he did n't know if this was the future , the past , or what was happening right this minute , but he could have it if he wanted it , if he - 'i do n't , ' he said , and pushed the whole thing away . the birds hopped and fluttered aside , revealing wheel-paths that now opened onto the bare packed dirt of lake lane . -he burst through the trees into the clearing that surrounded the village . `` send someone to the bar , do a sweep , it may be cameras . '' 