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A charismatic male cult leader, an inquiring female reporter, a steamy jungle setting |
| [Introduction]
Charismatic cult leader Calvin "Doctor Cal" Applegate shepherds his flock of followers in a converted tropical fortress. Investigative reporter Rebecca "Becky" Hampton pretends to be one of "The Precious Few" to find out what's really going on in the strange jungle compound. |
She was met at the airport by a sunburned teenager. "Are you Becky? I'll take you to the compound." It was a long ride through a noisy jungle. The boy didn't have much to say, although he was happy to tell her the name of any animal or plant she pointed to. But any questions about The Compound were met with silence. It appeared suddenly out of the jungle, an ancient stone fortress, crumbling in places, but one section was obviously repaired and improved. They parked before an imposing stone wall and the boy led her inside and down a hallway to where the doctor himself was waiting for her. He looked better in person than in the photos her editor had shown her. Doctor Calvin Applegate was tanned and healthy, in his 30's, medium build, thick black hair, a prominent nose, strong jaw, glittering brown eyes. Knowing "Doctor Cal" thought she was a convert to the cult of The Precious Few, she decided to blush and gush, not her usually mode of conversation. "Doctor Applegate!" she said. "I'm so glad to finally be here! It's everything I hoped it would be." He smiled and rested a hand on her shoulder. "And we are glad to have you, Rebecca. Daniel said you were one of The Precious Few and I can see that you are." Daniel was a recruiter for the cult back in the United States, or had been. As part of his plea bargain deal he had agreed to get Rebecca installed as a follower. But it would be a while before Doctor Calvin Applegate knew that Daniel had been arrested and by then Becky would be on her way back to Florida to publish her exposé of Doctor Cal's cult of The Precious few. "I liked Daniel very much," Becky said. "I could see the purity in his soul. He was like an angel. I want my life to be like his." "It will be," Doctor Cal said, "it will be. But first we have to get you assigned to a bunk in the dormitory. I'll take you there. You're probably tired and want to take a bath and rest before mealtime." |
| Walking through the compound Becky saw both things that she expected as well as a few surprises. The people who made up the Precious Few were quiet as they went about their work, either helping to restore the ruined fortress or busy at some domestic chore, but they all smiled and glanced her way as she passed them with Doctor Cal. In the yard outside the main building children played barefoot with sticks and odd balls fashioned out of leaves while men worked bare chested to reconstruct the outer wall. Three women sat chatting softly in the shade of a large sprawling palm; their white robes flowed demurely to cover everything except for their arms. As one of them rose to call to the children Becky saw that they were all very, very pregnant. “This way Becky,” Doctor Cal gestured toward a long low structure that had a newly thatched roof. “This is the female dormitory. I’m sure the other women can answer any questions you may have. Your induction ceremony tomorrow night will be your official acceptance into the Precious Few, but please feel free to consider yourself at home.” Hoping to look appropriately awed and enthralled, Becky looked up into the Doctor’s brown eyes and wished for the millionth time that she was taller. “I feel at home already.” Smiling he called out at the entrance to the dormitory, “Permission to enter.” Immediately the canvas cloth was drawn back by a slight girl who bid them to enter. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior and she noted that the little light there was came from candles and a small lantern. All the windows, which were small and few, were covered with the same thick canvas as the doorway. It was noticeably cooler inside, though only a small relief from the smoldering heat of the jungle. Doctor Cal spoke with the girl just inside the doorway, “Malia this is Becky, please show her to her bed and anything else she needs. I will see you both at the evening meal.” All too quickly the Doctor was gone and Malia left Becky alone next to a small cot at the end of a long room. She counted twenty cots and each had a nightstand on one side and a chest at the other. As she stared down at the same willowy white dress draped over her cot as the other women were wearing, Becky began to doubt the wisdom of her determination to get this story. Doctor Calvin Applegate had been highly respected in his field of archeology, both as a professor and in the field. That is, until he disappeared five years ago. He had been mourned and quoted, and then sometime last year he had resurrected himself. First, the website had appeared sending rumors through the internet. Then Doctor Cal had broadcast his message of salvation, calling his followers the Precious Few and offering his teachings to those who could ‘truly’ believe. The information online had been very vague and superficially positive, but there had been something in between the lines that Becky had been drawn to. She wanted to get to the bottom of what was really happening here in the jungle, and she wanted to know where the good doctor had been for those three and a half years. Resigning herself to the inevitable, Becky glanced around the room before shedding her clothing in exchange for the cool, clean material of the white dress. |
Malia shook Becky awake from her nap. "It is time to eat now." Becky thanked the girl and followed her to the dining room where the Precious Few ate together in silence. Becky found the silence strange. Her own childhood had been in a noisy family of brothers and sisters. They would never have eaten a meal in silence. She decided that there must be some rule here about not talking when you eat. But there was plenty of chatter in the dormitory after dinner and she finally met some of the other women. They seemd friendly enough although they knew nothing about what was going on in the outer world. All their conversation was about events at the compound. And of course Becky didn't know much about that, so mostly she listened. No one seemed curious about where she came from or waht was going on in the outside world. A tall woman named Martha seemed to be a leader of sorts. She took Becky aside to explain to her what her duties would be. "We all work together here," Martha said. "Each does what he can, what he is best fitted for, and we try to trade chores around as much as possible. I want you to work in the kitchen this week. Do you like preparing food and washing dishes?" Becky laughed. "I don't know if I like it but I will be happy to do it." Martha frowned. "It's important that you like it." And for the first time Becky sensed something not-quite-right here in The Compound. "All right," Becky said. "Then I will like it." "Are you sure?" Martha asked. "Yes, I'm sure I will like helping out in the kitchen." That night, as she was drifting off to sleep, Becky recalled that bit of conversation and wondered if it was part of a subtle brain-washing program. Could you get eveyone to go along with you just by insisting that they liked going along with you? She wondered what they would do if some one said, "No! I do NOT like it!" |
| Becky woke in darkness and waited as her eyes adjusted. She could make out the sleeping figures on each of the cots and though she willed herself to go back to sleep, she could not. Deciding to take this opportunity to explore a little of the compound without the ever watchful eyes of the Precious Few, she moved slowly to avoid waking the others. Slipping out the canvas covered doorway Becky found herself awash in pale moonlight filtering through the tropical canopy of foliage above. Wanting to see the sky she moved to the center of the clearing that served as the fortresses yard. Stars populated the section of sky that was visible; more stars than she could ever remember seeing in a full sky from the balcony of her apartment in Houston, Texas. Sighing, she had to admit that there were some advantages to being one of the Precious Few. The compound was beautiful, even if a little spooky, in the shadowed flickering of the perimeter torches. Becky assumed that there would be precautions against the wild life of the jungle, and the torchlight seemed fitting to the atmosphere here. Turning toward the wall that had not yet finished being reconstructed, Becky gazed out into the black depths of the jungle. What is it about this place that turned such an intelligent and respected doctor of archaeology into the leader of an obscure cult? Is this even where he's been all these years? The piercing screech of a jungle cat startled Becky out of her questioning and had her backing away and further into the protected walls of the fortress. "You really shouldn't be out alone at night." Becky gasped at the sound of a voice that she knew shouldn't be so familiar. But Doctor Cal's resonant calm assurance was distinctive and unmistakable. "Is there some sort of rule against it?" Becky immediately wished she would have curbed the trace of resentment in her voice, but Doctor Cal didn't seem to be offended by it. In fact, he smiled and offered his arm instead, somewhat like a gallant gentleman. It was then that Becky noticed the sword that hung at his side. Her apprehension at the sight caused her to step back even as she set her hand upon his arm. The words of apology she meant to counter her sarcasm with stuck in her throat. "Do not be afraid," Doctor Cal set his hand over hers and stepped closer. "I wouldn't be a very effective guard if I had no weapon. We live in an untamed land and certain precautions are necessary." Very slowly he turned to show the pistol that hung below his other arm. "We are a peaceful community, but sometimes the jungle can be violent. Come, you can walk with me on my rounds and then I will escort you back to the dormitory." He kept his smile genuine and his grip light, but Becky didn't sense any level of request in his words. Breathing slowly she walked with him around the perimeter of the yard and finally gained her voice again as they turned around the back of the fortress common hall. "I'm sorry if I offended you, it's just that being here hasn't really become real to me yet. Everything is so new and different, and I'm not sure I understand the rules yet." "But we have no rules Becky, you know that." Doctor Cal stopped and turned to her again, "It will all make more sense once you've gone through the induction ceremony. You'll understand more then." |
Daniel had mentioned an induction ceremony when he recruited her, but had told her nothing specific. She had imagined some ritual where she proclaimed her beliefs to be the same as those of The Precious Few, but now that she was here in the spooky immenseness of the jungle she wondered how accurate her assumption was. Her confidence in being able to bluff her way through anything was not as strong here as it had been back inthe states. "Listen," Doctor Cal sasked. "Do you hear that?" A strang whooping noise was coming from the depths of the jungle. "Yes," Becky said, gripping his arm tighter. "What is it?" "Howler monkeys. That's their alarm call. It means they have been alarmed by something, probably a big predator, like a jaguar." "There are jaguars out there?" She was wide-eyed. "Yes, and worse than that. One of the most poisonous snakes in the world lives in this jungle. And then there are the crocodiles and the boa constrictors and the spiders. Anyone would be a fool to try to make their way through the jungle at night and alone." Rebecca didn't know why but it seemed to her there was a subtle threat in his remark, a warning to her not to try to escape. Did he suspect her of not being what she claimed to be? He looked at her and his eyes glittered with reflected moonlight. "How did you meet Daniel?" Ah, she had been expecting that question. She quickly told him, leaving out the part about her editor arranging it, leaving out the part about Daniel's arrest, but telling him the story she and her editor had concocted, a story that should seem completely plausible to him. She breathed a sigh of relief when he had no questions about it. She yawned and stretched her arms. "I think I'm finally tired enough to sleep now." |
