The trio enjoyed their time together and it spilled over into their daily lives. Because of their friendship, their individual scholastic performances were even better than they’d already been.
While walking around the campus, they observed their fellow students, looking for any sign one of them could share the nighttime secrets of their group. Adding more special friends to their circle was welcomed.
Corona had quoted the White Crow Formula to them. “ ‘To prove the reality of something, you only have to prove one case.’ So, my experience proves the reality of our nighttime visitors and yours does, too. Since there are three of us on the campus who know about the In Situs, it’s possible there are more. And, our experiences are proven to be real.”
After much discussion, they decided to call their trio, Korsa, which means to cross or crossbreed in Swedish. They believed it unlikely anyone on campus would speak that language so wouldn’t know what they meant if they were overheard using the term.
Corona believed it was an accurate description of them.
During the next visit from the beings, Corona told Flora and the others of the Korsa and how they became aware of each other’s experiences.
Flora was supportive. She acknowledged the value of sometimes permitting the three of them to pass over together in the future when it was safe, and also having Bob-Boy instruct them in a group. This was playing out as she’d hoped and planned.
During the semester break, a weekend overnighter at Corona’s house for the group was approved by their families. The students were going to bring their musical instruments and practice together when they weren’t talking about their shared nighttime activities.
Corona welcomed that idea because playing stringed instruments aided her ability to synthesize her science and metaphysical lessons. It brought to her a sense of peace and tranquility. Her inner voice spoke supportively of the importance of music and development.
The Korsa’s parents were pleased their brilliant children had met others at the university around the same age and with similar abilities with whom they could spend time and gain support. They couldn’t think of anything negative that could come from the friendships.
During the day of the overnighter, Corona showed her friends the lily fields and Grace’s Shed, her garden business.
The trio were impressed with Corona’s extensive plant knowledge. They enjoyed being able to talk together uninterrupted for hours. Conversations swirled furiously about their shared experiences, personal histories, when they first encountered the beings, Flora’s home and community, and so much more. They excitedly reviewed and debated, without fear of being overheard, the future of their world and their particular interests in ways of improving it with the help of Flora, Fancy and the others.
The give-and-take was exhilarating and exhausting, helping to unburden themselves of the load each had carried alone for so long. The Korsa developed terms for usage within the group and used Flora’s terms for the beings in their dimension. They tossed around words such as Homelings, Valers, Travelers and Passers. The trio tried to think of a name for those in their own universe who did not know about In Situ, but nothing seemed to fit. They finally agreed to call them Zeros.
When they got tired of talking about the In Situs, they pulled out musical instruments, switching from one to another, practicing the varieties of music they enjoyed. Beethoven, Glenn Miller, The Beach Boys, rap, country music and current artists’ material were skillfully and artistically played and sung. They wondered which of those groups were Hybrids, too. Each expressed their suspicions of which artists fit the Hybrid description.
Sometimes they got up and danced around, twirling to the tunes one of them was singing and interpreting their own arrangements and riffs.
Corona could be heard providing direction with cries such as “Fiero” or “Pianissimo,” depending on the piece. It was great fun, especially when Corona played the Russian Theremin. Waving her deft hands about the loop and upright antennae, Corona changed volume and pitch, providing an eerie but entertaining oscillating sound. The high-frequency stimulated neurotransmitter production in their brains.
When they were tired of music, they talked about the upcoming evening hours. The Korsa were eager for this night to unfold, looking forward to the three of them passing over together.
When the Korsa members got ready to go to bed, they touched the palms of their hands against those of their friends, their sign of support and unity. They were experiencing something new since their small band formed. Feelings of belonging, comfort, security and power were fostered within their spirits, all born of their newfound friendship with others with similar experiences. They were pleased to have something over the Zeros at the university who sometimes marginalized them for being brilliant and different.
Irma and Hale went to their bedroom after checking on Stanley, safely tucked in the guest room at the end of the hall, away from the girls.
