Caleb 78 – The Kumbaya Crowd

Thursday night I surprised myself.

I went to bed fairly early, just after ten. I’d been sitting out in the yard, drinking my beer, when Jane had brought Kirsty out and simply dropped her into my lap. She smiled at me.

“If you don’t mind,” she said. “I just wanted to see if the other nights were just fluke, or if you have some kind of gift.”

I looked down at the little girl who was regarding me with sleepy eyes.

I smiled at her, and rocked her gently, looking over at Jane who’d taken a seat on one of the other lawn chairs.

“Can I get you a drink?” I asked. She shook her head.

“If madam there goes off to sleep,” she said, “then I’m heading straight to bed. Chris has an early start tomorrow as he has an interview already. The job will be working from home, but he has to travel to get to the company office for the interview. It would be a lot more money than he’s currently earning. The Marshal’s Service put in a word for him since they’ve finally decided to wash their hands of us. I guess they think it’s the least they can do.”

“They’re not wrong,” I said. “After everything, they owe it to your family at least to give you a bit of a foothold on a normal life. Will you be moving?”

“Not immediately,” she said. “It’s going to take a while, probably up to a year, before we’re going to be in a position to buy a property. We’ll probably move a bit nearer to the head office then. Hopefully we can find a decent place before Kirsty starts school.”

I looked down at the now sleeping child.

“I guess I still have it,” I said.

“So I see,” Jane laughed, standing up and relieving me of her offspring. “How do you do it?”

“Just lucky I guess,” I offered, smiling at her.

She held Kirsty to her, kissing the sleeping child’s forehead gently, a thoughtful look on her face.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “Goodnight Caleb.”

“Night,” I said.

I finished off my beer and went into the house. Jules came into the shower with me. We spent a very pleasant twenty minutes connecting and washing each other. I loved this part of Jules. Of course, I loved the sexy Jules, when she was interested in and actively participated in sex, but I also loved the part when she was not interested in sex and just loved. The love I got from Jules when she was in her ‘off’ state was so pure and, for want of a better term, innocent. There was no lust or arousal, just the feeling of pure contentment of being together and showing our purest love for and to each other. I knew that the other girls loved that too.

We dried each other and went to bed. Jules lay beside me, her head on my shoulder, as I lay looking at the ceiling. I was a little nervous about sleeping, fearing that I was going to have nightmares about what had happened two nights ago. I was tired though, having not slept at all the previous night.

I closed my eyes and allowed Jules’ soft breathing to lull me to sleep.

And then came the surprise.

My eyes popped open. I was surrounded by all the girls, all of whom were sleeping soundly. I felt good, and rested. I stole a look at my watch. 03:59 – I’d slept the whole night away and if I’d dreamed, I didn’t remember.

I slid out of bed to start my day.

Friday passed without any major catastrophes. I didn’t go near the school and my hypnotherapy clients were all at the range.

It took me a few minutes of thought before I clipped on my CQB before heading out. My reasons for carrying were still the same as before and, if anything, I now had more reason to. No matter what the Marshals said, there was always the chance that someone could come looking for revenge for the death of their friend/boss/lover or whatever he was to them. I’d also had the experience of my powers failing on me, and I wanted to ensure I had the backup if I needed it.

It appeared that news had reached Hoss too.

“Hey Caleb,” he said. “How’re you holding up?”

“Who told you?” I asked.

“You know a number of the FBI guys come here,” he said. “I heard it from them.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not the same as paper targets, is it,” he said softly.

“No,” I agreed, “it isn’t.”

“Have you shot since?” he asked. I shook my head.

“Are you carrying?” he followed up. I opened my jacket to show my CQB on my hip.

“Lane one is free,” he said. “You have a half hour before your first appointment.” He put a box of ammunition on the counter.

I reached for my wallet, and he shook his head.

“On the house,” he said. “You need to get back on the horse so to speak. The longer you leave it in the holster the more difficult it will be to take it out.”

“I’m fine,” I said.

“Tell me you didn’t hesitate before strapping that on this morning,” he said indicating my gun. I grimaced.

“Go on,” he said. “You have twenty-five minutes.

I picked up the ammunition and went through the door to the lockers where we kept our safety gear. Five minutes later I was on the lane, looking down the sights of my gun, at the paper target down range.

I’d thought I’d see his face, that I’d find it difficult to pull the trigger, or that I’d feel the guilt I’d felt that night rushing back to swamp me.

I was wrong.

What I did feel was annoyance. I shot high and wide for my first two, and it took another four shots before I was back on center mass. I realized that I’d not shot the CQB for a while and had been used to the Glock. I resolved to put more practice in with both my weapons, or at least I would when I got my Glock back.

The hypnotherapy sessions went as expected and, after I left the range, I decided to swing by the site of my old house to see if any progress had been made there. There was none.

I called up the architect to ask about that.

“Hi Aaron,” I said. “Caleb Stott. Just wondering where we were with the new build?”

“Hi Caleb,” he said. “Sorry, I spoke to Mary yesterday, I thought she’d let you know. I’ve hired a company to dig out the foundation and pour the concrete. They are starting a week from Monday after they finish the job they are currently working on.”

“Ah,” I said. Obviously, Mary had decided that I had enough on my plate without worrying about the new build.

“Sorry,” I said. “It’s been really busy at home and I’ve not had chance to talk to her about it.”

“No problem,” he said. “I hear you had some excitement in your neighborhood the other night?”

“Excitement?” I asked.

“I saw it on the local news,” he said. “A home invasion foiled by an anonymous Good Samaritan, isn’t that near to where you’re living just now?”

“Oh,” I said. “Yes. I did see something about that. I try not to watch the local news. It depresses me.”

“I get that,” he laughed.

“Ok,” I said. “I’ll let you get on. Thanks for the update.”

“Any time,” he said. I ended the call.

+++++++

Saturday morning we set out to go see Nana Babi. Sarah and Arnie were going to see Sarah’s parents and Arnie came to pick Sarah up just after eight. He looked nervous. Scratch that – he looked terrified. I grinned at him.

“They’re not bad people,” I said. “Just be yourself with them, and you’ll get along fine.”

“Do they know about…” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Have you not spoken to Sarah about it?”

“All she’ll say is that they’re going to love me,” he said. “While it’s kind of flattering it doesn’t really answer any questions.”

“I would make sure they know about the long engagement,” I said. “That will probably help to settle any nerves they have about you. Oh, and if her Mom gets you alone, then expect that she’s going to ask shocking questions.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Like maybe – how you feel about Sarah and I sharing a bed,” I said. “Carrie likes to ask those kinds of questions. Remember you’re not obliged to discuss your private life with her. Don’t be afraid to tell her, politely, to mind her own damn business.

