by Pamela Davis
Harmony's smile faded as she stated, "I know I do, and I don't want to mess up here, mess up anything for the Gaians. Still, I can sit with people quietly, or do stuff to help out. It's not that I'm dumb, Mrs. P., I just have trouble focusing sometimes. There's always so much going on in the world, so much to notice and think about." She paused, and then continued, "I do want to help out, like helping you grow the herbs. I'm willing to work hard at it, and as long as it's all written down for me, what to do and not do, I promise I'll do a good job."
Mrs. Philpott listened to this speech with surprise and a bit more understanding of this free-spirit before her. She didn't even have to turn to Perceval to know his thoughts on this one--take the help, she'll be okay.
Doctor Shapiro spoke up then. "Frankly, it would be nice to have someone I could rely on to check on people who are feeling low, or who are ill. So I'd be more than happy to have you help me out."
Harmony grinned at him, stating, "You won't be sorry, Doc." Then, facing Mrs. Philpott, she asked, "Well? Am I hired by you as well? Oh, but one thing, I'll only work on herbs if we can keep the roses."
Mrs. Philpott laughed and agreed. "You're hired."
"Wow! This is the first time I've gotten two jobs in one day before," Harmony said, delighted.
Perceval stared at her.
"Well okay, yeah, there was that day with the fireworks, getting fired so soon in the day, and then I got another job right after, but really you know, that wasn't my fault totally, and--"
Doctor Shapiro started laughing, the cat meowed and Mrs. Philpott stood up.
"Hush," Mrs. Philpott stated firmly. Handing Harmony a basket and garden shears, she said, "Go get some roses for Abby and put the past behind you. We're starting over here, after all."
Harmony smiled happily and skipped down the back steps to the rose garden. This was turning into a very good day. And that doctor, those green eyes...wow.
Cape Fair, Main Street
Main Street was deserted except for the SUV slowly driving toward Rachel and Black, who were standing in the middle of the road. As the vehicle pulled to a stop before them, Rachel said, "Let's hope Sam was right about them."
Black flashed his bright white teeth at her in a big smile and replied, "Sam's pretty much always right, I think. But just in case, we're prepared."
Rachel nodded, one hand ready on the gun at her side. She watched the car doors open and felt some of her tension evaporate as a golden retriever bounded out of the car onto the road. The rest of the family followed, a man and woman in their late thirties, she thought, and two kids--teenagers, maybe thirteen to fifteen.
The woman looked frazzled, but was grinning as she walked up to Rachel. Her husband just stared at the empty street.
"Hello! I'm Penny, Penny Perkins, and this is my husband Bob, and our kids, Hank and Emma, and of course our dog, Goldie, and--this is Cape Fair, right? We came to the right place?"
Rachel laughed and said, "Yes, you made it to the right place. This is Cape Fair and welcome! I'm Rachel and this is--"
"Where's Sam?" the boy named Hank interjected.
"Yeah," his younger sister added, "we wanna see Samantha. We dreamed about her so much. And Goldie wants to meet Harry, her dog. So can we see her now?"
Rachel was rather stunned at first. They dreamed of Sam? But then she noticed Black nodding his head and heard him saying, "I dreamed of her, too, before I got here. She's a great kid. She's up at our Headquarters, so if you folks'll just follow us on up there, you can meet her right away."
Bob Perkins walked up to his wife and put an arm around her shoulders. "You were right after all, Penny." Turning to Rachel and Black, he continued, "I didn't really believe it--haven't had any dreams, but the kids and Penny kept telling me this was where we had to go, kept talking about Sam. I'm just amazed that the town really exists and that there really is a Samantha!"
The large white owl swooped over the new arrivals and to Black. He chuckled and said, "We'd better move along, folks, seems like Sam is telling White here that she's anxious to meet you."
Bob's eyes widened. "You mean other people are talking to their animals? You can talk to that owl?"
Rachel waved her hand at Black. "Oh, sure, animal talkers all around these parts. No biggie."
Emma giggled and Hank grinned while their parents just gazed at Rachel with mouths slightly open.
