She pressed her lips together and nodded again.
Bonnie drew her closer with her wing. “You read about my visit to Heaven in my letters, but would it help if I tell you about it again?”
A new grimace tightened Carly’s features. She breathed out a quiet “Sure.”
“Okay.” Her free hand now feeling cold compared to the blood-covered one, Bonnie lifted it toward the fire. What would be the best way to describe Heaven this time? What did Carly need to see in her mind’s eye? A glimpse of Jesus in glory? Or maybe something more personal.
As the fire died further and a chill descended, Bonnie breathed a silent prayer for help. When her mind settled, she took a deep breath and began. “Once upon a time, two lonely little girls met on a school bus. They both loved Tigger and good stories and strawberry ice cream, so they became fast friends. They also loved their parents, but something terrible happened. One girl’s father let a dragon slayer kill her mother. The other girl’s parents let the blossom of their love die on a withering vine. The first girl had to run for her life in a driving snowstorm. The second girl was sent away with a ragged duffle bag, a Tigger blanket, and a broken heart.
“They were both put on a train to a faraway town, leaving behind the tragedies that destroyed their beloved homes. But what lay ahead at their mysterious destinations? They had no idea. Fear of that unknown brought shivers. Would it be better there? Worse? And going alone made it feel like running through a dark tunnel with no light at the end.”
Fighting against a shiver, Bonnie sneaked a glance at Carly. Although pale as a bed sheet, her eyes seemed alert. Bonnie took another deep breath before continuing. “Then the two girls met again. Both were riding the same train! Now comforted by being together, they took heart. This chance meeting, this coincidental rejoining of hands, had to mean something. Someone was watching over them. Someone cared.
“When they reached separate destinations, they both entered foster homes, one because she was in search of a family who would understand her genetic gifts, though they felt more like freakish birth defects, and the other because the grandmother who was supposed to take care of her in this new town had died unexpectedly.
“The first girl found herself in the midst of fantastic but dangerous adventures, while the second suffered the throes of loneliness, finding no one to love the cast-off daughter of a broken home. The first girl died and went to Heaven. The second girl lived in Hell. The first girl walked on streets of gold. She conversed with angels. She luxuriated in the arms of the savior of the world. The second girl walked streets of darkness with no one to talk to, no one to hold her. She walked alone.”
Carly’s respiration grew shallow and rasping. Each breath came out in a tiny puff of white vapor. Bonnie pressed harder on the wound. More blood poured. Tears in her eyes, she continued again, laboring to keep her voice in check. “The first girl rose from the dead and brought news to the world that a better place exists, a place of rest from all labors, the end of the path of suffering, a city of light that never sees a sunset. The second girl felt in her heart that her own city of light had to exist somewhere. So, following the summons of a prophet, she set out on a journey and arrived at a home where she hoped to find peace and purpose, and maybe even her beloved friend from the bus and the train.
“She took up residence in this home of love and embarked on a new path that merged with that of her childhood friend. Although many trials and difficulties followed, at least she was using her computer talents and training for a good purpose. People loved her. They looked to her for help. She was instrumental in saving lives. She made a difference.”
Carly leaned her head against Bonnie and shivered hard. “She … made a difference.”
“Yes, Carly, she definitely did.” Bonnie swallowed through a lump in her throat. “Now a new shadow has crossed the path, and the horizon is dark. The two friends sit together once again, this time in a cold cabin on a different train that is barreling toward a city unknown. But is it really unknown? To the second girl, yes. Her ticket has no destination printed on it. This train’s final stop is a dark mystery.”
Bonnie took Carly’s hand—cold and clammy. Carly returned the grasp with a weak grip. “But if the two girls stay together,” Bonnie continued, “they will both go to that city of light. They will walk hand in hand on the streets of gold. They will share the savior’s embrace. They will live forever.”
Carly whispered, faint and wheezing. “How can we … stay together?”
