Encompassing

by Richard Lord

  “I think I’m going to go make breakfast.” Renfield responds.

  As he gets up to put on his robe, Christina falls back into the bed in a huff, but then she considers to herself, “Whatever! This is comfy!” Renfield turns and looks at her and she looks up at him as he grins and walks out of the door.

  As he walks into the kitchen he looks at the spot Solstice was so focused on. He thinks back to himself, “That was a long time ago, girls. And obviously a different life.” Then he forces the memory from his mind as he turns the stovetop on high and reaches into the refrigerator for eggs, butter, milk and bacon. He looks at the bacon and realizes Christina did not get nitrite and nitrate free bacon. He decides he won’t feed that to his family and looks for another source of meat protein.

  Brady enters. “Okay, so you’re the man of the house now?”

  Renfield turns and says, “Was that ever in question?”

  Brady replies, “When you’re gone, yes. How do you think things get done around here while you’re out playing hero?”

  “I’m sorry, Brady. I was joking with you, but I can tell you’re not in the mood. I know you do a lot for this family and I respect that. Sincerely.” Renfield explains.

  “No worries. I know you mean it. I was just taking a jab while your guard was down.” Brady walks to the counter and beings cracking eggs and putting them in a bowl with some milk and butter. He reaches for a box of crackers and beings crunching them into the bowl.

  Renfield looks at him and asks, “Are those salted?”

  Brady replies, “No. I already know, Adam. And I did mention the bacon to Christina, but she’s hard headed. I guess you know that.”

  Renfield pauses from his search for a good meat protein in the refrigerator and looks at Brady. “I do. How did you know I was thinking about the bacon?”

  “Word on the street is, you changed me, man. I’m a much better detective now. So thanks.” Brady replies.

  Renfield goes back to digging in the refrigerator. “Oh, so you know about that now? We cool?”

  Brady looks over at Renfield who’s head is now buried in the freezer, “You’re cool, but I’m still hot!” Then he laughs and Renfield grins as he pulls out a package of steaks.

  He turns to Brady and says, “Meat!” then he walks to the sink to run hot water over the package as he yells over his shoulder, “I’m taking you out on the town tonight, so after you eat, get some rest, you’ll need it!”

  Brady turns from the stovetop and looks at Renfield’s back and replies, “What’s the occasion?”

  Renfield turns, starts another burner on high and with his hip pushes Brady away from the skillet. Then he begins spicing and cooking the steaks. “I don’t know. Perhaps a wedding if you play your cards right, sir.”

  Brady retorts, “I like you, Adam, but I’m not ready to marry you just yet.”

  Renfield and Brady laugh. Renfield says, “I was thinking more along the lines of a girl, but whatever floats your boat.”

  Brady gets a contorted look on his face. “Just so there is no misunderstanding…”

  Renfield holds up a hand and says, “Don’t say what you’re thinking. I can ignore what you’re thinking easier than if you say it. You do have a wonderful daughter. Let’s not get into why or how.” Renfield begins slowing his breathing.

  Brady says, “And I have a wonderful granddaughter, so thank you.” He murmurs to himself, “I suppose.” Then he turns to look at the opening to the kitchen and standing there are Illumna and Solstice.

  Illumna announces, “I’m hungry!”

  Renfield and Brady laugh at her directness. Both of them realize that the girls were listening in to their minds the whole time. Brady responds, “Well when your slow Dad gets done with those steaks, each of you go feed your mother’s first. Then round two we all meet back here and chow down!”

  Solstice replies, “Deal!”

  Brady gets a strange look on his face and Renfield hearing his thoughts butts in, “I’m pretty sure those eggs are done, buddy.” Brady looks down and sees they are clearly starting to scorch. He grabs the pan and moves it to the aft burner. Then he begins stirring the eggs rabidly to dissipate the heat evenly. He reaches behind Renfield, opens the door to the refrigerator, grabs a cold jar of salsa and beings mixing it in to cool the eggs before they burn.

  Renfield notes Brady’s familiarity with the contents of the refrigerator and where everything is. It is made obvious to by the quickness in which Brady grabbed the item he was looking for. He feels a pang, but realizes it’s nothing like what Brady must experience every time Brady sees him kiss either Sara or Christina. He turns to Brady as he finishes up the steaks and says, “Good choice! Southwestern style!”

