The Malediction Legacy

In the early 1800, a Spanish brig with a group of exiled criminals arrived in New York. The friendly tribe of the Munsee Indians, welcomed the ship; but the crew feared the friendly natives, and under the command of the ship’s captain PEDRO CASTILLON, opened fire and killed most of the tribe, including chief AHOTE’s three sons.

The chief, devastated by the loss of his tribe, asked the medicine man to build a totem of an Indian warrior, and before killing himself, cursed the totem to find and kill the descendants of those responsible for the massacre.

Two hundred and eleven years later. GLORIA HART, a 38-year-old New York police detective, and her partner MARK TROY, a 25-year-old rookie investigates the murder of a man found on 42nd and 8th Avenue subway station during rush hour. The dismembered body lay in the middle of the crowded platform with an eagle’s feather in his mouth, but no one saw the murderer. Only a drunken homeless man claimed that an Indian was the killer.

The investigation comes to a dead-end, and detective Gloria asked TONY MORETTI, a 40-year-old Italian immigrant homicide detective for assistance. Tony suggested contacting the psychic Ovela, who successfully had cooperated with the Police on unusual cases.

Gloria, a firm rationalist, never believed in psychics or paranormal; but having no other alternatives, hesitated, agreed. The detectives described the case to Indian descent psychic and learned about Chief Ahote’s course.

The Munsee Indians believed the eagle carried their souls to the land of their ancestors. By placing an eagle’s feather in the mouth of the dead, they were insured that the dead would move to the next plane of existence peacefully. If they don’t, the dead will forever roam the earth.

The only way to stop the curse was written on the last page of the Medicine Man's book. Only a conquistador descendant, of those on board the ship, could read the book; but they could be killed at any moment.

The book had buried with the medicine man and hadn’t been seen for over two hundred years.

After researching the history of the tribe and their territories, Tony and Gloria find the location of the Munsee cemetery, which now is named woodland. However, the cemetery archives have no records dating prior to 1861.

With the grounds' keeper’ help, they discovered a small group of unidentified Indian graves. With help from Ovela and the Indian reservation found the medicine man's grave.

The main part of the tomb opening ceremony is the dance of the dead, which can only be performed by a man who can see the spirit. Mark Troy remembered the homeless man at the station who claimed the Indian was the killer.

With NYPD's help, Gloria and Tony found the homeless man wounded in an alley. After his recovery, Ovela taught him the dance. Detective Gloria, Ovela, the homeless man, and members of the Indian reservation, gathered in the cemetery just a little before midnight. The homeless man performed the dance. A translucent blue mist rose from the grave the medicine man appeared, and gave the book to Gloria.

Ovela told Gloria that the book would seem blank to those who are not of a conquistador decent. If she can read the writing, it means an ancestors was on the ship the day of the massacre, and she can be the next victim.

Gloria saw the writing, but unable to flip to the last page, realized that she has to read the book from the beginning.

The medicine man's book took Gloria on a journey to the Munsee history. Compelled to learn more, disregarded the danger of being the next victim, began researching the Munsee tribe.

The book challenged Gloria to redeem chief Ahote's honor, and then it became blank.

Through her research, Gloria discovered that the place where Ahote's village was in the 1800s, is now national forest. With her life in constant danger, she filed petitions to rename the area Munsee territory.

Despite the denials from the district court, Gloria continued trying until the court awarded her a hearing date.

Gloria convinced the court to rename that small part of the national forest Munsee territory and build a replica of a Munsee village. A sign at the entrance will display information about the tribe, their battles, their history, and the names of the tribe's last chief, his son's and medicine man.

But even after the petition had been awarded, the book remained blank. With help from the Indian reservation and volunteers, Gloria finished the construction of the village and read the last page.

“The warrior will only rest on Chief Ahote's hand, on his land, with his family, and the medicine man.”

Supported by the Indian reservation and media, Gloria, began a battle with the legal system to relocate chief Ahote, and the remains of his family to the newly built Munsee village.

After several hearings and denials, the city granted her request to relocate the remains to a protected area in the center of the village.

The relocation ceremony and the history of the tribes broadcasted live on all leading news networks. During the relocation, Gloria saw the vague silhouettes of five Indians following their remains, in a short distance, a sixth silhouette of an Indian woman. The Indian warrior discovered in the medicine man's hand, and in a separate ceremony, placed in Ahote's hands.

Ovela explained that Ahote’s wife, his sons and the medicine man did not want any more innocent blood spilled. Without Ahote's knowledge, the medicine man, had cast a spell, and restricted the warrior from traveling beyond the Munsee territory, (New York.)

The night before the village opens to the public; Gloria camped on a small hill not far from the village. Awakened early morning by the subtle light of a fire, she stepped outside of her tent, and saw a large fire burning in the place where the five graves were. 

Terrified by the idea of someone tried to burn the village ran to extinguish the fire, and realized that the village had come back to life.

Women and children were gathered around the fire. Warriors sharpened their spears, and hunters were returning with their prey.

On the hill directly across saw the shadow of an Indian, protectively overlooking the village, and recognized Chief Ahote.

In the early-morning twilight, Gloria saw the shadows of five more riders joining Chief Ahote; as the full moon, illuminated the area, she recognized Ovela, Tony, Mark, the homeless man, and dressed as a medicine man, the cemetery grounds' keeper.

Ahote raised his hand in salute, and his voice echoed. “Thank you.”

As five riders slowly galloped towards the village, Ovela remained behind. She got off the horse and gently floated in the air as she approached Gloria, radiating a brilliant blue mist, she stood in front of Gloria, and as she smiled her voice echoed.

“The captain who killed my tribe, it was your grandfather Pedro Castillon, and only you, could stop the curse and reunite me with my family in peace. Gloria Castillon Hart. Thank you. May the spirit of the Great Manitou forever be with you.”

Ovela got back on the horse, and joined the five men, and as their silhouettes blended with the morning shadows, they disappeared.

Gloria looked at the abandoned village and sees six graves. Later, that day Gloria quit her job as a Police detective and joined the Indian reservation as a Munsee historian.

©Laurence Drayton 07142011