Authors: Venessa Kimball
Sebastian speaks in a shaken voice. “Ezra. I am so very sorry that this tragedy has happened to you. My sons went through the same pain when they were young. They lost their mother just like you, to a terrible and violent death.”
He stands, walks over to me, and kneels. “Just now, watching you go through the emotions. I see now what I didn’t see my own sons go through years ago. When they needed me.”
Sebastian watches over me as I continue to sob. When I am exhausted and have no more tears, I whisper, “I don’t have any other family. Where am I going to go? I have no one. I’m alone.”
Sebastian places his hand on my shoulder. “Yes, you do, Ezra. You have us.”
Ezra wipes his hands on a napkin after eating another chip.
“Sebastian told me that my parents became guardians when they entered college. They were majoring in the sciences, ideal for guardians. Sebastian sought them out with invitations to go on a scientific expedition during their junior year. Intrigued and adventurous, with nothing holding them back, they both accepted eagerly. Unknown to them, they were invited based on their academic prowess. And the scientific expedition turned out to be a quantum leap from Earth to Dobria.”
“They traveled to Dobria?”
“They were part of the first colony to Dobria. They were originally going to stay there and research, develop, and study the environment. They were the analysts that studied the space-time differential between Dobria and Earth. They helped construct the subterranean living quarters for the colony. They stayed for about two Dobrian years, eight Earth years. They were part of the initial colony dedicated to absorbing as much of the planet and its potential as possible. The planet had its own unique properties for life to flourish, life-forms unlike Earth’s. Unique organisms with duplicate organs and multifunctional appendages for defense and for protection.”
“Why did they leave?”
“Mom became pregnant with me. They talked with Sebastian. They were all unsure of how a pregnancy would withstand the altered properties of Dobria as the fetus developed. The gestation could vary because of the space-time factor. They were also concerned about the adaptations the fetus might experience with being in the Dobrian environment.
“Mom and Dad had firsthand experience with both physical and metaphysical changes that they had adapted to while in Dobria. Sebastian and my parents agreed that they needed to return to Earth for my sake. Sebastian found my parents to be a perfect match to form a sleeper cell stationed in Massachusetts.”
Ezra takes another gulp of Pepsi then speaks. “My parents agreed with this and returned to Earth.”
“How did everything turn out? Did everything go normally with your development?”
“Everything was in the right places physically. Some of the metaphysical properties carried over through my mother due to her adapting to Dobria.”
An enormous explosion startles us from our conversation.
Ezra looks up at me. “What the hell was that?”
It wasn’t from the kitchen. I look out the window holes in the café entry doors behind us. Smoke is billowing down the hall from the direction of the pool and gym. Ezra jumps up, and I quickly follow. Just before we get to the doors to the cafeteria, Jake and Nick open the door. Nick has a look of shock on his soot-covered face. Jake is coughing from the smoke. The rest of the team files in behind them.
Jake is smirking. “That’s what you get, show off! Damn it, Nick!”
Nick’s look of embarrassment is priceless.
Nick says, “Oh, c’mon. I was in complete control. I just wanted to give you deadbeats a little surprise.”
Angela says, “Yeah, right, hot stuff.” She gives him a light pat on the shoulder.
Nick rolls his eyes and straightens up. “Hot stuff, huh? I like that.” He struts past, the laughter echoing behind him at his expense.
Nick quickly changes the subject. “Let’s eat, ladies and gents.”
Nate looks at me. “It smells amazing in here.”
“Thank you. I thought some southern comfort food was due.”
Angela says, “Thanks, girly. Ushering?”
“Yep.”
The chefs have set up a buffet at the main table and places are set on a long table brought in by the maintenance staff.
We watch as the food is wheeled out on carts: one, two, three carts worth.
Chef Fenton announces, “Lunch is served.”
All of us applaud as we get in line to indulge in the delicious spread of southern-style goodness.
The afternoon is very physical with jumping while in combat. Ezra does not speak any further about his life or parents’ lives. I don’t push the topic. He opened up quite a bit today, and I don’t want him to clam up on me.
Ezra is all business this afternoon and for good and obvious reasons. We are one week out from leaving the facility.
Ezra doesn’t hold back. I scramble to my feet after the first blow to my midsection. We dance around each other for a moment.
