Eden (Eden Saga) Page 15

  “Me? No. I heard you were looking for me.”

  “Oh, yes. Please sit.”

  “What were you two talking about?” Alexandra asked as she sat in the pew behind General Ryan.

  “Just confessing some sins,” he said.

  Alexandra smiled. “Someday I’ll get around to that.”

  “I suppose you don’t have to?”

  “According to Koneh we’re all bound by our sins, or something. I don’t know.”

  “You keep some interesting company,” General Ryan said. “One of my men said you were training with a sword this morning?”

  Laughing, she said, “Training? More like gettin’ my ass whooped.”

  “Well, whatever you were doing, it made today’s headlines.”

  “Headlines?”

  He waved his hand. “People were talking, that’s all. The internet and cell services are dead, and we haven’t seen a newspaper nor heard anything on our radios from the U.S. since the quake. Any small amount of gossip is enough to send everyone buzzing.”

  “You’ve heard nothing?” Alexandra had assumed more people survived and that the army base was in contact with America. Was anyone left?

  “Nothing,” General Ryan said. “Our strongest radio was at our little airstrip. We were returning from there when we were attacked and stumbled upon your group.”

  “You couldn’t get anything on that radio either?”

  “It was destroyed.”

  “Oh.”

  After another moment of awkward silence, he said, “Well, enough about that. I just wanted to see how you were doing or if there was anything else I could get for you.”

  Alexandra leaned towards him and whispered, “Chocolate.”

  “Chocolate?”

  She nodded. “I would give my left arm for a chocolate bar. Or cake. Whatever!”

  He laughed. “I think I can pull some strings. Come with me to the mess hall. We’ll raid the kitchen together.”

  Alexandra spent the day again with General Ryan. She learned that he was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Stationed at the Veracruz base during the height of the South American oil rush, he was unmarried and had no children. Though Alexandra never cared for military men, she found she enjoyed her time with the general.

  As the reddish-black sky turned to all black, Alexandra realized Erzulie must be awake. She thanked the general for the chocolate and returned to her bunker.

  Alexandra found Erzulie and Koneh seated next to each other on one of the beds. The bunker was otherwise deserted. She guessed her friends were enjoying a late dinner in the mess hall.

  “I don’t mean to interrupt,” she said as she approached Erzulie’s bed.

  Koneh stood and squeezed Erzulie’s shoulder. “Not at all,” he said. “I was just leaving. Our good general wanted to speak with me, but he’s been indisposed all day. I wonder why that was.”

  Producing some candy bars from one of her many cargo pants pouches, Alexandra smiled and said, “He has chocolate!”

  “Praise the Lord,” Koneh said, “We are saved!”

  Alexandra noticed he still wore his tattered robe and hood. Apparently, the army clothes were too clean for his tastes.

  “Good bye, sahil,” Erzulie said.

  After Koneh left the bunker, Alexandra sat next to the angel and asked, “Sahil?”

  Erzulie paused and then said, “Sahil is angelic for… I guess the English equivalent would be dearest one.”

  “Oh,” Alexandra said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you and Koneh were-”

  “No, you misunderstand. Koneh and I have known each other for, well, a very long time.” Erzulie paused again. “He looks upon me as a friend, as close as a sister. That is our relationship.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Alexandra said, not sure what to think.

  “My capacity to love is not the same as yours. I am designed to follow every divine command, nothing more.”

  Alexandra laughed. “That’s not love, Erzulie.”

  “No, no. I’m not explaining myself correctly. Forgive me.” She lowered her eyes and frowned.

  “I’m just messing with you,” Alexandra said. “Listen, forget it.”

  “As you wish.”

  Alexandra cleared her throat and wondered if Erzulie had taken her command literally. “Well, it’s good to see you alert and moving again.”

  “You are too kind, my Lady. I failed you in the wasteland. When are you going to punish me?”

  “Oh, I think you’ve been through enough,” Alexandra said. “I have some questions for you.”

  “I am here to serve,” Erzulie said.

