He was raised by his mother, although raised was not an accurate description. His mother was a drug addict who cared very little for anything else except her next high. Any man that stayed at the house was either a supplier of his mother’s drugs or a user themselves. His mother always had bruises all over her body, some self -inflicted from needles, others from the company she kept. He witnessed a few of the beatings, the men made him watch telling him this was how a woman should be treated. He began to believe his mother actually enjoyed the beatings, as the next day she would be all affectionate toward the man who almost killed her the night before. At seventeen, he beat up a girl at a party he crashed because she ignored him; she later died. He ran away before the police could arrest him. To survive on the streets you had to do one of two things, sell drugs or sell your body. He chose the drugs and began dealing, and eventually hooked up with a group of individuals who had ties to organized crime. Once he earned their trust by helping to execute a dealer who was stealing from them, they brought him to the main house.
He was impressed at the size of the mansion that housed the group. After meeting a few of the upper level management people, he knew he found his niche. It was there he was assigned a task that at first aggravated him. He was told to watch over a young child. This was when he first set eyes on Laney. The girl appeared to be around eleven years old and Luke had just turned eighteen. She was sitting in a chair in the library room, her legs folded up under her. She was so engrossed in the book she was reading, she appeared not even to be aware there was anyone else in the room. All he was told was that she was special, not how or why. He was left alone with her and was told to get to know her. Not happy with his latest assignment, he approached her quickly and ripped the book from her hands. Her head snapped up and she stared wide-eyed at him as he looked at the book, it was a medical dictionary. He tossed it on the floor. ���What the hell are you reading that crap for?���
���That wasn’t very nice.��� She said and folded her arms.
���I’m not a nice person, so get used to it.���
���You should treat people how you want to be treated.���
He placed his hands on the arms of her chair and leaned in close to her. ���What are you doing here?���
���I was reading until you took the book from me.���
���Listen up little girl, I don’t like kids, especially smart mouth ones like you. You are going to do what I say when I say it, got it?���
���I’m not a kid, really, I just look young. I’m older than you.���
The corner of Luke’s mouth rose into a half grin. ���Sure you are.��� He moved away from her. ���Why me, why the hell do I have to get stuck looking after a kid?���
���I can look after myself.���
���They said you are special, so what is it that is so special about you?���
���I’m not special.��� Her voice was but a whisper as she put her head down.
Just then another man walked into the room. ���Luke, got a job for you. Take Laney down to the corner store. Play the lottery numbers she gives you, then go to ten other places and do the same thing, same numbers, fifty dollars each time.��� he handed Luke the cash. ���Keep an eye on her, she’ll give you the slip if you let her.��� The man turned to leave then turned back around and handed him another twenty dollar bill. ���Get her something to eat, too.���
Luke turned to face Laney, a puzzled look on his face. ���Lottery numbers?��� He shook his head. ���Let’s go.��� He walked over to the door and turned back towards Laney. She had not moved from her chair. ���Now!��� He ordered. He watched her slowly get up and walk over to him. When she was close enough, he grabbed her arm.. ���Move faster.��� He growled, and pulled her out the door.
They drove in silence to the corner store. He parked but did not exit the car. ���So how does this work? How do you know the numbers?���
���I just see them.��� She shrugged.
Luke shook his head and got out of the car. Keeping the girl close, he walked into the store. He pulled her down another aisle away from the register. ���Okay, what are they?���
���The daily number is 2-5-8.���
���Is that the exact order? Are you sure?���
���I’m sure.���
���Stay here.��� Luke left her in the aisle and went and purchased the lottery ticket. After the purchase he went to get Laney and she was not where he left her. His anger and anxiety began to build until he found her a few aisles over. She was looking at the magazines and books. ���What the hell are you doing?��� He grabbed her.
���I was just waiting over here.���
���I told you not to move.��� He growled.
���Everything okay over here?��� A worker at the store had come over.
���Mind your own business.��� Luke glared at the intruder and dragged Laney from the store.
Instead of getting in the car he pulled her down the street and took her into an alley.
���Where are we going?��� She asked.
He didn’t answer her until they were halfway down the alley and behind a dumpster, then he threw her against the brick wall. ���Hear this, you are never, ever to do that again. When I tell you to stay in one spot, you glue your feet to the floor. Do you hear me?��� He yelled in her face.
���I hear you. I bet everyone can hear you, you are yelling so loud.���
He raised his hand and smacked her across the face. His blow was so hard that she fell to the ground. He grabbed her up roughly and watched as the red mark on her cheek began to fade and then vanished. Grabbing her chin ,he turned her face side to side. He left his question unspoken and walked with her out of the alley. Getting into the car, they drove to the next store. Lottery tickets were purchased and they moved onto the next. It wasn’t until after the sixth store, that Laney opened her mouth to speak again.
