Endeavor

by Scott McElhaney

  Crickett did something quickly that caused the two straps to fall from the back of the vehicle. She then pointed to the two crates on the left as she patted me on the shoulder.

  “If you could bring those in through the back door, their stockers will take over from there. I’ll handle the paperwork,” she said, strictly business.

  I did exactly as I was told, then I got to watch her put those odd straps onto the back of the vehicle again. Between the time we arrived and the time we left, it couldn’t have been more than ten minutes. As we pulled out of the parking lot again, I decided to ask her the question that had been on my mind all morning.

  “So, if you don’t mind me asking, how do we even proceed in the search for my parents?” I asked.

  She glanced over at me, then returned her attention to the road, “First, we sit down and share specifics. I doubt you existed in some spiritual plane just from the things you’ve said. So, we need to assume that your world is as real as mine. If so, we need to determine where this world is. And if all else fails, we always have Idris who’s been following us ever since we left home. I’m sure he has some ideas.”

  “What? That guy isn’t really someone I trust!” I blurted, turning around in my seat only to discover that the back window was blocked by wooden railings, “Seriously, Crickett. He’s clearly not a good man.”

  “Which is exactly why I’m allowing him to see that this ‘villain’ – Vastian the Sky Angel – is nothing more than a regular guy who is helping me on my daily deliveries,” she turned to me, “Surely that’s disarming. Right?”

  I looked at her for a moment, pondering this enigma inside the vehicle next to me. The two of us were about the same age and equally as vigilant in regards to the world around us. It just didn’t seem proper to me that she should be so wise in the aspects of murderous and evil people. Here she was, barely older than me, and she’d already spent a week fighting off a murderer as best as she could. And now she was fearlessly doing her best in the face of a stalker.

  Oh how I wished that she could have lived with me in my peaceful world beneath this one. Oh how I wished that we could have dated in a world where as far as I knew, there were no murderers or stalkers.

  “I guess I could see that helping,” I said, “So do you think he’s the type to just give up after a while and move on?”

  “Honestly, I do. But it may take a while of convincing on your part,” she said, “I’m sure he’s going to eventually approach you again. That’s when we can try to glean what all he knows without giving him any of the details that you have locked up inside your head.”

  She veered into another parking lot, this one looking like it served a long plaza of stores. I looked out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Idris. Instead, all I saw were shoppers moving about from store to store with their purchased wares in bags of various colors. Crickett pulled around back and then patted my leg as she opened her door.

  “You won’t need to get out if you don’t want. These guys unload their own shipments,” she said before she exited the vehicle.

  I decided to get out anyway just to observe. I also wanted to catch a glimpse of Idris if he were somehow watching from a distance. By the time I circled around to the back of the vehicle, there were already several guys sharing the weight of the barrels. They offloaded three barrels, then reinstalled the fabric straps to ensure the final two crates were secure.

  “Told you that we didn’t need you for this shipment,” she grinned, gesturing for me to get back into the vehicle.

  I did a quick glance around at our current surroundings. From horizon to horizon, I couldn’t see any evidence of a man spying on us. After that, I got into the vehicle where Crickett had been waiting for me.

  “What took you so long?” she asked.

  “Just looking for our friend,” I said.

  “He’s probably somewhere in the front lot since I have to drive through there in order to leave.”

  She started up the vehicle and then drove toward the lot she had just referenced. I wasn’t even subtle as I started scanning the lot she raced through.

  “The yellow vehicle with the cracked windshield,” she muttered.

  “I don’t see a yellow… oh, yeah there it is,” I snickered, “I think he saw me look right at him.”

  “Hey, why pretend? He needs to know that we’re onto him. I’m willing to bet he approaches us at the next stop,” she said, “He’s quite confrontational in regards to anything religious.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  She reached over and placed her hand on mine which had been resting in my lap. I turned my hand over and took hers in mine.

  “We’re presenting an offering to the Great Harvester. Our crops are in need of a good rain tomorrow, so the farmers are getting together to deliver an offering at eleven o’clock this morning,” she said, squeezing my hand in hers, “It’s why Mom was so angry about me sleeping late. We’ll make it in time though.”

  I watched her, wishing that I could have another one of those kisses. There was a lot that I wished for, but I knew that most of my thoughts were quite improper. Nevertheless, I hungered for her and wondered when it would be appropriate to request another one of those kisses.

  She glanced over at me and smiled just then, “Why do you look at me like that? I’m not complaining, by the way.”

  “How do I look at you?” I asked.

  “Your eyes… they seem to speak of peace, love, and more than anything else, desire. And you always seem to have just the slightest little smile on your face when you’re looking at me.”

  “I just can’t believe that someone as beautiful and desirable as you would have anything at all to do with me. I’m in a constant state of awe,” I said, “I can’t help it.”

  “Well thank you, Vastian, but I think the feeling is entirely mutual. After this morning’s worship, how about we spend some private time together?”

