THE GARDEN OF EDEN
"David, have you ever heard of the Garden of Eden?" Christy asked with a giggle. David smiled at her question knowing she was so innocent and full of curiosity, and shook his head slightly before answering. "Christy," he said gently, reaching for one of Skyland's apples from their garden basket nearby, "I have heard about it... but that place had a bad apple once upon time." He took an exaggerated bite right then just to prove his point, David was chewing dramatically like nothing could be wrong with this fruit! "See? Totally edible." He grinned through mouthfuls. "And perfect for pies too!" Christy laughed softly at him… but then grew thoughtful as she looked around their own lush garden as the flowers were swaying in mountain breezes. "You know," she mused aloud suddenly,"Our little paradise here must’ve been similar to how beautiful Eden probably was.
"Your Garden of Eden, Christy," David said with quiet pride as he gestured to the orchards around them. The trees were heavy with fruit. The Apples blushing red in clusters with Oranges glowing gold like little suns. And cherries David's favorite plump and dark purple hanging temptingly from branches. "This place?" He continued warmly. "It’ll produce enough food to feed all of Smallville with no problem." Then came that bigger dream, the one making Christy's eyes light up even more.
"And we could ship baskets over to Boontown too! Imagine folks there getting fresh apples or cherry pies made from our harvest!" He wasn’t just thinking about Skyland’s beauty… but how it could nurture entire towns through good food shared widely, said David. "Christy," David said gently, turning to her with that softness only she ever saw.
He knew Boontown held things she cherished, maybe books from childhood, or a favorite teacup maybe, small treasures tied to memories before Skyland. So without hesitation David asked, "You got stuff over there you’d love having here? With me?" His voice was warm with Christy not asking as an obligation but because he wanted her happy. Christy nodded eagerly. "Yeah! My things… I'd really want them all up here with us." David didn’t even blink. "Consider it done," he promised instantly as the man was already mentally preparing the skycraft for takeoff.
Then came David's sweetest addition "I'll clear out the cargo bay myself so anything or anybody you wanna bring home to our paradise." David told Christy. Because keeping her heart full mattered more than anything else.
"Look at all this life up here," David murmured, gazing around Skyland like it was sacred. The birds had built nests in the eaves of their five-sided pentagon house that David built, tiny wings flitting past windows every morning. Christy had noticed. And inside? Their cozy spaces felt alive, the fireplace crackling with warmth when nights got cool. The kitchen smelling of cinnamon from Christy’s baking was making Skyland a home. "This is our paradise," he whispered. “It's not just about the mountain view but everything. This life with you Christy.” Christy turned to him then her heart swelling so much she couldn't speak right away.
So instead? She smiled that soft smile the one reserved only for him and blushed faintly as she looked down for a second before meeting his eyes again…Because yes Christy said,” being part of your world David always felt like coming home.”
"David… do we really get to do this?" Christy whispered. For a second? She thought she might be dreaming. Like maybe she’d wake up back in Boontown or somewhere smaller without this mountain paradise where birds sang at dawn and roses would bloom for Smallville soon. But no. This was real and it was theirs.
Christy's heart burst when David nodded, not just agreeing but promising more."We’re building that garden with your special rose section," David said gently, already picturing the beauty they'd create together. Then came Christy's reaction of pure euphoria as she threw her arms around him in a tight hug! No words needed; for David that embrace screamed how deeply happy she felt right now. Meanwhile? David held her close, his mind filling with awe too because wow this girl? Thriving here on Bowl Top Mountain in their home, as if everything had finally clicked into place perfectly.
"Christy," David said softly, his voice thick with emotion. Because to me? Loving you was like stepping into Eden itself. Not because of grand miracles or floating belts… but because every small moment felt sacred when she was in it. Christy made ordinary things magical just by existing near her and how the way sunlight hit their garden leaves. How laughter came easy up here on Bowl Top Mountain. And now? Her words about love being magic man energy? They punched right through his chest in the sweetest way possible. David shook his head gently at that and said
"I'm not magic," he whispered quietly but there wasn't sadness there. Just the truth as David tells Christy "My heart guides me to harmonize each Emerald Moment." Because faith mattered more than perfection or performing wonders. He wanted people (and especially Christy) to feel peace instead of doubt.
