Human Blend (29 page)

William carried her over. Austin was leaning
heavily on the door and Paul. “Put me down, please?” Julie asked,
but held onto him as pain shot up her legs the minute they touched
the ground.

“Julie...” Uncle Gregg was about to remind
her to take it easy, but she didn't listen.

Even though she knew it was going to hurt the
both of them, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him
fiercely. She felt both Paul and William supporting them and
keeping them vertical. “You were right,” she said with tears in her
eyes.

“About... what?” Austin managed to stammer
out.

“We didn't die,” she said, pulling her face
back to look at him. Austin laughed then grimaced in pain. Julie
put her hands on his face and looked into his eyes. Austin rested
his forehead on hers.

“Okay, you two, time to rest,” Uncle Gregg
said. William scooped her back up in his arms before she could
protest and carried her inside the cabin. Paul was following right
behind with Austin.

Julie's eyes were already starting to droop
when William placed her in a bed. “All I want you to do is sleep,”
Uncle Gregg advised.

“Done,” Julie said and let the exhaustion
take her.

Austin had fallen asleep in Paul's arms and
didn't stir when placed in a bed. His room was right next to
Julie's.

Eli and Marcus arrived just before dawn.
“Smell that?” Marcus asked, taking a deep breath. “He's got the
grill going!” Marcus exclaimed and ran around the back of the
house.

Eli followed at a more leisurely pace, taking
in the span of the property. Uncle Gregg's cabin was nestled in the
woods, surrounded by very tall and ancient trees. The front of the
cabin appeared small, but a walk around the back showed it was much
more than a simple log cabin. Additions had been put onto the back
of the house, making it resemble more of a resort than its rustic
front would lead one to believe. The large deck and patio looked
capable of accommodating three hundred people.

Uncle Gregg, although a slight man to begin
with, seemed even more marginal within the massive setting.

“Eli, come join us,” Uncle Gregg called out
in greeting as he approached.

Marcus was picking at stuff already on the
table. “Make an exception and eat. Uncle Gregg is the best cook,
bar none,” Marcus praised. Eli smiled in response.

“How are they?” Eli asked Uncle Gregg.

“Still sleeping, last time I checked,” he
answered. “You can check on them, if you like. I was hoping the
smell of the food would rouse them,” Uncle Gregg added.

“Thank you,” Eli said.

“Just head on up the stairs, Julie's is the
room with the brown door and Austin's is the blue door,” Uncle
Gregg informed. Eli left to check on them.

The cabin's main floor seemed rustic and true
to character, Eli noted. The upstairs had been updated for a more
modern appearance.

Eli came across the brown door first and
knocked softly. He thought he heard a sound and opened the
door.

Julie was tossing and turning in the bed “No,
please,” she cried.

She must be in the middle of a dream
,
Eli thought. He sat down on the bed and tried to ease her
thrashing. “Shh, it's okay,” he spoke softly, rubbing her back.

She suddenly sat up in the bed and began
beating him with her fists. “No more... no more,” she said through
clenched teeth.

“Julie, you're dreaming, wake up. You're
safe,” he said as she struggled against his restraint.

She opened her eyes and looked quizzically at
him. “Eli... you're okay?” She frowned.

“I'm just fine. Are you okay?” He smiled and
released her hands.

“You're... you're not dead?” She asked,
putting her hands on his face.

“Is that what you were dream—” he began to
say. Julie cut off his words by pulling his face to hers and
kissing him. Eli felt a powerful force envelope him. He couldn't
help responding to her.

Out on the deck, Marcus swayed slightly. “Uh,
oh,” he said and looked up at the second floor. Uncle Gregg paused
as well and followed Marcus' gaze. “She doesn't know how to control
it,” Marcus said, gripping the table. Uncle Gregg closed his eyes
and waved a hand in front of his face then did the same for Marcus.
“Thanks,” Marcus said collapsing on the bench. “I forgot you could
block,” he added.

“What kind of relationship do Julie and Eli
have?” Uncle Gregg asked. “It's obvious he cares for her,” he
stated.

“Oh, it's more than that,” Marcus laughed.
“He all but knocked me into the next room when he caught me with
her,” Marcus admitted.

“With her?” Uncle Gregg asked, folding his
arms.