  Brady looks back, “You have your own hot sauce, don’t be mixing that in with the meat! That’s for everyone too! You’ve got everyone hooked on your preference for rare beef, but I don’t think you’re going to get much applause for your preference for the heat of the stuff you seem to drink as if it’s Kool-Aid.”

  Renfield laughs. “Caught me just in time. I wasn’t thinking! Good watching out, Brady!”

  CHAPTER 62

  “I did it before. I won’t do it again. That would be boring.” – from the book of Solstice

  The four of them sit outside on the deck finishing their meal and laughing and joking with each other. It’s a bright sunny day. Renfield looks over the lake at the ducks. Solstice notes he likes to do that.

  Christina, upstairs, goes to Sara’s room and they sit and look out the window and talk about their daughters.

  Illumna looks at the three faces in front of her. So animated and so happy and she smiles.

  Brady looks at Illumna and is ever amazed by her calm and grace but remembers she has another side. Still his heart embraces her innocence.

  Renfield says, out loud to Illumna, “So what’s it like, in that lake?”

  Solstice laughs while trying to keep the egg she is chewing, in her mouth.

  “It sucks Dad, but if you want I can give you a tour?” Illumna retorts.

  Renfield grins. “Nah, I’m good.” Then her turns to her, “But thanks.” Then he looks at Solstice. “I sure as hell hope your instinct was wrong, but I think you were dead on. So that means this location may be compromised.”

  Brady looks at Renfield. “Damn, I was just starting to enjoy this! How do we move Solstice’s lab too?”

  Solstice looks down at her food. “There’s another one. We just have to get Joseph there.” She mutters.

  Renfield turns and addresses all three of them, “I’m not trying to piss on the parade. I am stating the obvious. All of you have already considered it, and we need to have a plan, discuss it with each other and move forward as a unit.”

  Brady shrugs and remarks, “That I agree with. I think we all agree it sucks. Plus, for some reason this place seems to be your default. So where else is your secondary default? Obviously you have one if Solstice already has a lab there.”

  Solstice thinks to her father quickly, “Don’t answer that, Dad!”

  Renfield hears all of the thoughts that are piggy backed on that one and then turns to Brady and replies, “It’s a good spot. More women there, so a better night out for you.”

  Brady responds, “So are we talking about doing this today?”

  Illumna jumps in, “Grandfather we’re considering every moment. Not simply days.” She then thinks to her father, “Could Solstice really be right?”

  Renfield thinks back to both of them, “Solstice has her doubts, I have mine and you, Illumna, have yours. So far, Brady has helped the entire time.” Realizing Solstice is listening, he turns and says, “Yes, Solstice I hear that. Illumna, no matter what, he’s your grandfather and we respect that.”

  Illumna thinks to Renfield and Solstice, “If Solstice is right, then he’s selling us to the highest bidder. Not much of a grandfatherly thing to do. Also, if she’s right on the other thought, he can hear us. So thanks Dad for altering him
.”

  Renfield looks at Illumna and Solstice tries hard not to physically do an “Oh snap” at that moment. Solstice smiles at her older sister but realizes if Brady can’t hear them, they’ve been quiet too long so she looks at Brady and says, “So are you actually going to light that cigar or just hold it. I was considering a taste.”

  Brady, looks at Solstice and then a full octave lower than normal responds, “Yeah. I’ll light it, but I have serious reservations of letting a pregnant woman puff on it.” He narrows his eyes at Solstice and then he looks over at Illumna.

  Then they all hear it. The front door is clearly blown apart. All four of them literally hit the deck. Solstice and Renfield instinctively grab Illumna. Illumna yells to Solstice, “Take Brady to the other lab, now!” Solstice move her hand to Brady. Illumna clicks herself and Renfield to the door as it’s being rushed.

  Renfield orders, “Illumna go! Get Sara to the lake.” Then he senses that both Solstice and Brady are still there and he feels them rush into the room. He yells, “Solstice go! Get your mother there and then meet me…” He realizes verbalization is to slow, but he hears them confirm that they understand his plan. They both disappear. Brady, running in from the deck, looks at Renfield in shock.

  “What do we do?” Brady asks pulling his service pistol.

