MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (9 page)

“I love it!” Oddily smiled with delight when the sudden sound of the ocean and squawking seagulls filled the room.

After awhile, Maxim was drawn into Oddily’s world of fanciful thoughts and jumped up to grab her into his arms, but cried out in pain when he did.

“Maxim, you need to be careful with your arms!” A sudden wave of concern came over Oddily when she realized that Maxim had forgotten about his rope burns.

The next comment from Oddily caught Maxim off guard.

“I have a good idea. Why don’t we curl up on the bed together and pick out pet names for one another?”

“That’s ridiculous!” Maxim became defensive and stepped away from her. “Is that how you think of me—a common animal like a dog or cat?”

“No, you don’t understand,” Oddily began to fidget with her top. “I just thought it would be fun to…oh, never mind!”

“Don’t want you to clam up on me…please.”

Oddily remained silent, fearing she would put her foot in her mouth and upset Maxim even more. She recalled the words from one of her foster families when she was thirteen. They were an elderly couple and had said that teenagers needed to keep their trap shut until they became more educated and learn how to communicate properly. They said that the language teens used in today’s world made them sound foolish and ignorant.

“I’m sorry,” Oddily’s voice was barely above a whisper as she turned to walk away.

“Wait!” Maxim stepped forward to stop her. “What just happened?”

“As much as I try not to, I guess I’m still ignorant.”

“Says who?”

Oddily shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Oddily, I need to resolve this conflict between us before I go crazy.”

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t understand why you’re offended by the idea of pet names. All couples have them, and I thought it would be fun if we did too.”

“You don’t like the name, Maxim?”

“See! There you go again. I love your name, but it has nothing to do with what I’m talking about.”

In Maxim’s moment of frustration, he called out to Nexa.
Sis, have you been listening?

How could I not? It sounds to me like Oddily is finally finding her voice.

Yes, but I don’t understand the way her mind works.

Settle down. Now that I attend school, I know exactly what she’s referring to, and she did not intend to disrespect you.

So fill me in!

I would rather you come to school with us tomorrow, and observe the way couples interact with one another.

So you understand what Oddily meant when she said she wanted to give me a pet name—why are you laughing?

It’s because you are going to kick yourself in the butt when you find out what she was talking about.

Please tell me now!

Maxim, if you are going to be with Oddily, you truly need to become more familiar with her world. Tomorrow, you will understand.

10

Sis, are you still awake?

Yes, come here.

Maxim entered Nexa’s bedroom and began to pace back and forth while Nexa sat curled up on her bed watching him.
Did you two make up?

Maxim nodded, but didn’t slow his step.

When are you going to sit down and talk with me?
She asked
. You have some explaining to do.

What do you mean?
He ran his hand through his hair.

What was this unexpected visit father spoke of between you two?

Maxim stared at Nexa for a long time before filling her in on how he almost died after she had forced him to travel back into time. He gave details on how his molecular system hadn’t been mature enough to withstand the transformation; and, how he needed to be transfused with components of this father’s blood to stabilize his body.

So that’s why you’re acting different…more powerful!

Maxim nodded while remaining glum.

That explains a lot!

There’s something else I think you should know.

Nexa winched.
I’m listening.

I found Nero’s secret laboratory.

Then it is true.
Nexa gasped.
The place actually does exist!

I found Willa there.

Nexa’s eyes lit up.
I want to get her and bring her home.

We can’t!
Maxim’s head drooped.
The memory device holding her DNA data is missing from the android body we remember as our nanny. I found it discarded in a heap along with other scrap metals.

Nexa began to think hard.
Willa’s data still has to be stored somewhere in the lab.

Yes, I agree; but before we go and look for her, let me tell you about the most extraordinary thing that happened to me.

Nexa crawled over to her brother’s side and eagerly waited for the details.

Do you recall all that sophisticated equipment we saw when we found out what happened to Oddily’s mother?

Yes, I remember.

Well…I believe the contents of that lab are now inside a giant cavern.

Nexa jumped up excitedly.
What are we waiting for? I want to go and check it out!

