Essence: The E.S.T. Org. (2 page)

As they were finishing up their bucket of chicken for dinner, Nicky was still pining for salmon. “We should have gone to Red Lobster instead.”

“The day you pay buddy, we’ll go wherever you want,” his dad said smirking.

After they finished eating, Nicky’s mom was ready for grocery shopping. “Ready guys? I need to get to the market.”

As they walked towards the car, Nicky’s dad thought aloud, “I’m sure the day can’t get any weirder … can it?”

When they got back to the cabin from grocery shopping, Dad had to ask Nicky something that was gnawing at him. “So, Nicky, could you show me where this cave is?”

“Sure Dad, let’s go!” Nicky said.

“Okay Nicky, but at a human speed this time. I’m not a gazelle.”

Nicky laughed, “Sure.” And off they went.

It was a two mile hike through the mountainous forest. Dad really felt it. Nicky was ready for a few marathons. “Come on Dad! Hurry up! I can’t go any slower!”

“Okay, okay, just hold on,” Nicky’s dad said to him. “
Man this kid has gotten fast,
” his dad thought.

At the exact same time Nicky thought, “
Man, he’s slow
.”

“It’s just over there.” Nicky pointed to a nearby clearing.

Deep in the woods they saw it. It resembled a crop circle in the middle of the forest.

“Whoa, it wasn’t like this before, I swear. There were trees here. And the cave was right there,” Nicky pointed towards the ground.

Nicky started to feel strange again, like he was somehow connected to whatever or whomever was just there. As Dad approached the center of the circle, he noticed deep gashes in the trees surrounding the circle.

“You see those?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, they weren’t there before,” Nicky replied.

“Strange … So, where did you fall?”

“The opening was right here in the middle of the circle. There was an opening right here,” Nicky said perplexed.

Just then, as he stood in the center of the circle, Nicky collapsed.

“Nicky? Nicky?” His dad checked for breathing. He was still breathing, so his dad quickly picked him up and started the long journey back to the cabin.

Almost twenty minutes later, he finally got close enough to the cabin and yelled out to Nicky’s mom, “Mara! Call 911!”

“What happened?”

“He just passed out, but he’s still breathing. Hurry!”

Nicky woke up in the hospital a few hours later. He opened his eyes and saw his father. “Dad? Why am I here? What happened?”

“The doctors aren’t sure buddy.” His parents were just relieved that he was awake. “When you stood in the center of the circle, you just passed out, but there are no internal injuries and all of the brain scans were normal. Maybe you’re just exhausted.”

“Oh, okay … Hey Dad?”

“Yeah”

“Could I have a salmon burger?”

“Anything you want, Monkey.” That was his dad’s nickname for Nicky. His parents laughed.

“He is a very focused kid,” his mom told his dad.

About a half hour later, Nicky’s mother told the doctors about his disappearance. After learning about the particulars, the doctors asked Nicky’s parents if they could observe him for a few more days. Nicky’s parents agreed.

“You know buddy, we spoke to the doctors and they think you should stay here for a couple of days,” Dad informed him.

“What? Why? I feel fine.”

“I know. They just want to make sure that you’re okay.”

“Man … but … but …”

“Sorry, buddy. No buts. We want to make sure that you’re okay. I promise salmon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you want.”

“Fine … I guess that doesn’t sound so bad.”

Two days passed. His mom and dad were at his side every minute, only leaving to eat or take a short break. Nicky was growing restless watching television all day. More tests, more doctors, and again all the tests came back normal.

Finally they got the good news. “We can’t find any abnormalities. You can take him home now. If there are any changes in his condition, bring him back immediately,” one of the doctors explained as he signed the discharge papers.

Nicky overheard the doctor. “Oh Yeah!!” Nicky jumped out of bed. “Let’s go!”

“Okay Nicky, let’s go back to the cabin.”

When they got back to the cabin, Dad shared with his mother what happened the night Nicky collapsed. “You know it was the strangest thing.”

“What’s that?” Nicky’s mom asked.

“As soon as he stepped in the center of the circle, I felt a strong breeze and Nicky just collapsed. It was the same spot he said he fell through an opening.”

“Really?”

