by C. B. Stone
The people standing behind us all fall to their knees as well, and before long, those closest to them do so as well. I look at the crowd kneeling before me and Jaelynn, feeling strange, awkward, and unsure of what to make of it all. I can feel a faint flush creeping up my neck, and I can tell Jaelynn feels just as uncomfortable.
“We’ve heard the stories of your miracles,” the woman says. “The tales are told far and wide. We’ve been searching for you.”
“Please... stand,” Jaelynn urges, stepping forward and speaking louder than I have ever heard her speak. Her tone is more high-pitched than normal, giving away her anxiety, but she covers it well, amending with, “And thank you for the warm welcome.”
I catch a glimpse of Abe from the corner of my eye and see that he too, is now kneeling. Perhaps he finally believes we are telling the truth after everything he’s seen, or maybe he’s just following the crowd, doing what he is told. Either way, the entire town is paying tribute to us and it feels 100% weird.
“It’s not us you owe any sort of tribute or thanks to,” I say. “That glory all belongs to the true Savior, He who is watching over us. We are merely his messengers. We are not saviors ourselves. Honestly, we are no different than any of you.”
The crowd slowly starts getting to their feet again and quiet murmurs ripple throughout the gathering. It is truly awe-inspiring to see so many people all in one place, seemingly unified in one purpose. I’ve never seen this many people gathered together before. How did the Ministry keep this from the world for so long? They said the city is called Bethel? It doesn’t ring a bell...
When Jaelynn responds from inside my head, I realize I must have unwittingly opened our mind link. Or maybe she did.
I don’t know. But I’ve never heard of it either, she says.
“They healed the boys,” one of the townspeople behind us speaks up, lifting Sean into the air.
His cheeks are rosy and he looks like he’s gained at least 10 pounds since the last time we looked at him, mere moments before.
“And others too, all the sick are healed,” another voice calls out.
“And for that, we thank you,” the woman in front speaks to me and Jaelynn again. “We’ve been burdened with a rampant illness for the last few weeks, and we feared it would tear through the rest of the city before long. I’m Commander Fayne Pythe. But please, just call me Fay.” She steps forward, offering a hand and a friendly smile.
I turned my attention to her and for the first time, I really look at the woman. Her appearance is startling given the fact that she can’t be much older than me and Jaelynn are. How she’s managed to make her way through the ranks to be a commander at such a young age, I have no idea. She must be good. Smart. Her hair is either cut short or pulled back under her helmet, leaving her face bare. Even without the hair, however, there is no doubt that she is a woman.
Her features are strong, yet soft, with dreamy blue eyes that make her look much too sweet to be leading an army. I tend to think of those roles as being reserved for rough, grizzled types. But the scar cutting across her face from her right eye all the way down to her lip says she’s survived at least one brutal attack and lived to tell about it, maybe more.
“I’m Noah Rourke,” I offer, shaking her hand, “and this is Jaelynn Rose.”
“We know who you are,” she responds. “Every single one of us does.” I look over at old Abe, and he has a sheepish look on his face. “Had you told me yer names-,” he mumbles.
“Was this one giving you trouble?” Fay asks, looking over at me cautiously, while somehow at the same time managing to cast a stern gaze at Abe.
“Not really,” Jaelynn shrugs. “He just wanted to protect the town.”
Fay laughs. “Surprised he managed to do much of anything besides drink,” she says, shaking her head ruefully.
“Oh, he did plenty of that too,” Jaelynn quips back.
“Why does that not surprise me?” Fay rolls her eyes, then looks at both me and Jaelynn, her expression of amusement fading. “Would you two mind meeting with some of the heads of our army, to discuss our next course of action?”
“Next course of action?” Jaelynn asks. I already know what she means and a cold finger of fear brushes along my spine, but I decide to let Commander Pythe answer the questions this time.
“Yes, Ms. Rose,” Fay says, offering up a smile that in the space of a moment, reveals exactly how she came to be a commander in the first place, despite her tender age. “We have a war to fight.”
V
JAELYNN
“So let me get this straight,” I say, pacing a small room at the Bethel Community Center vigorously. It’s their makeshift headquarters for now, since it’s right off the city square. “We’re going to fight the Ministry?”
“Yes,” Fay replies matter-of-factly. “And we’re going to win too.” I frown, giving my head a quick shake.
“But no one has ever beaten the Ministry – their weapons, their training!” I sputter, throwing up my hands and waving them around. “And please, I mean no offense, but from what I could tell, your people don’t look like folks capable of going toe-to-toe with trained killers.”
“Have you seen the sheer size of our army?” Fay asks. She is sitting in a chair, tall and proud, and now that her helmet is off, her hair falls down around her shoulders in a mess of curls. It is still short, shorter than my hair, but longer than it looked before. It seems everything about Fay is deceptive when it comes to her looks. The woman, while appearing soft, has a razor-sharp edge to her that only a soldier can pull off. She is hard-nosed and wasted no time in getting straight to the point as soon as we were all alone.
“But the size of an army means little when you don’t have access to weapons,” I say, biting my lip. “And I don’t mean a few sawed-off shotguns either.”
