Page 139 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Good evening, sweet girl,” a deep voice rumbles throughout the room. I peek one eye open and scan the bedroom. Nope, no higher being in here. I slam my eye closed again. He chuckles, a familiar sound that irritates me because I can’t place it.

“Have we met?” I hope I’m speaking to God and not my mind. I can’t go crazy, not yet.

“Many times, but most recently was when you retrieved your Jar.”

The dude in the cave, I knew there was something off about him. He laughs, this time a deep belly sound. “Yes, I am the dude in the cave. Do you remember my advice?”

“I was to ask who I am, but now I already know that I’m Pandora.”

“That you are, but do you understand what that means? Do you understand your role in this world?” The darkness shifts and colorful ribbons of space surround me. A deep comforting warmth settles on my chest. He steps forward, those eyes that hold the weight of the universe assessing me. I glance down, I’ve come in my white gown and shit kicker boots. Great impression I’m giving to The God. Then again, at least I’m not naked.

“You can call me Kay,” he says, smiling as he comes to a stand two feet away. Look at me, badass Natia on first name terms withTheGod.

“And you can call me confused.”

“Curious,” he corrects.

“Curiously confused?”

He grins. “What is your question, curiously confused Natia.”

“I only get one?”

“Yes.”

I tap my chin. Go with his previous advice and ask who I am? But I already know that. Or ask him how this riddle of problems can be solved without hurting anybody. “How can I solve this problem and not hurt anyone I love?”

He shakes his head. “Impossible, someone will get hurt regardless of the path you take.”

That’s the answer? Tough shit, it’s happening whether you like it not? What a waste of a question. Loving me is a death sentence. He sighs and steps forward.

“You know what makes you different?”

“My witty sense of humor combined with an irresistible charm?”

He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and cups my cheeks with his hands. “Deplorable humans wouldn’t put anybody before themselves, they are the ones that would throw their own family overboard in order to survive. Then you have the other type, humans who would put their children before themselves, their family, maybe their close friends at a push. But if faced with saving them or humanity, they would save their family. Their empathy only extends as far as their own heart.

“Then we have you. You have a connection to all of humanity, the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’re driven by something bigger than anyone else can see to give them every possible chance. You don’t lack the ability to love, you’re drowning in it, Natia. Ultimately, it will be both your saving grace and your downfall.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You have a choice, the apocalypse is here regardless as to your actions. On one hand, you have a choice to save humanity, surrender the hope you have in your soul for them, but it will break your heart. Losing him will tear you apart, but he understands the risk and will forgive you.”

“What’s the other option?”

“You try to save everybody, which means you will save nobody. Evil will overwhelm the world and life as you know it will become extinct.”

“Not much of a choice,” I mumble.

“But it’s still a choice.”

“Will I see you again?” I ask.

He tilts his head. “That is unknown, it depends on your choice. There is no right or wrong answer here. Follow your heart, and the rest of it will fall into place.”

He fades out and I’m left to ponder my actions in peace. I find irony in the fact that I have found love, someone worth fighting for, and it’s about to be ripped away from me because of games that gods played thousands of years ago.

Chapter Thirty

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