Bonnie rubbed Carly’s cold knuckles with a thumb. “The way to keep holding my hand is to reach out for God’s hand. Jesus Christ, the son of God, suffered a cruel death on a cross. He died to set you free from all the wrongs you have done. Just forsake those wrongs and embrace faith in him and what he has done for you.”
A new shiver rocked Carly’s body. Her teeth chattered. “How do I … do that?”
Bonnie forced her own body to stay calm, to fight the cold without trembling. “Confess Jesus as your lord. Believe that God raised him from the dead. When you confess faith, God will put to death the person you were and resurrect you to new life in your heart. And since you will be a new person, you will be issued a new ticket, one with Heaven written as the destination.”
Her chattering continued. “You wrote to me about Jesus before … but now you make him sound … so real.”
“He is real, Carly. I’ve seen him with my own eyes.” Bonnie compressed Carly’s hand. “Will you join me on the train?”
“So … I just … how did you say it?” Carly’s trembling subsided. “Forsake my wrongs and have faith?”
“Exactly. It’s really all about love—loving God and other people.”
“I do feel love.” As Carly’s trembling returned, she squeezed Bonnie’s hand. “I really do.”
“I know you do. God loves you. And if you love God, you’ll follow him on a new path that will lead to Heaven’s gates.”
Paler than ever, Carly whispered, “So now … I just … confess?”
Bonnie touched Carly’s ashen cheek. “Yes, my dear friend. Just say what’s on your heart.”
“I …” She licked her blue lips. “I confess … that I hurt Adam. … Would you tell him … I’m sorry … sorry for breaking his heart?”
“Of course!” Tears streamed freely. “Of course I will!”
“And … and I confess that … I love …” As she exhaled, her head drooped, and blood stopped flowing from her wound.
“Carly?” Bonnie pressed two fingers on Carly’s wrist. No pulse. “Carly!”
Bonnie curled her wing and drew her into an embrace. As Carly’s head rested on Bonnie’s shoulder, she rocked back and forth. “Oh, Carly! My dear, sweet friend! Why did this happen to … to such an innocent lamb!”
Bonnie kissed Carly’s cheek and wept. With every cycle of her rocking motion, she took in a breath to try to settle her spasms, but the sobs kept coming, though gentler each time.
After a few more moments, Bonnie’s spasms ceased. She ran bloody fingers across Carly’s cheek … her smooth cheek, now free of lesions. As a new round of sobs emerged, Bonnie pressed Carly close and continued rocking as she sang. “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come. … I come.”
Bonnie laid Carly down on the cold stone and stared at her lifeless friend. Cold and gray, Carly stared upward, as if mesmerized by a wondrous sight. Her flawless skin seemed to glow in the dim light.
“What do you see, Carly? Heaven’s glory?” Bonnie looked up. The ice had stopped falling. The sky cleared, and a hint of sunshine appeared over the wall.
Her fingers still covered with blood, Bonnie grasped Carly’s hand. Interrupted by new trembling sobs, she cried out, “We’re on the train. … The city of light is the next stop. … And it’s so beautiful, Carly … It’s so beautiful.” She forced a smile. “When you get there … write to me. … Let me
know what you think. … I can’t get off the train. … Not yet … But it will come through again. … And I hope you’re there to greet me … when I walk down those steps to … to join you in the eternal light of his presence.”
Using two fingers, Bonnie closed Carly’s eyes, leaving bloody fingerprints on her lids. “Your confession, dear heart, is the most beautiful of all. … I love. … On those words hang all the law and the prophets.”
Although Bonnie’s sobs eased again, new shivers rocked her body. After retrieving Excalibur, checking the rubellite in the hilt, and sliding the blade behind her belt, she pushed her arms under Carly and picked her up, using her wings to provide a boost. She flew over the wall, but Carly’s weight and the buffeting winds forced her to land on the other side.
She folded in her wings and balanced on a sheet of ice that extended downslope to the right, the horizon veiled by the receding storm. To the left, the sheet ended at a mountain. Shallow tracks led from where she stood to a recess within the mountain’s base.
