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The Changes by Peter Dickinson Part Nine
Mary and Nicky are having a meal together and are looking back at what they miss. Nicky still has to find her parents. First though, Nicky thinks about finding out what is causing the problems with the machines and technology. She tries to persuade Jonathon to go with her and he eventually agrees. Michael offers them horses and provisions and if they want to they can come back to stay. Jonathon and Nicky set off up the hills not sure of what fate awaits them in the mountains. Jonathon's compass is not working correctly but Nicky seems to now the way by instinct. They ride for days through the thick woods and rocky slopes.
Nicky's horse gets a fright and makes a bolt. Nicky falls off but she appears to be okay. While she is being helped by Jonathon both the horses run off when they hear a strange howling in the distance. Nicky thinks it sounded like wolves but Jonathon is unsure.
Suddenly they hear the howling again and notice that it has got very dark very quickly. They move much faster now almost if they believe they are being pursued. They enter the top of a quarry and spy a small caravan down at the bottom with a light on. They descend and enter the caravan only to find it empty but there is a bowl of soup on the table that is still hot.
They eventually come across the former clerk of the quarry mining works, a Mr. Furbelow. He is a very timid man but offers them shelter while they explain what they are doing in the quarry. While Mr. Furbelow explains about the quarry he keeps on referring to an unknown entity called "he." Suddenly the lights go out and Nicky starts to feel the unseen force again only much much stronger. Mr. Furbelow says that "he" was quiet before they came and that they must have disturbed him. He orders them out and appears quite agitated that they leave as soon as possible.
Nicky and Jonathon return to the caravan and settle in for the night. she describes the feeling of wanting to destroy items. Jonathon thinks the clerk is mad and he may become dangerous. Nicky insists that they stay and try to talk to him tomorrow.
Jonathon is not convinced but finds and starts to read from the Clerk's diary
..."started blasting, April 12th"...
"Dy Jones says the rock is the oldest on Earth"...
"something went wrong, one man killed many more injured"...
"started to clear debris but then down tools"...
"men refuse to continue"...
"something strange and compelling lying beneath that rockfall"...
"indescribable feeling of terror down there"...
"force so strong, it feels like a physical barrier"...
"need to go on and find out what is happening"...
"found something in a chamber underneath the rockfall"...
"not something but someone"...
"I thought he was dead but as soon as I touched him, I realised he lived"...
"he is alive but not like us"...
"he is surrounded by power and strength"...
"I touched him"
The diary then has a small Latin text in it :
"Merlinus Sum, Qui, Me Tangit Turbat Mundum"
Whoever touches me unbalances the world
It would appear that Mr. Furbelow has indeed touched that which should not be touched and has set the current course of events in motion. Nicky thinks though that she must try to reason with the force and so intends to go into the mine to confront the entity in the morning. The very next morning both Nicky and Jonathon hide, waiting for Mr. Furbelow to appear. He comes out of the mine and goes into the caravan just as Nicky and Jonathon head into the mine
Episode List
| The Changes Main Page | Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five |
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| Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | |
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