by J. M. Pierce
Test could barely speak. He wetted his lips and then asked, “So I’m…”
“Not the first?” interrupted the Professor. “We don’t think so. While we have nothing more than this woman’s story to go from, it is clear that you and the shadow woman’s paths are related. I have waited a lifetime for the chance to meet a Shadow, and here you are.”
“A Shadow?” asked Test groggily.
“Yes, young Mr. Davis. You are not unlike the shadow woman of the Evenk legend. In fact, I believe you to be the same.”
Test reeled from the conversation. This was impossible to fathom. “You’re saying that I am related to this woman?”
“No,” the Professor said sternly. “That would be highly unlikely if the legend is true.”
“Why?” asked Test.
“Because, the shadow woman’s death was the Tunguska explosion.”
The room fell silent. The hum of the lights began to ring heavily in Test’s ears once more. The Professor walked away from him. From across the room, the sound of heavy fingers punching a keyboard disassembled the white noise.
“The family says the woman, distraught from the death of her child, lost control of her power,” said the Professor. “In that moment she, whether intentionally or accidentally, took her own life, and left the world to wonder in amazement at the only physical clue of her existence.”
Test opened his mouth to speak, but the Professor promptly cut him off.
“Have you ever heard of Chromosomal Translocation, Mr. Davis?”
Test’s eyes strained to locate the professor, and he wished badly that his head was free to move. “No.”
“It is not an uncommon condition. There are actually two types: Reciprocal and Robertsonian. With the Reciprocal type, it is estimated that one in every six-hundred human births has a translocation incident. Many of these cases have results that are inconsequential. With the Robertsonian type, it is estimated that less than one in every one thousand births have a translocation incident. With the later type, the result is usually of detriment. It has been linked as the cause to many different types of cancer, as well as Down Syndrome.”
Test swallowed hard. “So are you telling me that I have this translocation thing? What, do I have cancer and it’s giving me these powers?” he asked with a shallow sarcasm.
“The translocation, yes; cancer, no. You see, this is what makes you all the more interesting to me, Mr. Davis. Your translocation incident has made you something different. It has unlocked abilities that have never even been fathomed by modern physicists. Your genetic code is the perfect storm. Had one chromosome, or even a single gamete, been located differently, you probably would not have even been born. You see when we examined the cytogenetics of your cells; they were unlike anything I’d ever seen. You are truly a miracle in that you have multiple translocations and they are all balanced!” The Professor’s enthusiasm grew with his every word. “Are you understanding the enormity of this, young Mr. Davis?”
Test lay on the table feeling like a freak in a side show carnival. He tried to comprehend what he was being told, but all of the big words, combined with his drugged state, were difficult to absorb. The sedatives worked on his mind, making it almost as if he were set in the middle of a science fiction movie. With another wave of nausea nearly taking his breath, he began to speak. “I still…don’t understand how…this all…relates to the shadow woman?”
“Well, without having her here, or having a sample of her genetic material, it is all speculation, but I believe that she was of the same condition. Of course I couldn’t have even theorized that your condition would be as incredible as it is. You have shown me more in two weeks than I could have ever hoped for!”
The words rushed through him and his eyes flared wildly. “Two weeks?”
“Yes. You have been kept unconscious for two weeks. I couldn’t risk you waking up. You are far too powerful and I don’t think that you’ve even reached your full potential.”
“What do you mean?” asked Test.
“The shadow woman of the Evenks legend had powers that rivaled yours, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Was there anything that you heard in the story, relating to her powers, that was unfamiliar to you; anything that you haven’t done?”
Test thought for a moment. “Yeah, the whole shadow thing. I’ve never been invisible.” The fog within him was beginning to clear. He could feel the hint of a pulse building within.
“Yes, yes; anything else?”
“At the end of the story, you said that she touched the boy and he was instantly standing somewhere else. I don’t understand that,” replied Test.
The Professor looked down upon him shaking his head emphatically. “No, neither do I. You’ve never experienced anything like that?”
“No.” Test closed his eyes for a moment. The fire now had a spark and he could feel the adrenaline funneling through his body. “So, do you think that I’m capable of doing these things?”
The Professor turned away. “I’m not sure. My first theory is that the woman was older and more mature than you, and therefore her powers had developed beyond what you’ve experienced.”
“And your second?” asked Test.
“The fact that your mother kept you medicated for the majority of your life could have possibly stunted the growth of your powers. They may catch up, they may not. I will need to do further research to know these things.”
The mention of Test’s mother sent a searing heat through him. “How did you know about that?”
“Your mother told me,” replied the Professor inconsequentially.
The effect of the sedative was dissolving from his system and Test’s body had begun to tingle with agitation. Through his teeth he spoke. “My mother? You spoke to my mother?”
