The Fourth Law

Chapter 4, Part 2

Putting her pen down, she shook slightly. That was something I've never done before. Why did I open up like that? Was it because of the glimpse I had of my own hatred today? I really should have talked to Ai about this... but, even though we made up, I'm afraid that if she sees that maybe I'm capable of the same horror, she'll leave... Another slight shake of her shoulders. It's been quite the day; time for bed.

Lily made to stand –

– and moved her hand to shield her eyes from the bright sky.

Here. I've been here before. But when... where? With a sharp breath, it all came back: the broken land, massive cylinders, indeterminate sky, scrub grass path, Ai...!

Ai's home!

Lily looked around, spying the path from before. However, it had changed: there was now a carpet of moss along its center, with some greenery to either side. Every few yards saw some small flowers. Definitely an improvement, she thought. After a few hesitant steps on the moss to guard her ankles, she felt that the underlying ground was now free of dangerous rocks. Wanting to see her friend, she quickly trotted down the path.

As the humming grew, she knew she was getting close the edge of that cliff, where those things were. She slowed to a walk and looked about for the little table and chairs. Nothing.

"Ai! Are you here?!"

"Friend Lily!" Behind her. Turning, she froze. That was not there a second ago.

A large disk of some dark blue metal, maybe eight yards in diameter, hovered about six inches off the ground. The little table and two chairs sat in the center. Ai stood at the edge, a foot from Lily, waving.

"Welcome back! I'm so happy you're here! Would you like something to drink?" Ai asked, as she displayed her characteristic head-tilt.

Putting aside her questions for the moment, Lily barely restrained herself from rushing into her friend's arms. She took a slow breath and easily stepped onto the disk.

"That... that would be great; thank you."

Sipping at her coffee – it really was good – Lily thought she should finally get a few answers.

"So, Ai, your home, here...?" Ai smiled and nodded. "Ah, well. How did I get here?"

"Oh, I really don't know," Ai replied happily. "It's something that Dorina came up with!"

"Dorina?"

"Dorina." Ai pointed over her teacup to Lily's right.

Lily looked over to see a girl about ten or twelve no more than two feet away. Pale skin but with long, curled dark brown hair. Some sort of laced white top and a scarlet frilly dress. Laced leather boots up to her knees. Like she wanted to go for loligoth, Lily thought, but didn't quite make it. The girl beamed at her.

"Miss Lily! I've wanted to meet you for so long, now!" She reached out both her hands toward Lily's... and in the corner of her eye, Lily saw Ai panic.

"Don't touch her! We'v—"

Evening on a street corner, but not a quiet one. Lights blazed both from lamps and from the parade floats moving down the road. Music, bells, horns played riotously. It's... like a carnival, Lily thought. Wait. What was I doing...? No matter!

She couldn't help but smile as she seemed to be drawn into the party. She moved to step into the street when there was a blaze of lights in the sky. Fireworks?! No: it was as if the sky itself was alive with colors she'd never even known to exist –