The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  “Where’s she going?” Damon asked.

  “Why don’t we follow and see?” Micah suggested.

  Can’t we set these down first? Eden scampered behind Caitlyn’s guardian, Alaina, her arms throbbing. So unnerving how much she looks like a regular teenager. Again, they were scaling a hill and sweat began rolling down Eden’s back. Breathing hard, Eden watched the corn give way to the stone wall again. She glanced around. Where did all the dead corn go?

  The archway loomed just ahead of them. Where shriveled vines had been, green ivy draped the opening. Leaves tickled Eden’s face as she passed under.

  She gasped. The once-desert ground was covered in a soft, rolling grass. The stone wall was now draped with bright green vines and leaves. Kneeling next to the well was Vern, his face buried in his hands.

  Spying the two neat stacks of tablets to the left, Eden was anxious to relieve her arms.

  “Careful, not too fast,” Gabriel warned, as she lay the tablets down.

  After making sure they were secure, she sprinted over, catching Grandpa Vern saying, “I don’t understand. How did you do it? This well’s been dry for over seventy years.”

  Eden peered over the side of the well and was astonished to see there was indeed water in it. No wonder we couldn’t come back the way we’d gone.

  “It’s all done. The land will be fertile again,” Micah answered.

  Willow knelt beside Vern.

  “I’ve always blamed myself,” Vern said quietly. “I thought, because I broke the rules, the well dried up, and the land was cursed. I’ve spent my life hoping I could mend my wrong.”

  “This was never your fault. When you showed my grandfather it, you were just kids. That’s not what caused the curse. The Captain would never hold a child accountable for something like that.”

  Vern peered up at Micah. “Then what happened?”

  “Your father was greedy. He told other farmers about the water from the well, how it guaranteed a huge harvest every year. He hated being a farmer and kept trying to sell the land, but when others believed his wild tales of magical water, he decided to sell the water itself. He came out to pump the well one morning and found it dry. This water is not for sale.”

  Vern’s eyes widened. “That explains his unhappiness for all those years. As a child, I’d always believed he’d blamed me, that maybe he’d figured out what I’d done.”

  Eden’s heart ached for the old man. What kind of burden would that have been like? That’s why he never married or had his own family. He blamed himself.

  Eden felt something stir within her. She knew what she was feeling now. Glancing at Gabriel, who stared back at her expectantly, she held out a hand and said, “I got this one.”

  Gabriel smiled and then nodded.

  Eden dropped down next to Vern. Putting her arm around his bony shoulders, she squeezed gently. Vern glanced up at her and gave her a small smile.

  “Grandpa Vern, the Captain wants you to know you’re special to Him. He wants you to let go of your guilt and shame; they were never yours to carry. And he wants to call you to His work.” Micah said the words and Eden felt a warm rush flow from her arms. Funny, I never noticed it before. Guess I was too busy being embarrassed.

  Vern attempted to stand. Willow and Eden helped him up easily.

  “Now, what’s this about work? I’m an old man. I don’t know how much I have left in me.” Vern stopped, peering around, “Wait, there’s a lot more of you now.”

  “Yeah, there is. I’ll introduce you to everyone, but I think there’s someone wanting to speak with you first.” Micah gestured behind them.

  Eden turned with Vern to discover a man looking to be in his mid-thirties, with wavy, dark brown, shoulder-length hair, and a neatly trimmed beard. Bright hazel eyes peered out from under bushy eyebrows. He wore a white, tailored dress shirt and light brown pants ending at his knees, with tan stockings and black loafers. His dress reminded Eden of Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson. He was definitely not from this time period.

  “Vern,” the man said in a rich, English accent.

  “Yes? Do I know you?” Vern replied.

  “I suppose we have not been properly introduced in this life. My name’s Charles Brown. I’m your eighth great grandfather. And I am your guardian. You are fulfilling my vision. This is what I saw so long ago.”

  Vern’s mouth gaped open.

