The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

  “You were almost at 85 mph!” yelled Ben with excitement.

  “You okay?” James asked rushing to her side with concern.

  “I’m fine,” Sophie assured. “Just not a distant runner at that speed,” she said honestly.

  “That does coincide with the characteristics of a cheetah,” Tina announced for everyone. She pulled out her own list and made a note. “I wonder if you hunt the same,” she said tapping the pen against her chin deep in thought.

  “I’m sorry?” Sophie asked her.

  “Hunt,” Tina repeated as if that answered the question.

  “Hun…” Ben started.

  “Oh, sorry!” Tina said realizing she needed to clarify. “Cheetah’s stalk their prey by staying low the ground, and grabbing them by the throat to suffocate them,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “Let’s save that test for later,” Sophie said in sudden disgust.

  “Suit yourself,” Tina replied with a shrug.

  “Isn’t doing all this testing in one day going to wear you out?” James pointed out.

  “I’m okay,” Sophie assured.

  “He makes a valid point,” Tina said. “It will be hard to fully test everything if you’re exhausted through part of it.”

  Sophie’s gut called to her. Tina was a little too invested in this testing, and she didn’t feel like it was as much for Sophie’s benefit as it was for Tina’s.

  “You’re safe as long as you’re here,” Daryl said. “Take all the time you need.”

  James didn’t intend to have the torture stretched out. He had mentioned it so that they would rethink and maybe not finish, but his plan was quickly backfiring in his face.

  “Or we don’t have to do it all,” he offered knowing no one would support him.

  “Nice try,” Sophie said with a smile of determination.

  It was agreed that she would rest in between so that they had a better understanding of what she was capable of. Some things, Sophie purposely kept to herself since she couldn’t shake the feeling that Tina was all too eager to test her limits to the fullest.

  Over the course of a couple of days, it was determined that based on the animal genetics Dr. Cox had listed in New Orleans, Sophie had an interesting mixture of talents.

  Sophie had Ben add sensitivity to smell to the list, which concurred with a grizzly bear. It turned out Sophie was stronger than even she knew as well. She was able to yank a car door off the hinges and pry open a windshield with her bare hands. However, the thickness of metal definitely determined if Sophie was able to bend it or not. A car door, yes. A rafter beam, not so much.

  Grizzlies are also more aggressive when defending themselves and loved ones such as cubs. Sophie didn’t admit just how much she could relate to that characteristic but did make a note to herself. She would need to monitor herself when fighting.

  Cheetahs also had what was called a visual streak. This allowed them to locate prey against the horizon. Sophie confirmed that she could do just that. They spent one day just testing how far she could actually see. It seemed if she really focused, she could see almost five miles away. If she couldn’t, it was closer to three miles.

  Near the hotel they had climbed to the rooftop to run some other tests on her eyesight while her body physically rested. Even Sophie was fascinated that she was able to see ants crawling on the ground despite her being 10-stories high. Compared to her friends, objects directly in her line of sight were apparently magnified, and she saw the brightest of colors in everything.

  “Well, you’ll never have to wear glasses,” Tina had pouted, knowing she needed to get some for herself.

  Ben guessed she had an extremely efficient circulatory and respiratory system that assisted in her healing process. Her bone marrow replaced itself rapidly and effectively as if it had a mind of its own all together.

  They couldn’t deny her excessive cat genetic influences with the way she leapt, landed, and walked. Sophie gave any woman trying to portray Cat Woman a run for their money.

  Despite Ben’s attempts, Sophie was not a subject for telekinesis. She could not move anything with her mind, make people do things, or read people’s minds.

  “We’ll come back to this,” Ben kept saying.

  “Dead horse,” Sophie said with a chuckle every time they tried.

  They kept a log of how much she slept afterwards too, so they would have a better idea of how long it took to recuperate. Physical tests took less time to bounce back from than the mental tests. Ben assured her that it was only because she had used her physical “gifts” more often, and her body had already adapted.

  Donna fussed over her every time they returned to the garage, while Cecil spent a lot of time with James. Sophie wasn’t sure if it was Mario’s doing, or if Cecil happened to love him almost as much as she did.

  No one visited her while she slept. No wooden doors. No Mario. No parents. The only thing that she noticed was the occasional touch on her forehead forcing her into a deeper sleep. Sophie realized this was their way of forcing her overactive brain to be silenced and allow her to get the rest she needed. Although Sophie hadn’t always appreciated it in the past, she was thankful for the added help.

  Tina often started an argument with her during the tests. She kept insisting that they needed to know if anger increased the intensity of Sophie’s “gifts” verses just being calm. Sophie hated to admit it, but Tina had a point.

  Although anger definitely increased Sophie’s abilities, it also caused her to lose control faster. She would have to find the delicate balance between being enhanced and crossing the point of no return. She would have to be careful, because losing control meant she lost purpose and the wrong lives would be taken.

  They had spent a total of five days testing everything they could think of. Sophie had tried to test some things on her own but got busted by James. He was so furious with her when he caught her holding her hand over the flame of the stove.

