Human Blend

by Pescatore, Lori

A rattling sound reverberated through the forest. Vines snaked their way down a nearby tree.

  “Suron and I have an arrangement. I suggest you talk to him before going any further,” Luke shouted above the noise. The vines froze where they were. Luke smiled.

  Orel: Eli, Suron has sent word to halt all efforts.

  Eli: What sort of arrangement could this man have made?

  Orel: Suron is on his way. We must wait. I’m sorry.

  Eli: I’m not going to just wait around.

  Eli jumped down from the trees and began to approach Luke.

  Orel: Ill advised, Eli. We cannot interfere.

  Eli ignored Orel’s advice.

  Julie swayed in Luke’s grip. She knew that she was not going to be able to stay awake much longer.

  “Release them now,” Eli ordered.

  Julie snapped her head up at the sound of his voice.

  “Who the hell are you? Where is Suron?” Luke asked.

  “I said release them,” Eli commanded, taking a step closer.

  Julie was speechless as she took in Eli’s appearance. The clean cut doctor had seemingly transformed into this rugged, bare-chested creature before her. Even his perfectly groomed hair appeared mussed. If the situation had not been so dire, she would have smiled.

  Luke placed Julie in front of him and held her in a death grip around her neck as he pointed the gun at Eli.

  Eli was about to summon the earth to do his bidding when an elder intervened.

  Suron: My orders were to not interfere, Eli.

  Eli: You don’t understand, Suron. This man is holding these people hostage.

  Suron: This is not our concern. Our allegiance is to the Earth, not its inhabitants.

  Suron entered the clearing.

  “‘Bout time you showed up,” Luke said. “Your pal here was about to break our agreement,” Luke added.

  “I have received word that you are about to do that yourself,” Suron spoke out loud to Luke.

  “Insurance,” Luke responded. “Your people took down one of my men,” Luke gestured toward Joey.

  “That is most unfortunate,” Suron replied. “Rest assured, Eli will be reprimanded for his actions,” Suron promised.

  “No, you mustn’t! This isn’t his fault!” Julie pleaded.

  “So, this is the famous doctor you’ve been so protective of?” Luke laughed, tightening his grip.

  Julie watched the interaction between Luke and Suron. There was something familiar about the tall man; she had seen him before. Her mind drifted back to that memory.

  In this memory Julie saw herself about fifteen years old. She was with Luke and they had just come from collecting lottery winnings when he received a phone call.

  “Who the hell are they?” Luke shouted into the phone. “What the… never mind, I’m on my way.” Luke finished. “Idiots!”

  Julie saw herself cringe at the anger in Luke’s voice. She remembered keeping quiet the rest of the car ride. Julie watched as they crossed the state line into Utah and turned down a road called “Skull Valley.” The name alone made her shiver.

  Luke skidded to a stop, causing gravel to spew around the car from the unpaved road. Two of Luke’s men shuffled over to him as he stepped out of the car, slamming the door. Heated words were exchanged but Laney concentrated on the image she saw in the distance. A man appeared to be standing by a container truck. At first the man seemed to be without clothing, but Laney then noticed that he had a strip of cloth across the lower part of his body.

  The realization hit her: this was where she had first seen Suron. The image faded quickly as she stared at Suron in present time.

  The sound of a helicopter could be heard overhead. “That’d be my ride,” Luke said and took out his cell phone.“Bring her down,” he ordered.

  Uncle Gregg and Marcus came closer as the helicopter began it’s landing. Luke pointed his gun in their direction, “Reunion has been canceled,” he said and moved with Julie toward the helicopter. Vinnie followed with Austin.

  Julie kept her eyes locked on Eli, hoping to convey how sorry she was for causing him trouble.

  “As long as my people hear from me within one hour, no dumping will happen. I suggest you keep your people away from that area. We wouldn’t want any of them getting splashed on, now would we?” Luke grinned. He knew that they could not go anywhere near the toxic waste; it was like Kryptonite to them.

  Eli: Suron, please reconsider.

  Suron: Eli, they are not our concern.

  Eli: She… is my concern.

  “Excuse me… Suron, is it? May I speak with you?” Uncle Gregg asked as he watched Julie and Austin being herded onto the helicopter.

