The Best of All Possible Worlds

by Richard D. Parker

  “Calm yourself,” she told Arnot. “Avigail’s fine…she’s made the first step toward understanding.”

  N’dori gently pulled Avigail down until she was lying on the flat stone of the overhang. Avigail’s eyes fluttered briefly but did not open. She appeared dead but her breathing was slow and steady. N’dori checked her pulse and found it strong. She glanced at Arnot. “She’s fine. Let’s get her to the cave and start a fire.”

  “Is she sleeping?” Arnot asked a half an hour later when they were all warmed and settled.

  “No,” N’dori said. “But she’s caught in a dream…a trance of sorts. She’s in a world of visions, but she’s not truly asleep. She’s winding her way through time; to her it will be a very short trip, but for us it could be days before she awakens again.”

  “But she will come around?” Arnot asked, staring at Avigail and nervously rocking.

  “Yes,” N’dori answered, but knew there were some who never did. She kept this to herself however, not wanting to add to the young man’s worry. “I need you to walk back to the cabin…get food…I need a lot. We will spend the night here and tomorrow we will carry her down.”

  †

  Avigail remained in a trance for three full days, so long in fact that N’dori was beginning to worry that perhaps the girl was one who’d never cross back from the Far Lands. Arnot took the trance stoically the first night and most of the next day, but after nearly twenty-four hours he became frantic and repeatedly tried to wake Avigail despite N’dori’s warnings against such a measure.

  “She’ll come out of it in her own good time and will not be coerced by anyone on this side,” the Solitary told the young man. “If you continue to attempt to pull her from the Far Lands before she’s ready, you may do far more harm than good. She may be driven mad…or she may die.”

  The warnings finally seemed to take hold, but while Arnot no longer tried to wake her, he refused to leave her side. Over the three days he slept little and declined all attempts by N’dori to continue about their daily lives. He even showed no interest at all in sparring.

  In the late afternoon on the third day the girl awoke while Arnot dozed at her side. N’dori was in the kitchen making wild onion fritters. All through the three days both Arnot and the Solitary were attentive to the entranced Avigail, though neither was aware when she finally opened her eyes and struggled to a sitting position.

  “Ar…Ah,” she croaked; her throat was dry. She tried to clear it and Arnot came instantly awake. N’dori wheeled around in the kitchen with a large smile on her face. Avigail looked at her brother slightly confused by her surroundings. She was supposed to be on the mountain top…not in the cabin, but Arnot did not allow her to ask the question on her mind; instead he dropped onto the cot and gave her the strongest, longest hug he had ever given her. When he pulled back she was surprised to see that he had real tears in his eyes.

  She wondered about them, but before she could ask N’dori was standing over her with a cup of water. She snatched the cup from the Solitary before she even fully realized she was thirsty. She drank quickly…deeply and immediately felt much better.

  “Mo…more,” she said her voice scratchy from lack of use. N’dori quickly refilled the cup and returned, her curiosity growing. The girl was gone a long time…far longer than most, but she controlled her curiosity as Avi drank.

  “I was so scared Avi,” Arnot blurted and Avigail looked at him surprised.

  “Scared?” She began, but didn’t continue. “I have to go outside,” she told N’dori and started to rise, but as she got to her feet she stumbled and would have fallen if Arnot had not been there to catch her. She was weak…very weak.

  “What happened?” Avigail asked as N’dori took her arm and led her out onto the front porch.

  “We’ll hurry back,” the Solitary told Arnot as he made to follow, “she needs a bit of privacy. Arnot colored a bit but remained behind without a word of complaint. N’dori remained silent as she led the girl to the outhouse to do her business and she did not ask any questions on their way back to the cabin. She wanted Arnot to hear everything.

  Arnot was pacing the floor and held the door open wide as they climbed back onto the porch.

  “Arnot, what happened?” Avigail asked him, after getting no satisfaction from their teacher. “Why am I in the cabin?”

  “Avi…you’ve been unconscious for three days,” Arnot answered and led her over to a large cushioned chair.

  “Three days…but it was just…” Avi began but noticed the dark circles under her brother’s eyes. He looked very, very tired and she realized he was not teasing her though it seemed to her like she’d only been gone for moments. “Three days,” she repeated and N’dori was gratified that she accepted the reality of the statement so readily.

  “Even I was beginning to worry,” the Solitary told her. “You were in the Far Lands a very long time. Who was your guide?”

  “Guide?” Avigail asked and N’dori expected her to reveal possibly a grandparent or perhaps another soul who was close to her but was no longer on this world. Guides in the Far Lands were always someone close, someone who cared about the person visiting.

  “Who did you see? Who did you talk to?” N’dori asked trying to help the girl understand. Her face went blank for a long moment, then a very sweet, very soft smile appeared on her face and N’dori knew she was remembering.

  “Galen!” Avigail finally announced excitedly and N’dori jerked. “Galen Dawkins,” Avi said. “He was with me; he was with me the entire time.” Avi smiled first at her teacher then at her brother. “Arnot it was wonderful. We talked about many things. Oh, I wish you could have been there; wish you could have met him. He’s…he’s very special,” she added, her cheeks glowing red.