"You know," David said, his voice thoughtful as he looked toward town below,"Some families down there probably survive mostly on squid meat alone with no fresh fruits or veggies regularly." My heart ached at that thought,said David. Not just because of hunger but the lack of variety, color, nutrition in their diets. But then? The Garden would change that. Apples. Oranges. Cherries that are all growing right here to feed everyone properly. Christy nodded with understanding of him, her smile softening as she glanced up at him like he hung every star himself.
And now? The moment shifted sweetly for Christy. David gently took her hand and pointed upward where Bowl Top Mountain’s sunset painted the sky. There are purple clouds blushing into orange hues. Streaks of pink light dancing across them like silk ribbons."Let’s watch it Christy,” he whispered and they stood side by side in quiet wonder.
The two sat on Skyland’s edge, their legs dangling over nothing but open air below. David bounced his foot slightly not nervously exactly, but mindfully. His eyes kept flicking to the glowstone belt tucked in his pocket. A safety measure now that Christy was right here beside him on the edge of the ledge, so close to the drop. He loved this view from Bowl Top Mountain but heights? They still made his pulse jump when Christy leaned too far forward. Then came her soft question like petals falling, Christy said "When do we start building our garden?" Christy turned fully toward David then, with the sunlight catching in her hair as she described roses blooming around Smallville each one matching these sunset skies above them. Christy's vision wasn't just about flowers. It was love given physically to our neighbors who might need beauty (or food) more than they realized.
“The ground’s frozen solid right now," David admitted, his voice practical but not discouraged. Digging would be impossible this season, so David already started planning ahead into next year? He’d invent some kind of mechanical puller maybe powered by glowstones or oxen strength, to make plowing easier once spring came.
But that didn’t mean they couldn't start building garden dreams today. Christy turned her face toward him as he hugged her. The sunset reflected in both their eyes like liquid gold and violet sparkling lights. David held her close for a long moment before whispering against the quiet wind "Another perfect day on this magic mountain… with you." David said. No grand speeches. No worries about cold soil or future inventions. Just pure happiness stays right here, right now in each other's arms under an exploding sky.
The night had deepened, skies turning indigo with scattered stars blinking awake. Then there was a Whoosh! A shooting star streaked across the horizon like a silver tear! Christy gasped, bouncing excitedly on the ledge (making David instinctively reach out to steady her). "David! Look!" Christy called it and before he could even fully turn his head? It was already dissolved into darkness again. She closed her eyes right then. Wish made. But as she peered back up at that empty streak of sky? Another miracle happened.
The same comet after vanishing completely was now reappearing from where it first came! Returning exactly along its original path it was on before David watched in quiet fascination too. This wasn't normal stargazing behavior David thought. Stars usually didn’t double-back this way.
The reappearing comet left David unsettled. Stars didn’t do that kind of thing unless maybe, “Was it even a star?” David thought, It could have been something else entirely shot through Skyland’s central shaft? He made a mental note that he will ask Michael tomorrow. His brother had studied astronomy back in their old village school. For now though? The natural lighting wasn't enough anymore. Fireflies flickered around them like tiny living lamps, but they weren't bright enough to push back the deepening shadows climbing up Bowl Top Mountain at night. David reached over quietly and picked up the oil lantern he'd placed here earlier. A precaution for these very moments when darkness arrived during their ledge visits together. With one smooth motion? David lit it with matches from his pocket and the warm glow instantly spilling gold between them.
"Just lay back," David murmured to Christy. He didn’t want her too close to that ledge edge now, not with whatever that thing was streaking toward them through the night sky air. The lantern’s flame flickered low (oil almost gone), casting no real shadow but also not enough light anymore. Christy obeyed, lying down on her back and right as she did? That shooting star wasn't just passing by this time. It was diving straight into Bowl Top Mountain's central shaft! Christy's body tensed instinctively. She squirmed slightly in surprise but before she could react further? David had already wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled, yanking them both away from danger's brink. Darkness swallowed everything instantly after that happened. No stars. No fireflies visible either. Just pitch black silence.
David helped Christy up quickly, his mind racing. That shooting star hadn’t just passed through Skyland.It had come home to Christy like it was answering her wish on purpose. And if that was true? Then whatever miracle she’d wished for might already be here or coming soon. Christy blinked in awe. "Really? It still counts?" she whispered, like kids believing wishes come true instantly sometimes.
