Earth Blend (12 page)

“
Have a good evening.” Eli said and
walked to his apartment door as the two men left. He glanced over
to Julie's door and wondered if he should say goodnight. He decided
against it since Austin was apparently there. He sighed and went
into his apartment.

In the car on the way to Jacob's house,
Gregg said, “You are too quiet. Speak your mind, Jacob.”

“
Can we trust Julie not to say
anything to Eli?”

“
We can trust Julie to do what is
right for Austin.” Gregg secretly hoped Julie would see the right
thing was keeping Austin's secret.

“
Did you mean what you said about
telling them everything?”

“
It is better that they find out from
us rather than from someone else.”

“
Does that include the other secret
you are keeping from Julie?”

“
Everything. It is important that we
have both of them in our care and trust. They are the only other
two Numeras besides myself and must be protected.”

“
How do you think she will react when
you tell her?”

“
I'm not going to be to tell her. He
will.”

Julie planned on showering after
Austin. Their time in the forest had left her clothes soiled. She
heard the water shut off and knew Austin had finished. She had her
towel and pajamas ready to go in once he exited the bathroom. The
bathroom door opened and there stood Austin. He wore a towel
wrapped around his hips, and a sheepish smile. The fog behind him
caused by the heat of the shower
accentuated
his towel-dried hair and toned body. “Hi.”
She said, and wondered if the flush she felt was caused by the heat
rushing from the bathroom or seeing Austin barely
dressed.

“
Hey, I don't have a change of
clothes, hope that's alright.”

“
Fine, that's fine.” She stammered.
“I'm just going to go ahead in and... you know.” Julie managed to
carefully squeeze past him and close the door. She quickly
undressed, determined to take a much colder shower than she
originally planned when she noticed something on the mirror. It was
beginning to fade but she was able to make it out. It was the
outline of a heart with the names “Austin + Julie” inside of it.
The image made her smile. Julie resolved right then and there to be
a little more unreserved with her feelings toward him. She stepped
into the shower and cleaned all the grime and dirt from her hair
and body. Feeling refreshed, she dressed in her cozy pajamas. Julie
towel dried her hair and exited the bathroom. She did not
immediately see Austin until she entered the bedroom. He was
looking out her bedroom window, still wearing the towel. Julie
walked over to him and lightly touched his shoulder; he appeared
deep in thought.

“
You okay?” she asked.

“
I'm fine,” he smiled. “Cute pajamas.”
He looked at her pink tank top and shorts. He turned back to the
window. “What do you know about Earthlings?”

“
I only know what Eli has told
me.”

“
Where do they come from?”

“
They come from right there.” Julie
gestured out the window. “The Earth made them. Eli said the very
essence and minerals of the Earth created them to help protect
itself. They can call on the planet's resources to aid in their
quest.”

“
You mean like controlling the wind
and all? So, that day in the park... that was me?”

“
I think so.”

“
My head though, it hurt. Like,
something going on inside my head.”

“
Maybe there was some kind of
conflict. Maybe since, according to Uncle G, there has never been
an Earthling Blend before, your body is trying to coexist with both
parts.”

“
Can you look, I mean, can you go
inside me and tell me what you see, like before?”

Julie knew what he meant. When Luke and his
men took she and Austin captive, they ordered Austin to heal one of
the men who had been shot. Julie shot him to get him off of Austin
as the two struggled. Austin never healed anyone before and did not
know how. Julie planned on showing Austin how by entering him
first, but Luke interrupted. They later found out from Gregg that
Austin could only heal himself, not others. “Okay, come lie
down.”

Austin did as he was told, and
readjusted
the towel that had begun to slip. Julie sat down next to
him and smiled gently before placing her hands on his stomach. She
entered him and again saw the bright light, but it was not as
bright as before. It had dimmed during his time in the forest and
still remained dull. Scanning his body, everything seemed to be
functioning normally until she scanned his brain. There were two
different pulses of energy she was picking up inside of
it.

“
What do you see?” He
asked.

“
Everything looks good but I do see
unusual patterns in your brain. Can you come find me and
look?”

“
How do I do that?”

“
Feel for me.”

Austin tried to do what she said and was
amazed when he felt himself drawn to her energy inside of him.

Julie felt him as his energy came close to her.
Everything changed. The combination of both their lights created a
euphoric and erotic feeling inside both of them.

“
Julie.” Austin groaned

“
I know. I feel it.” She
whispered.

Julie felt herself being pulled into the
sensations. She was suddenly lying on the bed and Austin was
leaning over her. She gazed up at him and watched as his lips
closed over hers and the feelings inside soared. She was lost in
the moment.

Austin, too, was pulled into the moment. His
need for her was unstoppable. His kisses grew more insistent as he
felt Julie respond.

They were lost in each other. The heat and
the passion the two shared rose to a feverish pitch that seemed to
last forever, ending only when exhaustion claimed them. They were
unaware of the woman spying on them from the window.

Eli felt tired as he entered his
apartment.
Usually, he only got this tired from being removed from the
Earth for too long.
He went into his bedroom and changed into a pair of running
shorts. Pushing aside his large armoire, he opened the wall
panel.
He
went down the steps into the dirt room he made.
It was here that part of the
root that belonged to the Mother Tree could be seen. Eli created
this room after buying the building so he could communicate with
his Earthling family. The dirt under his bare feet felt refreshing.
He used

his hands to brush away the dirt to
expose the root. Placing his hand upon the root, he felt a calming
sensation through his whole body. He sent a thought out via the
root to his friend Draggan.
He wondered if his friend had heard anything on
Suron’s decision regarding his punishment for using the Earth’s
forces to help save Julie and Austin.

