Starcrossed: Perigee - A paranormal romance trilogy (17 page)

"Oh... oh! You are so beautiful!" Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she was beaming at me. My own tears clouded my eyes, and I blinked them away quickly.

"Hi, Mom," I said simply. I hadn't been able to call her that for ten years. Her expression told me she was thrilled to hear it again. She gestured to the seat opposite, and we sat down. We both felt a little awkward.

"My goodness, you're so tall! I can't believe how big you've gotten." She reached out a hand and I tentatively took it. Tears threatened to spill again at the first touch of my mother since my childhood.

"So how have you been? Tom's been giving me updates, but, well, it's better to hear it from you." Evidently, Uncle Tom hadn't told her I was missing.

I opened my mouth, wondering where I should start. "Well, let's see, I've only got two more weeks of high school left, I'm doing pretty well."

She leaned forward encouragingly. "Two more weeks... where has the time gone..." Her voice petered out, and I knew she was pondering all my childhood milestones she'd missed as a mother. A fleeting look of sadness crossed her face, and then vanished, replaced by a genuine smile. She was obviously determined to make this a positive visit.

"God, you look like your dad. You have his eyes." I didn't think so. I looked at my mother and saw an older version of myself - the same long dark hair - although hers was threaded with silver... green, almond shaped eyes. Her eyes held a haunted look that I hoped mined lacked. She was still attractive despite her ten years of confinement.

We talked for a while about my life (carefully avoiding the kitchen knife incident). When I couldn't think of anything more positive to tell her, I made it up. I painted a picture of a happy childhood, and it seemed to please her. By the time I'd told her about my horses and my attempt to bring a pony upstairs to my bedroom, we were both giggling away. She seemed so 'normal', and I wondered whether she was really mad at all. Her psychiatrist was watching her with interest, and he looked rather pleased. A pang of sadness shot through me - if she wasn't mad, then she'd wasted ten years of her life in here, and I'd missed out on growing up with a mother who loved me. It also meant she had been serious about protecting me from the Innaki. What horrors drove a mother to resort to a makeshift surgery to protect her offspring? I shivered, and pushed the thought out of my mind.

"So," she said, patting my hand. "You're a long way from home. Did Tom bring you here?"

"No," I said. I looked down at the table, then glanced up at her shyly. "Mom, I have a boyfriend. He drove me here."

Her eyebrows shot up, her interest peaked. "Oh? Do tell!"

"Mom, he's gorgeous! He's... perfect... God, where do I start?!" I realized I was gushing like a lovesick fool.

She beamed at me. "Where is he? Is he here? Can I meet him?" She looked up hopefully at her doctor.

He smiled at her; he was obviously as pleased with her reaction to this visit as I was. "I think that will be okay."

I was filled with excitement. I might not have been able to bring my boyfriend home to meet my parents, but this was more than I could ever have hoped for.

"I'll go and get him." I jumped up and nearly skipped to the door.

I found him pacing in the waiting room. "Oh, Aric, she's wonderful!"

He smiled at me, a look of relief on his face. "That's fantastic Luce."

"She wants to meet you." I grabbed his hand, and went to lead him through the doors.

He stopped, and pulled his hand from mine. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh, come on. I've told her all about you - well, not all obviously, but she's happy for us and she wants to meet you."

His expression was grim. "I don't want to spoil it - today is about you two."

I grabbed his hand again, and pulled him along. "Oh, don't be silly. Come on, it'll make me happy."

He followed reluctantly, his hand grasping mine in a vice-like grip.

We were halfway across the room when he stopped. I pulled at his hand and laughed - "Come on, she's not going to eat you!"

His face was pale and his eyes stared stonily ahead. What was wrong with him? I looked back at my mother. She was getting slowly to her feet, her face as colorless as Aric's.

I let go of Aric's hand, and stepped towards my mother. "Mom? Are you okay?"

She looked at me, her face a mask of fear. Picking up a chair, she threw it with incredible force across the table, just missing me. It fell at Aric's feet.

"Lucy! They're still after you! Run!"

The nurses reacted quickly, she was grabbed and wrestled to the floor.

She was screaming over and over: "Get away from her!" I stood transfixed, numb with shock, watching the scene as though it was a replay on a news channel.

