by S E Brower
“I am sorry, Travis John. I cannot.”
“Why? What do you mean, you cannot? Help her, I know you can. Help her. Why won’t anyone help her?” he looked to Garret, who only looked down at the floor.
Then Travis knew, there would be no divine intervention, “Then call 911!” he shouted, as the tears streamed down his face.
Drummondax looked over at Garret, “Reverse the brainwave technology and re-adjust the satellite positions.” Garret jumped up, running over to the terminal with the large screen.
“I’m on it,” he told Drummondax over his shoulder, as he attacked the keyboard, tapping out a series of commands.
“You know what you are to do, do you not?” Drummondax asked.
“Yes. I know what to do,” Garret answered in frustration, wishing Drummondax would just be quiet already, and let him concentrate. “Just give me a few minutes, okay.”
“A few minutes, Jessica does not have, Garret. She is the last Rogue Soul who lives. I suggest you hurry.”
“Yeah, okay. But no pressure, right?” Garret mumbled under his breath.
Travis did not understand what was happening. He asked, only to have Drummondax hold up his hand to silence him. Jessie’s eyes fluttered open when she heard her name, and she saw Drummondax bending over her.
“You came,” she whispered.
“Yes, Jessica Elaine. I am your Guardian, am I not? Where else should I be?” he smiled at her.
She tried to speak, but he put his finger gently to her lips. He looked at her, bowing his head, “Jessica Elaine Santino, I wish you peace, may The Father be with you, now, and always.” When he looked up, a quiet calm settled over the room.
Jessie looked over at Kendal. In her mind, she offered a silent plea. “Dear Father, please have mercy on her soul.” Mere seconds later, she knew her prayer was answered, as she watched Kendal’s blue mist rising from her body. As Jessie looked on, Kendal’s Guardian appeared. Battered and beaten was he, from long fighting for her salvation. He placed Kendal’s soul in a carrying crystal and beamed as he lifted her towards the heavens. In her mind, Jessie smiled too. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“It’s ready,” Garret’s voice broke the silence, as he looked back at Drummondax, who leaned down and whispered to Jessie.
“Dear Jessica, I was mistaken before. Now, I know that this is your higher purpose. This is the reason you were born. Think now, of all your memories of Easter and it shall restore mankind’s memory.”
Just as before, in the circle of solidarity when The Father had spoken to Jessie, a beautiful, pure light gently kissed her on the forehead. The light jumped from Jessie over to Garret, entered through his forehead and shot out from his fingertips onto the keyboard in front of him.
Outside the windows of the room, there was a bright flash lighting up the night sky. It only lasted an instant. Unseen, in the great hall of the Guardian Library, the pedestal in the center of the main lobby glowed, on which a huge book appeared and opened.
A blinding light erupted from within its pages, shooting crackling bolts of energy, racing through the halls, illuminating every active book within the Library. There was a second burst of energy, and then… all was quiet. They had restored the memories of mankind. Lucifer’s evil scheme had been halted.
Travis, still holding Jessie when the beam of light disappeared, looked up at Drummondax. “It was Raven,” he said, shaking his head in bewilderment, “she was right. I remember, our family dog’s name, was Raven.” Jessie smiled one last smile at him. She had given the last of her energy to all of humanity, and it was too much for her. Closing her eyes, her chin fell gently to the side and she was gone.
Travis gripped his sister in his arms, his face buried in her hair, his shoulders heaving. He couldn’t believe it. “What will I say to Mike, and her kids? What will I say to Dad?” he wondered, trembling with sorrow, tears welling in his eyes.
Drummondax placed a comforting hand on his shoulder to calm him, “Have faith, you will find the right words, Travis John… It is time,” he said.
As Drummondax stood over Jessie’s lifeless body, he brought forth the carrying crystal, in preparation to receive her soul for transport. Saying a prayer, he put the blue mist that was her soul into a deep sleeplike state, as it left her body.
