The hinges on the heavy wooden door squeaked slightly as it slowly opened. A young girl, no more than fifteen, peeked in cautiously and looked around. What she saw was a pretty odd site. It was a large inviting room. The comfortable looking room wasn’t like anything she could ever remember seeing before.
The walls were adorned with oil lamps that shed soft and welcoming light throughout the entire room. It wasn’t very bright, but it wasn’t dim either. It was, perfect. An soothing fire burned in a beautiful stone fireplace at the far side of the room. The ceiling was high and was hard to see in the shadows above, but the darkness above seemed to only add to the inviting atmosphere. It reminded her of a clear night sky. In fact she thought she could almost see stars twinkling above.
It was a scene right out of a fantasy novel she thought to herself. She had never really paid much attention to such things before in her short life, but now it was so inviting and so comforting it almost made her want to cry.
It wasn’t until she stepped fully into the room that she noticed the large table at the center ringed with chairs. It was sort of odd to her that she didn’t notice it first, but the rest of the room was so fascinating to her.
The table fit perfectly within the room. It was made of a darker wood than the walls. The wood seemed very sturdy, but also very old. The chairs that surrounded it were made of a lighter shade of wood and were simply made and well worn. The chairs were a perfect contrast to the table she thought to herself. They looked also looked very comfortable despite there being no cushions on them.
Then her eyes fell to what was on the table. The entire surface of the tabletop was covered with food of every type and description. Succulent meats and blocks of cheese beckoned to her. Her nose began to detect the different kinds of warm, fragrant breads that were scattered around. There were huge bowls of potatoes, vegetables and even macaroni and cheese. There were even platters of fresh fruit and offerings of different jams spread throughout the table.
Someone had obviously put in a lot of effort into preparing a meal fit for royalty. They had even had the presence of mind to put place settings in front of each and every chair. The plates, glasses and tableware were simple, and like the table seemed very old.
This is how she always imagined the richest people in the world ate. Suddenly her belly growled loudly. She looked at the food longingly. She quickly covered the distance to the table and pulled out a chair, but she hesitated before she sat down. Perhaps whoever made all this would get angry if they found a stranger eating their food. Just then though, a voice in her mind assured her that she was welcome to feast, and even encouraged her to dig in. She did not argue.
She grabbed a serving fork and stuck into a carved turkey. She spooned other side dishes onto her plate and began to eat greedily. The food was the most wonderful she had ever tasted. Never had she known food could this perfect to her, this definitely wasn’t cheap fast food tacos.
She looked up at her empty glass; she glanced around the table and didn’t see anything to drink. She then turned and looked behind her and against the wall was a much smaller table with several full glass pitchers. She walked over to it and saw one that looked like iced tea, another with hot coffee and one with water with sliced lemons floating in it. There was even a pitcher of what looked like root beer.
She selected the water and just she was about to return to her seat the door to what could only be called a exquisite banquet hall opened. She looked up and saw an elderly man walked in slowly being helped by his cane. He wore a simple pair of slacks and a plain button up shirt. He quickly saw the brown haired girl in her jeans and t-shirt. His eyes widened when he saw her.
“Oh thank goodness,” he said, “I thought I was alone.”
She smiled at him, he reminded her of her grandpa. “I was until you got here.”
“Well then, we are both lucky,” he replied.
She smiled wider, he even sounded like her grandpa. “Do you need help?” she asked glancing at his cane.
He shook his head, “For once every joint in my body isn't griping at me because I am not sitting. I have just used this thing for so long that I’d feel naked without it. Trust me, ain’t no one needing to see that.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. She still decided to help the old timer. She set down the pitcher and pulled out a chair close to him, it was just a couple down from hers.
He accepted and eased himself down. “Comfortable chair,” he said.
“Do you want to be closer to the fire?” she asked.
“Nope,” he nodded his head, “I am quite cozy.”
“Weird, I thought all old people froze all the time,” she quipped.
He smiled at her, “Don’t sass your elders kid.” He looked at the huge spread in front of him. “Did you make all this?” he asked in genuine amazement.
“No, it was here when I got here.” She replied.
