Page 161 of The Pansy Paradox
“I’d prefer to stay in my own dimension, and I suspect it’s better for everyone if no one travels and amasses untold power and technology.”
What Henry wanted was here, in the showcase home, or rather, the showcase home of his own mind’s devising. His father not only alive, but alive and well enough to whip up gravy and beat Max Monroe at chess (of course his father would win). Pansy as his wife? That had been impulsive, yes. Undeniably wonderful? Without a doubt.
Max stared at him now, those dark eyes uncanny. Pansy had her mother’s classic bone structure. But the thick chestnut hair and the deep brown eyes that seemed unfathomable? Those were Max’s.
“You’re not what I expected, Darnelle.” Max crooked a finger at Pansy and moved toward the kitchen door.
A bit of distrust replaced the warmth in her eyes. She pushed a palm beneath her nose, but if there was any blood, it was a minuscule amount. They gathered at the kitchen doorway, the gray through the windows as unrelenting as ever, static that seemed to have substance. Henry could feel it press against the door. This close, its staleness lingered on his tongue. No wonder he’d concocted an elaborate feast. Anything to banish this void.
“Back in my dimension, I was the equivalent of a field agent,” Max said. “More or less. We monitor your world, along with others, for events that can tear fissures in our own. When required, we’ll travel to assess the situation. That’s what I was doing in King’s End, essentially a scouting mission.”
A faraway look crossed Max’s face. “Your mother is so skilled that, at first, we thought the Enclave had moved in to contain the rupture. But then, progress slowed, and the powers-that-be grew concerned, so I was sent over to see what was taking your lot so long.”
“And then you stayed?” Pansy said, although it really wasn’t a question. “You fell?—”
“In love? You might say love felled me. I couldn’t leave your mother, not that I ever officially tendered my resignation. It’s common enough, and certainly, my side wrote me off. There’s plenty more where I come from. We’re like cannon fodder.”
Pansy tilted her head. “You must have a real name, then.”
“Oh, I do, sweetheart. It’s the one your mother found for me. I was more than happy to give up the old. But then, there was you. And the future. And only one thing I could do to save you and your mother.”
Max raised his arms and turned a slow circle. “I set up shop here and waited. I secured your mother, so her stopgap measure remains—and that’s no small thing.”
“The list she left for me. She knew you would come for her.”
“She did.”
“And she couldn’t tell me?”
“She left you a list. I’m not sure what more you expected.”
Pansy’s gaze narrowed, but she nodded. “I suppose there was a lot she couldn’t say.”
“We both knew this was the only chance to save your world, and you along with it.” Max turned that sharp gaze toward Henry. “Good enough for you, Darnelle?”
Not really, but Henry doubted Max would give up more than he already had, but he decided to try. “Our ancestors, then? From your dimension?”
“Yes, which is why your lot gives us the most trouble. There are plenty who’d be glad to let you end yourselves and call it done.” Max rubbed his hands together. “And speaking of your dimension, it’s time for you to return.”
Pansy glanced toward Max, the window, and back again. “And we do that how?”
“It’s simple, really. The same way you got here. Just go around to the front and walk through the door.”
“That’s—” Henry began.
“Too easy? No, I said it was simple. It’s not going to be easy.”
Max flung open the door, and the static on the other side roared. It was like a beast, like the Screamers, Henry realized. Thick and viscous, and yes, sticky was the perfect word for it.
“Off you go, then.”
No. Full stop. Absolutely not. Not without a guarantee. Not without some assurance that their dimension was accessible. Not without?—
Max raised a foot and, with a gentle nudge, sent Pansy flying out the door. She vanished instantly, that greedy static swallowing her up.
“You son of a?—”
“Better hurry, Darnelle. You only have seconds to catch her. Don’t want to waste time beating me to a pulp. Besides, you have a world to save.”