  “Speak,” Suron spoke aloud.

  “I am friends with Percone. He and I have spoken at great lengths. My people have done good work in helping take care of your Earth,” Uncle Gregg reminded.

  “I am aware,” Suron answered.

  “This man is holding two of my people and using their abilities for his own agenda. Can you not lend us a helping hand as we have done for you and your planet?” Uncle Gregg questioned.

  “I believe we have already helped you and your people by allowing them to seek refuge on this planet. We do not interfere in the lives of the creatures that call our Earth their home unless they mean to do our planet harm,” Suron stated.

  Suron: Eli, you and others have been given the freedom to humanize yourselves and live among the inhabitants of our Earth. This does not mean that you are free to use the Earth and her energy as you see fit. In the past, when called upon, you have served this planet well. I will not tolerate misuse of our home. This is your only warning. There must not be a next time. Do I make myself clear?

  Eli bowed his head.

  Eli: Yes.

  Suron: A proper punishment will be decided at a later date.

  Suron disappeared back into the trees.

  Although Marcus and Uncle Gregg were incapable of hearing the exchange between Eli and Suron, Eli’s demeanor spoke volumes.

  Austin and Julie were shoved into the back of the helicopter. “Get me out of here,” Luke ordered the pilot once Vinnie and he were safely aboard.

  Austin hugged Julie tightly as the helicopter rose high into the air. “Someway, somehow, I’m going to get us out of this,” Austin whispered. He then had an idea. “Jules, if we jumped from this helicopter… we’d just get hurt, right? But not die?” Austin asked quietly.

  “I… I don’t know,” Julie frowned. “I’m not sure. Neither of us are in a strong state, I don’t think it would be wise to try,” Julie answered.

  “Shut up back there!” Luke yelled.

  Austin and Julie looked at each other. Julie shook her head no. She didn’t want to chance it. Austin placed a finger over her lips.

  Luke grabbed Julie’s arm and pulled her up. “What did I tell you?” he yelled at her.

  “Leave her alone!” Austin shouted and stood up.

  “Sit down and shut up,” Vinnie said and pushed Austin back down in his seat.

  “So, this Doc Eli is one of those crazy-ass nature guys, huh? Is that the little secret you were trying to hide?” Luke asked, grabbing her hair and pulling it back. “Let me guess, you played Jane to his Tarzan,” Luke laughed. “Guess that makes you Cheeta,” Luke teased Austin.

  Austin charged at Luke, grabbing his gun. Luke pushed Julie to the floor as he struggled with Austin for control of the firearm.

  Vinnie pulled out his gun. Julie reacted by grabbing his legs and pulling them out from under him. A shot rang out as he fell to the floor. The bullet hit the instrument panel of the ‘copter, causing it to lose power. “What the hell?!” the pilot yelled. Vinnie stood up and lunged at Julie, but the helicopter began spiraling out of control. He lost his balance and fell backwards out the door of the helicopter. Everyone else dropped to the floor as the spinning of the machine disoriented its occupants. The helicopter leaned to one side and Julie slid out the door. She barely managed to grab
a hold of one of the landing skids halting her descent.

  Austin peered over the side and saw Julie clinging to the skid. He attempted to climb down next to her as Luke grabbed his ankle. “Let go, Julie! Just let go!” Austin yelled.

  “I can’t!” she shouted. Austin kicked Luke in the face and was able to scramble down to the skid next to Julie.

  “Julie, trust me,” Austin said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Let go,” he said once more. Luke peered over the edge at them. He reached down to grab for Julie. She knew it was now or never, and finally found the courage to release her hands and grab a hold of Austin. “Happy landing,” Austin said to Luke before releasing his own grip on the skid, sending he and Julie in free fall toward the ground.

  Julie and Austin clung tightly to each other, despite the shearing wind trying to tear them apart. Julie was surprised that she did not lose consciousness during the fall, but soon wished she had. They felt branches breaking along with bones as their bodies traveled through trees. One bounce separated Julie from Austin. The last thing either of them remembered was their bodies impacting with the ground.

