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Author's notes: Story inspired by ?The Rainbow Bridge Poem? and dedicated to the most amazing mother who taught us Guardian Angels are all around us in every shape and size. Thank you.
The pain stopped. Suddenly. Instantly, really. That's all I can remember. Understandably so, it had been so long since I felt free. I'm not entirely sure I ever was free. But now I am.
I feel weightless--like I'm floating, numb and clean. I don't want to open my eyes. What if it breaks the illusion and the heaviness returns? Bound again to the shackles of aching muscles, leaking lymph nodes, and perpetually weeping wounds. I'll close my eyes for
Just
a
Few
Moments
Longer.
Something soft bats at my nose. I scrunch and swat it off.
Something cold and wet taps the same spot. Annoyed, I grunt and turn away.
A loud motor boat engine ignites in my ear.
Fine! I open my disgruntled eyes. The pain doesn't return. The light, though blinding, wraps me in a protective warmth. With restored vision as my eyes adjust, I turn to address my assailant. His face is familiar, that of a long lost friend but instantly recognizable. His startling green eyes promising he has so much to say. He's dressed to the nines in that perpetual tuxedo, tails and all. He presents much larger than I recall, so I confirm his identity:
?Jack?? HIs whiskers twitch in his reply,
?Hi, Jenna,? He purrs in a deep registered coo. Overwhelmed with joy, I throw my arms around his sturdy neck. Standing on my tip toes, he's strong enough to lift me as a great paw supports my back, ?We've been waiting for you.? Wiping away the blurring tears, I take notice of my surroundings for the first time.
Gates, gold and glittering lay way to the vastly sprawling meadow with accompanying lake. The shimmering grass grows softer than even the bare feet and paws it so delicately cradles. The air sparkles and clings to the sweet aroma of fresh roses. I lean past Jack for a better examination when he presents his tremendous wings sprouting from his shoulder blades, standing at attention: fierce and translucently pearlescent. Through his wings, I discern distorted images of other figures. He lays them down, liberating my view.
There, bounding all across the meadow, are winged creatures of all varieties. Felines, and K-9's, giant birds and all forms of aquatic life effortlessly suspended in the air. Equines, pigs, chinchillas and all other myriads of furry friends. Lizards that might as well be dragons--all companions proportionally sized to that of a draft horse and gifted with those brilliant wings.
Completely mesmerized by the miraculous spectacle, I nearly miss the gang of felines gathering. I know them all. Charlie, burly and strong, marches to Jack's side and sits tall. He nods and slow blinks at my presence. Havoc, immediately after, sprints past both of them, flinging her front paws on my shoulders. She incessantly purrs and obsessively headbutts my face. Astonished laughter bellows from my stomach as I try to remain upright. Stumbling backward, I fall, but the purring refuses to cease. Laying my back, I have an inverted view of behind me. Adelaide carelessly chases and stalks the loose seeds of a dandelion through the air.
?Adelaide!? Havoc calls for her attention. Bright-eyed, though a little slow, Adelaide catches on to the situation and pads her way forward, chirping happy chirps with every step.
They sit in perfect unison: Jack, Charlie, Havoc, and Adelaide, identical as I remember them long ago. Their thunderous purrs combine in a grand chorus sounding deafening and regal.
?We're ready.? They sounded off in time. I don't understand.
?Ready for what?? Havoc approaches, curling her slinky body around me. She encourages me forward as we move towards the golden gate. A flawless man, draped in white with matching wings to that of the creatures, stands guard. He aims his welcome beckonings to my feline squad. Jack addresses him:
?Shepherd, we are ready.? The man nods an acknowledgement,
?Is this everyone?? he clinically inquires. The cats all nod. ?Very well,? the man turns, ?follow me.? He leads us through the pasture by the lake. We come upon a modest stable.
Each feline friend occupies a stall. I wait outside. The shepherd carefully fits each of them in golden plated armor. A plate for the chest, a plate for each side, and a malleable layer along their contorting spine, accommodating those wings. Chainmail hosiery with supportive joints cling to each of their legs accessorized with sharp, accentuated faux claws protecting their paws. Square, golden helmets with bayonet spikes where their ears were meant to be rest easy and secure on each of their heads.
