Love, Against All Odds

II - Prologue

SIKE

This wasn't the end; far from it. This story is merely beginning its journey. So, buckle up, dear readers, for this is just the start of a long and thrilling ride.

Everything stank of burning flesh, blood, and soot from the explosions, but her mom told her that everyone would be safe here. Deep underground, they were all buried away from the bloody war above their heads that had raged for months. Still, people in the overcrowded military base were huddled in groups as they waited for salvation of any kind. Despite their doubts, prayers to God were whispered all the same. As dead bodies continued stacking up, humans began to believe that their God wouldn't be there. Now the safest course was evacuation—evacuation of Earth.

'Rebecca, come here.'

Dropping her small hand from the aluminum airframe, Rebecca crossed the distance and weaved between the people, who wore haggard clothing like her.

'Sorry, Mama.' She was fascinated by the helicopter in the center of the huge room, wanting to climb into it, although it was forbidden.

Amelia picked up her daughter and settled her on her lap. 'It shouldn't be much longer.' She brushed several golden strands from Rebecca's face, dislodging dirt and dust.

'How much longer 'til Papa gets here?' Rebecca gazed up into her mother's honey-brown eyes, hoping she knew the answer. They'd all been together at a different military base since the war started, but this morning he'd stayed behind so that she and her mom could get a head start at first light. They had made it to the new base's entrance about three hours later, almost dying in a forest fire along the way.

'He'll be along soon.' Amelia smiled, but it was weak like her voice. 'Any minute.'

Rebecca nodded and lowered her gaze to the concrete floor, staring at her sneakers that were charred from walking through ashes. 'Then we'll go, right?'

'Right,' Amelia whispered. 'It'll be our turn.'

'But what if Papa doesn't get here in time?'

Amelia kissed her daughter's temple then started running her hand in circular motions across Rebecca's back. 'Time is a funny thing, Becky.' She rested her forehead against her daughter's head and whispered, 'Time is a man-made invention.' She shifted her arms and freed the watch on her wrist, setting it in Rebecca's lap.

'We don't know what it is. I'm not sure anybody can know what it is.'

Rebecca played with the watch and considered her mother's words, her young mind trying to grasp the deeper meaning. 'Wouldn't God know?'

'Maybe,' Amelia murmured. 'But I think the universe is bigger than just our God.'

'You think that's why they came here?' Rebecca leaned to the side, then looked with concern at her mother. 'Because they knew our God wouldn't save us?'