| Doctor Cal hated every minute he spent in the communications room at the compound. The bank of computers and electrical devices was the only way he knew how to work on proving his theories and spread his message to the masses though, so he dealt with it. Today he had a much more immediate concern to research, Rebecca Hampton. She was so different from the other women who had joined his cause; distant, questioning, even a little ignorant of the concepts. On the one hand it was quite refreshing not to have her hang on his every word; so far everyone else had treated him as a leader not to be crossed. It wasn't always a comfortable role to live up to, and the responsibility of it all weighed heavily on his shoulders. Daniel should have thoroughly explained everything and given her a test of faith before she ever got near the compound, but it seemed she had only the basic facts and rudimentary understanding of a fresh recruit. There was something else, some elusive trait he couldn't identify that drew him to her. At first he thought it had been purely sex appeal. With her straight raven hair pulled back in a pony tail and her golden skin fitted snugly in her denim jeans and tank top; it had been difficult not to reach out to touch when he first saw her. Last night with her long hair free against the white of the cotton gown the women wore, her bare feet making an appearance with each step, and her troubled hazel eyes gazing into the dark it had been nearly impossible. But he didn't trust her. And the fact that he wanted to bothered him even more. Only a select few were privy to the secrets he held, and no one knew them all. So far it seemed the best way to move forward, but he knew there would come a time when every one of the Precious Few would need to be privy to the discoveries he made deep in the rainforest. Those first few years had been so simple, exciting and full of wonder. Now that he understood the enormity of the undertaking the simple joy in his life's work was difficult to hold on to. He was a believer though, how could he not be? So, he moved forward the only way he knew how. Right now the next step was ensuring that Rebecca 'Becky' Hampton was indeed who she said she was. Hoping for the best he plugged her name into the search engine to see what he could find. Even if there was nothing concrete for or against her the induction ceremony would tell him all he needed to know, the Precious Waters never failed him. It wouldn't be the first time he'd had to send someone away, and it probably wouldn't be the last. It only took about an hour to find more than he wanted to know about Ms. Hampton, deciding what he would do with that information was something else entirely. He could confront her, but she could simply deny his allegations and he would have to reveal his sources to prove them. He could send her away with no explanation, but then there would be questions to answer and excuses to make. Finally he decided on letting her go through with the ceremony this evening. Once she failed to be affected by the Precious Waters, everyone would know she was not one of them and he could send her away with no recriminations. It was a fool proof plan. |
Becky was determined to find out more about the "induction ceremony" that she would undergo that evening. But every hint she dropped among the women she worked with was ignored or met with silence. They just weren't going to talk about it. Martha told her, "Don't worry about it. It's only a test of the purity of your beliefs. You are pure in heart or you would not have made the effort to come here. I know it's not easy. I had to sacrifice a lot to make the trip." Of course, Becky couldn't tell Martha that no, it was no sacrifice because my boss is paying all my expenses. Around lunchtime Becky had the inspiration to seek out the boy who drove the jeep. He was on a work crew rebuilding the stone walls of the fortress that day. She waited until he sat down in the shade to take a break. "Hello," she said. "Remember me?" "Yes." He seemed very puzzled that she was talking to him. She hoped it wasn't forbidden for the women to talk to the boys, but surely she would have been told if it was? "I am being inducted tonight," Becky said. He said nothing. 'I... I hope the ceremony will go smoothly. Does anything ever go wrong? Will you see it? Have you seen it before?" "I've seen it," he said. "I don't know how it could go wrong. As long as the waters flow and your heart is pure then everything should go fine. I have to go back to work now." She watched him return to his work. Dammit, she thought. That's the problem. My heart is NOT pure. I'm an imposter. And what's this about flowing waters? Is it some kind of baptism ceremony? The rest of the afternoon Becky worried about failing the induction ceremony. And then what? Would they send her home? Or did something worse happen to the impure? Suppertime came all too soon and then she was in the dormitory with the women and they gave her a special robe to wear. It was embroidered with a design of waterfalls and pools and she thought it looked like an oriental kimono. Martha kissed her cheek and whispered, "Welcome to the Precious Few. Soon your inclusion will be complete." Becky tried to figure out what those words meant as she walked slowly in the procession to the ceremonial area. She could hear the sound of running water. There was still some light, enough to see that they were entering a clearing in the rainforest, but the sun was setting and it was becoming darker by the minute. Torches set on poles sputtered and smoked. The Precious Few were gathered in a circle which opened to admit Becky. In the center of the circle stood Doctor Cal. |
| Behind the doctor a gap in the circle revealed a waterfall that beat against the mossy rocks below before pooling in the mouth of what appeared to be a cave. The atmosphere was reverent as the Precious Few picked up a chanting verse as Doctor Cal held out his hand to Becky. “We purify in water Revealing signs unseen To know the sons and daughters Out of myths, we now convene” Her hands trembled as she walked across the circle and joined it with his. The doctor led her into the shallows waters that lapped coolly against her ankles and wetted the hem of her flowing ceremonial gown. They stopped behind the waterfall in the shadow of the dark wet rock of the cave’s entrance and turned to face the fall of water. The flicker of torchlight was blurred, but it was the only thing she could distinguish in the failing light. The chanting died away before Doctor Cal spoke softly near her ear, “We will walk through the water and then the ceremony will commence.” He squeezed her fingers lightly before stepping forward and she followed blindly, tipping her head back just slightly to keep her hair from gathering over her face. Once on the other side and drenched thoroughly the doctor gave her one more whispered instruction, “Kneel beside me in the center of the pool.” Pulling a ceramic vile from his pocket he turned to address the circle of his followers. “Here kneels Rebecca Hampton to be tested in purity and faith by the trial of the Precious Water. You are all here to bear witness as is our custom. Let us hope that she is true of heart.” Leaning over her Doctor Cal used one hand to tip up her chin while he poured some of the contents of the vile across her eyes. Sputtering slightly Becky opened her eyes to a completely changed atmosphere. The somber faces of the Precious Few had turned to brilliant smiles of acceptance; but that was the least shocking of what she witnessed. Pale blue light seemed to radiate from the circle of people; it filled the air around them. It should have been eerie, she thought, but the air fairly crackled with joy and a seductive vibration. The bear arms of the women were laced with intricate designs that glowed unlike any tattoo she’d ever seen; and they had definitely not been there before. Bolder patterns traced the chests of the men, and for the first time she realized that no children were present. Speechless, Becky glanced down at her own hands and body to find the same pale blue glow emanating from her. She looked up at Doctor Cal to find a troubled expression flicker across his face before he too graced her with a warm smile. Holding the ceramic vile to her lips he said, “You are now of the Precious Few, drink of the Precious Water in celebration.” It tasted of honey and milk with a hint of some unidentifiable herb and flowed through her granting serenity that she had never experienced. Closing her eyes, Becky savored the feeling for a few precious moments before the fear of reality crept back in to her thoughts. Opening her eyes she was bereft at the loss of the serene blue glow and all that went with it. She focused on the firelight glinting off the water as she tried to come to terms with what just happened. |
It was well past midnight and Doctor Cal was still sitting at his desk, his chin in his hand, thinking about Rebecca Hampton. He had been so sure she would fail the test of the Precious Waters. How could his intuition be so wrong? It seldom failed him, especially concerning matters of the Precious Few. If it wasn't for his intuition, his instinctive knowledge of what to do next, there wouldn't even BE the Precious Few. It was a group entirely of his making. And now his wonderful mind had let him down, misled him about something so very important. He stood up and walked to the window to stare out at the dark and not-so-silent jungle. Always the mutterings and screechings of the jungle denizens could be heard. Sometimes he longed for the cold winters of Minnesota when the snow blanketed the ground with total silence. The snap of an icicle was ringingly loud in such an environment. But here... never a moment's peace. Rebecca Hampton. She was a mystery. Becky lay awake in her bed rethinking the Precious Waters ceremony. For a few moments she had been transported to a magical place that she never imagined could exist. Had she been drugged or brainwashed in some way? Some kind of hypnotic suggestion? But the blue glow and the patterns on the skin of the men and women... It had been so precise and clear. Were hallucinations that clear? Then how would you ever know what reality was? How did she know that what she considered her "normal life" to be wasn't the hallucination and that at the ceremony for just a moment she had glimpsed the real reality? She shook her head to try to clear it. Thinking like that about reality would only confuse her. Now was not the time to get lost in a mental game of trying to figure out what reality was. She was a journalist, dammit, sent here with a job to do. She would record everything that happened a sobjectively as she could. Let the experts figure it out later. Nevertheless, her attitude toward the Precious Few was different now and she found herself wondering exactly what kind of person Doctor Calvin Applegate was. She knew the dry biographical facts, but she needed to know more. She needed to get close enough to him to... A shiver ran through her and she realized what she had been contemplating -- seducing the doctor. |
