Winters Family Psi Chronicles 2: Project Onyx (12 page)

Chapter 12

Adam nodded and smiled as his hand dropped away from Brian’s forearm to indicate the first session for the day was over. Teresa sat in a chair beside her son in the waiting room.

“I am pleased to inform you that your condition is completely stabilized. As we expected, this is the last day the treatments will be necessary,” Adam said.

“That’s great news,” Brian said unenthusiastically as he squashed down on his disappointment.

He wished he never had to leave this sanctuary. He’d never imagined he could feel this peaceful and to be completely free of psychic pain. He suspected his mother would never agree to work for Phoenix Enterprises.

“Thank you, healer,” Teresa said respectfully.

“You’re welcome,” Adam said as he rose from his chair. “Melissa will be here shortly.”

“We will leave as soon as we have lunch,” Teresa said after the healer had left.

“All right,” Brian said.

“I know you wish to stay but that isn’t possible.”

“Are you even giving this place a chance?” Brian asked with forced

calm.

“Of course but this is a big decision and I will need to carefully think about all aspects of working here and being linked to the Zen Network.”

“What’s to think about? You know the Zen Network is an amazing experience,” Brian said pointedly.

“If we choose to be linked to an isolated network, it could make us vulnerable to subtle and coercive influences. I must be certain that it is safe. Also, I will need your father’s consent. I can’t make such a drastic change in lifestyle without his agreement,” Teresa said.

“I see,” Brian said.

Melissa soon arrived and took the unoccupied chair facing them.

“I heard this will be our last session,” she said.

“That is correct,” Teresa said.

“It’s a shame you can’t stay just a few more days to learn more about your connectivity psi. However, you do have a fine grasp of the basics. Your practicing has paid off,” Melissa said.

“I enjoy that ability,” Brian said.

“Yes, seeing everyone’s energy and the psychic connections is a beautiful sight to behold,” Melissa said. “Close your eyes and we will begin.”

Brian complied with her request and felt her psychic energy brush over his mind. He felt his connection to the Global Net strengthen. He wondered how difficult it was to learn the procedure that Melissa performed on him. One day soon, he would work for this company and perhaps he would share the same duties as Melissa. After finishing the treatment, Melissa resumed her tutoring. Brian could easily see the connections and hold them for an extended period of time. He
effortlessly severed temporarily links and practiced strengthening them as well as temporarily blocking them. Blocking a link was useful for immediate relief in case he ever encountered a malignant psychic connection to an energy transference psi which was impossible to immediately sever. Melissa advised him that some links could take several days to weaken before dissolving completely.

When Melissa’s time with him expired, she gave him a warm hug before leaving. Adam came to finish the treatment. All too soon, it was time to go. When they returned to Jason’s dome home, he had burgers and onion rings waiting for them.

“You’re right on time,” Jason said.

“Yes, the healers are very punctual. Much more professional and disciplined than doctors,” Teresa said.

“What’s this?” Jason regarded her with mock surprise. “Is this a compliment for Phoenix Enterprises from my daughter?”

“It was a statement of fact,” Teresa said coolly. “I haven’t ruled out the possibility of employment here.”

“Yes, you have,” Jason said.

Brian shot his mother a peeved look because he’d come to the same conclusion. He supposed he was just disappointed and jumping to conclusions but shared his grandfather’s convictions.

“We should eat while the food is warm,” Teresa said forcefully.

Jason passed out the burgers and onion rings.

“This is the first night that I didn’t have a nightmare or dream about the researchers who kidnapped me,” Brian said.

“Too bad you can’t spend a few more days here,” Jason said.

“It wouldn’t change the fact that the dreams will resume as soon as we leave this place,” Teresa said. “Furthermore, this is most likely a temporary reprieve. The dreams would likely return if you stayed here.”

“There’s only one way to know for sure,” Jason said.

“We’re leaving right after lunch,” Teresa said firmly.

Brian lost his appetite after finishing just half his burger and ate only a couple of onion rings. He wordlessly left the table and finished packing the few items he’d brought with him. When Teresa drove away from the compound, he looked wistfully over his shoulder. He missed Jason and knew he wouldn’t get the chance to visit him very often since the drive was so much longer where he lived. Teresa must have known that attempting conversation with Brian would proved futile because she didn’t even bother trying. Brian intermittently practiced viewing the energy links, strengthening his connection to the Global Net, and reinforcing his psionic shield. His protection was already extremely powerful after receiving the daily treatments at the wellness center and by the time he and his mother reached home, he imagined it was probably stronger than he’d ever experienced in his lifetime.

Paul, Amy, and Derek were waiting for their return which pleased Brian. His sister gave him an effusive hug. After everyone had exchanged welcoming pleasantries, they gathered in the living room. Paul, Amy, and Derek pressed for details on how the treatments went.

“I’m impressed by the healers’ work. Brian’s condition is completely stabilized and his shielding is stronger than it’s ever been,” Teresa said.

“That’s great!” Paul exclaimed.

“You should have seen that place! It was so cool! They have their own psychic network and it’s the best thing I’ve ever experienced,” Brian said.

“What do you mean?” Amy regarded him quizzically.

“It’s hard to explain. I’ll show you,” Brian said.

“What do you mean? How can you show me?” Amy asked.

“Grab my hand and I’ll share the memory,” Brian said.

“You can do that?” A puzzled and wary expression flitted across her face as she hesitantly reached out with her right hand.

Brian grasped it and telepathically linked with her. He showed her the memory he’d shared with his mother when she’d been linked. When he was finished, Amy gently withdrew her hand and her eyes widened with wonder.

