Tunnel Vision

80

About two hours after stopping, Zack came upon the Biddeford/Route 5 exit. Nothing looked familiar, but he turned off.

“Is this it?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

There was a new motel complex just off the exit ramp that still had scaffolding on one wall and construction machinery in front.

“But that’s all new, and you haven’t been here in twenty years.”

“Believe me, this is the right way.”

“I’m trying to.”

There was a clutch of fast-food restaurants on the access road.

“Maybe we should stop for directions and get something to eat.”

“We’ll find a place when we get closer.”

“Closer to what?”

He didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to startle her. But the sensation was now electric. She wouldn’t understand, and he couldn’t put it into words that made sense.

But he really should thank Sarah for helping to lead him out of the tunnel and into the light. If it hadn’t been for the suspension tests, he’d still be stuck in the gray materialist world. Although he had long denied it, something had gotten into his head that first day with the stimulation helmet, then burned like a pilot light throughout all the nasty flatlining; and now it was a discernible beacon.

Ironically, the only one in that lab who had insight was the same person who tried to kill him. Funny how he was now coming around to respecting that woman. She had had her eye on the prize. And the prize was just ahead.

He turned onto Route 5.

Just a few more miles.