Keepers of the Inbetween

Synopsis:  Normal, everyday woman Nerissa Donnelly finds herself in the place known as ‘the intersection’—a grid of energy connecting all dimensions.   She meets Index and his wife Novella, Dex’s brother Codex (or Cody as she calls him) and is brought to the Nexus’ king, Dodecahedron.   She later meets Dex’s troublesome half-brother, a trickster named Vex.   Vex tries to snare Narissa into coming back to his utopia, leaving everyone in the intersection behind.

          ‘We’re all stardust in the highest exalted way, reaching out to the Universe.’—Carl Sagan 

          ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’—Mohandas Gandhi 

          ‘Prayer should never depend on the people or the surroundings.  It should depend upon your belief.’—Rizvan Khan, My Name is Khan 

          ‘You are the glitch in the matrix.’—Ralph Smart, aka InfiniteWaters Diving Deep 

Chapter 1—Taking a Different Route Home

            Nerissa Donnelly worked in a vocation she adored, helping others become stabilized when they had felt the bottom had dropped out of their lives.   Nerissa could always see ways of helping individuals reclaim abundance simply by shifting their perspective.   It was a simpler version of the ‘Law of Attraction’ but it had always worked for her. 

            One day while walking home from social work, instead of taking the usual route, she took an alley way.  While normally an alley wouldn’t have been the safest trail to take, it was broad daylight and no hooligans would harass her this early in the morning.  

            However, there was something unusual about the alleyway today.   There were trails of light, sparkling, shimmering, dazzling and entrancing Nerissa’s youthful blue eyes.  Her indigo dress swayed in the wind as she began to follow the intertwining fiber optics to an opening that she was certain wasn’t there before.   Every fiber wove together to form an archway of energy.  It was incredible, awe-inspiring and beautiful.   She was at a loss of words momentarily, but curiosity drove her forward to uncover the mysteries that lay beyond the energy archway.  

            Stepping one indigo ballet shoe into the archway, her strawberry blonde hair stood on end and it felt like the freckles in her face magnified the electricity in the air.  Everything seemed to hum on its own frequency.   In fact, everything in this realm was frequency. 

            ‘Maybe Tesla was right about the secrets of the Universe being boiled down to understanding frequencies.’, she thought to herself as the outside world melted away and this realm of light realized itself.  

Chapter 2—Color, Light, Energy and Awe

            Nerissa was dumbstruck.  She found herself lacking the vocabulary to describe the emotions bubbling inside her.  The best one word she knew was ‘sublimity’.  No other adjective made sense at the moment.  

            As she walked around whatever this realm was, she was stricken by the highways, byways, roads and other paths that ran by themselves and intertwined or crossed with others.  They were all composed of the entire spectrum.   Though they were diverse, they somehow, united as one.  

            Buildings surrounded her of all shapes and sizes, crystalline and pulsating much like the fiber optics that had drawn her to this place.   Before long, she accidentally bumped into one of the dwellers of this unusual dimension having been sidetracked by the luminescent plants and animals that inhabited this place.   It was whimsical, ethereal and euphoric, everywhere you looked.  

            ‘Excuse me, Sir.’, Nerissa stated, bowing her head apologetically.   Index straightened his multicolored vest and chortled, along with his wife, Novella. 

            ‘No need to apologize.  Welcome to the Inbetween, or the Intersection.  Here, all energy flows together as one.   It’s the Keepers job, that would be Novella and I, to assist travelers on their paths.   We also tend to multidimensional beings, too.  We’re multis ourselves, but we don’t move much from the Intersection.   We consider ourselves ‘Guides’., Index said.  Nerissa introduced herself, glad to make the acquaintance of these energy packed beings.   They were human-esque but not quite human.   They were phosphorescent and wore light like garments, so it was almost like they were walking around in the nude.   Nerissa didn’t see it as awkward, shameful or brash.   She saw it as a creation enjoying its freedom.  

