Parahuman (Parahuman Series) (7 page)

     “I’m
going to want to check out your climbing abilities, but I need approval from
your uncle first. A letter will do. If you can meet me back here tomorrow, we
can do that.” Nick continued. 

     “What
time?” 

     Nick
ran his hand through his hair and scrunched up his face in thought. “We have
church service in the morning…let’s say eleven o’clock?” 

     “I
can do that,” Devan said. 

     “We’ll
see you tomorrow than, and good job today.” He said cordially, holding out his
hand. After giving it a shake Nick pivoted on his heels and headed toward the
main office building. Devan was going to get along fine with Nick; he was
direct, to the point.   

    
Nick’s departure left Devan alone with Laney and his muscles tensed at the
possibility of undesirable questions. She was always smiling, and while it did
lessen Devan’s tension it seemed to increase his internal temperature by few
degrees.

     For
some unfathomable reason even though he was uncomfortable he didn’t feel like
leaving yet, which was unusual because typically he couldn’t wait to get away
from other people.

     “You
did a really good job out there today.” Laney said, breaking the silence. 

      That
comment made the tension come right back. What was she referring to?

     
“Thanks.” Devan’s instincts told him to depart post haste…but another part of
him, that he didn’t recognize, and that seemed to have more dominance over his
instincts at the moment, nudged him to remain. He also couldn’t seem to pull
his attention away from her gaze.  

     “I
keep wondering, though, how you saw that lion, and how you knew where Johnny
was?” She asked this hesitantly; not like she was suspicious, just curious.

     Even
though he hadn’t been looking forward to the question he was prepared for it. “I
heard a growl and the kid’s voice and ran ahead instinctively. I thought you
heard it too the way you came in yelling.” Devan knew this last part would probably
make her doubt any uncertainties she had about his story. By the way her brow
furrowed in concentration he thought it might be working. 

     “That
was brave of you, not many people would have run toward a mountain lion in the
hopes of scaring it away.” Devan continued, diverting attention away from him
and on to her, but he also said it because he thought she
had
been
brave. Devan could tell she had been scared when she had run up, but she had
still done it in spite of that fear.

    
“You’re the one who ran into a situation that you didn’t know anything about;
I’m just the fool that followed you.” She said dryly.

     Devan
felt more inexplicable tugging on his lip. “Maybe we were both foolish rather
than brave then.” Devan commented just as dryly.

     
Laney gave a shake of her head and a wave of her hand. “How about I’ll concede
we were both brave with maybe a touch of recklessness, but that’s all I’ll
concede to.” She then gave him a full out smile. Devan’s nape warmed unexpectedly.
He reached back to rub it absently.

     “But,
if there is ever a next time we should probably approach more cautiously, not
just barrel into possible danger haphazardly.” She cautioned.

    
“Agreed.” Devan conceded rather than argue. Approaching cautiously would have
ended with Johnny torn to pieces, but she didn’t know that. She also had no
idea that he had taken stock of the situation and gone through several
different scenarios in just the few seconds it had taken to reach Johnny. Just
one of the perks he was born with.  

    
“That’s another thing; you should really rethink about going out for the track
team, because you are super fast. One second you were there and the next you
were gone.” She was smiling as she said this, not overtly suspicious, which
calmed Devan’s heart beat some. It seemed everything had been explained away in
her mind.

     “Again,
I’d rather spend time on my own pursuits.”   

     “I’m
the same way. I’ve spent my life on these mountains; there’s no other place I’d
rather be. I love it. There also isn’t a large variety of sports to choose from
in our small school community.” Laney smiled ruefully. 

     The
way Laney voiced her passion for the outdoors resembled his own thoughts. Devan
had not come across anyone who felt the same as he did. Most people lived for
malls, crowds, and noise. None of the things he could stand. Even Brett didn’t
feel the same affinity for the outdoors as he did.