He continued praying, as he condensed it and placed it into the crystal. With Jessie’s soul safely contained and ready for transport, Drummondax turned once more to Travis, “You have done well this day, Dragon Warrior. Weep not for the loss of your sister, for you know, through the knowledge you have gained, this is not her end, but her beginning.” Travis stood and looked first at the carrying crystal, then at Drummondax.
“Take good care of her, Dax.”
Drummondax nodded, and with that, reverently holding the carrying crystal containing Jessie’s blue mist in both hands, ascended to Heaven with the last Rogue Soul.
Once Drummondax ascended, Garret approached Travis, “I’m sorry for your loss, but you know now, she’s not gone. Not really, right? You understand The Father awaits her arrival, along with her friends and loved ones that have gone before her.” Travis looked up at him.
“Doesn’t make it any easier.”
“No, I guess it doesn’t, does it? Garret replied, thinking of Evan. “But a few things you weren’t aware of Travis, might ease your pain.”
Travis stood staring at Garret, still shaken, “I doubt it, but go ahead.” Folding his arms, he listened as Garret told him about Jessie’s malady, courtesy of The Author, and that she would have had little time left to live, regardless.
He explained the only way to restore the stolen memories of humanity was with the aid of a living Rogue Soul. As Jessie was the last, this task fell to her. However, in doing so, the cost was her life.
Travis understood. Garret was right. This was her choice. Her life was going to end, and she determined it would be on her terms. Travis realized, if the task had fallen to him, he too, would have done everything possible to make things right.
Seeing Kendal’s dagger laying on the floor, Travis bent down to pick it up. Straightening, he examined the dagger, before handing it to Garret. Accepting the weapon, Garret briefly examined it as well. It wasn’t the dagger Suzu had taken from Talon-Har’s dog, but it was similar. He decided to hang on to it and tucked it away in the pouch of his hoodie. He extended his hand in a gesture of farewell. Clasping Garret’s hand in his own, Travis asked, “So, what’s next?”
“You go on with your God-given life, as best you can,” Garret took a step back to depart, but before he could go, Travis stopped him.
“Garret, do me a favor. Keep an eye on her.”
Garret nodded and smiled, “Dude, that could be a fulltime job.” With that, Garret backed up and faded away.
After Garret departed, the celestial time they had been operating under since the arrival of Drummondax, was no longer in effect. Time had returned to normal. The fire police arrived mere minutes in Earthly time, after the pulling of the fire alarm.
In the aftermath, it was reported that an explosion in a high security facility, took the lives of two people. With divine influence, it was determined to be accidental. No further investigation was conducted. Case closed.
Chapter 23
Am I Dead?
Everything was silent when she opened her eyes. “Am I dead?” she said to herself.
“Yes, my dear, I’m afraid so,” was the soft reply. Jessie laid still for a long while thinking about Mike and her kids, not wanting to leave them. Then, it occurred to her she had no memory of her passing, and wasn’t feeling any panic or sadness or anything, really. All she felt was peace. Jessie sat up and saw a familiar face.
“I know you!” she exclaimed.
The face smiled back at her, “Indeed,” he said.
“You’re Pastor Parkerton, from the little Patriot’s Chapel,” Jessie smiled.
“I am many things, dear one,” he told her, a twinkle in his eye.
“Yes, my dear. Drummondax carried you to the Guardian Library. I brought you here. He saved me part of a trip. No one is alone during progression. Not even the Rogue Souls. I am tasked with escorting them here. It is an honor, for they were agents of The Father.”
“What does that mean, Agents of The Father?”
“Simply put, The Rogue Souls began during the Dragon Wars. They were paired with a Dragon Warrior in order to assist one another. Rogue Souls were not assigned a Guardian, because they were guided by The Father and were undetectable to Lucifer.
That time has passed, and the Rogues have been unmasked and decommissioned. Recently, there were many who progressed, and I was very busy. But you are the last. I think now, I shall retire,” he sighed, winking at her.