“That’s amazing!” Amy exclaimed.

“Let me see,” Paul said.

“I’ll show you,” Teresa said.

“I want to see,” Derek piped up.

Teresa telepathically linked with her husband while Brian shared the memory with Derek. When they finished, Brian could tell that everyone was impressed. He seized the opportunity to explain the advantages of working for Phoenix Enterprises.

“That’s a fantastic opportunity,” Paul said and shot Teresa an appraising look. “What do you think?”

“It bears considering,” Teresa said in a neutral tone.

The doorbell rang before they could finish their conversation. Amy went to answer it and returned with Agents Driscol and Hurst in addition to a pale, lanky man with jet-black hair and sharp blue eyes. Driscol introduced the newcomer as Agent Larry Morgan.

“Agent Morgan is a level ten talent detector,” she said. “He may be able to help you detect more abilities that you haven’t yet discovered.”

Brian noticed his parents exchanged pointed looks. There was no way he could hide his connectivity psi from someone like this.

“We should sit down and get comfortable. I imagine this may take some time,” Driscol said.

They all took up positions on the two largest couches.

“Tell us any new abilities you’ve discovered,” Driscol prompted.

Brian explained about his dreams that came along with his connectivity psi. He hadn’t experimented with his psychometry yet but could sense the potential lying in wait. Sometimes, his hands tingled and he felt energy waiting to be unleashed from various objects. Driscol’s and Hurst’s attention sharpened as soon as he mentioned dreaming about his captors. They swiftly pressed for more details and he told them everything. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough to identify the researchers but it gave them a start. Brian sensed a peculiar emotional radiation from the two FBI agents that felt like greed. His psionic protection prevented the energy from overwhelming his empathic receivers. He also picked up that Driscol was hiding something that was related to Brian’s former captors and their research. She was protecting her thoughts from being discovered telepathically which caused her mind to turn inward which distracted her somewhat from her surroundings.

“This is excellent news,” Driscol said as she absently tapped her DPU with her right index finger which was recording the entire conversation. “I’ve been training in a technique referred to as controlled dreaming which may help you retrieve more information. We’ll have these criminals locked away in no time.”

“That’s good news,” Teresa interjected.

“Have you discovered any new abilities besides those two?” Driscol asked eagerly.

“No, I haven’t.”

Driscol glanced at Morgan who shook his head.

“Connectivity psi is a very useful ability with investigations,” Driscol said. “I’ve worked with a couple agents gifted with that particular talent and it’s come in quite handy.”

“I’ll bet,” Paul said.

“Part of the training for controlled dreaming involves hypnosis. I’d like to start immediately,” Driscol said crisply.

“His condition has just now stabilized. You can start tomorrow,” Teresa said authoritatively.

“This is an extremely important case. We should get started right away,” Driscol said forcefully.

“We will start tomorrow,” Teresa said decisively.

“All right,” Driscol said as her eyes flashed with impatience. She caught and held Brian’s gaze. “Is there anything else that we should know?”

“I’ve told you everything,” he said.

“Thank you for your assistance, young man.” Driscol shot to her feet and smiled at him. She breezed toward the door with her two companions following behind her. “We’ll be here tomorrow afternoon at three.”

“Alright,” Brian acknowledged.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” Paul said after the FBI agents had left.

“I don’t trust them,” Amy said emphatically.

“Unfortunately, we do have to cooperate with them,” Teresa said.

Brian informed them of what he’d perceived from Driscol.

“That’s very disturbing,” Paul said. “I hope that Driscol isn’t involved with the research directly. It sounds like she could be. However, when you sense emotions, there aren’t any definitive answers. There are many likely reasons for what you picked up such as Driscol is most likely privy to high-level clearance and isn’t able to share what she knows.”

“That is the probable scenario,” Teresa said. “However, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Never trust her implicitly. If she tries to isolate you, be sure to notify your father immediately as well as any friends.”

“Where will you be?” Amy asked.

“I am still in the middle of an important assignment and was only allowed a temporary reprieve. I must leave tonight,” Teresa said.

“What if I’m not given the opportunity to contact anyone?” Brian asked.

“Use your telepathy,” Teresa said. “Now that you’re a level ten telepath, you can contact any of your family and friends within the county and possibly farther away.”

“Right,” Brian said. “I keep forgetting I can do that.”

“You’ll want to practice,” Teresa said.

“Mom, there’s something that’s been bothering me for a few days now,” Brian said as he slipped into his second sight to watch the energy dance around him.

“What is that?” she asked.

“You have some energy transference links to you and one is rather large. I’d like to sever them,” Brian said.

They all started at this declaration except for Teresa who merely eyed him calmly while considering his request.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she finally asked.

“Yes, that’s one facet of my connectivity psi I’m completely trained in,” Brian said.

He scrutinized the energy spheres and their connections that glimmered in the inky blackness. Amy’s flared a brilliant gold while Derek’s was an emerald green. Brian noticed that a large muddy orange link intersected with his sister’s energy matrix. He would deal with that later. His mother was leaving tonight and he wished to purge the unhealthy links from her while she remained accessible. Paul’s sphere of emerald light was bright but a lot less intense than the others as he wasn’t a level ten.

“All right. You may proceed,” Teresa said at last.

Brian made quick work of the smaller links but the large one couldn’t be eliminated in one session. However, he weakened it as much as possible before placing a block that would prevent any energy leakage. Teresa’s psionic shielding was so powerful that only a trickle of leakage could be pulled but the block would prevent any activity for days. It was a trick that Melissa had taught him. Brian opened his eyes and advised her on the progress he’d made.