“Stay close by, but do not enter the village under any circumstances.” Fixier walked down the mountain, across a ravine, and into the valley forest.

Light from above dappled the forest bed. The interlaced canopy ensured the further in they went, the darker it became. Animal life filled the forest. Deer, rabbits, boars, and many others were in abundance. The smell of life was strong everywhere.

Fixier turned to Rocsa. “Stay here for now. I do not want your scent alarming anyone. “

He took off his clothes and pulled out a skin. It was white with black stripes. As he donned the garment, it adhered to his skin and spread throughout his body. A transformation began, and when it finished, he became a Rakshasan woman. He maintained the upright form of most of their kind. Once completed, he could have been another member of their tribe.

Fixier felt changing sex was the strangest of transformations. It left him feeling different, not himself. He put on a skirt and blouse. The same skirt and blouse that the original skin’s owner wore when he killed her.

Rocsa asked a question. “Excuse me, why not sneak into the village and steal one?”

Fixier glared. “I thought I explained, no questions!” Fixer shook his head. “Fine! You get one question until we are out of the valley. No one can steal a Rakshasan child. The spirit leaves the child and becomes human. One must receive a Rakshasan child through the parents’ or guardian’s free will. I must not use force.”

“How do you plan on getting a parent to give their child to you?”

Fixier sighed and growled. “The new guardian rejects the child, yet cannot just give it to anyone.”

Rocsa pushed her luck. “How did you gather this information of the new guardian?”

“You ask another, and I will take your head back to Dista, detached. The parents left the baby boy with a friend of theirs. When they died, it left the baby in the friend’s custody. I killed his parents two weeks ago. No more questions!”

Fixier continued traveling into the village. There was one main entrance. A small concrete lot that hosted a brick path through the main fairway. The village had a helicopter landing site. The helicopter was not there. Fixier had tinkered with it when the parents left in it. It exploded en route. They were remote but not without resources.

Two guards, each flanking the path, stepped forward. They were dressed in leather with metal studs outlining the garb. Their belts held a scimitar, and they had a halberd in their hands. They crossed the halberds, blocking the path.

To Fixier it appeared as more of an ornamental formalized greeting. He detected no hostility and spoke first. “Your tribe’s chief is expecting me.”

The guard on Fixier’s left questioned him. “How did you arrive? No flown vehicle arrived.” He was firm with his words.

The other guard showed interest in Fixier. He smiled and looked over her physique. “Relax, Ju. We are expecting her.” Turning to Fixier. “Do you have a mate?”

Ju Star gave his friend an angry glance. “It does not matter. We have to be thorough.”

“Ignore my uptight friend, I heard you are here for the baby.” He glanced towards the ground and back. A bit of red appeared around his cheeks.

Fixier replied. His voice two octaves higher than normal. When he shifted, it was thorough. His voice cracked. “Sorry, I am here for the babe only as I cannot produce my own. Are they nearby?”

The right guard said, “I can take you to them. Follow me. I am Sli Star.”

Fixier did not bother to respond.

Sli led her through several common buildings and homes. He walked up to a house with a cobblestone porch.

Fixier ran his hand over the stonework. “The craftsmanship is most excellent.”

“We do most of our own work. We keep to ourselves. Is your tribe secluded as well? I tire of being isolated,” said Sli.

Fixier was getting agitated. This Sli was asking too many questions. “It isn’t a tribe. There are just a few of us.”

The door opened. An older male Rakshasan and an adolescent female exited, carrying a bundle of blankets.

The female handed the bundle to Fixier. “Here, take him.”

The male asked the female. “Are you sure? You won’t be able to change your mind later.”

“Positive!” The female went back inside the house.

The older male said, “Sorry for the rudeness. Kissara was not ready to start a family. It still upsets her for losing her friends. Please take care of him.”

Fixier turned and walked back with Sli trailing.

Fixier checked on the baby. Everything appeared normal. Once back with Rocsa, he shook his head in concern. “That was too easy. Something is not right.”

Rocsa held out her hands. “May I?”

Fixier handed the babe to Rocsa. The baby at once cried, and Fixier pulled him back. The baby settled again. “At least the baby has taste.” Fixer shared a rare grin as he laughed at his own statement. “Let’s get him to Dista.”

Featured photograph by C.D. Lombardi.