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main | table of contents Copyright © 2003, S. Y. Affolee 9 An Article As Gammell was talking on the phone, presumably to a client considering his end of the conversation, Verity noticed something on the floor. Rather, it was an article on one of the newspapers spread out to protect the floor from the chemicals that were being used on the curio cabinet.
“What are you reading?” She looked up. He had just finished the phone call. “It’s an article on a couple of college kids who are missing. I can’t help think that we were one of the last ones who saw them?” “Why do you say that?” “They were last seen at Miranda’s last night.” “Ah. I believe I read that article this morning. A pity, but unfortunately no one can do anything about it.” “What do you mean? Isn’t the police scouring the city for them?” “The kids disappear every year, unfortunately. And the police can’t do anything about it. It’s as if they vanished without a trace. In fact, I believe they have vanished without a trace. The fanatics who worship the other probably kidnapped them and offered them in sacrifice in hopes of opening here into there.” “Ah.” She didn’t want to say any more to provoke him in going about his spiel about others and things best not mentioned, but he continued, warming up to the subject. “The curious thing is that the kidnappings, or the disappearances since there is no proof that actual people are involved in this, always happen around this time of the year. Now why is that?” Verity just shrugged. “I think it has to do with the fact that this other thing can only breach from there to here when the time is right. It’s the end of the year and the unnamed days draw near. Isn’t it curious that Aunat, generally called the Unnamed One to differentiate between the god and his incarnations, doesn’t even protect us on the unnamed days?” “It’s just superstition,” said Verity. “The unnamed days are like any other days. They’re just five extra days at the end of the calendar because they couldn’t fit in evenly into a month.” Gammell ignored her logic, “I’ll tell you what those unnamed days are. They’re left over from the days before, when the other was here in the minds of men and not the Unnamed One and his organized religion.” “You know what you’re saying is blasphemy,” said Verity mildly. “You’re lucky I’m your only audience.” “Of course I know that. I would have kept my mouth shut if you were my sister or my doctor or even one of the other archivists.” “Why is that?” He held out his hand to help her up. “Maybe because I have this hope that you will believe me?” She put her hand in his. His hand was large and rough which was a contrast from his angular and moody face. It made her own look slim, delicate. “Fat chance of that happening,” she replied. Gammell’s eyes darkened and he pulled her up just a little too hard. She stumbled onto her feet and nearly crashed into him. She was inches away from him. She stared back at him and felt his breath fanning her cheek. The standstill of wills felt as weighty, almost painful. What was she feeling when she saw his eyes dip to his hand still clasping hers? “You’re such a skeptic,” he said. “You’re angry.” “No.” “You’re annoyed with me the since I don’t follow your conspiracy theories.” “No. You have no idea what I’m feeling.” He suddenly let go of her hand and stepped back. “One of my clients called. He has a job for me.” “Then I should get going. I’ll get a copy of the cataloguing program and help install it on your computer. You can show me your paperwork later.” She strolled to the couch to get her coat. “I want you to come with me.” He turned and walked to the kitchen to wash his hands. He came back to the living room with his own coat. “But I don’t know anything about antiques dealing.” “Consider it on the job training. You are my assistant, are you not?” She cracked a smile. “Okay boss.” “You should smile more often. Sometimes I wonder if you’re trying to audition for a tragic play.” He opened the door. “Well, maybe I am. What about your curio cabinet?” “It can keep as it is at the moment. We’ll take my car since we’ll be back here soon. I don’t expect this particular appointment to be long.”  |