���I’m hungry. Can we get something to eat?���
���Don’t talk unless I ask you something.���
He parked near the next shop; it was a bad neighborhood. Groups of men, some of whom he knew, were gathered here and there. Before he had hooked up with the organization, he had been a petty dealer on these same streets. Laney and he exited the car and walked toward the store.
���Luke, dude. Long time, no see.��� One of the men said, approaching them.
The two shook hands and bumped shoulders.
���What’s up Doobie?��� Luke responded.
���What? You’re into little girls now?��� Doobie asked , looking at Laney.
���I’m just watching her for a bit. How’s business?���
���Slow. You disappeared ,man. What have you been up too?���
���Just working, the usual.��� Luke never informed his street friends that he was with the organization. ���I gotta get going, see ya around.��� He steered Laney inside the store and purchased the tickets. On the way out he whispered to her, ���Walk quickly to the car.��� When they reached the car they found Doobie and two other men leaning against the car.
���What kind of work are you doing that affords you nice wheels like this?��� Doobie asked.
Luke was sorry he took one of the sportier vehicles. ���It’s not mine.���
Luke stood his ground as Doobie stepped into his space. ���How about sharing the wealth?���
The other two men with Doobie took a position near Laney.
Luke felt Laney reach for his hand. ���You don’t want to do this, Doobie.���
���Don’t I?��� Doobie asked.
Luke felt a knife pushed up against his stomach.
Grabbing Luke by the shoulder, the man backed him up against the wall of a building. He reached into Luke’s pocket, searching for money.
Luke smashed his elbow hard against Doobie’s chin, the impact caused him to stagger backwards. Luke’s right fist sent the final blow, knocking Doobie to the ground.
The knife clattered on the sidewalk. One of the men with Doobie picked up the knife and jammed it into Luke’s stomach, taking him by surprise. They then picked up Doobie from the ground and took off running down the street.
Luke grabbed at the knife and pulled it from his stomach as he slid to the ground. Blood began to seep, soaking the front of his shirt.
Laney was cowering near the wall but came to sit down, her hands on his arm.
Luke became aware of a strange feeling coursing through him as the pain began to fade. There was a tingling sensation where the knife entered him. The lightheadedness he was feeling faded. He lifted up his shirt to look at the wound and was amazed that only drying blood remained, no mark was visible. He looked down at Laney, who was whimpering and doubled over in obvious pain. He leaned her back up and the anguish on her face began to soften. ���What just happened? What did you do?���
���I fixed you.��� Laney said in a low voice. ���I’m tired.��� She placed her head against his arm and fell asleep.
Looking at the knife on the ground, he knew he was not mistaken. He felt he was finding out just how special this little girl was. He stood and was amazed at how strong he felt. He lifted Laney in his arms and felt her readjust herself as she settled her head on his shoulder. He picked up the bloody knife off the sidewalk and got in the car. Putting Laney in the backseat, he drove away. Luke drove to a better part of town and got some fast food and parked. When Laney woke up, he passed a bag back to her. ���Here I got you something to eat.���
���Thank you.��� She answered meekly, accepting the bag.
He watched her eat through the rearview mirror. When she ate a good amount, he asked, ���How does it work?���
���How does what work?���
���I’m not playing games.���
���Neither am I.���
The staring contest continued for a few moments. ���Get in the front.��� He ordered.
He watched her climb into the front passenger seat. Taking out the knife from the attack, he pretended to examine it. ���How do you suppose this knife has my blood on it and yet there is no cut on me?���
���I… don’t know.���
He grabbed her hand and turned it with the palm facing up. He slid the knife across her palm and watched as no blood seeped out and the cut closed right back up. There was no evidence of an injury or even a scar. ���How?���
���I don’t know how, it just does.���
���You healed me.���
���Yes.���
���What else can you do?���
���Nothing.���
���You suck at lying.��� Luke put the car in gear and drove to purchase the remaining lottery tickets.
He then drove back to the mansion and turned in the tickets.
���What happened to your shirt?��� Bill asked, taking the lottery tickets from Luke.
���I cut myself shaving.���
As time passed, Luke and Laney began to spend more time together. He took note of her slowed aging over the years. By the time he turned twenty-eight, she only appeared to be about fifteen. Most of his assignments involved Laney in some way. Everything from lottery tickets and safe cracking to horse races, he learned how to control her behavior. The final moment that broke her was when she managed to convince one of the new kids to help her escape the mansion.
