"Devon, Alone III - A Fragile Existence."
NOTE: "Devon, Alone III - A Fragile Existence" is part three
of a five part series. Each part should be complete in itself,
but forms a greater story when read sequentially.
If you are missing any previous parts, feel free to ask me for
them. (Warning, I and II have M ratings.)
"Devon, Alone III - A Fragile Existence" is rated PG-13. It
is a dark piece, contains a little language, and is perhaps
unsuitable for younger readers.
A huge thanks goes to Sue Sadler. She has been a wonderful
help in writing this saga; and her suggestions and comments have
inspired certain parts of the "Devon, Alone" series. And her
affinity for diplomatic wording can't be ignored...thanks for
rewriting The Letter!
Thank you to everyone else who wrote to me re parts I and II.
Your comments are always welcome and appreciated!
DISCLAIMER: (Yes, it is the same one yet again. My imagination
goes into the story, not disclaimers!)
Many of the characters and situations contained within belong
to Universal/Amblin Entertainment. No copyright infringement is
intended.
=================================================
DEVON, ALONE. PART III - A Fragile Existence
by Nic (stardestiny@bigfoot.com)
29-01-1997
"Yeah, Kassidy," says John Danziger, the one person who keeps
me sane. "My wife."
And with those simple words, I feel myself falling backwards,
plunging forever into an abyss of darkness and pain. It is not
possible that he is married, no, he belongs to me! I stare at his
face in pure horror as the reality of his words begin to sink in.
His wife... My world is shattering into a million pieces. He is
married. To someone else. Kassidy - I hate her already.
How dare she? How could she marry him? How could *he* do
that to me? Okay, so he didn't know that I existed, but surely, in
some small part of his consciousness, he could sense me. Feel my
presence, and know there was someone out there destined for him for
all time.
But if he is with Kassidy, then I have nothing and will never
have anything. What is the point in living if I am cursed to be
forever alone?
*He* did this to me, that bastard Blalock, and I cannot ever
forgive him for that. He played games with my mind and so
callously destroyed my soul, only to further his own amusement.
Now I live in a world where no one knows me, no one even cares, and
John Danziger has become my only reason for living.
Call me crazy, call me obsessed, but this is my life and my
only reality since being torn from G889, torn from the Program.
Technology, the ultimate hope for the future, and the ultimate
weapon is most frightening when in the possession of the evil
Council, and worse when twisted as Blalock did. The only good that
came from the Program was meeting John.
How can he be married? The computer database didn't hold that
information...or perhaps it did.
When I found that he lived, I was too overcome with joy to
check. Foolishly, I assumed that even though my entire world had
changed, he would be the same because out of all my friends, the
whole of Eden Advance, he was the only one who was there. Close
by, even on the same station, and the sole friend within my reach.
Besides, he is the only one I want. John, how could you!
He is saying something to me.
"Hey, what's wrong? We're friends, right? Don't worry, she's
not going to get in some jealous rage or anything about our
friendship. Kassidy's pretty cool."
I can't reply. My tongue has frozen in my mouth as I continue
to stare at him, willing my face to be a mask. I will not cry, I
have shed too many tears since that horrible awakening. And I will
not betray my emotions in front of him.
Summoning all of my strength, I say, "You're married." My
voice is dull and expressionless, but at least I have forced out
some kind of a response.
Finally, John seems to realise that I am a little upset. I
stare up into his eyes, and see him promising, "I'll still have
time for you, Devon. Don't worry about that."
Does he sense my loneliness? Maybe there is still hope, and
he can learn to care for me and love me in the way I love him -
undyingly and forever. Or maybe I will have to get rid of
Kassidy...a mining accident... NO! My own thoughts are scaring me.
Have I really become so obsessed and ruthless?
Voices are creating a battleground out of my head. John is
mine! If we're not together, then...
I need to meet Kassidy. See his reaction to her, see if
they're truly in love. And then, I will decide whether or not to
throw myself out of an airlock.
The void of space is calling me, a sweet, seductive voice
which promises so much more than this life now. A silence so great
that nothing and no one can ever touch me, even when I am alone.
Most importantly, it promises the absence of all pain and
heartache. Perhaps one day soon I will follow the call...
I close my eyes briefly, and see myself spinning as a star
amongst the jewels set in the eternal night. Devon Adair, the
inspiration for the stations, especially those whose lives were
cursed by the Syndrome; the one who brought hope of a new world,
now floats for an eternity in the true future.
A fitting obituary, as John Danziger stands silently by the
viewport and wonders a little wistfully about me. An angel who
touched his life... am I an angel? My existence is so confused...
No, Devon, think rationally! If I died, by my own hand, who
would care? I can picture a more realistic headline : "Crazy Lady
Jumps to Death". My history would be dragged out for everyone to
mock, bringing down the Adair family name, and I will be unable to
escape the wrath of my parents even in passing. Yale would grieve
briefly, but his new life occupies his mind.
I *will not* die so easily. I *will not* give in. There has
to be a chance for me to make a life. John Danziger will come
around. I can even help Morgan Martin if given the
opportunity...something I will endeavour to do. My Eden Project
has been decimated, but I can have a new project now - to create
friendship and compassion amongst people of the stations,
regardless of their status. Work for peace and equality.
Join John's resistance which he *still* pretends does not
exist will be a major step. Doesn't he know that he can trust me?
Kassidy is a part of it, I'm sure. I need to know more...
And now, I know that I will not succumb to the darkness. I am
tired of running, of crying, and of being alone. I will fight
every adversary, conquer the demons. The first of these is
Kassidy, John's wife.
***
Devon Adair took a deep breath, and squared her shoulders.
"Tell me about Kassidy. Your marriage. I want to learn more about
your life." Danziger didn't suspect how hard it was for her to
force out those words, and as a result he gave a flippant reply.
"Our marriage...it was something that just kinda happened
about two years ago. We were great pals, and it seemed natural."
Danziger smiled as he fondly remembered their wedding day. Nothing
more than a formal registering of their names, but at the party
afterward, everyone had kept saying what a wonderful match they
made and how their lives were the perfect complement. Danziger
continued, "She's a great person, full of laughter, fun...
and someone you can depend on to always be there."
Woodenly, Devon gave a tiny smile. "She sounds wonderful."
Her hands were trembling, so she quickly hid them beneath the
table.
"I can't wait for you to meet her," enthused Danziger.
Devon nodded. "So how long has she been away?" she managed
to ask.
