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  Little Ricky suddenly jerked and sank to his knees, holding his stomach. Blood spilled between his stubby fingers.

  “Ricky!” Tess screamed hysterically, lunging for her son.

  Zahir and Morrie continued their struggle. Another shot went off, and Morrie’s eyes widened with surprise and horror. Gasping, Zahir pulled away. Blood pumped from a ghastly wound in Morrie’s throat. He struggled to breathe, grabbing Zahir...and then pitched forward into the soft dirt.

  Tess held her son gently, trying not to move him too much. Ricky was only semi-conscious now, taking slow, ragged breaths. They could do nothing but hasten forward as quickly as possible. Tess’s only thought now was to find someone or something to help her son. She stayed strong, as mothers do, and carried him swiftly along.

  Zahir took little Ricky’s injury hard. He felt he was at least partially to blame. So, he hurried them forward now, taking the lead.

  Suddenly, Zahir pointed forward, his face awash in a new green light, pulsing at the far end of the tunnel. They broke into a run for Ricky’s sake.

  At the tunnel’s end, a soft green light glowed, bathing them with a peace, despite Ricky’s serious injury. Jack cautiously stepped out onto a rock ledge, the others following.

  The view was astonishing. Jack tried to look everywhere at once. After a moment of taking the breathlessness of it all in, a slow smile spread across his face. “Son of a bitch,” he uttered.

  The green glowing light had only been a prelude, a reflection of the bright yellow light that soaked into the group now. It was daytime; a beautiful mini-sun shone down from above.

  “How can there be a sun inside a volcanic mountain?” Zahir asked in wonder.

  “It’s actually the Biblical Flaming Sword,” Tess answered, equally amazed. “It was put into place by God to protect and nourish the Tree of Life.”

  Zahir’s jaw dropped. For once, he was speechless.

  Everyone stood, stunned at their surroundings. The Garden of Eden! Within the massive, extinct volcano, and as far as the eye could see, rocky cliffs rose up and surrounded the Garden. The volcanic walls eventually met high in the air, forming an inverted peak.

  Before them, equally astonishing, lay a magnificent Garden beyond their wildest imaginations. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of varieties of plant life—all shapes and sizes and shades of green. Flowers blossomed everywhere, perfectly placed, coloring the landscape with deep reds, purples, yellows, lily whites, and every color brightened the Garden as if to stir joy of the beholder. Their various and unique fresh scents blended together to refresh the mind, spirit, heart and soul.

  The trees appeared to be not of the outside world. Prehistoric, perhaps. Massive creations, budding and branching out many stories high.

  And vines hung everywhere! Tarzan’s dream come true, Jack thought to himself. The vines swayed curiously, as no breeze was evident. It was the ultimate, primeval rain forest.

  Birds soared through the sky; magnificent, winged creatures. Dozens of varieties of animals as well, all moving lazily through the underbrush. A giraffe munched from the treetops below them. Lions lounged languidly nearby. The chatter of monkeys erupted, and the birds took to flight, scattering.

  Trees were everywhere, lush and green. One of the trees in particular rose above all the others. It was located in the center of the Garden, far from where the group stood at the entrance.

  This magnificent tree’s thick, leafy canopy undulated gently, even without so much as a breeze. Its branches spread far and wide, shaped like a mushroom cap. Its magnificent swaying branches were hypnotic. The tree was awe-inspiring in every way.

  “The Tree of Life...” Tess uttered, joyful tears shining on her face. “That’s where we go.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  A pale hand carefully brushed aside a tree branch, and a pair of eyes watched Jack, Tess carrying her beloved son, and Zahir standing together high above on the rock ledge. The hand slowly replaced the branch.

  * * *

  Jack led the way from the tunnel and down a rocky path. Before them, a wide, arching stone bridge spanned over a rushing river. The river led from the mountain into the Garden of Eden.

  Inhaling deeply, Jack was the first to step onto the bridge. Rising high and curving out over the river, the bridge looked ancient, but it was surprisingly stable. Still, Jack was the first one out onto it, testing it. Considering it safe enough, he motioned for the others to follow.

