The Vessels
Page 27
“What’s the bloody Lot?” Doc asked.
“Next time,” Chief Black interrupted, pointing to the waning gibbous moon that had already slipped too far across the sky.
An owl screeched and Darleen’s Spirit vibrated. It was time.
Chief Black led all three Vessels toward the fire as tribal members resumed their chanting and dancing.
Tal grabbed Captain Hugh’s arm. “Will Aaron see his child?” Her voice was a bare whisper.
He smiled. “Aaron will meet the Spirit who would have become his daughter,” he said. “She was an old soul already. Those who die youngest usually are. They choose to return, knowing their short lives will affect others in some needed way.” His eyes sparkled, and he left to join the others.
Tal had known Darden’s soul was old and wise from the moment he was born. Owen had laughed, not convinced humans even had souls, but she’d never doubted. Her heart broke again realizing the price Darden had paid to teach her pure and unconditional love. But his sacrifice would not be in vain if she lived that kind of love in her life, paying it forward to others through care, compassion, and selflessness. All the time. As a Vessel or not.
The thought made her smile. Tal’s church upbringing had clashed with the tenets of this Program from the start, but now everything about it made sense. God was much too infinite and powerful to fit inside the box of a human mind. Religions came close—with the Bible, the Qur’an, the Torah, and other holy books to follow, but none could explain the precise time frames and exact methodologies God used on the other side, or their specific purpose. It was impossible, even for the most discerning and faithful. It was why God was, well, God.
The only way to ‘make him pay’... is to guide him from his darkness. Liam’s words about Tucker Manning popped into her head again. It’s salvation, Tallulah ... You will be in a better place, and they will ‘get what they deserve,’ only not in a way you can yet understand.
Tal took a deep breath, filling her nose and lungs with the smells of pine, earth, and fresh water. One day at a time, one Spirit at a time, she thought. Salvation with Tucker would come soon enough.
Darleen’s Spirit burned with love and support.
Tal eased closer as Captain Hugh, Chief Black, and Liam partially encircled Avani from the front and sides. The chanting grew louder, and the bonfire shot sparks high into the starry sky. Avani’s eyes glowed and her tattoo brightened as Grandmother’s Spirit drifted out through her back, a shimmering, human-shaped specter leaving its shell. When it ended, Avani slumped into Captain Hugh’s arms. He held her until her strength returned, then she stepped aside.
Link entered the circle next, eyes and tattoo gleaming. Valerie’s Spirit slipped from his back and showered him with light.
Tal’s turn. Her eyes and tattoo glowed as Darleen’s Spirit emerged like a cicada, shimmering with love and joy. Tal turned to see Darleen in this form: a sizzling light with fading human features and no color, gender, race, or age. “Thank you.”
Darleen brushed Tal’s cheek and drifted away to join the others.
Sam stood taller watching them. These souls seemed to assure his that Aaron’s was well.
The air hummed as all three Spirits burst into tall, brilliant sun-like pillars of light, rending open the darkness. The blast lasted several moments before the intensity faded and the Spirits returned to their pearl-like misty forms. They hovered by Captain Hugh.
“Well done,” he told the Vessels. “Thanks to you, these three have earned Elysium.” He tipped his Royal Navy cap. “Until next time.”
He escorted the Spirits across the metal walkway to the ship, then nodded one final time before retracting the plank and closing the hatch. Another owl screeched, the Anaho chanted and danced, and the ship submerged out of sight once more.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my tireless and indomitable manager, coach, and cheerleader, Italia Gandolfo. Thank you for believing in me, and my book, before either could fly. To the amazing and talented Liana Gardner. Thank you for being my intrepid guide and navigator through these exciting word-filled waters. To Vesuvian Books. Thank you for launching this tale and giving it wing.
o Marie D. Jones, Jonas Saul, and Diane Belk. Thank you for reading, editing and sharing overall guidance. Thank you to Beth Isaacs for helping my words make “sense,” and to Louis Shaw Milito and Phil Conserva for expanding my vision.
To my husband, Scott, my anchor and soul mate. Thank you for continually encouraging me to pursue my dreams and follow my heart, no matter the odds or obstacles.
To Kayla, my wise child, my old soul angel of a daughter. Thank you for choosing me and for teaching me what unconditional love really means.
To my mom, Memaw, who now dances in heaven. Thank you for a lifetime of love and encouragement, and for showing me what it means to be a mother.
To my family, my friends and my SOJ brothers and sisters. Thank you all for the motivation, love, prayers and support.
To my readers and fellow sojourners – I hope this story inspires the kind of hope, joy and love in your lives that writing it brought to mine. May we all tap our inner Vessels to love and serve one another with the spirits we’ve already been given.
To God above all - thank you for this inspiration, and for the privilege of being a pen in your hand.
About the Author
Anna Elias is a screenwriter and author. She was born in Atlanta, raised in Daytona Beach and she graduated from the University of Florida. After college, she traveled the country working on such films and TV series as Miami Vice, Nell, Practical Magic, In the Heat of the Night, 12 Monkeys, A Time to Kill, and My Dog Skip.
Anna currently lives in Florida with her husband, her daughter, and her dog, Karma. She loves being in nature, reading books and watching movies, and she's active in her passions for social justice, equality and the environment. Her favorite pastime is finding unique and creative ways to blend her preoccupations together in story form. The Vessels is her debut novel.
www.AnnaMElias.com