“Well,” he said rubbing his hands together, “No sense letting it go to waste.” He grabbed a fork and helped himself to some roast along with a few other things.
“Would you like some tea, coffee, water? I think there is even root beer.”
“Lay some of that root beer on me, if you don’t mind,” he replied.
She filled his glass full of the bubbling liquid, then both is drink and her water and sat back down. For a while the pair ate in silence. He was obviously as hungry as she was. When her hunger was finally satiated she slowed her eating and just started to pick at what was left on her plate. The old man looked at her.
“What is your name?” he asked.
“Claire,” she replied.
“A good classy name,” he remarked.
“What yours,” she asked.
“Mark,” he replied, “Yeah, I know. It’s kind of boring.”
“Same as my boyfriend,” Claire returned.
“Ah well then, it’s pure gold!” he declared.
Mark started looking around the room. “Isn’t there any deserts in this joint?” The old man craned his neck to look over the table and finally caught a glimpse of what he sought, “Ah, there we go.”
He quickly jumped from his seat and went to the opposite side of the table. There, he found a table of pies, cakes, puddings and every other sort of confection anyone could want. “Would you like some short cake Claire?”
Claire nodded eagerly, she might as well. This whole situation was so absurd' she might as well fully embrace it. At least her tablemate did not give off any creepy vibes.
A few moments later he delivered to her some shortcake smothered in strawberry topping and whipped cream. She marveled at how fast he was moving without his cane. His meal had obviously done him some good.
Once again the two fell silent. As Claire ate her mood started to darken. Memory began to stir within her, but they weren’t clear. She could not grasp them. He cast a sideways glance at Mark who also seemed to be preoccupied. Despite the fact she didn’t know him from a load of coal the young girl felt safe around him and was grateful he was here. She really did not want to be alone.
Mark looked at Claire and seemed about to say something when the door opened again. Mark’s eyes drifted to the door to spy the newcomer. He seemed to be a middle aged man. His eyes darted back and forth from Claire to Mark. He seemed to be very nervous.
“Welcome young man,” Mark said in a friendly tone.
The thin man’s blue eyes seemed confused about what to say. “Hi,” he finally said, albeit it weakly.
“Pull up a chair and join us,” Mark said.
The man took a timid step into the room.
“What’s your name?” Claire asked cheerfully.
“Bruce,” he replied. His voice was so low they barely heard him.
He walked further into the room and to the opposite side of the table where he took a seat at the end closest to the fire. He seemed to be getting a plate, but he made virtually no sound. It was as if he was trying his best to be as silent as possible.
Claire and Mark exchanged glances. Claire decided to try to talk to him; she got the pitcher of water and walked over to him.
“Want something to drink?” she asked him softly, trying not to spook him, even though he already seemed pretty spooked.
He merely nodded. She smiled and filled his glass. He nodded to her, but didn’t say anything else. She didn’t say anything, but she wondered what his problem was.
She returned to her chair and looked at Mark. “He seems rude,” she said softly.
Mark shook his head, “Don’t be so sure. We all have our own stories and some people are better at telling theirs than others. He might just be one of the quiet ones. Give him time.”
Claire didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t argue.
“So what do we do now?” Claire asked.
“What do you mean?” Mark asked.
“Well we are here, we have eaten, what’s next?”
“I guess we wait for everyone else to show up,” Mark said shrugging.
“Everyone else?” Claire said looking at all the empty seats. “That could take a while.”
“Do you have somewhere else to be?” Mark asked.
Claire thought about her answer for a moment, but stayed silent. At the moment she didn’t.
Mark passed the time by half dozing beside Claire. She passed the time trying to catch a glimpse of Bruce. He was so quiet Claire began to think he had managed to sneak out without her or Mark noticing. Maybe Mark was right, maybe he was just shy like those artsy emo kids at school. Shyness was an unusual idea to the outgoing teenager.
Claire was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the door open once again. If it had not been for Mark looking around she may have never had noticed. It was amazing actually. Mark had even started to snore; Claire was surprised the old man even noticed the new comer.
They both looked to the newly opened door and they only saw a pair of frightened eyes peeking back at them.
