From Dr. Ehirllimbal's private journal—

September 22, 1965: This is the end, and while I am saddened by its arrival, I know that it must come to pass. I have been in contact with Versai, and he is sending some of his scientists. I had hoped the lure of my research would be enough to bring him personally, but my dreams suggest I will not be that fortunate. It must be this other way; Versai must think it is all gone.

Someday, I will be able to tell my sons the truth, but not until I am certain I can protect them. Versai must think I am gone; he must believe the research has been destroyed. That is the only way I can continue the work. The plant is not revealing its secrets to me in a timely fashion. I cannot do any more here. I must go back to the garden. I must go back.

The way is easier, because I know the path. Because I am the path. I must turn away from this expression of myself and everything will collapse back to its original state. That is all, and it seems like such a simple thing to do, but the heart makes such reversal . . . difficult.

Will they understand? Will they forgive me? Ah, I must push aside such questions, as they add nothing but weight to my burden. To know their answers would be to make this choice all but impossible, and I must not waver.

His agents will come this evening, and there is much to do before they arrive. I must not tarry overlong with this sentimental habit of this journal, as it will perish tonight. Along with everything else.

I will vanish. Like a dream.