by C. B. Stone
My heart skips a beat at the news, but I try to keep my emotions from showing. Instead I focus my attention on my work, but find it difficult not to wonder what is going on in the town of Bethel. It’s a place so far away and so vastly different from anything Jaelynn has ever known, I can only imagine how she must be feeling right now. Probably a lot like me. My head spins as memories come back in a torrent. Memories of when I’d met with officials in cities far and wide. That had been long before I joined the Ministry of course, back when I’d been part of another ministry. One that had a much different mission in mind. A mission to spread the Word of God.
Long ago, a book called the Bible contained the only words we had from our Lord, and they were words people the world over cherished. They were words that I had cherished. But over time, as the Ministry’s power and influence grew, more and more Bibles were destroyed and God’s Word was taken from His people. The Ministry did their job well in making sure the messages written in the Bible, messages of hope, and love, and a Savior called the Christ, were polluted beyond recognition, or forgotten altogether. The people had been forced to turn away from the Lord by those obsessed with their own power, and their goals to subjugate the entire population beneath their rule. The Blackwood family initially started out in politics, ages back when elections were still held, during a time when people still believed they had a voice within their government. That had been a long time ago of course, long before I was even born.
The Blackwood family deftly navigated the current political waters, accruing a massive amount of wealth and power while they simultaneously poisoned the minds of the people with a wildly different message from that of God. It was a message filled with hate and vitriol rather than loving compassion. Back then, everyone who believed in the Blackwoods stood behind them, promoted their message, and believed the lies they were fed, hook, line, and sinker. The Blackwood name became synonymous with the word ‘truth’.
My family on the other hand, the Rose family, were the exact opposite of the Blackwoods in every regard. Not nearly as famous or influential, the Rose family were known to be hard workers, strong of character, people who offered their hearts and souls to God in every way, as was His due as the world’s Creator. They didn’t buy into the lies the Blackwoods were spreading, and did their best to oppose those lies at every turn.
Despite the Ministry’s best efforts, stories from that book were still passed down from generation to generation. Even though the Bible itself had been eradicated from the world, and the Words of God appeared to be lost to humanity forever, with the Blackwood family taking great pains to position themselves as sole purveyors of truth and justice so they might rule without resistance, the Rose family knew otherwise. They knew – had always known – the true Words of God, because they’d been passed down verbally for centuries. As a blessing for their faithfulness, they received a gift, a gift from the Lord Himself.
The Rose family was granted the gift of prophecy, for still God spoke to them even though He’d been forcibly removed from the hearts and minds of many. It was a gift that has been passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter, from generation to generation.
I myself was blessed with that gift, and I was told that one day, I’d have a daughter – a daughter as fair and pure as the clearest pools of water. I was told she would change the world, that she would be the Chosen One someday, chosen to bring the Words of God back to the land and it’s inhabitants. My job was to prepare the way for her, to let others know of her coming. Back in those days, I worked in Bethel and other nearby towns. I’d worked with those who never lost their faith entirely and still clung to hopes that someday He would return and free the world from the dark oppression of the Ministry guard. Those towns, unlike most of the ones closest to the Ministry compound – those that were closely guarded and regulated – still held believers.
Ages and ages ago, the people of Bethel and surrounding cities chose to fight back in defense of their faith. They fought back against the totalitarianism of the Ministry, fought to bring God back to their world and for their right to worship Him freely. The battles were violent, vicious, and brutal.
Neither side could claim true victory, but the people of Bethel successfully forced the Ministry to back off and at least come to an uneasy truce of sorts, ending the conflict. Ever since then, the Ministry has worked hard to erase all remnants of the town of Bethel and it’s surrounding cities from the collective memories of the people and their history. Nobody associated with the Ministry set foot inside the town of Bethel ever again, for fear of breaking the treaty and renewing the savagery.
Until today.
I jump slightly, coming back to the present with a start. “Rose? Did you hear me?” Grayburn barks, his attention now riveted on me.
A knowing smirk spreads across his face as he stares. It’s as if he can read my thoughts and knows just how terrified I really am. I try to ignore Grayburn’s attitude and not let it get to me. I at least, know how to control my emotions. I smirk back, a taunting grin on my face.
“Sorry, I don’t speak Neanderthal.”
The smile leaves Grayburn face the moment the words pass my lips. I meant it mostly to be a joke, but then again, the two of us have never been on particularly friendly, joking terms with one another. I’d clearly scored a hit though, as my remark is taken as I intended, an insult disguised as something else in an effort to not give our hatred for one another away to Leora Blackwood.
“You two act like children, I swear.” I stiffen at the sound of her voice. Speak of the devil, I think, and the devil shall appear. She silently entered the room and stopped behind me. As always.
“He started it,” I quip, keeping my tone light. The humor helps to alleviate some of the tension building up inside of me, but not much. “I’m sorry Grayburn, what did you say? I missed it. I was completely enthralled with the energy readings showing up on the monitor.”
“I said, could you please give me the coordinates of the last electrical burst so we can make sure the troops head in that direction first?”