  Chapter Thirteen— Rescue

  Back in the forest

  “I’m not giving up on getting her back,” Uncle Gregg said.

  “I know where they are going,” Eli responded.

  An explosion could be heard in the distance.

  Orel: Eli, the helicopter has crashed. Three bodies were seen falling from it before it hit the Earth.

  “Head to the crash,” Eli said and took off in the trees. Uncle Gregg and the others began running back to their cars.

  Eli met up with Orel and they searched from the treetops. They found Vinnie’s body first, or rather, what was left of it. He was clearly killed on impact.

  Shortly thereafter, they found Austin’s body. Eli knelt down and examined him. His breathing was shallow. His heart was beating rapidly as he lay twisted, but alive.

  Eli: Alert his friends where he is. I’m going to find Julie.

  Orel took off into the trees.

  Eli climbed a nearby tree and scouted the area. He spotted her sneaker and took off in that direction. A few hundred yards away, he found her. Her body was contorted in such a way that told Eli she had massive internal injuries.

  “Julie,” he whispered, lightly touching her. She was barely breathing and her pulse was weak. He was at a loss as to how to help her. He heard voices nearby. Uncle Gregg was by his side accompanied by another dark haired man. “Where’s Marcus?” Eli asked, thinking he could help save her.

  “He’s with Austin,” Uncle Gregg answered and placed his hands on Julie. “One of her ribs has punctured her lung. She has broken a vast amount of bones,” Uncle Gregg reported. He removed his hands. “Eli, I’m going to do all I can but then the rest will be up to her,” he told him.

  “What can I do?” Eli asked.

  “Help me straighten her out so her bones will heal properly,” Uncle Gregg instructed.

  The sound of more bones breaking as they moved her was enough to make even Eli cringe. “Now I’m going to ask you to hold her still. She is going to fight the forced healing from me,” Uncle Gregg explained. Eli remembered when Marcus had removed the cancer from her so he understood what Uncle Gregg meant. Placing his hands on her stomach, Uncle Gregg entered her. The other man knelt behind him. Julie began to struggle within Eli’s grip.

  “Stay calm,” Eli whispered in her ear. He used one hand to lightly brush her cheek, “This is going to help you,” he added as her movement decreased.

  Uncle Gregg fell backwards into the waiting arms of the dark haired man. “That’s… all I can… do for now,” he said, breathing heavily. “You calmed her,” Uncle Gregg acknowledged.

  “It’s not the first time,” Eli smiled.

  “Marcus informed me… she could be a handful.” Uncle Gregg tried to smile but only managed a grimace.

  Orel: Two confirmed dead on the helicopter.

  Eli: Identities?

  Orel: Pilot and co-pilot.

  Eli: What about Luke?

  Orel: Missing. His body will most likely be discovered at some point.

  Eli: Keep looking, please.

  “What happens now?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg. He did not let on about the conversation he just had with Orel.

  “As soon as I am able, I’m going to take these two home… with me,” Uncle Gregg said. “They need a safe place to recuperate and I’m sure there will be a lot of questions,” he explained. Uncle Gregg sat up more. “I’m fine now, William,” Uncle Gregg addressed the dark haired man, “Go check on Marcus and Austin, would you?” he asked. William left to do just that.

  Eli brushed Julie’s hair from her face. “You care for her,” Uncle Gregg noted. Eli looked up at him but did not respond.

  Julie let out a moan and opened her eyes briefly. “Eli?” she muttered, raising her hand to touch his face before the pain forced her back into unconsciousness.

  Marcus, William, and another man walked over to Uncle Gregg. William was carrying an unconscious Austin as Marcus moved very slowly.

  “How is he?” Uncle Gregg asked, standing.

  “Me or him?” Marcus joked. “He’s gonna be fine, in time. Me? I’m a hurting pup,” he said. “How’s trouble maker doing?” Marcus asked, referring to Julie.

  “She’ll heal in time, as well,” Uncle Gregg answered. “Put him down next to her,” Uncle Gregg instructed William. “I want you and Paul to get your car and mine and bring them as close to this location as possible. We’re going to bring these two home,” Uncle Gregg explained and handed Paul his keys. William and Paul left to retrieve the cars.

