by Summer Lee
As soon as he got away from the protection of the ark, he could quickly tell that the air was bitterly cold. He could even see his breath, but the piece of ark, that he held under his cloak, for dear life, was keeping him warm enough. At least it was warmer than he would have been without it. He was grateful.
When he reached the bottom of that mountain, he noticed that the snow was exceptionally soft. He immediately sank down into it up to his waist. He also knew that there was no way he could walk through snow that deep without the proper gear. He looked again at the piece of wood. Maybe it was a connection to heaven.
He smiled and looked up. “Dear God, You know I need to go out and find some kind of help or food for Khassima, so I’m putting my trust in you. Is that okay?”
He sighed and placed his hands on the snow before him, expecting help from the God. “Help. Lord,” he said. He pushed himself up and onto the top of the snow.
He suddenly realized that he was standing on top of the snow without falling through it. If he wasn’t so cold, his mouth would have dropped open in shock. “Faith of a Mustard Seed. There may be something to that.” He laughed.
Sam advanced slowly over the snow. His feet sank into the snow about a foot, before he moved forward. He was only able to continue slowly. He didn’t bother to try and stop the lone tear that rolled down his cheek. “Thank You, Lord.”
Suddenly, he noticed something, as he looked ahead. About 10 feet in front of him, he saw something that might actually help him out. Giant footprints. They were tracks of a Nephilim—or big foot. Whatever it was, he felt danger.
How could the giant survive in weather like that, without protection? Maybe he had a tougher skin that Sam imagined. Or he was supernatural. Either way, Sam was forced to follow those tracks. If the giant was resourceful, he might lead Sam to food or shelter.
How Sam would deal with him once he got there, was another matter. He would figure that out later.
Sam continued his trek, occasionally pausing to look up. He was surrounded by snow covered mountains. It didn’t appear that there was any other way out of the area, except for the way they all came in.
On a Soul Merge.
With no better choice, he continued to follow the massive footprints embedded deep into the snow. He walked carefully, not knowing when he might end up falling through the white stuff himself.
As he walked along, he couldn’t help but be amazed at how beautiful the area was—and isolated. It was no wonder that no one had ever found the ark before. Unless they were flying over the mountains, they would never find it. Sam doubted, that the snowy wonderland, was in anyone’s flight path.
He continued walking and gripping the warm piece of wood. His stomach rumbled from hunger and his feet were tired. It was a good thing that the piece of ark filtered out most of the cold, because his hands were aching.
His path was taking him to the base of one of the mountains. He was so focused on his task that he completely forgot to give Achava mental updates.
Achava? No answer.
***
As he got closer, he noticed an opening—a cave. He had not seen it earlier. It looked like a cave that was only noticeable within about thirty feet. He stopped before the entrance to the cave and took in a deep breath. The opening was at least twenty feet high and ten feet wide.
Large enough to fit a Nephilim. Maybe!
He slowly entered it, and immediately felt a rush of heat. The sensation overwhelmed him. He took another step forward. As he walked a little further inside, he noticed that the interior was, somehow, well lit. There were no torches or anything that would show where the light, or heat, were coming from.
What country would this be in? Sam was clueless.
Sam looked down at the ground and noticed that the ground level, on the inside of the cave, was the same height as the snow on the outside. That is odd, he thought. His only possible explanation, was that the snow never melted. Year round snow kept it cold outside. He frowned at the thought that there was a possibility of living some place where the Sun never shone. So why was it warm inside?
The interior of the cave was square, with a hallway that turned to the left. He could hear sounds of someone moving around in that direction. He looked around to see if there was anything that he could be a weapon. Nothing. He knew that he should have thought about that before he entered. His heart thumped in his chest.
Yet, he assumed that he was supposed to be there, or the giant footprints would not have led him straight to the cave. The giant obviously had a reason or a guide of his own.
Inhaling deeply, he exhaled slowly. If he was going to be attacked, then he would not play around. Hiding his fear, Sam rushed right into what appeared to be a living area.
The space had a rounded roof and everything was meticulously carved from rock. Chairs, tables, and even a sofa. All made of rock.
There were tapestries hung, somehow, all over the walls. They appeared of different origins and extremely old. Some were even of Native American design. As an archeologist, Sam recognized the value and time frame where they came from, but didn’t recognize the pieces themselves.
They obviously had never been seen by anyone who would have recorded their existence. Until now.
From where he stood, Sam saw that there was a smaller cave that branched off into another room or rooms. The thing that caught Sam’s attention the most, was the fact that there were two place settings, on what appeared to be, the dinner table. The plates were also made of chiseled rock. There were two pieces of torn cloth by each plate. Napkins?
“Two visitors in one day!”
Sam jumped and gasped. “Oh!”
The booming voice came from directly behind Sam. He spun around and saw a man. He could not have been more than 30 years old. He was dressed in animal skins, just like the people in Noah’s time. He had a long brown beard with matching mustache and long brown hair. He appeared clean.
“Hello,” Sam mumbled, not knowing what else to say, or what to expect.
The man eyed Sam’s robe. “I haven’t seen clothes like that in a long time! Hah! Welcome my friend!” The man was cheery and smiling. He seemed genuinely happy to have Sam there.
