Both Jericho and Gabrielle were at the meal building before first light, and had quickly eaten. They wanted to get the beach before the sun came up, and Jericho had practiced all night exactly what he wanted to say to Gabrielle when he asked her to link with him. As they entered the road to the factory, they hadn’t yet spoken of their purpose, just that they wanted to get to the beach as soon as they could. They had even tossed the idea around that they not eat at all, but Jericho had awoken famished, as he still tried to get his nourishment level back up after the ordeal he had endured the day before. He felt fine, and he didn’t think there would be any long term physical affect from the interrogation. But he had awoken in a cold sweat twice during the last night, as he thought that the Guardian still stood in front of him. And each time he had difficulty as he tried to go back to sleep. It was those times that the images of Donovan’s punishment would not fade from his memory.
Even on their way to the meal building, he had crossed the street without a thought to avoid a Guardian that stood stoically on the corner. And even though they had crossed the street, he felt as if the Guardian had watched them. That it had moved every so slightly as they walked past. Again he wondered if the Guardians had always been that sensitive to the movements of the people in the village, or if he just noticed it more now since his up close and personal experience with them.
As they walked along the road, which was well lit from the spotlights attached atop each stone pillar, Gabrielle marveled. She held his hand, as they walked quietly, and she looked up into the night sky. She noticed that she could see not one star. How could there be so many spots of light at the beach, but none here, she wondered.
“Jericho?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“Why aren’t there any stars here?” She said, as she stopped and pointed up. He stopped as well, and turned towards her, but never let go of her hand. He looked up.
“My Dad says that it’s the lights.” He said.
“The lights?” She asked.
“Yeah. Something about how light from the stars is too faint, and the lights from the village, and even here from the road are brighter.” He gestured towards the nearest pillar, clearly six feet taller than they were, and its bright spotlight that shone down upon them. “The light, it kind of drowns out the stars.”
“That’s sad.” She said, and looked back into his eyes.
“I guess, in a way it is.” He said as they turned and started to walk again. “To still be up there. Shining. Waiting for someone to see them. And all the while-”
“They’re hidden.” She cut in. He smiled.
“Yeah. Hidden. Like that.” He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back. They walked.
“It’s not much further is it?” Gabrielle asked, as she walked beside him on the deserted road. There was still no hint of first light, and so far no one else had begun their walk to the factory.
“It’s just up ahead.” Jericho said. “Race you!” He said as he released her hand and ran ahead.
“Wait!” She responded, as she giggled under her breath, and then took off after him. She watched as he slowed, and neared the side of the wall. She playfully tagged him as she ran by. “I win!” She yelled.
“Okay. You win.” He said and smiled, as she stopped and turned back to him. He approached the bottom corner of the wall, and looked for the gap in the section of the wall that he knew was loose.
“Did you find it?” She asked.
“This is it.” He said, “But it’s not giving way.” He grunted as he tried to push the bottom of the wall section back. Gabrielle, came up beside him, and leaned back against the wall. She looked up into the darkened sky and tried to make out the stars that she now knew were still there, but she could not see them. Jericho grunted again, and banged his fist against the wall. The loud sound startled Gabrielle.
“Hey. You scared me.” She exclaimed.
“Sorry.” He said. “I can’t seem to get it open.” He said as he stood up.
“Are you sure we’re at the right spot?” She asked. “Maybe it’s further up the road.”
“No this is it.” He pointed at the pillar beside the wall. “See I marked it when I found it.” He said and pointed to a faint x shape that was marked at waist height. She pushed off of the wall from her position to look, and noticed something odd.
“Jericho.” She said. “What’s that?” She asked, as she pointed at a tiny line of light that seem to come from the bottom side of the wall panel, adjacent to the stone pillar. Jericho bent and looked closer. The light disappeared as he moved in closer. He ran his fingers along the rusted panel, where the shimmer had been just moments ago.
“That’s strange.” He said. “It’s smooth.” His fingers traced the line.
“Smooth?” she asked.
