TWO: Let There Be Light

TWO: Let There Be Light

         “Welcome home,” the man in the black cloak greeted as he embraced Adah and Lamech.

         It was late into the night, probably early the following morning, and all I wanted was to return to sleep. From the energy in the faces around me, though, it suddenly seemed as though that may not happen. I looked at my surroundings. We stood in a courtyard of sorts, a fairly large house at the farther end with small houses and mobile homes set in a circle to close the little community off from the rest of the world, it seemed. Beyond the houses, I saw only the shadows of trees in the moonlight. Every few feet around the courtyard and through the middle, tall torches lit up the area, their flames flickering in the gentle breeze of the night.

         I wanted to run away, feeling suffocated by this isolation and the strangeness of it all. Did this place really exist or was I still dreaming?

         Adah took me by the arm and led me toward the cloaked man. “This Aubrey,” she said and stepped away.

         The many came toward me, his crisp blue eyes glowing in the light of a nearby torch. He took my chin in his hands and looked deep into my eyes. I could feel myself blush under the close scrutiny of this man, but I held his gaze, looking at the smooth contours of his face, the way his deep red lips curled up in the corners. He was a handsome man, I could not deny it.

         He let go of my chin and his smile widened. “Come, my child,” he said gently.

         Without a thought in my mind, I followed, focusing on the large image of the sword rising from flames that was sewn onto the back of his cloak. He led me into the largest house. It appeared normal; it opened into a living room with staircase to the right. Beyond that, I saw the dining room and kitchen. He escorted me to the left, down a hallway with two doors on either side. We entered the second door on the right.

         A large desk stood in the middle of the room with a black leather chair behind it and one small blue chair in front of it. On the near wall was a blue sofa. He guided me to the sofa and we sat. My eyes wandered around the room, taking in the religious scenes whose paintings adorned the walls. Then, I nearly gasped. At the other end of the room, beyond the desk, was a bed covered in lush blankets. It looked comfortable, but very out of place. I worried about what it was used for; why it was in the room he had led me to.

         “I work all hours,” he explained. “Sometimes, I am left without the energy to go much farther than my little cot.” He smiled and winked and I felt at ease with him though I did not even know him.

         He took my hand in his and locked eyes with me. “I am Ezekiel,” he said proudly like I should have felt honored to be in his presence. “You are welcome to stay with my family in this village, but, first, I must know more about you.”

         I nodded. I felt like I was slipping into some trance, being hypnotized by those deep blue eyes.

         “How old are you, child?”

         “Fifteen.”

         “Ah, so not so much of a child, I see,” his smile widened and a combination of desire and fear coursed through my veins.

         I felt myself sit up straighter, I pushed out my chest a little more, showcasing my still-growing breasts. Yes, I am a woman, Ezekiel, I thought.

         “Have you lived a life of piety and goodness?”

         My eyes dropped to the floor; I slumped.

         “It is okay, Aubrey.” My body tingled when he said my name with a breathy exhale. “It is hard in the outside world, I know.” He put a finger on my chin and raised my face so our eyes met once again. “Out there with so much hatred, so much evil, all around you, it is hard to hear His voice.”

         The memory of me questioning Adah about her God flashed through my mind and guilt rooted itself in my heart. Had I been lost? She, Lamech, Ezekiel... they all seemed so happy. Perhaps it was their beliefs that made it so; or, maybe this place really was closer to God then the world I had always known.

         “Is there room in your heart for God?”

         “Yes.” I was smiling, I was getting excited. I wanted to feel the happiness and freedom that seemed to be promised in every inch of this little spot of land. My eyes flicked over the paintings again, over the triumphs of good and God. Only the evil in this depictions had frowns. I wanted to smile. “Yes, there is.”

         “Will you accept Him in your heart?”

         “Yes.”

         “Good.” He patted my leg. “It is not too late for you, Aubrey. You shall have his forgiveness for your past and you shall be reborn.” His smile was wide, revealing his perfect, white teeth. He stood and I followed suit. He turned to me, “You are special. I can tell.” He made the sign of the cross before me and the brushed his lips across my forehead. Such happiness flooded through me that I felt God himself had blessed me.

         We joined the others in the courtyard that I was informed was called, “The Circle.” The sun was beginning to rise and the red hue that was beginning to form a backdrop behind the trees felt like the first time I had ever seen a sunrise. A new day was beginning. The symbolism of this new day brought tears to my eyes. I smiled such a smile that I felt my heart fluttering with the happiness and freedom that I felt.

         I looked to Adah; tears fell from her eyes, but her smile was wide, her eyes alight with joy. When Ezekiel nodded, she and Lamech rushed to me, embracing me.

         “Aubrey has begun to let Him into her heart.” The crowd, which had grown by a few heads in our absence, cheered and clapped their hands. “She shall take her vows this day and we shall celebrate.” More cheering, more clapping. They gathered around me, each hugging and welcoming me. I was taken aback by the sense of family that I felt, by the kindness and love that I saw in each pair of eyes.

         Behind me, a drum was banged twice, it's deep sound echoing through the little commune. Lights in the homes around us flicked on and people rushed to The Circle. The news of my acceptance of God spread further and there was more embracing and welcoming before the drum banged once more.

         Silence filled the air. Everyone hurried to what seemed like designated spots and sat on the ground. Not knowing what to do, I ran to Adah and sat beside her. She grasped my hand as Ezekiel began the first sermon I had ever heard, the first true thing, it seemed that I had ever heard.

         As though he knew what would happen when I arrived, the sermon that day was entitled, “A New Dawn”.


Word Count: 1250 words
Written On: April 24, 2010