The Talisman Trilogy, #3
Other Worlds Than These
by Stephen King and Peter Straub
Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Jack’s convoy departs with the Doom Boxes, maintaining cooling and spacing while Jory scouts. They navigate washed-out pavement, a buffalo blockade dispersed by Richard, and a tense passage through Slow Mutants without firing a shot.
At camp, the Boxes hum, soften, and pulse—proving they’re alive—forcing Jack to question Hestin and hasten the mission.
Summary
Before dawn, Jack’s ka-tet retrieves the crated Doom Boxes, loads them into two trucks with sand padding, ChillZone units, and spray schedules. Jory drives ahead as point in a Binny, with honk-codes set. The convoy rolls onto the Bayver Road, everyone armed and tense about heat, bumps, and Hestin’s omissions.
Early obstacles test them: creek-washed pavement forces slow crossings; Jack fights constant fear of detonation. A buffalo family blocks the road; Richard pads forward, vocalizes, and the herd withdraws—though a bull kills an albino calf. Later, Slow Mutants silently crowd the roadside. Jack forbids opening fire; the convoy squeezes through, shunting one mutie under a wheel but avoiding a wider attack.
Stops to spray and cool the crates continue as shade improves temperatures but threatens solar backup. Jack shifts roles—Mary to drive, George to man heavy guns—while frictions with Ry flare and doubts about Hestin deepen. Mary reports a low hum from the cargo; Ry confirms a pervasive bzzz that seems to fill the truck.
Near dusk on day two, a fallen tree blocks the road by a pond. Larry shreds it with the .50-cal, and they make camp. As Ry shows Jack an opened crate, they find the Doom Box’s once-sharp edges softened; under Jack’s hand it pulses like a heartbeat. The hum is louder, suggesting the Boxes are waking. Ry presses to accelerate the run to the Gullet before the Boxes fully come alive.
Who Appears
- JackDinh of the ka-tet; organizes convoy, sets protocols, restrains gunfire, doubts Hestin, discovers the Boxes are alive.
- Ryall (Ry)Gunwagon driver; abrasive skeptic; pressures Jack, confirms the hum, opens crate, urges speeding to the Gullet.
- Jory FieldsPoint driver in a Binny (“Chipper”); sets honk-codes, scouts ahead, triggers stops and alerts.
- MarySprays and monitors crate; hears the hum first; drives truck later; fiercely protective of Richard.
- Larry MagruderSpinner; restrains fire at muties; later obliterates a fallen tree with the .50-cal to clear the road.
- GeorgeRides with Mary, mans heavy guns after role shift; keeps camp tidy and watches Richard.
- Alice StinesRear guard in a Binny (“Debra”); questions spacing; supports unity and cautions against superstition.
- Richard (billy-bumbler)Vocalizes to move buffalo; stays close to Mary; curious but mostly compliant during stops.
- Ayden HestinSilent observer at departure; prior warnings prove partial, fueling Jack’s mistrust.
- Slow MutantsEerie roadside throng; one is run over; they refrain from attacking as convoy passes tightly.