“And also,” I finished, “remember that, no matter what her parents say, your relationship is with Sarah. Her parents have no say in her choice in a husband. She loves you and their opinion on the matter will not change that.”

He gave me a half smile at that. “I wish I had your confidence,” he said.

“Can I show you something?” I asked, he nodded.

I shared with him a memory, the memory of his and Sarah’s first time together. I only shared a brief glimpse of it: the moment when we all felt the love that he and Sarah had for each other.

His eyes went wide.

“Was that?” he began.

“Yes,” I said. “I think you were so overwhelmed with what was going on that you actually missed that. Now do you see why I say you have nothing to worry about? Either with Sarah’s parents or with anything that happens here?”

It was at that point that Sarah entered the room. Arnie had been waiting for her to get ready. This was something that boyfriends and husbands the world over simply became used to.

She looked at Arnie, then at me.

“What’s going on…. OOOF” she complained, as Arnie threw his arms around her, hugging her to him.

She looked over his shoulder at me, a question in her eyes. I sent her the memory of the last few minutes. She smiled at me and put her arms around her fiancé, holding him to her.

“That was a nice thing you did,” said Amanda, as we were driving up to Nana Babi’s. She, Melanie, and Mary were riding with me in my truck. The others were following in other vehicles. I was seriously considering buying a mini-van, but I just loved my truck so much I loathed to part with it.

“He needed to be reminded of that,” I said, “and not just for his visit to see the in-laws.”

“True,” said Mary. “I don’t think it’s going to be too long before Sarah starts to be more open to sharing with us, and you. He needs to be completely secure in her love before that happens. I still think he would be open to joining in.”

“Let’s let him drive that particular event,” I said. “I don’t want him confused, hurt, or scared on account of us. I mean, when all is said and done, were not talking about a sharing imperative here. It’s just sex. Sarah is still going to have to share outside of the family to meet her need. Let’s not overwhelm him.”

“How would you feel about him playing with Jules or Ness?” asked Melanie out of the blue.

I thought about that for a few moments. “I hadn’t considered it,” I said. “Why? Have they expressed an interest?”

“No,” said Mary, “but remember you’re going to be disappearing for almost half a year when you go into training. Jules is going to need her itch scratching, and Ness has a very healthy libido. We’ll obviously help them both out, but neither of them is vegetarian. They might want some meat in their diet from time to time.”

“I’ll be coming home some weekends,” I said, “but I see your point.” I considered how I felt about Ness and Jules having sex with another guy. Six months ago, I’d have probably tied myself up in knots about it. Now I was actually considering who would be best, Arnie or Josh. Or would they be able to find someone better. Both Ness and Jules had said in the past that mine was the only cock they were interested in, but I’d assumed that was more to reassure me when I was feeling insecure than anything else.

“It would be less complicated,” said Amanda, “if it were Arnie or Josh. Men can be kind of clingy and get the wrong impression if you take them to bed. Mary and I have become kind of expert at dealing with one-night stands, and our powers help. Jules and Ness don’t have that advantage.”

“Don’t they?” I asked. “You’ve been helping them train their powers. How are they coming along?”

“I think they’ll be able to get strong enough to shield,” said Mary, “but not much more.”

“And what about you?” I asked Melanie. She grinned at me.

“I’m going to fuck my way through the campus,” she said. I laughed, knowing full well that she would do no such thing.

The gravel drive crunched as our little convoy of vehicles pulled in and parked around the fountain. We all got out as the front door to the house opened.

Keenan, Louise’s ex-boyfriend who had attempted to rape her into marriage in the hope of receiving a large inheritance, stepped out. He was dressed, as the last time I’d seen him, in what could only be described as a French maid’s uniform. His dress was black and went to just above his knees. He wore stockings, a white apron and a frilly maids cap.

The last time I saw him he wore the ensemble awkwardly and there had been anger in every movement. Now he looked comfortable in it. He smiled as we approached the door, and the smile looked genuine.

“Good morning,” he said. “Nana Babi has been looking forward to your visit. Please follow me.”

I looked at Louise who just smiled at me. She’d obviously been up here since we were here last and had already experienced Keenan’s change in attitude.

We walked across the hallway and into the usual room where Nana Babi held court. As always, she had a book in her hand when we entered. Unusually she stood as we came through the door and walked to meet us arms outstretched. Since Josh and Louise were at the front of the party, they got hugs first but she made her way through the entire group, even those that she’d not met before, hugging each of us in turn.

“It’s so good to see you all,” she said. Then she fixed me with a mock glare.

“I’m happy to see that you remember I’m still alive…”

“How could I forget,” I said blandly. “On quiet nights I can hear your yapping even in Portland.”

She burst into a laugh. “Cheeky imp,” she said. “If I were twenty years younger, I’d turn you over my knee.”

“We could always assist,” said Mary with a grin.

“Don’t tempt me,” said Nana Babi.

“How are the knees, by the way?” I asked innocently.

“They’re actually improv…” she began and then flushed.

“You didn’t?” she asked.

“Well,” I said, “There are some other birthday parties coming up, I thought you might like to attend.”

She cackled. “You are terrible,” she said.

We settled into chairs. Keenan came in rolling a trolley on which sat coffee and cakes. He served Nana Babi first and then each of us, asking for our preferences. I caught his eye as he handed me my cup. Surprisingly he held my gaze, and even smiled a little at me. Then he moved on.

When he was done, he left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

“He seems a lot happier than when last we met,” I said.

“He’s actually a good boy,” Nana Babi said, and held her hand up when I opened my mouth to argue.

“He just needed a little discipline in his life,” she said. “Yes, he had his flaws, but mostly it was his upbringing. His parents made him what he was and now I’m molding him into a decent human being. It’s taken a while to start to take effect but, after his service with me, I’m sure he’ll make some woman a fine husband.”

“Wow,” I said. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible.”

“Love,” she said, “can take many forms. I love that boy enough to take him in hand, be strict when it matters, and show him love when appropriate. Both of which his parents failed to do. He has boundaries which make him comfortable. He’s not afraid anymore. Now I can start building him into a good man. It’s a work in progress, but we’ll get there.”

“Some time in the future,” she said to me, “I’m going to ask for your mercy for him. Not yet but, when I feel he’s ready, I’d like you to undo at least some of what you did to him.”

“That will be entirely up to Louise and Josh,” I said. “They were the injured parties.”

“That’s fair,” she said. “I’ll discuss it with them when It’s appropriate. It’s going to be a while yet in any case, but I wanted to put it out there.”

