I’m glad you asked that. I’ve come with a gift.
Gaia placed her hands into the nebula of her stomach and extracted seven orbs of light. The colors inside each swirled with luminosity. She placed an orb in front of each of the Champions and it hovered in the air near their hearts. With a wave of her arm the orbs propelled into their bodies. In unison, the Champions tilted their heads toward the sky as Gaia’s gift entered their hearts. It had total control over them as its light spread through their minds, bodies, and souls. They stayed connected with firm handholds, but their bodies shook with aggressive force. All Juniper could see was white as her body digested the strange endowment. It lasted so long, she worried her body might reject the gift and kill her instead.
When the sensation ended, the sisters regained their senses with deep breaths and varying expressions. Eshe, Sofyla, and Coral looked offended, Aria and Sierra appeared traumatized, and Marisabel wore a look of terrible alarm. Juniper wasn’t sure how to feel. She was certain it was killing her, but now that it was over, she felt more alive than ever.
What was that? she asked.
A gift of eternal life, for you and your Seconds. As you are in this moment, you will remain.
Juniper’s heart sunk. This gift could have saved Roscoe.
We will live forever? Eshe asked, her look of offense morphed into wonder.
If you take care. It’s a gift of eternal life, not immortal life, and you are still vulnerable to most of mankind’s weaknesses. I’ve granted you immunity to disease and the ability to heal faster, but not safety from fatal injuries.
Why not grant us immortality? Coral asked.
Because I want you to live safe and humble lives. Slipping into states of recklessness, conceit, and superiority would be too easy without the fear of death. I trust you now, but time changes people and since you’ll have so much of it, I need to guarantee that you stay modest.
Though it made sense, and they should be grateful to have received any form of extended life, the expressions on some of her fellow Champions suggested otherwise. There was a feeling of disappointment among them, and an even more subdued notion and annoyance. Those who felt anger hid it well, but the energy was still present. Gaia sensed it too.
In time you will understand my reasoning, and I hope you all find gratefulness in your hearts. I believe I chose wisely when selecting each of you, and I hope this role of power has not changed the women behind the Champions.
Juniper scanned the faces of her sisters to see if Gaia’s supportive warning changed their energy. The few who previously wore scowls absorbed her words and reminded themselves they had no reason not to smile. They were the luckiest women on earth. They were chosen by Mother Nature to endure the end of times. They were chosen as the Champions of the human race and given the gift of eternal life. This reminder went unspoken but was felt by all. The mood lifted and the sisterhood was alight with positivity again. Their auras brightened and the light illuminating the circle pulsed with a steady glow.
Thank you, Gaia, Juniper said as the energy shifted. We are grateful for your gift.
You are very welcome. She could not see Gaia’s smile, but she felt it. Keep faith, my daughters. Together we will live in harmony.
Gaia rose into the air and her being of light exploded like a supernova. Her pieces of fiery color rained over the Champions and dissolved before touching their heads.
They released hands and stood in silence for a moment.
Who was sulking after she explained her gift of eternal life? Eshe demanded. We all felt it and it made us look ungrateful.
It was me, I’m sorry, Sofyla confessed. I just needed a moment to remind myself of my luck. I was still wrapped up in the overwhelming feeling of receiving the orb and my mind wasn’t absorbing anything clearly. I am grateful, and I didn’t mean to exude negativity.
Who else? Eshe asked, looking at Coral.
Me?
If you have something to say, go on. I was connected to Sofyla directly, so I felt her disappointment shoot into my hand. The feeling of annoyance came from you.
How do you know?
It hit me straight in the chest.
If I felt annoyance, then I am sorry. I’m still human. I’m not perfect.
It’s okay, Juniper jumped in.
No, it’s not, Eshe retorted. Yes, we are still human, but we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We need to be above the petty human emotions that preyed upon us in our former lives. They are what led us to this fate and we cannot let Gaia down by repeating old habits.
Fine, Juniper continued in defense of Coral, but we also shouldn’t be attacking each other as we learn how to operate in our roles as Champions. We are family; we are bonded by something beyond any of our previous realms of reality. This is strange, and crazy, and we are still adapting. Still learning. Gaia is an entity far beyond our reach; our elements come and go as they please, and our followers have no clue what it’s like to carry this burden. We are all we have. If we don’t show unconditional support and love, we will drive a wedge between the sisterhood.
She’s right, Aria chimed in.
Yes, she’s right, Eshe huffed. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t push one another to be the best versions of ourselves possible.
Agreed. Let’s just show mercy in our approach, Juniper suggested. Eshe’s expression was of defiant surrender and the argument was over.
Being together as a whole unit for the first time was telling and the Champions were establishing their roles amongst each other. Juniper was content in the role of mediator. She was an empath due to the struggles she’d endured throughout her life and felt she’d contribute greatly in this facet. Eshe was the fire and passion propelling the group forward; Coral embodied the unpredictable currents of human emotion and kept the others grounded in their humanity; Aria was a breath of fresh air that lightened everyone’s spirits; Sierra provided the stone-hard reason they’d desperately need; Sofyla was shifty as sand and unafraid to get dirty on behalf of the greater good; and Marisabel was strongest of them all as she was the link that kept them all bound. She had formed solid relationships with each of them and her presence was a comfort to all, even when she did not say a word.