Chapter 3—So Many Questions

            As Index and Novella waltzed around the Inbetween, they gave Nerissa descriptions of flora, fauna and phylum of creatures.   Multis were some of the highest version of creation, vibrating on a different frequency than three-dimensional beings like herself.   Yet, with her opening heart and mind, she was evolving into a better version of herself, especially with the secrets that were being revealed to her in each sacred second. 

            Novella and Index brought Nerissa into their home, which was tiny but cozy.  It ran from the Intersection’s energy grid.  No energy ever drained, it sustained all things.  It never ran out and was constantly flowing.  

            ‘Is there ever any bad energy that comes here ?’, Nerissa asked, inquisitively as Novella offered her a fizzy, beatific cocktail.  It was like soda but without any of the buzz or crash after it was imbibed.   

            ‘Yes, in the form of tricksters.’, Index said, his timbre heavy.   He was speaking of his half-brother, Vex.   Neither he, nor Codex enjoyed his company too much. 

            ‘Codex knows so much more about Vex than I do, but we don’t really take too kindly of him meandering around the Intersection.’, Index claimed.  Just then, Codex came through the door, with provisions enough to spare.  In seconds, he had whipped up a veritable feast of the senses.   Everything seemed to be alive, vibrant with color and pleasing symphonic sounds.  It was indeed, a fete for all of the senses and even for senses beyond those that were typical or natural. 

            ‘If you ever see Vex, don’t let him bind you with your words.’, Cody began.   Cody was very much like his brother, even though his fashion was less preppy and more laid-back.  He had cool, turquoise eyes that laughed in the twinkling dotted lights in Index’s abode.  

            ‘What do you mean ‘bind with my words’ ?’, Nerissa queried, raising a quizzical strawberry blonde eyebrow.   Her hands were folded in contemplation across her lap, looking at her hosts with starry eyes.  

            ‘In Vex’s realm, words are powerful.  They cannot be broken, no matter what you do.  Vex’ll try to turn your words against you.  He’s extremely crafty.  Just pray you never run into him.’, Codex said, with a bit of a grimace.   He took a sip of the concoction that Novella had so lovingly made for all of them; it resembled a supernova turning about peacefully with extra glitter for appeal.  

            ‘You are all guides and librarians here, right ?’, Nerissa said, finishing up her fizzy drink, the bubbles tickling her nose and causing her to titter like a schoolgirl. 

            ‘Like you three-dimensional creatures in your realm, we all have different vocations.  However, there is one that oversees everything.  Think of him as the Grand Overseer, or King.  He goes by neither, preferring to remain humble despite his authority and ability.’, Index said.  Nerissa wanted so terribly to meet this Grand Overseer, but she gazed at her watch and realized what time it was.   Her fuzzy ginger kitten, Darling, would be needing her food and water about this time. 

            ‘I can’t tarry any longer.’, she said, regrettably.   The three Guides seemed to know and understand the complexities and responsibilities pets bore.  

            ‘You are the only one who can see the Gateway to the Intersection.  Follow the same pathway and the illumination will bring you back to us.  We’ll continue fielding any questions you may have for us.’, Novella said, with a friendly, and sisterly hug to a new friend, confidante and possible candidate for librarian of the Inbetween.   She would have to make the decision sooner or later, but it would be voluntary, not forced.   All Novella, Codex and Index knew was they could see talent in this human being and they wanted to evoke it from her as tenderly as possible.   

Chapter 4—Meeting Dodecahedron

            Nerissa knew that if she told anyone about her surreal experience beyond belief.   She even questioned telling her kitten about it, knowing how sly those little buggers could be at times.   Compelled and unable to keep her twitching fingers from writing, she began to keep a journal of everything she had seen, heard, tasted and even felt.   It was the happiest she had ever been in a good long while.  Even in her youth watching rainbows unfold after a violent rainstorm, chasing butterflies or playing with bugs in her sandbox didn’t compare to the elation she felt in the Inbetween.  