"Get her out of here," the doctor yelled at Aric. Aric put his arm around my shoulder, and guided me out. I moved as though I was in a trance.

It was only when we were standing on the front steps, that I stopped and burst into tears. My mother was mad after all.

* * * * *

"Go on, say it." I stared glumly into the mug of tea Ellen had placed in my hands.

"Say what?" asked Aric.

"I told you so."

He sat down next to me and placed his arm around my shoulders. "I would never say that, Lucy. I'm sorry it didn't work out."

A tear balanced on my eyelashes, welled slowly, and spilt down my cheek. I dashed it away angrily.

"God, what did those things do to her? She's a mess!"

Saul pulled the coffee table closer to the sofa I was slumped on, and used it as a makeshift seat.

"You said the first hour was a good one Lucy. Focus on that."

I shook my head sadly. "The doctor said she fears everyone around her. Imagine living like that..."

A thought came to me. "Maybe it was just you Aric - do you think she could sense you are half Innaki?"

He looked away. "I don't know..."

"Ugh! I hate those things. Why can't they just leave people alone!"

I stood up, and began to pace the living room floor.

Stopping abruptly, I placed my mug on the coffee table, and turned to Saul.

"Saul, I want to know what happened to me - I want you to regress me, right now."

Aric shot out of his seat. "No!"

I turned to him in surprise. "Why are you so against it? It's not up to you - it's my decision!"

His jaw was rigid with tension. "Because I don't want you to be frightened any more!"

"Not knowing frightens me!"

He stepped closer, and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Look at how it affected your mother, Lucy. The Innaki put the amnesia in place for a reason."

I shook his hands off my shoulders and wheeled around to pace the room again.

"I don't care - I need to know!"

He stood still, his palms out in an imploring gesture. "Please don't do this," he said quietly.

"It's her choice, Aric," said Ellen. Aric threw her a frantic glance, then his eyes focused back on mine.

"She deserves the truth." Saul observed.

Aric ignored him. His gaze never wavered from me. "Please," he said simply.

I shook my head. "I have to know."

Without another word, he turned and left the room.

* * * * *

Transcript of Lucy Doyle's Hypnotic Regression Session.

(Begin Transcript)

You're feeling nice and relaxed now Lucy. Remember, you're in a safe place. Nothing can hurt you here. Breathing deeply, good... I want you to go back to the night - the night before you woke up in the barn. Do you remember?

Yes.

Good. Tell me what you see, Lucy.

I'm in bed. It's night time. Something woke me up...

(Pause)

Go on. Look around the room Lucy, what do you see?

I... see... oh!

(Pause)

Lie back down Lucy, remember, you're safe - nothing can hurt you now.

(Pause)

There's someone in my room! Kids. Luke? Michael?

Look closer Lucy. Who are they?

Oh! Oh... they're not the boys. They're, like, oh god, they're monsters!

(Pause)

They can't hurt you Lucy. Lie down. Just look at them. What do they look like?

(Pause)

They're small... really skinny. Ugly. Their heads are really big. Oh my god - their eyes! They have big black eyes. They're looking down at me!

How many are there?

Three... wait, there's another one, in the shadows, in the corner. It's bigger though. Way bigger. Four of them.

Remember, they can't hurt you now Lucy. What happens next?

They're standing over me, looking close. Oh god! God help me! They're... coming closer. I can't move. Why can't I move? Get away from me!

Shhh, remember you're in a safe place. You're just watching what's going on. Tell me what's happening.

I'm... calling my uncle, but my voice won't come out. They're watching me, they smell... strange. Why won't Uncle Tom come? What have they done to him?

(pause)

God I must be dreaming - a nightmare. I can't wake up. I'm floating off the bed! Uncle Tom! Where are you?! ... My voice isn't working!

Relax Lucy - you are safe. Tell me what happens next.

What have they done to my uncle?! Uncle Tom! I'm trying to move - but my body... I'm, like... paralyzed. I'm floating towards the window. Please wake up. Wake up - wake up! - Oh! My arms, my legs - I can move them!

(Pause)

There's my jewelry box - I throw it at them and I drop to the floor. I can move now. I'm screaming, but no one is coming to help. Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom!

