Chapter Eighteen: On the Edge of the Rim by Tina Semanas Beck was exhausted. She collapsed on an antique wooden bench in a tiny side room of the Cathedral’s rectory. Her body felt like lead. Leaning a heavy head back against the dark oak paneled wall behind her, Beck looked up and saw the carved image of a gaunt man hanging on a crucifix. Nails were piercing his hands and feet. Looking at this gothic relic of the forgotten past was strangely soothing - - as a small girl her mother secretly taught her the ancient story that was forbidden: a man who was said to be God was murdered on the crossbars of wood for the brokenness of the world. This obscure and rather bloody story was deemed psychologically dangerous by the state. Those who dared to believe this message were known to leave their senses, abandon reason, lost forever in philosophical flights of fancy. A tale only whispered on the lips of fools in the madhouse. But somehow, on this dark night shrouded in loneliness and fear, the idea of God sacrificing himself out of love for all people was the only thing that lifted Beck’s spirits. Everyone she worked with and everywhere she turned people were so self-occupied, narcissistic and obsessed; considering a God who was self-giving was the only thing that gave Beck hope. It was reassuring, even more than that, soul strengthening to trust that there was a powerful Being watching over her that she could fully trust. Someone who wouldn't use her for their advancement; but wanted only her best expecting nothing in return. But were these merely the errant wanderings of a weary mind? Maybe these high religious thoughts were nothing more than illusions born from exhaustion? The fading memory of a naive little blond headed girl with pigtails named Rebecca that didn’t exist anymore? And yet she couldn’t stop looking at those eyes! The sad, sorrowful, but piercing eyes of the man on the cross. They seemed to be pleading with her to give up her running, and to forget trying to satisfy her unrelenting desires to be someone important? The pursuit of fame had finally drained her, leaving her empty. Emptiness? Wasn't that the Latin meaning of the word “vanity”, an existence devoid of purpose? She longed for a life with real meaning, she was tired of the show, the bright lights and the chasing of the wind. . .such vanity. She longed for the childish mind of that pig tailed girl, a mind that seemed more sane believing in a loving God than the insanity of chasing fashion, pleasure and popularity. Maybe it was time to believe in hope? A light knock on the half opened door caused Beck to sit up straight and look over as Brother Dominic bowed deeply as he entered the room. “Madam, would you like a cup of green tea as you wait to speak with Mother Joan? I think it may still be a few more hours until she finishes her prayers?” “That would really be great. Thank you Brother Dominic.” The small monk left and two minutes later returned with a cup of steaming liquid on a small white dish. “Thank you,” Beck said as she reached out to grab the tea, “that smells so good.” Brother Dominic replied, “Let me know if there is anything else I can get you. I will be right outside the door sitting in the hallway chair.” After taking another bow, he quietly exited the room leaving Beck to herself and her warm cup of tea. Taking a slow deep sip, Beck said, “Oh this really hits the spot.” A short minute later as Brother Dominic sat in his chair, he heard what sounded like the smashing of porcelain on the floor in Beck’s room. “I forgot how quickly the sedative takes effect on a more petite woman. Mother Joan always takes double that amount.” Opening his nearby flat-pad he dialed a number that was quickly answered, “Yes, this is Brother Dominic at St. Patricia’s Rectory - Mother Joan of Ark is happy to inform you that we have Beck Paris passed out in our rectory. If you would like to send someone to pick her up she can be found at our location on Madison Avenue.” Waiting for a response, Brother Dominic donning a gentle smile which was learned from years of religious refinement, replied, “Oh good, I will see you soon and the Mother would hope that our small gesture of service will go far in strengthening ties between The Sisters and St. Patricia's...I will be here waiting.” Brother Dominic turned off the pad, grabbed his large rosary chain that was on the small reading table next to him, and closing his eyes, began the rhythmic chanting of his nighttime prayers. ----------------------------------------------------------- “Dr. Gladstone, You were right again, Beck Paris - just like a stray dog - has shown up on the front doorstep of St. Patricia’s and they have her waiting for us to come get her.” The smiling attendant was hoping for a look of approval from her boss, but Dr. Gladstone was staring out the nearby window lost in her thoughts. “Hmm, Beck Paris should most definitely be made a spectacle for how she mocked the state openly on a live broadcast. However, if I play this right, I can use her as bait to catch a much larger fish.” Turning to the attendant Dr. Gladstone barked, “Bring Ara Dias to me, it is time for her to learn on the job training.” “Yes Doctor.” The attendant hurried out of the large Manhattan apartment while a contemplative Dr. Gladstone sat down on a black leather chair strumming her fingers on the