The girls were giggling together in Corona’s room.
Slumber these days continued refreshing and uninterrupted for Irma and Hale. Neither of them paid attention to the fact they didn’t even read for a while anymore before turning out the light. When their heads hit the pillows, peaceful sleep stole into their bedroom in the form of an intoxicating fragrance, carrying them to the restful REM their brains were programmed to seek.
A rich, perfumed aroma of lilies permeated Corona’s space. She nudged her friend awake and the girls sat up in bed, both fully dressed under the covers.
“They’re here,” Sarah whispered. “I can smell them.” She shivered. “Oh my gosh. It’s happening.”
“I know,” Corona whispered back. “I smell it, too.” She made a quick check of the dark corner to see if the orange eyeband was present. She didn’t see it. “When the orange eyeband’s here, there’s no lily smell like there is with the others. It smells more like mulch.”
“True,” Sarah said.
The curtain on the window near the corner of the room rustled gently as if a slight breeze was caressing it. Blue and pink eyebands peeked out from the material. Flora and Fancy glided to the bed to greet the girls.
Your shifts are a darker shade tonight, which highlights your beautiful eyeband colors even more than usual, Corona communicated to them.
Neither creature cared.
Flora wanted to say something nice to be polite but didn’t feel like it.
The bedroom door gently swung aside and Stanley entered, accompanied by Bob-Boy.
Stanley gave a little wave to his friends who waved back.
Bob-Boy’s eyes glowed bright yellow in recognition of his prize students.
“It’s good to have all three of you with us this evening,” Flora said.
To Corona, Flora communicated, We’re speaking aloud because the other hybrids are unable to express themselves on a communication track.
Ok, Corona sent back.
“We have news for you about the Homelings and must tell you what we’ve learned of their activities. But, before we do, are you ready to pass over?” She looked from one to another. “You all should be able to do it now without the aid of a tool.”
“We’re ready,” Stanley said.
Bob-Boy, holding his arm up to signal his retreat, waved, crossed his arms over his chest and was gone. A slight ripple was noticed in the shimmering air.
Flora indicated Stanley should go next. She frowned when she heard him cough and saw him rub his nose. She made a mental note to deal with it. When she heard Sarah cough, too, she squinted and set her thin lips tight. She peered closer into the young girl’s face.
Stanley stepped forward to the curtain. He smiled at Corona, raised his hand, crossed his arms over his chest, and disappeared in a sideways step in the corner.
Sarah hesitated at first but followed.
Corona was the last of the young people to leave the room, with Fancy and Flora close behind.
When they entered, a bright room greeted them. Flora’s ho
use was well lit as usual, with inviting chair bits hovering, waiting for indications a being would like to sit down.
Fancy took advantage of the offer and as she bent her legs and thought about taking a rest, a chair appeared and placed itself under her.
As the others indicated they’d like to sit or recline, chairs, unseen against the walls, transitioned to visible and slid themselves under the bodies.
“I’ll never get tired of seeing that,” Stanley said with a grin. “I want one.” He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head Corona’s way. “Maybe more. In colors.”
She nodded and smiled. “Purple would be great.”
“There are some things that must be cleared up before we go any further,” Flora said to her guests. “I notice Stanley and Sarah both have coughs. What’s going on there? Are you two sick?” She appeared unhappy. “Have you given them an illness?” she asked Bob-Boy.
He looked upset but said nothing.
“I have an infection of some sort,” Stanley said. “I’ve had it for just a short time. No one else I know has it, but my doctor’s been treating it.”
“I’ve got it, too,” Sarah said with amazement. “I hate it. The doctors don’t know what to do for it. They’ve tried different medicines, but nothing’s helped.”
“What other symptoms do you have besides the cough?” Flora asked. She was going somewhere with this.
“There’s some tiny things on my tongue and thread-like projections in my nose and down my throat,” Stanley said. “I can feel a tickling from them and they make me cough. I hate it.”
