The stars seemed creeping closer so that they might see and jeer at
Mother Earth. A voice broke loose from the roof-tops again. "Come let
us creep like ants into our holes, and burrow into the heart of our
Mother. Come, come you poor weak things that proudly term yourself Man,
Lord of the Universe. Creep into the darkness. Come now, out of this
bitter coldness that would grasp you by the throat. Come, all of you,
who would play at living. Come!"
A death-like silence settled over the multitude. Then voices were heard
again, whisperings and comfortings, and a wail that grew in volume
until it seemed to encircle the Earth. The cry of a people forsaken,
broken. On the roof of one building a commotion started, then a yell
and a scream and a body went hurtling over the roof, down the several
thousand feet to the ground. Another followed, and another as men and
women despairingly threw themselves over the parapets. More might have
followed had not a figure of command appeared on the highest pinnacle
of the roof of the Scientific Building.
"Come! To the lifts! We descend to our new home, my people!" he cried
out. "Come! New life awaits us. Come!"
In answer the crowds became milling masses as they made their way to
the elevators. Forgotten were the weaklings who could not face life any
longer. And those who had thought to do the same turned instead to the
voice of command.
Ramo and Kuila were amongst the last to descend. They had been as
breathless as their fellow-men at the appearance of the Sun, and its
last supreme effort. And with its dying Ramo had hidden her face in her
hands. Somehow Kuila had found his arm around her, and she had laid her
head on his breast while she sobbed.
But even though the Sun had died, and the last hope of Earth departed,
Kuila found himself happy, happier than he had ever known. For now
he knew that the Sun could not go out for him. And then perhaps, who
knows, together they would some day venture out and find a new Sun, a
new world, one that had trees and flowing waters, a radiant warmth, and
mayhap a moon or two to light their night!