Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [101]
Mama goes into the back and comes out shortly with an extra large pepperoni pizza. She carries it over and places it on the table between them, then fetches a pitcher of soda with two glasses. “Enjoy,” she says before returning to watch her show.
Taking a big slice, the creature says, “Go ahead and help yourself.”
James watches as he takes an enormous bite, sauce trickling down the side of his mouth. Grabbing a slice for himself, he takes a bite and admits to himself that this is pretty good pizza.
“This is the one where they have to recharge the dilitium crystals,” she says from the counter. “I love this one.”
The little creature just smiles at him as he continues to eat. James sits there quietly while he eats and ponders why the creature had brought him here. Maybe it’s for company as he said, though James considers that highly unlikely.
“You’re more talkative this time,” he observes.
“That a problem?” the little guy asks through a mouthful of pizza.
James shakes his head and says, “No, just thought you weren’t supposed to answer questions.”
“Can’t you just relax and enjoy yourself?” the creature says, a little annoyed.
“Okay, okay,” James replies. “You never told me your name.”
“Its true pronunciation, you’d be unable to manage,” he says. “Just call me Igor.”
“Igor?” James asks about ready to laugh.
“Yes, Igor,” he replies. “As in Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant.”
“Alright,” James says, “Igor.”
They sit and continue eating the pizza, James is amazed at the speed with which Igor consumes each slice. He’s barely had three before Igor removes the last slice for himself. Giving out with a loud, satisfied belch, Igor sits back in his chair while James finishes the last couple of bites.
When the last bite enters his mouth, Igor stands up and asks, “Shall we?”
James swallows the last bite and asks, “We’re leaving?”
“Yes, it’s time to take you back,” replies Igor.
Getting up, James takes his glass and drains the rest of it before following Igor outside.
“Come back again,” Mama says from behind the counter as they leave.
On the way back to the truck, Igor pauses as he looks down at a mud puddle by his feet. James pauses before entering the cab as he notices him there. Bending over, Igor picks up something shiny out of the puddle and holds it up for James to see. “A nickel,” he says happily. “You never know what treasure you’ll find, even in the dirtiest of places.”
“That’s true, I suppose,” James says as he opens the cab door and gets in the truck.
Igor gets in, starts the motor and backs out onto the road. Heading back the way they had come, he soon has the truck speeding into the night.
They both remain quiet until James asks, “Did Cassie have to die?”
“Everyone dies, James,” he says, glancing over to him. “It’s just a matter of when.”
“But they were so happy together,” James replies. “Couldn’t they have had some time together?”
“Not for me to say,” Igor tells him.
Soon, James sees the fire from their camp up ahead and Igor brings him right into the middle of it by the campfire. Looking out the window, he sees everyone still sleeping, the roar of the truck motor not even causing them to stir. “See you later,” Igor says as he stops and lets James out.
James opens the door and gets out of the cab. Before shutting it he pauses, glances back and asks, “When?”
“When it happens,” Igor says with a smile. “Good luck,” he says just before James closes the door. Then with a roar, the truck gets going and James watches until the tail lights have disappeared into the night.
James continues his watch as he ponders the meaning of these visits. Why does he keep showing up? Is it just for a visit like he says, or is there more to it? And ‘Igor’, what kind of name is that for a being like him? The pizza was good though, he thinks as he belches, bringing forth reminiscence of pepperoni.
He begins to grow tired and realizes his time at watch is about over. Moving through the sleeping bodies to where Stig is sleeping, he wakes him up for his turn at watch.
In the morning when he awakens with the dawn, he goes over