"Oh, about six or seven months," replied Danziger. "It
doesn't bother us 'cause we know we need to make sacrifices to
stay alive in this kind of society."
Impulsively, Danziger offered, "Hey, why don't you come along
on Thursday morning? You can meet her then."
Devon refused to meet his eyes and mumbled her response
downwards. Even after her internal resolution, she didn't know if
she could cope with meeting Kassidy so soon. "I don't think that's
such a good idea. You'll probably want to spend the day with her.
And the next few as well."
"No," Danziger protested, "our beach trip's still on. Isn't
it?" He wouldn't abandon Devon, not now that he'd seen how much
she needed good friends. He suspected her fragile hold on life
could be severed if Devon felt too alone, and now that he'd come to
know her, he could be one of the anchors she needed.
"Come on, Devon, it'll be fun," he promised. Devon glanced
up, and saw the pleading in his eyes. He was genuinely worried
about her, and she realised that she had to start somewhere.
She would go with him on Thursday. "I'll see you then."
"Great! Now I *really* have to go..." Danziger stood, and
hurried from the restaurant. Lonely eyes followed his form all
the way out, and beyond. Devon was alone.
***
Squaring her shoulders, Devon calmly told her accountant, "I
don't care how much it costs. I want the rights to that program."
"But Ms Adair..." he sputtered, "Why?"
Devon wanted the Program, and the equipment that came with it
for several reasons. Firstly, to show John Danziger the beach she
promised. But more importantly, to ensure that Blalock's
superiors, or Blalock himself if he recovered from the demotion,
could never use it on other unsuspecting pawns in his game. She
couldn't stop him from recreating the technology, but she could
prevent the specific use of *her* G889.
Devon thought numbly,
"Just set up a meeting," ordered Devon. "I can negotiate..."
"You realise that the Council has very little respect left for
you," cautioned her accountant. "You may be rich, but your
corporations were set up years ago. You haven't done anything
notable lately."
"I don't care!" flared Devon. "This program already belongs
to me. Now I'm going to make it legal."
The accountant turned to his computer, and worked busily for
a few minutes.
"Okay, you're meeting with a Mr Morgan Martin this afternoon."
"Morgan?"
"Do you know him?"
Devon started to say yes, but then realised she didn't. "I
know *of* him," she amended, silently cursing her mind for still
being confused.
"He's expecting you at eleven. Level 10-A, office 6.2. Ms
Adair, I hope you know what you're doing." The accountant didn't
really care about his employer's actions, but he was being paid a
lot of money to advise her. A salary that could decrease if she
shelled out millions for some VR program he'd never even heard of.
Devon didn't respond, but went to prepare herself for a
negotiations. At precisely eleven hundred hours, she entered the
office of Mr Morgan Martin. He was reclining in his chair, a
pompous expression on his face.
"We meet again, Ms Adair," Morgan said. He didn't bother with
formalities when dealing with 'the little people'. Morgan was on
his way up in the Council, and was trying to emulate those he most
admired. Those in control, those who had the power he craved...
"Mr Martin, I must apologise for my behaviour to you. I have
been in trying circumstances, however, I have dealt with these in
the appropriate manner; and they have no connection with today's
transaction."
And it was true that Morgan Martin had never seen this side of
Devon. Perfectly dressed, her face a mask, she was outwardly in
control of her feelings and her situation. There was no way she
was backing down.
Her negotiating was slick, even against one of the Council's
most effective stumbling blocks. Within ten minutes, she had the
rights to the Program, and an order preventing its use by any
unauthorised person. Devon allowed herself a small amount of
satisfaction, but she was not finished her mission yet.
Morgan reclined in his chair, a smile on his face. The
Council had just gained a substantial credit from the sale,
finances that could possibly be shared with him as he had
personally executed the deal.
Besides, there was the other matter to consider as well,
one that he wasn't even supposed to think about. Watching Devon
as she seemed to struggle for words, he wondered exactly why the
Council was so interested in her. Unofficially, of course. His
instructions, instructions that did not even exist, had been to
grant Ms Adair whatever she wanted without seeming too compliant.
Morgan had briefly looked over her record, but still didn't quite
see why she was considered a threat to the Council, one that had
to be scrutinised with the utmost care until the time was right.
He jumped as he noticed that Devon had finally completed her
silent musings and was addressing him once again. "Morgan, and I
hope you don't mind that I call you that, but, well, I was sort of
wondering...uh, you seem like an interesting person."
Morgan blinked. This he had not expected. Was she trying to
acquire information from him? In that case, he had not only the
duty to protect the Council, but also to investigate further into
Devon Adair's situation.
"Devon," he replied, the emphasis on her name, "I'm not sure
what you're leading up to." He placed his hands on the desk and
looked directly into his eyes.
"Are you happy?" Devon suddenly burst out. Inwardly, she
cringed at her choice of phrase, realising that she should have
rehearsed this encounter before the actual meeting.
"Happy?" repeated Morgan. No one had ever asked him that
before. That must be Devon's tactic - to throw him off balance so
that he would accidentally reveal more. He took a controlled
breath and replied, "I am content with my work, and look forward to
the prospect of promotion."
"Yes, but are you happy?" asked Devon again. "Do you long for
friendship? Do you dream of a time when you can be free from the
mundane responsibilities of everyday life? Are you looking for
love?"
"Devon," Morgan said flatly, "are you coming on to me?"
"No!" she gasped, almost bursting into laughter. The day when
she would see Morgan Martin in that kind of way would be the day
she knew she was crazy. Or perhaps not...
Morgan looked her straight in the eye. "Then I really don't
see what you're trying to say. You're wasting my time."
"No, Morgan, I'm not!" protested Devon. "I'm concerned about
you."
"Concerned?" he scoffed. "We barely know each other."
"That's true," admitted Devon, tiredly running a hand through
her hair. "But I know what life is like in the Council. I know
how you have to fight every step of the way, and how the rewards
are few and far between."
Morgan was interested in spite of himself. "Is that why you
abandoned the Eden Project?"
"Abandoned it?" asked Devon incredulously. "Is that the story
everyone's been told?"
Morgan nodded in response. That was the 'official' scenario,
anyway, but he suspected there was much more to it than that. Why
else was the Council so interested, almost to the point of
paranoia, in Devon Adair's life?
"I *did not* give up on the Eden Project," vehemently spat
Devon. "The Council didn't give me permission to go ahead with it.
They've done some appalling things, you know..."
