MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2)

by Pohring, Linda; Dewberry, Anne

  Oddily continued to disobey Maxim, and felt bad doing so, but her worsening condition wouldn’t allow her to sit around with Paul and do nothing. With renewed strength of mind, Oddily was heading back down the stairs to the underground tunnel when someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth.

  “Don’t scream! It’s me…Paul.”

  Oddily pushed Paul’s hand away and shushed him.

  “Where’s Maxim?” he whispered.

  Oddily motioned for Paul to follow her to the bottom of the secret stairway, and then she stepped out into the tunnel. When Paul came up beside her, Oddily pointed to a light coming from beyond the walls made of stone.

  Paul was dumbfounded. When he had decided to sneak inside the manor, he had no idea what he was about to get himself into. Finding the interior overgrown with plant life was bizarre enough; but when he followed Oddily through a trap door in the fireplace, the adventure turned into a whole other story. Now, he found himself standing in an underground roadway while staring at a bright light. It was no wonder that Maxim didn’t want him tagging along. Paul leaned over when Oddily tugged on his sleeve.

  “It’s the entrance to a laboratory,” she whispered in his ear. “Can you hear anything going on inside?”

  Paul shook his head no; but telepathically, he could hear Maxim speaking. He was giving someone the rundown on Zaylyn, and what she had done to Oddily. Then another voice emerged. It was Nexa speaking but the tone of her voice was deeper…more aggressive. She said, You are a fool if you don’t bring her to me.

  Nexa’s statement gave Paul goose bumps as he continued to listen.

  First, tell us what you plan to do with her. Nero’s voice was loud enough to drown out the others.

  I will know after I’m exposed.

  What do you mean by being exposed? It was Zaylyn’s turn to speak. Is Oddily contagious?

  Before Paul could hear more, Oddily did the unexpected. She made a mad dash towards the light, giving Paul no other choice but to follow her to the lab.

  32

  Maxim was stunned when he saw Oddily enter the chamber and limp towards Nero. In the light, the change in her appearance was astounding. Her red hair had lengthened to just above her waist, her nails now hung over her fingers like claws, and one leg had become noticeably longer than the other leg.

  Oddily gazed up into Nero’s face with eyes full of fear and begged, “Please…will you help me?”

  “Oddily!” the entity inside Nexa approached her.

  When Oddily glanced over her shoulder to where the voice had come from and saw Nexa standing right behind her, she turned and hugged the beautiful girl.

  Now do you understand the urgency? Nexa’s clear blue eyes glared at Nero and Maxim just moments before her body slumped into Oddily’s arms.

  Maxim lunged forward to help but there was no need. Oddily was showing unexpected strength while easing Nexa to the ground. After Oddily stepped away, Maxim hunkered down on one knee and felt for Nexa’s pulse. She is still alive father.

  Be careful son.The High Council member has switched bodies.

  Maxim gawked at Oddily, who had her attention turned to Thor and Zaylyn. They had been slowly inching their way past the graveyard of mechanical parts near the back of the chamber when more members of the High Council entered the lab. The two orbs of light glided through the cavern and found their targets.

  Zaylyn shrieked, “Get away from me!” She began to swat at them as if they were annoying flies. The orbs retreated a few feet.

  Do you Thor or your daughter have any last words before you depart? The entity inside Oddily had spoken with a tone out of character to the redhead’s soft sweet sound.

  Yes! Why do you bother with me? Thor tried to defend himself. I didn’t do anything!

  Look, I am sorry! Zaylyn butt in and began to plead her case. I thought I was borrowing a small vial of growth hormones. I didn’t know the stuff was tainted with something more. It was just supposed to be a harmless prank.

  You call that harmless! Maxim pointed to Oddily’s body. Then after noticing even more signs of bodily distortion, he began to freak out.

  Maxim, get over here! Nero’s voice sounded threatening so Maxim joined him near a stone outcrop.

