The Fabric Of Reality by Benjamin Kelly Read Free Book Online

the fabric together, like two people on opposite sides of linens hanging on the line to dry. That’s sort of what it feels like is between us, a blanket.”
    He shook his head. “It’s not that simple. The fabric of Reality cannot be manipulated in such a way. It is not something we can physically touch. It exists outside our respective universes in a place we cannot reach.”
    Alesia shrugged. “If you say so, but I know what I feel. You sound as if you are trying to convince yourself that what you feel with your own hand is not real.”
    He nodded and grinned at her, his face fading in and out behind the ever-changing fog. “Yes, I suppose I am, but there’s no denying it, is there?”
    “So, if you’re not a spirit, what are you?”
    “Given your belief in spirits and the fact that you were using an oil lamp for light, what I am probably won’t make any sense to you. I’m a scientist.”
    Alesia laughed. “Do you believe that because I am a woman, I am not intelligent?”
    “No, that’s not what I meant.”
    “In my Reality study of the sciences is a pursuit only for men. They say women are not logical enough for such things. For instance, there has been a long-running debate about building a hydroelectric power plant to make life a little more bearable. Women will be expected to do a significant portion of the construction, but the village elders, all men, refuse to explain the concepts to us. I suppose it’s that way in your Reality as well?”
    He shook his head. “No, on the contrary, some of my most brilliant scientist colleagues are women.”
    She clenched his hand tightly. “Oh, that’s a wonderful thing to know. I slip into the library when no one is looking and read all the technical manuals I can find. If you ask me, the men of my village are afraid the women will take over if they allow us to get too smart. That, of course, is utter nonsense. I would like to meet these women scientists.”
    He sighed heavily, letting his shoulders sag. “Unfortunately, they’re all gone now.”
    Alesia’s heart sank. She had read books from her distant past containing accounts of women employed in all sorts of intellectual occupations. At one time, females had been valued as much more than breeding animals and laborers. To hear someone say it was still so, had momentarily filled her with joy. “Gone where?”
    He shook his head and gazed past her as if trying to see her surroundings. “If you are aware of electricity, you may not be as primitive as my initial assumption.”
    “The use of all but the most basic technology was forbidden after the Great War. Our village elders have always maintained that unchecked technological advancements were the cause of the unprecedented destruction. Where did your women scientists go?”
    “They escaped to another Reality, but I have been unable to contact them since. My equipment is severely limited. I can’t even tell for certain if they made it through alive. I had intended to join them but got detained, and the Doorway closed before I could enter.”
    His somber mood hinted at the answer to her question, but she had to ask it to be certain. “Can I come through to your Reality?”
    “Unfortunately, this Window will not allow passage. If I had all the right equipment and some help from my friends, we might devise a way, but...” He let his words trail off.
    Alesia staggered a little but quickly steadied herself by gripping his hand, determined not to outwardly show the devastation crushing her heart. “Well, this is all very fascinating, but if you’re not here to save me from my fate, I must meet it. I refuse to spend my life married to a man I’ll never love, who does not love me. My only option is to take my own life. If you will kindly give me back my hand, I’ll ascend the guard tower and jump. I couldn’t bear to do it earlier because the day was so beautiful, but the day is over now, and my death will not interrupt the night.”
    He held tightly to