    
Looking at her smiling mouth and her sparkling green eyes Devan started to feel
tautness in his abdomen and chest. He took a step back reflexively, not
understanding where it was coming from. Indigestion? He’d read about it but
never experienced it before.  

     “I
had better get going.” The words burst out of his mouth, surprising both of
them. He just suddenly felt the need to flee.

    
Laney’s smile faltered a little and the sparkle in her eyes turned to confusion
at his abruptness. Devan spun and strode swiftly toward the jeep, feeling her
eyes following him in bewilderment. Jumping in and slamming the door, he drove
out of the parking lot barely restraining the urge to squeal the tires in his
haste to leave.

     Two
seconds later he remembered he’d forgotten to ask her not to say anything about
his eyes…and he never forgot anything.

CHAPTER FIVE

     Devan
watched the four elk grazing in the meadow from the tree he was in. Their scent
was strong, wafting toward him in the breeze. He had been lounging on the
branch patiently for the last hour, waiting for them to come within range. Stalking
them would have been faster, but he wasn’t in a hurry as yet. He was enjoying
the time outdoors. Even after six years the novelty hadn’t worn off. There was
always something new to see, hear, and smell, and he soaked it all in like it
was the first time.   

     A
squirrel on a branch below him scampered about oblivious to his presence. As he
was decked out in camouflage and had covered himself in hunters spray it was
likely to stay that way until he moved. She was gathering food for her pups and
taking it back to her nest. He knew this because he had been observing her for
forty minutes running up and down the tree getting her provisions.

     The
elk were now within range, and his target the smaller sized calf was in perfect
alignment. She appeared to be in her second year, a perfect age for tender
meat, and not too bulky to haul back to the house. Drawing the string back on
his long bow he sensed the squirrel freeze in her scrambling, finally becoming
aware of his presence.

     The
elk were just over three hundred yards away, an improbable shot for anyone else
to make with a long bow, but effortless for him. The only reason he needed the
elk closer was so the arrow would be able to reach them for a clean kill. He
could have brought the crossbow but he had wanted the extra challenge of the
longbow today.

     The
calculations began automatically, complex and intricate and so familiar in his
head. Wind—2 mph. Heat—forty-four degrees. Humidity—moderate. Distance…etc,
etc…Like breathing.     

     If only
everything could be determined through simple computation.

    
Training his eyes and arrow slightly above her upper chest behind the shoulder,
he released the arrow. The squirrel scattered in alarm, but the arrow sailed
true hitting its mark. The elk went down instantly, with no hint of any danger.
The other three elk fled in response to their companion falling dead.

    
Fitting the bow in its harness on his back Devan swung down from the tree,
making sure to stay away from the squirrels nest…he didn’t want the mother to
have a conniption. Jumping from the bottom branch he sprinted across the meadow
toward the downed elk, sending other small animals fleeing for cover in fright.

    
Knelling down Devan ascertained that the shot was a clean kill shot. Pulling
the arrow out he wiped the blood off and returned it to the quiver on his back.
Reaching into his vest he pulled out his knife and gloves and sliced open the
abdomen, extracting all its entrails. Then he cut off the animals head. Wiping
his knife clean, he returned that to his vest. Detaching a rolled section of
leather from his vest Devan wrapped it around the elk’s sliced middle and tied
it off; this would keep blood off his shoulders and neck. Reaching under its
rib cage and lower belly he lifted it over his head and onto his shoulders and
began the seven mile hike back to the house.

     Devan
followed the natural trail markers home, each one giving him an estimate on how
close he was to the house. He was still familiarizing himself with these woods,
and imprinting notable aspects of the terrain was the easiest way to get his
bearings. They had only been at this property for two weeks; it consisted of three
acres with a national forest boarding it. It was by far one of the best rentals
they had acquired so far. 

     In
the weeks since their arrival he had investigated all of the three acres and into
the San Juan National Forest. It was early April, springtime, and the landscape
was beautiful with its abundance of wildlife and mountainous ranges perfect for
exploration. He was looking forward to their time here. 

