heavily against the wall. When he regained his balance, and staggered
from the wall clutching his chest, David was gone. His frantic
footsteps clattered up from the well of the stairs.
David! he called, his voice croaking. Wait! But he was gone, his
footsteps fading, and the Brig let him go.
instead he turned and hurried painfully down the corridor to where the
hysterical sobs of his daughter rang from behind the closed door.
She looked up from her cupped hands when she heard the door open, and
wonder dawned through the terror in her eyes. I can see you, she
whispered, I can see. He went to her quickly and took her in the
protective circle of his arms.
It's all right, he told her awkwardly, it's going to be all right. She
clung to him, stifling the last of her sobs.
I had a dream, she murmured, a terrible dream, and she shuddered against
him. Then suddenly she pulled away.
David, she cried, where is David? I must see him. The Brig stiffened,
realizing that she had not recognized reality.
I must see him, she repeated, and he replied heavily, You have already
seen him, my child. For many seconds she did not understand, and then
slowly it came to her.
David? she whispered, her voice catching and breaking. That was David?
The Brig nodded, watching her face for the revulsion and the horror.
oh dear God, Debra's voice was fierce. What have I done? I screamed
when I saw him. What have I done to him? I've driven him away. So you
still want to see him again? the Brig asked.
How can you say that? Debra blazed at him. More than anything on this
earth. You must know that!
even the way he is now?
If you think that would make any difference to me then you don't know me
very well. Her expression changed again, becoming concerned. Find him
for me, she ordered. Quickly, before he has a chance to do something
stupid.
I don't know where he has gone, the Brig answered, his own concern
aroused by the possibility which Debra had hinted at.
There is only one place he would go when he is hurt like this, Debra
told him. He will be in the sky. 'Yes, the Brig agreed readily.
Get down to Air Traffic Control, they'll let you speak to him. The Brig
turned for the door and Debra's voice urged him on.
Find him for me, Daddy. Please find him for me.
The Navajo seemed to come around on to a southerly heading under its own
volition. It was only when the sleek, rounded nose settled on course,
climbing steadily upwards towards the incredibly tall and unsullied blue
of the heavens that David knew where he was going.
Behind him, the solid flat-topped mountain with its glistening wreaths
of clouds fell away. This was the last of the land, and ahead lay only
the great barren wastes of ice and cruel water.
David glanced at his fuel gauges. His vision was sully blurred, but he
saw the needles registering a little over the half-way mark on the
dials.
Three hours flying perhaps, and David felt a chill relief that there was