| Doctor Cal was waiting for Becky when she entered the kitchen the next morning. The other women gave her veiled glances as he approached her in what she now knew to be the chosen clothing for the men here. A light weight cotton shirt with overlapping front held in place with a simple leather belt over capri length cotton khaki pants. After her short time here she could see why the Precious few dressed as they do. The jungle heat was sweltering, especially here in the kitchen, and the garments were really comfortable; once you got used to them. "Becky, there are a few things I wish to discuss with you. Would you please come with me?" The troubled look was back in the doctor's eyes and she still had come up with no answers to explain the events of her induction. Recalling her thoughts of seduction she felt a blush rise up her neck and heard two of the women giggling and whispering together in response. The prospect seemed much less plausible now that he was standing here beside her, but she marshaled together her determination to complete her assignment and looked him in the eyes. "I think that is an excellent idea." He led her through the common hall into a section of the fortress that had not yet been restored. She wondered at the architecture of the structure, but was pulled out of her thoughts as he opened an old wooden door and ushered her in to what was evidently a meeting room or office. There was little in way of decoration, as with the rest of the compound; only a few shelves, a table, and several chairs. Unlike the women's dormitory the window opening here was left uncovered, though it had never been glazed it did hold sturdy shutters that folded back against the interior walls. This is where Doctor Cal stood to conduct his interview. I have a few questions of my own, Becky thought smugly as she waited for him to decide on his tactics, so to speak. "Becky, I know who you are and that you don't think there is any truth to what I'm trying to accomplish here. Whether or not you believe in the concepts of the Covenant doesn't change the fact that you are one of the Precious Few. Your induction proved that beyond a doubt. In time you will learn all there is to know about us, and I suppose at that time I see no harm in you using that information to write your expose. What I don't understand is why you came here at all, if you don't believe. Considering what you must think of us, it would have been a very dangerous undertaking; you know essentially nothing. I'm guessing Daniel didn't tell you anything, he probably didn't get a chance to, or you just didn't listen." This was certainly not what Becky had expected. Doctor Cal was still gazing out at the jungle as she focused on the last thing he said first. "Daniel and I only spoke briefly," she paused deciding how honest she should be and decided truth might get her further than anything she could come up with, and she didn't know exactly what the doctor had discovered about Daniel, "most of his time was spent with the agents. When I came to interview him he mentioned that they wanted him to send an agent here, but he had refused. I offered to go instead and he only nodded his head. He wouldn't talk to me anymore after that." The doctor turned to smile at her, "So, Daniel didn't just let anyone they named come. He'll be back soon I hope. The American legal system is so complex, but he didn't break any laws so now that I know he is being held I've got my retainers working to free him. It may take a few weeks though." "Did you drug me or hypnotize me, or was that all just some sort of special affects last night?" Becky needed answers, but she wasn't prepared for the hurt fury in the doctor's expression at her question. "What?!" "Did you drug me?" She held her ground against his anger. Sighing, Doctor Cal drug his hands through his hair before countering her with another question. "What exactly do you know about the Covenant of the Precious Few?" Willing to play along for now Becky recited the principles she had learned from the website. "I only know the vague referencing that the rest of the world is privy to; The Principles of the Covenant. Life is precious; nurture it and hold it dear. Truth is precious; speak it and learn it well. Love is precious; give it freely and take what is given. Hope is precious; foster it and never give up. Faith is precious; believe in and follow your path. Honor is precious; protect the weak and aid the weary. Trust is precious; grant it to others and hold it your own." |
A shiver ran through her as she recited the Principles of the Covenant and it occurred to her that she believed them, deeply. But that she had been motivated to take this assignment to write an expose because she didn't believe any group of humans could actually follow those principles. In a way, in her heart she had been accusing the Precious Few of violating their own principles before she even met them. And yet, she had seen with her own eyes now that they did try to follow their principles. Suddenly tears swelled up in her eyes and she fell on her knees before Doctor Cal. "I'm so sorry! I didn't have trust or faith or hope or love. Even though I believe in those things I was unwilling to give them to you and the Precious Few. Please forgive me." He stroked her hair and spoke in a soothing voice. "Becky... It's alright. You know everything is forgiven here. Let your heart be peaceful. It's all part of the induction, the joining, the fitting in. You are more one with us than before. I am grateful that your heart is pure and open. We are so lucky to have you with us." Becky wiped her eyes. "Thank you, Doctor Cal. Thank you. Doctor Cal, can I ask a favor of you?" "Certainly." "Is there some way I can contact my newspaper so they will know I have decided to stay here and not write about it?" "Had you made no plans to contact them?" "No," she said. "I was going to stay here two weeks, taking notes, and use the notes to write my article when I returned." Doctor Cal smiled. "But I would be glad for you to write about us. You will write the truth." Becky looked at him through teary eyes. "No one would believe it, Doctor Cal. They would think I have been brainwashed into the cult." "Well... haven't you?" She looked at him. There was a hint of a smile about his mouth. Just for a moment her mind turned a little flip. Had she been brainwashed? What did it mean to believe something? What did it mean to be converted? But she didn't want to question all this. She didn't want to get lost again in thoughts and counterthoughts. It was much more satisfying to finally know and believe and have peace and absolute knowledge that she was finally on the right path. So she said, "I love you, Doctor Cal." And he said, "I love you, too." |
| Becky quickly discovered that living up to the Principles of the Covenant was definitely more easily said than done. After their confrontation, Doctor Cal had made sure she had all the things she needed for writing her story on the Precious Few and excused himself. She had gone back to the kitchen where the women continued to give her covert glances and tenuous smiles. Laboring in the heat, her doubts came back one by one. She had declared her love for the doctor and he had returned the words. But in what context had he meant them? There had been no kiss, no caress, no show of affection. According to the Principles she should trust and have faith; only the words are so ideal that applying them to real life situations seems naive on some level. She asked herself if she really believed. Is it brainwash? Deciding that there was definitely some discrepancies in her thought process she tried to compartmentalize her beliefs in contrast to how she was reacting to life on the compound. Kneading the dough for the evening meal bread, Becky was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice when Martha came to stand beside her. "Are you enjoying it here at the compound?" Martha took the opportunity to begin dividing the dough as Becky was startled into halting her rhythm. "Ummm, well it certainly has a different atmosphere than where I'm from. Peaceful, although the work is harder physically; time seems to move slower here." Taken aback by her own observations Becky realized she really did like it there. It was a major change from her usually hectic schedule in Miami. "Well, dear, it does take some getting used to. I grew up without many of the conveniences society allows today. Coming here has been like stepping back into my childhood for me. It's harder, yes, to be self-sufficient, but it is simpler too. I've always enjoyed working in the kitchen; cooking, canning, putting away as my grandmother used to call it. It's methodical, satisfying; and nothing tastes better than homegrown food." "Maybe it will come easier to me in time, but I don't feel particularly adept at this sort of work. Even when I had access to temperature controlled ovens and high-tech cooking devices I managed to eat out most of the time. Where are the gardens here? I haven't seen them, but then I haven't seen a lot of things, yet." The easy, friendly banter with Martha served to distract Becky from her troubled thoughts, for the moment. She was promised a tour of the gardens before the evening meal and she began to feel accepted, included. Martha reminded her of her mother, and Becky found a whole new set of issues to ponder concerning her inclusion into the Precious Few. Her parents thought she was on vacation in the Carribean, because she knew they would worry if they were aware of her investigation in such a secluded area. What would she tell them now? Were outsiders allowed to visit the compound? Was she allowed to leave? Her emotions turned frantic at the possibilities she envisioned. Martha touched her on the shoulder and offered the only consolation she knew, "Hope, faith, and trust child. You'll adjust, we all do." |
Becky found that not only would she have a tour of the gardens, she would get to work in them. It wasn't that afternoon that it happened, but next morning she went with the field crew and they pulled weeds in the fields of beans and corn and picked bugs off the tomato and squash plants. Everything looked so ripe and fertile. it was hard to imagine anyone ever going hungry in a place with such favorable growing conditions. In the gardens she caught her first glimpse of how the Precious Few might not be as totally pure of heart as she thought. The men were in a nearby area pulling up stumps and getting new land ready for plowing. Becky saw one of the older girls returning from that direction with one of her friends and there were dirt stains on the back of their dresses. When she asked them what happened they said they slipped and fell down in the mud. Then they ran away from her giggling to each other. Becky wondered if Martha knew. She didn't want to be a tattletale. And it wasn't like the girls were distressed. They seemed rather happy about it. Maybe it was a common thing. Or maybe she just happened to witness an unusual occurrence. But later, when she was walking with the other women back to the compound, they passed the men working and one of them looked at her and smiled in a way she understood. She quickly looked away. But it made her realize that if all the women were in a dormitory and all the men were in a different dormitory, then what about marriage and child-rearing? How could she have overlooked that aspect of life in the compound? That night she questioned Martha about it. "Is anybody married here?" Becky asked. "Married?" Martha said. "You mean, live separately from the rest as a couple? No." "But how does that work? Are there married couples, just living apart in the dorms?" "No," Martha said. "We are all married to each other. Love is precious; give it freely and take what is given. We are all married in the Precious Love." "But what about the children?" Martha quoted from the Principles again. "Life is precious; nurture it and hold it dear. The children are taken care of by everyone. The little ones remain in the women's dorm. And the boys go to the men's dorm when they are old enough. But there are only a few little ones. We are not so many as you might think." "But how do young girls... learn about love?" Matha smiled. "You must keep to the Principles, Becky. Love is precious; give it freely and take what is given." |
