Protector of Men Ch 31

Stephen was about to leave the Oracle. His face reflected his inner turmoil; his brows were furrowed with confusion and his mouth formed a thin line of stoicism. At first he had been amazed at how much she knew, but he came to understand it. It didn't matter how she knew it, just that she did.

The man opened the door for Stephen and bowed before closing it again. There was no one waiting for him. Stephen saw a bird fly above him, wondered if the bird was real. Of course not. Another bird flew by. Suddenly he heard a thumping sound, it was metallic…

"Zandra, wake up," called Kemp from the door, "Get the hell up, girl!"

She shot out of bed, her eyes uneven from sleep. She had to wait a moment before the room became steady.

"I'm up," she groaned. She carefully righted herself and trudged over to the door.

"Your boy is in," Kemp said, "If you wanna be up for it, he's already there."

"Okay," she sighed, going to the main deck. At least she would be able to watch him, maybe catch up on her Matrix reading in the meantime. Kesia was watching the falling code already, and welcomed Zandra to her nook.

"He just got in," she told her, "I got Kemp to wake you once he jacked in."

"Thanks," she breathed.

Stephen had just walked in to the Oracle's garden. The greenery surprised him, but he felt soothed by it. For once, he wasn't looking at machinery. He was looking at something botanical, something harmless. He failed to remember that it too was a machine just like everything else around him.

"Hello Tevy," the lady said, offering him a seat next to her on her swinging bench. He took it, and the swing moved back and forth.

"So you've come because Zandra wanted you to," she said, looking into his eyes. He nodded.

"And you're not quite sure what to expect," she continued, almost in a question. He nodded again, and she smiled.

"Well, kid, there's nothing to worry about," she said, "I won't hurt ya."

She paused. "And I mean that in more ways than one," pointing a finger at him for emphasis.

Stephen was still confused. "Why did you want me?"

She paused, her face growing long. "Tevy," she said, now serious, "Zandra is going through some tough stuff about now."

He nodded in agreement.

"And all you can do is support her as much as possible."

He opened his mouth to say something, but she cut in before he could respond.

"She needs someone to hold on to," she continued, "She'll look to you for relief."

He looked at her, stunned. Had she just told him what he thought she did? She'll look to me for relief? She suddenly smiled again.

"It's a tough job loving the One," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "But someone has to do it."

Stephen turned a little red, and the oracle chuckled to herself, putting her hand back in her lap. She shook her head and became quiet again.

"You've had a tough life, kid, I'll give you that," she said, clasping her hands together. "Just remember that she needs you."

She looked out towards the green, and smiled. "It's nice to get a rest, isn't it?"

Stephen wasn't sure what to say. Was she talking about Zion, or this place he was in now? He nodded though, looking outwards. It certainly was a soothing sight. The trees bent lazily with the breeze, birds chirped by a fountain in the distance. Their swing creaked gently in the background.

"I know you wish you were still there," she said, turning towards him again, "But all good things have to come to an end." She paused, and started again more softly, "She knows you love her now."

Stephen looked towards the ground, fearing the next words she would say.

"Tevy… Stephen," she said reproachfully, "You don't need to worry. She will love you no matter what happens, she just has to realize it." She paused, then added, "Always."

Stephen felt a hand pressing on his shoulder. It was the man. He was done already? This was what the oracle had to say? His face reflected his inner turmoil; his brows were furrowed with confusion and his mouth formed a thin line of stoicism. At first he had been amazed at how much she knew, but he came to understand that. It didn't matter how she knew it, just that she did. Now he was amazed at what little she had told him. There was no future in her words, only puzzles that he couldn't understand. And it was over before he knew what was happening.

The man opened the door for Stephen and bowed before closing it again. There was no one waiting for him. He sighed inwardly at the scene in front of him; the botanical greenery of the oracle's hideaway was replaced by the sickly green of the destitute town. Stephen saw a bird fly above him, wondered if the bird was real. Of course not. Another bird flew by, following the same path as the first. In fact, he noticed, it looked exactly the same… déjà vu…