  Renfield clicks behind him, grabs the pistol and holds it to his back. “You can do a lot, start by telling them to back the hell off of my land!”

  “So you think they are law enforcement and we’re going to do the hostage negotiation thing. Okay, I get that.” Brady says.

  Renfield replies, “Something like that.”

  Then he pushes Brady to the front door and Brady yells out, “He won’t hurt me if you all just stop now.”

  Behind them men are repelling down lines and lading on the deck. Renfield realizes they are running out of time. He also realizes he can’t put another fracture in this timeline. Renfield oushes the service pistil hard against Brady’s neck and asks, “Which model did Solstice choose for Joseph?”

  Brady looks stunned that at a moment like this Renfield would ask that question of all of the possible things he must be thinking. He also knows he should answer. “The puppy.”

  Then Renfield is gone.

  CHAPTER 63

  “Trust is the hardest thing to ever give away because it may be the last thing you do.” -- from the book of Jessica

  “Okay everyone’s safe. Solstice take Joseph. Illumna we need at least sticks and stones if we’re going to keep this place warm tonight. Sara, prepare long lasting food.” Done with his instructions he looks at Christina.

  Christina looks at Renfield and asks, “Where is Brady?”

  “Right now, Brady isn’t our concern, or perhaps he is. I don’t know. We need to survive and too many things aren’t adding up when it comes to Brady.” He looks exhausted and Christina feels like arguing the point but then she also feels for him and then she just looks at him. He looks at Christina, “Help Sara, please. I need to think.” As Christina walks to find Sara he mentions, “Tell Sara not to forget water. Lots of it. I know you don’t know this place. This is very temporary. I’ll fix this.”

  Christina pauses, looks back at Renfield and smiles. Then she turns, drops her pants and flashes him to make him smile.

  Renfield realizes he is blessed by the best. He bows at the universe for being so kind to him. As soon as Christina is out of view, he disappears.

  He appears behind Brady and pushes him to the floor, stands in the doorway and immediately he begins taking bullets. He feels them rip through his flesh and then the unmistakable feeling of a rib shattering. “Shit! That’s gonna hurt!” He sees the automatic .50 caliber and thinks to himself, “How the fuck did they set up for this assault without him hearing it?” He turns and looks at Brady with anger and moves forward towards the guy with the biggest gun. He can’t concentrate enough to click. It really hurts. Then he sees Solstice and Illumna appear. Solstice clicks to the concern in the distance. She pulls of her belt in an instant and wraps it around the neck of the guy manning the .50 caliber. Illumna starts clicking around too fast for his eyes to follow, but he sees her basic strategy, she foot sweeps each of them as she moves. There must be more than twenty five people or more out there gunning for him. One turns and aims at Solstice, Renfield ‘clicks’ grabs his wrist tightly, twists , takes the gun and puts a hole through his head. Solstice nods. Illumna looks back going for a second sweep. She produces a blade. Renfield, nods and scans to determine who’s in charge of the operation. Eyeing him getting up, he clicks to him, grabs the back of his head and slams it into his own knee. Renfield can feel the panic of the others. He thinks to himself, “Good. That got their attention.” He continues, to click and thinks out to his daughters. “Leave one alive to report how stupid an idea this was. Don’t kill the Commander. They’ll listen to him. Don’t’ get shot! Love you girls!” He grins and the carnage continues.

  He looks up at the doorway and sees Brady literally standing in shock. He looks back at him while clicking forward to another foe and making him a holey man as he fires through the heart, considers the need for a freshly loaded weapon grabs the one this guy doesn’t need any more and clicks back over to the Commander. Renfield grabs him by the back of the head again and smashes his face hard into his knee again.

  Then he clicks to Brady. “Don’t say a damned thing! Either you’re part of it or you’re not, but nothing you say is going to influence me other than piss me off.”

  Brady nods.

  Renfield looks out at his daughters who look to him and then they all turn to watch the Commander jump in a SUV and take off. They click to him. “So, who were they?”

  “No idea. Doesn’t matter. We’ve got direct enemies now. That will complicates things.” He shakes Brady’s shoulder, but Brady still stands silent and in shock. Renfield looks at his daughters. “Go!” He barks, “Meet me…”

  They disappear. He looks down at himself. He took more shots than he thought. Brady looks at him and winces. “I’ll live”, Renfield looks at him. “You. Not so sure.”

