“Well the only thing left is entertainment. Although you have seen their extent of shows. But they have the playroom and the arenas,” Grass suggests.

“What happens in the arenas?” I ask.

“You,” Grass laughs.

“Me?” I question.

“The arenas are the areas where talents are tested and used. So you would be the entertainment,” Grass laughs.

“Ha, ha. I guess we go to the play room,” I say disgruntled.

“Very well, party poop,” Grass says, “Line outside.”

I head outside to follow the line. When I get outside I wait for everyone to catch up, before I head down the line.

After a short distance I ask Grass, “How's your girlfriend going?”

“Not good. Every time we think we got somewhere, she throws something else into the mix,” Grass says deflated.

“I was always told that a good offense is a good defense, sometimes. Another is to find their weakness. One weakness I know of is that she will not let harm come to her people. I don't know if that helps, but I feel I at least have contributed.”

“Hm you may have a point. We are playing her game. I think we should set the rules,” Grass says with confidence.

“Good for you. A game or war on your turf is always easier,” I say having no clue what Grass is talking about.

“Thanks, you helped quite a bit. We think she may be on the run,” Grass responds.

“All ready? I'm impressed,” I say.

“Just took the right approach. And you helped,” Grass says.

“Ah shucks, I helped,”

“I do not understand your reference. Can you help us understand?” Peth asks.

“As much as I would love to, I can't always. Like with the 'I helped'. I cannot remember where I heard it. I just know it has a funny connotation to it. I think it is more how it was said, more than what was said. Was there something else?”

“The game reference. I do not see where our lives are a game,” she says with a hint of agitation.

“I did not realize that would bother you so much, but I will try to explain. I think the reference may be lost to you because you have never had the displeasure of dealing with a war, or fight.

I do believe the reference is a referral to the strategy needed. Like any game, there is a winner and loser. So I think others refer to it as a game, to take out the fear factor.

When you are in war, you need to be clear of mind. So if you see it is a game and not war it takes out the worry, so you can think clearly. I personally would prefer they see it as a game.

That way they are in it to win it and get rid of the threat completely. If they constantly worry about who could or is dying, we have lost. Because they are focusing just on protection only.

I will have to say war is the worst thing you can think of multiplied at least ten fold. It's something I hope you never have to experience. But on my world it seems like it is inevitable. Does that make sense?”

“I do believe so and thank you. To know you do not see us as expendable does make me feel better,” Peth says.

I stop and turn around. They stop just shy of colliding. “I would never think of anyone as expendable. And I hope most of the people think the same.

In war it is different. To leave a war without casualties is impossible. Even in war you do not want to lose anyone.

But we are in no war and even if we were, I would prefer to blow myself up in the enemies camp then lose any of you. You are all just as important to me as my family and don't any of you forget that.” I can feel my anger start to rise.

“Ben, she didn't mean anything by it. Relax, just like you, they need reassurance.” Grass says with a raised voice.

I hear Grass and realize what I was doing. I shake my head and really look at them. All of them cower away from me like I was on fire. Absolute terror is frozen on Peth's face.

I look at them confused, “What, I just got a little upset again.”

Berg points at me. “Lo...Lo...Look at your hands,” he states.

I look and see a sphere of black dirt swirling in my hands. I shake my hands to get rid of it. It all gently floats to the ground.

As I look, I realize there is no ground. There is a whole right in front of me. I'm not sure if I am seeing ground or eternal stone. I see a mix of both.

I step back and just stare at the hole, “What the hell?” I blurt.

“We do not know, but you have ours and the clause's attention. We have called a truce to figure this out.”

“I... I... No,” I wanted to say I didn't do that, but obviously I did. What am I?

“Ben you have got to get a hold of yourself. The effect is based on your emotions.” Grass says desperately.

“How?” I ask trying to fathom anyone being able to do that. I could have killed them. I could have done the one thing I was saying I would never do. What kind of monster am I?

“Ben,” Grass yells from every building and the crown.

The volume and the echo disorientates me. “What?”

“Better. Now that we got your attention. You have to keep your emotions in check. They are the key to that ability at the moment. We and the scientist are checking things out now. Peth please help, you have to keep him calm.” Grass's desperation quivers its voice.

