Human Blend (28 page)

Eli met up with Orel and they searched from
the treetops. They found Vinnie's body first, or rather, what was
left of it. He was clearly killed on impact.

Shortly thereafter, they found Austin's body.
Eli knelt down and examined him. His breathing was shallow. His
heart was beating rapidly as he lay twisted, but alive.

Eli: Alert his friends where he is. I'm going
to find Julie.

Orel took off into the trees.

Eli climbed a nearby tree and scouted the
area. He spotted her sneaker and took off in that direction. A few
hundred yards away, he found her. Her body was contorted in such a
way that told Eli she had massive internal injuries.

“Julie,” he whispered, lightly touching her.
She was barely breathing and her pulse was weak. He was at a loss
as to how to help her. He heard voices nearby. Uncle Gregg was by
his side accompanied by another dark haired man. “Where's Marcus?”
Eli asked, thinking he could help save her.

“He's with Austin,” Uncle Gregg answered and
placed his hands on Julie. “One of her ribs has punctured her lung.
She has broken a vast amount of bones,” Uncle Gregg reported. He
removed his hands. “Eli, I'm going to do all I can but then the
rest will be up to her,” he told him.

“What can I do?” Eli asked.

“Help me straighten her out so her bones will
heal properly,” Uncle Gregg instructed.

The sound of more bones breaking as they
moved her was enough to make even Eli cringe. “Now I'm going to ask
you to hold her still. She is going to fight the forced healing
from me,” Uncle Gregg explained. Eli remembered when Marcus had
removed the cancer from her so he understood what Uncle Gregg
meant. Placing his hands on her stomach, Uncle Gregg entered her.
The other man knelt behind him. Julie began to struggle within
Eli's grip.

“Stay calm,” Eli whispered in her ear. He
used one hand to lightly brush her cheek, “This is going to help
you,” he added as her movement decreased.

Uncle Gregg fell backwards into the waiting
arms of the dark haired man. “That's... all I can... do for now,”
he said, breathing heavily. “You calmed her,” Uncle Gregg
acknowledged.

“It's not the first time,” Eli smiled.

“Marcus informed me... she could be a
handful.” Uncle Gregg tried to smile but only managed a
grimace.

Orel: Two confirmed dead on the
helicopter.

Eli: Identities?

Orel: Pilot and co-pilot.

Eli: What about Luke?

Orel: Missing. His body will most likely be
discovered at some point.

Eli: Keep looking, please.

“What happens now?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg. He
did not let on about the conversation he just had with Orel.

“As soon as I am able, I'm going to take
these two home... with me,” Uncle Gregg said. “They need a safe
place to recuperate and I'm sure there will be a lot of questions,”
he explained. Uncle Gregg sat up more. “I'm fine now, William,”
Uncle Gregg addressed the dark haired man, “Go check on Marcus and
Austin, would you?” he asked. William left to do just that.

Eli brushed Julie's hair from her face. “You
care for her,” Uncle Gregg noted. Eli looked up at him but did not
respond.

Julie let out a moan and opened her eyes
briefly. “Eli?” she muttered, raising her hand to touch his face
before the pain forced her back into unconsciousness.

Marcus, William, and another man walked over
to Uncle Gregg. William was carrying an unconscious Austin as
Marcus moved very slowly.

“How is he?” Uncle Gregg asked, standing.

“Me or him?” Marcus joked. “He's gonna be
fine, in time. Me? I'm a hurting pup,” he said. “How's trouble
maker doing?” Marcus asked, referring to Julie.

“She'll heal in time, as well,” Uncle Gregg
answered. “Put him down next to her,” Uncle Gregg instructed
William. “I want you and Paul to get your car and mine and bring
them as close to this location as possible. We're going to bring
these two home,” Uncle Gregg explained and handed Paul his keys.
William and Paul left to retrieve the cars.

Austin's eyes fluttered open, followed by a
moan.

“Easy, boy. Rest,” Uncle Gregg advised.

“Uncle Gordi?” Austin muttered.

“I'm right here,” he reassured him.

“Julie...” he mumbled and turned his head and
saw her. He tried to touch her and groaned in pain.

“She's gonna be fine... you both will. Just
rest, let your body heal,” Uncle Gregg advised. Austin's eyes
closed once more.

