Fire and Flood Page 3

  Keeping my arms over my head just in case, I peered around the room. Shocked, I realized an entire wall was gone. I sat up carefully. My bag and the book were on the floor next to me. Without thinking, I pushed the book into the bag and stood up, slinging it on to my shoulder. Maybe I could escape.

  Another wave of shaking caused the floor to roll under my feet, and I struggled to stand. It didn’t last long, but I knew I had to get out of what was left of the building. I looked at where the doorway had been, but it had collapsed, so I moved to the open wall. It was still dark outside, but the moon was full, illuminating the destruction.

  I’d fallen asleep in a chair on the fourth floor of the building and was now only a few feet from the ground. In a daze, I clambered out and away from the collapsed building. Another tremor caused the ground below me to roll, and I dropped down unable to stand.

  I screamed as the rest of the building disintegrated into pieces, debris flying all around me as the earth violently shook. I must have been knocked out.

  I’m not sure how long I lay there before I felt a hand on my back.

  “Are you okay?” It was a man’s voice. He felt for my pulse on my neck.

  Terrified, I held my breath, pretending to be unconscious. Please leave me alone, please, I silently pleaded, but he scooped me up and carried me over his shoulder like a rag doll. Opening my eyes, I saw we were heading away from the collapsed building.

  He stopped, shifted his balance, and opened a car door. I quickly closed my eyes again, willing myself to stay limp as he put me down on the back seat and belted me in.

  “Can’t have you flying around,” he whispered.

  He got in the driver’s seat and started the car. As he sped away from the town, I decided to “come to,” figuring it was better to know who and what I was dealing with. I moaned and opened my eyes.

  “Are you hurt? Anything broken?” he said, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. He didn’t look much older than me.

  “I don’t know.” I sat up a bit straighter, feeling around the floor with my feet for something I could use as a weapon. “Where are we going?”

  “I have a place just up the road. You’ll be safe there,” he spoke reassuringly, smiling.

  Sure enough, we turned down a road a few minutes later and pulled into a large paved lot filled with cars. A flickering big light on the building to our right spelled M-O-T-E-L. Although there was debris everywhere, the building was still standing.

  The boy got out of the car and opened the door for me.

  “Follow me,” he whispered, “and don’t draw any attention to yourself; it isn’t safe.”

  FLOOD

  Chapter 4

  . . . in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling.

  Psalm 27:5

  Japheth and I rode side by side on two of his majestic horses; the other two followed behind. We left the cart by the track. The sky was azure, and the sun was warm as we rode through the fields surrounding the city of Sumeria.

  Japheth turned to me and said, “Ariana, the Creator told my father about you. That’s why I joined in the race today, to find you. We’ve been getting ready for your arrival for over a year.”

  I was so overwhelmed and confused that I did not know what to say, but I was startled at his mention of the Creator. “So you follow the Old Ways?” I asked hesitantly, thinking of my parents and their unknown fate.

  “My mother and father both follow the Old Ways, worshipping the Creator.” Japheth’s voice warmed when he spoke about his parents, but his face grew serious as he turned toward me again. He said earnestly, “I know you are worried about your parents. We will find out what has happened and help them if we can.”

  I smiled at him, feeling grateful and shy at the same time. “Thank you, Japheth.” I tried to keep my thoughts from worrying. We rode on for a long while in silence.

  Hours passed, and as we drew farther away from the city of Sumeria, the fields gave way to wooded hills. The tall, ancient trees offered a pleasant relief from the sun’s heat. As we rode through the dappled wood, Japheth told me stories of his family’s life, obviously trying to draw me out.

  “We only have a short way to go once we’re out of the woods,” he told me. “My family will be glad to meet you.”

  “Do you have brothers and sisters?” I asked.

  “Two brothers, Shem and Ham. Both of them are married.”

  “What are they like?”

  He took a deep breath. Shem is a craftsman like our father—and an inventor! Truly a problem solver and a peacemaker. Ham is, well, Ham.”

  “Does your family keep to the old traditions, or do they have their own homes?” I was curious. So many younger people shunned the Old Ways and moved away from their families to their own homes.

  “We all live together in the old tradition. Each of my brothers has added on to the family home a place for their wives. Truly, they did a fine job, but wait until you see what I’ve prepared for you, Ariana.” His eyes twinkled with excitement and pride.

  “I can’t wait to see it,” I said, trying to keep the anxiety out of my voice. For me? He’s been planning for me? The nearer we got to his home, the more apprehensive I felt. Absently, I chewed my thumbnail for a moment until I saw that Japheth was looking at me. Quickly pulling my thumb out of my mouth, I asked him how he had prepared for the race.

  Japheth went on to describe in detail how he had readied himself for the competition—choosing the horses and building the cart to the specifications his father drew. His brothers had helped him practice for the event, pushing him to improve his cart and his racing skills, so he would be ready.

  We rode for about an hour longer before arriving at Japheth’s home. The sun was setting in the deep blue sky, which was brushed with wispy rose and purple clouds. Flowering trees lined the packed-dirt road leading up to the house. The horses, sensing an end to their toil, picked up the pace, kicking up dust.

