The Women of the Rose

by Sara Estey

  “It is fine. It has to be done. Phillip was a pawn, or pure AI,” Maria says.

  “You may want to look away,” Lella says, looking at Judy, Rob, and myself.

  We nod, but continue to look at the phone.

  “Suit yourself, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Lella says.

  As we watch, the women chant something in unison. The crystal table turns bright red and, as it does, we see a giant Reptilian morph from the phone, followed by Phillip; then it all disintegrates into nothing, and the crystal table is once again clear.

  “That is it. We should have no more interruptions, providing there are no more active electronics,” Maria says.

  “What of Phillip?” I ask.

  “He has been obliterated. He was not the human person we thought he was. He was AI, most likely,” Maria says.

  “I see,” I say, as I walk over to the edge of the overhang and sit down on the grass.

  Joe walks over and sits beside me, and holds my hand.

  “Are you okay?” he says.

  “Yes. It just is that things never cease to surprise me,” I say.

  “Mary, do you have a cell phone?” Maria asks, approaching me.

  “Yes, it is turned off in my luggage,” I say.

  “The women are detecting it, let’s go get it now, okay?” Maria says.

  We all walk back to the house, and Joe and I walk into my bedroom. I pull out my suitcase and go to the side pocket for my phone. It is not there. I dump everything out of my suitcase and realize that it is not anywhere to be found.

  “Maria, it’s gone,” I say as I come out of the bedroom to see her, and the other women.

  The women have already picked up a signal from my phone, and are looking for it through remote viewing. I don’t understand who would have taken the phone, or why.

  “I think it is over by the new houses,” one of the women says, just as another woman, who is working on manifesting the new homes, walks into the house through the front door. In her hands, is my phone.

  Again, a crystal table and bubble are produced, this time in the front yard of the house I’m staying in. However, two other bubbles are manifested. One for the woman who was holding my phone, and another for me.

  Maria tells me not to be alarmed, but that I may have had some AI attached to me as well. After seeing Phillip dissipated into nothing, I cannot help but feel apprehensive. Were they going to have to kill me?

  “I need to see Sarah, if you feel I may be disintegrated,” I quietly say.

  “You will not be disintegrated. However, we will get rid of any AI, or entities, on you in this process,” Maria says.

  Inside the bubble containing my phone, I see the table turn red, and then the phone has black blobby stuff come out of it. The black covers the table, and drips down almost to the ground. The black then goes back into the phone, and it all dissipates to nothingness. Next, I see the woman in the other bubble. A small amount of black comes out of her hand; then it dissolves, and she appears to be fine. Her bubble is no more, and she walks to join the others.

  As the women surround my bubble, I feel apprehensive, and my chest gets tight. As they start chanting, I feel myself start to black out. I try to look at my hands, but I see nothing. I then see reptilian skin; and then nothing.

  “Mary, Mary. Wake up love,” Joe is by my bedside, and has some smelling salts under my nose.

  As I slowly open my eyes, I see Maria, Judy, and Rob, standing above me.

  “What happened?” I ask.

  “Here, drink some water, Mom,” Sarah says, handing me a glass.

  I slowly sip, and almost choke, as the water goes into my throat.

  “It appears you had been infiltrated, Mary. A Reptilian, as well as some black AI mold, was extracted from you. You should be feeling better now,” Maria says.

  “I’m acclimating. How did that happen? The infiltration?” I ask.

  “We are not sure. Likely Phillip did something to your phone when you had it. Or, it could have been prior to that,” Maria says.

  I am stunned, wondering how in the world could this happen to me? How was I infiltrated?

  “We are actually bubbling everyone now; and doing the chants to make sure no one else has any of this on them, or in them,” Maria says. “You are not alone. So far, two of the monks, and one of our own, had some AI on them that we dissipated.”

  “Oh, I see,” I say. “I’m fine now, everyone. I just think I need some sleep.”