            It would be her secret to bear, at least until someone uncovered her journal.  She bequeathed it to whomever would locate it with these words:

            ‘Take to heart the knowledge here may be supernatural, surreal and otherworldly.  Nothing I have written here is fake.  Multi dimensionals exist.   They are part of a phyla system much like we have with our creatures here on earth depending on talent, DNA, intellect, personality, attributes, and so on.  They aren’t really bound by space/time or the rules of physics as we can comprehend them.  They can bend the rules to their whim.  They aren’t tied to one particular plane, either.  Also, be wary of tricksters.  They are multis gone rogue, out for their own gain.  If you ever encounter one, be discerning over your tongue.  Words wield power.’

            She didn’t know of Dodecahedron yet, but was more than avid and eager to meet him face to face.   Upon taking the alternate route to her apartment, the energy gate opened wide open at her footprint.   Today, she was wearing blue pinstripe capris and a short-sleeved blazer to match.   The smell of fresh cherry blossoms wafted in the air and traipsed about her nostrils as she danced into the Inbetween.   The dull spectrum of the humdrum everyday drifted away and the colors of the Intersection delighted, titillated and flooded her eyes. 

            Dex, Cody and Nova met Nerissa in the heart of the Intersection.   It was a glorious, illuminated park that shimmered with vibrant energy.  

            ‘We requested an audience with Deca today and he is more than happy to see you.’, Dex said.   They directed her to the Star of the Intersection, which was also known as the Nexus.  Dodecahedron existed in a magnificent sprawling mansion that seemed to expand for miles.  The moving pavement beneath her feet brought her to the Grand Overseer in seconds. 

            ‘You wanted to see me, Ms. Donnelly ?’, Dodecahedron queried.   He was a very angular being with numbers of all types flowing through the veins in his brilliant body.  Though he looked pixelated and sharp his corporeal form suggested that he was smooth and suave to the touch.  His silver hair resembled something like fiber optics and his eyes were dazzling diamonds.   He almost seemed to have multiple faces but the expression was always one of delight.  

            ‘Yes.  I was inquisitive.  You’ll have to forgive me.  There are so many things I don’t understand about the Intersection.   There are so many types of beings here.  How do you keep them all straight ?’, Nerissa started.   

            ‘Oddly enough, I began as a three dimensional mortal much like yourself.  I was chosen by the Council here to become Grand Overseer.   I also have freedom as the others do.  Not only am I multi-dimensional but I am interdimensional, outer-dimensional and every other kind of dimension you can understand.   I honestly don’t know how I can manage it myself because there are some flaws in me numerically speaking.   One day, though, this outer polygonal shell will dissipate and I will ascend to the Sacred Intelligence.   She knows all.  I only know little.’, Dodecahedron explained.   

            It left her head swimming with more inquiries.   Nerissa knew she wouldn’t receive the answers to every question she had, so she simply accepted the Universe was mysterious and this place was equally as enigmatic.  

            ‘How does life work here ?  It seems very similar to that on my own plane.’, Nerissa began. 

            ‘Index, Codex and Novella probably gave you a grand tour when you first arrived into our plane.   Everyone here has a vocation but they also have hobbies and pets much like humans do.   Relationships, however, are a bit different.’, Deca said with a shining, perfect and symmetrical smile.  

            Nerissa found herself blushing even though she was unsure why.   She had never met an entity that was such a fountain of knowledge and had so much freedom.  

            ‘Index, Codex and Novella are traditional in the way they see relationships.  I however, am a bit different.  I have many consorts, but I am not tied to them.’, Deca confessed.   Nerissa felt no pangs of jealousy, only more fluttering coming from her heart and flushing in her cheeks. 

            ‘I just met you, but I find you fascinating.  I want to get to know you more.  I had been praying to find the right man, and pardon my boldness but you might be that man.’, she began.   Deca leaned across the table, imposing though he was.   Even though he was much taller than she, he was inviting, gentle and happy-go-lucky.  