I do as I’m told, knowing that there is no way Jaelynn and Noah would have stayed there anyway. At the very least, they would have sought cover, and if the message I’d delivered years ago had been remembered like I pray it was, my daughter is in good hands right about now. How she’d even made it that far into the harsh land beyond the Ministry’s borders, I have no clue. But I am so grateful she did.
The commander of Bethel’s military I’d spoken to years ago had also had a daughter – a daughter that had inherited his gifts. The Rose family wasn’t the only family rewarded for their faithfulness. He’d assured me then, that if his daughter became even half as good at battle strategy and tactics as he’d been at the time, there will be no way we can lose the coming battle. I inhale a deep breath, hoping like heck that the commander had been right.
Still, I can’t eradicate the knot in my stomach and the tightness in my chest. Jaelynn isn’t just anyone out there, trying to save this wretched world. She is my daughter. The little girl I’d watched grow up and blossom into a beautiful young woman before my very eyes. When I’d first gotten wind of the events that were set to unfold, it had all sounded so easy. But that was long before I’d held my precious daughter in my arms and felt her draw her first breaths. That was before she learned to smile and reach out for me for hugs and cuddles. That was long before she found her voice and uttered her first word – daddy. And that was all long before she grew to be the beautiful, strong and amazing young woman she is today. What sounded so easy then strikes pure terror in my heart now.
“If they find the target, do they have authorization to execute on sight?” Grayburn asks, sounding almost giddy.
“Yes, kill them both on sight,” Ms. Blackwood snarls, her dark eyes cold and hard as flint. “Now that we have permission from her father,” she smirks, “There is no sense giving them yet another chance to escape into the night.”
What had seemed like
a good idea at the time, now feels like lunacy. Right now, I want nothing more than my daughter to return home to me, safe and sound. Win or lose, at this point there is still no guarantee of that, and that ignites a fear inside me I feel as though I might choke on.
IX
NOAH
By the time the velvety darkness of the night descends upon us, Jaelynn, me, and Fay, have already talked to folks in three other towns, all of them as small as the first. Many of the villagers were already aware of us coming and welcomed us with open arms. They each received a message sent prior to our arrival, and we found them waiting for us, the excitement in the air almost palpable.
I can see hope etched upon hundreds of faces as we walk through each city gate, and every time I see it, I feel energized, rejuvenated by their faith. Even so, all this exploration is becoming exhausting. While Fay and her people seem like they can keep walking forever, Jaelynn is starting to grow weary. It’s written all over her face. Even though I can tell she is getting tired, I know if I leave it up to her, she’ll never ask to stop for some rest. She’ll keep going and going until she collapses, unless I say something myself.
“I think we may need to stop soon,” I whisper to Fay.
“Are you tired?” she asks, looking me over with a critical eye.
While it’s true my legs are aching and I crave a comfy bed to sleep on, realistically I could probably keep going for a little while longer. Over the years I’d become used to this sort of traveling lifestyle. But Jaelynn is not.
“Not me, her,” I say quietly, motioning with my gaze in Jaelynn’s direction. “She won’t say anything, I know she won’t, but I can just tell. Her mind is growing weary and her thoughts are becoming more unfocused the farther we go.”
Fay nods. “All right then. I believe there to be a safe haven a few miles up ahead. If you think she can make it that far, I’d suggest walking a little longer and reaching it.”
A few miles is doable. Just a few more miles and Jaelynn can finally rest. A few more miles and I can rest too.
“That sounds good,” I agree, nodding. “You don’t think the Ministry will find us if we stop, do you?”
Fay falls quiet as she walks, looking forward as she ponders my question. The silence drags on for several long moments, and I begin to wonder if she even heard me. I open my mouth to ask again, when she answers.
“No, I don’t think so. Everything in my mind’s eye says they will not suspect we are moving toward them from this angle. We aren’t merely marching a straight line and coming at them head on. We’ve been zigzagging our route a bit to make sure they can’t easily trace our path and location. I’ve also had others set up diversions to make them think we’re headed farther east toward some of the cities out that way.”
“You mean there are cities further east than Bethel?” My eyes grow wide at the thought.
“Of course,” she laughs. “There’s an entire world out there, and it’s not like all of it is Ministry controlled like the parts you come from, my friend.”
I have no idea what the world is like outside of the cities I have traveled to and through. When I was wandering, I never ventured more than a few days outside of the City if I could help it. It was as though the world beyond never existed. It was never real. At least, not until now. My mind whirls at the notion of even more towns I’ve never seen or heard of.
“What are they like? The other cities, I mean?”
Fay looks off into the distance, keeping her pace steady, but saying nothing. I walk alongside her in silence. I can see she is thinking. Feeling my ears begin to burn, I worry briefly that my question sounds naïve and she might think less of me for it, but then mentally shrug. I can’t help what I don’t know.
“Maybe after this is all over with, you could take Jaelynn and explore the rest of the world. After we claim victory, all the closed off borders will reopen for everybody. And honestly, the world is so vast, there’s no way I could describe it with any sort of justice or accuracy. I’ve barely seen much myself, outside my own city. Well that, and some faded images in a few old books my dad kept hidden in the barn.”
