What neither Danielle, or Ashlee were aware of, as they soaked up the sun, was that there were far more than just themselves, Mr Prometheus, and a handful of others who knew about the Pen. Somewhere else, but still in the country, a select group sat in a circle, faces hidden by the dancing shadows cast by the dim flames that flickered.
“So where is it?” One queried.
“Unknown. I sent Schlomo to search for it, but as of yesterday, there has been no trace of him.” Another supplied the answer, knowing it was one they did not want to hear.
“Run away?” Another accused.
“Possible, but all efforts to find him have proven futile. Thus there are only two explanations. One, he’s dead.”
“And two, it was used.” The fourth and final member of the group spoke. “Barring us from finding him.”
“I am afraid, that that is a possibility.” The second man acceded.
“Then it may be lost to us, for many more years, decades, perhaps centuries to come.” The first one spoke up. “Since ‘He’ used it to hide its effects from us.”
“Then what are we to do?” The third man asked.
“For now, all we can do, is continue our search. We do, after all, have all the time in the World.” The fourth man stated.
“Our only luxury in this debacle.” The second one pointed out.
[+]
Back at the beach, Danielle and Ashlee were now having lunch, though the former had a puzzled expression on her scaled face.
“Did you use it?” Danielle had to ask, wondering how she was having no trouble with the Salad, even though she was a Lizard Lady and sitting in nothing but her scales.
“So? It’s quite a small act.” Ashlee replied, before a thought came to her. After her chastising of Danielle for her reckless use of the Pen, had she just done the same thing?
“You felt, an impulse?” Danielle asked her quietly.
“Kinda.” She admitted after a moment. Looking again at the quick note she’d made with it.
“Almost like, you needed to use it?”
“Perhaps, but how? Why?”
“Good question. When I asked him about it, he did admit that it might have some kind of, sentience, if only partially.”
“Would that mean, it’s compelling me to use it?”
“It might be, but I think as long as you and I know this, it should be easier to notice whatever signs might come.” Danielle offered.
“I, I suppose you’re right.” Ashlee replied, feeling a little down now.
“Come on, like you said it was quite small, so let’s not worry about it, too much.” Danielle consoled. “Besides, we’ve still got the rest of the day to enjoy.”
“That we do.” Ashlee sounded better, looked more cheerful too.