6 Chapter 6 – Elza – Iteration 1 (2/2)
Hess sucked in his cheek again. ”We participate just by existing. You can claim that I participate more than you think right, but you can't say I am wrong to do it. The Creator made us in this form. He obviously intended us to interact with people to make our observations.”
She climbed to her feet. ”These people fear you. That is manipulating, not observing. You said this world is wrong. That is judging, not observing. You comforted these women. That is interfering, not observing. She didn't place you in this world for your own enjoyment.”
”She?” Hess flashed a smug grin. ”You think the Creator is a woman?”
”Do you really think a man would create a world?”
Hess gestured around them. ”Does this look like a world created for the benefit of women? Clearly the Creator must be a man.”
This conversation is ridiculous. The Creator doesn't have flesh. Gender doesn't apply to Her. Then Elza saw the conviction in his eyes and stiffened her resolve. ”What do men make? Nothing. On the other hand, women make everything people need. Clothes. Tents. Rope. Pottery. Children.” Her legs wobbled beneath her.
”I have yet to observe a woman who could make a child by herself.” Hess looped his arm through hers just before she dropped to the ground from exhaustion. ”We can argue some more after you eat.” He pulled her arm over his shoulder.
”Let go of me,” she hissed.
Hess hesitated. ”I don't know what good you think you're doing here, but I know what will happen to these women. You want no part in it.”
”I don't interfere in events like you,” Elza said.
”Don't make this about your pride. The Creator doesn't require this of you.”
”Let me go.”
”You said that I contaminated this entire tribe. If you believe that, then there is no reason for you to observe anything further here.”
”Let me go.”
Hess released her. ”If you think enduring pain proves something, then go ahead and flatter your pride. All I see is stupidity.”
Elza knelt to relieve her shaky legs. ”As for me, I see a coward.” The pity in his eyes burned her. ”Get away from me. You are interfering with my observations.”
Hess returned to his rock on the other side of the camp. She intended to glare at him for the remainder of the daylight, but hunger and lack of sleep conspired against her. Her eyes drifted closed.