Earth Blend (17 page)

“
I'm sorry, I guess I'm still
reeling from everything.”

“
You are very strong to have
survived everything. I'm proud of you.”

Julie felt like she was going to cry
again.

“
Let's eat.” Trevor said, barely
holding back his own new flood of tears that threatened to
flow.

Julie took a bite of one of the burgers.
“It has bacon and cheese!”

“
I remembered.” Gregg
smiled.

“
Are you still a bacon
cheeseburger lover?” Trevor asked. “I remember driving around late
at night looking for an all-night burger joint that made bacon
cheeseburgers. They were nonexistent in the sixties.”

Julie smiled. “I'd like to hear more
stories like that. It might help replace some of the bad ones I
have.” She frowned afterwards when her mind started to drift back
to the times spent with the bad men.

“
I'd give anything to erase all
those bad memories.”

Julie squeezed his hand. She knew he meant
it.

After she had eaten her fill and felt
stronger, she finally questioned her Uncle. “Now, tell me. What
happened? How did I hurt you?”

Gregg sat back in his chair. “It's one of
your abilities. The power to cause pain... the power to kill.”

Julie blinked. “What? I don't understand.
How is that possible?”

“
The ability has been locked
inside of you until recently.”

“
How did it get
unlocked?”

“
I unlocked it.”

“
Why?” Julie folded her
arms.

“
To answer that, I have to start
at the beginning.”

“
Fine. I'm all ears.”

Gregg took a deep breath. “Let me begin by
telling you about our planet and our people. Our base is a planet
known by many different names depending on where you are in the
universe. We are more commonly known by the name Flutaras. We are a
peaceful people, known for our healing and blending abilities.
Various species from other planets have sought us out to help save
their dying races. We have graciously blended our DNA with theirs
and created hybrid Blends of ourselves and them. So you see, there
are many Blends throughout the universe. As with any society, there
are people who, for whatever reason, seek to destroy life. Whether
it be for money or power, they are the pirates of the universe. One
such group known as the Quintorons invaded our planet many years
ago and killed many of our kind. They forced the ones that knew how
to Blend into servitude and destroyed any who didn't comply. Our
kind asked the Earth if we could come and start a new life here,
rebuild so to speak. Earth accepted our request. They even sent an
Earthling to meet us and help facilitate our beginnings.”

“
Was it Suron?” Julie
asked.

“
No. It was Percone.”

Julie's mouth hung open. “Percone? You're
joking, right? Percone would never help anyone with anything.”

“
Percone has a bad reputation,
one he cultivated himself. He is a constant companion of mine and
has been since I was born.”

“
You know this Percone?” Her
father asked.

“
Yes, unfortunately. Eli says he
can't be trusted.” Julie said.

“
Eli is this Doctor who has been
helping you, correct? He tried to save you. I would like to meet
him.” Trevor said.

“
I'd like you to meet him, too.”
Julie smiled. “I'm sorry Uncle G, please continue.”

“
I was the first Blend to be
born and was saddled with the task of creating more Blends. We did
everything we could to save the mothers. I could not
let the fact that
they did not survive sway
the mission I was to accomplish.”

“
Help me understand this
mission. You said there are Blends on other planets, ones that
helped rebuild dying races. Humans are not a dying race. Why would
you need to come here?”

“
We needed a planet far enough
away from our home planet. We were under siege, we still are. The
Quintorons have raided our planet and our resources. They have also
found information on just where the other Blends are. They are
systematically destroying all other Blends. They want the only
Blends to be themselves so they can take over the universe. I know
it sounds a bit like a science fiction novel, but this our reality,
Julie. Quintorons are killers and will stop at nothing until they
are the only surviving race. My mission here is to stop that from
happening. I'm building an army, so that we may one day take back
what is ours. Our only chance of succeeding is having an army of
many with the one ability that is key to success, the Carnage
ability; the ability to kill.”

“
You're telling me that is the
ability I have, that you unlocked.”

“
Yes. It is an ability that is
even more rare than the Numera, of which there are only three on
this planet.”

“
You, Austin, and me. How many
have this Carnage ability?”

“
Just you.”

“
So an army of one?
Me?”

“
I keep creating more Blends,
hoping for that one ability to manifest. I fear we are running out
of time.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
I've lost contact with the home
planet. It may be only temporary, it has happened before, but I
always fear.”

“
Fear what?”

“
Let's not get into that now. I
don't want to sound the alarm when it could be nothing. I just
wanted you to have a better understanding of what we are up
against.”

“
What happens if I don't want
this thing, this ability? Can you lock it again or can I turn it
off?”

“
I want you to learn to control
it.”

“
I don't want to know how. I
never want to use it again.”

“
Gregg, I know how you feel
about this. How passionate you are about the home planet, but you
can't expect us to want to be a part of this. I don't want her to
be in any danger to herself or others. It's obvious she does not
want any part of this, either.” Trevor defended his
daughter.

Gregg looked angrily at Trevor and shook
his head. “If we had let her train with this ability when she was
younger, she would never have had to endure what she went through
all those years. You were in charge of keeping her safe, you
failed. You do not get a say in this anymore.”

“
I
do
get a say.” Julie said angrily. “I will
not be part of this plan. I will not hurt anyone...
ever.”

“
Would you still feel the same
way if the Quintorons found out that we were here on this planet
and came to destroy it? Destroy everyone, including Austin and
Eli?”

“
Is that... even a
possibility?”

“
Julie, have you listened to a
word I have said?”

