About The Laws of Space

Post 186:

The Laws of Space

Episode Eighteen

Chapter Nine Continues

            “I believe it’s nothing more than healthy curiosity,” he said, smiling at Webb.

            “What is, Alder?” Lerner asked. He always tried to stay current in the conversation, whether he understood or not.

            “Curiosity. It’s the thing that makes her follow us. The thing that makes me study that building. The thing that makes Webb question her motives. The thing that makes you want to know all the answers. Curiosity. Everyone’s got it. Nothing wrong with it at all, I’d say.”

            “So what’s so curious about that old building, Alder?” Lerner asked.

            “Oh… nothing and everything, I suppose.” He kept staring at it, like an old friend recognized from long ago.

            “Tate—I think you might sympathize with the building. You seem to know nothing… and everything.” Travers was pleased with himself for the jibe.

            “Maybe, Webb.” Nothing could break his concentration. “But look around, fellas. This whole section—this is a graveyard of terrible greatness. Everything here came from the time before. People just like us built this, just to tear it down.” Tate finally removed his gaze and began to stroll again.

            “Hey.” Something had addled Travers. “You can call them people, but they weren’t like us. You call them creators and destroyers, I think maybe if you’re going to define them, you might want to stick with the latter. We survive, despite everything they did. We are evolved, and no matter what I say about this twisted-ass life, at least it’s life.” It was the first time Webb had ever cut hard words with Tate. He paused, calming slightly. “Hell man, we don’t even know anything about them. Like you said, it’s all just a graveyard. You can’t get a sense of a man or woman by standing over a tombstone, last I checked.”

            “You’re right,” Tate said. “Maybe you’re right.” The jocund countenance was gone, silenced by what hit like stern truth.

            Webb was sorry. That countenance was what made Alder so unique—though it frustrated him, stopping it was not his intent.

            The fallen Spacer moved along the street, just walking now.