“And the way he’s been behaving … I don’t know. Something strange is going on.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Nicky said from across the hall.

“You see? And we’re whispering,” his dad continued.

“You know what? Tomorrow is our last day. Let’s just have some fun,” Mom said.

“You’re right. And hey, it couldn’t get any strang …”

“Just shut up,” his mom interrupted. They both laughed.

The final morning of their vacation started early. When Nicky came to the table, Dad said, “What a week, huh buddy?”

“Yeah, it’s been pretty amazing.”

They all sat down for breakfast. Mom had made a special salmon omelet.

As Nicky’s dad took a bite of the omelet, he said, “I’m learning to like these things.”

“Mmm, that was delicious. I know what we should do,” Nicky announced.

“Okay, what’s that?” Mom questioned.

“Can we go to Mount McKinley?” Nicky asked.

“Sure. Sounds like fun to me,” his dad responded.

Mount McKinley was the largest mountain in the area.

After a twisting car ride through the scenic mountains, they arrived about an hour later.

When they started their hike, Nicky made sure to slow way down for his parents. They all stopped about half way up the mountain amazed at what they saw. An eagle swooped down about five feet away from Nicky. He felt a strong connection with the eagle. As the bird approached Nicky, his dad yelled, “Careful!”

“It’s okay, Dad. Don’t worry. He won’t hurt me.” Nicky sat down and the eagle approached and landed. They sat together for a few minutes and then the eagle flew off.

“Holy crap,” Dad exclaimed. “Mara, you remember the horse whisperer?”

“Yeah.”

“I think Nicky’s better.”

Nicky smiled, “He just wanted to say hello to a friend.”

“When we get back home, maybe we should just keep this to ourselves. Okay Nicky?”

“Sure Dad, don’t worry.”

They continued their hike through the breathtaking trail that was surrounded by rivers, spruce trees, and green landscapes. Further up the mountain, Nicky asked, “Dad, can we come back next year?”

“I’ll think about it. You know Nicky, I think a vacation in the Middle East would be less stressful than these woods.”

After a few days and a long, uneventful drive, the Hernandez family finally arrived home.

They began to unload the ten pieces of luggage so they could relax after the long drive.

“I think we could classify that as the strangest vacation ever,” Nicky’s dad told his mom. Mom laughed.

“Mom, when do I start school?”

“In a little over a week,” Mom answered.

“Aww, Maybe I could have a few more weeks off. You know I am seriously injured.”

“Sorry, Nicky. Nice try,” his dad said.

As they finished unloading the last of the large, black generic luggage that abounds in every Target store, Nicky could see a strange light peering through the clouds. Nicky instinctively knew it was meant for him. “
I don’t want to scare Mom and Dad. I’ll just keep this to myself
,” he thought.

The next day, Sue and Becky, Nicky’s friends from the neighborhood, were knocking on his door at 9:00 a.m.

Nicky didn’t have many friends, only Becky and Sue. But as Dad always said, ‘It’s better to have a couple of good friends than a hundred bad ones.’

Sue and Becky’s parents weren’t really the most attentive or caring people. All summer long the kids came over, almost daily, and always early in the morning. They spent so much time there, Nicky’s parents called Sue and Becky their ‘adopted kids.’

“Nicky!” Sue screamed as Nicky opened the door. Sue was the older of the sisters. She was around Nicky’s age and a year older than Becky. She was tall at five feet five inches, with long blond hair and slender. She always wore tank tops and shorts that were two sizes too small.

And Becky, well, she was short, with rarely washed mousey brown hair, and a little chubby. She always wore clothes that looked two sizes too big. They couldn’t look more opposite.

Nicky’s mom and dad were still sleeping, exhausted from the long drive home.

“So how was the trip?” Sue asked.

Nicky almost spilled the beans about what happened. “I fell and the most amazing … well I mean I hit my head and went to the hospital, but besides that, not much really.”

“Really? I’m glad you’re okay. I thought you would have all kinds of stories for us. Well, my brother is out of jail and back with us. He promised not to set fires and my mom really believes him this time. Oh and remember Karen? Well, her parents divorced and her dad fled the country. Oh, and Joe from three blocks down, well he got a job, but was fired after crashing a company car in to someone’s living room. Anyway, let’s play some ball!” Sue was a very quick talker and rarely stayed on a single subject for too long. She was known as the neighborhood gossip.

