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Thad went back to the mantle. There were still two items left not inspected.
Thad picked up the picture of Anne. Anne looked sad in the picture. Thad wasn't terribly surprised at this as Anne often did look sad. Anne's eyes in the picture seemed to be staring off into space and at the same time witnessing some terrible event. The picture seemed to show the playful almost elfish qualities that had attracted Thad in the first place but also the cold dark side that had eventually driven Anne into the stone. The event that had in effect had caused Thad to awaken. Anne's image in the picture began to speak. The tone of voice was both light and musical and yet had a dark and somber resonance.
"I am going east, Thad." said the image.
"Why?!? Why do such a thing?" he asked.
"The west is uncertainty, especially with you, the west is uncertainty."
"But the east is tired and old and dead and asleep!"
"I think I should like a rest, yes to the east I go."
At that moment the picture quickly aged and turned to dust.
Behind the picture of Anne was a slightly older picture of Beth.
"Beth!" whispered Thad with alarm.
The picture of Beth also spoke.
"I am going west, Thad. Someplace you cannot go."
At that moment the window blew open and the picture of Beth caught the wind and blew out the window.
Thad was left staring first at the window and then the mantle, than the window again.
"Anne has gone east. Beth has gone west. I am left not going anywhere." thought Thad.
Thad fell back on to the bed again, but was careful to not close his eyes for fear of going east again.
Whenever he would be able to travel again, he knew he'd rather go west this time.
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