The General stopped and looked out at the group of Israeli executive officers. “This specialized cargo has the Tactical Operations Center jumping, people. To date, the RFAF has offloaded over 100,000 crates of SKS Rifles. These are extremely low-tech bolt-action weapons. They have also offloaded hundreds of thousands of live horses to the LZs.
The TOC is taking this as a clear indication of what our enemy’s intentions are, and what our response will be. The enemy intends to use the electromagnetic pulse and ionizing radiation produced by the American Dante impact to disable our communications and destroy our mechanized military. When the airborne debris and gasses overtake us, they intend to sweep in out of the darkness on horseback and annihilate our people.”
The General put his hands behind his back and began pacing back and forth in front of the easel. “We have no choice but to pre-empt. We intend to hit them with everything we have while we still have it. This includes using our nuclear arsenal. The enemy has anticipated this of course….We have clear indications of a formidable Russian nuclear presence.”
The General paused, looking out at the group. “See to it that everything is in place, people. We have to be completely prepared when the Prime Minister gives the command to go.”
“Dismissed!”
~~~
Todd was beginning to feel anxious over how long this was taking. He kept finding himself staring into the forest grinning like an idiot. He had managed to run down three frogs and it had taken him at least an hour. He wasn’t really comfortable leaving Maria alone for that long. He decided to go back. She could eat and he could find something later.
He simply wanted to sit and stare at her. He knew he should be worried. They only had a couple of weeks to live after all, if they didn’t starve to death in the meantime. He couldn’t help not caring about all that. He could worry about that tomorrow…He was just going to enjoy being with Maria today.
He inadvertently stumbled upon a couple more frogs as he slowly made his way back towards the old shade tree along the shore of the Cumberland.
He didn’t envy her, her first taste of frog. He hoped she’d get used to it soon.
After some time, he made his way into a clearing.
Maria was gone.
He slowly moved down towards the shade tree, his desperation building. Where could she be? She had to be here. It had to be real.
“Not there, sweetie…over here.”
“Maria?” Todd gasped. “Maria, where are you?”
“Come over here,” she said from behind a group of trees.
Todd slowly moved around the trees.
Maria was smiling at him, sitting on a small chair in front of a cloth-covered table. In the center of the table sat a wide vase containing elegant multicolored flowers, adorned with sea green fern and clouds of baby’s breath. Two flickering kings-blue candles, supported by matching silver candleholders, sat stately next to the flower vase. China dinner plates, gleaming silver utensils and sparkling high glasses adorned the perimeter of the table. Nearby, a glimmering gold container held a dewy bottle of non-alcoholic red merlot wine. Across from Maria, another small chair waited.
Todd stood off gazing at her wide-eyed. “Maria…how….”
Maria rose from her chair and slowly moved to him. She reached out and took both his hands. “Sit down with me,” she said softly.
Todd slowly scanned the epicurean feast and looked back at her. “Maria, where did you….”
She put her finger on his mouth. “Shhh,” she whispered. “Don’t wonder, don’t ask… let’s just celebrate our first meal together again and think of nothing else.”
~~~
Sarah dabbed at her eyes with a cloth. “That is so sweet.”
“That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen,” Mallory said, hanging on Barney’s arm. “Why don’t you ever do things like that for me?”
“Yeah… romantic,” Barney said as loud as he dared. “You weren’t the one who had to pack all that junk down there.”
“What’s wrong with Brother Michael?” Pete asked.
Barney snorted. “I don’t know. He’s been acting weird ever since that girl come around.”
Pete pulled his brows together, concerned. “He’s over in the Humvee all by himself. Maybe we should go see if he’s alright.”
“He wants to be alone,” Mallory said. “I wouldn’t bother him right now.”
Barney shook his head and scowled. “I think he loves her.”
Pete glanced back at the Humvee before returning his attention to Barney. “If he loved her, why is he taking her all over the place looking for that other guy? Why did he help her get all this stuff for the meal and everything?”
