Chapter Six

So Many Misfits

The morning slowly shook the cold off to expose the warm body of day—the smell of salt and dirt and sea flowers filling the air. The mass of beings marching across the gloam added energy and excitement to the already highly charged air. Under the command of the Dearth, thousands had already reached the shores of Sycophant Run and were now moving to travel to the exit.

Lore Coils were snapping and screaming across the gloam as the passion and excitement of what was actually happening generated emotions strong enough to create them.

On the edge of the Sentinel Fields near Cusp, small battles still raged between rants and rogue nits who were not ready to give up Foo. Unfortunately, many nits from Cusp were now among those moving into the Sentinel Fields in an effort to get back to Reality.

The possibility had never been a possibility before. However, now that returning to their families and loved ones and the lives that they had been snatched from was possible, many were making a dash for it. It looked as if the entire population of Foo had turned into emigrants who were running for the border.

Azure leaned on Tim as they both pushed through the mountain of beings marching swiftly across the gloam. Tim stepped quickly, his thin frame and thinning hair making him look like more of a lightweight than he was. Tim had a kind face, and he was the kind of person most other people enjoyed being around. That wasn’t the case for Janet, who followed right beside them in her yellow housecoat with faded red flowers. Being a whisp, she had nothing to her but a faint image, and at the moment her image was sweating.

“Where are we going?” Tim asked.

“To Sycophant Run,” Azure answered, his strength slowly returning. “The exit is at the far end near the Hard Border. If we just follow this crowd, everyone will end up in Reality.”

Tim smiled.

“So there really is a way out?” Janet asked.

“There must be,” Azure said. “Can’t you see the darkness in the soil beneath us? The Dearth’s moving there as well, and soon Reality and Foo will be connected.”

“I’m sacrificing my chance to be with Winter here to make things right,” Janet cried. “There has to be a way out.”

“There is,” Azure comforted. “You’ll see.”

“This isn’t right,” Swig spoke up. Swig was Tim’s sycophant. He was a kindly being who had done a fantastic job of helping Tim feel comfortable. In the short time they had been together, Tim had grown quite attached to the little guy.

“Sycophants should keep their opinions to themselves,” Azure said.

Swig blushed and disappeared.

“He was just talking,” Tim said. “I kind of like to hear what he thinks.”

Azure looked further wounded.

“Go on,” Tim said to what looked like nothing

“Foo’s not meant to have an exit,” Swig replied. “It is the fate of all who are here to remain here.”

“That’s nothing but lore,” Azure insisted. “Cancerous lore. May the Dearth shrivel and die when he reaches Reality, but I believe for the rest of us it will be the beginning of a great new freedom.”

“I heard you were a lithen once,” Swig said, still invisible.

“I’m still a lithen,” Azure snapped.

“What lithen would allow this to happen?” Swig asked innocently. “What lithen would put up with such evil?”

“The meshing of Foo and Reality is not a mistake,” Azure said. “Lithens have simply been confused in the past.”

“I believe him,” Tim said to Swig. “It seems wrong to just steal people from their lives.”

“But you’ve not known Foo when it was peaceful,” Swig said sadly. “That is the purpose and the reason. Those who are snatched might experience temporary fear, but the wonder and the possibilities are a remarkable salve. That’s what we sycophants are here for—to make you comfortable.”

“Sorry,” Tim tried. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Swig stayed silent as huge flocks of large birds flew overhead, screaming and shrieking at those below them. The birds dove and slid above the Veil Sea and shot over toward the direction of Sycophant Run. More and more creatures crowded the gloam, moving with purpose and speed.

Janet’s large eyes swept across the landscape. She looked like a white walrus wearing a dress.

Tim saw her looking. “I don’t see him either.”

Janet blushed, embarrassed by Tim’s having read her mind.

“But he has to be going the same direction,” Tim added compassionately.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said.

“That fiery echo,” Swig spoke up. “The one you were always making eyes at.”

“Osck,” Tim clarified.

“An echo and a whisp?” Azure said in disgust.

“Please,” Tim scolded Azure.

Azure looked at Janet and apologized. His dark blue eyes were as bruised as old fruit, and his dark hair was dirty. His long blue robe was tattered at the bottom hem, and he limped as he walked. Despite his condition, he looked more human than he ever had. The darkness that had possessed him was gone and in its place was a vulnerable, beaten man. A day ago he had been the leader of every dark soul in Foo. But after the Dearth had nearly killed him, he was a different person.

“We’ll catch up to Osck,” Tim promised Janet. “We’re all heading in the same direction.”

“What if he was hurt in the battle?” she moaned. “Or worse?”

“Echoes are a resilient breed,” Azure said, trying to be helpful. “It would take a true accident to take their lives.”

“And Osck seemed like one of the strongest echoes,” Tim added. “The only thing he wanted more than seeing Reality was to be near you. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him.”

Janet smiled and they all walked faster.