  The entity inside Oddily ignored Maxim’s outburst and continued the questioning. Did Thor know what you did?

  Zaylyn gave her father a sideways glance and then shook her head.

  Speak up!

  Thor didn’t know anything until today.

  Suddenly, Oddily’s body began to involuntarily jerk.

  Oddily’s system is in trouble. The entity spoke to no one in particular.

  Without another word, Oddily’s head tilted back and her eyes closed while an energy field began to build around her body. To an observer, it appeared as though small particles of light were beaming from every pore of her body.

  Oddily was dying; or at least, Maxim truly thought she was.

  While the entity retained possession of Oddily, her voice started to whimper in pure agony as her body collapsed on the ground, twisting in distorted and abnormal ways. The entity appeared to be torturing her. It was as if the member from the High Council planned to keep Oddily alive at any cost to her suffering, inflicting her with repeated pain.

  Maxim wasn’t even sure what was happening to her, and honestly, he questioned whether the entity knew either. From what he could tell, Oddily was an enigma to this highly evolved human from the future. Moreover, despite all the advanced knowledge and wisdom Nero had claimed this entity possessed, Oddily was being treated like a guinea pig right before his eyes.

  Nero had to hold Maxim back as his son frantically fought to intervene. The struggle continued between father and son until Maxim saw that Oddily’s body had stopped thrashing and was returning to normal. Her leg was growing even with the other leg and her breasts were beginning to deflate. Finally, Oddily’s eyes fluttered open and came to a standing position. The entity still inside her spoke again.

  I purified Oddily’s blood, which has removed the distortions. Her nails and hair have returned to a normal growth pattern; however, she will need to cut off the unusual length one last time.

  Is she going to be okay? Maxim stepped forward and reached for Oddily but Oddily’s hand came up to stop him.

  You may not touch her until after I have left her body.

  Maxim could hear Zaylyn snickering under her breath but he didn’t have time to give her a dirty look. The entity was speaking again.

  Oddily still needs help with maintaining her newly stabilized system. I must inject her with a small amount of advanced DNA.

  You can use mine, Nero volunteered.

  Your DNA would be too powerful. It needs to come from a half-breed donor.

  Stop it! Maxim began to shout. You’re talking about Oddily—not some species you plan to turn into a hybrid. You’ll have to kill me first before I will allow that to happen to her.

  You are ignorant like a newborn infant, the entity retorted. Because of the negligence of Nero and Thor, this timeline has already shown variances that are now affecting the future. If I need to save Oddily’s life in order to prevent any further irregularities, you are incapable of stopping me.

  Maxim stared at Oddily’s face which was lacking any signs of her sweet innocence. What has my father done to tamper with the future?

  He allowed you and your sister to live.

  Maxim began to struggle with his emotions as it dawned on him why Nero feared for him and his sister while growing up. He had been so adamant about keeping him and Nexa hidden from the outer world, and now he understood why.

  Maxim became sullen. It’s all my fault. I went against Nero’s instructions to stay away from outsiders.

  What about the android I encountered? The entity persisted. Are you the one who is responsible for the memory of the human trapped inside?

  Nero moved quickly to Maxim’s side. Her name is Willa, and I am to blame for changing the young woman
’s fate.

  The entity stared intently at Nero. It is fortunate for you that Willa has remained secluded. As of yet, her continued existence has not altered this timeline.

  Getting back to Oddily, Maxim interrupted, can you inject her with my blood?

  That depends. Do you plan to have children with her?

  Yes…someday.

  Then the answer is no. I need to use someone who has no chance of creating offspring with her.

  Maxim shook his head. I don’t understand. What would happen if I impregnated her?

  Unfortunately, if you shared your blood, Oddily would most likely give birth to a genetic mutation—a monster according to the people of her world.

  In that case, use mine!

  All eyes turned to the entrance of the chamber.

  “Who are you? Come out from the shadows and let me see you.”

