Zelazny, Roger - Novel 07 by Bridge of Ashes Read Free Book Online Page A

Basically,
Dennis has no personality, no self, of his own. He is a traumatized collection
of fragments of other people whose minds he encountered before you moved here.
Somehow, he has encountered another and the same thing has occurred, on a
larger scale. The individual was undergoing some stressful experience, and
Dennis—who is more developed neurologically now—seized hold of a larger chunk
of that person's psyche. As to who and where, I did not take the time to probe
at length. If there is a recurrence, I will have to. In the meantime, it may
even work to Dennis' benefit. I may be able to utilize some of the new material
in the structuring of his own personality. It is too early to say, of course,
but it is a possibility."
                   "Then he was not hurt?"
                   "No. The person with whom he was in
contact had been hurt. He was reacting to that."
                   "I had better call Dick and let him know
what has happened."
                   "You may be disturbing him unduly. I
think it would be better to wait and see what the situation is tomorrow. You
would have a more complete story to tell him then.''
                   "That is true. He is gone so much of the
time now, Lydia . ... Do you think he is running away from— this?"
                   "Perhaps to some extent. But the nature
of his work—the new union negotiations ... You know that this is a bona fide
business trip. The feeling that he is running away may be a projection of your
own desires. It has been a while since you have been away, has it not?"
                   "God! Yes!"
                   "Perhaps when this small crisis is past
you ought to consider taking a vacation. I could manage things here in your
absence."
                   "You may be right I will think about it, Lydia . Thanks."
                   When Vicki rose, late the following morning, Lydia was already in Dennis' room. It was a warm,
sunny day, and she worked in the greenhouse till lunchtime. When Lydia did not join her as usual she approached
the closed door and stood there a long while before returning to the kitchen.
Gentle feelers of thought had detected intense mental activity within. She
pressed the general button on the news unit, cut out the viewer, pressed for a
repro copy. One by one, sheets slid into the tray. She stopped it at two dozen,
gathered the stack, took it with her to the table.
                   Later, she went to sit in the courtyard, and
after a time she slept.
                   For long moments, she did not know whether she
had been dreaming....
                   She lay there, blinking up at the light. The
shadows had lengthened. Somewhere a jay was calling.
                   Then, Victoria , where are you?
                   She sat up.
                   What is it?
                   The news ... Dennis’ fixe … The story is right
here! Governor Wheeler dead, and McCormack seriously injured . . .
"Assassin fled . . . believed wounded .. " Dennis was in that man's
mind, was still there today. I could not sever the connection. I finally put
him to sleep again. I thought he had contacted someone who was fantasizing
vividly — a psychotic, perhaps— but I was wrong. This is real — and it was in Santa Fe .
                   Santa Fe is over a hundred miles from here!
                   I know! Dennis’ ability has apparently
increased. Or else Dr. Winchel’s tests were faulty.
                   I had better call the doctor — and Dick.
                   We had better call the authorities, too. I
know the man's name — Roderick Leishman. He is a member of that radical eco group,
the Children of the Earth. I had the impression he was heading north.
                   I am coming. Will you make the calls? Except
to