While we were talking, I gave the old lady the once over, making sure she was in good health. As far as I could tell she was in amazing shape.

“Now,” she said, turning to Melanie. “I don’t believe you and I have been formally introduced.”

Nana Babi wept silent tears as she listened to Melanie’s tale, having insisted on hearing it all. Melanie had initially just told her of how I’d found her.

“And you say you have another sister?” Nana Babi asked me.

“And a brother,” I said. “Sarah is, as we speak, introducing her new fiancé to her parents. It’s the first time they’ve met so they were both very nervous when we all set out this morning. E, my brother, is at PCC. We’re keeping in touch, but not living together as we do with Sarah. We’re kind of keeping our distance a little.”

“Why?” she asked.

“He’s with a lovely girl,” I said, “and they are very happy together. If we get too close then they’ll get drawn into our world. Our power kind of influences people like that. I don’t want to spoil what they have together.”

Nana Babi nodded. “Family is important,” she said, “but yours has some very specific dynamics which need careful management. I look forward to meeting them all though.”

“Well,” I said, “like I said, we have some more special birthdays coming up. I’m sure you’ll be invited to the parties.”

“I look forward to it,” she said.

We visited probably for longer than we should, given the length of the journey home. We’d brought Nana Babi up to speed about everything that had happened in our lives and it had taken some time. She’d been appalled at the fire, amused at some of our antics, and finally when I’d told her about the events of the week, she’d beckoned me over to sit by her. She held my hand in hers.

“You’re a good man, Caleb,” she said to me, “and I know that things like that can weigh heavily on a good man’s shoulders. Don’t let it. I’m sure that you’ve been told this over and over, but what you did saved innocent lives. Isn’t that why you want to join the FBI? To protect innocent people from people who would hurt them?”

I nodded to her.

“Then you got a head start,” she said pragmatically. “You’re already ahead of the game. Keep up the good work.”

I mulled that over on the drive home.

We stopped at a diner, halfway home, to eat dinner.

Sarah and Arnie were not back when we got home later that night. I was in bed, settling down to sleep, when I heard Arnie’s car pull up outside. A few minutes later I heard them come into the house. They chatted with the girls, who were still in the living room, and then went into Sarah’s room.

I was asleep before the rest of my girls came to bed.

The next morning, I was not at all surprised when Sarah didn’t join us for our run. I almost didn’t go out myself; it was cold and raining. However I didn’t want to get into the habit of not exercising, I still had a fitness test to pass for the FBI.

Melanie joined me, but we only covered about six miles, even though we were both normally able to do more. The weather simply got too intense to carry on. When we got back we were both cold and soaked. We headed directly for the shower, to both warm up and clean off all the mud and dirt that had splashed up on us as we’d run.

I was in the utility room putting our running gear into the washer when Sarah and Arnie came into the kitchen.

“Morning,” I said as they sat at the table. Ness, as always, was preparing breakfast. I hadn’t said anything but I was going to give Ness the memories from the chef at Coquine. We’d then cook something amazing, I hoped. I’d been thinking about it and, although it would take a trip to the store, it would be worth it.

“Morning,” Sarah said smiling at me. Arnie nodded.

“So?” asked Melanie who was also seated at the table. “How did it go?”

Sarah grinned. “You should have seen mom’s face when I showed her the ring,” she said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her speechless before.”

“Dad immediately thought I was pregnant,” she went on. “I think he was going for the shotgun, until Mom reminded him that Caleb had told them I couldn’t get pregnant until I was ready. Then he wanted to know why the rush.

“Arnie was brilliant. He explained about the night, of being told about powers, and how he had felt about it, and having to go and think. He made seeing the ring in the jewelers sound like it was some kind of divine inspiration, a message from God, and explained once he admitted to himself his feelings, he just had to act on it.”

“Mom quizzed him in the kitchen though.” She grinned.

Arnie grimaced. “You were right,” he said to me. “She went for the throat. She asked me how I felt about Sarah sharing her bed with you guys, and whether or not she’d had sex with you yet. I told her that I had no idea, and perhaps she should ask Sarah that question.”

“Then she asked if we had had sex yet, not me and Sarah,” he explained, “you and I. Apparently she feels that you are so irresistible that even I couldn’t say no.”

“And?” I asked interested in his answer. He looked sideways at Sarah, who was also looking interested as she ate her breakfast. Apparently, he hadn’t told her this part.

“I told her that that my sex life was none of her business, but if she felt that you were so irresistible, perhaps she should talk to you. I was sure you’d accommodate her, if Brian didn’t mind.”

Sarah sprayed orange juice from her nose and across the table, barely missing Amanda who ducked out of the way.

“Oh fuck that stings,” she said, her eyes watering as I handed her a napkin to clean up.

I grinned at Arnie. “Well played,” I said. “Sarah’s mom can be a little full on sometimes.”

“I thought she was a bit quiet after your talk,” said Sarah, eyes watering, and still sniffing a little. I knew well the sting of getting orange juice in your nose. It would take a few minutes to settle down.

“Things seemed to settle down after that,” said Arnie. “Brian seems to be a nice, easy going guy, although the typical ‘hurt my little girl and I’ll hurt you’ was implied rather than stated outright.”

“Did you meet Edgar?” I asked. He nodded.

“He came and said hello,” he said. “It was a bit strange. He came into the room and came over to me and just stared at me for a while. Then I heard him in my head, he said ‘Hello’ and seemed to lose interest. After that he ignored me.”

I glanced at Sarah.

“Was Edgar reading Arnie’s mind?” I asked her telepathically, so as not to upset him.

“I think so,” she returned. “I could see something going on, but I’m not really that good at this yet.”

“Edgar’s going to have to be taught about boundaries,” I told her.

“I know,” she said. “I spoke to mom about it after. She said she would talk to the lady that Edgar is working with.”

I nodded, Good enough. I really didn’t want to get involved in that.

“So,” I said. “What’s everyone’s plans for today?”

“Arnie and I are just going to hang,” Sarah said. “His lessons are cancelled because of the weather.”

We went around the table, until I reached Ness.

“I…” she began.

“You,” I said, interrupting her. “Are going to be busy with me. That is if you want?”

Her eyebrows went up.

“Really?” she asked. “In the kitchen? Or in the bedroom?”

“Kitchen,” I said. She affected a little moue of disappointment. Her expression changed to one of surprise and delight when I told her what I had in mind.”

I gave her all his culinary memories and spent a couple of hours sorting them out in her head, so she’d remember them. Then we went shopping.

Dinner that night was amazing. Between Ness and I we created an epic three course meal which had the rest of the household completely mesmerized.

