“This is Michael, Nick, and my daughter Kara,” Arthur said introducing me to each one individually. I shook their hands. They were all in their early twenties, just like me. The young woman identified as Kara gave me a cynical sideways look. I wondered what it was all about, but I simply smiled back in response. She was tall with dark blonde hair and had an athletic build. She was also super attractive with the most gorgeous set of lips I’d ever seen, and I had to stop myself from gawking.
“And, last but not least, I don’t think an introduction is necessary for you two.” Arthur gestured to an elderly woman who stood her back to us as she prepared food near the stove. She slowly wiped her hands on the apron around her waist, then turned. I gasped, completely awe struck.
“Well hello again, Mr. Reese,” said Ms. Parkman.
This was quite a shocker. Never in a million years would I have imagined her being here.
“I told you that you have always been watched from afar, Charlie,” Robert said as he entered the kitchen and took a seat at the table.
Well, I guess that explained her unearthly demeanor most of the time. Still, it wasn’t an excuse for giving me insane homework assignments and making my life a living hell.
That was just plain evil.
Chapter 22
Freddy and Allison came downstairs looking refreshed and joined us in the kitchen.
“Please, have a seat and dig in,” said Arthur.
Ms. Parkman had prepared a savory dish of spaghetti with garlic bread and gazpacho soup as an appetizer. I have to admit, it was very delicious, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Freddy actually had three helpings after he too got over the shock of seeing Ms. Parkman.
“Walk with me a spell, Charlie,” Arthur said after dinner was over, and everyone else had retired to their respective room. I followed him outside as he gently stuffed tobacco into a small wooden pipe and lit it. We walked over to a beautiful gazebo near the swimming pool.
“Have a seat,” Arthur offered as he took a puff of his pipe. “I know, I know. It’s a nasty habit, but it’s so relaxing. One perk of our race is all the enjoyment of Earth’s delicacies with none of the side effects.”
He smiled and blew a tuft of smoke into the air. He was thin, much thinner than Robert. His hair was jet black and slicked back like a 50’s movie star. His sideburns were long and jutted out to highlight his sharp cheekbones. He also sported a pencil-width mustache that was perfectly boxed and as straight as an arrow.
“How much do you know of your past and why you are here?”
“Only the cliff notes.”
“I see. Well, I will try and clear up any blank spots you might have. You are quite an extraordinary young man, Charlie. And, as difficult as things have been lately, I must admit, they are only going to get more difficult. I won’t lie to you and tell you that things will be alright, that things will all go according to plan; I don’t know for sure that they will. I cannot see into the future, but I do know a few people who can.”
Arthur winked at me and continued to enjoy his pipe. I wondered if he was joking or whether there were actually people out there who could predict the future.
“Each person from our home planet has certain limited abilities, like being able to move small objects or mind reading, but no one of the scale and magnitude that you possess. You will need to learn how to harness and employ that power. I can teach you the basics, but it will be up to you to embrace the power and channel it.”
He looked into the night sky as millions of tiny stars slowly began to litter and illuminate the darkness. There wasn’t a cloud in sight.
“It has been a long day. You will need your rest; tomorrow begins your training. Mildred, please show Mr. Reese to his quarters.”
The butler appeared at Arthur’s side instantly. Puzzled, I looked around to see where he could have possibly come from so unannounced and found no answer.
This was getting downright creepy.
“Right this way, sir,” he said in a raspy voice that suggested he was just getting over a serious cold or a bout with pneumonia.
I followed the decrepit old man back inside and up the stairs. He led me to a spacious room on the third floor and stood next to the doorway with his fingers clasped in front of him.
“I hope you find everything to your liking. There’s spare clothing within the wardrobe that you should find to your liking and toiletries in the bathroom. If you need anything else, please, do not hesitate to ask.”
