Monday, July 25, 2020 at 10:00am

Pots of coffee flowed endlessly into bottomless mugs - regular, decaf, half-caf, double-caf, nonfat, low-fat, skim, mocha, caramel, hazelnut. Sounds of eager forks clinked against plates topped full of flapjacks, eggs with sausage links, burgers and fries, meatloaf, turkey surprise, and country fried steak. The smell of sizzling bacon was the signature aroma. Everything on the menu offered a side of bacon, even the macaroni and cheese. The customers were an odd assortment of businessmen in suits, church-goers, families, and truck drivers passing through. The regulars were sitting proudly at the counter reading the daily newspaper.

“Hey mama, I need some more coffee over here!” Destiny heard a customer say. She was holding a tray full of dirty dishes and still needed to clear and wipe down two other tables in her section.

“I’ll be right with you.” As she was hustling back to the kitchen, she passed by a young man with do-rag on. He smiled at her, revealing a gold tooth. He blew a kiss at her. He had two friends at the table who seemed quite amused by his antics.

“Ey, why don’t you try and get her number?” One of his friends suggested.

“Bet.” Was all the gold tooth man said in response.

“Baby girl?” He called her again. Destiny pretended she couldn’t hear him over the loud clash and clatter of plates clinking and customers chattering. Destiny walked by the man again, with food for the next table.

“Yo, baby girl?” He called again. What is with Goldy Tooth? She thought. Destiny dropped off the plates to the customers and began cleaning the other tables in her section.

“I told you I will be right with you.” Destiny hurriedly dropped off the dirty dishes and the kitchen and picked up her order for Goldy’s table.

A waitress with strawberry hair and a bright pink apron was passing by. Destiny called her Miss Piggy for she was a rotund woman with a short nose and round, rosy cheeks. She wore entirely too much makeup on her chubby face, usually a bright colored lipstick and eyeshadow. Today it was red lipstick and light blue eyeshadow.

Miss Piggy’s shoulder bumped into Destiny, causing plates, cups, silverware, and bits and pieces of food to scatter all over the floor. Miss Piggy stepped over the pile.

“Get out of the way, freak.” Miss Piggy retorted.

Destiny started picking up the mess.

“Daaaaaamn. Yo’ girly, you got a fat ass!” Destiny looked over her shoulder and saw Goldy and his friends staring at her behind.

Destiny ignored them and continued cleaning. After she was done she headed back to the kitchen and was welcomed with another order ready.

“Order up, table six.” The chef called. Destiny grabbed the heavy tray along with a fresh pot of coffee and made her way back to table six where Goldy Tooth and his posse were.

“Here you go.” Destiny placed down two plates piled high with buttermilk pancakes, bacon and sausage, fried eggs, and hash browns - a vegan’s nightmare. “And your coffee.” She added, refilling his cup.

“So you gonna give me your number of what?” Goldy asked.

“Not.” Destiny said.

“Come on, baby. You know you want some of this.” Destiny started to walk away.

“Fuck you then, lesbo!” It was all Destiny could do not to yank that hideous tooth out of his crusty mouth.

As Destiny headed back to the kitchen, she walked by Miss Piggy again.

“Hey, why don’t you try getting out of the way, pothead so the rest of us can get some work done!” Miss Piggy scolded. Destiny turned to her to say something in response but hesitated. Miss Piggy was a manager and the owner’s daughter so she got to do and say whatever she wanted. Rent was due in three weeks, so Destiny decided to leave it alone.

Destiny gave a polite smile and went about her business bussing tables and bringing customers their food. When Destiny walked by the old man sitting at the counter reading the Brookside Daily News. The old man ate breakfast at Roxanne’s every single morning. Suddenly the man reached over and pinched Destiny on the butt. Destiny turned around in anger and glared at the seemingly feeble old man. He was smirking his snaggle tooth grin as if he has won some type of perverted contest. She had to fight the urge to slap that silly grin off his face.

“Pour me some more coffee, sweet cheeks?” Destiny’s thoughts took her back to how much she needed to this job to pay her bills, so put on her phony smile and said nothing. She filled his mug with coffee, as she did, she could feel his beady eyes staring at her chest. Destiny picked up the man’s empty plate and started walking away. He pinched her butt again. Destiny said nothing and returned to the kitchen to unload her items.

Destiny needed some fresh air. She walked through the kitchen to the back door. Miss Piggy saw her heading outside and called after her.

“Where you going, dreadhead?” Miss Piggy barked.

“Taking my fifteen.”

“Hey, pothead.” She turned to Destiny and looked her up and down. She was pointing her chubby finger in Destiny’s face. You invite your loser boyfriend over here to fight your battles? How pathetic. I’m docking your pay. You’re going to have to make up for it by working a double shift next weekend.”

“Fine by me.” Destiny didn’t want to hear another word. She thrust the back door open and stepped outside into the back alley. She sat down on an old vegetable crate and looked up at the sky. Destiny tried her best to ignore the rotten garbage smell emanating from the dumpster. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep working these pointless dead-end jobs. There had to be more to life than getting groped by creepy customers and called names by fat managers. Destiny was never the type to feel sorry for herself or play the victim. She had been in worst jams than this and she would make it through this one just as she did the others. But it was times like this she wished she had someone to turn to who understand how truly crappy life could be. It was why she missed her big brother Nick so much. He always had a way of making even the darkest of times seem like a temporary layover to your final destination. Destiny would have given anything to see his face again, to hear his voice telling her, It will all be alright, Z. We can make it through anything as long as we are together. It is you and me versus the world kid, so the world better watch out!

Destiny pulled out a joint from her pocket. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of the weed through the wrapper. She had to fight the urge not to light it right now. Six more hours, she thought. Then she could leave this hell hole. Destiny took another deep breath of the weed and felt reenergized. She stuck the joint back in her pocket and went inside to resume her shift.

“Order up, table five!” The chef called. Destiny grabbed the tray of food and went to deliver it to the big burly family at table five.

“Uh...excuse me?” Destiny was interrupted by the perverted old man sitting at the counter.

“What?” Destiny didn’t bother to hide her irritation.

“I dropped my napkin. Could you pick it up for me there, darling?” The crusty old man said.

“Get it yourself.” Destiny snapped. She finished out her shift.

---

By the time Destiny left the diner, the late afternoon was pouring into early evening. Even though it was still daylight, the three-quarter moon stood out in the pink sky. Roxanne’s diner was in the middle of everything -- located on the busiest street in the middle of downtown Brookside. There was still a considerable amount of activity for a Sunday. Cars and buses moving through traffic. People hustling through the crowds hurriedly making their way to their destinations.

Destiny waited for a lull of oncoming cars before crossing the street to a nearby parking structure. She was carrying two styrofoam takeout boxes. Since it was the end of the day, the structure was almost entirely empty with only a few cars, most likely belonging to employees who worked nearby.

Along the right side of the structure next to a row of handicapped parking spaces sat a dark skinned woman approximately in her fifties and a young child. They were wrapped in a grungy blanket, it's original color was indiscernible but from the looks is appeared to be some sort of red or pink.

Destiny leaned over and kissed the woman on the cheek.

“Hey, Martha.”

“Hey, honey. Right on time.” Destiny handed the woman the boxes she was carrying along with some plastic ware she had taken.

"Here you go, Martha. I had the chef put extra gravy on the mashed potatoes just like you like. And there's some corn and green beans in there for Sammy." The woman graciously took the takeout boxes of food. She was wearing a green jogging suit and had a black do-rag on.

"Thank you, Z." Martha said. She handed one box to the young girl next to her. The little girl was about eight years old. Her hair was thick and matted. She wore an oversized t-shirt and grey jeans. Sammy jammed her plastic spoon in a big heap of mashed potatoes but Martha stopped her before she could put it in her mouth.

"Wait, Sammy. You know we say grace first." Sammy dropped the spoon and bowed her head.

"Thank you, Lord for this wonderful spread you have laid before us. And thank you for the blessings you shower us with on a day to day. And last but not least, Lord, we thank you for Z. For she is a great blessing to me and Sammy. Jesus name we pray. Amen." Martha said. Destiny stood silently while Martha prayed. Sammy picked her spoon back up and dug ravenously into the food.

"There's something else." Destiny reached in her pocket and took out the two hundred dollars the young man from the diner had given her. "Here, I want you to have this."

Martha stared at the money but didn't reach for it.

"Oh, honey we can't accept that."

"I insist. Some customer left me a large tip. I’d prefer if you and Sammy took it.” Martha’s eyes began to tear up but she refused to accept the money.

“Oh, dear you are so sweet, but I can’t take that money. You need it for your tuition. But may God bless you for your good heart.” Destiny sighed heavily.

“You know I don’t believe in your god, Martha.”

“Our God." She corrected. "And you may not think you believe in Him but you live according to His word. Romans 8:28 said, ‘and we know that God causes all things to work for good to those who love God, those are called according to His purpose.’ Do you know how many people pass by us every single day and most don’t even have the decency to look directly at us? They all walk quickly with their heads down hoping we don’t ask them for money. But every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, like clockwork, we can count on you to bring us delicious food from Roxanne’s diner. You are a gift, Z. Your compassion is astounding.” Destiny shook her head. Martha was another mindless drone who believed in this so-called Almighty God who, as far as Destiny was concerned, sat on his holier than thou throne in the sky judging and condemning the earth-dwellers for all their weaknesses and mistakes.

Destiny didn’t believe in a higher power. Her adopted parents, Wayne and Kimberly, went to church every Sunday and were the biggest hypocrites of all. They made sure the car was scrubbed clean, then they would put on their best clothes and finest jewelry, and drag her and Nick to Saint View Church. They would sit reverently in the pews intently listening to the Pastor Leland drone on about some man who is the flesh embodiment of God and how that man was beaten, whipped, tortured and nailed to a large piece of wood. And somehow the gruesome and horrendous acts that this man endured would atone for all the bad shit people do to each other every damn day of their miserable lives. This twisted belief was like a green light that permitted bad people to keep doing bad things so long as they went to church, paid their tithes and offerings, and celebrated Christmas. To Destiny, it was nothing but a huge con that the majority of the world bought into.

Try as she might, Destiny never quite learned how to make sense of it all. She couldn’t bring herself to pray to a god who sat and watched while bad things happened over and over again. She definitely couldn’t believe in a god who would absolve her adoptive parents from all blame for all tyrannical behavior and unrelenting abuse they delivered to her and Nick. This god had never even been there for her - not the day she was found in an abandoned car on the side of the road. He wasn’t there for her when she was thrust into the foster care system and forced to live in a group home for the first nine years of her life. He definitely wasn’t there when she was adopted by a horrible couple. He hadn’t been there when her adoptive mother would beat her senseless every time she left a dish in the sink, a crumb in the kitchen, or if her bed had too many wrinkles. God sure as hell hadn’t been there when she ran away from the Rogers’ house at age 16.

No, the fact was, the only one who had ever been there for Destiny was Nick. He was her only family and her best friend. And when Nick turned up dead, it was obvious God hadn’t been there for him either. This high and mighty God, if he did exist, stayed proudly in his castle in the sky. He had given her nothing but the crappy hand of cards she’d been dealt. At the same time, He had taken everything from her that ever mattered. Who in their right mind would want anything to do with a god like that?

“Well, I’m not so sure about that, Martha. Right before the customer gave me that $200 - I, sort of, yelled at him…”

“Did he deserve it?”

“Not exactly. He just kept sticking his nose where it didn’t belong and I got fed up. I guess I could have handled it better. Truth is, I feel kinda bad. Maybe he was just being nice...”

“So was he cute?”

“What?”

“Your thoughts seem pretty preoccupied with this man. I’m just wondering if you found him somewhat attractive.” Destiny’s face turned pink.

“No! I-mean not really. He wasn’t unattractive, but he’s definitely not my type. Besides, I have more important things on my mind.”

“Okay, okay. Whatever you say, dear. Remember Matthew 6:7 says, ‘Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy’.”

“Oh yeah. Well in Jeremiah 21:14, your god says ‘I will punish you as your deed deserves’.”

“John 3:16 ‘for God so loved the world that He gave his only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’.”

“There is no such thing as eternal life, Martha.” Destiny said.

“There is for those who know Him and believe and trust in His word.”

“Look at you, Martha. Homeless, covered in dirt. You can’t even feed yourself or Sammy when you want to. Not a penny to your name. How on earth can you believe your god is so wonderful if he would let you sit here suffering like this?” Destiny asked. Everytime Destiny came to visit Martha and Sammy they were always caked in dirt from head to toe. With the new Mayor of Brookside “cleaning up” the streets of Brookside, most of the surrounding businesses were none too friendly to the homeless community. Martha had often told Destiny that upon trying to enter a public facility to wash up, the manager would tell them to leave or threaten to call to the police.

Destiny knew how it was to be a female on the streets. Every day was a battle to try and keep what few belongings you had. The moment you put your guard down - someone would run off with it. A lot of women and young girls Sammy’s age often traded sexual favors for money, food, drugs - whatever they needed. Martha refused to let something like that happen to Sammy. She met Sammy when she was huddled in a bus station bathroom. Sammy had been curled up in one of the stalls when an attendant found her and threatened to call social services. Luckily Martha had been using the ladies room when it happened so she told the attendant that Sammy was her daughter. Ever since then, Sammy has stuck to Martha like glue. Destiny wished she had had someone like Martha looking out for her when she was living on the streets.

“I could quote a hundred verses to you about God’s love, His mercy, or even His wisdom. But none of it would change how you feel or what you went through. Instead, I’ll tell you that God works in mysterious ways. Maybe you can’t understand that by looking at my situation but why not look at your own? You came from nothing. No advantages in life. You were out here on these streets on your own as a child. Yet you survived! Now, here you are working two jobs. Soon you’ll be going to school and go on to become a doctor or a lawyer or whatever you want to be. You wouldn’t call that a miracle? A sign of God’s love for you?”

“No. I wouldn’t." Destiny didn't hesitate. "Everything I have, all I have accomplished is my doing. Not some invisible spirit or holy ghost.” Destiny expected Martha to quote some more scripture, sing a hymn, or lecture her some more on religion and spirituality but she didn’t. Instead she just smiled.

“One day, it will all make sense to you. Thanks again for the food, my dear.”

“Alright take care, Martha.” Destiny leaned down and kissed Martha on the cheek. “See ya, Sammy.” Sammy waved goodbye to Destiny and gave her a smile, her mouthful of food. Of all the time that Destiny had known Martha and Sammy, she never heard Sammy utter a word. Destiny could imagine the things she’s seen and had to endure to make her mute like that. If social services got wind of their predicament, they would take Sammy away in a heartbeat. But Destiny knew even with their situation, the best place for Sammy would be with someone who cared about her rather than in an overcrowded foster care system or group home that was none too kind to little black girls.

Destiny left the parking structure and headed to the nearest bus stop. She had 45 minutes before she had to be at the Brookside library for the closing shift.

Monday, July 25, 2020 at 6:15pm

“You’re late.” Ms. Waters, the librarian, said. She pushed her 1960s pink plastic-framed glasses up with her boney index finger. She was sitting stiff as a board at the reception desk. Ms. Waters was a thin but a fairly attractive, middle-aged woman. Her dark wavy hair was pulled back in a tight bun that made her eyes look wide and thin. Her white collared shirt was buttoned all the way up to her neck. She was a wearing a light pink, fuzzy cardigan that matched her glasses perfectly. Every time Destiny saw Ms. Waters she was always poised and polished without a single hair out of place. She wore barely any makeup and didn’t really need any. Her mocha skin had a golden undertone and her lips were naturally pink. She wore no ring on her left finger and Destiny had never heard her mention anything about having a husband or children.

“And I couldn’t help but notice you left the book cart out in the stacks last night. You also forgot to lock up the back door. I’m afraid I’m going to have to write you up.” Write me up to who? Destiny thought. She and Ms. Waters were the only ones who worked at Brookside Public Library.

“Whatever you say, Ms. Waters.” Destiny was used to Ms. Waters and her rigid rules about putting everything it its “rightful place”. Since Destiny Started Working here she had been written up for everything from leaving out trash on the desk to forgetting to wipe down and disinfect all the surfaces and chairs at the end of each day. It was this obsessive compulsive behavior that Destiny had grown accustomed to after years of living with the biggest tyrant of all - her adoptive mother Kimberly Rogers. At least Ms. Waters only scolded rather than beat Destiny into submission. Destiny understood the type of person who desperately needed to feel in control. It was years before Destiny realized the source of the abuse from mommy dearest was a cycle that started and ended with Mr. Wayne Rogers. Anytime Wayne was having a lousy day, he took it out on Kimberly who in turn took it out on her and Nick. Destiny remembered sitting in this very library when she was 12 years old, reading a psychology book that explained the mentality behind domestic abuse. It helped her to understand that those who sought power and dominance over those they were threatened by.