Now unhindered by the portal shelter, the frigid wind tore through her clothes. She lowered her head and trudged along the path. Blood dripped from Carly’s thigh to the ice, marking a new trail. Numbness edged along Bonnie’s fingers and across her hands. Her arms ached. Spasms knotted her calf muscles. When she came within ten paces of the cave, she shouted, “Mom? Karrick? Anyone?”
Marilyn appeared at the cave’s arched entry. Her eyes shot open, and she dashed toward Bonnie. When she arrived, she made a cradle with her arms. “Give her to me.”
Bonnie transferred Carly to Marilyn’s arms. “She’s … she’s dead.”
“I guessed that. I’m sorry.” Marilyn gestured with her head. “Karrick’s got a good fire started. Hurry on ahead and get warm.”
Beating her wings, Bonnie ran along the ice and ducked to enter the cave’s low opening. Inside the ten-foot-deep recess, Thomas and Mariel sat cross-legged and warmed their hands over a campfire, Jared’s plant wedged between Mariel’s legs. Ice-melt water dripped from their hair and clothes and joined a rivulet that ran a foot or so toward the entry. Smoke rose to the low ceiling and streamed outside, drawn by the stiff breeze.
Ashley sat against a side wall as far away from the flames as possible. Although her eyes were closed, her hands fidgeted in her lap.
“Ashley?” Bonnie withdrew Excalibur and leaned it against a wall. “Are you all right?”
Ashley grimaced. “The worst headache in human history is throttling my brain, but I can still read the shouts in your mind.” A sad frown added new lines to her brow. “Carly’s dead.”
“Dead?” Thomas repeated with a gasp. “Oh, dear Lord Jesus. What has become of her soul?”
“Her soul is safe.” Bonnie sat next to Thomas and set her hands close to the fire. “I had a chance to talk to her before she died.” Her throat tightened. “The lesions on her face disappeared. … I guess … you could say she … she’s healed.”
Mariel wiped away a tear. “Then we’ll see her again someday.”
Marilyn trudged in and laid Carly’s body a step away from Ashley. “Karrick and Grackle went to gather more wood. They’ll return as soon as Karrick rebuilds the portal fire. When they do, I’ll make my way to the birthing garden.”
“And I’ll come with you.” Bonnie intertwined her fingers and stretched them in the newfound warmth. It seemed strange to be planning the next move, pushing forward while Carly lay dead so close by. Shouldn’t they pay tribute? Sing a song? Say a prayer? Yet, time was of the essence. They had to press on. “There’s nothing for me to do here. Karrick can guard Thomas and Mariel and Ashley.”
“Can Grackle carry two passengers?” Marilyn asked.
“He did back when they used saddles, but I don’t know how recently. It’s still windy, so if he gets tired I can lift off and fly for a while.”
“It’s not far to the garden by air,” Ashley said, her eyes still closed. “And Bonnie, I heard your thoughts. While we’re waiting for the dragons to return, we’ll sing a song for Carly. I know the perfect one.”
Bonnie cast a thought toward Ashley. Amazing Grace?
Ashley nodded, a smile breaking through. “If you’re not tired of it after all the times I sang it in prison.”
“Never.” Bonnie rose and sat next to Ashley. As they leaned their heads together, Bonnie reached and grasped Carly’s lifeless hand. “Let’s sing it responsively. We’ll start.”
“Wait a second.” Marilyn sat next to Thomas and held his hand. He, in turn, took Mariel’s. “Go ahead.”
Bonnie began in a quiet voice. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound …”
Ashley joined in, and the two sang together. “That saved a wretch like me.”
Thomas led the response, and the two ladies blended in. “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”
Bonnie compressed Carly’s hand. Tears erupted, and a sob threatened to break through as she and Ashley continued. “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace, my fears relieved.”
“How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.” Thomas rose to his feet. “Join hands,” he said. “All together now.”