  James made her swear to never do another test without him present. Sophie loved how much he cared. She also knew he wasn’t willing to push the limits either if it meant she might possibly get hurt. James had fought her the whole way through the process, but she understood. If the shoe was on the other foot, Sophie would be doing the same.

  “Hey,” Sophie whispered to James once she knew Tina and Ben were out like a light.

  “Hhhmmm,” James mumbled half asleep himself.

  “I promised to never do a test without you, but I need to do one more,” she whispered softly in his ear.

  “Now?” James asked trying to rub his eyes awake.

  “Yes,” Sophie assured. “I’ll make it worth your while,” she smiled.

  “I doubt that,” James countered with a frown.

  “I can go without you,” Sophie offered.

  “Just give me a second,” James mumbled.

  Sophie grabbed her tennis shoes and quietly slipped them on while she waited patiently for James to regain his awareness to reality.

  “Aren’t you going to get dressed?” James asked confused.

  “Don’t need to,” she said with her Cheshire grin.

  James sighed and reluctantly followed her. He wasn’t sure if he should be excited or concerned once he realized they were heading to the hotel pool.

  “What exactly do you have in mind?” he asked nervously.

  “I think being in the desert has kept us inside the box,” Sophie said slowly. “We need to test the water too.”

  She tried not to shiver. The last time Sophie voluntarily went near a pool was at her fifth birthday. They all knew how that turned out. She had avoided large bodies of water minus swimming with James at his parent’s house.

  “You okay?” James asked noting her hesitation.

  “Just not a fan of pools,” she admitted honestly.

  “Oh. Yeah,” James responded realizing what Sophie was referring to. “So, what are we doing?” he asked her trying to change the subject.

  “I need y
ou to time me,” Sophie said slipping off the boxers and t-shirt of his she still wore when sleeping, leaving her black laced bra and panties on.

  “Time you doing what?” James asked in sudden alarm.

  “I think they tried to hold me under the water to see what would happen,” Sophie said looking at him unsure of his reaction.

  James remained quiet for what seemed like an eternity.

  “Okay,” he finally said. “But I’m pulling you out the second I feel something is going wrong.”

  “I expect nothing less,” Sophie said smiling at him as she turned to face her fear.

  “Hey,” James whispered in her ear before spinning Sophie around to face him. “I love you,” he said staring deep into her eyes before he grabbed her and pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss.

  “How do you expect me to test my ability to hold my breath if you take it all away before I get in the water?” Sophie breathed when they parted.

  “Sorry,” James smiled weakly. “You needed to know.”

  He stepped back to give her space. James knew this was something she had to do. He also knew there was no way he could change her mind. At least now she would have something to think about as she sat at the bottom of the pool.

  Sophie turned around to face the pool again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she dived into the deep end and crossed her legs to wait. Sophie took a moment to watch James pace above her. She took comfort in knowing he wouldn’t allow her to drown herself, and looked around the bottom of the pool while she waited and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Memories started to flash before her eyes.

  Memories of herself as a child, spending time with her parents. Training with her mother. Her father teaching her how to focus her senses. Playing with Edward at their house. Saving Edward at school. Training at various facilities around the world while traveling with Mario. Meeting James. Their first night together, followed by a glorious day after. And every intimate time after that. Him on one knee before her proposing.

  Then something happened. Sophie started to see her parents lying dead on their kitchen floor. Giselle’s limp body in her arms. Bill’s eyes staring back at her as his body grew cold on the Jumpin’ Jack Power Plant floor. Simon, so proud of every kill. Mario with Clarice holding a gun to his head, quickly followed by his body lying in a pool of blood.

  Then she saw an old man, with half his face burned off across from her and looking her directly in the eyes. His eyes glittered with excitement. His laugh started low and grew creepily louder as he seemed to hold her paralyzed with his glance.

  Sophie suddenly couldn’t breathe. She began gasping for air, but instead allowed water to enter her lungs. She was frozen. Unable to move her legs and swim to the top. He was drowning her. Just like he tried to do when she was little.

  Panic started to consume her body. She was going to die here. The way he had intended all those years ago, and she had let him. Her head filled with darkness, and she felt the life begin to leave her body.

  Suddenly, arms were wrapped around her and she was being pulled to the surface. She felt James pull her out of the pool and begin CPR on her. Why couldn’t she respond?

  “Sophie Lee,” she heard her mother order. “You open your eyes right now!”

  “I can’t,” Sophie thought. Something was not letting her. She felt James beat on her chest and desperately breathe into her mouth, but her body refused to help him.

  “Sophie!” she heard Mario and her father call to her.

  “Don’t you dare die on me!” she heard James yell at her.

  Her mini me was suddenly crouching before her and staring at her oddly tilting her head. Disappointment consumed her face.

  “I thought you were better than this,” the little girl said with a frown.

  “A little help here!” Sophie thought desperately.

  “Help yourself,” the little girl retorted. “We’ve BEEN helping you!” she pointed out angrily. “And now you’re just letting him win.”

