The Book of Dema

CHAPTER TWENTY + Outside the Wall

Carter felt like someone should have prepared him better for his first inter-dimensional journey as he stepped through the door into the little Dema repair shop–not because of the twisting unglued sensation he had expected to experience, but because of the transfer's complete lack of sensory feedback. He felt absolutely nothing. He stepped to the door in the woods, felt Debbie's tug and then stepped out into the metal box of a room. It was as eventful as walking from the garage into the kitchen of their split level house.

But it was just as well because the moment the shop snapped into view, Debbie had clamped her hand over his mouth. This must be where I get abducted, Carter thought. He made no sound, looking at her intently as she tracked the footsteps outside to the door and then on by.

"I cannot help you adequately understand how dangerous this is. You must do everything I say when I say it. And until we get out of here, do not make a sound, not even to me. You are a repairman under my supervision. I will talk for you if necessary. I will lead the way. I will take action if it is required," she instructed. He nodded, and Debbie removed her small, soft hand from his mouth.

The room was diminutive, no more than twenty feet by ten feet. She had spoken of the transfer room as a massive chamber full of guards and activity. He knew they weren't going there but he was certainly expecting more than this.

The door they had come through was propped against a wall in the back next to the metal and wood workbench. Debbie reached back, shut it and then covered it with a tarp.

"Carter," she said. Help me pull this rack over...wait, no do not completely cover it. Just a little. Make it look natural," she said. He complied without a word. Then she motioned over to the workbench. "Third cabinet over. There is a jumpsuit in there. Put it on."

He opened the cabinet to find a brown jumpsuit folded neatly inside. He held it up, letting the legs drop free in front of him. "Ronlad" was stitched on the left breast pocket. Ronlad? Is that a typo? What kind of name is that? he wondered. Debbie gave him a prodding look and motioned at him to move faster. The shift change was coming, and they needed to move.

Carter unzipped the front of the jumpsuit and stepped into it. Debbie picked up a small tool kit and handed it to him.

"This is for show," she said. "Do not offer to help anyone with anything on the way. I will inform the person who makes the request that we are on our way to repair something in the citadel. They will leave us alone."

Carter looked over the tool kit. It was gray. The handle was black, and it opened on the side. He gave it a jiggle. He could feel small objects shift around inside of it. He wondered to himself what kind of repair person would carry such a measly kit. He almost asked Debbie the question, but then he remembered her instructions. Make no sound.

Strewn about the room were discarded tools, wires, door handles and a smattering of nails scattered across the workbench. There was nothing else they needed here. As he was taking it in, he felt a tap on the shoulder. Debbie was ready to leave.

"Remember, do not talk. We have about ten minutes of corridors and courts to walk through. Do not look around. I will walk in front of you, and you will look at the back of my feet. Pull your hood up," she directed him. He obeyed, letting her step in front and walk to the door.

"Are you ready?" she said back to him. Carter nodded. She opened the door; a beam of pale green light flooded into the room. She stepped into the corridor. Carter followed behind her, watching the backs of her green leather shoes kick back from beneath the wide legs of her matching green jumpsuit. Each disappeared again as she marched a steady cadence. It was evident to Carter that Debbie had timed out the first part of their journey.