There’s Always Hope

The view of the mountains was lost upon Jiano; he was weeping silently as he stood next to Enarum. Enarum was in despair as much as Jiano was, but he didn’t have the luxury to wallow in his sadness. Someone had to be strong and that duty had fallen upon him.

Last night the Earth had tumbled from its orbit. It had spun out of its galaxy like a child’s erratic spinning top. Why everyone had not perished was anyones guess. Scientists had long theorized that such an action would set into motion severe destruction and tragedy.

Well, Enarum thought quietly, the tragedy was true enough, but not by fire, or poisonous fumes or the Earth itself tearing apart. There had been deaths. Too many for any one man to count. The Earth had shaken upon its axis and any man, woman, child or animal that did not hold securely onto some foundation was injured or killed. Like Jiano, Enarum had lost his entire family. His beloved Misara and his three daughters that were all like their beautiful mother.

Enarum sighed as he looked out through the arches of the cracked cathedral. Its damage hadn’t been from the Earth’s departure from the solar system, but had long ago been forgotten, and neglected. The ruins were now a sanctuary for those that had lived.

“Funny how the old architecture remains, but not the new,” mused Enarum.

Jiano sighed and wiped away one of many last tears. “Our ancestors knew how to build with the breath of the Earth, Enarum. In our time, we are a fast paced people all too willing to take shortcuts. Shortcuts…” he bit down upon the sob that threatened to remove the last of his dignity.

Jiano had been an architect. He’d built many of the buildings that now lay in dust in the shadow of the ancient cathedral. It was one of his buildings that had taken the lives of hundreds of families. His heart was broken, and he felt his soul would break as well.

“And so we must learn from our mistakes, Jiano. Our world, our way of life is dead. Our sun is gone and that will take so much more from us. Will we quit now or will we be among those that adapt to the darkness and take up residence in these ancient walls?”

Jiano moved away from Enarum’s side and walked to the very edge of the precipice that the old cathedral stood upon. He glanced over his shoulder briefly; his gaze saying all that needed to be said.

Enarum didn’t stop Jiano. How could he when his own heart so desperately wanted to follow? The faint pattering of small feet upon the nearby staircase was his answer. One by one they appeared, small children, older children, young men and women, even a few elderly. They gathered upon the stairs, their faces looking to him for their salvation.

Moving slightly toward the edge, Enarum looked down and saw the broken figure of Jiano upon an outcropping of boulders. He had been an artist in his life, but now he would break free of his imagined worlds and help to create a new one. Putting on a brave smile, he made his way toward his people.

There was always Hope.