Luke knew she had been hanging out with one of the new drug runners named Jeremy. He was a young boy from the low income housing units in town. Jeremy was fourteen years old but looked older, as he was tall and lanky. His dark brown hair was long and hung in his eyes, but Luke could still tell how attracted to Laney the boy was. When Laney went missing, he knew exactly where to start looking for her.
He went to the boy’s apartment and was let in by his mother. ���Where is he?��� He asked.
���He’s a good boy, you leave him be.���
Grabbing the woman, he walked to the back of the apartment and into the boy’s bedroom. He opened the kid’s door and found him sitting on his bed reading a magazine. The situation looked very contrived to Luke and the boy seemed nervous. ���Where is she?���
���Where’s who?��� The boy’s voice cracked as he questioned.
Luke took out his gun and pointed it at the mother’s head. ���I don’t have time for this crap. Tell me where she is or you’ll be an orphan.���
Just then the closet door opened and Laney emerged. ���Stop, Luke. I’m right here.���
Pushing the mother towards the boy, he grabbed Laney’s arm. ���Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?��� He shook her forcefully.
���You are a bad man. You should leave her alone.��� The mother said.
���You should keep your mouth shut.��� He said, and fired the gun, hitting her in the chest. The silencer on the gun almost masked the event until the woman clutched at her chest and fell over onto the bed.
���Mom!��� The boy cried out.
Laney tried to rush over to the woman’s aid, but Luke pulled her in front of him, restraining her. ���Oh no you don’t. This is all your fault. I want you to see what happens when you disobey me.���
Laney was crying hysterically now as Luke held the gun in her hands. Luke raised her hands and pointed the gun at Jeremy. The gun shook as Luke whispered in her ear. ���They die because of you.��� He pressed his finger over hers and the gun discharged, hitting Jeremy in the head.
���No!��� Laney cried out and sank to the floor.
Luke kicked her back when she tried to crawl to them. ���Consequences, sweetheart.��� He took out his phone and called in the incident. He would have someone else clean up the mess.
He smiled as he remembered that defining moment in his relationship with Laney. He looked forward to seeing her face when she saw him again. ���It’s gonna be a sweet reunion.���
11. Developing Plans
Julie woke up the next morning, stretching. Her arm made contact with a warm body as the events of the previous night came rushing back. Sitting up quickly, she pulled the covers tighter around her naked body. Austin stirred beside her and opened his eyes, smiling sleepily at her.
���Hey.��� He stretched next to her and then sat up. ���What’s wrong?���
���I… just… I’m not sure.��� Images of the previous night flashed before her. ���What happened? I mean, I know what happened… but….���
���Marcus was right.���
Julie’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Marcus’ name. ���Right about what?���
���Blend sex is like no other. It was different than before… before my abilities manifested. Couldn’t you feel it?���
Julie opened her mouth to respond then bowed her head. She had felt a difference but was embarrassed to admit it. She felt him raise her chin so they were eye to eye.
���Don’t be embarrassed.��� He said as if reading her mind.
Julie was not sure how she felt about it. Her mind was a jumble. She needed to focus on something else. ���How do you feel?��� She decided to try and change the subject.
���Awesome.��� he said, smiling as he pulled her back down on the bed.
���That’s not what I meant.��� She giggled as he tickled her.
���I’m sorry. What was the question?��� He teased as he nuzzled her neck.
She placed her h
ands on the side of his face, raising it to look into his eyes. ���I’m serious.���
���So am I.��� He said with a glint in his eyes.
He kissed her passionately, forcing all other thoughts and means of conversation by the wayside. Their lovemaking took total control of their minds and bodies, shutting out any rhyme or reason. It wasn’t until afterwards, that Julie was able to gain her senses once again.
���It takes over.��� She said, resting her head on his chest.
���Hmm?��� He mumbled.
���I feel out of control.���
���It’s not always a bad thing.���
���Too much of my life has been out of control. I need for it to stabilize.���
���I’m always going to be here for you.���
She lifted her head up and looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity of his words.
���I’m here for you, too.��� She said, knowing he needed to hear those words. His smile was all the response she needed. She had tried to keep her distance but now realized it would be impossible. She cared too much for him. ���I’m hungry.��� She laughed.
���We have leftover pizza.��� Austin remembered.
���Oh, that’s right. I’ll go heat it up.��� Julie quickly jumped out of bed and pulled on some sweat pants and a comfy t-shirt. She looked back at him as he sat in the bed, a sly smile on his face, and blushed. ���Your clothes are still dirty. I don’t think I have anything that would fit you.���
���I’m fine.��� Austin said, rising from the bed. ���I actually feel better without clothes. I wonder if that is an Earthling thing.���
���It’s definitely an Earthling thing.��� She said, turning away from him.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. ���You blush very easily.��� He whispered in her ear.
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