“What about the Dragon Wars?”
“That’s a story for another time, my Dear.”
Just then, she heard another familiar voice behind her, Faith, her mother’s. Then, her Grandmother and Grandfather and every other relative and friend long since passed. She spun around, bursting with eagerness to see everyone, and overjoyed when she saw Aalonray and Jordondey again so soon. She got to meet Evan, as well. It was strange, although he looked like Garret, she knew after talking with him, they were very, very different.
After a tearful, yet joyful reunion, and a recounting of some of her adventures with her brother, excluding her own death, of which she had no recollection, Jessie once again, found herself alone with Pastor Parkerton. There was a complete and udder nothingness surrounding them.
She knew she was standing on something, but she didn’t know what. Everything was misty and silent yet filled with warmth and love. So, inviting was it, she never wanted to move from this spot.
“Dear, Jessica Elaine,” he began, “you must choose.”
Jessie was confused, “I don’t know what you mean, choose. Choose what?” she asked.
He smiled, “You must choose if you wish to progress with your other family members and friends, or if you wish to be in the service of The Father.”
She didn’t know what to think. She knew a little about progression, but she wasn’t sure if everyone had a choice about what happens to them after they die. Maybe not everyone did, but she was being given a chance to decide.
She looked behind her. Off in the distance, she saw the outlined forms of all the people she had just had the pleasure of reuniting with. They all stood watching her. She looked back at Pastor Parkerton.
“What does it mean to be in service?” she asked.
“Exactly what it means,” he said. Crossing her arms, she scrunched up her nose, giving his words some consideration.
“It means, to serve The Father,” he added.
“Oh,” she said, “in other words, whatever he would like me to do.” Pastor Parkerton nodded. Jessie took another quick glimpse behind her. “Will I be able to see my friends and family again?”
He hesitated, then answered, “Of course.” Jessie took it to mean, that was a yes, with caveats.
“One last question. Does it involve wings, at all?”
Pastor Parkerton laughed out loud, “Yes, Jessica Elaine.” Jessie smiled from ear to ear. She turned and blew a kiss, waving to those behind her and then, they all silently, turned away. Jessie watched until the last of them faded from view.
Spinning back around to the Pastor, “I’m ready. What do I do now?”
“Close your eyes,” he said.
***
In the Guardian Library, Drummondax stood looking at a book resting on the podium in the center of the main lobby when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
“Reporting for duty, Dax!” Without looking up, he smiled, turning around to see an enthusiastic, radiant Jessie, standing before him.
From a nearby corridor, Garret had been filing books when he also heard her voice and came sprinting into the Lobby.
“Jessie!” he exclaimed, running towards her for a hug. Instead, she extended her hand, palm facing him, halting him in his tracks. Turning her back, she flaunted a pair of breathtakingly beautiful white wings, sparkling as if they’d been kissed by tiny ice crystals.
She wore a long-sleeved tunic, and a black leather corset which hugged her small waist. On her wrists she wore metallic cuffs of silver, glistening when she moved her hands. Dark leggings graced her legs, and she wore a pair of knee-high black leather boots with heels.
Jessie turned back around to face Garret and Drummondax, extending her foot, “And shoes to match,” she declared. At which, they all burst into laughter.
“I’ll show you around and get you acquainted with how things run around here,” Garret told her. It wasn’t long at all, before Jessie was familiar with the comings and goings of the Guardian Library, and Drummondax asked to speak with her, in his office.
Right away, she felt uneasy, “Knock, knock,” she said, as she entered.
He looked up at her, and smiled, “Jessica Elaine, the time has come for you to choose,” he said.
Jessie didn’t understand, “I chose,” she said, in a panic, “I have wings now, right?” worried they intended to take them away from her.
Drummondax shook his head, “Calm yourself, and it is not what you think,” he told her, “you must decide if you shall become a Guardian, or if you will be a messenger for The Father.”
