Joshua

A few days had passed since Leah and Charity had moved into the underground city, and Charity had finally healed enough to stop using the wheelchair. While she still had several cuts and bruises, Charity was able to remove her head bandages and cover any injury-related blemishes with long sleeves; so the only visible evidence of her near-death experience was the sling on her arm and the limp in her step.

Leah had taken several days off of work to ensure Charity rested and had all of the help needed. Uzziah and Andrew would also come over in the evenings to help so that Leah could sleep since she refused to do so unless Charity had someone with her.

Charity enjoyed the nights she got to spend with the boys. They would play cards, strategize about Charity’s upcoming return to work and the expedition to retrieve the map her mother left behind, and talk about meaningless things. Andrew and Uzziah would stay with her until she fell asleep and – given the nightmares she had been experiencing – stayed longer than necessary on the first night to make sure she was sleeping soundly before leaving. Thankfully, the nightmares had not returned ever since the attack happened, and Charity hoped they would never return.

“Are you sure you won’t need any help today, Chair?” Leah asked Charity for the fifth time that morning.

“Leah, I’ve told you already. I’m fine. You can go to work. Andrew and Uzziah will be here to help me,” Charity replied.

“Fine, but I don’t like it,” Leah resigned. She missed the hospital and was itching to go back but was still hesitant to leave Charity alone, especially on a day like today when Joshua was expected to return. Leah was nervous for Charity to meet such an important person without her.

Charity laughed, “Seriously, I’ll be fine. You know Andrew and Uzziah won’t let me get into any trouble.”

Leah sighed. “I have to admit, it has been nice having someone around to help you, but I still don’t really like them. Especially Andrew. He looks at you like he wants to eat you.”

Charity’s face began to grow hot, “Don’t be ridiculous. He does not.”

“I’m serious, Charity! I don’t know what that guy’s problem is, but he never stops staring at you. It’s weird.”

“I don’t think so,” Charity said. “I actually kind of like it.”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of dating that guy?”

“Would you be mad if I am?”

“No, I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” Leah said.

Charity bit her lip, contemplating how best to break the news, but Leah seemed ready to leave. She gave Charity a gentle hug and rushed out of the door. As Charity pushed herself off the bed with her one good hand, a sharp pain lanced through her rips. She bit back a groan and limped toward the couch. Her ribs were still aching, and the ever-present pain in her elbow nagged at her, but she wished to push past it as much as possible and return to some version of normalcy. She was sick of being stuck inside and incapable of taking care of herself. An exhausted sigh escaped her lips as her tired body sank into the soft cushions, but her victory was short lived.

“This was a bad idea,” she grumbled to herself once she realized she couldn’t get back up. Just then, there was a knock at her door. “Come in!” Charity shouted loudly.

“Good morning, Charity!” Uzziah said cheerfully as he and Andrew entered.

“Guys, I made a mistake,” Charity admitted.

“You can’t get up, can you?” Andrew laughed.

“No, I can’t. Now wipe that stupid grin off your face, and help me, please,” Charity said.

Andrew laughed again before carefully helping Charity out of her predicament. The moment he set Charity on her feet, he brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her softly on the forehead. Charity rested her head against his chest, the gentle sound of his steady heartbeat soothing the frustration she felt about her physical impairments.

“You guys are gross,” Uzziah said while stuffing a bagel in his mouth.

“Are you eating my bagel?” Charity asked loudly, craning her neck to see the half-eaten bread sticking out of his mouth.

“It’s my payment for having to watch that,” Uzziah retorted, spewing a few crumbs and garnering a giggle from Charity.

“Then close your eyes,” Andrew cupped Charity’s face and pressed his lips against hers.

Uzziah made a gagging noise, and Charity giggled again. “You guys are ridiculous.”

“Are you excited for today?” Andrew asked.

“Yes! You both talk nonstop about Joshua, so I’m ready to finally meet him.”

“Well, let’s get going. He could be here any minute, and it’ll probably take us at least an hour to get to the hub given Charity’s pace is only a little faster than a dead turtle,” Uzziah said.

