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The End Pt9

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    TheEnd

    By: D. Booyer

    9Part 9: Departure

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    The EndPt. 9:

    Departure

    By: D. Booyer

    Sally leaned over to her husband, and whispered softly

    in his ear. She smiled as she pulled away, leaving a stunned

    expression on Bill's face that slowly faded to become a smile of

    true happiness. Seeing husband's smile, Sally lightly brushed a

    kiss on his cheek before she addressed the occupants of the

    chamber.

    Excuse me, Sally announced as she stood up from thetable just as lunch was drawing to an end. Joshua and Bill had

    already said their goodbyes and now walked to the side of the

    chamber to begin strapping their gear to their backs, as most

    of you know the upper passageway is now blocked, and with it

    our only access to the surface. Once this meal is over my

    husband Bill and our good friend Joshua will be setting out to

    map the surrounding tunnels and, hopefully, find another exit

    from this cavern system. With the presence of wild animals

    living in the tunnels added to the normal danger of exploring

    unfamiliar tunnels their task will be far from easy. I ask all of

    you to keep them in your prayers while they are gone to assure

    success in their mission and a safe return to us. As they depart

    now into the unknown depths of the earth let us thank the Lord

    for their bravery, and ask him to bless them with the strength to

    complete their tasks safely.With that Sally began to pray, her prayers and those of

    the others echoing in the chamber. The air felt alive and even

    the stones of the cavern seemed to vibrate with the strength of

    their prayer as Bill, Joshua, and Rembrandt stepped into the

    lower passageway to begin their journey. As they did the scene

    became blurry and indistinct, eventually fading away entirely.

    Bobbie looked up at Laura with a tear in her eye and noticed

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    labeled a witch. Ironically she had helped bring into the world

    half of those in attendance when they sent her out of it. She

    calls it her first official Deathday barbecue.

    Deathday? Bobbie asked with a bemused expression.Well, Laura said with a smile, She is really one of

    the only ones who call it that, it is considered more of a coming

    home party. Mildred has always had an odd sense of humor.

    On this side death is celebrated as the end of a long journey.

    All of that solemn mourning and funeral business is more for

    the living than the departed. Sort of a way to find closure and

    comfort in a sad time. Another example of this is the way

    Christmas is celebrated here, but the big celebration is on

    Easter. We honor Christmas for the day Jesus went to Earth to

    begin his important work, but the day he died on the cross for

    our sins is a big celebration for the greatest victory of all, Jesus'

    victory over death. Whereas on Earth people celebrate

    Christmas in a big way with gifts and lights and food and

    fellowship, but many forget about Easter entirely. Its sad

    really, I mean the only way into Heaven is through acceptanceof Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us all.

    He must love us all very much, Bobbie said.

    Their is no greater love my dear, Karen said taking

    her daughter's hands in hers, No love could even come close.

    *****

    Bill and Joshua walked for twenty minutes, Rembrandtpadding along happily behind them, before the sound of the

    reverberating prayers faded behind them. Joshua counted his

    steps, taking careful notes every so often of distance, direction,

    width, height, incline, and approximate curve radius to be

    mapped later. Bill was at a loss as to what most of it meant, he

    was just glad that Joshua understood what he was doing.

    Joshua noted branchings and landmarks that they passed along

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    the way. They stopped briefly to sketch the more interesting of

    the latter and to mark the wall of the former with ink from a

    bottle. His wife's nervous little assistant Nathan had given him

    the bottle while he was visiting his wife at her clinic. He hadsimply scurried up to him, handed him the bottle and mumbled

    something that sounded like 'I thought you could use this, and

    disappeared. Kelly had explained that the nervous little man

    had made it out of ash, pine sap, water, and alcohol when he

    found out Joshua was going back into the tunnels. The ink was

    remarkably good, it had a smooth consistency and dried

    remarkably fast. Joshua had even tried it in his favorite

    fountain pen, it had worked better than most of the store bought

    inks he had used before. Some of the passageways they passed

    stank of the acid muck that had choked the upper passageway,

    others actually had mud flowing out of them. When they

    reached those they were often forced to backtrack and take a

    different tunnel. For four hours they made their way through a

    labyrinth of backtracking, and tunnels that wound through the

    earth like some twisted parody of a theme park ride gonewrong. At one of Joshua's stops to take his notes he suddenly

    barked a laugh, he checked his notes again to be sure he had

    been correct and laughed again.

    Hey Bill, he said, still laughing.