| Becky didn't care what the principles were, there was no way she was going to submit willfully to just any man who happened to want her. She agreed with the concept of free love, but she definitely didn't agree with the concept of free sex. In her mind love and sex are not synonymous, and she wasn't sure what to do, or if there was anything she could do. Lying in her bed that night she worried over the fates of the young women who subjected themselves to this, though they didn't seem adversely affected by it. She worried about the young children who were growing up with no defined maternal figure or possibly not even knowing who their father is. And as she slept she dreamed of holding a child in her arms. It was the sweetest, most complete feeling she could imagine, and then her child was taken away from her by faceless figures in white. She struggled against them but could do nothing against the strength of their numbers against her one body. Awaking in a sticky sweat, Becky shivered. There was no reason for her to think that anyone would force her into something she didn't want, but there was one person whom she didn't know if she could deny. And that prospect both intrigued and frightened her. Unable to fall back asleep, she rose and changed her clothing to make her way to the gardens. It was almost dawn anyway, and she wanted to be in the open air. She found a modicum of peace among the structured rows of vegetables, spending her time plucking weeds from the soil as the sun's rays crept into the sky. It was much cooler this time of day and a slight breeze served to carry away her worries while she hoped for a solution to come to her. In between rows of peas and carrots she felt her solitude interrupted. It wasn't yet time for the other workers to begin their day, so she looked around with weary eyes, afraid of being caught alone. * * * Doctor Cal had been summoned to the women's dormitory at the breaking of the dawn. Becky had not been in her bed when the other women woke, and they were all concerned. He soothed raw nerves as best he could, but decided to have a look around before alerting the men to begin a formal search. It was unusual for anyone to stray from the common routine of workday, and meals, and social time in the common hall. Some of the Precious Few had hobby pursuits, crafts or music or other arts, but no one had ever disappeared before. He checked the common hall and kitchens before remembering that she had shown an interest in the gardens the previous afternoon. In the soft light of the morning he found her kneeling between the rows, her hands covered in soil and smudges on the white cotton of her gown. Her black hair flowed freely and she raised her face to show an apprehension he immediately wanted to relieve. |
"You're up early," Doctor Cal said. Becky seemd so wary. "Yes, I... couldn't sleep, so I thought I could at least do something useful and get an early start on the day." Cal smiled. "I like that. Idle hands are the Devil's playthings. Ever hear that when you were a kid." "I think so," she said. "But of course you are no kid anymore, are you? You're a woman." "That's right... and you're a man." She smiled back at him and he felt an awkwardness he seldom ever felt. Her black hair was beautiful against the white gown. He held out a hand to her. "Time for breakfast soon, I think." She grasped his hand with hers. It thrilled him how smooth and warm her hand was. After enjoying the loving closeness of all the women in the Precious Few, it surprised him that Becky felt so fresh and new to him. Truly the Precious Cup overflowed with beauty and there was always more to be tasted. No matter how deeply a man drank he could never drink it all. They walked back to the dining hall together and all his senses were tingling with the nearness of her. She walked with a light step and smelled like Spring. He was reluctant to release her hand when they reached the building. "Come see me after breakfast," he said. A secret understanding flashed in her eyes as she said, "I will" and then she flowed away from him like a white deer in her white gown. |
| Becky hadn't let herself think about the repercussions of her actions until it was too late. As she lay within the embrace of Cal's arms she silently chided herself for her own weakness. "Would you expect me to be this open and free with my affection toward anyone?" Though she tried to sound nonchalant, her insecurity was interwoven into her hesitant question. For the first time, Doctor Cal found the prospect of another man taking the same woman he had more than a little distasteful. He'd always held true to the principles ever since he found the inscribed tablets on his expedition that led him to this place. And the fact that Becky brought doubt into his heart after all these years was accompanied with an uncommon anger that kept him silent for long moments. Eventually he pulled away from her in an unconscious attempt to bring a distance between himself and his feelings, and spoke words that he believed to be true, "It is not my place to expect anything from you other than the adhesion to our community spirit." Disheartened by his retreat and embarrassed by her crushed hope, Becky used logic to try to reach him one last time as she quickly redressed and tried to regain her composure, "There are many types of love in this world, and I agree that it should be given freely; as well as, taken as it is given. However, I also believe that physical love is something that can and should be limited between people who have found deeper connections than just the mating of bodies. That kind of connection should be cherished and given meaning, not tossed into the same category as lust fulfilled or appreciation or companionship." With her small speech given, Becky left the doctor's room without once glancing in his direction or waiting for a response. She didn't see the grimace on his face when she insinuated his treatment of her as just fulfilling lust. And he had no one to blame but himself for her understanding of the situation, he knew she wasn't a typical one of the Precious Few. She'd been just as shocked as he was when she fulfilled the induction of the Precious Water. Yet, he had no idea how to make her understand or show her what he felt, because he wasn't sure himself what it was he was feeling. There was a sudden urge to show her the next step of his discoveries, all of it; the Precious Fire, the Precious Air, and the Precious Earth. Even the Sacred Tablets he had found, and none other than himself had seen those. But with one such as her it would not be wise to reveal all of the secrets of his discoveries, especially since she made him doubt his understanding of them. Needing to reaffirm his position and determination as leader of the Precious Few, Doctor Cal headed to the cave behind the waterfall. |
As always, the cool interior of the cave had an instant calming effect on him. The water cascading past the entrance seemed to keep the air constantly charged with ozone. The sound of the falling water was a natural music for meditation. Doctor Cal sat on the smooth stone floor and assumed the cross-legged position that sages throughout the ages had used for meditation. He saw himself as one of a long line of Wise Ones who had discovered the hidden secrets of the universe. It was true that his Precious Few were few indeed, but he liked it that way. He had no vision of himself as the great leader of a worldwide cult. He had always wanted a small isolated group just like this. But now his feelings for Becky were making him question his motivations. Surely he hadn't founded this group just for the free love and easy sex that if gave him? No, he knew his motives were better than that. He really believed in the Principles, ALL of them. But undeniably the satisfaction of biological urges was part of the attraction. No human could live in denial of his biology. But Becky posed an interesting problem: Was it better to live freely, but shallowly with many women, or to live deeply with only one woman? He quieted his mind and let the sound of the rushing water fill his head. To attune himself with the flow of life, to be a natural part of nature, to live in harmony and peace with the all... The minutes ticked away but he was unaware of the passage of time. |
| Becky wanted nothing more than to march straight off of the compound and head home. She wanted her own bed, her own clothes, a half-gallon of Rocky Road ice cream and as much distance between her and Doctor Cal that the planet would allow. Duties awaiting in the gardens be damned, the only comfort she could offer herself was the respite and privacy of the untamed jungle. It didn't matter that no one knew where she was going, it didn't matter that she had no protection against the wild, untamed wilderness; all she knew was that she needed to be alone. Tears streamed freely down her face as she pushed her way through the dense undergrowth. She plodded on until she could no longer see the fortress walls, could no longer hear the rhythmic beating of hammer against rock from the men repairing the structure. Collapsing onto a fallen tree trunk she buried her head in her hands and mourned her loss of objectivity. Her job was riding on this story and going back to the States empty handed was not an option. As the racking sobs in her chest quieted she found a new determination to rebuild her professional integrity and finish her expose. She would find a logical explanation for the occurences during her induction. She would build her own fortress of walls to protect herself against the charm of the Precious Few and their leader. She would go back home and move on with her life and this disaster of an assignment would become nothing more than words on newsprint. Becky didn't see the snake coiled inside the hollow log until it was too late. A scream of terror immediately preceded a scream of pain as the long, black and green patterned body of the serpent struck and bit. Fangs sunk into her calf muscle and the venom burned. She tried to pry the body loose, but instead it coiled around her leg in a constricting knot. Panic set in. She'd come too far from the fortress, no one could hear her. In a rushed limp she tried to head back the direction she had come from, but no longer knew which direction that was. Frantically she cried out for help as her vision began to swim in undulating waves. One step forward and she began to lose her balance. Another step forward and darkness overtook her. |
Becky awoke to the sound of drums. At first she couldn't figure out where she was. Gradually the scene came together for her. She was lying in a hammock suspended under a thatched roof. An Indian man wearing a headband of colorful feathers was waving a gourd around her. From the gourd issued a blue smoke that was the source of the pungent smell. When he saw that her eyes were open he said something in a language she couldn't understand. An Indian woman handed her a leaf with a dab of something on it and said, "Eat." She looked at the leaf. The dab of paste on it was a yellowish color. She touched her tongue to it and it was bland so she ate it and thought it might be some mixture of grains. It reminded her of corn and oatmeal. A wooden dipper of water was held for her to drink. It was warm water, but refreshing. She knew she must be in an Indian village but how she got there she didn't know. Then she remembered the snake biting her. It was a very fuzzy memory, almost like a dream, but the vision of a long black-and-green serpent was clear enough. "Does anyone here speak English?" Becky asked. No one said they did. But the woman had said "Eat." Becky caught the woman's eye and pointed at her mouth and said, "Drink?" and the woman gave her another dipper of water. So maybe she knew a few words, just not very many. "Compound?" Becky said. "Precious Few? Doctor Calvin?" The blank stares told her nobody understood, although they chattered with each other and she thought she heard some of her words repeated. She felt so weak. More rest, she decided, then she would get out of the hammock and see if she could discover where she was and how to get back. But for now, just the little effort to eat and talk had exhausted her. She drifted back into sleep. |
