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A kiss would be too much right now. Though a kiss may always be too much for him. What are we doing exactly? He can’t stay and I probably wouldn’t make it through all this for it to matter.

A little rap on the door made me turn, releasing all hands. Calvin.

“Sherry. My mom is asleep and I’m really scared. I can’t believe Celeste almost died and you saved her! Could you...maybe, please come and sit with me for a minute?” he said through his sniffles he was trying to hide.

Turning to give Merrick one quick glance, to which he nodded, I left to follow the boy, pulling me by my arm. His Spiderman pajamas reminded me yet again of little Danny. Danny used to love for me to sing to him too. I had a feeling, I’d have to pull a song out of somewhere tonight.

Everyone was in their rooms and his mom couldn’t hear me. I could just sing quietly. The words to Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly me to the Moon’ flew out of me like I had never stopped singing them.

Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars,

let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.

In other words, hold my hand. In other words, baby kiss me.

Fill my heart with song and let me sing for evermore.

You are all I long for, all I Worship and adore.

In other words, please be true. In other words, I love you.

Once I see the kid was out, I patted his back and pulled the blanket up to his neck before creeping out. I turned to come down the hall and see a happy face, not the one I want to see, but a happy one none the less. Then I realized the reason Bobby was grinning so big was because he had listened to me. Hmm. Not good, Bobby.

“I can’t believe you were listening, Bobby,” I whispered.

“You sure can sing pretty, girly.”

“Thanks,” I grumbled, ignoring the girly remark for tonight.

And I walked…and he was following.

“Bobby, look, I’m really tired and I just want to go to bed, please. I’m going to head back to my room, alone, ok.” His face said he didn’t like that. “Bobby. Look. Just because I’m one of the only women here, single, and in your age range doesn’t mean that we have to be...together. Ok.”

“Yes it does. That’s exactly what it means. It helps a lot that you’re cute but either way I would want to be with you. Once this is all over, we’ll have to repopulate the earth.”

The internal debate in me to laugh or cry with pity is waging. While that was going on I jumped at an opportunity to clear the air.

“Bobby, no, we won’t and I wouldn’t. Besides I’m already in love with someone else. Ok. So can we just be friends?”

I startled at my own words. It just popped out and it hadn’t sounded like a lie to me. Love him? Merrick?

“You’re in love with that thing. Merrick? He’s not even human. Gah, I hate him,” he growled the words.

“I never said I was in love with Merrick, though if I were, it shouldn’t matter to you. I think being human is a soul that lives in a body. That’s what he is.”

“That body isn’t his.”

“Bobby, Matt was dead already.”

“So they say. Maybe those Lighters were right. Maybe they are just murderers.”

I froze, trying to hide the panic in my eyes at that word and his inflection.

“Lighters? Did Jeff tell you about them?” I prayed that he said yes but I had a feeling he wouldn’t.

“A Lighter, he said his name was Ian, he came to see me the day before my Keeper got there. He told me a bunch of stuff about them and it’s all been true. Sherry, he’s brain washed you.” He grabbed my hands. “Let me take you out of here. We’ll go to the Lighters and they can protect us. They know why the moon is gone, they know everything.”

“Yes, they do because it’s their fault it’s gone. They are using trickery for trickery, Bobby, don’t fall into their trap.”

“Ok. You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. Goodnight,” he said as he turned and walked away.

That was way too easy but I was too tired to worry about it.

The next morning, I heard Bobby and Jeff arguing near the elevator. He wanted to come with us. As a rule, Specials hadn’t been allowed outside or to leave because their... well, special. Bobby was red faced like I’d never seen him before and from the looks of things, they’ve been at it for a while.

“You can’t use my van if I can’t come. I’m a grown man and you’re not gonna tell me to sit here and wait for you like some helpless woman,” he yelled along with some other obscenities which made sweet Lillian gasp, placing her hand over her mouth and turn to go into the kitchen.

“Fine, Bobby. Fine. You can come this time but once it gets bad, you will stay where I put you. This is the only way to keep you safe. Got it?” Jeff stated before punching the button to open the elevator doors.