“Please sit down!” The man exclaimed. “Wow. Two in one day.”
Sam held out his hand. “My name is Samuel Godfrey. It is my honor to make your acquaintance.”
The man smirked at Sam’s gesture. “Hmm. You can call me Man. I won’t shake your hand, because that would entail a statement that we have just met. We’ve been friends forever, Sam. That’s how I feel anyway.”
Chills ran up his spine. Sam looked around with a puzzled expression. “Uh…I was following a giant…”
“The Nephilim, I assume,” Man answered, nonchalantly. “Yes, I know. He’s resting after his long journey. How about you? You look hungry.” Man reached down and pulled up a fully cooked large turkey leg out of nowhere. He started to eat it as if he hadn’t eaten in a very long time.
“How did you…?” Sam didn’t finish his question, out of shock, as he eyed the food.
Man stopped eating and gave Sam a serious look. “My only rule, Sam. No questions. No questions about how things work here, or who I am, or anything pertaining to me. Is that cool?”
Sam nodded, feeling unsatisfied with Man’s response. “I understand. The Nephilim didn’t attack you?”
Man smiled. “So you’d rather ask questions than satiate your hunger? Okay. All are welcome here. The giant was hungry, tired, and mostly disoriented. He means me no harm. Actually, he means no one any harm. He is a creature out of his time and element. He was meant to die in the flood, but you and your group actually saved his life. He tried to kill you all, but it was the Soul Merge that saved him as well as you! How’s that for irony?”
Sam’s eyes widened in amazement. He didn’t know what to say. Man obviously knew much more than he let on in the beginning, but he made no secret about knowing anything now. “Well, since you know everything, wh
at am I hungry for?”
Man smiled as he looked over at the plates. Sam saw another large fully cooked turkey leg sitting on one of the plates. Sam grabbed it hungrily and took a big bite. His eyes widened even more, when he realized it was real.
“This is incredible!” Sam exclaimed. “Thank you! Thank you!”
Man laughed.”
“What can I do to repay you?”
Sam waited, as Man finished his turkey leg, and put the bones on the other plate. Man smiled. When he did, his eyes sparkled. “You’ve already repaid me, Sam. You thanked me. You’re very welcome.”
“How did…?” Sam started.
“Uh-uh,” Man interrupted, shaking his head. He laughed aloud. “Ha-ha! It’s amazing how simple my rules are, but no one can ever follow them. Their curiosity always gets the better of them. Oh well. The rest of your group is being fed as we speak. I’m sure they’ll have questions, too.”
Sam was confused and it showed. “Can I tell them about what I’m experiencing? I mean, of course, only if it isn’t some kind of pain induced hallucination.”
Man looked at Sam, as if he was trying to figure him out. “You can tell everyone what happened here. I encourage it. Is it that hard to believe what you’re seeing is real, considering everything you’ve been through, Sam?”
Sam thought about it for a moment. Man was right. Why would anything that happened after his time travel experience, ever surprise him again?
Sam shrugged. “You got me there, Man.”
“Thank you, Sam.”
“For what?” Sam returned.
“For saying my name,” Man said, with a grin. “I, personally, like to say every person’s name, Sam. Over and over. I guess you could say, it’s how I roll, Sam.”
“About the Nephilim…” Sam continued.
“Why don’t you let that go?” Man persisted. “Do you not believe me, when I tell you that you don’t have to worry about him anymore? This is obviously where I live. If you go into a store and the owner tells you something, you would believe whatever he said about his store. He’s the owner. He should know everything about his business and the surrounding, associated with it. Do you agree?”
“So, does that mean that you’re some kind of…?” Sam started.
“There you go again!” Man huffed. “Ha ha! It’s a never ending story. I could give you a set of rules and you would question ways to get around them. I don’t mince words, Sam. What I say, I mean. I know you’re not used to that where you come from, and I’m sorry about that. I can’t do anything about the way people are.”
Sam looked around. “Why are we here?”
Man looked shocked, then laughed. “Wow! You’re going to need to be a bit more specific. That question is packed with a powerful punch! Ha ha!”
Sam smiled, when he realized what he said. “I don’t mean in general, but I can see why you would assume that. I meant Khassima, Anthea, Achava, and myself. Why are we here?”
“Another loaded question,” Man replied, almost evasively. “Individually, or here at the moment?”
“Why are we here, at this moment?” Sam was agitated, that he had to explain himself so specifically. He thought he had made himself clear already. He was beginning to feel spooked.
Man shook his head. “It’s like making a wish, Sam. It is as if wishes were actually possible by rubbing a lamp, or asking a fairy. Even though I understand, what you’re saying, I want to make sure that you do. You’re all here, because this is your resting point. You need a lot of rest, but not a lot of time to do it. You figured out that by carrying a piece of the ark with you. With it, you can protect yourself from the bitter cold, Sam. That was good. You sell yourself short, by only assuming you see things through a scientist’s eyes. God created the ability for mankind to create science, even though mankind has become so egotistical, as to think that they can replace God with it.”