It’s time to go, Sierra reminded them. We have people waiting on our attentive lead.
Juniper didn’t have anyone waiting on her. While the others told their followers why they’d be mentally absent for a while, no one in her following knew she was vacant from her body right now.
Eshe disappeared in a flash of flames and Sierra followed closely behind, leaving a trail of gray dust. Coral and Marisabel held hands as they departed. They disappeared like paint on a canvas that had been left in the rain. Sofyla’s image exploded with a burst of sand, leaving only Aria and Juniper in the white room.
Ready? Aria asked and Juniper nodded. She felt Aria seize hold of her thoughts and did everything in her power to hold on to the feeling of the room. She hoped that savoring the ambiance of the meeting place would help her return on her own.
They soared through their shared subconscious and Aria tossed her down a side hallway to where her body waited at the end of the corridor. Aria went left toward her body and Juniper was hurled to the right and back into her own.
She sat up and gasped. She was back in the forest beneath her mossy canopy and no longer dressed in an elegant gown. Her hair was a knotted mess, her skin was covered in dirt, and her clothes were the same she’d been wearing for months. Back to normal.
Juniper smiled despite the unpleasant return to her meager reality. There was a place where she could meet with her Champion sisters, a place where they could talk to Gaia directly. She closed her eyes and felt the gift of eternal life echo in every heartbeat. She held her hands in front of her face and opened her eyes. Energy radiated through her fingertips. She picked up a sharp rock nearby and pricked her finger. The wound stung as she watched the blood roll down her finger. It moved slowly down her skin, across the span of her palm,
over her wrist, and down her arm. When it reached the middle of her forearm she felt the cut heal.
An enormous grin emerged on her face. Gaia entrusted her with eternal life, and she planned to make her proud.
Chapter 32
Juniper and her following continued to persevere through the days of prolonged darkness. For her mental health and stability, Juniper let go of Roscoe. His memory remained vivid in her heart, but her hope that he might still be alive was gone. It was no longer healthy to wish for his return; doing so was a detriment to herself and those she was tasked to protect. The pain lingered but she was strong enough to carry on.
The dreams in which he spoke to her ceased. She missed his nightly visits but understood his absence was for the best. The less she saw him in her sleep, the easier it was to let go.
A week passed and Juniper began to feel like her old self again. There were moments where her grief snuck up on her unexpectedly, but they weren’t frequent and she was able to function between them. She spoke to Clark often and their conversations kept her on the right path. She eventually let Irene in too. Having their support was her greatest tool in healing.
As a group they often talked about what happened. Everyone struggled with survivor’s guilt. Juniper expressed her dismay that she couldn’t save more and the majority of the group consoled her, reminding her that she did her best. There was no way to stop the end, even if her emails found their way to the right connections and she was able to warn the masses. The best she and anyone else could do was survive and move forward. There was no changing the past, so they agreed to live full and meaningful lives on behalf of those who were lost. They’d keep humanity alive and build better lives for everyone who remained. It was all they could do.
Eventually, the group made peace with all they endured; the indirect guilt, remorse, and confusion settled and they became united in gratefulness. They worked hard to make their living arrangements as comfortable as possible, and they remained aware of their moods and how they affected the group. It was easy to succumb to defeat under these conditions, so everyone did their best to stay positive on a daily basis.
Teek’s parents were the chefs of the group. They found ways to make the bland food taste better. The survivors she’d found on her trip into town stepped in to help with cooking duties often. Misty’s brothers finished the shelter with the help of Jeb, Brett, and his sisters. It was a wooden roof nestled between a tight set of trees and it was covered in moss and leaves to prevent rain leaking through its cracks when the weather came back. The walls were made of braided vines that would shelter them from harsh winds and animals, once they returned. For now, the shelter was mainly used for warmth. The body heat of everyone huddled together warmed the small space and kept them healthy. Catching a cold would be dangerous now that they had no access to medical help.
The Devereaux family was the most resistant to their new way of life. They often whined and complained about their discomfort, unconcerned that everyone felt just as bad, or worse. Zaedon was young, tall, and strong, but he did not want to help with any of the manual labor. His response to any requests for assistance was annoyed sighs and eye rolls. Genavieve was also young and capable, but acted weaker than she was and insisted she hurt her wrist while helping with the shelter. She milked the fake injury and spent her days napping and eating. Their parents were even worse. Phineas constantly talked about rebuilding the world so that it resembled what was destroyed. Despite Juniper’s continued reminders that they were not saved in order to repeat old mistakes, he insisted they could construct new cities and roadways. He wanted to explore the continent in search of structures that were spared and rebuild from there. He went on about returning to unsustainable energy sources to begin the process. Juniper could not stress enough how terrible the idea was and prayed no one else in the group supported his suggestions. His wife, Claudia, was unable to let go of her materialistic tendencies. She went on one trip into town and came back with a suitcase full of clothes, jewelry, and impractical shoes. Surprisingly, the Devereaux family was more toxic than Juniper’s aunt and cousin, but she kept her opinions hushed. Gossip would act as poison in their little community.
