The Hollow Places

Kara collapses on the riverbank, reeling from the sight of Martin Sturdivant’s mutilation. She and Simon conclude that multiple worlds exist, and that they may die here. They set off again across the river to find their way home. Kara injures her toe on a rock in the water. Moving on, they climb a bluff and see a half-sunken ship tangled in willows; its hull bears the letters “RON MOUN” (153). They spot something moving, and an invisible, humming presence pushes through the willows, bowing the branches. They crouch and hold still until it passes. Simon, whose vision is more sensitive than Kara’s, describes it as a trilobite-like creature made of skin.

Another humming entity approaches, and they take shelter in the derelict ship. The thing moves over the roof directly above them. Terrified, they try to think about anything else to avoid attracting it. Kara repeats the song “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” in her head until it moves on. They leave the ship, find the correct bunker, and confirm it by spotting Simon’s toolbox. They sprint down the concrete corridor, jump through the portal back into