by KT Webb
Chapter Thirty-Five:
Dorian
It had been weeks since Tahlia returned. The disappearance of Kerr and Keira concerned him for a moment, but Romulus assured him that nothing had happened. The Evolved must have called on them so Keira could open the door to Eternity. He spent his days helping Tahlia cope with what had happened to her while she was held by the Maladies.
She finally shared everything about her experiences with both Dorian and Romulus a few nights after she returned. She was still coming to terms with the fact that she had allowed herself to give up, despite sharing the details of her conversation with Lucien. She blamed herself for the danger Keira would face when the Maladies discovered that she was no longer the threat they needed to destroy.
Dorian sat staring intently at the fireplace. The warmth coming from the fire that burned within it allowed him to momentarily forget the howling winds of early October outside. One thing he could count on about South Dakota was the lack of a lengthy transition from fall to winter; the leaves fell and immediately brought on the bitter cold.
Romulus entered the library and sat down on the large chair opposite Dorian. He didn’t need to speak for Dorian to understand what he was thinking. They had both been worried about the Evolved and their granddaughter through the transition of the spirit of hope. They had never encountered the spirit entering a new vessel and didn’t know what to expect. The Maladies had been surprisingly quiet since they were knocked on their butts by the Creator and the spirit of hope. They weren’t sure if that should be a relief or a sign of things that would be coming.
“Have you spoken with Tahlia this evening?” Romulus asked in a quiet voice.
“No. I haven’t spoken to her since this morning when we talked about the torture she endured,” Dorian told him.
“I saw her a few moments ago. She was in the kitchen staring out the back window. I fear she is in a fragile state,” Romulus shared.
“I think you’re right. But only time can heal the emotional wounds she has had inflicted upon her. It’s a good sign that she’s willing to talk about it,” Dorian replied.
“Does it bother you at all that she lost hope?” Romulus asked.
“That depends on what you mean. It bothers me that she found herself in a position that led her to feel like she would never see her family again. It bothers me that she was tortured and taunted for weeks. But if you’re asking if it bothers me that she let the go of the spirit of hope, the answer is no,” Dorian told him thoughtfully.
“Can you elaborate?” Romulus asked, his voice brimming with curiosity.
“I believe that if she had not let go, she would still be there. They would still be torturing her. We would still be desperately searching for her. I believe that the Creator recognized that moment as the one in which she had fulfilled her obligations as the vessel. He told her she had served him faithfully, and I believe he was right.” Dorian paused for a moment. “Tahlia is a strong woman and has been the sole source of hope in seemingly hopeless times. She gave up a lot to be that light for the world.”
Romulus nodded his head in agreement. Dorian knew his brother saw all the same qualities in Tahlia as he did himself, but sometimes it felt good to hear your thoughts verified by another. Romulus’ concern for Tahlia came from a place of love, while Dorian’s belief that everything happened as it should came from a place of faith.
“Now that Nora has fulfilled her prophecy, I am no longer immortal,” Dorian told his brother carefully.
“How can you tell?” Romulus asked curiously.
“I can feel it in my body. The power is no longer there. I feel like I am in perfect health, but my energy and strength come from my physical body now rather than from a deeper place,” Dorian said simply.
“I wonder how old you are physically,” Romulus mused.
Dorian laughed aloud at that thought. He hadn’t really considered it before, but he truly didn’t know how old his body was. He never had to wonder about lifespan or physical health because he always had the advantage of immortality.
“Well, I suppose I’d better visit a doctor,” Dorian replied with a smile.
The door to the library opened as the two brothers shared a laugh. Dorian looked up to see Tahlia enter the room. She joined him on the couch and pulled a blanket over her lap.
“What’s so funny?” Tahlia asked.
“Dorian’s going to get a physical,” Romulus replied as he shook with controlled laughter.
Tahlia grinned at the men she had known her whole life. She shook her head as she joined in the laughter. Dorian knew that no matter what happened, they would always have each other, and that meant more to him than anything in the world.
“Alright, boys. I have some serious stuff to discuss with you,” Tahlia told them, bringing an end to their fits of giggles.
“You have the floor,” Dorian replied.
“Eric has asked me to marry him. Again,” Tahlia said with a smile.
“That’s wonderful news!” Romulus said excitedly.
“Have you said yes?” Dorian asked her.
“I didn’t at first. At first I told him I couldn’t. But then I realized that I have the rest of my life ahead of me. I’m not dead. I’m not going to die yet. I may not be much help these days, but I am certainly not going to let the Maladies stop me from moving on with my life. The Creator has given me a second chance, and I won’t waste it,” Tahlia replied firmly.
“You seem as though you feel guilty about this,” Romulus said carefully.
“I do. My whole life I’ve put myself last because it was my duty to make sure everyone else had the will to carry on through all their trials and tribulations. And learning about what I did and who I was before becoming the vessel makes me wonder why I even deserve this. It’s not easy to reframe my perspective around just being a normal person,” Tahlia shared quietly.
“Well, let me ease your mind on one thing.” Dorian paused with a sparkle in his eyes. “You will never be a normal person.”