“Of course Grass,” Peth says as I look at her. “Ben we are all fine. Let's get to this fun house. I think it will be worth it. Come.” she holds out her hand.

I take her hand without thinking. I see Berg flinch and Peth nudges him with her elbow. Despite it all, I had to giggle. She leads me along the yellow line.

All I see is the yellow line as we go through the street. I don't remember where, but I had let go of Peth's hand and was leading the group again.

We come to a building and enter. We walk into a room as deep and wide as the whole building. The room is empty of everything As the others walk in I hear their footsteps echo.

“Grass, can you explain please?” Peth asks and I can hear her voice echo repeatedly.

“Oh yes sorry. This is similar to the holodeck Ben. It is not as advanced as we have seen in your memory, but nice nonetheless.

The room normally has a list of known scenes in it. But we have added another, we think Ben would like. Hold on while we activate it. If you would like to try others, just ask the computer for a list. Enjoy.”

The room goes fuzzy. How an empty room can grow fuzzy I don't know. The floor begins to undulate everywhere, but where we are standing.

The floor begins to look like a three dimensional shadow of hills and grass. On the far wall it looks to be undulating too. As I watch the room begins to color and reshape itself. Right before my eyes I see a stream flowing from a water fall first. The fall flows from the back wall to just before us.

Everywhere else grass, trees, and rocks form and color. When it finishes I am standing in a stream in a forest, with a waterfall at the far end.

“We took it from your memory and added the waterfall. We hope it was a nice touch,” Grass says.

I look down and notice I am still standing on eternal stone. I step on to the grassy bank and the area I stood in finishes the transformation. I reach down and touch the water. It reacts and falls like water, but my hand does not get wet.

“This is the creak bed I loved to play at,” I state.

“Yes,” Grass says.

I look up at the waterfall, “Yes I like the waterfall touch. I think it makes the scene perfect. I run up to a few feet before the waterfall.

If I remember right, this is the deep part. I step into the area and step down into the water. I continue in till I am thigh high in the water.

I can feel the water flowing downstream. I feel my pants plaster against my legs as though I was in water, but my pants do not get wet.

I slap at the water and it splatters the bank. As it hits, it melts into the ground like it was actual water. Even when it hits a large rock it rolls off to the ground.

“This is awesome, I can get into a water fight, and not get soaked,” I laugh.

“We thought you would like it,” Grass says and pauses, then says, “Almost done Peth.”

“Oh yeah.” She walks up next to me on the bank. “This is where you used to play?”

“Yeah, it is where I went when I was stressed. Very appropriate I think,” I say realizing why Grass picked this spot.

“Why is the water flowing like this?” Tieth asks.

“It is flowing down hill. On earth it rains, and that rain flows down creaks like this. Normally there is not this much water, but I like this better.”

“You mean it isn't flat?” Cliff asks.

“In some spots yeah, but I think most of it is hilly. There are mountains so high you can touch the clouds.”

Tieth's eyes get huge, “Really?”

“I've never been there, but yes. There are huge areas of water called oceans. I think they take up eighty percent of earth's surface. Course I didn't pay much attention in science to remember if that is right.”

“Wow,” Berg says as he picks up a stone and throws it in the water.

It splashes and sinks. I can see the ripples start from the entry point and ripple out. When the stone hits the bottom, it rolls slightly with the current then settles into its resting spot.

“You grew up playing here?” Berg asks.

“Yes I guess. But there were many other places I went to,” I say.

Cliff steps to the other side of the bank opposite Peth and asks, “Can you show us more?”

“Uh, no sorry, Grass done this,” I say, a bit disappointed.

“That's no problem Ben. Just pick a place in your head and we will program it,” Grass says.

“Uh, Oh, yeah the dam,” I say as I picture the dam I use to cross.

“Everyone step with Peth if you don't mind,” Grass says. “Normally it is set not to change with someone in it, but we can alter that for now.”

We all jump and run to Peth. As we approach I see her flinch. We all huddle around her and watch as the area changes to the damn, at Lake of the Ozarks.

We end up standing on part of the dam that has a clear view of the drop off, on one side and the lake on the other.

