"I've got to believe it's not a nightmare. I've got to believe you're
real and that you can help me."
"If I can do it quickly. I have so much else to do. Others are waiting
to use the machine."
"Are people well where you come from?"
"Very well, thank you."
"Are there any incurable diseases?" She tried to listen for his
breathing.
"Incurable? You mean sickness that doesn't respond to treatment? No, of
course not."
"Then take me with you!" she cried.
"You just said you wanted to guide me here."
"Take me with you to your time."
"I can't do that. I can't even touch you."
"There must be a way. You have got to think of something."
"Even if I could take you, I'm not supposed to."
"Why?"
"It would mix up history to remove persons from their time. It might
even be dangerous with artifacts. I suppose we couldn't hold onto them
very long."
"History? I have no history. I'm going to die very soon. No one depends
on me. I have no one. Please take me, Vassi."
"I feel very strange."
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. I just feel--odd."
"How...."
"First you want to guide me, then you want to come with me, you don't
care about mankind's survival. You sound so terrified and confused."
* * * * *
Julia sank down on the couch. If only she could see him. "Don't leave
me to die."
"How strange to talk about dying," said Vassi. "We all live so long we
never think about it."
"You will take me with you, Vassi?"
"If people in your time have such short lives, then why does dying
trouble you? It would seem a matter of course."
"Vassi, I haven't lived yet."
"This is out of my line. I'll tell you what. When I return, I'll talk
to one of the scientists. If they're interested in the project, they'll
send someone back."
"How long will that be?"
"Now let's see if I can figure in your time. Hmm.... I'd say about a
year...."
Julia closed her eyes. She felt dampness under the lids. Her voice was
hollow as she spoke to the empty room. "I'll be dead in six months."