“Do I look like Brother Michael?” Barney said. “How should I know?”
~~~
Todd closed his eyes, savoring the delicious food. “What is this?”
“It’s army food,” Maria said. “It’s from an army base in Nashville.”
Todd looked up at her, shook his head and returned to his food. “I said I wouldn’t ask….This is so delicious. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve eaten food? The last time I ate food was at the pri—” He stopped talking mid-sentence.
“I know you were in prison,” she said softly. “I thought they killed you. We heard they killed all the convicts—”
“You’re right,” Todd said, smiling across at her. “Let’s not think about anything else except us and this delicious meal the forest fairies prepared for us.”
Maria giggled.
His smile slowly faded as he looked into her eyes. “Maria” he said, “I’m so happy…” His eyes glazed with tears as he struggled to continue speaking. ”I’m so happy you’re here with me. You are…my life. Without you, there is no life…only…sad, dark, existence.”
Maria smiled back at him. “I know,” she said softly. “I know what you mean. I feel the same way.”
Todd shook his head. “I can’t lose the feeling that I have to fight to keep this dream going.
Maria smiled softly at him from across the table. “Todd, she said. “There’s something I have to do.”
She paused a moment, dabbing at her food with a fork.
“What is it; what’s wrong?”
She pondered her words for a time. “When we were married…” she said finally, “I know you have always felt…it wasn’t real, that…it didn’t mean what it was supposed to mean—”
“It’s ok," Todd said. "You’ve always been completely honest about how you feel. I’ve learned to accept it—”
“No, Todd wait, I need to do this…please listen to me.”
She reached across the table and took Todd’s hand. “It’s true…When I married you, I did it because you loved me. Now I want to marry you because I love you.”
Todd could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
She tenderly stroked his hand, looked towards the river and sighed. She turned back to face him, reached under the flower vase and retrieved a piece of paper she had placed there earlier. “I’m sorry,” she said, shrugging. “I wrote this down…I thought I had it memorized; I’ve been working on it all week.” She scanned over the paper one last time and put it back under the vase. She turned back towards Todd, quickly reached for her napkin and dabbed at her eyes.
“What is it?” Todd asked, noticing her trembling hands holding the napkin.
“I’m sorry, my love,” she repeated. “This is hard. I want you to understand how…important this is to me. I want to…show you what’s here in my heart.” Her voice broke and trailed off.
“Sweetheart,” Todd said softly. “Is everything alright? The baby…Is the baby ok?”
She smiled. “We’re fine sweetie; it’s just that… there’s something I need to say to you.” She reached and took both his hands in hers.
“Todd,” she began, “I take you to be my husband, my partner in life and my only true love. I promise, sweetheart, to cherish our friendship and love you always
, till the end of our days. I will trust you, my love and I will honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you…I will love you faithfully, my beloved, through the best and the worst…the hard and the easy. No matter what happens, I will always be there with you. As I have given you my hand to hold….” She gently squeezed his hand. “I am giving you my life to keep.
Today, in this beautiful forest, under the eyes of God, I offer you my solemn wedding vow. I love you, my Todd, my dearest love, my treasure. I am yours forever.”
Todd sat motionless.
Finally, after a time, he was able to speak. “I love you too.” he said, tears flowing. “I have for as long as I can remember.”
Maria moved from her chair and knelt next to him.
Todd rolled his hand through her thick hair and gently pulled her to him. A sound from his right attracted his attention. Without warning Todd was on his feet. He was brandishing a pistol aimed at the knoll just over the campsite.
“Todd!” Maria shouted, rising to her feet.
“Someone’s up there!” Todd said.
She looked up.
“It’s just me,” Pete said, his hands high in the air. “Don’t shoot!”
Maria moved towards Todd and pulled the pistol towards the ground. “Todd, it’s ok. That’s my friend Pete.”