“Okay, let me ask my mom and dad.” But as Nicky turned around to go ask his parents if they could play basketball, he felt a sharp pain in his head. He cried out loudly, “Oww!”

Nicky’s scream woke up his parents. They ran to him. “What is it?” his dad asked obviously shaken.

“I don’t know, Dad. I just saw a light and felt a sharp pain in my head.”

“How do you feel now?” Mom asked concerned.

“I’m okay. I don’t feel any pain.”

“Okay, just remember Nicky, all the tests came back fine,” Dad tried to reassure Nicky.

“I know … I just want to go hang out.”

Out the door the three of them went.

“I don’t know what more we can do. I just want to help him but I don’t know how,” Dad said.

“All we can do is just trust that he’ll be fine,” Mom said.

“Are you okay?” Becky asked Nicky just outside his house.

It was a sunny, hot and humid South Florida morning. They lived in a typical middle class neighborhood that was built in the 1990’s. A place where the single story stucco houses were too close, but the lawns were green and manicured. All of the flower beds were lined with the Homeowner’s Association compliant red mulch.

“I’m fine. I told you I bumped my head. Really, it’s fine.”

“Okay. So, you want to race there?” Becky asked.

“Okay.” Nicky didn’t really think about his new found speed and forgot he ran like a shuttle taking off now. He was already at the half-acre neighborhood park, while the girls were still far behind. When they finally arrived, they looked at Nicky shocked.

“How did you do that?” Sue asked.

“
Oh no
,” he thought. Then he said to Becky and Sue, “Well … it’s just … these new skate shoes.”

“Oh really?” Sue said scratching her head. “Well those shoes are amazing.”

“Yeah, we could barely see you," Becky said.

“Ha-ha, yeah they’re really cool, electric powered for extra speed. Anyway, let’s play.” Nicky wanted to quickly change the subject. They played basketball in the hot sun for hours. Nicky made sure to hide his new ‘abilities’ even though he still needed to win.

Nicky was still dreaming when his dad’s voice woke him up. “Good morning Monkey, first day of school, buddy. Eighth grade already! You are getting so old.”

Groggily Nicky replied, “Okay … I’m up Dad.”

“Now remember, don’t tell anyone what happened or let them know about your new … skills.”

“Okay, okay Dad, don’t worry. Can I just sleep a little longer?”

“No! Get up; don’t make your mother late.”

He got on his favorite red shorts that probably should have been thrown away six months ago and a solid black top. Nicky was sad, there was no salmon today, just a bowl of cereal.

Nicky’s mom drove him to his first day of school. She was a sixth grade math teacher at the school. A lot of the other kids thought Nicky got preferential treatment for being a teacher’s kid. If the kids only knew how scared the principal was of the parents. She would always cave to the parent’s demands.

On his way out of their once tan, large SUV that should have been traded in years ago, Mom blurted out to Nicky loudly, “Love you!”

“Not so loud Mom, I’m a studly eighth grader now.”

“Oh really? Well, since you’re so old and studly now, how about you get a job and help with the bills at home?” Nicky smiled and shut the door.

Nicky’s first day of school had to include Max the bully. At almost five feet seven inches already, he was a thick 150 pounds. Max had dark brown hair that was shaved on the sides with a curly Mohawk on top. He had eyes that Nicky described as black and beady. Before he could reach his first class he heard the voice that had tormented him for so long.

“Hey dummy!” Max ‘lovingly’ yelled out to Nicky.

They were close to the bathrooms in a secluded spot of the school. Max figured if he hurt Nicky, no one would see or hear them.

“Just stay away from me.” Nicky felt differently than he had in the past. He didn’t fear Max like he had for the last couple of years. When Max approached Nicky from behind to give him his regular wedgie, Nicky felt a burst of anger. As he turned his head towards Max, he let out what sounded like a loud roar. It knocked Max on his butt. Luckily it wasn’t a direct hit, only a glancing blow. It could have been much worse.

