Winged Memories
The Golden Ostrich
We drove through the endless sheets of rain until we reached the place called Trinity. Dorothy was silent for the most of the trip…I found it disturbing, although without reason. Sometimes though, it's almost as if she can sense more than a human, being devoid of the same emotions…in theory, at least.
Her hands were folded in her lap over the letter. I wondered if those ludicrous words he wrote were what kept her from speaking. She seemed so perplexed by those accusations…
"So you think Schwarzwald is 'brokenhearted'?" I finally said. The silence was deafening.
She nodded.
"By what?"
"He does not know. He's aware that something is missing, but other than realizing those are his memories, he knows nothing. That is why he searches."
"Do you believe what he says?"
"It is not my place to judge."
Ambiguity.
"And if it were?" I was prodding recklessly.
"Roger." She pointed ahead to the old factory, edges blurred by rain. Negotiations were closed, for the moment.
It was just as cold inside, and nearly as wet…half the roof was rotted away, leaving the leftover stacks of paper to be soaked.
"This company moved once a spot opened up inside the domes," I said, looking at the rusting machinery. "I'm not sure why they just left everything."
"I've been waiting." I heard a click from somewhere to my right. Schwarzwald stepped out from behind the shadows, pistol raised. I put my hands up and shook my head.
"I don't like to carry a gun…it shows bad faith."
"How noble of you, Paradigm Dog," he sneered. "I'm surprised you figured this one out. I presume you got my letter then."
"Why did you leave it with the Military Police?"
"They too are the dogs of this city…it is suiting that they should deliver it to you."
"Your opinion of their work cost me a good bottle of brandy."
"Materialistic people like you are why I now see the true state of this world."
"Do you believe that people do not have a right to what they earn?"
"People do not earn in this city…people are given to by the corruption!"
"That's not true," I said. "No one gave you the knowledge that you have…you sought it out yourself. Your lies are your own profit."
"Lies?! I am the one being in this world that knows the truth!"
"It is only the truth because that is what you want it to be," Dorothy said suddenly. He glared at her, recognizing, and pulled the trigger.
author's note: two more chapters to go...I'm sure that makes my readers happy. Please R&R or I'll keep you waiting on the edge of the proverbial cliff hanger. -evil- .