“Remind me,” said Melanie to Ness. “Why the fuck are you wasting your time at culinary school when you can cook like that?”

It was a reasonable question.

“I need the qualification,” said Ness.

“Do you though?” asked Amanda. “That Chinese guy, what’s his name, the Demon Chef?”

“Alving Leung” supplied ness.

“Yeah, him. He didn’t go to school – but he’s got Michelin stars.” Amanda finished.

Ness considered this.

“I’m not ready to open my own place yet,” she said. “I need more actual experience in a kitchen. I could go work in a kitchen, but it’s far easier to get in if you have the qualification. Otherwise, I’ll have to start by washing dishes or as a waitress. I’m not doing that.”

Later, in bed, I thought about Ness and her career as a chef.

I had no doubt that she would, could, be an amazing chef. With her passion for food, her natural talent, and the knowledge and information we’d obtained there was no reason that she couldn’t be world renowned. But the life of a chef is hard. Lots of time in the kitchen, little time at home. I wondered how she felt about that. I’d never ask her because I knew that the instant I said I was concerned about the time we’d be spending apart, she’d abandon her dream.

It was something that played on my mind though, and I considered it as I was sitting out with my beer. Once again, I ended up with a bundle of two year old in my lap. And once again she was asleep within a couple of minutes of landing.

“How do you do it?” Chris asked.

“Jane told me,” I said, “that from three months on, she slept through. It’s only since all your problems started that she started acting up?”

He nodded.

“I guess,” I said. “She’s picked up on your stress. You can’t relax, so she can’t relax. I don’t have the same levels of stress that you do, and since she’s found somewhere she feels safe…”

He sighed. “She should feel safe with us,” he said.

“She will,” I assured him. “Once you’re more settled, she’ll settle down too. I guess she just needs a little time to adjust.”

He nodded, taking his daughter back, and headed for his house.

Monday rolled around, and two more of my hypnotherapy clients failed to show at my office on campus. Neither of them even bothered to tell me that they weren’t going to show. I deliberately sought them out, finding one in the library, and one in the cafeteria waiting in line for food.

I didn’t approach either of them but removed all my compulsions from them. If they stuck to the regimen’s that they had started, they would continue to lose weight, but I could see from the choices that the second was making in the food line, she wasn’t going to.

Since I was in the cafeteria in any case, I decided to grab some lunch. I noticed people giving me a wide berth as I waited in line. I could hear whispers. Once again, I noticed Daryl glaring at me across the cafeteria.

I was surprised when Sue walked up to me and gave me a huge hug. She was a completely different person. She looked fit, toned, and slightly taller, although I put that last down to an optical illusion given her body shape had changed so much since I’d last laid eyes on her. She smiled at me.

“Caleb,” she said in a loud voice. “I’ve missed you, where’ve you been?”

“Off murdering someone I expect,” a muttered comment came from behind her. She spun around to face the crowd behind her.

“I’m sorry,” she said loudly “Did someone ask for your opinion?”

The boy she’d fixed her glare on wilted under it.

“Everyone knows…” he began.

“Everyone knows shit,” she said. “Tell me, what exactly do YOU know. Not what have you heard, or been told, or dreamed up, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?”

He dropped his gaze.

“I thought as much,” she said, turning back to me.

“Pay no attention to them,” she said linking my arm as we stood in line.

I smiled at her.

“Where’s George?” I asked.

“He’ll be along,” she said. “His class finishes after mine. Now, I heard a rumor that you found yourself some brothers and sisters?”

We got some food and headed to a big table. There were a couple of students at the other end of where we sat down, but they got up and moved.

“You’re not doing yourself any favors,” I said to Sue, “being seen with me.”

“Fuck them,” she said. “They have no idea, I have no idea, what went on, or even if you were involved. I’m not asking for you to tell me either. I just want you to know that not everyone here believes the rumor.”

“What is the rumor?” I asked.

She sighed and looked around the cafeteria.

“People see you,” she said, “as a bit of a ‘player.’ You have several girlfriends on the go at once, and are almost never seen without one or other of them on your arm. On top of that, you were making out with Dana in the hallway the other day.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up a hand.

“I’m just setting the scene.” she said.

I nodded and remained silent.

“So,” she said, “here’s how it goes. Someone burns your house down. A jealous boyfriend, perhaps, or maybe some girl you’ve dumped after having your wicked way with her. Then you move into a new house with a young, pretty mom next door. Next thing there’s a row and someone ends up dead. The rumor is that you were caught with your pants down, and you killed someone in the ensuing battle. They think the husband recruited someone to come help him teach you a lesson and you murdered that person. They are saying either you claimed that they attacked you and you were just defending yourself, despite the fact you were sticking the guys’ wife, or that you flat hypnotized your way out of it.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I said, almost amused by the imagination of the rumor mill.

“They have gotten up a petition,” she said, “to have you removed from the school. It’s starting to gain momentum.”

“No prizes for guessing who’s behind it,” I said glancing across at Daryl. He was talking to a couple of students, gesticulating emphatically. I considered giving him another bout of diarrhea, but decided against. He did, however, start to shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“It’ll blow over,” I said. “Probably after the break, when people will have other things to talk about.”

“I’m not so sure,” she said. She looked up as George arrived.

“Hey Caleb,” he said offering his hand. “We’ve not seen you around much lately.”

He went and got some food, and sat beside Sue. Soon after Melanie arrived, closely followed by Jules and the twins. Sarah was the last to sit.

Sarah looked angry.

“What’s up?” I asked her.

“Just idiots,” she said, “and these stupid rumors. We need to do something about them.”

“They’re trying to get you kicked out of school,” said Melanie.

“The Dean said that won’t happen,” I said. “He thinks it’ll blow over.”

“We need to set them straight,” said Mary. “Tell them what really happened.”

I grimaced, not really liking that idea. Being rumored to have killed someone and confirming the fact were two completely separate things. Besides, I was as concerned as the neighbors about blowback. There may still be people out there who might want to take a shot at me for killing their whoever he was to them.

“I’m not sure people would believe it even if we did,” said Jules. “I’ve seen that video of Caleb kicking Jasper’s ass doing the rounds again. It’s being offered up as proof.”

Mary looked up and spotted Dana waiting in the line for food. She got up, pushing her tray toward Amanda, who combined their trash onto her tray.

“I need a word with Dana,” she explained, and went to catch up her.

They chatted for a minute. Dana ducked out of the line and they both left the cafeteria.

I didn’t pry.

That night it was Jane’s turn to bring Kirsty to her sedative uncle. She sat on one of the lawn chairs while I rocked the little girl gently.

