Prologue: Beginnings:

            The loud explosion shook the offices of Solomon and Associates and nearly knocked Kylie from her chair. What? Was that an earthquake, explosion, or a terrorist action? Kylie stared at her now dead laptop computer, which just minutes ago had every shred of her first legal pleadings of the criminal case for her new employer of Solomon and Associates, LLC. She assumed this office must have electronic backups! She picked up her cell phone, and though it was never quiet, it was now deadly silent. The only light in the room was from the sun reflecting from the windows of the other buildings. At least I can see. But things looked unnatural. Left with no computer, internet, cell phone, or light, Kylie sat back in her chair, astonished and confused.

            Kylie slowly got up from the chair and walked to the door to ask her administrative assistant, Naomi, what was happening. Naomi was always on top of things. Naomi would have warned Kylie about any planned maintenance or upgrades. As bewildered as Kylie, Naomi shrugged her shoulders and stared at the monitor as if she could demand it turn on. “Naomi, did you know anything about this?”

            Naomi stared at Kylie with a confused look, “There were no requests for any maintenance or upgrades. I wanted to finish scanning and storing last year’s criminal proceedings.”

            Kylie replied, “We’ll have to wait until the power returns. You can call me on my cell phone when the power returns.”

            Kylie returned to her office to pick up her purse and briefcase and stopped as soon as she entered the door; she saw a note with her name neatly written on the envelope and placed it atop her briefcase’s locks. Kylie had carried the briefcase and put it in its usual place next to her desk. Nobody could have entered her office without being seen by Kylie or Naomi. Kylie asked Naomi, “Has anyone been in my office?” 

            Naomi responded, “No, you know I’m the only one with a key, and I haven’t even been in your office today.”

            “Nothing is making sense today!” Kylie said in exasperation. Picking up the note, she carefully opened it and read, “Kylie, a carriage awaits you outside. You will no longer need your briefcase, so please leave it in your office. A horse-drawn carriage will take you to Sanctuary, where you will start your adventure. Yours, Joshua.” She put the note back in the envelope. On the top right corner of the envelope, she noticed some strange writing that looked like ancient writing that she had seen in a museum.

            Kylie put the note down, trying to process it all. After some time, Oh, why not? She thought as she turned, walked out of her office, and stared intently for a few minutes at her briefcase. She turned to step out of her office and closed the door to her past life.

            Kylie pressed the elevator button and pulled out the note to examine it more closely. She didn’t recognize the handwriting, paper, or envelope. She pressed the elevator button again. The usually prompt elevator never arrived. As she waited, she re-read the note repeatedly. Her thoughts imagined a life without a briefcase. That would be an adventure. Kylie thought about the message she had read. Sanctuary, strange name, she thought. A horse-drawn carriage will take you to Sanctuary, where you will start your adventure. Thinking for a moment, she could not remember going on a fun occasion. She decided an escapade was just what she needed today.

            She looked at the elevator and realized she would have to take the stairs. Absently thinking to herself, I Guess I don’t have to go to the gym today. I’m glad I didn’t bring the briefcase. Too much paperwork! She started down the stairs, tentatively at first, then enthusiastically. She stopped suddenly at the foot of the stairs, pausing between her recent past as a defense attorney and her future “adventure” in “Sanctuary.” She could go back; she knew what to expect. Kylie was good at doing what she knew, which was becoming the suffocating comfort of a familiar rat race, the quiet, stifling of the usual. She decided, turned, and sprinted for the door as the bright, beaming sun shone through the windows like a diamond reflecting light. As she looked through the frames, she saw a fantastic sight. A pair of white horses drew a carriage guided by a handsome bearded man wearing a white shawl with beautiful royal blue stripes and tassels on each corner. The man wore a small, azure cap, which she recognized from some of her clients. The cap was called a kippah.

            She saw a beautiful sign on the door of the landau with her name written in the same script as the note. She looked at the astonishing coach that looked as stunning as any queen’s coronation brougham. Kylie asked the driver, “Do you go to many weddings?” He responded, “I go to every wedding I’m invited to, but what matters is after the wedding. Too many relationships can’t last. They look good from the outside but are built on appearances. Facades, like sand, aren’t permanent. But, as you may have guessed, I’m Joshua.”

            Kylie laughed. “Joshua, from the note?”

            “Same,” he said and jumped from the driver’s seat. “Would you care to see the inside of this carriage? Ready to start your adventure?”

            Joshua pulled the steps down, bowed graciously, and offered Kylie his hand to help her into the carriage. Kylie laughed, curtsied, and started her adventure as she walked towards the steps.

            “Joshua?” Kylie asked. The soft, encouraging, confident, compassionate, and peaceful response was, “I am.”

            Kylie asked, “How did you know I’d be here?

            Joshua smiled, “You could have chosen not to come, very true. You always had that option. Choices are more important than you will ever understand. Yet, I knew you’d be here.”

            Joshua studied her face, and Kylie felt alive, safe, loved, and peaceful. His bright, blue eyes seemed to mirror a beautiful summer day, yet his hair was dark. Joshua looked well-tanned, with long, dark, curly hair. His dark, neatly trimmed beard was luminous as the sunlight surrounded him. His broad smile and his eyes beamed with love. The rat race she’d known was instantly gone.

            Kylie asked curiously, “Joshua, what’s that beautiful cloth?” He wore a white linen cloth robe that was more dazzling than anything she had seen in any store. The full-length, hooded robe was fashioned of a seamless cloth. It covered Joshua from his shoulders to his feet, covering his arms to his wrists. The fabric was iridescent, gleaming, and glorious.

            Joshua answered with sadness, “It is a special robe that The Father gave me since I was put through an excruciating agony in my family member’s house. Therefore, I suffered more than you’ll ever know. Still, I love my family and would give my life for them.”

            Kylie instantly felt guilt for asking a question that brought painful memories to Joshua.

            He instantly knew why Kylie was sad and said, “I asked The Father to forgive them, and He did. Father gave me this to wear because I did all that was asked perfectly.”

            Joshua appeared to be the most serene person. Kylie had met many wealthy men in her job, and his manners looked like a king with a regal bearing, quiet confidence, and peaceful character.

            “Would you care to take a ride, my friend?” Joshua asked.

            “Where are we going, Joshua?” 

            “Sanctuary, of course!”

            Kylie was so lost in Joshua’s presence that she’d forgotten the adventure to Sanctuary.

            “I’d rather let you discover the truth about Sanctuary. Are you ready for a new life?” Kylie immediately thought, If Sanctuary is with Joshua, there will be nothing to fear.

            Joshua lowered the carriage stairs and offered his hand to help her enter her future.

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