Mama runs into my arms and I don’t let her go. Tears spill from my eyes and I let her drain them away. She looks at me so long. “I thought you would be happy by now.”
“I am Mama, I am happy to see you,” I say. “I’m happy that you’re okay.” She pats my face. “I know what your Father did Saved. We are no more.”
“Mama?” I say. She puts a finger to my lips. “He’s a cruel man, Saved. I should have seen that a long time ago. I should have never forced you to choose. You are not a sin, my child.” I hug Mama as tight as I can, then draw away. The masks won’t last for too much longer, so I rub her arms and help her along with all the other villagers. Every face that passes, a memory of their hate pops to the forefront. But I don’t hate them, not even a little bit so I help them best the large steps.
With everyone aboard we make our way to the Island. And within minutes the blackness begins to recede and the blue sky appears. People come out of the bottom and mill on the deck, they laugh, cry and smile, and I know in this moment. I’ve done something right.
We dock the boat and send smaller boats to take people to shore.
Dr. Nu places his hand on my shoulder. “You did good Saved. You did real good.” Naveen hugs me, Kintin too, but Purity still won’t acknowledge me. My heart hurts a little, but it doesn’t bleed like before. I hope one day he might forgive me and become the friend I always wanted him to be.
Asorra and I are the last ones on the boat. Together we lower the small boat into the water and we both take an oar.
“Saved?” Asorra says.
I take her hand and we head into the boats together. “Together,” I say. She smiles, it’s luminous just like I thought.
When we get to land, I take Mama’s hand and walk through the bickering leaders. Papa, The Seers, and the High Councilors are all shouting about what is right and who should rule.
Asorra wraps her arms around my waist. I pull her tight into my chest and we head into the foreign terrain without a single word to anyone. We walk in silence, allowing the pureness wash over us. We keep walking until we no longer hear the bickering. One foot propels the next, and each step marks our path. Before we know it, a clearing has appeared, water and life reveal itself. We stop, and we notice that the people have followed. I smile, as they smile. I bend as they bend. Together with our two hands we build a bridge of desperate unions. With our beating hearts, we built a mountain of willful courage. And with our questioning spirit we build a path of perpetual ascension. We build.
Mama named me Saved, God named me Servant, and I name myself Love. This is my voice, my life that is boosted by the divine. God remembered to make me perfect.