I’ve heard my father tell stories of the Ministry’s vast army, saying it numbers in the tens of thousands, with access to deadly weapons that are top-secret, as well as flying machines. All stories that, quite frankly, scare the daylights out of me.
“But we do have weapons, my dear,” Fay assures me. “Did you really think we are an army without weapons?”
I look up and hope the flush I feel coloring my cheeks isn’t obvious. It’s a naïve assumption to make, sure, but hearing a woman hardly much older than myself call me out for this assumption embarrasses me. Especially when it’s done in front of Noah. I stiffen, lifting my chin.
“Not only do we have weapons, we have the ultimate weapon,” Fay continues with a confident smile.
“What’s that?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me.
“God.”
This is the first time I’ve heard His name out loud, and it takes my breath away. He is the owner of the voice that’s been talking to me for the last few months, and He is the One who put those songs in my head – everything comes from Him, from God. He has a name now, and somehow, that makes all this seem even more real. Still, as wondrous as He is, He really doesn’t seem like a weapon.
“How is He-,”
“You must trust in God, Jaelynn,” Noah cuts in, reaching across the small table and grabbing my hand. “He’s stronger than all the weapons man has created combined. And He’s on our side.”
It doesn’t make much sense to me, yet at the same time, it does. However, I’m not in the mood to continue looking naïve in front of Noah and Fay, so I decide to keep my mouth shut for a bit and listen instead.
“Now, the Ministry’s army is big, there’s no doubt about that,” Fay continues. “But we’ve fought them before and won.”
“You have?” Noah asks. I’m pleased it isn’t just me who wants an answer to that one.
“Yes, many years ago, before you or I were ever born. In fact, it was when my father’s father was in charge of this army, and trust me, we’ve grown tenfold since then.”
“As I’m sure the Ministry army has too,” Noah counters.
Faye looks at him and smiles, a twin
kle in her eye that makes me clench Noah’s hand harder in reflex. But whether it is from fear or something else, I’m not sure.
“We know the size of their army, and we’re prepared even more than we were before. We gained our freedom years and years ago, which is why you’ve never heard of us before. They wanted to wipe us off the map and failed to do so. So they did the next best thing, which was to alter their ‘history’ to exclude any mention of us. So, in their pathetic little minds, they succeeded. But we still exist, and we’ve only gotten stronger through the ages.”
“You talk like this is going to be easy,” Noah comments.
“It won’t be easy, no,” Fay says with a sigh. She looks away from him finally, her eyes dropping to the floor as her shoulders lift in a tiny shrug. “People will die, and we fully expect casualties on both sides. But we do have a secret weapon, something the Ministry doesn’t have.”
“What’s that?” I ask, not able to hold back my questions any longer.
“You two,” Fay responds, looking back up at me. “And once others in your city see the miracles you are capable of, and hear the Word of God once more, our army will grow. The Ministry’s own guards will turn against their leader and the Truth will prevail, as it always does.”
“How do you know?” I ask. “I mean, I hate to doubt you. I know what it’s like to have people doubt you. And you seem to know what you’re doing – but how do you know?”
“How did you know the lyrics of the songs you sing? And how did Noah know how to find you?”
I shrug. “I guess I don’t know,” I say. “I never really thought about it. I just knew.”
Fay nods. “I know my battle strategy the same way you and Noah knew those things. From my dreams sent directly from the Lord above. It’s why I’m the commander, these powers were passed down from my father.”
“You mean your father also shared your mission?” I ask.
Fay nods again. “And his father too. We’ve been working on this far longer than you or I can imagine, Jaelynn. This is much bigger than any of us as an individual. We are merely the ones blessed enough to be here now... to see it through to it’s end.”
“So does that mean my mother or father-,”
“Had the same dreams and connections with God?” Fay finishes for me. I nod. “Yes, at least one of them did.”
I think back to my parents. My mother has helped and covered for me so many times, maybe this was why? Maybe she knew all along. But if she did, why didn’t she tell me? Why did she keep all of this a secret from me? Thoughts of my mother bring fresh tears to my eyes, forcing me to savagely beat them back. Now is not the time, Jaelynn, I remind myself sternly. There will be plenty of time for tears and mourning, but that time is most certainly not now. There is much to do and the last thing I want is to look weak in front of Commander Fay. Or Noah.
One of my parents has known all along, and neither one ever breathed a word to me. Now they are there, and I’m here, and there is no way I can help either of them. But I can help these people. I can help Fay. I can help Noah. I can help the world.
“Jaelynn, your parents did what they had to do to get you to this point. If that cost them their lives-,” Fay speaks but Noah cuts her off.
“It’s okay, Jaelynn, I’m sure they are fine. I’m certain they’re just fine, they are extremely resourceful,” he reassures me. “You’ll see.”
Noah moves and sits down next to me, cradling me close to him. I haven’t been this close to him since our time in the old shed in my backyard, and while it feels nice, I can’t get Fay’s words out of my head. If that cost them their lives... What if all of this does cost them their lives? What then? How can I go on in the world with one or both of my parents dead? I’ll be alone.
You’ll never be alone again, Jaelynn.