Julie put her face in her hands. “This is
too much to deal with.”

Trevor placed a hand on his daughter's
back. “Gregg, take a break, please. This is too much information to
absorb all at once.”

Gregg knelt down in front of Julie. “I'm
sorry. I'm just running out of time and running out of options. I
feel it, something's wrong. Please just give it some thought.”

“
I'm going to go lie down. I
need a break from all of this.” She said, standing. “Will... will
you come with me?” She asked her father.

“
Of course.” He
smiled.

“
Julie you go on ahead, I need
to talk to your father for a moment. I won't keep him long, I
promise.” Gregg said.

Julie nodded and headed out the door and
down to her apartment.

She heard Gregg's apartment door close. and
wondered what the two men were talking about. She rested her head
on her door when she heard Eli's door open behind her. She turned
to see him locking his door, wearing only a pair of shorts. He
seemed startled to see her standing there.

“
Hi.” He said, somewhat
embarrassed. “Are you just getting home?”

“
Yes and no. I was in my Uncle's
apartment...talking for a bit.”

“
Is everything okay?” Eli asked,
concern etched on his face.

Julie's lip began to quiver as her Uncle's
words came rushing back to her. Tears ran down her cheeks.

“
What's wrong?” Eli's arms
instinctively wrapped around her.

She buried her face in his bare chest and
let her emotions go once again. Her body shook against his. “I'm
scared.”

“
What are you scared of?” Eli's
voice broke as he felt her strong emotions.

“
Everything.” She sobbed and
held him tighter.

“
Um, excuse me.” A voice behind
them said.

Eli turned, quickly pushing Julie behind
him. He then pinned the stranger up against the wall.

“
Who are you?” He asked through
gritted teeth.

“
Eli, it's okay, he's my
father.” Julie said, grabbing his arm.

Eli did not release the man but looked at
Julie. “Your father? I thought you said he was killed the night you
were taken.”

“
Apparently Uncle G got to him
in time.”

“
C...can't b...
breathe....”

“
Oh, sorry.” Eli said, releasing
him from his grip. He still held onto the man to steady
him.

“
P... please t... tell me... are
you Eli?” Trevor asked.

Julie smiled. “Dad this is Doctor Eli
Elsworth. Eli, my dad, Trevor Landan.”

Trevor had regained himself enough to stand
straight and offered his hand to Eli. “I want to thank you for all
that you have done in helping protect my daughter.”

Eli grasped the man's hand and shook it
firmly. “I'd do it again in an instant, Mr. Landan.”

“
Please call me Trevor.” He
smiled. “It's my understanding that you are in trouble with your
people. I am more than willing to stand up and defend you. I would
like to help.”

Eli smiled at Julie. “Now I know where you
get it from.” Turning back to Trevor, he said, “I appreciate that,
but Suron would never allow outside interference in his decision
making. It is enough that so many people know about us. I thank
you, though.”

“
I know all about keeping
oneself a secret. It was my mistake in trying to provide a normal
life for a unique child that cost me my daughter.” He placed a hand
on Julie's shoulder and squeezed.

She placed her hand on top of his and gave
him a weak smile.

“
I think you need to
rest.”

“
I think so, too.” She agreed
then looked to Eli. “Are you going running?” She asked and looked
down at his bare feet.

“
I was planning on a bit of a
stroll.” He smiled. “But if there is anything I can help you with,
please, let me. I'm here for you.” He said, reaching out and
touching her cheek.

“
I know.” She said, feeling her
eyes water up again. “I'd better get some sleep.”

Eli nodded and watch the two enter
Julie's apartment.
He knew there was something going on, if for nothing else
than the fact that Julie’s father was still alive.

The love Trevor had for his daughter was
very evident to Eli. He took some comfort in that. He hoped that
tomorrow he could get some time alone with Julie so she could open
up to what else was going on. For now, he intended to go find
Percone and demand to know what secrets he was keeping.

Austin was enjoying time with his friends
but there was something different. He felt different. They were not
like him. They could never know the secrets about him. He himself
was still dealing with all of the revelations. His Uncle tried to
call him several times today, but he had not picked up. Dealing
with his Uncle or his father was not something he wanted to do
today.

As his mind drifted he found it hard to
breathe in the stuffy home with its windows closed and the forced
air blowing in on him. He was feeling claustrophobic. He quietly
slipped outside and sat down on the back porch, feeling comforted
by the fresh air. His eyes were drawn to the two weeping willow
trees that took up most of the backyard. The night air was still,
but as he focused on the hanging branches of the trees, they began
to sway. He felt a tingling inside of himself and slowly increased
his concentration on the trees. They began to sway, almost in time
to a unsung melody. All movement ceased when his focus was broken
by his friend.

“
I bet I know where your mind is
at.” Neal commented, sitting down on one of the reclining chairs on
the porch.

“
Do you, now?” Austin smiled.
turning to his friend. He hopped up onto the porch railing, feeling
comforted by the wooden beam beneath him.

“
Yep. Five foot four, blonde
hair, brown eyes, killer body.”

“
Hey, watch it now. That's my
girl, be respectful.”

“
What happened to the Austin I
use to know, dude? We use to always critique each other's
girlfriends.”

Austin laughed, “When did you have a
girlfriend? Did I miss something?”

“
Alright, alright, but there
were girls I liked and we use to kid each other about it. We don't
do that anymore.”

“
A lot of things have changed.”
Austin said, looking out once again to the trees.