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

was approaching from behind? The feeling may spread up the back of the neck or cause tingling all over, but it always originates between the shoulder blades. My people say one’s soul is trying to escape when that happens. Backing against a wall can help, but nothing calms the feeling like the hand of another person. Perhaps it’s merely an excuse to feel the touch of another.”
    “I wasn’t patronizing you, I was only saying thanks. I’m not sure I believe one’s soul can escape, but the nerves in that spot on my back are particularly sensitive, and when I get a fright, that’s where I feel it first.”
    Alesia stepped back. “I never got your name.”
    “I apologize. After spend so much time alone, it seems I’ve forgotten my manners. I’m Gil.”
    “Alesia. It’s nice to meet you, Gil—from another Reality. Is it possible that I’m still asleep and dreaming? I was quite tired after ascending the guard tower steps earlier. When I came back down, I sat in this corridor and fell asleep. Or I could have dozed off and fallen from the steps. I could be plummeting to my death even as we speak. Perhaps I have already hit bottom and I’m having this delusion while I die. A parting gift from my mind.”
    Gil laughed out loud and drew her hand to his chest. “While all of that is plausible, none of it is true.”
    Alesia cocked her head to one side and grinned. She let her gaze slide down his body and back up. Breaks in fog gave her tiny glances at his true form, but only enough to be maddening. “You look like a dream. Perhaps that’s why you’re all foggy and difficult to see. No matter. You’re quite nice as dreams go.”
    Gil nodded. “Yes, you look like a dream as well.” He paused for a moment, just gazing at her. “I know technology wasn’t allowed in your village, but is it possible that someone there is using some form of electronic communications?”
    She shrugged. “Not as far as I am aware. Why do you ask?”
    Gil scratched his chin and stared thoughtfully off into thin air for a moment. “Well, I’ve been having these strange—strange signals from some sort of Locater Beacon in your Reality. I’m unable to identify the source.”
    Alesia stared at his face, hoping for a break in the fog so she could see his expression clearly. “Strange, strange signals, not just plain, strange signals? You were going to say something else, weren’t you?”
    Gil shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with her question. “I suppose I didn’t think my sentence through before I began to speak.”
    Alesia nodded, wondering what was really on Gil’s mind. “I think you have something to tell me, but you’re hesitant for some reason.”
    He shook his head, casting his gaze toward the floor. “It’s nothing really. Not the kind of thing one tells a complete stranger.”
    Alesia hooked a finger under his chin and tipped it up. “Well, Gil from another Reality, we’ll just have make a concerted effort to become more thoroughly acquainted so you’ll feel comfortable sharing your secret with me. I actually have a secret of my own that I might divulge, if we were—close.”
    Gil grinned at her. “Yes, let’s do just that. I’d love nothing better than to get to know you. So, you haven’t noticed a Transuniversal Locater Beacon lying around your village anywhere?”
    “I’ve read all the technical information available in our library, but I don’t recall anything of the sort.”
    “Never mind, it’s not important. I’m probably just picking up random energy fluctuations.”
    Alesia squeezed his hand and sighed. The thick layer between them made their physical contact only mildly satisfying, like holding hands while wearing mittens. “I know you can’t fix it where I can see you better, but can you do anything so I can feel you like you’re actually real?”
    “Just as I can’t make it where you can pass through, I also can’t lessen the density of what separates us. Honestly, I didn’t even know