The voice is emphatic, ringing through my head with enough force I wince. I assume it is God, reassuring me of His presence, but then I catch a look in Noah’s eyes and realize it’s not God, but Noah. Noah is telling me I will never be alone again. I fire back my response, holding his gaze mutely.
But how can you know that?
He doesn’t have an answer.
VI
THE strategy Fay has in mind includes getting Noah and me as far away from the city of Bethel as possible – along with 90% of her army, of course. We need to make it to the other cities without attracting any unwanted attention, although I have to wonder how we’re supposed to do that when we are flanked by such a large following. Her plan is to show people the wonderful powers bestowed upon me and Noah, which she believes will rekindle their faith once again. She seems to think that the more people believe in Him, the more powerful we, as a unified body, will become. And we need to marshal the strength of all the believers we can find to fight the battle that’s going to take place, very soon.
But before that happens, we will run. Just a little bit further. I’m somewhat apprehensive, as I’ve no idea how to fight, but Fay keeps telling me not to worry about it. Noah says he has some experience, limited as it is, from working as a Ministry guard. Overhearing him mention that tidbit to Fay, it occurs to me how little I actually know about my partner in crime.
“Noah, tell me about your parents,” I ask. “You never talk about them.”
A dark look crosses his features, but as quickly as it appears, it vanishes. It’s like watching clouds pass over the face of the sun. He usually maintains his stoicism and is very guarded with his emotions, and doesn’t disappoint now.
“That’s because I didn’t know them,” he mumbles. “Not really.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
I look at him, but his expression gives away nothing of what he is feeling or thinking. I can’t help but wonder if they died when he was young. I keep my mouth shut though, as I’m pretty sure that’s an inappropriate question to ask. Especially given the fact that we are trekking through dense forest surrounded by an army. Not exactly a situation that fosters deep conversation. My curiosity is raging though, I can hardly contain it. I want to know more about the mysterious man who has been shepherding me along the last several weeks.
I bite the inside of my lip, walking a few more paces in silence before volunteering, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I was just wondering. I don’t know much about you.”
Noah remains quiet as he walks along beside me and I feel my throat clenching up as my thoughts inevitably turn to my own parents. I can’t help wondering if they are ok. Not knowing what is happening to them, or even whether they are still alive or not is tearing me apart from the inside out. I’m doing my best to emulate Noah’s stoicism and controlled demeanor, but I find I’m continually coming up short. I’m just not built to be the strong and stoic type I guess.
I’m so lost in thought it takes me a moment to realize there is a squeezing sensation in my fingers. I look down at my hand and it takes me another beat before I realize Noah has wrapped my fingers tightly within his own. My lips part in surprise. How long have we been walking hand-in-hand like this? It feels so natural. If he hadn’t given my fingers that squeeze, I don’t even think I would have noticed at all.
A sudden thought dawns on me, sending a surge of fear ripping through my body. I know that when we touch, amazing and terrible things happen – amazing for us and those around us, but terrible since the display of power can bring the Ministry down on our heads. But just as it took me a moment to realize Noah was holding my hand, it takes me a moment before it registers that the electrical shocks we typically feel between us at a the slightest touch, are conspicuously absent. Or perhaps we are just used to it by now.
Either way, I look around and don’t see the world coming to life around us like it did when we touched before. My brow furrows in confusion. I don’t know what to make of any of this. Are our abilities fading? A part of me is glad there is no display of power. That means the Ministry could go on blundering about, completely ignorant to where we are and the army we are trav
eling with. “I do want to talk about it, some time. Just not now,” Noah murmurs, looking at the company around us meaningfully. “Maybe in a more private setting once this is all over?”
I nod, understanding completely. Still, a piece of me yearns to learn just a little bit more about him, right now. I don’t want to wait. After all the time we’ve been together, he’s hardly mentioned anything about himself and his past. Yet he knows everything there is to know about me. It almost doesn’t seem fair. I decide to ask him more questions, but avoid the parent topic. “So, you were once a guard for the Ministry?” I start. “I don’t remember you ever telling me that before.”
He visibly bristles at the mention of his time spent with the Ministry. I can tell he obviously doesn’t like where this conversation is headed either, and sigh inwardly. I guess my curiosity is going to have to suffer awhile longer. I squeeze his hand back, a silent apology between two people who have practically become one over the last few weeks. Even so, he is such an enigma to me.
“I was,” he finally responds softly. “Long ago.”
“You don’t look old enough to be talking about long ago, silly,” I tease with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. Noah doesn’t get the joke.
“It feels like a long time ago, at least. Another lifetime. And perhaps it was. At the time, I had no idea I needed to be there, working for Leora, in order to ultimately move away from the Ministry. Back then, it felt like home. See, after my parents-,” he stops speaking then, a darkness moving across his features once more.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize the two were connected,” I interject hurriedly. “We can just stop talking now, if you like.”
Noah gives a quick shake of his head, then continues, “After my parents – disappeared... I was lost. I had no other family, nowhere to go, and Leora took me in as a guard in training at a young age. I was around 12, I think. Though honestly, since we haven’t celebrated birthdays in so long, I can’t be sure how old I was or even how old I am now.”
