OOM: Making Tracks, Part 4: Breaking Point

[blueshifted]

They're watching him. The three of them, on the train, the lone bare lightblub casting disgusting shadows across their masks.

(Horrible masks, all staring at him, they've been staring at him, souless eyes so souless...)

tell us, barney
tell us where white forest is

we'll help them

they're in danger

just tell us

it's easy“Nn-noo,” Barney groans

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[treading_dawn]

"What are you doing, Son of Adam?"

The voice is deep and resonant and warm, softer by far than the tongue that brushes against Barney's forehead, rasping and rough.

The air smells of violets.

"Stand, if you will, and walk with me."

[blueshifted]

Barney looks up, realization not quite dawning on him. It's just another hallucination. But he does as instructed, but slowly, as if he's not sure of his own legs, and looks around fearfully.

[treading_dawn]

The cliff's edge is ten feet behind him. Below he can hear the ocean, brilliant blue-green, break against the rocks.

The grass beneath his feet is cool and crisp and green.

Aslan's breath is warm on his face as the Lion speaks.

"There is nothing here to do you harm, child."

He's close enough to touch, fur tawny-gold and soft as down, and though he is a Lion the size of a draft horse, the gleam of his eye is sweet and sorrowful and very, very kind.

[blueshifted]

Barney nods, and then just watches the Lion. Something he said, if he could only remember.

Son of Adam...

Barney gasps, realizing, and whispers, "It can't be."