Dead World

CHAPTER 7

Isaiah knocked lightly on his mother’s door, then stepped inside without awaiting a reply. Mother Charles was seated in her usual spot underneath the window, rocking and mumbling under her breath. She gave her son a quick glance and turned away. Isaiah observed her for a moment and then sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. Their knees nearly touched, forcing the old woman to cease rocking and stare directly at him.

“Mother, what you told Anna, the stuff about there only being one God; you’ve got to stop saying those things. Anna believed you… I think that’s why she ran away.” Isaiah looked down at the floor and swallowed. He turned back to his mother and took hold of her hand. Her wrinkled skin felt cold and made him shiver. “Now I’ve got to go bring her back. The Governor says she must be punished. Don’t you see? This is all because of what you’ve been saying.”

Mother Charles snatched her hand back. “It’s you who must understand, my son. I’ve been alive on this Earth a long, long time. I’ve seen men’s evil, but the evil the Governor and his men are perpetrating here is beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed. I spoke the truth to Anna, Isaiah. I chose her over you because I knew she’d listen, whereas you had your head buried inside a book and grew blind to everything else around you. You don’t even know what’s going on with your wife, right underneath your very nose, do you?”

Isaiah reared back. “What’s going on with my wife? What are you on about? I… I don’t understand.”

Mother Charles didn’t reply. She sat back in her chair, pursed her lips, and turned away.

Isaiah sighed. “This is just more of your ramblings, isn’t it? You’re obviously ill. When I return, I’ll try to find someone to help you. Maybe I’ll be able to find some information in one of my books. I think I remember reading—”

Mother Charles sprang forwards in her chair, eyes wild. “To hell with your books, Isaiah! To hell with them, I say. There’s only one that matters. Do you remember? I gave it to you… long ago. Did you ever bother reading it? Or have you been too busy buying into the garbage they feed you? If you don’t wise up, you’re going to lose them, don’t you understand? You’ll lose Anna and the children, and you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself. You may tell yourself I’m ill, but that’s not going to make things easier for you. Open your eyes, boy! Go. Find your family, and take them as far away from here as you can get.”

Isaiah sat in shocked silence, mouth hanging open, staring at his mother. After a moment he leaned forwards, kissed her weathered cheek and stood up.

“Goodbye, Mother. Hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”

Mother Charles had already shut him out and returned to her rocking and muttering under her breath, her gaze once again unfocused.

Isaiah watched her for a moment more, sighed loudly, turned, and hurried from the room.

Back in his cell, he started packing for the journey, placing a few clothes and necessities in a pack. When he finished he stood and stared at his bookshelves until he spotted the book his mother had given him many years ago. He pulled it out and flicked through the pages before stuffing the book in the backpack with the rest of his stuff.