Hybrid (52 page)
Erik leaned over the huge desk, his eyes suddenly burning fiery aqua blue. “Bottom line, mister, is this: you will not adopt my baby, you'll stay out of Hopedale Mountain, and you'll see to it that you become a model citizen from now on, because I'll be watching everything that you do.” Erik paused then quickly grabbed Pendelton by the collar of his expensive Italian suit. “And if you ever, ever place my baby in anymore danger, there won't be enough of your body left to feed an ant,” he whispered in a low cold tone, shoving Richard back into his chair. “Oh, one more thing,” Erik added quickly. “I'll be petitioning for increased visitations for myself and my fiancé. I do hope you'll be supportive.”
Erik looked down at the expensive mahogany desk and couldn't help himself. He pushed down on the thick surface; it creaked in protest then splintered, splitting evenly in half and toppling onto Richard's lap. “Better have the quality of your office furniture checked,” Erik added as he turned toward the large door. “Don't bother getting up, I'll show myself out,” he whispered as he opened the door.
He walked out to his truck, feeling better than he had in years. He finally got the best of Richard Pendelton—he would savor the man's looks of horror for years to come. Erik finally had the advantage over the scheming weasel. Though he couldn't nail him for the atrocities he caused, he could keep Pendelton in check from causing potential future problems, plus gain the leverage he needed to get his daughter back into his life on a more full time basis.
* * * *
Erik sat nervously at his usual booth, waiting for Shanda to walk in for their evening together. He nervously sipped his glass of water and noticed that his hands were shaking.
Alissa walked over to him and whispered, “The mighty Erik Knight who single-handedly stopped the Seelak onslaught isn't getting cold feet, is he?”
“No.” He took another sip of water. “But he's getting awfully jittery. It would be a real let down to pop the question, pull out the ring, and then get shot down,” he lamented.
“She loves you completely, Erik, everyone can see that plainly, and you love her. Everything will go fine; stop being such a big worry wart,” Alissa replied with a comforting lilt in her voice.
Erik sensed Shanda's presence and looked toward the door. Shanda walked in and smiled as she headed for his booth. She leaned over and kissed him as she slid into the seat opposite him. Shanda spent several minutes lecturing him about venturing off into the woods without bringing a phone or beeper, constantly holding his hand emphasizing how worried she was about him during his absence. Then, in a sudden shift in direction, she began to talk about her day. Erik listened patiently for an hour as the two of them discussed the events of her morning and afternoon. They were halfway through their meal when the conversation turned to his activities. Erik began slowly and carefully.
“I had a visitor this morning, his name was Martin Denton.” Erik paused as Shanda recognized the name. “I've been doing freelance work for him for a few years now, and they've decided to open a private clients’ group for low to middle income people, my clientele,” he emphasized.
“And,” Shanda urged, sensing a bomb was about to drop.
“And this,” Erik answered, reaching into his pocket and producing the deposit slip and placing it on the table. Shanda's eyes widened as she read the figure. “My sign-on bonus,” Erik stated flatly. “I now work for the largest law firm on the east coast, but still get to keep my office here and see my own clientele. They'll be referring cases on an as-needed basis, plus they'll be pulling me into some high-end corporate stuff when needed.” Erik paused, trying to gauge her for a reaction. “It's a job with upward mobility and a bright future,” he added.
Shanda shrieked aloud in delight and reached over the table, embracing him in a gigantic bear hug. “I knew somebody would recognize your talents, Erik! I can't tell you how happy I am for you,” she said as she seated herself back down. “It sounds perfect.” She took his hand.
Erik glanced up and saw Alissa and Jeff loitering near the adjoining room, as well as several other staff. He gestured them away with a look as he reached over and gently took her other hand in his. Shanda caught his glimpse and turned to see the group of busy bodies disappear around the corner. She looked at him perplexed, and Erik just rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Shanda,” he started as he cleared his throat, “that brings me to the next thing: You already know how much I care about you.” Erik paused, and noticed that her eyes had begun to water, and tears slowly began to stream down her cheek. “You were right earlier at the hospital when you said we were truly made for each other. I sincerely believe that. I want to make our arrangement something more permanent. I want you to be my wife. Would you marry me?” he asked softly.