I ask breathlessly, “Aren’t you going to give me any clues on how to jump during the day, or are you going to continue beating the crap out of me. Seems a little unfair.”
I jab and miss, but follow with a leg sweep that takes him down to the floor.
Ezra disappears from the ground and reappears standing behind me. Ezra is breathing evenly, not fazed the slightest physically.
“It’s just like jumping in your dreams. Your Qi needs to be released. You have it, Jes. It is in there.” Ezra points to my head.
He points to my heart. “And in there.”
He puts his hands on his hips. “Remember this morning. Fuel the fire.”
He slaps me across the face. My head snaps back at him.
Oh no, he didn’t.
I zone in on Ezra. I feel the vibration and hear the humming. Everything around Ezra becomes blurry. He is in sharp focus, though. I imagine myself behind Ezra. I feel vertigo and weightless suddenly. All the blurriness shifts into sharp view; I am looking at the back of Ezra’s form.
I feel Ezra smile when he speaks. “Perfect.”
This feels like the feeling I got at the bookstore before I found out everything.
Ezra nods at my thought. “You didn’t know what it was then. Your body was trying to defend itself without your knowledge of it. Your body was trying to jump.”
He turns quickly, poised for another round of attacks. For the next two hours, we battle throughout the facility. We spar in the trails, in the rec room, in the gym. Jumping is nauseating at first. The feeling of vertigo just before each jump is sending my stomach upside down. By 4 p.m. I am heaving.
“Are you okay?” Ezra is out of breath and bends over with his hands on his knees.
I smile a little at the thought of my making Ezra Kahn exhausted. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m just feeling a little light-headed. I think I need to throw up.”
Ezra disappears and is back with cold washcloths in seconds. He places one on the back of my neck and one on my face. “Keep this on your head and neck. Sit down.”
I walk over to the bleachers on the far side of the gym.
Ezra yells, “Nate? We need you in here!”
He enters the gym just after Ezra yells.
“I know. I was heading your way as soon as I heard her thoughts. I was deep in the trails so it took me a little longer.”
I did not want to be vulnerable around Nate. Ezra shouldn’t have called him; he is overreacting. “I’ll be fine. Really, I can handle this.”
“C’mon, Jes. Let him heal you. That is part of Nate’s purpose here. Let him help with the vertigo.”
I try to stand up and walk away from them. I start to see flashing shards of light before my eyes as soon as I stand. I’m getting hot and clammy. Everything begins to race inside of me. I can feel the blood pumping through my veins. I can’t see anything all of a sudden.
Nate hisses, “Ezra, she is crashing!”
My body wants to lie down, while my mind wants to escape from here.
“God, Jes. You’re burning up! Help her, Nate!”
I feel them both pulling off my shirt. Someone grabs me and picks me up. I lean against the person carrying me.
“It’s me,
Nate
. I’m getting you into the pool.”
I think Ezra jumps in after us.
I feel Nate’s hands, arms, and chest infusing me with warmth. Then, I feel cooling course through my body. I put my arm around his neck. Nate holds me tighter.
He puts his mouth close to my ear. “Shh! Stay still. Just breathe. I’ve got you, Jes.”
He sounds breathless.
Ezra asks, “You got her? Is she responding?”
I feel the soothing coolness calm my racing heart. My pulse is slowing, becoming regulated. I open my eyes and can see the rise and fall of Nate’s chest. I move my hand down from his shoulder to where his heart is. His heart is pounding so hard.
Nate answers Ezra after a few moments. I think he is taking inventory of what is going on inside of my body. “Yes, she is.” He is still breathless.
I lift my head slowly to look at him. Then I look at Ezra. My head still feels heavy.
Ezra says, “Jes? Hey, you all right?”
I nod and look back at Nate. He is staring down at me.
Ezra yells and claps his hands together. “Jes!”
“I…I’m better.”
I realize that Nate and I are still in an intimate embrace. I slowly try to wiggle out of it. Nate is slow to let go, but does. His hands linger on mine. I pretend that he is just making sure I am steady on my feet. I know otherwise.
I whisper, “Thank you.” I slowly pull my hand away and turn from Nate to Ezra. “I’m all right. A bit wobbly, but all right.”