  Beneath the bridge, the flowing river was crystal-clear, gurgling over flat stones. The bridge appeared to have been carved naturally from many centuries of erosion. As the bridge arched higher, it also became increasingly narrow. Far below, the river looked like a silver thread.

  Zahir swallowed. “Could use some hand rails,” he commented.

  They continued over the bridge, finally descending down the other side.

  When they reached the base of the bridge, they were once again awestruck. Rows upon rows of hulking stone statues stood on either side, their upraised stone swords frozen menacingly, guarding the path into the Garden of Eden. Each statue somewhat resembled human giants, and stood well over twenty feet tall with sleek, sinewy bodies, elongated limbs, and featureless faces. They would have been beautiful if they didn’t look so nightmarish, and so real. Despite his bravado, even Jack shuddered as he approached the immense stone statues.

  “Do we need a password or something?” Zahir asked with apprehension.

  “They will not harm us,” Tess told him, “as long as we don’t pose a threat to the Garden.”

  “But how do you know this?” Zahir wasn’t fully convinced.

  “Never mind,” Tess said, glancing down at her paling son. “Come on.”

  The four passed between the row of giant cherubim, who remained lifeless and stone-like. The gang stepped through a stone archway—and into the Garden of Eden.

  Zahir glanced over his shoulder again at the stone-like creatures. He could feel them watching him. He shuddered and caught up with the others.

  They stood a moment; even Tess understood the miracle of witnessing this magnificent, rare glimpse of Heaven on Earth. The Garden was unrivaled in its beauty, its vibrant colors not of the world outside. Everything, every plant was exquisite. It all looked primordial, prehistoric. They took it in silently, amazed. None had words to express its splendor.

  Tess broke the silence. “Come on,” she said again. They followed a natural game trail through the Garden. Overhead, chattering monkeys swung rapidly from tree to tree, following them. Colorful birds of all shapes and sizes flitted through the branches.

  As the travelers hurried along the trail, the hanging vines and branches seemed to awaken. Stirring and shifting, they rippled and undulated as if aware of the visitors’ presence.

  One vine in particular reached down toward the group. Zahir suddenly cocked his head to one side, nervous. He felt a kind of sixth sense. Speaking to no one in particular, he said, “Do you feel like we’re being watched?”

  Tess only quickened her pace, leading the group and holding her dying son. “Please,” she begged them, “we have to hurry.”

  The game trail before them took a sudden turn in the opposite direction, clearly leading away from the massive Tree of Life. Tess stopped, frustrated. She began to search for a new path through the heavy brush.

  “We have to find a way through,” she cried, panicking.

  And to her amazement—and to Jack’s and Zahir’s as well—the plants parted like a curtain, revealing a clear path to the Tree of Life in the near distance.

  Without hesitation or doubt, Tess plunged forward into the newly revealed trail, ducking agilely under more swaying vines. The others followed closely behind her.

  As they continued forward, the thick undergrowth continued to open a path for them, parting magically.

  * * *

  Behind them, another followed, gliding rapidly through the underbrush, careful to remain unseen...

  * * *

  A
s the thick jungle opened ever wider before her, Tess finally stepped into a broad clearing. She gasped.

  This was it. The Tree of Life; the source of all life on Earth. The Heart of the Earth. Many stories high, the Tree vaguely resembled a massive oak tree, but also possessed similarities to other types of trees as well. Perhaps all trees, Jack thought.

  Its branches were far-reaching, spreading everywhere like an immense green umbrella. There were no birds in this Tree, no animals of any kind. It stood alone in its own resplendent glory, branches swaying gently.

  The Tree’s leaves took on a life of their own, moving and shifting to form faces. Thousands of faces, all uniquely different, formed and faded.

  “Are we witnessing the births and deaths of tens of thousands of people?” Zahir wondered aloud.

