by Karl Morgan
Sylvia turned back to face him. There were tracks of tears on her face. “What’s your point?”
“I want you to stop trying to destroy the universe.”
“Why should I care what you want?”
Carl smiled broadly. “Remember when you came to my bedroom to ask me to join you in your plan?”
Several demons hooted and laughed.
Sylvia turned to her siblings. “Just shut up!” She looked at Carl. “You said no.”
Carl nodded. “Yeah, because I don’t want to destroy anyone or anything. I think you came to me because you really like me.”
She turned away again. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just a mortal boy. How could an immortal fall for a child, and why would you ever be interested in me?”
He held one of her hands. She did not pull away, but looked down. “Well, first of all, you’re gorgeous.”
She grunted. “You just say that because I look like that Barbie girl.”
“Since you’re the immortal, I’m pretty sure you’re older than her. That means that she looks like you.”
One of the demons shouted, “Kiss her again, lover boy!”
She hissed at her sibling and then looked at Carl. “So, I’m pretty. Is that it?”
Carl pursed his lips for a moment. “Oddly enough, no. Putting aside all the drama about destroying the universe, there is something about you which I find very familiar and exciting. It’s like I’ve known you forever, but I’m just a teenager who’s has dated only two other girls.”
“Oh boy!” Satan said. Carl and Sylvia turned to him. Satan’s eyes got very large. “I have a meeting I need to get to.” He tapped his wrist where a wristwatch would normally be. “Manny will be waiting. See you later,” he said and vanished.
“What was that about?” Sylvia asked.
Carl shook his head and looked down. He noticed he was now holding both of Sylvia’s hands, but could not recall when he took hold of the second one. “I don’t know, but it was weird. It’s like he knew what I might say next and didn’t want to be around.”
She turned back to Carl. “Okay then, what were you going to say?”
Carl noticed she had moved forward, and now her face was only a few inches away. “Now you’re the immortal and I’m just a kid. Still, I feel like you and I have been together forever. For some reason, I feel like we’ve shared our lives together many, many times.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I know it’s silly. I have no way of knowing what lives I may have lived in the past.”
Sylvia let go of his hands and stepped back. “Well, I remember all of my life and cannot recall you and me ever being involved in anything.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Anything else?”
Carl sighed. “I still feel that connection to you. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just infatuated.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Would you please consider not destroying the universe … for me?”
Sylvia laughed. “You expect me to refrain from being God to make some dumb kid happy? Please. Goodbye, Carl.”
Carl wiped his own teary eyes as he faded into nothingness.
After returning to the school and before going to bed, Carl put a shield around the rooms where the Conway family was staying, as well as one around Aida’ and Grace’s and his and Burt’s rooms. Feeling somewhat safe, he slept like a baby. That night, he dreamt he was watching the waves roll up onto the beach of a small island. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Sylvia walking toward him. She carried two glasses of red wine. “Darling, I’m glad you could join me to watch the sunset.”
“Of course, Jacques. I am still amazed that you built this vacation home for me. Our honeymoon is the greatest joy of my life.”
He smiled. “So far, my love, but our lives will be filled with joy and hopefully children, Emmanuelle.”
She blushed as she handed him a glass. They made a toast, sipped their wine, and looked out to sea together. “Thank you for loving me, my darling.” They kissed, held hands, and walked back toward the cottage.
Chapter 8
Carl woke to the sound of rain pouring down outside. He sat up and stretched. He got out of bed, walked over to the window, and pulled the curtains aside. The angel Gabriel stood outside with fifty courtesans. The courtesans held umbrellas over their heads. “What I wouldn’t give for a normal day?” He walked over to his bedroom door and pulled it open. Burt was on the other side and about to knock. “Morning, Burt. What’s up?”
He smirked. “You mean besides the angel outside, of course. Do you think he’s here to help us?”
