Alone in the wilderness

…Their fingers touched. The mist flashed and crackled around them. All was noise and light. And then, there was nothing…

…The church had vanished, and there were no sounds but those belonging to the night. Sean lay on the grass and stared up at an intensely starry sky. Provided they had not left the hilltop, where the church once stood was a grove of oaks. Stands of broad leafy trees surrounded them on all sides, and beyond, aside from the barest shimmer of water, all was shadow. The convent, the school, the distant town and the ships – the ships in the harbor with their lights and sounds, even in the night – were gone…

A: I like how you just left them there.

D: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

A: Well, I’m not sure how I would feel being stranded in god-knows-when, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be anything approaching happy.

D: I will admit that I have never seen it from this particular vantage point.

A: Is this the stirrings of remorse I hear? Are you growing a remorse-bone?

D: A, can you not make up words? Please? You’re not taking this seriously.

A: I am so… ish. What is your point, anyway?

D: This isn’t remorse, A, this is admiration. I knew they were worthy… and it’s not like I didn’t help—

A: Hush, D – spoilers. As an aside, I just want to say that you are diabolical. You were testing them, weren’t you?!

D: You don’t get to be a time-travelling god-impersonator by being cuddly, A.

A: Good. Too much introspection doesn’t suit you – that’s my least favorite part to write.

D: Wait, you have a favorite? What are—never mind, you won’t tell me anyway. I know what you mean; I’ve been up here long enough and someone is as deep as a puddle!

A: Cheers, D.

 Sean remained sitting in the long grass. The questions, the impossible answers, the enormity of everything immobilized him. He looked to Maureen, standing alone at the edge of the hill and shook his head. Taking a deep breath, he stood and moved to her side. They stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the deepening night…