The Professor, sensing he’d struck a nerve, attempted to ease his patient. “Yes, I spoke to your mother. A very kind woman she was. To be sure, she had her troubles, but she cared a great deal for you. Such a shame it was, her passing as she did.”
The fury ignited within Test. He could feel the pulses flowing from his core.
“Professor, I think…” began Agent Dawson.
“Where is she?” asked Test, cutting off the Agent.
Dawson grabbed the Professor’s arm. “Put him out! He’s building strength!”
“He’s fine, Agent, I assure you,” replied the Professor.
With his words, the tray holding the syringe and a variety of other instruments had begun to vibrate. The Professor looked down to it and then back to Dawson.
“Put—him—down!” Dawson yelled.
“Where is my mother?” seethed Test.
The Professor quickly drew a syringe full of clear liquid and jammed it into Test’s shoulder. The instant the syringe penetrated his skin; a faint flash of red light ran down Test’s arm.
“Incredible,” whispered the Professor.
“Incredible my ass,” said Dawson. “That’d better have been a full shot. That was too damned close!”
Test felt the flood of sedative hit his system and he struggled to hold on to consciousness. “Where is…”
Dawson, pushing the Professor out of the way, leaned over Test. Staring down upon him, their faces only inches apart, the Agent spoke. “She’s dead, boy. You killed her.”
Test swallowed heavily and wetted his lips. “No. I know you took her. I know…” The room began to slide.
“I’m not talking about the parking lot, boy. It’s true; she did survive that day in Lincoln. It’s also true that we kept her hidden from you.” Dawson chuckled. “We ran every test you’ve had performed on you, and then some. When she failed to provide us with anything of benefit, her usefulness to us had come to an end.” Dawson stood tall and stared past Test, into a wall of glass on the other side of the room. “The Professor’s too kind. The truth is your Mom was a junkie, you know that. She left this world in a manner befitting of a junkie.”
Test’s eyes
began to roll. “Wh…what…”
“She was found in her room one morning. She’d somehow gotten a hold of an entire bottle of Morphine and injected herself. She overdosed.”
Test stared up into Dawson’s smiling, hate filled face.
“I wonder how she could have gotten that bottle, let alone the needle to inject it with,” he said slyly. “Do you have any ideas, Mr. Davis?”
The gleam of pride in his eye was the single most frightening thing that Test had ever witnessed. He could feel a tear fall down his cheek, and then the sedative took his consciousness.
Chapter 20
Alyssa paced the room, anxiously waiting for her aunt to finish getting ready. The last two weeks had been filled with nightmares and fury, her anger focused mainly at her uncle. For the first week after the incident, the tension in the house was enhanced by a presence that she found difficult to escape. Though he constantly stayed out of her sight, she could feel Rob watching her nearly every moment of the day. She could sense the pride that he had in Test’s capture, and it infuriated her to know that he played a major role. Finally, after that first week, for no apparent reason, he moved on.
She had thought she would have heard from Cliff by now, and in her heart she knew that things were not okay with Test. Having lived her life in hiding, she had shown her soul to another with a gift that made hers seem invisible. It was unbearable to think about the small amount of time the two of them were able to share. Regardless, it all felt right and somehow she knew that she had been exactly where she was supposed to be.
“Come on!” hollered Alyssa.
From the back bedroom, her aunt replied. “I’m coming!”
As she waited for Julie to come around the corner, she was instead met by Enrique. He stopped several feet from her with a defeated look upon his face.
“I’m gonna miss you, Mija.”
Alyssa quickly turned from him. “I’m not your Mija.”
Enrique let out a deflated puff of air. “You are—to me.”
Alyssa was hesitant to react. No matter what he said, there would be no closure for her; no healing. “A father would trust his daughter.”
“A father would protect his daughter, and that is all that I have done.”
Feeling conflicted, she stared at her uncle. She knew that he did what he felt was right, but the cost of his decision may have been Test’s life.
“He’s a murderer, Alyssa. He killed his own mother for God’s sake.” Enrique stepped towards her with care. “I know you think that you know him, but you’ve only known him for a few days. You can’t poss…”
As he moved forward, she backed away. “Don’t!” she yelled. “Don’t tell me what I do or don’t know!”
From behind him, Julie entered timidly and laid a hand on her husbands shoulder. “Leave it be, honey.”
“But she…”
“No,” she cut him off. Turning to Alyssa she spoke softly. “Why don’t you head to the car? I’ll be right there.”
Alyssa turned and grabbed at the door knob. Before she could open the door, Enrique spoke one last time.
“I love you, Alyssa.”
She paused without looking back and then walked out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
“You two need some space,” whispered Julie as she hugged Enrique from behind. “Give it some time.”
“I don’t think so. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me.”
“Time will tell.”
Enrique looked over his shoulder and into his wife’s eyes. He didn’t speak. Instead, he nodded his head weakly.
