The Guardian's Wildchild (2 page)

Quietly, Terri Davenport and her ten-year-old daughter, Sidney, opened the door of the Elder’s meditation lodge and entered the sacred space. It was time for lunch. They had brought biscuits, jam, cheese, and dried fruit. Without disturbing the Elders, they placed more wood on the fire and set a kettle over it. While they waited for the water to boil, they joined the circle and meditated.

Sidney chose to sit beside Greystone, her mentor. Greystone adored Sidney, or Wild Child, as he liked to call her. He felt her small hand take his. He smiled. He’d have to remind her during their next session together not to interrupt another’s meditation.

Terri heard the water boiling and proceeded to make the tea. Gradually, the others returned to the present. While the food and tea were served, each Elder took an opportunity to tease the youngest Davenport. They loved the sound of her giggles. Her long, curly, auburn hair bounced as she skipped from one to another, flashing her beautiful, pale green eyes as she offered her tray of treats. Never shy, she returned the teasing with zeal.

Sipping on her tea, Birthstone beckoned Sidney to sit beside her. The girl was speechless at the invitation. Seldom did she even see Birthstone; to be invited to sit with her was a high honor. Birthstone gestured again, patting the floor where she wanted Sidney to sit. She also beckoned Terri to come sit beside her daughter. Together the three formed a small circle. Sidney gazed into Birthstone’s blue eyes.

“We thank you very much for providing this wonderful meal,” said the great lady. “I’d like to do something for both of you in return. Would you like to go on a journey with me?”

Sidney expected Birthstone to tell a story. Instead, the Elder held out her hands, palms turned toward the ceiling. “I’ll take both of you to a most beautiful place, a place where the Guardians used to live many thousands of years ago. And we’ll go to a place in the future.”

As Sidney looked into Birthstone’s smiling face, the ancient woman wondered if she truly understood what she was saying. The Davenport family had only recently joined the Guardian community, and Sidney was still a novice in the more advanced Guardian powers. She quickly became embarrassed and glanced at her mom.

Terri patted her daughter’s hand. “Sidney, you can do this, my girl. I’ll be right beside you. Remember your experience with Greystone on the mountain ledge just a few months ago? You told me that at first you were frightened. But only for a moment, right?”

Sidney brought her hands up to her mouth to stiffle to giggle. She nodded.

“Sounds like you have a story, Sidney.” Birthstone chuckled while Greystone rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Would you first tell me your story?”

It took no urging. Sidney loved to tell stories. “Well, you see, Greystone and me, we were up on Blueberry Ridge, sitting on that ledge that overlooks the valley. You know the one where Celeste flys around?”

Sidney stopped briefly enough for Birthstone to nod. “Well, Greystone’s body became, like, transparent and, you know, shimmery. You know what I mean? Then, he was, like, gone. Greystone vanished right there.” Sidney sprung up on her feet and threw her arms up in the air. “Gone!” she shouted. She put her hands on her hips and opened her mouth wide as if in disbelief.

Birthstone was amused.

“Well, I tried to see if he was still there, you know, if I could touch him. There was nothing. I was pretty scared, at least for a little bit. Then I called him. ‘Greystone, you come back here, right now!’ And he did. He was even laughing. Can you believe that?”

Birthstone laughed. “Yes, Sidney, I can believe Greystone did that. Now are you ready to try something new?”

Sidney sat down again. “You mean, I can travel with you, Birthstone. I can do this? Really?”

“Yes, Sidney, and return in less than a blink of an eye.” Birthstone winked at her. “Remember, you can return here anytime you wish with just a thought.”

“Okay, I’ll try it.” She shuffled her bottom along the floor to get a little closer to Birthstone. Without any further hesitation, Sidney and her mother followed Birthstone’s instructions, placing the palms of their hands on each other’s palms. Immediately, the Elders were no longer around. Sidney was aware of her mother and Birthstone still beside her. Being free of the three-dimensional world’s limitations, she could see their auras with greater clarity than through her physical eyes. Light glowed from them, combining energies with that of the universal life force.