Carl shook his head. “No, he’s one of Sylvia’s conspirators. I’ll go talk to them, but first I’ll join all the shields to cover the entire school. That way, you can all go eat something and find a safer place.” He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them with a smile. “Wish me luck.” Carl walked to the door, pulled it open, stepped out into the hall, and closed the door after him.
“Good luck, Carl.”
A minute later, Carl walked out of the dormitory and approached his visitors. A bubble of air around him deflected the rain. He stood ten feet from the angel. “What do you want, Gabe?”
“I want you to join me so we can end this universe and do it right next time.”
Carl shook his head. “You know, I kind of like this universe, so I’ll pass.”
“Don’t be a fool, Carl. We both know that all people have the Invisible Hand, right? So I can take anyone I want.”
“Well, I’m honored that you’d pick me, but my answer is still no.”
A silver horn appeared in Gabe’s hand. “You know who I am. When I blow this horn, everyone on Earth will die. It’s Judgment Day, Carl. Now is the time to choose.”
Carl laughed so hard that he doubled over and slapped his knees. “For an archangel, you’re pretty stupid, Gabe. Judgment Day is decided by God, not some traitorous piece of trash.”
Gabe smiled. “In the next universe, I shall be God.”
“You’re kidding, right? Did Sylvia promise you that?”
“She did not need to. It’s obvious, isn’t it? I will be God, and she will be Satan.”
“So, you’ll let your sister Connie die? Does she know that?”
Gabe looked flustered. “What? No! It takes three to make a universe.”
Carl nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. One has the power to do it. Another is that one’s friend, and the last is Death. Only Mort has the skill to forge another Big Bang. Without him, reality will blink out of existence forever. Didn’t you know that?”
Gabe laughed. “What a pitiful lie, Carl. You pretend to know things you have no way of knowing.”
“Actually, your dad took me back to the precedent universe and showed me everything.”
“Liar!” Gabe shouted.
Soon the courtesans joined in and began to chant “Liar!” as well.
Carl waved them off. “Toot your little horn, Gabe, if that’s what will make you happy.” He crossed his arms against his chest. “Can I make a request for a song to play?”
Gabe smiled again. “Have a nice death.” He put the horn to his lips. He was about to blow when the horn burst into flames. Instantly, Gabriel was enveloped in fire that the rain could not quench. Fifty bolts of lightning shot from the horn, turning each of the courtesans into smoking ash. The clouds evaporated, and the sun began to shine on Carl.
Manny walked from behind Carl toward the burning angel. The fire gradually extinguished leaving a badly burned demon. Manny touched Gabe, and his burns disappeared. “Are you okay, Son?”
Gabe looked up. “Why have you forsaken me, Father?”
“I did not. You, your sister, and cousin made the choice to destroy this universe. Now, you know your limitations. Perhaps you can redeem yourself.” He patted his son on the back and walked back over to Carl. “That was disappointing, I must say.”
“I’m sorry for you, Manny.”
“I’m actually thrilled!” Death said as he joine
d them. “That’s fifty more souls returned.” He gave a thumbs-up to Carl. “I’ve got work to do, so I’ll see you later.” He turned and went to collect the souls.
“I don’t blame you for anything, Carl. Gabe should have known that his trumpet can work only on my orders, and as you’ve been told, I have no interest in ending this universe for a very long time.”
The demon Gabriel began to sink into the ground.
“Do you think he can redeem himself?”
“Of course, he can, Carl. Anyone can turn from the darkness to the light, or vice-versa, but it is a choice.” He leaned in. “Please try not to look at me too much. None of the others in the school can see me, and they might find your staring odd. The good news is that Gabriel’s actions have given you time.”
Carl looked around the area as though searching for other dangers. “How does that give me time?”
A large group of animals moved out of the forest toward them. “Let us go talk with the fauna.”
“Manny, I thought they were on the other island?”
