This isnt a fairy tale. Spells indeed, Charles Wallace said. Meg, youve got to stop fighting and relax. Relax and be happy. Oh, Meg, if youd just relax youd realize that all our troubles are over. You dont understand what a wonderful place weve come to. You see, on this planet everything is in perfect order because everybody has learned to relax, to give in, to submit. All you have to do is look quietly and steadily into the eyes of our good friend here, for he is our friend, dear sister, and he will take you in as he has taken me.
Taken you in is right! Meg said. You know youre not you. You know youve never in your life called me dear sister.
Shut up a minute, Meg, Calvin whispered to her. He looked up at the man with red eyes. Okay, have your henchmen let us go and stop talking to us through Charles. We know its you talking, or whatevers talking through you. Anyhow, we know you have Charles hypnotized.
A most primitive way of putting it, the man with red eyes murmured. He gestured slightly with one finger, and Meg and Calvin were released.
Thanks, Calvin said wryly. Now, if you are our friend, will you tell us who or what you are?
It is not necessary for you to know who I am. I am the Prime Co-ordinator, that is all you need to know.
But youre being spoken through, arent you, just like Charles Wallace? Are you hypnotized, too?
I told you that was too primitive a word, without the correct connotations.
Is it you who are going to take us to Mr Murry?
No. It is not necessary, nor is it possible, for me to leave here. Charles Wallace will conduct you.
Charles Wallace?
Yes.
When?
Now. The man with red eyes made the frightening grimace that passed for his smile. Yes, I think it might as well be now.
Charles Wallace gave a slight jerk of his head, saying, Come, and started to walk in a strange, gliding, mechanical manner. Calvin followed him. Meg hesitated, looking from the man with red eyes to Charles and Calvin. She wanted to reach out and grab Calvins hand, but it seemed that ever since they had begun their journeyings she had been looking for a hand to hold, so she stuffed her fists into her pockets and walked along behind the two boys. Ive got to be brave, she said to herself. I will be.
They moved down a long, white and seemingly endless corridor. Charles Wallace continued the jerky rhythm of his walk and did not once look back to see if they were with him.
Suddenly Meg broke into a run and caught up with Calvin. Cal, she said, listen. Quick. Remember Mrs Whatsit said your gift was communication and that was what she was giving you. Weve been trying to fight Charles physically, and that isnt any good. Cant you try to communicate with him? Cant you try to get in to him?
Golly day, youre right. Calvins face lit up with hope, and his eyes, which had been sombre, regained their usual sparkle. Ive been in such a swivet It may not do any good, but at least I can try. They quickened their pace until they were level with Charles Wallace. Calvin reached out for his arm, but Charles flung it off.
Leave me alone, he snarled.
Im not going to hurt you, old sport, Calvin said. Im just trying to be friendly. Lets make it up, huh?
You mean youre coming around? Charles Wallace asked.
Sure, Calvins voice was coaxing. Were reasonable people, after all. Just look at me for a minute, Charlibus.
Charles Wallace stopped and turned slowly to look at Calvin with his cold, vacant eyes. Calvin looked back, and Meg could feel the intensity of his concentration. An enormous shudder shook Charles Wallace. For a brief flash his eyes seemed to see. Then his whole body twirled wildly, and went rigid. He started his marionettes walk again. I should have known better, he said. If you want to see Murry youd better come with me and not try any more hanky-panky.
Is that what you call your father Murry? Calvin asked. Meg could see that he was angry and upset at his near success.
Father? What is a father? Charles Wallace intoned. Merely another misconception. If you feel the need of a father, then I would suggest that you turn to IT.
IT again.
Whos this IT? Meg asked.
All in good time, Charles Wallace said. Youre not ready for IT yet. First of all I will tell you something about this beautiful, enlightened planet of Camazotz. His voice took on the dry, pedantic tones of Mr Jenkins. Perhaps you do not realize that on Camazotz we have conquered all illness, all deformity
We? Calvin interrupted.
Charles continued as though he had not heard. And of course he hadnt, Meg thought. We let no one suffer. It is so much kinder simply to annihilate anyone who is ill. Nobody has weeks and weeks of runny noses and sore throats. Rather than endure such discomfort they are simply put to sleep.
You mean theyre put to sleep while they have a cold, or that theyre murdered? Calvin demanded.
Murder is a most primitive word, Charles Wallace said. There is no such thing as murder on Camazotz. IT takes care of all such things. He moved jerkily to the wall of the corridor, stood still for a moment, then raised his hand.The wall flickered, quivered, grew transparent. Charles Wallace walked through it, beckoned to Meg and Calvin, and they followed. They were in a small, square room from which radiated a dull, sulphurous light. There was something ominous to Meg in the very compactness of the room, as though the walls, the ceiling, the floor might move together and crush anybody rash enough to enter.
How did you do that? Calvin asked Charles.
Do what?
Make the wall open like that.
I merely rearranged the atoms, Charles Wallace said loftily. Youve studied atoms in school, havent you?
Sure, but
Then you know enough to know that matter isnt solid, dont you? That you, Calvin, consist mostly of empty space? That if all the matter in you came together youd be the size of the head of a pin? Thats plain scientific fact, isnt it?
Yes, but
So I simply pushed the atoms aside and we walked through the space between them.
Megs stomach seemed to drop, and she realized that the square box in which they stood must be an elevator and that they had started to move upwards with great speed. The yellow light lit up their faces, and the pale blue of Charless eyes absorbed the yellow and turned green.
Calvin licked his lips. Where are we going?
Up. Charles continued his lecture. On Camazotz we are all happy because we are all alike. Differences create problems.You know that, dont you, dear sister?
No, Meg said.
Oh, yes, you do.Youve seen at home how true it is.You know thats the reason youre not happy at school. Because youre different.
Im different, and Im happy, Calvin said.
But you pretend that you arent different.
Im different, and I like being different, Calvins voice was unnaturally loud.
Maybe I dont like being different, Meg said, but I dont want to be like everybody else, either.
Charles Wallace raised his hand and the motion of the square box ceased and one of the walls seemed to disappear. Charles stepped out, Meg and Calvin following him, Calvin just barely making it before the wall came into being again, and they could no longer see where the opening had been.
You wanted Calvin to get left behind, didnt you? Meg said.
I am merely trying to teach you to stay on your toes. I warn you, if I have any more trouble from either of you, I shall have to take you to IT.
As the word IT fell from Charless lips, again Meg felt as though she had been touched by something slimy and horrible. So what is this IT? she asked.