“It's not what you think,” Marcus held up his
hands. “I didn't know she was 'little lost Laney'. We met; I knew
she was like us, she had the Lure on. What was I suppose to do?”
Marcus argued. Uncle Gregg looked at Marcus skeptically.

Eli struggled to regain control of his
senses. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Julie, but he
understood she was unaware of her own actions.

“Julie,” Eli breathed once he was able to
break the kiss. She tried to re-engage him. “Pull back, Julie,” Eli
reluctantly ordered. Julie froze. The fog that had been before her
was gone. She looked panic stricken at Eli.

“Oh, no... no... that did not just happen
again,” she stammered and jumped out of the bed. “This is crazy...
I can't do this. I can't be here... I don't belong anywhere,” she
rambled. “I'm trouble to everyone,” she concluded.

Eli was still shaking off the effects of the
Lure when Julie ran out of the bedroom. “Julie!” he shouted and
took off after her.

Julie ran out the back door, past Marcus and
Uncle Gregg.
I just need to get away from everyone
, she
thought. She picked up speed and headed for the forest as the panic
intensified.

Eli stumbled out onto the deck. He was about
to follow Julie when Uncle Gregg stopped him. “Let me handle this,
Eli. I have the answers she is looking for,” he said, starting out
after her.

“She's in an all out panic,” Eli told
him.

“I'll take care of it,” he hollered back.

Eli collapsed in a nearby chair.

“Lure works on Earthlings too, huh?” Marcus
teased. Eli ignored him.

Julie ran until she was out of breath. She
slid down against a tree and buried her face in her knees and let
the tears fall. She heard Uncle Gregg calling for her in the
distance.

“Playing hide and seek?” a voice asked.

Julie lifted her head up.

“It's my favorite game,” the voice spoke.

She looked around but did not see anyone.
“Who... who's there?” she asked. Standing, she still did not see
anyone.

“Do you like to play games?” the voice
asked.

“No, I don't. Where are you?” Julie asked.
She was more annoyed than scared.

“I'm right here,” a boy said, dropping down
from the tree above her.

Instinctively, Julie jumped back. Looking at
him, she realized he was an Earthling like Eli. His hair was
bleached blond by the sun, his skin a darkened tan. He could pass
for a surfer. His hair hung slightly into his eyes that twinkled
with mischief. The only thing missing was a pair of swim trunks. He
wore no clothing.

Julie's face reddened as she turned away from
him. “Could you... um, put some clothes on?” Julie asked.

“Does my natural state disturb you?” he
asked.

“Yeah, a little,” Julie admitted.

“Too bad,” he whispered in her ear, sending a
cold chill down her spine.

“Look, I just want to be left alone,” Julie
said, keeping her back to him. She began walking away.

“Julie!” she heard Uncle Gregg calling for
her again.

“Why are you hiding from him?” the boy asked,
standing in front of her again. Julie turned and began walking in
the other direction.

“I just want to be alone right now,” she
said.

“You are the lost one he has been looking
for,” he commented.

“You know my uncle?” She asked and stopped
walking.

“We are... friends,” he answered.

“Do you have a name?” she asked.

“Percone,” he said, moving to stand in front
of her once more. “Laney...” he said reaching out to touch her
face. She moved out of his reach.

“Well, listen, Percone. I don't want to talk
to you or anyone else right now. So just leave me the hell alone,”
Julie said.

“Julie!” Uncle Gregg's voice was closer this
time.

“Over here,” Percone shouted to Uncle Gregg.
Julie glared angrily at the boy.

Uncle Gregg came stumbling through the brush.
“Julie, didn't you hear me calling you? Oh, I see you met Percone,”
he said.

“Unfortunately,” she said through gritted
teeth. Percone's grin was as wide as his face.

“Julie, please come back to the house. We
have a lot of things to talk about,” Uncle Gregg pleaded.

“Uncle G,” Julie sighed heavily. “I don't
want to be around anyone right now. I don't trust myself. I feel...
out of control,” Julie turned away, trying to hide her tears.

“All the more reason to talk to me, Julie. I
have the answers you seek. Let me help you,” Uncle Gregg
explained.

Julie breathed in deeply. “I know... it's
just....” Julie left her sentence unfinished. Uncle Gregg embraced
her. She let herself cry in his arms.

