This bravado seemed to mask the real reason they wanted to destroy the Thunderbird’s Nest. The leaders of Clan:LESS had probably calculated they could not defend the real-world nest since it was so close to the Rez. They’d probably also figured any sort of sustained occupation would invite attention from the authorities, which they always wanted to avoid. So rather than contend with those problems, or allow anyone else to access the power of this sacred site, they’d decided to destroy it. “Let’s go!”

The horde yelled their approval and began demolishing the Thunderbird’s Nest. They produced crowbars and worked in large teams to flip the biggest rocks and roll them away. The remaining soldiers grabbed smaller stones and threw them into the forest. They screamed and yelled. It was exhausting work, even for such a large group. One stone, boulder, and rock at a time, they destroyed the monument built by the Anishinaabe Ancestors thousands of years before.

Bugz, surprised to see anyone in her place of solace, ran into the clearing. In the moonlight, she saw the desecration up close. She froze with rage.

Before she could speak, Gym put his arm around Bugz’s shoulder and faked a smile. He called to the crowd, “Well, well, well, look who we have here! You’ll never guess who’s come to protect their secret hideout.” He played up the theatrics for the crowd. “What an honor!”

“It’s Bugz!” an unseen clan member yelled from the darkness.

“What do you say we get some payback on our little Bugz here, shall we?” With his arm still around Bugz, he walked her to a large nearby rock. With dozens of Clan:LESS members surrounding her, Bugz trembled. She didn’t know what to do other than go along with her tormentors. Gym sat down with her on a stone as wide across as a park bench. “What do you think, boys? She doesn’t look so scary in real life, does she?”

“No, she doesn’t!” a voice yelled.

“She’s chubby,” said another.

“Classic catfish.”

Bugz held her breath as she struggled against Gym’s grip. Looking around, she couldn’t see a path to escape. The horde was circling her now. She shook her shoulders free from his arm.

“Whoa! We’ve got a live one!” Gym yelled. As Bugz stood to run away, three other members of Clan:LESS stepped forward to box her in along with Gym. As they inched closer and closer, Bugz unleashed a primal yell. She trembled, terrified the goons would hurt her. More Clan:LESS soldiers stepped forward to tighten the trap. She screamed again until her body shook.