I watch, impressed but baffled, at the assembly of my war horse like team. Independently, they take audience with me. Each sitting down separately until I am completely surrounded. We wait in silence as the shepherd lets out grunts of strained physical effort. Several leather harnesses laced in matching gold rest upon his shoulder as he heaves behind him a fantastic gladiator style chariot. The sun glares off its brilliant silver surface. I marvel at the intricate details etched into its plates, aquamarine birthstones liberally intertwined within the design There could be no doubt, this chariot is made for me.
The shepherd calls for us and we simultaneously abide. They keep me surrounded. The shepherd instructs me into the chariot. The felines line up, 2 by 2, in front of me.
First, Jack and Charlie.
Then, Havoc and Adelaide.
The shepherd securely attaches the harnesses to each cat's armor. Then to each other. Then to the chariot. He scrutinizes the armor one last time before giving his work approval. His fingers coil around Jack's harness as he gingerly leads the team forward. I slightly lose my footing as the chariot jolts into movement. We stop at the locked gate.
?Are you ready?? He asks, void of expression.
?Yes.? The team chants with unwavering assurance. They all bow their heads and the shepherd prays:
?Heavenly father, we ask you walk with these four champions as they escort your daughter home.? For the first time since I opened my eyes I feel the horrible grips of fear. The gates open in grandiose screeches.
As soon as the opening allows, the team gallops full speed. Just as quick as we
slipped through, the gates slam shut with excessive gumption and disappear altogether.
There's a cold dampness in this dark air. Everything is black. All I can see is a neon rainbow path stretching beyond my vision's capability.
?What's happening?? My voice shakes as I excavate the courage for inquisition. Jack cranes his neck to meet my gaze,
?We're taking you home.? He shifts his eyesight directly above us. I follow suit. A neon sign fades into view:
Judgement
Is all it says.
?Oh.? I start to understand. Charlie peers over his shoulder and says his first words to me:
?Don't worry. We will protect you.? His comforting intentions only bring concern. The team starts in a steady trot down the neon path. We pass through galaxies and the constellations dance around us. Shooting stars cheer us on and shout sentiments of encouragement to my team and me. The Milkyway flickers bright on the horizon. We suddenly halt. Amongst the shuddering stars, blurred memories work their way into projected focus. I watch myself as my friends had seen me.
Moments long forgotten, instances I never thought about twice, flashing in expedited time. First, at twice the natural rate. Then progressively quicker, until each scene blurs indiscernibly into the next. My team's roaring purrs echo in their golden chest plates as they serve as an audience to the scenes. The flashes turn to blips and just as swiftly as they flipped from one moment to the next, the scenes cease.
The team's purrs soften. The air grows frigid. The beautiful Milkyway pours away from either side, suspending us in once again pure darkness bar the neon path. We all stare deep into the darkness, not daring to address one another. The cats see it first, I'm sure Adelaide releases and inquisitive, falsetto whine. I strain my focus on the horizon. A blackhole-- or what I assume one may appear as--bursts into existence. The very center of its galaxy centric to our neon path.
Charlie and Jack exchange glances in silence before proceeding. They creep in a hushed, stalking caution. The chariot feebly russells. A low grumble overthrows any potential racket we might accidentally produce as we close in on our only opening. The oppressive heat hangs heavy at the entrance and my brow immediately drenches itself. The team pants, leaving sweaty pawprints in their wake. The sickening stench of brimstone chokes us all.
Jack turns to the team and sullenly instructs,
?Charlie, Havoc, you come with me--? they nod, ?Adelaide will stay with her.? Adelaide agrees. Jack, then, addresses me over the team, ?It's time. Close your eyes.? I offer a perplexed expression. He simply awaits for my obedience.
I forfeit my vision and the chariot lurches forward. The rumbles quake our ground. The heat rises unbearably until--just for a single instant--it sears my flesh. I hear my friends yowl. I can only imagine their whiskers and fur singed. But the pain fades with the moment and the heat subsides slightly.
I keep my eyes closed. The chariot halts.
A wad of warm fur brushes my side--Adelaide. I bury my face in her rabbit-like softness. I hear something.
A voice.
My voice.
My voice from long ago. I'm yelling: ?I HATE you! Get the fuck away from me!? Ceramic smashes. An ungodly roar rattles the arena. Low, guttural growls and warning hisses ring from my team. The beast vocally retaliates. The cat's growls crescendo into a battlecry as I hear the heart stopping thud of initial contact.
