“Tell him he doesn’t remember anything, that he has amnesia, and drop him off at some police station or hospital,” Uncle Gregg suggested.
“Works for me,” Marcus responded.
“Eli,” Julie called from the car. Eli reached for her hand through the window. “Mrs. Gosley…,” she whispered.
“I know,” he answered.
“I’m sorry.” She fought back tears.
“Hush now, you need to rest. I’ll take care of everything,” Eli promised.
“What happened to the helicopter?” she asked.
“It crashed, no survivors,” he told her. Even though Luke’s body had not been found, he was not going to worry her about it.
“Are you in trouble… with Suron?” she asked him.
“You worry about you,” Eli smiled. “I have things to take care of, then I will come see you,” he promised. “Rest, doctor’s orders,” he said, leaning in to kiss the top of her head.
“Okay,” she mumbled and closed her eyes.
Eli and Marcus left to take care of business. They dropped off a disoriented Fred at a nearby clinic and drove back to Eli’s place. Eli handled things with the police, leaving Julie’s apartment out of the conversation. The police determined it to be a robbery that had gone badly and removed the bodies from the two apartments.
Eli called into work and explained he would be away for a few days attending to family matters. He then left a voice mail for Kathy in Human Resources, letting her know that Julie would not be in for a few days because she was taking care of a sick family member. He would let Julie take it from there.
Eli and Marcus drove up to Uncle Gregg’s house in the Poconos.
Julie drifted in and out of sleep on the ride there, moaning and groaning with every bump the car took.
“Uncle G?” she asked during one of her wakeful moments.
“Yes, my dear,” Uncle Gregg said.
“Marcus told me that all the mothers die during childbirth,” she stated.
“Yes, unfortunately, that’s true. We are working on different procedures to prevent that,” Uncle Gregg said.
“Do they know that? I mean, why would anyone agree to knowingly die just to give birth?” Julie asked.
“They are made aware of the risks,” was all Uncle Gregg replied.
“Wait… Austin has a mom,” Julie remembered.
“It’s his step-mother,” he answered.
“Does he know?” she asked.
“No… in fact his father and I had an argument over that which led him to estrange himself and Austin from me,” Uncle Gregg explained.
“Austin said you make the best baked potatoes.” Julie giggled. She was beginning to feel sleepy again.
“I’ll be sure to fire up the grill as soon as you two are ready for some food.” He smiled.
“I could eat fifty of them… right… now,” Julie drifted off to sleep once more.
They were almost at Uncle Gregg’s home when Julie awoke once more. “Uncle G?” Julie spoke.
“Yes, Laney,” he answered.
“Marcus mentioned that Austin didn’t have any abilities. Was he just covering for him?” she asked.
“No. To be quite honest, I was surprised to learn of that fact myself,” Uncle Gregg answered.
“It’s just… I have some memories as a child, and I could do things then. The healing, the numbers…,” Julie remembered.
“For most, the abilities are seen in early development, but for a few others, sometimes a little longer. Austin’s case is quite unusual. His did not surface for a longer period of time. There was most likely some kind of trigger,” Uncle Gregg surmised.
“Trigger?” Julie asked.
“Something traumatic, unique. When did you first notice he had abilities?” he asked her.
“When Luke shot him,” she said as her face squinted in pain at the memory.
“Laney,” Uncle Gregg said.
“Please… don’t call me that. I prefer Julie. That other name… holds too many bad memories,” she admitted.
“Of course,” Uncle Gregg said.
The vehicle slowed and came to a stop. “We’re here,” Uncle Gregg said. Julie managed to sit up and looked out the window. Seeing the log cabin that was Uncle Gregg’s home brought back some more memories for her.
Julie saw her tiny self sitting on the porch swing.
“Not too fast, Daddy,” she said.
“Okay, Laney, not too fast,” her father said.
“Dad used to push me on that swing,” Julie told Uncle Gregg.