Sit down and listen so I can finish. There was this chair and…I don’t know if I fully understand what happened.

Try anyway!

Okay. After I sat on it, I…I don’t know exactly what happened next; but according to Tinley, I was transported to a parallel universe and ended up inside the mind of another me.

Oh, come on!
Nexa had a hard time believing him.

I’m serious. I was part of a musical group with a bunch of screaming fans and—stop laughing, sis.

I can’t help it. Where is this magical chair? I want to see it for myself.

I’ll show you, but I need to try something first. Nero may have reprogrammed Tinley to keep us from tampering with the data that guards his lab, but I think I’ve found a way to outsmart him. I’m going to attempt to dismantle the sensors to get into the hideout without alerting Tinley. If my plan works, I’ll bring you there.

That reminds me,
Nexa made a sour face,
you weren’t very nice to father today.

Maxim shook his head.
Why should I be? You told me yourself that he didn’t want me to know that he was here yesterday.

But he saved your life Maxim—and Oddily’s too!

So tell me. How did he know we were in trouble?

He didn’t find out from me!
Nexa’s angelic face showed that she wasn’t lying.

Sis, I’m worried. I need to find out who tampered with Tinley and why they programmed the android to harm Oddily.

Do you think it’s that girl with the spiky black hair?

There’s only one way to find out.
Maxim stood up and began to pace back and forth again.
I saw Tinley shortly after you and Oddily left for school and he was behaving normally. That means I could create a time slip, returning to that moment in time, and hide in the control room. I’ll wait there for as long as it takes until I find out who it is.

I’m ready to do it right now!
Nexa got up from the bed and stretched.

What about Oddily? I don’t want to leave her alone.

Activate your bedroom sensors. We will know instantly if there is movement in the room.

All right; but once we are inside the control room, you must remain hidden even after I show myself to the intruder.

Nexa smiled.
You won’t even know that I’m there.

* * * * * *

After Maxim and his sister materialized inside the control room, Nexa asked,
How long do you think we’ll have to wait?

I figure it will be no more than an hour.

You do realize that you can’t tamper with what already happened, right?

Maxim frowned
. I know. That’s why I want you to watch from inside the main cabinet.

Where will you hide?

I’ll position myself behind one of the screens.

Maxim readied himself for the encounter while Nexa hid, finding a comfortable position with a view of the room. She couldn’t wait to find out the identity of the demented person terrorizing her family and yet, at the same time, she was afraid. The anticipation of what was to come caused her heart to race, and then it happened! The air began to fill with the same foreboding energy she had felt at school earlier that day. Nexa peered through the crack between the double doors of the cabinet and there she was—the girl with the black spiky hair! But how did she enter the room?

From Maxim’s vantage point, the girl’s sudden presence had stunned him as well, and the girl was wasting no time in examining the control panel. Her technical knowledge of the sophisticated computer was astounding. He watched her search through the database until she found the information she wanted.

“Hello, Maxim.” Unexpectedly, the girl’s sultry voice filled the room.

Maxim’s eyes widened in surprise as he stepped out from behind the screen and looked at the girl who still had her back to him. His eyes first went to her short dark hair—cut at odd symmetrical angles. Then he looked at her dress, a form-fitting garment of shinny black fabric, which looked modern and edgy. The sensuous style suited her well from the backside.

“If you will help me with my zipper, I’ll show you more,” the stranger turned around and grinned at him. Her gaze slowly went over his tall lean body and was exceedingly pleased with how wonderfully male he turned out to be.

“That won’t be necessary,” Maxim flinched, but didn’t look away. “You are one of us, aren’t you?”

Maxim watched the girl lift her dress as she sat down on the chair. “You speak as though we’re not human.”

Maxim ignored her comment. “Tell me who you are, and what you are doing here!”

“I’ve come here for you!” her eyes were full of lust. “I have heard about you my whole life, knowing you were promised to me since birth, another half-breed with the mixture of primitive and advanced genetics giving us something in common, exceptional powers. Unfortunately, I have been forewarned that you have fallen in love with a primitive toad!”