CHAPTER 28
Show Me the Way
Although I continued to feel like I hadn't slept at all, I knew I must have drifted into REM sleep at some point because I vividly recalled my dream before my eye lids could even open and glimpse the morning light. Added to the Ty mix last night were the Sefer Raziel and the Ataroth.
From my rooftop hangout, I saw Ty walking through my back yard toward the woods. I called out to him but he didn't seem to hear me. I jumped off my roof and managed to land gracefully, as though I were Lara Croft and this was something I did every day. I followed him into the forest but could never seem to catch up to him. When he arrived at a clearing, others were there but I couldn't make out their blurred faces, even in the brightness of the full moon. I stopped at the periphery, hiding behind the trunk of a large oak, feeling anxious. They turned to him all at once and one of them said something I couldn't understand. He produced the sapphire book, Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, from a messenger bag that I hadn't noticed before and handed it to someone in the group. They all began to chant and, as their chants got louder, Ty produced fire in his hands. A ball of fire about the size of a baseball was hovering slightly above each of his palms. He raised his hands and the chants became louder still...
...and then I was awake.
I reached for my clock and shut off the alarm before it sounded. I shuffled to the bathroom and avoided the mirror as I turned on the shower, getting in before the water had a chance to get warm. The cold stream shocked me into awakeness.
When I was ready, I went to the kitchen to have my usual cup of coffee while I waited on Ty. Since I hadn't made him privy to any of my dreams, mainly because Michael was often the star, I didn't think it would be a problem to keep last night's dream, as well as my visit to Mr. Joshua's house, to myself. I would be "prudent", as Mr. Joshua had recommended.
Most school days flew by now that I was familiar with my classes, teachers, and fellow students, and complacent within the system. South Effingham High School, Home of the Mustangs, was where my life was still ninety-five percent normal. I was forced to concentrate on my subjects and was glad I was carrying a full load. Today was different, though. I couldn't wait to see Miss Ginny and the day felt as though it was passing in slow motion.
"What's up with you today?" Ty asked after Biology, only my third class of the day. "You seem anxious."
"Probably too much caffeine this morning," I shrugged. When we were at Sea Island over the summer, I had told Ty that I'd had trouble sleeping for as long as I could remember, so my caffeine excuse seemed plausible. He dropped it.
After the final bell, Ty was waiting for me at my locker, as usual. I was super tired and more than a little apprehensive about what Miss Ginny might have to say, but I did my best imitation of Savannah Stratton when she wanted something, as Ty approached.
"Hey, there," I said too cheerily.
"Hey, there, to you," he mimicked. Guess I was pouring on the mock Southern charm a little too thick.
"Just happy to see you, boyfriend. It's been a long day."
Angel or not, Ty was still susceptible to flattery. "I'm always happy to see you," he countered, oblivious to my complimentary diversion. "Let's get out of here."
He grabbed my hand and we walked happily to his car. "Would you like to go to the beach?" he asked as we were driving. "Or anywhere? It's a beautiful day."
"Wish I could, but I have a ton of homework today. Rain check?" I smiled, not wanting to break the mood. Homework involved Michael and where Michael was involved, the mood could turn dark quickly. Oh, crap, I thought. Michael. He'd be over to help with Statistics. I didn't have time for that today, but I hadn't cancelled either.
"Sure," he smiled back.
Ty pulled up to my front porch steps and ran quickly around the car to open my door, as he always did. I took hold of his extended hand and let him escort me up the stairs where he kissed me on the cheek.
"I'll text you later," I assured him as I hurriedly closed the door.
I put on a pot of coffee, desperately needing a fresh infusion of caffeine. While it was brewing, I sat on the back porch and waited for Michael to arrive. I closed my eyes and listened to the whirr of a hovering hummingbird that stopped by for a drink of the red sugar water that my mother always made sure was available in the flower-shaped feeder. Having dozed off ever so briefly, I jumped when I felt the buzz from Michael's hand as he touched my shoulder.
"Still not sleeping?" he asked sincerely.
I shook my head. "Listen, I'm sorry to have to do this since you're already here, but I really need to go talk to Miss Ginny today."
