David Brown’s Passage and Return

The Tommyknockers

This thread follows David Brown from a child’s unwilling role in a magic trick through a hostile elsewhere and an unexplained reunion with his brother.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Younger Brother The Younger Brother from "The Tommyknockers". The Younger Brother A bond of trust David Brown adores his older brother Hilly and usually follows him willingly.

The Younger Brother from "The Tommyknockers". The Younger Brother A bond of trust David Brown adores his older brother Hilly and usually follows him willingly.

The Younger Brother A bond of trust David Brown adores his older brother Hilly and usually follows him willingly. His affection makes Hilly’s later demand that he participate in a dangerous trick especially consequential. A quiet warning At the town library, David senses fear and resignation around him. He cannot explain it, but his distress foreshadows the danger awaiting him.

The Disappearing Trick The Disappearing Trick from "The Tommyknockers". The Disappearing Trick An unwilling volunteer Hilly puts David on the platform for his supposedly perfected disappearing act.

The Disappearing Trick from "The Tommyknockers". The Disappearing Trick An unwilling volunteer Hilly puts David on the platform for his supposedly perfected disappearing act.

The Disappearing Trick An unwilling volunteer Hilly puts David on the platform for his supposedly perfected disappearing act. David begs not to take part, fearing he may not return. Vanishing Hilly activates the machine and removes the covering to find an empty platform. David disappears before his family understands what has happened.

A Hostile Elsewhere A Hostile Elsewhere from "The Tommyknockers". A Hostile Elsewhere A child stranded Hilly’s later visions and messages identify David as being on Altair-4, a place where ordinary human survival is…

A Hostile Elsewhere from "The Tommyknockers". A Hostile Elsewhere A child stranded Hilly’s later visions and messages identify David as being on Altair-4, a place where ordinary human survival is…

A Hostile Elsewhere A child stranded Hilly’s later visions and messages identify David as being on Altair-4, a place where ordinary human survival is uncertain. David experiences cold, darkness, and difficulty breathing. Time and distance The town’s alien network treats the location as storage rather than as an emergency. David’s family cannot reach him through conventional means.

The Rescue Attempt The Rescue Attempt from "The Tommyknockers". The Rescue Attempt A risky intervention Gardener connects to the transformer and attempts to retrieve David.

The Rescue Attempt from "The Tommyknockers". The Rescue Attempt A risky intervention Gardener connects to the transformer and attempts to retrieve David.

The Rescue Attempt A risky intervention Gardener connects to the transformer and attempts to retrieve David. The machine forces him to coordinate his intention with an unfamiliar system while his body is failing. An uncertain transfer The controls indicate completion, but Gardener receives no clear confirmation. The old man’s plea to save the boy becomes an act of trust under extreme uncertainty.

Brothers Reunited Brothers Reunited from "The Tommyknockers". Brothers Reunited An impossible arrival David appears in Hilly’s hospital bed, dirty and exhausted, with no visible explanation for how he crossed from…

Brothers Reunited from "The Tommyknockers". Brothers Reunited An impossible arrival David appears in Hilly’s hospital bed, dirty and exhausted, with no visible explanation for how he crossed from…

Brothers Reunited An impossible arrival David appears in Hilly’s hospital bed, dirty and exhausted, with no visible explanation for how he crossed from Altair-4. The nurse sees him arrive and flees for help. Love before answers Hilly wakes and recognizes his brother. Their affection returns before either can account for the disappearance or the journey home.

Before July 17, 1988

July 17, 1988

July 17–August 19, 1988

August 19, 1988, afternoon

August 19, 1988, late night