by Joy Johnson
After Lokhem and I healed each other in the same way as Andola and her Death Dealer, I watched him fly away on Lokhem's back. I knew that I could watch and listen through our telekinetic link, but I chose against this. I was in too much emotional pain, and I knew what Garhet would see. I did not wish to see the death of Earth any more.
When Lokhem returned with Garhet, he asked me to stay on Earth with him and the others of his kind. He has told me that those were his orders from the Guardian when she sent him to Earth; to find me, a half-blood Death Dealer raised by humans. He told me that this is why he left his gateway in the grass field and allowed himself to be captured; to get me to help them save what little remains of the Guardian's children. As it turns out, the humans have scattered and hid themselves so well that the Death Dealers are now having a hard time finding them. Lokhem has said that with my help, they could save more humans, and make the transitions less frightening.
When I asked him why he thought that I was the best one for the job, he simply repeated back to me what my father used to say: “If you want the truth about something hard to accept, it is better to hear it from a friend.”
July 31, 3078
Dear Aleena,
Garhet has told me that you and Ephram were headed west when he last saw you. He has said that he believes you will run into the waste lands within a fort night if you continue at the pace and direction that you were going. If this is the case, and you have come back to read this, then you will have seen what lays in wait for our kind.
Lokhem has told me that the small patch of Earth that we have been calling home, will die within ten years' time. He has also said that your only hope is to say the prayer and wait until the baby is born. When he or she has learned how to speak, you must have the child say the prayer before you attempt to cross a gateway into the High Realm of Megorim Habayit. Please know that if you do not say the prayer, you will not survive the transition. Your body and Soul will both burn, and then you will cease to exist.
It is my deepest regret that we were on bad terms when we parted ways. If I could do it all again, I would change it somehow, but now there is no way. Please know that you were my one true friend in this life, and that I thank you for that friendship every day. We have had our differences, but I always knew in my heart that I could count on you. I know that I cannot tell you to say the prayer, and I cannot force you to accept this Guardian's gift of grace, or even to know if you will believe me; but what I can say is this: Garhet and I love you. We will miss you terribly if you chose not to say the prayer. We want nothing more than to see you again. Please keep that in mind no matter what you decide.
You should also know that Garhet and I have made a decision. As Garhet cannot stay in the realm of Earth we have decided to join hands in the only way that this Earth has left. We are now what Zephora called, Wife and Husband. We are going to enjoy our last night on Earth under the stars in the meadow where you will find this journal.
In the morning, I have decided that I will join Garhet in the transition to Lokhem's world. We are going to try to find my mother and father, along with Zephora and the others. When we have found as many of our family as we can, I have promised Lokhem I will attempt to return to Earth. The Death Dealer has said that because I am half of their blood there is the possibility that I my body will not burn, and that I may be able to return with Lokhem. He is a bit disappointed that I have chosen not to stay on Earth and help them for now, but he understands my need to make sure that Garhet sees his new homelands safely.
I know that you are probably thinking Garhet and I have lost our minds. Please try to understand. This world is dying, we have seen this with our own eyes just as you have by now. Our choice, no matter how painful, is the only one we have left. We must leave Earth.
In ten years or a hundred, eventually this Earth will run out of water. I remember how horrible it was to watch you, Ephram and Garhet suffer on our way to the Northern Pass. I remember how eventually I didn't even have the saliva enough to suck on mint leaves.
That is not a death that I will chose for myself, and Garhet agrees. We hope to see you both again someday. Garhet and I will pray to the Guardian spirit that you will find your way to us, or us to you. However, if this is not the case, and I cannot return to you, would you do me one last favor? Would you and Ephram sing the chant that Delphrom sang when we lost some one at camp? It used to go something like:
Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust,
Earth to earth,
Because we must,
Because we trust…
The End
About the Author
Joy Johnson has traveled all over the United States as both an active duty United States Marine and now as a Veteran. She is married, and is the mother of two children. She lives a quiet life in the mountains of West Virginia, and loves the beauty of putting words to paper. It is her supreme hope that her characters find their way into the world and provide others with the same kind of wonder that they have provided her with these past years.
For more of her books, visit her author page at: amazon.com/author/joyjohnsonwrit3r
Dedication
With great love and affection, I dedicate this book to my husband and children. You are the burning ember in my night sky, and the blossoming arch of inspiration that fills my day dreams with wonder.
A Note to the Reader
Thank you for downloading this e-book short story. The author encourages you to talk about it with your friends and family. This e-book is a work of fiction. Any and all resemblance to persons; living or dead, places, events or locations, are purely coincidental, and should not be taken for fact. The characters represented within this working of fiction are productions of the author's imaginings and are fictitious. This should be considered young adult and adult reading material.
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