed red as the voice said,
“Your nightmare shows your true self, Dr. Tyler.”
She narrowed her eyes towards the voice, “Let me go.”
“On the contrary, no one gets out until I have my prize and your husband’s help, Dr. Tyler.”

“She’s in the canyon of nightmares,” Owl Feather exclaimed.
“The Canyon of Nightmares?” Indy asked.
“The Indian legend speaks that there are two canyons – one of Dreams and Prosperity and the other Nightmares and Destruction – beyond the area of our camp. It has been well known within our people.”
“Where is it?” Indy demanded.
“Look at your note,” Owl Feather said.
Indy took the note from his pocket and read it, “It says Kate’s in the last place I would look. Where no one has gone before.”
“There is your answer,” Owl Feather said softly, walking away and leaving Indy dumbfounded in her retreat.

Chapter 10
Indy was pacing in their room, staring at the note and looking at a map of the area at the same time. He glanced at a picture on the night table and picked it up – a picture of Kate, Rebecca, Charlie, and himself at their second wedding the States. He thumbed the frame, and looked at his wife’s smiling face…Beautiful as the day I met her, Indy thought.
Although he never mentioned it to Kate, he still wondered what she saw in him and felt too far beneath her. Her purple eyes, pale skin, and blonde hair made a striking picture but hid the true identity of his wife – the heiress of a music company, a countess in French society, and loads of money. She never cared for it neither –the glamour nor the riches – which is why she studied hard in college and became an authority of music history herself.
“You wonder what she sees in you, is it?” said a voice.
Indy looked up and saw Owl Feather, “What?”
“Your thoughts are apparent in your expression,” Owl Feather said, “You wonder what your wife sees in you, why she married you, carrying your children. All you need is to ask her why.”
Indy stared at Owl Feather as she left him.

Kate looked around her surroundings, fear in her eyes. Indy, where are you?, she wondered. Then she heard a voice, “You found him didn’t you?”
“Jer—Jeremy?” recognizing her late husband’s voice.
Kate turned around and saw no one. My mind’s playing tricks on me, she realized.
“Your mind is not playing tricks on you, dear Katherine,” the voice said.
“But how?” she asked, “And why now?”
“I always knew I was second best,” the voice said, “I knew could never surpass him.”
Kate then saw him, her late husband’s ghost, a slightly older version of Charlie. She stared astonished at first as the spirit continued,
“And now I was replaced, by him. And now his children,” pointing at her stomach, “Was that the plan?”
“Noooo,” Kate sobbed, “Jeremy, I loved you. I learned to love again. My heart died when you did. I couldn’t face anyone again for years.”
“Is that why you sent Becky to New York? To find him?”
“I didn’t know he was here,” she shouted, “I didn’t know until I saw him again.”
Jeremy chuckled, “But it didn’t take you long to date him, marry him, and be pregnant, did it Kat? I took me two years to convince you to date me and then get married.”
Kate turned red, “That was different. I had a hard time letting go, Jeremy. Indy knew that, the children knew that.”
Jeremy shook his head; “You’re just a spoiled brat, Katherine. You pretend you are, but you are false.”
“I am not,” Kate started crying, “I worked hard, I never took anything for granted,” sobbing hysterically as she slummed to the ground and fell asleep.

Chapter 11
Owl Feather walked wordlessly back into the room and felt her pain—Kate’s crying in her sleep—and moaned softly. Indy looked at her in alarm and asked,
“What is it?”
“I know where she is,” Owl Feather exclaimed, “Follow me.”
Indy followed her for two hours, past the town and fields to a barren place. Owl Feather glanced up and then to the crevice, “She is here,” and collapsed.
Indy picked her up and shook her, “Owl Feather?”
Owl Feather opened her eyes and said, “The crevice. She in the crevice. Her nightmares are apparent, and are killing her.”
“Nightmares?”
“She called out to me. Her mind. I heard her thoughts… she first saw you killed by some unmarked man, her sons dead when you died, and then another man taunting her, saying she did not mourn long enough for him…”
Indy stared at her in astonishment; “It could kill her mind?”
“Yes. The mind can play tricks on people. Cause them to be insane through guilt-ridden thoughts, past experiences, or play on their worst fears. Fear is an evil, an addiction of sorts.”
“How can one be saved?”
“The dream catcher,” Owl Feather said, “The dream catcher can help her.”
“Dream catcher?”
“Legend has it that the dream catcher can capture one’s nightmares, make them whole again, then the nightmares are suspended until it can be used to win a battle with evil.”
“But where is it exactly?” Indy asked, “Where is it?”
Owl Feather looked around and said, “It is near,” sensing, “Somewhere here…”
“And you’ll find it for me, Dr. Jones,” said a voice, “Or your wife dies.”

WEll what do you guys think?

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