  My friends call me Paul, he said while stepping into the light.

  What is your real name?

  Paulsen Bentley.

  Oddily’s body maneuvered around Maxim and pierced Paul with a penetrating stare. I cannot use you either.

  But my mother is from this timeline, Paul argued. My blood should be perfect!

  It is, but you also show signs of love for this girl.

  Paul immediately became defensive. Well yeah, as a friend!

  Relax! I have made a decision concerning Oddily. Maxim is right. It would be unfortunate to turn Oddily into a half-breed unless I have considered all possibilities. Therefore, I have chosen another way—one in which no transfusion of blood is needed.

  It was Nero’s turn to step forward. What do you have in mind?

  Suddenly, Nexa sat up and glanced around the room in a daze. What is going on? Why am I on the floor?

  In a split second, Nero was helping his daughter to her feet. She stared at all the commotion in the lab and noticed Thor and Paul staring at each other. Zaylyn seemed to have taken notice as well.

  Is Paul my brother? Zaylyn stared at Paul’s slight resemblance to her father.

  Thor maintained eye contact with Paul as he admitted, Yes, he is.

  Paul faltered for a moment. He didn’t know what to do or say to the man who had left him and his mother before his birth.

  How is Katerina? His father spoke again.

  Paul broke eye contact and then said, It is none of your business. Finding it difficult to breathe, Paul abruptly turned on his heels and headed to the entrance of the chamber.

  Thor tried to follow him but was stopped by the council member hovering near him.

  Take Thor and Zaylyn back to the future. Oddily’s entity made the command.

  Please! Zaylyn shouted, but it was too late. The two orbs of light had already entered their bodies and with the blink of an eye, Thor and Zaylyn were gone.

  Then Oddily’s entity held out her arms in a friendly gesture. Zaylyn will no longer be bothering you.

  Paul, are you all right? Nero called out to Paul when he saw him step outside the lab.

  I will be after I get away from this place! With that said, Paul took off running through the tunnel.

  Maxim’s concern for Oddily had overshadowed his satisfaction over seeing Paul walk out on them. He needed to know what the member from the High Council had in mind to help her. Nero shared the same thoughts and had already asked, What other method is there to stabilize Oddily’s system other than a blood transfusion?

  The entity responded. It is generally a forbidden practice, but Oddily’s pureness of heart has touched me. Therefore, I am making Oddily an exception to the rule and will leave her with a fragment of my essence, allowing her to become stronger.

  Maxim understood what the entity meant and instantly became fidgety. So you are planning to give Oddily a piece of your soul!

  Yes. There would be a lower risk factor for complications.

  But why would you do that for her? Maxim wanted to shut up but the questions kept pouring out.

  Oddily is a rare find, said the entity. Her simplistic nature has allowed her innocence to flourish; but unfortunately, in this timeline, only a few can appreciate the sweetness of her ways.

  Maxim caught a glimpse of his father signaling him to continue the questioning. What about any side affects?

  Oddily will not be able to age naturally. As long as a bit of my life force stays within her, the aging process will come to a stop.

  Nero finally left Nexa’s side and joined Maxim. Has this method ever been attempted on a primitive human before?

  Oddily will be the first.

  Father! Nexa’s melodic voice chimed in. This member from the High Council, or whoever is inside Oddily, sounds to me like a typical scientist wanting to experiment on her.

  I think she’s right! Maxim agreed.

  Your mistrust comes from a place of fear and ignorance so I have lost interest in this conversation. I will do as I have already stated.

  Without another word, the entity hopped up on a nearby table and laid down before releasing Oddily’s body. The orb of light shot out from her chest and hovered overhead before departing.

  I guess we handled that well, Nero muttered to himself while Maxim rushed to Oddily’s motionless body.

  What is going on around here? Nexa scratched her head. The last thing I can remember is rushing through the cave with Willa and…!