He couldn’t contain it any longer and allowed himself to giggle again. It felt wonderful to have his brother and sister join with him in childish laughter. They were entering a new season in their lives and would soon be growing old together. He couldn’t think of any other people he would want to have by his side as his life entered the next phase.
Chapter Thirty-Six:
Thatcher
They continued up the stairs and journeyed for an undeterminable amount of time. When they came to the next landing, they found themselves in a room that looked like it belonged in their world rather than in Eternity.
The room was set up like a studio apartment. A couch and television were sitting off to the left in the corner of the room. A bed sat in the opposite corner. There were bookshelves filled with many titles that Thatcher himself had read at least once.
“Wonder who lives here,” Hadley said as she scanned the room.
“Not a clue. Look, there’s another staircase. Let’s go,” Nora said heading across the room.
“Leaving so soon?” asked a voice from their right.
Thatcher turned to see the owner of the voice emerging from what appeared to be a bathroom. He couldn’t’ believe what he was seeing.
Malcolm stood before them, looking whole and healthy. He held his hands out and spun around to show them he was really there.
“I know, I look different since you last saw me. I’ve gained some weight. Right here,” he said, pointing at the spot where Absalom had blown a hole in his chest.
“It’s so good to see you,” Thatcher said, his voice catching in his throat.
The last time he was with Malcolm, the young boy died to save him. He had viewed him as a younger brother and was so heartbroken when Malcolm gave his life for him.
“Well, I’d say the same, but I’ve been able to see you guys the whole time. Congratulations on the babies, by the way. If only I could pull a Lazarus like Whitley.” Malcolm winked.
�
�Malcolm, do you know how much farther it is to the Great Hall?” Kerr asked him.
“Nice to see you too Kerr,” Malcolm joked. “It’s actually the next level.”
“Wow, I see how you rate,” Thatcher told him with a laugh.
“I’m not the only one who lives on this level. I’m just the only one you guys get to see. This is the level reserved for those of us who sacrifice ourselves for the world,” Malcolm said.
“So do you have Jesus over to play video games?” Thatcher asked him.
“Yeah, actually. He’s pretty good at Smash Brothers,” Malcolm replied with a grin.
They all laughed, but Thatcher couldn’t help but be left speechless at the thought of playing video games with Jesus.
“Have a seat. I’m supposed to make sure you guys get rested up and take a shower,” Malcolm said.
“I’d rather just finish the next flight of stairs. Keira is getting heavy,” Kerr told Malcolm kindly.
“No can do. The problem is, you guys are running on different physical time than those of us here in Eternity. See, according to traditional time, you’ve been climbing stairs for about a month. You haven’t used the bathroom, you haven’t slept, and you haven’t eaten in twenty-eight days,” Malcolm said.
Thatcher was surprised by this thought. Time and space didn’t matter in Eternity. Why would they have to even consider traditional time during their journey there?
“I can see the wheels turning in those heads. Here’s the thing. You guys are adults. Keira is a child. Haven’t you noticed that she’s getting tired? Your bodies won’t tire as quickly as hers, but you do need to rest up before you continue. You all need to eat and rest. As soon as you leave here, you’ll meet with the Creator and then be thrust back into battle,” Malcolm explained.
“Battle?” Hadley asked with concern.
“Well yeah, do you think the Maladies have just given up? They might be licking their wounds from the aftermath of messing with Tahlia, but they’re getting ready to strike again,” Malcolm said.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Nora demanded.
“I know you want to make sure your daughter is protected, but you can’t go running into battle without having slept for a month,” Malcolm reiterated.
“I feel fine,” Nora replied irritably.
“Yeah, now. But what about when you leave Eternity? That’s when your lack of attention to your physical body will hit you,” Malcolm retorted.
Thatcher understood what Malcolm was telling them but also understood the urgency in Nora’s plea. If they were here and the Maladies attacked, the Old Immortals would be defenseless.
“Okay, we’ll eat and rest and shower. Then we’re moving on,” Thatcher said sternly.
Malcolm smiled and clapped his hands. As soon as he clapped, the room transformed into a dining room. The table before them was laid out with every possible food they could want. Pizza, pasta, salad, fruits, and vegetables were lined up right alongside a large roast and some roasted chicken. Thatcher felt his stomach rumble, and his mouth started to water.
“Yummy! Mommy, I’m hungry,” Keira said, rousing from her slumber in Kerr’s arms.
They laughed in response and settled in to eat. Their dinner conversation was relaxed and familial as they chatted about life and Eternity. Malcolm seemed to have adjusted nicely, despite dying so young.
Kerr, Nora, and Keira excused themselves to use Malcolm’s bathroom. They emerged about an hour later, looking clean and refreshed. Hadley took her turn next while the Mason’s excused themselves to sleep. Malcolm had made a bedroom available for each of them.
“So, you’re engaged,” Malcolm asked.
Thatcher smiled widely, but wasn’t sure where this conversation was going. “Yes, and apparently we’re going to have kids.”
“They’ll both be boys. A couple more just like you,” Malcolm told him with a grin.