  Everyone says their goodbyes, and I fall asleep before I even hear the bedroom door shut.

  Waking up, I note it is dark. I must have slept for a long time. As I get up, I don’t hear anyone. I conclude that it must be dinner time, and I’m famished. I walk downstairs, put on my shoes, and head out the front door to the dining hall.

  As I walk to dinner, I look up at the beautiful stars and see one shoot across the night sky: a shooting star. I make a wish for peace and understanding for all. As I do, I see Joe approaching me.

  “I was just coming to see if you wanted some dinner,” he says.

  “I’m starving,” I say, as I take his hand.

  “They ended up having three more of their own who had been infiltrated. It was not just you, love,” Joe says.

  “I suppose that is comforting that it was not just me. But, I don’t know if it is good that so many were infiltrated,” I say.

  “Yes, well we need to make sure no more electronics are used here,” Joe says. “All the current devices have been put in a vault. They will also screen anyone coming into the community now, even if they are from here and just returning from outside the community.”

  “That makes sense.” I say, stopping as we reach the river, and looking into his eyes.

  “I missed you, Mary,” he says.

  “I missed you too,” I say, as we embrace for a long time, and listen to the river rushing by us.

  “You know, I do believe the river is moving fast again,” I say.

  “It is. Everything here is back to where it was, the women are saying,” Joe points out.

  As we approach the dining hall, I see that dinner has ended and everyone is dancing, and some are singing. A few are playing guitars, and someone has manifested a piano which Lella is playing.

  Judy smiles and waves. She has kept a plate of food for me. I sit and eat, and can’t stop smiling. Everyone is so joyful, so ecstatic.

  “Can I have this dance?” Brandon says as he makes a big bow, and a sweep of his arm.

  “Yes; why, thank you,” I reply as we start twirling on the dance floor.

  “Excuse me, young man,” Joe says as he approaches us. “Can I steal your partner away?”

  We all laugh and twirl around together for a few moments, and then Brandon goes off to dance with one of the other children.

  Laughing, and dancing, we eventually collapse on a bench, tired and drenched. I squeeze Joe’s hand and he squeezes mine: bliss.

  “So, what do we do now?” I ask.

  “About us?” he asks. And I laugh.

  “This will develop as it should, I know that. I mean, now that we have the monks here, and some of our community, what about the rest of our community? What about the rest of the world, for that matter?” I ask.

  “Yes, the big questions. I think we will go back out to get Connie, and the other monks, as soon as the houses are done,” Joe says.

  “Actually, if you leave tomorrow to get them, they will be done when you return. Shall we leave tomorrow?” Maria asks.

  “How long were you behind us?” I ask.

  “Long enough to know you two have a happy future ahead of you,” she laughs.

  I smile; and smile at Joe. It is time. Before we leave for town tomorrow, I want to let him know how I feel. He takes my hand, and we walk together back to the house.

  “I feel a very strong connection to you, Mary,” Joe says.

  “Yes, I know. I feel the same. I believe we were destined to meet,” I say.

&n
bsp; He takes me into his arms, under the moonlight, and kisses me. It isn’t earth shattering, nor do I see geometric symbols. But it feels safe, he feels like home.

  I awake in Joe’s arms. We fell asleep on my bed, mostly dressed, having talked well into the night. He told me of when he was small, and how he used to look at the stars and his connection to them. He showed me the star in the sky, and it was Sirius, the same star that I have always been drawn to.

  I sigh and lay a bit longer with him. His breathing is gentle, and he has not woken yet. On my elbow, I admire his features and I feel his kindness. It exudes from him, even when he is asleep.

  “Good morning, love,” he says as he opens his eyes and stares into mine.

  “Good morning. Would you like some coffee?” I ask.

  “I’d love some.”

  I walk down to the kitchen, to get us coffee, and see Sarah already having hers, seated at the kitchen table.

  “I see you had a good night, Mom?” She questions, seeing me in my wrinkled clothes from the night before.

