CHAPTER FIVE
Hunted
Throughout the morning, vast crowds of people had flooded the children’s ward: doctors, surgeons, nurses, news reporters, family and friends. The children had been miraculously cured of illness.
One by one the children were discharged. Philip had an appointment with the doctor at ten o’clock. Fifteen minutes later and beaming, Philip emerged from the closed curtains.
‘It’s official!’ Philip smirked. ‘I’m shrinking. I’m four inches shorter than yesterday!’
‘That’s great!’ Connor kept his eye on the door in case Deana arrived, struggling to hide his disappointment when each time the doors swung open, she wasn’t the one walking through them. Instead someone else’s parents had arrived to collect them.
Philip’s mum and dad arrived at eleven o’clock to collect their son.
‘I can’t believe it!’ Overwhelmed, Rachel showered Philip with affection. ‘You’re shrinking! Seriously? It’s a miracle!’
‘Get off, mum!’ Embarrassed, Philip ducked his mum’s affectionate hugs.
Philip’s dad, with a lopsided grin, reacted differently. In shock, he placed a fist on his dumpy waist while the other scratched his head.
‘I can’t believe you’ve lost height!’ screeched Rachel in disbelief. ‘Four whole inches.’
Connor grinned, since most people comment on losing weight and not height. After her obvious pleasure, she turned to Connor. ‘Don’t worry love, I’m sure your sister will arrive soon.’
‘She’s not my sister,’ Connor corrected her. ‘She’s a friend.’
‘Well, you’ve a good friend.’ She smiled as she helped her son from his bed. ‘Come on love. Get your belongings. We’ll be waiting for you outside in the corridor while you say your goodbyes to your new friend. Don’t be too long though. By the way, Connor, please come and stay with us sometime.’
‘Thanks.’ Connor beamed as they exited the ward.
Philip wrenched a pad of notepaper from his bulky carrier bag. His clothes were spilling over the top. ‘I’ll give you my phone number and address. It would be good to keep in contact. You’ll be my first pen pal.’
‘Mine too.’ Connor exchanged addresses.
‘Maybe when we next meet, I might be shorter,’ Philip grinned.
Philip left the ward, leaving Connor the last one on the ward. Now twelve o’clock he felt dejected and abandoned. When would Deana arrive? He wanted to go home, but the doctor insisted he should stay.
‘But nothing’s wrong with me,’ groaned Connor.
‘Your scan suggests otherwise and is set for this afternoon,’ said the doctor.
An hour later, Deana cautiously stepped into the ward.
‘At last you came.’ He offered her fresh grapes from Philip’s abandoned fruit bowl.
‘Are you okay?’ she whispered. ‘I heard it on the news. I had to push through the crowd to get in. Don’t worry. I crawled between their legs, hence my dirty knees.’ She dusted the knees of her trousers.
‘I want to go home? Everyone else has. I’m the last person left in this dump!’
‘The Starstone has changed you,’ she muttered, apologetically.
Huh?’ Connor made a face.
Deana’s face dropped in disappointment. ‘Oh, haven’t you remembered yet? I wished I hadn’t brought you to this hospital. If the AAA were more secure, you’d have gone there instead. They have the best hospital, but it’s madness. Someone let those damn devlins loose again. They shouldn’t have been there in the first place, but they didn’t listen to me. Madam Gripe insisted lessons in identifying aliens are crucial if we are to know what we’re fighting against. I suppose it’s true but they cause nothing but disruption. They munch wires and destroy the computer systems. The worse thing is they reproduce so rapidly. Every minute another ten devlins are born. It’s ridiculous.’
Connor frowned.
‘Oh, sorry, I forgot you don’t know what devlins are. It’ll become clearer later.’
‘I doubt it,’ muttered Connor.
‘K will collect you later.’ She paused. ‘This might come as a bit of a surprise to you, but both Tookar and K are shape-shifters. They can transform into any living form they want.’
