Stations of the Nightmare by Philip Jose Farmer

Author:Philip Jose Farmer [Farmer, Philip Jose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780575119918
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2012-08-19T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Glenda, seeing him in the driver’s seat, stopped. Her pale face became even whiter. Then she came around the side of the car and got in beside him. Tears ran down her cheek.

“What are you doing here, Dad?”

He refrained from telling her that she was his second choice. Busiris College was too far away and too well patrolled for him to try to see Roger.

He told her all that had happened and described Tincrowdor’s letter. Glenda looked stunned.

“I didn’t want to phone Leo because the police might’ve tapped his wires,” he said. “I want you to get to his house and arrange for him to be in the phone booth near the downtown public library. I’ll call him from another booth.”

“I just can’t believe all this!” Glenda said. “It’s too fantastic!”

“I’m not crazy, and Leo will tell you so,” he said. “The world has enough problems, more than it can handle, as everybody, including God, knows. But now, in the past few days, it has two new problems. And both make all past problems look simple. One is that saucer creature. The other is me. I can turn myself in and give the world a chance to solve the dilemma I represent. But what’s going to prevent the saucer thing from infecting other people? Nothing, nobody, is going to be able to do anything about that. Except me.”

“What do you mean?” she said. She leaned over and placed a hand on his arm. He moved it away, feeling that he might be contagious.

“I mean that there’s something of the saucer thing in me. It’s changed me, is still changing me. I’m part saucer thing myself. Otherwise, why would I have those dreams of that green city and the longing for it? You see before you a man who’s still your father but not your father. Half-human. Or, maybe I was only half-human before and it’s making me more human. I don’t know. Anyway, it takes a thief to catch a thief, and I’m the only one who can catch the saucer thing. That’s because I’m part saucer thing, and the saucer thing herself is dogging me. Why, I don’t know. There’s so much I don’t know. But I’m convinced that only I can trap her. Which is why I’m not going to turn myself in. But I need help to stay out of the hands of the police. That’s why I want to talk to Tincrowdor. Maybe he’ll help me.”

“Dad,” Glenda said in a choked voice. “I’m sick!”

She fell against him, and even through his shirt he could feel the heat from her face. He pushed her back so that she sat up as straight as she ever would be able to. Her head hung forward, mouth open; she breathed as if a rusty windmill was in her throat.

“I’m not angry with you, Glenda!” he cried. “My God, I love you!”

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