Flynn, stricken, dropped Julie's hand. He said, "Sammy, what the hell is going on?"

As they'd neared the mountains, Julie and Flynn had spotted three figures hiking down the pass to greet them.

Now, Samhal stood before them. Saddiq was stationed proudly at his left, Jiddah on the right. Samhal had donned The Djinn's white robes, a perfect fit. He appeared taller. He remained silent.

Flynn said, "Jeezus, for a second there I thought The Djinn had been resurrected." Flynn glanced to his left where their Humvee should have been. "And what the frig happened to all the vehicles? And the BlackSky fatalities? Speak to me, Sammy. Am I stoned, or bonkers?"

Julie eyed Jiddah. She could tell Jiddah knew precisely what was going on.

Jiddah's eyes welled with sadness but the depths were replete with wisdom and a beautiful serenity. She glided sedately to where Julie stood and took her in her arms. She whispered in Julie's ear, "My dear, dear friend... my sister, I will miss you so. We have never parted. And we will not part for long."

Flynn watched them and then turned to Samhal again, spread his arms in a 'WTF' gesture.

Samhal said, "There is much to explain, Captain Monty. But remember: the more we know, the greater becomes the unknown. Come."

Samhal turned and strode regally to the trail-head, no crutch, and no longer favoring his injured leg. Saddiq followed close behind. Flynn looked back and forth at them and Julie and Jiddah, speechless.

Julie said, "Jiddah, what happened? Did you see the helicopters and the shooting and everything? What is going on? I feel strange."

Jiddah took Julie's fingers; she placed a consoling hand on her arm. She said, "Come, Juliet, Samhal will try and explain." And to Flynn, "Captain Montague, do not worry, there have been changes but we are all safe."

Flynn swung his palms up –okay, whatever– and then followed.

When they reached the top of the pass and looked into the small valley below, Julie could not fathom what she saw.

Scores of The Djinn's men were busy at work. Massive rock piles were stacked on either side of a new entrance to the cave, and two bucket-brigade lines that curved out of the cave were continually adding to them. A corral filled with horses and mules, and surrounded by a fence of smaller rock piles, covered a football-field-sized expanse of the valley floor. Julie performed a scan but couldn't pick out Cleo and Caesar and Tony and Iras. Flynn touched her arm.

Slack-jawed, Julie turned her head and looked at him. She said, "Flummoxed?"

"Yeah, tell me about it." To Samhal he said, "C'mon, Sammy, we're dying here; toss us a friggin' bone. What the hell is going on?"

Samhal acknowledged Julie with a polite tilt of his head and then turned to Flynn, held him for a moment with grave eyes. He said, "Flynn, you and Dahab have been absent for a spell." Before Flynn could interject, Samhal lifted two fingers, said, "Please, my friend, be patient. I will tell you everything I know. You have been away. Where, and for how long, is part of the greater unknown. While you were gone, coalition troops arrived and gathered all evidence of the battle with BlackSky, including our Humvee. And as you can see, The Djinn's comrades have returned and are re-establishing our presence."

"Our presence?"

"Precise, Captain Montague. I am no longer BlackSky. I am no longer Samhal. I am The Djinn. In Afghanistan few things are as they first appear. Friend and foe, reality and myth, Heaven and Hell, life and death... you will discover quite well there is trifling difference."

Flynn cocked his head, thinking, like he'd slipped into another déjà vu.

The Djinn allowed Flynn an extended moment to register the thought. And then he prodded him aside, leaned in close, drew down his Shemagh face covering and said, "Monty, in your absence puzzling events have transpired. I remain Sammy, but I now also exist at an elevated level of altered consciousness –I knew you would be resurrected in this place before continuing your journey. I cannot explain it beyond that." He shrugged with a blend of regret and bemusement. "I do know we have decidedly different paths to pursue."

Julie wasn't able to hear what Samhal –The Djinn– was whispering to Flynn.

She asked Jiddah, "What happened out in the desert? With the helicopters. What did you see?"

Jiddah drew in a long breath, thinking. She said, "Julie, it is difficult to explain. I watched you and Flynn running. I saw those machines descending upon you like unholy birds of prey. And then an explosion of white light blinded me to everything. When I regained my vision, no sign of the helicopters remained. And not a hint of you and Flynn. But Samhal assured me that if we waited, you would reappear. And you have."