“Mary says that you’re having trouble at school,” she said quietly. “That there are rumors.”

I shrugged. “They’ll get over it.”

“It’s not fair for you to suffer any more for helping us,” she said. I smiled at her.

“There are always going to be idiots,” I said. “I have one more semester to get through, and then they’re all in my rearview.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “if we’re causing you trouble.”

“You’re not,” I said. “They are, or at least they’re trying to. I’m not worried about it though. You have enough on your plate just now in any case. How did Chris’ interview go?”

“He has to go for a second one, so things are looking good.”

“Excellent. Wish him luck for me.”

“I will,” she said, picking up her child. “Goodnight Caleb.”

Tuesday morning, I had an email from the FBI.

Dear Mr Stott.

With regard to your application to join the FBI. I can confirm that your exemption has been validated, and I am happy to inform you that we are able to proceed to the next step.

With this in mind, I would like to invite you to complete the Phase I Test.

The Phase I test is a computerized test within a proctored environment. This is a three hour exam consisting of five assessments: Logic-Based Reasoning, Figural Reasoning, Personality Assessment, Preferences and Interests and Situational Judgement.

You have 21 days from the date of this email to schedule and complete the Phase I test. Once completed you will be informed within one hour if you have been successful.

Please contact your local field office to schedule the test, details are included below…

Once again it was signed by Mavis Benchley. I pictured an older woman, with school mistress glasses and iron-grey hair.

Twenty-one days? That wasn’t a lot, especially considering we were about to break and go up to the ranch. I’d have to get onto that today, and see if I could schedule the test for this week or next.

I called Maggie.

“Give me a couple of hours,” she said. “I’ll see who’s around that could proctor the test for you. Don’t worry about it, we’ll get it in, maybe not today, but as long as you’re flexible by the end of the week.”

“My only other commitment is my class Wednesday morning.” I told her. “The rest I can shuffle around.”

I had no appointments at the school that day, so I went to the Range and saw my two clients I had there, before heading home. I used the afternoon to complete a couple of assignments and turn them in. Once again, I was up to date with all my schoolwork. I also started my Senior Thesis since I figured I wasn’t going to get to debate it in the class.

Wednesday morning, I was in two minds whether to go in for my Ethics class or not. I’d said that I wouldn’t let people chase me out of school, but if all I were doing were disrupting the class, then what was the point. In the end, though, I decided to bite the bullet and went in to class.

I was a little surprised, and more than a little annoyed, when I entered the class to find Daryl sitting there. He gave me a smug grin as I entered.

I looked at the Professor, who smiled at me, and gestured me to my seat. I got an ‘all will be revealed’ look from him, and morbid curiosity made me take my seat, and wait to find out what was going on.

When the class settled, the professor stood.

“Today,” he said. “We’re not going to be debating the topic of your Senior Thesis, but something different. We have some special guests who are going to tell us their story and we are going to consider the aftermath of what happened to them.

The professor went to the door and opened it, letting in Chris and Jane. Jane had Kirsty in her arms.

Kirsty was looking around the room with interest, there were “Awws” from a lot of the girls on seeing the toddler. The professor indicated two chairs which were set up on the slightly raised dais at the front of the class from where the professor normally taught.

Jane looked around the room, caught my eye, and smiled a little.

“This,” said my professor, “is Mr. and Mrs. Creery, and their daughter Kirsty. They are going to tell you their story. I would like you to pay attention, and not interrupt. Please save any questions until the end. Also please remember that they have their child with them and moderate your tone and language accordingly.”

“Mr. Creery?” he handed the floor over to Chris.

Without rising from his chair, Chris told his tale.

He told of how, as a new father, he’d had to look for a new job which paid enough for him to feed his family. He’d been taken on by a small company who paid well. Not suspiciously well for the job he was doing, but certainly towards the top end of the scale for the work.

He told of how he discovered that the company was being used to launder money, how he’d investigated, and how he found that this money was from drugs. The ultimate owner of the company was a local drug lord who called himself Mr. Green. Chris had been working late one night in his office and witnessed the savage beating of the manager of the office. Apparently Green had found some ‘discrepancies’ in some figures and thought that the manager was skimming. Chris didn’t know for sure if he was or wasn’t. All he saw was the manager beaten bloody and then dragged out by two of the drug lord’s men. That was the last time he saw that manager.

Chris told of how he’d gone to the FBI and, after a lot of investigation, they had raided the company and arrested Green. Chris had been placed into witness protection.

Jane then took over the tale. She spoke of how, as a new mother, she’d been uprooted, torn away from her support network, and had to hide from the people her husband was testifying against. She regaled how they’d all had to change their names, and move, leaving her alone without her friends and family. They had been living in fear that one day someone would find them. Hoping against hope that they’d reach the date of the trial, that the nightmare would be over, and they could get their lives back.

“We moved three times in eight months,” she said, “always in the middle of the night, and always without warning. Each time the Marshals would just turn up, tell us we had to move, and we were on the road. Poor Kirsty would get dragged out of bed in the early morning hours. They’d never tell us why, so I assumed that we’d been discovered. That only made me even more afraid.”

“Then came the trial,” Chris took up the tale. “I spent a week in the witness box, with Green seated, and staring at me, across the court. He didn’t say anything, didn’t make any threats, but simply sat glaring at me as I outlined the funds he’d laundered through the business and the beating I’d witnessed. If looks could kill, I’d have never even reached the stand, let alone left it.”

“We thought that it was all over,” said Jane, “that we could finally get our lives back. Then the Marshals told us that there had been a problem. Something about a piece of evidence being misplaced or something. They never really explained it properly, nor why that caused the case to fall apart, and Green to be released. We were moved yet again.”

“By this time, Kirsty was just under two years old. She wouldn’t sleep. I was getting maybe two or three hours per night. She’d been uprooted so many times, and we’d been living under so much pressure, I’m sure she felt it.

“We couldn’t even get proper healthcare, every time we moved, we had to go to a different pediatrician, and they could never get her medical records. More than once, I am certain, we were reported to social services because they often looked at us with suspicion. Kirsty was underweight and didn’t sleep. No matter what we did with her she looked neglected.

“I’m sure that the Marshals had to intervene to prevent them taking her from us.”

“Then one night,” said Chris, “our worst nightmare came true. They found us. I was just trying to get Kirsty to sleep when Green, and two other men, burst into the house. The other two were the goons I’d seen beating the manager. I handed Kirsty off to Jane and tried to shield my family, but they all had guns.

“I was punched and kicked to the floor and the boss told me exactly what was going to happen next. I tried to keep him talking because I’d pressed the panic button on my watch as they’d come through the door. I was hoping that the Marshals were on their way to save us.”