“After the castle was moved, I brought them back.” He put his hand on Carl’s shoulder as they proceeded. “Sylvia’s and Gabriel’s rash actions have eliminated almost half of her followers. To succeed, she will need to recruit more. She has already sent most of the remaining courtesans around the planet to establish covens to worship her.”
“Manny, doesn’t she just need the three of them to destroy the universe if they join with Invisible Hands?”
Manny chuckled to himself. “Yes, that is what we all thought until Mort had a revelation. It would seem there are flaws in that logic, most of which you witnessed when you went back into my memories of the event. Carl, why don’t you take a guess?”
They stopped walking in the middle of the space between the Gratia Dei Hall and the first stand of trees. Dozens of deer and hundreds of sheep surrounded them. A mass of birds flew in circles over their heads. Each deer and many sheep had owls sitting on their heads or backs. Manny put his arms around the necks of two deer and kissed them.
Carl pursed his lips and thought for a moment. He sat on a sheep’s back, and Devin the owl landed on his shoulder. “First, that universe was dead, and there was no sentient life left.” Manny nodded.
“Very perceptive, Carl,” Devin replied. The owl hopped down onto Carl’s lap. He began to pet the bird gently.
“Jupiter and Pluto asked you to do it. You begged them to be the ones, but they gave that honor to you.”
Manny nodded and smiled. “Yes, but there is a greater truth in the words you just said. Go on.”
“Think carefully,” Devin said.
After a few moments of consideration, Carl noted, “There really was no other choice.”
“There are always choices, Carl. Try again.”
Carl’s eyes got large, and he gasped. “There was no one left who didn’t want that universe to end.”
“Excellent, Carl. I am proud of you.” Manny patted him on the shoulder and rubbed the owl’s head. “As you have witnessed, both Sylvia and Gabriel are reckless and rash. Constance is more level-headed, but so far she’s been cowed by her brother.” He scratched his chin. “Perhaps she will change her mind, but that will be her choice. Because it suits their desires, they believe if they can recruit a large enough cadre of followers, they will be able to defeat you and any other Invisible Hands. They believe then they can join and recreate the universe; however, that is folly. Given the number of sentient planets full of beings who do not want to die for them, they will most likely fail.”
“Most likely?”
“Carl, as you know, the re-creation of the universe does not occur often. Usually, it happens only once in a hundred billion years. If the two join with Mort, it is possible they will succeed, although I still have faith that he wants nothing to do with such an apocalypse. Without a creator of the Big Bang, the radius of their effect will be greatly reduced, but it may still be enough to destroy this solar system and perhaps this entire galaxy, if not a few neighbor galaxies as well.”
Carl picked up Devin, stood, and placed the owl onto the sheep’s back. “Manny, if they cannot succeed, why don’t you just stop them now?”
“As long as there is still hope, we have to let them proceed. Please remember what I told you about perspective. To me, the soul inside you is what matters, and it cannot die.” He smiled. “Have faith, as I have faith in you, Carl. I’m going to take a walk with these friends, and we’ll talk later.”
As Carl headed back into the dormitory, he was intercepted by Dean Whitehall, who led him over to the headmaster’s office. Carl still wore his pajamas and slippers. The headmaster and dean shouted at him for ten minutes and blamed him for killing the man in the angel costume and the courtesans. Professor Donnelly and Thorndike whispered among themselves while the headmaster and dean considered the teenager’s fate. Carl sat with his head down and eyes closed. Again, no one had asked for his side of the story. In his mind, he was praying to be expelled. He had done nothing, and yet they blamed him. There was a knock at the door.
Dorchester scowled at Carl and then said, “Alistair, tell whoever it is to go away. This is more important.”
“Yes, Headmaster,” Donnelly said as he stood. “However, please know that my resignation is effective the moment Carl is discharged.” He headed for the door.
“Mine too,” Thorndike added. “I’m tired of this shortsightedness.”
Without looking up, Carl said, “Please don’t do that on my account.”
Donnelly opened the door slightly to see whom it might be. He almost stumbled and stepped back.