Flynn spoke up, addressed them all, "Okay then, listen up. We'll wait for the coalition to attack again; we'll make our last stand right here, together." And directly to Julie, "That is, if it's okay by you, cherie. Wha'd'ya' say?"

Before Julie could respond The Djinn declared, "No. I have more to show, and more to tell. Come."

The Djinn, shadowed closely by Saddiq and followed by Flynn and then Jiddah and Julie, led the party of five through the valley and then up the opposite pass that would take them to whatever lay on the other side of the mountains.

As they approached the top of the pass, Julie stopped and looked back into the valley once more. She said to Jiddah, "Um, I wasn't able to spot Cleo, Caesar, Tony and Iras in the corral. Are they there? Are they alive?"

"Do not worry, Juliet. Your friends are in good health. But they are not here. Samhal will explain." Jiddah rested a hand on Julie's forearm. "But there are two thoughts I would like to share with you before we reach the top."

"What is it, Jiddah?"

"Do you recall I once said that life only exists in the present?"

"Yes, I remember. You urged me to not worry about the past and future, and savor Flynn in the present. Turned out to be brilliant advice, by-the-way."

"That is good. But I want you to consider an alternate notion."

"What? Jiddah, I don't think I like where this may be headed."

"Trust in me, Julie, you will grow to like it. Please listen carefully."

Julie gave her full attention.

Jiddah said, "Remember in physics class we discussed the theory that the past, present and future were not occurring consecutively but rather concurrently?" Julie knit her brow but nodded acknowledgement. Jiddah continued, "I am convinced the theory is at least partly correct. Back then you were fascinated with the concept. What do you think now? But before you answer, I want you to take into account the second thought. And it happens not to be a theory, but a law of science."

Julie said, "Jiddah, you've got me contemplating the mysteries of time. What else?"

Jiddah held Julie's hands. She fixed her with gravely sympathetic eyes. She stated, "Nothing is ever created nor destroyed, but everything changes. It is a law of science."

Julie was locked into Jiddah's stare for long seconds. She was pondering the elements of time and space and matter, life and death. Her eyes slid away, deep; the recent series of inexplicable events rolled into the mix. Julie's lips parted slightly, she licked them and then swallowed. She raised wide, knowing eyes back to Jiddah's.

Jiddah said, "Can you understand what happened. What is happening."

"Yes, I suppose I do." Stinging tears had welled on Julie's eyelids but her words were spoken with the strength of divine wisdom. She'd experienced a flash of clarity, the tangle of invisible red fibers unraveled somewhat. The awareness was not complete, it never would be, but it was sufficient to engender sadness, awe and anticipation.

Jiddah said, "Julie, Flynn is a pragmatist, and a fighter; he is not spiritual like you, he will resist the truth. You will do well together, but he will require your help, your patience and your understanding. He will be your rock. As a couple you will be capable of facing whatever comes to pass. But Flynn Montague will need time, and your everlasting love, to accept the new circumstances. All the world is your oasis now, little one."

Flynn shouted from above, "Julie! Get up here. You will not friggin' believe it!"

Despite her new awareness, Flynn was right: Julie couldn't believe it.

Together, they were gawping down upon an unearthly scene. A long wide azure river wove along the foot of the mountains. It snaked out of the north and disappeared far, far into the south. And the path before them, winding down from the pass, led to the edge of the river, and a beautiful sailing yacht anchored just off-shore. Even in the shadow of the mountains the vessel shone with an ethereal brilliance in the clear desert light.

"Oasis!" Flynn said. His eyes remained glued on the boat as he asked The Djinn, "Sammy, how in hell did she get here? Is my brother here as well? And what river is that? There's no goddamned river in this part of the country."

"Ethan has returned to your parents' ranch, Flynn. And he used a portion of The Djinn's payment of gold to clear the debt and take Caesar, Cleo, Iras and Tony with him."

"What? When did all this take place? I don't get it. And what payment of gold?"

"The gold bars promised to you for leaving the country with Dahab. The journey that must begin, forthwith. And you will discover you no longer have use for money. The Djinn determined Ethan and your parents will use it wisely."

"Sammy, for chrissakes, none of this makes sense."

"I know, Flynn. But you will get used to it."

"Huh?" Flynn looked flummoxed... yet more déjà vu.

