The Missing Link (25 page)

Two people rushed in. A man yelped loudly. "I've cut my foot--"

"Gone. He must have known. Confound the incompetence!"

"Professor?" Carole heard her own voice coming from down the hall. "Professor
Philamount, are you okay?"

The one with the cut foot said in a loud whisper, "Someone's coming."

The other man hissed. "Quick! Out the window,"

"But my foot. It's bleeding everywhere."

"We mustn't be seen. Jump!"

A moment later the door swung inwards and the overhead light turned on. "Professor?
Professor Philamount? Not you too."

Carole peered out from the desk in time to see herself vanish. A wave of vertigo swept
over her as she did so.

"I just saw myself," she said, resting her head against the floor.

"As did I." Professor Philamount moved out from behind the desk and dragged the
remaining office chair over.

She climbed into it, head in hand.

"As soon as you are able," he said, while staring at a small puddle of blood amongst the
broken glass, "we'd best get you home."

"Wherever that is," she said wearily.

The next morning Carole, the twins, Runt, the three boars, Professor Philamount and
Professor Talarit all crowded into the Devilles' living room. Carole was exhausted. She hadn't slept
much, and what sleep she'd managed had been filled with nightmares of blood, shattered glass, and
pale, dead bodies.

That she'd leapt backwards in time was no longer in doubt. It was the only explanation
that fit, the only explanation that explained everything except
how
. And now they were all in
agreement about her achievement, and all of them were arguing against her doing it again.

"But I saved your life," she said to Professor Philamount. "Why can't I go back and save
Hal's?"

"His death was a natural event, Carole," Professor Talarit said evenly. "You
cannot...could not prevent it."

"What if I went back earlier. Got him better medicines."

"Did he not say that he was old and worn out?"

"Then I could go back to spend a little more time with him."

"How could you enjoy yourself knowing when he was going to die... Knowing he was
already dead?" Zack said.

"Carole," Lilly spoke quietly. "You and Hal said your goodbyes. He was ready, like our
grandpa was ready."

"But--" Carole shoved her hands into her pockets in frustration, crushing Hal's letter.
She'd forgotten it was there. She pulled it out and smoothed it on her knee.

"What's that?" Zack said.

"A letter."

"From Hal?" Lilly guessed.

Carole looked at her sharply. "I haven't read it yet."

"Maybe you should."

Carole looked at their tired, concerned faces. She stood silently and climbed the stairs to
the loft. Slowly, deliberately, she opened the envelope and unfolded the single sheet of paper.

My dearest, dearest Carole.

I guess I've finally chucked this body of mine and moved on to bigger and
better things. And it's about time, too. There's nothing at all pleasant about wearing
an ill-fitting, ratty old suit. Now don't you be sad. We've had a wonderful life
together, and your last visit was most definitely the icing on the cake.

As I sit here wracking my brains for some parting words of wisdom, some
gem of inspired thought, I realize that I have none. There really is nothing more to
say. You are prepared for life, and I am at peace.

So raise a glass in toast to me, my Carole of the Sylph, and wish me well on
my new journey.

Until we meet again, and bursting with love and pride,

Your father, Hal.

The tears flowed freely but gently down her cheeks, and Carole did nothing to stop
them. When they finally stopped flowing, she climbed down to the main floor and went into the
kitchen, ignoring the inquisitive looks. Minutes later she returned with a tray of glasses and bowls
filled with juice. She passed them out to people and hogs alike, before she held her own aloft. "To
my father Hal. The wisest and most loving man I ever knew. Happy journeys."

"Happy journeys, Hal," Lilly and Zack repeated.

"Reet," grunted the boars.

Professors Philamount and Talarit hesitated a moment before also raising their
glasses.

Carole finished her drink in one slow gulp and sat cross-legged on the floor. Everyone
was watching her. "Okay, you're right. I won't go back. But what good is this ability, if I can't use it.
There must be a reason, a purpose for it."

"When two were as one," Zack said.

"Pardon?"

"Maybe you are the two in the prophecy, Carole. Maybe you're meant to go back, way
back, to figure it all out: the mural, Udiken, everything."

No one contradicted Zack. No one said anything at all.

Carole stared at her empty glass, thinking about how far she'd traveled in just a few
short months. How far was she was about to go?

To be Continued....

David has taken many paths during his life, including, biological science, humanities,
prehospital emergency medicine, search and rescue, film and media, springboard and tower diving,
and chiropractic. Currently he lives in a small village atop the Niagara escarpment, and divides his
time between writing, chiropractic and enjoying life with his family.

* * * *

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