The Burning Man

14

‘You don’t have to solve this on your own. Talk to me.’ Church sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting on the small of Ruth’s back as she buried her face in the pillow.

‘I want to. I want us to be just how we used to be.’ She rolled over to look at him. Tears streaked her cheeks.

‘If Veitch did something, we can find a way to put it right.’

‘So we stop saving the world to save ourselves? You know that’s not an option.’

‘I’m not going to let us fall apart. You mean more to me than the world.’

‘Maybe that’s why he did it,’ she said. ‘A blow struck for the Army of the Ten Billion Spiders. You get me and the world is lost.’

Church didn’t have to think. ‘I want you.’

She laughed quietly, without humour. ‘I knew you’d say that — that’s why I love you. You’re an idiot. Don’t you get it? Veitch has made me a weapon to destroy everything we’re trying to achieve.’

‘It’s a suicide mission, no hope of success. Everyone keeps telling me-’

‘Shut up.’ She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and wiped the tears from her face. ‘Now that my memory’s coming back, I know what my legacy is. I’m a conduit for the Craft, and all that represents. For life. All that responsibility, you know? I can’t allow myself to be used to screw everything up. And I can’t allow you to walk away from your own destiny. Not for me. Not for us.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘I’m saying goodbye, Church.’ She brushed her fingers against his temple and Church pitched backwards onto the bed in a deep sleep.

For a moment, Ruth paced the room, kneading her hands in desperation. Then she grabbed her spear and kissed Church tenderly on the lips one final time. Before the tears started again, she marched quickly out of the room, descended in the lift, strode across the lounge — so driven she was oblivious to the frost — and outside. She wore no coat. Without hesitation, she continued through the thick snow towards the bleak horizon. The wind was bitter and well below zero.

It wasn’t long before the warmth left her completely and she felt as if she was walking into a dream.