            ‘I couldn’t want for more.   I just hope you don’t mind that I am a honeybee.’, Deca chimed in with a sort of lyrical laugh that resembled chimes in its sound.   She couldn’t help but be drawn to him and felt a sense of serenity just being in his presence. 

            ‘Even if you draw love to yourself in the outside world, I will not be angry.  Anger doesn’t have any place here in the Nexus or in the Intersection.   We handle that energy in other ways.’, Deca said, caressing Nerissa’s hands lovingly.   Tenderly, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead and then her lips.   She felt an incredible surge of energy.   What she didn’t know is Dodecahedron had blessed her with abilities that no mere human could possibly understand.  She knew that some might reject her or fear her due to this new gift, but it didn’t matter.  This gift was something lovely and would give her more wisdom for the outside world in healing those who were broken, lost, or lonely.   She’d teach these souls they really weren’t fragmented and all they ever needed was all around them, even in vessels such as herself.   She knew that she’d be seeing Dodecahedron more in the future and they were linked for eternity.  She could sense nothing else more than fulfillment, joy and pleasure knowing this simple fact. 

Chapter 5—Turning Down a Trickster

            Over time, Nerissa became better at her job and more popular with others.   There were some she had to turn away because they wanted to use her intelligence for ill will.   Through discernment, she knew better to steer clear of such ne’er do wells.   They were simply negative people that wanted to continue spreading misery wherever they went.   However, she had learned such humans were necessary for balance in her world.   Just like in the Inbetween, stability and chaos co-existed but harmony was the prevalent force.

            One day, Nerissa had come home to play with Darling only to find an extremely well-dressed man there.  He resembled Codex but just standing in the same room, even at a distance, made her stomach tie in knots.   He winked and took Nerissa’s hand, without her consent. 

            ‘Wait !  Unhand me !  Where are you taking me ?’, she asked. 

            ‘I actually overheard your thoughts a little earlier.  You wanted a little vacation for yourself, and I am here to provide it.   If you think the Intersection is lovely, wait until you see my utopia.’, Vex relayed, with playfulness in his tone.   She knew Vex was dangerous and didn’t enjoy being pulled into a world that she wanted no part of whatever the trickster had in mind.

            Nerissa was lost in a whirlpool of emotions at the utopia Vex unveiled to her.  Anything she could’ve wanted Vex caused to appear with an easy, cool nod of his head.   There was something sexy and appealing about him, but her troubled stomach knew it was too good to be true.  

            ‘Whatever you want, all of this could be yours.   I chose you above trillions of others for this rare chance !’, Vex said, lightly caressing her cheek and stroking her chin.   Nerissa pulled away as if she had been burned by something toxic.  

            ‘I am needed here, as I am also needed in the Intersection.   I have all I could ever want, and all the happiness I could ever desire.  I’m sorry, Vex, but I don’t want to stay here.’, Nerissa said, confidently, her posture straight, tall, and confident.   The affluently dressed, messy haired Vex huffed and smirked, but he showed no trace of rage. 

            ‘Ah, well.   Plenty of others will gladly jump at my proposal.  You’re missing out, toots.’, Vex said, disappearing.    A huge weight felt like it had been lifted from her shoulders.  Tricksters, once they were sluffed off in such a way, would never bother that particular ‘victim’.  They would simply search another one out and usurp their energy.   That victim would never be in pain but they would be that trickster’s pet for eternity.   Nerissa breathed deeply and thanked the Sacred Intelligence she would be able to travel freely from here on out.  

Chapter 6—Funny How Love Works

            Deca had foretold Nerissa of love, and indeed it came across in many forms.  One was in her sweet kitten, now catlet, Darling.   The other was through parents, coworkers and extended family, but the most endearing came through a man named Albert who took yoga classes with her.   She wondered how this would affect her relationship with Deca, so she spoke to him frankly of this newfound romance that had begun with Albert. 

