Ryan opened the door of the gateway, catching the smell of stale air. “Who knows, lover? I’ve been wondering about how Dean’s getting on. Mebbe we should go visit the Rockies, down the line, some time in the next few months.”
Mildred was first into the chamber, sitting on the floor, her back against the wall. “What I’d like next is to find someplace where we can all have a real long rest. Somewhere with no shooting or killing.”
One by one they joined her, Ryan pausing at the door, ready to pull it shut and trigger the jump mechanism. “Everyone comfortable? Then let’s go, friends.”
Doc was staring blankly across the chamber. Krysty touched him on the arm as Ryan closed the door and sat next to her. “Jack for your thoughts, Doc.”
The disks in the floor and ceiling began to glow, and there was a faint humming sound. Mist began to gather near the ceiling. Ryan sat quickly, seeing that J.B. had already taken off his glasses and folded them safely into a pocket. He felt the familiar darkness closing over his mind.
“I was thinking of those that we shall never meet again, Krysty, my dear,” Doc replied, his voice sounding a little blurred around the edges. “So many good, good companions that we have lost forever to the grim reaper.”
“Might see them again, somewhere on down the line,” Ryan muttered.
“I think not, Ryan.” Now the old man’s voice was echoing around the armaglass walls, becoming fainter. “They will grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age will not weary them, nor the years condemn.” Ryan felt his hold on consciousness slipping away, and he was barely able to hear Doc’s last words. “At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.”
Remember them.
Ryan closed his eye.