I know all about keeping secrets.
He goes on, “Legend says that during Creation, God made the Divine Light, a feminine energy, and Divine Strength, a masculine energy. You’ve heard the Bible story about Adam and Eve?”
“Yes. They’re the Divines?”
His smile falls slightly. “Not exactly. They're based on them, but they are meant as balancing energies in the world. Divine Light is love, compassion, and nurturing, and Divine Strength is fidelity, justice, and protection. God created these energies before any physical form existed.”
Maybe this isn’t new to me. As I nod along, it feels familiar. After taking several Art History classes, I’m not surprised. “It’s not mentioned in the Bible, though?”
JJ crosses his ankles as he stares off. “It is… just not overtly. Remember, human beings wrote the Bible and all other religious texts. They may not have had words for it, but they inspiredAdam and Eve’s story, and through time countless other love stories.”
“Even today?” I tease.
He doesn’t smile or look at me before continuing. “Those energies exist at every point in time, forced to repeat life cycles until they fulfill their destiny.”
“Sounds… complicated?”
He scratches his cheek before looking at me. “It gets heavier because there is a third energy involved, represented by the snake in the Garden of Eden. Evil. A dark energy that wants destruction, disaster, and chaos. The sole purpose is to keep the Divines apart.”
My skin prickles with unease. JJ’s demeanor takes on a seriousness I haven’t seen from him yet. “You believe this legend?”
With a nod, he clears his throat. “I do. Each life cycle, the Divines are drawn to one another, no matter where in the world they are. But the closer they get, the more disaster the world sees…Wars, devastation, genocides, accidents on epic scales. The key is to find a way for the Divines to be together without Evil lashing out. But that might be impossible.”
It’s clear he thinks this is real by the way he’s talking, but how can energy be blamed for the world's problems? “I don’t get it… why would God make the dark energy to begin with?”
Grimacing, JJ purses his lips. “He didn’t. But God gave human beings free will. Their freedom of choice turned into a dark energy… hate, jealousy, violence…”
“So human beings went all Frankenstein’s monster on him?” I crack, trying to get goofy JJ back - the one not creeping me out with an ominous sounding story.
He chuckles, but it sounds forced. “Mmm…maybe? Throughout time, there are secrets about the Divine kept bythe most powerful and trusted in society. Some people say J.D. Rockefeller knew those secrets.”
“You should really consider doing a podcast about all your conspiracy theories and ideas. You’re a gifted storyteller.” I wink at him, then lightly slap his arm. Moving away to double-check that the closed sign is flipped and the door is locked, JJ stays motionless behind me.
Light and Strength kept separated by Evil.
But if they come together, causing bad events, why not keep them apart? What happens if they resist the pull?
Not bothering to question him further takes some effort. I’m finding myself uncharacteristically curious about what JJ is interested in.
I can see why it intrigues him, though, it really does seem like the oldest story ever told. But making it responsible for bad events feels like an overreach.
JJ reminds me that I don’t need to work tomorrow evening during the event. The owner hired a catering service. Part of me is relieved because it sounded highbrow which makes me feel inadequate and painfully Midwestern. I don’t exactly rub elbows with the jet-setting crowd. “Yeah, I know. This is for some leadership group at Rock Am?”
“No. It’s a birthday party… long story.”
The ride share driver turns to look at me, “Do you want me to wait?”
I look out the window at the impressive golden gates with the University’s insignia on it and the two-story brick gate house, my heart thrumming at an alarming rate.
“If not… word of advice: don’t dilly-dally about your business here, or you’ll get banned. My nephew picked up his girlfriend. She works at one of the cafes on campus, but he didn’t stay in the designated area and can't come back for life.”
I tell him I’m okay, even if my knees don’t get the message, wobbling dangerously as I climb out of his hatchback.
Making my way up the five steps to the double doors, I input the code given to me on the phone to enter the gatehouse, my entire being throwing up red flags.
The entryway has a second set of doors with a window on either side. One is labeled Visitors and the other Deliveries. A stern-looking man in a dark uniform asks for my name and checks my ID. By the time the second set of double doors click open, I’m wondering if Rockefeller Amherst doubles as a prison.
The security is no joke.
