Together Forever, A Love Story. Love Thy Neighbor. (Part 1 of 2)

Two friends; a man and a woman, were suddenly awakened as most were in that small city; to the terrifying sounds of buildings tumbling into ruins, and terrible groaning from deep within the earth. The long predicted earthquake had struck the unprepared valley city.

The man and woman were quickly caught up in the race to escape the disaster. They grabbed their survival packs and a couple of other items and took to the streets; such as they were. There was no time to lose, everyone who could, was scurrying to and fro in an effort to escape the wrath of destruction.

The friends, a couple, made their way out of the rubble as quickly as they could and were aided in the process by the fact that they had lived close to the edge of the little city. Soon, they were on their way up the side of a hill which would lead to higher ground. This higher ground would take them away from the city and on to safety. Many people were not so fortunate. They were in one way or another, trapped in this city, not knowing how to get out and being unable in some cases, to make the journey alone.

The couple were fortunate in another way as well, for they loved to hike and knew well, the path to get to the next level of safety. They were very familiar with the way up, for they had gone this way numerous times after finding that most paths end at insurmountable cliff faces at one point or another. Their love of the outdoors had really paid off for them now.

Within a short time, they were at the top of the hill which in fact was level ground, for the city was built in a valley which was in reality an ancient lake bed.. The couple was now prepared to continue away from the city and on to greater safety. No one else had come on the journey with them. Most people had made some preparations for the inevitable earth quake; but, who ever really thought it would happen to them?

The couple paused now for a moment, thankful they had made it out alive. The thought came, to offer a prayer to give thanks for their blessings. Their lives had been spared. Their preparations had paid off.
After the prayer, the two of them felt a great peace. The fear had left them and then . . . suddenly, the sounds which had eluded them in the panic to escape, now became audible to their ears. There were cries and rumblings down there still.
They looked at the facts. I hope these people make it out too, one of them said and the other agreed. But, how will they find this path? A few may find it by accident. Most will go on some path that seems good but, as we know, will lead to a dead end. This path looks rugged at the beginning; but, is the only true way up the hill or mountain as we like to call it. If we go back, we might not make it out. We are together now. We are safe. We deserve to be safe. We were more prepared. It isn't our fault!

They both realized at about the same instant that they could not leave the others behind. There were risks, of course, and they knew it. Being familiar with the area, and knowing of a secret hiding place, they quickly stowed their gear away behind some small bushes next to a large bolder. It would be there when they returned. They carried back with them a first aid kit, a couple of water bottles, tied to straps and slung over their shoulders and one other necessary item.

Their hikes had taught them that when they would go into areas with which they were at risk of getting lost, they had to mark their trails so that they would be able to find their way back. In this case, they knew this path well; but, since others did not, the couple took their rolls of florescent green and orange plastic ribbon. So as they went back down into the depths of what appeared to be hell on earth, they marked the trail by tying pieces of the ribbon to the trees and shrubs and even to a few small rocks along the way. The plastic is perfect for that purpose. A person can easily break off a piece and tie it to a tree branch or around a small stone etc. and can later see it from some distance away.

When they got close to the city, they strung the rest of their ribbon in two long lines between some trees with green on one side of the path and orange on the other with the ends closest to the city taken out to the sides quite widely to give a funnel like appearance and to make the entrance more visible to others who might make this journey. They looked like streamers one might place around an outdoor party. Today there was no party however.

(Continued on Part 2 of 2)