-1EDIT INFO: Ok, I bombed and destroyed canon with my first version of this story. I hadn't played Riven yet, so I had no clue what was going on. Now that I've played Riven. . . yeah, this story bites and reeeaaaalllly needed to be edited. So, here's the revised version.

No Link Back

I stared at the ground numbly. I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it! There had to be some way . There had to be!

"I am sorry."

I turned my eyes to the man sitting at the worn desk. His eyes behind those small glasses were full of pity, concern, and. . . knowing? Ah, of course he would know. He's been trapped here for gods know how long. And now I, too, am trapped here. I couldn't help be bitter.

"Sorry?" I snapped, "Sorry isn't good enough here, Atrus."

He flinched. Oh, I didn't want to do that. I sighed, looking to the ground.

"Sorry. I shouldn't be angry at you. It's just. . . my home. . . my family. Friends. . . life! It's gone."

Atrus paused in his writing. I didn't even look up until I felt him sit beside me.

"Friend," he said, "We are in the same boat, you and I. All is lost for us, except for the small hope that the dawn will bring better times."

"Wise words for a man who survived all these years on moss scraped from rocks."

Atrus didn't respond to that. It's alright, though. You can't make a good comeback from that. I decided to change the subject after about a minute of silence.

"So. . . where is your family, exactly?"

Oh. Bad idea. His face fell. Wow, I must be the most tactless person on the face of . . . well, wherever I am.

"Catherine. . . I know where she is. She is on Riven, but. . . well, I have not finished making the necessary changes to the kor'vahk. . ."

"The wha?"

"The Linking Book."

"Ah."

"Will you help me when I am finished?"

I seriously considered this. Well, for about five seconds.

"Do I have another option? I'm stuck here with you for all eternity."

"I didn't say you had to."

"Let's look at my options here," I said, "On the one hand, I could go with you and potentially be killed by something on Riven."

"There are not any creatures on-"

"On the other hand, I could stay here, on this little island, by myself, until I die. I'll go with Option A."

"Socialization over survival?"

"I'm not staying anywhere by myself."