Max was scared and so was Nicky. Nicky had already disobeyed his father. Max ran screaming and crying down the hall as kids and faculty ran into the hallway to see what had happened. Nicky ran and hid in the bathroom.

“What was that?” another boy in the bathroom asked Nicky.

Nicky played it off. “I don’t know.”

He hurried back to his first class, which was his least favorite subject, English. The rest of the day was uneventful.

As the final bell rang for the day, all Nicky wanted to do was to go home, have another salmon omelet, and forget the day. He couldn’t shake the incident with Max. As cool as Nicky thought roaring like an animal and knocking someone down was, Nicky felt scared and confused, and he wanted answers.
“What happened to me in that cave?”
He thought.

Nicky’s dad was waiting for him in the car loop in their four door ‘sexy sedan,’ as his dad referred to it. The 2009 Pontiac G8 was highly customized, and Nicky’s dad felt an uncomfortable affection towards it. “What’s up, buddy? Get in! I got something special for you.”

As they drove away, Nicky noticed the same light in the sky that had tormented him a few days ago.

“
I’m guessing only I can see it
,” he thought to himself. “So where are we going?” he asked his dad.

“Well, since you love fish so much now, we’re going fishing.”

“Cool,” Nicky said.

“Take a look.” Nicky’s dad pointed to the back seat.

Nicky turned around to take a look “Cool.” Two new shiny, red fishing rods were laying in the back seat.

They drove to a pier on a lake five miles away from school. Nicky wanted to catch fish with his bare hands again, but he thought to himself, “
That may look a little weird.”
As they cast out, Nicky felt happy that he was fishing with his dad, but still uneasy about the strange light following them. “Dad, can I tell you something?”

“Sure Monkey, what’s up?”

“I think we’re being followed.”

“Followed? By who?” Dad asked.

“I don’t know. It’s just a strange light in the sky.”

At this point Nicky’s dad knew it wasn’t just his imagination, and was taking Nicky’s concerns seriously.

“Do you see it now?”

“No, but they’re close. They were just following us. My guess is, soon we’ll find out who they are,” Nicky stated with concern in his voice.

That night Nicky had a nightmare. It was full of wild North American animals chasing him relentlessly, while Native Americans were watching and following him from a distance. The Native Americans yelled at him until he woke up sweaty and screaming.

Nicky’s mom ran to his room. “Honey, are you okay?” Mom asked worried.

“Yeah, I’m fine Mom, just a nightmare.”

“What about, dear?”

“It was nothing, Mom.” Nicky didn’t want his mother to worry any more than she has.

“Okay. I love you.” She kissed his forehead, “Good night.”

Dad was still out cold. A bomb could go off and his dad could sleep through it.

As Nicky laid back down, he noticed a blue tinted light shining dimly behind the closed blinds. “Oh no, they’re here.”

Suddenly, the light disappeared. He looked through the window and saw a tall, dark figure. He tried to scream but only a powerful roar came out of him, just like in school. The roar made the window explode towards the backyard along with the dark figure. His dad and mom ran in moments later.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. There was someone out there.”

They couldn’t believe their eyes. Dad checked the back yard. “There’s no one here.”

The window was gone and pieces of the wall could be seen sitting outside. Some pieces of glass and wall were more than twenty feet away. Neighbors started to gather in front of the house.

Dad stepped outside to reassure them. “It’s okay. It was just a tree that fell in the backyard. It’s fine.” Dad didn’t like lying, but he had to protect Nicky.

Now Nicky and his parents were sure something or someone was after Nicky, and his new abilities had something to do with it.

“Don’t worry about it, Nicky.” Dad placed a flattened cardboard box over the hole and sealed it with duct tape. “That should be fine until we get it fixed. So, how did you do this?”

“Not sure Dad. I was angry and scared and a noise like a roar came out of me. And well … it made whoever was out there go flying backwards.”

“What?!” his mom said startled.

“Amazing … that is pretty cool. You know sonic weapons are said to be in use by our own government right now,” his dad quipped.

“Gill, please, this is serious,” his mom said angrily.

“Hey, I wish I could do that,” his dad said back to his mom. Nicky smiled. “Okay buddy, why don’t you sleep on the couch tonight?”