  “Galen…” N’dori began believing the girl must be mistaken. “Your guide was Galen?”

  Avigail nodded and N’dori nearly staggered from the shock. ‘Galen Dawkins as guide through the Far Lands!’ As far as she knew, such a thing had never happened…not even in the distant history of the Solitaries on Noble.

  “Galen? You’re sure?” N’dori asked again, but something about the girl’s demeanor made it clear she was not lying.

  Avigail nodded.

  “What did he say?” N’dori and Arnot asked as one.

  Avi smiled again, very broadly. “He wants me to come to him,” she replied and was so happy with the memory that the shocked looks of her companions went completely unnoticed.

  VIII

  “God is the master programmer!”

  Reverend Carter Heyworth

  April 7th 2015 Old Earth

  Christine was growing very nervous. It was already late in the afternoon and Shirley was due to leave in less than an hour and still Reverend Heyworth had not arrived. She’d called him and voiced her concerns about D’s termination over the phone and while Heyworth was clearly sympathetic, it did not appear that he was inclined to take on the might of the government in order to save the boy, despite supplying the very DNA that helped to create D.

  “Look Dr. Dawkins, I don’t think he’s the one I want anyhow,” Heyworth finally said toward the end of the call. It was an odd remark; one that puzzled Christine.

  “What do you mean?”

  There was a long pause on the line. “I tell you what…I’ll come by after lunch, but I want a word with the boy alone. Call it a test of sorts. If the boy passes I’ll do everything in my power to save him…and you can believe that,” the Reverend promised.

  His promise was now nearly six hours old and still Heyworth had yet to arrive. He was her last hope to keep D alive, and to keep her job. Adam would come to the lab just after eight this evening, and if all else failed, they would run. Christine could still not quite believe it would come to that and never pictured herself as a fugitive from the law. It was a very scary proposition. She loved her country and had no wish to leave it…but she would if it meant saving D’s life.

  Christine jumped a
s the intercom buzzed loudly in the quiet observation room.

  “Reverend Heyworth to see you,” Shirley said. “Do you mind if I take off?”

  Christine’s heart was still pounding when she pressed the talk button. “Please send him in Shirley...and goodbye Shirley.”

  “Thanks a mill,” the woman on the far end of the line said just as the door opened. Heyworth entered breathing heavy.

  “Sorry I’m late…long meeting with the board,” the Reverend explained but did not wait for a reply.

  “Is he awake?”

  Christine frowned. It was not even five o’clock in the evening yet. Why on earth would D be sleeping? “He’s awake,” she answered with a nod.

  “Good,” Heyworth answered. “I’d like you to go into his room and send the boy out here.”

  Christine glanced at the Reverend, startled. “Why?”

  “I’d like a private conversation…no eavesdropping,” the man replied. “With you in his room, behind the glass, I’ll know it’s private.”

  Christine hesitated, her suspicions aroused by the strange request.

  “Go on now…or I’ll be leaving,” Heyworth threatened so in the end Christine did what he asked.

  D was excited to see her when she entered his room and more his old self, though he too was surprised to be moving into the observation room. He greeted the Reverend warmly, but Christine thought the boy was a touch reserved, though only someone who’d spent a great deal of time with him would have noticed.

  She smiled warmly at him and nodded, so he went into the other room willingly and slowly closed the door and left Christine figuratively in the dark.

  Although she’d been in D’s room countless times, she’d never been in here alone; at least not after D was born and made this place his own. It felt odd to her; from here she could not see into the far room. She could only see her own slightly nervous expression gazing back at her from the large mirror that dominated the eastern wall of the room. She fought down the impulse to straighten her hair and instead moved to the small twin bed and sat down. She picked up the reader from the pillow. It was still on. D was in the middle of J.D. Salinger’s “For Esmé -With love and squalor.” Christine smiled, remembering the story. She read a few lines then flipped off the reader and stood, feeling restless.

  She walked to the window and looked out…it was already growing dark. She paced the room…thinking about D and the change he’d made in her life.

  ‘I’m going to leave everything behind!’ She thought, trying to come to grips with the reality of the situation. It still seemed completely unreal to her despite the fact that she’d been gathering up the multitude of items she might one day need from her lab, including several dozen samples of the R89 gene she’d developed. Her laptop was already crammed with thousand of important files and the trunk of her car was full of equipment she thought would be useful in the near future.

  She walked to the window again and though she was facing out, her gaze was actually turned inward. She wondered just what the Reverend could be asking the boy and the longer they remained in the far room the more agitated she became, until suddenly the thought hit her that the Reverend might in fact be stealing D for himself.

  Her body literally jerked at the thought and she turned and rushed toward the door, suddenly completely sure that she was correct and she would find the observation room empty…D and the Reverend gone. But before she’d made it half way across the room the door opened and D came back in, looking very distraught and close to tears.

  “There’s nothing I can do for that boy!” Heyworth hollered, his face red from frustration. “His fate is sealed!”

  The Reverend left without another word, leaving the door to the observation room open. Christine moved slowly to D who was standing near the far wall, his face turned away from her. She knelt down and put her arm around his shoulders.