Death walked into the room. “Morning all, and a wonderful morning it is.” The others were too startled to speak. Death set his scythe in a corner, walked over to Carl, and put his hand on his back. “There, there, Carl. You knew the risks when you accepted the gift.” He pulled a chair over and sat next to the boy.
“What is the meaning of that ridiculous costume, sir?” Dorchester asked.
Death waved him off. “Carl, you know why they’re behaving this way, don’t you?”
Carl nodded but did not look up.
Whitehall stood. “Sir, I believe the headmaster addressed you directly. Please respond or leave us to our job.”
Death leaned toward Carl and whispered, “If I had eyes, they’d be rolling like mad in my head right now.” Carl chuckled and Death stood. He pulled off the robe and dropped it onto the chair he had vacated. He noticed the looks of the others. The headmaster and dean could see the professors easily through the open spaces in the skeletal form. The skeleton bowed. “My lady and dear sir, allow me to introduce myself. I am Death, although you may address me as Mort.” He picked up the robe, wrapped it around himself, and pulled up the hood. As he walked around the table, all except Carl were focused on him. Whitehall sat and gawked at the creature. Death stood between the headmaster and dean. He casually put his hands on their shoulders. Both shuddered and pulled away. “You see, Carl, they don’t understand, yet.” He waved his bony hand at the professors. “Seven, it’s good to see you. One through six send their best regards.” Thorndike was too stunned to respond. “Would everyone please stand?” Carl stood, but the others remained in their seats. “Well, I tried to be nice, but...” The others stood stiffly, as if they could not control their bodies. “That’s better.” They faded into thin air.
The group from the headmaster’s office stood outside Death’s cabin on the mountain top. Death looked at Carl. “Remind me to retrieve my scythe. I seem to have left it behind.” Carl nodded. Death pointed at the ornate bridge. The fifty courtesans stood near the end waiting. “Carl, I’m going to make a pot of coffee. I’ll let you explain this to the teachers.” He walked over to his door, opened it, and stepped inside.
“Are we dreaming?” Dorchester asked.
“We all hope so,” one of the courtesans replied.
Carl shook his head. “No, this isn’t a dream, but it’s also not qui
te reality either.”
“Carl, if our presence here as some kind of charade, not only will you be expelled, but sent to jail as well.”
“Yes, Headmaster. When that happens, I’ll leave you to deal with the demon queen.” Several of the courtesans cheered. Carl walked onto the ornate bridge near the courtesans. “I’m really sorry about what happened. I had nothing to do with it, I swear.”
They all looked down.
“Mort will be here to help you in a little bit,” Carl said with a smile and then rejoined the others.
“How can this place be unreal, but also not a dream?” Donnelly asked.
Carl thought for a moment. “I’ve been told this place is a parable for reality. All departed souls come up that bridge where those people are standing. Mort then works with the others to decide what happens next. Then their souls travel down the other bridge and back to life. Along the way, they may pass through Heaven or Hell, depending on how they’ve been judged.”
“Then we’re really dead?” one of the courtesans asked. Carl wiped his eyes and nodded. Soon, the courtesans huddled together to share their grief.
“Excuse me, Headmaster.” Carl walked back onto the bridge and the courtesans surrounded him for comfort. “It’s okay. Your spirits will live forever with the One True God.”
The door to Death’s cabin opened, and the robed skeleton headed toward the dead. As he walked, organs, muscles, and skin began to cover his bones. When he reached the ornate bridge, he looked like the young Manny Carl had seen in the precedent galaxy. “Carl, I’ll take it from here. Please return to your friends.” Carl smiled and headed back to the others. As he reached them, Death called out, “Do you understand now?”
“I think I’m beginning to and thanks,” Carl replied as tears rolled out of his eyes.
Death wagged a finger at him. “Be careful. With too much knowledge, you may find a trip up the Rope Bridge as the only acceptable option.” Death returned to the others, whispering kind words, and soothing their misery.