| Doctor Cal found no solace in his meditation at the entrance chamber to the cave. Usually he managed to ground himself and refocus his intentions when centering himself, particularly on sanctified ground. This time his division of self was just to great to be overcome with his usual methods. He really wanted to slip into the deeper caverns where he could touch the Precious Earth, hoping that physical contact with more of the elements could cure his confusion. There was something in the words that Becky spoke which touched a chord in his soul, something indefinable. He knew the rest of the Precious Few would be waiting for him to attend the evening meal soon since the shadows at the caves entrance had moved from one side to the other since his arrival. He refused to consider that his whole day was wasted, but he had to admit that nothing had changed for him either. Walking back to the compound, he began to feel an apprehension for what was awaiting him there. What would Becky say to him now? Would she even speak to him at all? Maybe there was something in the untranslated tablets that could provide him with the answers he needed. Entering the common hall he encountered a silence that scared him. It was more than the customary quiet of the dining table; no scrape of utensils against plates, no scuffling of chairs, or even the wisp of fabric as people's garments moved against each other. Total silence. Looking up from his ruminations for the first time he saw that every one of the Precious Few were looking at him with sorrowful and repentant faces. "What is wrong?" Looking quickly about the room he searched for raven black hair and golden skin. Becky was not there. Mick, who organized the guard watch stepped forward, "Becky did not report for her duties in the garden this morning. When she was not found in the kitchens either Martha sent for me to organize a search. The entire fortress has been scoured. She is not here." Fear, anger, and sorrow circled in Doctor Cal's frantic thoughts. Had she left? Is she hurt? Where could she be? "Is there any clue as to where she might have gone?" "None. Though one of the children said he thought he saw someone walk into the jungle earlier in the morning, but he wasn't sure who it could have been. Surely she wouldn't have set off into the jungle unarmed. It is unthinkable." Not to her, Cal thought as he hung his head, not in the state she was in after she left me this morning. |
"We'll have to look for her," Doctor Cal said. Martha's face was filled with apprehension. "At night? In the jungle?" "If she's out there she's in great danger. You know that." "But she may have met someone. Even now she could be on her way to the airport to fly home. There was that about her that made me think she wanted to leave." Doctor Cal remembered Becky's last words expressing her desire for a deeper connection and her fear that that was not what the Precious Few offered. Yes, he had to find her. He had to prove to her that their connection could be deep. He couldn't ignore her leaving the Compound like she was just a stray animal that had wandered away from the flock. "We have to find her," Doctor Cal said. "I'll take the men to search. Women and children remain in camp. If Becky comes back, then make as much noise as you can so we will know she has returned." Doctor Cal assembled a search party of thirty men, leaving behind the old men and the boys. "At least we know which direction she was headed. We can search along that trail. Be alert for anything, any scrap of clothing, any marks in the dirt, any sign at all of what may have happened or where she might have gone." All night they searched for Becky and stumbled back into the Compound late the next morning, exhausted and hungry. Martha and the women brought food and drink. Doctor Cal had his head in his hand. "No luck, Martha. I don't know where she went. Maybe you were right and she is on an airplane back to the states right now." "So you will abandon the search?" He looked up sharply. "No! Of course not! After we eat and rest for a couple of hours we'll go back out there. I have to find her, Martha." "But--" "I have to!" |
| Becky awoke with a throbbing pain in her leg. She remembered waking once before, but the memory was hazy. No one occupied the small hut with her this time and she was parched to the point that her saliva had turned sticky instead of wet. Trying to roust herself out of the hammock, Becky realized that her body was wrapped in what was left of her white gown holding large palm-type leaves tightly against her skin. It was difficult to move with the weakness in her limbs and nothing substantial to give her leverage. "Hello!" She yelled as loudly as she could hoping to draw the woman back inside, maybe she would give her something the eat and drink again. A rustling came from outside the hut, but no one appeared. It took all the strength she could muster but Becky managed to hoist her legs over the side of the hammock and gain an upright position. Dizziness threatened to swamp her, but she fought it with shallow even breathing until she felt steady again. Slowly unwinding the cotton wrapping of her destroyed gown she peeled sticky leaves from her skin as she went. Her leg did not look good. Black and blue and swollen unnaturally, the bite marks of the snake had been cut open and packed with leaves and an unidentifiable substance. Deciding that these indigenous people must know something about the treatment of bites, however archaically they apply it, she replaced the palm leaves over the wound and re-wrapped her leg up to her thigh. Now standing naked and covered in the sticky substance from the leaves, Becky leaned on the wall of the hut for support. She was just rethinking the wisdom of removing her coverings when the native woman ducked under the covering at the opening of the door. A string of indistinguishable chatter exploded from the woman's mouth, but Becky had no trouble realizing that she was being scolded. The woman motioned her back to the hammock which Becky gladly obliged; her strength was quickly fading. It was then that she noticed the objects the woman carried; a bundle over some sort of container. Relaxing back onto the hammock Becky watched as the woman set aside the bundle and opened the odd container, steam rose from it in fragrant waves filling the cabin. The woman's black hair was pulled back in a braided tail and hung over her shoulder. Her dark skin glistened with exertion as she dipped a cloth in the liquid and rung it out. She softly crooned a lilting chant as she gently wiped the sticky substance from Becky's skin. After the cleansing the woman helped Becky into the same odd garments that the woman wore; a short loincloth style skirt that barely covered anything at all with its split sides and a diagonal slant of leathery material that slung over the shoulder only covering one breast. Becky sincerely hoped that she would not be required to leave the hut in such a fashion. |
After only a brief rest during the middle of the day, Doctor Cal was ready to resume the search. "We have at least 5 hours of daylight left. Let's make the best of it." The men groaned but those that could still walk joined him. Several were simply too exhausted or had had encounters with poison plants or bugs or had twisted an ankle. It waqs not easy searching in the jungle. A man named Grover was by Doctor Cal's side. Although Grover didn't look particularly strong, he seemed to have more stamina than any other man. Unfortunately, his mind was not as vigorous as his body, but once he understood what it was you wanted him to do, he would make every effort to do it. There were stories told about Grover being given a task to do and no one thinking to tell him to stop doing it so that the next day he was found still at it having worked all through the night. Doctor Cal knew Grover would never give up the search for Becky. He just wished Grover had a sense of smell as good as a dog's. Then he would say, "Find Becky!" and turn him loose. "What did you say?" Grover asked. Doctor Cal smiled. "Did I say that out loud?" "You said find Becky. We find Becky, right?" "I hope so," Cal said, "and soon. I don't like to think of her in the jungle for two nights. But I am beginning to think she must have had a friend who took her to the airport. Surely we would have found her by now." "Maybe the indians got her," Grover said. "Indians? There are no villages close by, are there?" "Sometimes the indians walk long way through the jungle. If they see Becky then they might take her." Doctor Cal was thoughtful. "It's certainly worth riding to the nearest village and asking around. It's about twenty miles from the Compound. You and I can drive there tonight in the jeep." As soon as night began to fall Cal returned with the men to the Compound where they were glad to collapse into a resting state. After a quick meal, Cal and Grover got in the jeep. "We'll be back very late," Cal told Martha. "Maybe not even until tomorrow sometime, so don't worry about us." |
| The native woman woke Becky from her sleep, the little she'd done earlier had completely exhausted her. Needing desperately to relieve her bladder she tried to communicate her request with the tightening of her knees and wriggling of her hips that children have used for centuries. "Please?" She asked, though she knew she would most likely not be understood. Her answer came in the form of a smile and gesture toward the entrance to the hut. Becky instinctively tried to cover her exposed left breast, but her modesty was lost on the native. As she stepped out into the fading sunlight, her left arm crooked up over her chest, she leaned on the native woman for support hobbling very slowly and with more than a little pain. What happens in the South American jungle, stays in the South American jungle, Becky thought as she took in the details of her surroundings. Darkly tanned men stood in groups before other huts and around the central bonfire of the camp. They were even more sparsely clothed with nothing more than scraps of fabric for their loincloths and rudimentary knives attached to their hips. Spears leaned against trees and the walls of the thatched buildings while women worked over the fire cooking. A large carcass of what appeared to be some sort of jungle cat hung from a spit over the flames. With her appearance outside the hut, heads turned and the man who had waved a smoking gourd came to her side. He spoke briefly to the native woman beside me and nodded before returning back to his place by the fire. After taking a short trip outside the circle of structures, the native woman led her into the group of her people. The other women ignored her for the most part, busy with domestic tasks, and the men obviously found her intriguing; a few openly showed their lust with intent gazes. None approached her though, and for that she was thankful. Her friend, as she'd come to think of the native woman caring for her, supplied her with water and chunks of meat from the carcass over the flames. Becky's hunger didn't let her consider exactly what is was she was eating and it was actually quite good; smoky, juicy, and crisp where the flames licked the flesh. Once dinner was over, the sun had gone down and the men dispersed into various huts and walking out around the camp with spears in hand. Becky's friend helps her back into the hut and the hammock that beckoned. She was exhausted and the pain in her leg was nearing unbearable. Again she was given the odd yellow mixture set upon a leaf, only now she understood it to be what it was, a drug. Most likely a pain killer, with anti-inflammatory properties and sleep inducing side affects. For the first time Becky wondered how long she had been gone from the compound and how far away from it she was. Ingesting the bland substance, she watched as her friend and caretaker unwrapped the dressing from her leg and reapplied new leaves with the same sticky ointment. Luckily the drug had already begun to take affect when she was cleaning the open wound because even with the pain killer it was difficult to remain still. Before the native woman was finished the blackness of oblivion and blissful rest overtook her. |
