by Bryan Davis
Behind her, Mount Elijah’s crater retreated, still smoking and bubbling. She breathed in the relatively clean air. Had she been holding her breath? Everything happened so fast! This merry-go-round of portal jumping was enough to make anyone dizzy, and it wasn’t over yet.
Soon, Albatross dropped Lauren off near the river and landed in a run. After running out her own momentum, she set Apollo and the rifle down and straightened her clothes. As the dragon shuffled toward her, she raised the goggles to her eyes and shook back her hair. Joan slid out from her flying locks and settled on her shoulder. “Listen carefully, Albatross. I need you to do something very important.”
He extended his neck, bringing his head close. Blinking, he gave her an expectant look.
“Back where you picked me up in the birthing garden, you’ll see a trail of human footprints. I need you to cool a path from the first footprint all the way to the hospital. Some people are going to walk on it. Do you understand?”
Albatross nodded and let out a long whistle, as if indicating what a difficult job that would be.
“I realize how much ice that will take. Do you think you can do it?”
He rolled his eyes upward for a moment, then nodded again.
“Great!” She picked up Apollo and the rifle. “I’m glad you’re always close by. Keep watching for me. You never know where I’ll show up next.”
She turned and ran toward the cave, dodging rocks and roots. Even with the goggles in place, the obstacles were often hard to see.
When she reached the forest, she tucked the rifle under her arm and walked in. The shadows seemed to merge, as if moving and blending. Might living shadow people still be around? If so, what did they look like when they were alive? No one had described them.
At the cave entrance, she stepped over the pile of dead shadow people and marched on. When she came across Valiant, she gazed at his lifeless body, barely visible even through the goggles. After heaving a sigh, she averted her eyes and stepped around him. Tears could wait. Lives hung in the balance.
After putting on her sweatshirt and raising the hood, she set Apollo at the back wall and, reading the illuminated display, retrieved the settings for this portal. Without hesitation, she pushed the button, jumped away, and pressed the rifle against her shoulder. When Apollo flashed and created the portal opening, she stepped into the Earth crater and looked around. The helicopter’s lights shone on two soldiers as they stood under its slowly spinning propeller, one pointing a rifle at Gabriel, who knelt with his head low and a wing sagging.
Lauren lowered the goggles and took aim at the soldier with the rifle. The other soldier pointed at her and shouted, “Look!”
The armed soldier swung his gun around. Lauren fired but missed. The rifle kicked her backwards, sending her stumbling. As she fell to her bottom, bullets whizzed over her head.
Gabriel lunged at the gunman and tackled him to the ground, knocking his rifle to the side. While they fought, Lauren jumped up and ran toward them, keeping her head low. The other soldier grabbed Gabriel’s wing and threw him back. She stopped, braced her feet, and fired again, this time nailing the standing soldier in the hip. While he toppled, the soldier on the ground sat up and grabbed his rifle. She swung her barrel toward him and shouted, “Drop it!”
He snapped open his hand, letting the rifle fall.
“Move away from it!” While the soldier slid on his bottom, Lauren kept her aim on him, searching with darting eyes for the third soldier. She spotted him nearby, lying in a pool of blood, probably a victim of Gabriel’s aerial shooting.
Gabriel struggled to his feet, his wing still sagging. As he limped toward Lauren, he touched his jaw. “They took out my transmitter. I couldn’t call for help.”
She nodded at her pants. “I have my dad’s phone in my pocket.”
Gabriel fished it out, punched a button, and set it against his ear. “We’re all clear, Walter. Land your buggy right away before the rats return.”
A tinny voice emanated from the earpiece. “Ten minutes. I had to scoot away when the rats took off earlier.”
“Ten minutes.” Gabriel punched the End button and slid the phone back to her pocket.
Lauren passed the rifle to him. “If you don’t mind.”
“Not a bit.” He took it and kept it aimed at the remaining healthy soldier. “You did a great job. I’m sure you could watch him as well as I—”
“That’s not it. I have to—” She gulped. “Apollo!”
