The Soleil Gem

When the explosion occurred, they fell to the floor. The walls began to shake, and the noise was louder and deeper than they had ever heard before. He shielded her body with his own, covering her mouth with his and keeping her pinned down on the floor. There was fear in her eyes, and she trembled underneath him. She could hear glass windows smashing, doors being ripped off their hinges and terrifying screams that got caught up in the wind and taken to the next world. Her dog laid down beside her, nuzzled his nose into her hand, and feebly attempted to lick her, and then was still. Time froze in that moment and she dared to hold her breath, hoping to wake up from this terrifying nightmare.

When the roaring had ceased, they remained motionless, listening for a sound, but none could be heard. Zoe became aware of the lifeless body of her dog beside her and cried out with anguish. The man upon her began kissing her passionately and she struggled underneath him. This was not the time, not the place. She fought back and mustered her strength, writhing underneath him and he rolled off and got up on his knees.

“Zoe!” he cried and there was anguish in his voice, “Zoe, what happened?”

Getting to her feet, she looked at him and commanded him to get up. “There’s work to be done, Jacob.”

They made their way towards where the front of their house used to be and stopped. All around them was rubble, rocks, carnage, indescribable destruction. They turned slowly, taking it all in and Zoe stated, “There is nothing; no sounds, no birds, no rushing water, nothing. Just an eerie silence.” She shivered and wondered what further wreckage they would discover and if they would find anything, anyone, alive.

Jacob attempted to take hold of her hand as a comforting gesture, but she shook it away, dismissively. They clambered over fallen trees, bricks, tin and other man-made materials, carefully making their way down to the beach, looking for signs of life as they moved. Zoe saw something pink and scraped away the dirt hopefully. She picked up a small, ragged teddy and dug deeper but found nothing more. Jacob helped her up and they continued to head towards the beach, their eyes still looking furtively for signs of life.

Suddenly the sound of galloping hooves broke the silence, and frightened, Zoe and Jacob retreated behind a pile of rubble and waited. A man clothed in black, riding a black stallion, came into view. He stopped and the man looked directly in their direction, his piercing green eyes seeking them out. “Come on out of there. I see you hiding. Come out.”

Jacob twitched nervously and Zoe put out her hand, forcefully. “Shhh. Wait.”

The man continued to stare in their direction and his horse stomped the ground, impatiently. “Hiding?” he scoffed, “Look around you. There is nothing. Nothing!” he spat angrily and then adopted a benevolent tone that caused shivers up and down Zoe’s spine, “Come on out, princess. Come out and enjoy what is left of life, with yours truly.” He bowed and paused and half to himself added, “You know you deserve it.” He waited again and after receiving no reply, turned his horse around, “I will be back, my darling. Rest easy until then.” His derisive laughter could be heard upon the wind as he rode away.

Zoe got up and began running to the beach while Jacob followed her, his short breaths reminding him how unfit he was. He was confused by the man on the horse. “What is going on?” he muttered as he ran.

The beach was littered with dead sea creatures that had been washed up on to the sand and in the heat, the smell of decay and rotting flesh assaulted their senses, pushing them back. They put their arms up to cover their mouths and noses and headed in another direction until Jacob weakly called out, “Zoe, wait!”

She turned and looked at him and seeing his ashen look, wrapped her arms around him. “Shhh, baby. It’ll be alright….. I pray to God it will be alright.”

He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes, trying to find a sense of reassurance and hope, but they were not the eyes that had entranced him in days past. They were not the eyes of the lover he had once swept off her feet on the dance floor, and he folded his arms in front of him and demanded to know who she was, who she had become.

She looked coquettishly at him, “Come Jacob, my love. We have to find a safe place. You know me. Come,” and she took hold of his hand and led him beneath a stooping tree, providing a temporary hiding place. Kissing him tenderly, she kept an eye out, looking for potential dangers while he ran his hands over her body, taking comfort in her strength.

“Come on out, princess,” the mocking voice filled the air and Zoe pulled away from her lover’s touch. Jacob could not see the man on the black horse, but he could feel his presence and shuddered. He whispered in Zoe’s ear, “Who is he? Who is he looking for?” but she remained silent and pressed her finger to his lips, urging him to stay quiet.

“Princess,” he sneered, “There is only you and I left in this God-forsaken place. Come. Come, take my hand, mount my steed and together we will fly to a whole new world.”

Zoe whispered to her lover, “Stay here, Jacob. Don’t move until I am long out of your sight” and she stepped out from behind the tree and addressed the man in black.

“Marcus, how good of you to come and find me,” and she reached out, took his hand and jumped up behind him on the horse.

Wrapping her arms around him, Zoe buried her face on his back and did not look back as they rode away. They did not speak as they galloped over the debris, weaving in and out of brokenness and shattered buildings, nor did they stop for a long time. Zoe watched the never-changing scenery, the shadows, the darkness and the emptiness. Tears flowed as she saw it all and her heart broke. She felt helpless and alone.

When they reached the cave shrouded in branches, leaves and sticks they dismounted. Marcus looked down at her and she snapped at him, “You’ve brought me back here? I never wanted to return. Be gone! I despise you!”

He smiled mockingly, “I am your obedient servant, princess. You belong here. The rest of the world, as you know it, has gone. It’s been turned to dust and rocks, all because of you.” He laughed when he saw shame and despair flicker across her face.