When it is finished morphing, I lean over the side and can hear the water flow. At times I can even feel a breeze come up the dam.

They all come over to look. The guys lean over the rail to get a better look. Peth takes several steps back and fear covers her face. “Are you scared of heights?” I ask. She slowly shakes her head yes.

“Peth we know it may not help your fear, but be assured you cannot fall in here. The height is an illusion,” Grass says.

“Thank you Grass. It is nice to know, but I will stay back here,” Peth says nervously.

“That's okay Peth, some fears cannot be stopped. Do you want me to pick another?” I ask.

“No, everyone else likes it. I will just stay back here,” she says with a little more confidence.

“As long as you are okay,” I say. She shakes her head yes.

“We are done,” Grass says. “Now Ben you need to stay calm.”

“Why will I blow up?” I ask.

“Yes,” Grass replies bluntly.

“Gee, make me feel so much better,” I say sarcastically.

“It's the truth, but a little brevity we thought might help.”

“Well keep the brevity coming,” I respond trying to ignore the fact I could blow up.

“Hopefully on its way. Well you just showed your unknown. Well not unknown now, but nameless,” Grass says. I chuckle despite myself. “It seems your unknown was even more than the scientist expect. To put it like you would say it. You can warp the fabric of existence.”

“Um you mean time and space right?” I ask nervously.

“No we mean existence. The area you affected does not exist anymore according to what we figure. Nothing we can do or scan indicates there is even space there.”

“But I saw the hole,” I say.

“You don't know how right you are. You are not seeing the area where you were affected. Space has warped around it. You see space above it and the ground below it.

With your eyes, it creates the illusion something is there. If you were to stick your hand in it, your hand could not penetrate it. Oh and we don't recommend to try. We have altered the area to have it covered at all times.

We also scanned areas where you have been sad or happy. Where you are happy, we found nothing. But when you got extremely excited, there is a slight warping. Not enough to cause and effect, but there none the less.

Now where you got really sad, the area around you cannot be changed by the computer. The image of earth is now permanent. The computer attempts to change it and it can't recognize the eternal stone. It comes back as either granite or simply doesn't recognize there is anything in the area.

At this time we figure it is only where you get very emotional, so be very careful. We were unable, at this moment, to do a thorough scan of all the areas you have been. But as soon as we put scientists in her place, we will check. So watch your emotions carefully. Peth please help.”

“I will,” Peth says.

I wiggle my fingers in front of me, “So be wary of the boogie man.”

“What is boogie man?” Berg asks.

“It's a mythical creature that hides and attacks children,” I say as I lean farther over the edge of the dam, then I have ever dared.

“Why does it just attack children?” Berg asks, trying to go farther than me over the side.

“Don't really know. Figure it was just a way for parents to keep children in line,” I say climbing over and hanging on the rail on the wrong side.

“That's horrible,” I hear Peth say with a shaky voice.

I look at her and realize our antics are terrifying her. I tap Berg and point at Peth. We both climb back over and just look over. “Probably, but on earth fear seems to be the driving force in control. If you want someone's attention, or get someone to do something they use fear. I think that is one of the reasons earth hasn't advanced any faster then it has. Too much competition and not enough cooperation.”

“Do they have any knowledge of eternal stone?” Cliff asks.

“No not that I know of. Our technology is electrical based I guess. All our devices run off of highly agitated electrons. Our memory capacity in our computers are very limited. Plus we don't have this neat ability to imitate an area.”

“Then why do you want to go back?” Tieth asks.

I turn to face Tieth and catch Peth giving him a dirty look. I laugh and say, “It's okay Peth it doesn't upset me. It is a legitimate question.

To tell the truth I really don't know. I guess it is more to check on my family. They have all given up a lot for me. I want to reassure them I am okay and happy.

And you know I think I am happy here. I have good friends. And no one wonders what happens when strange things happen around me.

I just scare the shit out of them, and we threaten to give Peth a heart attack,” I smile and look sideways at Peth. She gives me a weak smile.

“I am enjoying this stroll down memory lane,” I motion around me, “But there has to be more to the city. Oo maybe we need to all find our place of residency. We all have first dibs.” I smile and point to the door.