ISLAND IN THE SAND
Part XXI
The single heavy door opened all the way all on its own as if powered by some unseen force. There was no sound which surprised Star. How long since the doors to the house had been open, and if they hadn’t been opened for many many years then how was it that they could operate as if they were used every day. There was no evidence of the kind of hard harsh and penetrating light that flowed from most ceilings and the tops of the train tunnels inside the complex. Lights glowed on in front of Star as she moved into what could only be described as the recreation of life from the far past before the asteroid had changed everything in less than one rotation of the planet. Star stopped five feet inside the door, feeling a faint draft behind her but unable to turn and see what might have caused it. The scene opening before her was just too magnetically holding of all her attention. One light went on after another. Over-stuffed couches, chairs, side tables sat, perfectly laid out in a single large room covered in rugs so deeply piled that it was difficult to walk upon them. A fireplace ignited along the shorter wall of the room to Star’s left, while some sort of calming music she’d never heard anything like eased out of every part of the walls and ceiling. Two fans revolved slowly, looking like many-fingered digits of some macabre but beautiful flat-surfaced hands.
Star took it all in, letting her eyes flow over the interior and the through the glass windows, all of which she knew had been shuttered prior to their entry. The upper lip of the canyon wall across the deep divide in between was a thing of distant but nearly painful beauty, gray rocks veined with clear quartz with giant pines growing and flowing out into the empty air. Suddenly, her thoughts came rushing back inside. There was no noise at all behind her. Nothing. No children’s movements and sounds. She twisted around and stared at the rest of her band, all collected behind some clear barrier. Star ran to the glass wall and put her hands on it, pressing against the hands pushing toward her on the other side.
Another great segment of a great story Jim. Wandered over here between chapters of Thirty Days and was hooked from the first chapter. Appreciate your writing and the fact that you post it here for all to read. You certainly have a gift. I own the First and Second 10 days, will own the Third 10 days, and hope to own this one if/when it is published.
Thanks so much Harry. I am hard at the next segment and I much appreciate the compliments and support you are putting up on here in public….
Semper fi,
Jim
Looking forward to this book.
Some editing help:
In the first paragraph, it seems like “a” should be inserted after “room”, making it “a large room”. The House didn’t answer Stars question re:”other eWhen the robot spoke again it called Star “your” instead of “you”. The House didn’t answer Star’s question re: “humans outside”.
Appreciate your support, Mike
Wow! Star needs to sit down and think a minute. What is in Harry’s backpack. Why is she accusing True. Shake down time.
Ninety- one is my kinda robot, I think?
Great writing! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Nancy. You are so true blue and I am loving having you as a fan with regard to this neat story.
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh what a tangled web you weave Mister Jim.
thanks for the great compliment Glenn, and coming from a pretty damned good writer himself.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well now…just like Thirty Days and all of your publishings you keep us hooked wanting to know what’s next as we wait anxiously for the next chapter. Even though I have a pretty good overview of your life I can’t help but wonder about what you’re not able to disclose. Keep it coming at your pace. I know I’ll not be able to remove the hook you have so firmly embedded in my mind!
Well Jack, you kind of have special knowledge about that. Yes, there is a lot I cannot divulge and there is a good measure that
is not believable either, as I found with my first novel on Amazon (Down in the Valley). Thanks for writing what you wrote here and being
such a fan.
Semper fi,
Jim
Absolutely fantastic .
thanks Jim for the encouragement.
Semper fi, not to mention the compliment.
Jim
I don’t know how to comment. I’m still at “damn, it’s over!” and wish there were a day and a half of reading left. Thank you.
Well, it’s a long way from over, this story, anyway.
Thanks for wanting more.
Semper fi,
Jim
“Sub-vocalization, it is called,” the house replied. “Say the words you wish to (help) (keep) private but do not say them out loud, and assure that your lips are not watched. I will be able to interpret your vibrations and receive your requests and instructions.”
What an intriguing story. Robots with an attitude no less. Harry and her revelation about True and what she says he is up to. More twists and urns then a bowl of ramen noodles.
thanks Pete. I am enjoying the writing and displaying some of my knowledge of AI as well as physics and the human condition.
Semper fi,
Jim
And thanks for the compliments!
Doesn’t surprise me about True. Love the addition of Harriet. The innocence of a child ratting True out. One question I have is Val and his brother. No mention of them being with the group. Did they go back to Sly?
As always love this story. It has been keeping me on the edge of my seat awaiting the next segment.
Val and Theo are back in the next segment Steven. Thanks for the comment here about them.
You are most astute and also thanks for the compliment inherent in your analysis and presentation on here.
Semper fi,
Jim