‘You should be in this bed instead of me?’ Connor shook his head. ‘You’re losing the plot.’
‘This is so frustrating! Can you remember the shrouded letter? Only the person who it’s addressed to can read it. Don’t you remember?’
Connor closed his eyes. Didn’t Deana realise how absurd she sounded? ‘I’m sorry Deana. I can’t remember anything apart from some strange dreams I’ve been having.’
‘If you remembered it would make my job a lot simpler. What about the Starstone, which entered your body? It’s an intelligent life form with incredible powers. Whether or not you want to believe it, you had something to do with this healing business,’ Deana continued. ‘Apparently the Starstone can do anything. More than we can ever imagine and it’s your mind which controls it.’
‘I think I did have something to do with last night. It can’t be a coincidence I dreamt of healing all these people with a single touch.’
‘I knew it!’ Deana grinned. ‘By the way, what happened to your glasses? Why aren’t you wearing them?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Connor admitted. ‘My eyesight is better without them.’
‘Cool,’ breathed Deana. ‘I bet the Starstone healed you too.’
The doors banged loudly, causing Deana to jump and a doctor with wild frizzy hair bounded into the room. He coughed loudly to gain their attention. ‘I’m sorry, Miss, but visiting times and you’ll have to leave.’
Connor’s stomach lurched as Deana got up to go: he didn’t want her to leave as he was the last patient in the ward and the empty beds made him feel worse.
‘Trust K,’ she whispered, giving Connor a quick kiss on his forehead.
She waved, disappearing through the doors. Heavy-hearted, Connor waved back. A short while later, a nurse took him for a scan and, since there was no one else about, he didn’t have to wait in any queue. It was a painless ordeal, but left Connor none the wiser.
Within the hour, a nurse helped him move to a single room, which was much cosier and had a television hoisted high on the wall. At least he’d have something to occupy his mind now he didn’t have Philip to talk to.
Late in the evening, a female nurse, whom Connor hadn’t seen before, showed two older men, in their forties, into his room. There was no introduction or explanation for the men’s presence in the room before she left, the door snapping shut, leaving him alone in the room with them. The hairs on the back of Connor’s neck prickled as he glanced from one man to the other. Wearing suits and carrying briefcases, they appeared professional and on a mission.
The larger man had broad shoulders as square as his jaw and as wide as the doorway. He introduced himself as Marty; his shiny, baldhead was in direct contrast to his ample facial hair. Taking off his sunglasses, he revealed small dark eyes, not proportionate to the rest of his face and a golden suntan warmed his skin. He chewed on some gum and eyed Connor dubiously.
Joe, extremely gaunt with thin serious lips, perched like a bird on the end of Connor’s bed and with a beak like nose, and piercing blue eyes.
Marty took a seat and linked his fingers. ‘We work for the government, son, and we want you to tell us what you know about the healing, which took place last night.’
Connor froze. ‘I don’t know anything.’
Marty leant forward in his chair. ‘We were hoping you might have something to tell us. Many people were more than happy to tell us their stories. We’re hoping you’d be just as co-operative. How were you healed last night?’
Connor squirmed.
‘What you tell us will remain confidential. We have your best interests at heart. In your own words, please tell us your experience.’ Marty smiled, which didn’t suit him.
Connor shifted in his seat. ‘Well, I feel be
tter.’
‘Come on!’ Joe snapped, slamming his fist hard on his briefcase. ‘Tell us what happened.’
Marty scowled. ‘I apologise for my colleague. It’s been a busy day. So what happened? Tell us!’
‘I don’t know. I really don’t.’ Connor wanted K to rescue him and wondered if he’d lost his way. Shouldn’t he be here by now?
Joe spoke. ‘Do you believe in aliens? Judging by your latest scan, we know you’re connected with what took place last night. Your body isn’t human. We know you’re one of them.’
