Monday, May 04, 2009

Extract

Extracted from an odd little unfinished story, 01.05.09


"You've come a long way, haven't you?"

"A long way, yes. Miles and miles: oceans, borders, deserts, mountains; a hundred towns, a thousand roads; countries, continents. Generations. A long way."

"What are you looking for?"

"A way to go home, I suppose, or a reason. Or the courage to." A wry smile pulls at the corners of his mouth. "A heart, brains - so many possibilities."

The captain chuckles and leans out along the porch rail, tracing aeroplane trails in the darkening sky.

"Well, there's good news and bad news, as always. I assume you'll be wanting the sucker-punch first?"

"Of course. Why put off pain you can enjoy right away?"

"Mhm. Well, let me tell you then, kid: I've seen an awful lot of people running one way or the other over the years, and there's only one thing that ever holds true. Nobody ever goes home."

The boy nods, unworried, rolling the old silver coin over in his fingers.

"So I'm beginning to find out - not that much of a kick in the teeth anymore, I'm afraid. What's the good news?"

The boy loses his rhythm suddenly: the coin jarrs awkwardly in his hand and falls, spinning gently. He stoops to catch it, but the old man is faster, he plucks it out of the air and holds it out in his palm, face up: the worn Indian head catches the sun and gleams, bright and sudden. Truth unlooked-for, honesty unexpected; their eyes meet and hold.

"The good news? There is none. But oneday soon you'll wake up, and realise you never left at all."

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