"Did you tell Dr. Solomon?"

"I wasn't sure what what to think, and it wasn't like he'd done anything wrong. He didn't say he was going to hurt the priest, just that they should to think, and it wasn't like he'd done anything wrong. He didn't say he was going to hurt the priest, just that they should remove remove him." him."

"Did you ever see him again?"

"No. I haven't been back."

I gripped my cane tightly and struggled to stand. Samuel helped me to my feet. I moved toward the gla.s.s doors to the back patio.

"So what do we do now?" asked Sam.

"I say we get out of the country," said Rebecca. "It's none of our business what's going on in that place."

I looked out at the lake, hoping to absorb its peacefulness. "Solomon pretended to kill me," I said "but if they discover my body is not at the morgue, they'll try to find me." I turned back to look at my family. "That means as long as you're with me, you're in danger too."

"If you think I'm letting you go anywhere without me me, you're out of your mind," Samuel a.s.serted.

"Thomas, we're in this together. We can all go away until this thing blows over."

I stood and looked from Annie, to Rebecca, to Samuel. I didn't think there was any way this thing thing was just going to blow over. And although I wanted to be with my family, I couldn't bear the thought of them being hurt by these people. I was just going to blow over. And although I wanted to be with my family, I couldn't bear the thought of them being hurt by these people. I didn't didn't want them involved. want them involved. But, But, they were already involved. If I left them behind, they would be in more danger than if I took them with me. I let out a sigh. "Where could we go?" they were already involved. If I left them behind, they would be in more danger than if I took them with me. I let out a sigh. "Where could we go?"

Annie straightened up. "Well, like Becky said, I think we should get out of the country. Do you remember Stephen?"

I shot her a look. "Of course course I remember Stephen." Immediately I gave a look of apology, realizing that her perspective was vastly different from my own. For all I remember Stephen." Immediately I gave a look of apology, realizing that her perspective was vastly different from my own. For all I I knew, my best friend and business partner could have died knew, my best friend and business partner could have died years years ago. ago.

"Do you remember that resort we bought him in the Bahamas? Well, he's done very well for himself and has expanded to five more locations."

I let out a breath of relief. "I knew he had a mind for business."

"We could go stay in one of his bungalows in Haiti for awhile, until you recuperate."

"Haiti?" I grimaced. "Stephen has a resort in Haiti?" Haiti?"

Annie looked momentarily confused, then said, "Ooohh, you're remembering the old Haiti. It's been very stable and very very prosperous for a long time now." prosperous for a long time now."

"Yeah," Rebecca spoke up. "After the big earthquake and all the rebuilding, Davata Notrals was much more available. That's when things really changed. Or so I read."

I looked at her blankly. "Oh. --Okay. So..." I said, turning back to Annie, "we should go to Stephen's resort?"

"Whatever you decide, I'll support you."

"Well, my life won't be my own until I find out why those men want me dead. dead." I shook my head. "I'll stay until I recuperate, but I'm coming back as soon as possible to find out what's going on."

Annie put her hand on my arm. "Then it's settled."

"Yes." I looked at each of them. "It's settled."

CHAPTER 20.

SLEEP OF THE DEAD.

001001011001110.

The stewardess pa.s.sed by on her way to coach.

"Miss, could I get a gla.s.s of water before takeoff?"

"Sure thing."

I looked down at the picture on my new pa.s.sport. I still couldn't believe how much I had aged. It would be a long time before I would get used to all the wrinkles. We'd had no trouble getting the pa.s.sport renewed. --Apparently they hadn't heard I was dead.

Annie peered out the window at the sun low on the horizon. It would be dark soon.

"What are you looking for?"

"The bad guys," she said, visibly troubled. She turned and looked at me, as if noticing me for the first time. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted. Like I could sleep for twenty years."

Her eyes narrowed. "That's not funny."

"Sorry." I offered a weak smile. "Humor is the only thing keeping me from breaking down."

She gave me a sympathetic look. "This all must be extremely hard on you. I can't even imagine."

"It's hard on everyone, I would think."

"Mom," said Sam from across the aisle, "when will we be touching down?"

"10:00 p.m."

"Thanks." He leaned back in to tell Rebecca.

"Are you sure they should be with us?" I asked.

"If we left them behind, they'd follow." She raised her eyebrows. "They have your stubbornness."

"You make that sound like a bad thing." I nudged her. "My stubbornness made us wealthy, even by today's standards." I thought back to the airport cafeteria: five bucks for coffee, seven for a danish! Highway robbery! Highway robbery!

"Are you going to try to sleep?" Annie asked.

"Perhaps a couple of winks. Wake me when we get there."

"Okay." She reached up and waved her hand, the overhead light went off.

It was going to take a while to get used to the changes in technology. I chuckled to myself as I remembered the incident in the terminal. It didn't look like a robot before or or after I kicked the little b.u.g.g.e.r over. I thought my bag was snagged on a baggage cart. As far as I was concerned, whoever designed carts with arms and hands should be after I kicked the little b.u.g.g.e.r over. I thought my bag was snagged on a baggage cart. As far as I was concerned, whoever designed carts with arms and hands should be shot. shot.

