by Amanda Uhl
“Welcome to San Francisco.” She read the cryptic message aloud, showing him the email.
“It’s the hacker! Catch her, David!”
Geneva motioned frantically to David, who said something in response, but Grace could no longer hear. A buzzing sounded, growing in intensity until her head would split in two. Dimly she heard Geneva issuing orders, while Grace slipped, falling into a black abyss with no end in her sight.
Grace came to consciousness suddenly, for a brief moment aware she was in her room, curled in a ball on her bed, David beside her. The buzzing receded, and the room spun away, leaving her to face the madman across a pool of water. Grace looked, but the water was dark, and she could not see the bottom. Something moved in its depths. A crocodile? A shark? Neither one brought comfort. Grace let out a startled gasp, as someone squeezed her palm. David. She was not alone. She clung to his hand, willing herself to remain calm.
Happy thoughts. I’ll handle the rest.
Grace closed her eyes, imagining herself on the beach.
*****
While Grace was busy in her happy place, David quickly took stock of the enemy’s energy waves. Already the jagged edges were forming. He was growing excited. It will not be long. Geneva, he was sure, was giving the others an update. David must put his carefully laid plan into action.
The first strike was harder and faster than David remembered from the last time—or perhaps his defenses were weaker. The water below him swirled and coiled, like a serpent. The wind lashed them from all sides, and he was aware of giant trees surrounding them, bending and swaying in as if they might break.
“You cannot win, you know.” The hacker shouted over the wind. Lightning struck a nearby branch and sent it tumbling into him. David backed away in time, pulling Grace with him. “I’m faster and stronger.”
The madman thrust his hands out like a conductor and hurled rocks, mud, and other debris at them. One of the stones struck David in the shoulder and another on his ankle. The shock of the blows in quick succession stunned his senses momentarily.
He needed to put a stop to this and quickly or it would not end well for him or Grace. David focused his energy into the jagged pattern of the enemy and threw a spike into the mix. The effect was like a boomerang, wreaking havoc within the force field and bouncing back to him. He pulled the energy wave in and prepared himself to fire again.
The wind, which had been blowing fiercely, settled, and the enemy took a step back on his side of the pool. “You think to challenge me.” He snarled the words. “It’s not possible. You will lose.” Once again, he drew his hands together and punched a long arm across the cesspool, but instead of targeting David, the enemy’s fist was headed straight toward Grace.
Grace, look out!
David yelled in her mind. She responded immediately, opening her eyes and backing quickly to miss the fist in front of her. That response elicited another crow of delight from the hacker, who immediately came at her again, fist raised to strike. Grace gasped and covered her head but the blow never connected. David had forced a jagged energy pattern again and threw it in front of the long arm, stopping it in mid-air. The effort it took felt like a punch to his gut.
Back to your happy place. David shouted at Grace with a mental push for good measure.
Thankfully, Grace didn’t panic but calmly closed her eyes and obeyed. Unfortunately, the enemy wasted no time in using the distraction to his advantage. His hands had become two long whips, flashing in the wind and taking a gash out of David’s previously injured side. He gasped at the pain but concentrated on constructing another jagged wave. If he could mirror the enemy’s waves exactly and his aim was good, he could not only put a stop to the power coursing through the air, but he could draw on that energy source himself to magnify his own strength. David could take control of the fight.
The wave grew in intensity and power, until the familiar jagged, black edges took shape. He trembled under the weight of the force and hoped he had the strength to manage it. Casting a silent prayer into the universe, David once again hurled the manufactured wave into the mix. This time the spike caught and held in place, interfering with the enemy’s energy pattern.
Power coursed through him like a live wire. Although intoxicating, some part of David realized the emotions he was feeling were not his own. He could not get caught in the energy field or he would be sucked inside and the battle would be over. Instead, he must slowly take over the pattern, alternating it bit by bit until he wrested control from the hacker opposite.
David focused carefully, containing his fear and anger and concentrating instead on the calm at his center. Slowly, the waves took on his rhythm. He was winning!
Rage, sharp and deep, echoed across the energy field. David magnified the waves until they were beyond the hacker’s control. He had him.
Reaching out a giant arm, David plucked the hacker from the shoreline and hurled him into the shark-infested waters. There was a shout and instantly, the jagged energy waves settled, modifying themselves to David’s steady rhythm. A deep joy rushed through him. I’ve won! But the moment of victory was short-lived. Grace lay on the ground motionless. A familiar buzz and ping sounded—the warning sign for a hacker to get out fast. Instinctively, David reacted, ejecting himself through the portal. But it was too late. Something snapped in his mind, causing an agonizing pain. Everything went black.
The first thing he became conscious of was a sound, short and steady. At some point, David realized he was in a hospital and the sound was a monitor, checking his vital signs. Where’s Grace? He panicked and tried to call out, but no sound would come. He was dragged into a dark abyss.
David stayed there for a long while, floating in and out of shades of darkness. It was the voice he first became aware of—a maddening sound that would not let him rest. It whispered to him incessantly until he wanted to scream. But still it continued. For a long time, David couldn’t make out words. It sounded like a roomful of people whispering. He heard his name. “David.” He listened hard, afraid it was his imagination. David. He heard it again. The voice was familiar.
