MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2)

by Pohring, Linda; Dewberry, Anne

  “That’s a relief!” Oddily let out a sigh as she continued down the stairs.

  “Wait up! Don’t you want to see the tower?”

  “I think maybe I’ll wait and see the one where I will sleep tonight.”

  “I hope you like the color pink.”

  “Oh, I love pink! It reminds me of everything girly.”

  Paul didn’t know what more he could do to cheer Oddily up and decided to ask her what was tormenting her mind. “What’s going on inside that head of yours?”

  Oddily reached the bottom of the stairwell and began to hurry down the hallway.

  “Will you please stop running from me?” Paul jogged in front of Oddily and blocked her way.

  “You don’t want to know Paul!”

  The disenchantment in Oddily’s eyes made Paul even more assertive. “Try me! I’ll just listen—I promise.”

  “No, you’ll think I’m crazy!”

  “No I won’t. I would never think that of you.”

  Oddily was on the verge of telling Paul what she had seen in the meadow. She needed to for the sake of her sanity; but, something inside her made her stop—an inner knowing that something bad would happen if she did. “Can we change the subject?”

  Paul was disappointed. He was dying to know what had happened to Oddily, but it would have to wait. “Are you getting hungry?”

  Oddily’s stomach had been in such knots, she hadn’t been able to distinguish the difference between nerves and hunger pains. Now she realized that she was definitely hungry and willingly followed Paul.

  After leaving the dungeon-like part of the castle reserved for tourists, they entered the area where Paul and his family lived. The first room that Oddily viewed was the light and airy parlor. There were two white couches and a green coffee table on top of a yellow print rug. Oddily thought that Paul would ask her to take a seat; but instead, he led her past the room to a cheerful looking dining room with the same color scheme. Katerina was there, sitting at the table full of Italian food.

  “Dig in kids!”

  Oddily filled her plate with several slices of pizza and began to devour them one at a time. She knew she was eating too fast but she couldn’t help herself. The food seemed to help the uncomfortable ache in her stomach. Paul wasn’t coming up for air either as he wrestled with a big plate of spaghetti.

  “So tell me Oddily, how long have you and my son been friends?” Katerina was the first to begin the conversation.

  “Umm, I had a crush on him and…!” Oddily began to choke on a piece of pizza. What the heck did she just say!?

  Paul seemed amused as he handed Oddily a glass of water and watched her gulp it down. When her throat had cleared, she continued, “I meant to say that I noticed Paul last semester; but…well, our friendship came about just recently.”

  “Paul says you’re going to be our guest tonight in the tower. I hope you like feminine bedrooms.”

  Although Katerina said nothing more, she didn’t like the idea of Oddily sleeping in the tower. The circular room was her private sanctuary—the place where she had conceived Paul by making love to the mystical magical stranger.

  “Don’t worry over it mom. Oddily likes pink!”

  Oddily smiled sweetly at Katerina, but felt as though she were going to puke. With the combination of her stomach already tied up in knots and eating too fast, Oddily found herself in a bad way.

  “Can I get you anything?” Katerina stood up and walked over to Oddily. “You don’t look so well!”

  “I…I’m okay. I’m just tired, that’s all.”

  “I’ll take Oddily to her room,” Paul interjected. “I think that after she has a nice hot bath and a good night’s sleep, she’ll be fine by morning.”

  Katerina backed away so Paul could help Oddily from her chair. “If you like bubble baths, there’s a lovely assortment of bath salts on the ledge of the tub.”

  “I’m so sorry that I’m ruining your dinner,” Oddily’s voice sounded weak.

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Just then, Paul’s uncle Patrick entered the room. “Is there any food left for me? Oops! Did I miss something?”

  Katerina turned to her brother. “Oddily isn’t feeling well, so Paul is going to take her to the tower and let her rest.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad! I wanted to spend more time with her. After all, it’s not everyday Paul brings home a girl.”