“Any updates from the trees?” Clark asked. He sat next to Juniper and warmed his hands over the bonfire.
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Jeb chimed in.
“Not much. They are busy trying to rebuild the world. I did experience the first group chat with my fellow Champions, though.”
“Telepathically?” Clark asked.
“Yes.” She decided not to mention there was a subconscious meeting location buried in her mind. It would be too hard to explain. She relived the visual often, though, and imagined herself being showered and dressed in her luxurious green aura gown again. “The scenarios they are enduring are similar to ours. It’s nice to be reminded that we aren’t alone. There are others out there surviving just like us.”
“That actually is a comforting thought,” Jeb said. “Makes me feel less isolated.”
“Yeah,” Clark agreed. “Thinking we were the only ones left on the planet was depressing. I’m happy to know there are other groups spread across the globe.”
“Maybe we can link up with them one day,” she suggested with a shrug. If this was possible, she hoped it happened soon. Though she would live long enough to see that day, the others might not and they deserved to live in a large and loving community.
“That would be nice.” Clark smiled. He was happy to see Juniper thriving again after her breakdown.
“Do you think everyone will stay after we’re allowed to leave this forest?” Jeb asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, right now, we have no choice, but once we are allowed to travel, do you think some might venture off on their own?”
“I hope not,” Juniper answered. She never considered this possibility. She glanced at the toxic family from town, currently agitated about their meal. They’d be the first to jump ship. “Do you think so?”
“I wonder about a few,” Jeb replied.
“If some left, do you think others would follow?” Juniper was suddenly feeling very disconnected to the underlying pulse of the group.
Jeb shrugged. “Some days I think yes, others I think no. I guess it will depend on where you plan to lead us next.”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I don’t even know how long we will be stuck here or what the trees will tell me to do once the darkness ends.”
“I would start thinking about it if I were you,” Jeb advised. “If you don’t have a plan, the majority will likely follow someone who does.”
Juniper clenched her teeth in aggravation. He wasn’t wrong, she was just disappointed that after all this time they still didn’t trust her lead. She was the only reason they were alive and she had direct contact with the source that would ensure their continued survival, yet their allegiance wavered. She was exhausted and losing patience.
“As much as I don’t want to lose anyone, I cannot control their loyalty. If certain individuals decide to leave and go their own way, so be it. I’m done trying to convince anyone to follow. I’ve already proven myself.”
“Understood. I’m just informing you what’s being discussed in whispers. I don’t want it to come as a shock if that day arrives.”
“What do you think about these whispers? Do you think they’re right?”
“Of course not,” Jeb protested. “I don’t have a death wish.”
“That’s exactly what leaving would be. I don’t suspect they’d survive long without me. The world is still in a state of volatile rebirth, and I imagine it will be for quite some time.”
Jeb shrugged. “Leaving your side would be foolish.”
“So is returning to dirty and antiquated sources of energy.”
Both men nodded in agreement.
Juniper shook her head and glanced at the Devereaux family again. She didn’t need Jeb to tell her who was behind the whispers, bu
t she did wonder who was listening. It hadn’t crossed her mind that their negative energy would manipulate others, but it seemed this oversight was a mistake. She’d need to take stronger action against their behavior. She thought gossip would tear the group apart, but while she was biting her tongue, others were planting seeds, and she realized that letting the whispers fester was the only poison she needed to fear.
She retired to her sleeping quarters for the night. She was too tired to address the problem and decided she’d tackle it tomorrow. The ash clouds wouldn’t be clearing anytime soon, so she had time.
A few hours into her sleep Roscoe’s image returned. He was louder than ever. She tried to push him out of her dream but he shouted at her and demanded that she acknowledge him.
WAKE UP.
Juniper tossed beneath her blankets as she tried to rewind her dream and start over.
JUNIPER, HELP ME.
Let me go, she mumbled back in her head. She made an attempt to seize back control of her dream, but the claws of his reappearance were dug too deep. He was engrained into her sight, and she could not go backwards. Since she couldn’t redo the dream, and he wouldn’t stop screaming, she tried to fast forward. She ran and her surroundings became blurred. Though she was gaining distance, his voice never decreased in volume. When she stopped, out of breath, he stood before her, staring down on her as she panted.
I’M NOT DEAD.
Yes, you are. Leave me alone!
She began to run again. This time, Roscoe did not follow. She sprinted through the woods, faster than a speeding train, and emerged in an open space. There were no more trees, but she kept running. Without warning, the ground disappeared beneath her and she was freefalling into a fissure. She screamed and woke up from the nightmare.
Tears streamed down her face from fright. She wiped them from her cheeks and reminded herself it was only a dream. Once she recovered and calmed her heart rate, she sat up. After weeks of peaceful slumber this reappearance of Roscoe came as a shock. She was shaken and unsure why her subconscious was playing evil games. She couldn’t fall back to sleep, so she stared at the black sky beyond the trees and waited for it to turn a lighter shade of gray.
Hall of Mosses Page 25