Rachel continued, "End of the world as we know it and all that, but maybe the beginning of another one. Lots of changes. Now get back in your car and follow us up to the Samuels' house. After all, Sam is waiting."
Waterfall behind the Samuels' House
Alexandra sat behind Sam on a large rock, braiding the little girl's shining blonde hair with deft fingers. Since they had arrived at the waterfall, Sam hadn't spoken at all. Harry lay at the little girl's feet, napping. Alex was content to wait. She'd spoken with Jessica and John earlier, and they agreed that Samantha could benefit from having someone besides her parents (and Harry) to talk with. As she stared at the finished braid, she wondered just what was going on in that head in front of her.
"Okay, kiddo, all done. And it looks great, if I do say so myself," Alex announced.
Sam turned around and ran her hand over the braid. "Ooh, thanks, Alex," she said softly. "One day will I learn how to do it? If I grow up?"
Alex worked hard to keep her feelings from showing as she questioned, "If you grow up, Sam? Honey, what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, you know," she said vaguely in reply. "Things happen."
Alex looked into the big, brown eyes staring back at her. "Have you seen something happening to you? In the future? That makes you think--" Her voice trailed off as Alex stopped, unsure of how to word the question.
"That I'm gonna be dead? Well, ya know, a lot of bad things can happen. Some things I know about, some things aren't like that. Some things are, um, I don't know the word--"
Alex watched Sam's eyes glaze over a bit, and then focus again.
"Drats! Perceval is sleeping," Sam stated. "He could tell me the word...it's like...positives....no, that's not it...pos...."
"Possibilities? Is that it?" Alex asked. "Some things you see are possibilities? Some possible future event, but you aren't sure yet if it will actually happen?"
"Yeah, you got it," Sam replied. "See some things I know are gonna happen, and they always do. Some things are farther away...in time, they are farther away. Then it's like, maybe this will happen or maybe that will happen. Not sure yet."
"You don't seem scared by it, by knowing you might die, or by some of the other things you see. Are you getting used to it? To seeing things, knowing things, dreaming things that come true?"
"Not the dreams, those are scary--you have the dreams, too, so you know--they are really, really, really bad." Sam shuddered and then continued. "But other stuff, yeah, I'm sorta getting used to it. It's like I always knew stuff, but I guess I didn't before, not like this. Now there's bunches of stuff out there, stuff I can see if I want, stuff I can know. But--"
"But maybe some stuff you don't want to know? Maybe some stuff is too grown-up for you just now?"
"Yeah, I guess," Sam answered slowly. "It's like...if you know everything, there can't be no surprises. And I like surprises! And some stuff...some stuff people think of is not fun. Bad stuff. I don't like knowing that. Why are some people bad, Alex?"
"Hmm, that's a tough question, Samantha. People choose to do bad things for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes they are mad at the world, and sometimes they are scared, and they make really bad choices. Tell me something, do you run into animals who think bad things too?"
"Bad animals? Oh, sure, yeah. They are sorta like people, the animals, I mean. But they are different than people too. 'Cause they are animals. But there are all different kinds with bunches of different feelings. Some of them don't like people, so they will hurt people 'cause people hurt them. And then some of them are nice like Harry and Perceval and they just want to help out the
people. Perceval says we can learn to live together. Harry just says he likes people."
Alex watched as Samantha slowly approached a small bird. It floated toward her in the still air, and then landed on the child's outstretched hand. The girl touched its feathers gently, then nodded and it took off.
"And what did that little bird want to say to you? If you don't mind telling me," Alex asked.
"Oh, just that the Perkins family got here and they are on the way to the house. I bet Doctor Mark will be happy."
"Mark? Happy about what?" Alex asked in confusion.
"Oh, you know, 'cause Mrs. Perkins is a nurse. He'll like that. But the most exciting thing is for Harry."
Samantha was grinning widely as she continued, "They got a dog that looks like Harry! Her name is Goldie and, well, I know a secret about them."
"About the Perkins? Or about Harry and Goldie?"
"Oh, well, I guess if I thought about it I could know some secrets about those Perkins people. But Mommy says I shouldn't just look into people and know all their secrets all the time unless its nessary."