I’m here.
Thank goodness. Focus on me. Keep talking to me.
How is she? How’s Grace?
She’s fine. Don’t worry about Grace right now. Worry about yourself. We nearly lost you.
Joy swamped his senses. Grace would be okay. They had won. He fought hard to concentrate on Geneva’s voice.
We’re all working to help you. Relax. The energy you generated was more than any of us have ever managed on our own. Sophia is here and your mother, too. You’ll be okay. We won’t let you go.
David recognized the precarious nature of his position. It was only Geneva’s voice keeping his mind intact and tethered to his body. Which explained why she needed help. If Geneva were keeping him here, she would need the others to remove the deadheads. And given the amount of energy generated in Grace’s mind, David was surprised her mind had held on as long as it had before rejecting him.
How are you feeling?
Better. He said and realized it was true. Geneva’s voice no longer sounded like a whisper but had a steady tone. David’s thoughts turned to Grace. How had she survived the massive amount of energy generated in her mind? Amazing…a miracle. He needed to know she was okay.
David noticed the light first. Granted, it was still far away from him, but it was there. “I’m surfacing.”
David, no. You aren’t ready. Grace is fine. She’s here with us. Stay under a while longer. It’ll be easier for you if you do.
His impatience grew. I’m coming up. Be ready.
David needed to see Grace for himself. He had a hard time believing she had survived the energy coursing through her brain. That ping had meant her brain was having trouble. He needed to see, touch and connect with her himself.
David focused on the light, his mind rising to the surface. At one point dizziness struck, and he stilled the forward momentum while he steadied himself. Afterw
ard, David moved at a frustrating crawl, until eventually, he made it to the top and simply climbed out. As soon as he did, he was able to open his eyes.
David looked anxiously from Geneva to Sophia to his mother. They were exchanging worried looks with one another. Of course, they would be worried about him, but he guessed it wasn’t their primary concern. He opened his mind to speak but couldn’t form the words. In his panic, he quit and sent an urgent, mental message to his mother. Where, Mom? Don’t lie to me.
His mother sighed and brushed her hand across his forehead. She hasn’t surfaced yet.
David turned accusatory eyes to Geneva. You lied.
I had to, David. We needed you to come back to us. We were afraid you never would.
Where is she?
David, you need to rest. We aren’t done here. You won’t be any good to Grace until we are.
I need to see her. Take me to her.
The three women exchanged nervous glances. “You’ll have to be able to sit in a wheelchair. Can you manage that?” Sophia asked.
David wasn’t at all sure, but he nodded anyway, careful to keep his thoughts concealed. If he didnʼt see Grace now, while he could, she might slip away. David couldn’t let that happen. He finally found his voice. “Where’s my cell phone?”
“Right here.” Sophia pointed toward the nightstand next to the bed. “I put all your personal items there, where they would be safe.” She opened the drawer, pointing to his cell phone and wallet.
David spied a familiar piece of glass. How many times had he fingered that glass? It was a symbol of all he had to lose. They had come so far. He would not let her go.
He held out his hand, and Sophia promptly handed him the contents. Thankfully, his hospital gown had large pockets where he could safely store the items.
His mother propped the pillows behind him, helping him to sit. She was gentle, but with each movement, hard fingers jabbed his brain. The buzzing and vibrations became more pronounced, as they helped him into the wheelchair. When David was finally in the chair, he was sweating and breathing heavily. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Geneva and Sophia hovered over him and their combined touch helped to deaden the buzzing. After several moments, David nodded, and they rolled him out the door and into the room next door.
Passing through the doorway, déjà vu struck him. This time, David was the patient that had fared better. He had failed to protect her. David had known this was a possibility when he was plotting their course of action, but in his plans he had had more time to coordinate their defense. The real event had happened so abruptly David had barely registered they were under attack. Roland and Rolf should have been with him when the battle took place, but there had not been time. He stared at Grace as she lay in her bed, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Her mother sat in a chair next to her bed. She looked their way as they entered the room.
How long has Grace been like this? David sent the message to Geneva telepathically so as not to alarm Grace’s mother.
It’s been three days since the attack.
What are her chances?
They don’t believe she’ll come out of it. Kyle Willard deliberately targeted her when he realized you had gained control. He wiped most of her mind before you ended it. That’s why you were ejected.
Willard the billionaire?
Geneva nodded.
Of course. Willard would have been keenly interested in robotics. And he had the means to go after those secrets. He also recalled the memory in Li Su Yeh’s mind. The gentleman with the blond hair was Willard. What have you told her mother?
She believes the two of you were in a car accident.
Take me to her bedside. Push me close enough so I can hold her hand.
They did as he asked. “I’m sorry.” David nodded at Grace’s mom.
Her makeup was smudged from crying, but she managed to nod at him in recognition. “Glad to see you up.” Elaine Ellis attempted a wan smile. “Oh, David. I’m so worried about Grace. She’s in a coma. The doctors don’t know if she’ll come out of it.”