There's a squelch.
Then a yowl.
And I can't take it anymore--I open my eyes.
The beast dwarfs my cats as if they returned to original domesticated design. It stands erect, like a defensive grizzly. Pupiless eyes pierce red with flailing claws and jagged teeth. Jack perches himself on the monster's back, armored claws digging in for balance. Havoc and Charlie flank the creature on either side--calling for its attention in confusing succession. Though my nimble friends avoid most attacks and successfully land their own assaults, the monster doesn't seem to weaken.
Something soft bats at my nose. I scrunch and swat it off.
Something cold and wet taps the same spot. I grunt and turn away
A loud motor boat engine ignites in my ear.
?You mean you actually believe them?!? My mother yells.
?And you're going with them?? Quieter.
?Yes, you can too if you want to, there's plenty of room.? I say hopefully.
?They're not crazy, and I am completely in my right mind.? I say firmly.
?I should never have let you marry that man.? Mother murmurs.
Angry tears struggle to leave my eyes but I blink hard.
?Mother,? I say, choking back the knot in my throat ?I'm going with Japheth. And you can either come with and live, or stay here in your sin and bitterness... and drown.?
The last two words are barely more than a whisper but the weight of them on my tongue is more than anything else I've said.
My mother continues yelling but I block out the sound, numb to anything else she says. I feel someone's arms wrap around me and a kiss on the top of my head. As mother storms off I turn to Japheth and finally let my tears go.
When I've cried all I can Japheth says ?It's time.?
?Already?? I hold him tighter.
?God spoke to father this morning.? He says, ?The rain is going to start in seven days.?
I let go slowly and we walk to the ark hand in hand.
It still seems so strange that water could fall from the sky. I look around at the trees, flowers, and rolling hills, soon to be covered with water. I wonder what everything will be like once this is all over.
The cool interior of the ark is refreshing after the sun outside, my sisters in law's singing in stark contrast to my mothers yelling. I don't regret my choice, but I wish my family would come with us.
We eat our first meal on the ark that night. Noah prays over the food and his voice echoes throughout the huge space. We have everything we need aboard already except the animals.
?How are we supposed to get all the animals?? Ham asks once we've finished eating.
?A week isn't a very long time.? Shem adds thoughtfully.
?God will provide. He told us to take the animals and he will not likely let us leave them behind.? Noah says.
Japheth and I go back to the stone house beside the ark for the night. It is the first place I have ever felt safe, and loved. It will be sad to leave the house, but I'll be with the family who made it home.
The next morning proves Noah right. We wake up at dawn and there is already a long line of animals at the door of the ark.
Noah opens the door and they file in, even walking to the correct stalls. We all stare in disbelief, except Noah and his wife Imari, they only smile.
The line continues all day and into the night, but the next morning the plain in front of the ark is empty. Crushed grass from thousands of feet and animal droppings are the only evidence that they were there.
From behind rocks at the edge of the road the faces of children peek out hoping to see the parade again.
?I have to go to town,? Japheth says beside me, ?do you want anything??
?No, I'm fine. Just come back safely.? I say.
?Shem and Ham are going with me, I'll be fine.? He says giving me a kiss.
I send up a prayer as he leaves and remind myself to trust God. He'll come back, he has to come back. Most people in town leave us alone by now, but there are always a few who have something to prove.
?Lilah! Can you help me move this bed?? Salome, Ham's wife, calls from in the house.
?Coming!?
Maybe hard work will distract me.
A huge pile of clothes and furniture is on the grass outside the house. A bed is stuck halfway through the door and Salome is on the other end trying to move it.
?You know we have beds built into the ark right?? I ask trying not to laugh.
?Yes, but I want to bring this with for when we build a new house.? She huffs.
I help her get it through the door then go inside to collect my things. Going through the hallway to our room I pass Noah and Imari's door. She is sitting on the bed with a cup in her hands and a few stray tears in her eyes.
I stop at the door and knock.
?Are you alright?? I ask.
She looks up at me and smiles ?Yes.? She says wiping at her eyes ?I was just remembering.?
I stand a few moments longer.
?Are you alright?? She asks, her eyes seeing straight through me.
?I'm fine.?
She looks sceptical.
?Japheth just went to town.? I say quietly.
?And you're worried.?
I nod.
