Fledgling (37 page)

“You’re face has color, and you look…good…healthy. Did this suddenly happen, or have you been feeling it come on slow?”

Ana thought lying right now would be best; the truth was far less believable. “I’ve been feeling better throughout the last week, and today I just felt fantastic!”

“When’s your next doctor’s appointment?”

“In a week and a half, I think.”

“Want to see if you can get in earlier? Just to see. I don’t want you falling down when your heart-I’d feel better if the doctor checked you out before you start climbing any mountains.
Got it
?” Melissa’s eyes narrowed.

A wave of guilt washed through Ana as she recalled her carefree day. If her mother saw her hiking up the mountainside with Chance she might just reconsider her trust in him and her.

The thing was, she didn’t need the doctor to tell her she was fine. She felt it.

How it would be explained, she didn’t know. Miracles seemed few and far between, but that was the best term to describe it. A miracle.

“‘Kay, I’ll call tomorrow. Maybe there’ll be a cancellation.”

“So, how are they doing?”

Ana knew who her mother was referring to. “They seem okay. I picked a bouquet of wildflowers to take to Aiyana. She seems a little shell-shocked. Chance’s having a hard time with it.” She paused in consideration. “But they’re moving forward. They’re a strong family. Survivors-like us,” Ana said.

Melissa nodded. “Good people.” She combed her hands through her hair, pulling it on top of her head.

“So where’s Eva? You feel like a game tonight?”

Melissa wrinkled her nose. “Ah, it’s a work night.” Then she added wickedly, “I think I could squeeze one game in though-I’ll go get your sister.” She scampered up the stairs in search of Eva.

The three of them played a vigorous game of Uno, which Ana nearly won twice. Eva eventually won, as she always did.

“You’re lucky Miss. D. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d throw down the gauntlet,” Ana threatened as they lumbered upstairs to bed.

Trees blurred past Chance as he flashed through the wilderness. The wind on his face made him feel free. He pushed his body to the point of exhaustion, his legs aching from the distance and speed. Muscle burn didn’t stop him, he only pushed harder until he mounted the outlook that was so graphically seared in his memories.

He stopped at the rocky crag where Ana had lain so recently. He could still visualize her lying there, lifeless and unmoving. Like death.

Right beside the crag was his grandfather’s final resting spot. He dropped his backpack to the ground and stood in a daze, staring inward, like he had just been given emotional anesthesia.

It was dark, the sun had dropped behind the mountains hours ago, but his inhuman eyesight allowed him to see clearly. He pushed himself to move and unpacked his one person tent. His camp was setup and he sat on the pine needles staring at the open sky.

Unanswered questions and a profound sadness filled him. With a deep breath he stared out at the tall pines, seeking understanding.

A memory crept into his thoughts, as though it had a life of its own, willing itself to be remembered. A familiar open field materialized. He would know it anywhere; his training grounds. And there before him was Grandfather guiding him through a transformation. It was all so vivid and colorful. Grief washed over him and he knew he would never share another time with his beloved Grandfather.

Like a radio frequency being adjusted, the sounds, colors and tone changed.

An unfamiliar vision filled his mind, stilling his misery. His body froze and he watched in silence.

A beautiful coastline stretched out before him. Soft blue waters lapped at a pale sandy beach and large gray rocks broke the smooth lines creating a private cove. Lush tropical plants flourished all around him.

As Chance sat rigid, engrossed with his new vision a pair of small eyes watched him from a bracken covered branch. Silence and stillness settled around the campsite.

A gasp broke from Chance’s lips and his jaw dropped open, “No way…”

The yellow eyes above blinked and a bat flitted across the sky hungrily seeking dinner.

Chance’s form relaxed and he shook his head, bewildered.

Now I know who taught Grandfather.

Chapter 43.

Ana woke early the next morning when she heard her mother’s car door slam. She felt refreshed and hopped out of bed.

It was another beautiful day, the sun was bright and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

From the lack of noise in the house, Ana assumed her sister wasn’t up yet. That was a first. As Ana walked past Eva’s door she heard soft whistling.

Hunger pangs hit her when she descended the stairs. Scrambled eggs sounded good, so she cracked the fridge open to retrieve the ingredients. Normally too tired in the morning, she didn’t prepare a breakfast requiring more than two steps to complete. Cereal and frozen waffles were common and easy.

A door creaked upstairs, and Eva glided down to the kitchen, her eyes sleepy and glinting.

“Ooooh, you making eggs? Can I have some?”

“Sure. Go ahead and sit down-they’ll be ready in a sec.”

After breakfast Ana did a load of laundry and dishes until it was late enough to call her doctor’s office. She lucked out, getting an appointment opening on Friday, only three days away.

Ana knew Chance was probably still up on the mountain, and decided to look around. It was time to vacuum and mop, she thought, dust bunnies floated across the floors, then she dusted anything in arms reach.

While she shook a floor rug outside, her phone rang. She dropped it on the shaded deck so she could answer.

“Hey, you back?”

“Yeah.”

“How was it?”

Silence.

“Well, I had another memory-thing. I need to talk to you about it. Can I come over?”

“Sure. See you soon.”

“Bye, my love.”

Twenty minutes later Chance’s black truck pulled into their driveway, a dust plume trailing behind. He jogged up to the door and Eva answered with a huge grin, leaping into his arms.

“Hey, Chance. I’m sorry about your grandpa. Howr’ you doing?”

“Oh, okay, thanks for asking. Say, Mom wanted me to personally thank you for your delicious food.”

