Balancer's Soul

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  He shut his eyes slowly while saying “It was amazing because your parents poured their energy into me to save me. I never knew that it could be possible.” He opened his eyes to look at her again. “Sarah, your parents aren’t the only ones who need those calories. Could you please bring me something as well?”

  “Right! I’ll be right back. Don’t you die on me, do you understand?” He smiled at her command.

  “I will always obey my princess.” As Sarah left for the kitchen she heard Connor speaking. “You two are incredible; in a good and a bad way.”

  “I can’t wait to hear this… Go ahead, let’s have it.” she heard her mother say. Sarah quickly grabbed everything she could manage to carry from the pantry and started back to the room.

  “I asked for you to get permission to read my mind, but I am glad that you had the ability to save me.”

  “You’re taking this quite well.” Jack said rather calmly.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’m disappointed at you alright, but I understand why you did it. From now on you will know this.” Sarah heard the mattress springs shift and knew he shifted how he laid. “I never hurt my family, I protect them. I also include you as a part of my family. We need to rely on each other, not harm. Got it!” Connor actually scolded her ancient parents.

  As Sarah came back into her room her father said “You’re right, we are family.” He and her mother laid on the floor together now. “Welcome back, Sarah.” Jack smiled up at his child.

  Sarah handed her parents a package of cereal and a bottle of soda. They sat up and ate quickly, trying to replenish their depleted energies. She walked around them and sat on the edge of her bed while looking at Connor. He now rested on his back wearing the X on his chest proudly. “What did you bring me?” He didn’t sit up, but he smiled her smile. Sarah looked down at his resting hand.

  “Please don’t ever try and upset Father like that again.” She looked up again to see him wearing the same smile.

  “What else are son-in-laws for then?” He smiled softly.

  Jack chuckled quietly. “He’s got a point, Sarah. It’s a guy thing. I too like giving your grandfather a hard time, especially when he’s not being kind.”

  “Men.” Jillian shook her head and Sarah agreed.

  “It doesn’t really matter then.” Sarah said and Conner smiled. She handed him a granola bar and a banana along with a bottle of water.

  He took the food first, but he seemed so weak after this ordeal.

  As everyone finished eating, Connor was at last able to sit up on his own again. His eyes winced, but he pushed himself. Jack and Jillian now stood with renewed vigor as their energy levels came up again. “Connor, I’m sorry about tonight.” Jillian apologized while looking at him on the edge of the bed.

  “I’m not. It was educational for me. Besides that, I have a surprise waiting at home for me.”

  “I forgot all about that…” Jillian suddenly looked at Sarah and smiled. And as she read her mind her jaw continually dropped lower.

  Jillian spoke with her mind. “Well he has completely shattered your shell, my daughter. It now looks like you want to break his too.”

  “Mother, please don’t get carried away.” She shrugged indifferently.

  Connor changed the flow of the room by commanding “Jack, help me up.”

  “You really shouldn’t move just yet.” He said softly while looking down.

  Connor looked at him with the piercing stare of a natural born leader. “I wasn’t asking. There is just one more thing I need to do before it gets dark and I’m going to accomplish it.” Connor stretched his hand out and Jack grabbed his wrist and helped him to stand. Connor wobbled for a minute trying to get his equilibrium back. Her father patiently waited till Connor could stand properly.

  Connor looked at Sarah and smiled that he was ready. He slowly bent down and picked up two of her heavier boxes of clothing. As he left her room Connor called from the hallway “Sarah, please get the door for me.” Using her petite size to an advantage she rushed under his arm to open the doors and saw the wagon he pulls Kara to school in. Inside were two suitcases which held his things. He placed the two boxes inside the wagon as her father brought the other two boxes and stacked them on top of the suitcases. “Sarah, were you grading papers yesterday?” Connor smiled weakly at her as Jillian brought out the last box.

  “Gotcha.” She ran inside the house and grabbed her school bag that was filled with the papers that she forgot to put up before she left yesterday. “Mother, thank you for putting my work in my bag.”

  She smiled and replied with “Goodbye, Sarah. Enjoy your night.”

  As Sarah came outside, her father and Connor were discussing something. Connor wore the chest harness as he waited. Connor said “…of course, I probably will not see you until Monday morning.”

  “Good.” Jack smiled as he walked into the house.

  “What was that about?” She asked while walking up to Connor, slinging her pack over his shoulder.

  “He’s just worried about me.” He looked her over with tired eyes. “Are you ready to go to your new home again?”

  “Our home,” She corrected with a possessive smile. And he pulled the wagon through the woods, still breathing hard. She knew he was still weak because she’s seen him run well over eight miles at a dead run and not even break a sweat. He really was hurting.

  When they eventually arrived at the cottage, he pulled the wagon straight into the living room. Sarah heard him curse under his breath. Walking around to see what was wrong she spotted him trying in vain to unclasp the strap connecter. Sarah casually walked up to him and raised her hands in offering. “Let me help.” His fingers were shaking fiercely because they weren’t responding properly. As she removed the straps off his shoulders she told him “Go take a hot shower, it will help. While you do that, I will make you a better meal for dinner. The bar and banana won’t be enough.” He nodded and started for the bathroom.