Joe dragged the last word for longer than necessary, but Connor understood its meaning. Whatever the scan showed, these men thought he was an alien. Marty passed Joe a warning glance. These men were relentless and wanted to implicate him with the recent events happening in the hospital. They were after his blood and at this moment he was a mouse being eyed by two great hawks. The next forty-five minutes were the longest of Connor’s life as the two interrogators probed and accused in an attempt to make him confess to something he wasn’t.
‘You’re an alien! So why don’t you tell us the truth!’ Joe screamed.
‘I’m not an alien!’ Connor snapped for the umpteenth time. ‘I’M A BOY!’
Their faces darkened.
‘A boy?’ Joe leant closer to Connor. ‘A boy alien perhaps.’
Marty raised his hand, warning Joe to back off. ‘What my colleague is trying to say is – we know the truth. We know you are an alien trying to survive on this planet while you’re waiting for your family to collect in their little spaceship. What we want to know is where and when you’ll be meeting them.’
‘You’re both mad!’ cried Connor. ‘I’m not an alien!’
Marty rubbed his palms impatiently. ‘Well, we have evidence to prove contrary.’
‘I don’t even believe in aliens.’
Joe, losing his patience, pinned Connor’s arms to the chair. ‘We’re not going to let you go,’
‘Get off me, you creep!’ screamed Connor, striking Joe with his legs.
Marty’s cold eyes watched Connor struggle. ‘Tell my friend the truth, then he might let you go.’
‘I won’t lie!’ spat Connor.
Joe held Connor’s wrists so tightly they bruised. ‘This is ridiculous! He’s wasting our time!’
Trapped, Connor curled forwards and bit Joe’s fleshy thumb.
With a yell, Joe released Connor’s wrists and struck the boy hard across his face. The burning blow left Connor shaking – tasting blood.
A loud dialling tone broke the silence. Marty brought his mobile phone to his ear. ‘Yes…we’ll do that… okay, see you later.’ He ended the call and spoke to Joe.
‘Zelda is waiting for us in the car park. They have the girl as well.’
‘What girl?’ blurted Connor. ‘No! Not Deana!’
‘Shut up, brat,’ Joe laughed, plucking a crumpled handkerchief from his pocket and a small bottle labelled with a skull and crossbones.
‘You leave her alone – she hasn’t done anything!’
‘Sorry. Can’t do that,’ Joe sneered. ‘But if you come with us, we’ll get her released.’
‘That’s blackmail!’ spat Connor.
Joe quickly unscrewed the lid and dabbed some clear liquid on the cloth. What had they done to Deana?
‘W… what are you doing?’ Connor leapt from the chair. ‘Get away from me!’
‘Get him, Marty,’ cried Joe. ‘He’s coming with us. This won’t hurt…boy.’
Marty grasped Connor’s arm.
‘Get off me!’ Connor struggled to release his arm. ‘Help!’
Marty covered his mouth and the boy kicked him hard. ‘Quick. Bring it. This’ll do the trick!’
But Joe’s plan was interrupted by the door bursting open, slamming against the wall. Speechless, Connor sank to his knees as a large silverback gorilla rose onto its hind legs, blocking the doorway and pounding its mighty chest. At seven feet tall, it charged into the room with the power of a steam train.
‘What the –?’ Marty spun.
Joe held a gun – too late. The gorilla lifted and threw him against the wall and he crashed to the floor unconscious. Marty pushed Connor towards the gorilla, as he tried to make a run for it. Much to Connor’s surprise, the gorilla moved him aside gently and instead lurched towards Marty and yanked him back into the room. Connor covered his ears and hid under the bed. The next thing he knew, the same gorilla was coaxing him from under the bed and helping him to his feet.
Connor shook, seeing Marty’s body lying on the floor next to Joe’s. A wide grin appeared on the gorilla’s face and his belly vibrated, as his broad chest heaved with exertion and his large nostrils flared.
‘Are you okay?’ came a deep rumbling voice.
