by Cindy Borgne
“When can we see Clare?” he asked again.
I’d always changed the subject, until one day.
“I’m sorry, but she died.”
Tears welled up and he put his head down. “Why?”
I patted the top of his head. “She died saving our lives.”
He sniffed. “Is this something I should remember?”
“It’s better if you don’t.”
The scientists were hopeful his memory would continue to return. He didn’t show any signs of psychic ability, but it concerned me that someday he might.
****
Kayla visited often and brought her art supplies. She tried to teach me how to paint, but my work looked cartoonish compared to hers.
One time as I woke up from a nap, I caught Kayla observing me. She turned away as if she didn’t notice me noticing her. I couldn’t help but smile. Would she ever think of me as more than a friend? Her hair had grown out more. Red curls dangled above her shoulders.
One day, she told me Layne’s parents were back from west Vallar headquarters. They were eager to meet me and thank me for all my help. I dreaded it, but I couldn’t deny them either.
Kayla stopped over ahead of them. Since it was one of the few times we were alone, I had to try and break past the barrier between us.
“Kayla, when I’m better, do you think . . . .”
I didn’t manage to get the words out in time. Layne’s father knocked on the door.
“Oh good!” Kayla jumped up and let the couple inside. “Ian, this is Larus and Susan Millward.”
I stood up and we all shook hands. Larus looked like a middle-aged version of Layne.
“Sorry we couldn’t meet you sooner, but we were away on business,” Larus explained. “We heard what you went through and I want you to know that if you need anything just ask us.”
“That’s kind of you.” Larus made me feel guilty all over again.
Kayla’s eyes stayed on Larus the whole time we talked. I could tell that he reminded her of Layne, so much that her eyes watered a few times. I sensed her despair and the longing for Layne. At least Larus had interrupted me before I made an idiot out of myself.
Even so, Kayla continued to visit often, which made it all the harder. What frustrated me the most was that she avoided any talk about her feelings.
“Why does she keep visiting?” I asked.
“First,” Sonny said, “you’re going to find that women are hard to figure out, and second she might not be ready for a long time.”
“I’m wondering if she ever will be.”
“I’m sure you could find the answer to that question.”
“Probably, but I don’t want to find out that way.”
“Did you forget about that first vision you had of Kayla?”
My mind went back to the two of us kissing in the elevator. “I could never forget that.”
“The only choices I can see are either wait for Kayla or consider dating someone else.” Sonny said.
I let out a small gasp at that idea. For so long I had obsessed with Kayla, I didn’t know if I could be interested in anyone else.
****
After three weeks, I no longer needed the dialysis. My kidneys had made a comeback thanks to the talented doctors. My last week as a patient, I went around to the rooms of kids with emotional problems. Kids that had seen too much and some had lost both parents. I could sense their feelings and knew what they went through. They would open up to me. I even got one seven year old girl to speak who had refused for a whole year.
After four weeks, Sonny and I went to our new home. It was a lower level apartment with a backyard near the medical facility, which would be convenient for Sonny. He continued to study hard for the big admission test. We each had our own bedroom, a living room, a kitchen and one bathroom.
I was told they planned on giving me a placement test for the Genner secondary school. I didn’t want to have to repeat any classes, especially since I’d found out Kayla had started college at age sixteen, so I loaded all the tutoring programs I could find onto my new holo.
Bret’s daughter, Hannah, gave me a tour of the school, which turned out to be tiny in comparison to the Marscorp Academy. I liked it though because I had a feeling I was going to make a lot of friends.
Hannah visited a few times after that, offering to help me study. She was two years younger than me and a complete contrast to Kayla, with long dark hair, black eyes and tan skin. She looked like a female version of Bret, but was much more attractive than him.
She hinted about me asking her out, but I found that complicated. What if it didn’t work out? Would Bret get mad at me? She was only fourteen too, although she acted mature enough to date.
Oddly, vibes of tension flowed from Kayla the day she stopped by and Hannah happened to be over. Other times I sensed the longing sadness – the same feeling she had when she was with Layne’s father. None of this made sense. Sonny was right about women. Even with my sensing ability, I couldn’t figure her out.
****
A couple of months later, I waited for my test results while Sonny was taking his exam. Not only that, but the awards dinner was tonight.