  “It’s not like that uncle. We’re just friends.”

  Patrick chuckled. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Don’t mind him,” Paul whispered to Oddily. “He’s a big tease.”

  When Oddily stood up, she was wobbly on her feet so Paul gave her a helping hand. He made Oddily lean on him for support while they left the room, and she didn’t let go until he brought her to the base of the stairwell leading to the tower. Paul allowed Oddily to climb the stairs at her own pace, and when they finally reached the top, Oddily gasped when she saw the magnificent circular room. This was to be her bedroom for one night, and Paul was right—the tower was unmistakably pink! The pale shade of pink on the walls added a soft glow to the whole room and the mirrored four-poster bed with a white ruffled bedspread supported the fairytale mystique. Then there was the huge pink shaggy rug covering most of the floor space. It was a nice contrast to the cute lime green chairs shaped like blossoming flowers.

  “Come here. I want to show you something.” Paul stood by one of the large windows waggling his finger at her. “What do you think of this view of the forest?”

  Oddily stepped over to the window and gazed at the dense woodlands below. The height of the tower made her feel like a bird looking out upon the world from high up in a tree. She loved the feeling, but this was nothing compared to the scene she had experienced from the windows of Maxim’s home.

  After dark, the unusual plant life surrounding Maxim’s home became luminescent. The foliage and flowers of unknown origins glowed in a range of blues, purples, and greens: Lighting up the forest like a magical fairyland.

  “Listen Oddily.” Paul turned her to face him. “I don’t mean to interrupt your thoughts but I’m concerned about you. Is there anything I can do or say to help you with what you’re going through?”

  “You have already helped me by being my friend Paul.”

  “Yeah, well I have a confession to make.”

  Oddily sat down in one of the flowery chairs and then gave Paul her full attention.

  “It’s about last semester. If I knew what I know now, things may have turned out differently between us.”

  Oddily’s brows creased together. “I’m sorry! I don’t know how to react to that. I mean…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

  With a serious face, Paul walked over to where Oddily sat and hunkered down on one knee.

  Oddily drew back in the chair. “What! Are you going to propose to me or something?”

  Paul began to laugh. “Who’s sounding like a goofball now?”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Oddily began to blush. “Sometimes I say the stupidest things.”

  “Nah, it’s cute! Anyway, what I meant was, if I had given you half a chanCe last semester, you probably would have turned out to be one of my best friends. Or who knows—maybe something more.”

  Was Paul insinuating that his feelings for her were stronger than friendship? For fear of saying something stupid again, Oddily remained quiet and averted her eyes from his face to her lap.

  Because of Oddily’s display of awkwardness, Paul got to his feet. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Oddily remained in the seat shaped like a flower until the sound of Paul’s footsteps diminished down the stairwell; and, when all was quiet, she closed her eyes. In the background of her mind, the scene in the meadow came back in vivid detail as she relived the sight of Maxim materializing out of thin air. The look of horror on Maxim’s face when he spotted her standing in the meadow was unnerving. It was the expression o
f someone caught in a lie.

  What was this big secret anyway? That Maxim and his sister truly were time travelers, existing outside the realm of fantasy. Strangely enough, a part of her still loved them both despite this revelation. Could she truly walk away from her strange but loving family? She wouldn’t know the answer until after she was told the whole truth.

  Oddily opened her eyes and yawned. She couldn’t allow herself to think anymore, so she stood up and headed for the bathroom. She remembered what Paul had said and agreed with him. She needed a warm bubble bath and a good night’s sleep to feel more like her old self in the morning.

  After her luxurious bath, Oddily carefully turned back the bed covers and slipped into bed, the soft mattress cradling her body from all sides. The fragrance of lavender still clung to her skin making the moment even more enchanting. Slowly, she breathed in and out, allowing the experience to take her to a new level of splendor. This was her one and only night to feel like a real princess and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil it for her.

