The Young Shall See Visions and The Old Dream Dreams

By Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Nell's determination drives her throughout her life. It allowed her to play baseball when only "tomboys" played. It allowed her to walk again when doctors said she never would. And now, even in old age, it will allow her to find answers to questions plaguing her for her entire life.

But the answers she seeks solve one mystery and pose another.

Chosen as one of the best short stories of the 20th century, "The Young Shall See Visions and the Old Dream Dreams" takes mystery readers on a journey unlike any other.

"Rusch is a great storyteller."

—RT Book Reviews.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WMG Publishing
• Release date: May 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386808336

Kristine Kathryn Rusch

New York Times bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch writes in almost every genre. Generally, she uses her real name (Rusch) for most of her writing. She publishes bestselling science fiction and fantasy, award-winning mysteries, acclaimed mainstream fiction, controversial nonfiction, and the occasional romance. Her novels have made bestseller lists around the world and her short fiction has appeared in eighteen best of the year collections. She has won more than twenty-five awards for her fiction, including the Hugo, Le Prix Imaginales, the Asimov's Readers Choice award, and the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Choice Award.   

Book preview

The Young Shall See Visions and the Old Dream Dreams

THE YOUNG SHALL SEE VISIONS AND THE OLD DREAM DREAMS

KRISTINE KATHRYN RUSCH

WMG Publishing, Inc.

CONTENTS

The Young Shall See Visions and the Old Dream Dreams

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About the Author

THE YOUNG SHALL SEE VISIONS AND THE OLD DREAM DREAMS

NELL RUBS A hand on her knickers and grips the bat tightly. Her topknot is coming loose. She can see strands of hair hanging in front of the wire frames of her glasses.

What’s the matter, four-eyes? You nervous?

She concentrates on the ball Pete holds in his right hand instead of the boys scattered across the dusty back lot. Any minute now, he’ll pitch, and if she thinks about the ball instead of the names, she’ll hit it.

You hold that bat like a girl, T.J. says from first base.

Nell keeps staring at the ball. She can see the stitches running along its face, the dirty surface disappearing into Pete’s fist. That’s because I am a girl, she says. It doesn’t matter if T.J. hears her. All that matters is that she spoke.

Pitch already! Chucky yells from the grassy sideline.

Pete spits and Nell grimaces. She hates it when he spits. With a sharp snap of the wrist, he releases the ball. It curves toward her. She jumps out of its way and swings at the same time. The ball hits the skinny part of the bat, close to her fingers, and bounces forward.

Ruuun! Chucky screams.

She drops the bat and takes off, the air caught in her throat. She’s not good at running; someone always tags her before she gets to base. But the sweater-wrapped rock that is first base is getting closer and still she can’t hear anyone running behind her. She leaps the last few inches and lands in the middle of the rock, leaving a large footprint in the wool. A few seconds later, the ball slams into T.J.’s