She dashed toward the portal. Still radiant, it had shrunk to the size of a softball. She dropped to her knees, covered her hand with a sweatshirt sleeve and thrust it into the hole. She let go of her sleeve and grabbed Apollo, but when she tried to pull it through, it wouldn’t fit.
She pushed it back a few inches and ran her fingers down a dowel, searching for the activation button. The settings were the same, right? Just pushing it should open the portal again.
With each shift and stretch, her sleeve rode up toward her elbow, exposing her forearm. The portal closed around her skin. A jolt burned her arm and drilled into her bones. As she gritted her teeth, dark spots coated her vision.
“Leave it there!” Gabriel shouted, still guarding the soldiers. “We’ll get it another way!”
“There is no other way! I have to use it one more time!” The jolt spiked. Pain ripped through her body, stiffening her limbs. Numbness crept from her forearm to her wrist to her hand. Her fingers cramped. Stretching them in spite of the pain, she set a fingertip over the button and, sending all her strength toward that point, pressed down.
In a spray of sparks, the hole expanded to the size of a cabinet door. Her arm fell limp, buzzing with numbness. She reached into the hole with her other arm and drew Apollo from the cave. Rising to her knees, she dragged her injured arm up and let it hang at her side. “I got it.”
“I see that,” Gabriel said. “I’ll just trust you that it was worth it.”
“It was.” After blowing out a pain-filled sigh, she leaned close to him and lowered her voice so the soldiers couldn’t hear. “When Walter and company get here, bring Jared to the cave they gassed. There’s a portal at the back that’ll get him to the hospital in Second Eden.”
“Got it.” He lifted his injured wing, grimacing. “What are you going to do?”
“I have to get back to Listener and Eagle. I’ll meet Jared inside.” She walked in the helicopter’s light toward the cave leading to the museum room. She let her wounded arm dangle, still aching and buzzing with numbness. Sighing, she looked for Joan. At least it’s my left arm. Since I’m right-handed, it could have been worse.
Worse? Joan floated in front of her eyes. There was no need to risk so much to get Apollo. The portal to return to the museum room is still open, as is the one from the museum room to the birthing garden.
Lauren hugged Apollo close to her chest. I know.
Then why did you—
I’d rather not talk about it.
Very well. I understand. Joan blinked at her, then floated to her shoulder. You have made your decision.
When Lauren arrived at the cave, she set Apollo on the ground and withdrew her phone. After taking a picture of Gabriel and the cave entrance, she pulled the filter leaf from her pocket, held it over her mouth and nose, and crawled in. Guiding Apollo in the crook of her arm as she held the leaf, she pushed against the ground with her legs. In spite of her efforts to keep everything in place, the leaf slipped, allowing a biting odor into her mouth and throat. Still, she couldn’t slow down—there was too much to do. At the same time, she couldn’t hurry. Without any light, there was no way to tell where the low tunnel opened up into the larger chamber. A wrong move could mean getting a nasty cut.
Yet, maybe there could be light.
Joan, Lauren called with her mind. Will you please get excited about something and light up this place?
Joan’s glassy surface rubbed against Lauren’s cheek. It is diffi
cult to generate real emotions without a real reason.
Well, I read your story a couple of years ago, and I got emotional when no one came to save you when you burned at the stake. Your own people abandoned you. It made me cry.
Yes, I shed many tears. Joan glowed, altering between red and blue. I gave my all to save my king and my people.
Lauren continued scooting through the low tunnel, now illuminated with Joan’s dim glow. She dropped the leaf, then snatched it back up and held it over her mouth. In its mangled condition, would it still keep the gas out? What Cauchon did to you made me so angry! The trick about wearing men’s clothing was pure treachery.
As Joan’s light strengthened, now all red, Lauren pushed with her feet, then slid Apollo, repeating the process again and again. With one arm not functioning, the going was slow and tedious. The cylindrical passage seemed to spin one way, then the other, as if someone were rocking it back and forth. The gas was probably getting into her system. She took in a deep breath and held it. The end of the tunnel had to be close.
Joan’s thoughts continued. I wore trousers only for battle and for protection against … well, violation. And I cut my hair for a similar reason. I did the same in preparation for our journey today, though I did not know I would be in this form.