Cal and Grover bounced along in the jeep on the dirt road through the jungle. With them was Paul who could speak the language of the indians. The going was slow and difficult because the road was seldom used and was sometimes not much more than two ruts through the thick brush. Several times they had to stop and remove a fallen tree from their path. "It would be better if we waited until dawn to approach them," Paul said. "If we arrive there at 3am it will only alarm them." When they had gone so far that it would only take another half hour of driving to reach the village, Cal called for a stop and they rested as best they could while sitting in the jeep. Grover was the only one who actually slept. Cal and Paul talked quietly in the jungle darkness, occasionally drifting into sleep only to be reawakened by some jungle noise. Grover slept like a child, completely trusting that everything would be fine. "How long did you stay with the indians?" Cal asked. "Several years," Paul said. "Then our project lost funding. But I was able to write a book about it." "I know," Cal said. "You have told me. Many times." Paul chuckled. "Sorry. I guess I'm proud of that book." "Are you going to write a book about the Precious Few?" "No! Why would you ask that? I'm not an anthropologist any more." Cal's eyes glittered with reflected starlight. "That's what Becky is doing. Writing an article about us." "Oh? Is that why you are so anxious to find her? To stop her from going back?" "She had changed her mind about writing it, I think. This may sound strange but I think she and I have a special bond. I'm not sure why. I know I have to find her and.. if she has come to any harm..." Paul patted Cal's arm. "I understand. It's almost dawn, isn't it? We can wake up Grover and continue on to the village." "How does he sleep like that? It's a gift." |
| Parking just outside of the native camp, the three men descend from the Jeep as a group of spear-wielding natives gather before them. Paul spoke to them in their tongue, obviously asking if they knew Becky's whereabouts. He pointed to Doctor Cal in a waving gesture that enraged one of the men. Taken aback by the display of anger, Cal asked, "What is it?" He had to wait while Paul translated the heated words of the angry man and another who spoke with great authority. "Apparently, Cuzcital here found her in the jungle suffering from a snake bite," Paul indicated the angry man, "The spiritual guide, Takliti, has taken her into his hut for healing and the medicine woman has been successful in bringing out the poison." At Cal's stricken expression he adds gently, "Cuzcital, by tribal law, has claim on Becky for his mate. He says he wants her, she is strong, she survived such an ordeal and will make a good woman." "No," the single word Doctor Cal uttered was spoken with such conviction that no translation was needed. He stepped forward to search for Becky, by force if he had to, but Paul put a restraining hand on his arm. "They will kill us all if you try to take her by force Cal. The tribal laws are simple, barbaric in some ways, but they protect their own. There is one way though." Paul grimaces at the thought of this path. "What way?" Intensely focused on Cuzcital, Cal growls his frustration. "You have to challenge him for her one-on-one. A test of strength, hand-to-hand combat as it were, no weapons. But know this, he would kill you if he can. No one would dare to challenge him if he were successful." Becky's eyes fluttered heavily with the sound of men fighting outside. Still groggy from the rustic medication, she fought to distinguish sight from sound and dreams as the grumbling of voices escalated. A familiar voice in an unfamiliar tone jolted her further into awareness. She wanted to go to him, but her sore muscles protested under the strain of trying to stand. Nevertheless, she managed to gain her footing, albeit precariously, and stepped toward the doorway. Outside the scene before her was shocking. A circle of men stood leering at a tangle of arms and legs as two fought ferociously upon the ground within them. She recognized two of them from the compound, but she had yet to find the one she was looking for, the one whose voice had roused her. "No, you can not have her!" Again his voice focused her attention on the fight and she gasped as Cuzcital landed a powerful blow to his midsection and he doubled over. "Cal!" All eyes turned to her and the fight momentarily froze, giving Cal just enough of a rest to gather his strength as he looked into her eyes. Before she could grasp what that gaze encompassed he was re-focused on his task and his efforts re-doubled. Becky moved forward trying to get to them, trying to stop the bloodshed, but both the man with the gourd and one of the men from the compound held her back from the fray. |
Cal lasted a surprisingly long time against Cuzcital, but his stamina was no match for the indian's. Cuzcital had lived a hard life in the jungle and was very tough. He stood over Cal with his spear poised to be plunged into Cal's chest. Becky managed to break free and ran to collapse onto Cal. She grabbed the spear with her hand. "No! Please don't kill him!" Although Cuzcital could not understand her words, the meaning was clear enough. She would prefer to be with this dog who had lost the fight than with he, Cuzcital, who had proved his bravery and strength today. He issued sharp orders and the three men and Becky were tied to poles. Paul begged the indians to let them go, but even though he spoke their language, they could do nothing without Cuzcital's approval, and Cuzcital was insistent that the captives must be punished. "What will they do to us?" Becky asked. "Probably tie us to an ant nest and let the ants eat us," Grover said. "It's a slow way to die." "Stop trying to scare her," Cal said. "Paul will talk our way out of this. Paul, tell Cuzcital that the district police will come and take them all to prison if anything happens to us." All day they hung from the poles and Becky could feel what little strength she had leak out of her. Would she die here? Cal kept giving her words of encouragement but words were not enough. Words did not keep off the sweltering heat or the flies. Words were not water that you could drink. Her thinking became hazy and she found herself slipping in and out of sleep and dreams. She lost her sense of time and could not tell whether hours or days had passed. At one point the woman who had cared for her when she was so sick came and gave her a dipper of water. Becky could tell by the way the woman kept looking around that she was breaking a rule for Becky's sake and Becky tried to let her know how grateful she was with her facial expression and then said, "Paul, tell her thank you for me." Paul and the woman exchanged words. After the woman left Paul said, "She will try to help us escape tonight." |
| The anticipation of nightfall made time creep by so slowly. As dusk descended the yellow paste Becky had taken the night before had worn off and the pain in her leg was suffocating. Being lashed to the pole in a single position did not help matters any. Quiet, and tormented by their thoughts, the three prisoners waited. Long after dusk a rustling in the nearby bushed pulled them all to a high alert. "What's that?" Becky's voice wavered in her borderline delirium of pain and fear. "Could be anything." Grover stated with a matter of fact tone as he tested the binds on his wrists yet again. "Everything is going to be okay, Becky. Remember faith and hope." Doctor Cal attempted to hold her back from the edge of panic with his eyes alone. It was then that a shadowy figure slipped out of the bush. A rattle of the unusual language of the natives identified the figure to be the woman who had promised to rescue them. Paul responded in kind before he translated in a whisper, "She says we are to move silently. She says that our Jeep is still parked where we left it, but that it will wake the warriors and they would follow us any distance. She says that it is best if we make our way through the jungle, with the four of us in a group nothing should bother us." The three men didn't seem bothered by the proposition, but Becky didn't want to walk off into the jungle at night. Just taking a short stroll to pacify her hurt during the day had gotten her into this mess. But the alternative was much less appealing. She had no wish to face Cuzcital again. Once his arms were free, Doctor Cal took the crude spear point and sawed through the ropes binding Becky to the pole. The weight supported by the ropes was too much for her to manage and she tipped forward straight into the doctor's arms. "I've got you, it's okay. Can you put any weight at all on your leg?" Becky managed to stand, her weight bearing on one foot, but every time she leaned on her injured leg the pain flashed hot piercing jolts up her spine. "No, I can't put any weight on it, not yet. How far are we away from the compound?" "About twenty miles." Grover answered automatically. "I'll never make it on foot." Becky's hope was quickly fading. "Sure you will, I'll make sure of it. Do you trust me Becky?" Doctor Cal's question held more meaning than she could discern at that moment, but she answered without hesitation, "Yes." "Okay, then, let's head out. There's water in the Jeep and a few supplies we can grab, but we need to be as quiet as possible. Here, lean on me." Becky did as he said, hopping along beside him, keeping as deep in the shadows as they could. Once, a warrior's voice sounded close to them and they watched, still and silent, as he stopped short outside the camp to relieve himself. It took a little longer to make it to the Jeep, but they gave her a chance to rest and stretch her aching muscles as the men salvaged the few supplies they could. |
Cal offered Becky his shirt and she became acutely conscious of her state of undress. She was still wearing the breast-baring costume the indians had put on her. In the stress of the escape she had not been worrying about how she was dressed. Now she blushed furiously as she slipped Cal's shirt on. Of course the shirt was too big and the thin material clinging to her breasts accented them as much as it hid them. But none of the men were staring at her chest. Trying to make it through the jungle at night would take everyone's full attention. They drank as much water as they could at the jeep so they could carry all the rest of it with them. Any water to be found in the jungle was sure to be foul and unfit to drink. "I don't know if I can make it," Becky said. "My leg hurts." "Are you sure?" Cal said. They were whispering. "Yes," she said. He could see how weak and sick she looked. "We'll have to use the jeep," Cal said. Paul put up his hands. "But as soon as we crank the jeep the warriors are sure to wake up." "Can't we outrun them in the jeep?" Grover waved his hand in the negative. "Not at night and considering how bad the road is. If we have to stop even once to clear the road then they'll be all over us." "Damn!" Cal said. "But I don't see that we have any choice. We'll never make it very far on foot if Becky can't walk. We have to take the jeep and just hope everything goes our way." "I suppose you're right," Paul said. "Well? What are we waiting for? Let's do it." The four of them took their seats in the jeep, making sure Becky was strapped in and tied to her seat. Her face was pale and Cal was worried that she might faint and fall out of the jeep. "This is it," Grover said and turned the key. The motor sprang to life, sounding obscenely loud in the night. Grover gunned it and they shot off down the path leading back to the Compound. Paul kept his eye on the trail behind them. After a while Cal asked, "Any sign of them following us?" "Not that I can see," Paul said. "And I can't hear anything over the noise of the jeep. Do you think we should stop for a moment and shut off the motor and listen?" "No! " Cal said. "I don't think they're going to be whooping and hollering if they are behind us. Those guys travel as fast and quiet as a panther." "Would they even want to follow us at night? Maybe they will just ignore our escape." "That could happen," Cal said, "but I don't want to bet my life on it. As far as I am concerned, they are back there following our trail." |
