Character Interview: Thomas

What is Zion’s Road?

Uhm, what is it? It’s an indescribable place that’s difficult to put into words. It can be seen to the naked eye, but unknown by many. Desperate souls would seek it, while others question its mere existence. Detailing this place is a disservice to the reader. Perhaps, hearing it from someone who’s already there can answer this simple question.

Me:        Readers want to know, what is Zion’s Road?

Thomas: I’ve been here for a long time, and anyone here cannot tell you exactly what Zion’s

Road really is. What I can say is this place isn’t different from where you are. Here, the sky is blue, the river has its streams; the grass is green; the breeze blows to whatever direction, and the people, here, are just…people. My home really is no different from yours, except…

Me:          Except, what?

Thomas:  Except, these people, here, have seen things you would not want to see. They walked

                their paths and understood a lot of truths that were painful to some, but eye-opening to

                others. But, Miss Imani, I’m already telling too much as it is. If your readers want to

                know what my home is, they have to found out their selves – and hopefully that won’t

                be anytime soon.

Me:         I understand, Thomas. So, I have another question. As a seven-year-old, tell me about

               your young life?

Thomas:  I’ve never been asked that before. Well, let’s see, I’m not

                an ordinary seven-year-old. I have duties like anyone who’ve traveled down Zion’s

                Road, like, becoming one’s guide to new arrivals…

Me:         New arrivals? Explain to the readers, what are new arrivals.

Thomas:  Oh, okay. New arrivals are first-timers on Zion’s Road who must experience their

journeys before moving further…uh oh…wait a minute…I can’t tell you this part this    part, either. It’s forbidden.

Me:          Not even about the new arrivals?

Thomas:   Nope – not even about them either. They’re the bind that keeps Zion’s Road alive.

Me:          Really??? Well, okay. So tell me this – what do you love most about Zion’s Road and       what you don’t like about it?

Thomas:  Honestly, Zion’s Road is not my home. I only come here for assignments and to visit

                my friends and family. My actual home is in the Promised Land. That’s where the

                new arrivals go when they complete their journey. As for what I not like about it, it has

            its moments. But, still, its home to many.

Me:      You have family in the Promised Land and Zion’s Road? So why are you not living with the family who are on Zion’s Road?

Thomas: Some who choose to live on this road, do it because they’re destine to do so. If it’s not

  meant for them to be on this path, then it’s not meant to be. This place isn’t

  different from where you are. There are choices and they are consequences. Just because

  you crossed into the Promised Land does not protect you from the choices you make.

  Most of my family who choose to stay in the Promised Land do it because Zion’s Road

  is not for them. And, besides, this place is more than meets the eye.

Me:        Really? This place seems to be paradise. What am I missing?

Thomas: Well, I’m really not suppose to tell because it’s forbidden…but I’ll share something

              with your readers. Look, things aren’t the way it seems – it never, ever does. Your eyes

              can play tricks on you – and if a new arrival isn’t careful – they could end up like

              one of my family members: trapped in two worlds. And that’s all I will say, Miss Imani.

Me:        You make it sound like this place is scary more than its tranquility.

Thomas: Nah! It’s not scary – it just place that’ll give you a “good whooping” when you need it.

Me:        All right, one more question. Without given too many details, what was your journey

              like?

Thomas:  I never had been on one.

Me:         Never? Why is that?

Thomas:  Now, Miss Imani, if I tell you it’ll ruin it for your readers. They have to wait until    The Journey of Ruthie Belle comes out. All the questions they’ve been wondering will be answered, plus more.

Me:         Well, I guess you’re right. The novel will explain everything.

Thomas;  That’s right! Now to change the subject - would you care to join me for chess pie? It’s

                 not far from here.

Me:          Sure, but I’m a trying to watch my weight.

Thomas:  You sound like the new arrivals. Your kind worries too much and don’t know how to

                live. Come on…this place is right over this hill. And I also want you to meet a special

                person. She could better explain everything you want to know.

TO BE CONTINUED…