“Yes, I remember that. You never wanted to go very fast, just nice and slow,” he remembered fondly. “Do you want to try and stand up?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she replied and scooted to the door. She let her feet dangle out of the car before sliding forward and letting them touch the ground. Julie held onto the car door with one hand and took Uncle Gregg’s hand with the other. “Aah!” she yelled, collapsing.
“Too soon,” he said, scooping her into his arms. William took Julie from Uncle Gregg, as he was unsteady himself.
“Did you heal part of me?” she asked, noticing him sway.
“Just a bit,” Uncle Gregg answered.
“You shouldn’t have,” she frowned.
Paul’s car pulled up behind them. He held onto Austin as the boy climbed from the car. “Austin!” Julie yelled. His face lit up when he saw her. “William, please take me over to him,” she begged.
William carried her over. Austin was leaning heavily on the door and Paul. “Put me down, please?” Julie asked, but held onto him as pain shot up her legs the minute they touched the ground.
“Julie…” Uncle Gregg was about to remind her to take it easy, but she didn’t listen.
Even though she knew it was going to hurt the both of them, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. She felt both Paul and William supporting them and keeping them vertical. “You were right,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“About… what?” Austin managed to stammer out.
“We didn’t die,” she said, pulling her face back to look at him. Austin laughed then grimaced in pain. Julie put her hands on his face and looked into his eyes. Austin rested his forehead on hers.
“Okay, you two, time to rest,” Uncle Gregg said. William scooped her back up in his arms before she could protest and carried her inside the cabin. Paul was following right behind with Austin.
Julie’s eyes were already starting to droop when William placed her in a bed. “All I want you to do is sleep,” Uncle Gregg advised.
“Done,” Julie said and let the exhaustion take her.
Austin had fallen asleep in Paul’s arms and didn’t stir when placed in a bed. His room was right next to Julie’s.
Eli and Marcus arrived just before dawn. “Smell that?” Marcus asked, taking a deep breath. “He’s got the grill going!” Marcus exclaimed and ran around the back of the house.
Eli followed at a more leisurely pace, taking in the span of the property. Uncle Gregg’s cabin was nestled in the woods, surrounded by very tall and ancient trees. The front of the cabin appeared small, but a walk around the back showed it was much more than a simple log cabin. Additions had been put onto the back of the house, making it resemble more of a resort than its rustic front would lead one to believe. The large deck and patio looked capable of accommodating three hundred people.
Uncle Gregg, although a slight man to begin with, seemed even more marginal within the massive setting.
“Eli, come join us,” Uncle Gregg called out in greeting as he approached.
Marcus was picking at stuff already on the table. “Make an exception and eat. Uncle Gregg is the best cook, bar none,” Marcus praised. Eli smiled in response.
“How are they?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg.
“Still sleeping, last time I checked,” he answered. “You can check on them, if you like. I was hoping the smell of the food would rouse them,” Uncle Gregg added.
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“Thank you,” Eli said.
“Just head on up the stairs, Julie’s is the room with the brown door and Austin’s is the blue door,” Uncle Gregg informed. Eli left to check on them.
The cabin’s main floor seemed rustic and true to character, Eli noted. The upstairs had been updated for a more modern appearance.
Eli came across the brown door first and knocked softly. He thought he heard a sound and opened the door.
Julie was tossing and turning in the bed “No, please,” she cried.
She must be in the middle of a dream, Eli thought. He sat down on the bed and tried to ease her thrashing. “Shh, it’s okay,” he spoke softly, rubbing her back.
She suddenly sat up in the bed and began beating him with her fists. “No more… no more,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Julie, you’re dreaming, wake up. You’re safe,” he said as she struggled against his restraint.
She opened her eyes and looked quizzically at him. “Eli… you’re okay?” She frowned.
“I’m just fine. Are you okay?” He smiled and released her hands.
“You’re… you’re not dead?” She asked, putting her hands on his face.
“Is that what you were dream—” he began to say. Julie cut off his words by pulling his face to hers and kissing him. Eli felt a powerful force envelope him. He couldn’t help responding to her.