With that, he closed the door, and I was finally alone. I walked to the wardrobe and opened the doors. It was no wonder I would find everything to my liking, I realized. They were all the actual clothes from my dorm room. I sighed, unsurprised. I mean, how could I be? These guys had been one step ahead the entire time and seemed to know everything about me. I thought about sneaking away in the middle of the night, but then thought the better of it. They’d probably just find me and bring me back. Besides, where would I go? My friends were here, and I couldn’t just leave them. And, I had to admit, I was more than just a little intrigued at what I was ultimately capable of. It was like being handed the keys to a brand new Ferrari.
I took a quick shower, then changed into a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt before flopping lazily on the bed. The day’s events filled my thoughts, and I wondered what the next day would bring. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep on top of the down comforter and snoring loudly.
Chapter 23
The next morning, I awoke to a familiar sound.
“Charlie? Are you awake yet?” Freddy whispered.
He plopped down on the bed next to me and almost sent me flying to the floor.
“I am now buddy,” I groaned. Even though I had fallen asleep pretty quickly the night before, it wasn’t a very restful sleep. I had the same dream about the strangely familiar distant land I’d had the night before, and I could hear the same woman’s voice over and over again. It was starting to haunt me.
“Man, this place is sweet! I had a refreshing swim this morning before breakfast. I’ve never done that before. They even have crepes, dude! I mean, you wouldn’t believe the breakfast spread downstairs. There’s fresh fruit, different types of quiche, pancakes, and Mimosa. I even got my own robe with my initials on it. See, check it out.”
He tugged proudly on the pocket of the white robe he was wearing to show me the finely stitched gold lettering.
“I’m not real sure, but we might have just died and gone to heaven.”
“Maybe.”
I rolled over, burying my head in the pillow.
“Up and at ‘em Rip Van Winkle,” Freddy barked. He stood up and yanked the covers from the bed.
“Robert wanted me to wake you. Says you have some training to do this morning.”
I sat up reluctantly and threw my legs over the edge of the bed.
“Speaking of, we haven’t had much of a chance to talk about this situation. Just what the hell is going on?”
Freddy sat down on the bed again and eyed me keenly over the top of his glasses.
“I mean, I saw what you did to that SUV yesterday,” he continued. “Or at least I know what I think I saw. How did you do that? Are you really buying into this alien crap?”
“How else can I explain it? Yesterday I was a normal college student; now I can do all these impossible things with my mind.”
“Yeah, I noticed the whole Matrix thing. That was…interesting. Not to mention it kinda freaked Allison out.”
“I know. How is she by the way? She won’t even talk to me.”
“Oh, she’ll get over it. She’s a woman, and she likes you.”
“You sure about that?” I asked, unsure if I really wanted to hear the answer.
“Hey, this is me you’re talking to, remember?” Freddy grinned from ear to ear. “And the whole chosen one thing? That’s guaranteed to win you huge brownie points.”
“I sincerely doubt it,” I said. “You didn’t see the way she looked at me afterwards.”
 
; “True, but unlike you, I did talk to her. There’s a lot you have to learn about women, my friend.”
“Apparently.”
I hoped Freddy was right, but I wasn’t going to hold out for a miracle. My one chance at the girl of my dreams, and I had probably blown it because I was an alien freak. Which, strangely, didn’t feel much different from the Earth version I was already so accustomed to being.
Chapter 24
“Good morning, Charlie. Can I offer you some breakfast? Perhaps an omelet or an English muffin?” Ms. Parkman asked as I entered the kitchen.
“No thank you,” I responded politely. It was hard to see Ms. Parkman in the kitchen. It was hard to see Ms. Parkman period. She looked as strange to me in front of the stove as she did behind her desk.
“Nonsense,” she said with a defiant wave of her wrinkled hand. “You will need your strength for training today, and my omelets are famous for their nourishment. Ham and cheese alright with you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, realizing that declining was completely out of the question.
“So, how did you sleep last night?”
“Pretty good, considering the circumstances.”
“I completely understand. I am sorry for the deception, especially that you had to find out about me this way. I have kept up with you since you were a little boy. I apologize if I came across as abrasive and tough at times toward you. I just knew the tremendous potential you possess young man, and I didn’t want to see you squander it.
Abrasive and tough? That was the understatement of the year.
