Hidden at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains within the arid Coachella Valley there lay scattered among the fruit trees of isolated Marshall’s Cove a series of adobe bungalows and a grand hotel. Known as La Quinta, it was a wonderful green oasis in the middle of the desert frequented by the likes of Capra, Garbo, and Flynn. A secluded retreat for the rich and famous to which privacy was the greatest treasure, it was here that President Roosevelt had spirited off to following his appearance in Los Angeles. Joined by his wife Eleanor, the couple planned on enjoying an intimate Christmas together. With the presidential campaign approaching, continued bloodshed in Asia threatening to destabilize the region, and an ongoing battle to press through further New Deal legislation, FDR had been under a great deal of stress. It was Eleanor who finally convinced him it was time to rest and recuperate for the year ahead. Beneath his placid features, she could see the toll the bruising attacks by Al Smith and his American Liberty League had taken on him.

In the front room of his bungalow, FDR was having an animated conversation with his wife when he was interrupted by a knocking at the door. Eleanor rose to see who it was. Upon opening the door, Harry Hopkins rushed into the room, telegram in hand.

“What is it, Harry?” Roosevelt asked.

Hopkins handed the scrap of paper over. Roosevelt scanned the sheet only to drop it shortly afterward. “When?”

“They found him four hours ago.”

“Who?” Eleanor pressed.

“The Okie Angel. He has been transported to Manila for medical treatment.” Hopkins somberly paused. “They don’t expect him to survive the night.”

“My God.” Eleanor put her hand to her mouth.

Roosevelt grimly nodded. “We are time’s subjects, and time bids be gone.”

***

It was a scene that played out across the world in the wake of Donner’s sacrifice as humanity came together and learnt to forgive one another. “A time of spiritual introspection purchased with the blood of a great and noble man,” as Jerry Ess wrote. Tenno Hirohito voiced this new understanding in his proclamation to the Japanese people stating that, “Methinks all the people of the world are brethren, then. Why are the waves and the wind so unsettled nowadays?” Having seen enough death and sure of the futility of war, the Tenno declared a truce with Zhang Xueliang’s Nationalist forces in China with the promise of the eventual withdrawal of all Japanese soldiers from Chinese territory within the next year. At last peace had come to Asia.

Japan itself was the receiver of great charity from the other nations of the world who sought to help her recover from her dire condition. Among them, Li Chen toiled anonymously helping to search for survivors and to rebuild Tokyo.

Throughout the world, vigils were held for the fallen Okie Angel. The bells of Westminster Abbey and Notre Dame Cathedral as well as many others tolled in memory of him throughout Europe inspiring tears in all who heard them. Gandhi led prayers among the millions in India honoring Donner’s peaceful message of change and love. Los Angeles declared a day of mourning with flags flown at half-mast and all businesses closed. Okies and Los Angelinos stood side-by-side in silence along the grand boulevards paying solemn honor to their great champion. In Manila, the entire city turned out flooding Taft Avenue with supporters who surrounded the hospital housing Donner offering whispered supplications for his recovery. The candles they held flickered for miles sparkling like a sea at sunset lighting the night.

These scenes and more occurred around the planet, a marvelous phenomenon of solidarity for a man few had ever encountered but all had come to know. He was an inspiration to humanity when they needed it most, a being of hope when the world had surrendered to cynicism. His words and deeds displayed the best in man stirring an indifferent people and galvanizing millions to strive to meet his selfless drive to change the world for the better. Having seen the possibilities Donner offered, the emptiness felt with his passing was impossible to ignore. So they filled their sorrow with thanks to their gods, fate, and whatever other forces existed for this blessing in the form of a man who had answered their prayers for salvation, however indirectly, and taught them to believe again in the promise of tomorrow.

***

Night brought only gloom to Philippine General Hospital as day withdrew its consoling light and a veil of melancholy settled over the property. Spectral cockatoos bleated mournfully from the darkened boughs whose leaves were ruffled by winter’s bleak breath. Those dispirited souls who had held vigil outside the hospital’s walls abandoned the adumbral grounds taking with them the last vestiges of lambent illumination. All became black and pale with the retreat of that funereal procession, the shades all that remained. With coming midnight, a deathly silence fell over the hospital’s whitewashed halls.

Within the sepulchral ward of one floor were a series of empty beds save for one in the corner. Upon it lay Chris’ bandaged body. For three days he had lain there lost in a coma without sign of life. All hope of his waking had passed and thus the world had surrendered him to fate. Yet a single nurse lingered over his still form. A former prostitute and grave sinner, Maria del Norte had given herself to medicine to relieve herself of the secret burden or her former turpitude. But redemption never seemed to come regardless of her efforts and the pain of her former life weighed her down. A plain woman possessing weathered features and a quiet nature, she was a regular fixture at the hospital wandering its many wards and attending to any and all in need. When she was told of Donner’s coming, she rushed to his side. A devotee, she had bathed and dressed him upon his arrival, at times with her own tears. Every night since, Maria sat and spoke to him reading bible verse and recounting her childhood. She knew him to be a great holy man and one night, overcome with the guilt of her past, she begged for his absolution. If any man could take away her pain it was him. Being in his presence, touching his arm, she felt her burden pass. Warmth flowed over and through her aching body as encompassing as an embrace. In that moment, Maria swore she heard a kind, hushed voice whisper reassuring words in her ear.

The clock tolled twelve throughout the halls and Maria rose from her chair at Donner’s bedside. She kissed him lightly upon the forehead before turning to leave vowing to return as she did every night. “Mire sobre él, padre todopoderoso,” she murmured to the heavens.

As she exited, a lucent kernel drifted into the room. That small speck floated toward Donner’s bedside and in a flash blossomed into a resplendent silhouette. Hesiod stepped forward.

“Are you so different?” Hesiod began, gazing down at Donner’s alien face. “There is such nobility in you. So often you felt like an outcast, but you never were alone. Your soul was affected with sadness and grief, dread and fear. You asked in agony, ‘Why do I suffer?’” Hesiod paused. “You suffered from compassion.

“I sought you out in the darkness as you did me. Within you I placed my seed. You made my strength your own. You saw my life through your eyes as I have seen yours through mine. You tasted death on behalf of your world and proved yourself greater than your mortal origins.

“A people marked for destruction were redeemed by you. Where once there was division there is now a single glorious light. You drew your people together, created hope from despair. A miracle. The darkness shines so bright now,” Hesiod professed. “They gather for you joined by your sacrifice. Now they see. Now they understand. How glorious a sight it is.

“To all cycles come an end, but not for you. Not yet. You have many tales left, Therian.”

Hesiod reached forward and placed his shadowy hand upon Chris’ forehead. The ward was flooded with blinding light. Then all went dark. Maria came running back to discover the ward was now empty. Her savior was gone.

Next Chapter: Epilogue