by Darrell Bain
"Yes, I believe you, Ray. Can you do the same thing with other animals?"
"Huh? Golly, I don't know. I've never tried it. I just thought I was attuned to horses somehow."
"Try it sometime. You might be surprised. Let's go. We can talk on the way. While you're driving, see if you can talk to Shufus, but don't get distracted. I don't want you to have a wreck."
"Don't worry! I'm real careful. Dad would kill me if I did."
"For having a wreck?"
"That's how Mom died. A driver not paying attention wandered into our lane and hit us head-on. I don't remember it, though. I just woke up in the hospital and she wasn't there anymore."
"How awful."
He said nothing for a long while then began talking to Shufus as if the dog was a friend. Shufus cocked his head but answered in dog sounds. Soon they were conversing haphazardly back and forth with Samantha sometimes having to intervene when he couldn't make the dog understand him.
"I really can talk to him, can't I?"
"Sort of, but Shufus doesn't understand you about half the time." He really can talk to animals she thought, but not nearly as well as me. Shufus only understands him because we've talked to each other so much. Nor could he talk to horses at the same level as her. Whether it was lack of practice or a lesser talent, she didn't know, but suspected he wasn't nearly as good at it as she was and never would be. "Ray, I'm just surprised you never thought to try it with any other animal besides horses."
"That's because you can do it, can't you?"
"I've always had an affinity with animals, but don't tell anyone. You shouldn't either. Look my name up on the internet and you'll know why."
Despite his questions, she would say nothing else. It was disheartening. She had always wondered if anyone else had her talent but now that she'd found someone that did, she discovered that it didn't mean that much to her. Ray was nice enough but she didn't feel drawn to him romantically, nor did she think he was very ambitious. In fact, she admitted to herself honestly for the first time, he was dull. She also didn't think he would ever be able to understand animals as well as she could. Not even close. He seemed content to work the ranch with his father and had voiced no other goals in life. She knew this was going to be a problem if the family stayed at the Sanctuary much longer. He liked her too much, but she felt hardly anything toward him despite their similar and extremely rare talent. It made her want to cry and rail at the unfairness of the universe. She had fantasized so much about meeting a handsome young man who could talk to animals and loved them like she did. They would meet and fall in love and... well, do all sorts of good things. Ray wasn't the one though, she sadly admitted to herself.
She kissed him quickly when they arrived at her home. "I'll see you later. Remember, don't tell anyone. Look my name up and you'll know why." She turned and ran toward the entrance so he wouldn't see the tears trickling down her cheek one after the other, as if they were washing away futile dreams that would never come true.
In bed and remembering that day, she was having more thoughts about it. She shouldn't have told him about her talent or worse, told him to look her up on the internet. She knew already it had been a mistake. She hoped it didn't come back to haunt her. Probably there were crazies who were hackers and followed up on anyone who searched her name. Or wrote computer programs that identified them, more likely, considering how many hits her name garnered. She and her parents were probably leaving soon but he wasn't. She turned over in bed again, wondering whether he should be warned or not, and trying to decide whether to tell her parents. She hated to make stupid decisions and hated even worse having to admit them on the rare occasions when she did. This time, she thought, it would almost certainly be best to tell and accept the consequences, whatever they turned out to be. For all she knew the people who had bugged their home might have bugged his, too, or discover him when he searched her name with Google. Eventually she slept but it was not at all restful. The next morning she felt drained, like a great weight had been pressing down on her while she slept and some of it was still there, making her feel heavy and sluggish.
Chapter Thirty One
Elaine joined Samantha after breakfast. She was sitting desultorily on one of the lounge chairs on the porch, wearing a windbreaker against the early chill and drinking a cup of coffee. She sat down beside her daughter and asked, "Sammie, are you looking forward to moving again?" She spoke casually, as if the question meant little, one way or the other.
Samantha was surprised. She wondered how her mother had zeroed in on one of her worries so astutely. "I guess, but it's kind of depressing not knowing what's going to happen. Sometimes I think I'd be happier where I could go to a big school again."
"High school or college?"
She was surprised again. She knew she could handle college. She had proven that already by passing a number of courses on line with no problem at all. The thought of actually attending at her age hadn't occurred to her for some reason. "Could I really start college this young?"
"Of course you could. By the time you were admitted you'd be sixteen. Plenty of students younger than that are attending schools that are very prestigious. Many young teens or even pre-teens are admitted to college. You're certainly smart enough, and already have more than enough background. You've proved you can do the work, even the courses like math and science so many college students have difficulty with."
"I hadn't really thought about it, Mom."
"Then maybe you should start. Your father and I were talking and we don't think the Sanctuary and the home schooling here is really doing you much good any more. Besides which, you've been kind of down in the dumps lately, haven't you?"
"I guess maybe I have. Nothing exciting ever seems to happen around here."
Elaine laughed. "Having our home bugged isn't exciting?"
Samantha smiled at her mother, forced to see the humor in her remark. "Well, yeah, but that wasn't what I was talking about."
"What about Ray? Will it bother you leaving him?"
"I don't think so."
"Are you having some problems with him?"
