Human Blend (12 page)

“Come along, then. Down this way,” the woman
said, walking in the direction Julie had just come from. They
walked right past Eli's apartment. “Here it is, number 109. Right
next to that nice doctor friend of yours,” she said, unlocking the
door. “He's already vouched for you,” she added.

“Is this the only one available?” Julie
asked.

“Only one he wants me to show you,” Mrs.
Gosley replied.

“Who's he?” Julie asked, already knowing the
answer.

“Why the doctor of course, he owns the
building,” the woman replied.

Julie pursed her lips and nodded. “Thank you
for your time, Mrs. Gosley,” Julie said before turning, and walking
out the door.

“Wait, you need to sign papers,” the woman
called after her. Julie ignored the woman and kept walking out the
door. She didn't mean to be rude, but it was time to confront
Doctor Elsworth.

She marched on over to the hospital, her
anger building with every step. She went to his office first; he
wasn't there. Next, she checked in Michele's room, and that was
where she found him. “Julie,” he said, only glancing over at her.
He was looking at recently done scans. “How did it go? Did you sign
the papers?” he asked.

“No. I didn't” Julie said angrily.

“Is there something wrong with it?” he asked,
finally looking at her.

“Yes, there is. You own it.” Julie said. “Why
are you trying to manipulate me? Why not tell me the truth?” she
argued.

“Julie, if I had told you that I owned an
apartment building that you could stay in for free, you would have
told me 'No, thank you.' You are so hell bent on doing things on
your own, without anyone's help. It's frustrating,” he argued
back.

“Eli, I've been used and controlled all my
life. I'm sick of it. I'm trying to create a place for myself that
is all my own doing. I am so tired of people telling me what I can
do or say. Why are you constantly trying to undermine my
wants?”

“What are your wants, Julie? Do you even
know? You once told me you just wanted to help people heal, help
them feel better. Why is it that just because I want the same
thing, that I can't help facilitate what we both want? You are so
scared of your past coming back to get you that you keep any
opportunity of making things easier at arm's length. It's like you
feel you need to do things the hard way in order for them to work.
That's not true. In fact, letting me help you can actually help
keep you safe,” Eli said.

“It can also get you killed,” she warned.

“Why don't you tell me exactly who these
people are that are haunting your every move? I'm sure we can find
a way to deal with them,” Eli suggested.

“You don't think I've tried that? These
people are not the kind that take 'no' for an answer. They get what
they want by any means that they can. People have died because of
me, because they wanted to help me. Good people who deserved a lot
better than what they got. Do you understand how hard that is for
me to live with? To know that innocent people died because I wanted
to be free... because I involved them in my life... because I let
them try and help me,” Julie let tears fall down her face,
remembering the faces of those people; friends.

Eli stepped towards her, but she backed up.
“No. Don't come near me. I need to explain this to you; make you
understand. I watched them die. They made me watch. They wouldn't
let me go to them,” she said, her voice racked with pain. “I had to
watch them suffer and die, and I could do
nothing
!” Julie
dropped to her knees as the memory took over. “It was to teach me a
lesson. To show me they can hurt me by going after people I care
about,” Julie let out a pained laugh. “I didn't learn my
lesson.”

She closed her eyes. She felt drained. When
Eli came to her, she didn't push him away. He was on the floor next
to her. Julie let him envelope her in his arms and cradle her. Her
arms wrapped around his neck, and she felt him lift her off the
floor.

He carried her to the sofa and whispered in
her ear. “I'm not like the other people who helped you. I've
survived for hundreds of years,” Eli said. Julie looked up at him
as he continued. “I am similar to a type of mythological creature
told of in some books, although I am not one of them,” Eli
explained. “I have some traits that could be labeled as human,
although I am not one of those, either. There are others like me,
but we do not congregate, preferring instead to live solitary lives
among the humans. Most of us dedicate our lives to a craft, and
perfect it to the best of our abilities. My chosen craft is
medicine,” Eli told. Julie stayed silent, drinking in his words. “I
can protect you, Julie. I've entrusted you with some information
about myself. Now I need you to entrust your safety and well being
to me,” he finished.