“I can hit him for you if you want,” Andrew stated.

Charity laughed. She was thankful for these two men. In the short time she had known them, Uzziah became like the brother she had always wished she had, and Andrew made her feel like she was the only girl in the world.

Before long, the three were walking toward the hub. Charity attempted to go as fast as she could, but each step sent a sharp pain through her rib cage. She did her best to conceal her discomfort and clung to Andrew’s arm for support. Uzziah matched Charity’s slow pace on her other side and occasionally made jokes at Charity’s expense to get her mind off of her aching body.

“Are you sure I can’t carry you?” Andrew asked.

“No, I want to walk. I’m sick of being carried or wheeled everywhere,” Charity replied before letting out an involuntary wince.

Andrew’s brow furrowed as he watched the pain roll over Charity’s body. He understood her desire, but pushing herself as hard as she was only hurt her more.

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“You can walk after you meet Joshua,” Andrew said, lifting Charity off the ground.

Charity wanted to protest, but the instant relief she felt and the speed at which they were able to travel once Andrew was holding her caused her to change her mind. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder, allowing the tension in her body to melt away as Andrew continued his steady stride. Before she knew it, they were all standing in the crowded hub. It seemed as though everyone in the city was standing in the city square. All of the shops were closed, and Charity could feel people unintentionally bumping into her dangling feet.

“Andrew, can you put me down now? I don’t want to keep hitting people if I can help it,” Charity said.

“Fine, but you’re going to stand in front of me, and Uzziah will be beside you. We don’t want anyone accidentally hurting you,” Andrew stated as he gently set Charity on her feet. He placed his strong hands on each of her shoulders before leaning down to whisper in her ear, “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?”

Charity gasped before turning to swat him with her one free hand. “That is inappropriate here!”

Andrew laughed loudly, “I didn’t say I was going to. I only said I wanted to, and I whispered it.”

Charity glared at him, which only made Andrew laugh harder. The two were so focused on each other that they had not noticed a bouncing blonde approaching them.

“Andrew, hey!” Cara said cheerfully.

“Hey,” Andrew replied without turning away from Charity.

Charity, on the other hand, warmly greeted Cara, “Hey! You helped me in the hospital when I first came, didn’t you? Thank you!”

“Yeah,” Cara said coldly.

Charity furrowed her brows. While she understood that Cara had some unrequited feelings for Andrew, she did not expect Cara to maintain such a hostile attitude toward her. What are we? Teenagers? Charity thought.

“Do you need something, or did you just come here to be rude?” Andrew said, annoyed at the way she spoke to Charity.

“Well, I-I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to grab a coffee after,” Cara said timidly.

“No, thanks. I already have plans,” Andrew replied.

“But I don’t, and I’m always open to making new friends, so I’d be happy to join you!” Charity chimed in, hoping to get under Cara’s skin.

Cara rolled her eyes and pushed her way to a different spot in the crowd.

“Sorry,” Andrew said once Cara was gone.

“It’s not your fault she’s so rude. If she wants to hate me for no reason, that’s on her. It won’t bother me,” Charity replied.

“Guys, he’s here,” Uzziah said.

A sudden hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned toward the makeshift stage of wooden boxes and empty crates everyone had encircled. In her mind, Charity had anticipated that Joshua would be somewhat of a Goliath, someone stronger and taller than both Uzziah and Andrew, someone who would stand out in a crowd and could easily carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. However, as a small, simple man climbed those large crates, she could not believe how wrong she was was completely wrong. He in no way physically lived up to the immense expectations Charity had created in her head. How could such an unassuming man lead such a large city, or command such respect and honor as Andrew and Uzziah gave him?

However, the moment he began to speak, it was as though even the cave itself was clinging to every syllable he uttered. Even Charity held her breath as if to avoid the chance of not hearing something he said. It was like the air itself buzzed with his power and presence and worked to pull every object and creature in. Who is this man? How does he do that? Charity was in awe.