Her voice drifted off as terrifying memories she tried so
desperately to suppress resurged into her mind. Staring at the
woman, Morgan sensed the sadness within her. He knew it wasn't the
Council's fault, no, the Council was all-powerful and knew what was
best for everyone. He dreamed of the day when he, too, would sit
in the chamber of directors.
Yet he couldn't help feeling one small fraction of sorrow for
Devon Adair. She'd faced so much pain already, but had no idea of
what was coming to her next. Morgan didn't exactly know either,
but he had his suspicions plus the whisper that Devon Adair was
extremely dangerous.
Quickly, Morgan pushed all thoughts of compassion from his
mind.
"Ms Adair, your past really has nothing to do with me. I
suggest that if you're going to continue in such a manner, you
should leave."
"No, Morgan! If you'd listen to me, I'm sure we could, well,
become friends..."
The man laughed mockingly. "Friendship is for fools. That's
a lesson I learnt a long time ago, and I suggest you learn it too.
Now if you're finished-"
"Please, Morgan?" Devon almost whispered. "Give me a chance?"
Morgan stared blankly at her.
"Try and get away from this office once in a while. Go and
meet some new people, not just those in the Council. Visit Earth
if you have the opportunity."
"Earth? Why should I want to go down there?"
whispered Devon's heart. "For the
experience," said her voice.
Sighing heavily, Morgan finally offered, "I'll think about
it."
"Make sure that you do," asserted Devon. "I promise you,
there is so much more to life that you're missing out on..."
"I said I'll think about it," Morgan repeated.
"Okay," said Devon softly, "Okay."
She got up to leave, pausing briefly to shake Morgan's hand.
He warily accepted the gesture and then she turned, allowing a
brief smile to reach her lips. Devon had the Program and could
ensure that no one ever used it again. Better than that, she had
made progress with Morgan. Devon was determined to save him from
the darkness within himself, but she knew it would take time. Time
that she had.
There were advantages to being an outcast, after all.
***
The docking port was bustling. Teams of people worked heavy
machinery in every direction, preparing for the arrival of the
ship. After six long months of mining one of Jupiter's moons, it
contained a wealth of valuable minerals to be used for a variety of
means, not the least of which was building more stations for the
ever-expanding population.
A siren suddenly sounded, signalling the imminent arrival of
the ship. The area was cleared of workers bar those in pressurised
suits as a portal slowly opened. The ship had already been through
the first airlock so there was theoretically no danger, however,
accidents throughout history proved that safety was better than
taking unnecessary risks.
High above the bay, John Danziger stood alone by the viewport.
He was disappointed that Devon hadn't showed up, for he genuinely
liked the woman. She seemed a little strange, but that only made
her more interesting and appealing to him. Again he wondered about
the dark secrets of her past.
His attention was drawn again to the scene below as the ship
majestically made its way into the docking port. In many cases, it
was more practical to have a ship simply connect to the station via
one docking tunnel, but this mining ship was primarily filled with
ore. Retrieval had to be carried out by the easiest means
possible, which in this case was landing the ship inside the
breathable atmosphere of the stations.
The all clear siren rang out as the ship drew to a stop and
workers immediately swarmed back into the bay. Hatches opened from
every possible direction on the ship as tired, dirty miners began
to exit.
Someone touched Danziger's arm. "Hey..." a soft voice said.
He turned to see Devon Adair smiling sadly at him. "I came."
"Great to see you!" enthused Danziger. Beckoning for her to
come over to the window, he said, "The ship's just docked. I
expect to see Kassidy any moment now."
"That's good, I mean, that's great," amended Devon, swallowing
hard. Her eyes scanned the bustling port below, searching for the
one who was Kassidy, and wondering if she could guess correctly.
A swarm of tired miners exited the ship - some running excitedly,
others dragging their feet as they realised their lives were back
to the dreary routines of the stations.
"There she is," pointed Danziger, his eyes lighting up as he
recognised his wife.
Staring hard at the group of people, Devon asked, "Which one?"
She caught sight of a head of wild, curly hair, and felt her heart
jump a little. But just as quickly, she banished the thought,
telling herself to stop looking for ghosts of the past in the real
world. Her friends did not exist. She *had* to remember that, and
remind herself every day.
Devon noticed another woman, one small and dark haired like
herself. Was it possible that Danziger had fallen in love with
someone who looked just like Devon? It would be the ultimate
cosmic irony, Devon realised. She tapped Danziger's shoulder.
"Is that her?"
Devon pointed, but the group of people disappeared underneath
them.
"You'll meet her in a second, anyway," Danziger told Devon.
He was smiling broadly, a sight not often enough seen on his
stern face. "It won't take Kass long to race up to this level."
"Great," responded Devon, furtively moving herself closer to
the man she believed she loved. First impressions always counted,
and to Kassidy, Devon wanted to be someone in control. She
realised that she *wanted* Kassidy to dislike her. Who better to
play the rejected friend by a cruel, heartless wife than Devon?
"John!" someone shouted. He turned. Devon turned. Danziger
opened his arms. Kassidy raced across to embrace him. Devon
almost fainted.
Hugging John Danziger, *her* John Danziger, was Bess Martin.
When Kassidy's joyous laughter had subsided, and Danziger's
grin had faded a little, they finally parted and faced Devon.
"Kassidy," he began, "I'd like to introduce you to Devon Adair.
Devon, this is Kassidy Quinn, my wife."
"Kassidy, nice to meet you," Devon said automatically, holding
out her hand. Inside, she was reeling. The physical resemblance
was more than that, Kassidy was identical in every way to the Bess
that Devon remembered. Hearing the woman speak, Devon decided that
they shared the same voice, and the same mannerisms as well.
Feeling more than a little dizzy, Devon shook her head. This
latest revelation was completely unexpected, and opened up a new
realm of possibilities. she thought with sudden hope.
"Devon? Is something wrong?" asked Kassidy kindly.
"No, no, I'm sorry. You just remind me of someone I...used
to know."
"Oh, um, well, I do have a few sisters," Kassidy explained
helpfully. "They're younger than me, and they still live on Earth,
so maybe you wouldn't have met them after all. Who knows?" she
finished brightly.
Devon looked from Kassidy to Danziger, very confused. Aside
from the apparent age difference, she had never suspected the two
would get along so well. Yet in this reality, they had fallen in
love.
"I've been wanting Devon to meet you," said Danziger.
There was a question in Kassidy's eyes, and Devon was suddenly
compelled to answer. This was Bess, her friend, Devon's heart kept
screaming. She couldn't be cruel to her!