Out on the deck, Marcus swayed slightly. “Uh, oh,” he said and looked up at the second floor. Uncle Gregg paused as well and followed Marcus’ gaze. “She doesn’t know how to control it,” Marcus said, gripping the table. Uncle Gregg closed his eyes and waved a hand in front of his face then did the same for Marcus. “Thanks,” Marcus said collapsing on the bench. “I forgot you could block,” he added.
“What kind of relationship do Julie and Eli have?” Uncle Gregg asked. “It’s obvious he cares for her,” he stated.
“Oh, it’s more than that,” Marcus laughed. “He all but knocked me into the next room when he caught me with her,” Marcus admitted.
“With her?” Uncle Gregg asked, folding his arms.
“It’s not what you think,” Marcus held up his hands. “I didn’t know she was ‘little lost Laney’. We met; I knew she was like us, she had the Lure on. What was I suppose to do?” Marcus argued. Uncle Gregg looked at Marcus skeptically.
Eli struggled to regain control of his senses. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be with Julie, but he understood she was unaware of her own actions.
“Julie,” Eli breathed once he was able to break the kiss. She tried to re-engage him. “Pull back, Julie,” Eli reluctantly ordered. Julie froze. The fog that had been before her was gone. She looked panic stricken at Eli.
“Oh, no… no… that did not just happen again,” she stammered and jumped out of the bed. “This is crazy… I can’t do this. I can’t be here… I don’t belong anywhere,” she rambled. “I’m trouble to everyone,” she concluded.
Eli was still shaking off the effects of the Lure when Julie ran out of the bedroom. “Julie!” he shouted and took off after her.
Julie ran out the back door, past Marcus and Uncle Gregg. I just need to get away from everyone, she thought. She picked up speed and headed for the forest as the panic intensified.
Eli stumbled out onto the deck. He was about to follow Julie when Uncle Gregg stopped him. “Let me handle this, Eli. I have the answers she is looking for,” he said, starting out after her.
“She’s in an all out panic,” Eli told him.
“I’ll take care of it,” he hollered back.
Eli collapsed in a nearby chair.
“Lure works on Earthlings too, huh?” Marcus teased. Eli ignored him.
Julie ran until she was out of breath. She slid down against a tree and buried her face in her knees and let the tears fall. She heard Uncle Gregg calling for her in the distance.
“Playing hide and seek?” a voice asked.
Julie lifted her head up.
“It’s my favorite game,” the voice spoke.
She looked around but did not see anyone. “Who… who’s there?” she asked. Standing, she still did not see anyone.
“Do you like to play games?” the voice asked.
“No, I don’t. Where are you?” Julie asked. She was more annoyed than scared.
“I’m right here,” a boy said, dropping down from the tree above her.
Instinctively, Julie jumped back. Looking at him, she realized he was an Earthling like Eli. His hair was bleached blond by the sun, his skin a darkened tan. He could pass for a surfer. His hair hung slightly into his eyes that twinkled with mischief. The only thing missing was a pair of swim trunks. He wore no clothing.
Julie’s face reddened as she turned away from him. “Could you… um, put some clothes on?” Julie asked.
“Does my natural state disturb you?” he asked.
“Yeah, a little,” Julie admitted.
“Too bad,” he whispered in her ear, sending a cold chill down her spine.
“Look, I just want to be left alone,” Julie said, keeping her back to him. She began walking away.
“Julie!” she heard Uncle Gregg calling for her again.
“Why are you hiding from him?” the boy asked, standing in front of her again. Julie turned and began walking in the other direction.
“I just want to be alone right now,” she said.
“You are the lost one he has been looking for,” he commented.
“You know my uncle?” She asked and stopped walking.
“We are… friends,” he answered.
“Do you have a name?” she asked.
“Percone,” he said, moving to stand in front of her once more. “Laney…” he said reaching out to touch her face. She moved out of his reach.
