it was still dark when they filled their pouches to capacity and slipped from the house.
"what will we do now?" theta asked.
henry looked down. "i don't know. i had something planned, but...."
"what was it?"
"i was going to climb up the mountain, past the top defrost towers and the force fence, to the top of the ridge."
she stared at him, her eyes round. "why, that's the edge of the world! you might fall off!"
"not if i'm careful."
only a few in the valley could boast of going beyond the top row of defrosters, fewer yet of even going within looking distance of the force fence. beyond it, tradition said, lived great beasts that could eat a man with one bite. while the ridges that bounded the valley on three sides, to the east, west and north, were the edges of the world, from which one dropped off into bottomless space.
to the south, where forest enclosed the mouth of the valley, tradition was vague, but the edge must be off there somewhere.
it had taken henry all summer to build up his determination. but now, up was the only direction it was safe to go.
"if you're not afraid, i'm not either," theta said. "let's go."
carrying the basket with its remaining supply of fruit between them, they started up the slope. it was only a short distance to the top defrosters. these only went into action at blossom time for the apples and other highland fruits.
from there to the force fence was a steep climb through rocks and brush. their pace grew slower as they approached the fence. their eyes scanned the rocks and scant brush for signs of the great beasts, but they saw none. higher yet, about a quarter of a mile, was the top of the ridge. the edge of the earth.
theta pressed against him. "i'm scared," she murmured.
henry's face became set. "we said we were going," he said curtly. "you can stay if you wish." he selected rocks for both hands.
the force fence only gave them a strong tingling sensation. the plast sandals insulated them somewhat. the slope became steeper, but there was no indication of any great beasts. too excited to stop and rest, although they were breathing heavily, they pressed onward.
would it be night down there, over the edge of the world? stars shining? would it be daylight and clouds?
the top of the ridge was a hundred feet away ... ten. henry flung himself on the ground so if he became dizzy he would not lose his balance and fall. theta did the same. side by side, they crept the remaining distance.
what they saw made them stare in open-mouthed amazement.
before them was another ridge running out from the northern range. it was pretty much like the one they were on.
between it and them was another valley. defrost towers rose from among the trees. over the top of the opposite ridge, they could see still another. the northern mountains were lost in the blue distance.
the shock to both was unnerving. steeled to look out into limbo, they found a valley much like their own.
together they turned and looked back into what could be seen of their own valley.
even in shape the two were roughly similar. they could see the tall, slim defrost towers, an occasional house and the geometrical designs of the groves and orchards with their orderly rows of trees. there was town at the lower end of the valley. and there, at the upper end, was something they never knew existed; a large, ivy-clad building that stretched from cliffside to cliffside. and yet above that was a still, blue lake.
henry looked ahead again.
there was a difference in the other valley. there were no orderly rows of fruit trees, only thick forest like that which grew only in their ravines or beyond the foot of the valley. the defrost towers looked down on multicolored autumn foliage, even in the bottom of the valley where everything should be green.
why weren't there fruit trees for the defrosters to protect? what kind of a crop did this valley grow? henry scrambled to his feet.
theta looked up at him. "what...?"
"i'm going down there."
"what for?"
"to see what they grow. what kind of people they are."
"they might...."
he smiled down at her. "i've become an expert at not being seen," he assured her. "i've had them pass five feet away."
theta got up. "i'm coming, too."
they reached the force fence, but there was no irritation. the forest started immediately and it was fairly clear of underbrush. there were no paths to be seen, no sounds of harvesters, no unfamiliar trees. even on the floor of the valley there were no signs of life, although they had seen and avoided several houses.
henry stopped suddenly, staring ahead.
"what's the matter?" theta asked.
wordlessly henry pointed to the bole of a dead and rotting tree. its straight trunk had branches coming out of it in orderly rings, its top cut off to make the branches spread at ladder distance above the ground.
it leaned drunkenly against a supporting tree.
"avocado," he said. "this was once a grove."
the normal fear of the unfamiliar swept over theta. "i want to get out of here. it scares me," she quavered.
henry glanced up at the sun. "too late to cross over now," he said. "we'll find a house."
he turned and looked about. there should be one close, on the slope of the ridge so as not to take up useable land. he sighted one and made for it. from the outside it looked no different from those in their own valley.
beside it was an old apple tree with some emaciated fruit on it. at least they wouldn't starve. as the house was obviously empty he went around to the back, got a picking ladder off the rack and plucked enough fruit to fill their pouches, although it was unflavorable. not until then did they venture to the front door and push it open.
as far as they could see it was like the houses in their valley, only it was cold, with a chill dampness. light gray dust covered everything; cobwebs festooned the walls. that it had not been lived in for years, perhaps generations, was evident. theta clung to his arm, shivering and afraid. henry shook her off. he strode to the kitchen and pulled open a bin. in the bottom was dust, smelling faintly of peaches.
"we'll clean out a bedroom for the night," he said, re-entering the living room.
in the bedroom the westerly sun poured light through a dust-covered window, putting the bed somewhat in shadow. it, too, was covered with dust, turning the everlasting blankets into a color uniform with the room. their movements stirred up dust that danced as motes in the streaming sunlight as if to bar their way across the room. they walked into it. their eyes could now see clearly what was beyond.
theta screamed and sprang back.
protruding beyond the upper edges of the blankets were two skulls!
they were outside, breathing heavily, before they realized they had moved. henry stared at the still open door, at the black hole through the white wall. it was the first time they had seen the aftermath of death. for their people, there were places into which bodies were placed. from them they vanished like all other refuse.
shaken by the horror of it, they plunged into the forest in panic.
the sun dropped behind the ridge; the air chilled. bones or no bones they had to find shelter for the night. fire, naked flame, they never had seen or knew existed. heat came from the walls of houses, with warm clothing and blankets.
henry's lips firmed. dead ones or no dead ones, they had to find something to keep them warm during the night.
another house appeared. with fast beating hearts they entered. it was now warmer inside, but still chilly. they would still need coverings.
"stay here," henry said.
he strode into the nearest bedroom. without stopping to look around, he stepped to the bed. closing his eyes, he snatched off the bedding and fled into the livingroom.
together, crouched in a corner, the bedding around them, they spent the night.
sleep did not come immediately. henry stared into the darkness, reviewing the day, putting together what he had discovered.
"it all fits," he said aloud.
"what does?" theta asked.
"the forest, the dead trees, dead people. something happened to everything, perhaps all at once. to the defrosters, the heaters, the bins. it must have been in winter. they crept into bed to keep warm, then starved to death. all of them."
"no, no!" theta cried.
"but it did. and it's beginning to happen to us. each year something stops working. the time may come when nothing works."
"we can't do anything...."
"yes, we can."
"what?"
"find out why—and try to stop it!"