“Perhaps you should consider traveling as well then,” I say, tongue in cheek.
The ghost of a smile plays upon her lips. It is one of the first times I’ve seen her come that close to a genuine, friendly smile.
“Perhaps I will,” she agrees.
I slow down and let Jaelynn catch up to me. When she falls in to step next to me, I favor her with a warm look, my lips curving.
“Going to stop in the next village.”
Rivulets of sweat slither down her forehead and drip off her chin. She makes no move to wipe them away. Her eyes are sunken with dark circles beneath them. She looks exhausted. Rung out. I think back to the last time we ate, and realize it’s been a while. Reaching inside my knapsack, I find some fruit and hand it over to her. She looks first at the offering and then at me for a moment, but doesn’t take it. “I’m fine,” she says instead, lifting her chin in that defiant way she has, the one that’s both cute and maddening at the same time.
Wisely, knowing she is struggling with her pride a bit more than usual lately, I put the food away. For the moment.
Giving her a playful grin, I nudge her shoulder with mine as we walk. “I know you are. I just asked to stop because my legs are killing me. Seriously, I don’t know how you do it.”
Her face softens a bit, though she doesn’t look entirely convinced. But she does look grateful.
“Thank you, Noah,” she says quietly.
“For what?” I ask, cocking my head to one side.
She smiles wanly.
“For being you.”
******
“The village of Myr,” Fay says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“What is that?” I ask, feeling a bit befuddled. I’d been lost in my head the last couple of miles, just taking some time to reflect.
“We’re here. The village of Myr,” she repeats. “Where we shall stop for the night.”
I look around but don’t see much. Definitely nothing that warrants the title of ‘village’. My forehead crinkles and I squint, looking harder. For a moment, I wonder if perhaps Fay herself is so exhausted she’s hallucinating. I glance back at Jaelynn and can tell she is equally as confused. The army of soldiers start setting up camp as though they see nothing out of the ordinary.
“This is a village?” I ask Fay, my tone skeptical.
“It used to be,” she grunts, dropping the pack she’d been carrying onto the ground with a sigh of relief. “Now there are just a handful of houses still remaining, sprinkled within the forest, but very few people live here anymore. It used be quite a grand city though, one of the largest around. Outside Bethel of course.”
“What happened to it?” Jaelynn chimes in, walking closer and dropping her own pack to the ground.
“The Ministry happened,” Fay mutters darkly. “Like it or not, we are encroaching on their territory now.”
Frowning, I shift uncomfortably on my feet, looking around us. “I had no idea their jurisdiction reached this far east,” I state, watching the young soldiers put together several tents with the speed and precision of an ant colony devouring a piece of food dropped on the ground.
“Well, they mostly didn’t, until the last few years at least. Then they started slowly moving toward us, but avoiding Bethel as much as possible. Until now, that is.”
“Until now?” Jaelynn and I ask, once again in unison. That’s really kinda freaky.
“I imagine their military is touching down in the middle of Bethel right about now, if they haven’t already. You two have changed everything. Any treaty signed eons ago between us and them is no longer worth the paper it’s written on.” Fay’s tone is grim, but resolute and tinged with determination. Jaelynn and I exchange a look, and I can tell she’s beginning to feel anxious again. I offer her a reassuring smile and begin to unpack my knapsack.
An eerie silence fills the forest a
round us as we work. There isn’t the usual chatter you would associate with an army setting up camp. It’s as though nobody dares to speak. Even the workers move around the campsite quietly, as though they don’t want to disturb those living in the village. Though honestly, there doesn’t appear to be anyone to disturb. At least not as far as I can discern.
Camp is set up in no time at all, and Jaelynn plops down on her blanket, already having a hard time keeping her eyes open. As I watch her hurtling toward the edges of sleep, I remember she didn’t eat. But before I can bring up the idea of getting some food into her belly, it occurs to me that everyone here is in the same boat. Looking around, I realize this army needs food and there doesn’t seem to be much in sight. There certainly isn’t enough to feed us all for a month or more. That’s when I get the idea.
“Jaelynn?” I whisper, crouching down next to her blanket.
She cocks open an eye at the mention of her name and I can see exhaustion pinching her features.
“Yeah?” she asks, her voice drowsy.
“Maybe we should feed the army,” I say quietly. “Really quickly, before we all pass out. You know –,”
Opening both eyes, though she looks hesitant, she nods. “Probably should, huh? I’m just so tired.”
“But all of us need to eat, you included. That’s part of why you feel so tired right now.”
My own stomach growls at the mere thought of food. The few pieces of fruit I have left in my bag won’t be enough to satisfy my incredibly empty stomach. Honestly, I’m getting a little tired of produce anyway, and crave something meatier. Although right now, just about anything would do. I reached down for her hand, and help pull her to her feet. She allows me to help her up, yawning as she does.
“As soon as we’re done here, we can sleep,” I encourage her.
She doesn’t argue with me, nor does she fight doing what needs to be done. If there is one thing to be said about Jaelynn, though she can be moody and she might sometimes neglect herself, she never ever neglects others.