“You sure have a lot of experience, considering the way you’re dressed,” Sam said.
Man glared at him. The look in Man’s eyes frightened him half to death. He wished he could take back that statement, as soon as it came out of his mouth.
“I sense you’re wanting to take that back,” Man said, calmly, looking Sam directly in the eye.
“Yes.” Sam felt chills run up his back.
Man said, “Jesus came to the poorest of the poor. He was born in a manger, for crying out loud! So many people said, How dare you for being so poor and still proclaiming to be the Son of God! Sacrilege! Ha ha! He was judged for preaching against what the Pharisees taught, but you already know that.”
Sam knew the Pharisees were hypocrites. He wanted to be genuine. “I appreciate everything you are giving me and telling me, but I need to get back to my group,” Sam said, attempting to smile.
“I know,” Man replied. “I really like that robe you have on and your bandages. Can I have them?”
“Okay,” Sam said, apprehensively. Sam nodded, as he set the piece of ark down and started to removed his bandages and the robe. He gave them all to Man, who smiled appreciatively.
“If you like it that much, Achava has one on, too.”
“I appreciate your honesty, Sam,” Man responded. “Please tell her to leave hers near the ark. I’ll get it later.”
Man placed the cloths on the sofa and went into the back room. “Wait one moment, Sam. Please.”
Man came out of the room showing a lot of excitement, holding a long black robe with a hood. It looked brand new. “Here. This is for you. It’s the least I can do, for giving up your bandages and robe. And for your honesty. That’s a rare trait these days.”
“Thank you, Man,” Sam said, with sincerity. “May I take the piece of the ark with me to keep me warm?”
Man nodded. “In fact, why don’t you hang on to that for as long as you can. It will bring you blessings. My associates and I thank you for your honesty.”
“Your associates?” Sam asked surprised. “I know. I won’t ask.” He took a step forward and then turned. “Well, tell your angels I said hello and thank you.”
“I’ll do that, Sam,” Man said, laughing. “So you think my associates are angels?”
“What else?”
“One more thing, Sam. Your next few adventures will be tougher than the ones you’ve had recently. You will need something that you almost have forgotten about. Don’t ask, but all I can say is that, everything will come full circle in time.”
“Thank you again, Man.” Sam put on the robe and grabbed the piece of the ark. He looked down and noticed there were two huge pockets in the front of the robe. Enough room for everything I carry.
He pulled the hood up over his head, feeling blessed.
Man walked with Sam to the opening of the cave. He stood there watching, as Sam walked away. Sam turned and waved. Man waved back. “Take care of Achava!”
As soon as Sam stepped on top of the snow, he expected a chill. There was none. He didn’t notice it before, but his hands felt great as well. He ran a finger along his nose. It was completely healed. “What a great trade! Thank you, God!”
As he walked, he couldn’t help, but smile at his experience with Man. He didn’t even bother to look back again. Sam was puzzled by the mention of Man’s associates though. He didn’t see any signs in the cave of anyone else actually living there.
Then it hit him. Sam stopped in his tracks and looked back. He didn’t see any evidence of the cave or any opening that led to it anymore.
Man’s associates really are angels, he thought. It is a picture of heaven. He wondered if it was a near death experience. It could not be. He had the robe to prove that.
The strangest part was that Man spoke of his next venture being hardest of all. How did he know about Sam and what he had been through with Achava.
Sam realized that he just had a spiritual experience with some kind of angel sent from God to answer his prayer. Was it just a vision, or was it real?
Chapter the Second
ACHAVA AND
ANTHEA appeared before a surprised Khassima. They both looked relieved to have been able to get back to the ark.
Achava approached Khassima, when she noticed that she looked pale. “Are you alright? Is Sam around?”
Khassima shook her head. “No to both questions. Sam said he would be back soon, but he’s been gone for quite awhile.” She paused to cough and inhale.
“Are you sure you are okay?”
“Not really. But the aspirin helped.”
“What caused it?”
“It may have been the cold water in the flood that got me sick. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Achava!” yelled a familiar voice from behind them.
Sam ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
“What about me?” Anthea said, with a smirk.
Sam looked at Achava and breathed a sigh of relief. He then went to Anthea with his arms held out.
“Oh, seriously?” Anthea said, with a look of disgust. “I was joking! Okay? Yuck!”
Achava paused and looked over the robe Sam was wearing. “Where did you get this? It is brand new.”
“It is a long story.”
“What happened? I lost mental contact with you.”
“I’m fine,” Sam answered, with an ear to ear grin. “As you can tell, I have been completely healed!”
“It’s a miracle, for sure,” Khassima said, as she coughed.
Sam looked at Khassima and thought about his robe. He put down the piece of ark, removed the robe, and placed it over her.
“Really? Do you want me to wear this?”
“That’s the idea.” He smiled. “Maybe it has healing powers.”
“Merry Christmas to me. Yes?”
“Blessings to you.”
She smiled and said, “If you don’t mind my asking, what am I supposed to do with this?”
“Well, it is a robe,” he said.
She shrugged and put it on. She started to cough even more. “I think there might be something in the robe that I’m allergic to.” She took it off and threw it back to Sam.