The Speculist

Stillness, Supplemental Chapter

Part IV

Chapter Supplemental

 

(Read earlier chapters.)

 

Michel poured some more wine.

"The time is very near," he said. "It draws close."

Reuben didn't touch his glass. Michel's story was a long one. It had not been easy, listening to it. But he felt better knowing the truth, even if it had laid waste the festive evening.

Daphne, stunned by what she had heard, looked at Michel with great sadness. She didn't even try to hide her tears.

"So what can we do?" she asked.

"I'm afraid there is nothing to be done, Cheri. You have come too late. It is as simple as that.

Almost on cue, there was a rumbling from the gathering darkness out over the river. They had all studiously ignored how the darkness had grown throughout the evening. But it was unavoidable now. The rumbling quickly became a roaring, and the darkness — somehow palpable — poured in through the open window like a flood.

It took only a moment, and it was finished.

The world had come to an end.

Naw, just kidding. I got too busy with the day job this week to finish editing the latest chapter. Promise to have it up soon.

Thanks for reading!

Posted by Phil at June 30, 2004 10:30 PM | TrackBack