Cretaceous Clay And The Ninth Ring
Page 46
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The End
Epilogue: On the Beach
Waves washed over her. They were warm and pleasant. She was not alone, but she was not frightened. Somehow she knew her fellow swimmers were friends. She did not know how she knew, but she did.
She was close now, very close to the shore. The bottom was rising up to greet her. Where have I been all this time? Was she floating over an ocean? What if she sank and the water had swallowed her up?
It won’t you know, said a voice in her head. You’re not pure enough to fly, but the abyss can’t take you if it tried.
Who are you?
Stony silence answered her question. The waves rocked her back and forth, as gently as a baby. She remembered her first nanny, a little hobgoblin named Harriet. When she fell off a swing, nanny rocked her just like this.
It’s just you Angela. It’s just part of you talking in your head.
No, said the voice. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that.
Grasshopper!
I told you I’d never leave you, Angela.
Oh, it’s only you grasshopper. So you made it here too.
We can’t be parted, he said.
Where have I heard that before?
I love you, said the voice.
Somehow, I thought if I died, I’d be free of you.
You are free, love, he said. Remember what they said at Tollmerak; they gave up the control programs. It was too cruel, and biots killed themselves to stop the nagging. I told you, I’m not a stability program.
Like I’m supposed to believe that?
Your chip is gone.
Now we know the answer. Wish I’d known that before.
Her head bumped on the sand. The waves tossed her upon the beach. For a while she enjoyed the warm sand before she realized she was breathing again.
Where am I grasshopper?
Don’t know. Open your eyes and find out. It can’t be too bad, can it?
So I take it I have to open my eyes? Very well then I will. She forced her eyes open, and the light nearly blinded her. She blinked and rolled over. She hid her face from the sun.
The beach ran up to some dunes. Driftwood littered the near ones. Tufts of sandy grass topped the far ones. Golden light bathed the sand. Not far away was a crab. She gave it a stare, and it skittered down the beach and into the water.
“Where am I?” she asked aloud. “I’m going to sunburn.”
She crossed her legs and looked out to the sea. The ocean was blue, and the sand was yellow. The clouds were pure white, and the morning sun trimmed the edges in gold. Surf broke over a reef, and porpoises played beyond the breakers.
I’m sorry grasshopper. I should have listened to you. If I hadn’t gone to that chop shop, I wouldn’t be here now, would I?
It’s all right angel, he said. I’m sorry too. If I’d done my job right, you would have listened.”
What will we do now? Tears ran down her cheeks, and she wept. I don’t even know where I am.
“You’re on the beach,” said a boy.
She started. I was alone! She half turned and saw a young dwarf in a white robe. She covered herself with her hands.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve brought you a robe.” He held up a bundle of white cloth.
“Can you read my mind?”
“Sort of,” he smiled. “No, I can’t read your mind, but it’s not hard to guess what you’re thinking.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m a friend, and I don’t tell lies. Not that you can lie here anyway. So stop fretting. Here, take this.” He handed her the robe and turned his back. “Put it on. I won’t look.”
Warm and as soft as down, it felt good. It had no label.
She slipped it on and tied the sash. I feel like a guest at the Ritz.
“My name’s Angela, what’s yours?”
“I know your name.”
“You didn’t tell me your name,” she said. “How do you know mine?”
“I’m Evan.” He held out his hand and she took it. “Come on.”
“Where am I?”
“Don’t you know? Surely you have some idea.”
“I remember going to a chop shop. Then the lights went out. That’s all.”
“I see. No idea whatsoever?”
“No.”
They walked slowly up the beach.
“Am I?”
“Are you what?”
“Am I dead?”
“Do you feel dead?”
“No, but I’ve never been dead before. It’s awfully strange.”
“Then, can we assume you’re not dead? You’re certainly not at home.”
She felt weak and her knees buckled. She dropped to the sand. The young man caught her and broke her fall.
“What’s happening to me?”
“You nearly fainted.”
“I’m dead is that it?”
“We covered that Angela. You’re not dead. You’re just not home yet. Don’t worry. I’ve been sent to greet you. We’re going to go up that dune over there.” He pointed to where the dunes parted and a little stack of drift wood marked a path. “You’ll learn, and in time, you’ll know.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“Don’t worry, I said.”
“It’s not?”
“What? No of course not. You landed in the sea, and you made it to the beach. So you’ll do. You’ve got too much to learn to explain it on the beach in your bathrobe. Just stop worrying, and know you’re going the right way now.”
“Hug?” she tugged at his robe.
His arms opened, and she hugged him. She was so grateful, but she was not sure if it was proper to hug him.
Told you I’d find you a boyfriend.
Shut up, grasshopper!
“Are you an angel?” she asked.
“No, if I were an angel I would have been here on time and not let you worry yourself. I’m just a dwarf like you, though I’ve been here awhile longer than you.”
“How long have you been here?”
“That would be telling.” Evan grinned, “Stop it please. I’ll answer all your questions eventually. It’s not a big mystery, but there’s no rush. Trust me; you’ll have lots of questions.”
He squeezed her hand and led her up the beach.
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The Adventure Continues
Cretaceous Clay
& the
Yellow Stone
Coming Soon!