    What's so funny? Bill asked, leaning against the wall

    to catch his breath. He scratched Rembrandt behind the ear as

    he looked at his large friend.

    Its nothing, Joshua said, just a surprise you'll findafter this next turn.

    OK, Bill said.

    Ten minutes later they stepped out of the tunnel into a

    larger passageway. There on the wall ahead of them was 'A2'

    marked in black ink.

    Is this... Bill stammered.

    Yep, Joshua said with a grin, We are about one

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    hundred yards from the generator.

    Bill couldn't help himself, his laughter echoed and

    reverberated down the tunnel. When he finally stopped

    laughing his side ached, and he had to sit down to catch hisbreath. Joshua had taken a clipboard out of his pack and began

    carefully sketching a map with the aid of a ruler and protractor.

    His papers were held on a pink clipboard with a picture of a cat

    on it. Bill grinned, recognizing it as the clipboard that the large

    man's wife used to keep notes on in her clinic. Yes, Kelly

    really was a romantic at heart, despite her tough facade.

    You know, Bill said, that woman really loves you.

    I know, Joshua said with a grin of his own, You

    know I found out today that Kelly actually came to town to

    find me?

    Really? Bill asked.

    Yea, Joshua said with a grin, apparently she had seen

    me when I took Jim to see a specialist. She said she knew I

    was hers the moment she saw me.

    Yea, Bill said with a smile, Sally told me somethinginteresting just before we left too.

    Really? asked Joshua, what did she say?

    We had better get moving, Bill said with a wink, that

    exit isn't going to find itself.

    Aw come on, you can't just leave me hanging like

    this, Joshua protested.

    I can and will, Bill laughed, now lets get going, we

    have to find a way out of here.Joshua's voice could be heard a s the scene began to

    fade, Could you at least give me a hint, the answer came

    muffled and almost indecipherable, Nope.

    Bobbie's parents had gone, apologizing for not being

    able to stay longer and promising to return soon. She had been

    afraid at first to face them, but now that she had gotten to know

    them she was sorry to see them go. They had known that it

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    wasn't her that had done those horrible things. Her parents

    wouldn't even talk about the dark time. Bobbie was glad for

    that, she wasn't sure she could live with herself if she knew

    what that dark, evil thing had done with her body. She wasbarely able to suppress a shudder at the thought.

    Thank you for letting me look in on them like this

    Laura, Bobbie smiled up at her new friend who sat next to her

    on the comfortable couch in her sitting room.

    No problem sweetheart, Laura said, putting an arm

    around the young woman next to her, it is important to keep

    you up to date on events. You still have a Job to do you know.

    Don't think you can goof off just because you are in a coma.

    Heaven forbid, Bobbie said feigning a shocked

    expression.

    Pretty much, yea, Laura said with a smile, It is

    important for you to learn as much as you can from Jim. He is

    a good leader, and you as his assistant, must ready yourself to

    follow in his footsteps... Well, tire tracks... Well, I believe you

    get the point.What? Bobbie asked, this time the shocked

    expression was genuine, you can't be serious.

    Yep, Laura said with a grin, once my Jimmy comes

    home to me your on the hot seat sweetheart.

    But why me? Bobbie asked, I mean there have to be

    others who could do the job better than I can. I mean,

    seriously, I have like no life experience. All of my life is a dark

    void. Vacuous doesn't cover it, I have a black hole in myhead.

    Sweetheart, Laura said with a sigh and a comforting

    smile, that is why you were put so close to Jim. Watch what

    he does, and perhaps more importantly what he doesn't do. He

    will make mistakes of course, and so will you that is only

    natural. Every leader makes mistakes, but it is the capacity to

    learn from those mistakes, handle the consequences in an

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    shaking his head to try and stay awake. Eventually he bowed

    his head, but he jerked it up again before bowing it again and

    falling asleep. The image faded once more to reveal a startled

    Jim sitting on the chair across from them.Um... Hello, he said nervously.

    Hello dear, Laura said cheerfully.

    Um... am I? Jim asked.

    I'm afraid so dear, Laura said reaching across and

    placing a consoling hand on her husband's knee, You're

    napping.

    Great, Jim said, I'm probably sitting up too.

    Afraid so, yes, Laura said.

    My neck is probably going to get stiff then, Jim said

    regretfully.

    This shouldn't take that long dear, Laura said,

    Bobbie just has something she needed to tell you.

    Oh, OK, Jim said.