The eggs sizzled as they met the hot skillet.
“So,” I asked, “if you’ve been watching me my whole life, how come I’ve never noticed you before?”
She chuckled softly.
“When I set my mind to it, I am pretty adept at not being seen, believe it or not.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I was pretty certain I would have noticed her wrinkled, sour face had I come across it as a child. To think of the nightmares that would have accompanied such an experience.
“I oversaw the adoption to your Earth mother and father. We had to know with complete absolution that you were safe and going to a good family. And, I believe they did an exceptional job in raising you.”
Her frail fingers slowly sprinkled generous helpings of ham and finely shredded cheese on top of the eggs. I grabbed a glass from the table and poured myself some apple juice. No Mimosa for me. I wasn’t much of a drinker, especially at breakfast.
“I watched you go through the typical ups and downs throughout childhood and recently,” Ms. Parkman continued, “it was very difficult for me not to intervene, and I have to admit, you made it necessary on a few occasions.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Well, like the time you and that ruffian Freddy were caught in the women’s dormitory after curfew. Or, when you two were almost expelled for underage drinking on campus, just to name a couple.”
She shook her head. “How that boy ever made it into college is beyond my understanding.”
“That was you?” I asked, surprised at the revelation.
She nodded, folding the omelet over delicately with a wooden spatula. It smelled delicious.
Freddy and I had constantly marveled at how we survived that one with the school’s strict policy on drinking in the dorms. At the time, I was going through a particularly rough patch, and Freddy had convinced me to join him on an overnight binge. Everything was going fine until we decided to play Guitar Hero at a deafening level after midnight, which attracted the attention of Brian Glockner, our dormitory’s notorious resident assistant. Freddy then decided it was a prime opportunity to give Brian a piece of his mind for the frequent harassment in the past that he felt was unwarranted. The episode ended with the campus police arriving on scene and an eventual trip before the disciplinary review board. That was a particularly fun time. I cringed as I recalled how we had nervously awaited our fate. Apparently, Ms. Parkman was my guardian angel, of sorts.
Now how unpredictable is that?
Ms. Parkman tilted the frying pan, and the omelet slid gently onto a glass plate. She threw a couple of pieces of applewood bacon and buttered wheat toast on it for good measure, then set the medley in front of me. It looked absolutely scrumptious, and as I took my first bite, my taste buds confirmed it. Man, she wasn’t much of a teacher by my standards, but she was definitely one heck of a cook.
Ms. Parkman carefully lowered herself into the seat across from me and grasped my hand softly; the one I wasn’t busy shoveling food with. Boy, this was awkward.
“You have no idea of your true worth, Charles Reese. You are destined to shape the course of this world’s future. Our people have waited patiently for your arrival, and the time has come. We’ve all lost and sacrificed so much. You are the beacon that will guide us. You are the ray of light in the darkness that will illuminate the future. And, what a bright future it is.”
She smiled, and I noticed a slight twinkle in her dark eyes as she squeezed my hand. I felt a strange connection to her, in almost a matriarchal type of way. The one a family turns to in times of need. I realized Ms. Parkman wasn’t so bad after all. And, I instantly felt ashamed for all the negative things I’d thought or said about her. But, the things she’d said to me had added even more weight to my already slumping shoulders. How was I going to live up to such lofty expectations? A whole race was depending on me? What if I failed?
Maybe the training I was about to undergo could foster some much needed confidence; my tank was suddenly running on empty.
Chapter 25
After breakfast, I headed outside to begin my training. I have to admit, I was slightly nervous and had no idea what to expect. Beyond the pool was an area that resembled a professional football field with finely textured Kentucky bluegrass and meticulously painted white lines.
I made my way over to where Robert was busy barking out instructions to Nick, Michael, and Kara. The others I’d met the night before were each performing separate martial arts drills of varying difficulty. It was fascinating to watch.
“So nice of you to finally join us,” Robert remarked dryly.
I started to offer an excuse about being held up at breakfast by Ms. Parkman, but thought the better of it. Would it really make a difference?