"John and I met a few weeks ago," Devon explained. "We're
learning a lot from each other."
"She's rich and powerful, something we'll never be," Danziger
mock-whispered to Kassidy, and all three of them laughed, although
Devon's mirth was forced.
Kassidy slung her arm around Danziger's waist, beaming. "I
want to hear all about the last six months, and I have so much to
tell *you*," she said. He planted a soft kiss on her head.
"I can't wait to hear it. But why don't we have lunch first,
I know you must be starving for some real food."
"Yeah, no more rations!" Kassidy laughed. She returned a kiss
to his cheek.
"Devon, do you want to join us?" Danziger offered, noticing
the traces of sadness (that eternal sadness) in her eyes.
"No," replied Devon. "You two go enjoy your reunion."
"You sure?" asked Kassidy. "I don't mind."
said a small part of Devon's consciousness. She ignored the
thought. There was no way she could ever hate Bess.
"I'll be fine," lied Devon. "I'll see you around sometime.
It was nice meeting you, Kassidy."
"Likewise," the younger woman returned.
Kassidy and Danziger exited the spaceport, their arms linked,
while Devon watched through her pain. Kassidy-Bess. Incredible.
Although it was entirely possible that Kassidy had her mind copied
at the same time as Danziger. And Devon knew that Blalock wouldn't
hesitate to toy with the players on G889. He seemed to have a
special interest in tormenting the female characters : Julia the
spy, Bess married to a worthless bureaucrat, Eben dying...
Yet good things had come out of it as well, when the program
began, as Blalock had once put it, "mutating". Julia had redeemed
herself, an image fighting against her programming and winning.
Morgan had proved he was of greater character than anyone ever
suspected, and Bess (or was it Kassidy) had finished with an
enviable relationship.
But it wasn't nearly as enviable as the one Kassidy now had
with John Danziger. Devon felt herself slumping against the wall,
the fight flowing from her body. She loved John, and she also
loved Bess. Who was she to destroy their happiness? What right
did she have to intrude on their world where she never belonged in
the first place?
"I have to leave them alone," she said dully. There were no
more tears to be shed, she felt as though she were an empty and
lifeless shell. Even the joy of discovering Bess alive could
inspire no happiness. "They have their life, I have mine. I
should let John go."
Yet events had already been set in motion that Devon could not
escape from. She felt a buzzing in her head, and tiredly rubbed
her temples. Another headache, but that was nothing unusual. In
fact, she had come to expect them as of late.
Devon replayed her words of only a few seconds ago. She had
to let John go? her mind screamed. He was everything to
her!
Two conflicting emotions battled for supremacy inside Devon's
mind. The old Devon, the one before the Program ended, before the
beginning of the end, would have backed away without another word.
The old Devon would never have been so needy, either.
But this new personality, one that frightened her on occasion,
desperately needed someone to care. Anyone, but especially *him*.
She loved him to the point of obsession.
"I just can't face being alone..." Devon moaned aloud. A few
people stared at her strangely.
Suddenly very frightened, Devon whispered, "What's happening
to me?" The pain in her head intensified, and she closed her eyes.
She had to get home, and rest, and try to sort it out when she
could think clearly again.
If that opportunity ever came.
Yet by the time Devon stumbled home, the moment, the conflict,
and the fear, was already forgotten and she felt ready to deal with
the world again. She would go on living, the best she could, but
Devon couldn't leave Danziger alone. She would wait, observe, see
what life would deal up next. And part of that process was opening
herself up to new experiences, and learning, finally, to face up to
the past.
***
"Your report?" rudely snapped the shadowy figure, and Morgan
Martin anxiously wrung his hands together. The great Council
seemed to grow more mysterious as Morgan worked his way up, and he
couldn't help but wonder if it were part of some plot to intimidate
and alienate the general populace.
Whatever the plan, it was working. His superior - Morgan
didn't even know his name - was seated in a large, plush chair but
no light illuminated his face. The only illumination in the room
was focussed on the nervous bureaucrat whose duty it was to obey
without question. And report anything, everything, to this
mysterious figure.
Morgan was a little surprised at the secrecy involved with
Devon Adair. In his usual work and dealings for the Council,
bright rooms formed the location for the general meetings, where
executives looked on with bored faces. This private conference was
a far cry from that.
Realising that this involvement could mean a promotion, Morgan
felt a little happier. Finally, he was given the chance to prove
what he could do. He opened his mouth and began to speak.
"The deal with Ms Adair was concluded to your satisfaction, I
believe." Morgan was hoping he was correct as he displayed the
figures to his superior. "She is now the exclusive owner of this
technology, although, Sir, I can't imagine why the Council would
want to sell something like this. The potential is overwhelming -
I can think of a dozen places where we could use it!"
"Enough," snapped the mysterious Councillor. "The Council is
in control of its arrangements. Do not concern yourself with
matters that are not for you."
Morgan was instantly chagrined, and kicking himself for
getting carried away again.
"I'm sorry Sir," he quickly apologised.
The Councillor drummed his fingers on the table top, and
demanded, "What of Devon Adair?"
This was the part Morgan had been dreading. To know that the
Council was keeping a close watch on the woman was something he
didn't like to think about too much. From what he'd seen of Devon,
she seemed like a genuinely nice person, and someone who actually
took an interest in Morgan. He was flattered by this, for so often
in his life he was ignored, or treated as an arrogant Council
member by the drones.
Devon was a little off balance, perhaps, but wouldn't anyone
be nervous if they had even the slightest hint that the Council was
watching them?
Morgan took a deep breath. "Ms Adair seemed quite happy with
the deal."
"Did she mention *why* she wanted to purchase the technology?"
fired the Councillor.
"Uh, no, Sir, she didn't."
"And how would you judge her mental status?"
Morgan was almost shocked, but not quite. He suspected that
the Council pried into people's lives, quizzing others like himself
on the mental health of those under scrutiny; although to be faced
with undeniable proof of this sent a shiver through Morgan.
"I don't know if I'm qualified to make that judgement."
Morgan swallowed nervously, waiting for the anger he knew would
follow. But the Councillor surprised him.
"Citizen Martin, you are a member of the Council and under my
authority. It is your obligation to answer any questions I ask of
you," he said with a deadly purpose in his voice. "Tell me about
Devon Adair."
Well, a man had to do what he had to do if he ever wanted to
get anywhere in his life. Morgan took a deep breath, calming
himself. He wanted to get to the top. Who was he to let some
mysterious woman get in the way of that?
"Devon Adair is a threat..."