"Don't worry about it. Just seeing you made the trip worthwhile. Call me if you get stuck later. And good luck," he added as though he knew what my visit to the local historian would uncover.
"Thank you, Michael. You're the best."
He gave me a hug and then disappeared with a whoosh.
I filled my travel mug to the brim and drove to the local library where Miss Ginny kept an office. As I walked past the front desk and down the main aisle that divided the small building in half, I couldn't help but wonder if libraries would eventually become obsolete. With everything you could ever want online, it seemed that libraries were becoming less and less necessary, except as an acceptable excuse to get out of the house on a school night. I recognized a couple of students whispering at a study table in the reference section and I waved. Ahead, to the left, I spied the door I was looking for.
An ornate brass plaque, affixed at eye level to a heavy wooden door with a giant vintage key as the handle and an owl door knocker, indicated that I had arrived at the Effingham County Historical Society.
I lifted the owl slightly and struck it three quick times against the metal plate.
"Come on in," Miss Ginny called out.
I opened the door and stood there for a long moment, the proverbial cat having gotten my tongue.
"Well, hello, Miss Jacobs. What can I do for you today?"
I suddenly questioned the wisdom of coming here. I swallowed hard.
"Miss Jacobs?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Ginny. I'm not sure I should be here."
"Come sit down, dear," she motioned to one of the two chairs that were placed in front of her desk, facing her.
I sat down obediently.
"Now, why don't you tell me why you came to see me."
"I'm not sure where to begin."
"Let me help you get started then, dear. You live in a protected house situated at the vertex of an Ataroth and you're dating Tyrus Gregory. Your turn."
I was shocked at her directness. Hearing this information from the tiny old lady sitting across from me, in a plump brown toile wing back chair that made her appear even tinier, had left me speechless.
"It's okay, dear," she urged.
"I'm sorry," I repeated, trying to regain my composure. I breathed in deeply and opened with the first thing that popped into my head. "So, you know about angels?"
"Yes, dear," she replied matter-of-factly and waited for me to continue.
From the initial dream I had about Michael while I was still living in Bradford, to Ty's demonstrations in Savannah, to all the information I had gathered up to this point, to my chats with Mr. Joshua, I talked non-stop while Miss Ginny peered at me from over the top of the purple bifocals perched on the end of her nose. When I was through, she smiled.
"Well?" I demanded when she said nothing after several long seconds had passed.
"I do believe that Mr. Joshua is correct, Miss Jacobs, and I am here to help you."
"I don't mean to be rude, Miss Ginny, but how can you help me?"
"Why, my dear, I am the conservator of the secret knowledge. They call me the Guardian."
"The Guardian?" I asked, sounding a bit confused.
"The Guardian," she repeated. "And as such, it is my duty to protect the angelic manuscripts and artifacts that will be needed in the last days. Would you like to take a walk with me?"
"Sure," I shru
gged, puzzled as to why she wanted to go for a walk. I got up and turned toward the door.
"This way, dear," she said, easily opening a door that was disguised as a bookcase. She flipped a light switch, illuminating a room that looked like a fallout shelter that had been decorated in the fifties or sixties, and motioned for me to enter. Once the door was closed tightly behind us, Miss Ginny asked me to give her a hand and we moved a dinette set from the middle of the room, stacking the four teal blue vinyl chairs against a wall. As I watched, she bent down and rolled up the small area rug that had been under the table, revealing a large heavy-looking metal disc built into the floor. It was covered in symbols. Without saying a word, she walked over to a retro star clock and took it off the wall where it had probably been hanging for decades, although it displayed the correct time. When she turned it over, my eyes focused on a Star of David that had been adhered to the mechanism box on the back. She pried it off carefully.
"That symbol keeps popping up everywhere lately," I commented casually.
"Do you know what it means?" she asked seriously, interrupting the task at hand.
"Well, I've researched the Seal of Solomon. Does that count?"
