Head Trip - Chapter 15 "Confrontation"
The rage drove him into the depths of her mind. He was feeling his own pain as he sought to cause hers. He did not know what to believe anymore.
Sam was being propelled farther and farther into the recesses of her mind. Pain had now become her only reality. Dimly, she knew it must continue to be her only focus; she dared not think of anyone or anything until she could find the strength to summon the only image she wanted Fifth to see.
Fifth felt more power than ever before. It was feeding on his maniacal desire to strip Carter of all her memories, her thoughts. She would not retreat to safety this time. He was in fast pursuit. There were blurred landscapes and figures – the speed of the chase did not allow them to take form in his mind.
It was as if her whole body were being tossed and turned in a vast windstorm, slamming into other bodies and objects which sped by so quickly that she could not grab on. She desperately wanted to anchor herself to someone or something. And, yet, in her agony, her mind was still able to warn her of the danger of doing just that. She must keep Fifth out!
He felt as if he were careening down a vortex. This was a new sensation. It exhilarated him to feel, not only like the hunter in pursuit, but also, the hunted. As he tried to grasp Sam's distorted memories and thoughts, he began to feel drawn, more and more, by some mysterious force as it exerted its gravitational pull on him.
Sam was moving through the pain once again, as she had the first time. Only, this time, she knew that she had to bring Fifth with her. She had to bring him to her safe place so that she could show him what he must see. She had rehearsed this scene in her mind for hours before his return; it was the only image that could release her from his control. Breaking through the pain, she stilled her mind for the final confrontation.
Fifth suddenly felt as if all resistance were gone. He had finally managed to overcome the barriers that Carter had been setting in his way. The pace of the hunt diminished … his mind was linking to hers … good … the moment of truth … he would gain access to her thoughts, her memories ….
Sam was waiting for him to come. He was not expecting the welcome he received.
Sam turned as he approached, and moved quickly to his side. Taking his face in her hands, she drew him to her and kissed him. He stepped back, in disbelief, but her smile told him that this was true.
He had not lost his beloved.