by Suze Reese
I looked up at him. “Mother?”
“Yes, my mother.” He pulled a face of disgust and nodded towards Jesse. “Our mother. She’s got a real soft spot for her little mutt here.”
I looked from Jesse to Everett and back again. “Her…her mutt?”
“Ah that’s right. You hadn’t figured that out yet. I’m relieved you weren’t able to pick him out as easily as you did me.”
“But…he doesn’t even look…”
“No, he doesn’t, does he? That’s because he’s a half breed. One of Father’s little experiments.”
I stroked Jesse’s tense back and wondered how much of this he could hear. “So Dr. Alison is…is…his mother?” I asked.
“Why yes, you’re catching on nicely. Her eggs were switched for another woman’s at that fertility clinic you’ve been studying up on.”
“But Dr. Tom isn’t his father?”
“No, he just switched the eggs on dear Jesse. He thought it would be an interesting mix. Something worth studying anyway. He picked a mixed-race family so that no one would notice the breeding mess.”
“But Jesse doesn’t know?”
“No. He’s clueless.” Everett shook his head. “Absolutely clueless. Our parents thought this would be an opportune time to teach him about his unique family tree. Whenever they’ve tried in the past…all he hears is a noise. Apparently a rather uncomfortable one.”
“So that was them? Last year?”
“Yes, that’s right. But they weren’t just torturing him. They really are as good as their reputation.”
“Oh yeah,” I spat out. “Pillars of the community.”
“No, it’s true. They love Earth. They just want to help it rise to its potential. Introduce the genetics that will help it advance as it should.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter if a few humans get hurt? Or killed?”
He tipped his head and looked at me like I were a small, errant child. “In the big picture, no, it really doesn’t.” He straightened a bottle on the shelf before continuing. “They spent months trying to communicate with Jesse. So we could start our training. We were supposed to persuade our Earth parents to move to a high school near USC. But that plan was a failure. Kind of like him.” He chuckled, humored by his own joke. He then abruptly dropped his smile and sighed. “Jesse wouldn’t listen. And since Mother just won’t give up on him, they retired from the university and we came to him instead.”
He cocked his head and studied Jesse curled in a ball. “Father insists he’s gleaned some valuable information from him. But between you and me I think it’s a waste. All I’ve done since arriving at this place is clean up his messes. Like on the first day of school. Instead of starting classes like I was supposed to, I was off trying to subtly change his schedule.” He laughed as if he’d just heard a good joke. “Mother was so annoyed to have you in her class—and neither of her sons—that her angry mood made it into the official agency record, thanks to you.” He chuckled again and casually pushed his thick brown hair back from his face. “Oh, how we teased her about that.” His pleasant smile disappeared. “And we can’t forget the simple task of convincing you to go home. Who would have thought that the mutt would rescue you like some lousy white knight, making you desperate to stay?”
Jesse suddenly gripped at his ears, as if he’d like to pull them off. I placed my hands on top of them. “If I agree to do what you say, will you make this stop before we leave?”
“Yes, of course. He wouldn’t be able to watch you while in that condition now would he? And after that, we’ll make sure he’s cared for.” He sneered at Jesse, nudging his body with his foot. “Just like any family would care for their pet dog.”
I wanted to lunge at him—to yank on his foot, pull him to the ground, and pummel him. But Jesse could be dead before I even started. “Just turn it off,” I spat out.
“We have a deal then?”
“I’m not going if it doesn’t stop.”
“I understand. Just be on your merry way. It’ll stop before you get to the car.”
“Come on,” I said, finding Jesse’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
I fully intended to leave. But Jesse, looking very much like a mad man, grabbed at a vacuum as he rose. He held it over his head and swung it around and down, onto Everett’s head.
Without a flinch, Everett thrust him away, shoving Jesse against the shelves behind him. Bottles and boxes tipped and tumbled to the ground.
Jesse lunged forward, wailing in agony, and pushed against Everett with his shoulder. He continued moving forward until Everett’s back smashed against the wall—pinning him. Jesse used his forearm to put pressure on Everett’s throat. “You are not going to get her in any more trouble than she’s already in,” Jesse said through gritted teeth. “She said she’s going home. That’s all you need. I’ll watch from a distance if you want.”
Everett laughed between gasps for air. “I could watch her from a distance, if that’s all it took. But anything could happen when she gets to headquarters. I want both of you in custody. So you’ll be able to watch her until she departs.” Everett glared at Jesse, who abruptly let out a yell.
Jesse released Everett and stooped low, covering his ears.
Everett kicked ferociously at Jesse’s stomach.
Jesse flailed against the shelves on the opposite side of the small room.
“You’d better get him out of here,” Everett said to me. “Before I decide to really hurt him.”
“Jesse, please. Let’s go.”
Jesse acted as though he hadn’t heard me. He snatched a small broom from the shelf and rushed forward, pinning Everett once again. He shoved the tip of the broom handle into Everett’s throat. “Go,” he grunted to me, his face red and twisted. “He doesn’t really need me there. He’s just trying to punish you.”
