Divergence

The Lite train emerged into a great open space lined with blue glass. The flexible silver snakes of several I-trains were coiled around a central pillar.

“Which way now?” asked Saskia as the train slid to a halt and the door opened up.

“This way,” said a passing man wearing a dark beard and a grey kilt.

“Look over there,” Edward breathed. Rising above the hurrying passengers, Saskia saw the banded pillar of a lighthouse, its honey eye watching the crowd. She shivered and followed Judy and Constantine across the platform, underneath the blue-patterned roof of the terminus. We must look odd , she thought, all of us wrapped up in our active suits. Everyone else looks so happy and free. Short skirts and bare arms and open sandals, while we are breathing recycled air. Maybe if I were to just take off my hood?

“Let me help you!”

A young man dressed in green had appeared at her side. He was already helping Miss Rose into the wheelchair he had fetched from somewhere.

“Thank you, dear,” Miss Rose said.

“No problem.” He smiled. “Now, platform nine point seven five, isn’t it?”

Off they went, Judy and Constantine striding ahead.

“Not long now, Judy,” said Constantine.

Snow was falling in the square in Freiburg. They emerged from the I-train terminus into daylight to see millions of flakes falling out of the sky towards them.

“I’m cold,” Miss Rose complained loudly.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Saskia. “Let me have a look at you.”

“Why should she be cold?” Maurice wondered. “She’s wearing an active suit.”

“Something’s the matter,” Edward said. “Look at all the people.”

The square was bordered by old gingerbread buildings. The people within its open space were dressed in the same bright colors as those of St. Petersburg. The same food stalls surrounded the square, but the busy activity was coming to a startled halt. Fathers paused right in the act of buying pretzels and hot soup for their children; the conversation of the crowd around the Gluhwein stand stumbled and faded.

“What is it?” asked Edward.

“Oh, hell…” Saskia said. “Look over there….”

Like snowflakes in her veins, her whole body was chilling at the sight. There were lighthouses all around them, peering over the tops of the gingerbread buildings. The honey-colored bands around their tops were darkening.

Constantine had already seen it. “Quick,” he called, “back into the I-train terminus.”

“But what does it mean?” Saskia’s voice was shaking.

“It means there’s something here that the Watcher doesn’t want us to see,” Judy said grimly. The dark entrance to the I-train terminus lay just ahead.

“Come on, Miss Rose,” Saskia urged. She glanced back towards the darkening eye of the nearest lighthouse and shivered.

“Hey,” called Judy. “Wait for us!”

A woman was in the process of closing the shutters across the entrance to the I-train terminus. She gave Judy a smile.

“Sorry, Schatzi . They’ve calculated the capacity of the trains, and there is space only to transport the passengers already down there away.”

“But what are we supposed to do? We have an old woman with us!”

A flicker of something close to envy crossed the woman’s face.