The next time I come round it is dark. I am vaguely aware of having
been unconscious for quite a while.
There is a single thread of knowledge connecting this moment with the
last: M'Clare's dead.
This is the central factor: I seem to have been debating it with
myself for a very long time.
I suppose the truth is simply that the Universe never guarantees
anything; life, or permanence, or that your best will be good enough.
The rule is that you have to pick yourself up and go on; and lying
here in the dark is not doing it.
I turn on my side and see a cluster of self-luminous objects including
a light switch. I reach for it.
How did I get into a hospital?
On second thoughts it is a cabin in the ship, or rather two of them
with the partition torn out, I can see the ragged edge of it. There is
a lot of paraphernalia around; I climb out to have a look.
Holy horrors what's happened? Someone borrowed my legs and put them
back wrong; my eyes also are not functioning well, the light is set at
Minimum and I am still dazzled. I see a door and make for it to get
Explanations from somebody.
Arrived, I miss my footing and stumble against the door and on the
other side someone says "Hello, Lizzie. Awake at last?"
I think my heart stops for a moment. I can't find the latch. I am
vaguely aware of beating something with my fists, and then the door
gives, sticks, gives again and I stumble through and land on all fours
the other side of it.
Someone is calling: "Lizzie! Are you hurt? Where the devil have they
all got to? Liz!"