  I closed my eyes as I felt my heart literally flutter inside my chest. I took a deep breath, hoping to jump start it in case it stopped.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I think I felt my heart skip a beat,” I chuckled as I looked at her, “Yes, I’d love to spend some private time with you. More than anything in the world, I’d love that.”

  We were probably on the road another five minutes before she veered into the parking lot of a building that resembled one of those churches I’d seen in the VidFilms. The building before us was a stone two-story structure with a spire that rose about fifteen feet above the pointed peak. The only thing missing was one of those crosses of the Christian religion.

  “Whether you are a believer or not, I’m going to have to ask that you show reverence and respect at all times inside this building. If you have any questions or comments, please save them for later,” she said, stopping the vehicle directly in front of the building.

  It was clear that she had strong feelings or beliefs about whatever this building represented or whatever I’d find beyond those decorative oak doors. I thought it best to remain silent and simply observe for the time being. When we exited the vehicle, we circled around to the back only to discover some people already offloading the remainder of Crickett’s shipment.

  “Let’s follow them into the chapel so we can witness the offering,” she whispered to me, taking my hand in hers.

  I noticed another vehicle next to us being relieved of its contents which turned out to be several giant sacks of potatoes and something else that caused me a significant moment of confusion. That ‘something else’ happened to be about a dozen five-pound bags of sugar labeled with the dark blue imprint of ‘Drury Farms Finest’. That was the exact same label on every bag of sugar I’d ever seen in my entire life. I could have simply shrugged that off as a huge coincidence had the side of the delivery vehicle not bore a faded decal for ‘Drury Farms’.

  I had gone lightheaded all of a sudden and felt like I was going to pass out. I paused for a moment and c
aught my breath, realizing just then that I had stopped breathing.

  “Vastian? Are you okay?” she whispered, tugging me close.

  “I… no, I’m…” I pointed toward the guy carrying two huge bags of potatoes with that familiar blue label, “Crickett, is there a real farm here called Drury Farms?”

  She moved directly in front of me in an almost confrontational manner. She even appeared to be a little upset.

  “We’re about to enter the chapel of the Great Harvester and you’re asking me about the farm over in Ashland?” she growled, “Please tell me that this isn’t why you’re suddenly looking so flushed.”

  “Please, Crickett,” I whined, “Why is that vehicle labeled for Drury Farms?”

  She looked over at the other vehicle next to us, then she returned her attention to me, “Because it’s their delivery vehicle. Yes, nearly all our potatoes, sugar, and corn comes from Drury Farms. Does that really matter? Would it make you more comfortable to know that ‘Hale Chicken and Eggs’ also grows potatoes as well? What’s this really about?”

  “Hale Chicken and Eggs? As in Hale Grade A Large Eggs in the yellow containers?” I asked.

  “Wait, you know about Hale Chicken and Eggs?” she stepped back, appearing to examine me.

  “My mother prefers them over Chick N’ Dale,” I admitted.

  “Really?” she blurted, “You seriously have all these same brands in your world? Where do you come from? Seriously!”

  “I’m afraid to even hypothesize,” I frowned.

  “No, I already know the answer,” she clutched her hair tightly in both fists as she started pacing in front of me, “Why would you not tell me? Why would you allow me to believe for a moment that… well, that we were the same?”

  “I didn’t really know!” I pleaded with her, “How would I have known?”

  “You didn’t know you were the Great Harvester?” she turned to me and blared a little too loudly, “You expect me to believe that now? I’m doomed! I’m ruined!”

  I rushed forward and took her into my arms, just to stop that incessant pacing, “I’m no god! Don’t you even put that on me, Crickett! I am the same as you. I’m merely human.”

  “Maybe now!” she turned to me as I held her, “Please don’t destroy me. I didn’t know.”

  “Listen to me, Crickett! I’m not a god and I’m certainly not the Great Harvester! I’m not even a Sky Angel. Never have been and I never will. If anything, I am a… I think I lived in a place that…” I couldn’t finish it because I dreaded the implications, “I love you, Crickett. Isn’t that enough?”

  She held my gaze while I maintained my own hold on her. I could see the confusion in those eyes as they shifted a couple times.

  “Love me?” she said as she held my gaze with those big pleading eyes, “I don’t know what I believe. But if you would say that again, I think it might help me to believe it.”

  “I love you, Crickett,” I whispered, just as her lips met my own.

  It wasn’t a deep and intimate kiss, but it was still a very decisive yet gentle kiss nonetheless. Her arms wrapped around my waist as my hunger for her caused me to lean in and clearly insist on something more. She drew back and pecked me on the chin.

  “Before we go in, I have to ask,” she breathed against my lips, “Whatever or whomever you are… do you love me? You really care about me that much?”

  “Yes, obviously,” I replied.

  “Then would you please be respectful in there and certainly not disruptive?” she asked.

  I nodded.

  SIXTEEN

  I remained silent and reverent as we made our way through the lobby and into an enormous room with shiny marble flooring. In the very center of the room stood a raised wide platform, maybe ten feet square. There were three white walls rising up to the ceiling on the left, right, and back of that platform. At the front of this platform however was a thick maroon curtain that hung down from the ceiling. It had been drawn open to both sides, revealing to us all the crates, bags, jars, cans, and boxes of food that had been brought in. Just behind this abundance of food, I even saw what appeared to be a butchered and trimmed half cow.