     About
eighty minutes later Devan stepped out of the forest into back yard of their
temporary dwelling. He couldn’t help thinking how out of place this house
looked in the middle of a national forest. One would expect to find a cabin in
the middle of the woods, not this modern style ranch home with domed porches.

    
Lugging the elk over to the processing shed that had been there when they moved
in, Devan hung the elk up and began to skin it. It was never wise to leave meat
or any food out for too long when living in an environment containing bears and
mountain lions.  

    “Chris…darn
it…Devan, are you in the shed?” Brett called out.

     The
corner of Devan’s mouth curled at Brett’s slip. He didn’t do it often, but
every now and then Brett would say the wrong name. When a person went through
so many identities it was difficult at times to shed the connection to a
previous alias. Devan never slipped up with Brett’s new identities, his brain
was too well-designed for that kind of error. 

    
“Yes,” Devan acknowledged, listening to footsteps cross the lawn.

    
“Caught one, did you?” Brett stepped into the shed. He’d changed a little in
the last six years. At sixty-two his hair was completely gray now, but he had
thinned out, and his one hundred and eighty pound body was now down to one
hundred and sixty from all the walking he did. He knew the importance of
staying in shape. Running for your life will do that to you

     “Did
you think otherwise?” Devan asked affronted. “I told you when I went out I
would bring one back. In five years have I ever failed on a hunt?” 

     “This
was your first time hunting elk, I had to wonder.” Brett responded
apologetically. He gave the nearly skeletal animal a critical once over. “It’s
a good sized one; did you have any problems carrying it back?”

     Devan
smirked, you can take the man out of the science lab, but you can’t take the
science lab out of the man. “No, I didn’t have any problem.”

     “What
do you estimate the weight was?” Brett asked curiously.

    
“Approximately two hundred and fifty pounds.”

     “How
far did you carry him?”

     “It’s
a female,” Devan corrected, “and seven miles.” He could almost hear Brett’s
mind calculating the improvements Devan was making—and he was improving. In the
past years his physical abilities had increased considerably, probably as a
result of puberty. 

    
Carrying that calf seven miles had been no hardship at all.

     “And
you had no problems carrying her all that way?” Brett continued, switching his
scrutiny to Devan.

     “No.”

    
“Really,” he mused. “Work up a sweat?”

    
“Hardly noticeable.” Devan answered, slicing off the last of the meat from the
dead animal. He washed the knife off in the utility sink, conveniently located
in the corner, and then wiped it carefully with a towel so it wouldn’t rust.   

    
Grabbing the container he had piled the meat into Devan headed toward the
house. Brett trailed behind him, asking more questions on the way. Once in the
kitchen they commenced packaging the meat for storage. They worked together
smoothly, having done it many times before.

     When
the last of the meat was put away Brett began to put together a stew with some
of the elk they’d left out. Devan had been up since six this morning, and even
though he had eaten an entire box of cereal and three bananas just three and a
half hours ago he was hungry yet again.

     As
Brett readied the stew Devan went out back to dispose of what was left of the
elk carcass. After taking a quick shower he joined Brett back in the kitchen
where the stew was hot and ready. Ladling a heaping portion into an oversized
bowl and grabbing a loaf a bread, Devan sat down at the table. Brett rationed a
smaller serving for himself and sat down opposite of Devan.          

     “So,
what are your plans today?”

     Devan
had adapted himself to Brett’s customary requirement for meal conversation.
Another purported social skill exercised among the populace.

     Devan
swallowed the mouthful of stew in his mouth. “I have a climbing test today for
that job. In fact I need a letter of consent from you.”

    
“Ahh…the guardian’s permission. I can do this.” Brett said drolly. “How did
yesterday go?”

    
“Uneventful,” Devan answered after another mouthful. He had decided to keep
yesterday’s incident with the mountain lion to himself. Brett would only worry
about exposure, and at this time Devan was relatively confident that matters
were under control.  