“I’ll call you once we get to the airport, okay?” said Julie.
Enrique nodded his head once more.
*****
“Alyssa, you know that your uncle means well, don’t you?” asked Julie.
Alyssa stared silently out the window, trying to figure out how she was going to maintain her silence on the one-hundred mile trip to the airport in Laramie.
“Alyssa?”
The young girl turned to her aunt with a blank expression.
“So, are you mad at me too?” Julie asked.
Alyssa shook her head.
“Then why don’t you act like an adult and answer me?”
Alyssa snapped back with a fractured voice. “The fact that he means well doesn’t matter. This was my one….” She stopped herself mid-sentence.
Julie waited for a few seconds and then asked, “What? This was your one what?”
Alyssa had begun to cry, and as she wiped the tears from beneath her eyes, she took a deep breath. “He was the one person that I didn’t have to pretend with. I could be me without fear of being judged.”
“Judged for what, honey? I don’t understand.”
Without thinking, Alyssa replied. “Nobody else is ever going to want a freak like me!”
Instantly Julie turned on the hazard lights and pulled off to the side of the road. As the car came to a quick stop, she threw the shifter into park and asked, “What are you talking about?”
Alyssa sobbed uncontrollably and she repeatedly ran her hands through her hair, pulling it back into a pony-tail. Though she had come close to slipping before, she had kept her secret for so long that this moment seemed surreal. She fought to fix her mistake and blurted out a ridiculous answer. “A tomboy,” she spoke as she turned away from Julie. She stared out the passenger window, waiting for her aunt to answer. After a brief silence, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“That’s not what you meant, is it?” asked Julie.
“What, now your arguing w…”
“Stop it,” said Julie sternly. “Honey, your gift doesn’t make you a freak.”
Alyssa’s heart stopped. She wondered if she was misinterpreting what her aunt had said. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.
“Look at me,” Julie demanded. With no response, she repeated herself once more, grabbing softly at her niece’s shoulder. “Look at me.”
Alyssa turned, but kept her eyes closed. It made it easier to deal with the moment.
“You don’t have to hide with me, Alyssa. I know about your gift. I’ve known about it since you were five years old.”
Alyssa slowly opened her tear soaked eyes and stared at Julie fearfully. She swallowed hard and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Your Mom and Dad told us a very long time ago.”
The pain of being hidden for a lifetime was finally coming to the surface. Having a hard time catching her breath, she pulled on the door handle and jumped out of the car.
“Alyssa!” Julie screamed.
Alyssa slammed the car door and began to walk up the road. Julie checked her mirrors and exited the car to go after her.
Alyssa looked over her shoulder, and seeing that her aunt was right behind her, yelled back to her. “Leave me alone! I just want to be alone!”
“No you don’t!” yelled Julie as she grabbed at her niece’s arm.
Quickly spinning towards her, Alyssa’s face was saturated with tears. “How do you know what I want? How would anyone know what I want?”
“Alyssa, stop it!” replied Julie holding her by the shoulders and giving her a firm shake. “You don’t have to run from me. I am here for you.”
Time froze as Alyssa looked into her aunt’s eyes. She suddenly knew her words were sincere and that she could trust her. As if closing a door, every ounce of adrenaline that had been surging through her body disappeared as she collapsed into her aunt’s arms.
Julie stroked the back of her niece’s head, relieved that she had broken the hardened exterior and now, once again, had a chance to reason. “Honey, your gifts don’t make you a freak. I know you think that no one could ever understand it, and to a point, you’re right. I don’t understand it, but that doesn’t mean that I think you’re a freak.” Julie pulled away and lifted Alyssa’s chin with her index finger. “I know you think you’re in love with this Test kid, but you’ve only known him for a grand total
of five minutes.”
“Yeah, but…,” Alyssa interrupted.
Holding her hand up, Julie stopped her. “Let me finish. You’ve only known him for five minutes, and of those five minutes, four and a half of them were a lie.”
Alyssa rolled her eyes, “You don’t understand.”
“I do understand. I understand completely. How many boys have you ever revealed your secret to?”
Alyssa stood with her arms folded across her chest.
“Come on, Alyssa; how many?”
“None.”
“This is my point. You told Test about you and he accepted you. He was the first, and you think that there could never be another. Am I right?”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what, Alyssa? Look at all that has happened. For God’s sake, the military was hunting him. He’s wanted for murder. Murder! He killed his own mother, Alyssa!”
“It’s not true. He couldn’t do something like that! I know it!”
“How can you know it? How can you be so sure?”
Alyssa paused and kicked at the pebbles lying on the shoulder of the road. “Because she told me.”
Julie stopped with a crooked look on her face. The hair on the back of her neck stood, and her mouth had suddenly become dry. “Who told you?”
