Dawn of the Supernova - Melissa Willingham (animal farm read .TXT) 📗

hobnobbed with civilians. People from all walks of life bonded together to make the best of the dreary, devastating circumstances. The pastors there consoled the flock and held church meetings.  

All any of them had was each other now and that would have to be enough to sustain them. Long after the non-believers had disappeared, it would be up to these 1,000 souls to carry on with life, rebuild civilization and procreate the population. A daunting task, but not an impossibility, for hope existed amongst them.

***

The afternoon before the supernova was due to take place, Sabrina and Samuel sat by the cliff’s edge. They gazed down at the water crashing against the shore. Lanterns and candles glowed from where people entertained themselves. Wind-up radios played relaxing tunes, which drifted up to where the two of them lounged. Snuggled together in one another’s arms, love had found them in an unexpected way. It seemed they were destined to become soul mates for the rest of their lives.

“You know what? I should be miserable, but I’m happy here with you,” Samuel confessed. “I feel sad for those who chose to remain elsewhere. But, at least, we were able to save some of them.”

“That’s all we could’ve asked for. We couldn’t rescue everyone, yet we gave it our best. I’m just thankful that we have each other and our families. I wish more of our friends had listened to us. Still, all is not lost. Life will go on,” Sabrina mused.

“Yes, you’ve taught me that. I once thought my life was over when I lost my high school sweetheart, Lana. She died very young, in a car accident. She was only twenty-one and so pretty. You remind me a lot of her. That’s what initially infatuated me about you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d suffered such a terrible tragedy before.”

“Well, I did. And I poured myself into scientific studies, attempting to drown out my sorrow. I blamed God and questioned His goodness. During my grief, I was surprised by how He seemed to comfort me. The more I tried to disprove His existence, the more evidence I found among the stars that He is real.”

“He is out there. He will watch over us tomorrow and keep His promise to protect us. Just like in the days of Noah’s Ark, we were persecuted and laughed at. But, we will be the survivors because we trusted in our Lord and Savior.”

“You’re right. Like when the Israelites were passed over when Moses tried to get Pharaoh to release them. The Egyptians were killed, while the Hebrew slaves were spared.”

“Some might ask how a loving Father could allow some to perish and some to survive. In His great mercy and wisdom, He has all the answers to our questions. We may never really know why. We can only seek shelter and peace through His provision for us.”

Samuel drew back from her momentarily, capturing her gaze with his. “That’s right, my love. And tonight, I need to ask you something very important. I know this is rather sudden, since we’ve only known one another for two short weeks. But, I want everything to be right in God’s sight. Tomorrow, I hope we can begin anew.”

Sabrina drew in a deep breath and regarded him quizzically. “That sounds wonderful. What exactly do you mean?”

He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a velvet box. He handed it to her and waited patiently while she opened it. Inside was an engagement/wedding ring set in sparkling diamonds.

She gasped and raised her hand to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness, it’s so beautiful!”

“Not as much as you,” he told her earnestly. “I’ve admired you for so long. I’ve watched you on TV and seen you in newspapers. I even went to a psychic convention to meet you once, but I chickened out at the last minute and couldn’t introduce myself.”

“Are you serious? I had no idea,” she responded, laughing. “What a coincidence! I must confess that I did the same thing myself. I saw you in medical journals and papers. I felt an inexplicable connection to you. I sensed we were destined to cross paths, but I didn’t know when. I attended a scientific seminar to get a look at you up close, yet I could only admire you from afar.”

He chuckled heartily at her revelation. “Imagine that!”

Suddenly getting a more serious expression on his face, he rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. Then he continued, “This ring set was to be my girlfriend Lana’s when we married. She never got a chance to wear it, because sadly, she died before I could ask her to be my wife. I lost one chance at happiness. And I don’t want to miss another rare opportunity for true love.”

He sank down upon one knee and laying the box down, he gasped both her hands in his. “So, will you marry me, Sabrina?”

She felt tears form in the corners of her eyes as joy overwhelmed her. “Oh, yes, Samuel! I’d be honored to wear your ring and have you as my husband.”

He jumped to his feet hastily and slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. “We haven’t much time to waste,” he said excitedly. “Let’s go find ourselves a pastor, shall we?”

“Absolutely, sweetheart, I want to start afresh when our new world begins,” she agreed happily.

Drawing her near for a moment, he kissed her tenderly. “I love you!”

She cuddled against him. “I love you, too!”

***

Three hours later, they were married by a female pastor. The wedding ceremony and reception were simple affairs yet lovely. Some of the women gathered up flowers and prepared a festive meal for the occasion. An elderly man donated the band his son, who’d passed years ago, used to wear, so Samuel would have a ring as well.

After the celebration dwindled, everyone returned to their respective dwellings, readying for the coming day’s ordeal. Sabrina slipped on a modest, white nightgown and brushed her auburn mane of hair. She then eased herself down between the sheets, to share her first romantic, intimate night with her new, handsome husband.

With a tender touch and soft lips, Samuel slowly explored his beloved bride. He showed her with actions what mere words could not express. In return, she did likewise, discovering her partner as well. When at last they became one flesh, they loved and basked in the sensations of truly uniting body and soul. Then they achieved sweet release and nestled within one another’s arms, drifting off into dreamland.

The following afternoon, the end arrived for those who had neglected to heed the warnings presented to them. A massive explosion lit up the sky and shook the earth’s foundations. Fire blazed fiercely, slicing through the air. Once it was over, only those who sought refuge on the island escaped destruction. God had kept His promise and preserved those 1,000 souls for future generations to come. A young woman gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, that evening, signifying a new beginning for all of them. Although uncertain, everyone knew that whatever lay ahead, they would embrace it with life everlasting.

***

 

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Publication Date: 04-27-2011

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