Destiny always had a love of books and reading because it helped her escape her world and live in someone else’s fantasy, if only temporarily. But it was then that Destiny fell in love with learning and acquiring knowledge. It was empowering. Ever since, it had been Destiny’s dream to go to college and get her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work. For years, Destiny has been putting away every extra penny, saving for school tuition. The fact that she had dropped out of high school when she was 16 wasn’t going to stop her. A couple years ago, Destiny achieved her GED. And now, she only needed to save up another $3,500 for the first semester’s tuition at Brookside City College.

“And one other thing…” Ms. Waters said. “Someone called here earlier asking for you. He left you a message refused to leave his name.”

“What did he say?” Destiny asked, feigning disinterest.

“He said, ‘he’s sorry he missed you, but hopefully he can catch you later in history at 11’. I assume he meant history class? I didn’t know you were going to school.” Ms. Waters said.

“Oh, yes. Right...I have a history class at 11 tomorrow morning.” Destiny lied. She tried to seem casual but Ms. Waters appeared skeptical. Destiny assumed the call was from one of her regular customers coming up to pick up the usual ounce of marijuana. She didn’t want Ms. Waters to know that.

“Mmhmm. Alright. Well I’ll be going now. Make sure you wipe down all the counters before you leave tonight.” She ordered.

“Sure, Ms. Waters. Enjoy your evening.” Ms. Waters grunted and left the library.

---

Destiny was waiting anxiously for her eleven o’clock customer to arrive. She was leaning back in her chair, her black combat boots resting on the reception desk. She had been staring at her cell phone for the past half-hour willing it to ring. The ticks of the noisy, wood-paneled antique clock above her head taunted her with each loud second. Eleven forty-six.

“Where in the world is this guy?” She said aloud. It is a one of her regulars.

Finally, her phone began vibrating alerting her to a new text message.

Hey Zoe, need an ounce. Packing?. It was a text message from Birdman. Destiny never called her customers by their real names, she always used a pseudonym. It had been one of Nick’s rules. It provided a certain amount of anonymity that helped avoid detection from the cops. She called this guy Birdman because he had a long nose like a beak and floppy wings under his arms.

She texted back, Meet you in the stacks. History.

Destiny got out of her chair, grateful to stretch her legs. Brookside Public Library rarely got any visitors throughout the day so it came as no surprise that it was completely deserted at this hour. Destiny enjoyed the quiet though. It was the main reason she had applied for this job. It gave her privacy, a paycheck, and an inconspicuous place to deal where she didn’t have to worry about getting caught.

If it wasn’t Ms. Waters’ snarky attitude that kept students away, then it was probably the fact that there were no computers or internet access. To most others her age, the library was outdated, but Destiny found it to be quaint. It was the only explanation for why she was willing to work until closing night after night. The extra $11.00 an hour didn’t hurt either.

Destiny grabbed the book cart and loaded it with the return books from behind the reception desk. Every week the books had to be put away. Most of the time there weren’t any return books because there were hardly any customers. But tonight, there were three.

“Might as well put these away while I’m out. Don’t want Ms. Waters to have a hissy fit in the morning if she sees that I didn’t finish what little work needed to be done around her.” She said aloud.

Even though the old library was pretty much abandoned, Ms. Waters, the librarian, still took pride in her duties. She obsessed over the catalog system. Every book had to be its correct place right down to the last letter and decimal point.

As Destiny began pushing the cart towards the back of the library where the history section was located, she couldn’t help but marvel at the library’s beauty. This was not your ordinary library. There were countless shelves along the walls filled with classic books, some of which were first editions. It was dusky and dimly lit with only a few sconces light her pathway. The library smelled musty, like the inside of an attic in an abandoned house. The air was cold and damp, sending a chill down Destiny’s spine as she continued to wheel the cart. The silence was deafening -- the sound of the slight squeak of the cart echoing against the marble floor.

Birdman was waiting for her in the history section.

“Hey Zoe, what’s good girl?”

“Here. You kept me waiting for 45 minutes. Next time I’ll smoke the shit.” Destiny pulled a tiny bag of weed out of her pocket and held it up. Birdman pull some money out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“You ain't’ gotta be like that girl.”

“Whatever.”

“Thanks, Zoe I appreciate it. Catch you on the flip.” With that Birdman left the library. Finally it was time to clock out.

Destiny clicked off the desk lamp and walked out the front door.

The library didn’t appear as old and dilapidated under the forgiving gleam of the moonlight. The giant pillars and white stony walls towered over Destiny. The library looked like a historic landmark with its silver dome ornamenting the top of the building. Destiny remembered going there after school as a child to prolong going to the group home where she lived. It was before she knew Nick and it was the only place she felt safe for a long time. She used to imagine it was a castle that guarded her from monsters and demons. Later, Brookside library had been a protective shelter for her when she was living on the streets. On many dreadful rainy days and nights she sought the comfort of the library where she felt warm and safe.

A gentle breeze blew, quickly reminding Destiny that she wasn’t wearing any sleeves. It was an unseasonably cool night for July in Brookside, and her graphic muscle tee and harem parents were hardly warm enough. She tilted her head up to enjoy the view of the dark blue sky, and let nighttime wash over her. To be in the heart of Brookside, the area surrounding the library was welcomingly calm at this time of night. Darkness stretched ahead as far as the eye could see. The dark clouds moved quietly over the crescent moon. The birds were silenced -- nothing but the soothing chirp of the crickets could be heard for miles. No one dared walk the streets of East Brookside at this hour except those looking for trouble. She made her way across the pavement towards the bus stop half a block away.

Destiny sat on the cold bench, grateful for the partition, partially shielding her from the wind, and waited for the next 319 bus to South Brookside.

---

It was nearly 2am before Destiny arrived at her apartment. She was exhausted and glad to be home. Her bedroom was furnished on a scanty budget but it was cozy and full of warmth. The room contained a twin bed, no frame, and a quilt she has fastened together out of scraps of fabric she’d found. In the middle of the room was a small dining table with two mix-matched chairs neatly tucked away in the tiny kitchen. The moon was peeking in from the skylight, illuminating the room. There was a small dresser near the bed. Sitting on top was book titled, “The Holy Bible”.

Destiny opened up the cover revealing a container for storage. Inside was her college fund - all the money she had been saving for the last two years. Destiny used it as a book safe. She figured no one would think to look for money inside a bible. Destiny didn’t trust banks. All they did was deduct fees and provide low interest rates.

She dug inside her pants pocket and pulled out the tips she had made that morning at Roxanne’s diner, about $47. Altogether it was $5,149. Only $3,351 to go, she thought.

Destiny removed the green cloak from her bag. It was soft, made of rich velvet that almost felt like fur. It had gold trim around the edges. The cloak smelled of fresh pine and sweet rain. Who in the world would wear a cloak like this, especially in the middle of summer, she thought.

“Been waiting for this all day.” She said. Destiny pulled out a joint from her pocket. She grabbed the lighter out of her tote bag. It was a gift Nick had given her six years ago. It was gold and engraved with the letter “Z”. Not the most traditional gift a brother gives to his little sister but then again Nick was not a traditional guy. That was what she had loved most about him. Destiny put the joint in her mouth and lit it.

“Ah…” she exhaled. It was a definite relief after the stress of today. She welcomed the familiar taste and smell. She inhaled again and relaxed on her bed while the calming effect of the marijuana took over.

“Grr…” It was a low, familiar growl right on cue. From the shadows came the dark wolf, its body crouched low to the ground. Its yellow eyes showed through the darkness like two flashlights.

“Long time no see, Wolf.” Destiny said casually. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” The wolf stepped forward, its charcoal gray tufts of fur glistened in the moonlight.

“Hello, sister.” The wolf bellowed. “I’ve come to warn you.”

“Warn me about what?”

“It is imperative that you listen to what I have to say.” The wolf’s mouth never moved when it spoke but somehow Destiny could understand it. “The dark day is upon us. God’s spirit grows weaker with each passing day while the Holy Mother grows stronger. Only the light can save us. You must help her find the light.”

“The light?”

“Yes, Sister. Search for the White Winged Lion. He will keep you safe.”

“We are in the city. Where do you expect me to find a lion? At the Brookside zoo.”

“Fret not, Sister. Your heart will show you the way.” With that the wolf bowed its head to Destiny and stepped back into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

When Destiny was younger, the wolf had invaded her dreams and awakened her nightmares. The wolf’s visits always seemed to coincide with an impending tragedy. Right after Nick disappeared was when she started having recurring nightmares of a dark wolf chasing her through the woods. The day Nick died, she had received an unexpected visit from the mysterious wolf, warning Destiny of the great sadness and heartache that was to come. Ever since, the wolf showed up occasionally when Destiny gets high.

“I’ve got to stop smoking this shit.” Destiny muttered as she put out the joint in the ashtray next to her bed. She could no longer keep her eyes open. She let the haze of inebriation take over as she drifted off into a deep slumber.

Tuesday, July 26, 2020 at 6:00am

Destiny went for a walk around the neighborhood. Somehow she wound up at Fairview Park. The park covered a wide area that could fit about three football fields. The flower hedges along the outer rim made the park look welcoming and inviting. There was a large pond in the middle of the park, which used to be the home to countless ducks, geese, and swans - was now empty and abandoned. There were plenty of benches for people to sit and jogging tracks located throughout the park, but there was no one in sight. The small playground on the west side of the park, complete with a swing set and jungle gym, sat quietly untouched. The attractive park that had been meant for families and children was completely deserted now. It had become the place to sell drugs and conduct other illicit affairs.

Destiny sat down on one of the benches located under a huge tree. She gazed out over the pond, the murky green water was infested with mosquitoes and dragonflies. There were giant lilypads stretching across the surface of the water. Among them were bits and pieces of trash floating throughout.

In the distance she saw a man jogging along one of the trails. Who jogs at this park, Destiny thought. He was keeping a steady pace and appeared focused. He had on a blue basketball shorts and a gray tank top. He was wearing headphones. As he came closer she could see his lips were moving as if he were singing along to a song.

As the man ran down the pathway, he made his way towards Destiny. He glanced up at her before he passed by the bench where she was sitting. Suddenly he stopped and took out his earphones.

“Hey, it’s you.” He said. It was the man from the diner who had given the two hundred dollars. She hardly recognized him without the dorky suit and glasses.

“Hey.”

“What happened to your head? You okay?” Destiny remembered the gash on her head.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“Look, about the other day, I wanted to apologize again for…” He was rubbing his head.

“That’s really not necessary.” Destiny said.

“Really, if I would have known that you were so sensitive, I wouldn’t have-”

“Sensitive?”

“You know what I mean...”

“No, I don’t. Why don’t you explain it to me?”

“Look, can we just forget I said anything?” Destiny looked at the young man standing in front of her. She hadn’t noticed how tall he was.

“Okay.” She agreed.

“Why don’t we start over. I’m Edwin...Richards.” He said. “I’d ask your name but in the interest of full disclosure I’ll admit that I noticed your name tag before. What does the Z stand for?”

“Zoedana.” Destiny said. She hesitated on whether or not she should explain that Zoedana was not her given name. It had been the name she made up for herself back when she first started selling marijuana. Another one of Nick’s rules for anonymity was to give yourself a street name. Destiny liked the idea because giving herself a new name gave her the chance to be whoever she wanted to be rather than what others expected her to be. After weeks of searching high and low for the perfect name, she and Nick came up with Zoedana. It meant “knowledgeable about life.” Nick always told her how it suited her because she read a lot and knew countless random facts about nearly every subject imaginable.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Edwin said. He walked over to her and put his hand out. She looked at it. What a nerd, she thought.

“That’s a very...unique name.” He didn’t seem phased by Destiny’s coolness. He added, “I like it. You must have some pretty interesting parents.” Destiny said nothing, only looked at him blankly. “Well it was nice seeing you. Take care.”

“Wait.” Destiny said. “I’m actually glad I ran into you. I need to give you your money.” Destiny took the two hundred dollars out of her tote bag.

“What money?” He asked.

“The two-hundred dollar tip you left me the other day.” She held out the money for him to take it.

“Oh that. You’ve just been carrying that around?”

“Yeah. I thought I might run into you again at the diner. Isn’t that a lot of money to leave a waitress for a tip? I mean what are you, some type of millionaire or something?”

“No, nothing like that.” Edwin chuckled. His face turned slightly pink.

“Look, I’m no charity case. It was a nice gesture and all but just take the money back.”

“I can’t do that.” He said.

“Why not?”

“Because of me, you lost a day’s worth of pay. So I owed you that money for interfering with your life when I had no right to. So it is my responsibility as a man to pay you back. If I were to take that money back I would forgo all my integrity.” Was this nutjob for real, she thought.

“But...I was so mean to you. Look really, I don’t deserve-” Destiny objected.

“How about this. You can make it up to me by letting me take you to dinner tomorrow night.” Edwin suggested.

“Dinner?”

“Yes, dinner.” He said.

“I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea...” Destiny objected.

“Coffee, then? Or hibiscus tea with lemon and honey, in your case.” Edwin teased.

“Look, I already told you...I’m not interested. You really aren’t my type.”

“And who said you’re my type?” Edwin retorted. “You’re the one feeling guilty about being rude to me. I was just giving you a chance to make it up to me.”

“Is that right?” She was slightly amused.

“Yeah.”

Destiny laughed. This guy had some gaul, she’d give him that.

“...okay.” She agreed. His smile beamed brightly from ear to ear. It was the first time she noticed his dimples.

“There’s a great little coffee shop about six blocks from here. Care to walk?” As the two strolled through the park, engaged in conversation, Destiny noticed blue and red lights flashing out of the corner of her eye. To their right, off in the distance, were a few police cars and several uniforms standing around. There was caution tape stretched around a small area with spectators surrounding its perimeter.

“Wonder what happened?” Edwin said aloud. Probably another drug deal gone bad. Destiny thought. The two continued on their way to the coffee shop.

---

Back in the heart of downtown Brookside. The tiny coffee shop was huddled in between two huge city buildings. The patio was occupied by at least half a dozen customers. The green awning shielding them from the hot morning sun. Unlike the outside, the interior of the coffee shop was cool and clean, with bright walls and soft music playing the background. The customers sat on their laptops and tablets, sipping their customized morning beverages, blissfully unaware of their surroundings.

Destiny and Edwin stood patiently in line as the pretentious customers ahead of them ordered their half-caf, double whip, no foam, cinnamon dusted lattes, non-fat cappuccinos, and caramel macchiatos. To Destiny, it was like they were speaking a foreign language.

“Hello. What can I get for you?” The petite blonde behind the counter said. She looked as if she could be about twelve years old.

“Good morning, miss.” Edwin said. “How are you doing on this lovely day?”

The girl smiled politely and laughed nervously.

“I’m good. And yourself.”

“Ah, can’t complain. It’s a beautiful day. The sun in shining. And I have this beautiful woman right here next to me. Life is good.” Edwin exclaimed. Was he for real? What a nerd.

“She will have a medium hibiscus tea with honey and lemon. And I’ll take an extra-large dark roast coffee, please.” Destiny had never been out with someone like Edwin. She wasn’t sure if she appreciated him ordering for her.

“Did you want anything to eat?” Edwin asked.

“No, thank you.” She replied.

“And two blueberry muffins.”

“Okay, that will be $17.25.” The television was on loudly in the background.

“Early this morning, a young woman was found unconscious inside a hollow tree at Fairview Park. The woman who found her, Martha Gomez, says she and her daughter were playing in the park when she noticed something strange about one of the trees there.”

Destiny couldn’t believe it! Martha was on the t.v. “My daughter and I were hanging out in the park when when walked by this tree. My daughter says to me, ‘Mama look! I think there’s someone in-in that tree’. So I went and looked inside and there was woman. She looked like a sleeping angel. So I hurried up and called 911.”

The news woman continued, “Officials say the woman had no identification and doesn’t match the description from any of the missing persons’ reports in the last year. The woman’s injuries are fatal. Doctors say they are doing all they can. Next up, is your dog making you sick? More on this after the break.”

They were just at Fairview park! Why was Martha saying that when she knew Sammy doesn’t talk, Destiny thought.

“I guess that’s what the commotion was about.” Edwin remarked.

There was no where to sit inside so they opted to sit on the patio. Edwin pulled out a green metal chair for Destiny to take a seat. Most people hurriedly walked along the sidewalk past the coffee shop while some went inside. They were only a few blocks from Roxanne’s. Destiny wondered how Martha was doing.

“I got you a blueberry muffin just in case you changed your mind.” Edwin said. The three young women at an adjacent table were gawking shamelessly at Edwin. Consequently they looked disapprovingly at the fact the he was with Destiny. The two were quite a pair - clean cut, classically handsome, caramel-skinned Edwin sitting across the table from the off-beat rasta chick with long locks and piercings on her lip, nose, and brow.

“Thanks.” Destiny said. “So, do you always order for other people?”

“Uh...not always.” He said.

“Some people might not appreciate it.”

