The World Behind the World

First, a clarification - some people were afraid yesterday to comment, if they weren't participating in the story. Don't be! I certainly never intended to discourage regular comments - please feel free. Your observations (on the photo or the story) are encouraged and indeed much appreciated, whether you're adding to the fictional world or not. That said -

My, what a day Joel has had! Thanks to everyone for your fantastic contributions - we've already gone all kinds of places I never expected. Anyone who's coming in late should read the BIF explanation and Chapter 1 yesterday, or you'll be totally lost.

Picking up from where Hope left us:



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Chapter 2: The World Behind the World


Heady and weak, he stumbled into the night, following the noises made by what could only be described as a dismembered vine. Its many pieces flopped weakly in the dust, breathing out this incomprehensible shriek as it died.

The familiar dampness brushed his ankle, and he looked down. As his senses started to coalesce, he realized that he recognized the dog.

"Rex," he stammered, "what happened?"

"You didn't show," the dog replied. If he'd had shoulders, he would've shrugged them. "So I came looking for you."

"Yes, but.... I remember...." Joel's knees buckled and he sank to the ground in confusion.

"A Memoryvine had you. A strong one. I don't know where in your head it had taken you, but you were almost completely gone by the time I found you. You're lucky I got here in time." Then, more quietly - almost to himself - "We all are."

It made sense to Joel now. The reliving of all those excruciating events that had put him on this path in the first place. Melissa, the poison, that damned ceramic lamb - he could still feel the cold weight of its body in his hand. It was all too horrible.

That was the day he'd awakened to the forces working underneath the surface - the world behind the world. The day he'd died.

"A Memoryvine?" he finally asked, mystified. "But they don't come this far-"

"We think the Vole sent it. They must have found you."

"The Vole? They're working with the Memoryvines now?"

"The Vole have all kinds of nasty tricks now. You've been gone a long time." Rex turned and limped to the door. "It'll be dark soon."

Joel nodded, understanding. They had to hurry. As he struggled to his feet, a panic suddenly gripped him, and he frantically shoved his hand inside his coat.

Yes, still there.

He pulled out the crinkled photograph for reassurance - it was the same as always. Same moment, frozen forever in time. Same message, scrawled in his father's careless hand. Same irony.

It brought nothing but pain, he knew, this crumpled anachronism. This reminder of a time when there was hope in the world.

"Flowers are the answer. Right."

Yet he couldn't bear to part with it.

Shoving his father back into the darkness, he heard Rex growling in the distance.

...