Julie came to the rescue. Jiddah was right: It would take time for Flynn to clue in, she'd have to break it to him gently, later. Julie said, "C'mon, cowboy. You promised to take me to the Oasis. No time like the present."

They all engaged in long tearful farewells down by the river, including Saddiq –Flynn lunged to wrestle him into a headlock to administer a noogie, but Saddiq saw it coming and ducked away, laughing tauntingly. Julie and Jiddah remained silent as they embraced one another. The Djinn extended a hand to Flynn once he'd given up on nabbing Saddiq.

Flynn grinned wryly, shook his head and then snatched Samhal roughly into his arms, thumped his back. He said, "You crazy bastard. I hate leaving you here. But listen, mon ami, if you find you can't handle things alone, gimme a holler."

"Know this, Captain: time will pass, but not like it always has. Even so, we will meet again and I will teach a new dog some old tricks, mon frère. And remember the words of the Legion's adopted song: 'Non, je ne regrette rien'."

"I remember, Sammy. I regret nothing. I have no bloody idea what's going on. But I'm looking forward with absolutely no regrets."

Finally, Flynn placed a long plank between the shore and Oasis and he and Julie got aboard and weighed anchor. Winds were calm so he fired up the diesel engine and then set the bow to starboard. They turned and waved as Oasis putt-putted into the south. Julie made a show of vigorously rubbing the tip of her nose.

She began waving again, and when she called out, "Till we meet again, Jiddah, I miss you already," she knew this would come to pass. Because while her and Flynn's destinies had merged for eternity, she already felt the pull of the other invisible red fiber that connected her to Jiddah forever.

The Djinn cupped a hand to his mouth and called out across the water, "Monty, The Styx flows all the way to the Gulf. Beware: Do not approach the far shore."

The next time Julie looked back, Jiddah, Samhal and Saddiq had vanished.

As they motored south in the lee of the hills, Julie, lounging on the cockpit banquette, cast a gaze upwards. The sunrise had crested the mountains. It bathed her face and Oasis and the river in its warm glow. She closed her eyes. She was relishing each passing moment, grasping on to them greedily. Her entire being was submerged in a swirl of glee, apprehension and anticipation. Julie had never imagined Heaven, but if she had, she knew that vision wouldn't hold a candle to what she now imagined existence had in store for her and Flynn Montague on Oasis.

Whatever this great unknown did hold, Julie knew with Flynn by her side she would be safe and happy, a big box of revelation, adventure, and love.

She turned her head and regarded Flynn squarely. He was seated aft with one lazy hand resting on Oasis'  big wheel. They traded smiles.

He said, "So, it's just you and me, kid."

She said, "Copy that. You and me on Oasis. I believe I'll get used to it, for a while or two at least."

He said, "Sammy called this river the Styx. Have you heard of it? I'll hafta Google it when we reach the coast. I thought it was just that seventies band. You know, they had that hit Come Sail Away." Flynn snapped his fingers, pointed at Julie, said, "Hey, that could be our theme song."

"Hmm, I may know that tune; we'll talk. And I have heard of The Styx river as well. I never knew exactly where it was, though. It's awash in legend and lore."

"Really? Is that why he warned us to stay away from the far shore?" Flynn sighted in that direction but it was impossible to see anything through the eerie haze that blanketed that side of the river. He added, "I can't see what the hell's over there."

"You said it, Sherlock. Tonight, I'll tell you a bedtime story all about it."

"Goody, I look forward to it. I guess I've got a lot to learn, eh?"

"Oh, you have no idea, sailor." Julie gave him an amused look and shook her head. "Same goes for me, though. For instance, I know almost nothing about you. Like, for starters: what do you think about that till-death-do-us-part concept?"

"Count me in. As long as the 'us' includes Julie McNeill, that is."

"Good answer. But what if death does not do us part?"

"Huh?" Flynn thought for less than an instant, shrugged and said, "Hey, even better."

"You don't know what you're in for, schmoopy. So, can you make me a promise?"

"Sounds like trouble. Break it to me gently, ma Cherie."

"Whenever I get boring, give my tush a swift kick, will ya?"

"Bugger that. Rather than a swift kick to your tush, how 'bout I drape you over my lap and deliver a snappy whack to that little ass of yours?"

"Don't kid yourself, sailor. You better be up for anything."

                                                                        - END-