“I’m sorry-”

“Why do you feel the need to speak for me? I mean, first at the diner with my manager and that customer. And now...here. You can’t even let me order for myself. What’s with you?” Destiny questioned.

“N-nothing. I guess me ordering for you was out of habit. I’m used to ordering for my grandma because most of the time she’s not lucid enough to do it herself. As for the diner, I’m sorry if I offended you but your manager was rude and needed to be told she can’t behave that way. And I saw the look on your face when that jerk in the diner touched you. I couldn’t just sit idly by and do nothing. He owed the respect of an apology. So I told him I was your boyfriend and if I ever heard that he and touched you again I put my foot in his behind.”

“I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to defend me or try to fight my battles. You don’t even know me.”

“You’re right. I don’t know you. But the more I see and talk to you, the more I start to get a better understanding of the person you are. The more I see, the more I like.”

“What do you see?”

“I see a beautiful woman who has a lot of difficulties in life. She’s strong because she has to be. I see the spirit of a fighter in you. And it intrigues me. Because I would like to think that I am the same way.” Edwin was gazing intently at her, his big green eyes were soft and inviting. He seemed genuine. She was moved by his speech but did her best not to show it.

There was an awkward silence before he asked, “so what you do you see when you look at me?”

Before she could answer, a phone sounded. Edwin pulled his cell out of his pocket. Rather than answer it, he turned the sound off and put in back in his pocket.

“Sorry about that.” He said. “That was my TA.”

“TA? What’s that?”

“Teaching assistant. Probably had a question about our class tonight.”

“Class? But it’s summer.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m giving a six-week seminar over at the University. I just started working as an Assistant Professor there last month. It’s part of my PhD program.” He said.

“What do you teach?”

“Ancient studies with emphasis on languages, literature, and mythology.”

“I guess I wasn’t completely wrong about you.”

“What’s that?” He said.

“You are a nerd.” Destiny retorted. To her surprise, Edwin laughed.

“I guess you could say that.”

“You should come check out my class sometime. This week we are discussing the history of ancient language and dialects from 4000-2000 B.C.E.”

“Sounds fascinating.” She said sarcastically.

“You might enjoy it.” He said.

“Thanks but I’ll pass.”

“Okay, okay.” He said. “So what do you do when you’re not at the diner yelling at customers?” He joked. “You in school?”

“Yes.” Destiny lied. She didn’t want to tell this smart, sophisticated professor that she had dropped out of high school and was working two dead-end jobs to try and send herself to college. She wasn’t quite ready to share her life story with this man. “If I’m not at the diner then I’m usually at the public library.” She added before he could ask her any more questions about it.

“That beat up old place? I’m surprised they didn’t close it down yet. You like to study there?”

“Yeah, sure. All the time.” Destiny wasn’t sure why she felt the need to lie to him. “It’s not so bad. I used to go there all the time as a kid. The walls, the books, the smells...there is something classically familiar about it. It’s almost...ancient. One of my favorite places.” Destiny was thinking back on all the times she had spent tucked away in one of the corners of the old library huddled up with a good book. Her mind turned to the secret tunnel and the mysterious door.

“So then I guess that means I was right about you.” Edwin interrupted her daydream.

“What about?”

“You are intriguing.” There was an awkward silence as Edwin waited for Destiny to respond. The two stared at each other for what felt like eternity. They surroundings began to blur. Destiny forgot there were people around - it felt like it was just the two of them in the entire world. She soon snapped back to reality and guiltily looked away.

“Anyway, I should be going.” She said. With that, Destiny got up and headed for the door.

“Wait, can I see you again?” he called out.

“Depends.” She said and walked away.

Tuesday, July 26, 2020 at 2pm

Truth was, Destiny had somewhere she needed to be - the H.O.P.E. Foundation was an organization that used its proceeds to provide for homeless individuals and help families get back on their feet. Ms. Harriet Thompson was the co-founder and president of HOPE. Everyone just called her Mama. She started HOPE shortly after new legislation was implemented including stricter rules that targeted the homeless community. There was a ban on solicitation, panhandling, and loitering - they were all considered misdemeanors punishable by a large fine and jail time.

“Hey, Z.” Ms. Thompson said. Ms. Thompson was a short but sturdy woman. She was also Destiny’s landlord and a close friend. When Destiny was living on the streets, Ms. Thompson found her sleeping in the back alley behind her apartment complex and offered her a room for rent in exchange for a dollar security deposit. Ms. Thompson had offered to pay Destiny’s first few months of rent, if she promised to stay off the streets and go to college.

Ms. Thompson was an amazing woman who worked tirelessly to do all she could for the homeless community, particularly homeless women and girls. She had been through hell and back. When she was barely nineteen years old, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She spent years in and out of hospitals, going to chemotherapy but hated the way it was making her body feel. So one day she stopped going to chemo and started going to church. She started looking at homeopathic methods and remedies to heal your body. She changed her diet and started eating healthy. After that, her condition rapidly improved.

When Ms. Thompson learned that Destiny had been dealing drugs, Destiny expected her to throw her out on the streets. Instead Ms. Thompson offered to let her stay free of charge as long she regularly supplied her with marijuana for medicinal purposes to help with the pain of her cancer. Ms. Thompson came into remission. After 20 years of battling the illness, there was no visible sign of the cancer cells that the doctors could find. Medical professionals were astounded. Ms. Thompson just said it was her faith in God that healed her.

“Hey, Mama.” Ms. Thompson gave her a big bear hug like she did every time she saw her. Destiny enjoyed volunteering with HOPE because it gave her an opportunity to help others the way the foundation and Ms. Thompson had helped her. It was through the foundation that she had first met Martha.

“How’s my girl doing?” Ms. Thompson had always been like the mother she never had.

“I’m good. I’m good.”

“You look a little different today.” As she always did, Ms. Thompson spun Destiny around examining her like a piece of fruit checking to make sure it was ripe.

“Do I?” Destiny said.

“Yes. Girl, you are glowing! What’s his name and when can I meet him?” Ms. Thompson always had a knack for reading Destiny’s mind.

“Mama...I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Destiny lied.

“Yes you do. Look at you turning red as beet. Tell me all about him.” Ms. Thompson’s face was lit up with excitement at the prospect of Destiny having a special someone. Destiny decided to leave her wondering.

“No one special, Mama. So what do you need help with today?”

“Oh no you don’t. You not getting away that easily. What’s my future son-in-law’s name?” Destiny rolled her eyes.

“He is hardly your future son-in-law. He is just some guy I met last week. We went for coffee. That’s it.”

“Aw...I knew it! What does he look like?

“He’s not bad looking.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a professor. But I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere.”

“Ooh...I like that! An educated man. Are you going to see him again?”

“I’m not sure.” Ms. Thompson nearly jumped for joy.

“It is about time you got out there and started acting your age. My goodness girl, you don’t date, you don’t go out, you don’t have friends. You are too young to be so old.”

“I have you.”

“Yeah, yeah well ya mama don’t count.”

“Besides. I made you a promise I would go to school so I’m doing everything I can to live up to that.”

“That’s fine. But you still need to have some fun. Enjoy your youth before it passes you by. Next thing you know you’ll be old and gray like me.”

“If I’m half as beautiful and interesting as you, I will be a lucky woman.”

“You’re so full of it.” Ms. Thompson gave Destiny a big kiss on the cheek. “I missed you, baby girl.”

“Missed you too, Mama.”

“Now, take your butt over there and help Tiff and Barb prepare lunch.”

“You got it, Mama.” Destiny said. Ms. Thompson winked at her.

---

After preparing the food, Destiny was in the cafeteria serving it to the community. On the menu today was beef stew with a side of cornbread. There were hundreds of women and children from all creeds and colors coming to HOPE Shelter for a free lunch. After each person finished their lunch, each family unit received a bag of goodies complete with toiletries and necessities for hygiene.

“Here you go, Donna.” She gave an older woman a spoonful of beef stew and put a cornbread muffin on her tray.

“God bless you, Z.”

“Take care, ma’am.”

She repeated the motion for every woman and child in line. Next in line was Martha and Sammy.

“Here you go, Sammy.” She said. Sammy gave her the usual big cheeseburger smile as she did every time she saw her. “And you too, Martha.” She added.

“Thanks, Z.”

“Hey Martha. I saw you on TV this morning. So you and Sammy were the ones who found that woman inside the tree?” Destiny asked.

“Oh, yeah? I was looking pretty good, wouldn’t you say? It’s a real shame about that poor girl. She looked so peaceful in that tree. Such a beautiful, young girl. Actually, come to think of it...she looked just like, like you, Z!”

“What do you mean?”

“Honestly, she could have been your identical twin. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes! The police said her body was all banged up. She had a huge gash in her head, poor thing. I mean, who is the world would do something like to someone?”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty unbelieveable story...” Destiny leaned in a bit over the counter before saying, “especially the part about Sammy telling you about it.”

Martha looked like she had her hand caught in the cookie jar.

“What are you saying, Z?”

“Why did you lie to the news people?”

“Look, Z. I love you and all. But you have no business sticking your nose in my affairs. It made the story sound better when I told them Sammy saw the girl first. And besides it kept the police from questioning her.”

“It just seems like an odd thing to make up…”

“Mind your business, Z. I’ll see you around.” With that Martha and Sammy walked over to a table and sat down to eat their lunch. Destiny wasn’t buying it. Something was going on with Martha and she was going to find out.

---

When Destiny was on the bus, the man sitting next to her was watching a news recap on his phone. It was another news update on the “Weeping Willow”.

“The Jane Doe found by homeless woman Martha Gomez and her daughter early this morning is still in a coma at Brookside Community Hospital recovering from what the doctors describe as fatal wounds. The young woman is in critical condition. Police say the woman doesn’t appear to match any of the descriptions of persons reported missing within the last two years. Doctors say they are hoping to get in touch with someone who can make a positive identification of this woman.” News woman said.

“We are doing everything we can but it has been touch and go since yesterday. Her brain is barely showing any signs of neurological activity. We hope a family member will come forward and give us instructions on their end of life directive.” Doctor says.

Tuesday, July 26, 2020 at 8pm

Another boring shift at the Brookside Public Library. Nick had always warned her about taking on new customers because it could be a setup. Any new customer should always come with a referral from an existing customer you trust, she remembered his warning. Usually that was how she operated, but today was different. Business had slowed down quite a bit since a new drug got introduced to the market that increased stamina and sex drive. Paranoia and the munchies couldn’t compete with that. With business not being as lucrative as it was a few years ago, Destiny wasn’t in a position to be choosy about her customers. Any new business was welcome. Rent was due soon so she needed all the extra money she could come by. But after 45 minutes of waiting for the new guy, she grew more and more suspicious with each passing minute.

After Destiny reached the history section, she noticed a dark figure in what appeared to be a green hooded cloak down one of the aisles. The stranger had his back to her so she was unable to tell who it was.

“Hello?” Destiny called. The stranger didn’t respond. The stranger still did not turn around to face her. She left the cart and slowly walked down the aisle towards the hooded stranger.

“Hey, Newbie?” She said. Rather than turn around, the hooded stranger continued to stand with his back to her. The aisle seemed to grow longer with each step she took.

“I don’t have time for games. Do you want the bud or not?” She asked, trying to mask the fear in her voice. The floor creaked beneath her as she continued to head towards the figure. She was more than halfway down the aisle when the hooded stranger walked to the left.

“Hey!” Destiny called. She decided to pick up the pace. When she got to the end of the aisle, and looked to the left, no one was there. Destiny noticed in the far corner, a few aisles down, the green cloak was lying on the ground but the stranger was nowhere to be found. In the distance she heard the loud creak of the library’s rickety front door and then a slam. Whoever that was, is gone now, she thought.

“Asshole.” Destiny mumbled.

Destiny walked to the corner and leaned over to pick up the green cloak. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small hatch on the wall that looked like a door built for a large dog.

How had she not noticed this before? She thought. There was no handle so Destiny pushed against the door trying to force it open. It didn’t budge. Then Destiny noticed a tiny indentation on bottom left corner of the hatch that looked like a keyhole but it had an odd shape.

“Weird.” Destiny said to herself. She put the cloak over her shoulder and walked back to the book cart. “Guess I’ll just finish up here and head home.” She said.

It took her only few minutes to put away the books in their proper place. When Destiny got back to the reception desk, she checked her phone. It was 12:07. No missed calls or text messages from newbie. Destiny shook her head. She grabbed her purple satchel, carefully placing the bag of marijuana and the green cloak inside

She hung it up in her closet next to a marijuana plant. The plant often came in handy as an extra means of income or just when she was feeling stressed. Destiny chose to grow her own rather than rely on a supplier. It was comforting to know she could never run out.

Destiny plopped down on her bed. She wanted to fall asleep but her mind refused to settle down. She was haunted by the events of the day – the hooded stranger with the green cloak, the secret door with the weird lock, and Newbie not showing up to pick up his order.

---

Time was ticking slowly as Destiny waited anxiously for twelve o’clock to come. She had been racking her brain as to what the message from the wolf meant and what she was trying to say. Who was that person in the green cloak? And what the hell was up with that mysterious door?

The thought of some mysterious stranger lurking around the library left Destiny with an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. Destiny looked up at the clock on the wall. Shit! It was barely eight-thirty. Destiny had already sprayed down all the tables and chairs with disinfectant. All there was left to do was wait. And wait.

“Fuck this.” Destiny said. She took out the joint from her pocket. She always tried to keep a small amount of marijuana rolled up and ready to smoke at a moment’s notice in times of stress like this when she really needed it. Destiny pulled out her lighter and began smoking the weed. She knew it was risky to smoke in here given Ms. Waters’ unfailing ability to sniff out trouble, but in this moment Destiny didn’t care. She continued to breath in the welcome aroma.

The dark wolf appeared through the shadows once again.

“Hello, sister.”

“Not now, wolf.” Destiny said irritably. She waved her hand shooing the wolf away. “Leave me the fuck alone. I’m not in the mood.” Then the wolf did something she had never seen before. The wolf growled deeply and ferociously. She lunged at Destiny and bear her large yellow teeth in her face. Destiny was paralyzed in fear.

“YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!” The wolf’s voice was thunderous and booming. Destiny was frozen still. The wolf quickly softened her voice. “My dear, dear sister. It is up to the three of you to find the tree. It will save her. It will save all of us.”

“What three of us? And what tree?” Destiny questioned.

“Listen to your heart, sister. It will show you the way…” With that the wolf disappeared from sight.

Suddenly, the front door thrust open and standing there was Ms. Waters. Her hair was down and her clothes were disheveled. The buttons on her fuzzy pink sweater didn’t match up and her white collared shirt was buttoned low, revealing her upper chest and neck. What in the world had she been doing for the last two hours, Destiny thought.

Destiny instinctively extinguished the joint on the desk somehow believing that Ms. Waters wouldn’t notice. She quickly threw the rest of the joint in the trash can underneath the desk.

“Ms. Waters, what are you doing back here?” She looked like she had been jolted out of her sleep. She was out of breath and clutching her chest.

“What is that smell?” Ms. Waters asked. Before Destiny could come up with a decent lie, Ms. Waters said, “I came to relieve you for the night. You’re young. You deserve to have some fun.” Destiny stared at Ms. Waters in disbelief. Was she hallucinating again? Destiny thought.

“Well run along now, hon. Matter of fact, take the entire weekend off as well and I’ll see you Monday.”

“But, Ms. Waters…”

“Don’t worry, dear. I will make sure you get paid for all three days. You’ve been such a great employee these last six months...” Destiny was thrown by Ms. Waters’ odd behavior. Although she wouldn’t mind having the rest of the night off, she knew there was something funny going on.

“No, that’s alright Ms. Waters. I can stay.” A look of worry came over Ms. Waters’ face.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Waters?” Destiny asked.

“Oh, nothing. I think I’m coming down with something.” Ms. Waters cleared her throat. She used the hair tie that was around her wrist to pull up her hair in a messy ponytail. She then tried to straighten her clothes by tugging down on them but was unsuccessful. She still looked a hot mess. “But I still want you to go enjoy the rest of your weekend…” Suddenly the library phone started ringing. Destiny and Ms. Waters both stared at each other, watching the other closely. Ms. Waters picked up the phone right as Destiny reached for it.

“Brookside Public Library. How can I assist you?” Ms. Waters said. “Hello? Yes. I don’t--. Okay. I will.” Destiny could hear the phone click and a dial tone. Ms. Waters hung up the receiver. What the hell was that about?

“Who was it?” Destiny asked. The nervous tension was almost palpable.

“Wrong number.” Ms. Waters said. She was obviously lying and Destiny needed to find out why.

“Okay, Ms. Waters I guess I’ll go home then.”

“Alright, dear. See you on Wednesday.”

Destiny grabbed her bag and exited the library. Luckily, she had forgotten to lock the side door so she hastily went around the corner to the west side of the building to where the side door was. Destiny peered inside one of the windows to see if she could spot Ms. Waters but she didn’t see anyone. She slowly opened the door and peeked her head inside. The coast was clear.