| Becky gritted her teeth as the Jeep bumped and jumbled over the rutted path that passed for a road; her leg was screaming, she was starving, there was too much going on at the moment to ask for a drink of water, and now that they had escaped the native village she had to face the fact that Cal had come to rescue her. What did that mean? It wasn't something that she wanted to think about at the moment, but it was better than considering whether or not Cuzcital would be jumping out at them from a bush alongside the road. Why had he been fighting with Cuzcital? How was it that she hadn't actually needed rescue until Cal showed up? The natives had been very kind to her. Better yet, how had Cal known where to find her? The contrasting mix of gratefulness and anger toward his actions set a scowl on Becky's face. The men were silent as the Jeep rumbled through the forest, always looking behind them, beside them, above them; trying to determine if an attack or ambush was imminent. Becky managed to ask, "Is there any Tylenol or Advil or Morphine in a first-aid kit around here? Where are those water bottles you mentioned?" "Here's some water," Paul reached for a canteen from the Jeep storage area leaning over her in the rear seat beside her. His large frame made maneuvering in the the tight space difficult and he knocked into her injured leg as he turned back around. Becky screamed from the pain. "Paul, damn it, watch out!" Doctor Cal's stomach twisted with her anguishing cry, his voice gentled as he spoke to her, "We keep some morphine at the compound for emergencies. What did the natives do to take the pain away? It wasn't this bad before." "I don't what it was, but they gave me some pasty yellow goo on a leaf. It was nice, I slept a lot." The disdain in her voice was blatant, accusing. She took gulps of water from the canteen, relishing the cool side of liquid down her throat. Cal tried to ignore it, but the hurt expression on his face was evident. Becky looked away as he spoke, wiping a dribble of water from her chin, "I don't know if it would be a good idea to give you morphine then, we don't know how long their remedy will stay in your system or if will react badly with another drug." Staring off into the jungle Becky murmured, "At this point I don't really care what kind of reaction occurs, as long as the pain stops." Disheartened and unwilling to argue with her, Cal turned around and faced the front again, falling into silence. Paul glanced between the two of them, analyzing, before he leaned over to whisper in Becky's ear, "Cuzcital had claim on you and Cal challenged him. You were to become Cuzcital's woman. It was your defense of Cal that enraged him." Eyes widening in realization, Becky glanced at Cal, but only saw the back of his head. She knew her insinuation had struck home, that she had enjoyed her time in the native village, but she hadn't understood. Cal and the others had saved her from Cuzcital's grasp, and she had shoved it back in their face. Shaking her head in denial, a single tear slipped down her cheek for her own stupidity. Turning onto a wider, straighter path, Grover hit a massive hole in the road. The resulting lurch and rattle of the Jeep wrenched on Becky's leg horribly, a piercing pain ripped through her frame knocking her into unconsciousness. |
The jeep rolled to a stop. "What's wrong?" Cal asked. The urgency in his voice was clear. How close were the indians behind them? "I'll look," Grover said. He jumped out and squatted down to get a good look under the jeep. Cal and Paul cast nervous looks back the way they had come. It was impossible to see anything in the darkness. Now that the jeep's motor was not running, they strained their ears to hear any sounds back there in the jungle. But the only sounds were the animal sounds they were familiar with. The occasional grunt or snuffle or the sudden chatter of a monkey or the mournful call of a night bird. Grover slid out from under the jeep. "It's the suspension. When we hit that big hole..." "Can you fix it?" It took Grover five seconds to make a decision. "No." "That's it then," Cal said. "Gather up what we can and let's get moving on foot. We'll take turns carrying Becky on our backs. I'll go first." Paul and Grover struggled to drape the unconscious Becky across Cal's back, hastily fashioning straps to hold her in place with rope and some strips of cloth. Soon they were on the move through the jungle. They stayed on the road, deciding any attempt to confuse the indians would fail. If they left the road they would only get themselves lost and the indians would surely find them. "Maybe they aren't following us," Paul said. "Would they play cat and mouse with us?" Grover asked. "What's that supposed to mean?" Grover held his hands about a foot apart. "They follow us but they stay behind us, just close enough to keep up with us, and wait for us to become so tired we can't go any further. Then they pounce on us." "Oh that's a cheerful thought," Cal said. "Here's a better one. We deserve to live. May the Precious Waters bless our efforts." "Amen," Grover said. |
| Walking along the rutted road, they kept as silent as possible and made their way in the dark. With no flashlight their eyes functioned by the bare whispers of moonlight that filtered through the jungle canopy. Doctor Cal estimated that they made it within four or five miles of the compound before the Jeep broke down. Becky groaned from his back and he picked up his pace, he didn't want her to wake up before they reached the compound. His inability to take her pain away frustrated him. Only the constant rhythm of putting one foot in front of another kept him together. No sound but their own footfall. No movement but their own. They stopped every once in a while to listen and peer into the darkness. Somewhere along the way, Cal made a decision. It went against all the rules he had set up to prevent unpure souls from learning the secrets of the ancient tablets, but since it could save Becky from her pain and suffering he would take her to the caverns. Only three people at the compound knew of the caverns besides himself. Paul was one of them, along with Daniel and Martha; they had been with him the longest. During a brief stop Paul whispered, "Do you want to switch and let me carry her for a while?" Though he didn't want to, Cal agreed, he knew he would never make it carrying her the whole way. And there would be more work to do once they got there. While he fastened the ties holding Becky on Paul's back he mentioned, "We're going to take her to the chambers of Precious Earth, it will help heal her. That, and bathing her in the Precious Waters." "Are you sure that's a good idea? Everyone will wonder what is going on, how will you explain it?" Paul protested the idea. "Truth is precious; I think it's time everyone understood more about our sacred land. Trust is precious; they will never fulfill the prophecy if they don't know about it. Hope is precious, faith is precious; we must keep them strong. Honor is precious, life is precious; Becky is one of us, it is our duty to care for her. Love is precious..." , and Doctor Cal grew silent with the mention of this last principle. "There are caverns with Precious Earth?" Grover asked the obvious question. "Yes, Grover, there are caverns with Precious Earth; behind the waterfall." Cal answered matter of factly. "Neat." Grover showed no signs of anger in being left ignorant of this fact, but Cal and Paul both knew that not all of the Precious Few would accept so easily. |
With Paul carrying Becky, they made faster time for awhile, then slowed as he became tired. For the last stretch of walking Grover carried her. Cal walked beside them and checked Becky's forehead. It was burning hot. They couldn't waste a moment getting her to the waters. Finally they were inside the cavern behind the waterfall. Cal and Paul carried her into the sacred pool and held her flaoting there. Her eyes flickered open. "Where am I?" "It's alright," Cal said. "You are in the Precious Waters. You will be alright now. Just let the healing flow through you." "I can feel it," Becky said. "Let it make you well." Cal turned to Grover. "Go to the compund and ask Martha to bring dry clothes for Becky. Then spread the word that we have returned safely and today will be a regular work day. I don't want people sitting around waiting for us." "We'll need to go get the jeep," Grover said. "Good. You take care of that. I hope the indians didn't vandalize it." Becky enjoyed watching Cal give orders. He was as much an earthly leader as he was a spiritual leader. She wasn't sure how he felt about her now until he finally had time to look at her. What she saw in his eyes convinced her that all was forgiven and that once again they were on a path toward increasing closeness. It scared her a little. She wasn't sure where it would end up. But Cal was a man she could admire. Could she love him? "You've been through quite a lot," Cal said. "Snake bite, captured by indians, daring rescue through the jungle at night..." She laughed. "It was very daring. Thank you, Cal." He smiled. They both knew what was going to happen next and she leaned toward him as he leaned toward her and they kissed. She pushed him back very gently. "Cal... not too fast, OK? I need time to think." His warm hand squeezed her shoulder. "I understand. We've been through a lot. Let's get home and rest. I haven't slept in two days." Martha walked into the cavern with dry clothes for Becky. "Oh my! You've had more adventure in three days than I have had in my three years in the jungle! Do all journalists attract trouble to them like that?" Becky turned quickly to Cal. "She knows?" "Yes, everyone knows now that you came here to do an article about us, but that doesn't change the fact that you have since become precious. The Precious Few are gathered in many ways." Martha hugged Becky and Becky returned the hug. As they walked back to the Compound becky reflected upon how Cal had said, "Let's get home..." That was what she really needed, wasn't it? A home? |
