We kept on the move, unsure of Mephisto’s surveillance capability. Most nights were spent in that wretched tent, but occasionally we risked barns and outhouses. I didn’t notice anything suspicious but my side knew me well enough and would be cautious.
Theresa said very little; ever since the angels’ song she seemed drawn into melancholy. I don’t think she slept much but then neither of us needed to – it was just a concession to our human clothing and something to stave off hallucinations.
‘They won’t let me back, you know.’ She’d come to join me on one of my watches and we were looking out over a wooded valley. ‘I’m too much part of here, too much flesh. I’m beginning to forget having been anything else.’
I wished I could have said the same. Hell always welcomes its troops home with open arms (and mouth).
She turned to me. ‘Your mission, Sam – let me help.’
I looked back at her, weighing up a lot of things.
‘We’d need internet access,’ I said, trying to hide how little I knew.
The lights of a small town glimmered in the distance. Mephisto would be watching closely but it was worth a try.
Comments
insertponceyfre... | June 9, 2011 - 18:22
I'm hoping for a happy ending, but I know it's unlikely ...
Silver Spun Sand | June 9, 2011 - 18:54
Me too, rob...but one can always hope;-)
Tina
MistakenMagic | June 9, 2011 - 19:34
You've created two incredibly interesting characters, Rob, and as ever, I'm completely drawn into their world. Well done on the cherry!
Magic xxx
celticman | June 9, 2011 - 20:25
Jesus, even the devil needs internet access. I'm all angel ears for the next bit.
rjnewlyn | June 9, 2011 - 21:59
Many thanks Insert and Tina and Magic and Celticman. Actually I'm not sure about the ending - who knows? It's certainly not set in stone. Yes, Celticman, this particular devil can't even get to grips with putting a tent together, let alone the internet.
And thanks very much for the cherry!
Rob
Sooz006 | May 15, 2012 - 14:20
she might be too much flesh, but last time I looked I couldn't unleash fire bolts through my fingertips. She rads as a much more solid character than Sam and yet he's the hero.
rjnewlyn | May 17, 2012 - 22:33
I have a feeling that's always the issue with first person narrators - I think they tend to become slightly insubstantial because the world has to revolve around them and they have to enable the reader to sit inside them - so they can't get too intensely realised or else it becomes uncomfortable. At least that's been my experience ...
Rob
Sooz006 | May 18, 2012 - 00:10
Interesting, see even re-visiting the comments teaches me as I go along. I'm not finding that with Kate in the diaries, but I am struggling to get a handle on her personality. That's worth noting for future, thanks.
rjnewlyn | May 18, 2012 - 21:59
It may mark the divide between those who do/don't like Catcher in the Rye. I wasn't that impressed myself - well written but there was too much of the narrator's voice for me to engage at all (but then I think strong or off-beat narrators are popular nowadays so I'm probably just out of step as usual).