by C. B. Stone
Jaelynn
A dove alights on my shoulder, making me jump in surprise. Looking down at it, I realize it’s carrying a message for me. I nearly jump for joy as I race to find Noah, fishing in the stream nearby.
“The war is over!” I shout. “We are free to go home!”
Noah puts down his fishing pole and splashes out of the stream, racing up to me to catch me in his arms, swinging me around in a tight hug of glee, his face a mask of disbelief.
“How about your parents? Any word on them?”
“This message came from my father,” I grin, tears in my eyes. “He said both he and Mom are back home, waiting for me to get there.”
Noah looks down at the ground, and I can see there’s something in his eyes. A sadness that haunts the edges of his face. Lifting his head up, I force him to meet my gaze.
“Noah, I thought you’d be happy for this news?”
“I am,” he nods. “I’m very happy, and I’m so glad your parents are alive and well. You get to go back to your family again.”
It hits me then, that Noah has no family to go back to. My throat closes and my heart lurches painfully.
Giving his hands a squeeze, I say fiercely, “It’ll be our family, Noah.” I look down at the ring on my finger, watching it sparkle in the light. “We’re going to be married, remember?”
“Do you honestly think your father will let you marry me?” he asks. “I’m a nobody, a drifter with no roots.”
“Noah, sweetheart,” I say, clasping his face and dotting kisses along his cheek. “You helped bring peace to this world again, and an end to Leora Blackwood’s reign of terror. You’re a messenger from God Himself. You are a somebody, and my parents will be honored to have you as their son-in-law. I know it.”
“I hope so.” he sighs a little, his face brightening somewhat as he stares at me.
“I know so.” I kiss his lips, hard, and then grin stupidly at him, so ecstatic I can hardly stand it.
The Ministry, now headed up by my dad apparently, sends an air craft to pick us up, led to Dove’s Peak by the birds the location is named after.
The journey home takes a matter of hours this time, instead of weeks. Although I’m sad to leave my little slice of heaven, my safe haven, behind me, returning home is something I’ve yearned for- especially with the changes that are soon to be taking place there.
As soon as I step off the aircraft, I see my mother and father waiting for me. My face breaking out into a smile, I rush into Mama’s arms, hugging her for what feels like an eternity.
“My baby girl,” Mama says, tears streaming down her cheeks. Fresh scars dot her arms and face, but I don’t want to darken the moment by asking about those just yet. Maybe another time, when I’m ready. I pull away, and notice my father watching us with a huge smile on his face.
“I’m so proud of you sweetheart,” he exclaims. “I’m so extremely proud of you.” And to my shock, his eyes well up with tears.
Flushing, I glance down at the ground and then smile back up at him shyly, “Thanks, Dad.”
Papa hasn’t hugged me in years, but suddenly he steps forward and wraps me up in his big strong arms, lifting me high and hugging me tightly, his hand cupping the back of my head. I squeeze him back tightly, my throat tight with fresh tears. Being in my dad’s embrace feels like home.
Once he puts me down, I run and grab Noah’s hand, pulling him over to our little group. Even with his hair grown long and scraggly, and his beard thick and wooly, he is adorable. I just hope my parents will appreciate everything he’s done as much as I do.
“Mama, Papa... this is Noah. Although I believe you may have already met.”
“Indeed,” Mama says with a smile. “Nice to see you again, Noah. And safe and sound.”
Noah blushes. “You too, Mrs. Rose. Mr. Rose, I don’t believe we’ve met.” Noah holds out a hand to my father.
“Not officially, no,” Papa says, reaching out his own hand to shake Noah’s, and then clapping him on the shoulder. “But I want to thank you for all you’ve done, and for working so hard to keep my daughter safe.” My dad looks Noah in the eyes. “Really, you have no idea how grateful I am.”
I grin, reaching out to grab Noah’s hand again myself, not bothering to hide the ring on my finger at all. Mama sees it first.