“Well hello there,” Mark said getting up slowly from his chair. From around the other side of the door popped a little girl who was no older than five.
She stepped cautiously into the room and Mark looked at her with the most disarming look that only a grandpa could have ever wielded.
The young girl, wearing bouncing curls stepped a little further into the room. Mark crouched in front of her. “Are you ok?”
The girl turned her head away.
Mark switched tactics, “Are you hungry little one?”
She nodded slightly, though she still kept her gaze averted.
“Well I bet we can find you something good,” Mark said. The old man’s eyes went to the chairs. “I wonder if we can find a pillow or something for to you sit on?”
“There is one in the chair next to me,” Bruce said from across the room.
Both Claire and Mark looked over at the quiet man. They had both totally forgotten he was even there.
The little girl walked slowly toward that chair without a word. Bruce stood up and pulled the chair out for the little girl and held it while she climbed up. Bruce pushed the chair in and began to speak to her with the tenderest voice.
“What do you like?” he asked in his soft voice.
She did not answer.
“Peas?”
She grimaced.
“Corn?”
No grimace this time, but she still did not seem interested.
Undeterred Bruce looked around the table and spotted his salvation, “Mac and Cheese?”
She smiled slightly and nodded her head.
Mark and Claire watched the exchange in stunned silence. They were looked on almost slacked jawed as he spooned some of yummy mac and cheese onto a plate for her. She started to eat and Bruce spread some jam onto a piece of bread for her and set it on her plate. He walked around and grabbed the full pitcher of root beer and poured her a glass full. He put the pitcher back on the drink table then went back to his own chair. He glanced one last time at the little girl to make sure she was set then went back to his own meal.
Claire looked at Mark who was nodding in approval, “Will wonders never cease.”
Claire nodded.could only shrug.
Before either of them could go back to their chairs the door burst open and a women ran absolutely hysterical. Her eyes were darting around at Claire and Mark. Finally she saw the little girl.
“Oh thank god!” she exclaimed. She was at her side a moment later. She was obviously stunned to see her happily eating.
“Your daughter, I presume?” Mark said.
“Yes, I thought I had lost her,” she said trying to hug her, but her daughter was more interested in eating.
“I hope she wasn’t too much trouble,” the mother said.
“Nope, not even a little,” Claire said. “She seems like such a sweet girl.”
“Thanks,” she replied, “Looks like you found her weakness. I think she could eat her weight in mac and cheese.”
“Wasn’t us, it was Bruce there,” Claire replied.
Bruce had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. He seemed content to be ignored.
“Thank you Bruce,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” he replied simply.
“Well,” Mark said, “Help yourself. There is plenty.”
“I would say there is,” the mom said looked around. “Who made it?”
Claire and Mark both shrugged. The answer did not seem to bother Claire in the least. Now that she had her little one back she felt totally safe and at ease. There was just something about this room and the people who shared it with her.
“I am Mark and this is Claire,” Mark said, “You met Bruce there sitting next to your kiddo.”
“I am Lynn and the gobbling girl there is Addy,” Lynn said.
“Nice to meet you,” Mark said.
Lynn checked on Addy one last time and filled herself a plate. She sat down next to her daughter.
“I am never leaving you again baby,” Lynn said looking at Addy.
Addy looked at her mom with a smile that only a five year old could ever make. It was would calmed a raging bull. It was made even better by the jam that was all over her face.
“You’re wearing some there kid,” Lynn said cleaning her daughter’s face with a napkin. Claire smiled, Addy reminded her of her little cousin. The thought made her a little sad; it had been a long time since Claire had seen her.
Claire glanced over at Mark, who seemed on the verge of tears. “Are you OK?” she asked genuinely concerned.
“Yep kiddo,” Mark said, “My eyes sprung a leak.”
Claire looked at Mark, the look that all women give when they know a man is full of it.
“I miss my granddaughter,” Mark said finally
“I knew it,” Claire said.
“Knew what?”
“That you were a grandpa,” Claire replied.
“Pappy,” Mark corrected.
“Well that just makes perfect sense,” Claire replied.
“I just want to see her,” Mark said.
“You will, you know that,” Claire said.