“Whatever,” Bobby sneered before hopping on and grabbing a corner, his arms crossed over his chest.

As we stood in the black elevator, making our slow ascent, I felt someone’s hand threading their fingers with mine. I tense thinking Bobby is the dumbest brick in the foundation but then I heard him in my mind and I realized I should have known it was him. I knew what his warmth felt like.

It’s ok. It’s me... Unless you don’t want me to...

I squeeze his hand to reassure him, as these one sided conversations usually go, I didn’t speak. I wished he could read my mind sometimes. Like now.

I would tell him all about Bobby’s strange confession to me last night, since I hadn’t been alone with him all morning to do so. As the doors screeched open and the light blinded me I was awe struck at the sun.

A month since we’d seen the sun and it never looked so good. Cliché but true.

I refused to release Merrick’s hand as we make our exit. He didn’t seem to mind as we walked over to the van and he looked down at me and smiled. Maybe Bobby would see all it and get a clue.

I drove, it was daytime so I was fine with that. All the men insisted we’d be less likely to be pulled over with a young lady driving than a couple of guys.

Merrick filled us in on the happenings, per his hand held radio. They were checking for symbols already, but only on problematic cases, such as traffic stops, ect. He assured us, it would be fine.

I kept my foot light on the pedal, staying at least two miles per hour under the limit. Having peoples lives in my hands instead of breathing life into them wasn’t as much fun. If anything were to happen...

As we drove I thought about my life, flashbacks from when Danny was born. Trying to process how many embarrassing memories Merrick must have seen of mine over the years. Prom night red-punch-spill-on-white-dress-by-date disaster. Slipping on the slide at the public pool in front of no less than fifty people, all laughing, at a ninth grade pool party. Getting caught picking my nose in third grade by the teacher and her calling me out in front of the class on it. Martin Spikes telling me no to a date I asked him on because he said I looked like an eighth grader, I was in the eleventh however and it was the one time I’d talked myself up to ask someone. I never did it again.

That sent my thoughts to what possibly could Danny do that would make a difference in the world. It had to be big, the world was in danger of ending. No small gesture would do now. I was already beginning to beam with pride for him, still not knowing when or what his big act could be but proud none the less.

Our parents were gone and I doubted we’d ever see them again. It saddened me but also frustrated and upset me. They had a choice and they chose, and it wasn’t us, it was an empty field on the ridge and aliens. What a shame looking back now, knowing the truth.

They were followers. They had no idea what they were welcoming into our world, but they followed their friends and politicians in the ‘peace and love’ route and look where we were now.

I almost missed my exit and Jeff asked if I’m ok. I nodded, not even looking his way. Merrick and Bobby sat in the middle back seat, not a word between them. I wondered if Merrick knew that Bobby hated him. I guess not. How could he? Bobby had no right though. He actually thought I had already considered his little proposal in my head and was on board with saving the planet...with our babies. Geesh.

Once we reached the store, I parked in our usual spot off to the side. Merrick took the list from his shirt pocket before we headed in and tore it in half suggesting we split up to save time. My heart leapt but then fell when Bobby grabbed my arm, claiming me as his partner. Merrick gave a suspicious glance to that arm but I sent a small smile to tell him it was ok. I wasn’t in the mood for any arguments.

Are you sure? Don’t let him bully you around. It’s ok if you don’t wanna go with him.

No point in talking about it here. I just shrugged and smiled and took our list as Bobby grabbed a cart. Merrick looked disappointed and I hated to have put that look on his face but I was so tired of conflict.

Remember to be careful. Don’t talk to anyone and let’s hurry, ok? Please be careful. Stay on your guard, no thinking of Danny or other Specials, ok?

I nodded and glanced back at him quickly, sending him a little smile which he returned to me and shook his head. As we walked away from our Keepers Bobby began to lecture me once again on the Lighters and how they were right. How I should come along and join him, that was when it hit me.

“Are you leaving, Bobby?”