Bonnie climbed to her feet, releasing Carly’s hand. It hurt to let her go, but she had to. Someday they would join hands again, and then they would never have to let go. Bonnie helped Ashley rise, and they formed a circle around the fire. With Thomas again leading, they sang, “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. ’Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
CHAPTER 15
FROZEN COMPANIONS
“Wake up, Matt. I think the storm is over.”
Matt opened his eyes. He lay curled on the floor under a window, his arms clutching a pillow. “How long did we sleep?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s late afternoon. We’d better get going.” Listener buckled her belt, her spyglass and dagger still attached. She walked to the hut’s alcove and retrieved earmuffs, a fur-lined coat, gloves, and boots. “I’m glad I saved these from our cold days. They belonged to Angel.”
Matt rose to his feet and picked up his boots. “Angel?”
“My mother.” She sat at the foot of her bed and slipped on the earmuffs. “Well, Angel is my Second Eden mother. It’s a long story. Her abode is now with the Father of Lights.”
“You mentioned that Tamara is your birth mother.” He sat on the other bed, pushed his feet into his boots, and began tying them. “Where is she?”
“Probably in Peace Village with my sister, Lily, and the others.” Listener looked him over. “I’m sorry that I don’t have suitable clothes for you. Candle outgrew his cold-weather garments, so he gave them away.”
“No problem. I don’t get cold easily.” He eyed the shutters. “So is that noise still bothering you?”
“Only in a residual manner. I’m not sure if it’s real or if I have suffered damage that’s causing a hum in my ears.” She put her boots on and began tying the laces. “We have to check on the others. Karrick is supposed to be with them, so they should be warm for the time being, but we will need to construct a bonfire. Elam and Sapphira are gone, Dr. Conner is likely frantically trying to keep his patients from freezing, and although Tamara is wise, her slow tongue is a handicap. Candle and the other men are hard workers, but they lack leadership skills. And, of course, Valiant is dead. My people look to me for guidance, so I’m concerned that they’ll be like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matt finished tying his boots. “Aren’t there any men like Valiant in Second Eden?”
“That is an exceedingly high standard.” Focusing on her laces, she smiled. “But now that you’re here, I know of one.”
Heat surged into Matt’s cheeks. “That’s … um … nice of you to say.”
“I would never tell a falsehood.” She rose, put on the coat, and pinched his sleeve. “I’m concerned about you staying warm. The journey
to Peace Village is longer than the one between the storm center and here.”
“I’ll manage. Like I said, I—”
“Don’t get cold easily.” Listener tied the coat’s belt. “If you do get too cold, we can take turns wearing the coat and gloves. They’ll be somewhat tight on you but certainly better than getting frostbite.” She set a metallic wafer in his hand. “A tooth transmitter, in case we get separated. I mentioned that our tower controls them. I already have one installed.”
“Good idea.” Matt slid the wafer between two molars. “I’ve used one before.”
“Then you know how they work.” Listener touched her jaw. “Two taps to turn it on.”
“I remember. I’ll turn it on if we get separated. The buzzing sensation gets annoying.”
“I understand.” She pulled on a pair of gloves, opened the shutters, and climbed through the window. “Let’s go.”
Matt followed. Once they stood in the gap between the hut and the wall of ice, he boosted her to the top. She reached down, grasped both of his wrists, and hauled him upward while he pushed his feet against the wall. Her tight grip stung, but it felt amazing at the same time. Her strength was incredible.
When he made it to the top, he looked up. Only a drizzle of ice fell, and the sun broke through the clouds here and there. As they tried to walk, their feet slid on the oily surface. Listener hooked Matt’s arm with hers. “It’s worse than before,” she said. “We’ll need to support each other.”
They trudged together, one careful step after another. In the distance, the tops of ice-encrusted trees protruded from the frozen layer. The scenery looked like a charcoal drawing—sooty silhouettes on a background of ash.
Matt waved a hand toward the trees. “It looks like the lava didn’t get to all the forested areas.”
Listener shook her head. “That’s a higher elevation. After destroying our villages, the lava channeled back to the river and followed its course.”