3. Prayers

Here is Henry Grey, on his knees. Surrounding him on the floor of his cabin, a carpet of sketches. The train-like creatures wind between sheets of paper, sometimes disappearing beneath skeletal trees, profusions of flowers. And among them, a small figure emerges, again and again. Henry Grey is prayerful, his mind is clear. He had asked for a sign and a sign was given. Patience, this is all he needs. An answer will appear, he knows it now. He heaves himself to his feet, the pain in his stomach burning. Outside, the air ripples in the heat. The sun catches a brightness in the distance, through the trees, as if the land is turning to glass, earth melting into water. As in John Morland's poem: in water the mirror of the Heavens.

A knock on the door. "Who's there?" he says impatiently.

"Let me in." It is the low voice of the engineer, Alexei.

When he opens the door, the engineer shuts it behind him, quickly. In one hand he holds a set of keys. In the other, a small dart gun, the kind that Grey has seen in locked glass cases on the walls of the train.

"The train is going to stop," he says, without waiting for Grey to speak. "There's a lake up ahead and we're going to gauge its depth. I can give you an hour."

Grey feels a light suffusing him. A glorious certainty. He puts his hands on the engineer's shoulders. "You have made the right choice," he says. "Your part in this will not be forgotten." He feels a fraternal bond so strong that it brings tears to his eyes.

"You'll use the last door in this carriage, just before the dining car," says Alexei, brusquely. "I'll make sure everyone is looking in another direction. You have to make sure the suit and helmet are fitted tightly. You know the dangers."

"I understand."

He holds up the keys. "Each of the double doors has a key, and each key requires a different combination, so you have to listen carefully. The silver key unlocks the inner door—two clicks to the left and five to the right. The gold key unlocks the outer door—four clicks to the right and six to the left."

Grey writes it down.

"And this." Alexei holds out the dart gun. "It will tranquilize, only—it's what's used on board when there's bad cases of the sickness, passengers harming themselves or the train. You load it like this." He takes out a small vial and syringe and locks it into the gun. "It's no use on anything big and fast, but it'll give you some measure of protection. And here are all the vials I could take without attracting notice." He hands them over, and Grey sets them down carefully on the table. "I can give you an hour only. And I can't guarantee the consequences, if the Company finds out. But there'll be no mention of my name, is that clear?"

"Quite clear, there is no need to worry."

The engineer puts the keys down. Then he's gone, the expression on his face far different than that of the uncertain young man Grey had first met.

Grey clasps his hands around the keys and the gun as if they are holy relics. He gives thanks. The train begins to slow and he goes to stand at the window. Ahead, he sees sunlight on water. Signs and blessings in abundance.