“Yep. I’m not telling Jeff. I’m just going. That’s why I wanted to wait til we were out and could be alone today. Now you can leave with me and Merrick won’t be able to stop you.”

“You think I told you no because Merrick is controlling me?”

“What other reason is there?” he asked skeptically.

“Uh. Well, I believe them.”

“Come on, Sherry. You can’t believe them.”

“Bobby. Listen. Just come talk to Merrick, let him explain-”

“I’ve heard it all and I’m done. The Lighters are the ones who are going to save us from all this and you’ll wish you had listened to me. They have a plan in place already. They are gonna win this thing. I’m leaving, now. I wish you would’ve changed your mind. We could’ve been really good together. ”

Was I hearing things? He sounded like he was ready to drink the Kool-Aid. What was going on?

“I don’t and I do believe them. I’ve always been able to tell the difference of lies for truth. They are telling the truth. Bobby, please don’t do this. Don’t leave. Stay.”

“I’m leaving. In fact, I’m leaving right now and I’m gonna have to turn all your little friends over to them. They are just a band of rebels that must be taken care of. If not, this kind of hatred and untruth will spread everywhere.”

Bobby was sounding like some kind of robot now, programmed responses. As I turned to go I felt him grab my arm with excessive force. He was angry at me for not wanting to come with him.

“Ow! Bobby! Let go.”

“I can’t. You know what...you have to come with me. You’re important. I need you and the sooner you get away from them, the sooner you’ll realize I’m right. You won’t be affected by them anymore.”

“Ow! Stop it! Let go!”

I could feel the fiery pulse under his grasp.

“I ought to just drag you out of here by your hair, ya know. You don’t know what you’re doing. Can’t you see I care about you?” he said getting right in my face.

“Yes...I see that, ok,” I answered softly, “but I can also see the truth. I’m not in danger and neither are you, yet. Please stay and let us talk about this.”

“NO!” he yelled starting pulling me from my cart, not even stopping to see the prying eyes watching our little encounter.

No one came to my aid either, just stared. I was suddenly very disappointed in the males of the human race. I yanked my arm free quickly and turned to run but he grabbed my shirt and turned me, holding me to him to keep me from leaving. I imagined this would look like an embrace to someone looking now. He tried to kiss me and I squirmed to evade his lips.

“Sherry! Snap out of it! I know if I can just make you see the truth that you’ll come with me.”

“I would say the same to you! Let me go, now!”

He let me go but pushed me at the same time in frustration and I tripped backwards to the floor. In one swift movement I rolled and got up to keep going, running full speed. I had the vans keys still in my pocket.

I ran barely slowing down as I reached the aisle end. Everyone and everything seemed slow motion and I bumped into a lady as I crossed the aisles.

“Oh! Excuse me. Sorry,” I yelled back across my shoulder.

Looking, looking, where could they be? Aisle after aisle as I descended down towards the food court, nothing. Wait. I saw him. Them.

Oh no. What would happen to Jeff now that his Special was gone?

As I approached they were in the middle of shopping cart traffic jam, waiting their turn to enter the aisle. Jeff saw me running, tells Merrick in his mind, his head jerking up quickly to search for me. Once I reached them, I grabbed Merrick’s arm.

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you two. I’m done. Got everything I needed. Ready?”

I saw the worry in his eyes as he glanced quickly at Jeff. I hoped he could just trust me and he must because we were moving, him towing me away from our cart by my hand, Jeff following.

Once in the van, I fiddled with my shaking hands and the keys, trying to get the van started. I blurted out the whole story of last night and just now, all of Bobby’s bizarre behavior as I drove.

“He asked you to leave with him?” Jeff asked and I saw Merrick watching my face in the mirror as I answered.

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes. He’s already been in contact with the Lighters. He may have slipped up and said something.”

“He said I was under Merrick’s control and he thought getting me away would break the spell.” I heard Merrick grunt unhappily but kept going. “He said, he cared about me and I didn’t know what I was doing. That we needed to...repopulate the earth and I was important.” A quick glance at them and I saw something wasn’t right.

“Was that it?”

“Pretty much. I was trying to get away, he may have said more.”