"David preceded Solomon," she said, then continued. "Originally, the Hebrew name?Magen David, literally Shield of David, poetically referred to God. It acknowledged that the Jewish military hero, King David, did not win by his own might, but by the support of the Almighty. The six points of the Star of David symbolize God's rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down. This room utilizes the four cardinal points, as well as up and down, and the elements. Look," she instructed, motioning with her hand toward the south wall.
"This wall faces south and its elemental association is fire, hence the star." She stretched out both arms to her left as though she were Vanna White turning over a letter, then placed the star clock back on a protruding nail.
"Obviously, the opposite wall is north and its element is earth, hence the map." An ornately framed print of the?"Theatre of the World", considered to be the first true modern?atlas, was hanging there. I remembered seeing it in an Ancient World History class that I took as a sophomore. I followed her direction as she turned eastward.
"East's element is air," she motioned by raising her right arm and rotating her hand at the wrist, leaving it palm up, directly under a vent that was installed three quarters of the way up the east wall.
Underwhelming, I thought, but then acknowledged that ventilation was, of course, a necessity if you planned on being here for any length of time.
"The final cardinal direction is the west wall and its element is..." she asked expectantly.
"Water," I answered, feeling like a five-year-old. A brass spigot jutted out from the last wall, above a tin basin. Another necessity, I guess. Still, there wasn't any stockpiled food laying around if this room was supposed to be a shelter.
I asked, "Miss Ginny, where are all the supplies? I mean, this looks like it could be a fallout shelter, but there isn't much to survive on in here."
"This isn't a fallout shelter, my dear. It's a War Room." She pointed up toward the ceiling.
I hadn't noticed that, painted on the ceiling, was what appeared to be tattered pieces of an ancient Hebrew scroll. "Wow," I said in amazement.
"That's 'The War Scroll', dear," she said emphatically.
In the very center of up, a solitary flood light not only washed the War Room in a harsh white light, I now noticed it also directly illuminated the metal disc in the floor, which was placed in the very center of down. I looked up again, walking slowly around the room, scrutinizing the manuscript. I wished I had a ladder, as I had a strong urge to touch it.
"'The War Scroll' is a text that describes the eschatological final battle in gory detail as righteousness is victorious and evil is forever destroyed; in addition, it lays out the framework for a three-stage conflict between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness."
"Wow," I repeated, still looking up.
"There's more to see, dear, if you're ready."
"I'm ready, Miss Ginny."
She moved back to the metal disc, knelt down, and retrieved the Star of David from a pocket in her lavender polyester blazer. She placed it in the corresponding grooves in the center of the disc. When she did, I heard a series of clicks as different rings of the disc spun clockwise and counterclockwise, then retracted into the floor.
I peered into the hole which was about three feet across. From the flood light overhead, I could see a wrought iron spiral staircase that widened as it descended.
"Go ahead, dear," Miss Ginny nudged.
I felt nervous. Not scared nervous, excited nervous. I would finally be privy to something tangible, something more than the opinions of adversarial angels.
I slowly wound my way down the staircase, getting a 360? view of the room from ceiling to floor, even as the light from above grew dimmer. When I reached the bottom stair, I surveyed the cavernous space which was illuminated by an unseen light source.
Lost in thought, I jumped slightly when I felt Miss Ginny's light touch on my shoulder.
"Welcome to the Kodesh. This way, dear," she said as she slipped her tiny hand from my shoulder to my back, moving me forward.
Everything appeared to be constructed from a dark granite - the floor, the ceiling, and the built-in file cabinets that lined the walls for as far as I could see.
Miss Ginny led me to a large round table where she pulled out one of the seven chairs and directed me to take a seat. As she had in the War Room, she resumed my instruction succinctly.
"You are in the Kodesh, Essie. Think of it as a holy library, a sanctuary. In this place, Guardians have amassed books, letters, newspaper articles, artifacts, etc., anything and everything that pertains to angels since this land was settled. There are even items from other parts of the world, which were brought in as needed. Everything is stored alphabetically in the drawers along the walls.
"And this," she said dramatically, "is the 'Book of Knowledge'," leaning over and pulling up on a sapphire blue knob in the middle of the table. When she lifted the rectangular covering, a large, thick book, at least six inches high, bound in worn leather rose up from within the table. She removed it from its base and placed it between us, opening it from the back.
