The Road From the Archive

On a trip to the desert Southwest, Sara Jensen discovers that what she thought was a dream was really an invitation to a future of service in a mysterious group known as the Community. Working with her mentor James, Sara learns about the possibilities and limitations of this exciting, and yet frightening, potential direction for her life. But after her formation in the Gateway, which path will she choose? In which direction does her road from the Community's archive lead?

Former Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jensen arrives at the Gateway in the desert Southwest to receive a free second opinion about her mysterious illness. Instead, she learns that she is undergoing a process of transformation, initiated by an encounter that she had thought was a dream, but which was really an invitation to a new life of service. The member of the Community who invited her is unexpectedly absent, so James, the Community's librarian, becomes her substitute mentor. At Sara's request, James tells the story of his own initiation to introduce her to the group's practices and beliefs. What happened to James and to his fellow Circle-mates, Esri and Thaylia, alerts Sara to the possibilities and the dangers of this new life. But what significance do James's experiences have for Sara's future? After her formation in the Community Refuge, which path will she choose? In which direction does her road from the Community's archive lead?

Ann F. Karlen is a pen name.