***
Devon rapidly spoke and keyed instructions into the shining,
black terminal situated within the heart of the Program control
room. Now that it was hers, she had permission to come and go as
she pleased and was exercising that right in its fullest capacity.
A day earlier, she had discussed the Program with the top
technicians, whom Devon had hired after purchasing the Program.
The inside knowledge they held was invaluable to her, and she had
spent many hours devouring the information of its inner workings
and most importantly of all, how to control it.
Devon did *not* want to accidentally run into any of the
computer-created characters during her upcoming expedition back
into the world of virtual reality. She didn't know if she could
stand it. Instead, she would use the Program purely for
recreation, and believe a little in the magic of old Earth. Devon
now appreciated why G889 was so similar to humanity's home planet
as it was in the days before the great immigration to the stations.
Smiling as she imagined Danziger's reaction to the beach,
Devon keyed the last instruction with a flourish. Now the Program
would respond to her vocal instructions, and *her* voice alone,
whether she be inside VR or outside at a terminal. She knew that
to use the program, it required intricate machinery to be wired
directly into her brain and a special suit - all necessary for the
illusion to be so complete. She shuddered, remembering the horror
of discovering that she had been fed by nutrients pumped into her
bloodstream for a year inside the Program. She had breathed in
much the same manner. Monitors had been permanently attached to so
many parts of her body and sometimes in the night, Devon woke up
screaming as she remembered the crushing darkness of the wires
wrapped around her head...
Dizziness threatened to overtake Devon, and she braced
herself against the bench. The spells had come frequently ever
since she was re-introduced into her *real* life, but she had only
collapsed once. Devon remembered
fondly. Suddenly, her head snapped up. He would be here in a
matter of minutes! Devon wished for more time to test her
alterations, and prayed that she had done the right thing.
Devon was, finally, going to New Pacifica.
A brisk tap on the door caused her to whirl around, and she
smiled in greeting at the blonde head that poked itself in.
"Hey, Devon," said Danziger. He whistled in appreciation
at the impressive computer network. "This is some fancy stuff."
"The best," replied Devon, nodding. Her heart pounding, she
walked across to the table in the centre of the room and carefully
lifted a helmet-like device. "Are you ready?"
Danziger strode across to join her, and took the device that
Devon offered him. He held it up to the light, scrutinising it
from every angle as reflected lights played across his serious
expression. "How does it work?" he asked.
"It's a lot like gear," began Devon, "except this program has
extra sensory inputs that you can't usually experience. Smells, a
complete panorama in every direction with no lags, you can even eat
and believe that you're really having a full dinner! Also, there
can't be any outside interruptions, unless they take form as a
character within the program." Like Blalock, and his alternate
personality as Reilly. Devon smiled wistfully as she added, "And
there's a touch that feels *so* real when you reach out to
someone..."
Devon's eyes briefly misted over as she recalled hugging her
son. She could almost see him running across a field into her
waiting arms...and there were other touches, as well. Like-
"So we just put these on?" Danziger's voice interrupted her
thoughts.
"Yes, only we have to use them in the next room. There."
Devon pointed to an inner chamber, a dark place that held the
secrets of her worst fears. The place where she had been torn from
G889 into a world of lies and corruption controlled by the Council.
In essence, it was her birthplace. Devon did not want to face it
again.
As if sensing her nervousness, Danziger gently touched her
shoulder and said, "Let's go." He guided her forward, just like he
used to do in the Program, and then the couple were in the cold,
dark crypt with its glowing red lights and eerie wires hanging from
the ceiling.
"I've never seen anything like this," murmured Danziger.
Devon swallowed hard, fighting the impulse to run screaming from
those wires. She would beat this, and the best way was to
clinically explain the source of her fears to Danziger. Or at
least explain the Program. Maybe.
"This program was designed for long-term simulation," said
Devon, her voice quavering only a little. "We're only going in for
a short while, so we don't need most of the wires connected. Only
the interface to the mind."
"Are you sure about this?" Danziger asked a little hesitantly.
He'd always lived by what he could physically see and touch, and
was reluctant to trust technology, especially since the accident
with Eleanor, his first love.
Taking a deep breath, Devon courageously offered, "I'll go in
first. You can join me, when you see that I'm okay." Danziger
nodded, and she rapidly showed him the procedure for program
access, modifying the voice command program so that he, too, had
outside control.
Devon took a last look around, her heart beating wildly inside
her chest. Now was the moment to back out if she couldn't face the
truth of the other reality. As she battled internally, Devon
realised that it was impossible for her to ever block out the scars
and memories of life on G889. If she were ever to live happily,
she had to face the planet again.
Slowly, she pulled the mask over her face and closed her eyes.
The darkness engulfed her and she spoke the command, "Run Program."
She was in.
A mild breeze wandered lazily past Devon's body, carrying so
many things. It heralded her arrival on another world and Devon
inhaled deeply, savouring the warm scent of the ocean. Listening
closely, Devon first heard the rushing sound of the waves as they
crashed repeatedly, and then the stranger, more alien cries of
birds who flew along the seashore.
Devon opened her eyes. New Pacifica. "I finally made it..."
she whispered to herself, taking in the glorious sight. Stunning
hills of green meandered down to a perfect, white beach that
stretched for miles in each direction. The ocean was a deep,
perfect blue as wave after wave lazily rolled into shore. It was
a paradise.
*This* was the place she had dreamed about for so long, for so
much of her life. The profound sense of finality hit Devon hard
and she felt tears rise in her eyes. There was no Uly to joyfully
race down and splash in the shallows (or more likely, splash True)
no Yale to tell her she accomplished her goal, no Alonzo, Julia,
Bess or Morgan to share the laughter and celebrate...
But John was there, and as he appeared beside her, Devon
turned. He took one look at her anguished features, and drew her
into his arms as she cried.
"Shhh, it'll be alright," soothed Danziger, gently stroking
her hair. He was confused by her sudden breakdown, and deeply
troubled by the signs of scars Devon carried on her heart. Devon
clung tightly to him as her tears dampened the front of his shirt.
"We never made it," she sobbed quietly. "I tried so hard...
I promised them so much..."
Her tears gradually subsided as Danziger held her.
"This was my dream," Devon murmured. "New Pacifica, it's so
beautiful, but it's so empty!" She sniffed, trails of tears
glistening on her face in the brilliant sunlight. Staring beyond
Danziger's shoulder she saw a place of more beauty and wonder that
was ever possible. It wasn't real, and that hurt *so* much.