“What’s he doing here?” he said. He looked up at Pete. “What are you doing here?”
“Todd, sweetie, settle down, I told you, he’s my friend…look at you…your heart is pounding out of your chest.” She reached and pulled his gaze away from Pete. “Sweetheart, it’s ok…what’s happened to you?”
“Brother Michael wants to know if you’re ready,” Pete said awkwardly. “He said you should get started if you want to get to Omaha. He said you only have a few days left and it’s a long ways.”
“Omaha?” Todd said.
Maria looked at Pete, then Todd, then back at Pete. “Tell Brother Michael we’ll be there in a minute.”
“Who are these people?” Todd said.
“These are the people who saved my life.”
“I need to know what happened, Maria. I need to know what’s going on. Why are we going to Omaha? Isn’t that where the—”
“Yes…It’s where the asteroid is gonna’ hit. I don’t know how, but I know the baby has to be born there.”
“And your friends are helping you get to ground zero?”
“Please, trust me, Todd.”
“I’m sorry, Maria. I won’t let you go.”
“I have to go.”
“I can’t let you go. I can’t let you take our baby into the middle of ground zero.”
“Todd,” Maria said firmly. “I belong to you, but if you ever loved me, you’ll take me to Omaha.”
Todd hesitated, raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “I’ll take you,” he said softly.
Pete scampered up the hill.
Todd watched him leave and turned back to Maria. “Who’s this…Brother Michael? Why does everyone call him that? Is he some sort of preacher or something?”
Maria smiled up at him. “Sort of.”
“Is he a doctor?”
“No, he was pretending to be Dr. Oliver—”
“Wait a minute!” Todd said, interrupting her. “Now I know where I heard that name. He’s with the Vinces. I heard Jenkins talking about him in the hospital.”
“Father Jenkins?” Maria said. “What hospital?”
“Your hospital…at Vanderbilt…the night after the President’s announcement.”
“You were at the hospital that night?” Maria asked. “What was Father Jenkins doing there?”
“They were coming to get you,” Todd said breathlessly. “This guy Oliver is in on it—”
“No sweetie, you don’t understand—”
“Everything ok, Maria?” a voice sounded to their left.
Todd tried to pull his pistol up, but Maria stopped him. A young man was standing a few feet away. Obviously unencumbered by the sweltering Tennessee heat, he wore a black tailored suit and matching tie over a satin, royal blue shirt. His meticulous wavy hair was every bit as black as Maria’s. His features, perfect. His smoldering black eyes were staring back at Todd.
“Yes, Brother Michael,” Maria said nervously. “Everything’s fine…just a little confusion.”
“So this is Oliver,” Todd said, glaring at Brother Michael.
Brother Michael’s icy cold black eyes returned the stare.
“No, sweetie,” Maria said, “this is Brother Michael.”
“I really think you should get started, Maria,” Michael said. “If your…man here won’t take you to Omaha, I’ll be more than happy to.”
Todd pushed forward, all but toppling Maria.
Maria frantically reached for his face and pulled it back towards her. “Todd…TODD! Trust me; you don’t want to go there!”
Michael stood back, glaring menacingly at Todd, a microscopic smile on his lips.
“Todd’s gonna take me,” Maria said obviously trying to defuse the tension.
“You should learn to relax, sport,” Michael said. “You and I are on the same team. We both love Maria.”
Maria glanced at Michael before returning her attention to Todd. “No, Todd,” she said stammering, “He didn’t mean he loved me. He didn’t mean it like that—”
“I think he did,” Todd said, moving towards Brother Michael.
Brother Michael moved ominously towards Todd.
“Todd!” Maria yelled. “Stop, you don't understand!”
~~~
Pete and Barney had come down from the knoll with Sarah and Mallory following close behind. The pregnant girl was screaming.
“I think that guy is gonna try to fight Brother Michael,” Pete said, looking down on the scene.