Destiny walked through the heavy door, being careful not to let it slam behind her. Destiny moved gracefully along the outside wall carefully making her way through the aisles. To her right was the reception desk where she heard Ms. Waters on the phone.

"Yes, I realize that, my lord...I understand...it won't happen again...yes the girl left...yes, sir...I will see to it personally..." She heard Ms. Waters talking to someone and wondered if it was the same “wrong number” from earlier.

Destiny lurked in the shadows of the library and waited patiently for Ms. Waters to turn her back to her.

"Are we sure we want to....no, no sir...absolutely not I would never questions you...yes, yes I see...yes, my lord. I will make the arrangements. It will be done as you wish." Ms. Waters hung up the phone.

"Bastard." Ms. Waters attempted to whisper but her voice echoed against the marble tile. She walked toward the far left corner of the library to the history section.

Destiny followed behind her, careful to lurk in the shadows. Ms. Waters was standing in front of the hatch. She took out something shiny from her pocket and inserted into the strange keyhole on the hatch. She twisted it and there was a loud click. Destiny expected her to open the door but she didn’t. Instead she left and exited out of the front door.

Destiny walked over to the hatch. There were muffled voices coming from behind the wall that grew louder and louder. The door slowly started to open. Destiny ran and hid behind one of the stacks. She moved some books aside so she could see.

Out of the hatch came two individuals wearing similar green cloaks like the one Destiny had found the night before. The two appeared to be having some sort of argument but it was hard to tell because Destiny couldn't understand the language they were speaking. They crawled out of the hatch, first one, then the other. The second cloaked stranger reached back through the archway and pulled out a huge black bag. The first person grabbed the other end of the bag and they lifted it up and grunted. The two strangers were still speaking a foreign language. They carried the bag down the aisle and across the library through the front door.

What the hell was that? Destiny thought. Here was her chance. The cloaked strangers left the hatch open. Destiny darted to the door. She had to get on her hands and knees to crawl through the door. There was a long passageway. It smelled of rotted wood and must. Destiny's dreadlocks were like a broom sweeping up all the dust and cobwebs. It was pitch black in the tunnel that Destiny couldn't even see her own hand in front of her face. The only light came from behind her barely illuminating the entrance. It's not too late to turn back. Destiny thought. But she felt she had to keep going. The more her eyes adjusted to the dark, the more she could see a hazy gray light coming from the other end of the tunnel.

Suddenly something small and furry brushed up against her foot. Destiny jumped, bumping her head against the wall. Ouch! Destiny touched her head where she banged it and felt something moist, she couldn't see it but she could smell it. She knew it had to be blood.

Destiny heard the tiny squeak of a small creature and knew she was not alone. Fucking rats! Destiny thought. She had more than enough experience dealing with them while she was on the street but they still gave her the creeps.

Destiny continued crawling through the tunnel, praying she would soon reach the end. Only moments later she felt the texture change beneath her hands from jagged and rough to something smooth and hard.

Finally, Destiny was able to stand to her feet. The surface of the passageway had torn through her pants revealing scraped knees. From what Destiny could make out, the room was quite small. The walls were shrouded in vines of ivy. The room was completely empty. There was a large door on the right side of the room. Employees only. Keep out! A sign on the door read in giant red letters.

Destiny expected the door to be locked but to her surprise when she turned the knob it opened right up. Inside was a dimly lit hallway leading to two enormous double doors with a slight glow of a purplish light coming from underneath it. Destiny trepidatiously made her way down the hallway to the double doors. Alongside the walls was more ivy.

The double doors were made of thick, sturdy oak and were more than twice her size. There was a large seal that fell equally on both doors. It was of a tree with long branches that stretched far and large roots that dug deep in the ground, intertwined and tangled together, inextricably linked. There were some foreign symbols on the door that Destiny didn’t understand.

“I’ve seen this somewhere before...” The tree looked vaguely familiar to Destiny. But she couldn’t pinpoint where she had seen it.

Destiny was so mesmerized by the sight that she didn’t notice someone had come up behind her.

“What are you doing in here?” Destiny heard someone say. Before she could turn around, she was suddenly knocked over the head with something hard as a rock causing her to drop to the floor.

“Who is that?” A man’s voice asked.

“She’s just some girl who works for me.”She heard a woman’s voice say. Destiny was rapidly losing consciousness. She was able to open her eyes wide enough to catch a glimpse of Ms. Waters.

“What are we going to do with her?” The man Ms. Waters was talking to wore a green cloak but no hood. The hood was off so Destiny was able to catch a glimpse of his face before her eyes closed shut.

“Get rid of her.” The man said. It was the last thing Destiny heard before she passed out.

---

When Destiny came to she was in an unfamiliar room. There was no one to be found but she still heard voices echoing from somewhere. It was a man and a woman’s voice, arguing.

“What are we going to do now? That girl saw us last night.” The man said.

“I told you, I took care of it.” The woman said.

Destiny moved slowly towards the sound of the voices careful to stay in the dark and remain low to the ground.

“Oh right. You took care of it. The lord is not going to be too happy when he finds out that you didn’t take care of her.” The man said. The two were standing by some shelves near the foreign languages section towards the center of the library. Destiny was carefully hidden in the science section across the room still close enough to see them. It was Ms. Waters! She was talking to a man who looked to be in his fifties. The man was white. He had black hair with flecks of gray. He was wearing glasses, a baby blue collared shirt, and tan pants. He looked studious like a professor or scientist.

“She's just a harmless girl. It would only draw more suspicion...” Ms. Waters said. Shit! Were talking about her?

“If this all blows up, it’s on you.” The man warned. His voice sounded familiar. Was he the one from last night?

“He’s never going to find out. Let’s just stick to the plan.”

“I’m not sure about this anymore, Julia. Should we really be doing this? I mean, we could lose everything.”

“We have no choice, David. Don’t you want to see your son again?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Oh, David. I know you’re worried. I am too but everything is under control. We just need to have a little faith.”

“I know. I know, babe. You’re right.” They embraced each other.

Suddenly Destiny’s phone started ringing. It echoed throughout the library, alerting Ms. Waters and her companion. Destiny searched frantically for her phone inside her tote back.

“What’s that?” The Ms. Waters asked.

“We’re not alone.” The man concluded. Shit! Destiny grabbed the phone and silenced it immediately.

The two began searching through the library for where the sound had come from. Destiny could hear the clunk of their shoes on the marble floor. She had to make an escape but how. If she ran for the door now they would see her.

“Hello? Is anyone in here?” Ms. Waters called. “Come on out.” She was in the aisle directly next to Destiny. Destiny was trying desperately to hide behind the books on the shelf. She was crouched down to the ground nearly crawling. She made her way to another aisle but saw in the distance that the man was headed right for her. Destiny tried to hide in the corner but she was trapped. It would be seconds before he saw her.

Destiny had to think fast. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed the library number. The loud ring of the old phone stopped the man in his tracks.

“Were you expecting a call, David?” Ms. Waters asked him.

“No.” He called.

“Well, answer it. It might be him.” The man walked back to the front of the library and answered the phone.

“Brookside Public Library. Can I help you? Hello?” He said. “Hello? Hello?” Destiny took the opportunity to make her way down the aisle, along the back wall, quickly making her way towards the side door.

"There's no one there. Wrong number I guess." The man hung up the phone. Destiny was almost to the door. She kept glancing behind her to make sure they hadn't followed her. She tripped over a plant, knowing it to the ground. The sound echoed loudly.

Destiny hastily made her way to the door. Almost there, she was only a few feet from but freedom. Before she could reach, Ms. Waters stepped out in front of her.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ms. Waters taunted. She looked down and recognized Destiny. Her face softened. "What are you doing here?" She whispered.

"Who is it?" The man called out.

"Ms. Waters..."

"You have to get out of here. Quick." Ms. Waters whispered. She opened the side door slowly. "Go..." She whispered.

Destiny welcomed the opportunity and made a break for it. She flew out the door and fled the library without looking back.

Wednesday, July 27, 2020 at 4:00am

When Destiny got back in her apartment she immediately lay down on her bed. She felt the throbbing pain on the back of her head. Destiny touched the spot and felt a sizeable welt that was tender to the touch.

“What the hell happened last night?” Destiny head was in a fog, clouding her memory. She could barely remember anything about the night before. Had it all been a vivid dream or did it really happen? Sometimes when Destiny smoked, it was difficult for her to discern truth from her hallucinations. But whatever that was in the library last night felt real.

Destiny went to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face. Destiny glanced in the mirror barely recognized herself. Her face was smudged with dirt and her hair looked a mess, full of dust and spiderwebs. She had a small bandage on her forehead that had small drops of blood seeping through. Destiny removed the bandage revealing a small gash, a couple stitches, and some dried blood. She could remember bumping her head in that narrow crawl space. But who had stitched her up?

“What the hell was going on here?” Destiny muttered. Destiny decided to take a nice shower and clear her head. As she undressed, she noticed her bruised and bloody knees. She climbed into the shower and let the hot water wash over her.

The pain coming from the back of her head began to grow stronger. “Ugh...my head!” The pain was excruciating. Destiny wanted desperately to take something but she didn’t believe in taking pharmaceutical drugs like painkillers.

Destiny exited the shower and walked to the kitchen to Destiny brew herself a pot of tea to try and tame her headache. She filled up her tea kettle with water and turned on the stove.

“God, I hope I have some tea left.” She said. Destiny opened the cabinet above the stove. it was packed full of various herbs and spices that promoted good health all neatly packed in containers - turmeric, ginseng, ginger root, hibiscus, and feverfew. Destiny grabbed the contained labeled “feverfew”.

“This will do the trick.” She said. Destiny had read about feverfew in an old book once. Feverfew was a known homeopathic remedy that proved to be a natural pain reliever particularly with headaches and joint pain. She put the leaves in a tea spoon in her mug.

After Destiny finished the tea, her head was feeling slightly better, the throbbing had began to subside. Destiny was scheduled to work at the library today from 8-5 but she wasn’t sure if going back there was the best idea. Obviously someone had brought her home and patched her up, but who? Then Destiny remembered the door with the seal of the tree and how she had seen Ms. Waters right before she passed out. And who was that Ms. Waters was talking to on the phone? What did it all mean? And that symbol on the door...

“I know I’ve seen that tree symbol before.” Her mind was drawn a blank. Destiny wanted some answers but she had no idea where to even begin looking.

“I have to go talk to Ms. Waters.” Destiny went to the closet to grab a jacket. That’s when she noticed that the green cloak was gone.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Destiny put the pipe down on the kitchen table. When she opened the door, Ms. Waters was standing there.

“Hello, Destiny. We need to talk.”

“Ms. Waters, what are you doing here?” Destiny asked.

“It’s urgent. Can I come in?” Destiny opened the door wide and motioned for her to enter.“There are a lot of things we need to discuss.” Ms. Waters walked over to the kitchen table.

“You got that right. You knocked me over the fucking head!”

“I know. But I had to. If I didn’t, they would have killed you. It was the only way to save your life!”

“Were you the one who brought me back to my apartment and stitched me up? Jesus, Ms. Waters...how’d you even know where the hell I live?”

"Look you need to calm down..."

“You better start explaining yourself right now!” Destiny was furious.

“I know a lot about you, Destiny. More than you think. When you were a baby, you were found in an abandoned car on the side of the road.” Destiny heard she was found in an abandoned car. “But what you probably didn’t know was, the car was badly banged up. Completely totaled. It was a miracle you survived.” Destiny hadn’t heard this part before. “I know this because I witnessed it. I was there.” Destiny’ head was spinning. She wished she wouldn’t have smoked.

“If you don’t believe me…” Ms. Waters reached in her bright pink purse and pulled out a newspaper article. The article had a photo of a car flipped over with flames surrounding it. The headline read, “Stranger Rescues Infant from Fatal Crash”.

“I was the one pulled you out of the car and saved your life.” Sure enough the article mentions bystander Julia Waters and heroic moment in pulling a baby from a badly beat up car. The article also mentioned the baby suffered no fatal injuries. A body was found in the car severely burned beyond recognition. Experts say the body may have belonged to a 25-40 year old woman. Dental records were inconclusive.

Destiny’s heart sank. Although she had been told about her mother dying, to actually see it in clear black and white was like finding out she had died all over again.

“Your mother didn’t die in that car crash, Destiny.” Ms. Waters said.

“What how can that be? It said so right here.” What was Ms. Waters talking about?

“Sit down. It’s a long story.”

“I’d rather not.” Destiny said.

“Your mother sent me here.”

“M-my mother?” Destiny’s heart leapt out of her chest and was caught in throat. She couldn’t swallow, she couldn’t even blink. She knew that Ms. Waters couldn’t be referring to her evil foster mother.

“Yes. Your true and actual mother.”Ms. Waters responded as if reading her mind. Now she needed to sit. Destiny slowly squatted down in the nearest chair. Ms. Waters waited for Destiny to sit down before she began her explanation.

“Where is my mother?”

“She is being held at high-security facility.”

Destiny felt like she went temporarily deaf. What was Ms. Waters saying. It was too much information coming at her.

“My mother is in prison? Is my mother a criminal?” Her birth mother was alive. The woman I had dreamed about my entire life trying to picture what she looked like, what she smelled like? She was alive! And locked in prison for what?

“In a manner of speaking.”

“What did my mother do? Did she...murder someone?” All this time I’ve been thinking my mother died. But she had been in prison? Destiny was drowning in her own thoughts, no longer mindful of Ms. Waters’ intentions for being here.

“No, no, dear. Not exactly....”

“Well I want to see her. Can you take me to her?”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, there is no way I could get you in that building to see her without putting your life, her life, and not to mention my life in jeopardy.”

“But she’s my mother! Where the hell is this prison? I have to find her!”Destiny slammed her fists down on the kitchen table and stood up.

“Dear...please try to calm down and listen…” Destiny began pacing the room...back and forth, back and forth.

“I know this is a lot to process. But your mother sent me here to find you. It was the reason I gave you the job at the library. So I could keep a close eye on you...” Ms. Waters explained.

“I want to see my mother! Where the hell is she?” Destiny was standing in Ms. Waters face. Ms. Waters didn’t appear fearful. She lightly touched her on arm. It was odd for Destiny. Ms. Waters had never been the least bit maternal towards her. She had never even been nice to her until now. Destiny found it hard to believe that Ms. Waters had any children. If she did she felt sorry for them.

“Just calm down…Let's get you a glass of water.” Ms. Waters searched through the cabinets. Destiny saw Ms. Waters notice the pipe fill of weed on the kitchen counter. Ms. Waters finally located a glass and filled it with some tap water. “Here.”

Destiny wanted to knock the glass out of her hand. Instead she grabbed it and consumed in one gulp. The weed she just smoked had made her rather thirsty. Destiny went over to the sink and refilled the glass.

“Your mother is...special. I’ve been trying to help her. There is a group of us, actually. Those people you've seen wearing the green cloaks. We call ourselves the Truth Seekers. We seek to obtain and preserve the truth and what is real.”

---

“What are you talking about?”

“Your mother knows the truth - about how the entire world came to be. She has a vast amount of knowledge about history and the past. She is the reason why the Seekers exist - to protect that knowledge. There are countless theories on how earth and the universe were created. Whether it was done by God or a combustion of cosmic energy - we’ve heard it all before. But your mother was the first one to spout a new theory that has actually been proven by a dozen of the world’s greatest scientist. But there are always skeptics. Even with the facts and cold, hard proof, there are some people who are just not able to accept the truth. That’s why they locked your mother away - so they put her away to keep the truth hidden from the world so as not to incite chaos and panic.” Destiny wasn’t one for conspiracy theories. The entire thing sounded nuts.

"You can't be serious."

"Trust me when I say. There are very evil people in this world who would do anything and everything in their power to save their own skin and protect themselves. The world is going to end. And soon. On August 1, 2020, the world as we know it will cease to exist. And all humankind will be destroyed.”

“Ms. Waters, that’s insane.”

“I thought so too when I first heard it, but it’s true. There are certain signs, prophecies and predictions that I have personally seen come to pass over the years. Your mother...she just knows things. Knows it before they happen. She even knew that you would be skeptical at first. She told me to deliver a message to you and it would all make sense. She said, ‘the dark wolf is with you to guide you and that you must listen.’ Does that make any sense to you?”

Destiny sat down on the ground. How could this be? Just a little while ago, her life seemed so small. It was insignificant but it made sense. And now, all of this. Her mother? The world was ending. Was it true? Had it been just like the wolf said and had been trying to warn her all along.

“What about that secret passageway? What does all this have to do with that?”

Ms. Waters pulled a huge book out of her satchel. Destiny had read a lot of books in her lifetime but this was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was made out of some type of wood and had a detailed engraving of bare tree with branches and roots intertwined and woven together carved right into the cover. The tree was identical to the door in the library. At the top of the book read the words, “Paradys.” There were some symbols beneath and some words in a language she didn’t even recognize. The book had a tiny, odd-shaped keyhole on its right edge, similar to what Destiny had seen on the hatch in the library.