     “It’s
interesting that you’ve made the decision to acquire employment. Even though
our income is more than sufficient the social interactions attained will be
quite beneficial to you.” Brett had been able to secrete away a large amount of
money from his previous career, money that Devan now invested via the internet
under assumed names. They had never ending expenses that would bleed them dry
if Devan didn’t.

     Brett
leaned forward and continued. “I know you’ve been discontent with my pushing
you into school two years ago, and though these institutions are not near your
intellectual level it’s important for your social acclimation.” A perplexed
expression crossed Brett’s face. “I was a little surprised that you volunteered
to take on additional public interactions. You don’t seem to enjoy the ones at
school.”

     Devan
managed to consume most of his stew and one-fourth of the loaf of bread by the
time Brett stopped talking, taking the edge off his hunger. He looked up from
his food to give Brett the eye contact he desired during these exchanges. “I
was curious about earning an income through manual labor instead of from my
intellectual efforts, and I also wanted to see the distinction between school
and career interactions. My main difficulty with school has to do with the
enclosed environment.”

    
“Well, I’m just glad you’re branching out.”

     Devan
considered Brett. “Have you ever thought about getting a job yourself?” He
inquired curiously. The extent of Brett’s interactions would be going to town
for supplies. “You want me to go out and socialize, how come you don’t? I would
think it would be just as important for you as it is for me.”

     Devan
knew his socializing wasn’t all that impressive. He could converse somewhat and
appear normal, but he wasn’t comfortable around his peers so nothing went
further than school civilities. He was somewhat surprised himself by his desire
to acquire a job since it would put him around people more, but it was
something that had been weighing on his mind lately and wouldn’t go away. He
had finally decided it would be a good learning experience. It’s not like he
wasn’t accustomed to uncomfortable situations.  

     Brett
sighed. “I have been gone from society for too long with my years of living at
the facility; even the years before that I was a bit reclusive. I’ve just never
been a people person. I doubt I have it in me to change.” He stated this
matter-of-factly, with no feelings of self pity. 

     It
seemed inequitable that Brett was allowed to hide away here at the house while
Devan had to go and make nice with the locals. Logically, he knew it was
essential to have an adequate understanding of community interactions, but
sometimes being out there with all those people made him feel even more alone
then when he was out in the woods all by himself.

     Devan
had another bowl of stew before he felt adequately full. They cleaned up the
dishes together and stored the left over stew in the refrigerator. When they
were done Devan headed for the door, tossing over his shoulder an age old
phrase he’d heard. “You know, it’s never too late to learn something new.” All
he received in return was a grunted
‘huh’
, which signified Brett’s
annoyance at his interference. Devan had heard another phrase, ‘that older
people were set in their ways’—it must refer to situations like this.

     
Devan headed into town in his recently acquired jeep. A new location
necessitated new vehicles, and the jeep was his. Brett had acquired a full size
truck, good for hauling their supplies. The jeep was good for rough off-road
travel and that was something he needed, because the drive down the mountain to
the main road was definitely rough.

     
Silverton was a small town set in the middle of the Colorado National Park with
one main road leading into and out of town. The road leading into town was enclosed
on both sides by rolling hills and trees that was intermittently broken by
small clearings where someone had erected a house. Eventually, the forest
opened up to reveal the town nestled in a deep valley bordered by the Colorado Mountains.
Silverton Adventure Tours was at the other end of town. It was set back from
the road nestled within the forest. The building looked like a throwback to the
eighteen hundreds; a log cabin structure reflecting an old pioneering store.

     Devan
pulled in and parked on the far left of the parking lot next to the same older
red Chevy pick-up that had been there yesterday and a blue Ford pick-up that
hadn’t been there. A sharp sense of anticipation thrummed through Devan’s body
and he didn’t understand why the feeling was so prevalent now when he had been
only slight nervous yesterday. The probability of employment was the same today
as it had been yesterday; yet, the agitation of his nerves was heightened
exponentially.