Chapter 4:





Lily tried to make it look as if she were on a leisurely bike ride. Her mind was in turmoil. The thought of going back to work , to those helpless newchildren, to where they killed children. . . . it was too much. She felt like throwing herself into the river, letting herself be killed. She shifted through her memories, trying to come up with the appropriate word. She felt suicidal. This was all from the death of the poor, innocent newchild who had not had a chance at life.

Lily was on the bridge before she realized where she was headed. Over the bridge and down the road was another community. The water led beyond the communities to Elsewhere. Lily paused on the bridge, gazing into the quickly rushing water. Today was one of the days that the fishery was expelling the extra water accumulated. The river was rushing faster then usual, and the bridge was slick.

Lily turned when she heard a bicycle approaching from behind her. She saw a familiar face.

"Lily, hello," said the familiar young woman. Lily saw her change, and for a brief moment, Fiona's hair was red.

"Hello, Fiona."

"The river is moving rather swiftly today," Fiona said, glancing down. "I heard they are keeping a special close watch on the children, so that there is no Loss. It would be terrible if someone were to fall into that water."

"Terrible," Lily agreed. She looked up. There was another rider coming toward them. It was her chance. She climbed up onto her bicycle, and started back to her community. Purposely, she wobbled her wheels. On the slick bridge, her bicycle toppled. Unfortunately, she slammed into Fiona. The two of them rolled into the wooden railing. The railing splintered and gave way. Together, the two of them plunged into the cool water. They were rapidly swept by the swift water.



"Help!" screamed Fiona. The other rider stopped his bike, and reversed it the way he had come. Fiona thrashed wildly. "I can't swim!" she cried. Lily reached for her. She did not want Fiona to die. She could not bear two murders on her conscience.

"Fiona, hold on!" she called, fighting the current. She grabbed onto Fiona's hand, but the other girl was panicking, and pulling her under. A cool resolve descended on Lily. She reached into herself, pulling out the calmest memory she could find. Fiona's body went rigid, then relaxed. Lily swam them both to the surface, and kept them both afloat as the river carried them along.

They traveled at a speed Lily was sure was only rivaled by a plane. She was cold through her body, but it did not seem to matter. She clung onto memories of warmth, keeping her and Fiona from getting too cold. Fiona awoke some time later. She did not move.

"What's going on?" she cried.

"We were swept into the river," Lily replied as calmly as she could. "I couldn't get us to shore, but I didn't want us to be Lost."

A terrible rushing noise filed her ears. Lily looked up. The water dropped away suddenly.

"What is that?" Lily felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She pulled Fiona, and, her muscles burning with exertion, Lily managed to get them to the shore. Panting, she collapsed in the dirt.

Fiona went to the edge of the great drop. She peered over.

"What is this?" she asked. Lily slowly drew her tired body up. She looked down. Below, she could see a mass of plants. Trees, she realized with a start, that's a forest. She had seen forests in her memories. She glanced over the forest. Something odd began to happen. After a certain point, the trees took on a change. She realized it was colour. Staring in awe, she could see almost a curtain where the grey stopped and colour started.

"I have to get there," she realized. She looked at Fiona. She knew she could not let Fiona go back to the community. Fiona would tell them where she went.

Lily took a deep breath.

"Fiona, I must show you something."

"What is it?" Fiona asked, a look of suspicion playing across her face.

"I must ask you to simply trust me."

"As you wish."

"May I see your hand?" Lily asked. Fiona blinked at her in confusion. She placed her hand in Lily's before a shock registered on her face.

"You can give memories!"

It was too late. Lily concentrated on the memory of war. She pulled from it the boy's sad, open eyes, staring vacantly into death. The image dimmed in her mind, and Lily heard Fiona gasp violently.

For a moment, Fiona's eyes stared at her in the same blank manor, until the girl collapsed at Lily's feet, sobbing. Lily put a comforting hand on Fiona's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Fiona. It had to be. Choose now, with me, or back to the House of the Old." Fiona looked up. Tears stained her face, but there was a spark in her dark eyes, a flash of true anger.

"How could they do this?"

"I don't know."

"I can't go back to that."

"I know."

"Then where will we go, Lily?" Lily knelt by Fiona's side.

"Elsewhere," she replied softly.