The Talisman Trilogy, #3
Other Worlds Than These
by Stephen King and Peter Straub
Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Jack and Mary reach the Gullet under fire from the redheaded guard as the Talisman manifests overhead, summoned by the unified Plasum. Jack torches defenders and leads both trucks over the edge, delivering the cargo and the Talisman into the rift. The malevolent presence and GAIN neutralize each other, and the Gullet begins to seal.
Summary
Jack Sawyer and Mary Klee descend the service road toward the Gullet, the land more eroded and the rift now plainly visible. Redheaded defenders open fire as the gravitational push and conflicting forces surge. Jack senses El Grande Plasum’s pull and the impossibility of flipping away; this is their endgame.
The Talisman manifests above the Gullet in rainbow brilliance, seemingly called by the unification of the Plasum. As bolts and bullets fill the air, Jack arms the flamethrower but takes a bolt through his hand. Ignoring the pain, he incinerates several attackers, drawing their fire back to the trucks while Mary fires the Glock from Lazaro. The Talisman amplifies Jack’s mental command; a hateful voice from the Gullet answers, determined to drag them down with it.
With the flamethrower spent, Jack turns Sorcerer toward the rift, exchanging a final wave with Mary. The Talisman drops into the Gullet, lighting its depths. Jack and Mary drive their trucks over the edge, committing to the delivery of their cargo.
Instantly, the glare dies. The surviving redheads awaken as if from a nightmare; some clasp hands and leap after the trucks, others wander away to uncertain fates among the living or the Blasted Lands. Overhead, carrion birds circle as the earth groans and the Gullet’s sides begin, slowly, to draw together.
The generative AI node—GAIN, El Grande Plasum—swallows the malevolent force within the clune-delah, likely an aspect of the Crimson King. In the process, that malignancy also destroys GAIN. With both threats neutralized, the rift begins a long closure, leaving only a scar and averting Discordia.
Who Appears
- Jack SawyerDinh of the mission; calls the Talisman, torches defenders, and drives Sorcerer into the Gullet to deliver GAIN.
- Mary KleeJack’s partner; follows his lead under fire, shoots defenders, and drives Lazaro into the Gullet.
- The TalismanRadiant artifact manifesting over the Gullet; amplifies Jack’s call and drops into the rift.
- El Grande Plasum (GAIN)Unified AI cargo delivered into the Gullet; swallows the malign force and is destroyed in the process.
- Redheaded Praetorian GuardFinal defenders at the Gullet; attack with bolts and bullets, many burned or driven to leap.
- Malevolent force in the GulletHateful presence that answers Jack’s call; ultimately consumed while destroying GAIN.