  In a short while, Oddily became groggy and closed her eyes. She struggled to stay awake, but her eyelids were too heavy and she lost the battle. Her dreams took her to the dark woods—so dark, she was unable to see what lurked in the shadows.

  “Help me!” She cried out.

  Suddenly, a ghostly figure of Maxim shimmered to life within a soft beam of light. “Are you ready?”

  “I… don’t know!” Oddily became confused. “Tell me what you mean.”

  “In a few minutes, you will become my wife.”

  Oddily had no remembrance of a proposal. “Did you ask me to marry you?”

  “No. There is no need. Come…everyone is waiting at the chapel!”

  “But I need a wedding dress.”

  “You’re already wearing one. See for yourself!”

  Oddily gazed at her reflection in the large mirror that magically appeared before her. What she stared at was a long faded orange dress that matched the color of her hair.

  Maxim began to fade. “I will wait for you in the chapel.”

  All of a sudden, the ruins of the graveyard chapel appeared before her, so Oddily hurried up the steps to go inside. The place was empty.

  “Maxim, where are you?”

  “I’m right here.”

  “Where?” She searched the room.

  “I am waiting at the altar.”

  “But I still can’t see you!”

  “Look again.”

  “Oh, there you are!” Oddily tried to run up the aisle lined with pews but her legs moved in slow motion.

  “What is taking you so long?” Maxim called out with a hollow voice.

  “It’s my body! It won’t let me come to you.”

  “Then you have rejected me.”

  “No, come back!” But Maxim had disappeared.

  “I will marry you!” Paul was walking up the aisle towards her with a bright smile on his face.

  “But Paul! You don’t understand.”

  “You have no choice. I pronounce us man and wife. You may now kiss me.”

  “Wait…you can’t do that!”

  Oddily woke up gasping for air, believing she had just married Paul. Whether it was a dream or nightmare, she wasn’t sure which. She glanced around the moonlit tower and then out the windows at the night sky full of twinkling stars. The sound of a feral animal howled in the distance.

  For some reason, Oddily was compelled to slip out of bed. Strands of hair tickled the skin on her shoulders and back making her feel itchy.

  “Ow!” She could feel a trickle of wetness where she gouged herself with her fingernails. She had made herself bleed.

  Still feeling drowsy, she stumbled into the bathroom, but froze when she saw an unfamiliar image in the mirror staring back at her. She lifted her hand and stared at the long fingernails protruding over the ends of her fingers. And her hair! Oddily pulled out a strand of hair and figured that it had grown at least a half foot longer than before she had gone to bed. Then she glanced at her body and without thought, grabbed her chest. Her boobs had grown because they were filling out the palm of her hands!

  Oddily’s eyes began to puddle with tears and, before she could think, she ran back into the bedroom and grabbed her cell phone to call Maxim. Her altered reflection in the mirror was either a freak of nature, or she was dreaming! Either way, she was scared enough to turn to Maxim for help.

  28

  After several hours of pacing in front of Cambridge Hospital, Maxim became weary and found a place to sit where he could still keep an eye on Oddily’s car. Even when the moon came out and the parking lot emptied, he refused to leave until he knew she was okay.

  While waiting, he dialed Nexa again but she still wouldn’t answer her phone. After numerous tries to contact her earlier in the evening, it had become obvious that his sister was avoiding his calls. Strangely enough, Maxim’s anger with the situation became a welcomed distraction from his heartbreak over Oddily. So, when his phone finally did ring, the first thing that popped out of his mouth was, “Damn it, sis! Why didn’t you call me back?”

  “It’s me,” Oddily barely spoke above a whisper.

  After hearing the sound of her sweet voice, Maxim jumped to his feet. “Oddily, are you all right?”

  “No!”

  Maxim felt his throat tighten. “I can only imagine what you must be thinking, but give me a chance to explain!”