Percone watched the interaction between the
two creatures. “You two behave like a human father and daughter;
it's quite touching,” he commented.

Julie pulled back, wiping her eyes. “I'm
sorry,” she said to Uncle Gregg.

“There is nothing to apologize for. I can not
even imagine all you have gone through. That part of your life is
over. This is a new beginning for you, Julie. One that will
surround you with people just like yourself,” he comforted.

“No offense, Uncle G, but that's not what I
am looking for. I want to live the life of Julie Miller,” she said,
realizing for the first time how much she wanted a life back in
Marion.

Uncle Gregg placed his hands on her arms.
“You can have whatever life you want. I just want to be a part of
it. I hope you will let me,” he said.

“I'd like that,” Julie smiled.

“That goes for me, too... right?” Percone
asked, standing behind Uncle Gregg. Julie rolled her eyes, making
Uncle Gregg laugh.

“You're a good friend, Percone,” he said.

Julie began to feel dizzy. “Whoa,” she said,
swaying. “I think I need to eat,” she grabbed onto Uncle Gregg as
her legs weakened.

“Here, sit down for a moment,” he
encouraged.

“Good idea,” she agreed, sitting on a pile of
leaves that she hadn't noticed there before.

“Where's Percone?” she asked, noticing he was
gone.

“Miss me?” he asked, sitting next to her.
Julie jumped slightly at his closeness.

“No, actually, I just wanted to know where
you were so you couldn't sneak up on me again,” she huffed.

“Here, eat these,” he said, opening his hand.
Three small oval-shaped berries were revealed.

“What are they?” Julie asked.

“Special fruit of the Earth. It will make you
stronger,” he told.

Julie picked up one. “It's warm,” she
remarked.

“It grows far beneath the surface,” Percone
explained.

“May I?” Uncle Gregg asked. He took one of
the berries and ate it. Julie watched his expression closely. “It's
bitter, but good,” he said. Julie looked at the one in her
hand.

“I do feel stronger than before,” Uncle Gregg
said, standing up. “Can you get more of these?” he asked.

“Perhaps,” Percone smiled.

“Go ahead, Julie. Try it,” Uncle Gregg
encouraged.

Julie ate the berry and grimaced. “It tastes
very sweet, not bitter,” she noted.

“Its flavor differs for everyone,” Percone
advised.

Julie felt a tingling in her arms and legs.
“It sort of tickles.” She laughed.

“Percone? What are the are the side effects?”
Uncle Gregg asked, looking strangely at his hands.

“It does, in some people, act as a
hallucinogen,” Percone admitted.

“So, my hands are not giant purple balloons?”
Uncle Gregg asked.

“Purple Balloons?” Julie laughed.

“Wanna try and stand up?” Percone asked
her.

“Why the hell not?” She giggled, taking his
hand. She was starting to feel the euphoria.

“Wow!” she exclaimed, looking up at the
trees. “I can see every line, every angle... even the rims on the
leaves,” she marveled.

Uncle Gregg was shaking his head. “Percone,
you should have told me of the side effects before letting us
ingest these,” he said, slowly coming out of the haze.

“You didn't ask,” Percone said.

“Uncle G... can you see this?” she asked,
looking around. “Everything is so sharp and clear. It's amazing!”
She smiled and looked at Percone. “Even your face... I can see
every curve...” she said, touching his face. He duplicated her
actions, cupping her cheek.

“Julie, we should be getting back,” Uncle
Gregg said, grabbing her hand and moving her away from Percone.

“Wait,” Julie said, pulling her hand back. “I
want to watch the trees some more,” she said. She turned back to
Percone and saw Eli standing behind him.

“Eli!” she shouted and ran over to him. “You
have to see this, c'mon,” she said, taking his hand.

Eli: Percone!

Eli stared angrily at him. “Come look at the
trees with me,” Julie insisted, not noticing his angry glare
directed towards Percone.

Percone: Well if it isn't the man himself, in
my own neck of the woods. I can see why you did what you did. She
is fun to play with. Wonder what punishment you will receive?

Neither Julie nor Uncle Gregg heard the
silent exchange between the two Earthlings.

“Are you still angry with me, from before...
when I kissed you?” Julie asked Eli.