Finally, Danziger asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Devon looked up into his eyes, and suddenly pulled away. What
would he know about her pain, anyway? How could he *possibly*
comprehend what she had gone through? No one could! Devon
shuddered, alone.
She also knew that if he were to ever love her, there was
no way she could dump these personal problems on him. Or
reveal the truth. This whole beach trip had been a bad idea from
the start.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here," was all the
explanation Devon offered as she strode quickly up the beach.
Danziger watched her, a forlorn figure receding into the
distance. The aura of sadness that surrounded her was almost too
much for him to bear, and Danziger shook his head in frustration.
Devon seemed to want to get to know him, but every time he got
close, he was pushed away.
It was as if she was afraid to get close to anyone.
***
Kassidy Quinn surreptitiously crept along the dark corridor.
The hour was late and few people were around. Not that there were
many people who normally traversed these corridors, anyway. She
was elated over the turn out of the meeting from which she had
come, and now her new concern was too many people getting involved.
It was all so dangerous, especially for her husband.
He was still there, she knew. Danziger had sent her ahead
home (or the tiny unit they lived in) while he cleared up new
difficulties that had arisen for the Resistance. And then he had
to visit someone very special to both of them.
She reached a corner, and paused. Distant voices drifted to
her ears and glancing at her watch, Kassidy knew that it was the
standard security patrol. One sweep each night was all they
bothered with in the drone areas, and they completely avoided the
lower corridors. Which was just as well, as these tunnels provided
a perfect meeting place for the growing numbers of the Resistance.
Hearing the patrol turn into the next web of tunnels, Kassidy
breathed a sigh of relief. There wasn't anything wrong with her
being there, but if too many drones were caught wandering late at
night, questions would be raised. Right now, the Resistance was
biding their time as they grew in strength. The time for attack
would come much later, when they could be sure of their support in
some parts of the Council. Kassidy herself was assigned to making
such contacts.
She mentally reviewed the index of lower Council members that
she had to check out. Dison Blalock was listed, a name that John
had placed a warning question mark next to when he read the list.
When asked about it, he had replied vaguely about rumours
concerning a scrapped project almost two years ago.
Kassidy smiled as she thought of her husband. She was so
proud of him - the initiative he showed, and the great danger he
placed himself in by volunteering to lead such a risky mission. He
often wished aloud that he could keep her from the danger, but
Kassidy would have none of that. She believed in equality and
freedom as much as, or perhaps more than, anyone. It was something
she had learnt soon after emigrating from Earth.
She briskly increased her pace as the corridors became more
well lighted and the hum of heavy machinery less. The 'civilised
living quarters' as they were described. What a joke. Violence
was quite common amongst the disgruntled people, but Kassidy knew
how to defend herself. After all, she had lived her entire life
amongst people like this and was more than proficient in handling
a weapon.
Finally arriving home, Kassidy let herself in the door.
Noticing the flashing light on the standard issue computer, the
woman crossed the room and keyed in her access code. She quickly
brought up the new message.
"Dear Clients,
The second and final payment for your marriage contract is due in
thirty days. Should this payment not be received by the due date,
the aforementioned Marriage Contract will be declared null and
void. To avoid this clause being invoked, may I suggest you remit
any relevant fees without delay.
Subsequent renewals for a further two-year contract must be
submitted via the New Contracts Department.
Yours Faithfully
Mr L Calrissian
The Marriage Bureau
The Council."
What followed were specific details to Kassidy and John's
licence, such as their full names and cost of renewal.
Kassidy saved the message and then sat down, deep in thought.
Did John want to renew their marriage contract? Or more
importantly, did she? The past two years had been great together,
a lot of laughs as they kept each other sane through the trials
life threw at them. She had comforted him when they decided the
inevitable solution to a troublesome problem, a decision that had
almost broken Danziger's heart.
Everyone always said they made the perfect couple. Yet
Kassidy couldn't help but wonder if it were a relationship born out
of friendship more than anything else.
She needed to discuss this with her husband. Did she still
love him? Or had the path of life now separated the bond they once
shared? She'd made some wonderful friends on the mining
expedition, people that Danziger didn't even know. And he, too,
had met others. Like Devon Adair, or perhaps he was only using her
to infiltrate the upper ranks. She certainly was rich enough to be
an important, powerful influence.
Kassidy's mind turned over the endless questions for what
seemed hours until John Danziger finally arrived home. As he
wearily sunk into a chair, Kassidy asked, "How was she?"
"Fine. A little scared, a little sad, but that's to be
expected. She knows we're doing everything we can to protect her
and that it isn't permanent. She'll survive, she's tough enough."
Smiling sadly, Kassidy replied, "I know." It was the
Resistance that caused this situation in the first place, and
Danziger was tormenting himself over which was more important -
her, or the future of humanity. But now was not the time to
discuss it (again).
"We got a message today," stated Kassidy.
"Mmmm," mumbled Danziger. They received a couple of messages
every day, and there was nothing that would make one stand out...
or was there.
"Was it from Devon Adair?" Danziger asked. "She was pretty
upset the other day, and I haven't heard from her since."
"You know, John, you could always call her," pointed out
Kassidy. "We don't want to lose a valuable ally."
"You're right," he agreed, "but she's not just an ally. She's
a friend, as well. Admittedly, though, a confused friend...I just
don't know what's going on with her half the time. Devon's always
really glad to see me, but if I mention anything remotely to do
with her personal life, she clams up."
"Yeah, well, maybe she should see a counsellor. Or a
psychiatrist. Maybe you should just stay the hell away from her."
"What?!" Danziger was surprised at Kassidy's uncharacteristic
display of anger. She was usually so sweet and forgiving, and
rarely had anything bad to say about anyone. But when Kassidy lost
her temper, Danziger *knew* that something was up.
"Do you ever wonder if you can trust Devon? She could be
*working* for the Council!" burst out Kassidy as the idea gathered
momentum.
"Nah, she's okay," protested Danziger. "I already went
through all that when I met her."
"John," said Kassidy, lowering her voice into more soothing
tones, "I'm just worried about you. What do you *really* know
about her?"
He paused, pondering the question. "I guess, not much at all.
But I can't believe that she's a Council spy. We get along great,
whenever she's not clammed up about something...her past life..."
Kassidy seized his last sentence. "See - her past life! You
don't know what she's been involved in since her 'save-the-
children' campaign. She could just be biding her time until she
brings down the Resistance, and *you*, once and for all."
Kassidy's words rang out through the small quarters.