Everett squirmed and tried to push the broom away. “Your brute of a boyfriend might be willing to sacrifice himself, but what about Lacey?”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded.
“Lacey’s texting you right now.”
My cell phone vibrated. I put my hand over it.
Jesse moaned in agony but held tight to his position.
“Father can see her, of course, texting under her desk,” Everett continued, gasping, still struggling against Jesse. “But he’s not about to stop her. She remembers that you told her to let you know if anything odd happens. And right now she can’t stop thinking about the surgical knife on her table.”
I put my hand on Jesse’s arm. He let up slightly. “He’s just trying to scare you,” he grunted.
“She’s supposed to slice a leaf sample,” Everett continued. “But is fascinated with the thought of putting the blade to her skin instead. In fact she’s trying to figure out where her radial artery is. She’s pretty sure she knows.”
“Jesse, stop.” I pulled on him. “I think he means it.” He looked to me, his eyes wild and uncertain.
“Ah, now she’s wondering how many people she can injure before getting to her own wrist. It’s rather disturbing. But since I’m just watching this—Father is the one giving her the thoughts—I have no control over the outcome. She’s texting with one hand now, holding the knife with the other. Here comes another message.”
My phone vibrated again. I glanced down and saw the words help me on the screen. I looked at Jesse’s twisted face, sweat dripping down his cheek. “Tell your dad to lay off Lacey and make this stop for Jesse,” I insisted.
“Okay.” Everett closed his eyes, moving them back and forth rapidly below the lids. “Lacey’s calmer now.” He opened his eyes. “But your lug won’t feel better until you get him off of me.”
“Jesse, come on. Please.” The broom clanked at our feet and I pulled Jesse into the bright sunshine. We stood outside the door, unsure of ourselves. “Do you think you can drive?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Not yet…but even if I could…I don’t like this.”
�
��Neither do I. But it’s the only way. At least for now.” I waited, watching Jesse. I gripped his arm, watching him process the information he’d just been served—still in agony. “Has it stopped?” I eventually asked.
He raised his hand for me to wait. Then nodded.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, pulling on him.
We ran hand-in-hand to Jesse’s car. Before starting the ignition, Jesse opened his mouth as though he might ask a question. Then closed it and turned the key.
“So could you hear him?” I asked.
He nodded without putting the car into gear, staring straight ahead. Turned to me. Then turned back.
“Did you understand what he said?”
He blinked several times. “I guess I’m an alien too.”
“You’re a mixed race human being. Just like you’ve always thought. Born and raised in California by loving parents.”
“That’s right,” he said. “Part Chinese, part Dutch, and part…what would that be?” His voice was derisive.
“You are part nafarian. Just like me. But even that part of you is human.”
Jesse smiled like he might make a sarcastic remark, but instead suddenly groaned and clutched his ears. With his eyes closed against the obvious pain that had entered his head, he shakily put the car into gear. The moment the gear shaft was in drive, his body relaxed. He sighed with relief. “I think my dear brother wants us to get going.”
The car sped along our familiar route to my house. My mind raced with possibilities for getting out of this mess. I knew the Nreim government would never tolerate compromised genetics. If Dr. Alison couldn’t protect him…I couldn’t even finish the thought.
“Are you scared?” Jesse asked.
We were already sitting in the driveway. My mind was blank. “Terrified.”
“What do you think will happen when we te—?” Jesse suddenly bellowed with pain and pounded on the steering wheel. “We’re going. Just back off!” He said to the air in front of him.
I realized that my only hope for now was to put my faith in creepy Dr. Alison, which didn’t exactly fill me with confidence. But if she really was his mother, maybe she’d actually act like it. I jumped out of the car and ran to the house, pausing on the porch steps. “Has it stopped?”
“Mostly,” he said.
I planted my feet on the bottom step. “I’m not moving until it’s gone completely.”
The front door swung open. “Mirish—Mira. What’s happening?”
I turned around, then looked back at Jesse.
“It’s all right.” Jesse whispered, his face relaxing. “But we need to go inside first.”
“Daddy,” I said. “I’ll tell you everything in a minute. I need you to go sit in the family room. We’ll be right there.”
He held his place, giving Jesse a look of contempt.
“Please Daddy. It’s important.”
He looked to me. “You request too much. He cannot enter.”
I pushed him into the house. “Go sit. You’ll understand in a minute.” I went to my room—with Jesse following close behind—found my backpack, and pulled out the Gatorade bottle. I held it up for Jesse to see but spoke directly to Everett. “We’re taking it to the bathroom right now.” I turned on the faucet and dumped the contents into the sink. “See? It’s empty. Anything else?”
“I think I’d better do some searching,” Jesse whispered. “Just to be sure.” He glanced into the hall to make sure my dad wasn’t there, then stepped close, holding up his hands. “May I?” I nodded and he patted me gently, feeling in each of my pockets.
Jesse searched my backpack, then returned to my room and opened each of my dresser drawers. Looked in my closet. Under my bed. “Satisfied?” Jesse said aloud to no one in particular. Then he nodded to me.