  Austin’s eyes fluttered open, followed by a moan.

  “Easy, boy. Rest,” Uncle Gregg advised.

  “Uncle Gordi?” Austin muttered.

  “I’m right here,” he reassured him.

  “Julie…” he mumbled and turned his head and saw her. He tried to touch her and groaned in pain.

  “She’s gonna be fine… you both will. Just rest, let your body heal,” Uncle Gregg advised. Austin’s eyes closed once more.

  “So, Uncle Gregg… I thought you said Austin didn’t have any abilities?” Marcus questioned.

  “The last time I saw him was a few years ago and he didn’t,” Uncle Gregg said. “Something must have triggered them,” he added.

  “Like what?” Marcus probed.

  “It could have been a number of things. I won’t know until I get a chance to talk to him,” Uncle Gregg answered.

  “So, Eli… What the hell are you?” Marcus asked.

  “I could ask you the same question,” Eli responded.

  “I’ll answer for him instead,” Uncle Gregg interrupted. “Eli, we are best described as human blends. As Suron mentioned, we sought refuge on this planet when ours came under attack. The battle has continued for what would be hundreds of years on Earth. In order to survive, we had to merge, or blend with Earth’s inhabitants. We do so by meshing ourselves into the DNA of an human embryo. This is only done with permission from donors, meaning the mother and father,” Uncle Gregg explained. “In exchange, they were able to bear an exceptional child who would live a long healthy life. The only stipulation was that they meet with me once a year for check-ups and progress,” Uncle Gregg finished.

  “Do each of you have the same abilities?” Eli asked.

  “No, and there is no way to predict who will have what,” Uncle Gregg answered. “Self healing is a common trait but not everyone can heal others,” he explained. There are other abilities such as Numeras, Lures, Awareness… the list goes on,” he told.

  “Enough about us. Your turn to spill, Doc,” Marcus insisted.

  Eli caressed Julie’s arm and sighed. “My people and I come from the Earth. This planet… this dirt… is what created us. We are her caretakers. Our job is to protect her from the poisons humans constantly damage her with. We’ve been given permission to use the natural forces of the Earth in our effort
s to preserve her. We are known as Earthlings; meaning ‘from the Earth’. I, along with a few others, have modernized ourselves to coexist with humans. When called upon, we will each do our respective parts in keeping her safe,” Eli explained.

  “So, that’s why you have all those human organs inside of you. That’s how you’re modernized?” Marcus asked.

  “Yes, in part. I do not have need of them unless I partake in human activities, like eating and such,” Eli confirmed. “Most of us live solitary lives but band together when necessary,” Eli finished.

  Eli looked down and saw that Julie’s eyes were open. She smiled up at him. “Earthling, huh?” she smiled.

  “How much did you hear?” he asked, returning her smile.

  “Enough… told ya I was a freak.” She laughed. Eli laughed with Julie until her face cringed with pain. She turned her head and saw Austin next to her. “Is he okay?” she asked Uncle Gregg.

  “After a while, I expect both of you to fully heal,” he assured her.

  William and Paul returned. “It is about a five minute walk to the cars from here,” Paul said.

  “William, you carry Austin. Paul take Laney,” Uncle Gregg instructed.

  “May I?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg. They both looked at Julie, who nodded her head yes. She hissed in pain as Eli lifted her.

  “Sorry,” he said.

  “It’s okay,” she mumbled and rest her head against his chest. “Marshmallow feet,” she said.

  “What?” Eli laughed.

  “Walk like you have marshmallows on your feet,” she explained with a yawn.

  “Silly girl,” Eli smiled.

  Once at the vehicles, Austin was placed in the back seat of Paul’s car and Julie in Uncle Gregg’s.

  “Marcus, go with Eli to wake up Fred,” Uncle Gregg reminded.

  “I forgot about him. Where is he?” Eli asked.

  “In your trunk,” Marcus answered.

  “Why?” Eli asked.

  “Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Marcus shrugged.

  “Entirely my fault, Eli. I didn’t want him interfering,” Uncle Gregg explained.

  “What should I do with him?” Marcus asked.

  “No more death,” Julie chimed from the car.