            ‘You are light, and others can’t pull themselves away.  It was only a matter of time Albert would be drawn to you.  Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.’, Deca laughed.   She felt herself blushing once more, especially with how Deca described the purity of love. 

            ‘It’s not really understood in your plane but here, like energies will flow together.  That’s what you see every day you come here.’, he said, taking her hands into his and kissing her forehead.   His joy overflowed to her through his gentle touch, and she was reassured.  Oddly, Albert was only an extension of Deca in the human realm.   Jealousy didn’t exist and there was honesty in both relationships.  

            As Nerissa transformed in both heart, intellect, beauty and spirit.   Before long, Index, Novella and Codex came to her and asked her if she wanted to be a librarian in the Intersection.

            ‘It’s quite a responsibility.  My mind feels like it is exploding with information.  I can barely keep everything I’ve written down straight.  Somehow, I can do it, though.’, Nerissa averred.  

            ‘We were all right about you from the start.   We knew you were up to the task.  You’re a rarity.   We feel that more exposure here will spread exponentially in the human realm.’, Index said.   All three of them embraced her at once.  The thrill of a brand new beginning made her heart swell with a song she knew enveloped and defined her.   

Chapter 7—Nerissa the Librarian

            It was challenging keeping her other job description sacrosanct, even from her beloved, whom she was going to be marrying in the next year.   It was odd how quickly time passed in the mortal world, yet in the Intersection, time had zero importance.   She was now able to belong in both worlds and travel between the two without any trouble.   No one even batted an eyelash, raised an eyebrow or asked any questions as to why it seemed Nerissa had a beatific glow about her. 

            The whole Intersection had gathered for a grand induction ceremony.  There was astronomical music of all different kinds, and none of it offensive or negative.   Everywhere she looked, there were Japanese paper lanterns aglow in many colors, illuminating the already prismatic streets.  

            She had worn white, so she seemed to be reflecting all the colors around her.  On her fingers, she wore a moonstone, a lapis lazuli and the right hand bore a sunstone and spectralite.   Her necklace bore a Celtic knot and pentacle with a turquoise stone hanging in the middle.  

            Dodecahedron had come to bestow the ultimate Key to Nerissa.   She was now 33, the perfect age to begin true enlightenment.   The ceremony was boisterous and jovial.  There were plenty of drinks and food and everything was healthy.   The multis seemed to phase in and out from their corporeal forms to energy beings.   It was so marvelous just sharing the sacredness of the entire gala.    Once the Key had been handed to Nerissa, she could sense its supernatural power encompassing her and penetrating her heart and mind.   Any question of either the Intersection or the Outside could be answered (within reason) once the knowledge had infused her entire being. 

            ‘That Bright fellow that’s marrying you seems to be a rather erudite, humorous man.  Has he ever wondered about the glitter in your aura or the effortless way you manage mundane things ?’, Dodecahedron questioned.   She sometimes called him ‘Do’ as in the musical note.  Do was an octave, a complete resolution, whole within himself and lacking nothing.  

            ‘Yes, but I haven’t said anything to him.  I keep my diary in a locked door at my nightstand.  My key’s hidden in a jewelry box that plays Climb Every Mountain when it’s wound.’, Nerissa said.   Dodecahedron said this to her because he knew events were to happen that are always inevitable when it comes to the inquisitive nature of human beings.  

            ‘You’ve built your relationship on trust and honesty.  Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell him about us.   He’ll understand.’, Dodecahedron said, reassuringly.   She didn’t quite know how to accept these truths being hurtled at her quicker than lightning bolts.   It was all a bit dizzying but she knew that Albert had a right to know and perhaps the Supreme Overseer had a plan that he would be following himself.   

