Chapter VI ☯ Choices
Falls City, NE, Aug. 6, 1966, 05:00 CST
And so we stand there and drink brandy. One of the Guides produces some cups, Molly pours from her flask. The brandy again scorches a path down our throats. We start to revive, the awkwardness passing with each sip.
‘Well, folks, you’ll understand if I really don’t want to hang around too long. I think I’ll transition here pretty quick,’ Captain Pauly says.
‘You don’t want to hang around, see what the investigation comes up, find out what happened to us?’ Hilliker says.
‘Won’t that take awhile? Like a couple of years at least?’ I ask.
‘Yes, but I really want to know,’ Hilliker says. ‘Unless the Guides know?’
‘I’m afraid that we only know what we hear. Eventually, the news of the cause will be printed in the paper and we’ll read about it. But we only know cause of death when the medical examiner reveals it. This case is very different, of course, but unless you hang around and follow the investigators, you’re not going to find out anything,’ Sarah says.
‘The choice is yours. I can certainly understand, Mr. Hilliker, you wanting to hang around and find out. Completely understandable. I’d do the same,’ she says.
Captain Pauly thinks, looks at one of the Guides.
‘You mentioned earlier that there are ways that information comes to the other side. We’ll be able to find out later?’ he asks.
‘Yes. Once documents are printed here, they are also included in our readers by Guides on this side every day. People on Dragan read their hometown newspapers and other things all the time,’ the Guide replies.
‘Then that’s good enough for me,’ Captain Pauly says. ‘When can I get out of here?’
‘As soon as you want. The portal is on the other side of the square, an oval with very bright light in the center. You just walk into it,’ the Guide says.
‘I’ll go with you,’ Jeannie says.
Samantha nods. ‘Me too,’ she says.
‘Do we end up in the same place?’ she asks.
‘The portal here in Falls City is connected to an Embarkation Island known as Ashbourne Island. On arrival there, you’ll be taken to the closest Healing House with an open bed. Once you recover enough movement, you’ll be given a reader and you can get in touch with your friends and family anywhere on Dragan. Since you’re going through at the same time, and have had the same experience, there’s a pretty strong chance you’ll end up at the same Healing House,’ Sarah says.
Captain Pauly starts walking, keeping his eyes on the ground. He’s still obviously embarrassed, unwilling to run into other passengers. He hasn’t figured out what I’m beginning to realize; that Earthly human passions that are destructive or deadly, such as rage, guilt, blame, jealousy, don’t exist after the separation. No one, in other words, will say anything to him or Hilliker about the crash. And after the Transition to Dragan, it will be even less consequential.
Still, while you remain on the Earth side, there are some residual emotions of shame and guilt. You lose them eventually, but not as quickly and completely as after you arrive on Dragan.
‘Captain, some unsolicited advice, but just to let you know. There are airplanes flying around Dragan. Go back to flying as soon as you can. It’s very healing,’ Sarah says.
He turns and just looks at her for a minute. It’s probably too soon for her to have said it, and she senses that she’s flubbed a bit for the first time. I throw an arm around her shoulders.
‘And are there newspapers? Jazz music? Good food?’ I ask.
“All of the above, and more,’ Sarah says.
‘Then onward and upward,’ I say. ‘Captain Pauly, I’m right behind you.’
Hilliker is still standing on the square. It’s obvious he’s staying. He lifts his arm and waves at us, then turns and walks over to a group of passengers. The widow in black walks over to us and joins our little procession to the portal.
I can’t say why I’ve decided to go on. Curiosity mainly. The hanging around thing is too much like playing ghost for me. And I’m not really the Guide type. So, let’s do this, I think.
Rounding the corner of the courthouse, we see at the end of an alley just what Sarah described. An oval-shaped door with very intense bright white light in it. Oddly, the light doesn’t shine out and it doesn’t hurt to look at it. As we get close, I turn to Sarah, who I’ve only known about five hours, but to whom I feel strangely very close.
‘So, are you staying here for the duration? Or will we meet up some time?’ I ask.
‘Oh, I’ll be here for a few more years, then make the Transition. I send messages to my husband and others all the time and they’re expecting me sooner than later,’ she says.
‘Great. Look me up,’ I say and hug her tightly.
‘Take care of yourself. It was wonderful to meet you. Quite a pleasant surprise, you falling out of the sky like that,’ she laughs.
‘Take care yourself,’ I laugh.
I turn towards the portal in time to see Captain Pauly disappear through it. Jeannie is right behind him, holding Samantha’s hand. She turns and waves.
‘I’m afraid you can’t hold hands and do it together, dear,’ Sarah calls.
Jeannie hugs Samantha, then steps through.
Samantha smiles at me, says, ‘It’s been strange, guy, but I’ll see ya later.’ She waves and steps through. The lady in black follows her without looking at us or saying anything.
I look at Sarah, eyebrow raised.
‘It’s an interesting story. Look her up soon and she’ll tell you all about it,’ she says.
‘Well, okay then!’ I reply.
I walk forwards, look back for a second, wave at Sarah, then step through myself. It’s quite a step. ★
• 1038 Words written by Steve @ 19:52 | 10-Dec-07 in Transition •
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