“He told us,” said Jane, her lip quivering and a catch in her voice, “that they were going to kill us all. First they were going to shoot Kirsty, then he was going to let his men have me, while Chris was forced to watch, then they’d kill us both.

“Chris told them, then, that he’d hit the panic button, and that the Marshals would be on the way. I knew it was an act of desperation, and I knew that he’d signed his own death warrant. The boss kicked him again, and then said something like – ‘well I’d best just get on with it then’ and pulled the hammer back on his gun, pointing it at Chris where he lay on the floor.”

“Everything went into slow motion after that,” she continued. “I saw him aim his gun up at Chris’ head, I could see his finger tightening on the trigger. I braced myself for the sound of the shot, but instead I heard a shout.

“Someone had come in through the back door and was standing in the doorway. He had a gun, and he was pointing it in the direction of the two goons. He ordered them to drop their weapons and put their hands up. The two others did so. But Green didn’t. Instead, he turned, bringing his gun up and trying to aim it at the person who’d told them all to surrender. I could see in his face, he fully intended to kill him, as he’d intended to kill Chris.”

“Fortunately,” said Chris, “Our rescuer was quicker, and he shot Green before he could fire. It was only then, after Green was down, that I realised who our rescuer was.”

Jane took over the tale once more.

“My next door neighbor, Caleb Stott,” she said, and everyone’s eyes turned to me, “had seen them come into our house. He’d called 911, but wanted to make sure we were safe until the police arrived. He didn’t know we were in witness protection and told the police we were the victims of a home invasion.

“He’d come in through the kitchen, saw Green about to kill my husband, and he acted.”

Chris took over again. “The Marshals arrived,” he said, “and at first they detained Caleb, not knowing what was going on. He, Caleb, looked to be in shock. I remember hearing him ask if he’d killed the man he’d shot, and was told he had. I really thought he was going to be sick. He was as pale as a ghost.

“Then the FBI arrived and took statements from us all,” he continued, “including the two who had come in with Green. For some reason they simply told them everything. How they’d come to kill me for testifying against Green, but how the intention had been to make us all suffer, to make me suffer, and to send a message, to anyone else who might get the idea to give evidence against him in the future.

“After a while, they released Caleb and the FBI took him back to his home, I think. I know they went to speak to him again after they left us. The Marshals told us that they were treating the shooting as a ‘Good Samaritan’ event, and they wouldn’t be charging him with anything. Even so they took his gun and our house was crawling with CSI for hours after.”

“It’s been over a week since that night,” said Jane, standing up, “and we’re finally able to start our lives again, after nearly a year of hell. It’s going to take us some time, but we’ll rebuild our lives. The only reason we have that opportunity is because Caleb was around to stop the man who was going to kill my husband, Kirsty’s father.

“Even now, there’s only one sure fire way I can get Kirsty to sleep,” she went on as she walked over to me. It was only then that Kirsty recognized me, amongst the sea of faces, her face split into a wide grin, and she held her arms out to me. Jane placed her child in my arms.

“It’s the only place she feels truly safe,” she said looking down at her daughter, who was snuggling in.

Jane returned to the front of the class, leaving Kirsty with me. Half the class followed her with their eyes while the other half watched the child I had on my lap. On the whole it was the girls who watched the child. I saw more than a few auras flaring purple at the sight, and I had to suppress a smile.

I caught Dana’s eye, and she smiled at me. I could see tears on her face, and she wasn’t alone.

“Does anyone have any questions?” asked the professor.

Daryl raised his hand.

The professor nodded in his direction.

“Thank you,” Daryl said. “May I ask, why you came to share your story?”

“Because I heard about the rumors,” Jane said. “I heard that someone here was telling everyone that Caleb was a murderer, and that he didn’t deserve to be in school. Caleb saved me, saved all of us. My baby would have at best had to grow up without a father, and at worst wouldn’t have had the opportunity to grow up at all. Caleb shouldn’t be punished for protecting an innocent child from that.

“Or don’t you agree?” She challenged the whole class.

There was silence. Nobody spoke. I noted nobody looked in my direction.

“If there are no more questions,” said the Professor, “I’d like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Creery for coming in to talk to you. You’re welcome to stay for the rest of the session if you would like.”

Jane looked at me. Kirsty was starting to fidget. She’d slept well the previous night and so wasn’t tired. I wasn’t doing much to entertain her.

“I think we’ll take little Miss Trouble home,” she said, moving to me to reclaim her daughter. Kirsty whined a little at being repossessed, but soon settled in her mother’s arms.

All three left the class.

The professor waited until the door had closed.

“We’re going to discuss what we just heard,” he said.

“Professor,” said a student. He looked at her.

“Can we ask Caleb to tell his side of the story?” she asked. “I mean if he wouldn’t mind?”

The professor looked at me. All eyes in the class were turned to me. I sighed and nodded.

“Would you like to come up?” asked the professor, but I shook my head. They could hear me just as well from my seat.

“Once more,” the professor said, “please hold your questions, if you have any, until the end.” He nodded to me.

“As some of you know,” I said. “I am working towards a career in law enforcement, probably the FBI. Because of that, I bought a weapon and learned to shoot at a local range. I got my permit to carry when I was 21.”

“You may also have heard that our house burned down a few weeks ago.” I continued. “We’re not entirely sure who did it, but we had an FBI agent living with us at the time so that may have had something to do with it.” I looked an apology at Dana, but she smiled at me.

“I’m only mentioning this because it explains why, when I saw someone apparently watching our new house, I was suspicious. I saw a car, parked down the road from our house, and I was worried that whoever had burned us out once had come back. I got a plate number and reported it. I was told the plates were stolen. That was earlier that same day.

“Later that night, when I arrived home, I saw the same car. It was parked outside my neighbors house, and I saw a man peeking through the blind as I walked from my truck to my front door. I didn’t recognize the man, and I saw he was holding the blind open a little with what looked like a gun.

“I made like that I hadn’t seen him and went into my house. I told my Fiancée to call 911 and that there was a home invasion happening next door. Then I went through the house, into our back yard, through the next door neighbor’s yard, and looked through the window in the kitchen door.

“I could see Chris on the floor, saw Jane and Kirsty on the sofa, and see the men pointing guns at them. So I went in, with my weapon drawn, and ordered them to drop theirs.”

“Sadly,” I said, “I’d only seen two of the men through the window. I didn’t see Green until I actually stepped into the room. He was standing near Chris, pointing his weapon at him. I remember noticing it was a chrome plated desert eagle, and the hammer was cocked.