  The wooden house ahead of us sprawled against the horizon. Almost the entire building was encircled with porches; even the second story rooms led out to adjoining decks. Charming arrangements of chairs and tables and flowering plants abounded.

  I felt a strange mixture of emotions. Nothing seemed real. Twenty-four hours earlier, I was at home with my mother preparing to go to Sumeria for the first time. Now, my parents were most likely dead. I did not know how to prepare to meet my rescuer’s family, who apparently would soon become my own. I was tired and overwhelmed.

  Reaching the front of the house, we pulled the horses to a stop. Japheth leapt off his horse and quickly helped me down from mine. I was glad for his help. My legs were so unsteady, I feared I would fall.

  Loud, excited shouts welcomed us as the family spilled out of the carved double doors onto the wide front porch. Although they weren’t as tall as many of the city dwellers, whose ancestors included Nephilim, they were healthy, strong-looking people. I was immediately enveloped in embraces, and my cheeks were kissed enthusiastically. Although I was overwhelmed, I felt welcomed and wanted. Japheth’s mother, whom he introduced as Laelah, wrapped an arm around my waist and led me inside.

  We walked straight into a great hall. Along the wall opposite the entrance was a long table, set with plates of bread, cheese, a variety of fruits, dried meats, and cups of water, wine, and beer. Despite my feelings, my mouth watered at the sight. I’d been too excited about the festival to eat breakfast.

  Laelah guided me through the hall room and asked if I wanted to freshen up before dinner. That sounded lovely. “Certainly, you want to have some time to rest up and change after the long ride here,” she said understandingly.

  We left the rest of the family in the great hall, and Laelah led me down a hallway to the right. “This is the wing Japheth added onto the house for you, Ariana.” We walked into a room similar to the great hall but on a much smaller scale and with an intricately carved stone fireplace.

  I walked toward the mantel, entranced by the detail of the
workmanship. On the top of the mantel, a scene was carved into the stone. Centered in the picture was a lush tree, abundantly covered in fruit. In its branches, a serpent was barely discernable. Its long tale wrapped around the trunk of the tree, as if choking out its life force.

  “I know this story!” I exclaimed.

  “Yes, Eden is close to here,” Laelah told me.

  “It’s the most beautiful place on the earth, or at least, that’s what my mother always said.” My voice broke as I remembered the Magistrate’s guards dragging her off.

  Laelah placed a hand on my shoulder. “Has something happened to your mother?”

  I began to sob and didn’t resist when she pulled me into an embrace.

  After a while, I pulled away and wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my dress. “It was so awful. My father betrayed my mother to the Magistrate. She believes in the Creator, the Old Ways. I’m afraid they’ve already been executed, and I’ll never see them again.” My words came out in gasps between ragged breaths.

  Laelah shook her head from side to side sadly and grimaced. “We live in a time where it’s hard for many to resist the strong power of the enemy. He dominates either through fear or allurement. Surely, your father panicked and gave into fear of the evil one.”

  “The Magistrate?” I’d felt the pull of his attraction myself, despite the obvious evil intent revealed in his cunning expression. I shuddered at the memory.

  “No, there’s a worse enemy than the Magistrate.” She hugged me fiercely as she spoke. “But that can wait for later. You’re tired and hungry. The bedroom is over here.”

  I followed her into a spacious, airy room to the right. The plastered ceiling was high and rounded, with a night sky painted on its surface. Wood-paneled walls beamed a golden hue on the room, with tones of red streaked in their polished surfaces. The large bed was carved from a darker wood. I’d never seen anything so beautiful.

  Each of the four posters had been whittled into the form of a slender tree, bending toward the one opposite, their branches reaching out in an embrace. The branches were woven together at each end, forming an arch. Intricately carved leaves sprouted from the branches, each painted in lifelike detail.

  “Did Japheth make this?” I gasped.

  Laelah nodded with a smile.

  “I still don’t understand all of this. How did he know to expect me? How did he know about me at all? Why did he do all of this for a girl he doesn’t know?”

  “But he did know. The Creator told him to prepare a place for his bride, just as his brothers prepared a place for their wives.”

  My thoughts raced. None of this made sense. I did believe in the Creator my mother had taught me about, but I had never heard of Him talking to people.

  “Why don’t you bathe, my dear?” Laelah asked. “Everything you need is in here.” She indicated a door to her right. “We even have some fresh clothing ready for you. Take your time. Everyone’s waiting for you in the Great Hall when you are ready.”

  She hugged me and left the room.

  It was all too much. I fell to my knees by the stone tub and sobbed. I cried for my mother and father and the life that was now over. I cried until I had no more tears.

  I gazed at my reflection. The blue dress set out for me fit perfectly. The steamy air from my hot bath had turned my curly hair into a dark halo. I leaned into the mirror and noted the greenish brown of my eyes contrasted with the rims, red from my tears. It would have to do. I could not keep everyone waiting.

  Making my way out of my room and the part of the house Japheth had built for us—for us, how odd was that thought!—I found my way back to the front hall.

  Japheth crossed the room to meet me. I was worn out from the day and my tears, but I managed to smile up at him. Those brown eyes of his were so warm and tender. He understood.

