The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  Once the door shut, Micah grabbed his laptop. He wasn’t going to put it off any longer. Trent’s right; I should tell Eden how I feel. As he waited for the screen to boot, his eyes went out of focus. Glancing around, he was now standing in front of large crowd, seated on white chairs, facing him.

  They were dressed nice, women in dresses, men in tuxedos. There was a cool, misty breeze on his skin. Hearing his shoe squeak, he glanced down to see black, shiny loafers. Gazing to the left, he noticed they were on top of a grassy hill, which sloped down to meet white sand. Maybe two-hundred yards away, there was a beautiful beach. He could hear the ocean’s surf rolling and crashing against the shore.

  Micah stared back at the group before him; they were seated in two sections, a long aisle with red, velvet carpet running between them. The carpet was covered with white petals. He wasn’t sure which flower; they were bright against the deep red aisle. Peering at his own black tuxedo, it dawned on him that he was at a wedding, perhaps even his own.

  A single violin began to play a sweet melody. It was soon joined by a cello; they harmonized for a few chords, and then a whole orchestra joined in, playing melodic music. It reminded him of Pachelbel’s Canon, although it wasn’t quite the same. As Micah searched for the source of the music, the audience rose to their feet in unison.

  At the end of the aisle, a young woman wearing a white, silk wedding gown began to slowly step towards him. The small crystals on her bodice sparkled in the sunlight as she moved gracefully. She was breathtaking. Micah recognized the man guiding her down the aisle; it was David McCarthy. He knew who the young woman was; her hair was swept halfway up, leaving her shoulders covered in blonde curls. As she approached, he could see her face, smiling back at him through the veil. He felt himself shiver. Is this our wedding? Tears flooded his eyes, and each step she took echoed his heartbeat.

  Her eyes remained on him until she stood directly in front, and in that moment, she glanced to the right. He did too and was surprised Andrew was standing next to him, also in a tuxedo. A sinking realization crept through him.

  This may not be our day after all. I might just be the best man.

  Andrew was older, but still retained his boyish facial features. Since both he and Andrew stood in the middle of the aisle, he searched for the minister. Perhaps whoever stood closer to him was the groom, but they were the only two there. Eden continued to smile at Andrew, while Micah panicked.

  This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.

  She bridged the gap, her dad graciously stepping away. Standing before both of them, her eyes remained glued on Andrew. Micah’s lips twitched, tempted to plead for her to glance his way. Mercifully, her eyes shifted back to him, and her smile deepened. He couldn’t help it; he took a step forward, reaching for her hand.

  There was a strange beeping sound. Distracted, Micah flipped around to see his headboard. Confused, he whirled back, but Eden was gone, and in her place sat his laptop, blinking for him to log in. Feeling drained, he opened his email. There were two emails from her. He clicked on the oldest one first. It was from two weeks ago.

  Hi Micah,

  How are you? Are you liking Rome? I’m sure it’s been pretty incredible. And I’m sure Trent has kept you busy, or at least your lips busy, haha! How are your classes? Do you understand the Italian? I’d love to travel one day. There are tons of places in Europe I’d love to see. Rome is definitely one of them!

  Things have been interesting here too. So, I’m not really sure how to say this, so I’m going to jump right in. Last night, a demon tried to attack me in my bedroom! It was the scariest thing ever. I think those black monsters you are seeing are real; actually, I know they are. The demon was black with red eyes, just like you said. It jumped on my bed and everything!

  But, luckily for me, I have a guardian angel like you (your woman in red). He came out of nowhere and killed the demon with a sword made of fire!!! Don’t worry, I’m totally safe. I think I have a tough guardian

  I don’t know why you need to be in Italy, but I know you’re part of something big. So keep studying and doing what you’re doing. It’s important.

  Well, I better go. I miss you a lot.

  Eden

  Micah wasn’t sure what he was feeling: shock, anger, worry…

  “I was right. She was attacked,” he muttered to himself, clicking on the second email, wanting to make sure there wasn’t a second attack.

  This one was shorter, dated earlier that night.

  Hi Micah,

  I hope you’re doing well! It’s really late and I can’t sleep. I hope you don’t mind me typing away to you! I went out with Andrew again tonight. He’s been really nice to me. It’s sort of a new thing for me. I know you’ve had lots of girlfriends, so I probably sound cheesy to you! Sorry! What are best friends for, right?

  Now I have to tell you about another thing that happened, but this time it’s a good thing! I was sitting in the movie theater tonight with Andrew and, all of a sudden, my eyes go crazy. I take my contacts out and… drumroll please… I can see!

  I don’t need my glasses or contacts anymore! Isn’t that amazing? I’m going to tell my parents or they’ll wonder why they don’t have to buy saline solution anymore

  Well, I better go to bed. Write me back when you get a chance, ok?

  I really miss you!

  Eden

  Micah re-read her email.

  How interesting… I wonder…

  He deliberated a moment, while staring at his laptop. All the words he’d been ready to type before, confessing his true feelings for her, seemed wrong. Eden in a wedding dress gazing into Andrew’s eyes was still too fresh.

  It makes more sense that I’d be the best man. I’m friends with both of them. Why would Andrew even be there if she broke up with him to be with me? Besides, Andrew is gifted. I have no doubt of that now. And we’re going to need him.

  Sadness filled his gut as he typed back his reply. Sighing heavily, he clicked send and shut his laptop slowly. His mood wasn’t improving.

  I’m tired, haven’t slept in days, and these visions don’t let up.

