MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (23 page)

Paul parked in front of the castle and was about to climb out of the car when Oddily touched his arm. He glanced at her hand and, for the first time, noticed the length of Oddily’s fingernails.

A sense of alarm came on so suddenly, Paul lost his composure. Something unnatural was happening to Oddily.

“Are you okay?” It was Oddily’s turn to act concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just that you’re touching my arm. Did you want something?”

Oddily quickly withdrew her hand. As much as she wanted to confide in Paul, doing so would be harder than she thought. She shrugged her gesture off as nothing important.

Paul acted like a tour guide as he led Oddily up the steps carved of stone to the huge front door. For a brief moment, the entrance mesmerized her. The wooden door had aged beautifully like fine wine, and an iron grid covered the small window, a peephole built within the door itself. “How old is this place?”

“It was built in the late seventeen hundreds by a count who moved his family here from Paris, France. Are you ready to knock on the door?”

Oddily gave Paul a sideways glance. “You have to knock on your own front door before you enter?”

Paul smiled. “Not me, but I want you to have the ultimate guest experience. I’ll meet you inside where we will be properly introduced!”

With that said, Paul left Oddily alone disappearing behind a hedge of bushes.

Oddily turned back to the giant door. Her heartbeat quickened as she reached for the iron knocker. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of iron hitting iron was so loud it could have awakened the dead. Oddily couldn’t believe that she was only moments away from stepping inside a real castle! Would the interior be as magnificent as the castle of her dreams?

While holding her breath, Oddily waited for the door to open. One minute passed…then two minutes. Then a gush of air filled her lungs as the door groaned open and a butler dressed in appropriate black and white attire greeted her.

“You are Oddily, I presume.”

“Yes,” she nodded obediently.

When the butler stepped aside and waved his arm for Oddily to enter, she stepped inside and stopped to gawk at the massive foyer.

“Wait here, please. I will inform Master Paulsen of your arrival.”

Oddily remained where she stood as her eyes traveled to the two-story ceiling where a wrought iron chandelier, at least seven feet in diameter, hung in majestic glory. This was no fairytale castle depicted in a child’s storybook. Bentley castle was more reminiscent of the medieval times because of its stone floor and walls.

The butler returned. “Come this way, please. Master Paulsen will see you now.”

The butler opened one of the doors off the entrance hall and beckoned Oddily to enter. She found Paul standing by the fireplace while a beautiful woman sat in a golden chair fit for a queen. Was Paul from a royal family?

“Master Paulsen. Oddily has just entered the room.”

Paul turned and gave Oddily a formal nod, and then turned to the woman. “Mother, this is Oddily, a friend from school.”

“Hello, my dear. You may refer to me as Lady Katerina.”

Paul’s mother extended her hand and Oddily grabbed hold, shaking it vigorously. When Lady Katerina didn’t release her grip right away, Oddily didn’t know what to do next. So, in an act of desperation, she kissed the back of the woman’s hand. Still being held captive, the bewildered Oddily got down on one knee and bowed the best she could. She felt ridiculous; but at this point, she would try anything that seemed remotely respectable.

Suddenly, Lady Katerina got to her feet bringing Oddily with her. “Oddily, you are adorable!” Her laughter was girlish. “I’m so glad to meet you.”

“I’m Patrick, Paul’s uncle.” The butler had lost his stiffness and gave Oddily a hug.

“What’s going on here?” Oddily glanced from Uncle Patrick, over to Lady Katerina, and then to Paul.

“You just had your first taste of life in a castle,” Paul grinned.

“I’m sorry Oddily,” Paul’s mother butted in. “It was Paul’s harebrained idea.”

“Thanks mom! Go ahead and blame it on me.”

Oddily began to laugh, mostly out of relief. She was surprised and grateful that Paul would go to such lengths to make her smile. Now, if only she could say the same for Maxim and what she saw in the meadow. The very thought of him sent a chill up her spine, but she couldn’t help but wonder where Maxim was, and what he was doing after she had abandoned him in the meadow.

25

As Oddily began her tour of Bentley castle, Maxim was heading for Nero’s laboratory inside the cavern. His father’s voice had sounded urgent, insisting that he meet him there.

Maxim went on foot, allowing himself time to collect his thoughts. If Nero still had Zaylyn held captive, would he be able to control his rage towards her? He doubted it. Even the thought of her was enough to infuriate him. Maxim’s uncertainty about his state of mind continued and for good reason. When he did reach Nero’s lab, he went berserk and barged into the cavern.