Shanda tried to stop the tears, but she couldn't. “Yes, of course I will,” she answered him softly, leaning her head near his and kissing him deeply.
Once they parted, Erik reached beside him and produced a jeweler's box. He slowly held it up, his hands shaking, and presented it to her. He slowly opened the box and took out a large diamond and sapphire ring. “I hope you like it, Mrs. Knight.”
Erik gently placed the ring on her finger, and Shanda broke out into a full fit of tears as she got up from her side of the booth and fell into his arms.
Jeff, Alissa, and the rest of the staff at Madame's, appeared from behind the wall of the adjoining room, clapping and cheering for the young couple. Jeff carried a large sheet cake and placed it on the table in front of them.
“Congratulations, lovebirds,” Jeff said happily as he pecked Shanda on the cheek. “You, missy, have your hands full with this wild mustang,” he added lightly.
Shanda, who was sparkling and glowing with radiance, replied, “Oh, I think I can find several ways to keep our wayward boy home at night,” she replied.
Everyone laughed while Erik blushed slightly.
Jeff shook Erik's hand. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, my best to you both.”
“Thanks, Jeff.”
“Now c'mon, let's eat this cake, I'm hungry,” Jeff replied as he started slicing the delicacy for everyone.
* * * *
Erik awoke suddenly, he glanced over at his clock: 3:25 a.m.
He could hear his staff calling to him in his mind. Deep down, he felt the urge to be in the woodlands again, under the pale moonlight. He cautiously peeked over at Shanda who was sleeping soundly beside him. The warmth and perfume of her body was difficult to leave, but he knew the nagging wouldn't end until he had been out into the darkness for at least an hour. He crept from the tiny bedroom into the living room and quietly opened the small wall safe. He reached in and took the satchel containing his staff and placed it around his waist. Erik then tiptoed out of his apartment and into the small rear parking lot in the back of his apartment. He lifted the staff from its satchel, willing it to elongate into its true form. The staff sang in an eerie harmonic as it happily complied with his mental command.
“Alright, I feel the need to be out in the open too; let me change and we'll tour the town for an hour or so,” he said to the sentient weapon.
The staff seemed to murmur in acknowledgement as Erik allowed himself to become his Esper form. He easily leapt thirty feet into a nearby tree and began his preferred route around the small suburb. He leapt from treetops to rooftops then back into the larger white oaks around the Hopedale Park. Once at the park, Erik perched on a thick limb, fifty feet above the playground sand. His mind flashed back to the battle he fought here, reliving each blow as well as the horror of the mothers and children that were there at the birthday party.
That's in the past. I have a whole new future to look forward to. I'll have Shanda and Brianna to share it with. Now, I can give my daughter some of the finer things that I could never do before.
But deep inside himself, he heard Jakor's whisper.
He had given his daughter the most important thing a father could give a child: love. That love for his child spurred him to achieve all that he now was. He was the Hybrid because of her, in order to save her. He would never have to doubt her love for him, and she would always know that her father loved her unconditionally. That was more important to a child than any material possession he could give to her.
Erik smiled to himself. It was good to have that extra voice inside, a seventh sense to go along with the telepathy and empathic gifts he already had acquired throughout his life.
The Hybrid, Erik Knight, looked up at the full moon, its light reflecting off his metallic flesh, and savored one last moment in the night. He now wanted to be home, in his tiny little apartment in this sleepy little suburb, wrapped in the warm embrace of his fiancée. With a cautious leap, he began the journey home.
About the Author
Greg Ballan is a graduate of Northeastern University holding Bachelor's degrees in Marketing and Management. He lives in Hopedale with his patient, tolerant and sometimes bewildered wife, Teresa and his three children: Tom, Rachel and Christie. Greg enjoys several outdoor activities such as hiking, archery and shooting. When he's not working his full time job as a Financial Analyst or getting lost in some unknown woodlands, he's crunched over his laptop putting his warped imagination into words or penning a column about politics, hunting humor or his latest tale about avoiding house work and yard work.