Suddenly, Maxim felt Grayson stop short in opened mouth wonder as he stared at a girl picking wild flowers. Her mind had been in a faraway dreamland and she didn’t see him. For a few moments, all Grayson could do was stand there and look at her. In his nineteen years of life, he had met dozens of beautiful girls; but he knew at once, beyond all doubt, that he had never seen or imagined anything as exquisite as this petite female. The unusualness of her appearance was so perfect that his breath almost went from him.
Her skin was pale with a cute pouting mouth, rosy cheeks and wide-set hazel eyes, all looking radiant against the backdrop of her golden-red hair.
Then, the change that swept over the girl when she spotted him was startling. She sprang to her feet, wild flowers slipping form her hand to the ground. Every hint of color fled from her face and she trembled uncontrollably.
“Hello,” Grayson spoke with haste. “I’m sorry that I scared you. I didn’t mean to…!”
Grayson’s voice trailed off when he suddenly realized that the expression on her face was of terror, not merely the startled alarm of a shy woman who thought herself alone, but absolute terror. It was portrayed in her blanched and quivering lips and in the widely distended eyes that stared back into his with the expression of some trapped wild thing.
She opened her mouth as if to reply, but nothing escaped her lips except a small cry. She stumbled back a few steps but was unable to do little else. She was frozen in terror. She seemed to be mesmerized by his sky blue eyes and tangled black lashes.
“Please don’t be frightened,” Grayson said gently, thinking only of calming her fear and speaking as he would to a child. “I won’t hurt you. You are safe.”
In his eagerness to put her at ease, Grayson took an unconscious step forward. Instinctively, she turned; and without a word, fled into the woods.
“Wait!”
Grayson began to run after her, but Maxim would never know the outcome of the chase because Nero had returned him to the lab and was now busy checking his vital signs.
Maxim began to draw in air as though it was going to be his last breath. He couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. He discovered Oddily’s other self existing in the parallel world!
Did you see your mother? Nero asked with keen interest.
No, but Grayson had his mind on her. If you had allowed me to stay longer, I’m sure I would have.Wait a minute. Mother is the reason why you wanted me to return, isn’t it? You need to know where she is in that universe!
A lazy smile had spread across Nero’s face. You are correct. Thank you for confirming her whereabouts.
For some reason he couldn’t understand, Maxim became annoyed with his father. Excuse me. I need to make a call.
At school, Oddily was talking with Paul and Nexa when she received the call.
Oddily said hello and, after a moment, she pressed the phone to her chest and whispered to Nexa, “It’s Maxim!”
“Well, go ahead and talk to him!”
Paul was still finishing up his breakfast and Nexa appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to talk with his mouth full. Instead, he spoke to her using telepathy. Didn’t you and Oddily see Maxim this morning?
Yes, we did.
Do you think everything is all right?
We’ll find out soon enough. Tell me something Paul. Why are you so interested in what’s going on with Oddily and our family?
Oddily is my friend. Why shouldn’t I be?
You exposed a huge secret to Maxim because of her and I’m curious why you did that.
I didn’t want to, but Oddily was in danger. I needed Maxim’s help before something went terribly wrong.
That reminds me! Were you as surprised as I was when Zaylyn regained consciousness and attacked us?
I was shocked, he admitted. That just goes to show that Zaylyn isn’t any ordinary girl.
Nexa agreed. When did you know that Maxim and I were…different?
Paul grinned at Nexa. I knew right away. You and your brother stick out like sore thumbs.
Have we been that obvious?
You two are terrible!
Nexa gave him a half smile. Okay, how did you become so well adapted to this outer world?
Paul laughed. This outer world, as you call it, is my stomping grounds. This is where I grew up. My mom taught me how to fit in.
She did a good job because you had me fooled.
Nah, you were becoming suspicious of me the other day.
Nexa glanced over at Oddily. She was grinning from ear to ear by the time she got off the phone. “Did Maxim have anything important to say?”
“He said he just wanted to hear my voice.”
Oddily didn’t miss the stare down between Nexa and Paul. It was reminiscent of what Maxim and Nexa did all the time. It should have bothered her, but it didn’t because everything else about her life was even stranger.
Nexa wasn’t convinced that Maxim was okay so she called out to him. Maxim! Paul and I want to know if everything is all right.
It’s nothing sis. I just had an unnerving experience. I’m okay now, but thanks for your concern. Nero and I are busy right now so I’ll talk with you later.
22
Maxim showed up at Forest Ridge High to surprise Oddily after school. He wanted to take her somewhere, anywhere, as long as they could be alone for a while. At first, he had been pleased that his father was going to stay and help him deal with Zaylyn. Now, he was having second thoughts. Nero had overstepped his bounds with the abrupt and careless way in which he had told Oddily the truth. Oddily had treated Nero’s confession as a joke, but Maxim remained wary.
Then, there was the parallel universe. Viewing Oddily in the other world through Grayson’s eyes had been an unexpected surprise, especially seeing her with long hair cascading down her back. Furthermore, he couldn’t get the thought of his mother out of his mind. She still existed! In addition, why didn’t Grayson have any thoughts about Nexa? These questions and more kept running through Maxim’s mind as he waited for Oddily.