armrest. Ten minutes later Ara arrived. Motioning for the attendant to leave, Dr. Gladstone stood up and shook Ara’s hand. “Come in my dear, have a seat.” Ara sat down nervously in the matching leather chair facing across from Dr. Gladstone. It was hard to look into her eyes, it was if she could read your every thought and decipher your hidden motives. Sitting with her shoulders high and back straight, Ara folded her right hand over her left on her lap hoping to look older and more composed than she felt. “So Ara,” grinned Dr. Gladstone, “what do you think? How have you enjoyed the last couple days?” Ara knew she must not show fear, and gulping down some invisible bravery she answered back, “Dr. Gladstone, I am not sure how I am supposed to feel? Everything has happened so fast, I haven’t had time to think. I hope you do not think I am acting rude, I just don't know what to say and I want to be honest?” “Of course you’re not rude, and I want honesty. In fact, I require honesty! Just between you and me, I am not sure how you are supposed to feel either? This is new for all of us. Never before have we exalted a 12 year old girl to such an important position as a joint head of state. But in due time, we all will learn and adjust accordingly. We must - - the people are depending on us!” Ara let out a small pent up breath of air feeling relieved that her answer didn’t provoke any wrath from this dangerous and mysterious lady sitting across from her. “So Ara, how important is it for you to have a society that maintains the peace of it’s people? Should we turn a deaf ear to rebellion or is it our responsibility to crush it before it gets out of hand?” Ara squirmed in her chair. “Well I don’t know? That is a difficult question when I don’t know the situation, and one I am not truly prepared to answer.” Dr. Gladstone stood up with a red face and clenched fist, “That is not an acceptable answer, it is your duty to know! You cannot waver, and you must make quick decisions or the people, like a pack of wolves, will recognize weakness and pounce. Rebellion must be crushed. Do you understand?” Ara’s eyes widened, and two moist puddles started forming above her eyelids. Ara blinked quickly to try to stop them and hide the evidence of her fear. Dr. Gladstone sat down releasing the tension on her fist and massaging her fingers. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be so quick tempered. It is just that at this moment people are scheming against our state. And the arrogance of these rebels have the potential to destroy what we as a Doyenne Counsel have worked so hard to build. I understand your hesitation to answer, but I am sure you have been taught how feminine power must awaken, never relent, we must be strong and decisive.” “Yes,” said Ara, “Duenna Black daily stressed the importance of female empowerment.” “Good, good! So then you understand how necessary it is to act quickly. And now is your chance to help me stamp out a possible uprising. I want you to do a special job for me.” Doctor Gladstone stood up to look out the window as she developed the plan she was about to have Ara set in motion. “What is the job?” Ara asked. Turning to Ara watching for her response Dr. Gladstone said, “Do you know Beck Paris?” “You mean ‘The Beck Paris’? The famous vlogger? I don’t really know her but I know of her.” Ara looked surprised and wondered how a popular celebrity like Beck Paris could be a threat to the state? “I thought she was only interested in fashion?” Dr. Gladstone responded methodically as she sat down again across from Ara, “I want you to be my spy. Can you do that?” “A spy? I guess I can do that? Just tell me what you want.” Ara said as she noticed the look of pleasure that spread across Dr. Gladstone’s face. She was hiding a secret, and Ara knew she was the type of woman that would only keep it to herself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Don, I don’t mean to be rude, but I see no possible way to distribute thousands of blocking tablets to the men one by one?” Phen sat discouraged as he pleaded with the group of men in the living room of the cabin. “It was a miracle that Drew and I even escaped. Cameras in the plant are everywhere, audible sensing devices are hidden around the factory recording every conversation and monitoring the decibels so the levels don’t exceed above whispering. There is no way you can bring a person in there without getting caught by the guards. The blue smoke, the high grade security systems and the stupidity of the drones is no match for the Tergament guards.” His words landed like cold water on the dying embers of a fire. Athan stood up in a burst of excitement, “I’ve got it! I know what we can do. Since we now have the blocker’s chemical formula, all we need to do is mass produce it in a clear liquid form. If we can bottle it in containers that look like the 8 ounce squares of water that the men drink at lunch, we should be able to sneak it in on delivery pallets through the gates without notice.” “How do we get the formula in the water?” Don asked Athan. “I still have connections through my father’s suppliers. They always are having inspections from state, and we can slip in as government regulators. If we can somehow get the formula in a dense concentrated form, the water will dilute it where it will not be able to be detected