451 Seconds -a sequel to Fahrenheit 451

Chapter 4

A/N: I know I haven't updated in a while, and I'm sorry. I am quite busy this week, so unfortunately I won't be able to write as much. Enjoy this chapter meanwhile, and happy reading :)

        The first thought that went through Clarisse's mind was that she was looking at a miniature sky. Two of them, to be more accurate. She thought of birds with wings and cotton-ball clouds. Then, with some effort, she managed to focus on the face belonging to the little skies. It was a boy. He was a boy, she corrected herself. She was never fond of referring to any living being as it, even if she was talking of a plant or an animal.

        The boy seemed to be a couple of years older than her and rather average looking. He was neither tall nor short, and his hair was messy and dark brown. His face was dotted with a few faded freckles and he had a tall forehead. His eyes, however, were nothing but ordinary. They were blue and deep and slightly slanted, and they both laughed and cried.

        When the boy noticed that Clarisse had opened her eyes, he looked at her for a moment with a rather inscrutable expression on his face before simply saying, "I'm Ted."

        She was too weak to respond, so he gave her water. Clarisse drank it gladly. Ted pulled out a roll of bread, and she ate it slowly. When she could talk, she said, "Thank you."

        "You're welcome. You looked like you needed it."

        Clarisse liked his direct manner. "I'm Clarisse," she said. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Are you happy?"

        Ted laughed, then looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, I do believe I am happy."

        "So you know! How wonderful. You know, last time I asked someone that question, he did not even know the answer." Clarisse's eyes shone. "But I do think he has found out now."

        Ted looked bemused. "I was wondering if you were going to ask the typical sort of question people tend to ask upon waking up to a stranger." He thought for a moment. "But then again. I don't supose you're a typical sort of person, are you?"

        Clarisse smiled sadly. "I guess not. Although I prefer to think that the rest of humanity is confused, and I am the normal one."

        "A fine perspective," Ted agreed. "Really though, are you not going to ask anything?"

       "Where am I? What happened? Who are you? Oh, do tell me or I fear I shall die of curiosity!" Clarisse complied with exaggerated drama.

        Ted played right along. "Fair maiden, thou lies on a bed of leaves in this lovely forest. I found you here, unconscious, after our beloved city was destroyed. As for me, I am Ted Sanders; holder of Romeo and Juliet and your most humble servant."

        "How I have longed for my knight in shining armor! But, kind sir, you do confuse me. Our city was destroyed? How? And, pray tell, what is Romeo and Juliet?"

        Ted helped her up. "How many questions you have! Come with me to meet my companions, and they will be able to explain it all. As we walk, why don't you tell me how you got here?"

        Clarisse sighed. "I think too much," she said bluntly. Ted nodded understandingly. "I had a neighbor who was a fireman. I talked to him a lot, put ideas into his head. Ideas I wasn't supposed to have. So the fire captain takes my family and tells me to disappear, for their good and my own. I hid around town for a while, hoping to find my family, but I never did. Then I was getting scared; other than the captain's threat, the city was unsafe and there was talk of war. I was in the woods for a few days, but my food supply ran out and I was very weak. The last thing I remember was the world shaking. Is that when the city was destroyed?"

        "That was, yes. It was bombed."

        "I hope my family was not there," Clarisse worried.

        Ted's expression hardened. "Mine was."

        "Oh! I am awfully sorry Ted! I didn't mean..."

        Ted smiled grimly. "It's fine. I couldn't care less, actually."

        Clarisse was shocked for a moment. She could not imagine family members being so indifferent to each other. Then she remembered Montag and his wife, and the parlor families. Yes, she realized. It is possible to be indifferent to family.

        There was no more talk between the two of them as they walked through the trees. The sun was setting, and a gold mist seemed to surround them. Clarisse resumed her subconscious count. One. Two. Three.

        "What are you doing?"

        Clarisse looked up, startled. She had not realized she had begun to count out loud. "Oh! Nothing, really, I just count to myself sometimes. You know, to distract myself."

        Ted had a strange look, as if he understod exactly what she was saying and was debating whether or not to say it. Unexpectedly, he decided to join her and the two counted together. 448. 449. 450.

        They had arrived at a clearing and a group of men were sitting around a fireplace. The one on the corner seemed familiar for some reason. Clarisse stared at him. 451. Clarisse was staring at Guy Montag.