THE THREE LIVES OF CHRISTINA THE ASTONISHING (#36)

As Told by the Holy Woman in Her Own Words
A Hundred or So Years after the End of the World

Dead again at last! My soul swelled with joy. Free of my body, I was getting ready to rise straight through the roof to the joyful world of Light and Love when I heard Giver’s voice, clear as a bell: “Go back to the self you know in the body. Christina’s mission isn’t over yet.” Already resonating in the frequency of Light and Love, I felt so close to Giver I didn’t feel one second of regret. I lowered myself right back into the ravaged dead body, became Christina again and opened my eyes.
Dr. Aldrich and the attendant both screamed.
As my battered heart commenced pounding again and my internal organs embarked on the arduous process of healing themselves, the door burst open. I heard the sound of real leather shoes walking rapidly across the floor. Now the bearded man himself was peering down at me. A pleasant smell of sage rose from his clothing. He wore a coat of shiny white cotton with big gold tassels that looked like hairbrushes on each shoulder. I had never seen the Duke before. Back in my human personality now, I felt awed by his presence. He reached out a manicured hand to my forehead and touched it. His voice was calm and intelligent. “The skin is growing back.”
“Then,” Dr. Aldrich said, regaining his composure with some effort, “she has failed the test and must be executed forthwith. To be on the safe side, I suggest decapitation.”
“She will not be executed,” the Duke said. “She’ll be placed under observation.” He snapped his fingers and three of his guardsmen came in. “Put some clothes on her and take her to the castle.”

(to be continued tomorrow)