CHAPTER TWO: THE NEWCOMER

The newcomer was taken into the colony and put to bed in a spare room. Justin was at his side when he awoke some time later.

The stranger glanced uneasily about the room, disoriented by recent events. "Greetings," said Justin, "and welcome to the colony." The new rat regarded him with uncertainty. "I know you must be tired," Justin continued, "especially if you've come from where you claim to, but now that you're awake, I'd like to ask you some questions."

"You … you're from NIMH?" the newcomer stammered.

Justin nodded. "Yes. We all are, here. And you?"

"Yes. I escaped … seems like years ago."

"Ah! That's mainly what I wanted to ask about." Justin, who had been standing, pulled up a stool and sat down. "First, I'd feel a lot better if I knew your name."

"Uh … Ian. My name's Ian."

"I'm Justin, leader of the colony."

"This is the colony?" Justin nodded. The rat named Ian looked about the room again, and his eyes fixed upon the glowing wires that illuminated the chamber. "You've got electricity!"

Justin picked up on the amazement in Ian's voice. "Yes," he said proudly. "And running water as well. But tell me … "

"How many of you are there?" Ian interrupted.

"You certainly are full of questions!" Justin laughed. "But since you asked, there are about three hundred of us. Two hundred and eighty-seven, to be precise, but we're growing all the time."

Ian fell back on his pillow and breathed deeply. "So you weren't all exterminated after all."

"Heavens, no! Not that we didn't come close. But … how did you find us?"

"Everyone at NIMH knew about you. Once I escaped," Ian explained, "I went to where you were last known to be. It was that farm beyond the mountain."

"The Fitzgibbons' place?" asked Justin.

"Yeah … I guess that was it. Anyway, when I got there, I asked around about you. A mouse told me about Thorn Valley and, well, here I am."

"Barely," Justin added. "I was told a fox nearly had you for lunch. My guards got to you in the nick of time. Were you traveling alone?"

"Yes, I was."

"What happened to the others?"

"Others?" Ian's face was blank.

"Yes," said Justin, "the other rats. Surely you didn't escape by yourself?"

"Well … actually, I did."

Justin leaned closer. "And made it here, all the way from NIMH, on your own?"

"That's how it happened," affirmed Ian.

Justin settled back on the stool, nearly tipping it over and falling on his back. "Amazing," he murmured.

The door to the room opened inward and another male rat entered, carrying with him a clay vessel filled with steaming water. "Justin! Are you still bothering this poor unfortunate?"

"Just finishing," Justin said. "Ian, this is Barnes. He's our doctor. Barnes, this is Ian. He's one of us."

"One of us, eh?" Barnes set the bowl down on a stand beside the bed. "E equals MC squared."

"Huh?"

"I wasn't talking to you, Justin," said Barnes. "I just want to see if that term means anything to our new friend."

"Einstein's equation for relativity." Ian spoke without batting an eyelid. "It states that matter and energy are interchangeable, at least to some degree."

Barnes looked on approvingly. "You're right, Justin. He is one of us. No rat from around here would know that."

"Of course I was right." Justin sounded taken aback.

"No matter," Barnes continued. "He needs his rest. You can finish interrogating him later."

Justin threw up his forepaws. "I was only asking him a few questions!"

"Call it what you like, but Ian can't sleep with you running off at the mouth. Now then," Barnes took Justin by the arm and led him to the door, "you leave us now and I'll let you know when you can see him again."

"Okay, you're the doctor." Justin started out, then turned back in. "Barnes, let me just ask Ian one more thing before I go. It's very important."

"Oh … go ahead, then."

Justin moved to the foot of the bed. "Ian, can you tell me if you know whether or not the humans are still searching for us?"

"As far as I know," Ian replied, "and I'm almost certain of this, the humans gave you all up for dead four years ago."

"Then why did you come here?"

"Because," said Ian, "you were my only hope."

"Oh." Justin went to the door. "Barnes, when do you think he'll be up and on his feet?"

"Day after tomorrow, maybe. If you stop badgering him."

Justin took the hint. "All right, all right. I'll be back later, Ian. Rest easy."

After Justin was gone, Barnes rolled Ian onto his side and examined the gashes on his back. "Your wounds don't seem too serious, but they'll hurt like the devil once the pain killer wears off. If that fox had been an inch closer, you wouldn't be here now." The doctor held a hot compress against the injury. For some time the two were silent; then Barnes spoke again.

"You're the talk of the colony, you know that? Everybody wants to see you and meet you. You're the first contact we've had from the world of humans in years."

"Yes, I guess I am. In more ways than one."

"Your coming here is an event. Why, Justin has even announced a banquet in your honor to be held as soon as you're well enough to attend."

"A banquet?"

"Yep." Barnes removed the compress and bandaged the wounds. "We haven't had much to celebrate around here recently. If anything, your arrival will raise a few spirits. Well, I'm all done with you." Barnes stood and turned to go. "Rest up. You're got a feast waiting for you."

The lights dimmed, and Ian was alone. He pulled the furskin covers close about him. He was starting to feel at home for the first time in weeks, and it felt good.