“So, Uncle Gregg... I thought you said Austin
didn't have any abilities?” Marcus questioned.

“The last time I saw him was a few years ago
and he didn't,” Uncle Gregg said. “Something must have triggered
them,” he added.

“Like what?” Marcus probed.

“It could have been a number of things. I
won't know until I get a chance to talk to him,” Uncle Gregg
answered.

“So, Eli... What the hell are you?” Marcus
asked.

“I could ask you the same question,” Eli
responded.

“I'll answer for him instead,” Uncle Gregg
interrupted. “Eli, we are best described as human blends. As Suron
mentioned, we sought refuge on this planet when ours came under
attack. The battle has continued for what would be hundreds of
years on Earth. In order to survive, we had to merge, or blend with
Earth's inhabitants. We do so by meshing ourselves into the DNA of
an human embryo. This is only done with permission from donors,
meaning the mother and father,” Uncle Gregg explained. “In
exchange, they were able to bear an exceptional child who would
live a long healthy life. The only stipulation was that they meet
with me once a year for check-ups and progress,” Uncle Gregg
finished.

“Do each of you have the same abilities?” Eli
asked.

“No, and there is no way to predict who will
have what,” Uncle Gregg answered. “Self healing is a common trait
but not everyone can heal others,” he explained. There are other
abilities such as Numeras, Lures, Awareness... the list goes on,”
he told.

“Enough about us. Your turn to spill, Doc,”
Marcus insisted.

Eli caressed Julie's arm and sighed. “My
people and I come from the Earth. This planet... this dirt... is
what created us. We are her caretakers. Our job is to protect her
from the poisons humans constantly damage her with. We've been
given permission to use the natural forces of the Earth in our
efforts to preserve her. We are known as Earthlings; meaning 'from
the Earth'. I, along with a few others, have modernized ourselves
to coexist with humans. When called upon, we will each do our
respective parts in keeping her safe,” Eli explained.

“So, that's why you have all those human
organs inside of you. That's how you're modernized?” Marcus
asked.

“Yes, in part. I do not have need of them
unless I partake in human activities, like eating and such,” Eli
confirmed. “Most of us live solitary lives but band together when
necessary,” Eli finished.

Eli looked down and saw that Julie's eyes
were open. She smiled up at him. “Earthling, huh?” she smiled.

“How much did you hear?” he asked, returning
her smile.

“Enough... told ya I was a freak.” She
laughed. Eli laughed with Julie until her face cringed with pain.
She turned her head and saw Austin next to her. “Is he okay?” she
asked Uncle Gregg.

“After a while, I expect both of you to fully
heal,” he assured her.

William and Paul returned. “It is about a
five minute walk to the cars from here,” Paul said.

“William, you carry Austin. Paul take Laney,”
Uncle Gregg instructed.

“May I?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg. They both
looked at Julie, who nodded her head yes. She hissed in pain as Eli
lifted her.

“Sorry,” he said.

“It's okay,” she mumbled and rest her head
against his chest. “Marshmallow feet,” she said.

“What?” Eli laughed.

“Walk like you have marshmallows on your
feet,” she explained with a yawn.

“Silly girl,” Eli smiled.

Once at the vehicles, Austin was placed in
the back seat of Paul's car and Julie in Uncle Gregg's.

“Marcus, go with Eli to wake up Fred,” Uncle
Gregg reminded.

“I forgot about him. Where is he?” Eli
asked.

“In your trunk,” Marcus answered.

“Why?” Eli asked.

“Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Marcus
shrugged.

“Entirely my fault, Eli. I didn't want him
interfering,” Uncle Gregg explained.

“What should I do with him?” Marcus
asked.

“No more death,” Julie chimed from the
car.

“Tell him he doesn't remember anything, that
he has amnesia, and drop him off at some police station or
hospital,” Uncle Gregg suggested.

“Works for me,” Marcus responded.

“Eli,” Julie called from the car. Eli reached
for her hand through the window. “Mrs. Gosley...,” she
whispered.

“I know,” he answered.

“I'm sorry.” She fought back tears.

“Hush now, you need to rest. I'll take care
of everything,” Eli promised.

“What happened to the helicopter?” she
asked.

“It crashed, no survivors,” he told her. Even
though Luke's body had not been found, he was not going to worry
her about it.

