Today is the day… Crystal fiddled with the strap of her dark blue tank top, biting her lip as the smoke rose higher, escaping from the hole at the top of the tepe. The tribe’s shaman, her grandmother, stared into the crackling flames, her green kohl lined eyes searching for something. Her head jerked up, seeing something in the smoke Crystal couldn’t.

“You’ll be back sooner than you expect.” Crystal tilted her head at her grandmother, her dark hair falling over her shoulders. The fire shot up, nearly catching on the poles that held up the tepe. Crystal and her grandmother scrambled back, faces tight with fear.

Crystal’s grandmother rushed to grab the large blue bucket filled with water, dumping it on the pillar of flame. Smoke filled the tepe as the embers died. Crystal and her grandmother locked eyes across the tepe.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Open the flap so we can let this smoke out!” Crystal stood, hurrying to tie the flap outside of the tent, waving the smoke out. Her grandmother rushed out of the tepe, coughing, her long, grey hair flying.

“Gran?” Crystal reached out only to be waved off. Her grandmother coughed a few more times, blinking rapidly before taking in a few deep breaths.

“I’m fine. These old lungs have inhaled a lot of smoke over the years, one more time one kill me.” Crystal frowned, brushing her hair over one ear and clenching her hand in a fist to stop from reaching out again.

Both of them turned toward the lodge, as though they could see the chief and his advisors. Crystal turned to her grandmother, crossing her arms.

“You should be in there with them.” Her grandmother hummed.

“I will talk with them when you’ve left.”

“What did you see in the flames?” Crystal’s grandmother snorted, smiling.

“The spirits will show you. It isn’t my place to tell you something you need to learn for yourself.” Crystal groaned. Her grandmother stared at her, smiling.

“You’re growing up. I can’t baby you forever.” Her grandmother ruffled crystal’s hair, chuckling. Crystal hugged her grandmother, watching the clouds streak across the orange and lavender sky.

As the stars winked into existence and the fire of the sun died, the tribe’s elders filed one by one into the center of the camp. Crystal and her grandmother followed them. The rest of the tribe’s members were already waiting. At just over 60 members, most of the members of the walking rivers reservation usually came when one of their own went through a major life event.

Crystal nearly jumped when her grandmother gave her a gentle pat on the back, nudging her forward. The large bonfire crackled, tall and ringed by blocks of stone. Crystal took deep and even breaths, attempting to ignore the eyes of all the tribe members on her.

When she stood within arms reach of the chief, she smiled quickly, and met his lined eyes. He stood taller than she did by three feet and had kind eyes. His palm gently caressed the side of her face before dropping at his side.

He turned to face the circle of tribesmen.

“We come here tonight, on the spring solstice, on the first day of the little wolf’s twentieth year to send her into the wild on a spiritual journey from which she may not return. If you have any parting words, speak them now.” Crystal couldn’t hide her flinch at his words. There was always one member each generation who didn’t return. Whether or not the wendigo’s or something more natural claimed them, no one dared to ask.

Adrian was the first to come forward, a soft smile on his face. His handsome face glowed orange in the fire’s light. He took her hands and pressed a soft kiss to each of her knuckles.

“When you get back, I’d like to marry you.” He looked to her grandmother, as though only then thinking to ask permission. She nodded, fighting a wide smile. A few people clapped, there were even a few wolf whistles.

Crystal couldn’t fight the smile and the happiness that made her heart ache. All at once the stars seemed brighter, the fire at her side burning hotter. Adrian hugged her before returning to his parents. His mother hugged him and his father slapped his back and shook his hand.

A few more tribe members stepped forward, offering well wishes. Crystal’s grandmother was the last to step forward, hugging her tightly.

“Come back with a great story, sweetie.” Giving her one last squeeze, Crystal’s grandmother rejoined the circle.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to bid our daughter farewell?” The crowd was silent, save for a few coughs. The chief cleared his throat before speaking.

“Then, little daughter, let the spirits guide you and may you return to us by the grace of the gods.” The chief smiled one last time, and stepped back. The crowd parted, still watching her.

Crystal looked at the forest beyond the camp. The only time any tribe members are allowed to venture into the forest alone is on their journey to find their spirit animal.