by Karl Morgan
“What did he mean?” Thorndike asked.
Carl sighed, and all were back in the headmaster’s office. “Am I expelled, Headmaster Dorchester?”
Dorchester tried to speak but was overwhelmed with emotion and turned away. Whitehall said, “No, Carl. As we’ve said before, that would be a grievous error on our part.”
Donnelly put his hand on Carl’s shoulder. “Let’s go. Come along, Bertrand.”
As they headed for the door, Dorchester said, “Thank you for letting us witness that place.”
Carl nodded, picked up Death’s scythe, and the three left the office.
After leaving the scythe in his room, showering, and changing his clothes, Carl went to the dining hall and found it empty. He looked at the clock on the wall and realized he had missed breakfast. Just then, Professor Donnelly opened the drapes, closing off the faculty dining room from the rest of the dining hall, and called him over. Professor Thorndike was also there. He sipped a coffee while reviewing some papers from classes the previous day. Once the two were seated, Donnelly said, “We missed breakfast too, but the cooks are preparing some omelets and hash browns for us.”
Thorndike looked up from his work. “We’ve known the kitchen staff their whole lives, so they always help us.” He returned to the paperwork.
Donnelly leaned close to Carl. “Who was that man you spoke to after the angel and courtesans were destroyed?”
“I didn’t think anyone else could see Him.”
“Yeah, Bertrand didn’t see anyone. I think I may have been the only one, which worried me. Frankly, I thought I might be having hallucinations. Someone was there, right?”
Carl was about to respond when the drapes opened again, and three servers brought their food. After they served and pleasantries were exchanged, they left. “Go on, Carl.”
Thorndike suddenly looked up. “Who was that man you spoke with out front of the dormitory this morning, Prescott? I just realized that someone else was there. Wasn’t it Death as well?”
“Bertrand, I thought you didn’t see anyone?”
“I thought that as well, Alistair. But now that I think about it, there was someone who looked remarkably like Death. Not the skeleton one, but the one with the flesh.”
“Well, Carl?”
Thorndike gasped. “Wait a minute! I think I saw him with One at the reunion. Carl, what’s going on?”
Carl started to hyperventilate. He sat with his head down and tried to relax. How could he tell them? They would believe he was insane for certain this time. Then, a tiny voice in his mind whispered, “Have faith.”
Carl sat up and took a long drink of water in order to give him more time to think of the best words. Finally, he smiled. “Okay, professors, I’ll tell you what I believe. You can decide if you want to accept it or not.” The others nodded. “His name is Emmanuel, and He is the Lord God.”
Donnelly and Thorndike stared at each other for a full minute without a word. A small smile worked its way across Thorndike’s face. “I guess that was obvious.” He returned to his papers.
Donnelly wiped tears from his face with his napkin. “That is totally amazing, and I suppose I knew that already. Would you like to know how?”
“Of course, Professor.”
“Remember when you healed me at the Sporting Lodge?”
“I could never forget that, Professor.”
Hearing those words, Thorndike looked over at the others.
“At one point, white, winged silhouettes emerged from your body and flew around the room. They appeared to be dancing and celebrating something wonderful. Back then, I didn’t think they had any facial features, but now, I know they looked like Him.”
Thorndike added, “The same occurred when you rejoined Bea Cardenas with her soul. I remember the resemblance now myself.”
“What do you think it means, Professors?”
Thorndike laughed. “It’s very simple, right, Alistair?”
Donnelly nodded and smiled. “Carl, you truly are the Hand of God.”
After breakfast with the professors, Carl retreated to the hidden room in the bell tower. He sat on one of the wing chairs with his feet on the hassock. No matter how hard he tried to push out the memory of recent events, his thoughts would not relent. Finally, he stood and walked over to the windows overlooking the atrium. Carl looked around the area for any of his friends, but none were about. He imagined they had already returned to their classes. The thought of school and classes reminded him of the book he had found in the formerly hidden storage room. It had taught him how to be an Invisible Hand. Even though Manny said Carl no longer needed the book, he missed its sage wisdom. He sighed and looked down.
“Are you hiding from me?” Aida asked from the top of the spiral staircase.
He turned to face her and smiled. “No, not at all. It’s been a crazy morning already, that’s all.”
She walked over to him and kissed him softly. “Good.” She snuggled up to his chest, and he put his arms around her. “That’s better. After you went outside in the rain, Burt came over and told us what was happening, so we all came over and watched from his bedroom. Then, the strangest thing happened.”
They both turned back to the windows and looked outside. “You could see Manny and Mort, but neither of them could.”
“How did you know that?”
“Manny told me that most would not be able to see him and not to look at him because my staring into empty space might seem odd.”
She nodded. “That makes sense, and I suppose it’s the same with Death.” He nodded. “So, what else made this morning so crazy.”
He led her to the couch and both sat. “After the incident, I was taken to the headmaster’s office. He was moments away from expelling me when Death knocked on the door.”
She laughed. “I bet that scared the pants off of them. Were just the headmaster and dean in the room?”