  “Yes, a very good night. How was yours?” I ask.

  “Good. I’m wondering now what will happen, though. Oddly, I was thinking how I wanted children and a family one day. I love our work, don’t get me wrong; but, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to have a family now,” she says.

  I sit down at the table and take her hands in mine.

  “Ah, Sarah. Yes, our lives are different now. But, I think if that is what you wish, that is what you shall have,” I assure her.

  “Yes, there are children here, and now the monks. I know the women will teach me how to materialize things. But, I wonder about a family. You know: like you, and Dad, and me,” she says.

  I know. I too feel the difference of the world we left behind as compared to the one we are living in now. I give her a big hug, and a kiss on the cheek, before taking Joe a cup of coffee.

  “So, why don’t you come into town with me, Mary?” Joe asks.

  “I was thinking of staying and helping the others. But, I would like to. Let’s see what Maria thinks,” I reply.

  Maria is waiting outside with the bus as we are not sure exactly how many more will be joining us. Maybe Connie, and two to six monks, and possibly a few from the community we were in; although the community is doubtful, as we had not really planned for them to come here just yet. Maria says that she just has a feeling it may be more than the two monks and Connie, who we are planning to pick up.

  “I actually feel that I need to stay behind, and help the new members get acclimated,” Maria says.

  “I’m comfortable driving the bus, and I know how to get to town,” Joe says.

  “Yes, well, if you and Mary drive into the town, that would be best. If you aren’t back in two weeks, our time, we will go check the mountain again,” Maria says.

  Maria explains the particulars of the bus to Joe, and Christina brings us food and water for the journey. Sarah comes to wave goodbye, and we drive off down the road.

  The bus is a bit old and rickety. Joe assures me it drives smoother than it looks. I sit in the seat behind the driver’s and, after a while, I just look out the side window as the scenery goes by. The jungle is alive in color, and life, today. The colors seem even more vibrant to me than they were before. A dragonfly goes past my window and I do a double take. It is as large as a blue bird.

  As we approach the mountain, we sigh in relief, as the tunnel is there. I suppose Maria knew it would be, as she did not come with us this far. Everything is back to where it was, now that Phillip, or whoever he actually was, has been obliterated.

  “I wonder if the reason things seem brighter and larger to me now, is because I too have been cleansed of attachments?” I ask.

  “I see it just as you are saying, Mary,” Joe says, confirming that the world around us looks the same to him, as it does to me.

  As we drive out of the tunnel, we look at the valley below us. The green fields below look especially green today.

  “It must have been raining a lot since I last visited here,” I comment.

  With the time difference, I get confused.

  “How long do you think it has been since I was in town?” I ask.

  “Probably a few month’s in time, Mary. Only the fields were brown looking, just a week ago, when I was here,” Joe says.

  We continue to drive down the bumpy road from the mountain to the fields. As we drive through the greenery, I notice a herd of cows to our left.

  “Joe, stop the bus,” I shout.

  He stops and we both look at the cows. There are about five of them and they must all be at least ten feet tall. Their fur is a deep brown.

  “Are those cows?” I ask, as we hear them moo.

  “I think so. But, I have not seen that species before. It must be unique to this area,” Joe says.

  “Yes, and very rare,” I say.

  Joe turns on the bus radio, and tunes from the 1950’s play. I love this type of music, and smile, as we ramble down the road into town.

  As we get closer to the town, we notice that the lake seems to have grown in size.

  “That is odd,” Joe says. “I was just here, and I swear the lake did not look like this.”

  We approach a giant wooden bridge that goes over the end of the lake we are on. Neither of us have seen this before.

  Certain we have taken a wrong turn, we stop the bus and decide to have some fruit, nuts, and water, as we decide which way to drive.

  Sitting on a patch of ground with our snack, next to the bus, we see a man on a horse approaching us.

  “Excuse me sir, can we ask you for directions?” I ask.