Eli: Draggan, how are you old friend?

Draggan: Eli, I am well. How are things with
you?

Eli: Calm. Any grumblings from Suron on how
severe my punishment shall be?

Draggan: Not yet. Are you worried?

Eli: No, he has always treated me
fairly.

Draggan: Just be advised that Percone has
made his own suggestions to him on how you should be dealt
with.

Eli: Somehow that does not surprise me.

Draggan: Oh, by the way, there was an
unnatural disturbance up your way earlier. Seems we have a rogue
Earthling being a bit mischievous with the weather. For once
Percone had an alibi.

Eli: I did treat a few patients that had
some accidents due to the unusual weather. I'll have a look around
and see if I find anyone.

Draggan: Maybe if you find them it will help
your case with Suron.

Eli: I will not go running to Suron. Maybe
there is an Earthling in distress.

Draggan: Good luck, my friend.

Eli broke the connection. He decided to go
outside and breathe the fresh night air and have a look around to
try and find the source of the weather anomaly. The night was warm,
and the skies that had been cloudy earlier now looked clear. The
moonlight lit up the evening. Eli began to walk toward the woods
that lined the back of the apartment building when something made
him turn back. He saw a figure looking through a window. He
realized the window looked into Julie's apartment. As if sensing
him, the figure turned to face him. Eli began his approach and the
figure took off running towards the trees. Eli knew it was another
Earthling by how fast it moved. He began following after it but it
was able to move faster than him. He soon abandoned the chase.
After wondering if this was the same Earthling causing a
disturbance in the area, he was more concerned about what interest
the Earthling had in Julie. Walking back to the building, he
stopped and looked in Julie's window to see if he could figure out
what had drawn the figure's interest. The curtains had not been
drawn, and he was able to see two people clearly on the bed. Julie
and Austin were wrapped intimately in each other's arms, and both
appeared to be asleep. Seeing the two of them, Eli resolved to step
back from his original plan to try and begin a romantic
relationship with Julie. It was obvious her feelings for Austin ran
deep. He would always care for her but vowed to keep his feelings
to himself. He would always be there for her, regardless. He walked
back to his apartment to shower and get ready for bed. He would
contact Suron in the morning to update him on the Earthling he had
seen.

She figured she had lost him and began to
slow her pace. She detoured to an all-night restaurant and
purchased a takeout meal. She needed to keep him fed and strong;
she had plans for him.

Walking into the cave, she heard him
splashing around in the underground stream. He was cursing under
his breath; she knew he was getting impatient. She had plans for
him and was almost ready to release him and initiate those
plans.

After a few minutes he emerged from the
stream and dressed in the clothes she provided for him.

“
I thought I smelled food.” He said,
eying the bag she held. “'Bout time.”

“
It's almost time.” she said, handing
him the bag.

“
I'm ready. I need to get back to my
life.”

“
Just remember our
agreement.”

“
Yeah, yeah.” He said, taking a bite
of the hamburger she got for him. “I leave the kid and Doc alone
and just take what is mine.”

“
I want her gone.”

“
Did you get her schedule?”

“
I want to watch her for another day.
Then we will plan when and where you can easily take her without
anyone seeing.”

The man smirked. “You really don't want her
anywhere near them.”

“
She's poison.”

“
You got the hots for both of them
like she does?”

“
You're a pig.”

“
Calling it like I see it.”

“
Thank the Earth that not all the
human males are like you. Part of me feels sorry for
her.”

“
Not sorry enough to let my ass die in
that helicopter.”

“
Don’t think I haven’t asked
myself
every
day if I did the right thing.”

“
I get your interest in the Doc, he is
a dirt lover like you, but why the boy? “

“
Do not concern yourself with my
reasons.”

The man walked over to her and placed his
face close to hers. “I don't give a crap about your reasons,
sweetheart. The minute you let me loose, I'm taking my money, my
girl, and I'm gone.”

“
Don't call me sweetheart.” She said,
not backing up from his intrusion into her space.

“
Crysa,” he whispered, and caressed
her cheek.

She grabbed his hand and pushed him back.
“Don't touch me, Luke.”

“
Not interested in passing the time?”
He chuckled.

She turned her back on him and walked out of
the cave, making sure to order the vines back across the entrance,
keeping him in and keeping others out. She intended to watch Julie
one more day and then she would release Luke to get her away from
Austin and Eli. Maybe then she could begin to get close to Eli and
watch over her son. A sound off to her right caught her
attention.

“
My dear Crysa, what have you been up
to?” Percone asked, appearing from behind a tree. He spoke to her
aloud rather than in thought.

“
Percone. How long have you been
here?”

“
Long enough to see you have a human
squirreled away. I must say I'm quite impressed. I knew you were up
to something, but this makes me proud.”

“
Stay out of it, Percone.”

“
Ah, if only I could. I would give
anything to stop hearing your incessant pining over Eli. It gets
trying sometimes. But I have obviously not been listening enough. I
somehow missed your little human captive plan.”

“
If it pains you so much then release
me from the connection.”

“
And release you from your misery? Not
a chance.” Percone walked over and peeked in between the vines. “So
what kind of joyous torture do you have planned for this
human?”