“Are you in trouble... with Suron?” she asked
him.

“You worry about you,” Eli smiled. “I have
things to take care of, then I will come see you,” he promised.
“Rest, doctor's orders,” he said, leaning in to kiss the top of her
head.

“Okay,” she mumbled and closed her eyes.

Eli and Marcus left to take care of business.
They dropped off a disoriented Fred at a nearby clinic and drove
back to Eli's place. Eli handled things with the police, leaving
Julie's apartment out of the conversation. The police determined it
to be a robbery that had gone badly and removed the bodies from the
two apartments.

Eli called into work and explained he would
be away for a few days attending to family matters. He then left a
voice mail for Kathy in Human Resources, letting her know that
Julie would not be in for a few days because she was taking care of
a sick family member. He would let Julie take it from there.

Eli and Marcus drove up to Uncle Gregg's
house in the Poconos.

Julie drifted in and out of sleep on the ride
there, moaning and groaning with every bump the car took.

“Uncle G?” she asked during one of her
wakeful moments.

“Yes, my dear,” Uncle Gregg said.

“Marcus told me that all the mothers die
during childbirth,” she stated.

“Yes, unfortunately, that's true. We are
working on different procedures to prevent that,” Uncle Gregg
said.

“Do they know that? I mean, why would anyone
agree to knowingly die just to give birth?” Julie asked.

“They are made aware of the risks,” was all
Uncle Gregg replied.

“Wait... Austin has a mom,” Julie
remembered.

“It's his step-mother,” he answered.

“Does he know?” she asked.

“No... in fact his father and I had an
argument over that which led him to estrange himself and Austin
from me,” Uncle Gregg explained.

“Austin said you make the best baked
potatoes.” Julie giggled. She was beginning to feel sleepy
again.

“I'll be sure to fire up the grill as soon as
you two are ready for some food.” He smiled.

“I could eat fifty of them... right... now,”
Julie drifted off to sleep once more.

They were almost at Uncle Gregg's home when
Julie awoke once more. “Uncle G?” Julie spoke.

“Yes, Laney,” he answered.

“Marcus mentioned that Austin didn't have any
abilities. Was he just covering for him?” she asked.

“No. To be quite honest, I was surprised to
learn of that fact myself,” Uncle Gregg answered.

“It's just... I have some memories as a
child, and I could do things then. The healing, the numbers...,”
Julie remembered.

“For most, the abilities are seen in early
development, but for a few others, sometimes a little longer.
Austin's case is quite unusual. His did not surface for a longer
period of time. There was most likely some kind of trigger,” Uncle
Gregg surmised.

“Trigger?” Julie asked.

“Something traumatic, unique. When did you
first notice he had abilities?” he asked her.

“When Luke shot him,” she said as her face
squinted in pain at the memory.

“Laney,” Uncle Gregg said.

“Please... don't call me that. I prefer
Julie. That other name... holds too many bad memories,” she
admitted.

“Of course,” Uncle Gregg said.

The vehicle slowed and came to a stop. “We're
here,” Uncle Gregg said. Julie managed to sit up and looked out the
window. Seeing the log cabin that was Uncle Gregg's home brought
back some more memories for her.

Julie saw her tiny self sitting on the porch
swing.

“
Not too fast, Daddy,” she said.

“
Okay, Laney, not too fast,” her father
said.

“Dad used to push me on that swing,” Julie
told Uncle Gregg.

“Yes, I remember that. You never wanted to go
very fast, just nice and slow,” he remembered fondly. “Do you want
to try and stand up?” he asked her.

“Yes,” she replied and scooted to the door.
She let her feet dangle out of the car before sliding forward and
letting them touch the ground. Julie held onto the car door with
one hand and took Uncle Gregg's hand with the other. “Aah!” she
yelled, collapsing.

“Too soon,” he said, scooping her into his
arms. William took Julie from Uncle Gregg, as he was unsteady
himself.

“Did you heal part of me?” she asked,
noticing him sway.

“Just a bit,” Uncle Gregg answered.

“You shouldn't have,” she frowned.

Paul's car pulled up behind them. He held
onto Austin as the boy climbed from the car. “Austin!” Julie
yelled. His face lit up when he saw her. “William, please take me
over to him,” she begged.