When it stopped he said, "There we go."

My muscles loosened and I turned to examine my new surroundings. We were no longer outside on a mountain range. Instead, the mountain scene sped by just outside the window of the train. I looked back at him, and then around at the plush compartment.

"Where are we going?"

"To answer your question," he winked.

"What does that mean exactly?"

"We need to go where you can understand, which means we need to enter the void. Look- we're approaching it now."

Out the window I saw a tunnel approaching. Car after car disappeared inside, and then it was dark. The train began to slow with a steady squeal, then stopped.

"Are we there?"

He gave me a nod. "Follow me if you want your answer," he said. As he stood and stepped out of the compartment, I followed closely. He led me down a thin hallway and through a sliding metal door with a tiny window.

We were alone as we exited the train, and we soon found ourselves standing on a jet black platform watching as the long silver train disappeared into the night, taking its light with it. And then for a moment, all was still.

"Are you still there?" I asked.

"I'm here," he replied. "I'm always here."

"Are you going to answer my question now?"

"Yup. In three, two, one-"

I felt as if all of the information of the universe came flooding into my mind and I was immediately at one with it. Every question I could have ever thought to ask was answered, including the one for which we had made the journey.

The answer to my question was connected to the very nature of my existence. I was not simply flesh and bone, but a complex multi-dimensional being. As a man, I could not possibly comprehend the other aspects of myself, but they still existed, and they still effected me.

"So it's that simple?" I said.

"It's only simple here, because you are in the nexus."

Another question entered my mind, but as it occurred to me to ask, the answer was there. I wondered about the dark void I had experienced before Vrin. It had not been like this. I remembered a vast and lonely place. The knowledge which suffused me offered the answer- I had created that void from the essence of Dantra, the same substance which Vrin itself was made of. While in Vrin, within Dantra, impulses from the computer triggered responses in my brain, and they in turn molded Dantra, using my connection to that spirit realm.

"We are nearing The Separation. You will soon pa.s.s into physical consciousness, and you will no longer be aware of me."

"Thanks for the help," I said.

I sensed a smile as I pa.s.sed through The Separation into dream.

A dark feeling hung in the air on the street outside my childhood home. A soldier brushed by, wearing a World War II uniform, and clutching a rifle with a wooden stock. I followed him for a short distance, then bolted across the neighbor's yard to hide behind some barrels. I peeked out, no one saw me, so I hunched over and scooted across the lawn. Bursts of gunfire rained down on me from the neighbor's house. I ducked and rolled. The fire ceased.

I poked my head up then made my way toward the darkness past the open cellar door. Again gunfire broke out. I dropped to the ground and dirt exploded in small eruptions all around me. --But I was not afraid; I was no longer effected by the things of this world. I stood and faced the window. A shadowy figure took aim. But the barrage of bullets pa.s.sed right through me.

My perspective shifted and I found myself watching from outside my body. Every shadow in the neighborhood began shifting and moving. Coming alive. Approaching from every direction. Surrounding me. Pressing in on me. Hoping to receive a touch from their holy one.

The last thing I saw were my glowing metal eyes-- and that was all I remembered, once I was fully awake.

CHAPTER 25.

A SHORT REST.

001001011001110.

I squinted as the salty air washed over me. Off in the distance the sound seagulls squawking mingled with guitar music. I gripped the railing and looked down into the green ocean water. Fish shot by just beneath the surface like ghostly apparitions. I'd had a night of deep restful sleep. My joints still ached considerably, but my head was clearer and my strength was returning.

"Thomas," Annie's voice called from inside the bungalow. "Would you like some eggs or something?"

"Thanks," I yelled back through the sliding doors, "an egg sounds wonderful."

Her voice sounded strange to me, wrong somehow, and I had to remind myself, this wasn't the Annie of my memory. She was not standing in the kitchen with a big pregnant belly. And little Rebecca was not sitting on the living room floor surrounded by a million tiny toys. No, this was not the vacation we were headed to after New York City. --I had slept through that one.

I looked over at the envelope laying on the gla.s.s table next to me. This was quite the mystery I'd found myself entangled in: virtual worlds, science fiction experiments, cryptic notes... It was all just a little more than I could wrap my brain around. I was used to solving things like product launch schedules and media campaigns, not government conspiracies. --Not that I wanted to solve anything anything at the moment. at the moment. But, But, I knew myself well enough to know, that I could not just sit back and do nothing to try to solve this mystery. It was in my nature to solve puzzles. Some would even call it an addiction. I knew myself well enough to know, that I could not just sit back and do nothing to try to solve this mystery. It was in my nature to solve puzzles. Some would even call it an addiction.