As I climb out of the pool, I hear Nate’s thoughts, and I blush.
Ezra decides to call it a day and sends me to shower. He and Nate give me some privacy. Ezra asks me to meet in the main hearth room after I finish.
As I dry and dress, I can’t help recounting the meltdown I had moments ago. Nate’s arms holding me, healing me, calming me. Feeling so safe and protected, like I was the only thing in the world he had to focus on. And his thoughts.
Those thoughts.
I begin to blush again. I don’t let on that I read him. He has to know, though. He read mine so easily before. He obviously had practiced his gift more than I.
Why didn’t he block his thoughts?
The thoughts that his feelings may be stronger for me than he first anticipated? That I made him breathless. Did he want me to know?
Ugh, this isn’t the time or place to have these feelings. Romance needs to be the farthest thing from my mind. This is a perfect reminder that I need to learn how to block my mind better than I have been. I don’t want to allow just anyone crawling around in my head, deducting information that can put the team and others in jeopardy.
I head to the hearth room. I hear Ezra and Nate talking, so I quiet my approach not to interrupt. I use the opportunity to block my thoughts as well, so they can’t detect my approach. Nate is speaking.
“When I was holding her, it was different. I mean, I could hear her pulse inside my own body. I didn’t feel that when I was healing Angela’s broken arm after her combat with Siobhan. I didn’t feel that with Nick after healing his burns. With them, it was straightforward and simple, two people. But with Jes, it’s different. It was like we were connected, linked.”
Ezra releases a long, tense breath. Ezra looks at Nate. “You are linked.”
It was silent for a while.
Linked?
I hear Ezra growl. “Who would have thought out of all the guardians in the world that it would be you? Usually, it is someone more…experienced with their abilities. Not to say that you aren’t learning quickly. If it was going to be anyone in our group, I would have thought it would be Luke.”
Nate responds with irritation. “Well, it isn’t. It’s me. Now, what the hell does it mean?”
“This means that you are bonded to Jesca. No matter where she is, you will know what she is thinking, feeling, and doing. And vice versa. She will know everything you are thinking, feeling, and doing. You and Jes are linked, forever.”
I wait until there is a break in the conversation and round the corner.
They both have their arms crossed and are looking at me like I have just committed a crime.
Damn it. I must really be bad at blocking my thoughts.
“I guess there is no reason to say that I didn’t hear anything, since both of you can read me so easily.”
Ezra says, “Well, that isn’t entirely true. It isn’t easy. But when you are linked, it is less difficult than trying to get into a person’s mind that you are not linked to. And you can force a block between two linked people, but I don’t recommend it.”
Nate’s eyes shift to Ezra, looking a little guilty. “Why is that?”
“Blocking your partner can weaken your ability to share energy. It’s like a stream of electricity. When the current is interrupted, the conductivity is weakened and it takes more energy to link mentally. The last thing you need to do is interrupt that energy flow. It could leave you vulnerable during a battle.”
I repeat the question just to make sure. “So we can block our thoughts with everyone else, except each other?”
Ezra says, “You can block each other. It is just not recommended for both of your safety.”
I ask, “How is this possible? How can a link between us be possible?” I think I know the answer, but I want Ezra to confirm it. My heart starts to pound in my throat as I anticipate the answer.
“It is possible because you both have abilities that permit it. These abilities are not shared by everyone. That is why you are here. Those that share abilities can link because they are…” Ezra is visibly looking for the right words. “…wired differently from the general public. You know, the majority of human beings use only 10% of their minds.”
I look down, a bit disappointed. I thought maybe it had something to do with the Copula that Sebastian had developed.
I look at Nate. “Are we going to agree to not block each other for our safety and the safety of everyone that we care about? I don’t want to end up dead because you are keeping something from me.”
It sounded so cruel, I was going to do all I could to keep feelings out of this. If I need to sound like a selfish brat, then so be it. Too many things depend on us now.
Nate looks at me. “I agree. Do you agree you won’t get me killed by withholding how you feel?”
I feel my cheeks redden. I answer sharply. “Yes.”
I quickly look at Ezra to shift the focus from my expression. “I think I need more work on blocking others from reading me. I mean, Sondians.”
Nate adds, “I could use some practice as well.”
