Exit God Out - Book One - The Unexpected Terrestrial

Exit God Out Book One: The Unexpected Terrestrial Chapter 57

A small thin boy walked forward. He and Maggie locked eyes, and they stood silent for several minutes. He began to speak, quietly at first, and then loud enough for most to hear, in a clacking tongue no one had heard before other than his mother. Maggie answered back, and Victor translated to the group.

"Miguel!" Maggie yelled.

"Magdalena!" Miguel yelled back, and they raced toward each other and embraced like old friends.

"This is only the beginning," said Victor. Sarah, Sean, Jackson and Laura walked up to Victor and put their arms around each other in solidarity.

Maggie, Miguel and Lizbeth walked hand-in-hand up to the shocked group. She cocked her head slightly and smiled.

"Good to see you again Victor," she said. "Miguel is doing as you suggested. Take a walk with me, all of you. I want you to see something."

They weaved around aggressive pickers and tripped over every imaginable piece of discarded junk, plastic, wood and rot for several thousand feet, then turned through a set of ancient stone arches that once separated the landfill from the road, and down a long dusty pathway until they reached a stand of tall dense brush. The small group stared at one of the most incredible structures they had ever seen. Out of the orange sand rose a two storey living complex, made from the toils of trash.

"Miguel loves to build. When he was two, he got into his father's architectural drawings and read them at night. My husband was killed when he was three, and we ran from the house with only the drawings under our arms. We had no food, no money, so we came here. It's not a living but it's a community."

"Why were you attacked Lizbeth?" asked Jackson.

"We believe someone found out Miguel was born under the light. There are many suspicious people in Mexico. I birthed him a mile away from our house, so no one would connect us, and immediately after we ran for our lives. My husband's driver took us home. I think he eventually turned us in for money. Everyone does."

"I'm sorry to hear about your husband."

"Don't be. It was an honorable death. When I think of the power these thirteen children will wield on this planet, I look upon the death as one more part to play. We must protect them now."

"It couldn't have been easy for you to come here. You're obviously from a wealthy family."

"I thought we would be killed when we first showed up. Someone suggested Miguel's presence would not be obvious here. The place was heavily guarded. We were competition and garbage is how everyone gets their next meal. But the children friended Miguel instantly and took him under their wing. How he paid them back is what you see standing before you."

Lizbeth walked up to the building and ran her hand over wood carvings.

"Miguel had help with the framing but he engineered the entire structure. We want to continue building these for everyone to live in. At first, people would hoard the wood and other materials, but once they saw what was in it for them, they now leave pieces of their daily gatherings at the back of the building. Soon we will start another one."

"This is incredible," said Sean. "This is the future vision of the shanty town, only its not just structurally sound, it's beautiful." Sean and Laura walked up to the corner, where someone had carved the edges of rough wood to look like smooth fish. Horses adorned the other corner. Cardboard was cut to resemble rounded cedar shingle siding, and tin was woven into the sides like a tartan.

"Follow me inside," said Miguel.

Each family lived in a small room along the outside. In the center was a community kitchen area. Several older men sat around a large table, carving posts and trees.

"We take these to the city and sell them to tourists. Then buy groceries and cook for everyone. No one is left out. No one. Miguel finds pictures of houses in the papers and old books thrown out by wasteful people. The other children bring whatever they find to him. He is a clever little boy."

"He's beyond clever. This boy needs an education," said Sean, and the group looked at each other. "We could keep these fine gentlemen carving forever and pay better money for their work. These would sell in the US for a lot more. We need to put our heads together and see what we can do for them."

"I knew I should have brought my camera," said Laura. "We could take photos of this and see if there's a grant for kids like Miguel."

"That may not be a good idea," said Maggie, holding Miguel's hand as they walked up to her. "They are looking for Miguel even as we speak. That's why he and his mother are here. They blend. Everyone thinks he's just another kid that picks garbage."

"Your daughter is very wise," said Lizbeth. "It is true. We live in isolation and poverty while trying to survive. We know Miguel has a destiny and we'll stay here until it's time."

"Who's looking for you?" Sarah was beginning to realize the thirteen children were more vulnerable than she imagined.

"CIA," said Victor, finally speaking out. "You are well beyond their line of vision but be careful. If anyone knew the truth, someone could kidnap the boy and hold him for ransom. The CIA would pay. His work has to be downplayed until he's sixteen. Sorry Sean and Laura."

Miguel bounced up. "Come! I want to show everyone the gardens. Maybe you have ideas for me. I am not so good when it comes to farming." Miguel dragged Maggie to the tall brush and through a small opening. Inside, he and a few others had started a garden, hidden from view by the dense thicket wall.

"It's a good start," said Sarah. "One of the thirteen has the knowledge you seek. Can you access this child?"

"Not yet. We are still a bit young to communicate clearly. We are only connected to one or two others. That will change soon," said Miguel.

"Papa!" Maggie tugged on Jackson's arm. "We must send Miguel books on farming!"

"That would be nice Maggie, but I don't know how he will get them."

Maggie thought for a moment. "Then I guess we'll have to get Miguel and his mother back to our place."

"I'm one step ahead of you," said Jackson. Victor looked anxiously at him.

"Not sure I can accomplish what you're thinking," said Victor. I can get them into North America but it won't be safe for anyone. You'll have to find another way. It won't be long. You'll know."

Sean was still reeling over the potential of this young boy. The building and gardens represented a new model for the planet. In University, he wrote a paper on sustainability in the poorest of countries, but he couldn't see what it looked like until that moment.

"Soon we will have food for everyone right here. No one will be picking through the garbage anymore. We lost many children from eating scraps. It is not safe." Miguel walked through the dusty rows. "I need to learn more."

"I hate to throw a wrench into good times but we need to head back," said Victor. The group began to shuffle and say their goodbyes.

Maggie looked at Miguel. He was barely her weight, but a heart the size of the Earth lived within his miniature frame.

"We will come back for you," she whispered, and they brought their foreheads together and held onto each other. "You are the first of the twelve I have to find. If I can't access you, Victor can. I know a way to get you out of here but it will take time."

"I know," Miguel said. "Everyone follows your lead. We can't fail."

"Yes we can. It will just look different." They took one last look at each other and she turned and left.

Jackson made plans to stay in touch with Miguel and his mother. The group had to make their way back before the safety of the sun disappeared. Mexico was a different city in the shadows. Everyone quietly slipped money into Lizbeth's hands and they disappeared into the desert.

April K. Reeves, Author. Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved. Visit us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/April-K-Reeves/390530011143987?fref=ts or our website: https://aprilkreevesauthor.wordpress.com/