Flash Fiction Friday No. 2: Totem

The Totem

"Totem Poles are monumental sculptures carved from great trees, typically Western red cedar, by a number of Native American cultures along the Pacific northwest coast of North America. The word 'totem' is derived from the Algonkian word Dodem, roughly translating into a spiritual non-human or animal guide."

Roger heard the guide's voice from his hiding place near the totem pole. He looked at his watch. The full moon was going to rise soon, and he needed to be in place.

The group moved on and Roger relaxed. The tours came every 15 minutes. He had just enough time to perform the ceremony before the next group.

Roger placed the items he had collected around the totem. Bear claws had been easy to acquire. The eagle feathers were more difficult - it was illegal to own them without being Native American.

The last item was most important. When he had his wisdom teeth removed as a teen, he had kept them. At the time, he didn't know why. This ceremony was the furthest thing from his mind - until now.

All the re-enacting events he had attended, all the times he had "just hung out" with members of various Native American tribes, all the risks he had taken - everything hung on this moment. He was going to invoke the spirits of the totem and gain their power.

Roger chanted and danced around the totem pole. He could feel the hairs on his body rising with electricity. He saw a glow around the totem. He started moving closer, as if he was being pulled.

"No!" Roger yelled as his body touched the totem and was enveloped.

"Totem Poles are monumental sculptures carved from great trees, typically Western red cedar, by a number of ... " the guide's voice trailed off as she looked at the totem pole. She shook her head. "I could have sworn this pole only had two totems on it."