She watched him ride off into the distance and instead of entering the cave, Zoe circled around behind it, approaching the brown mare grazing, peacefully. Her voice was low and gentle as she ran her hands over its side tenderly, putting the reins over its head and whispered, “Oh Victorious. How I have missed you. Let’s make a break for it, you and I.” As she dug her knees in, the horse reared, neighed and snorted and Zoe found herself surrounded by her father’s men, all dressed appropriately in black. She sighed and as she slid off the horse, she was tied and marched into a cave that could best be described as a labyrinth.

The room Zoe was tossed in was devoid of any life and furniture and a man removed her ties then marched away without a word. She yelled out, “Hey! How about some wine? I’m thirsty!” but they did not acknowledge her. She paced and planned, waited and paced some more. She headed out, only to be stopped by Marcus.

“Where are you going, Princess?” and he bowed low without any sense of reverence.

“I need a drink!” she demanded, and he moved in close so that she felt his warm breath on her face and his hands groped her body. He stood back abruptly and called out, “Guards. Bring her water,” and eyed her coldly. “Where is it?” he asked, and she tried to mask her fear.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about! Where is my father? My sister? What have you done with them?”

Marcus laughed cruelly and sneered at her. “Answer me, Princess! Where is the Soleil gem?” and he grabbed her arm, pinching her until she cried out, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He slapped her face hard and she collapsed on the floor, burying her face in her hands. She heard him storm out and waited a few more minutes before lifting her head, defiantly.

She stepped out of the room cautiously looking around. She saw a young guard leering at her and moved towards him. As she leaned in close to him, she whispered in his ear, removed his gun and used it to clout him on the head. Zoe dragged him into the other room and put his uniform on. Disguised, she made her way through the tunnels and came to the entrance of her favourite childhood place. She removed the guard’s clothes, held her breath and dived into the cool water, swimming deeply in the shadows.

When she felt the sun penetrate the water, she knew she was in the right spot. She swam upwards, climbed out and stealthily crept to the treehouse she and her sister had discovered when they were young teenagers. She pulled away the loose boards and felt around the hidden compartment. When she found the leather pouch, she took it out and secured it in her pocket. Hearing footsteps, she remained still and held her breath. As they moved away, she continued pulling things out, tossing some aside and filling her backpack with other things. Once done, she sat down and took a long drink from her water bottle before lying down to sleep for a moment.

She woke up with a start, when a bird flew in through the window and chirped in her ear. “What??”

She jumped out of the treehouse and headed back towards the world; hiding behind trees, motivated by a sense of urgency and fear. She knew what she had to do and was determined to put things right. After walking for some time, she stumbled and fell to the ground. Her knee had hit a rock and was bleeding and her ankle had twisted underneath her. She groaned as she tried to stand and fell back down to the ground, heavily.

Suddenly she heard footsteps crunching on the ground and Jacob materialised, “Jacob!” she cried out with relief and he gestured her to be quiet. She looked up at him and was reminded of the first time they met, how appealing and strong he looked. She smiled with desire.

He saw her bloodied knee and moved down beside her, wrapping cloth around the wound gently as he surreptitiously signalled behind him and suddenly, they were surrounded by a small group of men.

She looked at him and raised an eyebrow, “Jacob, what is happening? Who are these people? Where did they come from?”

He stood up and backed away, betrayal in his eyes. He spoke gruffly in a tone she had never heard before, almost snarling. “You are not the only one of another world, Princess” and he spat the word ‘princess’ out with disdain. He picked up her backpack and handed it to one of the men commanding, “Go quickly! Take it to HQ” and added, “I’ll see to the princess and be right behind you.”

As the men left, he pulled out a knife and dropped down next to Zoe again. She felt the coldness of the blade move against her cheek, then against her neck and she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. She would not beg for his mercy and would not look at his leering, lustful mouth. “How could I have been so naïve?” she wondered and held her breath.

Jacob murmured, “I once loved you Zoe but you foolishly deceived me” and as he moved in closer, she jerked suddenly, bringing her knee up into his stomach, and elbowed him forcefully in the face. He dropped the blade and she kicked it away. She took out the soldier’s gun and pointed it at him, willing him to look at her. He stayed doubled over and she refused to shoot him point blank, in the back.

She put the gun away and ran, adrenaline adding wings to her feet as she nimbly skipped over the rocks and debris that the furious explosion had caused. She remained focused as she ran and when she reached the shore, Zoe took out the pouch she had pocketed.

Taking out the Soleil Gem, she raised it up over her head, and watched as it sparkled and danced, throwing out its life-giving rainbow over the desolate Earth. She felt a presence by her side and turned to her sister, “You came.”

“Of course. I’ll always be here for you”.

Zoe asked, “And father? Is he alive, safe?” and when Avabelle nodded, Zoe fell to the ground and sobbed. “It’s a broken world. There is nothing left. Nothing!”

Her sister took the gemstone from her and held it up so it would continue to catch the life-giving light and spread it over the earth. She gently lifted her sister to her feet and reassured her, “You have brought light and sunshine to a dark and lonely world. Men made their choices and betrayed you, poisoning the world with their evil. But now, look!” and she pointed out a green seedling that had pushed its way up out of the debris. As the world began to sprout new life, the two sisters watched for a moment, their hands joined, and then stepped back, blending into the deep, cavernous ravine.