Beyond the Farthest Star: Epilogue

Amy Stryker suddenly found herself standing in a beautiful garden. A dense morning mist covered the ground, hiding the soft grass from view. She could see mountains on the horizon, and in the distance there was a single river that branched into four different streams. Everywhere she looked she saw magnificence and splendor. The plants, the trees, the flowers – everything was perfect. The air itself seemed to whisper thoughts of peace and tranquility.

“Where am I?” she said aloud. “This certainly doesn’t look like Mars!”

“That’s because it isn’t,” a familiar voice called out.

Amy turned around and saw her sister standing a few feet away, on the banks of a river.

“Amanda?” Amy asked curiously. “Is that really you? But – hold on – wait just a minute! This has to be a dream. There is no way this can be real.”

“Yes and no,” Amanda replied. “First of all, this actually is a real planet that is within the Milky Way galaxy. The Artilect used to come here quite often, back when he was trying to find a way to go back in time to rescue us. In fact, this garden was one of his favorite places and is a very special refuge. But you are correct. You are not actually standing here. In reality you are still on Tonina, and our dog Alex is curled up next to you at the foot of the bed. This is not a mere dream, though; it is a vision. The things you are seeing and hearing are very real. It’s just that you’re not physically here right now.”

“But what about you?” Amy asked. “Are you real, or am I just imagining you? I mean, after all, you’re dead. How can you possibly be here?”

“Death is not the end, you know,” Amanda said. “Jesus has taken away death’s victory. We’ve simply moved on to a better country.”

“Yes, I know that. But people don’t usually come back from the dead and hang out.”

“They do sometimes. After all, the prophet Samuel came back from the dead to condemn King Saul. Also, Moses and Elijah came back from the dead to appear on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured. So it has happened before.”

“I guess,” Amy said. “Oh, Atzi, I miss you – and I miss Mom, and Dad, and Tim. I miss all of you so very much, and would give anything to spend time with you again. I hate being here alone.”

“I know,” Amanda replied softly. “We all know. But what you’re doing right now is very important. You’re almost done, Tiger. You’ve come very far and you don’t have much further to go. All you have to do now is finish what you’ve started on Earth. Then you can come home.”

“Is that why we’re here?” Amy asked.

Amanda nodded. “As I said, this planet is a real place and orbits a real star. It is a special sanctuary, reserved for those who need it. The only people who may come here are the administrators, the Artilect, and the Sentinel. The nanites know where it is; when the time has come you can ask them and they will bring you here.”

“And then what?” Amy asked.

Amanda pointed into the distance. “Through those trees and across that river is a Door. This door is a very special one. When your work is done, you can come here and it will open for you. It will then bring you to the country that lies beyond the farthest star. It is your way home.”

“A door?” Amy asked. “Why a door?”

“Because you cannot die,” Amanda explained. “The nanites can keep you alive forever, but it is not a good thing for you to stay in the shadowlands for that long. Once your work is done the Door will unlock and you will be called home.”

“Then what?” she asked.

Amanda smiled. “Then you will rest, until the Lord creates a new heavens and a new earth. You’re almost there, Tiger. Just hold out a little bit longer.”

The vision then disappeared, and Amy drifted back into a dreamless sleep.