So, Nate is willing to put these romantic feelings aside as well. I have to admit it is a relief. I can’t deny that I feel a small burning in my heart, though.
Ezra explains blocking to be like a virtual wall built by your inner energy life force. With the use of imagery, you build your wall around your thoughts when in the presence of an unwelcomed reader. Safe idea, block anyone that you don’t know. This practice is easy since there wasn’t any physical expenditure of energy. It is all ethereal, which makes it detrimental to the bond between Nate and I. Within an hour, Nate and I fully understand the ins and outs of blocking others’ thoughts.
The rest of the week we spar, infiltrate, share abilities, and pump up each other’s egos, especially when we’re teamed against the mentors. Jake and Ezra are definitely a force to be reckoned with when they pair up; the energy force between them is so strong. Siobhan is a force all on her own. A “spitfire” is what Jake calls her. Her flexibility, speed, and grace are unreal. No one can see her coming, except Angela. We are all being trained by the best. Nick is in complete control of his fire wielding by mid-week. And with a few minor incidents added to the explosion earlier in the week, he has become more humble with what he refers to as his bag of tricks. Nick’s sense of humor is not affected by the humbling experiences, which we are all thankful for. His comic relief gets us through many grueling afternoons.
The final week comes. I wake up Monday morning earlier than necessary. It is 5:30 a.m. I lie there thinking about the week ahead. The territory I will be assigned to is a constant thought in the front of my mind. Mostly I am eager to get on with it. I have never been one to keep still for long. And even though the facility and training are physically demanding, I miss the atmosphere the outside world above ground offers. The woods, the sky, the sun, the wind, and constant movement of life around me.
I can’t help but think that the tension between Nate and I will be gone since we will be in two different territories.
The bickering between us has become unbearable. Daily there are exchanges of crass thoughts back and forth. And yesterday was the last straw.
I am running the trails after dinner. I got a wild hair to venture deeper into the caverns. Ezra said that there are many caves that have not been developed or maintained, only cut out. The manpower needed to develop the trails took months per trail. The number of maintenance staff permitted in the facility at a given time is limited. The number of anyone in the facility during training sessions is limited and monitored for safety from too many people being transported in and out and the possibility of Sondian spies.
The cutout I choose is very rocky and narrow. The lighting is poor compared to the charted paths. As I struggle to maintain my jog and footing, I feel a lot like the ants in Ezra’s office on campus back home. I think back to that night Ezra told me who I was. It seems so long ago. I am creating my uncharted destiny in more ways than just climbing this uncharted trail.
Up ahead I see a steeper climb with very low lighting. The passage is about five feet wide and seven feet tall. My jog slows to a walking climb, using every bit of strength from my limbs at this point. Then the sharp steepness levels out to a smooth shelf. The shelf is short-lived; there is a huge drop. No switchback. Just a landslide drop right onto my butt. The rocks crumble under me. I try to regain my footing, but continue to slide down. Hindsight, it is probably good my backside is taking the brunt of the abuse. My slide turns to a stumble forward. I stretch my hands out to either side of the narrow passage trying to slow my forward motion. The rock continues to crumble around my stretched and clawing hands and fingers. A light to my left gives me a glimpse of my potential future—a ledge and a straight drop into nothing.
I dig my hands into the rock walls on either side, trying to catch hold of anything. I turn away from the drop-off and dig my feet upward and away. The rocks are sliding all around me now. There is a cracking sound and flash of light before everything goes dark. A sharp pain pulsates in my head. I smell and taste something metallic before everything disappears.
When you are knocked out, there is a spot in your life that is void. Then, one event, sound, feeling, or sensation brings you out of the void. It brings you back to reality. When I was young, I had a bad case of influenza. In the middle of the night, I needed to use the commode. I got out of bed, and then the void occurred. I passed out once at the edge of the bed. Then woke long enough only to pass out once again at the top of the staircase. A void. I woke again to pass out again on the bathroom floor. It was hard to believe that I was alert enough to make it down the stairs before passing out. God was definitely watching over me.
He has bigger plans for you, Jes.
As I lay there on the tile floor of the bathroom, I remember the distinct sound that woke me from that void. It was a click of something turning on. The sound of something heating up, a mechanism. When I was able to sit up, I saw that it was a simple space heater that we kept in the bathroom in winter.
