The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
From inside her bubble shield, Heyem looks on as more tattooed warriors are taken by Kyo-ashita, disappearing all around her, to appear moments later, some surrendering, some collapsing, others turning on the enemy, reinforcing the Kyo-ashita army, fighting the more brutal looking haernyara, those who can’t be saved.
Heyem has stopped going out at night and rarely socialises. She has thrown herself into her work, and every night, after her lectures have finished, she studies the list of Amanojuko agents given to her by Alexand. Helga Ritter is the only one on the list she has recognised, but she is becoming increasingly paranoid and suspects practically everyone.
Heyem is furious with Alex, that she hasn’t listened to her warning about sleeping with Jarad. She is more upset about Alex’s rejection of her. She has decided to pack her possessions and intends to ask Inajda to take her off the Island back to Hong Kong.
Helga Ritter materialises in the East of Yunnan, where most of the habitable villages are. She has a great task ahead of her, but her writer will aid in locating the elusive Lieutenant Colonel Merek, and more importantly save Lord Anderson from whatever diabolical fate has currently been forced upon him.
Heyem has been very depressed since she got back home to Hong Kong. She has received no news about Alex, and is deeply worried about her sister. She has not heard from Inajda, and Alex hasn’t returned to her military base. Heyem has continued with her life, but has grown more despondent. She has taken to drinking, to attempt to suppress her emotions. After her lecture is over, she heads out into the city, to a bar, to get drunk and perhaps pick up a woman.
Heyem finds herself standing outside Hong Kong University, still dressed in her Amanojuko clothing. The writer she held in her hand has stopped working, and as she tries to fix it, it disintegrates. (For those of you with delicate minds, please forgive Heyem for what she is about to say. If you are easily offended by swearing please be warned Heyem is rather angry, and you may prefer to read another story, on one of her happier days. Maybe this one?)
Lord Filius Anderson has discovered Alexand’s infiltration attempt.
As they walk the corridor, the guard begins talking about the Amanojuko proposals for the new world order, making Heyem shiver with the horror of it. (Thank you to Siddiqui Fayesal for interviewing me. You can see the first part of the Interview with a writer, on his website, “Ho Hum… Well we’re going to die anyway!“)
The group have stopped for supplies in a nearby village in Xiongmeizhen.
Heyem Merek has made a successful life for herself as a doctor of Herstory in Hong Kong University, but being an identical twin has its drawbacks. Sometimes she can sense if something has happened to her twin sister Alex, even though Heyem has tried her best to distance herself from her troublesome twin. Heyem has woken up after a strange dream, that she was tumbling down a cliff. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Ancille lost her hearing when her brother Sam and sister Anastasia were taken by the Amanojuko as children. (See Ancille Part 1) Despite her mother, Alexand Merek’s constant encouragement and reassurance, Ancille can’t help being haunted by her absent mirror twin. (Note: The haernyarn are wraiths that serve Amanojuko lords. You can read about their conception in The Floating Asylum parts 2 3 and 4) Special thanks to Katharine Griffiths for an enjoyable interview. She asked me about my work here. You should go and check out her review and interview site, The Thiessen Review, on wordpress. You can read my interview if you’d like too? It tells you a little about why I write. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
After waking from a catatonic state, (due to her imprisonment in The Floating Asylum) Alexand is recovering at home with her family. Unfortunately for Alexand, her identical twin sister, Heyem has arrived, eager to ‘help’ Alexand recover from her trauma. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Doctor Heyem Merek, takes pride in her achievements, and likes to be in control of her life. Unfortunately her identical twin sister, Alexand has asked to meet with her at work (on a matter of urgency.) Heyem is nervous about the other lecturers and students learning too much about her background. She has no idea what Alexand wants, but she is going to make every effort to prepare for social war. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Juba Apfvarzian needs to forget his past. He spends a lot of time taking drugs and drinking with his best friend and fellow drunk Alexand Merek. They met decades ago on a floating asylum ship for the criminally insane. Juba had a wife, Lucy and a son, Ayo, before he went to the asylum. When he was released, he discovered that they had both died of influenza, and he was alone. He and Alexand met up again after her release and discovered that they had a lot in common. Alexand had also lost her wife, Katherine to an unknown virus and her husband Jarad to an unbeatable war. Her son, Sam and daughter, Anastasia had been stolen when they were children. Alexand’s surviving daughter Ancille has grown up and Alexand and Juba spend a lot of their lives trying to run away from bad things. This is one of those days. (A Spanish version is now available to read, translated by Hernán Jara Droguett.) CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