“Oh my gosh, I have the same symptoms,” Sarah said. “I heard my doctor say there are 24 people across the country who have this.
Flora looked concerned when the number of those with the same malady was mentioned. The count was higher than expected. She looked at a concerned Fancy and glared at Bob-Boy.
Corona was able to read their thoughts that there shouldn’t be 24 cases because they weren’t visiting that many Hybrids presently.
“I think we know where you got it,” Fancy said. “Some of the creatures here were infected from working around plants we brought from the Valers’ dimension. I believe they passed it on to the Hybrids we visit. I’ll have Bob-Boy take you to the Healing Room right away for a treatment. That should clear it up. He had the same ailment several times and gets cured periodically. You may have even acquired it from him”
Bob-Boy looked embarrassed and held a hand up for Sarah and Stanley to follow him to the front of Flora’s home.
“This is your fault, so watch them carefully,” Flora said to Bob-Boy. “You know the problems we’re having here so don’t let them out of your sight. If there’s any trouble, you know what to do.”
He nodded his head in agreement and touched the wall. A door appeared and opened.
Flora watched Bob-Boy go, with the two hybrids behind him.
On their way to the Healing Room, Stanley pulled his shirt sleeve up to show Bob-Boy an ink drawing he’d done to his arm.
Bob-Boy, still concerned by Flora’s accusation, managed to smile at the ink drawing on Stanley’s arm.
“Is that a tattoo?” Sarah said. “You got a tattoo? Oh my Gosh! Stanley’s got a tattoo.”
Stanley laughed. “Nah. My parents wouldn’t let me get one. I drew Bob-Boy’s picture in ink on paper, transferred it to my arm and then used colored inks to draw over the outline on my skin. I think it looks pretty good. It fooled you.”
“It did. I love it,” Sarah said, taking a closer look. “Maybe I’ll get one.” Seeing the look on Stanley’s face, she added, “Just kidding.”
As they walked, Bob-Boy kept swinging his eyeband over to look at his inky picture on Stanley’s arm.
With Bob-Boy, Stanley and Sarah on their way to the Healing Room, Flora turned her attention back to Corona, telling her to use her thoughts now to communicate, not her voice.
I wonder why you didn’t get the cough, Flora said. Or do you have it and I haven’t noticed? She leaned in close to Corona’s face. Do you?
No, I’ve never been sick a day in my life that I can remember.
That’s good, Flora said. Unfortunately, all the rest of your kind that Fancy and I’ve visited, have gotten the sickness. She sighed. We may have to do something about the hybrids who have it.
I wonder why I never got it, Corona said.
I’m not sure, but it’d be helpful for us to know. Maybe you’ve developed an immunity that could be beneficial to others. She wondered how she could use Corona’s DNA to make that happen. But, right now, we have other things to concentrate on.
Corona, reading their thoughts, wasn’t sure she liked the idea of them using her DNA for anything.
Have you located my mother yet? Corona was hoping to hear good news.
Not yet. We’re still trying to find her. When we do, we’ll update her on everything about you, including pictures of you from our visits.
Thank you, Flora. I appreciate all you’re doing. I believe someday she and I’ll be reunited.
There are places we can’t take you today because some of the In Situs are becoming even more hostile to our work with you and the others. The Travelers remain encamped near our homes, taking over properties and attempting to intimidate us. So far, we’re okay, but I don’t know how this’ll end. They’ve gained support from those who dislike what we’re doing. They were okay with our passing when we started, but as soon as they realized your world had little to offer that they wanted, their support ended. When some of us got the diseases from plants and other physical ailments, the Homelings stepped up their campaign against the Hybrids. I’m working on some ways to put a stop to them and their interference. I have contacts who can help us do it. Flora was troubled, not knowing whom to trust. Her experience was that anyone could be pretending to be supportive, when they’re really working for the opposition to advance themselves.