“My friends!” Joshua’s deep, jubilant voice reverberated against the cave walls, “I am so happy to see you all. It is good to be back. We have a lot we must do in the coming days. We have new shops to open, new expansions that must be done as our city continues to grow, and a new member to welcome.” Joshua looked directly at Charity, but Charity looked around as though there could be someone else.

“I need to meet with a few people, and I can’t wait to hear all about what has been going on in the city during my absence. Let’s all get back to work!”

Instantly, the crowd dissipated. People returned to their daily routines, all smiling brightly and admiring their leader as they went, while Andrew, Uzziah, and a few others stayed behind. The moment the crowd had dispersed enough for Joshua to make it to where Charity and Andrew stood, he immediately walked toward them. Charity’s heart began to race as she watched this man – this living legend that was larger than life – walk toward her. She reached behind her and grabbed Andrew’s hand for comfort as nervousness began to rise within her. What was she supposed to do? Should she bow, offer some form of a gift, curtsy?

“It’s alright, Charity,” Joshua said. His voice reminded Charity of honey. It was smooth and sweet, and it somehow calmed her anxious mind. “You took quite a beating the other day, didn’t you?”

“Y-yeah,” Charity stuttered, “I-I mean, y-yes sir.”

“May I?” Joshua asked, motioning toward Charity’s hand.

Charity nodded, withdrawing her hand from Andrew’s and placing it into Joshua’s. A gasp escaped her lips as a warm, tingling sensation began to fill her entire body as though electricity was coursing through her veins. Then, just as quickly as the sensation appeared, it dissipated, and with it, the severe, continual pain that had plagued her body for days.

An unexplainable joy overwhelmed her, and before she could stop herself, she wrapped her unrestrained arm around Joshua while she wept. Joshua seemed neither bothered nor surprised at Charity’s sudden embrace and simply chuckled and patted her on the back.

“Charity, dear,” Joshua said after a moment, “Why don’t you let Andrew help you out of that sling and then you join us for a quick meeting?” Charity nodded, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Thank you, sir,” she muttered.

Joshua smiled warmly and then ushered Charity toward Andrew. “I will see you both in the conference room,” he said before walking away.

“How do you feel?” Andrew asked, relieving Charity of the sling that was restraining her no longer broken elbow.

“Better than I ever have,” Charity replied as she moved and tested her limbs. “I honestly don’t even know what to think of what I just experienced.”

“Most people don’t,” Andrew shrugged.

“So, is Joshua an Immortal?”

“No,” Andrew replied, “in all honesty, no one really knows what he is. He ages, looks, and talks like a man, but he has supernatural power and otherworldly knowledge like an Immortal. Some people believe he’s actually the Creator himself, just disguised as a man.”

“The one Abaddon defeated in the Great War?” Charity asked skeptically.

“Yeah. I personally don’t, but I could see why some may think that.”

“What do you think?”

“I think there’s a chance he could be the Creator’s son,” Andrew replied.

“Moheil? That’s even harder to believe,” Charity laughed and shook her head. “His death was what ended the war. It’s the whole reason the Creator and the Immortals left to begin with.”

“I’m just saying,” Andrew held up his hands defensively, “I’ve studied every record I’ve ever been able to get my hands on about Exoneron’s real origins and history, and I’ve talked to every Immortal I can about it. Nothing I’ve found has ever supported the belief that Moheil died. From what I can tell, he just disappeared right around the end of the Great War. Who’s to say he isn’t hiding among us like a ton of other Immortals are?”

“And you think it’s Joshua?” Charity crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

“I think it’s a possibility,” Andrew said as he shrugged again.

“What if you’re wrong? What if he really is just a man, but he somehow managed to get these powers?”

“Then that would make him be the greatest man I’ve ever met, and I’d still follow him anywhere,” Andrew replied.

Charity smiled warmly. Andrew’s unwavering faithfulness was admirable. “Come on,” she said as she wrapped her arm around Andrew’s bicep, “we have a meeting to get to, and I have no idea where I’m going.”

Andrew laughed and led the way to the conference room.