"Necessary...yes, that sounds like a good idea," Alex said, grateful to know all her deepest thoughts weren't being read by this little psychic wunderkind.
"No, it's 'bout Harry and Goldie. Can you keep a secret?" Sam asked, looking intently at Alex. Before the young woman could speak, Sam nodded her head and said, "Yes, you can keep a secret. You're good at it. Okay."
"Wait! Wait--Sam how did you know that if you aren't reading my thoughts, aren't looking into me, how do you just know I can keep a secret?" Alex demanded.
"Well...it's like I can know about people...what they are like. I don't know what it's called...oh, wait! Yes, I do, Perceval just woke up. Characteristics. I can know their character, know things they will be good at or bad at, just by thinking about them for a little while. It's not like looking into people, finding out all their secrets. It's just--knowing. That's all."
That's all, Alex thought, trying not to start giggling wildly. She thought back over what Sam had said and had another question. "So you and Perceval--he wakes up and automatically knows what we are talking about? Or did you ask him to help you with the word you didn't know?"
Sam looked puzzled, and then waved her hands out at her sides. "I dunno. I am kinda connected to Perceval. To a lot of things and animals. So I know stuff he knows. Or he knows stuff I know. Sometimes I ask him questions, sort of. I dunno."
Alex thought it might take some time to find a vocabulary to describe all the new things that were occurring around animal to human communication. Leave that for another day.
"Come on, we gotta get back to the house," Sam said, tugging on Alex's hand. Alex noticed that Harry woke up quickly as soon as Sam said they needed to leave. He padded next to them while they walked back through the trees to the house.
Sam announced, "You gotta meet Emma and Hank. They are really cool. I bet Emma will like my fancy braided hair too!"
Harry barked in affirmation.
"Emma and Hank? More animals?"
Sam giggled. "No, silly, they are in the Perkins family. Emma is thirteen and Hank is fifteen."
"And how do you know this?"
"I just know! I mean, I've been dreaming to them for days and days, so we've been talking already, but it's not the same thing as getting to meet them."
Dreaming to them? Alex felt like she should be taking notes on all the topics she wanted to cover with Samantha in their next conversation.
"Anyways," Sam continued, "they talk to Goldie like I talk to Harry. Well not as good maybe, not yet, but they know how. So that's good."
"Ah, yes, I can see how that would be good," Alex said. "And the secret?"
"Oh, well," she stopped and leaned down to Harry, saying, "You go on ahead, boy. Tell them I'll be there soon." Harry took off racing for the house. "I didn't want Harry to hear me," Sam said with a giggle. "He likes surprises too."
Alex looked perplexed and said, "So the secret is about Harry?"
Sam nodded. "Yep. Harry and Goldie are gonna fall in love and get married and have lots of puppies!" Sam laughed delightedly.
Alex laughed with her, and then reviewed their conversation in her mind. Hmmm.
"Samantha, one last question before we go into the house. You and I really haven't talked before today. Yet, you seemed willing to talk to me quite openly just now. About how all this is for you. Why is that? When you don't even know me very well?"
Samantha stopped walking and stared up at Alex. "You're funny, Alex. You could know more stuff if you just thought about it harder. I knew I could talk to you. I knew you talked to Mommy and Daddy. I know you are gonna be my...advisor. You know lots of stuff that I am gonna need to know. And I know you can keep secrets. So why wouldn't I talk to you? 'Sides, you and Uncle Nathan worked together, and I like Uncle Nathan a lot. He's fun and smart, too, like you. You're his friend, so I knew you would be my friend. You are gonna help me and I'm gonna help you too. But--I'm not gonna tell you all the secrets I know. Some of them are way far away in time. Possibilities." Sam paused for moment, and then smiled a small, little mischievous smile. "Oh, Alex? Tiknay is okay in Africa. Her tribe is gonna go to a safe zone."
Astonished, Alexandra watched Sam run up to the house, peals of laughter echoing across the back yard. Tiknay? Africa? Sam could see that far? Damn right, the kid was connected to a lot.
Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts
Maria stood near the phone bank lining the hotel lobby wall. Leaning back against Zack, his arms wrapped around her, they both listened to Mayor Dubois' expostulations with Dr. Sheffield Hutton on the other end of the line.