“You’re crazy.”
“No really, look.”
“Cripes!” Barney said. “That dude doesn’t have a clue.”
Sarah and Mallory moved to their side.
“Look,” Pete said glancing at Sarah. “That guy wants to fight Brother Michael.”
Sarah and Mallory quickly exchanged glances.
~~~
Todd stepped forward and fired a right fist into Michael’s forehead. Brother Michael went down like a stone.
Maria ran to Michael and held his head to her hands. “Todd, damn you! Why did you do that?”
Todd stared down at her. Michael began to regain consciousness.
“Brother Michael saved my life!” Maria shouted. “He rescued me from the asteroid and then…brought me back when I asked him to. He was the one who told me you were still alive. He helped me find you. He made the Army give us an army car and trailer full of food and guns so we could go to Omaha!”
“A what?” Todd asked. “An army car?”
Michael sat up rubbing his forehead. He looked up at Todd and grinned. “Good punch. I didn’t even see it coming.”
Maria stared at Michael. “Why didn’t you…you know.”
Michael smiled. “As I said, I didn’t see it coming …lesson learned.” He pushed his hand out and Todd gingerly took it. Todd pulled as Michael slowly stood up.
“When did you become so violent, husband?” Maria said.
Todd remained silent.
Maria moved to him and brushed the hair out of his eyes. “What happened to you, my love? You’ve changed so much.”
“I understand,” Michael said, brushing himself off. “I was baiting him a little.”
“Yes, you were!” Maria scolded.
“Sorry…” Todd said awkwardly. He looked up on the hill. Two men and two women were standing in a huddle staring at him, eyes wide, mouths hanging open. “Who are they?”
“They’re with me,” Michael said rubbing his forehead. He glanced up the hill and turned his attention back to Maria. “You really should be off. You only have a few days.”
“Come with me,” Maria said, holding her hand out towards Todd. Todd took it and helped her climb the hill. W
hen they reached the top, Todd saw two military Humvees parked at the side of the road. A military trailer loaded down with supplies was attached to the back of one of them.
“That one’s yours,” Michael said, pointing at the Humvee with the trailer.
Maria moved to Michael. “Why don’t you come with us?”
“I’m sure Michael has other things to do,” Todd said before he could stop himself.
Michael sent Todd a black look. “Actually there’s nothing I would rather do than go with you to Omaha, but the Father has other plans. You two are on your own.”
“You think she should be going off to Omaha?” Todd said.
“More importantly, the Father thinks she should be going to Omaha.”
“Who is the Father?”
“Oh let’s not get into that,” Maria said. “We’ll be here all day.”
She took both of Brother Michael’s hands in her own. “How can I thank you?” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Be his mother,” Michael said. “That’s all the thanks I need…and know I’ll always be here if you need me.”
Maria’s smile melted and she looked deep into his eyes. “Has the Father told you anything about the asteroid yet?”
“Nothing,” Michael said. “I’m as confused as you are.”
They embraced and she moved away. “Goodbye,” she said, waving in the direction of Barney, Pete, Mallory and Sarah. “I’ll miss you.” She moved to the Humvee and Todd helped her in. “Goodbye,” she said again, waving. “I’ll never forget you.”
Todd moved around to the other side as the small group of people standing in front of the remaining Humvee huddled around Brother Michael. After a little experimentation, Todd and Maria’s Humvee came to life. They made a U-turn, moved away down the winding road and disappeared.
~~~
Before Todd and Maria’s Humvee pulled out of sight Michael had already instructed Pete and Barney to collect their things and prepare to move out.
As they moved away, Mallory and Sarah approached Brother Michael. “Well played,” Mallory said softly. “The boy has proven to be a good choice.”
Michael glanced at her and turned his eyes back to the road. “Hmm, for now. I don’t think he’ll be running away from any fights…if that means anything.”
“It means everything,” Sarah said evenly, “because the fight is only beginning.”