“Yeah, I know. But the wait is god awful, I never get to see her enough,” Mark replied.
The room fell silent except for the insatiable questions from little Addy. The child’s bubbly voice helped Mark regain his composure.
Mark thought about how no matter what, a child never ran out of questions. They asked about everything, it didn’t matter how trivial it seemed. He wished more adults were like that instead of thinking they knew it all, when they clearly did not.
Her mom did her best to try answer everything that Addy could throw at her. Even Bruce chimed in a time or two when Lynn had to pause to take a breath.
In the midst of all the questions the door opened once again and in walked a young couple hand in hand. The young man looked at the odd collection of people, with his girl just behind him.
“Hi!” Addy said cheerfully while raising a hand to wave.
Everyone couldn’t help but giggle at their new official greeter.
“Hi,” the young man said cautiously
“Hey,” Claire said. “Pull up a chair and join us.”
“Addy there likes the mac and cheese,” Mark said.
“What’s going on?” his companion asked with a very confused look.
Mark glanced around, “Just eating and getting fat.”
“I am hungry,” she admitted.
“Yeah, me too,” her companion said.
The pair sat down next to Claire. He pulled out the chair for his lady and got her a drink; she put some food on plates for them both. They both looked around at Claire, Mark, Addy and Lynn looking at them. Bruce was munching on a piece of bread seemingly uninterested in anything that was being said.
“I’m Addy, what’s your name?”
Leave it to the five year old to break the ice Mark thought to himself amused.
“He is Ben and I am Olivia,” she said.
“That’s the same as my little sister!” Addy said excitedly.
Olivia smiled warmly at the girl, “She’s a happy kid.”
Lynn smiled, “Thankfully.”
“Kids like her are our only real hope,” Bruce said unexpectedly.
Everyone looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at any of them, his gaze seemed far off.
“Are you married?” Addy asked.
“Just got married,” Ben said looked at his bride with love in his eyes.
Defying the impossible, Addy’s smile got even bigger.
“Congratulations,” Claire said.
“Thanks,” Ben said.
“I am Mark and the young lady here is Claire. Addy is our spokesperson, her mom Lynn and the creepy guy is Bruce.”
“Creepy?” Ben said looking at Bruce.
“He’s just quiet,” Claire said, glancing at Mark.
“He’s nice, he kept me company until mommy came,” Addy said.
“Well, I’m sold,” Olivia said smiling.
Ben laughed a little then started to eat with a huge appetite. They both gave in to the sheer lunacy of it all.
As Olivia and Ben ate the rest of the group chatted to themselves about pretty much nothing. Addy finally had her fill and like all kids with a full belly, she got sleepy. She snuggled up with her mom for a bit before Bruce got the idea of putting the pillow from her chair on the hardwood floor. Lynn laid her daughter on the floor with her head on the pillow. Addy never even stirred.
“She is such a sweet kid,” Claire said.
“Yes, and rotten as can be,” Lynn said with a chuckle.
“Eh, what kid isn’t? It’s their job,” Mark added. “It’s our job to guide that mischief.”
Lynn never thought about it like that before, but it made complete sense to her.
“Does anyone know why we are here?” Bruce asked abruptly.
The question shattered the light mood and put forth a completely obvious question that no one else had asked yet. Why were all of them there? Before they all met in this room, none of them had ever seen each other before; their only connection now was sitting at this table eating and sharing idle conversation.
“I don’t really know,” Claire replied, “I was just happy that I wasn’t here alone.”
“Neither do I,” Lynn added.
Mark and Bruce looked around, but stayed silent.
“In fact I am not sure how I even got here,” Claire said.
“What do you remember?” Mark asked.
“I was heading to the comunity center to meet some friends, and then we were going to the movies. What about you?”
“Hmmm, I work the front desk at the community center as a volunteer,” Mark replied.
“We were there too, for the rally,” Olivia said of she and her husband.
“I had just dropped Addy off at the daycare center there,” Lynn said, “I was on my way out to work for a few hours.”
“I was never at the community center,” Bruce said, “I was just out getting some air.”
“Where?” Ben asked.
“Nowhere really, just wherever the sidewalk took me I suppose. The last place I remember going passed was the Hairy Styles Barber shop.”
