Free Underworld (Dark Passage) by M.L. Woolley Page B

want to overstep my
boundaries and I pay close attention to his eyes as I
speak.
“Tom? Did you and the others come from the same
place that I did? I meanare you alive?”
    Tom chuckled with what I said and arched an
eyebrow in amusement. “Of course we are alive.
Everyone who is born is alive for eternity. It’s just
that some of us don’t have earthen bodies any longer
after we leave the first dimension.” Tom pauses for a
few minutes before continuing. His expression is
thoughtful as though searching for just the right
words. He reminds me of the grandfather that I had
always wished for as a kid.
    I imagined what Tom and the others looked like
before they left the world I know. It’s difficult for me
to comprehend that no one ever really dies. Do they
all go to various dimensions and lead other lives like
Tom and the others?I can’t help but wonder if the
man in my dreams was dead or just from another
realm. His presence was vivid, sensual and I can
almost feel his hands now. The way he pulled me to
him and the feel of his warm breath on my neck made
me think there was something more to him. It was as
though my dream was being invaded and the most
hidden corners of my mind were known to him.
    “And how exactly did you know I would be coming
here Tom? Did someone tell you? How do you
know so much about me?”
    “When I was young someone gave me a very old
document. I was warned to not open it until the time
was right and that if it was opened prematurely it
could bring world war. When I broke the seal there I
found information about what was to come in the
future. It was planned for you to come here.”
“Tom” I persisted. How long ago did you know I
would be coming here?”
    Tom looked at me thoughtfully. He scratches his
beard as he did when he analyzes something. He
seems almost uncomfortable and contemplating what
to say.
    I can’t think straight.
How does one process
something so fantastic? My heart is pounding and
there is a slight ringing in my ears. Tom’s silence
makes me feel on edge and my anxiety is growing.
    “Well. When I was about 20 years old a man
came to
me. He was a wizened old man and looked to be over
100 years old. He told me that at the appointed time a
young woman would come. He said I would know
you were the one and I was to give you 3 things when
the time was right.”
    It just doesn’t make any sense to me. “But you did see him again?”
“Yes. I saw him just before I turned 80 years old.
And I saw him once again earlier this year. He gave
me an ancient book and when he left he said 3 words. It has begun .”
    My mi
nd is reeling. I can’t maintain his gaze and I
look to the floor. I feel as though he can see through
me.“What began? How old are you Tom? Why am I
here?”
    Just then Lizzie and Emma walk into the room. They
give incredulous looks toeach other. “What’s going
onTom?” demands Lizzie with her eyebrows arched
in anger. She stood there looking distressed and had
an accusing look on her face. I can sense the turmoil
she is feeling and wonder why she is upset.
    Tom just shrugs his shoulders and scratches his beard
thoughtfully. He looks in my direction and winks as
though we have a joke just between us. I smile back.
    “You shouldn’t have said anything Tom. There’s a
responsibility that comes with living here. We are
only supposed to let her rest and give her the things
she needs. You may have opened the seal and put us
all in danger” said Lizzie, through gritted teeth.
    Tom turned to Lizzie with a steely glint in his eye.
“It’s all right Lizzie. I’ll take responsibility for any
backlash that that may come from showing her a few
things. She had figured some of it out herself
already.” Said Tom
    Lizzie gave Tom a stern look but that seemed to
satisfy her for the moment. The sound of clicking
nails on the floor indicated that the dog was joining us
in the library. Tom clapped his hands as the mutt
ambled toward him