“Yeah, smooth. It doesn’t feel rusted.” He said in disbelief. “Like it has been melted.”
“Melted?” she asked, as she tried to move in for a closer look.
“Melted. Like it was melted back together.” He stood up and shook his head, “I can’t get it back open.” He said, clearly dismayed by the fact. And not simply dismayed that he couldn’t open the break in the fence anymore, but by what it really meant to them. Their secret place, he thought, was now closed off. He longed to bring her there since the very first time he had found it. And it had all seemed so magical, the first time she had seen, truly seen the amazing star lights. The feel of the sand, the smell of the ocean, and the soft breeze as it blew through her hair. The warmth of her body against his. Her touch. The burst of warmth as the sun began to climb. The light as it shone across the water. And of course, the very purpose of why they were here now. The question he had come to ask her. This was to be the moment of their new beginning. Suddenly it seemed to him, that not being able to open the panel was more than a minor thing. It suddenly seemed that it was a big thing, and that maybe it was everything. He turned back toward the corner, and kicked the bottom of the panel with all his might. A loud boom echoed along the roadway. Gabrielle jumped and drew in a breath.
“Ow!” He said, as he hopped on his other foot and the pain vibrated through his foot.
“What are you doing?” Gabrielle asked, as she caught her breath. Her heart beat rapidly, and she placed a hand over her chest to calm herself.
“I was trying to get it open.” He said exasperated.
“How’s your foot?” She asked, seeing that he had stopped hopping, and walked slowly around in a circle, as he attempted to tame the sensations that ran through his foot.
“It’ll be okay.” He said. He stopped and flexed his foot. “But there’s no way we are getting through there.” He said, dejectedly. A sadness showed on his face that he could not hide from her. She smiled slightly, even as a tear formed at the corner of her eye. She stepped to him, took his face into her hands, and cradled it as she looked up into his eyes.
“Oh Jericho.” She began, and regained composure. “It’s okay. Maybe we can find another place to go through.” He shook his head.
“I’ve looked. Ever since I found this spot, I’ve looked. Wondering what might lie on the other side of the walls.” He gestured back the way they had come, and then towards the factory. He blinked slowly, and took in a breath. “But this was the only place that I’ve found.” He leaned back against the wall that no longer opened towards the beach. “I’m sorry.” He said, and let his head hang down.
“Sorry?” She asked. “What are you sorry about?” Her tone betrayed her flustered emotion. “Sorry about something you had no control over?” She asked, mystified. “Sorry about having shown this to me to begin with?” He began to shake his head. “Sorry about sharing the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my entire life?” He reached out and grabbed her arms gently, as he still shook his head.
“Gabrielle.” He said softly, as she continued.
“Sorry about-”
“Shh.” He said. Cut off in mid se
ntence, eyes wide, and mouth open, she said nothing. He pulled her closer, and continued. “For as long as I have known you, I have always felt inside, that this day would come. I’ve always hoped that one day I would hold you as I am now, feeling your warmth against me, looking into your eyes, and asking you this question. Gabrielle, as I behold your beauty, and breathe in your love, I ask you, will you join with me?” Her eyes teared as he continued to speak, even as his own eyes sparkled with the reflection of the road’s lights. “Will you become my one? My other? Will you join me in perpetuity, until the end of all things?” He paused, his own tears matched the flow of hers. He looked into her eyes and held her close. “Gabrielle. Will you link with me?”
She took a deep breath, and said quietly. “I will, Jericho. I will.” She hugged him closer, with her face now up against his neck. She felt his skin against her face, and his scent filling her lungs. She breathed him in as she softly cried. Beach or no beach, this was the first step of the rest of their lives, and she was happy. After minutes had passed and they had each composed themselves, they realized that they were no longer alone. Daylight had begun to break, and the road had begun to fill. The morning shift was now on the way to the factory. Hand in hand they turned, smiled, and joined the passing flow of bodies. Today was a new day, they each thought. A new beginning.
Chapter 10
Immortal Page 9