Julie touched his face, absorbing everything
he had told her. “You feel human,” she said, and smiled. He
duplicated her action.

“So do you,” he said.

“I don't even know enough about myself to
tell you anything,” Julie said.

“How did you come to be with those people?”
Eli asked. Julie thought back to her dream.

“I remember being with them even as child. I
think... I was taken from my father,” Julie said, trying to pull up
the dream.

“Do they want you for your healing
abilities?” Eli asked.

“They did have me heal them when they got
sick, but there's more,” she said. “I can see numbers,” Julie tried
to explain her other ability. “They just come to me,” she said.

“Like... lottery numbers?” Eli asked, trying
to understand.

“Yes, and horse races, casino games, even
safe combinations,” she tried explaining. “They used me to win
money for them,” she added. “I've been with them for a while. I
know the top people have changed several times. I don't age that
quickly, at least not physically,” she said.

“What do you think happened to your father?”
Eli asked her.

“I think they killed him,” Julie said,
shaking her head at the memory. “I remember my father hiding me in
an attic. I heard a gunshot, and then they found me,” Julie
recounted. “My name wasn't Julie, then. I took a new identity when
I ran. My other name was Laney,” she told him.

“Laney,” Eli repeated. “It suits you.”

Julie smiled at the comment. “Keep calling me
Julie, though,” she said.

“Of course, it's safer,” Eli agreed. “Thank
you for telling me what you could,” Eli said as his phone rang. He
looked at the caller ID. “It's Mrs. Gosley. What should I tell
her?” he asked.

“Tell her there was a misunderstanding, and
I'll be right over to sign the papers,” Julie answered.

Julie walked over to Michele as Eli explained
things to Mrs. Gosley. “She thinks I shouldn't rent to you,” Eli
said after hanging up.

“I was kind of rude,” Julie admitted.

“She'll come around,” Eli assured her.

“Did you get the other tests done on
Michele?” Julie asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, I did,” Eli said and smiled. The doctor
retrieved one of the scans and held it up to the light to show
Julie. “See the dark spot there?” he pointed. “That's all that's
left. You got ninety percent of it,” Eli stated happily.

“That's terrific. Let me get the rest of it
now,” Julie suggested.

“I'm advising against it. We should let
modern medicine do the rest. It is enough of a miracle that the
cancer has receded so dramatically. We really shouldn't call any
more attention or too many questions could be raised,” Eli
explained.

“I guess you're right. A girl recovering from
cancer overnight could draw media attention,” she agreed, then
remembered the news. “That reminds me. I caught a news bulletin
this morning. They said a local man was found murdered behind the
hotel. They said it happened early this morning, right around the
time we were there,” Julie told him.

“That's odd. That sort of thing doesn't
happen around here,” Eli commented.

“They said he was beaten and shot. I was
hoping you knew more about it,” she said.

“I've been holed up here all morning. I can
find out and let you know,” Eli said. Julie nodded.

“I'd better go settle things with Mrs. Gosley
or you are gonna be stuck with me taking up space at your place,”
She said waving as she left.

I wouldn't mind that at all,
Eli
thought as he watched her go.

Julie stopped by to see Joy at the nurse's
station. “Hey, stranger,” Joy greeted her.

“Hey, yourself, I think I am on a different
schedule than you,” Julie replied.

“We should plan a girls' night out,” Joy
suggested.

“I'd like that,” Julie smiled.

“I'd like that too,” Neal said, appearing
suddenly. He put his arms around Joy and Julie. “Oh, c'mon, think
of the fun we could have. You ladies might not know this, but I'm
one hell of a dancer,” he said, performing a small dance step. Joy
and Julie gave each other a frightened look.

“I gotta run. See you guys later,” Joy said,
practically running down the hall.

I'll remember this, Joy
. Julie
thought.

“So, wha'd'ya say, Julie? You and me, dancing
under the stars?” Neal grabbed her hand and twirled her around.

“Uh, Neal, as nice as that sounds, I have to
decline the invitation,” she said.

“Ah, Please. Can't a guy get to know you?”
Neal pleaded. “Look, I know I come on strong sometimes. I really
just wanna hang out,” he explained.