“Green turned, bringing his weapon up and around to point at me. I could see, from the look on his face, he was going to try to kill me. If he succeeded, then Kirsty and her parents were going to die too. I didn’t know why these guys were there or that any help was on the way. I couldn’t hear any sirens approaching and I was about to get shot.

“I fired my weapon and he went down.” I finished.

“I confess,” I said,after a moment’s pause, “that hat everything for a while after is kind of a blur. The door burst open and people rushed in. I was knocked to the floor and cuffed, and then bombarded with questions. All I could think of was that I’d shot someone. I’d never even pointed a gun at anyone before, and now I’d shot and possibly killed someone.

“That was the first thing I asked, when I finally came to myself. Had I killed him? The Marshal told me I had. After a while the FBI turned up and I was asked more questions. They took Chris and Jane outside; I presume they spoke to them as well. I was released and the FBI took me home. A police officer came and took a statement later that night. He told me what the two others with Green had said. Pretty much what Jane said, which about wraps it up.”

I lapsed into silence. The class stared at me, nobody spoke.

The professor broke the silence.

“Does anyone have any questions?” he asked.

I’d expected a question from one of the kumbaya crew, but it was Dana who spoke.

“Did you consider a non-lethal option?” she asked.

“I did,” I said. “When I entered, I told the men to drop their weapons and put their hands up. Two of them complied, one didn’t. Had they all complied then I’d have been able to contain the situation until help arrived. I was expecting police, but I just didn’t know how long it would be.

“When Green chose not to obey the command, but showed a clear intent to try and shoot me, I was too far away from him to tackle him. Even if I’d been nearer, getting into it with him would have left the other two free to re-arm and shoot me in the back. I had no tazer or other non-lethal weapon, so I had a simple choice. Either I took the shot, or I allowed him to shoot me.”

“Could you not have shot to wound rather than kill?” asked another.

I smiled at that.

“I was taught to shoot by a Marine,” I said. “He told me that if I was ever in a position where I had to use my weapon, I should aim center mass. He explained that ‘shooting to wound’ is a fallacy, propagated by TV and movies, and means that you are more likely to miss, or at least leave your adversary able to return fire. Also if you miss, then you have a much higher chance of hitting an innocent party.

“I researched this after, and the information I found showed that most police departments train their officers to shoot center mass. I practiced following his, and their, advice. I had a split second to make a decision, and I made it. A friend of mine recently told me, that when someone is under pressure, they don’t rise to the occasion, they sink to the level of their training.”

“Archilochus,” said the professor, “although I believe the Navy Seals tend to claim it was one of their number that said it first.”

He looked around the room.

“After I initially spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Creery, I spoke to the US Marshal who’d been responsible for them in witness protection. He told me that the legal position was that Mr. Stott had used the appropriate level of force. It was unfortunate that Mr. Green had died from his wounds, but there was no doubt that he, Mr. Green, had illegally entered the home of the Creery’s home, with the intent to murder, at the very least, Mr. Creery, and likely the rest of the family also.

“He said that they considered Mr. Stott a ‘Good Samaritan’ and he had already forwarded a recommendation for a commendation for his actions that night.”

I grimaced, I hadn’t heard about that, and disliked the thought that I might actually get some kind of award for killing a man.

“Any further questions, or comments?” asked the Professor.

Nobody spoke.

“Mr. Hobbs,” he said. “Do you have anything you’d like to say?”

Daryl looked at the professor and then at me. He flushed a little, but then shook his head. The professor sighed.

“I had hoped,” he said, “that being presented with the truth, would cause you to realize the error in your actions. I personally feel that, at the very least, Mr. Stott deserves an apology from you, since you have been lobbying students to have him excluded from the school, based on some kind of personal grievance. The cause of which escapes me. Can you tell me what, exactly, Mr. Stott did to deserve your ire?”

Daryl stared at his desk, not meeting anyone’s eye.

“Had you chosen to make that apology,” the professor went on, “then I might have been prepared, if Mr. Stott was agreeable, to allow you back into my class. To give you the benefit of the doubt. We all, as you know, make mistakes.

“Since you are being intransigent, then I will, once again, ask you to leave my class.”

Daryl rose from his seat and made his way to the door, looking at nobody. He didn’t even glance in my direction as he left the room. I was interested to note – that the five people who’d followed him out last time, made no move to do so now.

“Now,” said the Professor to the room, “you know the truth of what happened. What you feel about it is personal to you. At least now, you can make your decisions based on facts rather than on rumor. That’s everything for today, I’ll see you all next week.”

The class all stood, not needing to pack anything away since we’d not taken anything out. Silently they all filed out.

I stayed back, waiting until the class was empty before approaching the Professor. He looked up as I approached his desk.

“I would have appreciated some kind of warning,” I said.

He regarded me for a moment.

“Your fiancée came to me with it,” he said. “I take it that she didn’t discuss it with you first?”

“No,” I said. “She didn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I assumed that she had.”

I had no answer to that. I could get into an argument with him, but what was the point? I left the class, heading for my hypnotherapy office.

“Caleb,” I looked to see Dana hurrying to catch me up.

“I hope you don’t think I was trying to cause trouble, asking that.” she said. I shook my head.

“You were only asking what they were all thinking,” I said. “I would have expected nothing less from you. You gave me an opening to explain a little more fully.”

“Where are you going now?” she asked.

“I have one more hypnotherapy client,” I said, “who’s not yet ditched me, mainly because his appointment was not due until today. I’m going to go see if he turns up.”

“See you in the cafeteria at lunch?” she asked. I sighed. That was the last place I wanted to be, but I should probably catch up with my girls and let them know what had happened. I remembered the last time I was in the cafeteria, how Mary had grabbed Dana and gone off with her. Things clicked into place.

“You set that up,” I said, “didn’t you?”

Dana blushed.

“Not really,” she said. “It was mostly Mary. I just introduced her to the Professor. Once Mary explained her idea, he was all for it. She’d already talked to your neighbors and they were happy to help out, given what you did for them.”

“Someone might have mentioned it to me,” I said, evenly.

“And you’d have tried to stop it,” she said. “You never seem willing to defend yourself.”

“Clearly untrue,” I responded. “I just killed someone defending myself.”

“No,” she argued. “You did that defending someone else. I’m not sure you’d have taken the shot if it had been just you at risk.”

“I…” I began, wondering about that. Would I have? Or would I have tried something else, if Chris, Jane and Kirsty hadn’t been in danger. I guess I’ll never know. Or maybe I will. Perhaps one day there will be a time when it’s just me and someone else with a gun. What would I do then?