Eva blushed and looked down at the ground, “You’re welcome.”

“So, uh, Eva-your sister around?”

“Yup, she’s on the back deck. Go on back.” Eva waved him through.

Chance went out the kitchen door and spotted Ana standing in the sun folding laundry.

“Hey,” Ana said as she leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek.

“Why don’t we go out to the rock, for privacy?”

“Sure.” She grabbed the basket of clean clothes and dropped them inside, telling Eva where they were headed.

Ana and Chance sauntered down the trail holding hands.

“Man, what a night.”

Chance sat down upon the granite slab and Ana joined him, frowning in concern.

“Tell me.” Ana reached out taking his hands within hers, enjoying the electricity they still shared when touching.

Chance cleared his throat, “It was weird going back. Lots of ghosts up there.” He paled and continued, “I had another vision triggered when I remembered training with Grandfather. It was the one I’ve been waiting for. I think he was my age and he was traveling along the ocean-probably avoiding the US after his dad’s death. I think he could have been in Mexico ‘cause it just makes sense-that’s where he met Grandma. So, he’s cruisin’ along the beach and finds this young beached whale. He decides to try and save it and then after a full day of trying he gets it back in the bay. He realizes he’s hungry and turns into a parrot and goes to eat some bugs. That was nasty-
I’ve
never eaten in animal form, never wanted to…” Chance mumbled and glanced up to see Ana’s impatient frown and smiled. “Well, then, bam! He looks over and, surprise…the orca phases into a man!”

“What?! Are you serious?!” Ana’s eyes grew wide.

Chance continued in a daze, “Yeah, the guy told Grandfather his name was Balam. Guess he trusted Grandfather after he saved him, but it took a while for Grandfather to trust
him
, but he must have because in another vision I saw them in the jungle together…training,” Chance mumbled.

“Really?! Do you think this is the guy your grandfather mentioned?”

“Probably, but I don’t know for sure.”

“Mexico,” she breathed out softly.

“Yeah.”

They sat in silence awhile, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

A calm feeling settled in Chance’s chest. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was torn to ruins when his grandfather was taken so suddenly from him, but now he was beginning to see things in a different light. It was as though Niyol had something of himself so Chance would never be alone. He felt stronger because of it.

By his side Ana was watching an eagle gliding over a distant field. She could almost see the air currents rippling through the sky like silk or smoke. The summer day was so bright and colorful she felt alive.

“Um, you feel like heading to Spokane with me again on Friday? I think I’ll have big news.”

“Oh, yeah? How so?” Chance asked distractedly.

“Oh…just a feeling. Will you come?”

“Couldn’t keep me away.”

Chapter 44.

On Friday afternoon Ana and Chance walked back into the medical center.

Ana went through the same series of tests she was used to. Chance waited beside her for the doctor to come in. It took almost an hour until a faint knock came from the door.

Dr. Tilgan’s curly hair emerged first, then her flustered face. Launching into an apology, she said, “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but we seem to have some sort of mix-up. The ultrasound you had earlier seems to have been switched. We’re trying to find the right one.”

“Why? What do you mean?”

“Well, the one with your name isn’t of your heart’s anatomy.
”

“Well, how does the EKG and x-ray look?”

Dr. Tilgan frowned and opened a manila folder she had been holding at her side. “I actually haven’t looked at them yet, because of the whole sonogram mix-up.”

The doctor sat down while she reviewed the results. Her frown deepened and her head rolled to the side as she scratched her temple.

Ana spoke up, “Um, I’m not so sure the ultrasound results
were
switched. I’ve been feeling…um…
different
recently. Actually-really great. I feel energetic and healthy and I no longer get faint or winded. No more dizzy spells…”

Dr. Tilgan stared at Ana in awe. “All of the test results reveal a healthy heart. I don’t understand it. Just a couple weeks ago your heart was enlarged and hardening and now it appears you’re fine. I have no explanation for it. Has
anything
happened
since your last visit?” Dr. Tilgan peered questioningly at Ana.

Ana shrugged, “Nope, it’s weird-I just kinda started feeling better-no explanation.”

“Well, there’s no way I can let you leave the clinic without me
personally
double checking the results. Let’s head down to the ultrasound room. I hope you didn’t have plans this afternoon…”

“You did it.”

“What?”

“Healed me-it’s official,” Ana said waving at the big white building across the parking lot. Its window’s gleamed bright in the afternoon sunlight.

Chance was resting against the side of his black truck and Ana leaned in to hug him.

“Thank you,” she whispered into his ear and pressed him close, holding her breath to slow the stinging tears.

He lifted her chin and stared into her sparkling eyes. “I’d do it again,” he said seriously.

Ana frowned, “You won’t have to. And I wouldn’t want you to.”

He shook his head and kept silent.

She watched a flock of birds traveling through the cloudless sky and felt free, liberated. Reaching up, she pinched her Thunderbird talisman between her fingers and smiled.

Chapter 45.

“WHAT?!”

Ana held out the test results to her mother who dropped her things to the floor. Too excited to wait, Ana hit her with the news as soon as she entered the door.

“What do you mean the doctor gave you a clean bill of health? Did they do an EKG, X-ray AND ultrasound?”

“All of it, and they all showed the same thing-that I’m
fine
now.” Ana beamed at her mother, who’s color had drained from her face in shock.

“Dr. Tilgan personally did an ultrasound to double check the results before she let me leave.”

“How?” Was all Melissa could squeeze out. Her throat dried and contracted.