    Um, well, Bobbie stammered nervously, I was just

    thinking about something Laura said earlier about death andhow funerals are more for the living. Do you think that later

    we could have a funeral service for, well, everyone that is

    gone? Maybe something like that would help the others feel

    better.

    That sounds like a good idea, Jim said after a

    moments thought, perhaps we can do that as they are

    beginning the first planting. I am told that will be in a few

    days. Hopefully Bill and Josh will be back by then.OK, great, Bobbie said.

    OK, Jim said, So, um, how do I get back anyway?

    Like this, Laura said, with a snap of her fingers Jim

    faded away and was gone.

    Wow, just snap and he wakes up? Bobbie asked.

    Not really, Laura said with a laugh, I just thought the

    snap added a certain... something.

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    *****

    Bill and Joshua continued winding their way throughthe dark and winding tunnels of their new home, carefully

    mapping their route as they went. Twice they were forced to

    double back when they found the tunnel they were in choked

    off with acidic muck, several times they took a turning only to

    find nothing awaiting them but a dead end at the end of a long

    walk.

    They continued their cautious pace through the

    unfamiliar depths. The passageway they were in seemed

    promising, a cool breeze bringing them the acrid stench of the

    world above.

    I really hope this one is the exit, Bill said as he

    probed the darkness with his flashlight, It would be great to be

    able to go back and tell the others we found it after only a day

    looking.

    Yea, Joshua said, taking yet another note in hisnotebook as they rounded a bend in the tunnel, but even if we

    do find it I would like to come out again to finish mapping

    these tunnels. I think good map of the area could be useful, we

    are going to be down here for generations and we will

    eventually need to expand.

    Expand, Bill said turning away from his friend, Yes,

    good idea.

    Something wrong? Joshua asked.No nothing, Bill said, Nothing at all.

    Going to give me a hint now? Joshua asked hopefully.

    Nope, Bill said with a smile, Lets keep moving.

    Hey, Joshua said suddenly, What happened to

    Rembrandt?

    Bill looked back down the tunnel the way they had

    come. The large dog was nowhere to be seen. Bill called for

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    him but he didn't come like he normally did.

    I don't know, Bill said at last, I don't know how we

    didn't notice him slipping away. Should we go back and look

    for him?I think he is much better equipped to find us then we

    are to find him, to tell you the truth, Joshua said, I think he

    will catch up to us when he is ready.

    As the two men walked on the harsh, chemical stench

    continued to grow. Soon the damp, acrid air began burning

    their noses and irritating their lungs. Coughing, Joshua pulled

    out a pair of handkerchiefs ripped from one of his old shirts

    and wet it with water from one of the bottles that hung from his

    belt. He passed one to Bill before tying one so that it covered

    his nose and mouth. Bill did the same with his, and though the

    air still felt damp it no longer burned his nose, and after a few

    minutes his coughing had subsided.

    Hint? Joshua gasped as his coughing subsided and the

    two men stopped to catch their breathes.

    Nope, Bill wheezed.Come on, Joshua said horsely, Why won't you tell

    me.

    Gives you... Bill stopped to clear his throat, Gives

    you something to look forward to, doesn't it?

    I guess so, Joshua said, but a hint wouldn't hurt.

    Normally, yes, Bill said as he got to his feet, but you

    are a sharp one, any hint I give you would give away enough

    for you to figure it out.Oh, come on, Joshua said, Just a little one.

    Sorry, Bill said, no can do. Anyone smart enough to

    figure out where we are just from those notes you are jotting

    down could figure this one out with the slightest whiff of a

    hint. I'm half convinced you know what it is already and are

    bugging me for hints just to keep me going.

    Joshua smiled to himself, Bill was sharper then he gave

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    himself credit for. He hadfigured it out, that and the reason

    Bill refused to drop any hints. There was enough of a hint in

    the conversation he had walked into after visiting his wife to

    figure out what Sally had whispered in Bill's ear. He was trulyhappy for Bill and Sally's blessing. The timing was a little off

    for this sort of thing, but from what he had seen it often was.

    The two men continued to wind their way up the

    passageway. The tunnel had a slight uphill grade that seemed

    promising, and there was no mud trickling in their direction. It

    seemed to them that they had found the exit at last. After a

    particularly sharp turn the uphill grade became steeper, and dim

    flashes of light came from ahead accompanied by a sound like

    falling water. Bill and Joshua resisted the urge to run ahead,

    instead they forced themselves to keep their careful pace,

    running the beams of their lights over the ceiling and floor of

    the passageway.

