Read Online Dark Universe by Daniel F. Galouye - Free Book Online Page B

misfortunes.

    Bony hands reached out to Jared's face. They explored their way along his cheeks to his eyes. Then fingernails pressed into the soft recesses beneath the lower lids.

    At first there was--nothing. Then the Guardian applied an almost painful pressure.

    "Do you feel Him!" he demanded.

    But Jared only stood there confounded. _Two fuzzy half rings of silent sound were dancing around in his head_. He could feel them _not_
    where the Guardian was pressing, but somewhere near the upper area of his eyeballs. Effective Excitation was the same sort of sensation he had twice experienced in the presence of the monsters!

    Was he actually supposed to be feeling a part of Light Himself? If so, then why should he be aware of the presence of the Almighty, in a slightly different way, whenever he was near the Twin Devils? If Light was good, then why should He also be associated with the evil creatures?

    Jared repressed the profane thoughts, chasing them completely out of his mind, together with the memory of ever having entertained them.

    Fascinated, he listened to the dancing rings. They became more or less vivid as the Guardian varied the pressure of his fingernails.

    "Are you feeling Him?"

    "I feel Him," Jared admitted weakly.

    "I didn't expect you would," the other said, somewhat disappointed.
    "But I'm glad to hear there's still hope for you."

    He went over and sat on a ledge below the Holy Bulb niche and his voice lost some of its sharpness. "We haven't heard too much of you over here, Jared. Your father's been concerned about that and I can understand why. Some period the destiny of this world will be in your hands. Will they be _good_ hands?"

    Jared lowered himself on the ledge and sat there with his head bowed. "I _felt_ Him," he mumbled. "I _felt_ Him."

    "Of course you did, son." The Guardian laid a sympathetic hand on his arm. "You could have felt Him sooner than this, you know. And things would have been different for you--different, perhaps, for the whole world."

    "Did _I_ cause the hot springs to dry up?'

    "I can think of nothing that would enrage the Almighty more than violation of the Barrier taboo."

    Jared's hands clutched each other in distress. "What can I do?"

    "You can atone. Then we'll hear what happens afterward."

    "But you don't understand. It may be more than just violating the Barrier! I've thought Light might not be Almighty, that He-"

    "I do understand, son. You've had your doubts, like other Survivors from time to time. But remember--in the long run, one isn't to be judged by his skepticism. The true measure of a reconverted Survivor is the sincerity with which he renounces his disbeliefs."

    "Do you think I can find the right amount of sincerity?"

    "I'm sure you can--now that we've had this talk. And I've no doubt that should promised Reunion with Light come during your time, you'll be prepared for it."

    The Guardian trained his ears on infinity. "What a beautiful period that will be, Jared--Light all around us, touching everything, a Constant Communion, with the Almighty bringing man total knowledge of all things about him. And Darkness will be erased completely."

    Jared spent the rest of that period in the seclusion of his grotto.
    Unification, however, was not the subject of his Contemplation. Instead, he reviewed his new persuasions, careful not to entertain any thoughts that might be offensive to the Almighty.

    In that single quarter period he renounced his dedicated search for Darkness and Light, denying himself any regret over having done so. And he resolved he would never again go beyond the Barrier.

    New convictions firmly implanted, he relaxed in the assurance that everything would be all right--spiritually and physically. So certain did it seem he had done the proper thing that he wouldn't have been at all surprised to hear the twelve dry springs had begun running again. It was as though he had entered into a covenant with Light.

    He was still reaffirming his