| When they reached the courtyard of the compound, the groups was greeted by a gathering. Doctor Cal took this opportunity to announce the coming revelation of tomorrow. He was just too exhausted to deal with it tonight. "Thank you for welcoming us home, Precious Ones. Our trials have brought us home weary and in need of much rest. However, tomorrow mid-morning there will be an assembly called, I have much to share with you, but it will have to wait until then." Whispers broke out across the groups scattered throughout the yard. Becky began limping herself toward the women's dormitory, but Cal was having none of that. He draped her arm over his shoulders and lifted her one last time to carry her into the fortress corridors. "Cal, what are you doing?" Becky rested her head against his shoulder, relaxing, verging toward the bliss of sleep. "I feel better after soaking in the waters." "Yes, of course you do, but you still need to watched closely, your wounds are severe. Do you still want the morphine?" Cal cringed at offering her the drug, but she had been so vehement about needing it before. "I just want to sleep, for days," Becky yawned, snuggling closer into Cal's shoulder. She fell asleep before he got her to the bed. While he removed her shoes and slipped the covers up over her still figure, Doctor Cal tried to focus on the possible consequences of what he was doing. But his own exhaustion claimed him and he tumbled into the bed next to her. * Morning came all too quickly, but a knock came at Doctor Cal's door as it always did at sunrise. Usually he was dressed and ready to face the day by now, but today it was all he could do to just stumble to the door to answer it. Thanking Grover for the wake up call he turned back to Becky, still asleep on his bed. Opening the door again he called out to Grover's retreating back, "Could you please ask Martha to come and sit with Becky during the meeting. She needs her rest, but I don't want to leave her alone." Grover waived his compliance and trotted off toward the kitchen. When the time came, Doctor Cal didn't want to leave her. Becky was still sleeping peacefully and Martha sat down in a chair near the window to do some needle work. "She'll be alright, there's no fever any more and she's resting peacefully. She's been through a lot, she just needs rest." Martha spoke softly as Cal glanced back at the bed one last time before heading out the make the most difficult speech he'd ever have to deliver. He'd tried to formulate the words in his head that morning, but standing in front of the Precious Few, realizing how much trust they had put in him when he had not reciprocated it all his words vanished. He watched as a little boy fidgeted between two men, no one knew which one was the father. Was this really the way an ideal society should function?" Cal couldn't believe he hadn't seen the faults of the system before. Taking a deep breath, Cal began his confession, "I'm sure you are all wondering why I have gathered you here today. First of all I'd like to let you know that Becky is fine, she is resting still, but there is no sign of fever." He saw a wave of relaxation seemed to settle over the group. "You all have experienced the Precious Waters yourself and know its power. What I have not yet revealed is that there are other precious elements spoken of in the tablets I discovered. Earth, Fire, and Air. Today Paul will be leading you down into the caverns behind the waterfall so that you can see for yourselves. Not all of the tablets have been translated, so I don't know the exact identity of the Precious Fire or Precious Air, but that is where the Precious Earth rests." Murmurs and an air of dissent wafted through the gathering in the common hall. Doctor Cal wondered if the end of his dream came with it. "I admit, it was wrong of me to keep this information from you. By coming here, each of you has shown more adhesion to the principle of trust than I have shown you. I would take you to the caves myself, but I feel it is my responsibility to stay close to Becky while she is still recovering. From now on my priority is going to be translating the remaining tablets so that we can understand exactly what the prophecy entails. I still believe that we have come to a sacred place. That if we stick together and are willing to adhere to our beliefs we will prevail. However, this is a choice we must make as individuals. And once made, adhere to as a group. Once you have seen the Precious Earth, held it in your hands and witnessed its effects you will know what your path will be. If you have any questions for me, I'll be in the library." |
The Compound was very quiet with everyone gone to the caverns except Cal and Becky. He sat beside her bed holding her hand and talking in a low voice. Mostly it was a rambling story of his childhood and his growing up. He had a desperate desire for her to know everything about him. Becky had her eyes closed, but she was not asleep. The touch of his hand was warm and comforting and she drifted on a peaceful sea as she listened to his story. A rumbling made the walls tremble and the floor shake. Cal dropped Becky's hand and stood up. "What was that?" "It felt like an earthquake," Becky said. Cal stared at her. "Earthquake?" It took him a moment to realize what that might mean. "The caverns!" he said. "I have to go check on my flock. Just stay here and get some rest. I'll be back." He left in a hurry. Becky lay back on the pillow. How could she rest? She would wait to hear what had happened, but it would not be a restful wait. Cal hurried to the waterfall. A cloud of dust hung over it and he could see something was wrong, something was different. When he got to the entrance to the caverns his way was blocked. The tunnel was filled with broken stone and dirt. "Hello?" he yelled. "Can anybody hear me?" But no sound emerged from the pile of rubble. He ran back to the Compound. There was a small tractor that they used for gardening. He struggled to mount a scraper blade on it and then drove it back to the cavern entrance. It was slow work but he began scraping the dirt and stones away as best he could. Becky wondered what had become of Cal. Two hours and he still hadn't returned. Had something happened to him? She got out of bed. She was weak and could barely walk but she managed to slip on shorts and a shirt and shoes. She clamped a hat on her head. Martha had brought her crutches in case she might need them and she took one of them to use as a support. Slowly she made her way out of the dorm and down the road to the caverns. In the distance she could hear the sound of the tractor. |
| Becky managed to follow the sound of heavy machinery down the trail to the waterfall. Cal swore and sweated while tried to clear away enough of the debris to access to caverns behind the waterfall. But the waterfall was gone. Instead a stream cut through the crumbled incline, creeping and eroding away the dirt in deepening ravines. "Cal! What are you doing?" Becky screamed above the roar of the tractor's engine, trying to drag the doctor away from his frantic work. "They're in there! They're all in their!" Realization set in and Becky scrambled forward to help. As Cal reversed the tractor away from the hole he created, Becky crawled forward. Propped up on her good leg, she and Cal hand dug the rest of the way through the barrier. After a large enough hole formed Cal squirmed his way through, flashlight in hand. "Wait here, I'll be back soon. It's not far." Cal receded into the black hole, Becky listened as his calls to the Precious Few faded underground. "Paul, Martha, Grover..." She waited, knowing, hoping against an inevitability that weighed her down. Becky waited for the news that Cal would bring and wept. With no measure for time, it passed slowly, but eventually Cal emerged from the darkness, a look of utter dejection upon his face. He looked at Becky, straight in her eyes, and shook his head from side to side. No words were needed. Becky reached for him, but before he could be touched Cal was wondering off toward the compound in a daze. She let him go, knowing that he had felt responsible for every single person that died in the cave in. Not knowing what he had found within the cavern, if he had been forced to face the broken bodies of his family and walk away. She followed him, keeping up fairly easily with his slow, grieving gait. When they reached the outer wall of the compound she broke the silence, "We need to notify the authorities." "There's a communications room behind my office. The key is in the top right drawer. I'll be in my room." While Cal headed up the stone stair case, Becky limped back toward the rear rooms on the first floor. She rummaged through the drawer and found the key. Opening the door was like stepping through a technological time warp. Within the heart of their old world community lay the present digital age. Like a heart she knew this was how Cal had pumped his message to the rest of the world, sending out signals in the electrical circulatory system and bringing in the Precious Few who heard the call. Becky told herself she would help him rebuild, help him fine tune the concept of a Precious Community. But first she picked up the phone and made a call, "I need to report a tragedy." |
| Becky sat huddled in a blanket on the seat of a police jeep while the police made their investigation of the scene. The first of them had come in by helicopter and then an hour later a jeep and a truck had arrived. Cal was nowhere to be seen. As the day progressed into evening it became clear that Cal was not going to be seen. Becky wondered where he had gone. She had a sinking feeling that something bad had happened to him. She should have stayed close by him but after she made the phone call to the police and had found his room empty, she was too weak to go searching everywhere for him. Her last view of the Compound was from the back of the police truck as they left for the ride to the airport. The ancient stone fortress was crumbling in many places but one section was bright and fresh, the section that Cal had repaired for the use of the Precious Few. Becky wiped a tear from her eye. She had left a note for Cal in case he returned to the Compound... but she didn't think he ever would. |
A Precious Tragedy Rebecca Hampton Deep in the Amazon a community was formed. The whole structure of the compound was formed around seven principles translated by Doctor Calvin Applegate, a respected cultural anthropologist. Six years ago Doctor Applegate disappeared while on an excavation trip in the area. No one spoke to him for four years and he was suspected dead while his team continued their co-habitation experiment with the local tribes. When he re-emerged from the jungle, Doctor Cal soon began to accumulate followers of the lost truths he had uncovered. These truths, 'The Principles of the Covenant', came to life in the practice of those who truly believed in them. Trust is precious; grant it to others and hold it your own. Trust operates at a basically animal level, it is instinctual to doubt, to test. Yet, if we trust in the world around us and those in it, will we not in turn create a world more trustworthy? Honor is precious; protect the weak and aid the weary. Honor is a backbone upon which relationships are built. If we are honorable, do we not inspire honor in others? Faith is precious; believe in and follow your path. Faith from within, in yourself, is a blossoming flower which fragrances the air. It extends beyond yourself to influence the greater world. Can individual faith then, not encourage social balance? Hope is precious; foster it and never give it up. Hope is the seed from which all great things grow. It is the light that beckons up toward the end of a tunnel. Can we not emerge then and find growth in the light? Love is precious; give it freely and take what is given? Love makes the world go round. Can free love, whether personal or at large, then, not improve our lives? Truth is precious; speak it and learn it well. Truth goes beyond perspective and experience, it transcends time and cultural nuances. Learn to know truth from everything else, and will we not see with clearer vision? Life is precious; nurture it and hold it dear. Life is the only thing that we can truly own, and that only for the time we are given. Living you life then, will it not bring you to happiness? Somehow, in the deep, sweaty recesses of a wild jungle forty-seven people managed to accomplish all of this. With a vigor for life, knowledge of truth, free love, unabandoned hope, unending faith, honor of the soul, and mutual trust these people lived a life free. Free of worry, free of pain, free of suspicion and drama, they lived for themselves, and each other. Last month an earthquake shook the earth and took within it the lives of the Precious Few. Doctor Cal and I were the only survivors. Afterward, Doctor Cal disappeared once again. Will he re-emerge with a greater understanding once again? Is he gone forever? The world may never know what was lost. The Precious Few held something truly precious in their hearts, something I have never seen anywhere else in my travels over this world. May the Precious Few rest in peace. |
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