“Oh, Doug,” said Vivi, finally pushing me away. “You’re starting to understand.”
“Can I come see you?” I asked. My hands were trembling.
“In the Hollow Earth?” she said, smiling. “Why not? If you can find your way. Very soon the path through Leng will close. It’s been waiting only for the rest of my race to enter. But there may be other routes. If you’re meant to find me, you will. No great rush. I’ll be down there for few centuries. Until planet Yuggoth is in the right spot.”
She rose into the air, fully in cuke form, a ridged green squash with tube mouths and bat wings. Beloved by Leon and me. She dipped a wing in farewell, then swept into the belfry of a nearby tower. Leaving Leon and me alone in the endless daylight of the lost city of Leng. I was happy to be there, and happy to be
