The Pair.

No communications had come from Texarkana in months now. Asa sat at his desk, head in hands, praying for the computer screen to come alive. The prayers were answered with the resounding silence. Sometimes, God’s answer was no. What had he done in his selfishness? What pain had he wrought to the people who eeked out their existence in the wasteland of the selfish Tri-Verse? What were they to do? How would they survive? The raids would come here too. He knew it. They would come for him specifically. He stood, took up his staff, wrapped his stole around and prepared for his journey home.

~~~~~~~~

He’d never been much of a speaker. He much preferred the silence, the quiet, the hushed world that had been created for him. It was better this way. Where he often remained silent within the Papal Council Chamber, and his thoughts remained calm within the bounds of the Tri-Verse, he excelled one-on-one. It had been that way for as long as he could remember. It was why he’d been chosen; questioning was his gift. He understood the mind.

He sat there, staring at Tamar and he saw Asa’s face all over her countenance. The set jaw, the green eyes, and the unwavering belief were Asa’s. He knew before the first question was asked that it would not end well for her. It took him back to the days of the Priesthood. Long before he took his seat as inquisitor in the body of the papal council. His frail body shuddered. He hated those memories. They made him weak.

Memories lingered like the tiredness of being in the physical world. They made his body sag further in his chair. He remembered a sandy beach and he remembered Asa. He had been such a wonderful friend. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. Watching Asa dip his toes in the cold waters of Lake Michigan. They’d been so young, just clerics in training. Shamuel felt the edges of his lips turn up as though he might smile. He quashed it quickly. He mentally pushed aside the warmth of Asa’s hands and the long conversations and fears of future tattoos.  He shook his head slowly, eyes closed, faded red lashes strait as boards hovered.

Eyes closed, his thoughts shifted. He remembered Asa’s “epiphany” and his belief that the Tri-Verse was not God given. He remembers Asa’s pleas for Shamuel’s compassion. He remembered Asa’s screams as he begged to see his precious Tamar. The Tamar he’d taken to their precious shores of the massive lake. Oh, Shamuel remembered alright. His slight smile faded into a snear. He looked up at Tamar from below those lashes.

He sighed. She smiled.

“Shall we begin?” he asked.

With a barely perceptible nod Boaz pushed him over the threshold. So it was.