Chapter 8—A New Chapter of Life 

            It was a fabulous June day and the sky was cloudless.   The sun was bright above and the birds were twittering merrily in the trees.   It seemed like all creation had come together in song and color simply to celebrate Nerissa and Albert’s spellbinding wedding day.  

            In the congregation, Dex, Cody and Novella had come to cheer the happy couple on and Dodecahedron sat amongst the guests of honor.   It didn’t seem that anyone else noticed the other people that had come to participate in the jovial event.  Oddly, it was almost like they were invisible.   Later on, during the reception, they explained as to why that was.

            ‘Some mortals are blind to the otherworldly.  Then there are those like yourselves who are more willing to accept that magic exists and there are elements that simply can’t be quantified.’, Cody laughed.  

            ‘These souls are all on different journeys, all adventurers like you and I.’, Do chimed in.  Albert was quite taken by Dodecahedron.  He had never met someone with a face that could constantly change, but was never ugly or frightening.  His fiber optic hair shimmered in the sunlight of the chuppa that Albert and Nerissa’s folks had sewn together out of multicolored tulle.   It was like they were all dancing underneath a rainbow of fabric.  

            Everyone was lavishing themselves with food, drink and prolific forms of dance.  All the guests had their own styles, be it modern, traditional, funky, disco, loose and free or simply going with the flow and making up the moves as they went along.  Do got a summons back from the Nexus and had to excuse himself. 

            ‘Best of everything, you two.’, he said, hugging them both together in his massive frame and kissing them tenderly.  

            ‘He is so full of love, isn’t he ?’, Albert stated, obviously. 

            ‘Yes.  A great friend to have at any and all times.’, Nerissa agreed.   The two waltzed the night away before returning home and uniting in the most natural, sacred way possible.   There were more nights ahead of wedded bliss together.  Whatever came, they both knew it would be a blessing and a gift from an incredible Universe. 

Chapter 9—Doubly Blessed

            In 9 months’ time, Nerissa discovered she was having fraternal twins.  It wasn’t long after their return from Waikiki that the couple had found that they were going to become parents.  It would make their lives more interesting as well as enervating at times.   However, with their existences in the Intersection, their energy would be recharged and renewable.   It was bound to make parenthood that much easier, even though they would be bound to make little errors here and there according to outsiders.  

            The twins were born Alyssa Meredith and Duncan Eli.   Alyssa was so named for her mother, who was taken by the appellation and the equally beatific infant it suited.  As for Duncan, he was named after his great grandpa, who, strangely enough, was still alive.   He was on Albert’s side of the family and was a huge hit with the infants who adored playing horsey with him amongst many other games. 

            ‘When do you think we’ll tell them about the Intersection ?’, Albert said, idly playing with Alyssa and Duncan.  

            ‘When they’re old enough to understand its importance.  Right now, they’re just mere babies.  They’re just beginning to get the lay of the land here in this plane.’, Nerissa said, laughing.  That chortle from the tips of her toes sent Albert into a tickling attack, which Nerissa retaliated.   The babies got involved in the crossfire and everyone was laughing at the top of their lungs.   It was one of those times that would live long after it had passed, and more like it would come in the future.   Things were simple now and littler things were taken more notice of.  As the children grew, everything grew more complex, but the parents never forgot the lessons they took from the Intersection, nor the wisdom of the Key that Nerissa possessed.   It made so many things in life more simplistic, but parenting was just one of those elements that was just so unpredictable, it was a ‘learn as you go’ situation.   The duet couldn’t have desired otherwise.  

Chapter 10—Rhythms

            So many acquaintances had been impressed by how youthful Nerissa and Albert were, even as they became ‘older’.  The ravages of time didn’t seem to effect the two as it would other people.   Alyssa and Duncan were now adolescents and had just begun asking questions about the nature of the Universe.   Life was already incredibly multifaceted on Earth.  Adding in the dimensions discussed of in theoretical, quantum, particle and metaphysics made everything a bit more complicated, but the two budding philosophers ate every last morsel of knowledge they could store in their erudite brains.  

