The Timekeeper

There was a tree, unlike the other trees around it, or any one Luke had seen before. One that stood proud, immune to the effects of war and disease. A tree so giant, that when Luke looked up, the leaves seemed to touch the sky. He wondered how old this marvel of nature was. If it had eyes, what did it see? Could it tell a story of how the world was? How did it end? After everything Luke endured, he should have felt triumphant simply for being in its presence. Instead, his heart was weighed down by guilt.

It was my brother who should be alive to see this, Luke believed. Not me.

Since his brother's death two days ago, Luke had no time to grieve the loss of his lifetime guardian and protector. The one who took his hand when he was a boy and told him everything was going to be alright even after the bad men took their mother away. His brother was the one pillar of hope as the world disintegrated around them. Luke's legs grew heavy with the realization that he was truly alone. For all he knew, he was the last human on earth.

He sat down with his back against the tree, removing his brother’s sword that was slung around his back and set it down by his side. The branches and leaves provided cover in the summer heat. Luke not only knew what season it was but also the date - July 25th to be exact. As a child, his brother made Luke keep track of the days, months and years. When the world got better and the people needed to return to normal, they would need to know what day it was, his brother told him. As a kid, whenever Luke was sad or frightened his brother would ask him, “What’s the date?” After Luke answered, his brother would remind him of the importance of keeping track of time.

“Marking the passage of time keeps us connected to our history.”

Growing up in a world where knowing the past seemed to have less relevance than the day before, Luke never understood his brother’s insistence on repeating the same mantra but would still do it if only to appease the person who he loved beyond anything. But now that his brother was gone, knowing the date would now only curse Luke with the knowledge of how many days have elapsed since his brother died. Understanding where we’ve come from can help us get to where we need to go, and that gives people hope, his brother said. For Luke, all hope was now lost.

Luke rested his head over his arms and bent knees making himself as small as possible. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried. Probably since his mother. But Luke couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. He cried for his brother, his mother, for the life he never got to live in a world that no longer existed. Luke laid down at the foot of the tree as his body and mind eventually gave in to exhaustion, falling into the deepest sleep of his 15 years in this world.

Luke opened one eye upon feeling the vibration in the ground. Wanting to believe it was part of a dream he instanting forgot after regaining consciousness, he closed the same eye hoping to rest a little while longer. The second vibration set off the internal alarm in Luke as both his eyes shot open and he turned to face what caused this disturbance. 

With its muscular arms and legs extended by claws capable of gutting any living being with minimal effort, a long snout with razor-sharp teeth and blood red eyes, the beast could have been a bear at one point, but over time had become something else. At least that was his brother’s theory. Luke got to his feet slowly, focusing on subtle and deliberate movements. He now faced the beast which stood across the clearing from him. There were no trees or obstacles to shield Luke from the monster. 

With nothing to prevent the beast from closing the distance in mere seconds, Luke reached down and picked up his brother’s sword. He unsheathed the sword and tossed the strap to the ground, gripping the hilt and sliding his hands up closer to the guard to allow for better control of the weight of the weapon. His brother made him train with it when there was time for such activities in their quest for survival. You’ll grow in it, his brother would say. Luke didn’t worry too much about the training then. This was his brother’s sword and he would always be around to wield it. 

Luke lifted the sword to where the pommel was just above eye level, trying to make himself as big and intimidating as possible. As ridiculous as that appeared, it’s what his brother taught him to do. Plus it would be easier for him to start in the upward position and bring the sword down to engage an attacker.

The beast stared down Luke, opening its jaws in a ravenous smile. There was nothing left for Luke to do but to invite the challenge.

“AAAAHHHHH!” Luke screamed, signaling he was ready.

The beast returned with a roar that rattled the leaves from the trees.

The earth kicked up as the beast exploded towards Luke. He had only one chance, so he knew he had to make it count. Just as the beast lunged for Luke, he deftly stepped to his right creating a slight separation between him and the outstretched claws and chopped the sword down with every ounce of strength he had.

The blade found its mark in the beast’s upper arm as it howled in pain. With the sword buried deep in the thick muscle and bone, Luke struggled to wrestle the blade free. With no plan after his first strike, Luke now found himself within the beast’s grasp if he didn’t act quickly. Instincts prevented him from dropping his sword as he didn’t want to give up the only weapon he had and would thus be defenseless. 

The beast swung its free arm at Luke, who ducked quickly enough to avoid a deadly blow but caught one claw in his shoulder, sending a shooting pain down Luke’s arm. He held onto the sword and the beast’s momentum was wild enough to pull itself free of the blade and spin itself away from Luke. Luke slashed down creating a long wound across the beast’s backside. It let out a roar, not necessary of pain, but one of annoyance that this small, weak human was getting the best of it. The beast responded by striking Luke across his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. Laying on his back, Luke saw his shirt change colors from brown to dark red. 

As Luke waited for the beast to finish him, he thought of his brother. Would death reunite them? Would his brother be proud of how he fought today? He looked up at the giant tree. As death and disease ravaged this world, it maintained its beauty and stood tall in the face of destruction. The tree reminded Luke of his brother. As long as there was life, there was hope.

The beast lunged for Luke, its jaws aiming for his neck. Luke lifted the sword one final time, plunging the blade in the beast’s mouth and through the back of its head. As he held the blade, Luke saw life leave the beast’s red eyes.

It was a struggle, but Luke was able to slide the beast off of him, leaving the sword in its mouth. Luke felt his life slipping away. He would see his brother again soon, the thought causing a smile as his eyes began to close.

Luke heard the rustle of some bushes. He tried to look in the direction of the noise, but it hurt too much to move that way. It drew closer to him. Suddenly he was face-to-face with soft eyes and wild hair. 

It was a girl.

“You killed it,” she said. “We’ve never seen that before.”

“We?” Luke said, straining.

“Yes. we will help you,” she said.

“I thought I was the last one,” Luke whispered.

“You’re not. But don’t lose faith. I need you to hold on till I get back,” she said.

Before she got up, Luke reached for her hand.

“While I breathe, I hope,” he said.