“That’s just up the road from the community center,” Mark said.
“So now we at least know what we have in common,” Ben said.
“Yeah, but that still doesn’t explain why we are here,” Lynn said.
“I do remember a lot of people being around. It made me want to turn around and go back the other way,” Bruce said.
“Why?” Claire asked.
“I don’t like people,” Bruce said, “No offense.”
Everyone looked at Bruce with an odd expression, except Mark. He seemed to understand how Bruce felt.
“Why were there a lot people around the community center?” Bruce asked.
“Probably for the rally,” Olivia replied. “They were expecting a big turnout.”
“What rally?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah, with all the hate being spewed all over the country some people decided to hold a rally to denounce all the violence and vitriol and try to bring people together,” Ben replied.
“A local mosque, synagogue and a couple of churches sent people to speak and show solidarity.” Olivia added.
“I do remember it being really busy there, now that you mention it,” Lynn said.
“Yeah, it was the busiest day I had seen in a long time, but everyone was so hopeful and happy. It was great to see all those people from all walks of life coming together,” Mark said.
“Humans have done an excellent job recently proving why the entire race doesn’t deserve to exist. It is nice to hear that at least some people are trying to pull our species back from the brink,” Bruce said.
“You are saying my daughter doesn’t deserve to live?” Lynn asked.
“I am speaking generally only,” Bruce said. Though Lynn was clearly upset by Bruce’s comment he did not seem to notice, or perhaps he didn’t care. “In truth little Addy there and Claire probably have more right than most. They still have open minds and have not been influenced by the dogma from either side.”
“Don’t get upset Lynn,” Mark said, “I have seen a lot, and if you stop and just look at what happens every day it’s not hard to at least listen to Bruce. Though, I think you could have been a teensy less brutal,” he directed to Bruce
Bruce only shrugged, “Sometimes you need to use a punch to the face to get people's attention.”
“True enough,” Ben said.
“Do you think we are only influenced by dogma?” Olivia asked. Her tone wasn’t hateful, it almost sounded like she was actually concerned that it was true.
Bruce shrugged again, “I don’t know you well enough to say, and my own dogmatic beliefs jade my own opinions. Besides, what do you care what I think? What you should care about is what Addy and Claire thinks. Their generation is who you will influence.”
Though Bruce came off as preachy and with a lot faux wisdom there was some truth to what he said. Perhaps he doesn’t hate people so much as he is just tired of the way people are, Mark thought to himself. That was an idea he could definitely understand. Bruce should have been at the rally. Perhaps it was providence that took him in that direction.
“I’d be lying if I did not fear for Addy’s future, of what kind of world we are leaving her,” Lynn said.
No one said a word. It was something no one could argue with; they all knew there were terrible things going on the world, seemingly without end.
“So Claire,” Mark said trying to change the conversation, “have you thought about college?”
“Sort of,” Claire replied, “I kind of want to travel for a year after I graduate.”
“Won’t your parents get mad?” Olivia asked, “I know mine would have freaked out if I had said that.”
“Yeah, mine too,” Ben added.
“I mentioned it once, they didn’t say no, but they didn’t say yes either,” Claire replied.
“Listen to your heart. How can you expect to know how to spend your life, if you don’t take some time to live?” Bruce blurted out. “I wish I had done that after I got out of high school.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mark said. “You need to learn about yourself before you can learn yourplace in the world.”
Both Ben and Olivia looked at one another with a subtle looks of regret on their faces. Lynn looked down at the sleeping Addy with a promise in her eyes.
Before the conversation could go on any further the door swung open again quickly, almost violently; the door bounced off the wall and woke up Addy immediately.
Everyone looked up and saw a wide eyed, but grim faced man looking at each of them in turn. His expression was quite different than everyone when they first came in. Most looked confused, or maybe a little scared, but this new fellow looked more like he was sizing each of them up and choosing targets.
It didn’t take long for the newcomer to see all the food on the table. Without a word he went straight for a turkey leg. He skipped the plate, in fact he skipped even sitting down. He tore into the leg and immediately spit the mouthful onto the floor.