  Feeling justified, he pushed his laptop aside and said, “Sage, I know you can hear me. We need to talk.”

  He waited. It was the first time he’d actually asked her to come to him. He wasn’t sure if it was up to him, or if he even had any authority to ask. Still, he waited.

  Sage’s red dress filled his view, her body standing at the side of the bed. He glanced up at her face.

  He took in a deep breath, and exhaled as he spoke, “I’m not getting you in trouble, am I?”

  To his shock, Sage smiled and sat down next to him.

  “No, you’re not. I can come more freely now. The Captain is very pleased with your progress.”

  Micah wasn’t sure why hearing those words would affect him the way they did. He instantly felt something swell within him, his eyes stinging.

  “Besides, I learned my lesson long ago about not showing up when I feel like it,” Sage said, her demeanor relaxed. Micah stared back at her.

  “Ever hear how the ghost of Anne Boleyn haunts the Tower of London?”

  He shook his head.

  “Well, I have an uncanny resemblance to the beheaded queen of Henry the Eighth. I was guardian to her daughter, Elizabeth. When the little princess was a young woman, she visited the tower where her mom had died. Feeling for the girl, I appeared, holding her in my arms. One of the gatekeepers saw me and well, that was that.”

  Micah was wide-eyed. “That’s crazy.” He was enjoying this open side to Sage. He decided it was as good a time as any to ask. “Who guards Eden?”

  Sage cocked her head to the side. “Why do you ask?”

  “She was attacked.”

  “I know.”

  “You do? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She straightened her neck. “Let me show you something.”

  Micah was no longer sitting on his bed. He was in his back
yard, running behind two kids, one boy with thick, black hair, and one girl with long, blonde locks.

  He grinned. It’s us; it’s our tree fort.

  Then he saw two other people; Sage he recognized, and a man. They were in the middle of a conversation.

  “You know, one day this little girl with skinned knees and dirty hands is going to be a beautiful woman,” Sage said, as eight-year-old Eden dug in the dirt with a small shovel.

  The man glanced at Sage. “I do realize that’s what happens to girls when they get older, you know.”

  “But they aren’t Awakeners. It’ll be different with her,” Sage insisted.

  “I’m not worried. I know she’s special, but that doesn’t change me.”

  “But that’s just it, Gabriel, she will change you. That’s her gift.”

  Gabriel? Like Gabriel, the archangel?

  “I’ve been around for a long, long time. I don’t think I’m even capable of change anymore,” the man named Gabriel stated.

  Sage nodded and they both stared at a dirt-covered Eden, who hollered to Micah, “I’ve found buried treasure! Let’s get it in the castle!”

  Micah chuckled, watching the boy version of him swoop in, sword drawn, to investigate Eden’s findings.

  “Cool, look at all the money,” Micah gasped, holding up a pile of pennies.

  Funny, never thought about where those came from—maybe our moms?

  The young Micah and Eden were scrambling up the ladder. Micah peered up from the ground at the tree house where the two kids were hollering gleefully. Then Micah saw it—Eden stepping back, not noticing how close her foot was too the edge. He jumped forward, realizing she was going to fall backwards.

  Before he’d made it two feet, Gabriel soared past him with outstretched arms. He pushed her body back, steadying her balance. He remained levitated by the side, watching. Probably in case she repeats the blunder.

  Micah stared at Eden; her face was flushed, her eyes wide with fear. Young Micah was over in the corner, counting their loot, oblivious to the accident that almost happened.

  “One thing’s for sure, she keeps you on your toes, Zeus.” Sage grinned.

  Gabriel grunted. “Never a dull moment with this one.”

  But Micah saw it, in those deep-set blue eyes; Gabriel loved Eden like she were his own daughter.

  Micah’s room was back, the vision over.

  “Do you understand now? No one is better than Gabriel,” Sage said firmly.

  Micah nodded, amazed. “So is he the Gabriel?”

  She laughed softly. “He is much more than just the archangel. Keep studying. You can learn more about him. He trained me, showed me everything there was to being a guardian.” She glanced at Micah. “You are the Seer, and yes, demons want you. But the Awakener, the catalyst for every gift the Captain has to give, now that is a prize the demons drool after. Gabriel’s the best. You don’t need to worry about your friend.”

  He gaped at her. Why’d she say friend like that? “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you know how I feel about Eden now.”

  Sage’s black eyes studied him. “I hear what you say. I don’t know how it or you actually feel.” Her eyes turned curious. “I’ve never lived a mortal life. Human emotions sometimes elude me.”

  Now Micah was surprised. “Huh, I never thought about that. So will you, you know, be mortal one day?”

  Was that yearning in her eyes? “I’m not sure. There may not be time.”

  Her troubled expression left him uneasy. Deciding to change the subject, he asked, “Why did you call him Zeus?”

  Sage’s smile returned. “One Seer long ago was awoken, but didn’t receive his Interpreter in time. Visions without understanding can be misleading.” She gazed directly into his eyes. “This Seer saw the guardians and thought we were some kind of Gods and Goddesses. A lot of mythology stems from that.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I like to call him Zeus. Pretty sure that’s who they modeled him after.”

  “Except for the sword of fire,” Micah observed.

  “It’s the Flaming Sword,” Sage corrected. “It sets him apart. He’s Cherubim; all Cherubim carry flaming swords.”

  “So how many different types of angels are there? You’re Seraphim, Gabriel’s Cherubim…”

  Sage’s eyebrows rose. “There’s too many to learn in one night. Another time, you need sleep.”