Chapter 9

Chapter IX

Pete’s apartment had been furnished so the only piece of furniture he owned was a fifty-four inch TV.  Ruby supplied the rest of their furniture –  a queen-sized bedroom set, a couch and one lounge chair.  They shopped together to by a stove, refrigerator, dining set and another lounge chair. 

Wells arranged the moving of the treadmills.  Al had shown them, virtually, where his treadmill was; so they wouldn’t put anything in the spot where he would, hopefully, return.

They ran the easy first trail to be sure the treadmills were working as they had before being moved.  What had been a twenty-minute run when they started riding the mill took under ten minutes to complete.  They were pleased with the progress they had made over the months since they had begun working out.

That run completed they were officially moved into their new home.

When everyone had left, Ruby and Pete took off on trail eight to get Al.  He was ready when they arrived.  He had been on his treadmill and was human looking.  They couldn’t wait to get on the trail.

Wells hurried to the monitor room and locked the door when he entered.  He wanted to check the progress of the escape and to keep others from seeing Al running with Pete and Ruby.  He couldn’t believe what he saw. Pete and Ruby were on their way back.  They were already rushing down the hill, without Al.  What changed the plan?

The trio was excited running down the hill and out of the gateway, that returned them home.  Ruby and Pete were in their computer room where the treadmills belonged. 

They looked around anxiously.  No Al – he did not appear. 

Ruby answered the phone that had started ringing as they returned.

“What?” She asked astonished.

Pete went to her side solicitously.

“Wells didn’t see Al on the monitor,” Ruby said.

“We have to go back,” Pete said.

“We’re going back,” Ruby said into the phone.

They rushed to the house.  Al was there, looking computerized and dejected.

“I went through the gate with you and ended up here,” Al said.

“We’ll figure it out, Al.  We’ll get you out of here,” Pete tried to reassuring al, but was not as convincing as he wanted to be.

“We have overlooked some stupid little thing.  We’ll figure it out.  Wells is on his way back to the house.” Ruby said.

“You can’t stay on the treadmill forever.  Go back and rest.  Sleep tonight, but don’t forget me.” Al’s disappointment showed in computer drawn lines on his face.

Wells entered frowning and shaking his head.  When they were all comfortably seated in the living room, Ruby looked at each of the men and smiled.

“We can all sit at once and I didn’t have to move the treadmill.”

They laughed at her awe over the comfort.

Pete went right into the subject, “You didn’t see him on the monitor at all?  He was right with us all the way to the opening.”

“Do you think he could have developed a computer game?  I’ve been all through his computer and there’s nothing past the five original trails.  Maybe he disappeared and is feeding a new game into the treadmills to entertain you?  Maybe to sell to us later.” Wells asked.

“No way,” Pete said, “He was really depressed.”

“He turns human when he’s on the treadmill,” Ruby added.

“It is so frustrating.  I can’t find anything on the computer that’s a clue to what’s happened.  Except the new trails seem to come from within, and at this point they only play on your connection,” Wells said.  He rose.  “I best be getting on.  I felt I needed to see for myself that you were all right.  You’re not going back tonight?”

“No we decided we’d had enough for one day.  We’re going to sleep on it,” Pete said.

“It’s something simple we’ve overlooked,” Ruby insisted.

They had spent the last three days getting the house ready.  This was their first night in their new home.  As happy as they were, there was hardly a conversation ended without mention of the Al dilemma.

When they went to bed Pete took Ruby in his arms.  “I can’t stop touching you.  You are real and we’re really here.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever find someone like you – God, I love that program.”

“They could make a fortune as a dating game,” Pete agreed.

After a few kisses and satisfying love-making, Ruby still found herself unable to sleep.  She lay quietly not wanting to disturb Pete. 

She finally dozed off for moments, then came full awake and sat upright.

Pete jumped.  “Are you okay?”

“You can’t go back to where you’ve never been.”

Pete made a face and tried shaking his head to clear sleep from his thoughts.  “Al’s been here.  His Treadmill is here – should be.”

“But we just all imagined he was running with us because we wanted it.  He has never been on trail eight.  It didn’t exist.”

Pete kissed her.  “That’s a big one.  We can’t go back now.  Let me think.  We talk about this in the morning with a clearer head.”

She smiled.  That was it.  She knew Al would see it in the morning.  She could sleep.

Ruby put coffee on, but couldn’t wait to get going in the morning.  Pete had thought on what she was trying too say and was also anxious to run it by Al.

Al looked as though he hadn’t slept.  The computer lines exaggerated all moods and showed on his face.  “You look bright and chipper.  Rested well in your new home?” He asked Ruby.

“Al what trail were you running when you got stuck here?” Ruby was excited.

“This one I suppose.”

“No, this one didn’t exist.  That’s why you can’t be seen on it.” Ruby’s answer gave him her conclusion.

Al stared at her.  He looked to Pete.  “Tell me Wells came up with this.  I don’t want to believe with all our experience we never thought of it.”

“We haven’t run it by him yet.  We’ll call him before we come back on the right trail.  Can you find us if we come on another trail?” Pete asked.

“I think you’ll still end up here.  The treadmill is here, but you’re right I was on five.”

“We’ll be back as quick as we can.  We’re going to get you out of this,” Ruby said.

Al nodded his head, “I believe you will.”

Pete and Ruby ran back down trail eight.  They called Wells cell phone.  He was in the monitoring room.  They told him they were going to try trail five.  He agreed it was a good idea, if nothing else.

On trail five there was no house, but Al was standing in a meadow.

“How did we miss you when we took this trail before?” Pete asked.

“I was probably building new trails.  You ready?  Let’s go.”  Al said.

Wells was locked in the monitor room.  He yelped when the trio came into view.

Three big treadmills crowded their way into the computer room.  Al, Pete and Ruby cheered and hugged in celebration.

“Wow … Wow.  I feel.  I can feel again.  I forgot what that was like.  I smell coffee.”

Ruby ran to the kitchen to get coffee.  She handed each of the men a cup as the phone rang.  “I’ll make breakfast.  I know you’re starved.”

Pete answered the phone. 

“Include Wells for breakfast, Rumble.” Pete called to Ruby.

Al was clutching his coffee cup as though someone might take it from him.  “Wow!” he said again.

By the time Wells arrived Ruby was ready to put four plates of eggs, spicy hash brown potatoes and bacon on the table.  She poured coffee and sat to enjoy the first party in her new home.

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