Free Planet Purgatory by Benedict Martin Page B

wandered around the room, searching for memories I knew weren’t there.
    “Why can’t I remember anything?”
    “It’s the suspended animation. It happens to all of us.”
    “Will it come back?”
    “No.”
    She continued walking around her room, cigarette hanging from her fingers, until she turned to face me. “Am I dreaming?”
    “Now that’s a question I’ve asked myself many times. But no, you’re not dreaming.”
    “Then how come I’ve still got my room? And my stuff? That doesn’t make any sense.”
    “I told you, it’s the suspended animation. The first few days are always the strangest.”
    I felt so bad for her. Fortunately, Rosie was there to act as a distraction, placing her massive head on Jackie’s lap the moment the woman sat back down on the bed.
    Jackie grabbed both of Rosie’s ears, tugging them playfully. “I’ve never seen an animal like this? What is she? A mastiff?”
    “I don’t know. But she keeps me safe, and that’s what counts. I gotta to say, I’m shocked by how much she’s taken to you. ”
    “She knows I’m a dog person,” said Jackie with a grin. “I have two big rottweilers at home. Not as big as she is, but they’re a great pair. Brothers. I got them when they were eight weeks old …”
    Her voice trailed off, no doubt wondering about their fate.
    “Have you been outside yet?” I asked, getting up from my chair.
    The expression on her face said it all, and I opened the door, revealing the gloom on the other side.
    “I know you feel safer in here, but you need to make your way to Harkness.”
    Jackie’s eyes widened. “What’s Harkness?”
    “It’s a settlement. With people; settlers just like you, with food and water.”
    Jackie pushed Rosie’s head off her lap to join me in the doorway. “Are you sure I can’t stay here?” she asked, peering at the trees.
    “It’s too dangerous.”
    Together we stepped out onto the road, Jackie staring at the rickety hut that was her bedroom. “H-how is that possible? That’s my room. From my house. That’s my room!”
    “Try not to think about it. Here, are you hungry? Because I’ve got some food.”
    I pulled a shiny green apple from my knapsack, which she gratefully accepted.
    “I have some cheese, too, if you want. Now the settlement is only about a thirty-minute walk from here. You could probably make it in twenty if you hurried.”
    Jackie’s voice trembled. “You’re not coming with me?”
    I wanted to say no. I was on a mission, after all. But then I remembered what it was that brought me to Purgatory in the first place.
    “Come on,” I said, pulling my knapsack around my shoulder.
    And so Rosie, Jackie, and I departed for Harkness.

* * *
    “God, this place is creepy,” said Jackie, arms wrapped protectively around her chest.
    I wanted to reassure her, tell her it wasn’t as bad as it looked, but I couldn’t. Her presence alone made me anxious. She reminded me so much of my ex-wife — even the way she walked was like her — the thought of anything happening to her under my protection was making my head swim.
    “I keep expecting the Headless Horseman to come galloping down the road.”
    “Huh? What’s that?” I asked, gazing warily into the trees.
    “I said, I keep expecting the Headless Horseman to appear. Did you ever watch that cartoon? Scared the daylights out of me when I was little.”
    “Yeah, I know which one you’re talking about. Scared me, too.”
    “I just hope we don’t end up like Ichabod Crane.”
    “Yeah, well, old Ichabod never had a weapon like this one,” I said, patting my gun.
    Thankfully, the journey back to Harkness was uneventful, and when we got close enough that I could see Bill’s wagon sitting in the middle of road, I stopped and pointed to the campfires burning brightly in the background.
    “That’s Harkness right there,” I explained.
    “You’re not coming with me?”
    This time I shook my head. “I’m on a mission. But don’t worry, I’ll