Free The Fabric Of Reality by Benjamin Kelly Page A

defenses, any shot could be the one to destroy the Barrier. Something brushed his shoulder, and he spun to see, but nothing was there.
    “Alesia?”
    It happened again but felt more solid the second time. He stepped slightly toward the place the contact felt the strongest, and Alesia’s face appeared as if looking through a porthole. He extended his hand to touch her, but she was no more solid than vapor.
    “Alesia!”
    Her lips moved, but no sound reached him from her Reality. He raised his palm and waited. She brought hers to the same spot, but rather than touch their hands merged together occupying the same space at the same time in two different universes. She withdrew her hand, but he shook his head and motioned for her to raise it again. He stepped a little more toward her, trying to find the exact spot of the rupture. They maneuvered slightly around for a moment. Suddenly Alesia intertwined her fingers with his.
    “Gil! That’s it. I feel you. Oh, I see your face clearly. You’re not shimmering, and your hand feels real. Is this a Doorway between our Realities?”
    “No, it’s—” Gil laughed bitterly. “It’s a slight tear. I thought—oh, God.” He sighed heavily. “I thought we had caused a large rupture. One of my systems gave me reason to believe that’s what had happened. I thought I could come through.”
    She gazed curiously at him. “How did we cause this?”
    “It happened when you let go of my hand.”
    Alesia clasped his hand tightly. “Then I’ll never let go of your hand again.”
    “This tear will repair itself soon, but it’s wonderful to be able to touch you for real. I can hear your voice much more clearly as well.”
    Alesia stroked his fingers with hers. “Do you mean there is no fabric between us?”
    “There is nothing separating us, Alesia.”
    “Well, I’ll come through. I’m much smaller than you. I’m sure I can fit, but you’ll have to help me. It’s up too high.”
    “It’s too small, Alesia. This tiny hole we’re gazing through is all there is.”
    “Will anything bad happen if I let go of your hand?”
    “No.”
    “Okay. You wait right here, and I’ll run into the forest and find something to stand on. I’m quite limber. I’m sure I can climb through if I can reach it.”
    “No, you couldn’t. It’s much too...” Gil let his last word drop. “Is there nothing in the castle for you to stand on?”
    “No, the castle is completely empty. It always has been.”
    “Ours was initially empty as well. When we installed the black box, all the furnishings and equipment showed up.”
    Alesia shook her head, looking totally bewildered. “What black box?”
    “It was the only thing left in the castle that wasn’t stone. When it’s disengaged, the inner workings of the castle are hidden in the space between Realities. We thought of it as sort of an antitheft device, but I’m reconsidering that idea.”
    “I know of no black box, but surely I can find something to stand on.”
    “This tear is closing rapidly. You don’t have time to search for a step stool, and I wouldn’t let you come through if you could. It’s imperative that you install the black box at once. Ours was hidden quite well. I may be the same case with yours. There is a barely noticeable slot inside the control room.”
    She glanced down the hall toward the dorms. “Which room is that?”
    “Go to the end of this corridor, then up two flights of stairs. It’s the first room on the left. When you enter the door, turn right and go all the way to the corner. It’s the third row of stones from the floor. Look at the first joint from the corner. You should see a slight vertical split. The slot is only the width of your thumb. Depress it at the top and bottom simultaneously, then release it. It should open on its own. Give the black box a push into its slot until it seats firmly. You’ll know when you have it because all sorts of things will appear.”
    “Okay, got it. Don’t go