  The little girl crossed her arms in front of her chest and shook her head dismissively. Anger began to brew from Sophie’s core.

  “What a disappointment,” the little girl said rudely as she rolled her eyes. “So many lives taken. All for absolutely nothing,” she said mockingly as she sat down, crossed her legs, and stared at Sophie as if she was nothing more than pond scum. Sophie felt her anger grow. “I guess you really are nothing,” the little girl continued to taunt her. “You’re not worth anyone’s time, especially James’,” she added. “At least you’ll be easy to get over once he realizes you weren’t worth fighting for in the first place.”

  “Stop it,” Sophie mumbled as she tried to get feeling back into her body.

  “Who’s going to make me?” the little girl laughed back. “It’s bad enough you’re going to let Clarice get away with murdering Mario. Mario. I mean, it’s not like he ever did anything for us anyway,” the little girl continued.

  Frustration and anger began to stir deep within Sophie. “Please stop,” she found herself begging.

  “And don’t even get me started on mom and dad,” the little girl continued talking to the sky, ignoring Sophie completely. “Mom just gave birth to us, both died to keep us safe, and you could care less,” she shrugged.

  “Stop it,” Sophie said more forcefully, not realizing that the anger was helping her to get her life back.

  “And we can’t forget good old Bill,” the little girl pushed on, waving her hand in the air as if she were swatting a fly away.

  “Enough!” Sophie demanded, getting closer to a yell.

  “Gee, at least no one else has to lose their life now,” she said suddenly looking at Sophie with a wicked grin. “Oh, wait…” the little girl said pausing.

  “Enough!” Sophie yelled.

  “Don’t tell me,” the little girl yelled back at her. “Tell HIM!”

  “ENOUGH!” Sophie screamed out as she rolled over and started to cough up the water that she had swallowed from the pool.

  “I’m sorry, I was just trying to save you,” James said pulling her into his arms and rocking her.

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” Sophie whispered with exhaustion.

  James froze for a second before slowly rocking her in his arms while he waited for her to catch her breath.

  “What happened?” he whispered once she was able to breathe normally again.

  “I don’t know,” Sophie answered honestly. But she had an idea. “How long was I under?” she asked to change the subject.

  “Over an hour,” he reported.

  “Not too shabby,” she smiled warily.

  “Let’s not try it again,” James sighed as he held her tightly against him.

  “Deal,” Sophie whispered.

  James went to pick her up to carry her back to the room.

  “No,” she said grabbing his shirt in her hands. “A promise is a promise,” she said with a smile.

  “What?” James asked puzzled.

  “I know you said you needed space, but right now I need you,” Sophie said with desire oozing in her voice.

  “You almost drowned!” James yelled wildly. “Have you lost your mind?!”

  “Please,” Sophie begged.

  She almost lost her life. She needed to feel alive again. She needed to feel safe again. She needed to feel him.

  “I think that’s going to be a little difficult with our current sleeping arrangements,” he sighed.

  He could hear it in her voice. This wasn’t about having sex. This was her needing to prove that she loved him and couldn’t stand the thought of losing him. Although he loved that she still thought of him that way, this was hardly the time or place.

  “Please,” Sophie begged again.

  James looked her in her eyes and saw the fear and the pain coursing behind them. She needed him to take it away. She needed him to make her feel safe and loved again. She needed him, period.

  James never took his eyes away from hers as h
e carefully picked her up into his arms. He surprisingly collected her discarded clothing in one hand and began carrying her back down the hall. Sophie looked back at the disappearing pool in confusion.

  “Trust me,” he whispered with desire and heat thick in his voice.

  She laid her head on his shoulder and rested for what she thought was going to be a passionate session of love making. Instead, she woke up to him placing her down just outside of their hotel door.

  “I thought,” she started say.

  James held up his hand to silence her. Once inside, he took her hand and led her to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Alright, bathroom it was. She smiled wickedly at the last time they had shared the bathroom. Electricity coursed through her veins as her heart sped up with anticipation.

  James sat on the edge of the tub and started to draw a hot bath. Sophie’s eyebrows came together as excitement was quickly replaced with frustration.

  “Seriously?” she whined.

  “Ssshhh,” he reminded her while he kept his focus on the bath. “And strip,” he added.

  Sophie put her hands on her hips as disappointment replaced her frustration.

  “Strip,” James ordered again not looking at her. Sophie sighed heavily and began taking off her already soaked underwear. “Get in,” he commanded when she was done. She glared at him but got into the tub. “Sit up,” he said, and waited for her to obey.

  “You’re very bossy,” Sophie mumbled, although she honored his request. He pulled off his own soaked t-shirt and boxers before grabbing the luffa and slipping in behind her. Sophie was not prepared for what came next.

  “Do you remember the first time we met?” James asked out of nowhere.

  “Of course,” Sophie answered confused.

  “You wanna know what I remember?” James offered.

  Her curiosity was perked. They had never really talked about it before. “Sure,” she said trying to sound casual and not alarmed.

  James took his time loading the luffa with body wash and lathering it up really good. He began washing her back while he talked.