“Here,” Robert said, and pointed to a large red vinyl-surfaced rectangle with a round polyethylene base. “Start with this sparring bag. You need to hone your physical skills as well before we concentrate on your mental abilities. Show me your punch.”
“Show you my what?”
“Your punch. Hit the bag.”
Well, this ought to be interesting, I thought.
While I planned my course of attack, I studied the bag for a moment and the best avenue of approach to land a perfectly calculated punch. Not that I had the slightest clue what I was doing.
“Sometime today would be great,” said Robert. The others chuckled under their breath as they continued their own drills.
I threw a half-hearted swing that barely grazed the bag, only slightly causing it to move from its stationary position. Robert came over and stood next to me.
“That was absolutely pathetic,” he said in a nasally voice I hadn’t heard before that told me he wasn’t very pleased. “Watch me.” He demonstrated the proper stance and hand placement before throwing a thunderous punch at the bag that nearly tipped the water-filled base over.
“Now, try again.”
I threw another punch at the bag, this time connecting fully and stinging my wrist a little.
“Much better. Next time, try to open your hand a little just before contact.”
I spent some time throwing punch after punch at the bag. It was actually quite exhilarating, and I seemed to really be getting the hang of it after awhile.
“Watch me very carefully,” Robert said after about an hour, squaring off in front of the sparring bag once more. He bent his knees, and with one fluid motion,
spun around and performed a perfect round-house kick.
“Now, you try.”
Was he being serious? Did he actually expect me to do that? I stared at the bag blankly, as if some divine guidance would magically appear and bestow itself upon me. Finding none, I readied myself and assumed the position. I jumped and spun around, too quickly though, as I completely missed the bag and fell painfully to the ground. Painful for my ego that is, hearing the others burst into raucous laughter while I struggled back to my feet.
“Quiet!” Robert shouted. The veins on each side of his temple pulsated. “This is no laughing matter. You two, head to the armory with Jason. We’ll be testing the new shipment of XM8 assault rifles this afternoon, so give him a hand with the ammo and loading the magazines.” Nick and Michael hurried off as directed.
“Kara, come here.”
She threw down the kendo stick she’d been practicing with and jogged over to Robert. Even with her hair pulled up and away from her face, she looked absolutely stunning. A few loose strands clung to her forehead that was lightly drenched in sweat. A thin layer also covered her body and glistened as the sun hit it at just the right angle. Or, maybe it was just the stars I was seeing after hitting the ground so hard.
“Please, show Charlie how to perform a proper kick.”
Kara approached the bag and, with little effort, completed a round-house kick perfectly.
“Figures,” I muttered to myself.
“Size and strength do not matter as much as the execution, Charlie. Now, do it again.”
I performed a variety of kicks, punches, and counterattacks for a few hours. We only stopped briefly for lunch. Then, I was back at it with Robert’s relentless instruction and Kara’s assistance.
Chapter 26
Over the next couple of days, we repeated the same routine, and I gradually got the hang of it. I was actually starting to enjoy myself. I never knew how to protect myself before, though I guess I didn’t have a reason to quite honestly, what with Freddy around. It felt great to know that I could take care of myself now.
My confidence was at an all-time high as I completed a series of punches followed by a near perfect round-house kick. I grinned and unexpectedly locked eyes with Kara for a moment before she looked away awkwardly. I’d gotten to know her quite well during our training together. She was not very open to conversation, but with some persistence on my part, she had eventually opened up. I learned quickly that she was a strong-willed woman with a quick tongue and a very sharp sense of humor. It was a little intimidating, but in an oddly attractive sort of way. The wall she kept around herself so effectively had started to break down the more we talked and got to know each other. And, I could understand why. Being surrounded by guys 24/7 and having to constantly prove you’re every bit as good as they are would definitely create some character flaws. To be honest, she kept my mind off of Allison, who I’d only been able to say a handful of words to since we’d arrived. And, it was strange; Kara was her exact opposite in almost every way. But, how could I be attracted to both of them if they were so different? It was too complicated for my inexperienced love life to handle, so I made a mental note to ask Freddy later.