  What is wrong? Nero’s head snapped in Nexa’s direction when his daughter hesitated.

  It’s Willa! I think she malfunctioned or…I can’t remember exactly.

  Nero remained hopeful. Do you think you could retrace your steps and find her?

  I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try.

  Nero took Nexa’s pulse and was satisfied that her heartbeat was returning to normal. I would like to go now if that is okay with you. It will give me time to fill you in on what happened here in the lab.

  What about Oddily? Will she be all right?

  Oddily has been enhanced, so if I am correct with my assumptions, Oddily will wake up superbly better than she has ever been before.

  Then let’s go find Willa! I remember spotting the top of the collapsed chamber when the orb of light had first approached.

  Nero took Nexa by the hand. Tell me everything that you can remember about your altercation with the orb.

  Maxim stared at Oddily after his father and sister left the lab. The word enhanced kept repeating itself in his mind like a broken record. Did his father know something he didn’t know? Would Oddily wake up and behave differently? Moreover, where was the Oddily he knew and loved while the entity inhabited her body?

  33

  As Oddily began to focus her jumbled mind, she noticed a bright light keeping her from viewing her surroundings. What was happening to her? What nameless, faceless, person was inflicting unbearable pain on her limbs? She attempted to cry out, but the only noise escaping her lips was the sound of whimpering.

  Then she remembered running up to Nero inside the lab. She had asked him to help her because Maxim said his father was a doctor of sorts. Now she had her doubts. Would someone in his or her right mind cause such pain on another? No…not unless they were insane!

  Oddily began to imagine that she was trapped inside a white windowless cell—a prison. On the other hand, maybe she was trapped inside a nightmare while still asleep in the tower of Bentley Castle. Either way she couldn’t make up her mind on which scenario to believe.

  The pain inside her body intensified. She wanted to fight back, kick and hit as best she could, but she had no way of defending herself against what was happening. She was not in control of anything. However whoever was, remained hidden. Her personal attacker kept the assault on her body as impersonal as possible. Dismembering one section of her leg at a time, the bones were broken and rearranged while her temperature continued to rise uncomfortably.

  She wanted to give up but, whenever she entertained the notion of wanting to die in order to get away from the pain, her mind flashed on Maxim. The thought of him filled her wi
th an all-too familiar wave of his love and Oddily knew that she couldn’t give up. She began to pray, pleading for forgiveness, anything to stop the pain; but it fell upon deaf ears, or so she thought.

  A cool soothing sensation began to replace the uncomfortable heat; and the pain was subsiding, until finally, the torture to her body had come to a halt.

  Then she felt her body being placed on a cold metal surface. She still wasn’t able to move, but that was okay. She welcomed the peace and quiet and tried not to imagine what would come next. Shortly afterwards, the blinding bright light disappeared, leaving her in darkness until she heard someone calling her name. When her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Maxim’s handsome face. He leaned close and kissed her. “You were healed.”

  “I was?” Oddily’s vision began to clear as she gazed up at him with uncertainty.

  Hearing Oddily’s soft sweet voice again made Maxim smile.

  “It’s done—it’s over!” He assured her.

  Oddily lifted her head and glanced around the empty lab. “Where is Nero?”

  “He left with Nexa.”

  “Oh, now I remember. I gave her a hug.”

  Oddily sat up; but when she saw her claw-like fingernails, she flopped back down. “I thought you said that Nero healed me.”

  “Nero didn’t, but someone else did.”

  Maxim encouraged Oddily to sit up again to take a look at her legs. “See! They are the same length now.”

  After staring at her limbs, Oddily’s attention went to the area where her breasts used to be. “That’s not all that returned to normal.”

  Maxim ran his hand through his hair. “I know and I don’t care.”

  “Yes you do!” She disagreed. “You only touch your hair when you’re nervous or upset.”

  “It’s you’re fingernails.” He admitted. “They are a painful reminder of what I wish I could forget.”