Issue 13, November 1997
Bruce Dixon - Serial Sci-Fi

"Ouch," said Renton as Lita accidentally stepped on his heel and they both went tumbling to the ground in a comical shuffle of arms and legs. "I'm sorry Renny," Lita whined as they both sat on the floor of the ancient passageway rubbing their sore elbows.

"The next time you have the urge to wrestle me to the ground, just ask. You know that wrestling with good-looking women has always been my favorite sport."

"Very funny Mr. 'stop on a dime with no warning'. Why don't you shine that light around MY feet sometimes?"

A miniature searchlight in Renton's belt illuminated the walls of the narrow passageway as they pressed on. There was an unsettling feel and smell to this place that invoked all the ambiance of the catacombs in an old Edgar Allan Poe story. If anyone had told Renton this morning that today he'd be traipsing around hundreds of feet below the pyramids of the Incas with, of all people, Lita Rafina, he'd have asked them what they'd been injecting for breakfast. But here he was and here SHE was, incredible as it all seemed. Most incredible of all was how they'd both been lured and guided here in search of something called the AWAKE.

The influence was in the form of a voice that spoke to them inside their own heads. It all seemed so surreal now as if it were happening to someone else while Renton watched from outside. Too much was happening too fast.

Any theories Renton had earlier about an elaborate practical joke were long dismissed now. Each new incident since first hearing the voice had escalated the scenario far beyond the capabilities of any of their friends, or anyone on the planet for that matter. "Be careful what you wish for" was a cliché that fit the situation well. A little adventure had been a welcome diversion earlier in the day but now Renton wondered in hindsight if he'd gotten in over his head. No, who was he kidding? He KNEW he'd gotten in over his head and only hoped Lita did not sense his trepidation. He felt responsible for her being here now. If anything happened to her because of his decison, he'd never forgive himself. How could he have gone along with this dangerous expediton? He didn't know a thing about the mysterious voice or its true intentions for them beyond what it told him. He had let his judgement be clouded by his lust for adventure and the chance to get back with Lita. He never stopped to think of her safety. He needed time to think, time to retrace his steps. . . . Like a movie reeling inside his mind he recalled the events of the day leading up to the present . . . .

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