“That’s a good thing,” Rutger said. “What’s going on?”

Master George put his hands behind his back again and paced in a wide circle for a full minute. Mothball knew better than to interrupt him. He finally stopped and looked at both of them in turn.

“I’ve just read through Sato’s final report of his interviews, and it concerns me greatly. He’s made conclusions with which I can’t disagree, and given me a proposal, in private, that frightens me to no end.”

“You have our full attention,” Rutger said. Mothball nodded.

Master George continued. “I’ve known all along that Reginald Chu was behind the strange things happening throughout some of the Realities. There’ve been whispers that he has a new invention, something terrible—something abominable. And I no longer have any doubt it’s directly related to the people who are going insane. I’m quite sure
of it.”

“What is this invention?” Rutger asked.

Master George paused. “Let’s go back up to the complex. I’d like Sato and Sally to join our discussion. We’ve much to talk about.”

Mothball, troubled, bent over to pick up her large pile of logs, wet from soaking in the river; she grimaced at how filthy they were after lying in the dirt.

“Could you take mine, too?” Rutger pleaded. “It’s hard enough for me to fit through this ridiculous cave as it is.”

“Don’t know if I can handle your twigs,” Mothball muttered. “Might tip me over.”

Rutger happily picked them up, then threw them on top of the stack bundled in her arms. One end smacked her in the nose.

“Blimey, that hurt! Go on with ya, get in the ruddy lift.”

Master George had already entered the well-hidden
elevator, waiting with arms folded and slightly shaking his head, as if observing the antics of misbehaving children. “Please, would you two hurry?”

Rutger sucked in a huge breath, trying to shrink his tummy, then ran forward into the dark slice of air between the two vertical walls of the cave. He made it two feet before he came to an abrupt halt; his legs dangled below him, his body lodged in place.

“Help!” he cried out, like a monster was coming to eat him.

Mothball snorted as she held in a laugh. With glee, she balanced herself, lifted one leg, cocked it, then kicked Rutger in the rear end as hard as she could. As he tumbled forward into the elevator, he managed to say, “Thank you!”

Mothball stepped onto the lift and pushed the up button.

~

Buzz.

Sato looked up from his bed where he’d been reading through his reports again. The intercom had rung for him. He put his papers aside, swung his legs off the bed and onto the floor, then reached over to hit the button on the wall.

“Yes?” he shouted.