Millions of In-Worlds

Chapter 7: Cigam Level One

The next day aft'a mornin' meditation, Gee took us ta the Keeper's museum. It was amazin' as heck. Each exhibit even more awesome than the last. Some objects definitely came from Topside, some were probably from the Kingdoms, and others, I 'spected came from other in-worlds. We could spend days just explorin' this place.

I said to Freck, "I cain't even wrap my mind around all of this. There's so much to look at. There's way more interestin' stuff than a collection of shiny objects in a crows nest."

"No kiddin'. Wishes have ya noticed that everyone is watchin' us?"

I hadn't, but now she mentioned it, I looked around and no one was lookin' at the displays. All eyes was on us. It kinda gave me the creeps, but then I remembered what Grandma Chrys told us; she said we were celebrities in the kingdom. It was like Shirley Temple herself just tap danced in. They didn't speak to us or approach us. Gee explained that our sea-foam green clothes indicated that we was students. Keepers are taught not to interfere with students in trainin'. We were to be left alone unless we invited them to speak first. They had that down-pat. Even so, it was obvious that they were dyin' ta meet up with us. I kinda felt sorry for 'em.

We turned a corner and Gee said, "Here it is."

I was so self-conscious with all the attention I was gettin' that I'd been starin' at the floor. I lifted my head when Gee spoke, and right before us was my Florida panther just hangin' there. Its muscles taut, jumpin' for the kill, frozen mid-leap with claws extended as if expectin' to sink 'em deep inta the flesh of its victim. In this case the prey was me. It leaped but never came down. It was stuck in the air by Cigam and would stay that way permanently; leastwise that was what I was tol'. What's been Cigamed stays Cigamed until released.

I glanced 'round at the Keepers in this room. Here we warn't the center of attention. All eyes were on the golden beast. I saw some make that same squiggly sign down their chests that Zahn made when he said, "Thank the Gardener." Others were seated on the floor with their heads bowed. I think they was prayin'. It was quiet, and as silent as thin clouds tiptoein' past the moon aft'a a storm.

I asked Gee, "Are they prayin'?"

"Some are, but many use this place for meditation. They arrive in the morning and stay until closing. They all aspire to be one with Cigam. When they are weak, and full of doubt they come to this room. Here right before their eyes is absolute proof of Cigam's power."

I didn't know how to take it. Cigam made it happen. It warn't me. I warn't controllin' a doggone thing. I just yelled "Stop!" out of fear for my life, and this  happened. I was dumbfounded, and more than a little embarrassed by folks makin' such a fuss over a random happenin'.

Gee sent a message ta comfort me. "Wishes the adoration you are witnessing is not about you so much as it s about Cigam. There is no reason that this should make you uneasy. Be happy that many who come to see this miracle find a renewed faith. It is a very good thing."

Freck chimed in, "Hey Wishes this is good for us too. If we ever get discouraged we can come here. Your panther is real-life, actual proof for us too."

I left the room with tears in my eyes. Gee and Freck followed. "Gee, I would like to invite people to talk to me. How do I do it?"

"It's easy Wishes, all you have to do is smile and ask someone how their day is going."

I was puty nervous, but wanted to try Gee's suggestion. There was a blonde Keeper woman with two strugglin' towheaded children beside her. She was in a brown outfit which I was tol' was the color Makers wear. I greatly admire their work. I looked her in the eye, smiled and said,  "It looks like you have yer hands full with those two."