"The 'Book of Knowledge'," she continued, "was entrusted to the Guardians for them to record angelic involvement in human lives for the purpose of arming the chosen ones with the knowledge they would need for the final battle. It is the history of angels on Earth. It also includes the true secret knowledge that was originally found in the Sefer Raziel. Unbeknownst to the demons, that book was altered when Raziel learned of their plot to steal it. There is nothing in that grimoire that can harm angels."
Still feeling excited, I didn't want to sit at the table. "Can I look in some of the drawers?" I asked curiously.
"Of course, dear," Miss Ginny smiled.
I sprung out of my chair and bounced over to the closest drawer, giving the ornate handle a tug. Being in close proximity to the staircase, still in the A's, I found the tab, "ARTICLES", behind which were many file folders, each containing newspaper or magazine articles encased in sheet protectors. I imagined it was quite the task, putting all the clippings in their protective coverings, once they were invented. That duty had probably fallen to Miss Ginny. No wonder she wasn't married. Being a Guardian must take an inordinate amount of time. On each folder's tab was the name of a city in Georgia, beginning with Abac, Abbeville, Acworth, Adairsville, and so forth. Some were empty, some were bulging. The towns with empty folders had no idea how lucky they were to be devoid of demonic activity. Those that were fat with activity probably chalked it up to bad luck or ghostly hauntings. I'd have to look at Savannah's folder another time.
"Do you only keep stuff pertaining to Georgia here?" I inquired.
"Yes. I was going to tell you that next. After you're done browsing, of course."
"I'
m done. For now," I assured her, pushing the granite drawer back into the wall and standing attentively.
"This way, dear," she pointed, and began to stroll down the long, narrowing expanse. "Just as the Tree of Knowledge was found in the Garden of Eden, so, too, you will find that the 'Book of Knowledge' is found in the town of Eden in each state in the United States."
"Wait a second," I interrupted. "There's an Eden in every state?"
"There is, although many of them are so small you couldn't find them on a map and several were renamed long ago, but the Kodesh remains nonetheless," she noted plainly. "As I was saying, each Eden keeps its own Book and its own files, although the Book's secret knowledge is recorded in every copy. Each Kodesh is connected to the others by a derekh, the Hebrew word for pathway. Of course, it would be silly to think that one would walk along said derekh; it wouldn't be practical."
I nodded in agreement.
"That just about brings us to the portal," she explained, thrusting her upturned hand in front of her.
I saw a door about thirty yards ahead that looked like an exact replica of Miss Ginny's office door upstairs, minus the Effingham County Historical Society plaque. It was illuminated by the same unseen light source as the rest of the Kodesh.
We walked the remainder of the way in silence, although I was sure Miss Ginny could hear my heart pounding loudly in anxious anticipation. When we arrived at the door, she stopped and turned to look at me.
"You have been chosen, Essie. The Kodesh, the Book of Knowledge, the files, the derekhs, all of this I entrust to you. You must guard this information as though your life depends on it, because it does. I will show you how to access the derekh so that you can use it when the need arises."
She gripped the vintage key handle and pulled, opening the portal. I wasn't sure what I expected to see, but what I actually saw was nothing. Black nothingness.
"I don't understand," I said, confused. "There's nothing here."
"Patience, my dear. You didn't give me a chance to explain."
"Sorry."
"What you see isn't nothing. Behind every portal in every Kodesh is the 'Seam'. The Seam is what unites all the derekhs, one to another. When you step into the Seam, say the name of, or simply think of, the state you'd like to go to and close the door. When you open it again, you will be there. Would you like to try it?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed eagerly. "Do I have to go alone or can you come with me?"
"I can come with you. There is no limit on the number of people who can travel the derekhs."
"Good to know. Let's go!" I grabbed Miss Ginny's hand and walked boldly into the nothingness. "Arizona," I commanded, as though to a cabbie, and pulled the door closed.