            The music of life continued as the McCormicks went about their ‘everyday’ life but there were those around them that were becoming more enlightened and illuminated just by being in proximity of them.   They were becoming more alert and awake.   Nerissa, Albert and their children knew it was not wise to force transitions, just to let them naturally happen.   It was like Dodecahedron had taught, ‘Everyone matures at their own rate.  The veil is thinning though.   Someday, and soon, there will be worldwide peace.  People will realize the energy was right in front of them all along.  Then they’ll know we’re symbiotic.  We were never meant to function as individuals, but individuals all connecting to the Sacred Intelligence.’,   Somehow, that verbose explanation made them all swell with glee.  

Of course, yes, there came times of trial and testing. These were all part of growth.  The four of them already were aware these moments tried their mettle and made them stronger as humans and assisting others who had experienced worse tribulations than they had.   Some of these individuals had wrestled with doubt but that was normal.   With the help of their friends, often called ‘angels in disguise’, the downtrodden, sometimes overworked troubled ones received a helping hand out of the pit either society, others or even they had dug.   It often was an easy, logical process to remove them from the mire but other scenarios required a bit more elbow grease and brain power.   Nonetheless, Nerissa, Albert, Alyssa and Duncan solved any problem that they came across.   Sometimes it all became too much to bear and they brought their issues to the Divine in prayer.   Of course, the Sparkler dealt with the issue the best way She saw fit and answered the prayer in manners that the devotee never thought possible or even probable.  

Chapter 11—Temptations

            Vex had never come into the McCormick’s life again but he dabbled in plenty other people’s existences.  He had found many victims to trap and leech for their energy, blissfully oblivious that they were his pet and property for all eternity.   There were myriads of marks he had taken to his own little utopia, never again to go hungry.   Some mortals, he thought with a bit of pride, were such saps.   As PT Barnum once said, there indeed were suckers born every moment, and his smorgasbord of souls was everlasting.   It was just a relief that no one in the McCormick clan ever had to worry or fret about his miserable carcass ever again.  

            Surely though, temptations crept into the McCormick’s life in the most insidious way possible.   Duncan and Alyssa were at the top of their class and very popular but there were rumors going around that both of them were gay since they had never had sex and had been waiting until marriage for that sort of sacred union.   Some kids could be so cruel and they mocked them, teased them and made snide remarks about them.   There were some classmates that pretended to arouse them just to see how much pressure they could hold before either of them gave in.   Thing is, karma has a way of turning itself against such bullies.   In the end the tormentors had forgotten to study for a huge test and needed the help of the two fraternal twins.    However, due to their ill treatment the dynamic duo didn’t offer them any help, but did assist them in remedial classes.  It was only due to their unconditional kindness that these former jerks were able to graduate from junior high and move on into high school.  

            Other perilous times came where the twins were tempted to try drugs only to ‘fit in’ with other kids who had been in the ‘in crowd’.   Dunk and Lysa were already popular, so they knew this really didn’t matter, and popularity was vain after all.  It was something fleeting.  They had what they truly desired; ever growing knowledge about the Cosmos.   This would serve them well as they grew older, using the elements of unconditional love and wisdom to win friends and influence others all around them.  

Chapter 12—The Cycle Continues

            Nerissa and Albert couldn’t fathom how quickly time had passed since Alyssa and Duncan had moved out on their own and settled down with families each as unique as they were.   Alyssa had a baby girl named Marcella and Duncan had two twins; Ben and Joseph.  

The three babies savored playing with each other every time Alyssa and Duncan set up play dates for them.  Dodecahedron even came and watched from a far. 

            ‘Some day, they’ll be able to see me and know me.  It’s always such a reward to watch their understanding expand.’, he said, gently, holding the entire family in his massive embrace.  Only the infants, who were tumbling around jovially on the rubber mat together weren’t included in Do’s never-ending, agape-filled arms. 