Maxim reached over and changed the station to Oddily’s favorite music. The upbeat tune began to put him in a better mood and none too soon. Oddily was walking towards him with a big grin on her face.
Maxim climbed out of his car and greeted her. “Does that smile mean you’re happy to see me?”
Maxim’s lips found hers before she could answer. “Mmm, your lips taste sweet!”
“Guess what flavor?” she asked.
Maxim licked his lips several times and shrugged. “I have no idea. You’ll have to help me out on this one.”
“It’s bubblegum!”
“What an interesting flavor, but why is it so sticky?”
Oddily began to laugh because Maxim seemed genuinely amused by how his lips stuck together. “I used Carrie’s lip gloss today just to see if I like her brand better than mine.”
“I prefer yours.”
“I do too!”
“Hello brother.” Nexa came walking up to the couple. “What brings you here?”
“I thought I’d surprise Oddily and take her somewhere nice.”
Oddily cringed, a reaction that left Maxim startled. “I’m sorry Maxim. I’m supposed to hang out with Nero after school.”
Maxim’s surprised reaction was unmistakable. “When was this arrangement made?”
“It happened this morning. Nero wanted me to stay home with him today, but I told him I couldn’t miss math. We agreed to hang out after school.”
“Well, I guess I’ll drive you home then.”
Maxim said goodbye to Nexa, but before he could pull out of the parking lot, Nexa’s voice came through. I have some errands to run. Do you need anything while I’m out?
Maxim glanced over at Oddily. No thank you. I have everything I need sitting next to me.
The keenness of Maxim’s disappointment was obvious as he drove down the road towards home, so Oddily spoke up to break the tension in the air. “Why are you so quiet?”
“I’m sorry baby. I had a challenging day.”
Oddily scooted over to Maxim and rested her hand on his thigh. As usual, she noticed that his body reacted to her touch. “You know what Maxim? I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go home just yet.”
Maxim parked his car off the side of the road and drew Oddily to him. The urgency of his kiss, and his need to hold her close, caught her off guard. This magical moment was pure bliss and she wanted it to last forever; but it didn’t—not when Maxim stopped kissing her to whisper, “No matter what happens, know that I will always love you.”
No matter what happens? The words stuck like glue in Oddily’s mind. Was this Maxim’s way of forewarning her that something was going to take place?
“What do you mean?” The tone of Maxim’s voice made Oddily wary.
Maxim pressed his forehead to hers. “What if something happened…something so shocking that you stopped loving me?”
Oddily pulled away from him in disbelief. “I could never stop loving you! How could you even suggest such a thing?!”
“No, hear me out Oddily! Suppose you found out something about me that would literally turn your life upside down?”
Oddily scrunched up her nose. “I think you’ve already done that!”
“Explain to me in what way?”
“Oh my, let me see!” Oddily said jokingly. “The hottest boy in town becomes my best friend and boyfriend. He helps me deal with the bullies, offers me a place to call home, introduces me to mechanical creatures, exposes me to altered life forms, has a teenage visitor who claims to be his dad, and has androids that lurk around who think they are human. Oh yes, and speaking of the androids…Willa makes me uncomfortable. So there you have it—my new upside down life!”
“I see!” Maxim raised his eyebrows because of Oddily’s comment about Willa. “So you’re ill at ease around my childhood nanny.”
“Willa is your nanny! I mean…was your nanny!”
“Yes. She was there for my sister and me during our formative years. We think of her as part of the family. I was hoping you would…!” Maxim’s voice faded.
“…like her.” Oddily had begun to bite her fingernails as she finished his statement.
“It’s okay Oddily. I understand.” Maxim took her hand from her mouth and looked at her nails. “I thought you filed them down this morning.”
“I did!”
Maxim became alarmed. Oddily’s accelerated fingernail growth wasn’t a good sign.
“Maxim, if Willa means that much to you, then I want to give her another chance. Will you tell me more about her?”
Maxim forced a smile. “Willa and the other androids like her were created by Nero. The technology he used to design these elite machines will someday become a miraculous addition to the human race. Willa is, in most ways, as human as you and me. The obvious feature that sets her apart is her appearance. Even though she looks more human than she did fifteen years ago, she still has a long way to go before she can walk undetected among humans.”
Oddily shook her head in wonder. “It’s as if you’re talking about a weird science fiction movie.”
Maxim frowned. “I’m sorry. I know that what I say is a bit mind-boggling.”
“You think?!” Oddily gave him a strange look, and then collapsed into a fit of giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Her reaction had caught him off guard.
“You are, because you have such a serious look on your face!”
“But I am serious…or at least I was!”
“Ahhh, that’s better.” Oddily kissed him on his nose. “I love it when you smile!”
“Have I satisfied your curiosity?”
“Not really. Now I want to go home and visit with her…if that’s okay with you.”
“Yes, of course.”
Maxim gave Oddily one last lingering kiss before he turned his car around and headed for home.
