Journal Of Simon Herbert 6

CHAPTER SIX

I try to explain to Marvin how the transition from one side to the other while seeing the storm felt unexpected, and a little disconcerting. But I am not sure exactly what it is that I am trying to explain. He smiles. He assures me that going from one reality to another is something that should be disconcerting and unexpected. After all, he has never met anyone else that has done that. Nor has he ever heard of anyone that has done that. I realize that Marvin has never really been interested in learning about The Rip, or crossing through it. Even when we first got here, he didn't seem that surprised how we got here. Once we figured out that it existed, and that we could go back and forth, he was satisfied that it is a possibility, but also seemed to be over it. He never even mentions it anymore. When I say I am going back to send messages, his replies are underwhelmed and disinterested if anything. Yet now he assures me I should be disconcerted.

I ask Marvin if he would ever want to go back with me sometime, into another reality. He looks at me like I have asked if he wants to go with me to a strangers funeral. Why would anyone want to do something like that, and never ask me that again. So I asked. Why not?

Marvin says first, he is not a big risk taker. “I am an adventurer”, he explained. If The Rip closed while he was on this side, he would be fine. He would thrive learning all he could. But if he crossed through, He would learn nothing, because his every thought would be about getting back before The Rip closed, which he is certain it would if he went through. Second, I had never even heard of his home. And he would never risk not being able to go home. “Fair enough”, I say. I tell him that I could not wait to see his home. He smiles and tells me I am going to love it there. I am sure I will, and he is right. As long as I can see new places, and learn new things, I will be fine. But now, I want to learn more about The Rip, and what it is that Webby seems to know about the people that may no longer exist on both sides. And maybe I need to start researching my other self on this side. The Simon on the other side of the looking glass.

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