  Alexandra sighed. “On the other hand, let’s start with an order. You can go back to calling me Lex and treating me like a friend rather than a queen. Things have changed since you told me who I am. Or, who I may be. I liked it better when we were just friends.”

  “Okay, Lex,” Erzulie said as she tapped Alexandra on the shoulder with her fist.

  “That’s better,” Alexandra said. “Now, I decided to ask Koneh to show me how to fight with your sword.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m tired of feeling useless,” Alexandra said, “Koneh didn’t want to train me at first. He said I shouldn’t sin. What did he mean by that?”

  “Exactly what he said.”

  “He said you could explain to me the workings of sin.”

  Erzulie widened her eyes. “I’m not an expert on the subject. The truths of this universe are not for angels to know.”

  “Can you yell me what you know?”

  “Very well,” Erzulie said. “The soul is at the center of every living being. As much as you need your bones, organs and blood, you require your soul to function. Just like your body, you can damage your soul if you do not take care. This is probably what Koneh meant when he talked to you about sin.”

  “So, what kinds of things damage a soul?”

  “Elah revealed many of the basic sins through His teachings. Certainly, you know them well.”

  “So, the laws that govern life and the soul are God’s laws?”

  “Life is life,” Erzulie said. “Everyone with a soul answers to those laws – even Elah. He has a soul like you and Koneh. Elah cares for His children on Earth, so He revealed to them the secret of life and how to preserve a soul.”

  “You mean The Commandments?”

  Erzulie nodded, “In a way. Subtlety was no longer an option after Eden turned to sin.”

  “Eden?”

  “Surely you know the story,” Erzulie said. “Though, it was far more than forbidden fruit. Sinning is just part of your nature, whether you evolve naturally or are created by Elah. To maintain the purity of Eden, Elah cast you from there.”

  Alexandra marveled at all of this new information. “Elah has a soul too?”

  “Yes,” Erzulie said. “All living creatures do.”

  “I guess I just never thought of Elah as one of us.”

  Erzulie smiled. “He is like you in so many ways. He cares for your souls and is saddened when you harm them.”

  “And sinning harms our soul?”

  “Exactly,” Erzulie said. “Koneh doesn’t want you to needlessly take life. To do so would diminish your soul. Hence, he is hesitant to show you how to kill through battle.”

  “Why do certain things – sins – harm a soul? Who makes up the rules?”

  “I do not know,” Erzulie said, her ghostly eyes pinned to Alexandra. “However I calculate that the rules grew out of some form of natural law, the same as the rules that govern what is healthy and unhealthy for your body. Please note this is only my observation after thousands of years of studying life.”

  Thousands of years. Alexandra’s mind struggled with the enormity of such a large number.

  “How old are you, Erzulie?”

  “By Earth’s measurements,” Erzulie said, “Eighty-four thousand, two hundred and fifty-three years, seventy-one days, six hours-”

  Alexandra swatted at E
rzulie’s arm and said, “I don’t need the seconds, thanks though. Wowee! That’s a long time.”

  “By your standards, I see how it would appear so.”

  Quickly, Alexandra said, “Not that I’m saying you look old-”

  “I’m not bound by human pride. There is no need to validate your accurate statement of my age in comparison to yours.”

  While Alexandra had the angel alone, she decided to ask some burning questions. “What’s Heaven like?”

  Erzulie blinked. “Heaven is difficult to describe in your language.”

  “Try your best.”

  “Very well. Heaven is a place of pure energy, but I feel that is not a strong enough description. Elah’s presence is everywhere and we are connected to your world in many ways. Though connected is not an adequate word either. I’m sorry, Lex, I’m having trouble finding words to convey the description.”

  “What about Eden?” Alexandra asked. “Have you ever been there?”