“What is this?” Destiny asked. She was extremely mesmerized, she could barely think and was unable to take her eyes off of the book.

“I was hoping you could tell me.” Ms. Waters responded.

“I’ve never seen this before.”

“I know. But it belongs to you.”

“Huh?”

“You have the key in your possession. You are the only one that can open it.”

“What the hell is this?

“This book...this book is the key to saving the world. I know that this is a lot to take in all at once. And I can only imagine how you must be feeling right now. But you have to pull yourself together because you are our only chance for survival.” Survival from what?

“How will the world end?” Destiny asked.

“No one knows. We only know when. But this book...this book has all the answers. You are our only hope, the world’s only chance at survival.”

“But how...” Everything was blurry and the room was spinning. She wanted desperately to lie down.

“Your mother said you have the key. She left it with you when you were a baby.”

Key? Destiny’s head was swarming with a million questions. What key was she talking about?

“I don’t have any key…” The expression on Ms. Waters face changed from gentle to cold in the blink of an eye. She no longer looked like the soft, sensitive woman who was so gentle and understanding a minute ago. She was the old Ms. Waters that Destiny was familiar with - cold and stiff.

“I just told you the world was ending. Why are you lying? You need to give me the key, Destiny. Right now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Don’t you get it? If you don’t give me the key...you, your mother, your boyfriend, the entire world...will die!” Ms. Waters was losing her temper.

“I swear, Ms. Waters, I have no idea what this key is. I never even met my mother. She never gave me a key.” Ms. Waters didn’t look convinced but her face softened again.

“Okay. It’s alright, dear.” Destiny was confused by Ms. Waters’ sudden shift in her demeanor. Then she added. “We must work together for all our sakes. You must locate that key and bring it to me immediately. We can help you.” With that Ms. Waters walked to the door. She left the book sitting on the kitchen table.

“What are you going to do with this?”

“The book is for your to keep. I told you, it belonged to you. Only you have the key. But remember, I am always here to help you.”

“Ms. Waters…” Destiny called. “What’s her name?” Destiny’s mother was alive. “She’s had a lot of names over the...years. Trinity, Elaine, Elyssa. Now we just refer to her as the Holy Mother.” What the hell? The wolf mentioned something about the holy mother.

“I think it would be in your best interest if you stayed away from the library for a while. There are a lot of evil and powerful people in this world who wouldn’t hesitate to kill you if you got in their way. Luckily the people who have your mother captive don’t believe her. They don’t know what I know.” Ms. Waters walked to the door and opened it. Without looking back, she said. “We’ll be in touch.” With that, she left.

As soon as Ms. Waters was out the door, Destiny relit her pot and continued to smoke. She lay on her bed and stare up at the sky through the skylight mauling over everything that had transpired - revisiting their conversation. Ms. Waters words echoed in her head. Her mother was alive! She wasn’t about to just let it go. She needed to find her. But first she needed more weed.

Destiny searched through her tote bag but there was none left. She went to her dresser and opened the top drawer where she kept all her valuables. Inside the drawer were some old t-shirts. She pushed them aside. Underneath was a tattered shoebox.

Destiny sat down on her bed and dumped out the contents of her “keepsake box” - a bag of marijuana and a pipe (her emergency stash), the apology note Edwin had written her on the back of a receipt, a torn photo of her and Nick, and a small, white envelope.

Destiny looked at the torn photo. It had been a portrait of the whole family but Destiny ripped out Wayne and Kimberly. When Destiny had run away from the Rogers’ house, it was in the middle of the night. She slipped some of Kimberly’s sleeping pills in their wine glasses that evening and lay awake impatiently waiting for them to fall asleep. She already had her bag packed, there wasn’t much to take. Most of the items in her room came from her foster parents so she left it all behind. Except the photo of her and Nick. It was the only picture she had of her big brother so she cherished it dearly. Destiny picked up the picture and stared at it.

Destiny still remembered the day they took the picture like it was yesterday. Nick wasn’t smiling but he still looked handsome. He was wearing a football jersey and his hair was clean shaven. Kimberly always used to get on Nick about cutting it off but no matter how many times he got punished for having it, he refused to shave it. Until one day, Wayne and Kimberly waited for him to come home from school. As soon as Nick walked through the door they grabbed him, pinned him down and shaved all his hair off. Nick was so furious. He was sixteen years old at the time. Destiny was only ten. She had her hair in two long ponytails. Kimberly screamed at her during the whole time she combed and braided her hair. Destiny shook her head at the memory. Destiny remembered all the yelling and screaming that night. She listened from her bedroom, hoping and praying that Nick would just let it go. The next day he was gone, just like that, leaving a small, white envelope underneath her door. After that, Destiny never saw or heard from Nick again.

Destiny picked up the envelope. On the outside all it said was, “I’m sorry.” The envelope was still sealed. For months she had been furious with Nick for deserting her the way he did. Then six months later, his body was found floating in Brookside lake. He had been shot twice in the chest and once in the head. Police called it a gang-related homicide and never investigated the matter beyond questioning family and close friends. Nick didn’t deserve to die like that. She thought. Nick may have been a member of a gang, committed some minor crimes like drug dealing and armed robbery, but he was still the best guy she knew..

After all these years, Destiny still couldn’t bring herself to read Nick’s “last words” to her. It was all she had left of him. By her reading it, it was almost as if the memory of him would disappear.

Destiny laid the items back on the bed and opened up the bag of weed. She took a few pinches out and put them in a smaller bag. She pulled out some wrappers and began rolling some joints.

Destiny started to put all the items back in the shoebox when something in the photo caught her eye. She never really noticed before that she had been wearing a gold necklace. It was beautiful necklace with immense detail. The memories came flooding back.

Destiny remembered she had that necklace her entire life - even when she was living in the group home. A social worker had been the one to first tell her about when she was a baby she had been found in an abandoned car and that her mother had died in the crash. The social worker told her that she had been wearing that same necklace around her tiny neck when she was found. Destiny cherished the necklace a great deal. It had been the only thing that made her feel connected to the past, to her birth mother.

When Destiny first started living on the streets and had fallen on hard times, she had pawned the necklace for some money so she could survive. In hindsight, Destiny wished she could go back in time and choose to keep the necklace. Upon closer inspection of the photo, Destiny noticed an engraving on the necklace. She held it closer to her face and froze.

“Holy shit.” She said. On the necklace was what appeared to be a tree with the branches and roots woven together. It looked almost identical to the seal she had seen on the giant doors inside the library. Had this been the “key” Ms. Waters was referring to?

Wednesday, July 27, 2020 at 10am

Destiny stood at the entrance to University of Lexington. Lexington was a prestigious institution with an enormous campus. There were big brick buildings standing proudly throughout. Even though it was summer the campus was still lively - students walking to and from class, biking along the pathways, sitting on stoops, stairs, benches, and grassy knolls.

There was a large bulletin board that contained dozens of flyers - rooms for rent, part-time jobs and internships, missing dogs, summer abroad opportunities, invitations to pledge a sorority or fraternity, ice creams socials - all the cookie cutter activities you could ever imagine. You name it, they had it here on campus. Everything but a map.

A young student walked up to the board and stood next to Destiny.

“Hey, do you know where the library is?” Destiny asked politely. The girl looked at her with perplexity. She had on a tiny t-shirt that said, “Beach Babe” and a denim mini skirt. She raised an eyebrow and looked Destiny up and down as if to say what are you doing here?

“Um, yes...It’s that large white brick building on the far side of the quad that says, ‘Thomas J. Ferguson Library’ on the front in huge writing. You can’t miss it.” Her smug demeanor reminded Destiny of Miss Piggy. She was glad she decided to skip work today.

Destiny began walking towards the center of campus and what assumed to be the “quad”. When she came here with Edwin, she hadn’t been paying attention to his little campus tour. In the center of campus was a huge fountain that had a statute of an old guy with a beard sitting in a chair. His legs were crossed and he appeared to be reading a book.

To her left was the library. Destiny went inside. It was a nice library. Three floors. Countless books. Students quietly studying in their cubicles, others checking their email and social media accounts.

Destiny found an open computer and started doing research. She learned about the McConnell family and that Edwin’s parents are Tracy and David McConnell, well-respected research scientist turned conspiracy theorists.

Destiny tried went to the building where Edwin’s office was located. Edwin’s office was on the third floor of a big, beautiful building with red brick and grand windows.She planned to break into his place in order to find some more information about his father. Right as Destiny was standing outside of his office door, she heard a voice coming from inside. Seconds later the door opened and Edwin was standing there.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Looking for you.” She lied.

“Oh. Well come in.” He said.

The room was decorated with posters displaying various quotes from important people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi. There were also some Bible quotes and inspirations. There were photos on his desk of a handsome older couple.

“Are these your grandparents?” She asked.

“Yep, that’s Granmommy and Grandaddy. Been almost two years since we lost Grandaddy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. It’s okay.”

The rest of the photos were of dorky kid with the glasses and nice looking couple posing in front of historical landmarks and well-known tourist sights. The man in the photo looked oddly familiar, almost identical to the man who was at the library this morning, maybe ten years younger. Holy shit! Destiny thought.

“Is this you?” She asked.

“Yeah.”

“And are these your parents?” If these were the same people from this morning, what the hell were they into?

“Yeah.”

“Nice looking family." She said. "What do you parents do for a living?” She questioned.

“Not much of anything. They’re dead.” He said matter-of-factly. What? Why would he lie about that?

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Maybe his dad just happened to look somewhat similar to the man from the library. She figured.

“It was a long time ago. Anyway, what do you think of my office?” He quickly changing the subject.

“Kinda depressing.” She stated.

“What? Why?” He looked disappointed by her answer.

“Well with the blinds down, this place looks rather dark and dreary. And some plants would really add a nice touch to it.”

“Plants?”

“Yeah. Maybe a ficus or two. It would really liven the place up.”

Edwin looked around.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” He smiled at her. Suddenly she felt the room get warmer.

“What are you after, Professor?” She asked.

“Huh?”

“Why did you really bring me up to your office? I already told you I wasn’t going to have sex with you. So what do you want? Or do you think you are so smooth and charming you can change my mind?” She accused.

“You’re crazy.”

“No, you are if you think I’m falling for your bullshit!” Destiny couldn’t believe she had blown up at him again. What was wrong with her. For some reason this man made her nervous and defensive.

“Look, I don’t have time for this. I have class in 10 minutes. Can we do this another time?” He asked. Destiny glanced down at his desk and noticed a small pin that had a head the size of a nickel. On the pin was a white, winged lion on a gold background. Was this the lion the wolf had been talking about?

“Okay.”

“So did you change your mind yet about coming to my class?.”

“Yes. I am.” She felt it was in her best interest to get to know him better.

Destiny couldn’t help but notice all the female students they passed were ogling him without shame just like the girls from the coffee shop had been doing. Was he supposed to be some kind of stud? However, Edwin didn’t seem to notice.

“I see you have a lot of admirers.” Destiny noted. Edwin laughed nervously.

“Admirers? Hardly. Why do you say that?”

“You don’t notice all these young girls around you smiling and trying desperately to get your attention?”

“No, actually I don't. Besides, I’m more interested in the woman right here with me.” Destiny blushed. She was flattered that this handsome, well-educated man was even interested in someone like her. Her flattery soon turned to insecurity and paranoia.

To Destiny’s surprise, there were a fair amount of people in attendance - approximately 40-50. Mostly geniuses and nerds with thick glasses and soggy bellies, but there were a few young women there. Probably a part of his fan club she thought. Destiny sat in the back of room near the door, just in case she needed to make a quick exit.

As time went on, she realized she didn’t need it. Some of what Edwin had to say was quite interesting.

“Okay, class. Let’s get started. I trust you all read chapters 17-20 in your books.” He said.

“Yeah, yeah.” There were some groans from the audience.

“Are there any questions before we get started?” There was silence. “Okay great. Last week, we were discussing the evolution of languages based on the nomadic translations that occur over centuries of what is essentially the ‘telephone game’. There are enumerable translations but the original gives you unrivaled powers of compression. In the comparative method, Sanskrit. The word changes its meaning entirely. By reversing the historical changes, one could determine that original word in the mother language. Thus by examining the basic principles from which its language is derived from, it would be possible to comprehend all languages.” Destiny watched Edwin talk enthusiastically about the subject at hand. He transformed from an awkward nerd boy to a self-assured confident man right before her eyes.

“Professor, surely you don’t mean every language?” A student asked.

“I’m not saying you’d be fluent in every single language that ever existed. But essentially you’d have a theoretical understanding of the parent words and their meaning. By understanding the root of those words, you can translate any word from any language into any subsequent language you wanted to. The Greek philosopher Piatus postulated that…”

Destiny found herself captivated by this man. Until she noticed that all the females in the room were hanging onto his every word just as she was. Oh great, she thought. I look like just another one of his groupies.

After two more hours of postulating and theorizing, Edwin finally wrapped up his lecture. A few students applauded but most rushed for the door. Destiny watched in amusement as a couple ladies from the audience boldly approached professor heartthrob. They were fawning all over him, batting their eyelashes, and stroking his arm. Both the girls were wearing mini dresses and high heels, as if they were going to the club rather than class.

Edwin was no longer the confident and assured professor, he was shy and timid geek boy from the diner, fidgeting and shifting awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with their forward advances. Destiny waited a few moments before making her way down to the front of the auditorium.

“Hey babe. You ready to go?” She said. The two girls turned around and were confronted with Destiny. They looked her up and down, clearly unimpressed. The jealousy quickly poured over their faces when Edwin walked over and stood by Destiny.

“Here, I come dear.” He said. “If you ladies will excuse me.” Edwin grabbed her hand and the two strolled out of the lecture hall. The warmth from his hand on hers radiated through her body. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Was this some type of attraction or just static shock? She gazed up into his hypnotic green eyes.

“Thank you!” Edwin exclaimed once they had safely made their exit. Destiny hadn’t noticed they were still holding hands.

“I figured maybe I owed you one from the other day with the old creep.”

“I certainly appreciate it. And thanks for sticking it out in there. I know that wasn’t the most fascinating thing in the world.”

“Actually it was pretty interesting. You really know alot about history and languages. I have to admit I was slightly impressed.”

“Well, thank you.” Edwin didn’t hide his contentment.

“So would you like to grab some lunch?” He asked.

“Um...I’m sorry. I should get going. I have somewhere I need to be.” Destiny lied.

“Oh, right. Sure. No problem. I can drive you back to the park.” He said.

“No, that’s okay. I have some business to take care out this way.”

“So when will I see you again?”

“Probably the next time you come to the diner.” Destiny replied.

“Ha ha. Okay, I got you. How about this. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

“I thought I wasn’t your type.” She teased.

“We both know that’s not true.” Destiny was flattered. She appreciated his honesty. It was a refreshing change from the lies people usually told to get what they wanted. “Well, what do you say?”

“Alright.” Destiny wasn’t sure why she agreed to go. Why was she suddenly so drawn to this man?

“Great!” He was beaming that big goofy grin at her. “Let’s say six-thirty? Where can I pick you up?”

“How about I just meet you there?”

“Alright...well they have a great restaurant near campus called Victor’s. Do you like Italian food?”

“Sure.” The truth was Destiny didn’t dine out that often, if ever. Her meals consisted of whatever she made herself and the occasional soup or salad she would eat on her lunch break at Roxanne’s diner.

“Great. See you tonight, then.” The two parted ways. What was she getting herself into?

Wednesday, July 27, 2020 at 7pm

Destiny arrived at Victor’s Restaurant and Bar rather fashionably late. The buses were running behind as usual. By the time she got there it was nearly seven o'clock and she half-expected Edwin to have already left. The restaurant was on the north side of town in the wealthier part of Brookside. She had to take three different bus lines and walk over two miles to get there.

The news was on discussing the “Weeping Willow”.

“The Jane Doe who was found in a hollow tree at Fairview Park early yesterday morning has been officially pronounced brain dead by doctors. They are still hoping for a relative to come forward so that they can receive direction on when to remove her life support.”

“It’s not right that we make that decision. We would prefer if a family member were the one to decide.” Doctor said.

Destiny had never been to this side of town before. It was amazing how different it was from the sketchy neighborhood she was used to. Even the sidewalks and roads were cleaner. There were big beautiful trees, rose bushes, and green freshly mowed grass on every corner.

When Destiny walked into the restaurant the first thing she noticed was how formal it seemed with the red linen tablecloths and dim, romantic lighting. She feared she was underdressed. Destiny had decided on a black romper with short sleeves. She wore black stocking and combat boots. They were the only pair of shoes she had. She put her dreads in a bun atop her head and a side bang to cover up the stitches on her forehead.

"Hello, ma'am. Welcome to Victor’s. Do you have a reservation?" A man in a white collared shirt and black bowtie was standing behind a huge brown desk. He was looking at her quizzically. Destiny started to feel even more self-conscious about the way she was dressed.

