Chap 13

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Their eyes caught sight of a creature perched on an old wooden fence. It was a lechuza, a  little owl with gleaming amber eyes and soft, speckled feathers. The old lady among the group reassured them, "No need to worry, it's just a little lechuza. There are many of them around here."

Eztli was enchanted by the sight of the owl. "She's so pretty," she exclaimed, taking hesitant steps toward the fence where the lechuza sat. Peta, , cautioned her, "Leave her alone, she doesn't want to be bothered."

Konane added, "Don't get too close, Eztli. You could make her mad." Rono, agreed with Konane, "Konane is right, you don't want to upset her."

Despite their warnings, Eztli's curiosity drew her closer to the lechuza. The old man, a wise figure in the group, remarked, "It's strange. They usually don't get this close to people." Yet, to everyone's surprise, the lechuza seemed to welcome Etztli's approach, inching closer with a grace that was mesmerizing.

Peta's eyes widened in amazement as she noticed the owl nuzzling against Etztli's outstretched hand. "Look, she likes me," Etztli whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Her feathers are so soft."

Konane couldn't believe his eyes. "What? How did you do that?" he questioned, his gaze fixed on the unlikely bond forming between them. The lechuza, now comfortable in their presence, spread her wings and took flight, circling Peta as if inviting her to pet her too. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Peta reached out, feeling the gentle brush of the owl's feathers against her fingertips.

"I didn't know lechuzas could be this friendly," Peta marveled, a newfound sense of connection blossoming between them.

The lechuza, now at ease with their presence, glided towards Rono and Konane, enticing them to join in the warm moment. As one, the four of them stood together, their hands gently petting the lechuza's head in a united gesture of reverence and reverence towards the mysterious owl.

The old lady observed the scene, wondering at the unlikely friendship that had blossomed between the children and the mysterious owl.

The night being this late the old man reminded them, "It's getting late, kids. You need to be early risers when you leave the rancho." Peta suggested, "Follow me. There are rooms where we can sleep. They're for the family when they come to stay for a few days."

Konane counted, "There are three rooms," Peta reassured them, "One for us, one for you, and Rono. Don't worry, each room has its own separate beds"

As the night grew deeper and the moon ascended higher in the sky, the three children settled into their respective rooms. Eztli found herself thirsty and ventured out to the kitchen to fetch a cup of water. The quiet of the night was suddenly shattered by a strange noise – a turkey was pecking at the window, its silhouette illuminated by the dim moonlight.

Startled, Eztli questioned the bird, "Are you going to asked what are you doing?" Just then, she heard soft footsteps approaching. "Did you hear that, bud?" she whispered into the darkness.

Turning around, Eztli found herself face to face with Peta's grandmother, a stooped figure with a kind smile. Eztli stumbled over her words, "I, uh, just went to get a cup of water...Um, did you hear those noises on the roof, ma'am?"

The old lady nodded sagely, "Yes, birds often land on the roof here. It's nothing to worry about." Eztli couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that gripped her and dared to ask, "Do you believe in these things, ma'am? Like what your brother told you or what happened to your husband, do you think they are real?"

The old lady, her eyes betraying a wisdom beyond her years, nodded slowly. "I do," she replied, her voice like a gentle breeze on a summer's eve.

"You don't need proof to feel something," she murmured, her words carrying an air of quiet assurance.

"But... isn't it easier to just ignore it?" Eztli pressed; her brow furrowed in contemplation. The old lady shook her head, her gaze fixed on Eztli with unwavering intensity. "Easier, yes. But ignoring doesn't make it go away."

As silence settled between them, the crackling fire provided the only sound in the room, its warmth a comforting presence amidst the uncertainty that hung in the air like a thick fog."So you think it's all connected?" Eztli ventured, her voice barely above a whisper.The old lady's expression softened, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Life, death... they're tangled. Like roots under the ground," she mused, her words carrying a sense of profound truth.

Eztli's eyes widened, the weight of the old lady's words settling upon her like a heavy cloak. "That sounds... heavy," she murmured, her thoughts spinning like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind.

"I just want to know what's out there," Eztli confessed, her eyes searching the old lady's face for answers.

The old lady's gaze held a glint of understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the endless quest for knowledge that defined the human spirit. "Sometimes, knowing is less important than believing," she imparted, her voice a gentle reminder of the power of faith in the face of uncertainty.

"But one thing I can tell you, "She continued, her voice infused with a note of caution, "once you are in, you will never get out. Some things are better left unknown. Careful with what you are looking for. You might be led astray down a bad path."

The old lady's eyes softened, a hint of sympathy flickering within their depths. "If you're interested in an old lady's advice, just try to live without too much fuss, it's better to just let go of those things " she offered, her words a quiet plea for caution in the face of the unknown.

In the midst of this surreal moment, a sudden noise broke the silence. A rustling, a scraping, followed by a sharp clawed hand swooping down and snatching the turkey who was outside of the window.  A creature, hidden in the shadows, had taken the turkey right from under their noses.