Was his fantasy no fantasy at all? Was Junior inhabited after all?
Numbly, Fawkes found himself behind another tree. He couldn’t leave it at this. He knew that. He could not report to the rest: I saw something alive. It might have been the answer to everything. But I was afraid and let it get away.
He would have to make some attempt.
There was a “chalice tree” just behind the tree that hid the creature. It was in bloom, the white and cream flowers lifted turgidly upward, waiting to catch the rain that would soon fall. There was the sharp tinkle of a breaking flower and cream slivers twisted and turned downward.
It wasn’t imagination. Something was behind the tree.
Fawkes look a deep breath and dashed out, holding his blaster before him, nerving himself to shoot at the slightest sign of danger.
But a voice called out, “Don’t. It’s only I.” A frightened, but definitely human face looked out from behind the tree.
It was Mark Annuncio.
Fawkes stopped-in mid-stride and I stared. Finally, he managed to croak, “What are you doing here?”
Mark said, staring at the blaster in the other’s hand, “I was following you.”