  Sarah walked back into the kitchen and pulled out some ground beef and made a quick meatloaf. She set the timer for about thirty minutes and slid the meal into the preheated oven. Connor must have been having a hard time in the shower because the water had only been on for a minute as she finished making dinner preparations and slid it into the oven.

  She took a very deep breath. “It’s time for your reward for going shirtless all day for me.” Sarah walked to the bathroom door and cracked the door to peek inside. Connor stood in the shower and it looked like he was leaning on the tile wall for support, letting the water beat against his body. It was difficult to see him through the glass sliding door because the steam.

  Sarah walked in as quietly as she could. Taking off her clothing, she carefully slid the glass door back and entered. Connor leaned heavily on the wall, allowing the hot water to cascade off him. His eyes were closed, almost looking asleep. Seeing him nude was more than she ever expected. His upper body muscles were one thing, but his lower body was built more like a warhorse. His calves bulged in a massive knot and his thighs were the same. Even with him always wearing pants she couldn’t have imagined anyone with legs like his.

  Connor must have finally sensed her because he spun around rapidly. His eyes went wide as he finally noticed what stood before him. His eyes looked up and down at her before he shut his eyes in embarrassment and delayed passion. Sarah tried forcing herself to keep my eyes on his face, it didn’t work. Not one aspect of him could be considered small. His attraction for her fully revealed itself and she shivered as it stared at her with a primal hunger only she could sate.

  “Sarah, what are you doing?” His voice was still weak.

  “Just turn back around. This is your surprise, it’s a shame you can’t enjoy it.” He didn’t turn completely around, but he opened up his eyes and looked only at her face which was now dripping wet from being in the steamy shower.

  “I’m surprised.” He smiled weakly. “Well?”

  “I’m sorry?” He caught her off g
uard.

  “What do you think of your fully naked fiancé?”

  “Wait… didn’t we have a similar conversation this morning?” “You really are my very own personal Greek God.” And he smiled weakly, looking even more tired than she originally thought.

  Speaking softly he said “And you look like my Goddess.” He finally turned around to look at the showerhead again.

  Wanting to get him to bed quicker, she told him “Hand me the soap and the sponge.” He did and she washed his back and chest. Sarah didn’t dare go lower or she might lose what little control she had left and take him as her own. As they both finished drying off she stepped out of the room first with a towel wrapped over her middle and hurried into the kitchen to take out dinner. Connor came out wearing the towel, covering only his waist. He walked to the wagon and pulled it into their bedroom. “Dinner is ready!” she yelled into the back.

  Connor came out of the room, now wearing black pants and sat at the dinner table.

  They ate in complete silence. As he ate she saw him shake his head violently to stay awake. Sarah took his plate immediately once he finished and placed it in the sink. “Let’s get you to bed.”

  “You won’t get any arguments from me.” He stood and walked into the bedroom, she followed in worry because he didn’t make an insinuating retort. He collapsed on the bed, belly down, and was sleeping within moments. Sarah put on a t-shirt and panties to join him.

  “Since he isn’t going anywhere tomorrow I need to do some shopping.” Sarah fell asleep as she heard his deep sleeping breaths and knew he would survive the night.

  ***

  Connor awoke around noon with a dull, throbbing headache and all of his muscles were screaming in agony and fatigue. Looking to his right and hoping to find Sarah, he was disappointed to find a letter on Sarah’s pillow. It read:

  Connor,

  I had to go into town for some shopping with Mother. I will be home at around three. Please meet me at my parent’s with the wagon.

  I love you

  He folded up the paper and slid it in his pocket.

  Sitting up, Connor pieced together the last few hours of yesterday before sleeping like the dead. He remembered a massive amount of cranial pain as Jack read his mind, losing strength quickly as he reassured them that he wasn’t taking Sarah away. Then waking up on the floor feeling as weak as when he obtained the brand on his chest. He looked around her room to see Sarah’s parents laying at either side looking completely drained.

  When they eventually got home and he was finally able to manage to get into the shower brought back delicious memories. The water was so refreshing that it relaxed every muscle in his quivering body until he noticed Sarah in the shower with him. She really did look like a goddess. Her perfection couldn’t be matched by anyone, but that was the extent of his memory of yesterday. He didn’t even remember the dinner that she made. Connor felt so tired and that was the first dinner she had made for him.

  Pulling himself out of bed Connor still felt weak, but much better than yesterday. He walked to the closet and put on a brown sleeved shirt. He then felt very hungry. Walking into the kitchen he ate four bowls of cereal and five bananas. Feeling full he eventually meandered into the bedroom, opened up Sarah’s boxes and his cases and put clothes in the dressers and closet. He decided to leave the delicates box closed and sealed for his own safety.

  About two hours before meeting Sarah, it started to get hot in the house. Connor made the decision and put on the chest harness and pulled the wagon outside. Still feeling weak he simply walked into the forest at a reasonably slow, but measured pace.

  It took over twenty minutes before reaching Jack’s house and it proved to be truly exhausting. Connor took off the strap and placed the wagon next to Jillian’s fire engine red sports car, in the garage.