Startled, Connor stared at the talking gorilla. Then in front of his eyes, the gorilla changed shape: its fur sucked into the skin becoming paler; its jaw and facial shape transformed: clothes instantly appeared on the humanoid form and longer brown hair sprouted from the top of his head.
Quivering, Connor’s jaw dropped.
‘I’m sorry,’ the man apologised. ‘But those two idiots were going to take you to the ACE, which stands for Alien Control Exterminators. Don’t worry. I’m here to rescue you. People have to be detained, otherwise they’ll continue to do harm. By the way my name is K. I’m a…’ he hesitated. ‘I’m a…’
‘Alien?’ Connor finished for him.
‘Half-alien, and the best shape-shifter in town.’
‘The only one, I expect.’ Connor watched him uneasily. ‘So you can change your shape into anything?’
‘Well, anything living. Choose an animal and I’ll prove it to you. Better still, I’ll become you. Don’t be afraid.’
K’s body jolted as he mutated: his face became oval; his bones cracked; his hair changed from a rich dark brown to a mousy blond; at the same time his height decreased by several inches. Within a couple of seconds, K had finished his transformation. Connor stared at a duplicate image of himself with the same familiar blue eyes shining back at him.
Connor stepped back, shaking his head.
‘Now, listen – carefully!’ K grasped Connor’s shoulders. ‘We’ve got to go. A friend of mine is waiting for us in a van and will take us to safety.’
‘What sort of trouble am I in?’
‘Someone working here leaked information to the ACE of your scan results. I don’t know who their informant is, but the Starstone has changed your internal body, for you to be the perfect host. The scan shows your heart has doubled in size and your other organs appear to have vanished. But don’t worry. I’m sure it’s only temporary.’
‘My organs have disappeared? I’m a host?’
‘There’s so much to tell you but no time to explain.’
Connor’s little world had been placed inside a cement mixer. Would anything ever be the same again? He hadn’t a clue his body had changed and his organs had vanished, no wonder Joe and Marty had been so persistent. How could he still be alive if his organs had vanished? Right now, he had to trust K, but it was hard to trust a stranger. If it weren’t for Dean’s faith in the shape-shifter, he’d have bolted before now. Connor relied on gut instinct and right now they were telling him to go with K. Besides, his choices were limited.
‘Men from the ACE are crawling like ants around this establishment. Quick put your coat on. It’s cold outside.’
Connor obeyed. ‘What if we get caught?’
‘You won’t! That’s why I’m here. Don’t worry. Now I’m disguised as you, they won’t know which one of us to chase. Now follow me. And Connor –’
‘Yes.’
‘Be careful, it’s not only the ACE who are after you.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’ll explain later. Be wary of strangers for the time being!’
‘But –’ interrupted Connor.
‘What is it?’
‘Deana’s been kidnapped,’
>
‘No she hasn’t – I saw her before I came in here!’ K grinned. ‘She’s okay.’ He opened the door. ‘Come on. It’s clear!’
Connor frowned, hoping K was right about Deana, but until he knew for sure the heavy burden remained.
K left the room with Connor following him into the corridor, then as if forgetting something, K ran back holding a gun and shot it twice in the room where Marty and Joe laid. Connor froze, his heart thumping heavily, having witnessed a murder of two men in cold blood.
‘Come on!’ urged K, running ahead and gripping hold of Connor’s frozen torso, dragging the boy reluctantly.
They ran blindly towards the door.
Being a host for a Starstone – having no organs – on the verge of being drugged and kidnapped – meeting a half-alien – being hunted – witnessing two murders –these were enough ingredients to cause a tornado of chaos.
K shoved the heavy doors leading to the stairs on the twentieth floor. Peering over the banister it looked too far to go down in a hurry.
‘It’ll be okay,’ whispered K. ‘Honest.’
Connor took a deep breath, bringing his anxiety under control.
‘Can’t we go in the lift?’ he requested.
K laughed. ‘The exercise will do you good, you lazy toad.’
Connor Clover and the Lost Children (Book 1) Page 5