Where is she father?!

First, you must settle down!
Nero demanded.

Don’t tell me what to do!

Son, if you would calm down and clear your mind, you will be able to figure out what I have done with her.

Maxim knew it would be a loosing battle to go up against him, so he began to battle with his anger instead. Finally, when his mind had cleared and his heartbeat came back to normal, Maxim scanned the cavern. Nero was right. The answer was right under his nose!

The dome, that had twice transported him to a parallel universe, was in use again. Maxim knew this because of the powerful ball of energy trapped inside. It reminded him of lightening in the midst of a storm.

Is Zaylyn inside the dome? Have you sent her to the parallel universe?

Yes, but just for a while.

But I can’t see the chair or her body!

Don’t let your eyes fool you. The chair and Zaylyn are still there. However, the high frequency of vibration trapped inside the dome has fine-tuned Zaylyn and the chair to a higher, ethereal level.

I wonder if Zaylyn understands what is happening to her. With her ego, she would probably be thrilled to discover that she has an alternative self.

If, indeed, Zaylyn has a duplicate in that world.

Wait a minute! Suppose she doesn’t!

Then Zaylyn will be lost in the void of nothingness until I bring her back.

Then you should leave her there forever!

I disagree. I plan to bring Zaylyn back; but before I do, you must pull yourself together and deal with this unfortunate situation like a man.

There is no situation anymore father. Oddily is frightened of me. You should have seen her face.

Stop pacing back and forth! Your unhinged behavior will not help you with this dilemma.

How can it get any worse? I couldn’t even get close enough to erase Oddily’s memory of what she saw!

Is that what you really wanted to do?

No. I want her to know the truth and love me despite what I am.

Then you need to give her that chance. Meanwhile, pull yourself together and trust in the connection you have with her.

Do you really think there’s a chance that she will come back?

Nero grinned.
You are of my blood. Therefore, Oddily won’t be able to resist you for long.

Maxim couldn’t help but marvel at his father’s arrogance.
If that is the case, I need Zaylyn out of my life before Oddily returns. Do you have any ideas?

Maxim, where are you?
It was Nexa.

I’m with Nero inside his laboratory. Where are you?

Driving home from the Village and I’m curious. When I drove by Cambridge Hospital, I spotted Oddily’s car in the parking lot.

Are you positive that it’s her car?

Come on Maxim. How many green limited edition Smart cars do you think there are in this region?

Okay, wait for me there!

Before Nexa could pull into the medical center parking lot, a pale looking Maxim had already rushed inside the emergency area. When he didn’t see Oddily in the waiting room, he made a mad dash past admittance and pushed through the swinging doors into the emergency room.

Maxim could hear, “Sir, wait—you can’t go in there,” but the show of authority meant nothing to him.

“Oddily!” He scanned the room while calling out her name.

The commotion around Maxim was unnerving. Doctors in white lab coats were busy with patients while nurses in blue scrubs went from patient to patient, tending to their needs. One person was vomiting in a small pan. Another was calling out, “Will somebody please help me?!”

Maxim was about to open one of the closed curtains when he was spotted by an employee and a male caretaker intercepted Maxim before he could see who was hidden from view.

“You can’t be in here sir.”

“I’m not leaving until I find out if Oddily’s here.”

“Please, calm down. I will be able to help you find who you’re looking for after you return to the waiting room.”

Maxim gave one last glance around the room, and then stepped outside.

Nexa was in the waiting room when she saw Maxim escorted from behind two doors by a male nurse.

All right, what’s going on Maxim? Is Oddily here?

I don’t know yet.

Sir, what is the patient’s name?” The girl at the desk spoke.

“Oddily.”

“Her last name please.”

“She doesn’t have one.”

“Give me a moment to check the files.”

“Please, you must hurry!”

Nexa grabbed Maxim by the arm.
Lower your voice! If Oddily is here, we will find her.

Maxim nervously ran his hand through his hair while waiting for the nurse to finish up on the computer.

“There is no one by the name of Oddily registered in this department.” The young nurse looked up at the two good-looking teens.

Nexa leaned over the table. “Since we’re here, do you mind checking the other departments as well?”

“Sure! Just give me another minute.”

While they waited, Maxim filled Nexa in on what took place while she was away. He described the incident in the meadow and the situation that was now gong on inside Nero’s lab.

“Sorry guys, no one by the name of Oddily has checked in today.”