I felt a powerful whoosh, not like a strong wind blowing against me from without, more like a category one hurricane from within. Thankfully, it only lasted a few seconds. Wobbly, but having sustained no structural damage, I reached through the blackness to locate the door handle. Finding the key, I grasped hold of it and pushed.
Stepping out of the Seam proved more difficult than stepping into it. I was glad to have Miss Ginny there, who was prepared to catch me when my knees buckled.
"I forgot to warn you that traversing the derekhs upsets your vestibular system," she explained as she held me up by keeping a secure grip around my waist. I was surprised at how strong she was for such a tiny, older lady. "You'll be fine in just a moment, dear. And you'll get used to it after a while," she smiled.
She was right. The dizziness passed in less than a minute. Standing up straight, under my own power, I scrutinized the underground space, noting the same granite file cabinets built into the same granite walls, the same granite table in the distance.
"We didn't go anywhere," I frowned.
"Of course we did, dear. Every Kodesh looks the same is all. Let's go upstairs and you'll see."
Out of curiosity, I stopped at the same file drawer that I had opened earlier. There was the same tab labeled "ARTICLES". I was immediately disappointed and considered pouting, but then I noticed the first folder. Instead of Abac, it said Ajo which was followed by Ak-Chin Village, Amado, and Apache Junction. I closed the drawer and rejoined Miss Ginny, who politely said nothing.
We ascended the spiral staircase and she pushed a button which caused the familiar disc to retract into the floor above our heads. The same small area rug that Miss Ginny had rolled up in Georgia was now barring our exit in Arizona. I helped her shift the rug, back and forth, back and forth, a little bit at a time, being careful not to bring a chair down on top of us.
"We don't normally have reason to leave the Kodesh in another state, at least not without the local Guardian, so this isn't usually an issue," she huffed, slightly winded.
"Here, let me," I said finally, growing impatient. I pushed up on the rug, which sent the chairs tumbling, and crawled out under it. "Just a second, Miss Ginny. I'll move the table for you."
"Thank you, dear."
Once we were both out of the Kodesh, I studied the War Room. It was remarkable in its likeness to the Georgia War Room. Although I believed Miss Ginny, I was dying to venture outside to see for myself. When she opened the door, I was shocked to see that we weren't in a library. This structure looked as though it hadn't been inhabited in a hundred years. Pieces of broken boards and chunks of plaster were strewn about, thick dust covering everything.
"Where are we?"
"In Eden, Arizona, dear. This is where you wanted to go, isn't it?"
"I mean, is this an old theatre?" I asked, looking out from a raised stage at several decaying wooden benches stacked precariously against a wall.
"It was actually a church until the mid-1900s. This once thriving little town was established in 1880 when Mormon families from Utah travelled along what was then known as 'The Honeymoon Trail'. The area eventually became commercial property and, in 1903, a three-story hotel was erected that boasted the Southwest's largest swimming pool, which got its water from the town's famous natural hot springs; people came from far and wide to rid themselves of all their ailments in the healing waters. A school, a general store, and a post office were also built. The ruins are over that way if you'd like to take a walk."
"Sure."
We stepped cautiously over more scraps of wood and bits of plaster that had fallen from the roof and ceiling, the holes through which the sunlight created an interesting lattice pattern on one half of the floor and up the adjacent wall.
Miss Ginny continued as we ambled through the ghost town. "This town was once known as the "Jewel in the Desert" and still occasionally plays host to those who wish to retreat into nature and enjoy its peaceful surroundings."
It was really warm for this time of year, even compared to Georgia, although the air was very dry. I had never been to Arizona and thought this might be a great place to camp some time. I wondered if I could use the derekhs for personal travel. I'd have to remember to ask that later. Miss Ginny was lecturing again.
"This is, or was, the hotel. As you can see, it was constructed from brick and stone, but a fire broke out in the wooden interior in 2008, completely wrecking the entire structure."
"That's too bad," I reflected, meaning it.
"So, this is Eden, Arizona," she announced, extending both arms outward and slowly making one rotation.
I half expected to see tumbleweeds come blowing by, although there was no wind. Only a dried up town, its remains set amidst the picturesque beauty of an Arizona desert. I wanted to take a picture, but quickly remembered that I needed to keep all this to myself. I didn't want a misplaced photo to give away my secret.