I feel a warm hand on my head. Then the sound of a heartbeat in my ear. Then a separate heartbeat out of synchrony from the first. In the instant I hear the distinct beats, they come into rhythm with each other.
I begin to shift my sore body. I try to lift my head; it’s too heavy. My eyes do not want to open yet. I hear gravel shift under me, and arms tighten around me in an embrace. “Shh, Jes. You’re hurt pretty bad.”
Nate.
“I’m going to help you heal. Be still.”
Nate touches the back of my head and my lower back. He lifts my head and body to a sitting position. I don’t want to let myself fall into him, but I have no energy of my own to pull away without causing a sharp pain in my head and ribs.
Nate whispers, “Lean against me, Jes. Don’t try and sit up. I’ve got you.”
His words are the permission my body needs to give in. Nate lifts me onto his lap and leans me against his chest. I rest my cheek on his chest. One of his arms surrounds my torso to keep me from crumpling. He softly brushes the hair from my face. I feel him place his lips to my forehead. A calmness washes over me. His other hand moves to my abdomen. Again, warmth and a feeling of my body melting rushes through me.
The pulsating energy radiates throughout my body, dulling the pain. My eyes are still closed.
“Jes. How are you feeling?” As he speaks, his breath brushes against my forehead.
I open my eyes slowly. My eyes immediately gravitate to the lamp sitting on a boulder directly in front of me. Things are a little blurry for a moment. I feel Nate brush his lips against my forehead again and place a brief, almost undetectable kiss there.
Almost.
I realize what he just did, and I sit upright too quickly and feel myself start to crash down again. I catch myself against his chest and grab hold of his shoulder to steady myself. I look at his dim profile in the dimly lit cavern.
Change the subject, Jes. Quick, change the subject.
I speak in a thick voice. “How did you find me?”
I can feel his smile on me even though I can’t see it.
The answer comes to me before he can answer. “Oh, yeah. The link thing.”
I smile a little and immediately regret the feelings I am having right now.
I pull away from Nate and sit against the wall behind me. I tuck my knees up and encircle my arms around them. I try and make my voice sound cold. “Thank you for healing me. It was…noble of you.”
Nate looks down. I know he realizes the moment we were having is over.
“Well. I couldn’t very well ignore my conscience and leave you down here to die and rot. It would be immoral, even if you are a pain in the ass.”
With that, he grabs my hands and pulls me up. I fall against his chest. I feel his breath on my face.
Nate asks, “Are you all right?”
My voice shakes. “I-I’m all right. Just a little light-headed.”
Good cover.
Nate says, “I am too.”
I could feel his energy closing in around me, drawing me closer to him.
Or is it me drawing him in?
I am breathless at the thought.
His hands encircle my waist and pull me into him. I don’t resist. His gaze is so intense, it makes me a little self-conscious.
I am breathing rapidly now. “What?”
Nate snaps out of the gaze. “Uh. The linking and healing thing…” He pulls back and looks away from me. Nate is stumbling over his words. “Uh, it can drain me and make things a little loopy for me as well. Luke said that it could happen.” He lets go of me and picks up the lantern. “C’mon. We should head back.”
The talk up the narrow cavern is filled with grunts and curses. I am not sure if it is aimed at the platonic relationship we are trying so hard to maintain, or the awkward, intimate, nonplatonic encounter we just experienced.
Just one week left. We would go our separate ways.
Mid-week, our mentors knock on each of our doors at 5:30 a.m. Ezra, in Ezra form, bangs on my door. I almost fall out of bed. I pick my head up briefly. “What?”
Ezra says, “Aw, Jes. Now is that a way to greet your mentor when he comes bearing news that you have been anxiously awaiting for almost four weeks now.”
This gets my attention. I scramble hands first out of bed with a light thump as the rest of my body follows. I crawl to the door and open it wide enough for my eyes to catch his. Ezra is holding a glass with a little purple umbrella in it, wearing sunglasses, and an obnoxiously pink Hawaiian shirt.
“Going somewhere tropical?”
Ezra is mid-sip when he pauses to answer. “Just starting early, my dear. C’mon. Get up. Your future awaits.” Whistling the Hukilau, Ezra saunters back down the hall toward the cafeteria.