The Fabric Of Reality by Benjamin Kelly Read Free Book Online Page A

her hand.
    “Sir, I need to go, before I lose my courage.”
    “Wait, please. It’s what I was trying to tell you before. I shouldn’t be able to hold your hand. Something is different here. Of all the Windows into other Realities I’ve gazed through, this is the only one that allowed me to physically interact with someone on the other side. Perhaps there is something special about you that lets us touch this way.”
    Alesia turned her gaze away, even though she could barely see him. The very idea that this strange man could think she was special nearly made her break down. “I’m nothing special, just an ordinary woman, like many in my village.”
    “Something is causing massive interference in this Window. It dramatically increased a short while ago. I am willing to bet that the timing coincides with the moment you entered the castle.”
    “Again, this is fascinating, but I have a very unpleasant task to complete. The longer I delay, the more difficult it will be.”
    “I may not have long to live myself. Can you not spend the remainder of this day with me?” He stepped closer and pulled her into his arms.
    Alesia stiffened instinctively but after an instant allowed herself to relax into his embrace. “This is awfully forward for a man I just met.”
    He held her tighter. “Do you wish for me to release you?”
    She slipped her arms around his waist and sank deeper into him. “No, I can’t say that I do. Why would you not have long to live?”
    “This fortress is under attack even as we speak. My colleagues and I built a protective Barrier, which, if constantly maintained, could remain impenetrable indefinitely, but with no one left to help me maintain it, my enemies will break through in a matter of days.”
    Alesia raised her hand to his cheek. “I wish I could see you properly. You are quite handsome from what I can tell. You feel wonderful in my arms. I suppose I can delay my suicide until you find a way to escape your enemy.”
    “Unfortunately, I have no escape from my enemy. The Doorways between Realities have all closed. I can only speculate that my colleagues passing through the junction somehow blocked my access. That’s probably why I cannot communicate with them.”
    “If they’re doorways, is there no way to reopen them?”
    “My colleagues took the technology with them, the machine that manipulates the fabric of reality, and all the schematics. We didn’t want our enemy to follow us through. My ability to manipulate junction points with this Locater is limited. I don’t think they could be reopened anyway. They barely register any longer, so I’m trapped.”
    “Place your hand between my shoulder blades and hold it there for a moment.”
    He pressed his palm flat to her spine. “Like this?”
    Alesia closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest. The soothing effect of his touch radiated throughout her body. The complete unfairness of finding him only to discover an impenetrable barrier separating them dealt her a devastating blow. Having no hope at all would have been much better than having her hope crushed once again. She clearly understood Bonnie’s anger toward her. She should have never given her friends false hope by sharing her belief about heroes existing for all of them. “Yes, that’s the exact spot. My soul feels as if it wants to escape into the emptiness of this place, and that’s the spot where it will exit if I let it. Your hand does nicely to hold it in.”
    He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry that you’re lonely. I’ve had the same feeling since my colleagues left. It’s been more than a year since I’ve spoken to anyone other than myself.”
    “A year?” She slipped her hand to the same spot on his back. “Has your soul escaped?”
    He chuckled. “No, I think you caught it just in time.”
    “You patronize me. It’s merely a legend that’s repeated in my village. Have you ever had a feeling when walking alone in the dark that something