"The desert is beautiful, in its own way," I observed. "Hey, by the way, am I allowed to use the derekhs for travel unrelated to angel research?"
"I don't believe it's ever been done before," Miss Ginny contemplated.
"I don't hear you saying that it's not allowed."
"Well, I thought you agreed that not telling Ty was prudent."
"Oh, I did
n't mean Ty. I was thinking of Karen Canta."
"Lord, child, how many people have you entrusted with this knowledge?"
"Only my friend from Bradford, Jane. But I'd like to tell Karen at some point."
"I'm not sure that's the best idea."
"I understand your apprehension, but I think I can trust Karen. We're getting to be close and I really need a human friend in Eden."
"Of course, dear. I will defer to your good judgment; after all, you have been chosen for a reason. And I don't see the harm in using the derekhs, as long as you're careful."
"Thanks, Miss Ginny," I said, excited, throwing my arms around her in a hug.
"Shall we return then?" she asked, a little flustered by my exuberance.
"We shall," I sang with a bounce in my step, already planning in my head future trips around the U.S. with Karen.
As we approached the church, whose exterior remained fairly well preserved, I noticed that there was no room behind it from which we entered.
"Uhm... where's the War Room?"
"Oh, it's invisible, dear. There are several War Rooms that were hidden inside structures such as this that are no longer used and have fallen into disrepair. Since the War Rooms are attached to the Kodeshes, they could not be moved, thereby necessitating a cloak of invisibility."
"Is that something you did? Or some other Guardians?"
She laughed. "I wish I could take credit for that feat. No, dear, it was the angels."
I nodded. "That makes sense. Guess I was just hoping that it was something you could teach me."
"Would that I could, dear."
"Thanks anyway."
We entered the same way we had exited, once again cautiously stepping over the wood and plaster that littered the church's floor. We stepped up on to the pulpit and proceeded to the door in the back. It was strange to imagine that the room we were entering was actually invisible.
Miss Ginny decided that we should rearrange the room a bit, since we wouldn't be able to put the dinette set back on top of the rug. Instead, we pushed the table against the wall under the star clock, putting a chair at either end and two in the front, facing the wall. Then we dragged the rug close to the opening in the floor and descended the stairs. When our heads were safely below ground, we reached up and pulled the rug over the hole, doing our best to center it. Finally, Miss Ginny pushed the button and the disc closed, thus ending our adventure in Eden, Arizona.
Stepping into the Seam, I thought "Georgia", wanting to see if, indeed, we would be transported over the derekh without speaking. No sooner had I thought the name than I felt the whoosh. And Miss Ginny was right; my insides felt more like they were being scrambled by a tropical storm than a category one hurricane this time. When the storm passed, I reached for the key, holding on to it momentarily, waiting for my balance to return.
"You're learning quickly," Miss Ginny said approvingly in the darkness.
She led me back through the cavern, to the table, where we had left the open "Book of Knowledge". She closed it carefully and placed it back on its base, after which it withdrew into its hiding place within the table.
"I think you've learned enough for today, wouldn't you say?"
"Oh, I would definitely say."
I followed Miss Ginny up the spiral staircase and back into the Eden, Georgia War Room where we returned everything to its proper place.
"I'll have to give the Arizona Guardian a call to let her know that we were there. I'd hate for her to enter the War Room and think the worst."
"Good idea," I agreed.
Back in her office, I slumped into the same chair from which this journey began only a short time earlier. What time is it anyway? I looked around the room for a clock. Judging by the setting sun which shone through Miss Ginny's only window, it had to be nearly six o'clock.
"Thanks for everything, Miss Ginny," I said gratefully. "It was amazing. I have a lot to think about, but at least I know where to come for answers the next time I have questions. I really appreciate your honesty and your trust in me."
"It was truly my pleasure, dear. I've been waiting many years for you," she smiled earnestly. "You're welcome any time, even if I'm not here," she added, handing me a key.
"Thanks again. See you soon," I promised with a wave.