"Uh...I'm not sure. I'm meeting...uh, a friend. Edwin Richards."

"Richards...ah yes. There was a four-thirty reservation for two. But we had to let the table go since the entire party wasn't present."

"Oh..."

"But you are welcome to check the bar for your friend. Patrons are more than welcome to sit at the bar without a reservation. It's open seating."

"Okay."

"Destiny walked through a doorway into the restaurant. Most of the tables were occupied with older customers. As she walked by she tried to ignore the horrified and shocked faces staring and gawking at her.

The bar was in the back corner of the restaurant tucked away in a nice, quiet little nook. She could see Edwin sitting on a bar stool. She sighed a bit in relief.

She walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey." She said casually. Edwin turned around and beamed his charming smile at her.

"Hey." He said. "Care to join me?"

Destiny took a seat next to Edwin. He looked even more handsome under the candlelight and dim fluorescent lighting. He had a glass in front of him with a dark liquid.

“It’s root beer. Would you like something?” Edwin notice her eyeballing his drink.

“Just water.” She said. The television was on in the background.

"I figured maybe you were going to stand me up." He admitted.

"Thought about it." She teased.

“Well, I appreciate you coming.” He smiled. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you.” Destiny blushed.

“So how was the drive? I know it’s pretty crazy right now with rush hour.”

“Oh no the drive was fine. Not bad at all.” She lied.

“Good. They gave away our table. So we can either wait for something else to open up or go somewhere else?” Destiny glanced around the room and all the snooty rich people. She could only imagine what the prices looked like.

“Honestly, I think I’d feel comfortable someplace else.” She said. “I don’t quite fit in here.”

“Nonsense.” He said. Edwin got up from his seat and put his arm out for Destiny to take.

“You are so cheesy.” She said. But she took his arm anyway.

“So where would you like to go?” Edwin asked Destiny.

“I’m not too familiar with this part of town...”

“Well why don’t we try Granny’s?”

“Granny’s?” It was a soul food restaurant that specialized in fried catfish, seafood gumbo, fried chicken, baked beans, collard greens, honey cornbread, and sweet potato pie - basically a heart-attack waiting to happen. Destiny didn’t have the heart to tell the guy that she avoided those kinds of food because of its high sodium and sugar content and its relation to increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. So she just said, “sure, let’s go.”

---

After they got finished eating, they went for a walk around the neighborhood. Destiny was looking over his shoulder at a couple cuddled up on a bench under a nearby tree. Edwin gently touched her chin, lifting her face ever so slightly so her gaze met his. The warm sensation returned to her body. It was an out of body experience that she couldn’t explain. she was drawn to his gorgeous green eyes like a moth to a flame.

“Well?” He asked. She had briefly forgotten his question. She was mesmerized for a moment. She quickly remembered why she came here. She pulled away from him and walked a few steps away to gain her composure. She hadn’t been paying attention to his question.

“What did you say?”

“Why were you lurking around my office?”

“I wanted to get your opinion?”

“On?”

Destiny looked around before she pulled the book out of her tote and showed it to him.

“This.” She handed him the book.

Edwin’s eyes grew wide at the sight of it. he sat down in his desk chair and stared down at the cover. He slowly ran his hand along the book's’ cover, over the intricate detail of the tree - each branch, each root, each line carefully. He ran his index finger across the word, “Paradys” and the odd symbols and strange letters beneath it.

“I-I can’t believe it.” Edwin finally said, expelling a breath as he did.

“What?”

Edwin didn’t answer. Instead he continued to stare at the book. He turned the book over. On the back cover was a block of words. More gibberish. Destiny thought.

“What?” She repeated.

“Ecnoch, Arrididan, Ecquin Muhaulin.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“As above, so below. As within, so without.”

“Wait a minute. You understand this shit?”

“Not all of it. But some of these symbols make sense. See this symbol here means ‘sky’ when next to this symbol here it means ‘pointing up to’ which is indicative of something above. And this…”

“Alright, alright, I get it. you’re one smart son of a bitch. What does this tree mean?”

“I’m not quite sure yet. Where did you get this book from?”

“I found it.”

“This text happens to be at least 1000 years old and just happened to find it?”

“Sure, why not?” Edwin stared at her with disbelief.

“I know you’re going to call me a creep with this next question but do you mind coming home with me so I can show you something?”

Destiny’s initial response would be to tell Edwin to get lost before she kicked him where the sun don’t shine. But she needed to know what this book meant and how to open it.

“Okay.” she replied instead.

They got into Edwin’s car and drove out of campus. Edwin drove a classic car, 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. It was dark grey with black pinstripes on the front. At this hour there were hardly any other cars on the road.

“This is a pretty old car. I wouldn’t have pictured you in something like this.” Destiny noted.

“It was my Father’s car.” His tone was icy.

Edwin lived less than ten minutes to get from the University. He turned on the radio. It was tuned in to a news station. There was an update on the story about the woman in the tree.

“Groundbreaking news in the ‘Weeping Willow’ story. After being pronounced brain dead, doctors say Jane Doe has resumed normal brain activity.“Doctors say, although they can’t explain why Jane Doe’s brain seems to be healing itself rather remarkably, it is too soon to count her out of the woods yet. She is still in a drug induced coma to allow her wounds to heal.”

“We’re optimistic, but we are keeping a watchful eye on her to be sure.” The doctor said.

“Wow! That’s incredible!” Edwin exclaimed. Destiny was flabbergasted. There was no credible reason why that girl had survived such fatal wounds and how she recovered from being brain dead. Destiny had read a book before that explained what happened to one’s body when it’s brain dead. It means your brain isn’t receiving oxygen and so it can’t send oxygen to the rest of the body’s organs. This results in an entire system failure. No one could come back from that!

“That just proves it.” Edwin said.

“Proves what?”

“God is alive.” Edwin stated.

“Whatever.” Destiny rolled her eyes. Here we go again, she thought.

“Come on, you don't see that as a miracle?”

“There is no such thing as miracles.” Edwin looked dumbfounded.

“You don’t believe in miracles?”

“No. And I don’t believe in your god either.” Edwin looked at Destiny as if she had just shot him in the chest. He clutched his heart.

“Come to church with me.” Edwin suggested.

Destiny had no fond memories of church. She swore after she left Wayne and Kimberly’s she would never step foot in a church again. There was no way she was going back on that now, especially for some guy she hardly knew.

“No thanks.”

“Come on, you can’t be that cynical…”

“Cynical! It’s not about being cynical. You religious types use your god and your religion as an excuse, some sort of sick justification for doing horrendous things. I want no parts of that!”

“Someone hurt you badly, didn’t they?” Edwin said.

“What does that have to do with whether or not I believe in your god?”

“Usually when bad things happen that we can’t make sense, it is easy to blame God for not being there or doing something to intervene and stop up from getting hurt. it’s only natural. The beautiful part of it is that we can hate God as much as we want and yet He continues to love us unconditionally and more than we could ever imagine.”

“Pfff…” Destiny said. “You’re just a mindless drone. Your god was created and designed corrupt leaders of the world to insight fear into the weak who are unable to think for themselves. Your god is merely a tool to push an agenda. It’s not enough to fear going to jail to keep people in line, they also have to fear the afterlife and eternal damnation. It’s sick!”

“I think you should come to church with me one day.” Edwin suggested.

“The only time I will ever set foot in a church again is when I’m laid out in a casket. And even then, I hope it will be outdoors and not in a church.”

With that the two were silent for the rest of the way to Edwin’s house.

---

Before long they had arrived in front a pink, two-story house. His house was located in a beautiful neighborhood. So quiet, you could hear a pin drop. All the houses on the block looked almost identical. Edwin escorted Destiny inside. he quickly powered down the alarm. The house had a grand entryway. The floor was white tile and spotless. Directly adjacent to the entrance was a stairway. There was a bathroom to their right and the living room was to their left. Everything appeared neat and tidy.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Edwin asked. He seemed to be rather enjoying the fact that Destiny appeared impressed with his house.

“Water.” She said. “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure it is right through that door.”

Destiny hurried into the bathroom and shut the door. The bathroom was just as spotless as the rest of the house. He must be married. She thought. Or gay. She needed to steal away a moment to herself. She splashed some cold water on her face. She had to fight the urge to light up in here. She knew it wasn’t a good idea but she had a bad feeling about being here. Destiny stared at herself in the mirror. You can do this. He doesn’t know you stole his pin.No big deal. Just find out what he knows and get the hell out.

Destiny left the bathroom and looked for Edwin. He was in the kitchen drinking a soda. Root beer. Must be his favorite.

“Here’s your water.” Destiny was grateful that he had given her water in a sealed plastic bottle rather than a glass. At least I know he’s not trying to drug me. She said.

“I just ordered a pizza.” He said sheepishly. “Are you hungry?”

“No.” Destiny lied. But her stomach betrayed her by growling ferociously.

“Well the pizza should be here soon. In the meantime, help yourself to anything in the fridge.” He smiled that charming smile at her once again she was weak in the knees. Destiny walked around the kitchen admiring the marble tile, the granite countertops, wood cabinets and flooring. it was a beautiful kitchen, something from a magazine. Not something Destiny ever thought she’d set foot in.

She examined the refrigerator magnets pinpointing all the places he’d been or at least that someone else had been to and cared enough to bring hima magnet back. Greetings from: Peru, Tokyo, Hawaii, Bora Bora, Paris, London, Cape Cod, New York, Chicago, Beijing.

“Have you been to all these places?” She asked.

“Yes, he replied. Mostly with my parents.” He added, “Do you liked to travel?”

“Not sure. Never been out of Brookside…”

“Never?” He asked not masking his shock.

“Nope.”

Edwin finished his roto beer and threw his soda can in the garbage.

“Don’t you recycle?” Destiny asked.

“Um...no. I mean yeah when I can. I don’t have a recycle bin in the house if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Don’t you care about the planet?” Edwin looked at destiny with a blank stare.

“I care about the planet. I just don’t recycle. This planet has been in existence for billions of years - long before we got here and long after we’re gone. I don’t think a few soda cans will change that.”

“If every single person thought that way, but next year the landfills will be overflowing with hazardous waste; toxic sludge would course through our drinking water, and the damage to our oceans would be irreparable.”

“You’re not what I was expecting.” Edwin said. Their eyes locked momentarily. Edwin looked like he wanted to jump her bones and truth be told if he kissed her again she would let him.

“So where are the wife and kids?”

Edwin nearly choked.

“Where’d you get that from?”

“Your house. It’s obviously a family home. And it’s immaculate. I don't know any man who lives like this.”

“You got me. It’s a family home. It was the house I grew up in. My parents left it to me when they....Well anyway, I make sure to keep it pretty much the way they left it. And I don't know what kind of guys you dated before but I was raised by a little old lady who taught me how to hold a broom and dustpan.”

“So then you’re gay?”

“Do I look gay?” He didn’t flinch.

“I don’t know what gay looks like. I’m just asking.”

“You have a very narrow view of the world, you know that?” Destiny didn’t have anything to say. She didn’t know much of anything beyond the city she lived and what she’d read in books. The only exposure she had to a homosexual was at Wayne and Kimberly’s church when the pastor performed an exorcism on a member. After hours of dousing him with holy water, waving crosses and Bibles in his face, the pastor wasn’t able to cure him so he banished him from Saint View labeling him a demon. The whole experience had been terrifying for Destiny. She was only ten.

“Hey look, I didn’t mean anything by that-” Edwin started to apologize.

“No that’s okay. You’re right. To someone like you, I probably seem like some earthy, tree-hugging bumpkin who’s never been anywhere or done anything and knows shit about shit. Sorry I’m not a wealthy, snobby little rich kid who has never experienced a hard day's work in life and whose mommy and daddy handed everything to on a silver platter. Unlike you I had to work for everything I got and truth be told it's not much for someone like you but at least it's all mine!” Destiny wasn’t sure what she was so upset about, the fact that he was looking down on her or her shame about her past. She was irrationally angry and not necessarily at Edwin but at herself, at her birth parents for never being around, whoever and wherever they were for abandoning her to fend for herself at such a young age and for having it rubbed in her face by this pompous ass was more than she could bare. Destiny stormed out of his house and made her way down the street. Edwin chased after her.

“Look I didn’t mean to offend you.” Destiny picked up the pace to try and lose him but he was meeting her every step stride for stride.

“Zoedana.” He said. Destiny wasn’t sure what he could possibly be getting out of this. Why did he care so much?

“Zoedana.” He repeated. Destiny continued to walk.

“Will you wait a minute?” Edwin got in front of her and grabbed her by her arms to stop her. Destiny tried to move out of his grip but he was too strong.

“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. I don’t know your history, where you came from, or what you been through. But I know it was a hell of a lot and very unfair. You’re a strong woman. I noticed it from the first time I laid eyes on you. All the pain you’ve gone through and endured, you carry it. You carry that weight all by yourself. But pain is what made you so strong. You are obviously a woman who has the potential to be a powerful force to be reckoned with. It’s why I was so drawn to you. Its why I feel compelled to help you. its why I chased you down the street. Its why against my better judgement I refuse to let you walk out of my life.” It was a hell of s speech but only made Destiny more skeptical. He’s trying way to hard she thought. But at the same time she wanted him to try hard, to fight for her. She wanted him to prove to her what she already sensed that he was different from all the rest. But she knew eventually he would let her down as all people do at one point or another. As if just noticing he had been holding on to her, he released her arms. Without saying a word, Destiny turned around and headed back to his house.

---

“Come with me.” He said once they were back inside. “I need to show you something.” Destiny followed Edwin into the living room. He went to the fireplace and tried to light it. A fireplace, really? She thought. He must think I’m easily impressed. She looked around and noticed the familiy photos around the room. There he was again, the man with the glasses. Destiny was sure that was the same man who had been talking with Ms. Waters. But the woman in the photo, his mother, was clearly not Ms. Waters. That’s a relief. She thought. Lots of photos but it did not appear to be any of a wife or kids.

“Dang lighter won’t work.” He muttered after several failed attempts to get the fire started.

“Here.” Destiny pulled out her lighter from her back and gave it to him.

“Thanks he said.” He shook it, flicked it, and put the flame under the logs. It instantly got going.

“So now what? We gonna roast some marshmallows?’ she joked.

“Hardly.” Edwin reached over the mantle and took the family portrait down. There was a keypad. “Can you turn around, please?” He said. Destiny turned her back while Edwin input some numbers on the pad. She heard a loud crunch. She turned around and the entire fireplace started to move. It slowly rotated, making its way for a dark passageway.

“What the?” Destiny’s jaw dropped. Okay, she thought, now I’m impressed.

“Follow me.” Edwin said. Edwin flicked on a light switch and the basement lit up. Destiny followed him down the stairs, into a huge basement. It was not your typical basement - it was clean and smelled of wood polish. The room was shaped like an octagon.with rows and rows of shelves of thick books along the walls. The entire room was larger than her entire apartment. There were two large red sofas in the center of the room. There was also a large desk and a couple chairs.

“Doesn’t look much like a murder room.” She said.

“Make yourself comfortable.” Edwin ignored her comment. He walked over to one of the bookshelves and pulled out a few books and put them on a different bookshelf. Destiny walked around the room fascinated by all the different books in various languages from spanish to arabic, and subjects from history anthropology to religion and culture. There rows and rows of encyclopedias.

“You read all these books?” Destiny asked.

“Most of them.” He answered matter-of-factly. Suddenly the shelves started to move on their own as of they were on tracks. When the shelves stopped moving, Edwin took some more books and began moving them. The shelves began to rotate again. Edwin repeated the ritual once more. This time the three shelves along the back wall turned 180 degrees, revealing a huge mural and paintings on the wall.

“What the…?” Destiny gawked. It was a huge tree just like the one from the strange door in the library, just like the one from the book Ms. Waters had given her, and just like the one she had seen on her necklace. Edwin was still searching for something on the shelves.

“What...is...this?” Destiny asked.

“Ah...here it is!” Edwin was holding a book thick enough to beat a dictionary to death. He slammed it down on the desk and flipped it open.

“Come here.” He said. Destiny managed to pull herself away from the beautiful mural. “Look at this.” He said. The text was in a foreign language Destiny couldn’t understand a word of it. Edwin was pointing to a symbol on the page. It was four squiggly lines inside of a circle. Edwin moved his finger along the words in the book, translating as he did, “The tree of life with it’s tangled branches reaching into the sky and mass of roots weaving their way into the ground. Everything is woven together like a tapestry of nature, in spirit and in life. The tree of life exists in three worlds, transcending both the physical and metaphysical, linking heaven, earth, and hell.” Edwin looked up before continuing. “The mystical inscription on the book comes from an ancient dialect called Taiferian. if we can find someone who can read Taiferian, we can read what the book says.”

“But you were able to read the words on the cover.”