Again I read the name and address on the envelope. Who was this Hazel Brown? Hazel Brown? How did she fit into the puzzle? Was she an a.s.sociate of Dr. Solomon? If she was, why wasn't she at the center? And How did she fit into the puzzle? Was she an a.s.sociate of Dr. Solomon? If she was, why wasn't she at the center? And why why did the envelope contain my name, and did the envelope contain my name, and only only my name? Even with a night of restful sleep behind me, I couldn't even my name? Even with a night of restful sleep behind me, I couldn't even begin begin to make sense of that one. to make sense of that one.

I tucked the envelope back into my pocket and hefted myself out of the chair. Whatever it meant was irrelevant. Hazel Brown was my only lead, and it was with her I would start my investigation. I slid the screen door open, and followed the scent of breakfast.

Sam was intently watching a news clip glowing from the paint on the living room wall. I looked for the source of the projection, but found none. Rebecca was sitting on the couch with a book.

Whatcha readin'?"

"Davata Notrals." She looked up with a bright smile. "There was a copy in the dresser."

"Are they still still putting those things in hotel drawers?" putting those things in hotel drawers?"

"They sure are." Her smile got even wider.

"I made you one sunny side up if that's okay," Annie called.

"Yes, sounds great." I stepped into the kitchen. "It smells wonderful in here," I said, scanning the room.

"What are you looking for?"

"The phone. I want to call Stephen."

She laughed. "You're wearing it."

I padded myself down.

Her eyebrows rose. "On your wrist," she said, pointing.

"What?" I brought up my hand. "The watch?"

"Wow. I haven't heard it called that in awhile." She gave a crooked smile and started b.u.t.tering toast.

I studied it closely; leather band, face trimmed in silver. But there were no b.u.t.tons. The obsidian material inside the tr.i.m.m.i.n.g had a life of its own. Faint numbers faded in and out in a cryptic pattern. I let out a sigh.

"Come here." Annie put down the toast and came around the counter. "I'll show you." She lifted my hand and touched the face. "Dial Stephen Andrews." The watch came to life. Annie gave me a wink, and returned to her work.

"h.e.l.lo?" said the watch.

"Hi, Stephen, this is Thomas!" I spoke loudly into the watch.

"Thomas! It's great to hear your voice! Why are you yelling?" It's great to hear your voice! Why are you yelling?"

"Oh, sorry." I pulled my hand away and lowered my voice. "Is this better?"

"Much. Hey, Annie said you were awake! How are you, man?"

"Not bad considering the circ.u.mstances."

"I can't imagine."

"Yeah, well, I need you to do something for me."

"Sure thing. What can I do for you?"

"Find a number for a woman named Hazel Brown. Her address is 128 Pinrow Street, Marathon, Florida."

Annie shot me a look of curiosity.

"You could just..." He stopped. "You know what-- no problem. Hold on a sec."

Sam looked over his shoulder. You can just ask the terminal to s.n.a.t.c.h the data."

I squinted at him. "Oh. --I'll do that next time. I'm just used to calling the office to have someone search for information."

Sam smiled. "We don't search for information anymore. We have digital servants for that."

"Thomas?" The watch spoke up.

"Yes, Stephen."

"Do you, ah, have a pen?"

Sam masked another smile. Apparently he was amused at Steven's attempt to shield me from future shock.

"No. Just give it to me. I'm good with numbers, remember?"

Steven chuckled. "Yes. I remember. I've never known anyone who could crunch numbers like you. Here it is, 818-555-3234."

"Thanks, man. Listen, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have to let you go."

"Hey, just one thing. Some gentlemen came by a little while ago looking for you. I was going to call you."

My heart constricted. "Who- what did they want?"

"They were from the FBI, really strange strange looking guys, they wanted to know if I'd heard from you. looking guys, they wanted to know if I'd heard from you.

My heart skipped a beat. "You didn't tell them anything. And what do you mean strange?" strange?"

"It was like-- like they were straight out of a men's catalog or something, every hair in place, perfect clothes, perfect perfect skin, a little skin, a little too too perfect. It was perfect. It was weird." weird."

I looked at Annie, her eyes were wide.

"But I didn't tell them anything. Annie told me what happened at the center, so I told them you were in a coma last I knew."

"When was this?"

"A half hour ago."

"Okay, Steven. Thanks, man. Let me know if anything else happens, okay?"

"Sure. And hey, when all this blows over, we need to get together. Last time I checked, you still own this company."

"Yeah," I said, distracted. "Thanks again. Give my regards to Amy."

There was a pause. "Sure, no problem, man. Take care."

I shot Annie another look. She was wincing. "I should have told you. --Amy died in a skiing accident a few years back."

"Oh," I said, lowering my arm. "I'll have to be more careful."

She set a plate back on the counter. "Those men sound like the one I saw at the center."

"I know."

"What do you think we should do?" she said, wringing her hands.

"I don't know." I studied her expression. "What do you think?"

"Well, we can't stay here." She glanced out the window. "They're probably on their way by now."

"You're really scared aren't you?"

She gave a quick nod.

"You and the kids need to disappear, just go somewhere and don't tell anyone."