  Judging by the six people kneeling down in front of this offering, I assumed that all this food was all being offered up to that god Crickett mentioned. Perhaps they’d burn it like the ancient religions did in the past. That, to me, would be a horrible waste.

  Crickett kept a hold of my hand as she led us toward those kneeling people who had their faces cast downward. I noticed her crates of apples up there on the platform among all the other food. Once we were beside the others, Crickett knelt down, tugging me downward as well. I figured I should look down at the floor as the others had been doing.

  We probably knelt there for about five minutes before someone in a long white robe strolled past us. I was about to look up, but felt Crickett squeeze my hand in warning.

  “Today we come to offer the choicest from our bounty to the Great Harvester. We give thanks for the great blessings and ask that you receive our humble offering,” his voice echoed loudly in the large room.

  After that, I heard the curtain being drawn. Then the man in the robe stepped away from the platform. Much to my surprise, I felt a vibration of machinery suddenly coming from the marble floor beneath me. There was also a subtle mechanical hum that coincided with the vibration. I had no doubt whatsoever that I was feeling the evidence of a large elevator. That thought, followed by the thought of my parents was all it took to make me lose my reticence.

  “I could actually go home!” I hollered as I leapt up and rushed toward the curtain.

  My hand had almost reached the curtain when I was suddenly tackled from behind, causing me to crash to the floor with my face against the heavy curtain. I twisted around to discover that it had somehow been Crickett who’d tackled me. Her arms were still clamped tightly around my legs.

  “You promised!” she cried, as she looked up at me, “You would have been sacrificed at the Criminal Altar had you gone past that curtain!”

  The man in the white robe was now at our side wielding a pretty wicked-looking katana. The sword wasn’t all that held my attention as I looked over at the hand gripping it. It was just above that hand that I noticed a full sleeve of tattooed Cords.

  “Had you opened that curtain, all who are in this room would have been sacrificed at the altar before lunch time,” the man agreed, his blade just inches from my neck, “You want to be responsible for the death of this fine lady?”

  If this man had truly earned those cords, then I stood no chance against him while he wielded a katana. I had a million questions that I was certain he could answer, but I doubted just then that he would help me.

  “I apologize to the Great Harvester for my disrespectful reaction. I’d very recently lost my family,” I feigned reverence for this non-existent god.

  “Indeed, we live in a world with pain and suffering. The Great Harvester understands our hurts and our needs,” the man said, returning the sword to the sheath at his side, “Forgiveness will be granted with the understanding that you shall never enter this chapel again. If you so much as place one foot over the outer threshold from this day forward, you will bleed out on the Criminal Altar.”

  “How do I get back home? Surely you know,” I pleaded as Crickett finally released her hold on my legs.

  He drew the sword again then pointed it toward the door. Just then, the curtains near my head started opening to reveal that the ‘offering’ had been accepted by the Great Harvester.

  “Accept the blessings you’ve been given,” the man in the robe replied.

  “But I need-”

  “Out!” he shouted.

  And just like that, Crickett rose quickly and tugged me up from the floor. I could tell that she was angry even though I’d never seen such an expression from her before. Once we were outside again, she turned to me and started punching me repeatedly in the chest.

  “I told you and you promised! I almos
t lost you! How could you even do something so selfish? Do I mean anything to you at all? You claimed to love me! You lied to me!” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  I took her wrists into my hands to stop the violence, “I do love you! I meant it! Didn’t you feel the vibrations in the floor? I had clearly found a doorway home!”

  “A doorway? You mean through the curtain? That would have been a doorway straight to death!” she said, still crying as she tugged her arms toward her, “You said yourself that you’re not from that godly realm. You’re no Sky Angel.”

  “Remember what I said about those brand names? Where do you think that food was going, Crickett? You could feel the mechanical rumble of the elevator,” I said.

  “So, you admit it then,” came a familiar male voice from behind me.

  I released my hold on Crickett’s wrists as I spun around quickly. My feet were set apart while my hands were held high as I prepared for a fight. I knew right away that it was Idris.

  “What is it that you’re looking for exactly?” I growled.

  “Same as you,” he replied, “I want to know where my father came from. I want to know what’s beyond the veil… beyond the curtain.”

  “And how will this improve your life, Idris?” Crickett asked, wiping her eyes on her sleeve as she joined me at my side, “If that’s an elevator in there like he just suggested, then it’s a doorway for this fine man to get with his parents again. It would serve to help his broken heart. What would this do for you? Are you just looking to raise a ruckus? Are you just looking to prove a point?”

  “My father died at a young age and I need to know why. Perhaps I do know why even right now,” he said, “After all, my father was sacrificed on the Criminal Altar for some unknown blasphemy that happened inside that chapel right there. I think we both know what that blasphemy was right now. You had just inadvertently let it slip. Thank you for the details.”