    When they finally reached the end of the passageway

    they were glad for their caution. The floor of the tunnel fell

    away to reveal a chamber with steep walls and a floor severalhundred feet below. In the roof of the chamber was a large

    fissure, through which came the flashes of light from the

    surface world along with a steady stream of black muck. There

    did not seem to be any other exits to the chamber and the muck

    had gathered to form a large pool at it's bottom. The acrid

    stench was strong in the chamber, irritating their noses despite

    the wet rags and forcing them to retreat further down the

    tunnel.Well, now we know why Rembrandt didn't follow us,

    Bill said.

    Yea, Joshua replied as they made their way back

    down the tunnel, he probably smelled that stench long before

    we did and decided to stop.

    I'm surprised he didn't try to warn us or something,

    Bill said.

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    He may have, Joshua said, running his hand over his

    scalp, I was just too busy bugging you for hints for us to

    hear.

    The two continued on in silence for a few momentsbefore Bill asked, Is it me, or was the muck falling from the

    roof thinner than it has been?

    Joshua thought for a minute, I would guess that the

    rain has washed away most of the ash and dust from the lower

    atmosphere. Which in a way is a good thing I guess. Soon it

    will just be regular rain falling outside. Regular rain would

    wash the mud away and dilute the acid, but it will also cool the

    ground faster.

    Oh, Bill said, I take it that is a bad thing?

    Yep, Joshua said, ever see snow in July?

    Um, no, Bill said with a laugh.

    Wait a few weeks and you might. Joshua said darkly.

    Well, Bill said, I guess the picnic is off for the

    fourth.

    Yea, well, the fireworks came a little early this year,Joshua said, stopping to stare sadly at the floor in front of him,

    and they were the fireworks to end all fireworks... literally.

    Yea, Bill said sadly, I suppose they were.

    The two men continued in silence until there, waiting at

    the intersection of two passageways, lay Rembrandt. He

    picked his head up at their approach and barked happily in

    greeting to his errant companions, tail thump, thumping on the

    tunnel floor. He stretched and got to his feet and, not waitingfor the others, started off down the next tunnel in the

    intersection. Bill and Joshua felt an odd sense of dj vu as

    they were, once again, given no choice but to follow the large

    animal. He led them down the low, winding tunnel for what

    seemed like an hour. At the next intersection Rembrandt led

    them down a narrow side passage which ended in what, at first,

    looked like a dead end. The large dog waited for the two men

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    to catch up before disappearing through a low crawlspace. Bill

    looked at Joshua and shrugged before getting down on his

    hands and knees to follow Rembrandt's lead.

    The crawlspace opened into a small chamber, abouteight feet wide and twelve feet long. There was a small spring

    that trickled out of a crack in the far wall and fell into a fissure

    in the floor that plunged deep into the bowels of the earth. The

    chamber was cool, and the water pure. Joshua and Bill decided

    that this was a good place to stop for the night, which seemed

    to be Rembrandt's idea in the first place. As soon as Joshua

    had followed Bill through the crawlspace the big dog lay in

    front of it. It was getting late anyway, and the two were

    hungry, stopping seemed like a good idea to both men.

    Rembrandt had proven himself trustworthy on several

    occasions, once even saving their lives, and the two men

    trusted his judgment.

    Bill portioned out some of their bear jerky for the three

    of them and refilled their water supply from the spring, testing

    it first to make sure it was pure. Joshua busied himself with hisnotes and his drawing pad. Using his notes as a guide he

    carefully began sketching their route through the tunnels. He

    measured everything carefully and double checked his

    measurements before making a mark on the map. Bill tore off

    a bite of the dried bear meat as he watched his large friend

    work. The meat was tough, but that was to be expected. He

    regretted that he didn't have the proper seasonings for the jerky,

    but the taste was passable, if a little heavy on the pepper.

    *****

    Jim sat at the table, watching as the group that had been

    sent to the terrarium returned. They looked tired, but all of

    them seemed to be in high spirits. They laughed and joked

    with one another as they came to dinner. It had been a busy

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    day for them, they had pulled up most of the plants that had

    been in the terrarium and were well on their way to preparing

    the ground for planting. Joshua's assistants had the parts cut

    out for the terrarium's stove and were planning to assemblethem after dinner. Greg had been working with Carl most of

    the evening and had drawn up plans for a small forge that they

    intended to set up in a small chamber they had found not far

    down the passageway to the terrarium.