“Dad!” I called, taking Jesse’s hand. We went into the family room where Dad was sitting at attention, tapping the arms of the chair impatiently. “Do you remember Jesse?” I looked from Dad to Jesse’s worried face and smiled affectionately at him. “He’s the one…I’ve…” I hesitated. My brain told me to speak, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t do this to Jesse…
“We’re dating sir.” Jesse spoke for me. He drew his eyebrows together, the pain obviously increasing, and turned his face away. “I mean to say…that we are in love.”
“Love?” Dad looked wearily from Jesse to me. “You believe you’re in love with this adolescent male?”
I gripped tight to Jesse’s hand. “I’m sorry Daddy.”
He shook his head with exasperation, squinting at Jesse.
I shifted my feet nervously. Looked from one face to the other.
“Sit,” Dad said to Jesse. “Mira.” He nodded for me to sit next to Jesse on the couch.
“I suppose you desire to remain on Earth with him? Is that what this is concerning?”
“No. I’ll return with you tomorrow. Just like I said. I’m…I’m just tired of all the sneaking around and lying.”
“I see.” Dad leaned back, closed his eyes, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “And you want me to keep this from your mother?”
“No. I want you to call her,” I said firmly. “Right now. I want to clear the air.”
“Since you’ve brought him here, she’ll be duty bound to report this to her…” His gaze darted to Jesse. “To her employer.”
“I know,” I said with less confidence. “I’m…prepared.”
“Are you? There will be a trial. With very harsh consequences. You’ve obviously violated many rules. Your mother will be humiliated. He—” his eyes glanced again at Jesse—“may be harmed.”
I could only nod and blink back tears, my throat swollen with emotion.
“The consequences to the boy will be determined by how much…information he has.”
I nodded again and swallowed hard over the lump in my throat. I wasn’t sure if I should admit that he knew everything or claim that he knew nothing. Everett hadn’t specified. He’d just said the Stones’ connections would protect him. “Just call Mom. I…I’m ready.”
Dad stood, shaking his head. “If you’d kept your silence another day…just one more day.”
“I’m really sorry.”
He paused with his back to us. “I know. You didn’t intend for this to happen. Excuse me while I converse with your mother.” He stepped out of the room and walked morosely down the hallway.
“Mira,” Jesse whispered, clutching my hand. “If you stream with me, can you see what I see?”
“Yes,” I said. “But Everett would know.”
“Do it.”
“What? I don’t think—”
“Do it now. Quickly.”
I hesitated. Everett could kill him. Or Lacey. Or anyone.
“Now!” he whispered in a harsh, insistent voice.
As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t refuse him. I opened a tunnel that easily slipped inside his mind. I went in search of his sight as though I’d been there a hundred times before. It only took seconds to see the glittering refractions of the sun sparkling in the water of the backyard pool—as seen through his eyes, not mine. Then with a gasp I realized that the pool was behind Dad—who was still in the chair giving Jesse a stern, disapproving look.
I looked down the hall where Dad had gone. I looked to my hand—holding Jesse’s in his lap. I squeezed it—to give him a warning—then pulled it away. The hand in Jesse’s vision remained. “How long can you keep that up?” I whispered.
“I don’t know. But you have to hurry.”
“I can’t just leave you like this.”
“Go,” he insisted. “Hurry.”
I hesitated, then jumped to my feet.
If Dad were actually sitting in the chai
r, the only thing Jesse would have to simulate would be my leg and my hand on top of his. He’d only have to pretend to look at me occasionally.
Dad opened the bedroom door.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.
He gave me a blank stare.
He collapsed into the chair, staring after me.
I used two fingers to point from my eyes to the empty spot on the couch next to Jesse. Jesse remained motionless. I wanted to say goodbye and wish him luck but didn’t dare distract him.
I dashed down the driveway, stopping myself at the curb. My feet danced frantically while I waited and watched in both of the directions that Mom could come from. We had to stop Everett, that was obvious. And the Stones. And we only had a few minutes to do it before Jesse lost his ability to fake his vision—assuming he hadn’t already. I heard my mother’s Saab a block away and broke into a run.
The car came around the corner and screeched to the curb. Mom was dressed in a white linen suit. Her hair tumbled in soft wisps around her face. She tipped her sunglasses. “What’s going on?”
I pulled open the door and jumped in. “You can’t report anything I’m about to tell you to the agency. Not until it’s all over.”
“Mira. You can’t just make demands like that…”
“Say ‘yes’ or I’m getting out right now.”
Mom’s face was riddled with confusion—a look not often seen on the woman. “I…I don’t…” she stammered.
“Mom.” My voice was as stern as I could make it.
“Okay, yes. Talk to me.”
“Somebody—I think it was Rameer—sent some files to Geery. We used them to figure out that the Stones really are as nuts as you thought. And I think there’s a leak in the agency. That’s why they sent the files to us. But Everett is their son, and he’s been torturing my…my friend, Jesse. He’s at the house right now with Dad, faking his thoughts to make Everett think I’m there with him. We have to stop them before Jesse loses control.”