He shook his head. “Professors Donnelly and Thorndike were there too. Well, Death took us all to his cabin where they saw the three bridges. They could also see the fifty courtesans who were waiting to be judged. I think seeing those people made them change their mind about me, although I don’t know why.”
“Carl, be serious. They witnessed something far beyond the life experience they could accept. They saw the dead still living. They saw the Grim Reaper as something other than fantasy. I bet the whole experience was awesome.”
“I suppose so, but I was overwhelmed with grief. Those souls were crying when they realized they had passed. I went onto the bridge to try and comfort them.”
She took his hand in hers. “You really are a special guy, but enough of that for now. I know tomorrow is your birthday, so I want to give you an early gift.”
“Thank you for remembering, Aida, but you didn’t have to give me a present.”
“What kind of a girlfriend would I be if I didn’t?”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “The best kind.”
“Don’t be such a kiss-up, Carl. Now stick out your hands, palms up, and close your eyes.” When he had done so, she passed her hand over his.
Carl felt something on his hands and opened his eyes. It was the book. “Where did you get this? I was just thinking about how much I missed it.” He turned it around in his hands. “It seems thicker.”
“Open it.”
He turned the cover and words began to form on the blank page. It read, “Thank you for thinking of me, Carl.”
“Book, Manny told me I would not need you anymore, but I’m not so sure. Every day I’m unsure what to do, and frankly, I don’t know who else I can ask for advice or help.”
More words appeared on the page. “I am very pleased to help you in any way I can, but I hope you understand that I am not really a book.”
“But I’m holding you in my hands, and you have pages, a cover, and binding.”
The words moved around on the page to form others. “Aida, please explain to our friend.”
Carl turned to his girlfriend who smiled sweetly at him. She caressed his cheek. “Carl, the book is the Word of God.”
The page flipped over and new words appeared. “Now you understand why my voice is the same as His, but it is fine if you wish to keep this reminder of my presence. Many wear symbols of their faith, and this book can be your symbol if that gives you comfort. Those who wear the symbols view them as a connection to Him. This book can be that connection for you, for as long as you need it.”
Carl wiped the moisture from his eyes. “Thank you.”
Several more pages flipped until two blank pages were visible. Letter by letter, the words formed. “Carl, there is only one revelation left to complete your lessons. When you realize that, you will understand why you never need to fear anything again. Then you will truly know.”
“What is the book talking about, Carl?”
“Book, can I ask others about that one thing?”
The page turned blank. After several seconds, two words formed. “Please do.” The book dissolved in his hands.
“So, what’s the one thing?”
Carl stood and pulled Aida to her feet as well. “Not here. Let’s see if we can convene a Conclave of Owls.”
They walked away from the school and into a nearby stand of trees where they found a small clearing in the center. Carl and Aida sat on the ground and waited. Within a few minutes, several owls and many other creatures had arrived. The deer, sheep, and goats sat at the edge of the clearing, while fifteen owls sat on low tree branches. The white owl Devin said, “It’s good to see you again, Carl and Aida. Why have you requested our presence?”
“This was Carl’s idea,” Aida replied.
Carl stood and then bowed to the owls. The birds and other fauna bowed their heads in return. “I have a question, and I thought you might be able to help me answer it.”
“Go on.”
“Earlier today, I was near the three bridges. Mort left his cabin to be with the souls of the courtesans who died outside the school this morning. As he approached, flesh and organs formed on his skeleton. When he stepped onto the bridge, he looked like the younger Emmanuel I had seen in the precedent universe. I am confused why he, Manny, and even Satan look alike. Do you know the answer?”
All of the animals turned to leave the area, except Devin. He stared at Carl and shook his head.
Aida stood and held her boyfriend’s hand. “Why are you all leaving? Don’t you want to help?”
Devin replied, “Carl has already been given that answer, and we are certain he remembers it. However, the answer does not solve anything. Understanding the implications of that answer is what’s important. There was another Invisible Hand who gained considerable notoriety over the years. His name was Siddhartha, and he lived a very long time ago. He learned the answer in an instant. However, he meditated on the meaning of the answer for seven weeks before he truly understood its implications.”
Carl looked down and sighed. “Devin, I don’t think I have seven weeks before the demon queen attacks again.”
“You don’t have to understand it now, or ever for that matter. In fact, it might be better if you never understand it. That kind of knowledge will change you forever and I really like you as you are.”
“Devin, can we defeat the demon queen without knowing?” Aida asked.
“Yes, I believe you can. You two are already building an unbeatable band of Invisible Hands. Of course, that victory will come with a dear price, but that is her fault, not yours.”
Carl raised his hand. “Devin, I was told if I had the knowledge, I would never need to be afraid again. Wouldn’t that make it easier to defeat her?”
“That is most likely true, but the cost would be too high. Imagine you could easily defeat her and solve all of the problems of the world with that knowledge.”
“I could do that?”