“Neal. Look, no offense. I have a lot of
things going on in my life right now. I also am, sort of, seeing
someone.” Julie decided to play the boyfriend card.

“Damn it. I knew I should have acted sooner.
Someone that looks like you is never available for long,” he said
dejectedly.

“Neal. Aren't you supposed to be taking Mrs.
Samuals to therapy?” Nurse Hacher, who was manning the station,
asked him.

“Yeah, yeah,” Neal said turning around and
heading down the hall. Julie felt sorry for him.

“He'll get over it,” Nurse Hacher said. Julie
nodded and went on her way.

Julie went back to the apartment building and
braced herself for any wrath Mrs. Gosley was going to throw her
way. She knocked softly at door 101. The door opened. “Oh, it's you
again,” Mrs. Gosley greeted.

“I just want to apologize for my rudeness
earlier,” Julie explained.

“I don't take kindly to people who walk out
on me. I told the doctor he should take up with someone who had
better manners,” Mrs. Gosley shared.
Take up with someone.
Julie pondered the comment, then brushed it off as old lady
speak.

“It really was a misunderstanding. I would
appreciate an opportunity to prove I can be a good tenant,” Julie
offered.

“Hmph. We'll see. C'mon, let's go back down
and have a look,” the woman said, leading the way back to the
apartment.

Julie was happy to see the apartment was
fully furnished. She wouldn't have to worry about buying furniture.
It was decorated in a similar fashion to the doctor's place. Julie
signed the papers. “You can move in as soon as you get the
utilities in your name,” Mrs. Gosley instructed. “Usually takes
about 24 hours if you light a fire under their asses,” she
added.

“Good to know. Thank you, Mrs. Gosley,” Julie
said and then went back to Eli's place to make the necessary
arrangements. About a half hour later, Julie's mission was
accomplished. All of the utilities would be up and running by
tomorrow afternoon. “Perfect,” Julie said just as the door opened,
and Eli walked in.

“What's perfect?” he asked.

“I got everything all set. I move in tomorrow
afternoon,” Julie said proudly.

“Good. That's good,” Eli said distractedly.
Julie sensed something was not right.

“What's wrong? Is Michele okay?” she
asked.

“She's fine. Come here, you need to sit
down,” Eli said sitting down on the sofa.

“What is it?” she asked, concern clouding her
features.

“The man that was killed... It was Anthony,”
Eli revealed.

“What? I don't... How? Who?” Julie
stammered.

“I talked to a policeman that was still at
the hospital. He said they are still investigating. He told me they
think Anthony was robbing from the guests and then selling the
merchandise, but something went wrong,” Eli recounted his
conversation with the officer. Julie was dumbfounded.

“Could that have been why he was in my room?
Who killed him?” she questioned.

“Julie, the police are questioning all the
guests. They want to know if they have anything missing or if they
heard anything. You are going to have to talk to them,” Eli
forewarned.

“No! I can't!” Julie shouted, standing.

“Julie, calm down,” Eli ordered.

“I just can't, Eli. They'll figure out I'm
not who I say I am,” she felt herself losing control. “He was in my
room. They'll keep questioning me. They'll...” Julie's rant came to
an abrupt halt as Eli was in front of her, calming her.

“Stop,” he whispered in her ear. Julie sobbed
as the soothing feeling of his fingers and softness of his voice
worked their magic. “I told you I'll protect you, and I will,” he
said, his lips brushing her cheek. “I know what to do,” his lips
were on hers. Julie clutched his arms as the light brush of his
lips lasted longer than before. The moment ended before she could
figure out why this time was different than the last time. She
rested her head against his chest as he spoke. “I'm going to go
with you. We are going to say you spent the night here with me.
There will be no speculation, and we will not mention that he was
in your room. I'm going to be right next to you,” he explained,
rubbing her back. “If we don't do this, it will raise even more
suspicion,” he added.

“Okay,” Julie whispered, not lifting her
head. She didn't move. She felt safe in his arms. Eli was in no
hurry to release her. He held her. He liked how she fit perfectly
against his chest. It was a strange feeling for him, strange, but
not entirely unwelcome.