Sidney saw that her physical body was diminutive compared to her ethereal body — which possessed a brilliant radiance and a passionate vibration. It reminded her of the dancing lights of the aurora borealis. It was the ultimate freedom. She recalled sensing this energy on other occasions. It was the same exquisite feeling she got when she communicated with her spirit guide, Seamus.

Just for a moment, Sidney created the thought to return to the Elder’s lodge. In a flash she was back seated on the floor with her mother and Birthstone.

Birthstone opened her eyes and softly inquired, “Were you frightened, Sidney?”

“Nope, just testing.” She giggled. “Let’s go for real this time.”

She heard the chuckles of the Elders.

In the same instant the lodge disappeared, the trio arrived at their destination. The meadow in which they found themselves took Sidney’s breath away. Never had she seen anything so perfect. It was much like the Guardians’ island, but in some ways even better. She felt surrounded by a healing energy. Then she saw them — two people walking along a river, a man and a woman.

The man lifted his hand toward a grove of trees, and a bird flew onto his outstretched palm. Sidney was certain he and the bird were communicating. The man nodded, and the bird returned to the skies. A moment later, the couple disappeared. Sidney became aware that she was standing with her mouth wide open in awe.

Sidney reached for her mother. “Mommy! Did you see that? I mean, did you really see?” Sidney became speechless.

Terri kneeled down and held her daughter close. “Yes, Sidney. This is how things were in the beginning. All of humanity were Guardians and lived like this until nearly everyone broke away from the sacred truths. They lost their powers and became servants of their physical nature. We call them the sleeping Guardians.”

Sidney glanced toward the meadow. A spray of tiny yellow flowers could be seen here and there between tall grasses waving in a soft breeze. She wound a lock of her mother’s brown hair in her fingers. “So they just forgot, right?”

Terri nodded. “Unfortunately, the sleeping Guardians may not have time to realize their true nature. The Darkness of fear is stronger than ever among those in power.” Terri turned back to her daughter. “Some Guardians step out into the Darkness, like your father, in the hopes of waking the sleeping Guardians. It’s not an easy task. Great care must be taken with sleeping Guardians. Their fear is easily triggered and often escalates to anger and violence, and some Guardians have been lost. That’s why the outside world must never know about us.”

Sidney groaned. “I know, I know.” She leaned into her mother’s shoulder. “It would be so much more fun if they all remembered; wouldn’t it?”

“Yes,” Terri said, chuckling and tweaking her daughter’s nose. “Some are beginning to remember, like you in a previous life. Your return to the sacred truths is a tremendous gift to humanity.”

“Especially for Greystone, I think,” said Birthstone, laughing.

Then her face became somber as she closed her eyes and lifted her hands toward the sky. Suddenly, Birthstone and Sidney’s mother disappeared. Darkness surrounded Sidney. Her heart raced. She could vaguely sense dark shapes moving beside her.

“Mommy, I can’t see you. Where are you?”

Terri stroked the top of Sidney’s head. “I’m right beside you, Sidney. We’re fine, nothing to fear, my girl. We’ve traveled into the future on Earth, a dead planet. This is what may happen if we can’t change the forces of Darkness. Darkness will rule. It’s time we returned to the lodge, Birthstone.”

For the first time, Sidney had seen the truth with her own eyes. The Earth had been a paradise. She understood more than ever why the Elders believed the Earth was dying. In the next moment, the three were again seated on the floor of the lodge.

Sidney sat quietly pondering her experience. She looked into Birthstone’s kind face and sighed. “Birthstone, that was awesome. But, well, except for that last part. That was awful. Was that for real?”

Birthstone placed her hand under Sidney’s chin and lifted the child’s face up for a moment. She saw Sidney’s fearless spirit. “Sidney, our tomorrows are shaped by the choices we make today. The Dark place we saw may never come to pass if humanity chooses to embrace the Light. As Guardians, it’s our desire to help humanity return to the sacred truths. When you’re old enough, you may choose to cultivate a path of Light for others to follow. It will be dangerous, and you may fail. The choice will be yours.”

