by Gruder, Liz
She heard him in her mind then.
No tears, he said, embracing her in his light. We live forever. That is our gift. Live a good life and you ascend. You sent me to the light. Now when you ask for light I give it back. That is how the universe works.
Kaila pressed her cheek against his ethereal white robe, soothed and comforted in his arms of love and light. She was returned to the one she’d loved and would forever love. Love never truly died; loved lived eternal. His light surrounded and infused Kaila until they were but one celestial light.
Finally, she asked, “What should we do now?”
“Love,” he replied.
“Will there be war?” Kaila asked.
“Look.” He pointed to the sky.
The millions of illuminated crafts in the sky glowed brighter. Thousands of white spotlights beamed from the ships in a multitude of rays down onto the field.
Thousands of people in white robes stood on the field, bathed in glowing light.
We are here to help you, they said telepathically in unison.
“Holy shit!” cried Pia.
We are here to help, they said in one strong telepathic voice. All you have to do is ask.
Kaila’s mind flooded with telepathic communication that lasted a micro second. It said:
This is an ancient war, the birds and the serpents. The light and the dark. Christ and Lucifer. Yahweh and Azazel. Buddha and Mara. Allah and Iblis. In the end, it is up to you. Don’t let them take your spirit. That truly, is what they are here for. Do not be harvested. Do not be recycled. You have a choice. In the whole universe there is no other planet like this. We all watch you. Your choices affect the entire universe. Each and every one of you matters. Come back to us. Ascend. Gain knowledge. Live for more than yourself and you’ll be free. But we can do nothing unless you ask. The others seduce and blind, take and manipulate you. They don’t honor free will. Power and domination is their master. If you died today, you would see a holographic embodiment of every word, action, thought in your whole life. Do not succumb to the veils. Do not succumb to the deceit. Do not look outward. Look within. You hold the torch of the universe within. Come home, beautiful ones. Do not, we beg you, be lost. Come home.
The thousands of white-robed beings ascended into their lights. The ships disappeared as a curtain closed over the sky.
The night returned, thousands of stars twinkling.
Crickets chirped. Frogs sang.
“We made a choice,” Antonia said, dazed.
“We did,” Jordyn said.
Toby hugged Melissa. “You are free from implants. And now, we are free too. Can we dance? Can we kiss?”
“Dude, chill,” Melissa said, stunned.
Everyone stood silent and awestruck, trying to assimilate what had just happened.
After a while, Melissa said to Toby, “I think I’m gonna teach you to cook.”
“What’s the first thing we will make?” Toby asked, gazing at Melissa as if she were the Queen of the Nile.
“Mmmm. Shrimp fettuccine. You sauté the shrimp in butter and garlic—”
“Oh!” Toby cried.
“What will we do now?” Kaila asked.
“We live,” Jordyn said. “They will come for us. I see now what they truly wanted and how they lied to us.” He drew her close. “I will fight to the ends of this Earth for you.”
“And I will fight for you,” Toby said to Melissa.
“Don’t dare say you’ll fight for me or I’ll hurl,” Pia said to Antonia.
“I love you, Jordyn,” Kaila whispered.
“Then, my darling, we have all the power on this earth.”
Kaila and Jordyn saw a thousand stars winking, hinting of secrets untold, of universes heretofore unimagined. Their warm bodies clung to the other, their minds dizzy with possibility.
Kaila wondered what the future held, paired with the sheer majesty and fragility of the human gift called love.
About the Author
As a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. While growing up, she imagined being a mad scientist in a lab on a remote mountaintop. But in real life, she’s worked as a graphic designer, manager and executive creative director. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license, a RYT 200 yoga certification and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Liz lives in New Orleans and is slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction.
Visit the author at: www.lizgruder.com