  “Then try and explain what’s happening to me!” She let out a sob. “I look different and I’m petrified by what I see. Have I lost my mind? No, don’t answer me. Calling you was a stupid idea and I’m sorry. I’ve got to go!”

  “No, wait!” Maxim tried to stay composed. “No matter what you do, don’t hang up on me!”

  “Okay.”

  “Let me come to where you are so I can help you.”

  “I…don’t know. I want you to, but at the same time I’m scared to see you!”

  When there was no sound on the other end, Oddily pressed the phone closer to her ear and could hear a faint sound. “Maxim, are you crying?”

  Maxim cleared his throat and quickly regained his composure. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Forget about me,” he grumbled. “I’m concerned about you. Tell me where to find you and I’ll be there.”

  When Maxim heard Oddily hesitate, he added, “I won’t even come near you if that will put you at ease.

  “All right, I guess so. You can meet me out in front of Bentley Castle. Wait for me out on the street.”

  Maxim was stunned. “Are you going to show up and meet me or are you already there?”

  “I’m already here. I was going to spend the night in one of the towers until…well, you’ll see. I’ll watch for you from the window until you arrive.”

  “Baby, I love you. Never let that go.” Sadly, Oddily didn’t hear him because she had already ended the call.

  It didn’t take long for Oddily to spot her little green Smart car when it had pulled up and parked by the side of the road. Maxim’s tall lean body climbed out and stared up at the towers while running his hand through his hair. His actions indicated that he was as nervous as she was at the notion of seeing each other again. Then there was the idea of sneaking down the stairwell and roaming through a darkened castle. She wouldn’t wish such a spooky adventure on anybody.

  And what about Paul and his family? She hated to leave them without saying goodbye, but she couldn’t allow herself to be seen either. It would raise too many eyebrows! How could she explain something she didn’t understand herself? No. She needed to slip out unnoticed.

  Finding her way to the front door of the castle was harder than Oddily thought. Descending the stairwell was easy enough, but wandering through the rest of the place was another story. Her tomblike surroundings and the cold chill in the air caused Oddily to shudder while she tried to find her way outside. Then her worst fear came true, so she pulled out her cell phone to dial Maxim.
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br />   “What’s going on in there?” Maxim kept his voice composed while receiving her call.

  “I’m lost! The castle is so dark and endless, I…I…!”

  “Okay, stay calm and listen to me. You need to search for a window. When you find one, it will indicate that you have found the outer wall of the castle. By following the perimeter of that same wall, you should be able to find your way out of there.”

  “Will you stay on the phone with me while I search?”

  “I’m not going anywhere!”

  “Okay, well…right now I’m staring down two hallways, and I don’t know which way to go.”

  “That’s not a problem,” Maxim assured her. “Just stay to your left.”

  Oddily continued to make left turns until she same across a room with a sliver of moonlight glimmering through a crack in the curtains.

  “I found a window!” Oddily let out an audible sigh of relief.

  “That’s my girl. Now see if the window can be opened.”

  “Oh no! There are bars in front of it!”

  “Don’t worry about it. Go ahead and follow the wall like I explained earlier.”

  While using her fingertips, Oddily followed the curves of the wall through many rooms until her hand brushed against solid wood. Did she find a doorway outside, or was it a door to another room? Fortunately for Oddily, it led her out of the castle, and she ran across the well-manicured front lawn to the main street. When Maxim came into view, she stopped and swallowed, trying to move the lump farther down her throat. It didn’t work.

  Maxim held out his hand. “Please don’t fear me.” His voice, though quiet as a breath, was fierce with determination after he had seen her.

  Oddily stared at his extended hand for a long moment, and then, slowly walked over and put her hand on his palm, barely touching it. “Thank you for staying on the phone with me.”

  “I’m worried about you Oddily! You must let me take you home. Nero will know what to do. He always does.”

  Oddily took three quick deep breaths to steady her nerves at the thought of getting in the car with Maxim. Her heart began to pound so loudly she could hardly hear his voice when he spoke again.