"Not really problems. It's just... well, he's so dull. He doesn't seem to like but two things. Me and horses."
Elaine had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. "But you don't feel the same way, do you?"
"No ma'am. I like him okay but not... not like a big romance or anything. The thing is, he's actually pretty smart but he doesn't seem to want to accomplish anything with his intelligence. There's something else I guess you should know about him. He can talk to animals, too. Horses and dogs, anyway. He's not very good at it though, and he's never even thought about talking to any other animal besides his horses." She grimaced. "I think he likes them more than he does me, sometimes.
"You said something about a dog so I assume he talked to Shufus?"
The dog thumped his tail against the floor at the mention of his name and Samantha and her mother both smiled at him.
"Yes, ma'am. It was kind of superficial though. I guess I encouraged him, too, and I'm thinking now that I shouldn't have."
"Why is that, Sammie?"
"I'm afraid he's not going to take it very well when I tell him I don't want to be his girlfriend. Of course I guess that doesn't matter since we're leaving anyway. I know he likes me a whole lot, but I just don't feel the same way about him. I'll hate to hurt his feelings even if I have to email him to tell him."
"Well, you certainly can't force an emotion to be there when it isn't. It really is too bad, though, when you finally found someone who has at least some of your talent, but then find you don't care that much for him."
"It's... ironic, huh?"
"Your word for the day?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well, it certainly fits, but the universe never plays favorites. You just have to do the best you can with what it deals you. Is there anything else about him you think your father and I should know?"
She looked away for a moment
then decided it would be best to go ahead and confess. "I told him I could talk to animals when he told me he talked to his horses. After I'd done it I realized I shouldn't have."
"You think he'll tell on you?"
"I don't know, Mom. I doubt it. I just got to thinking I shouldn't have because I... he's going to be mad when I tell him I just like him for a friend and nothing else." She laughed sardonically. "Honest, I think I'm the first girl he ever kissed. Besides, suppose someone has bugged their house? Or he searches for me on the internet? Maybe that would cause some of those idiots that were bothering us in Lufkin to start on him. Or suppose he gets upset after we're gone and starts telling everyone?"
"I really doubt it will matter, Sammie. Your dad and I have pretty well decided to leave here with Jennie and Gene and see what they have in store for us. We've decided it's simply too dangerous to continue living here."
"I agree, Mom. Do you think the people that bugged us will pick on Ray after we're gone? I'd hate to think it was me that put him in danger."
"Sammie, please don't worry about that. Those people aren't dummies. They almost certainly know all about him already, the same as they do you."
"Yes, but if they don't, I may have led them to him."
"Don't worry about it so much, Sammie. If that's the worst mistake you ever make you'll be way ahead of the rest of the human race. Believe me!"
"I still shouldn't have said anything." Her face twisted up and she felt as if she was choking on something too big to swallow. She was barely able to hold back a burst of tears.
Elaine noticed. She put her arm around her shoulders and drew her close.
She did begin crying then. "Sometimes I wish I had never been born with that... that talent. It's caused nothing but trouble." She got the words out between a series of sobs.
"Sammie, please don't say that."
"Why not? It's true isn't it?" She drew away from her mother. "You know it is. You've said so often enough."
"I know, and I'm sorry I did. I was wrong to ever say anything like that."
"Why not, when you were right? It's just trouble. You and Dad had to move twice on account of me and now we're having to move again." She realized she had raised her voice while she was crying and turned away from her mother, ashamed.
"Sammie, it's alright."
"No, it's not!" she said, her voice loud again, practically a shout.
"It is, and I'll tell you why. What if Shufus was just a dog and not a friend? Think what you'd have missed. Did you know that me and your father envy you being able to have an animal like Shufus as a friend, a friend who would die for you if he had to? Think about all the animals you've helped Dr. Summers and Whit cure when no one else could have? Think of Betty's poor little Tuffy. He would have had to be put down if not for you. And remember how you saved all those little first and second graders from the rabid wolverine? No one else in the world but you could have done that. You should be glad you have such a wonderful talent. Your Dad and I are, regardless of any problems it might have caused."
Samantha was silent but she couldn't help listening and gradually realized her mother was right for the reasons she listed, but that didn't cover it all. "But why me, Mom? Why was I born with this talent and no one else?"
"Honey, why was Einstein born with a mathematical talent so great that he turned the whole world of physics upside down? Why was Steve Jobs born with a talent that put computers into almost every home and smart phones into almost every hand? Why are great musicians born with their talent but you aren't? Just about everyone has some innate aptitude or ability that they're better at than others are. We don't know why or how these things happen to individuals. Genetics explains some of it but you've already learned enough to realize that's only part of the picture and in many cases the minor part. You know you're born with certain genes but there are so many factors that determine how they're expressed that we may never sort it all out. Just be grateful you can communicate with our lesser endowed cousins, and do your utmost to develop your talent to the best of your ability. There's no telling where it will lead, but I can pretty well assure you that it will be in directions even you haven't thought of yet."
Samantha wiped her eyes while she thought about what her mother had said. Finally, her tear-streaked face broke into a smile. "You're right, Mom. I guess I was just feeling sorry for myself. I'll try to do better."
