An unusual story of overlapping realities in parallel worlds, where nothing is as it seems and allegiances shift like the sands of the deserts. Ferdinand is trying to escape from his feelings of guilt and responsibility – he and his twin brother were involved in a car accident while he was driving, and his brother ended up brain-damaged. But there is no escape, he learns – not even when one is on another planet in another dimension. The only way out is to confront and accept one’s feelings and to work through them.
Extract from The Heart of Zeebak
Sir,” he said. “Didn’t we have a game of chess this afternoon?”
The old man’s face was expressionless. “Young man,” he said. “There are many realities. This is only one of them.” He smiled faintly, stretched out his hand and caressed the wooden mask he was carving.
What did he mean? Many realities? Ferdinand wanted to ask a million questions and yet he could not think of even one. What was the matter with him? It was all her fault! The girl was playing with his mind. He was suddenly totally exhausted. It felt as if he had come a long, long way since this afternoon.
“I am on my way to bed,” said the old man. “Let me show you where you can sleep.” He walked towards the other part of the huge room and took out a thick white candle and fitted it in a candle stick. Then he walked towards the dancing flame in the bronze holder and tilted the candle into the flame, Ferdinand felt as if he was watching some kind of ritual. The old man’s actions were precise and slow. The candle lit up with its own flame. The old man nodded to show that he was ready and Ferdinand followed him like a sleep walker.
They went up the spiral stairs, the old man going slowly and carefully. The flame danced to and fro as they walked. Perhaps he was like a moth that was going to be frizzled in the flame?