Devin ruffled his feathers. “Carl, I said imagine. Let me continue. If you do achieve all of that, it would be a wonderful thing, right?” The teens nodded. “Would you still agree if that knowledge erased everything you know about yourselves, each other, and the universe itself? I see you two are holding hands. Think about the sensation of your hands wrapped around one another. It’s a warm and sweet thing. With the knowledge, none of that could ever happen again. You would be happy and together, but this life, planet, and universe would be irrelevant. Now, what do you think?”
Aida pulled their hands against her chest. “I think I like things as they are.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Good. I need to join my friends, so I will see you both again soon.” The owl took to the air and flew over the trees. Aida and Carl headed back toward the school.
Chapter 9
Death stepped out of his cabin and was surprised to see Carl Prescott sitting on the pathway near the Rope Bridge. He went back inside and emerged moments later with two steaming cups of coffee. As he offered one to the teen, he said, “Interesting to find you in this place today, Carl. What’s on your mind?”
“Thanks for the coffee, Mort. It’s pretty chilly here this morning.” He looked down into the mug and noticed the black coffee turning lighter as if cream was being added. He took a sip. “That’s just the way I like it.”
Death sat on one of two chairs that had suddenly appeared. He took a sip of his own drink and replied, “That’s to be expected here, I suppose. Do you know why?”
Carl got up and then sat on the vacant chair. A warm blanket appeared around his legs and lower body. “This place is outside the physical universe and, therefore, doesn’t have to comply with the laws of physics or nature.”
Death smiled. “Right you are. By the way, are you here to try the Rope Bridge?”
“No, I don’t think I’m ready for that. Besides, someone has to stop Sylvia.”
Death drank the last of his coffee, and the cup began to refill itself. “Do they?” Carl sat with his mouth open. “Okay, for the sake of argument, let’s say someone must, and if you believe that should be you, so be it. I must say that you missed an important lesson the other day.”
“What was that?”
“You made a bargain with Sylvia to stop her from taking the Conway girl’s body. In exchange, you did not toss her body off this mountain.”
“Yeah, but it worked. That’s all I cared about.”
“Well, that may be true, but you assumed that if her body fell off the mountain, she would lose her immortality. When I think about that now, it just seems silly.”
Carl stood angrily. “It is true. She believed it too.”
Death crossed his legs. “Just relax, sit down, and think about it. The lesson of Viszreaagh may be instructive. What did Gabriel tell you about him?”
Carl sat and set his cup onto the flagstone path. He put his elbows on his knees and held his head in his hands as he tried to remember.
“Since we’re outside of reality, I literally have all the time in the world.”
After a couple of minutes, Carl looked up. “He said Viszreaagh had been a good and pious man, and that God allowed him to help others forever as a reward.” Death smiled and Carl gasped. “God decides who is immortal.”
“Lesson learned.”
“Wait a minute, Mort. Why didn’t Sylvia already know that?”
As the mountain and bridges began to fade away, Death replied, “Why didn’t you?”
Carl found himself sitting at a table in the atrium of the main school building. Dawn was just breaking, and most interior lights were still off. He rose, walked over to the main doors, pulled them open, and stepped inside. An idea popped into his head, and he took the staircase down. When he arrived at the third basement level, he headed toward the broom closet door that had led to the underground castle. He stood looking at the narrow door. He knew the castle was gone and that it had been replaced by asteroids, but something did not feel right. He opened the door to find a small elevator car. Intrigued, he stepped inside and closed the door.
Sof
t lighting illuminated the small interior. Three buttons were on the control panel. The light next to a star symbol was lit, so Carl assumed that was this level. The up button had a smiley face next to it. The down button had a message engraved next to it, which read, “I would not recommend it.” Carl pushed the up button, and the car began to move.
The trip seemed to take forever, and his venture into the other broom closet with Grace touched his mind. With so much occurring since that day, he had forgotten his claustrophobia. Thankfully, the car stopped and the door opened. He stepped out and found himself in a hallway. A single door stood at the end, some twenty feet ahead, so he headed toward it. There was a bronze plaque mounted on the door that read, “The Rope Bridge Society.” Carl shook his head and knocked on the door. After a few moments with no response, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Having just stepped through a doorway, he was startled to find himself standing in an open, circular area surrounded by tables set up around him The doorway was gone. There were gaps where one table neared the next. Most of the chairs were filled, although there was several open. There was one large throne on a small riser that was also vacant. Carl turned around in place and looked at the beings around him. They seemed to be from several different planets, although there were several humans. All looked to be in peak physical condition, and their skin had a warm glow. “Hi.”
A human wearing a long tunic stood. He had long brown hair, a beard, and olive-toned skin. He stepped around the end of a table and approached with hand outstretched. “Hello, Carl. My name is Joshua. I’m very happy you came to say hello.”
Carl shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Joshua.”
“Just Josh is fine.” He put his hand on Carl’s arm and led him to the man who had been sitting next to him. That man stood, put his two hands together with palms pressed together, and bowed slightly. His hair was black and his skin dark brown. “This is Sid.”