"You're doing fine, baby. Now why don't you put on another pot of coffee? I didn't get a chance to tell you, but your Dad just got a call. Jennie and Gene are on their way and we need to finish packing. Put everything you'll need for a few months in a couple of suitcases. And don't you worry about how your talent affects us. It won't be but just a few years until you'll be out in the world earning a living, and we'll just be the old folks." She grinned and Samantha returned it.
She hugged her mother and went to get the coffee started and began thinking about what all she needed to take with her on the trip.
Chapter Thirty Two
Miles away, Ray Zimmerman and his father had finished breakfast and were outside getting ready for the day's work. Mr. Zimmerman was at the corral while Ray had just finished saddling Thunder. The saddle was a gift from his father for his seventeenth birthday. It pleased him immensely for the thought his father had put into the gift. Usually he simply gave him a little extra money and told him to get what he wanted but this time he had gone much further than that. Knowing he usually rode Thunder bareback, the saddle was specially made of light, pliable leather with a saddlebag on each side, the one thing he really missed when on Thunder. The straps holding it on the horse were also specially made so that they didn't interfere with Thunder's breathing or running or any other activity.
The sound of a vehicle drew his attention to the road leading into the ranch house. Visitors other than Samantha were a rarity, one the elder Zimmerman didn't appreciate.
"Go see who they are and whatever they're selling, tell them we don't want any," he told his son.
Ray walked toward the SUV rather than mounting and riding but Thunder followed along behind him.
A swarthy looking man with a stubble of a beard looked at him from the passenger's seat. A similarly bearded man was driving.
"Can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Yes. Act like you normally would and lead us to the old man."
A handgun was suddenly being pointed at his face. The bearded man pushed open the door and, being careful to keep his distance, told Ray to turn around and start walking. Before he obeyed he caught a glimpse of a number of other men in the back of the vehicle. The driver also got out and followed him as he made his way toward his father, going as slowly as he could and trying to think of something to do to thwart the men. The man who had been driving also held a handgun. Both of them kept their weapons to their sides and slightly behind them, out of sight of Mr. Zimmerman. He was taken equally by surprise, just as Ray had been.
"What the fuck do you want?" he asked gruffly. "We ain't got no money."
"Shut up and get to the house. Now, or I'll kill you right here! You too, boy."
There was nothing either of them could do. They were forced inside and seated at gunpoint. Both their phones were confiscated and crushed underfoot. While one held a gun on them the other ran through the house and collected Ray's tablet and laptop computer. Those, too were hammered into uselessness. Only then did their attention turn back to Ray and his father.
"Who are you people?" Mr. Zimmerman asked. He was curious despite being scared, more for Ray than himself. Both had accents he couldn't place.
"We're your worst enemies if you don't tell us exactly what we want to know. The first thing, how well do you talk to other animals besides horses, boy?"
"I talk to all animals the same way, horses or otherwise. They're all just dumb animals," Ray said sullenly.
"Don't lie to us, boy. We know what your girlfriend can do. You've seen her often enough that we think you can do the same thing."
/> "We don't know what you're talking about. Take whatever you want and go," Mr. Zimmerman said.
The man standing behind him aimed carefully and shot him in the hand. It blew a hole through it and spit blood and bits of bone across the room. Zimmerman cried out but then set his lips grimly and tried to ignore the pain.
"She can talk to animals. Ray can't," he said through gritted teeth.
"She can't either, Dad. She's no better than me."
"Do you want me to cripple his other hand? He'll never work with horses again if I do. For the last time, boy, how much of what the girl does can you do? You may as well tell us because we're going for her next."
"I don't know, honestly," Ray said. "No, no, don't shoot Dad again! I'm telling the truth! I can talk to horses and dogs but I've never even tried to see if I could do it with other animals."
The men looked at each other. Neither noticed that Zimmerman had been holding his good hand in a cupped fashion right below the mangled one, as if he was trying to stop the bleeding. Instead he was concealing the fact that the steady blood flow quickly filled his cupped palm and fingers. When their eyes left him he stood up.
The man who had been questioning him turned, ready to shoot again but before he could react a handful of blood was flung directly into his eyes, effectively blinding him. The other intruder began a movement to get around his companion but Ray's reactions were young and swift. His muscled arm swung his fist from the hip with all his strength, a blurring arc accelerated by his shoulder muscles. The blow terminated with an awful sound of crushing bones. Some were from Ray's broken knuckles but most were from temple area of the man's skull. Ray's blow caved it in so badly that he would probably never regain consciousness, if he lived at all.
Zimmerman could use only one hand but he grabbed the blinded man's gun hand in a hard, powerful grip that kept the cylinder of the revolver from turning when he tried to shoot. "Hit this bastard, Ray!" his father shouted.
Ray picked up a heavy, solid glass paperweight. He ignored the pain in his hand and swung it as hard as he could at the man's head. It broke his jaw and caused him to release his hold on his gun. Zimmerman promptly confiscated it and used it to finish Ray's work by hitting him solidly on the head with it.
