The Marriage of the Living Dark

“I can’t believe that”

“No?” A look of real pain crossed his face. “If s all I’ve ever known. Or almost all. And sometimes I think ... well, that maybe DeVore’s right” “No. Never think that” “But...”

“Normality,” she said, taking his hands and squeezing them, “that’s all we’re fighting for. Not for some high-sounding ideology, but for simple, everyday normality. That and the possibility of not having to fight any more.” He gave a faint smile. “I wish I could believe you.” “Do you?” Then, relenting, she nodded. “H it helps any, I’ve been where you are now, Daniel. I too ceased to believe that I could change anything. But if s not true. We can change things. We can make it better, even if if s only in the tiny circle that surrounds us. And we can’t give up. We can’t ever give up, because if we do then DeVore’s won - and what he stands for ... thaf s all there’ll ever be.”

Daniel sighed, a long, weary sigh, then, giving Emily’s hands a final, tiny little squeeze, he turned and faced the wall.

Emily watched him a moment, her eyes sad, her own heart heavy, then, knowing she could do no more, she left the room.

Outside she stopped and leaned her back against the wall, sighing deeply, knowing that Daniel was right. Killing. They had had their fill of killing. But it would not be over, not until DeVore was dead. Only then could she rest. Only then could she put away her gun.

PART THREE - WINTER 2241

the king of infinite space

“O God! I could be bounded in a nut-shell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams.”

· Hamlet