Suddenly, Danziger recognised the possibility of truth. If Devon
was a spy, it would explain a lot. It would explain almost
everything, and it would mean that Devon Adair was a much better
actor than he had ever suspected.
And the beach trip - Danziger cringed as he remembered how
sorry he had felt for her. If it were nothing more than a ruse...
"You could be right," he finally admitted to Kassidy. Her
face transformed into a sad smile.
"I don't want to be right," she admitted. "Devon seemed like
an nice person. But I'm just so worried about you!"
"It can't go on like this," Danziger vowed. "If she doesn't
give me the truth next time we meet, I don't think I can see her
again."
"Thank you, John," said Kassidy, moving behind him so she
could wrap her arms around his neck. He leaned into her embrace,
and murmured, "So what was that message we received, anyway?"
"Oh, nothing much," replied Kassidy guiltily. She would bring
up their marriage contract another time, when they could
concentrate on each other and not the mysteries of Devon Adair.
"I love you, you know?" whispered Danziger gruffly, pulling
her around into his arms.
"I love you too," she replied almost automatically. Then
there were no more words between them as Danziger brought his lips
to hers.
***
The door chime sounded, and Devon instinctively looked up.
She wasn't expecting anyone, in fact, she was curled in her
favourite chair (the one she used to rock Uly in). Every day, it
seemed, she saw some trace of the son she loved dearly. A fleeting
presence in the corners of the room or a heartwarming recollection
of happier times : the memory of his young voice haunted her.
Devon missed Uly terribly.
She was staring at a holo-image of him as she ordered the doors
to open. John Danziger stepped inside.
"John!" Devon was startled. She hadn't expected to see him
for a while yet, at least not until she had collected her thoughts
and decided what to do. She knew that she couldn't go on lying to
him, but Devon couldn't stand the idea of a life without John in
it.
Perhaps it was time to tell him the truth, after all.
"Devon," Danziger began, his voice a little strained, "I think
we need to talk."
Smiling bravely, Devon motioned him inside. Danziger remained
standing by the door although he did allow it to slide shut behind
him.
Danziger shifted from foot to foot, unsure as how to begin.
He didn't want to alienate Devon, and he didn't want to hurt her if
it turned out that it was all a big misunderstanding. On the other
hand, if she *was* a Council spy, he wasn't leaving until he knew.
Finally, he gathered the courage to speak. "Devon...I'm
worried about you."
Devon allowed herself an inward smile. He cared. That
was a step in the right direction. But her happiness was short
lived as she heard the rest of Danziger's words.
"You live in a world of secrets. And forgive me if I'm wrong,
but I think I have a right to know what's going on."
Danziger's attention was caught by the small holographic
imager that Devon turned over and over in her hands. The picture
was of a young boy, one who showed the visible signs of the
Syndrome. "Who is he?" Danziger asked.
Nervously, Devon said, "Maybe it is time..."
"For the truth?"
"John," she replied, and her voice was wavering, "I never told
you about my son. Ulysses."
"Is that him?" Danziger softened his voice, and was rewarded
by Devon's mute nod. "He looks like a great kid."
"He was," she whispered.
Danziger heard the past tense in her voice, and felt a rush of
compassion for Devon. He crossed the room and knelt beside her,
taking her hand.
"He died," Devon managed to say.
"I know," soothed Danziger, caressing her face in a comforting
manner. "I can see it in your eyes."
"I tried so hard to save him," Devon explained, tears filling
her eyes. "The whole campaign, my whole life, everything was for
Uly. But in the end, nothing I did made any difference. I
couldn't save him, and I couldn't save any of those other children
either."
"I'm sorry." There wasn't much else Danziger could say.
Devon swallowed hard. "That's why I've been a little, well,
crazy recently," she admitted, hoping that he would leave it at
that. "I felt as though I'd lost my purpose. I'm sorry for
dragging you into it."
"Into what?" Danziger asked, feeling his suspicions rise
again.
"Into my depression," Devon quickly amended. Her eyes darted
across his face, almost if she could see the distrust that lurked
there.
"You know, talking about it helps," suggested Danziger. "Tell
me about your son. Was it the Syndrome?"
"Yes..."
Now came the crucial question for Danziger. There were still
a lot of holes, and time discrepancies, in Devon's story. "How
long ago did he die?"
"Six mon...no, almost two years ago," replied Devon, confused.
For her, there was no exact moment that Uly had died. She didn't
remember his actual parting, only the horror of leaving the Program
and finding out that Uly was gone quite a while ago.
"Maybe you should go see someone. Two years is an awful long
time to be grieving so much," suggested Danziger wryly.
"And what would *you* know about it?" Devon suddenly flared.
She had to *make* him understand and accept this, she had to!
"My son, my only son, died! Doesn't that give me the right to
be upset?"
"Yes, but..."
"How would you feel if True died?!" Devon burst out.
Danziger paused. "It would be..." His voice took on a new
tone as a realisation struck him. "How the hell," he began, fury
growing in his voice, "did you know about True?!"
Devon gasped. How could she have made such a slip? "It was
in your record," she quickly ventured. "I read about her, and I
always wondered why you didn't mention that you had a daughter..."
Danziger jumped to his feet, pulling Devon up with him. "My
record," he spat, "says that True died almost three years ago."
"But she's not dead!" protested Devon.
"No she's not, but no one knows that. You hear me? NO ONE!"
Danziger roared, anger and fear surging through his body. If Devon
knew about True, then how many others did? All the trauma he and
Kassidy had endured to hide the girl, and get her to safety, was
useless if the Council knew that True was still alive!
"I'm so *sick* of your lies," raged Danziger. "You've been
lying to me from the first moment we met. Oh, you had your quick
answers ready, but they don't cut it anymore. I want the truth."
Defiantly, Devon stared him straight in the eye. She'd never
seen John Danziger this angry before, and was a little afraid. Yet
deep in her heart, she realised that it was time to end the
madness. It was time to tell him the truth.
Slowly, she backed away from his menacing stare. "John, have
you ever had your mind copied?"
He was taken aback by the question. "What the hell does that
have to do with anything? The Council..." Possibilities suddenly
ran rampant through his mind. The Council had injected him with a
monitoring device, they knew everything! Or...
"Trust me, John," Devon said softly. "I'm not with the
Council. I just need you to tell me this. Please," her big eyes
begged. Danziger felt his heart softening a little.
"Yes, I had my mind copied, just before True went away."
"And Kassidy?"
