Gardens of Destruction

Jana sat on the steps before the monastery’s chapel, her gaze lost in the industrious world of a small ant colony. These diminutive beings mirrored the ideal human society in her eyes: diligent, purposeful, protective of their community, and above all, their queen.

She clung to the hope that the transformed would guard her just as the ants protected their queen. In her heart, she repeated the mantra that those beings, the transformed, would shield their queen—her little being, Valentina. Jana yearned for nothing more than her child’s safe return. She had to admit to herself that she’d grown distant from Valentina after her return from the asteroid’s interior, recognizing that she hadn’t acted quite right. The drastic change in her daughter was unexpected. Initially, Jana struggled to recognize Valentina, but with time, the unsettling differences became clearer... and frightening. Though her love remained undiminished, as she often assured Val, Jana found herself subconsciously keeping a distance, challenged by accepting Valentina as before.

Mark was a different story. He seemed to effortlessly brush aside the hurdles they faced. His mental fortitude was remarkable, and Jana doubted she could ever fully express her gratitude for his actions. He accepted Valentina as entirely normal. Having not known her well before, the current Valentina was the most natural being to him. He adored her like a daughter, trusting her unconditionally and encouraging her to be herself, unfazed by the very things that invariably upset Jana.

The elderly Father, who had welcomed them into the monastery, approached and uninvitedly took a seat beside her on the slightly damp steps.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” he inquired, “Waiting for them to return.”

Jana turned to the old man with tear-filled eyes, bewildered, as she pondered the impossible question—where were Mark and Valentina now? Were they even alive? She couldn’t fathom the image of her own child, battling for the future of human civilization. Too frightened to do what she usually did as a scientist—free her mind—she, as a mother, couldn’t bring herself to face the reality.

“Yes, Father, I can’t think of anything else right now, in fact, I can’t think at all!” she responded to the gentle old man.

“It’s normal, my child! God has made the bond between a mother and her child no accident! No matter what happens, you’ll know, here in your heart!” the priest said, tapping his chest.

“Aren’t you curious to know where they’ve gone?” Jana was surprised that the old man hadn’t asked any questions.

“No. I’m here only to ensure you recognize God’s power. He has evidently chosen your child for a great mission, and you must trust in Him!”

“How do you know? Did she tell you?” Jana swallowed hard.

“She held my hand, she touched me! Now I know that God is always with us! He showed me that the child bears a great mission, and at this moment, all we can do is pray for her, that’s all I can tell you!” the father shrugged, offering a reassuring smile before disappearing into the bushes of the small garden.