Shared Story - Chapters 13 and 14

The elder placed his hand on Cristina's left shoulder, almost in blessing. With his head, he motioned toward the door. Cristina understood that it was time for her to leave and move forward with her mission. She hugged each of the men. "I am beginning to understand one of the ironies of the Key to Peace. People are teaming up to possess it, yet, peace is its own entity, no one can 'possess' it." The two men smiled in agreement. The elder placed both hands gently on Cristina's shoulders and spoke encouragingly, "Cristina, you have been chosen as the next in line because you are whole, motivated by love and trust. You understand that all of life is energy flowing and the energy you offer is pure. The answers will come to you because your goodness draws them in. Just as you found us through your dreams, you will continue to be guided through your dreams and your intuition. Trust yourself, Cristina." At that, the two men turned and walked away. Cristina felt that she had formed a bond with them that would protect her as she continued the journey. She headed directly to the airport and purchased a ticket to Galway. There was something mesmerizing about the cliffs and stormy sea near Galway and she believed that the same inspiration that had captivated Senge and Yeats would captivate her and enable her to map out a plan for The Key To Peace. Little by little, Cristina was being enlightened and now she wanted to surrender herself to the magic. As she waited for the plane to board, she thought about the dreams that had led her to Paris. Now that she had met the two men who had first appeared in her dreams, she was confident that this was a mystical journey. She was also confident that she would be protected as long as she continued to act out of goodness and love. At the same time, Cristina sensed that evil was as much a part of the journey and that she would have to overcome the challenges it presented along the way. She thought of Michael and wondered if, at some time, he was a good person. In her interactions with him he was so controlling, so negative. He had allowed the darkness of greed and power into his heart. Another irony, Cristina thought to herself. Michael fancied himself so powerful, so invulnerable, but that conceit became his demise. Thinking of all that had happened since she first was pulled into this journey, Cristina saw a pattern. Those who were motivated by greed, power, control were the least peaceful. Their attachment to a particular outcome often drove them to behave recklessly and almost always robbed them of fulfillment. Michael was such an example. There he was, able to tap into everyone's personal and academic information-yet, he was unable to connect with anyone. He could control so much yet influenced nothing. With all his intelligence and power, he had been a miserable man. And now he was dead. A wave of realization washed over Cristina We are as powerful as we are detached from expectation. Expectation creates a need to control. Control creates a false sense of power at its best, anguish at its worst. It is actually through goodness and trust that peace will flow within us. And peace is true power. "Ladies and gentleman, we would like to announce the boarding of Flight 358 to Galway. Anyone needing special assistance please come to the gate." Cristina's reverie was broken as she was pulled back to the details of the day. With her ticket in one hand, she checked her backpack to ensure that The Key To Peace was still safely tucked inside. Alone, she felt relaxed and hopeful. She wasn't sure what would unfold but she was open to it, looking forward to it. The attendant called her row and she stood up and walked toward the gate. She now walked in a confident stride, ready to take on whatever came her way. Just as Cristina passed through the gate and boarded the plane, Abram Argava cautiously approached the same gate, ticket in hand. He was going to Galway with Cristina. His mission to possess the Key To Peace was stronger than ever. "She'll never succeed in keeping that book," he muttered to himself as he showed the ticket agent his first class ticket. He had decided flying first class would allow him to stay on top of Cristina without her even knowing that he was there. Cat and mouse, he liked this game. The agent thanked him for flying Air France and encouraged him to enjoy the flight.

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