  He knocked on the garage door to be greeted by Jack.

  “Connor? What are you doing here? You should still be resting in bed like I told you before you left.” His azure eyes were filled with worry. Connor dug out the folded letter and handed it over. After Jack read it he looked up. “Connor, come inside you look like you’re overheated.”

  “I am Jack, and thank you.” He led Connor into the living room and helped him to lie down on the sofa. “Hey Jack? Can you please bring me a gallon of water?” Jack knew that he literally meant a gallon.

  He went into the kitchen and brought a gallon jug of water. Connor drank slowly, knowing if he gulped the water down his stomach would be liable to ache and everything might come back up. Jack sat down in the opposite seat. “I’m sorry about my actions yesterday…”

  Connor sat the now half empty jug down on the table between them while cutting him off. “Listen to me. I would have done the same thing if I was in your position.” He looked directly into his azure eyes. “Just please explain one thing for me?”

  He looked relieved to know that he was forgiven. “Name it.”

  “Could you explain what you did when I was unconscious?”

  He smiled and tossed his silver hair behind his neck. “Of course I can. When I used too much power entering your thoughts, your mind couldn’t handle the force I generated to get past your defenses. Your body tried to protect itself by going into a coma because you were losing energy too quickly. It is a natural survival instinct that all creatures have. Lesser creatures die instantly.

  “I didn’t realize how much power I used until we saw you collapse on the floor and hit your head. Jillian and I had to act quickly. We have only recharged another person about five times during our lives together. We failed once and the person died.

  “A Balancer’s power comes from the energy within us. If it was a smaller person I could have revived you myself, but because of your size… my mate and I had to work together to funnel our combined powers into you. And I have never seen the look on my daughter’s face as she watched you fall...” He looked up at the ceiling and closed his ageless eyes. “That’s enough for now. Tell me of your current symptoms.”

  “I feel exhausted and I have a small headache from that fall you mentioned. The trip to get here was difficult as you can clearly see. By the way, where has your other half gone with Sarah today?”

  He looked down and laughed. “For the first time Jillian, Sarah, your sister and your mother all went shopping together… It looks like we are both in mortal danger.” He smiled again, but it was a genuine smile between worried men.

  “If that isn’t the understatement of this millennium.” And they both laughed easily at their misfortune. “All of the women together have never been a good sign for any man since the dawn of time.”

  Jack stood up and slowly and walked around the table to stand in front of Connor. Looking up he said “I’m going to help you out a little bit. Stand up, take off your shirt and turn your back to me.” Jack held his hand out and helped Connor to stand. He took off his shirt as ordered and sat it on the table.

  “What’s going on?” And he silenced Connor with a simple stare. Connor felt him rest his hands over each of his shoulder blades. Moments later, his palms began to heat up and a comfortable warmth grew slowly within the core of his body. Connor’s headache went away and he finally didn’t feel so disoriented. Jack removed his hands and sat on the couch Connor sat at. Connor turned to look at him. “Thank you for that. That was… refreshing.” The silver haired Balancer looked only slightly worn out when he smiled. Connor put his shirt on and sat down to finish the remaining water.

  They sat in silence, both resting their eyes until they heard the garage door open. “Father, we’re home! Is Connor here yet?”

  “In here, Princess.” He surprised himself at how strong his voice felt and the ease at which the rest of his body reacted as well.

  His beautiful princess walked in wearing a white shirt that barely revealed a dark bra underneath. Sandals protected her feet and black shorts gripped her heart shaped posterior. Her green eyes lifted his spirits even higher and her voice was heavenly. “C
onnor, you look so much better today. Are you feeling any better?”

  He stood up saying “Yes, I do especially after your father’s latest treatment.” Connor hugged her and she beamed.

  “What kind of treatment?” Jillian walked in with several bags full of food and clothes. She sat the bags down to look at them.

  Jack also stood by his side. “I just gave him a little more stamina.”

  Jillian came up and then kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, My Love. I was going to go over today and do it myself, but you beat me too it.”

  Sarah let go and hugged Jack and the look on his face was priceless. He went completely rigid and his face went nearly sheet white. It was like he never had a spontaneous hug from her before. As she pulled back he spoke quietly. “What was that for?”

  “Father, that was for helping Connor to feel better.” She hugged him again and he softened. “You saved him.”

  He finally chuckled. “Hey, I can’t let my son-in-law die when we are just getting to fight with each other. There is still more punishment I’ve yet to deal.”

  Connor laughed and everyone turned to look at him. “Hey that’s the best compliment you have given me yet.”

  They all began to smile like idiots.

  An hour later after the car was unloaded Connor asked Sarah “What have you been up to today? Did you leave the store anything in stock?”

  “Shopping.” She answered simply, wearing that kind of grin meant he was in dire trouble.

  “What did you buy?” He asked in a cautious and guarded voice.

  “You will find out when we get home.” She smiled even brighter at saying it again. And it was then that he really felt that danger loomed overhead.

  After everything Jillian bought was put away, Jack helped Connor out by putting everything Sarah bought into the wagon. The wagon looked like a muffin that mushroomed over the sides and top of it. It was heavy yet light enough for him to drag home.