“What is this garbage?” he asked in a gruff voice.
“What’s wrong?” Mark asked.
“This stuff is spoiled,” he replied angrily.
Everyone looked at one another in confusion.
Next the gruff man grabbed a spoonful of buttered corn and shoved it into his mouth, but got the same result; he threw the spoon to the ground.
“What are you all trying to pull, and why the hell is it so hot in here?”
“Hot?” Claire asked confused. This was probably the most comfortable room she had ever been in. But, as the teenaged girl looked at the man she did notice he appeared to be sweating.
“What are you all doing here anyway?” he asked, “and what am I doing here?”
“We were going to the rally at the community center,” Olivia said.
“Oh, so you are more those bleeding hearts,” he spat.
Suddenly Bruce stood up, “I remember you. I saw you outside on the sidewalk. You walked up with a damn rifle!”
The man actually smiled, “Damn right. Someone needs to show you all how stupid it is to be friends with those kinds of people. They should stay in their lanes and let the world be run by those who are of pure blood.”
“You shot me!” Bruce said, grabbing his chest. “I can still sort of feel it. I wasn’t even going to the damn rally I was just out getting some air.” The quiet Bruce had released all his dammed up emotions and was releasing them on this man.
“He shrugged, yeah I remember you. If you were just getting air why were heading towards the rally?” he sneered, “Look at you. You are weak. Our race needs real men.
“Why did you hurt me?” Addy’s little voice said. It wasn’t full of fear, but anger. Anger no child her age should ever know.
“My little girl was no threat to anyone,” Lynn said angrily.
“Of course she is, she is a born and bred bleeding heart, we can’t have our kids growing up this way,” he replied. venomously. “They have to be strong to make sure this country survives and is not taken over by weaklings.”
“You shot us all,” Ben said in sudden realization.
“Now that you talk about this I remember now,” He replied, “I got a lot of you fools. I know not all of you died, but I figured I managed to kill at least a few of you bastards. I wonder why I am back with you all. You’re the last people I wanted to see.”
All of them stood up, Mark and Ben took a step towards the man, but it was Lynn that got there first. She bounded over the table, knocking platters and dishes of food to the floor. The young mother crashed into the man with such force that she knocked the much larger man to ground. She was on top of him beating his face with her fists, crying and cursing his very existence.
“You killed my daughter!” She screamed.
Claire somehow summoned the strength to pull the enraged woman off of him. Her young strong body serving her well. Claire forced Lynn to the far side of the room. Abby ran to her mom, looking at her with pleading eyes and begged her to calm down.
Mark and Ben hauled the man, not gently, to his feet.
“If you did us in, why are you with us now?” Mark demanded to know.
“The police must have shot him,” Claire offered.
“No,” Olivia said.
Ben looked at his new wife, “How do you know?”
“I felt a terrible burning in my chest. I got all dizzy, just as I fell I saw him put his rifle in his mouth.” She said quivering at the terrible memory.
Ben shoved him hard against the wall, “You are a coward, you don’t even have the courage of your convictions.”
“I am a soldier dying on the field of battle,” he spat. He tried to land a punch on Ben’s face, but his arm would not obey his command.
“I believe that is quite enough,” a new voice said firmly, but not harshly.
Everyone turned to see a middle aged man and woman standing just inside the room. Neither of them had heard the door open or either one of them enter.
They were dressed quite simply in plain pants and white t shirts. They both seemed to be supremely at peace.
“Oh no,” Addy said with tears running down your face, “He hurt you too?”
The woman smiled, “No sweet child, he did not.”
“Lynn,” the new man said, “please be at peace. You and your child are beyond pain, beyond suffering. Let the solace of that salve your souls, it will be the best comfort for those you have left behind.”
“Are you angels?” Claire asked.
“We are guides,” the woman replied with infinite tenderness.
They both looked around the table, “I assume you all ate well?” The man asked.
They all shook their heads, Addy even managed a smile. It lit up the room.
“Well I didn’t,” the shooter yelled, “It is all spoiled, what did you idiots do? Poison these people?”
“If we did, that too would be due to your own hand. You sent them here,” the woman replied, all the warmth had disappeared from her voice. “But no, we did not poison them. We simply denied you.”