“I have to go,” she said. “See you at lunchtime.” She gave me a peck on the cheek and hurried off to her next class.

My next hypnotherapy appointment was a no-show too. I sighed as I sat in the ‘office’ wondering what to do about that.

I made the decision that I was going to stop taking students as clients. I’d hand that part of the practice over to Melanie and Sarah. I was sure that between them they’d be able to manage any students on campus, and I could give them all my memories of how I treated people. They could then carry on, and I’d have a lot more free time. What I’d do with it, I wasn’t sure yet. Perhaps I’d accelerate my flight training.

I walked into the cafeteria, looking around to find the student who’d stood me up. He wasn’t there. Maybe I’d see him in the hallway later, or maybe I’d just call it even. He’d been to something like seven sessions already. I just couldn’t bring myself to really care anymore.

I looked around the cafeteria and realized that I’d had enough of this place now. I had a full semester to go, and I really couldn’t be bothered. If it weren’t for the girls, I’d be on a plane to the ranch right now.

I just wanted to be through with PSU. To get it over with, and to move on with the next stage of my life.

With immaculate timing my phone pinged. It was Maggie.

­_Can you make 1pm tomorrow for your Phase I test? I have someone to proctor it if you can.

I simply sent her a thumbs up emoji.

I was walking toward the food line, I was actually hungry, when I was approached by the deaf girl who’d been the first to ditch me. The one thing in her favor was that she at least had the courtesy to come see me and tell me she was ditching me.

She signed to me.

“I spoke to one of the people from your ethics class,” she said. I didn’t respond, simply waiting for her to continue.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she went on. “I got caught up in the rumors, and my friend convinced me that it would be bad for me to keep on seeing you.”

She waited for me to respond. I didn’t. Simply waiting for her to make her point.

“I’d like to carry on with our sessions,” she went on. “I’ve already started to put weight back on, and I don’t want to lose all the progress I made.” She smiled at me apparently thinking I’d be happy about it.

I shook my head.

“I’m not going to be doing that anymore,” I signed back to her.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m no longer taking clients from PSU,” I said. “I am training my sisters to take over, so when they start taking clients you could try them, but I’m no longer going to be doing it.”

She just stared at me, as I joined the food line, working my way toward the counter.

I spotted Jules and Melanie entering so I grabbed food for them too while I was there. I then made my way to the table where they were seated.

“How did it go?” asked Jules. She obviously knew what was going to happen, even though I didn’t.

“It seemed to go well,” I said. “Although I would have liked to know about it, before it happened.”

“Mary thought,” said Melanie, “that you’d object if you knew.”

I shook my head. “I might have,” I said. “But then again, I might not. It would have been nice to be given the choice. I thought we were supposed to be partners, all together. Since when did it become appropriate for you guys to do stuff like that behind my back?”

Jules just stared at me, her eyes wide.

“Caleb,” she said. “They were trying to force you out of school.”

“I noticed,” I said mildly, “and I appreciate what was done. What I don’t appreciate is that I wasn’t included in the conversation when it was arranged.”

“Mary said…” began Melanie.

“Look,” I said. “I’m not saying it was the wrong thing to do. What I am saying is that I had a right not to be ambushed like that. You should have discussed it with me first. I’ll see you at home later.”

I stood up, suddenly not hungry anymore, and left the cafeteria headed for home.

I was surprised that Mary or one of the other girls didn’t contact me over the connection. As it was, I could feel ‘traffic’ going back and forth between them but none of it was directed at me. I could have listened in if I’d been so inclined, but I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t have been right.

When I reached home, I went out into the back yard, and sat on one of the lawn chairs. This seemed to be my place to brood.

“Hey,” a voice brought me back to myself. Jane was looking over the fence at me. For once Kirsty was not in evidence.

“Hi,” I said smiling. “Where’s the terrible tot?”

“She’s gone to the store with her father,” she said. “It’s good for her to get out from time to time, and for me to get a break. I love her to bits, but sometimes I need some me time.”

I laughed. “I know the feeling.”

“Did us coming in help with school?” she asked. I considered that for a moment. Had it? Had it made any difference whatsoever? Perhaps it had. I hadn’t really seen anything other than that one girl wanting to restart her sessions.

“It’s a little early to tell,” I said. “Thank you, though. It can’t have been easy telling your story to a bunch of strangers like that.”

“It’s the least we could do,” she said. “When Mary approached us, and said we could help, we were glad for the opportunity. You seemed kind of surprised when we turned up. Did you not know about it?”

“No,” I said. “I didn’t. Mary put it together without talking to me about it.”

“Oh,” she said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. They were only trying to help.”

“I know,” I said. “It’s just that I’ve had a bellyful of people deciding what’s best for me.”

“I get it,” she said. “I’ve spent almost the last year having no control over my life. Being told what to do, where to go, who I can and can’t speak to.”

I shrugged, suddenly feeling annoyed. It wasn’t the same thing at all. The people controlling her life had been doing a job. The people going behind my back were supposed to be my partners, my lovers, my friends. Why did they think it was appropriate to do that?

“I’m sorry,” I said to Jane. “I have to go out.”

“Oh okay,” she said looking surprised. I went through the house and got in my truck again, sudden, surprising, anger bubbling up inside me. I didn’t understand it. Yes, Mary had done something I would like to have been involved in, but the rage that was now building inside me was completely disproportionate. I didn’t understand what was happening.

“Caleb?” it was Mary, through the connection, she must have felt something of what I was feeling. “What’s wrong?”

I didn’t respond, not cutting the connection, but blocking it. I couldn’t explain it to myself, how could I explain it to someone else. I needed time. Time to think, time to get my head in order. If I’d not already agreed to the Phase I test the next day, I’d probably have gone up to the ranch.

I wasn’t sure about taking the test now. Was I in the best frame of mind to do it, or would I completely screw up my chances? I didn’t understand what was happening to me, why I was so angry. I needed to talk to someone, someone I trusted, someone I could confide in. Right now I had an unreasonable distrust in all my girls. They’d ‘conspired’ behind my back to set up the fiasco in the ethics class, and deliberately kept the information from me. Who knew what kind of a reaction I’d get from the rest of the students now I was a confirmed killer. I couldn’t talk to Jamie, after what happened last time, and Dianna would obviously come down on Mary’s side.

Dean and Cheryl were too far away, and I realized with a bitter laugh that I would never even consider talking to my own parents about this, or probably anything else. No matter what the reason, I don’t think I’d ever trust my parents again, which was even more unreasonable.

In the end there was only one place I felt I could go, one person I could trust.

I parked my truck, walked up to their door, and rang the bell.

The door opened. “Bhaiya?” he said.