  The girls click into Solstice’s secondary laboratory. Solstice pats her older sisters back and say, “Well done! I didn’t know Miss Encyclopedia was such a mean bitch!”

  Illumna laughs slightly and replies. “I knew you were!” She glances around at everything covered in plastic. “So do you need help setting up?”

  Solstice looks at her as she starts taking plastic covers off of the equipment and halfway frowns at her sister, “Why don’t you catch your breath first?”

  Illumna looks at her and responds, “I’m good. Had to work off that breakfast anyway.”

  Solstice grins, “Okay, well just start uncovering everything and I’ll start powering it all up.”

  Illumna begins by showing off and clicks around to each piece of equipment, de-shrouding it. Then she stops and looks at Solstice, who giggles and then says, “I figured that would get old quick. We’re in no rush. Joseph might be ready, but he has to get used to the new environment before he feels comfortable enough to make the click into this new body.”

  Illumna has a strange look on her face and Solstice notices and walks over to her and strokes her hair. “I’m sorry.” She looks at her sister with her heart pouring out through her eyes.

  “Like you said, ‘at least he’s alive’.” A tear forms in her eye as she looks at Solstice. “Why do we have such strange lives? We can’t even fall in love like normal people!”

  “I stopped asking that a long time ago. I suppose it’s quite literally destiny. So we have to do something with it. We take the hits but we turn them into something that makes the world better because the rest of the world can’t take the hits. Does that make sense?” Solstice ponders her own answer.

  “Yes, Solstice, it does.” Illumna reaches out and hugs her sister.

  Solstice says, “Can you go check on Sara and Christina? They probably wonder where Dad is, so you know, do t
he comfort thing.”

  “Where do you think Dad took Brady?” Illumna asks.

  “Hmmm. Someplace safe. He isn’t sure what to think and he doesn’t want Brady hurt or he wouldn’t have gone back for him. I don’t think he’s going to talk to him though. You heard what he was thinking.” Solstice replied.

  “Yeah, I did.” Illumna shudders a bit then clicks out. Solstice gets to work.

  CHAPTER 64

  “Be absurd. No one cares what you do as long as it doesn’t make them uncomfortable. If you make them uncomfortable, they will murder you.” -- from the book of Brady

  Renfield walks over to Brady who is sitting silently, even though the noise is overwhelming. “Beer.” Renfield sets a beer down in front of Brady and sits across from him.

  “If you think I had something to do with that insanity, why are we at a nightclub right now?” Brady asks.

  “I keep my promises. Don’t talk to me, there are plenty of girls here to talk to. I’m not your bitch.” He turns and walks away.

  Brady watches him engage himself into a conversation some other people were having just fine without him, but everyone starts smiling. Brady shakes his head while he thinks to himself. “Nothing that guy does follows the rules of normal.” He turns and starts looking at the women around sizing up the reality of his situation. He laughs to himself, “What am I going to say, ‘Your place or who the hell knows where?’” He chuckles at himself then realizes he really doesn’t know what Renfield has planned for him. Then he shakes that thought and begins a new one. “Well. If I’m going to die tonight, then…” He stands and breaks the rules of engagement himself and introduces himself to two young ladies who he sees sitting and talking amongst themselves.

  Then Brady hears a thought in his head he knows it isn’t his own thought. He can feel the voice behind the thoughts. He realizes it’s Renfield’s. “If you talk to two at once, don’t show favoritism. If one of them is interested in you, they both will be. The one not getting your favoritism will become jealous and convince the other you’re a creep to stop her from getting what she thinks she might not.” Disoriented Brady turns and looks back at Renfield who is gabbing away with the crowd he introduced himself to. He wonders to himself if he’s going mad. Then he hears, “Of course I can project my thoughts too, to an extent. How do you think I talk to the girls?” Brady turns again, but Renfield is clearly engaged in another conversation. Then he hears Renfield’s thoughts again, “It’s two way dipshit. I can hear you too. Stop staring at me. Concentrate on the girls you’re talking to. They haven’t walked away yet, even though you’re acting fidgety. Stop that or they will!”