The red glow grew brighter and brighter. Lauren finally pushed out of the tunnel. Someone grabbed her good arm and wrenched Apollo from her grip.
“Don’t worry,” Eagle said. “I’ve got you.”
Someone else clutched her injured wrist, and the two helpers dragged her the rest of the way into the cave’s inner chamber.
Lauren clenched her eyes shut and cried out with a loud moan. The pain was too horrible for words.
“I’m sorry.” Listener’s voice seemed to travel under water. “We’ll carry you.”
Lauren felt her body rise into the air, every limb supported, though her middle sagged. Joan’s light pulsed blue, looking like a police car strobe light. I am here, Lauren, as always. I will not leave you.
Soon, her body pressed down in a sitting position, bending forward. Her arms settled at her sides, and someone crossed her legs for her. Her wounded arm ached, worse than ever.
She opened her eyes and took in a deep breath, clean and warm. Eagle and Listener crouched next to her, one at each side, and Apollo lay in her lap. She sat facing the border between the Second Eden portal and the Earth portal. Sprays of ice splashed across the birthing garden, raising plumes of vapor. Albatross swooped into view, then zipped back up. A few pellets rolled into the museum and melted into tiny pools near her backpack.
In the Earth portal, everything was dark, and no sounds emanated from the cave.
Eagle slid his hand into hers. “How are you feeling?”
“Somewhere between terrible and horrible.” She tried to smile, but her lips barely moved. “Thank you for helping me.”
“We didn’t see the rifle you took,” Listener said. “Did you succeed?”
“I saved Gabriel, if that’s what you mean. He has the rifle now.” She extended a leg and pointed with her foot toward the Earth portal. “Keep watching. I hope more people show up.”
Eagle nodded toward Second Eden. “Albatross has been busy. I didn’t bother to ask him why he is doing that. Since he picked you up, I assumed you told him—”
“You assumed right.” Lauren pushed Apollo out of the way and offered Eagle her good arm. “Help me up, please.”
He gripped her wrist and pulled her upright. As she fought off a round of dizziness, he held her in place.
“I’m all right,” she said, pulling away. “I’m fine.”
Listener edged closer to the Earth portal. “I hear something.”
The sound of coughing filtered in. Light glimmered in the Earth cave, then Walter appeared, pulling one end of a stretcher, a beam on his helmet leading the way. As the stretcher emerged from the low tunnel, Jared came into view lying motionless on it.
Eagle jumped through the portal and helped Walter guide the stretcher into the chamber. At the other end, Marilyn crawled out and climbed to her feet, then Ashley did the same.
All four coughing, Walter, Ashley, Marilyn, and Eagle pushed the stretcher through the portal and, with Lauren and Listener’s help, set it on the museum room floor.
Kneeling at the stretcher, Lauren brushed back Jared’s hair. He breathed in fitful gasps. With a leathery face similar to Irene’s, he didn’t look much like the Jared Bannister she had met not long ago. The batholith’s effects had spiked in him as well.
Marilyn knelt at his side, her hands wringing. “Gabriel said you wanted us to bring him here. I heard that coming here might make it worse, but he was getting worse anyway.”
“You did right. He needs to be here to get the cure.” Lauren rose to her feet and pointed toward Second Eden. “Go through the portal and turn left. Follow the path of rising vapor. That should take you to the hospital. Dr. Conner will meet you there.”
“And he has a cure?” Her intertwined fingers and kneeling position made her look like a beggar hoping for a slice of bread, but Marilyn was begging for just a crumb of good news.
“He has a model to generate a competing parasite that should destroy the invading one. He’ll explain what I’m talking about.” Lauren nodded toward the portal. “Walter and Gabriel can carry Jared, and Listener and Eagle will guide you. I’m too dizzy to walk very far.”
“Eagle should stay with you,” Walter said. “We tied up the surviving soldiers out there, but I can’t guarantee they won’t get loose or that reinforcements won’t arrive soon.”
Eagle picked up one of the rifles. “I will be glad to stay and protect Lauren, though she has proven that she needs no help.”