Your uncle is safe now Lucy. What is happening?

Why don't they leave me alone? I hate them! They're... I'm... one is flying back against the wall. It's lying on the floor. It's knocked the trash over... Get out! Get out of my room! Another one - it just hit the wall. What did I do? Oh!...

(Pause)

What is it Lucy? What do you see?

The one in the corner. It's coming. It's not one of them. It's... he's - I know him! It's... Aric! What is Aric doing in my bedroom?

Lucy, you're just watching, you don't have to think about that now. Tell me what happens next.

He's talking to me. Telling me I'm safe. He has beautiful eyes. I can't look away... I feel... strange...

(Pause)

Lucy, talk to me. Are you okay?

(Pause)

What is happening Lucy?

I'm... in a room. A space. It's all white - the walls glow. I can't see a door. They're here. God, where am I? It's very hot. I'm all sweaty... Oh! Oh, god - where are my clothes? I'm naked! Get away from me! Wake up! Please wake up! I can't wake up... They're coming closer. Three of them. They want me to lie on the table. They... their voices are in my head. Their mouths don't move! I'm not getting on the table - get away! One is flying across the room again. They're backing away from me.

(Pause)

You're safe Lucy. Tell me what is happening.

One left the room, right... right through the wall! I've got to be dreaming. The other two are looking at me. I want to kill them! If I can just get my hands on them... They're looking at each other, backing against the wall... I'm going to kill them! Oh!

(Pause)

What is it? What do you see?

It's Aric! Oh, he's beautiful. Oh god - he can see me, nake...Where are my clothes? I'm naked, oh god! Oh god! What the hell is this?

Relax Lucy, don't worry about what you are wearing. What is happening?

Aric is... talking to me. His voice sounds nice, I can't describe it. It's making me feel good. He's telling me to get back on the table...

(Pause)

I can't stop looking at his eyes. They're blue! Really blue... a strange blue... His voice... I want to run, but... He says if I'm still, I'll be home sooner.

(Pause)

What's happening now?

He's closer, his face is so close. I feel... wonderful, there's a buzzing noise and I'm so tired. My eyes are closing. I can't keep awake!

(Pause)

Oh, Aric... Aric! What have you done?

(Pause)

Lie down Lucy. Relax

(Pause)

Lucy, when I count backwards from ten, I want you to wake up. You're going to remember everything, but you're going to feel calm and refreshed... 10, 9, 8... waking up now... 7, 6, 5... you're starting to stretch... 4, 3, 2 and 1.

(End of transcript)

* * * * *

"10, 9, 8... waking up now... 7, 6, 5... you're starting to stretch... 4, 3, 2 and 1."

I sat up, disoriented by the normality of the room around me. My face was wet with tears; I wiped my cheeks with shaking hands.

A strained silence enveloped the room as I collected my thoughts. Aric had been there! Aric had... helped them. I stared at the ground for a moment, trying to take the situation in.

Saul moved to sit on the coffee table and leaned towards me, a worried frown creasing his face.

"Are you all right Lucy?"

I looked up at him, realization dawning. "Aric... Aric helped them?"

Saul's voice was low and even. "He had no choice, Lucy. That's what they created him for."

My head shot up and I met his gaze. "What... what do you mean? I don't understand what you're saying."

"They don't just develop hybrids for arts' sake, Lucy. Each hybrid is made for a specific purpose, and Aric's is to be a whisperer."

"A what?"

"A 'whisperer'. That's not the word the Innaki use - they don't really use words at all, but it's the closest we have in English which explains what it is he does." He sighed and straightened his back. "A perfect human with the gift of... 'charming' I suppose is the word. Bewitching? Sort of like how vampires are supposed to 'glamour' their victims. They're used to calm disruptive and frightened abductees."

The word 'victims' made me shudder. "So, he's like, a horse or dog whisperer, only on humans?"

"Something like that."

I paused for a moment as his words sank in. I remembered the soothing words Aric had uttered as my implant was removed, and the blissful calm which had washed over me - just as he had calmed me when I'd lain on the hard metal table in the white room, the Innaki hovering behind him. I hung my head. His words were all a sham - part of the job he was bred for.