Anna watched the Man flee with Maladil close on his heels and nearly howled. She ran toward the green cube’s wall, following as best she could, calling out to Maladil that it wasn’t her fault! It was the Butler and Calumëomaryu! If it weren’t for them, nothing would have happened! Nothing!
He ignored every word she said. As he vanished from sight, she skidded to a halt, but, unused to the inertia of a physical body, she stopped too late and ran headlong into the wall. It vibrated for a moment and closed in a few more inches, as she bounced off and landed in a heap in the middle of the floor. She slowly rose to her feet, rubbing the elbow she’d landed on. What now? She glanced over at Calimiel, standing across the cube, facing the direction Maladil had gone but with her head turned around to watch Anna.
“It’s no good, you know.”
Anna said nothing, only continued to rub her arm.
“If we could get out on our own, we’d have found a way by now.”
Anna shook her head. “There must be a way.”
Calimiel turned completely around to face Anna. “No. Do you think Calumëomaryu would be acting like that if there were?” She pointing over her shoulder to where the Elf was giggling insanely and floating two feet off the floor, apparently without knowing it.
Anna shuddered. They’d never been friends, but at least they’d had respect once. What had happened to her? She shook her head and sighed. Maybe a body would have grounded her. And maybe it wouldn’t have. They’d never know now. She stood in the middle of the cube, thinking. What else could she do?
The Butler glided up to the wall and gestured apologetically. I’m sure he won’t leave you in here forever. You’re mortal now; he wouldn’t let you die here. With a last look over his shoulder, he disappeared out of sight, following Maladil.
[ January 13, 2003: Message edited by: Susan Delgado ]
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"Man as a whole, Man pitted against the universe, have we seen him at all 'til we see that he is like a hero in a fairy tale?"
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