in clear bottles. No one ever checks water!” Samuel and Thomas both high-fived each other and said, “I love it! How can we help?” “Not so fast,” said Donald, “I will need to figure out how to produce it in concentrated form. We will have to ask some of the other chemists that have taken up residence here. Tomorrow we will meet at The Rim for our Lord’s Day ceremony, and community food share. Phen, Drew and Athan, tomorrow will be a big day for all of us.” Jonathan, Samuel and Thomas left the cabin to go their houses that were through the woods nearby. The three new guests slept on Don’s floor. Before closing his eyes, Drew turned to Phen, “I have never felt more safe or hopeful of our future.” Phen smiled and rolled on his side pulling a heavy woolen blanket over his shoulders. Though the floor was cut of hardwood planks, the men quickly fell to a comfortable heavy sleep. Athan dreamed of Beck. In the morning, after Don’s wife cooked pancakes and bacon for all the men, including Jonathan and his family, and Samuel and Thomas. After the all the last scraps of food were eaten, and the morning laughter and colorful conversation came to an end, the small party helped clean dishes, repacked backpacks and headed south following the river. After hiking the few miles of a scenic walk, the group came to a large area known to the community as The Rim. It was a massive natural half-cave enclosure measuring 700 feet end to end. Phen noticed there already were hundreds of people there putting out morning campfires and getting ready for the larger community gathering. The Rim was impressive, Drew couldn’t help looking around at the vastness of the horseshoe’s sandstone shelter. The top of the cave’s ceiling rose a good 90 feet, allowing for enough sunlight to shine down on the happy faces and smiling families hugging and sharing handshakes of familiar hellos. A tall older man with a clean shaven face approached Don and asked, “Who are these men? And why would you bring unexamined strangers to The Rim?” Don turned to the man putting his both hands on his shoulders, “Don't worry my good friend, they have been baptized in the ‘Devil’s Bathtub’ and they are for us. You will soon hear, just trust me.” The man turned away wearing a quizzical look, eyeing Drew and grunting as he walked away. “Wow, I must really look sneaky.” Drew sarcastically muttered. Thomas laughed and said, “Don’t worry, Stan always questions everyone. We call that the hairy eyeball, he gives it to everybody. But when I first saw you I wondered about you too. You are very ugly you know?” Thomas tussled Drew’s hair as he walked away laughing. After more people gathered, a loud horn sounded which caused everyone to take a seat on the sandy floor of the cave. A white haired man wearing a purple robe raised his arms and with a loud voice echoing off the cave walls he said, “This is the day the Lord has made,” and the response of everyone in the community blasted forth, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” The man continued, “I have been told by Elder Don that we have three special guests, and in his own words, ‘direct answers from God’ here with us. Don, please come up and share.” Don who motioned for Athan, Phen and Drew to accompany him, began by saying. “My friends, I must say, Our Lord has brought to us three men we have been praying for for five years. Not by name but by purpose. Phen Dias, one of the fugitives we have been watching on projections screens, is here with us. Just a few months ago Phen was a drugged drone of the state. Muted by Xenon drips, he was stationed at one of the Midwest rivet factories subjected to a life of forced labor. As you can see, here he stands in his right mind.” Many gasps could be heard, tears wiped from watery eyes, people were hanging on Don’s every word. “Phen received through Liam O’Malley, one of our own residents, two Xenon blocking pills that stopped the drugs effectiveness and allowed Phen to be brought to his right mind. Phen is evidence that our research has worked!” Loud cheering erupted. Bewildered people sat stunned. Others raised hands in praise. “I will need some of the chemists to meet me during meal sharing time. We have much to discuss. This is Drew his son, and many of you know Nathan Stone, he has been with us back and forth for many years. These men are our brothers, welcome them.” Many in the crowd enthusiastically came up to hug the new arrivals to the community. There was a sense of expectation, joy was tangibly present. Phen felt a different presence, an old familiar friend he forgot he missed, the Spirit of God. The purple robed man stood back up and motioned for the whole crowd to rise. With tears streaming down his face he proclaimed, “It is time to give Our God Praise.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beck had a throbbing headache. Waking up in with a start, Beck was coming to the realization this was a strange bed, and strange room. “Where am I?” Looking out of heavy eyelids, and semi-blurred vision, a young girl's voice could be heard on the other side of the room. “You are in my hotel room. And don’t worry, you are safe. Get some rest, you have been drugged.” Beck asked in a groggy voice, “Who are you?” The soft young voice said, “My name is Ara Dias, nice to meet you Beck.”
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