"Her too," Danziger admitted. "It was a good way to make a
lot of credits, fast. But I always regretted it, for putting my
memories into the hands of the Council."
"There was nothing incriminating in your memories," Devon
assured him, suddenly taking on the stronger role in this
confrontation. "And I'm the only one who knows that."
Danziger placed his hands on his hips, exasperated. "Do you
wanna try explaining just *how* you know all of this?"
Devon took a deep breath. "Okay," she finally said. Now
there was no backing away from it. She would tell John the whole
story, and then, then he would understand everything. Especially
that they were destined to be together.
"I would have done *anything* to save my son," Devon began.
"When he died, I was stricken with grief, or so they tell me. I
really can't remember any of it. But Blalock - you know who he
is?"
"I know *of* him," replied Danziger in a dark voice,
suggesting that his knowledge was grim in nature.
Devon went on. "Blalock offered me the chance to see other
children saved. I had faced so much opposition in my quest to
colonise a distant planet, that I grasped at any straw, no matter
how slim my chances were. I agreed to the Program.
"The Program was a VR simulation of colonising a new planet
designed to test me. And everything that could go wrong, did. I
was inside the program for a year."
"So that beach - it was part of that planet you were on in
VR?" interrupted Danziger.
Devon nodded. "That was New Pacifica, my final goal. *Our*
final goal. Because you were there."
Now things were beginning to make sense to Danziger.
"John, they used the copy of your mind to, in essence, make
another John Danziger. And another Kassidy, only she was called
Bess, and she was married to someone else, called Morgan Martin,
and he's real too..." Devon was babbling, and she knew it.
"The thing is," she tried to explain, "I didn't know that it
was an illusion. I thought the whole thing was real, I lived every
day as if it were my last on that beautiful, forsaken planet. It
was my dream, and it became my life."
Danziger was curious in spite of himself. "So what happened?"
Devon dipped her eyes to the floor. "They pulled me out of the
Program. With no warning. One moment, my life was near perfect,
and the next, I woke up here, with no one. No friends, no son, no
life..." Involuntarily, Devon sniffed.
"I thought that none of you were real," she went on. "Most of
you weren't." She was speaking as if all of her friends from G889
were there to listen to her. "But John, then I found out that you,
of all people, were alive and real! It was the most wonderful
moment of my life since VR," Devon admitted.
Danziger was nervous. Devon was staring at him with a strange
kind of intensity in her eyes. "Why me?" he managed to ask.
"Oh, John, can't you feel it? Don't you sense it in your
heart? You and I are meant to be together!" Devon gazed at him
lovingly, her whole soul shining from her eyes as everything was
focussed on him. "We were together in the Program, and that's when
I learnt that I love you. And you love me." Her heart was beating
wildly. This was it, the moment when he would realise it too...
His next words almost destroyed her. "Devon, as much as I
like you...you fell in love with a computer image!" Danziger burst
out.
"No!" Devon protested. "He was you, you are him, you're
identical...you love me, you have to!"
"And what about Kassidy?" protested Danziger. "She's my
wife!"
"We can fix that," giggled Devon, her eyes glazing over.
"Kassidy, no, Bess, no, Kassidy...you just wait until she meets
Morgan Martin. They're another perfect couple."
Danziger was stunned. Never had he dreamt of revelations like
this. And he had *never* heard of anything like Devon Adair was
telling him now.
"You think," he sputtered, "that you can just arrange
everyone's lives like this? Based on a *simulation* with computer-
controlled characters?"
"But they were *us*!" cried Devon. "John, I love you! I
tried to tell you so hard through that glass, when I was dying!
You have to know it, you have to love me!"
To her horror, Devon saw him shaking his head. In
desperation, she wrapped her arms around Danziger's neck and pulled
him into a passionate kiss.
"No!" Danziger was pushing her away. "Not like this, Devon.
I don't know you."
"You *have* to love me!" Devon burst out. She reached for him
again, but he was backing away.
"You can't control people's lives!" Danziger shouted. "You're
not God here!"
"John-" she shrieked. He keyed open the door.
"You need help, Devon!" he yelled. "And I can't give it to
you." He stormed through the door.
"No! Don't leave me alone!!!" Devon screamed. "Not
alone...Please John, I love you!"
***
Dison Blalock threw back his head and laughed. He felt
invigorated, he felt powerful, he felt in control. He had just
been promoted.
Gone from his record was that nasty mess with Devon Adair.
Blalock shouldn't have worried so much about that situation, for
the Council took care of its own. He knew that. Well, he knew
that now.
He was vaguely curious about his reinstatement as head of the
VR technology which caused all the trouble in the first place. One
would expect the Council to keep him well away from it. But in the
meeting with his superiors that morning, there had been a strange
gleam in their eyes.
Almost as if they were...studying Blalock. Masters with their
new creation. The man shook his head, fighting the odd thought.
He needed to focus his entire life on the well being of the Council
now. No more annoying distractions, no more flirtations with
women, no more wasting his time.
Blalock belonged to the Council, and now everything was so
clear. He laughed.
***
John Danziger was gone. He had just walked out of her life
with no compassion, no looking back. "John, no!" Devon cried
again. "No, no, nononono...not alone, not alone..." She sank to
her knees. She had lost John Danziger forever.
"No," she whispered again, the realisation sinking in.
"No..." Devon was alone. And it was a loneliness far greater than
she had faced before.
There was nothing left for her. Gone were the hopes and the
dreams, and the promises. She had been foolish to ever think she
could make a difference. Uly was dead forever, Morgan would never
change, Bess hated her, and Danziger - John, would never love her
in the way Devon needed him to, the way she knew he should.
"There's nothing left," whispered Devon. A grim sense of
acceptance began to come over her. She was doomed.
"I cannot live like this," she stated into the empty, dark
room. Time seemed to have stopped. The world was silent save for
Devon's heavy breathing as she picked herself up from the ground.
Everything stood out in stark detail. Devon watched, with a
detached interest, at each step her feet took across the
indifferent floor. Nothing in this world seemed to touch her
anymore, for she was beyond caring. A great darkness called to
her, a call she knew she could not resist. For she could never
return to the awful pain and horror of the living world.
"I will not be alone," Devon vowed. The months of pain and
suffering had finally come to a head, and now she would put them
behind her forever. There was only one thing left for Devon to do.
"Not alone..." she whispered, feeling her links to the reality
of life grow thinner with every passing moment. "Not alone."
---
END "A Fragile Existence".
(
geocities.com/area51/vault) (
geocities.com/area51)