Seven knew that he had some information concerning these people, but Ma-ah’s emotions kept blocking out his own awareness. In the cave now, Ma-ah stared at the wall. She and Rampa were chattering, wondering whether or when they would be freed. They’d just finished eating the last of the roots they’d gathered and tied about their waists.

A torch burned high above them. The top of the room was open in the center. The two of them were less frightened now. They’d been left alone for hours. The cave’s door refused to budge, but otherwise they were not restrained in any way. Oversoul Seven let his own consciousness climb up again wearily. He peered through Ma-ah’s eyes, but as he did so, images appeared on the cave wall. They were apparent to him, but not to Ma-ah, who paid no attention. Briefly he thought that this was strange, since they were, after all her eyes he was looking through. The pictures were milky and opaque at first, then they turned clear, soft, vivid. To Seven, but not to Ma-ah, the wall disappeared as if it did not exist.

Mentally, to no one in particular, Lydia had just called for help. The trailer wall was blurring before her eyes, and she knew what that meant. It was one of those trailer-camper trucks. Lawrence was driving. She’d been reading at the small table that was hinged to the half-wall behind the driver’s seat. One slim bony hand still rested on the book. Now it trembled suddenly, without warning.

Another … petit stroke. Quickly she leaned back while she still could, anchoring herself so that she wouldn’t fall off the chair. And she wouldn’t call Lawrence. She’d determined not to. Let him drive on, unknowing. The edges of her vision were blurring faster now. Something within her was giving way. She braced herself for the confusion, maybe for unconsciousness….

Would Lawrence have the guts to give her the pills? You promised, she thought wildly. I won’t die senile … in a home, locked up. Her eyes flew to the small high cabinet where the pills were kept. If she didn’t come out of it … right … if her mind was … gone … if she couldn’t keep up, Lawrence knew what to do. Looking at the cabinet was the last thing she remembered.