“Yes but only some of it. It is a very complex language. One that has been dead a long time. Taiferian is rumored to have been the first language spoken by humans before God destroyed the tower and babel and forced us all to speak different language. But Taiferian is a universal language - the mother of all languages - essentially a combination of every single language ever spoken in the last 6,000 years. Because I’ve studied dozens of languages my whole life I can understand a small fraction of its meaning. But the only way to read this book in its entirety is if someone reads and understand Taiferian or if they know every single language.”

“Every language?”

“Yes.”

“That is impossible. No one can know every language.”

Which is why it would be very difficult to figure out this book. But if you wanted to leave it with me for a week or so, I could go through it and translate the few parts I can.” Destiny thought about his offer but wasn't sure if she could trust this man. She hardly knew him but yet he had been kind to her from the very first time they met. But he had been lying about his father’s death. Although she had no physical proof of that. Yet she knew she needed his big brain to help her figure out what this book was and what it meant. She was torn.

“Okay.” Destiny agreed.

“Geez…” Edwin looked at his watch. “It’s nearly three in the morning! I have a 8am class tomorrow. I would ask you to spend the night...” He hinted.

“I should be getting home.” She said.

“Okay well I will take you to your car.”

“I, uh, don’t have a car.” Destiny admitted. She was starting to feel more comfortable with him.

“What?”

“I don’t have a car.”

“You told me you drove…”

“I lied.”

“So how’d you get to the restaurant?”

“I took the bus. You know that big blue thing with wheels?”

“Well then by all means let me drive you home.”

Destiny contemplated the repercussions of allowing this man to know where she lived.

“It’s a long drive from here. I’ll be okay on my own.” Destiny replied. What was wrong with her? She knew the buses didn’t run this late but she didn’t want to accept any more favors from this guy.

“I am going to give you two options. Option A - I drive you home. Option B - I make up the guest room and you sleep there. All due respect, there is no way I am letting you wander around at this hour.”

“I’m not as delicate as you think.”

“Oh I know that. I have no doubt you are a strong independent woman who could probably kick my ass. but my conscience would not let me sleep if I didn’t know whether you made it home safely.”

Destiny was frustrated with his stubbornness but she rather liked his assertiveness.

“Okay.” She finally agreed. She was relieved not to have to find her way to the other side of town.

Destiny noticed Edwin’s demeanor change once they arrived in her neighborhood. He rolled up his windows and kept locking the doors.

Destiny had Edwin park a few blocks away from her apartment so that he wouldn’t know exactly where she lived.

“Thanks for the ride.” She said.

“My pleasure. So when can I see you again?” Edwin asked. He was staring intently at her with those dangerous green eyes.

“I work at Roxanne’s tomorrow. Maybe I’ll see you there.” She said. Edwin nodded.

“Okay. Maybe you will.” He said coyly. “Do you think I, uh, can maybe...get your phone number so I can call you sometime?” The only cell phone Destiny had was the one she used for her customers buying weed. She didn’t feel comfortable letting Edwin have access to it.

“I don’t have a cell phone.” She lied.

“Ah. I see. I’ve heard that one before. I know what that means…”

“What one? I’m serious. I never felt the need to have a cell phone.”

“Right, okay.” Edwin was skeptical.

“Anyway, thanks again for the ride.” Destiny hastily changed the subject.

“Let me at least walk you to your door.” He insisted.

“No, really. It’s okay. Goodbye, Professor.” Destiny unbuckled her seatbelt. Edwin clumsily hopped out of the car and rushed to open her door before she could reach for the handle. In the process he tripped over the curb. Destiny chuckled.

“Such a nerd.” Destiny said to herself. Edwin opened her door and held his hand out to help her out of the car. She took it.

“I’ll see you.” He said. Destiny stood up. They were still holding hands. The warmth returned permeating through her chest, her face felt flushed. Edwin kissed her on the back of the hand. “Goodnight.” He said. He was still looking up at her with those big green eyes.

“Goodnight.” She echoed. His lips lingered on her hand a second longer but he still hadn’t let her go.

“Goodnight.” Edwin said again. This time, seductively.

“Goodni--” Edwin’s lips were on hers before she could finish saying the word. His lips were soft and he tasted like peppermint and almonds. He smelled like fresh rain. He gently opened her lips with his tongue. He grabbed her firmly around the waist and pulled her closer to him. Suddenly an image popped in her mind of a tree engulfed in blue flames. Inside the tree was Destiny’s face. Save her! A voice screamed inside her head. It was then that Destiny pushed Edwin away.

“What are you doing?” She asked. Her excitement was building. She felt incredibly drawn to this man but she felt she had to stop herself.

“I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I just felt…” He didn’t have to explain it because Destiny already knew what he was feeling because she felt the exact same way.

“Well, don’t. How dare you just assume I wanted you to kiss me?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Stay the fuck away from me, you...you...you pervert!” Destiny stormed off leaving Edwin standing there watching staring after her. She expected Edwin to chase after her but he didn’t. He stood there looking lost and confused, holding his hands out as if beckoning a hug or willing her not to walk away. There was something utterly pathetic and endearing about it. Destiny walked the three blocks to her apartment wishing she hadn’t acted so rashly. When she got to the building she noticed a dark figure leaving the complex but she couldn’t make out who it was.

Thursday, July 28, 2020 at 4am

When Destiny returned to her apartment, her room was in disarray - her mattress was laying up against the wall. Her lamp had been knocked over, her clothes were removed from the draws and thrown everywhere. Her keepsake box was on the floor. All of the contents dumped out. The picture of her and Nick was cut in half - only Nick’s face remained. Destiny checked inside the book safe and all of her money was still there untouched. Her weed stash safely in its bag. She weighed it, same amount. After thoroughly checking every nook and cranny, nothing else appeared to be missing. Whatever the intruder had been looking for wasn’t money or drugs.

Destiny pulled her mattress down off the wall and lay it back in its usual spot. When she did, she noticed a strange red symbol on the wall. Destiny couldn’t understand what the symbol meant but when she touched it, it was still wet. Destiny examined her hand and from the smell and texture of it, it appeared to be blood.

Destiny contemplated whether to show up at Edwin’s house. Although Destiny knew in order to find out more about her past and the book and find out where her mother was, she would need his help but she wasn’t ready to lay her cards on the table and let go of her pride.

After much deliberation, she decided, she needed to go to his house and tell him about this and tell him about all she knew, including his father.

---

Destiny showed up that same night on Edwin’s door step. Edwin came to the door in just his boxers. He could barely keep his eyes open.

“Hey what are you doing here?” His voice as pleasant for someone who had just been woken up.

“Can I come in?” Destiny asked. She had smoked a joint on the way over, was high, freaked out and paranoid that someone had followed her over here.

“Yes, of course.” He said. “Is everything okay?”He was rubbing his eyes and squinting.

“That depends. Do you still have the book?”

“Yes of course. It’s down stairs. What’s going on?”

“Can I Have some water?” Edwin reluctantly went in the kitchen and poured her a glass of water. Destiny walked towards the living room. Edwin soon joined her handing her the glass of water.

“Someone broke into my apartment tonight and I think it was them.”

“What? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Did you notify the police?’ He asked. Seriously?

“Yeah I did. They said they would look into it.” She lied. “Strange part is...they didn’t take anything, not my money, not my weed, nothing.”

“Your weed?” Edwin seemed surprised.

“Great. I shouldn’t have told you that, of all people. I mean my bag of incense.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I could care less how you choose to...express yourself. If you want to mess up your lungs and kill your brain cells by all mean, have at it. Smoke all the refer you want?”

“Refer? For your information, genius, smoking marijuana does not cause damage to brain cells. And some studies have shown that it can actually improve lung health and reverse the effects of cigarettes.”

“Clearly you’re high right now!” Edwin said.

“Aren’t we Mr. Judgemental. How dare you look down your half-breed nose at me?”

“Half-breed? What does that even mean?”

“I never should have even bothered to come here.”

“You are a hostile person. You know that!” Not everyone is out to get you. Not everyone is judging or condemning your actions. If you are that insecure about it, maybe you should take a good long look at yourself. If you have a problem then change it.”

“Gee, thanks Grandpa.” She said sarcastically.

“I can’t deal with this. I’m tired. I have to be up early. If you want to stay, the guest room is upstairs, second door on the left. Have a good night.”

Destiny felt her entire world start to spin. She had done it again. She didn’t want Edwin to leave. She didn’t want to be alone right now but her mouth wouldn’t form the words to tell him to stop. he turned his back and walked up the stairs. Destiny drank a few more glasses of water and managed to make her way up the stairway. Just get the book and leave! She thought. I can do this on my own!

Destiny stumbled her way up the stairs and into the first door she saw. She climbed inside the bed before she realized Edwin was already in there.

“Zoe, what are you doing? The guest bedroom is the next door down.” He said. He was clearly irritated with her at this point.

“Hold me.” She mumbled before her eyes drooped closed. His annoyance quickly subsided when he looked down at her face. Instead of kicking her out of the bed he put his arms around her and held her tightly. They both drifted off to sleep.

---

The next morning Edwin still had his arms around Destiny and she was laying her head on his chest. He kissed her on her forehead causing her to stir. She blinked her eyes open her eyes and when she looked up, Edwin was staring down at her.

“Morning.” He said.

“Oh my god!” Destiny quickly hopped out of bed. “What happened last night? Did we-” She looked horrified.

“No we didn’t have sex.” He said. “You came over here upset someone had broken into your place so…”

“So you thought you would take advantage of the situation by luring me into your bed so you could do all sorts of pervy stuff to me while I was asleep?” She accused.

“No!” Edwin exclaimed. “Why are you so damn frustrating?” He was exasperated.

“What the hell did you do to me, pervert?”

“Okay that is the third time you accused me of being a pervert. And I’m not going to keep letting it slide. You climbed in my bed last night. And if you hadn't already noticed, you're still completely dressed.” Destiny looked down at herself and noticed she had every piece of clothing on down to her shoes.

“ And if I’m not mistaken. That night in front of your apartment, you kissed me back! I am through playing these games with you. You blow up at me every five seconds for no good reason and I am done. I am going to take a shower. You can stay here and sort out your own craziness or you can go ahead and show yourself out.” With that, Edwin walked out of the room. A few minutes later she heard the shower turn on.

Destiny was embarrassed for how she behaved. Why did she keep treating him like that? She had been so dumb. Edwin had been a friend to her when she really needed one. And how did she repay him? Destiny hadn’t felt that safe and comforted since Nick was around. It was a feeling she desperately wanted and needed to feel. She had probably blown it forever.

But still, she thought, he had probably done something to her in her sleep.

---

When Edwin got out of the shower and came downstairs freshly shaven, Destiny was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

“What’s all this?” He said. Destiny walked over and brought him a cup of coffee.

“This is my way of saying thank you for last night. And sorry for blowing up at you the way I did. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Smells good.”

“Have a seat. It’ll be ready in a few.” Edwin obliged.

“I thought maybe you left.”

“Thought about it. Did you want me to?” She said.

“Thought about it.” He joked. “But no, I didn’t want that.” He admitted.

Destiny laid down a plate of egg white and spinach omelette with wheat toast. Edwin went to the refrigerator and grabbed a jar of grape jelly.

“Bread already has a lot of sugar. It doesn’t need jelly.” She said.

“It might not need jelly, but I do.” Edwin said. They both laughed. Destiny picked up a forkful of food and started to eat but Edwin stopped her.

“Wait.” Edwin said. “First,w e say grace.”

“How come you’ve never made me say grace all the other meals we had together?” she asked.

“We hadn’t cuddled yet.” He smiled. Destiny put her fork down. She didn’t believe in prayer but she didn’t want to spoil the mood.

“Lord we give you praise, honor and glory for this day. We thank you for this wonderful spread you’ve laid before us. We are so grateful to you for the many blessings you bestow on us daily - those we are aware and those we are unaware. Lord, we look to you for guidance, for wisdom and pray that each day we live according to your word. We thank you for this food we are about to receive. We ask that you make it nourishment to our bodies. We ask these things in Jesus name, Amen.” Destiny watched Edwin as he talked to his god. His face was overcome with peace. His voice was full of joy and excitement. She had never seen anything like it. Whenever she heard people pray before, it always sounded methodical and rehearsed. Not like this.

“I have a confession to make.” She said.

“What’s that?” he had a mouth full of food.

“I wasn’t entirely truthful with you about my name.”

“Your name isn’t Zoedana?”

“Well, kinda. My given name is Destiny Rogers. Zoedana is my code name, the one I used most of my life when I was living on the streets and when I started selling drugs. People usually call me Z for short” She admitted.

“I see. So what do you prefer me to call you?”

“Zoedana.” She said.

“Then that’s what I will keep calling you.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes.” She lied. She wanted to tell him about his dad but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

“Well I have a confession for you.”

“What?” Uh-oh she thought the second shoe.

“Despite your cookiness and mood swings, I enjoy having you here.It’s been along time since a real meal was cooked inside this kitchen.”

“You don’t cook much?”

“No and neither does my wife.” he joked.

When they weren’t at each other’s throats the conversations seemed to flow so freely. He was easy to talk to. It was like they had known each other for ages. They talked and laughed all throughout breakfast. Destiny learned that Edwin was an only child. He had her nearly in tears telling her stories about his nutty grandmother and the things she used to make him do. It was so safe and easy. For a while, Destiny forgot about the book, about her mother, and about the world ending.

Edwin glanced down at his watch.

“Shoot! I gotta get to class.” He said. “What do you have to do today?”

“I’m working at the diner until five.”

“Oh. Well I was going to see if you wanted to come to my theology class. We are discussing the fundamental differences and similarities between classic religious texts.”

“That doesn’t even sound remotely interesting.”

“Suit yourself. Want me to drop you by the diner on the way to the library on my way to the university?”

“On the way? The diner is like 30 minutes out of your way.”

“True. I guess I was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with you.”

“You’re very straightforward aren’t you?”

“Sometimes. I don’t like to play games. Life is too short not to go after what you want.” He was looking at her with those seductive green eyes again. Shit. She thought. She was starting to like this guy. But she knew she was going to have to confront him about his father eventually.

“I have another confession to make.” He said.

“What?”

“I want us to drop everything and spend the day together.”

“That’s sweet but I need to keep my job so I can pay for my apartment and save up enough money to go to college.”

“It’s just one day. Don’t you have any sick days saved up?”

“I don’t have sick days. And I don’t have a trust fund I can pull from whenever I don’t feel like working that day.”

“Here we go again. Just when I think we’re making headway, you push me away.”

“I’m not going to put my life on hold for some uptight guy just because he’s been a little nice to me.”

“All I asked was for you to spend a little time with me so we could get to know each other better. We were having such a nice time. Why do you constantly have to mess it up?” Destiny paused. he was right.

“I don’t know.” Edwin was visibly surprised by her response. Truth was, Destiny didn’t know why she was unable to just go with her emotions and truly open up and let someone in but the very idea terrified her.

“The last person I trusted...that I let in...he died...unexpectedly. The police barely bothered looking into it because he was a gang banger. One less black kid off the street they figured.” Her voice trailed off as she sat deep in thought, remembering Nick. “He was my best friend, my big brother, my partner in crime…” Her eyes began to water and her voice was cracking. “When my foster mother used to come at me with the brown belt, Nick would always try to stop her. Then she’d beat us both. It got to the point where Nick started messing up just so she would spend all her time and energy punishing him that she’d forget about me. My foster parents didn’t even bother to report him missing. He had been gone for six months before they found his body floating in the water. he had two shots in his chest one in his head.” Destiny was imagining her brother Nick. She had heard about his death on the six o’clock news. She would never forget that day. How she missed her big brother. How miserable and unbearable life in that house had been without him all these years. Even now, nick would know exactly what to do. Exactly how to handle this entire situation. Nick why did he have to leave? Destiny fought back the tears that threatened to come pouring down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold them back anymore. She began sobbing uncontrollably. She put her face in her hands and cried softly over the loss of her beloved brother Nicholas Rogers. She had never truly mourned his death before now. She was too busy dealing with the madness at home or trying to survive on the streets, just like Nick had always taught her.

Edwin came and sat down next to her. He put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. Once again she was safe and protected by his big strong arms. She lay her head on his chest and felt at home. Slowly her tears went away.

“I’m sorry about your brother.” He said after what felt like eternity. He kissed her on her forehead and squeezed her a little tighter.

“What was his name?” He asked.

“Nick.”

Then Edwin said a prayer.

“Lord we give you praise honor and glory. We know that everything happens for a reason. We know that Nick is with you right now watching over us. We know that he feels no pain or sorrow. We know that he sits at your feet looking out for his little sister, proud of the wonderful woman she’s become. Lord I ask you to comfort Zoedana right now. Keep her. We know you will never forsake or leave her. In Jesus name. Amen.” No matter if it was in vain or not, Destiny felt oddly comforted by the words nonetheless.

---

Edwin called his teaching assistant and told him to take over his classes for the day. Edwin had convinced her to blow off the diner so the two had decided to spend the day together.