“They’re doing everything they can to help her.” David paused. “I hate to ask this of you, but do you mind if I have a few minutes alone with Grace?”
“I…can’t leave her. I’m sorry. I’m so worried.”
He grasped her hand, and she looked at him. “You need a break if you’re going to be any good for Grace. Stretch your legs or get yourself something to eat or drink. I’ll stay here until you get back.”
Elaine nodded, her look confused. “Okay. Thank you, David. I won’t be more than ten minutes.”
“Take all the time you need.”
She left, but Geneva, Sophia, and his mother remained. The effort cost him. David’s head pounded. Immediately, Geneva laid gentle hands upon him.
“David, are you sure this is wise?” his mother questioned.
“Mom, I have to see for myself how bad it is.”
“You know the doctors are well-trained. They’ve done careful analysis. There’s nothing youʼll be able to do to help her until you yourself are well. You may make things worse.”
An unfamiliar panic ripped through him. He couldn’t lose her now! Not after they had won, and he could finally claim her as his own. Fate would not be so cruel, would it?
“David, Mom’s right.” Sophia used his panic to her advantage. “There’s nothing you can do for Grace right now. If you’re going to be any help, you need to be well, yourself.”
He fingered the glass in the pocket of his hospital gown. Perhaps there was something he could do for her. It was a long shot. David had no idea if it would work. It could backfire, and he would pay the penalty. Plus, he would need a full day’s rest at a minimum and Geneva’s help. It would be much easier, and David would be more likely to succeed if he were fully recovered, but that could take weeks, and Grace may not have much time. Fifty percent of the time a mind that was fully wiped would stay in a comatose state forever. The other fifty percent of the time they went crazy. So far, it appeared Grace was on the comatose end of the spectrum.
David studied Grace where she lay like a white ghost in her hospital gown against the pale sheets. With deliberate calm, he reached out a hand and grasped hers. Her warmth was reassuring. If Grace still had a pulse, she was alive and her brain was active.
He focused on the portal. It was but a dim light. In his weakened state, David would not be able to use it to enter. He needed a night of deep sleep and Geneva’s support if he was going to have a chance in hell of saving Grace. The night of rest he thought he could manage. Geneva was more problematic. David would have to bring her in on his secret, and she was not going to like it.
The strength in his arms was returning. After taking one last look at Grace, David wheeled himself back to his room. He could not even visit her mind tonight as he’d done the previous nights.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Restoration
David awoke quickly, his mind clear, to find he was not alone. Peter was sprawled in a chair, eyes closed. “You won’t change my mind.” His tone was sharp, prepared for battle.
Peter opened his eyes. He had not been sleeping. “Of course, not.” His voice was gruff. “I wasn’t even going to try. If you can do something for Grace, by all means, do it. But be smart about it. The docs aren’t holding out a lot of hope.”
David hesitated, not sure if he could handle the answer to his next question but needing to know anyway. “What do you believe her chances are for some kind of recovery?”
“Slim to none.” Peter didn’t believe in beating around the bush. “I’m sorry. I’ve seen this before.”
David did not care for the reminder. “What about her sister and fiancé?”
“They’re fine. Of course, they were in complete shock. We were forced to tamper with their memory slightly—you have Rolf to thank—but as far as they know, they were on their way to the rehearsal when they heard about the ‘car accident.’ The wedding, of course, was post
poned. The sister is a mess. You would think she was the one that faced the hacker. Be prepared. She has been here visiting every day since and is staying nearby with her mother.”
He nodded. “What happened while we were under?”
“He was in the room across the hall. How he knew where we were staying is beyond me. But he had the resources to have eyes watching and to bribe or manipulate the hotel staff. We suspect Willard has been stealing secrets, undetected, for many years, which explains all the technological advances of his companies. Apparently, he was part owner—a quiet partner—of Gallant Enterprises.
He cleared his throat. “From what we’ve gathered so far, Willard spent millions of dollars on a database he was using to track your kind. He was after a suitable partner to father his children but needed an off-the-grid talent. Willard had been tracking adoption cases, which is how he stumbled on Grace’s father. From there, he found Claire, but when she didn’t show any signs of psychic talent, he went after Grace. There he struck gold. He’d already had an earlier run-in with you, and now you were in the way.
David nodded, thinking back to Willard’s fanatical pursuit of Grace.
Peter continued. “It took us a while to find him and his trainer. She’s in our custody—his twin sister by the way. Willard, of course, is in a coma. His recovery is doubtful. We’re still completing our investigation, but it appears he had a rough upbringing—several sets of abusive foster parents before he was adopted by a loving family. That may explain his rogue behavior. No one seems to know the father, but it’s assumed he and his sister inherited their abilities from the paternal side. The sister has refused to talk by the way. But as you know, we have ways around that little problem. A bigger issue is what to do with her.”
David nodded impatiently. He didn’t care what happened to the sister right now. He had more urgent matters to think about. “Peter, I need your help.” He stared at him, his focus unwavering, until the older man looked away.