The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude
Book Three of Siri's Story
PROLOGUE
It took me approximately one second to realize I had made a huge mistake.
My hand flew up to shield my eyes, but it was too late and my retinas were burnt. It couldn't have been brighter if I had stepped onto the surface of the sun. For all I knew, I had. As if I could rewind the moment, I shuffled blindly backwards to pass through the stone doorway. It was a soft step, and then the ground betrayed my feet: I slipped and was on my back, the wind knocked out of me.
I stared in horror at the brightest lapis sky I had ever seen, a color I couldn't reconcile with my earthly experiences of blue. The next moments were absorbed by pain on the surfaces of my skin exposed to the light. And through my nose and throat and into my lungs, now working past the scare of being knocked out. I didn't accept or understand the tasteless air passing through my nose.
Cold, my brain finally told me. The pain was cold. I squinted into the mystery of the lapis, gasping. I couldn't accept the changes from the soggy night in the UK to this stark cold, bright. I clenched my hands into fists; the tips of my fingers protesting against the pain.
This was wrong. This was very wrong. I lifted my head and my eyes adjusted enough to see that I was in the center of a perfectly flat white surface, covered with about two inches of powdery snow. I shaded my eyes as I traced the expanse of white to the edge, where a mountain sharply rose, like a dark wall. The sun was above the range and even with my hand shading my face, it was almost unbearable to look towards.
I slowly pushed myself to my feet and turned my gaze to the other side. Wilderness. A range of mountains. To every side. This was a lake in the middle of mountains. In the direction away from the sun, the mountains looked the mildest. The slope was gradual and I could see valleys and jagged tooth-like peaks above them. My hand found its way to my stomach, slightly rounded beneath my raincoat.
What had I done?
It was beautiful beyond my imagination. Untouched by man, wild and alien. Treacherous. It would have been much better if I had been snuggled on my couch with Steve, in front of the TV, watching a documentary. The beauty was terrifying this close. This place was not meant for humans.
My eyes watered.
I spun slowly. The view was unchanging. No rock formations, no rain, no car headlights, no Dr. Selvig. Not even a shadow of the night I had just stepped out of, or the frame of rock I had stepped under. A stab of fear had me gasping icy air into my lungs. What had I done? What had Dr. Selvig done?
"Dr. Selvig?" I called out; my voice was small and faraway-sounding. I couldn't get enough oxygen into my lungs and it felt like I was jogging.
"Dr. Erik Selvig!"
Ah! It feels so good to be back! If you are returning, like me, after a one year hiatus, yay! And if you are just joining, welcome. To all: thank you for reading, and a SPECIAL thank you, in advance, for your reviews. Those are the most amazing gifts you can give a fanfiction author. Lets us know we not alone ;)
Love to you all,
-Coy