23 Chapter 21 – Zack – Iteration 144 (2/2)

”You do realize Observers can get fat, don't you?”

”What about teeth? Will those go bad?”

”They'll fix themselves before you notice a cavity exists. Bad breath is something else. So either brush or chew gum or eat parsley.”

”Parsley? Seriously?”

”It works. Remember Iteration five?” The light in Quebec's eyes dimmed. ”No. Of course you don't. You don't remember anything.”

Zack's smile faded. ”Sorry.” It always came back to Hess. ”What was he like?”

”Hess,” Quebec said, ”was the best man and the worst Observer. Out of all of us, he was the best at doing things. It didn't matter what body he had, Hess could always take care of himself. But he didn't do abstract. He hated higher mathematics and never got the hang of counting cards despite having a perfect memory. He was always stepping in to interfere because behind all his disapproval, he really cared for the people.”

She wiped her eyes with a sleeve. ”Every Iteration, he would tell me that this body of mine was his favorite. There were times when it drove me crazy, but he never stopped saying it. And he always found me. Even if it took centuries, he would search every moment until we met. In worlds with computers it took only days. Except this one. I did everything I was supposed to.”

Quebec looked directly at him. ”How could you forget me? I need you, Hess.”

Zack looked down at his hands.