Image (Insight #3)(52)

“I never thought I could be happier than the day you were born,” my mother said, “but I was wrong.”

Landen had slowly approached us, and my mother released me and hugged him. My father’s eyes searched over me carefully; he had Landen’s full attention as he released my mother and caught my father’s gaze.

“Is she healed all the way through?” Landen asked, afraid of my father’s answer.

My father nodded and smiled at me. “I can see where you healed her. In time, I can imagine that the scar on the inside of her body will fade,” he answered. “Both of you are showing signs of stress in your bodies. Rest; I can see shock is setting.”

“Shock?” I repeated, not understanding what he was saying.

He let his hands rest on my shoulders, then looked carefully at me; I could feel an immense amount of pride and grief his emotion. I knew he was deeply concerned about the experience that I’d had that day.

“Right now, your minds cannot complete conceive everything you’ve been through. You need to calm your body, understand what you’ve experienced. If you don’t rest, you’ll jeopardize your judgment,” he said .

I didn’t want to understand; understanding meant remembering - and I didn’t want to relive my agony in thought. I’d stared in the devil’s eyes, met my past, and taken my own life. I wanted the forgotten details to remain forgotten. My moment of judgment came to me.

My eyes shifted between my parents. I’d always found it difficult to say how I felt. In my mind, I thought that the ones around me knew, but my new perspective had taught me that I was wrong.

“I don’t want you to fear for my life,” I said, looking at my father. “I don’t want you to ever doubt the decisions you made for me. I always had Landen.” My eyes moved to my mother. “I’m sorry I didn’t smile or laugh when I was young,” I said to her.

She reached for my face and pushed my hair back so she could see my eyes more clearly. She then smiled and said, “You did smile. When you woke from a peaceful night of dreams, when you helped an image, and when you painted. We wanted to help you understand, but we couldn’t teach you what was a part of you.”

My father stepped closer to me and looked into my eyes. “Smile,” he said. I submitted to his request and let a smile come across my face. “Now, don’t stop. You’re a source of inspiration; if you want to help the people in Esterious, this world - then teach them to smile,” he said, looking from me to Landen.

Landen let a smile come across his face, bringing to life his perfect dimples.

“The two of you guide Libby home; your mother is eager to get home and bake a cake,” my father said, putting his hand in my mother’s.

I hugged them goodbye and watched them pass into the string. Landen’s parents, Ashten and Aubrey, were beside us when we turned. Aubrey reached for Landen and pulled him down to her. Ashten held his arms out for me to hug him. I smiled and reached my arms around his neck. “Don’t fear that you’ll lose anyone; we’re a family that can’t be divided,” I whispered into his ear.

Ashten extended his arms and looked into my eyes. He nodded and smiled, and I felt a relief overtake him. He released me and reached for Landen, and Aubrey let go of Landen and wrapped her arms around me. “So beautiful...so brave,” she whispered as she squeezed me.

I smiled at her. “So are you,” I said, letting her go.

Landen reached for me to come to his side.

“Do you need anything?” Ashten asked Landen.

“Just rest, according to Jason,” Landen answered.

“How’s Delen?” Ashten asked

“The same. When we take Beth back, I’m going to talk to Drake to see what protection he can give them,” Landen answered. Ashten raised his eyebrows, questioning Landen. “He was with us throughout most of this,” he said, looking at me. “Since I wasn’t angry, I was able to see the man he is; I know he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

As understanding came over him, Ashten nodded. “Esterious is large, and there are several priests who would seek to rule. I’m sure Drake has a very thin line to walk,” he said.

As a confused look came across our faces, Ashten let his hand rest on Landen’s shoulder. “The illusion of a power struggle between you and him would be better than the reality of facing all the priest Donalt has prepared for this day.”

“Is he in danger?” I asked, prepared to make Drake come to Chara if he was.

“If he appears weak, then he could be overthrown. He has to play the part before him; whatever alliance you’ve formed should be held secret. Delen is outnumbered, and a long road is in front of you,” Ashten explained.

Landen nodded. Ashten then hugged him, and he and Aubrey passed through the passage.

Landen looked down at me. “I don’t know why we didn’t see that,” he said.

I sighed and pulled him closer. “My impatience is wearing off on you,” I teased.

I heard him laugh under his breath. “So you admit that you’re impatient?” he asked. I nodded, remembering that was one of the first things I saw when this life appeared before me.

Rose and Karsten approached us next, and Rose hugged me as she smiled proudly. “You don’t have to tell me what you learned; I can feel you,” she said, extending her arms to look at me.