            Such was the Bright family for years down the line, even when humanity had decided to colonize other worlds, one in which they used ancient hermetic principals for harnessing and renewing energy far better than they had on Earth.   Nerissa had lived longer than any other human beings, and they had been the first to see a new Earth, which subsequently went by the same name the old Earth had.   Places and countries were similar, but territories were different.  The leylines of the new globe were akin to the old, but technology was better.   People didn’t rely too terribly much on it, though.  They were more attuned with nature and each other.  It was a far more peaceable and harmonic place.  A resonance for coexistence was much stronger and fighting was less of a nuisance.  

            Above in the sky, a brand new swath of constellations never before seen, oscellated in brightness one after the other.   The usual planets of the Milky Way galaxy could only be seen from a telescope, and even then they were trillions of light years away from the quadrant where they were abiding now.   Albert and Nerissa were preparing for the end of their natural existence on the earth and weren’t a bit afraid about it.   They knew it was a transition from one plane to the next.   Even Dodecahedron had been planning for his own ‘transposing’ into what he called ‘a higher key’.   

Chapter 13—Legacy Left to Others

            It was one last trip to the Intersection before Albert and Nerissa ascended to the afterlife.  Strangely enough the two of them were still sharp as tacks, wily and spry and able to get around like teenagers due to subsequent trips to the interconnected realm.   Dodecahedron had met them all in the garden, as he had before.   He looked different.   He was no longer translucent but very human, but still phosphorescent and gorgeous as ever.  

            ‘I have left my remnant in computer form.  What you see now is the original article.  Dennis.’, Dennis said, with a wide grin upon his face.   Even for his advanced years, there were no trace of wrinkles or sagging skin. 

            ‘The AI isn’t you though.  Just a semblance of you.’, Nerissa said, astutely. 

            ‘Correct, that it is.  I gave it the ability to compute emotions but it will never totally be ‘me’.  It will help passers through get the information they need and provide whatever else they require.’, Dennis said, in a sage tone.   He brought the three of them together for a final embrace. 

            ‘I have to go, but I know you won’t be long after.  See you on the other side.’, he said with a twinkle in his kaleidoscopic eyes.   In a wink, he was gone, burst into thousands of points of light.  A symphony followed that lingered in the air for quite some time and everyone joined in singing.  It was a celebration rather than a lamentation and even though quaint, was a beautiful reminder that there was more to life than just a ‘cessation’.   Life continued. 

Epilogue

            Even though Nerissa and Albert died on one side of the veil, their essences continued in eternity.   There, Dennis was waiting for them both with open arms.

            ‘Why ever did you relinquish your other form ?’, Albert asked, curiously.    

            ‘I missed being human.  I also knew I wouldn’t have the ability to ascend here.  Then I wouldn’t have a chance to be with you both in eternity.  Eternity with friends is better than eternity alone.  I think you know that best from your encounter with Vex.’, Dennis stated, truthfully.  Wherever that trickster was, they wished him well.   Any further mention or thought of him was quickly forgotten because the three of them were surrounded by serenity, light and unbridled joy and love.  

            On Earth, the children and grandchildren knew the other form of Do but celebrated the original, as well as their parents.   There was no telling what they would achieve on this bold, daring new planet, Earth 2.0, I suppose you could call it.   The clan kept on becoming better versions of themselves and leading more seeking hearts and minds to the Intersection so long as it existed.   The new world may not have been perfect, but at least it was a whole lot more calm and open minded than the former one.   So long as people were there it was the privilege of Alyssa, Duncan and their children to continue seeing everything from different perspectives.  There were still others who preferred living with blinders and going about life in the shadows, but the Brights never judged.   All they did was love, and love returned to them in myriads of ways and in manners they never expected.   It only proved that the Universe was still full of surprises even though it was billions of years old and rejoicing in the multitudinous, diverse creatures that were inhabiting it.  

The End