SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER THE BREVIS EVENT

          July 24-31, 2066

          Colorado and Utah

 

     In the days that followed, Christopher Koenig followed the directives of his invisible teacher, riding west on Route 14 through Hayden, Rangeley, and Mack, into Utah. After seven days of pedaling, he found a deserted area not far from the Dome Plateau along the Colorado River. He pitched his tent and made his home. There he fished for bass and trout in the river and found native fruits and cacti nearby.

     That night he sat and watched the sunset over the mountains, and the stars appear. In the clear mountain air, he gazed at the moonless sky, and he saw a sky he had never seen before in this lifetime. He saw the planets strewn across the constellations – Jupiter and Saturn, the rusty red of Mars, Venus so bright it cast shadows. He saw the Milky Way, our beautiful galaxy with its billions of stars.

     Beyond what his human eyes could see, in the deep void of space, he knew there were other galaxies – billions upon billions of them. His mind carried him through space and time to the furthest reaches of this enormous, glorious Universe.

     There are those who consider the vast expanse of the Universe and think themselves small and insignificant. But Chris saw it, and knew he was big; he was important. We all are. Because we do not look at the Universe; we are the Universe, as much a part of it as any star or galaxy.

     From somewhere deep in his mind, he heard the voice of Callum: “You see it, don’t you?”

     “Yes.”

     “And you understand why it has to be?”

     Chris closed his eyes, and after a long second, he wiped away a tear and said, “I think so. It’s just that...”

     “It’s just that what, Christopher?”

     After a long pause, “Never mind, Callum.”

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SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER THE BREVIS EVENT

          Monday, August 2, 2066

          8:30 PM

          Along the Colorado River in Utah

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     Christopher sat in front of his tent as the sun set. He had finished his dinner of trout and prickly pear. He had steeped a tea of ephedra and was quietly sipping, remembering the day’s lessons.

      “How has all of this come to be?” he had asked.

     Callum answered, “My son, think of the world as it is now – wars, poverty, disease; governments all over the world are collapsing under the weight of their excesses while their leaders get fat and happy. Christopher, the world is ready for you; you must become ready for yourself.”

     “But does it have to be this way? I think of all the people, the pain, the...”

     “Yes, you know this is the way. It is the only way.”

     “But it wasn’t like that was last time.”

    “Christopher, the last time didn’t work, did it?” Then Callum added, “You will soon come to understand, my son. You are learning and learning well. Have faith in me, and patience with yourself.”

     As Chris sat now, watching the emerging stars, his mind carried him away. He was beginning to see, beginning to remember. Suddenly, three mule deer crept tentatively to the riverside. They saw Chris and began to dart away, but he quietly said, “Wait. Stay with me.”

     The deer stopped in their tracks. They turned to look at Chris with soft eyes. He caught eyes with the large buck; they locked their gaze for a full minute before Chris smiled and said, “Come.”

     The buck slowly walked to Chris and lay down at his feet. Chris placed his hand on the buck’s head. The deer turned its face to Christopher with soft eyes, a look that could only be described as absolute love.

      Very softly, Chris whispered, “I am sorry.”

      The buck closed his eyes, laid his head down. And died.

     Chris lifted his hand from the animal’s head and saw drops of his own blood on its fur. His hands and fingers always bled when he ate prickly pear.

From deep in his mind, he heard the voice of Callum, “See, Christopher, it will not be difficult.”

      “But why, Callum? Why?”

Callum said nothing more, and Christopher Koenig buried his face in his hands, and wept bitterly.