It was a lot for a young girl to consider. “Birthstone, how long will I have to wait, you know, till I can do some cultivating?” Then, tired of the tension, she teased her audience. “My brother, Danik, he’ll help. I know he will. Have you seen him dig Mom’s garden for her?”

If Darkness had found a niche in the meditation room in which to hide, it was promptly evicted. Laughter sent waves of joy and Light into the shadows and traveled through time to the Dark planet.

2. Madame

Year 2039

In hushed voices, the six scientists debated the lunacy of Madame’s outlandish claim. They were waiting for her in the basement of the administration building on Admiral Garland’s naval base. Two armed military personnel stood guard outside the door. The walls were as gray as the sinking mood of the six men and women who’d accepted the million dollar annual salary in exchange for an opportunity to resolve the planet’s energy crisis.

Madame was an enigma. It was understood that she was highly intelligent and had unlimited wealth. She called no place home. She owned a highly trained militia, which was positioned in strategic locations across the planet. She had become a “person of interest” in the national security offices of many governments. Some believed she was an evil omen and had evolved out of the terror that had gripped humanity during the Great Quake.

Some might have liked to explain to this “ice woman,” who no one ever dared address as anything less respectful or more personal than “Madame,” that they were unavailable to assist with her project. Two scientists experienced with Madame and her reputation had revealed that working for her meant both wealth and personal risk. Anyone accepting a position with her was hers to do with as she pleased until the project was successfully completed. Then again, opportunities for research work since the Great Quake of 2020 were rare. Survival and rebuilding had taken precedence over research.

When Madame entered the room, the waiting scientists nodded and offered mumbled greetings. She ignored their approach and marched to the table. Two men dressed in dark suits shadowed her every move. With a swift stroke of her hand, Madame motioned for all to sit.

One refused. The woman stood fidgeting with her hands. “Madame, I’ve changed my mind. I’d like to leave. Now, please.”

Madame turned to the female and casually stepped toward her. With uncharacteristic softness, Madame said, “Of course, my dear. I appreciate your change of heart. What area was, er, is your expertise? So that we may find a replacement, you understand.”

“Physics, Madame.”

“Ah, yes. You’re Katherine Turner.” Madame patted the scientist’s arm. “Goodnight, my dear.” Madame then placed a brief kiss on the scientist’s cheek. “Mr. Smith will obtain transportation for you.”

Miss Turner walked to the door, flushed almost as bright as the red lipstick stain on her face, and left, never to be seen again. As the door closed behind her, two of the other scientists turned pale and glanced nervously at each other.

There was nothing soft about Madame. From her short gray hair and chiseled features to her clenched fists and rigid stance, she exuded self-control and mastery over all. Her feminine qualities were carefully cloaked. Pretty blue eyes were barely visible behind shaded lenses, and her slim frame was concealed under a man’s black business suit. Speaking in her monotone voice, she reminded those remaining in the room of the requirement for strict confidentiality.

They nodded.

“Zero tolerance. Is that clear? Any breach of your silence will be fatal.” She enunciated each word, and then paused briefly. The men and women shifted in their chairs, avoiding eye contact with her. “You’ve received the information package. Any questions?”

The scientist least experienced with Madame replied. “Yes, Madame. I presume, however, that this
information
is just rumor. It’s quite bizarre, really. No evidence. At least none that’s — ”

“It’s no rumor.” Madame smiled. “I personally witnessed the events,” she said in almost a whisper. She paused, and her gaze drifted away from the group, not fixed on anything in particular. Her mind traveled to a jungle village in South America. “I saw primitive people perform miracles using crystals, sun crystals, they called them. These sun crystals responded to their touch. Whatever was commanded materialized instantly. Perhaps a type of psychic connection.”

Madame turned her back on the scientists, her face grimacing from the frustration of having to admit her failure. Glancing at each other, the scientists’ smirks betrayed a reluctance to indulge in the woman’s fantasy. She turned, thrust her hand into her pants pocket and tossed a brilliant object into the air. Shards of light danced, illuminating the corners of the room. A rainbow of colors played on the faces of the startled scientists. Before it fell to the table, Madame grabbed it and displayed it in her open hand.