  “It’s alright D,” she began and he quickly turned threw his arms around her and squeezed very hard. Christine was surprised at first, but then pulled the boy into a fierce hug of her own. “I’m here D; I won’t let anything happen to you.” She just hoped it was the truth.

  †

  Adam Dawkins arrived at the building at a quarter to eight in the evening, but spent a good thirty minutes shooting small talk with several of the security guards, trying to put them at ease about his presence. He currently worked the day shift, but he’d covered enough nights to know most of the guards relatively well. And though it was completely normal for his sister to be working this late, it was a bit unusual for Adam to visit her in his off time, but no one’s suspicions seemed to be aroused.

  When he finally made it to the east wing Christine was frantic.

  “You’re late!” She said in an angry whisper. “They’re going through with it. Heyworth...didn’t get whatever he wanted from D so he’s not helping. Adam…” she hesitated and glanced at him. She appeared outwardly calm for a moment then suddenly tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. Adam was caught off guard for his sister rarely cried. Even as children she was strong willed, tough minded and did not bend easily to her emotions.

  “We don’t have to go through with this,” he said and reached out to her. She jerked away as if he’d slapped her.

  “Yes! We do!” She answered back forcefully. “But I’m scared…really scared.”

  “We’ll be alright…we just have to keep on the move…and keep low,” he answered. “Are you and D ready?”

  Christine wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her lab coat and nodded. “Let me get him. We’re going outside to look at the moon, it’s full. Think Williams will buy that?”

  Adam gave a wry smile. “Williams isn’t the brightest; let’s just hope no one else is around when we get to the doors. But I don’t think it’ll be a major problem. Did you bring a blanket like I asked?”

  Christine nodded and suddenly shivered. If they failed D would die.

  “Don’t tell the boy anything…we have to appear normal,” Adam said and ran a hand through his thick brown hair. “It’ll be alright Christine, just stay calm for the next half an hour or so.”

  Christine stared at her brother a moment then sighed and tried desperately to relax. After a moment she went in and asked D if he’d like to see the moon from outside. The boy jumped at the chance. When she had him all suited up she scooped up his reader and then led him out through the observation room and into the hall where Adam was waiting for them.

  “Adam!” D yelled and ran to give him a hug. Adam crouched and returned it, taking the time needed to greet the boy properly least D notice something amiss.

  Christine’s lab was on the third floor but Adam decided to take the stairs down instead of the elevator, hoping that the movement would have a calming effect on his sister. She was wound tight. It was obvious to him…he just hoped he was the only one who could read her so easily. At the bottom of the stairs he reached out and grabbed her by the arm.

  “Let’s go out and see the moon,” he said in a low, calm voice. “That’s all we’re going to do…go out and see the moon.”

  Christine took a deep breath and looked down at D, who was smiling up at her happily. Suddenly she felt better. “Yes…let’s go see the moon D,” she said and reached out and pulled the door open before Adam had a chance. She marched D into the hall and down to the main doors leading from the east wing.

  Charlie Williams was waiting for them at the desk. He stood as they approached and Christine gave him a dazzling smile.

  “How are ya Charlie?” She asked and holding D tightly by the hand walked right up to the guard.

  “Charlie,” Adam said in greeting and the guard nodded to him.

  “We’re out to see the full moon,” Christine informed the man, who only hesitated for a moment.

  “Now?” Charlie asked.

  “It’s only just come up,” Christine replied and Adam found he was amazed at the transformation in his sister. She was cool and in control. “We’ll only be o
ut a bit; it’s cold.”

  “Well…” Charlie said then glanced at the boy.

  “Hello Charlie,” D said and smiled and stuck out a small hand. Charlie shook it and D said very enthusiastically. “I’d like to see the moon.”

  “Well…” Charlie repeated and couldn’t help but smile back. There was something infectious about the lad, and in the end Charlie had to pull his eyes from the boy. “You’ll have to sign out,” the guard finished.

  “Of course,” Christine agreed and as she was signing her name, D piped up once more.

  “Would you like to come, Charlie?” He asked and Christine sucked in her breath, but Charlie just laughed.

  “Maybe some other time,” he answered. “I’m not supposed to leave my post.”

  “See you in a bit Charlie,” Adam answered and placed a hand on the small of his sister’s back and led her from the building.

  The two hustled D out into the cold night air, the boy excited now and over the scare he’d received from Reverend Heyworth. He’d never been outside after dark and he found the world had an entirely different feel to it.

  “Oooooh,” D said dramatically as he looked up into the clear winter sky. Orion was visible but he had eyes only for the moon, which was just coming up over the horizon and looked all the bigger because of it. “It’s beautiful,” D said as they moved quickly to the parking lot.

  Adam, who arrived in his Jeep, would be abandoning it at the lab. It was already over ten years old and though still in relatively good shape it was not a vehicle for long distance travel. They would be taking Christine’s Accord instead which was just over a year old and much more comfortable. Adam pulled his two bags from the back of the jeep and popped the trunk to the Honda. It was completely full, mostly with laboratory equipment, but also with a several suitcases.