Kayla had offered to take me on a boat ride to help pass the time. I met her at the dock wearing a short sleeve shirt and shorts. She wore a sleeveless white and purple dress with sandals. Why did she have to make it so hard on me wearing something so darn cute?
We climbed down into the small boat. She sat at the rear and operated a small electric engine. The small boat flowed down the creek. The banks were decorated with flowering shrubs and small palm trees. We entered a farming area surrounded by towering stalks of corn.
Of course, it reminded me of the cornfield where Kayla said she thought she loved me. I wanted to bring it up, but I couldn’t bear her avoiding it again.
Instead, I went for humor. “At least you don’t have to drag me.”
She laughed, but then for no reason her face went blank. “So are you serious about Hannah?”
I chuckled. “I don’t even know her that well.” Her question made me realize that Kayla had enough interest in me to worry about me dating someone else. I didn’t want to cause her worry. With or without me, I wanted her to be happy. She was worth waiting for.
“I decided not to date for awhile,” I said.
“Why is that?”
I thought quick for a simple reason. “I-I don’t feel ready.”
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?”
She was too smart. “No, no, not at all.” I avoided her searching eyes.
“Yes it is. Ian, I-I don’t feel right holding you back. You deserve to be happy.”
“I’ll only be happy if you’re happy.” Our eyes met. “I still feel the same way.”
Her eyes lit up, but for some reason she made herself look away. The boat left the corn stalks and we entered a small lake, the largest body of water I’d ever seen on Mars, surrounded by a few scattered weeping willow trees and some benches.
“So this is the lake,” I said. “It’s so beautiful I feel like I’m on Earth or at least I wouldn’t know the difference.” I blinked. “Wait a sec. I think I did see a glimpse of this place while captured.”
“I should’ve known I couldn’t surprise you.”
“You still have because I hadn’t seen many details, and it’s much more impressive in person.”
She pointed to the right. “On that side there is a park our people share. Most are working right now, so it’s empty.” She handed me binoculars. “Take a look around.”
I put the binoculars to my eyes. Several small buildings made of reddish-brown brick ran along the beach of the large pond. Some had chairs and other lawn equipment.
“What are those buildings for?”
“Those are cottages. We share them for vacations.” She drove the boat up to a dock.
I hopped out and tied up the boat. She led the way down a path toward the cottages.
I laughed. �
��I would’ve never believed this a few months ago. Everyone at Marscorp thought the Genners were nothing but rogues.”
“I know. We’ve been waiting and planning. Imagine all the craters and canyons looking like this.”
My hallucination in the canyon came to mind. “I think I have.”
“You’ve foreseen it?”
“Maybe.” I stopped walking as an uneasy sensation went through me. “I’m, I’m glad you took me here to keep my, my mind off things.”
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
The edges of my vision blurred. My temples throbbed and a brief wave of dizziness made me stumble a little.
We will make Vallar pay for this outrage. Ian is the worst traitor of Marscorp and must be executed.
Kodat ranted and raved. I couldn’t see him, but his words raged through me. I hadn’t expected to be able to have a vision while awake. None had happened since the drug wore off. I touched my forehead and weaved.
Kayla ran over and grabbed my arm. I strained to bring the sandy beach into view. At last, the angry voice stopped. She helped me over to one of the benches and touched the sides of my face.
“Was it a vision?”
I swallowed and chuckled. “Yes, I-I didn’t think I’d have one like that again. It was Kodet’s voice. He wants me dead, of course.” I straightened and gently lowered her hand from my neck. “I will have to start regular visions to keep on top of this.”
“We knew they wouldn’t be quiet for long. We’ll be ready for them.”
We stayed still, searching each other’s eyes.
She took my hand and crept closer. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I feel the same about you and Vallar.” I touched her other hand and she smiled. Her red, full lips looked so desirable. “When the time is right, I’ll explain my visions to Admiral Reese.” I smoothed the back of her hair.
She glanced at my lips and drew closer. We kissed so light it gave me a chill.
I remembered Layne and drew back. “That was so wrong. I’m terribly sorry.”
Her cheeks reddened as she looked down with a small smile. I craved to do it again, but stopped.
Kayla leaned forward with warm eyes. She was tempted as well. “I find you intriguing.” She grinned, squinted and blushed even more.
I touched the side of her face.
