Abby and Wendy - Episode 43
THE HUMAN ONE
The faint light of early dawn created some visibility in Abby’s cottage. She unrolled Alex’s large woodcut print and spread it out on the floor, placing coffee cups on the corners. A note from Alex was included. She could just make out the printing in ink:
“Abby, last night I woke after only an hour or two of sleep. A dream was vividly in my mind and I was full of energy. I had a vision of a dark cavern full of a crowd of people in distress. They were packed together in a faint bluish light, talking aimlessly in a frantic way. I had a strong sensation that you were there, just a feeling of your presence. The throng seemed to expect some momentous event, calling out, “the human one, the human one!” And suddenly a figure appeared behind them, tall and shedding a marvelous light throughout the mob. The figure held out his hands as if the embrace the suffering multitude. There seemed to be no children. The people were dressed almost the same, like prisoners. The face and the light were warm, giving an overwhelming sense of relief, as if to reassure us that all is okay. This feeling inspired me to carve an impression of the scene and take a print. It’s now hours later and
the print is not dry, but I cover it with a second sheet. Please, delicately take the sheets apart so the protective sheet doesn’t stick.
I know the print is rather rough, even clumsy – in fact, most of my work is rather rough – but you seem to like some of it (I hope). But I’m not rushing this into your backpack as an ordinary gift. I go to all this trouble because in a strange way you seemed to actually be there. I have an idea that this may mean something to you. If not, feel free to just forget it as the fantasy of an overheated imagination (something that often happens to me).
I’m thrilled to see you again, and I hope we may see each other often. My house is always open to you, and my sister will be jealous she didn’t have a chance to see you. She hardly ever leaves River City, but someday we’ll take a trip there. Lluvia and I were discussing it. She thinks we should make a plan.
Well, that’s it. I rush this into your backpack.
Your grateful friend, Alex”
Abby read this letter three times, and then turned to the print. The outside sheet was stuck to the inner sheet. It seemed to take forever to separate them. But finally an image in bright red ink glowed in the dim light. She recognized the scene, a different angle on what she had experienced.
I was looking the other way, she thought. I was dealing with that liar, the malicious faker, that enemy of life. ‘The human project is a failure’, he said. But Alex must have actually seen the bringer of that marvelous light, like nothing I’ve ever felt.
She stared at the tall red figure, with light spreading out like wings. That face seems... well... kind. Reassuring. This must be The Human One.
The light of the rising sun began to stream through the window. Abby felt astonished. A new day is coming. I’m completely bewildered. How is this possible? What does it mean? All I know is that I’m glowing with happiness. And that’s all I need to know. I’m free of the voices and my terror and despair. I pray I can do something good with all that lies ahead.
Her eyes could barely stay open. She fixed the print to the wall near the end of her bed with pushpins. It radiated life like blood, living and throbbing. It had large margins, and in the bottom margin she saw the title, The Human One, and in the right hand corner #1 was written, and then the little design Alex used as a signature.
I’ve got to ask him about that, she thought as she lay down, and floated into a calm sleep.
THE END OF BOOK 4, ABBY AND WENDY.
EPISODES FROM BOOK 5, THE RED JEWEL,
ARE COMING SOON