  “Yes,” Erzulie said, smiling. “Eden I can describe to you. Think of the most stunning painting you have seen. This can be a beach, mountain, river or meadow. Eden combines all the most beautiful aspects of Earth into one serene place. The sun warms your skin, but does not burn it. The breeze rustles your hair, but does not force you to blink. Animals and humans live in harmony with each other.”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Erzulie continued, “From what I know, emotion is strong throughout Eden. You will find you become more a creature of your heart than your mind. To a newcomer, like yourself, you may find it overwhelming at first. All your emotions are on the surface. However, Elah delights in a bared soul. So, that is how Eden is.”

  As Alexandra processed all the new information, the door to the bunker opened. Father Callahan, Santino and Marco entered. The three men quieted their laughter when they saw Alexandra and Erzulie. Alexandra found she couldn’t look at Marco, though she felt his eyes upon her.

  Santino and Marco dropped onto their beds exhausted from a day full of lounging and eating. Father Callahan sat on the cot opposite Alexandra and Erzulie. A smile was stamped upon his wrinkled face.

  “What are you so happy about?” Alexandra asked.

  Father Callahan shook his head. “Nothing specific. This was just the first time things felt normal. I led some of the soldiers in prayer. Good food, good company. Though we missed you.”

  “I got chocolate!” Alexandra said as she held a candy bar aloft like a trophy.

  He laughed. “Try not to indulge too much.”

  “Hey, I deserve it!” Alexandra said. “Especially after the beating Koneh gave me this morning. He didn’t take it easy on me.”

  Growing serious, Father Callahan said, “Are you sure you want to learn about fighting? It’s no easy task to bring yourself to harm another person. I found it very difficult when I was first in the army.”

  Alexandra shrugged. “I think our situation demands it. Besides, I can’t rely on others to always rescue me.”

  “Okay,” he said, “I won’t presume to know what’s best for you.”

  He smiled and squeezed her hand. Alexandra watched the tall priest walk to his bed and organize his possessions for the night.

  “Perhaps you should get some sleep as well,” Erzulie said. “Koneh will have you up early. He takes his instruction very seriously.”

  Alexandra yawned and stretched her arms to the ceiling. “Yeah, good idea. Night, Erzulie.”

  “Good night, dear.”

  Alexandra fell on the bed next to her angelic friend and sunk into the thin mattress. After a few moments, she felt weightless and free. Again, she found herself in the spring meadow of her dream-world. The same old woman from her previous dream sat atop a stump. The woman’s eyes bore into her, but this time she was ready.

  Alexandra approached, but the old woman spoke first. “So, you know more than last we parted. Your soul is ripe with self-knowledge.”

  “I’m not dreaming,” Alexandra said.

  “No, you are not dreaming,” the old woman said. “I choose to bring you here to discover your allegiance.”

  “My allegiance?”

  “Do you still hold the flame of loyalty to your departed God?”

  “Departed?”

  The crone frowned. “You didn’t know that your God abandoned you? Abandoned your species? Where does your allegiance lay now, child?”

  “Allegiance to whom? God?”

  The old woman yelled. “Do you still serve your God?”

  “I don’t serve anyone!”

  “I must know. On this, all things depend.”

  “Why do you care so much? Who are you, anyway?” Alexandra asked.

  “Answer my question, child!”

  Alexandra frowned. She didn’t know what to think about the old woman. “I will not answer your questions until you answer mine.”

  “Your consciousness is but a brief spark in an ocean of flames. Do not speak at me as you do your kind!”

  “You seem to know who I am, what I am capable of. Until I know who you are, I don’t need to answer to you.”

  The old crone nodded once. “That is why I must destroy you.”

  Words, shouts, and the scuffling of boots pulled Alexandra from the meadow. Like a stereo in-between stations, the buzz of the real world rung in her ears. The inside of the bunker came into focus and she felt someone’s presence behind her. Outside the bunker, people shouted and trucks rumbled.

  “Alexandra!”

  It was General Ryan. Alexandra turned and blinked. “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “We need your help,” he whispered.

  Groaning, she rose and rubbed her eyes. “Okay, I’m coming.”