“I took you here to tell you I figured out what was bothering me,” she whispered a mere inch from me. “I’m afraid of losing someone I love again.” Kayla took a deep breath. “When you were so ill, it was killing me. I’m afraid of losing you, if I get too close.” She glanced to the side with a flicker of hesitation in her eyes and tears welled up.
“Oh Kayla.” I hugged her. “I’m so sorry. I should have realized.”
“I can’t keep denying my feelings for you.” She caressed my cheek.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Slowly she kissed me, but broke off and mumbled, “What am I doing?”
I grinned, not knowing what to say.
She shrugged and kissed me again. Her soft lips somehow absorbed my mind and every other thought vanished. A warm feeling went through me. She held me so tight all doubt about her vanished.
I kissed her neck, but decided I better slow down. I opened my eyes halfway and held her. Kayla rested her head on my shoulder. A sense of protectiveness came over me. I had to make sure nothing ever hurt her again.
I could’ve got in a few more kisses, but I didn’t want to push her too far and have her run off. Instead, I stood up and straightened my shirt. “Maybe my test results are in and Sonny is back from his exam?”
“We better get our dress uniforms ready for the dinner too.” She took my hand and led the way. Slowly, I broke into a jog. We went down the path all the way back to the boat.
****
When we entered the apartment, Sonny wasn’t home yet. I rushed over to the small holo in my room and brought up the document with the results.
A projected flat screen document displayed all the subjects. I thought I’d passed everything, until I got to the bottom and saw my chemistry score at seventy-eight percent. Two points below passing.
“That’s funny. I thought I’d have to repeat Trigonometry.”
“I guess you didn’t get enough science working in the elevator shop.”
“That must be it.” I shrugged. “Oh well, considering everything, I’m glad it was only one subject.”
Kayla put her arm around me. “You did great on everything else.” She leaned over to kiss me, but the front door creaked opened. She grinned and backed off.
“Hey Ian, you here?” Sonny called.
“I’m in my room.”
“Guess what? I found out where the nearest pool is . . . .” He stopped as we stepped into the living room. “Oh, I didn’t know you had company. It’s a good thing you’re here Kayla, I need some help figuring out that grill in the backyard.”
“Aren’t you going to tell us about the test?” I asked.
“It went well. How about your test results?”
“I only have to repeat chemistry.”
“That’s great, and by the way,” He grinned. “I got into the assistant therapist program.”
“I knew you could do it,” I hugged him.
“I can’t wait!” He hugged me back and lifted me off my feet for a moment.
“So how about we eat lunch and go swimming before the big dinner?” Sonny asked.
We agreed.
“Only one thing Ian, you still have to teach me how to swim.”
“You haven’t learned yet?” Kayla asked. “I thought I’d heard Bret saying he’d teach you?”
“I had a bunch of people offer to teach me to swim. But I didn’t feel right about it with Ian still in the hospital.”
“You waited for me?”
“Of course, besides Bret would laugh at me too much.”
My eyes tried to tear up on me, but I held back.
Sonny brushed his knuckles across my head as he headed toward his room. “The time feels right to show you something.” He stopped in front of the door.
Sonny’s words gave me a chill. “This sounds like something serious.”
“You’ll see.” Sonny went into his room and came out with a com in his hand. “When Clare messaged us about the tunnel, she also left a personal message for you.”
I took the com, but hesitated.
Sonny nudged his head toward the com.
I opened it and read the text from the small screen aloud.
Ian, if you make it to Vallar, please don’t grieve for me. I should have tried to help you much sooner, but fear kept me from seeing the truth about Marscorp. This is something I should’ve done a long time ago and I feel free. I know I wasn’t much of a parent, but I love you and I want you to go onto your full potential.
I took in a shaky breath. “She cared about me after all.”
Kayla touched my shoulder.
“I’d like to share this at the award ceremony tonight. I want everyone to know what Clare did.”
“That would be a great way to honor her,” Kayla said. “Reese will love the idea.”
“You two look hungry, so let’s get on with the grilling.” Sonny went into the kitchen and took some chicken out of the refrigerator. “If you will assist me, Kayla?”
She chuckled and followed him outside.
I thought back to my vision of Kodet. I wasn’t worried for now, but the Marcs would continue to be our enemy. My job as a seer wasn’t done.
For more stories and updates visit me online.
www.cindyborgne.com
Cover Art provided by:
Lauri Hollern: www.erinbizcom.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31