“What’s wrong with that?” Thatcher asked with a laugh.
“Oh, nothing! I just think it will be interesting,” Malcolm said.
“You have no idea. I’m excited to marry her, and I’m glad Hadley and I are going to work through everything that happened . . . ” Thatcher replied.
“But . . . ” Malcolm prodded.
“But I’m afraid of what would happen if the Maladies infected me again?” Thatcher asked desperately.
“There it is,” Malcolm said.
“There it is,” Thatcher replied.
“Here’s the deal. You aren’t going to get infected again,” Malcolm said matter-of-factly.
“Oh yeah? When did you get so wise?” Thatcher asked.
“I’m not wise. I’m just telling you that you can’t live like that. You can’t constantly live in a state of ‘what-if.’ You have to live with the thought that everything will work out for the best, and if it doesn’t you deal with it then,” Malcolm told him.
Thatcher thought for a moment. He knew Malcolm was right. But the fear was still there—a fear he wasn’t sure he could overcome.
“Why did you do it?” Thatcher asked him suddenly.
“Because I needed to. I knew that if you died, Absalom would live and grow more powerful. I knew that if I lived, Absalom would destroy the rest of the Evolved and make me watch, then he would make me kill the other Old Immortals. The world would have become his playhouse,” Malcolm said with a shudder.
“But how did you know those things?” Thatcher asked.
“I really can’t explain it. It happened in a few seconds. I saw what he was going to do, and knew what it would mean. I had to stop him. I was never supposed to be one of the Evolved. It had to be me or it wouldn’t work,” Malcolm replied.
Thatcher thought for a moment and realized that Malcolm had done more than die for him, he had died for the good of mankind. Even if he wasn’t one of the Evolved, he was still an important player in the fate of the world. If Malcolm hadn’t died that day, the world would have suffered. The Creators plans wouldn’t have come to pass. Thatcher looked up to see Hadley come out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She grinned sheepishly and made her way into the bedroom Malcolm had assigned to her.
“I better go shower,” Thatcher said.
“About time. You reek.” Malcolm laughed.
Thatcher shoved Malcolm playfully and made his way to the bathroom.
Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Whitley
She woke in the darkness wrapped in blankets. She heard voices outside her room. The urgency with which they spoke led her to detangle herself quickly and throw open her bedroom door.
Whitley made her way down the hall to the top of the stairs. She sat down quickly when she saw Tahlia, Dorian, and Romulus standing in the large entry. The only light that shone down on them came from moon pouring through the large windows above the front door. The tension was thick, but she could tell it wasn’t animosity toward each other that had them so upset.
“We need to figure out how to defend ourselves without any abilities,” Tahlia told them.
“We don’t have time. We need to see if Whitley can communicate with the Evolved through the rest of the Old Immortals,” Dorian replied.
“I will not put her in danger, Dorian. Don’t ask me to,” Tahlia said, her voice choking out as she held back tears.
“It won’t put her in danger. She has been talking to them the whole time,” Dorian scoffed.
“You don’t know what those things will do. They know they can kill her. They can infect her. They’ll do it without hesitation,” Tahlia said.
Whitley had heard enough. She stood and cleared her throat.
The three Old Immortals turned and stared at her as she made her way down the stairs. When she came to the bottom, she stood before them squaring her shoulders.
“I’m an adult. I want to help. I have to help. I got to come back because they want me to help,” Whitley told them. “Tell me what I need to do.”
Romulus stepped forward and placed a hand on each of her shoulde
rs.
“We need you to reach out to the other Old Immortals and try to get a message to the Evolved. The Maladies are out there, in Benton,” Romulus told her.
“What do you mean they’re in Benton?” Whitley asked as alarms went off in her head.
“Honey, they’re toying with us, trying to draw me out. I don’t think they know yet that I am not the vessel. Soon, they’ll have infected the entire town,” Tahlia said quietly.
“If they’re infecting the town, what will happen to the people there?” Whitley asked with concern.
“They’re already killing each other,” Dorian told her.
Whitley put a hand over her heart. She thought of the families she’d seen there. The quaint downtown area, overrun by violence and murder. She nodded her head at them before closing her eyes to reach out.
She found herself face to face with Marcellus. He was looking at her as though waiting for her to speak.
“Marcellus, we have to tell the Evolved to return. They must get Keira somewhere safe, but they have to come back. If they don’t, thousands of people will die at the hands of the Maladies,” Whitley told him.
He stared blankly for a moment as though in shock. He shook his head quickly and turned on his heel. Whitley watched as Marcellus disappeared as he walked away. She took a deep breath and waited. She didn’t have to wait long.
Marcellus returned with Rance and Lucien. Whitley watched them speaking hurriedly as they approached.
“Whitley, you must know that we would love to tell you everything will be alright, but we can’t see everything,” Rance told her patiently.
“I’m not asking for reassurance, I’m asking you to get a message to the Evolved. You have to tell them to come home. They’ve been here for a month! We need them to come stop the Maladies. None of us have the power to defend the innocent people of Benton,” Whitley replied with frustration.