“Well, listen, Percone. I don’t want to talk to you or anyone else right now. So just leave me the hell alone,” Julie said.
“Julie!” Uncle Gregg’s voice was closer this time.
“Over here,” Percone shouted to Uncle Gregg. Julie glared angrily at the boy.
Uncle Gregg came stumbling through the brush. “Julie, didn’t you hear me calling you? Oh, I see you met Percone,” he said.
“Unfortunately,” she said through gritted teeth. Percone’s grin was as wide as his face.
“Julie, please come back to the house. We have a lot of things to talk about,” Uncle Gregg pleaded.
“Uncle G,” Julie sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be around anyone right now. I don’t trust myself. I feel… out of control,” Julie turned away, trying to hide her tears.
“All the more reason to talk to me, Julie. I have the answers you seek. Let me help you,” Uncle Gregg explained.
Julie breathed in deeply. “I know… it’s just….” Julie left her sentence unfinished. Uncle Gregg embraced her. She let herself cry in his arms.
Percone watched the interaction between the two creatures. “You two behave like a human father and daughter; it’s quite touching,” he commented.
Julie pulled back, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said to Uncle Gregg.
“There is nothing to apologize for. I can not even imagine all you have gone through. That part of your life is over. This is a new beginning for you, Julie. One that will surround you with people just like yourself,” he comforted.
“No offense, Uncle G, but that’s not what I am looking for. I want to live the life of Julie Miller,” she said, realizing for the first time how much she wanted a life back in Marion.
Uncle Gregg placed his hands on her arms. “You can have whatever life you want. I just want to be a part of it. I hope you will let me,” he said.
“I’d like that,” Julie smiled.
“That goes for me, too… right?” Percone asked, standing behind Uncle Gregg. Julie rolled her eyes, making Uncle Gregg laugh.
“You’re a good friend, Percone,” he said.
Julie began to feel dizzy. “Whoa,” she said, swaying. “I think I
need to eat,” she grabbed onto Uncle Gregg as her legs weakened.
“Here, sit down for a moment,” he encouraged.
“Good idea,” she agreed, sitting on a pile of leaves that she hadn’t noticed there before.
“Where’s Percone?” she asked, noticing he was gone.
“Miss me?” he asked, sitting next to her. Julie jumped slightly at his closeness.
“No, actually, I just wanted to know where you were so you couldn’t sneak up on me again,” she huffed.
“Here, eat these,” he said, opening his hand. Three small oval-shaped berries were revealed.
“What are they?” Julie asked.
“Special fruit of the Earth. It will make you stronger,” he told.
Julie picked up one. “It’s warm,” she remarked.
“It grows far beneath the surface,” Percone explained.
“May I?” Uncle Gregg asked. He took one of the berries and ate it. Julie watched his expression closely. “It’s bitter, but good,” he said. Julie looked at the one in her hand.
“I do feel stronger than before,” Uncle Gregg said, standing up. “Can you get more of these?” he asked.
“Perhaps,” Percone smiled.
“Go ahead, Julie. Try it,” Uncle Gregg encouraged.
Julie ate the berry and grimaced. “It tastes very sweet, not bitter,” she noted.
“Its flavor differs for everyone,” Percone advised.
Julie felt a tingling in her arms and legs. “It sort of tickles.” She laughed.
“Percone? What are the are the side effects?” Uncle Gregg asked, looking strangely at his hands.
“It does, in some people, act as a hallucinogen,” Percone admitted.
“So, my hands are not giant purple balloons?” Uncle Gregg asked.
“Purple Balloons?” Julie laughed.
“Wanna try and stand up?” Percone asked her.
“Why the hell not?” She giggled, taking his hand. She was starting to feel the euphoria.
“Wow!” she exclaimed, looking up at the trees. “I can see every line, every angle… even the rims on the leaves,” she marveled.
Uncle Gregg was shaking his head. “Percone, you should have told me of the side effects before letting us ingest these,” he said, slowly coming out of the haze.
“You didn’t ask,” Percone said.
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