The Talisman Trilogy, #3
Other Worlds Than These
by Stephen King and Peter Straub
Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Jack and Richard shadow the redheaded teens toward Pernil, scavenging supplies and discovering Hold 64 has been stripped of heavy weapons. Mary telepathically summons Jack; he finds Pernil destroyed and rescues her from a collapsing water tower whose fall floods the town. Safe at a fire, Mary learns of Pay’s death and begins recounting her ordeal.
Summary
Jack and the billy-bumbler Richard trail the redheaded teens toward Pernil, deliberately slowing to avoid their rearguard. En route, Jack scavenges a working lighter and ancient Slim Jims in NCP Hold 61 and camps beside Hold 64 rather than enter it at night. The next day he explores Hold 64, finds its motor pool largely looted—likely by the teens—and pockets Glock ammo, fearing they now operate as a hive mind under Kinneston, Speckhoffer, or the Gullet.
Mary Klee suddenly blasts into Jack’s mind with panicked, profane pleas for help, spurring him to hurry. He skirts a washed-out section of road by trusting Mrs. Talbot’s autopilot to climb a steep embankment, then passes a speaking ring where the Gullet’s pull intensifies before easing.
They reach Pernil to find it devastated. Mary’s voice becomes a shout from the leaning water tower, its legs blasted out and the tank leaking badly. Terrified of heights and frozen on the catwalk, Mary refuses to descend. Jack climbs up, threatens to throw her off to jolt her from paralysis, then piggybacks her onto the tilting ladder. A rung snaps, but he steadies them and completes the descent.
Jack shoves Mary and Richard into the Binny and speeds away as the tower collapses, sending a flood that surges down Main Street and nearly swamps them. Out of danger, their fear breaks into hysterical laughter at the ruin and absurdity of survival.
At the wrecked trolley stop, they build a fire, eat beans and sausages, and try to recover. Mary warms to Richard, confirms Pay’s death with grief and guilt, recalls lashing out at him before, and begins to tell Jack what happened after he left her jailed in Pernil.
Who Appears
- JackProtagonist; scavenges supplies, discovers Hold 64 looted, senses Mary, and rescues her from the collapsing water tower.
- Mary KleeTerrified and stranded on Pernil’s leaning water tower; piggybacked down by Jack; later calms, eats, and learns of Pay’s death.
- RichardOld billy-bumbler companion; refuses to enter holds, aids with twigs, rides the Binny, and comforts Mary.
- Mrs. Talbot (Binny Ding AI)Autopilot skillfully skirts a washout, carries Jack, Mary, and Richard out ahead of the flood.
- The redheaded teensAntagonistic mob ahead of Jack; leave ruin, likely looted Hold 64’s vehicles and missiles.