She gasps, grabbing my hand and pulling it up so she can see it and examine the ring on my finger. “And what do we have here?” She looks back to me, her eyes questioning.
“Mom, Dad,” I take a deep breath, “Noah has asked me to marry him. I ask for your blessing as I very much want to be his wife.”
Both of my parents look a smidgen stunned, and neither of then speaks for several moments. It’s Mama who finally breaks the silence, letting out a peal of laughter.
“I never thought I’d see the day my daughter actually wants to get married!”
But Papa doesn’t say anything. I peek up at him and he looks serious. Too serious. I can’t read his face and can’t tell whether he is happy for me, or if he’s totally opposed to this idea. The Ministry’s reign of terror might be ended, but the habits my father has learned while working for them likely won’t be going away so easily.
“Daddy?” I look up at him, a question on my face.
“He’s good to you?”
I nod. “Very good to me, Papa,” I can’t count how many times he’s saved my life, risking his own in the process. He’s comforted me, made sure I’ve been warm and fed every night, even if it meant going cold and hungry himself. Trust me, Papa. Get to know him a little, and you’ll completely love him. Like I do.”
Hearing myself, I realize suddenly that I’m pleading a little. But fear has crept into my heart. What if my father doesn’t approve? What then? Can I go through with marrying Noah without his blessing? My heart aches just contemplating it. I don’t have to for long though, because Papa smiles, and tweaks my nose playfully.
“Well then, Noah, I can’t imagine someone better suited to marry my daughter than you.”
My heart explodes with joy, and I glance over at Noah. Judging from the look on his face, he’s exploding with joy too. He looks like the happiest man on earth.
Noah steps forward, taking my dad’s hand and pumping it again enthusiastically. “Thank you, Mr. Rose. I promise that I will always take care of your daughter, no matter what.” He grins, looking my way, his scruffy face lighting up with so much love that even I can see it.
“Well then,” I exclaim, giddy with delight. “I guess we have a wedding to plan!”
I catch a glimpse of Fay out of the corner of my eye. She’s standing there, alone, but waiting for someone. I turn and see Cal step out of the air craft. He doesn’t rush over to her, but his eyes light up the minute he sees her. And I see just a hint of a smile on Fay’s face. What a rare sight indeed.
Cal walks over to her and they speak quietly, their heads close together. I can’t keep my eyes off of them as my parents chitchat with Noah. Then, out of nowhere, Fay reaches up, wraps her arms around Cal’s neck, and kisses him for all she’s worth. I almost start cheering when I watch him appear stunned for a second, and then kisses her back every bit as passionately.
Huh. I’m thinking there might just be more than one wedding to plan in the coming months. My lips curve.
Epilogue
LITTLE birds sing songs of praise, all the summer long. But in colder, shorter days, they forget their song.
“I’ve always loved it when you sing that song,” Noah says. “But I think our baby girl might love it just a little bit more.” He laughs.
I snuggle the baby close to me, the sweet cherub with my eyes and her father’s wild hair. Eden is only a few months old, but every waking minute is filled with songs of beauty and praise to God. My daughter will grow up knowing exactly what His love feels like, in a world where no one goes hungry or is forced to suffer any longer.
My father is governor of the City, replacing the old system with a democratic process.
Rather than one tyrant having full control over Silvah City and surrounding territories, new leaders will now have to be elected by the people. Just like in the old days, he says. Before we were born. But this time, there will be checks and balances put into place, to make sure no one ever accrues too much power- or holds on to it for too long.
Fay was able to retire from the military altogether. No need to fight when there are no wars to be fought. Protective forces have been set up, but she decided to retire at the tender age of twenty-one, and go into another field instead. She still isn’t sure yet what she wants to do, but at least she has a choice now. We all have choices now. And best yet, she gets to make those choices with Cal at her side.
Knowing my daughter will grow up in a fair world, surrounded by freedoms I could only imagine when I was a child, fills my soul with joy.
“I think she likes it too,” I say, smiling down at Eden’s beautiful little face.