    Jim's day had been busy as well, he had dealt with two

    disputes over who slept where in the cavern. Those had been

    simple enough to solve, he simply had the parties involved in

    each dispute move to separate corners of the chamber. Then

    there was a problem between two young men over a toothbrush

    of all things. The two young men, brothers as it turned out, had

    both brought the exact same toothbrush. One of the brushes

    turned up missing and Barry, the brother that had lost his

    accused his brother Don of stealing it. Jim had Barry empty

    his pack and the toothbrush was found at it's bottom. Jim

    advised both of them to ask Sally to find them something tomake better use of their time. They did, and were sent to help

    in the terrarium. Jim watched the two as they entered the

    chamber, joking with one another and laughing. Apparently

    they had enjoyed the work as well.

    Dinner turned out to be a thick stew that was rich and

    flavorful, the meat was a bit stringy, but Jim had never eaten

    bear before. The talk around the table was of the day's events

    and Bill and Joshua's journey. They all wondered how the twowere doing. Surprisingly, Rembrandt had returned to the

    chamber briefly, he had spent some time with Jason then

    visited Bobbie in the clinic before returning to the tunnels.

    Jim still had a hard time thinking of her as injured,

    especially since their talk earlier in the day. Jim had been

    surprised at his impromptu nap, he had not felt tired or

    anything, he had simply fallen asleep. Jim had awakened

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    refreshed, even though he had not felt weary before, and

    surprisingly his neck had not been stiff. He smiled thinking of

    her, he still felt wary of her at times, but she seemed to be a

    completely different person. Wary or not Jim couldn't help butlike the young woman the way she was now, she was so

    vibrant, so alive. Her every word seemed truthful and sincere.

    Her dream world reflected her inner warmth, it felt comfortable

    and safe. Jim had been surprised at first, but the place seemed

    to fit the young woman as she was now, and were those books

    he had seen through the only door in the room?

    After dinner Jim watched as most of Joshua's assistants

    carried the stove parts down to the terrarium. Jason stayed

    behind, however, talking with another young man and one of

    the young women not far away. The young man was thin with

    a thin featured face and shoulder length red hair worn back

    under a purple beret. On his chin he had a neatly trimmed

    goatee. The young woman had skin like rich coffee with a

    touch of heavy cream, her long black hair was neatly braided

    and tied off with a bow that matched her green blouse. Jimwas curious at first, but soon the whole group walked over to

    where Jim was sitting and Jason cleared his throat nervously.

    Um, Jim, Sir? Jason started.

    Just Jim, he replied with an encouraging smile,

    Please sit, and for goodness sake relax.

    Thank you, Jason said as the group took seats across

    the table from Jim.

    So... Jim said, What's up?Well, Jason said, tapping his foot nervously, Heather,

    David, and I were sort of wondering.. we were all in band

    together in school and we were wondering if it would be alright

    if we took some time to practice together.

    Wow, Jim said with a laugh, now I know the world

    is at an end. You are actually asking me permission to start a

    band?

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    I told you it was a bad idea, Heather whispered to

    Jason.

    What are you kidding?I think it is one of the best ideas

    I have heard in a while, Jim said, This cavern is downrightgloomy at times, a little music would do us all good. I don't

    really understand why everyone seems to be so nervous about

    talking to me. I mean, I don't bite and I have had all my shots

    and everything.

    Heather giggled, Jim had never actually heard anyone

    giggle before, but that was the only word to describe the way

    she laughed.

    Well, I don't know about the others, the young

    woman said, but you seem so busy most of the time, and Sally

    made it abundantly clear that you were off limits.

    Off limits for marriage, yes, Jim said, I am already

    married, but I am allowed to have friends.

    So, Heather said with a smile, tell me about your

    wife, I never see you with her.

    Well, Jim said, pulling out his wife's letter andfiddling with it while he continued, I first met Laura at a gas

    station when I was twenty four. Joshua and I had stopped for

    gas on our way to our favorite fishing hole for weekend

    outing. Her car had broken down, I forget what was wrong

    with it, and she asked us where to take it to get it fixed. She

    was beautiful, she had just moved into town and just finished

    an interview with one of the local law offices. She was dressed

    in this sharp looking blue dress suit, she looked absolutelygorgeous in it. I swear my heart stopped the moment I saw her,

    and there I was wearing a threadbare plaid shirt and overalls

    with my goofy looking fishing hat covering my unkempt hair.