  General Ryan led her to the hospital bunker. Red and white assaulted her eyes as she processed the scene. Wounded soldiers laid on cots, medical staff rushed about and the smell of blood and plastic clung to the air.

  “They were attacked on their patrol by some large dogs, though I’ve never heard of a dog tearing a man’s arm from the socket,” General Ryan said as he led her to one of the beds. “This is Benjamin Howell.”

  Alexandra noticed that the nurses and doctors didn’t approach Benjamin’s bed.

  “He’s lost too much blood,” General Ryan said as his voice wavered. “Look, he’s just a kid. He doesn’t deserve this.”

  “And you want me to do what?” Alexandra said as she locked eyes with the general and lowered her voice. “Save him?”

  “I would if I had the power. But I don’t. You do.”

  Benjamin groaned from under his bandages and blood drenched blankets. Alexandra didn’t know where to begin, so she placed her hands on the young man’s chest. Nothing happened.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “With you, it just happened!”

  “He’s dying, Alexandra!” General Ryan shouted. “Save him!”

  Alexandra looked around the bunker at the nurses and doctors. All eyes were on her. Benjamin’s chest moved less with each breath. He was dying right under her hands.

  A thought jumped into her mind and she said, “Tell me about him.”

  General Ryan asked, “What?”

  “Tell me about Benjamin!”

  “Well, he’s from Indiana. He joined the reserves to pay for college. Poor boy didn’t expect to get called into active duty. The guys call him ‘Strings’ because he plays the guitar. He also loves zombie movies, girls and beer. The usual stuff.”

  Alexandra focused on the minor facts she learned about Benjamin. The kid sounded like someone she would like to meet because they shared something in common – they were both pressed into active duty against their will.

  Eyes closed, she tightened her hands on his chest and searched for the same surge she felt when she healed the general.

  Then, her thoughts swirled around in her head and in her heart. This kid shouldn’t die. He should live. I can save him. I can heal him. She chased all doubt from her mind. A whirlwind gathered inside th
e bunker. Papers fluttered and a few of the nurses exclaimed their surprise as a white light emanated from the spot where Alexandra’s hands met Benjamin’s chest.

  The doors to the bunker burst open and the light from her hand flooded through the opening. Soldiers gathered at the entryway and watched with open mouths as the light retreated and the wounded soldier stirred.

  Benjamin opened his eyes.

  Alexandra smiled and reached for his forehead, but the motion caused her head to spin. She felt her knees buckle and she crumpled to the floor. The world went black.

  “Easy now.”

  The voice was not the general’s. Alexandra recognized Koneh’s raspy whisper.

  “Koneh?” she asked. “When…?”

  “No more words,” he said.

  She opened her eyes and the world was fuzzy. After a few moments, everything came into focus. A throng of soldiers and their families surrounded Alexandra as she floated across the ground. Wait, she wasn’t floating. Koneh carried her across the courtyard towards their bunker.

  “I said, stay back!” Koneh hissed as a soldier reached for Alexandra. The soldier recoiled and joined the faceless crowd.

  Why was Koneh so mean to them?

  People murmured and watched as Father Callahan held the bunker door ajar for Koneh and Alexandra. As they entered the bunker, Alexandra’s head spun. She heard voices, but couldn’t understand the words.

  She knew some time had passed but she wasn’t certain how much. As if revived with a bucket of cold water, she opened her eyes with a clear head. Her companions were packing their things and Koneh stood near the exit.

  Alexandra sat upright in her bed and asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Apparently,” Father Callahan said, “we’re leaving.”

  “What?” she asked. “Who made that decision?”

  He pointed to Koneh.

  Alexandra stalked to the door and asked, “Why are we leaving?”

  Koneh didn’t respond.

  She huffed. “What’s outside that door?”

  “Everyone,” Koneh said.

  “Let me see.”

  “No.”

  Marco appeared behind Alexandra and said, “Why don’t you let her do what she wants, man?”

  “You cannot go out there alone,” Koneh said. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Why is it dangerous?” she asked.