  “This young man, Micah, is the Seer for your time. He has come to do much more than just reclaim the well. Listen to him, for he is the Captain’s mouthpiece. I will be here for you, to assist in your new calling.”

  Vern stared at Charles and then Micah.

  Micah introduced the rest of the guardians and told Vern about their spiritual gifts. He told Vern about the temple, and what the tablets contained. Eden didn’t mind rehearing it all; it was so strange and new. Although, she noticed Micah didn’t go into the story of the Watchers.

  Vern listened until Micah stopped, and then asked, “I think I understand, but I’m not sure what work I’m supposed to do. As I said before, I’m too old to be building a city.”

  Micah smiled brightly. “You’ve got more in you than you think. The well isn’t to be hidden anymore. It’s to be seen by all. With your permission, on your land, we’ll build the first city. For a city on a hill cannot be hid.”

  “From the Sermon on the Mount,” Vern replied, his face thoughtful. “Yes, of course you can build here. This land was entrusted to my family and my ancestors,” Vern added, glancing at Charles, who nodded in agreement.

  “It will be the Captain’s city, built around the well Enoch built for Him. The well’s special because it contains the waters of everlasting life,” Micah explained.

  “Everlasting life? Like the fountain of youth kind of stuff?” Andrew stepped closer and peered over the side at the water.

  “Slow down there, tiger,” Trent cut in. “Not just anyone can run up and drink it.”

  “Trent’s right, the Captain says who does and doesn’t drink this, or even touches it,” Micah added, at which Andrew jumped back a step.

  “Everlasting life, incredible,” Vern whispered, scratching his thumbnail across his chin. “I’m happy to give my land to you. Is that the work you spoke of, Micah?”

  “It’s part of it. The Captain needs an architect to oversee the city’s construction. You’re His Architect.”

  “Architect? But I’m just a farmer.”

  “And I’m just teenager. The Captain calls who He wants and needs. Besides, you’re more than just a farmer to Him.”

  “Micah’s right, you know. I see greatness in you. You’re humble and willing. The Captain couldn’t ask for a better person to do this,” Willow confirmed.

  Caitlyn nodded her head. “Sometimes we’re asked to do things that seem beyond our own abilities. And they are. We have to rely on the Captain, and then anything is possible.”

  Couldn’t have said it better.

  Vern threw his hands up and smiled. “Ok, I’ll do what I can. But I really don’t know the first thing about building.”

  “We have the blueprints. Trent will translate them for us,” Micah said.

  “But having the plans and knowing what to do with them are two different things,” Vern clarified.

  “Don’t worry. Eden took care of that,” Micah answered. “She gave you a gift when she hugged you.”

  “Really? What is it?” Vern asked.

  Wish I knew. I just do the hugging.

  Micah grinned at Eden and then said to Vern, “The gift of knowledge.”

  Comprehension dawned on Vern’s face, and his lips split into a wide grin. “That will do it, yes, that will,” he said happily, clasping his hands together.

  “Andrew’s going to give you something else to help too,” Micah added.

  Andrew jumped and then strode over Vern, laying his hand on the old man’s arm. Vern’s smile faded while he concentrated on what Andrew was doing, but when he removed his
hand, the smile rapidly returned.

  “Better?” Micah asked, gripping Vern’s shoulder.

  “Oh, hold on.” There was a piercing, high-pitch sound, as Vern fished his hearing aid out of his ear and tucked it into his pocket. “Much better. Andrew, that’s amazing. I can hear everything again. I can even hear the corn growing. Oh, how I’ve missed that sound.”

  Micah squeezed Vern’s shoulders.

  “I just have one question. Where in the world did this hill come from? All of sudden, I’ve got a mountain in my cornfields.”

  Trent slapped Damon on the back. “You’ve got him to thank for that.”

  Vern stared at Damon, who shifted under his gaze. “Now people can see the city better. Sorry if I ruined your crops.”

  “Incredible,” Vern whispered. “The well’s always been in a bowl. From the road, you couldn’t tell what’s hidden out here. But I guess it’s time for the world to see it now.”