I’m sorry to hear that, Corona said. I was hoping we’d have a lengthy connection so we could advance our technology with your dimension’s benefits, diamond fuel, the Healing Room, everything.
I know, Flora said. She was tired of hearing about the good Corona was planning for her world. It wasn’t going to happen anyway so Flora didn’t concern herself with it.
We’ll do all we can. I can’t promise anything, though. Our own dimension has gained much from the Valers. Some of the In Situs seem to forget that. They think it’s okay for us to get something, but don’t seem to have the desire to stay the course when we’re passing the knowledge along to others.
I hope they reconsider and permit us to continue coming here, Corona said. What do you have for us to do this evening? Will we be going somewhere or having more lessons? Will we get to see more of In Situ? That’d be great.
I had other plans, but now the primary accomplishment I want for your group is the healing of Sarah and Stanley. That way they’ll be in the best health to continue their studies.
Can we go to the Common House and see how they’re doing? Corona asked.
Considering the level of hostility Flora said the Homelings were generating within the neighborhood, Corona was concerned for her friends. She also was interested to see how the healings would be accomplished.
Yes. Let’s do that now, Flora said. She turned to Fancy. You should join me in case there are any problems. We’ll handle any disturbances together.
Okay. Fancy stood and the chair that was under her faded against the wall.
How’s that lesion on your arm coming along? Flora asked. Is it healing? She picked Corona’s arm up and looked at the sore.
It’s ok. It doesn’t hurt or anything, she said.
Fancy looked closely at it and then at Flora. She started to say something. It looks like…
Flora interrupted her. It might be a reaction to something in your garden. Or maybe you scratched yourself on some of your shrubbery. She gave Fancy a hard look.
Maybe. I’m not sure. She tried to remember when she might
have done it. She was also concerned how she couldn’t always read the beings minds. The ability came and went.
Flora, Fancy, and Corona walked the path in front of Flora’s home. The silence of the area’s surrounding dwellings was unnerving. They moved toward the spoke road that led to the Common House, watching for hostile beings as they traveled. When the group stepped onto the pathway leading to their destination, a small gathering began to line the fences from one property to another. More joined them until it was a large group.
Corona recognized Golden and Gessie, two of the Homelings who had murmured against her the last time she visited.
Uni was out in front of them, glaring Corona’s way.
Corona kept the veil lowered to lock out their entrance into her mind.
This is getting to be a real problem, Golden said. We won’t be safe if they keep visiting us. I heard that two of her kind just went to the Healing Room for treatment for something. All that waste of resources could be used here to help us. I’d like to be getting some of the good life, too. Have a house as big as Flora’s. Maybe even get the All to give me Flora’s home. I deserve it. She could be moved to a smaller one. And that Hybrid Corona, in particular, must stay in her place or she’ll have to go. She gave direct eye contact to Corona.
Corona stared Golden down which infuriated the being.
Yes, Gessie replied. I’m sure now that she has greater abilities than the others. She could cause problems for us. Maybe try to force her ways on us. Who knows what she’s thinking? I can’t penetrate her thoughts.
Neither can I, Golden said. And I don’t like it. Something must be done soon. She waved her hand at the Travelers and they began pointing at Corona and chanting aloud.
“ Leave now. Leave now. Leave now.” Their chant resonated across the yard and swirled around the teenager.
Corona felt a heightened sense of fear from the level of hate and suspicion coming her way. To mask her understanding their intentions, she continued her journey with Flora and Fancy as if nothing was amiss. She kept her facial expression relaxed.
The Homelings and Travelers who’d gathered were murmuring and complaining, gesturing and communicating their dislike for Corona’s presence. They repeated false information about the Hybrids to further enrage one another. A hum of discontent permeated the atmosphere with fear and hate. Some of them touched air sparkles and wrote on the Communication Boards.
WATCHING CORONA: From Our Dimension to Yours Page 13