When I was fifteen my father went to town and never came back. He owed money to a Nephil who decided it was time for him to pay up. Two years later my brother went to town for a girl, he got in a fight about her, she chose the other man and killed him. After that I hardly left our farm. No where was safe.
Imari doesn't brush away my fears she simply says ?God will watch over him, he always has.?
I nod again and walk away feeling lighter.
The men come back as we are loading the last of the things on the ark. The heaviest things are still outside the house but everything else is in its proper place.
I'm on the third floor of the ark and see them coming first. They all look alright and the knot of fear I didn't know I still had unravels. I run down the stairs and out the door, finding them at the house already. Japheth is holding a squalling dove in his hands.
?What happened?? I ask.
?She has a broken wing. A group of boys were torturing her, I stopped them before they got too far.? He says handing the bird to me.
I cradle the dove close to my chest and bring her into the house. Her wing is bent at a weird angle and she has numerous cuts on her small body. Pity and anger fill me as I examine her.
Shem's wife, Onna, comes up behind me and gives me a bandage.
?Do you think we can save this one?? She asks.
?Maybe, but only if the splint works this time.? I say.
?There's not much point in saving it,? Ham says ?it might be kinder to just kill it.?
I ignore him and tie the splint carefully. Salome passes me an empty basket and I place the bird inside laying a cloth over top.
?It's no wonder God wants to destroy everyone when even the children love hurting things.? Salome says bitterly.
I understand what she means. Sometimes I feel sorry for all the people who will die soon. They have no idea what is coming. But most often I feel only anger and fear because of them.
Four days later Japheth wakes me earlier than usual.
?Lilah, it's time to go.? He says.
?What's wrong?? I ask groggily.
?Nothing, father just said we need to leave now.? He says.
I gather the few things left in the house and follow him out the door. The ark is big and black against the sky casting a shadow on the whole plain. I look around at the beautiful world, enjoying all the wonderful smells and sounds.
Then I see a woman running up the road, I recognize her run, it's my mother. I walk slowly out to meet her, maybe she's changed her mind.
?Lilah!? She says ?You need to leave this family! The Nephilim have put up with Noah's craziness for long enough, they're planning to destroy the boat. It makes people nervous.?
?That boat is our only way to survive.? I say, wondering why she doesn't understand.
?I can find you a new husband if you come with me, you're still young and pretty, is that what you want?? She says.
?No, I want to survive. And even if Noah is wrong and we all get killed I'd rather die with Japheth.? I say.
?Fine!? She says, angry now ?Well don't come crying back to me. I tried my best.?
At that moment a drop of water lands on my head, I look up and see only grey clouds.
?Lilah!? Japheth calls behind me.
?Lilah!? My mother yells in my face.
In fifteen minutes the water is already lapping at the sides of the ark. And then the earth splits. At the bottom of the hill a chasm opens up in the earth, jets of water shooting out of it. Even the mountains tremble at the wrath of God.
More cracks open all around us, the water rises faster and the ark starts rocking from the waves. Our house is already gone, swept aside and covered by water. I don't want to watch anymore It is terrifying and heartbreaking and it feels like it will never end.
Finally Noah says ?Let us pray.?
It rains. Constantly. We don't know when it's night or day because the sky always grey.
We try to function normally, taking care of the animals and ourselves as well as we can. My dove gets better, her wing heals long after the cuts but soon she can take short flights around the ark.
I look over at Japheth and he smiles.
?We made it!?
Ten months later...
We stopped moving two months ago. I think we got stuck on a mountain.
?I'm going to let a dove go again today.? Noah says at breakfast.
Everyone looks up from their food, hopeful but nervous. Ham rolls his eyes. I understand how he feels, sometimes it seems like we'll be stuck here forever.
?When we get off this boat we need to build our own house.? Japheth says.
?But seriously, how nice would it be to have a house all to ourselves and only see people when we want to?? Japheth says.
Ham and Salome can be heard arguing through the ceiling and it proves his point.
In the evening the dove returns. We are sitting at one of the windows looking at the tops of the mountains that are emerging from the water when she flies in and lands on Noah's shoulder.
At first we are disappointed but then we see what she is holding in her mouth. A tiny olive branch. Somewhere, not far away, a tree is growing. It's almost time to leave.
?Praise the Lord!? Noah shouts.
We all laugh with joy and Imari starts singing. We join her song and dream of tomorrow.
Our second chance.
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