“I know you can handle this, Tom. You’re a smart, capable guy….yes I realize you get nervous in front of people….no i don’t want you to have an asthma attack…..well how do you expect to become a professor it….oh okay. I see….well just please do this for me. Do the best you can. It’s one day alright? Thanks Tom.” He hung up the phone.

“Can you believe that? That kid is supposed to be a certified genius but he has absolutely no common sense at all.”

Edwin kneeled in front of Destiny as she lay on the couch watching some talk show. He started stroking her hair. He started down at her with those beautiful green eyes. She willed him to kiss her. But instead he got up from the ground.

“What do you want to do today?” He asked.

Destiny shrugged.

“I have an idea.” Edwin said. “Give me a minute.” Edwin left the room and went upstairs. After walking around to various rooms in the house, he returned in minutes he returned with a duffle bag and a blanket. He grabbed something out of the kitchen.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Ready for what?”

“Just grab your bag and let’s go.” Destiny obliged and followed Edwin to the car.

“Do you need to stop by your place and grab your things?” he asked. Where the hell were they going? Was he kidnapping her?

They drove to her place. Destiny packed up all her valuables, her keepsakes, her money, her marijuana plant and bag.

They down the street, out of the neighborhood, and out of Brookside.

“Where we going?’ She asked.

“It’s a surprise.” Was all Edwin said. He put in a cd and let the sounds of smooth jazz fill up the car.

Thursday, July 28, 2020 at 10am

A good forty-five minutes later, they had arrived at Tidewater Beach. They drove up and parked in the driveway of a rather large one-story house with huge glass windows and doors. The house had blue walls and a gray roof. Destiny was entranced by the beautiful house. The air smelled of salt and driftwood.

“Come on.” He nudged. The interior was even more breathtaking. As soon as they walked through the front door they were welcomed by a cool ocean breeze.All the back wall was an open doorway leading to a large deck complete with a jacuzzi and pool. The view of the ocean was amazing.

“I have never been to the beach before.” Destiny admitted.

“Well now you have.” Edwin said. “have a look around. I’ll be right back.”

Destiny walked out onto the deck and leaned on the rail, gazing out at the water. The weather was perfect. Beautiful blue skies a few white clouds drifted over the horizon. A soft breeze gently whipped Destiny in the face.

The house overlooked a small cove. The beach was covered with large rocks and had very little sand. There were few people out on the beach. Towards the left side of the cove was a red and white lighthouse. It was so close that Destiny could hit it with a rock.

When Edwin returned, he was shirtless and had on green swimming trunks with black stripes down the side. His bare chest was perfectly chiseled. He didn't look like your typical nerd. He had a six pack, broad shoulders and bulging biceps.

“Here.” He said. He was holding a blue and green deco swimsuit for Destiny to take. ’Try this on.”

“What’s this?” She asked.

“It was my mother’s swimsuit. She never got a chance to wear it. It might be a little big but-”

“We’re going swimming?”

“Well...yeah!”

“I don’t know how to swim.” She admitted. Edwin failed to mask his shock. His face quickly changed to a big smile.

“I’ll teach you.” Destiny was skeptical. She had never set foot in a body of water other than the bathtub and the kiddy pool when Wayne and Kimberly made her get baptised.

She looked down at the ugly bathing suit he was stilling holding.

“The bedroom is down the hall. You can change in there.” Destiny grabbed the suit and made her way to the bedroom. Everywhere she looked, there was some sort of nautical theme or decoration. From the starfish decals to the starfish accents and “Life’s a Beach” wall hangings.

The bedroom was just as beautiful as the rest of the house. A huge bed with a fluffy white comforter on a sandwood bed frame. There were half a dozen throw pillows on the bed in various shades of green and blue and some with mini seahorses on them. It looked like a giant cloud. She wanted to jump up and down on it. Destiny undressed and put on the swimsuit. She stared at herself in the closet mirror. Just as she suspected it was hideous. The swimsuit was two sizes too big and Destiny was swimming in it. The front was too open nearly revealing her chest.

Destiny opened the closet to look for a shirt she could put over the suit. In the closet was the duffle bag that Edwin had brought with them. She wondered what he packed. She thought. She opened it up. Inside were a few bottles of water. some suntain lotion, nasal stripes to prevent snoring, a couple sweatshirts, white tees, and jeans. Underneath was a lumpy white sock. Destiny picked it up and heard something crunch.

Upon opening up the sock, she saw several condoms. Destiny stared at it in disbelief. Guess she should have figured as much, she thought. Destiny wanted to fly off the handle. She wanted to shove the condoms in his face and call him out for lying to her about his intentions and then demand he take her home. But she refrained.

She grabbed one of the white tees and put it on. Then she carefully put the condoms and the sock right where she found it and zipped up the bag. She casually made her way back to the living room and joined Edwin on the deck.

He smiled big when he saw her but the smile quickly faded when he saw the expression on her face.

“What's wrong?” He asked. Destiny wanted to be angry but she was also curious about what it would be like to be with a man.

“Nothing.” She said. “I’m ready.”

Edwin got into the hot tub.

“I thought you said we were going swimming.”

“We are. But first I want you to learn the basics and get accustomed to being in the water.” He reached his hand out to help her into the water.

“First, we are gonna do some warm ups so you can get used to holding your breath underwater.” The professor in him was coming out. Edwin taught her some breathing exercises and how to blow bubbles so you could stay underwater longer.

“Next we’re going to learn how to float.” Edwin instructed Destiny to lay flat on her back while he held her up. Slowly she felt him remove his hands and started to fill herself sink. She panicked and started flailing her arms and legs and stood up.

“It’s okay, relax. You’re going to sink a little bit. That’s normal. It’s your natural buoyancy. Just keep your arms and legs spread out like I showed you and you’ll stay afloat.” After a few more failed attempts, Destiny finally learned how to keep her body upright.

“Not bad for your first time. You ready to get in the pool now?” Destiny was having so much fun she nearly forgot about the condoms. Edwin took her into the pool and showed her how to dog paddle and wade in the water. Pretty soon he had her doing the breaststroke.

“You’re a really good teacher.” She said.

“Thanks. I appreciate that. I haven’t been doing it long so sometimes I wonder if I’m getting through to my students.”

“Well I would have been grateful for a teacher like you in high school. Maybe then I wouldn’t have dropped out my junior year.”

“Why’d you dropped out of school?”

“My high school was more like a daycare then anything else. The teachers didn’t educate you they disciplined you. So I dropped out. Took the test and got my GED.”

“That’s pretty impressive.” There was a long pause. Edwin was looking at her with those eyes again. He leaned in like he was about to kiss her but she moved away.

“Did you want me to show you some more techniques?”

“Maybe later.” She said.

“Okay, no problem. How’d you like to go for a walk along the beach then?” He suggested.

“Okay.”

“There’s a bunch of my mom’s clothes still in the drawer. Or if you want, we can go shopping…”

“It’s okay. I’ll just wear what I had on earlier she said.”

They went for a casual stroll along the beautifully cobbled beach. Destiny was quiet but on high alert. All she could think about where the condoms in his bag and when he planned to make his move so he could use them.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Edwin noted. They had been walking for ten minutes now and barely said two words to each other.

“Just enjoying the scenery.” She said.

Edwin stopped walking.

“Here let’s sit a minute.” He suggested. He laid out the blanket he had brought and sat down cross-legged. Destiny joined him. She closed her eyes and let the cool ocean breeze wash over her. She felt at peace here. Like everything was right in the world.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” she said.

“You’re welcome.” Edwin beamed that goofy grin at her. “Thank you for coming.”

“So how’d you end up with a place like this?”

“It belonged to my parents.” He said. This was it. This was the time to tell him about his father.

“What did you parents do for a living? You never told me.” She said casually. A look came over his face that Destiny wasn’t too familiar with. His smile disappeared and sadness reached his eyes.

“Research.” he said. Edwin had been forthcoming with all aspects of his life but at the mention of his parents he was close mouthed. She recognized the look on his face as one she had felt before. It was the same way she felt about her own past.

“I have to tell you something.” She said. “Whoever broke into my house last night left this symbol on my wall.” Destiny showed him a picture of the symbol on her cell phone.

“Is it...blood?” He asked.

“Yes. Do you know what that symbol is?”

“Yes.” He admitted. “It’s their insignia. The Truth Seekers.”

“What do you know about them?” Destiny said.

Edwin sighed heavily. A look came over his face of gloom and darkness. He stood up and began pacing around the kitchen.

“I know all about the Truth Seekers. They’re these crazy conspiracy theorists. It’s like a cult. The Seekers were shut down for the violent rituals they practiced. They used to sacrifice animals. Then it was rumored that they moved up to people but it was never definitively proven. The government shut them down and they haven’t been heard from ever since.”

“What rituals?”

“I don’t quite remember off the top of my head but it was pretty gruesome.”

“Your parents were involved in that?”

“Unfortunately.” He said. “What I don’t understand is. Why would the Truth Seekers break into your house. Does it have something to do with this book?”

“Yes.” It was time for Destiny to lay it all out on the table. “A few days ago, I was working in the Brookside Public Library and I saw someone wearing a green cloak. That’s when I found this hidden door. Behind the wall of the library in a strange door with a tree symbol on it identical to the tree symbol on the book. I was knocked out before I could investigate any further. When I came to, Ms. Waters, my boss, was there. She told me the world was ending and this book was the only way to stop it from happening. She told me I have the key. That my mother gave it to me when I was a baby. I think I know what the key is but I don’t know where it is. But I have to find it so I can get in this book and help Ms. Waters so she can help me find my mother.”

“Oh, not this again.” Edwin muttered.

“What?”

“My parents joined the Seekers shortly before I was born. That dang cult ruined their careers and destroyed their lives. They lost their jobs because they were so obsessed with this theory about the world ending. My mother killed herself and my father died of a heart attack when I was ten. That’s why my grandparents raised me.”

“Maybe all of it wasn’t a conspiracy.”

“You can’t let yourself be manipulated by these crazy people. They are certifiably insane. How do you even know that they know where your mother is?”

“I-”

“I think you should return that book to wherever the hell you got it. That book was written in the ancient language of Taiferian. It dates back to at least 22000 BCE. That means your boss is over 4,000 years old or you are in possession of a rare and precious artifact that belongs to the U.S. Government or some other governing entity. I should turn it into the authorities.”

“Are you threatening to turn me in?”

“No. But the fact that you stumbled onto it is insane. You’re not destined to save the world. Why would such an enormous task be entrusted to someone like you.”

“Someone like me? Oh i See. There is no way some pot-smoking hippie could be anything more than that?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“From where I’m standing, you’re the one with all the dark secrets. That’s why you look sick everytime I mention your parents. And what about that basemen of yours. Who the hell has a secret passageway leading to their basement besides murderers and unabombers?” Edwin stared at Destiny as if she had just run away with his dog.

:How the hell do we always end up like this? One minute we’re having a good time. The next minute we’re trading insults and low blows?” He said.

“Maybe it’s because we shouldn’t be around each other.” She said. Edwin rubbed his head. “Maybe you should just take me home.”

Edwin was rubbing his head. He paused for a long time.

“No.” He said.

“What?”

“No. I’m not taking you home.” he repeated.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to!” he said.

“Why?”

“I want you here with me!” He said. That hadn't been what she was expecting him to say.

“Well...fine!”

“Good!” She wasn't sure why they were still shouting. Destiny looked at Edwin and almost felt sorry for him. He was clearly trying his best to get closer to her. No matter how much she fought him on he seemed intent on getting what he wanted from her. Until today she hadn’t been 100 percent sure on what that was.

“Do you just want to fuck me?” She asked.

“Huh?”

“Is it some deep-rooted fantasy of yours to fuck a hippie chick or something?”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Don't’ even try to act as if you're offended I saw your condoms in the closet.” Edwin turned crimson.

“Yeah, That’s right. You pretend to be this standup guy with pure intentions who just wants to help but you’re just a horny nerd who wants pussy!”

“So what?” Destiny was taken aback by his lackadaisical response. She expected him to have some excuse or grand explanation to defend himself. Instead he just said, “yes, I find you attractive. You are unequivocally, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I mean look at you. Sitting here in an oversized tank top, baggie pants, face pierced, one side of your head shaved, yet still absolutely stunning.” He stood up. “And yes, I would like to make love to you...you have no idea how much. But that doesn't mean that’s all I want from you. I like to be prepared okay? I brought those condoms on the off-chance we did have sex. I mean just last night you crawled into my bed for heaven’s sakes. I never thought that would happen either but it did. You confuse me, Zoedana. You intrigue me. You question me. You challenge me. But you’re a breath of fresh air. You push me to be a better version of myself. I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to you. It’s against all logic and reason, which is how I’ve always chosen to live my life. We are as opposite as they come. I don't know why God put you in my pathway. But what I do know is, there is something...extraordinary between us.” He knelt down in front of her and grabbed her hands. “I know you feel it to.”

Before Destiny could respond, his lips were on hers. They kissed each other passionately, fervently, breathing in each other’s souls. Destiny felt the rush of excitement return to her. Her heart was pounding, her stomach full of butterflies. Warmth was coursing through her entire body. She wanted him. She had never wanted anyone in her life the way she wanted him now. It was like she was back in the hot tub learning to float. Even though she had been terrified she’d fall in and drown, she had to trust him, trust herself, and listen to her body.

Edwin gently pushed her on her back with his body. Their arms and legs were intertwined, inextricably linked. He stopped kissing her and stared down into her eyes.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked her. His breath was slightly labored.

Destiny thought about all she had been through. She had no experience with sex and no fond memories of nudity. Wayne and Kimberly had taught her nudity and sex were all sins that if she engaged in it she would burn in a fiery pit of hell. For that reason Destiny had never been with a man. She had never even let another man touch her.

She stared back up at Edwin, his beautiful green eyes so soft and warm, full of desire. In that moment she realized, she trusted him. Trusted him not to hurt her. Trusted him to take care of her heart and not let her down. Trusted him to teach her how to swim in the terrifying murky waters of adulthood. He was right. They did have an unmistakable connection that she couldn’t deny. As if he were already a part of her.

“Yes.” She replied. He resumed kissing her. They made passionate love right there on the beach.

When Destiny awoke, she was back in the house, laying in the huge fluffy bed. It was completely dark with only the light to illuminate the room. Edwin was asleep next to her, wearing nothing but a nasal strip on his nose. Destiny gazed down at his naked body, beautifully sculpted and crafted in every way. Suddenly it all came back to her - how they had made love twice on the beach, one in the hot tub, and once more in bed. The very thought brought a huge smile to her face.

Destiny got up.Her entire body ached, especially her thighs. She grabbed Edwin’s t-shirt and boxers from the ground and put it on. Destiny went to her bag. She grabbed a rubber band and put her locks up in a bun. She checked her phone. Wow it was 4am. She had three missed calls, two voicemails and seven new text messages.

She scrolled through her texts. Most were from Birdman looking to score a large amount of weed for a party.

The last message was from a number she didn’t recognize. There were no words, only a picture message. Destiny froze when she opened it up. It was her foster parents, Wayne and Kimberly, covered in blood from head to toe. On the wall behind them was another red symbol in blood.

Destiny checked her voice messages. They were from the police asking her to come in a make a statement about her parents. Destiny hung up the phone. She couldn’t stop staring at the picture. Who would do something like this?

Edwin entered the living room and flicked on the light switch. Destiny nearly jumped out of her skin. She quickly put her phone down. Edwin was wearing a blue bathrobe. He had that big goofy grin on his face. He came to where she was sitting and put his arms around her.

“Hey what are you doing in here in the dark? You okay?” He asked. He kissed her on the cheek. Destiny knew she had to tell him everything. He deserved to know.

“Come sit down.” She said.

Edwin obliged. Destiny pulled out the phone and showed him the picture of her foster parents. Edwin lost all the color in his face.

“What...who are they?”

“I don’t know.” She lied. She didn’t want him to blame himself if his dad was truly behind this.

Edwin was silent. He just stared at the picture horrified.

“There’s something else.” She added. “You told me both your parents are dead, right?”

“Yes. Died fifteen years ago. What is this about?”

“I saw your father.” She waited before continuing. “I saw him at the library the other day.”

“What are you talking about? That isn’t funny…”

“I’m not joking. He is working with my boss.

“You must be mistaken..”

“But I saw him! They are both a part of the Truth Seekers. ”

“I went to both of my parents’ funerals. I assure you my dad is dead.”

“Is his name David McConnell?”

“Yes.” Edwin looked sick.

“Then he’s alive.” She said. “Here. He gave this to me.” Destiny pulled out the pin with the white winged lion. “He wanted you to have it.”

Edwin sat down in his chair.

“What is it?”

“It’s a family heirloom. Probably only worth a penny but it’s priceless. Been passed down to every male in my family for generations. My dad gave it to me right before he died. I placed this at his grave sight.” Edwin was distraught. “I can’t believe it...Dad is...alive.”