I closed my eyes, but they popped back open. Perhaps the coffee had been a bad idea. I wasn't going to be doing any sleeping any time soon. I peeked over at Samuel. He was lost in a movie playing on a pair of sungla.s.ses with earphones. There appeared to be a three dimensional aspect to the viewing as well. His head was turning, following some unknown object floating before of him.

My stomach made a twist. It was becoming painfully obvious that this new world with its gizmos and cutthroat pace would eat me alive if I didn't get a handle on things. But that wasn't the only thing bothering me.

I thought back to the name Vrin. Vrin. There was, There was, something something about it. It sounded about it. It sounded so so familiar. Maybe it was only that I had heard it spoken repeatedly while I was in the coma-? No. There was something more. Something on the edge of my awareness, just out of reach, a certain uneasiness, an familiar. Maybe it was only that I had heard it spoken repeatedly while I was in the coma-? No. There was something more. Something on the edge of my awareness, just out of reach, a certain uneasiness, an urgency urgency to remember. to remember.

Another disturbing thought pushed forward. Why did these mysterious, government, other-worldly other-worldly people want me dead? Who was I to them? I couldn't even people want me dead? Who was I to them? I couldn't even remember remember anything from the experience. And, besides, what kind of threat could ten people interacting in a computer be to anyone? It just didn't make sense! anything from the experience. And, besides, what kind of threat could ten people interacting in a computer be to anyone? It just didn't make sense!

A crick in my back brought me out of my thoughts. Although the airline seat was much softer than its historical counterpart, I could find no comfortable position. My body ached from disuse, and staying in one position for any length of time was not going to be easy. "You asleep?" I whispered to Annie.

"No. You can't sleep either?"

"I'm finding it hard to get comfortable, and my brain is working overtime."

"Then let's catch up," she said softly.

For the rest of the flight, we talked. She had all but forgotten many of the things I remembered clearly from the earlier years: details about college, our marriage, starting the businesses, early years with Rebecca... She sat and listened intently as it all came back to her. But then when we got to the the accident, it was her turn to share. She was careful to avoid talking about her second husband, but she told me all about the kids' growing up, and about how the businesses had grown. It was hours before we touched down, and yet, when the pilot's voice came over the intercom, we'd barely had time to scratch the surface.

We left the tiny terminal and took a cab to the ocean. The concierge greeted us at the pier and helped us move our luggage onto a charter boat. As it turned out, our bungalow was out on the ocean somewhere, on stilts, surrounded by water. This was just fine by me, the more secluded the better.

The night air was cool and refreshing, and it wasn't long before the coastline disappeared and the quiet silhouettes of several huts appeared before us. Warm yellow light softly emanated through the windows. The water glowed from lights beneath the surface. Mysterious, yet inviting.

We moored the boat to the front porch of the thatch-roofed bungalow. Rebecca was the first one out. She quickly disappeared inside. "Good! This one has two bathrooms!" she yelled from within.

The captain of the charter boat didn't wait for us to tip him but was already heading back to sh.o.r.e. His wake caused our motorboat to bang up against the moorings on the front of the porch.

I looked at Annie. "I think I'm finally ready to sleep," I said, stifling a yawn.

"Yes. I'm only going to stay up for a few more minutes myself. I'm exhausted."

"I'll bet you are." I gave her a sympathetic look. I started to turn, but stopped and turned back. "Ah, where should I..."

"You go ahead and take the master bedroom. I'll stay in Becca's room, for tonight anyway-- if you don't mind."

"I understand. I'm just glad you want to stay in the same house house with me." with me."

She smiled sweetly and gave me another hug. "Sleep well, Thomas." She shook her head. "I still can't believe you're back."

"Yeah," said Samuel. "It doesn't seem real to me either.

I made my way down the hallway, and gave Rebecca a hug on the way. She kissed me on the cheek. "It's good to have you back, Dad."

"It's good to be back, Rebecca. I'm sorry I can't stay up any longer, I guess the coffee finally wore off."

"I can't believe you stayed awake this long."

"It wasn't by choice, believe me."

She squeezed my arm. "Get some rest. We'll see you in the morning."

I entered the master bedroom, leaned my cane against the night stand, then stood looking at my reflection in the large mirror on the wall. The man looking back was hardly recognizable. He was older, stately, and was dressed casual. casual. I never dressed casual. I couldn't even remember owning a pair of jeans. I never dressed casual. I couldn't even remember owning a pair of jeans.

The jacket Solomon had given me wasn't bad. I turned to look at it. Hard leather-- stylish. It fit well. I tried to remove it, but my stiff joints objected to the maneuver. On my second attempt, it pulled free and slid down. I turned and placed the jacket on a chair, and in so doing, noticed something brown protruding from the inside pocket. What's this? What's this? I pulled it out and examined it. It was the packet Dr. Solomon had spoken of. Inside the brown envelope was a smaller, green envelope. I read the name and address. I pulled it out and examined it. It was the packet Dr. Solomon had spoken of. Inside the brown envelope was a smaller, green envelope. I read the name and address.

