OCCULTA

Written by: Chris Fennell, Anne Grimm, Megan Hasenwinkel, and Rachel Seow

Written for Vibs Petersen, FYS 27
December 11, 1997

CHAPTER 16

Wen jerked as the front gate was thrown open and a large creature stormed in. As it moved at an impossibly rapid pace towards her, she realized it was Pullusian. And yet, everything about him was wrong. He wasn't extraordinarily tall but he was bulkier than anyone she had ever seen. Neither had she ever witnessed such behavior, such extravagant expenditure of energy, except in

And then he was looming over her, standing far too close, "Hi, the Executive is in the office right now?" he asked hopefully.

"I guess you're waiting to talk with the Executive? I'm Simeon, by the waywell Sim reallybut no, I guess I'm Simeon, now," he announced, letting out a little laugh. She edged back, putting more space between them. "Yes."

Wen was startled by the strange barking noise that came out of Sim and she could not understand what was the matter with his mouth that he should bare his teeth at her in so strange a manner. But as she studied Sim more intensely, looking into those non-Pullusian blue eyes, she realized that what stood before her was an E2TR that had somehow stayed alive far beyond the four-year term. What had he survived on? How had he managed to reach maturity yet escape notice prior to today?

Wen's musings were interrupted as, once again, Sim began to speak in that particular verbose manner of his, reminding her of an overflowing glass of water that could not be controlled, and of a child she had found some time ago, now dead.

"I apologize. I'm babbling like a fool and I see from the way you're watching me that you're convinced I'm diseased, or worse, a freak...but I'm just nervous. I don't know why. I've never been afraid of the Executive before. But now I am. Or maybe it's this whole damn city, being here that has me on edge. You see, I've been awayoutside Pullus. It's true! Did you know there is life out there? I found life out there. Well, actually it found me but it took me months to understand even the basic conceptsliterally!

"You look at me and you believe something's wrong. In fact, I'm just starting to be right. You should see what the people, who have lived outside Pullus all their lives, are like! They talk to each other, and affect each other's lives. Sometimes they are irrational or impractical but no one thinks they're sick! They experience emotionsbut that's a concept that I can't explain. They love to dance, they create beauty with their bodies and with words..." Simeon made himself stop, frustrated with the woman who stood before him with the blank look on her pale face and at his own inability to make her want to understand.

Impatiently, he glanced around the bare room, "I have to speak to the Executive. The people of Pullus should be given the chance to experience real life. They should at least be allowed to choose"

"Come into my office Sim," the Executive's voice, calm and low, instantly blocked the stream of passionate words.

Sim took a few steps towards the office, hesitated, then looked back at Wen. "Perhaps, when you have seen for yourself what I've been ranting about, we can talk again?"

Wen glanced briefly at the retreating back and then left the building. Sim had so many words to say. The Executive would have no time for her today.

Continue to Chapter 17