    We talked while Joshua took a look at her car, I was ready to

    cuss at him when it only took him ten minutes to fix her car. I

    was surprised when she asked if she could come with us to our

    fishing hole, and even more surprised when she pulled a pole

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    and tackle box out of her trunk. The three of us spent the

    whole weekend fishing and telling each other stories by the

    fire.

    Jim took a drink of water before continuing, It was likewe had known each other forever. She was quick to laugh and

    had the sweetest smile, I couldn't help but fall in love with her.

    A couple days later I was getting ready to meet Joshua for our

    weekly chess game when she knocked on my door. As soon as

    I opened the door she kissed me, handed me a slip of paper

    with her phone number on it and a time, then walked away

    while all I could do was stare blankly in her direction. I waited

    all of five minutes before calling and leaving a message on her

    machine. Something to the effect of, 'I couldn't wait to call

    you, I know we barely know one another but I think I love

    you.' When I got to my van to meet Josh there was a note

    under the wiper that said 'I love you too Jim.' We were married

    a year later at our favorite fishing hole.

    Wow, Heather said, with a dreamy look on her face,

    it sounds like you really love her.Yea, Jim said, Laura and I were made for one

    another.

    Were? Heather asked, So she's...

    Yes, Jim said in answer, But I still see her every

    night in my dreams.

    The three youths stayed and chatted for a little while

    longer then went off to practice, and he smiled to himself as the

    music began to fill the chamber. As he began to relax Jim'seyes fell on a plump young woman with shoulder length, blond

    hair and an odd bundle in her arms walking toward her pallet.

    He recognized her, she had been carrying the bundle when they

    had picked her up. Jim was surprised when, as he watched, the

    bundle moved!

    Jim wheeled his chair in the direction the young woman

    had taken, and found her cuddling a young child in her arms.

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    The baby was small and bald and looked up at Jim with the

    most beautiful blue eyes and a cute little smile.

    Oh, hi, the young woman said, looking up from the

    baby.Hi, I'm Jim, he said smiling down at the child, you

    have a cute baby, how old is he?

    She, actually, the girl said, her name is Shelby and

    she is seven months old. I'm Allison, by the way, and she is my

    younger sister. I couldn't leave her behind, there was no one

    else around and she is mysister, Shelby had a panicked

    expression on her face and tears in her eyes as she held the

    child close.

    Hey, its alright, Jim said soothingly, you did the

    right thing. I was just wondering, I didn't know she was here is

    all. I haven't heard her cry or anything, is she doing OK?

    Yea, she is fine, Shelby said with the start of a smile,

    I made sure to stop by the store on the way to meat you, and I

    pretty much cleaned them out in the baby department. That's

    why I had so many bags with me.Good, Jim said with a smile as he tickled the precious

    little girl, if you need anything just let us know. Oh, and

    perhaps you should introduce this sweet little lady to Sally. I

    am sure she would love to get to know you both.

    They've met, actually, Allison said, I asked her not to

    say anything though, she and Kelly check up on me almost

    every day.

    I see, Jim said, you seem to do good with her.Thank you, Allison said, finally giving Jim the smile

    he was hoping for, I love working with children.

    That's great, Jim said as Shelby cooed up at him, I

    have a feeling we will soon be needing someone who is good

    with children. I would like it if you got with Jason and have

    him help you set up a proper nursery so Shelby, and any

    possible additions could play safely. Perhaps Sally and Kelly

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    would be willing to help too.

    OK, Allison said, she seemed genuinely exited by the

    idea, I will do that. Thank you Jim.

    Hey, Jim said as Shelby played with his fingers, youboth deserve to be happy, just like the rest of us, especially her.

    Just one more favor though if you are willing.

    Sure what? Allison asked.

    Bring Shelby by to visit me once in a while, Jim said,

    and keep up the good work.

    I'm sure she would love that, Allison said gratefully,

    thank you again.

    Just take good care of this little princess, she is

    precious, Jim made his way back to the table, listening to

    Jason's music and daydreaming about a bright, new future

    filled with the sound of children at happy play.

    To Be Continued...

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    Stories in this series:

    Pt. 1: Storm-front

    Pt. 2: Madness

    Pt. 3: Marked

    Pt. 4: Darkness and Light

    Pt. 5: Guidance

    Pt. 6: Salvation

    Pt. 7: Redemption

    Pt. 8: Preparations

    Pt. 9: Departure

    20

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