23
Fortunately, Nero had left the house—probably because she and Maxim arrived later than he had expected. It gave Oddily the chance to search out Willa and smooth things over with her. Maxim made it easy for her by asking Sweeper, “Where’s Willa?”
“Willa is upstairs.”
Maxim gave Oddily a peck on her cheek. “If you need me, I’ll be in my workshop at Stafford Manor.”
After Maxim left, Oddily found Willa coming down the stairs and waited at the bottom step. “Hello Willa.”
‘Hello Oddily. How did you do on your math test?”
“I got a ‘B’ which is pretty good considering I suck at math.”
Willa had noticed that Oddily was following her outside so she turned and asked, “Is there something I can do for you?”
“No. Not really.” Without delay, Oddily wanted to apologize, but it felt so weird to ask a robot to forgive her. Did Willa even have the appropriate feelings to respond?
At the last minute, Oddily chickened out and instead asked, “Can I come with you?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
Reluctantly, Oddily held out her hand to touch Willa, and shivered when the android allowed her to rub her finger back and forth against Willa’s synthetic skin. Surprisingly, it felt life-like and she had to ask, “Can you feel me touching you?”
“My sensors indicate that there is movement at the base of the thumb, but no—not in the way you imagine.”
If robots could feel emotions, Willa certainly appeared to show sadness, but only for a brief moment.
“I had planned on taking a walk if you still want to join me.”
Oddily nodded. “Oh yes! I love walking through these woods. This place is so magical except for the weird mutant insects. Easily, I have discovered what must be the ugliest bugs in existence.”
Willa gave off a funny sound imitating a quirky laugh.
“I know what. I’ll take you to the place where Maxim used to hide when he was mad at me.”
“When you were his nanny, right?”
“Yes. When did you find out my role in the family?”
“Today, after school. Maxim told me.”
“Is that why you have had a change of heart concerning me?”
Suddenly, Oddily became remorseful. “I’m sorry Willa. I didn’t mean to shun you. It’s just that I’ve never been around anything…anyone like you.”
“That’s understandable, and I forgive you.”
Oddily became wide-eyed with wonder. “Can you really feel forgiveness towards me?”
“Yes, but like I said before, it is not in the way that you imagine. Do you think that someday you will be able to accept me for what I am?”
Oddily shrugged. “I will try my best.”
“Good. Now let’s go and have a glimpse into Maxim’s childhood.”
Oddily walked alongside Willa and, for some reason, fear began to seep into her heart as Willa led the way into the woods. Would she find some answers to the mystery surrounding the one she loved? Questions like, why did Maxim act so paranoid around strangers; or, how he acquired so much wealth. Then there was the question of why he had no body hair except on his head.
Suddenly, Willa stopped and pointed to the treetops. “Do you see anything up there?”
Oddily squinted her eyes and searched the canopy of greenery until she spotted a wooden structure nestled between thick tree branches. “Is that a tree house?”
“Yes. Maxim used to hide up there whenever he needed to get away from his sister or me. He was a regular little monkey with the way he climbed around up there.
“It sounds more like he was a little stinker!” Oddily’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Do you think it’s safe for me to go up there?”
Willa used her bionic sight to scan the wooden planks that held up the tree house. “It appears to be structurally sound; however, please remain cautious.”
Oddily found the row of two-by-fours nailed to the backside of the tree. She put her weight on the first plank and the makeshift step felt secure so she cont
inued her climb to the top.
“The view is beautiful from up here, Willa.”
“Take your time!” Willa called back.
Interestingly enough, the little treetop hideaway had been maintained, appearing as though it were still in use. If that was the case, did Oddily have her nose where it didn’t belong?
Despite her doubts, Oddily went ahead and peeked inside some of the metal containers. One of them held a new sleeping bag neatly rolled up in a ball. The next container felt cold to the touch so she wasn’t surprised when she found food stored inside. What did stun her was…the food was still fresh!
Oddily became increasingly uncomfortable and decided it was time to leave. Someone was occupying Maxim’s childhood tree house.
“Do you think Maxim still comes here?” Oddily questioned Willa after her feet touched the ground.
“Knowing Maxim, I would guess that he does. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know,” Oddily shrugged. “Everything up there is so orderly and clean.”
“Well, that does sound like Maxim’s touch.”
“What more can you tell me about him?” Oddily gave Willa a quick second glance and wondered, did it/she just smile?
“We can talk on the way to our next stop.”
Oddily came across a few peculiar looking creatures roaming the air and ground as she followed Willa deep into the unnatural beauty of the woods, all the while listening to Willa.
“Maxim loved to run. In fact, there was hardly a time when he wasn’t doing so! After he became old enough, he started to run with the wild horses through the meadow. He did fairly well at keeping up with them too!”
“Geeez, I’ve never seen a pack of wild horses!” The notion had set off Oddily’s fanciful mind. “Do you think we could find them?”
“No. Maxim is the only one who knows their whereabouts. Anyway, Maxim also loved to play in the streams. He would jump into the ice-cold water and swim from bank to bank with ease.”
“How old was Maxim?”
“He was around nine years old.”
“But that’s so young! Didn’t you ever worry about him drowning?”
MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) Page 12