"No, I'm not one of the 'crazies,' Dr. Hutton. I want to know what you know about some bomb the President is planning to drop off the coast of North America. No, no, it doesn't matter how I got my information. I happen to know the information is correct. So start talking!"
Maria felt the tension in Zack's arms as they waited. The lunchtime revelations of last night's dream had taken a while to unravel. Margaret couldn't seem to believe Zack had a dream she didn't have. And she still didn't seem ready to accept it. Fortunately, Dusty Dubois seemed more willing to act on the information. The thing was, Maria thought, what could they do? A part of her felt like they should be heading out of town, away from the East Coast this very minute. Another part felt they had to try and stop this insanity from happening. She focused on Mayor Dubois' conversation again.
"So you're telling me you knew he was going to order this and you just let it happen? You didn't even try to talk him out of it? All right, all right, calm down, man. Yes, I do know some people have gone a little nuts during all this. So you just left town? That was your solution? Dr. Hutton, do you have any idea of what kind of destruction is about to be visited on this beleaguered country if that bomb goes off? No, no, you are wrong, it's not just gonna make a big splash in the Atlantic. I have it on good authority that the bomb is going to trigger an underwater landslide, which in turn is going to create the conditions for a tsunami. Yes, you heard me right. A big, old giant wave is going to come crashing in on the Eastern seaboard if we don't stop this thing."
Maria felt Zack sigh heavily. He wanted so badly to stop this, but without any standing in the government, how could they?
"I'm telling you that you need to get your ass back to D.C. and start informing Congress, the Cabinet, anyone you can find to talk to, and get the President removed from office, or at least get his orders questioned due to mental instability. You need to...what? Oh, so this is all about saving your own skin, is it? Dr. Hutton, tell me something--if you didn't realize a tsunami could be the result of the insane bombing idea--why is it that you are now inland? How come you left D.C.? I hear nothing but silence from you, which I take to mean you did realize it. Just what the fuck did you think you were doing abdicating your post in this way! This is criminal negligence, this is outrageous, this is--hello? Dr. Hutton?"
Maria watched Mayor Duboi
s slam the phone back in its cradle. "That self-centered, egotistical bastard. He just hung up on me."
Alan Beakman motioned to the mayor, phone covered by one hand. "I've got Senator McCreery on the line. He's willing to hear you out."
As the mayor resolutely turned to the next phone call, Maria heard Zack whisper grimly, "It's not going to work, is it? We're not going to be able to stop it."
And Maria had nothing to say to comfort him because he was right.
Power Station, Table Rock Dam
"So nobody had remembered about the pet store animals," Corporal Tommy Sinclair was saying to Lisanne. "All those poor animals left there in their cages when the owner ran away. Doc Clay, that vet, he says they're gonna be okay. Mostly just need to be fed and loved on and they'll be okay--there now, see that gauge? As long the needle stays in that range, we're okay."
Lisanne nodded, making another note on her clipboard. It wasn't as complicated as she had anticipated, just a lot of detail work. Of course, if things started going wrong, it would get complicated fast.
"What did Samantha say?" Lisanne asked. "Didn't she realize they were there?"
"I dunno," Tommy replied. "I sure wouldn't ask her about it. Wouldn't want to sound like I was accusing her of not looking out for things. 'Sides, she's only a kid. How much stuff can she keep in her head at one time?"
Lisanne considered that and decided that they'd better hope Sam could keep a hell of a lot in her head at one time. At least until they all got better at animal talking and dreaming.
"Anyway, Doc Clay says for me to come 'round there any time I want and see which dog takes to me. He says there's bound to be one I can talk to. But they are mostly puppies so it might take a while. I guess they have to learn just like little kids do, you know, how to talk and stuff."
Grinning, Lisanne thought of Merlin's disdain for dogs. His reaction to puppies would be something to see. Letting her mind focus on Merlin, she sensed him lazily curled up at home on the balcony outside her bedroom, basking in some warm sunshine and doing absolutely nothing. Lisanne decided not to pry into that--he could be so grouchy sometimes!