David squeezed her hand gently. "Your wish is big," he agreed softly. Then added with a smile,"But mine could be the same thing." Without missing a beat? David turned toward their pentagon house where they kept emergency signals…Specifically the red ribbon used to call Michael (and Benny) over from Smallville, Mama's house when needed urgently.
David was already imagining how helpful Michael would be. My brother had spent countless nights herding sheep under open skies watching shooting stars streak across for hours. If anyone could identify what that strange light was?” It’d probably be Michael” , Said David "Michael will know," David said with quiet confidence as he tied the red ribbon to Skyland's signal pole, their way of summoning help from Smallville tomorrow morning. Then came his plan for him and Michael descending into Bowl Top Mountain’s shaft first thing.
Christy stayed up here with Benny instead and ohhh, about Benny…The fluffy dog would absolutely bark excitedly at any mention of food, especially bacon.
The kitchen welcomed them back with its familiar warmth. David had already secured the red ribbon near their front door ready to signal Michael at first light tomorrow. Christy moved quietly around counters carefully packing apples into cloth bags, slicing bread for sandwiches. Making sure Benny got his share too (probably extra bacon tucked in there…)
They both worked in comfortable silence now, the kind that came after an intense night of wonder… and slight unease from whatever that thing was still lurking somewhere inside Bowl Top Mountain… David collapsed onto their bed first, eyes heavy but mind racing slightly. What WAS it? David thought. It hadn't acted like any natural shooting star he knew. More like glowstones being pulled backward through space? Weird. Unnerving was almost frightening but exhaustion won out quickly.
The bedroom was dark except for moonlight slicing through the window. Christy stood frozen beside David, clutching her jade emerald like a talisman.
Her whisper had been barely audible but it sent chills down his spine: "Something… is in the kitchen."Chrisy said whispering. David didn’t doubt her for a second. He blinked awake fully with no grogginess left and smiled. Not because he wasn't concerned… but because this felt oddly significant. The Emerald Moment? Maybe? No time to dwell on that now though David thought without speaking? He slid out of bed silently, motioned with two fingers toward Christy Stay.
Then he crept backward along their shared wall until reaching where the hallway met the doorway, the best angle to peek into without being seen first. The kitchen was eerily still and the moonlight barely touched the countertops through the windows.
Not enough light to see clearly past that doorway threshold. David moved like a shadow himself barefoot, stepping only on edges of floors where wood wouldn’t creak. Every breath felt too loud in his own ears. Christy’s soft voice says "Be careful David" followed him but he didn't turn around. Just lifted one finger to his lips silently and motioned Shhh. Then? He crouched low and leaned forward just enough peering into the dim kitchen space from their bedroom doorframe. The countertop looked empty at first glance. Nothing suspicious sitting there…But then? A sudden ripping sound. Loud and deliberate! Coming from behind that same counter! Like something big tearing paper or fabric? David stiffened instantly. “This wasn’t some harmless mountain critter,” David said. David crawled forward like a predator stalking prey. Every muscle in his body was tense, ears straining for another sound from behind that counter. Skyland had “never” had an intruder before just harmless creatures like foxes, birds… maybe squirrels stealing berries outside. But this? This felt different. “The ripping noise confirmed it” David told Christy someone (or something) big enough to make messes while eating. He glanced back once at Christy. She stood frozen by their bedroom door fingers tightly crossed around her emerald like she could safely help David with that gesture alone. Then? David rounded the corner slowly peering over the edge of their kitchen countertop. What he saw made his stomach drop. “Crumbs everywhere scattered ham sandwich remnants of a single brown feather resting on top of crumpled bread bags.” Christy's lunch prep? Ruined.
Suddenly, a sharp, screeching cry tore through the night and vanished down the center shaft of Bowl Top Mountain, plunging straight into the caves below. “What was that?” David said, staring at the dark hole where the thing disappeared. “Whatever it is… Christy sees better than I do. Jumping into that pit without glowstones is suicide.”
“David!” Christy shouted. “You didn’t get it?” Her voice shook with urgency. “No. It’s gone, Christy. Tomorrow if Michael makes it we’ll head down into the caves and look for it,” David said.
“Then keep your Emerald close tonight,” Christy warned. “Just in case that thing likes Emeralds.”
David rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep, already drifting back toward the comfort of his bed. Tomorrow would be another big day on Bowl Top Mountain Adventure; one he was grateful to have.
Jack W. Horn Author and Writer