“Of course she does. She’s our daughter after all.” I look up and meet Noah’s gaze, and we both grin. Life is good. We are blessed. Thank you, God.
You’re welcome.
My grin widens.
Please keep reading for a chapter excerpt from Rehabilitation (Unbelief Book I).
http://www.cbstonebooks.com/book/rehabilitation/
Rehabilitation Chapter I
THE world’s changed. I don’t know this because I witnessed the change, or even because I felt it. No. This is all I’ve ever known, but I know it’s changed because I see what’s left behind.
Destruction.
Jacob is striding ahead of me, his strong back broad and straight, his steps sure and true. I often imagine he’s balancing the world on those shoulders. His unruly blond hair is brushing past the nape of his neck, and I know his ice blue eyes are laser focused as he makes his way through the rubble. He’s quiet, as am I, every step stealthy because though we know there aren’t any people out here anymore, there are other things.
Dangerous things. We pick our feet up as we walk and make sure not to kick any of the debris surrounding us on accident. I grimace, eyes scanning the ground looking for anything that might be of value. The pack I carry slung across my shoulder is light at the moment, but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to find something useful today.
Ahead of me, Jacob stills. He lifts a hand, signaling me to stop, then drops to his knees, crouching. I immediately follow suit, making myself as small and insignificant as I can, so whatever he’s spotted, won’t spot me. After several slow, quiet moments, hearing nothing but the sound of my breath as it clouds the air in front of me, I shuffle closer to Jacob.
“What is it?” I whisper in a voice quiet enough I don’t think it’ll carry beyond us.
He inclines his head in the direction in front of us. I squint, eyes searching along the cold terrain for the threat spurring us to crouch down out of sight. At first, I don’t see much beyond the norm. There isn’t anything visible other than the ruins of the Old World city. Then I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t notice it before, because its coloring matched the gray landscape around us, but now I see what has us stopped.
“A cougar,” I mutter. The hairs on the nape of my neck rise and I suppress a shiver.
The large animal’s gray fur looks mottled, missing patches here and there, striped by burns in others. It looks skinny, no doubt starving as are most things in the Old World. But I don’t need telling to know its teeth work just fine, regardless of it’s meager appearance.
And it’s claws.
We wait in silence, holding our breath and watching the mangy animal limp and sniff at the air. After a while, it finally decides it’s not going to find food or water in this area and lumbers off.
We wait a few minutes more for it to disappear from view before we straighten back to full height. I shrug my shoulders as I do, trying to loosen muscles gone tight with nerves. I expel a puff of air, it’s smokey tendrils drifting off toward the sky like a lazy feather. “Guess it didn’t find anything good out here,” I mumble, then look over at Jacob, unable to hide the relief in my tone or my face. “We got lucky.”
Jacob looks down at me, a small smile on his face. “Luck has nothing to do with it.” He winks.
I roll my eyes and start moving, passing him before he takes the chance to start this conversation again. Maybe if I just ignore him, he'll get the hint and won’t start babbling on about fate and what not.
“Don’t roll your eyes,” he chastises, his voice carrying with it a gentle laughing tone as he follows behind me. “It’s true.”
Apparently, I am wrong about his babbling. I sigh. It doesn’t matter if I keep walking or not, he’s still going to bring it up.
“Can’t we just keep moving?” I ask, my voice reflecting irritability as I try to derail the subject. But Jacob isn’t to be sidetracked.
“We are moving,” he reminds me, laughter still coloring his voice.
Which is true, we are, but that isn’t the point. I meant just moving, as in no talking to accompany it. I sigh again, the small crease indicating I’m cranky appearing between my brows. But Jacob is Jacob and he’ll keep instigating this conversation—no matter how dangerous it is—because it’s the type of man he is.
That’s how much he... well, how important it is to him. I frown, a part of me proud he’s so firm in his beliefs, another part worried it will get him in trouble one day.
“Think about it, Sinna,” he tells me, and I can hear the excitement in his voice. “What were we doing the first time we met?”