“Better to have two than one.” Walter raised an end of the stretcher, while Gabriel lifted the other. “When I get back, maybe you can tell me what’s going on in this place.”
“Real quick …” Lauren pointed toward the opposite side of the room. “The Second Edeners went through a portal over there to Abaddon’s Lair. Sir Barlow and Tamara are with them. And straight up …” She gestured with her head. “There’s a portal leading to the top of the volcano.”
“Good enough for now. Tell me more later. We’d better go.”
Listener led the way through the portal, walking on newly cooled ground. Walter and Gabriel followed with Jared on the stretcher between them, while Ashley stood at the portal, waiting for Marilyn.
Marilyn paused and turned to Lauren, her face awash in worry. “He’s fading so fast,” she said, obviously fighting back a sob. “I don’t think he would have lasted more than an hour.” She kissed Lauren’s cheek and whispered, “Thank you for everything. If not for you, my one and only love would have died. Now I have hope.”
When Marilyn passed through the portal, Ashley stood in front of Lauren and gazed into her eyes. “Your mind is very troubled. What’s wrong?”
Lauren looked away, blocking her thoughts. “I can’t tell you. Please, just go. I’m sure Dr. Conner will need your help.”
“You’re worrying me, Lauren.” Ashley compressed her shoulder. “But you’re right. I need to go.”
As Ashley hurried to join the others, Joan nuzzled Lauren’s cheek. You avoided telling them all you know. Dr. Conner has a model but not a method.
Lauren nodded. Is that the same as lying?
Sometimes. As one who was asked to recant in ways that would be technically true yet still deceptive in my heart, I had to face similar decisions. Joan pushed into Lauren’s hair and nestled close to her ear. Only you can know if you intended to deceive.
I didn’t deceive her. Lauren hobbled to her backpack and picked it up. I just have to provide the method.
She pulled out her phone. “Eagle, would you mind giving me a little privacy? I have a personal message to record.”
“What of the potential danger?” He pointed the rifle toward the Earth portal. “The soldie
rs.”
“Don’t worry. If they come, I’ll scream. Just stay within shouting distance.”
“I can do that.” He stepped through the Second Eden portal, hesitating at first as his bare foot touched the lava field. Then, he walked toward the hospital, fading quickly in the thick fog.
Lauren shook her hair. “Joan, if you don’t mind, please hover close. I want you in the video.”
Very well. Joan pushed out from Lauren’s hair and floated next to her cheek. What do you intend to do?
“I thought you already guessed.”
I have. I was seeking verbal confirmation.
“Are you worried about what’s going to happen to you?”
Not at all. I fear for you, not for me.
“I’m sorry, but I think it’s the only way.”
I agree, but that is not what I mean.
“What do you mean?”
Do you remember when I told you that I would not always be so straightforward, that after your baby steps, I would need to release your hand?
“I remember. You said you would always be with me, that you would never let me fall.”
Releasing your hand means that I will not always teach you in a straightforward manner. I will bide my time and tell you what you need to know if necessary.
“Suit yourself.” After clearing her throat, Lauren tried to smile for the camera, but her lips wouldn’t cooperate. No matter. Smiling now would be deceptive.
She pressed the record button. “Hello, Mom, Dad, and anyone else who’s watching. I am in the museum room in Hades. Here’s the tree of life next to me.” She turned the lens toward the tree briefly. “I don’t have much time, so I’ll just say I love you. I know what I am about to do will break your hearts, but …” Her lips trembling, she swallowed down a sob. “But it’s my turn to sacrifice.”
She wiped a tear with a knuckle, blinked away more, and steadied her voice. “Mom, you did it, and Dad, so did you, and Grandma, so did you. Tamara told me about Makaidos and Karen and Naamah and Acacia, and I saw Sapphira leap into the lava, not knowing for certain if God would save her.” Finally able to smile, she touched Joan with a fingertip. “And Joan of Arc sacrificed, too. You all considered the lives of others as more important than your own, and you knew you had to do what was necessary to help other people, even if it meant dying to save a few. Only Sapphira didn’t die, but she proved her willingness. I guess some people get saved in time, and some people don’t.”