Jessie visibly relaxed, mulling it over, “Could I do both?”
He started to say no, but stopped himself, “I’ll see what I can do,” he smiled.
“Thank you,” she replied, “is that all you wanted?”
“Jessica, I feel that there is some unresolved regret in your life. You do not seem as much at peace, as when you first arrived. Tell me, what is bothering you?”
Jessie hung her head, “Well, I didn’t have time to say good-bye to my family, and I wondered how they are doing.”
Drummondax stood still in thought, then suggested, “I think we shall take that break you told me of, when first we met.” She didn’t understand, when he motioned her to join him in the Lobby. “Garret,” he called. The two followed Drummondax, to the Library exit. Garret laughed at her when he leaped into the air just above her head.
“Wait until you fly. It’s sick!” he shouted down at her, “just watch the landings.”
Jessie spread her wings and leaped into the air, hovering next to Garret, who was surprised by her control. Then, Drummondax took flight. Jessie and Garret followed along behind, and her heart sang. She was a natural. Flying was what she had dreamed of her whole life.
The flight seemed to take only mere minutes, when she realized, they had arrived at her own funeral’s interment service. During her time in the Guardian Library, getting to know the ropes, it seemed like weeks had gone by. But then, she remembered about Celestial time not being the same.
Her family and friends were gathered around her gravesite, listening to a minister give her eulogy. She saw Michael there, looking handsome in his uniform, standing with his hat in one hand, a white rose in the other. He stood still. His jaw clenched, with one tear continuously tracking down his cheek.
Jessie smiled when she saw him, and moved towards him, kissing the tear away. As she did, he brushed his hand against his face, as if he had felt something tickle his cheek. Without knowing why, he looked skyward.
Jessie moved on to her son Logan, who stood there in silence. He was trying so hard to be strong, for his dad. Jessie tousled his hair, as she ran her fingers gently through it. Logan thought it was the wind.
Then, Jessie kissed her father, who was standing behind Logan, with his hands on her son’s shoulders. She wasn’t sure, but she thought he looked right at her when she did.
She moved on to Alex, caressing her hand. Alex responded by brushing her hand thinking, “Bug!” which terrified her. Jessie giggled, knowing she would grow out of the fear.
She then stopped in front of Travis, scrunching up her no
se making a goofy face at him. To her surprise, he took a step back, mimicking the same silly face. Garret laughed at her. “Lesson number one, ‘AWARENESS’.”
Alex noticed the face Travis made. “Uncle Travis, it’s almost like Mom is here with us.”
“Yes Alex, of that I am ‘Aware’,” he told her, as Jessie turned flaunting her wings at her brother, just before she, Drummondax and Garret ascended into the sky.
“She earned her wings,” Travis whispered under his breath, as he watched the trio disappear.
Harrison, looking towards the heavens whispered back, “This is only the beginning.” Travis turned to his father, his face questioning if he could see them too. Harrison just winked at him and smiled.
E P I L O G U E
Once the three Angels returned to the Guardian Library, Drummondax approached Jessie, “How do you feel now?”
“I feel at peace,” she smiled.
“I am glad, Jessica Elaine,” Drummondax returned the smile, “for now, you have a message to deliver.”
“Awesome!” she turned around with a smirk, aimed at Garret.
“No!” Garret barked, shaking his head, “uh-uh… no, just no.”
With her hand on her hip, she guilted him with a scowl only Jessie could muster. “Awe, come on,” Garret whined, hanging his head.
“Just, do it,” she snapped. Garret sighed, realizing she would not take no for an answer.
Shaking his head and laughing, he told her, “You and your ancient Canadian rock.” In a flash, ‘No Time’ by The Guess Who, was blaring throughout the Guardian Library.
“Oh, yeah,” Jessie grinned, mouthing the words, as she danced her way down the corridor. Exiting the Library, she leaped into the air, flying away into the night. She got herself some wings!