Above the Vaulted Sky - Page 96

            ‘When we close our eyes, we can see how we feel,’ I continue. ‘The dead, I mean. Living people are different, I think bodies must block it. But every feeling is reflected in whatever we’re made of, like we’re living minds and we’re all connected.’

            ‘That would make sense,’ Graham considers. ‘A lot of unexplained phenomena, like supposed telepathy, or déjà vu, connecting yourself with things you may or may not have done in your past. Maybe it’s a link with that network.’

            ‘Off the point science boys,’ Elle says. ‘Reel it back in.’

            ‘Teague leaves a trail like I say. In a way that we can only see when we enter that world. And now he’s following us and he’s got what he wants. He’s got something that Thacker knew about.’

            ‘But I’d have found it,’ Yates says. ‘I scoured that book, everything made sense. He’s amazing, Easton,’ he says. ‘He was into science decades ahead of his time. But there was nothing I couldn’t explain by looking at other books. Unless…’

            ‘No,’ Graham says. ‘Don’t say it.’

            ‘The great beyond, it has to be!’

            ‘He said it.’ Graham sighs. ‘Isn’t it proof that you’re all still here talking to me? There is nothing further.’

            ‘Then why isn’t the world flooded with spirits?’ Yates retorts, taking a step towards Graham. ‘Think about it, everyone who ever lived stays as a ghost, we wouldn’t be able to move for dead people. They must go somewhere else?’

            Graham thinks for a second. It’s the scientist versus the believer. The argument that never dies. Me and Elle stand in the middle, watching the two spar like we’re watching tennis. ‘Space!’ says Graham.

            ‘Oh god,’ Elle says. ‘I was getting into it then, but he has to ruin it with aliens. You’re why films get crap sometimes,’ she points an accusing finger at him.

            ‘Not aliens,’ Graham whines, frustrated that she didn’t catch on. ‘But out there, exploring the universe? How do you know your travels are restricted to this planet? How many people might have looked up and drifted off, went away to find a better world? That’s your great beyond. All the people who ever died are spread around empty space, orbiting supernovas.’

            Part of me wants to believe it. The scientist in me screams to side with my old friend.