I try not responding. Instead, I scan the area, looking for potential places that might hide things we can use or trade when we get home. It’s the main reason we’re out here anymore anyway, but it isn’t the first reason we came into the ruined city.
“We were looking for a—”
“There!” I point ahead of us, not caring I just interrupted him. In the distance, maybe a mile away, there’s a long building, the space of several Old World houses, and it’s about the height of three of them piled on top of one another.
Jacob looks, bright eyes filled with hope as they search. Too late, I realize how my exclamation must have sounded to him. Sure enough, when he spots the building, his shoulders slump a little in disappointment and he lets out a sigh.
“—a church,” he finishes. “We were looking for a church.”
I feel guilty for getting his hopes up. Although we go out mostly now to find Old World items we can trade, Jacob still can’t resist keeping an eye out for that fabled church.
“There aren’t any left Jacob.” My voice is quiet as I rest a gentle hand on his arm. “They were all destroyed after the War.”
He only nods. I know he still dares to hope one survived, even though he knows the truth. I’m convinced that’s why, out of everything the Elite has banned since the War, belief is most dangerous in their view.
You’ll do crazy things for what you believe, even when you know what you’re doing is pointless.
“Let’s go,” I tell him.
In perfect sync, we start moving toward the large building. I’m not sure what it is—maybe a school or a prison perhaps. Those are the buildings we find most often, and most of the stuff inside them is deteriorated beyond any recognition or value. But every once in a while we we get lucky and find something good.
Personally, I hope it’s a hospital we’re walking toward. Hospitals always hide the good stuff. Drugs, antibiotics, and other medical things most people back home don’t possess and can’t get. A hospital would be best case scenario in my book.
“Maybe it’s a library,” Jacob muses out loud. His voice is still saddened, but he’s trying to stay lighthearted and act as we always do on our trips into the Old World.
“A library,” I scoff. “What about a hospital? Hospitals always have the best stuff.” My words escape unthinkingly, echoing my thoughts of moments ago.
Jacob just shrugs. “Depends on what you’re looking for I guess.”
> I roll my eyes at him again and we fall back into easy silence. Libraries are okay, I admit to myself. I’m not sure I’d ever let on to Jacob though. Books are rare and hard to get your hands on. The only people who can print them anymore is the Elite and most of those are so filled with propaganda (and are flat out boring, if I’m being honest), people just aren’t interested in reading any of them.
But Old World books are a different breed altogether. They’re filled with adventure, romance, and most dangerous of all (at least according to the Elite), Old World history. There’s a market for such books, albeit a narrow one. First, only people who can and do read want them. That narrows down buyers considerably. Then you need to find people willing to take a risk they’ve gotten their hands on a banned book. The list given out by the Elite containing banned books you can’t read is so long no one’s real positive exactly what’s on it. And to top it all off, you have to find someone who isn’t going to turn you in if you sell them a book.
I know a few people who fit the profile, but they can’t buy books often and are only on the look out for specific ones, so I don’t much like making book runs.
Jacob’s looking for a specific book, too. That’s why he’s so interested in the libraries. The thing is, the book he’s looking for is definitely banned. It’s the only one on the list that everyone knows it’s illegal to have.
Worse than illegal in fact. Having it could land you in Rehabilitation. Or worse.
Secretly, I hope he never finds the book he’s looking for. I don’t tell him this, but in my heart I hope for it every time we leave the safety of home.
Please don’t let him find it.
I’ve been in the lead, but Jacob takes over as we head toward the entrance. I can’t help but feel slightly annoyed at him for putting himself ahead of me. It’s not a jealousy thing. I know it’s about protecting me, his going ahead, but it annoys me no end he thinks I need protecting.
Nevertheless, I follow him up concrete steps toward the set of double doors. Jacob pauses right outside them. There’s a couple windows looking into the building, but they’re narrow and dirty, covered in years’ worth of dirt and grime. Inside, it’s impossible to see a thing.