  “It is said that within the leaves are the imprints of our souls,” Tess answered, spellbound. It was a humbling, indeed, a shocking experience to behold.

  Holding Ricky close, Tess took a tentative step forward. Then another. Jack and Zahir followed close behind.

  As Jack looked into the leaves, he saw a more familiar face. The face belonged to Morrie. Morrie seemed to look down at them, and then his face twisted in pain and vanished, replaced by another face.

  To everyone’s astonishment, the face was now that of Ricky’s. As the little boy smiled down upon them, the leaves changed and he began to fade away. The leaves became less distinct, morphing into other, unknown faces.

  In Tess’s arms, Ricky’s breathing suddenly became choked and ragged. The boy’s face started turning purple.

  Tess started sobbing. “He’s dying, Jack!”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Instantly, a sinewy vine reached down from the heart of the Tree. The vine hovered before Tess, and then curled slowly around her son’s forehead.

  “Jack, what’s happening?” Fright replaced knowledge as the mother in Tess couldn’t think of anything but her son’s life—or death.

  Jack had no answer. But a woman’s voice spoke from behind them. “It’s trying to help.”

  Everyone turned to see an older woman standing nearby, dressed in an ornate white robe. She smiled warmly at them.

  More vines wound down from the tree, all curling around little Ricky. The vines tugged gently, but Tess refused to relinquish him.

  “It’s all right, dear heart,” the woman assured her. “Release your child.”

  Stricken with panic, Tess looked from the woman to the tree, and then up into its waiting branches. She was at a loss, confused, terrified. Jack reached over and put a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. “It’s okay, Tess. Somehow, it’s okay.”

  Finally, Tess released her injured boy and watched with horrified fascination as Ricky was raised tenderly up into the Tree of Life’s waiting branches. An opening appeared in the leaves, and Ricky disappeared within. The boy was gone.

  Tess gasped. The woman stepped over to the worried mother and put an arm around her. “He will be fine, dear heart. Come, we’ve been waiting for you.”

  * * *

  Meanwhile, the strange woman led the group away through the jungle, although Tess repeatedly glanced back to the Tree of Life. She didn’t want to leave her boy. No one blamed her.

  “He is being healed as we speak, dear one,” said the woman. “I assure you. Come.”

  Tess opened her mouth, confused, hurting, lost, and finally just said, “Who are you?”

  “I am Alana.”

  “And you live here?”

  “Yes,” Alana told Tess. “Myself...and others.”

  Alana continued to lead them through the lush Garden. Soon, they emerged into another clearing. Here was a picturesque hamlet, with dozens of small-domed dwellings with thatched roofs. Cool and soft green grass spread out everywhere. Livestock was corralled in pens. The small village shone in the yellow light that reached down from the Fiery Sword above.

  The peaceful-looking people there paused to study the strangers. Everyone was dressed similarly; in beautifully ornate robes.

  “This way,” Alana motioned. Jack, Tess and Zahir followed her to a central dwelling, larger than the others. It, too, was round in shape and rested on a grassy plateau.

  Alana opened the thatched doorway and stepped aside for them. “Please, come inside.”

  The three paused. Zahir asked, “What is in there, madame?”

  She smiled at the anxious Persian man. “This is our Purification Room.”

  “Of course,” Zahir replied. “The Purification Room.”

  Alana motioned them inside to the Purification Room. She bade them to sit on comfortable pillows while she moved around the room, preparing. Soon, Jack, Tess, and Zahir found themselves seated together in a steaming and bubbling jet tub. Zahir had his head back, half asleep. Steam filled the room; Tess submerged herself within the bubbling froth.

  Jack was slightly less comfortable. “Feels oily,” he commented.

  “Feels wonderful,” Tess responded.

  “I second Jack,” Zahir cracked an eye. “Must be something in the water.”

  Jack suddenly grimaced. “My leg!” He grunted and raised his leg. Although the leg was muscular, the bones had never quite healed properly, leaving an abnormal curvature. Before their very eyes, Jack’s leg began to straighten, the muscles stretching and the bones righting themselves. The skin smoothed over where there had once been many scars.

