Chapter 04 - There Are Other Worlds Than These
After breakfast the group hit the road. Sharon was right; it was a little crowded in the backseat of her car. Crowded but manageable. It was just so nice to travel by car again, Eddie thought. Nice to not have to travel by foot for once. Sharon's car was a 1988 silver Toyota Camry. Apparently it got good gas mileage and the ride was smooth. Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy sat in the back, while Roland rode shotgun. Oy's nose was pressed against the window, obviously interested in the passing scenery. The look on Roland's face was almost identical to Oy's. Roland had both hands pressed against the glass and had a look of sheer wonderment on his face. It was comical really, like a kid on Christmas. Sharon couldn't help but smile to herself as she drove on toward Fresno.
As they drove onward Eddie asked the question it didn't occur to any of them to ask earlier, just where and when were they anyway? Sharon informed them that they were in Los Angeles, California, 1990. "1990!" Susannah could hardly believe her ears. So this is what the future looked like.
Sharon drove on and on, every now and then stealing glances at Roland. Eventually he settled in and was able to take his face away from the side window. Roland had a light smile on his face. He smiled easier these days it seemed. Roland looked at Sharon as she drove. The more he looked, the more Susan he saw in her. Her gentle mannerisms. Her hair. Her eyes. Especially her eyes. But there were differences too. Sharon was stronger than Susan, physically at least. If only Susan had known this 'Judo', perhaps she would not have met such an untimely end. Roland looked out the window without any of his previous interest. His thoughts would not leave him. He didn't even hear Eddie's endless jokes or Jake's laughter from the backseat. Could Judo really have saved Susan? Or perhaps… Is this what death does to a person? Can death make you stronger? How many times did I have to die in how many other worlds before I became the killer I am today? Perhaps this thought plagued him the most. There are other worlds than these. Roland continued to muse these ideas, now completely ignoring the novel scenery, which had captivated him so fully during the onset of their journey.
Sharon pulled into a rest stop just outside Bakersfield. Roland stayed in the car while the others got out to stretch and use the facilities. He watched as Sharon showed Jake some Judo moves. Jake was obviously taken with her, but then again, who wouldn't be? Eddie came around the corner of a petite brick building and told Jake not to quit his day job. Pretty soon they were on the road again. The closer they got to Fresno, the more certain they all were that something evil (crimson) was lurking there.