Chanur's Arrival
Chapter 7
Later
Woke up with a splitting headache. For a hani who'd just blown his own
head off, I was a pretty lively corpse. I know what I've done, there's
proof everywhere. The rocks behind me are splattered with dried blood
and gray matter. A shell is missing from my A.P. I'd gone through with
it and I'm still here. Oh Gods, I'm still here. Ayanna was right, there
is someone out there. I can't continue on like this. I can't live
knowing I don't have free will.
(Then change the will.)
What?
(This may work both ways.)
Damn it, get out of my HEAD!! Who the hell are you??? No, I refuse to
go...... Work both ways? Silence from the other presence. What do you
mean "Work both ways"? Tell me, damn it! Do you mean I can see him?
This Chris? TELL ME NOW!
Day 16? 17?
Have given my next course of action a lot of thought. I can't seem to
kill myself as hard as I try. Insulted Panthro and his Thundertank, he
beat me to a bloody pulp. I'm still here. Went sky-diving with the
Thunderkittens and let Kit pack my parachute. One hell of a bruise, but
I'm still here. Told Kam his cake was the worst thing I'd ever eaten, he
brained me with a sheet pan. Said to Fianna that the poodle was the
ugliest thing I'd ever seen. I experienced a new threshold of pain on
that one. Just when I thought he was done, the poodle kicked my ass. I'm
still here.
These events lead me to conclude one simple fact. I can't die. I'm here
until my author tires of me. Or dies himself. I wish I had some kind
of.........or dies himself? Or dies himself! Gods in feathers, is it
that simple??? Works both ways??? If he can see and control me, then I
might be able to get to him!
(Later, same day.)
Stay calm Chanur. You need all your concentration here. I was back in my
camp. Peachy had shown me a new yoga position earlier. (Actually,
twisted me into it after I slipped and called her Mary-Ann.) So I was
sitting in my clearing, emptying my mind. (Didn't take long.) Focus,
Chanur. Find the link. Relax, focus on nothing, find the......There. I
tugged on it slightly to test it's strength. Good, he's not thinking of
me..... The clearing faded from my view. I've always wondered what it
felt like to have your mind snap.....
Chris shuddered. Late January was the worst time of year in Milwaukee.
The walk down the avenue was one he made twice a day from the self-park.
A bus slid by throwing slush onto the sidewalk, barely missing him. He
sighed. The city crews had removed the Christmas decorations last week,
removing any last trace of good cheer from the downtown streets.
Normally, he didn't mind the weather, but the last few days had been a
bitch. They hadn't seen the sun in a week. Vacation's coming up soon,
I'll go somewhere warm.... he thought.
A loud horn fractured his daydream. "Oh, shit!" Chris exclaimed leaping
back on the curb. A panel truck slid past, the driver shouting
obscenities. "Christ, Chris!" He muttered to himself, "Start paying
attention. You trying to get yourself killed?"
(Heh heh heh hehhehheh...)
What was that???