  The man pulls up beside us.

  “Hello,” he says.

  “Do you speak English?” I ask.

  “Of course, how can I be of service?” he asks.

  “We are looking for the town on the lake. We are meeting some friends, and it seems we have taken a wrong turn,” Joe says.

  “Oh, the town is just over the bridge. It is just on the other side. Ten minutes’ drive and you will be there,” he says, before he takes off down the road.

  “It must be a different way, then,” Joe says.

  We get in the bus and drive over the bridge as instructed. As we get to the other side we see a beautiful village of thatched homes along with giant flowers of every color imaginable.

  “How odd,” I say.

  Stopping the bus, we get out. Next to us is what appears to be a produce stand, and a beautiful woman is sitting behind mounds of giant fruit.

  “We are looking for the town on the lake. The old one, with the shanty-style homes in the lake. Can you direct us to that town?” I ask.

  “I’m sorry, but this is the only town in this area,” she says.

  “Is there another lake near here?” Joe asks.

  “No, just this lake,” she says. “Would you like some fruit?”

  Having just eaten, we are not hungry. But, we also are not certain what to do now, so we say, Yes.

  “I did not know that peaches were grown in this area. This is a peach?” I ask, picking up the largest peach I have ever seen.

  “Yes, it is a peach from us,” she says.

  I bite into it, and it is so delicious. “Where do you grow these?” I ask.

  “In our orchard. We grow whatever we want in the orchard of life. We don’t eat too much though, of course. Just a bit, now and then,” she says.

  “I’m Mary, and this is Joe,” I say. “I’m not sure where my manners are. We are lost, it appears. What is your name?”

  “I’m Laurinda. Would you like to see the orchard?” she asks.

  We follow her down a cobblestone path that takes us past a stream, and a waterfall, over a bridge, and then to a beautiful orchard.

  “How many varieties are you growing here?” Joe asks.

  “I think we have about two hundred and twenty-two fruits and vegetables that grow here,” Laurinda says.

  “222! That many?” I ask
.

  “Yes, well we do have everything we need,” she says.

  We walk around the orchard looking at what is in it, and marvel at the size of the plants. They look to be much the same in size and color as what we have seen with the Women of the Rose.

  “So, we are at a bit of a loss what to do next,” I say.

  “Why don’t you spend the night with us here in our guest house, and then you can decide tomorrow,” Lucinda says, as the sun is starting to set.

  “It seems our sense of time is out of whack,” I say.

  I look at Joe, and he at me. I don’t think he thought it was nighttime already, either. We follow Laurinda back to the village area, where she shows us a cute little bungalow that we can sleep in.

  We see a fire circle just two houses down, and we follow her to it. She introduces us to seven others who live in the small village. Everyone is singing and chatting. She offers us some lotus wine, and more fruit; and we eat, and drink, and listen to the singing and chants of the townsfolk.

  It has been a long and rather confusing day. I’m not sure if it is the lotus tea, or the day itself, but I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. Joe tells me he is also tired, and we say an early goodnight, and head back to our bungalow where we immediately fall asleep.

  Sunshine pours through the windows and bathes my face in light. Unsure what time it is, or where I’m at, I sit up in bed and try to get my bearings.

  “Rise and shine, sleepy head,” Joe says, entering the front door with what looks like a large cup of coffee for me.

  Taking the coffee mug, I warm my hands and take a big swig.

  “Now what?” I ask.

  “Get washed up and, then, maybe we drive around the lake?” Joe asks.

  As I clean myself up, I can’t come up with a better plan. Laurinda meets us outside of the cottage and says that, if we would like to pick some fruit from the garden, to feel free.

  “Well, maybe just a bit. Our friends back home would love the peaches,” I say.

  “Let’s hurry up, then,” Joe says.

  We walk into the orchard, to the peach trees. Everything is still large, and bright, and almost other-worldly in appearance. As I go to pick a peach, I hear a familiar- sounding voice.