“What happens to us now?” Bruce asked. He was obviously very nervous.
“You will all come with me,” the woman replied, “It is time for you to continue.”
Bruce suddenly became visible scared.
“Why do you fear my brother,” the man asked.
“I did not think I would be going.” Bruce replied.
“Why?” the man replied.
“I have led a life solitary bitterness,” Bruce replied ashamed.
“Addy, what do you think?” the woman said.
“I like him, he kept me company and helped me until mommy came.” She emphasized this point by running to him and wrapping his arms around him.
“We know what is in your heart Bruce, do not think we have overlooked your trials and tribulations, or any of your struggles,” the man said. He looked at Mark for a long time after saying this then his eyes went back to Bruce, “After all you chose to comfort this child, without hesitation.” The man replied.
Bruce actually started to cry, for the first time in a long time, without shame.
“I knew deep down he was a good man,” Mark said.
“Quite right Mark,” the woman replied, “By the way, the name Mark isn’t boring.”
Mark could help but chuckle.
She then turned to Olivia, “You and your husband have been given a grand gift. You can carry your love together into eternity, instead one having to watch the other die. If only all were so fortunate.”
“Claire,” the man said, “Your parents are about to become great crusaders upon the Earth. They will not let any of your names die, least of all yours.”
“Lynn, your husband will join Claire’s parents and form as strong a bond as anyone can,” the man said. “Their grief will be fuel for real change, not for bitterness, not for despair.”
“Mark, well, I think you have earned a reunion with your own beloved,” The woman said.
All of them felt nothing but immense relief. Lynn grabbed her daughter’s hand, and soon all of them were in tears. Tears of sadness and happiness, but all of them were comforted by the knowledge that none of them will die in vain.
The shooter watched all this in terrified silence. Still though, he managed to find the gall to address them both.
“I should be going too! I have stood up for what God believes in. I stood up for his teachings.”
Both of them turned to look at the shooter. Suddenly the room became unbearably hot to the shooter. The shooter looked all around him and saw nothing but fire. Suddenly he heard screaming, the screams of the damned. His eyes shrank back from the awful visages that were suddenly coming into view.
“No!” he screamed.
The man took a step towards him. “Perhaps you should have spent more time studying,” he replied evenly.
“Stay back!” the shooter cried.
All the others could see the shooter yelling at the man which soon became shrieks of such fear as none of them had ever heard before. They could not feel the heat, see the flames, or hear the torment of the damned, only one of them could. They watched as the man grabbed the shooter by the arm and he collapsed into a heap onto the floor and screamed in tortured agony.
Addy buried her face into Bruce’s legs. Everyone averted their gaze, except for Bruce. He actually felt pity for the shooter.
The woman looked at Bruce, “And that is why you are worthy Bruce,” she said.
Bruce didn’t look at the woman; he just continued to look upon the condemned soul of the man who took his life, who took all their lives.
A moment later both the shooter and the man winked from view as if they had never been there.
After the woman gave them all a moment to clear their senses she motioned to the door.
Addy looked at her, “Is it time to go?” she asked.
“It is child,” she said gently.
“Can I get a cookie before I go?” Addy asked with a hopeful look.
The woman actually laughed. The rest of them smiled wide. Only a child, only a child.
“Of course, we have all the time in the world,” the woman replied.
Giddy, Addy went to the desert table and grabbed a big handful of chocolate chip cookies. Before Lynn could say anything she handed one to each member of their troupe. She even handed one to their guide, who readily accepted it.
“The purity of a child,” Mark remarked.
The woman looked at him with a knowing glance.
“Now we can go,” Addy said and walked right out the open door.
As they all filed out Mark was the last to leave other than their guide. He glanced back at the room, “It’s funny.”
“What is?” she asked.
“I never really got the chance to have a real meal around a big table with people just to enjoy their company,” he said.
“I know,” the woman replied gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
“It was a blessing,” Mark replied then stepped out the door.
“Don’t forget your cane,” she said.
He gently waved a hand, “I don’t need it anymore.”
The guide closed the door on the feast, but opened it on eternity.
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