Hazel Brown 128 Pinrow St.

Marathon, Florida 03944 I placed the envelope on the night table and sat down. For a moment I stared at it. Should I open it? Was I supposed to open it? Dr. Solomon didn't say not not to open it. I reached out and picked it up again. to open it. I reached out and picked it up again. Who's gonna know? I'm in the middle of the ocean. Who's gonna know? I'm in the middle of the ocean.

My hands shook slightly as I bent the metal fastening, opened the envelope, and peered inside. It was empty! What the...? What the...? I reached in and fished around, and something came loose. Carefully I pulled out a small piece of paper. It said, simply, "Thom I reached in and fished around, and something came loose. Carefully I pulled out a small piece of paper. It said, simply, "Thomas tardin."

What was that that supposed to mean? Why would Dr. Solomon want me to deliver an envelope containing just my supposed to mean? Why would Dr. Solomon want me to deliver an envelope containing just my name? name? That didn't make sense. Who was I to Hazel Brown? --I regretted ever opening the cursed thing-- and decided to contact Hazel Brown personally as soon as my strength returned. That didn't make sense. Who was I to Hazel Brown? --I regretted ever opening the cursed thing-- and decided to contact Hazel Brown personally as soon as my strength returned.

Unfortunately, this, and many other mysteries, would have to wait until the morning, I could not keep my eyes open one minute longer. I finished undressing and climbed into bed.

The ceiling fan turned slowly, gently moving the curtains in the large open windows. Music filtered through the air from somewhere outside. Rebecca and Annie were talking in the living room, and Samuel was taking a shower. The world was alive around me-- but I felt alone and out of place. Fortunately, sleep took me quickly.

At first it was the sensation of a smile, then a face. It was a little girl. She moved away from me, disappearing into the curtains behind her. I followed.

I emerged from the rear of a covered wagon and perched myself upon the shaky wooden seat. Breathing deeply, I looked out across the wide expanse of prairie. Tall sweet gra.s.ses swayed in the gentle breeze, and the morning sun warmed my face. A young man sat next to me, smiling. "You recognize me don't you?"

I returned his smile, but did not answer.

"Thomas, could you hand me the blue dress?" I shifted in the seat to see Annie by the full length mirror in our old apartment. Her hand was stretched out in my direction.

"Well?" she said.

I stood and walked to the bed. On it lay the blue dress she had worn to our engagement party. I picked it up and held it out. "Are you sure it still fits?" I smiled.

She came in close to me, finger raised. "Listen, mister, you can be replaced you know." She pushed me to the bed and landed on top of me, the garment pressed between us. I rolled her off and we lay face to face, enjoying each other in silence. A tender peace washed over me. I held onto it.

Exhaustion enveloped my weary body as I settled into the hammock and gazed up at the palm fronds overhead. Soft music drifted from somewhere in the distance. I looked over to see Annie waving to me from a boat. Why was she leaving? My throat constricted as I strained to call out to her.

The boat drifted away and the lake began to warp and change-- until there was nothing left, but a hazy kaleidoscope of faint colors.

Slowly I became aware of a tiny light way off in the distance. It was dim at first, but gradually it increased, and then quickly became an enormous opening. I emerged from the dark tunnel into the glowing expanse of Dantra. Its beauty filled me with peace, as it had so many times before. And once again, G.o.d's love held me in a warm and familiar embrace.

Guided by an unknown force I continued deeper into Dantra, toward the planetoid known as Vrin. And I was not alone. Dozens of souls traveled with me, each one carried by the same hidden current, and each unable to travel freely about in Dantra as before. Like bottles in a sapphire river, we approached the ominous blue orb. Larger and larger it grew, until its immeasurable round surface became flat to my perception, and with a blinding flash, I entered.

I fell rapidly, but there was no sense of movement. Below, near the cusp of a mountain, stood the sparkling city of Oonaj. The place I called home. I continued down, deep into the heart of the city toward the golden dome of the capital building. When I reached it, there was no impact, I simply pa.s.sed through-- and continued down through layer after layer. Until at last, I reached my destination, the warmly lit library, where my host sat motionless, awaiting my arrival.

I admired him momentarily. He was so so different from his earthly counterpart. There was no obsession for wealth or power, no need to be a captain of industry. His life was his books. It was a much less complicated life. Yes, I liked him. I was proud of him. Through him, I had made better decisions. He was my second chance, and for that I was thankful. different from his earthly counterpart. There was no obsession for wealth or power, no need to be a captain of industry. His life was his books. It was a much less complicated life. Yes, I liked him. I was proud of him. Through him, I had made better decisions. He was my second chance, and for that I was thankful.

A gentle and loving voice echoed inside me. "It is time." The room warped and shifted as I entered my host. Air rushed into my lungs, and my eyes widened. The room warped and shifted as I entered my host. Air rushed into my lungs, and my eyes widened.

That part of me, which was eternal, became still.