  Putting his left arm around me, he led me to the group waiting by the table. In addition to his family, there was someone already seated at the head of the table. I tried not to look shocked. He was clearly one of the ancients. Never had I seen someone so old.

  “Ariana, this is my father’s great-father, Methuselah.”

  Sitting in front of me was a legend. Mother had told me about Methuselah many times. It was prophesied that he would live until the end of the world. His father was the famous prophet, Enoch—the one who walked with God and then was taken from the world without dying.

  Methuselah smiled at me, his deeply lined face crinkling up around eyes the same shade as Japheth’s. He was the oldest person in the world. I felt humbled meeting this legendary man.

  “I have been waiting to meet you, young lady. I am so sorry to hear about your mother and father.”

  Japheth pulled the chair out next to Methuselah, and I sank down onto it. “Thank you.” Methuselah took my hand between both of his and welcomed me with a short bow.

  No sooner had we exchanged greetings than another man strode into the room. He was strongly built, and though his hair and beard were as white as Methuselah’s, his swarthy complexion retained a youthful appearance. Everyone except Methuselah stood up, so I pushed my chair back as well.

  “Father,” Japheth bowed his head in respect, “may I introduce Ariana to you?”

  Noah turned toward me with a welcoming smile, and his dark brown eyes twinkled with affection. “Welcome, dear one! All of us have eagerly waited to meet you—though none as eagerly as my son!”

  Noah embraced me, kissing me on each cheek. Pulling back, he bowed his head a moment before looking at me. “How we have prayed for this moment! Welcome, welcome!”

  Then he turned and took a place at the head of the table next to Laelah. Everyone settled back down in their chairs.

  “I apologize for not being here to greet you, Ariana. I was concerned about a small settlement of believers to the south of us. They didn’t show up at our last gathering, so I rode out early this morning to check on them. A mob had attacked their settlement. Their barns were burned, and their cattle slaughtered in the fields.” He shook his head in disgust. “Thankfully, no one was killed. The Magistrate has had many followers of the Old Ways murdered in the past few years. He grows bolder and bolder,” Noah said grimly.

  “Still, he is restrained, Father,” Japheth said. “He couldn’t do a thing to stop me from saving Ariana.”

  “Yes, but evil is growing strong,” Noah insisted.

  “Now is not the time for that,” Laelah interjected. She turned to Methuselah, respectfully nodding her head to honor him, as was proper. “Would you like to offer a blessing over the food?”

  The ancient man lifted his large hands upward in a receiving posture and murmured words of thanksgiving to the Creator. As he prayed, I looked around at the others gathered around the table—strangers, who it seemed, were meant to be my new family.

  FIRE

  Chapter 5

  He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

  Psalm 18: 16–17

  We entered the small motel room, and the boy who had claimed me from the earthquake’s rubble closed and locked the door behind us. A bed and dresser were pushed against one wall. The opposite wall had a counter with open shelves below it and a small sink with dishes neatly stacked to the side. The boy walked to the refrigerator and pulled a pitcher from it. After carefully pouring water into two glasses, he nodded for me to take a seat at the small table next to the room’s only window. The shades were drawn.

  I sat down and sipped the water. Dark hair tumbled over his broad forehead. He looked like he was just a few years older than me—young to be on his own. His blue eyes were carefully scanning my face. He looked troubled by what he saw.

  “You’re not from around here, are you?”

  I swallowed the water. “No.”

  “Why were you in that building?”

  I decided to tell him the truth, with some revisions. I didn’t want to reveal too much. “I’m from a community not too far from here, a rel
igious community. But it’s not a safe place. The leader is ruthless, violent—evil. My mom and dad refused to let him, well . . . ” I couldn’t finish. It was a lie, but the lump forming in my throat wouldn’t let me speak.

  “I get it.”

  Feeling a little safer with his understanding response, I brushed the hair out of my face and, tucking it behind my ears, looked into his eyes. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

  “I ran,” I made up quickly, as I continued lying. “I’m not sure how long I ran, but I finally came to a clearing by a dirt road. Some men drove by, and I thought they would help me, but they took me to that place.”

  “What’s your name?” he asked.

  “Dani,” I said, quickly choosing a new name. “What’s yours?”

  “Tomas.” He sighed. “I shouldn’t have helped you, but you were all alone. I couldn’t let the Global Union soldiers pick you up.”

  “Who are they?” I asked.

  “You really must be from the middle of nowhere! The Global Union controls the cities and towns; those outside are considered lawless, fringe groups.”

  Obviously, there was a lot about the world I didn’t know. Old movies and Daphne’s stories about the past hadn’t prepared me for the reality of life outside the Compound. Apparently, we were part of the wild, lawless fringe groups.

  “But who are they?”

  “They’re the part of the Global Union government; they’ve been around since the riots. You know about those, right?”

  I shook my head, “No.”

  Tomas ran a hand through his dark hair. “The riots came after the Vanishing. We lost so many people, and the ones left behind wanted answers.” He sighed. “My mom disappeared. I don’t remember her, though. I was just a toddler. My dad told me only the Christians disappeared. He became one right after she vanished.”