  In a matter of minutes, Jack’s leg was perfectly healed. He laughed heartily and wiggled his toes.

  Zahir’s mouth hung open. “By Allah, I did not just see that.” He peered closer at the leg, now perfectly formed. “But...how?”

  Tess laughed at Jack’s miraculous healing. “It’s the healing oils from the Tree of Life. It’s what my father sought to heal my dying mother...”

  Later, the three of them emerged from the hut. Jack stepped out without the use of his cane. He could walk perfectly. He laughed again, grabbed hold of Tess and briefly danced with her, twirling her around. She laughed, happy for him, but it was really only a half-hearted joy. She wouldn’t be happy until she knew what had happened to her son.

  Jack regarded his cane leaning against the hut. “I guess I won’t be needing this anymore,” he said. With all his strength, he hurled the walking stick as far as he could. The cane spun end over end, and as it reached the copse of nearby trees, a tentacle-like vine reached down and caught the cane in mid-air. It snapped the cane in half.

  Zahir’s eyes bugged out again. He swallowed and grinned nervously. “Nice catch,” he said simply.

  * * *

  Far above, in the mountain temple, a wide path had been cleared for Karakov and his greedy men. Several Hummers, loaded with armed men began to descend down into the subterranean tunnel...

  The chamber room had now settled back into place, raised as if by an elevator. Karakov stepped through the doorway and into the room. He headed directly to the cherub statue. His pale, sickly fingers roamed momentarily over the statue’s sword arm. The dying Russian gathered what remained of his strength, and pulled down hard.

  He heard a click, and then a rumble. The room once again moved slowly down. Karakov’s men looked apprehensive. Karakov leaned heavily on the cherub’s arm, riding down into the depths of the volcano...

  Chapter Nineteen

  It could have been evening in the Garden of Eden, but as it was always light, there was no way to tell. Jack, Tess and Zahir were refreshed and relaxed.

  One indication of possible night was the massive bonfire built. It crackled brightly. Many of the Edenites were there, feasting and dancing, all donning gloriously colorful robes. There was an air of good cheer in honor of the three new guests.

  Alana approached the three, her focus on Tess. “We have a surprise for you, Tess.” The woman’s eyes shone with joy.

  Tess, who had been watching impatiently with Jack and Zahir, looked up. Hope filled her eyes.

  “Is it my baby?” she asked.

 
But Alana only smiled, opened her arms and stepped aside.

  An older couple approached. The man was holding little Ricky, who now looked healthy and happy and as good as new.

  The elderly man gazed at Tess jovially. “Would this be my grandson?”

  “Father! Mother!” Tess jumped up, sobbing hard. She broke down completely at the sight of her healthy son and her missing parents. She ran to them and embraced each. Ricky crawled into his mother’s arms, hugging her happily.

  Jack and Zahir had a hard time holding back tears at the reunion. They watched, smiling. Finally, Zahir couldn’t take it any longer. “Come on,” he told Jack, “let’s get some more to eat.” And they left the family to themselves for a while.

  * * *

  A little distance away from the celebration, Tess sat contentedly in between her mother and father. Her mother, Pagnian, a full-blooded Bangladeshi, was obviously the contributor to Tess’s exotic beauty. Her father, Thomas, held a stately appearance, having been a scholar most of his life.

  Tess glanced at each of them, a renewed smile on her face. “I understand why you came here,” she said. “For healing.” She put a hand on her mother’s. “But I don’t understand why you never came home. Why didn’t you return to me? Didn’t you miss me?”

  “Of course we did, dear,” her father told her. “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that we haven’t missed you terribly.”

  “This is Paradise, Tessy,” her mother said. “This is Heaven on Earth. There is only beauty and love here.”

  Tess frowned slightly. “Still, couldn’t you have found a way to let me know that you were okay? I’ve worried for so long...”

  “The Keepers do not allow you to return, dear,” Tess’s father said quietly.