Chapter 2 | 20 (part 1)

Over the next days and nights Amos discovered much about the surrounding lands of Huaráz. He traveled mostly by night, walking well-established paths that seemed old to Amos, and must therefore have been ancient for these people, made long before they had begun to dwell here.

For a time, he avoided all contact with anyone he saw. Even without knowing his name, a careless mention of his appearance could draw the attention of the Angels. He rested during the day (when paths were most frequently traveled) and went from one hiding place to another at night, though even then - mostly around dusk or dawn - packs of light-footed mules driven by young boys along the paths would force him back into hiding, which often proved difficult in the high mountains. Trees were sparse and most of the vegetation clung low to the ground. At times Amos was sure he had been seen by one of the boys, but they were either uninterested or perhaps afraid to investigate any further.

He marveled at the vast and expansive beauty of the lands. Snow-peaked mountains of rough rock marched in every direction as far as he could see. Passes between the mountaintops were sandy and bare, and unsafe. One day, nearing the top of one, a shift in the rocks and sand beneath his feet had suddenly led to a dangerous rockslide. Racing to the top of the pass, Amos had leapt to stable ground just moments before the sand and debris had gained enough momentum to begin rumbling down into the valley below.

Dry grasses in tans and light reds covered much of the landscape, and even clung to the hard sides of the mountains, often right up to the snow line. The valleys were broad and open, littered with large boulders covered in lichen. The wind, though diminished in the valleys, remained a constant hum wherever he went. Its steady power comforted him.

Water collected in the bottoms of some of the valleys, untouched by the wind and stunningly beautiful as it glittered in the light of day and reflected the open blue sky. Yesterday he had watched children come and fill up great big empty jars (strapped to the backs of mules) at one of the icy-cold pools, helping each other lift the filled jars back onto the mules before returning, each to their own families’ dwelling.

Now a good distance from Huaráz, such dwellings were scarce. In hopes of finding some food, Amos had crept into the few that he could find either at night or during the day, when the inhabitants were out tending to their crops. It was risky, and no guarantee of a meal. These people seem to make only what they needed for the day, so the chances of finding anything prepared or leftover was scarce. They also seemed highly efficient in their methods of cooking. He had hoped to come across discarded food set out for their livestock, but thus far had found nothing.

More than food, however, Amos hungered for information. Whenever he could, he listened for any mention of the events of that night back in Huaráz.

He waited near fields, hiding behind the low stone walls (meant to keep animals out of the crops, he assumed) and hoping to hear something in the idle chatter of the farmers. He strained to hear anything said between the boys driving their packs of mules along the paths. He came as close to their dwellings as he could without being seen at the time of their midday meal, even creeping right up to the door if it had been left open, listening for anything that might be connected to him or Huaráz.

Honestly, he was not entirely sure what he wanted to hear, or if he would even hear anything useful at all. That they hid from the woman made it clear those Angels had not seen fit to make themselves visible to mankind. Why would they suddenly make their presence known after I had escaped? Possibly to employ the help of some of the inhabitants of Huaráz to look for him. As he had seen in the last few days, simply remaining out of sight and relying on what could be overheard was terribly ineffective.

And yet – if they had really wanted me brought before the Throne, far more reliable methods were at their disposal to do so.

Why they had not come after him? Or if they had, how had he been able to stay hidden now for almost eight days and nights? Conflicted, part of him wondered if they had been called to a greater task and had departed these lands or returned to the heavens. On the other hand, they would take no rest in searching for me if they truly knew what I have done.

In either case, it was critical that he remain hidden from them – and any other Being – until he could be sure. But could I make myself known to these people before then? It had been a careless mistake accept the woman’s hospitality so quickly. That sort of thing always drew significant attention to one’s presence and had almost resulted in her death.

But out here, perhaps with a lone farmer or family? Offering his help to work or serve them in exchange for food and shelter could perhaps remain largely transactional, and so keep his presence among them as diminished as possible. All the same, he would have to be careful.

. . .

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