Little Cherine Book 04 - BPost058

He tried then as a soul, reaching out to feel where missing motes were. Surprisingly he was able to feel motes that have strayed from him in the past, especially when attacked by the void, but he could not sense the protector. We returned home.







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2671


“Can’t you try to recreate him? That might have the effect of bringing him back.” Perikli suggested.

“I have no idea how I created him in the first place. It was just a desperate need to protect my loves.”

He tried, but it was useless. We sat there glumly, wondering how Robbie will react if he has to live without the protector. I know it will be terrible to feel that a piece of him is missing forever. A weak idea came to me and I hesitated to speak. He stared at me.

“Tell me Sam. Any idea is worth discussing.”

“I was thinking that it may be the shield of energy that is blocking him from you. What if we got the alien to give us some of that energy for Lynda to feel and identify. Then she could search for something similar in alternate worlds.”

I saw a look of pride in his eyes as he looked at me and it made me feel simultaneously proud, but also very small and unworthy of his pride.

“Goldi, would you like to go with Jade to fetch Lynda? Sam, this was your idea, you come with me.”

A new problem presented itself. Noname2 told us he can only emit that energy once in a body. We did not believe it, but do not have a choice. We asked to create it a body; I warned Solomon, not a little girl, an adult male would be safer.

Noname2 was fascinated to see Robbie smoking as he waited, Lynda needed to adjust to the time difference (perhaps she also wanted to hear the gossip - we all obliged). The attitude of Noname2 showed his contempt for Robbie when he understood the smoking, so Aganthi took him some chocolate. Having a human body he enjoyed it and Aganthi brought him more to eat. When he had eaten that too she apologised, explaining that it is a form of drug and hoped he is not hooked on it. Robbie did not know whether to be annoyed or laugh. Cassie realised he must be thirsty after all the chocolate and offered him water, which he promptly and suspiciously declined, so we ended up having the last laugh and even Robbie could not resist the smile that tugged at his lips.

Noname2 did have the grace to warn that the energy will cause Lynda pain - perhaps it was just fear that it will anger Robbie. He promised to keep it at a minimum so that she will not suffer too much. They moved into the house and he sent a flash of the energy to her. She screamed and collapsed, writhing in agony until she passed out, all our healers rushing into her to help her body recover. Unfortunately it was not the body that was the problem, it mostly affected her mind.

Noname2 was sent back to the void so that we could concentrate on Lynda. Dommi, Wendy and Cherine rushed into her mind and tried to draw the agony away from her, willing to share it to help her mind recover. We were all shocked when we felt our link to Cherine and each other disappear. If we thought that was bad, we still had to realise the worst. Dommi, Wendy and Cherine were trapped within the damaged mind of Lynda. If I could have I would have gladly died at that moment. I felt responsible and only my need to not cause Robbie further problems kept me in control of my emotions.

Robbie was helpless. He was desperate to save his loves, but could not do anything. The powers that come from Eddie were of no use in this situation. He held his original three who had brought about the existence of the Cherinians and stared at Lynda, feeling he had failed her by placing her in danger when he should have tested the impact of this unknown energy on himself first. His eyes found mine and he must have seen what I was going through, try as I did to hide it.

“Stop that Sam, your idea was good and it was my decision. I should have exposed myself first before endangering them. Now, how do we get them back?”

“I don’t know.” My lips trembled as I tried to stop myself from crying.

Alki rushed over from next door and he stopped as he saw the girls. “What happened to them?”

Bleakly Robbie explained. Alki was disturbed, shaken more by the look in Robbie’s eyes. None of us were crying, but he could see that more than one of us were on the edge of beginning. He knelt down and stroked the three girls faces tenderly.



2672


“Is there any way you can contact Eddie or Hettie?”

“We can phone them.”

“Then do so. They are the only ones with any powers now.”

Robbie pulled himself together, revived by sudden hope. He went into his office and called. Luckily Eddie was not in the jungle and answered his phone. He promised to be over immediately. Within minutes he arrived.

“Hettie is coming also. Explain to me what happened.”

Robbie did and Eddie sat silently thinking.

“I would prefer to go in with a couple of Sparklers.” He looked at Robbie with wonder on his face as Robbie agreed. “You really are remarkable! We were your enemies, the Sparklers too and yet at your moment of need you call us. You are too trusting Robbie.”

“No. You know I am not.”

Eddie flushed and then closed his eyes. Nearly half an hour later he opened them to find Hettie sitting opposite him. He smiled at her, his eyes not hiding from us the love that still burns inside his heart. Solomon and Ordinx appeared.

“Don’t worry Robert, with Eddie taking us in we will get the girls back.”

“I know you will. What I am worried about is Lynda. I fear her mind may have been damaged. Can you try to heal her?”

“Her mind or her gifts?”

“Both.”

“We can try to remedy the damage if it is her gifts Robert, but not if it is her mind. We do not understand your brains that well yet.”

“Just do your best.”

Before they went in, we felt the link from Cherine weakly trying to re-establish itself. But it soon flickered out of existence again. It did cheer all of us though.

Eddie, Hettie, Ordinx and Solomon left, entering the mind of Lynda. Almost immediately a number of Sparklers appeared and flowed into Lynda, directly disappearing though her skin. That worried all of us, but we could do nothing but wait.

It was as if our skins were suddenly brushed by a storm of negative ions and then we saw the Sparklers come out again, no longer green; almost blue now. As they left her body they softly exploded and disappeared. Robbie went white and I cried out. We’d felt them die, even as Cherine linked to us again. All the bodies stirred, Solomon and Ordinx the first to open their eyes. They looked haunted, as if they had faced something terrible beyond what we could imagine. Neither of them spoke. Eddie and Hettie sat up and Hettie took Robbie’s hand.

“I’m sorry. They have all been damaged. There is not much we could do, but at least we managed to free them. Thank god Solomon was able to call for the Sparklers.”

“They all died.”

“Do not worry Robert, they will soon be with us again. It is the girls I am worried about.” Solomon answered.

Cherine was the first to open her eyes. Wildly she looked around until her eyes rested on Robbie’s face. A smile of pure happiness lit up her face and then she let her head rest again and fell asleep. The rest of them went straight into a deep sleep. At least we could feel them now and sensed they are at peace. Lynda though was too much at peace. Robbie kissed the girls and closed his eyes. We felt him go into Lynda. We watched through his ‘eyes’ as he searched her mind. She is literally a five year old again, the rest of her burnt away. He soothed her and played until she came to him in total trust and let him hold her. He did not want to leave her alone and asked that we take turns staying with her. Cassie and Jade promptly went in and Robbie returned to us.



2673


I expected a terrible anger, something like the wrath of a Zeus, but instead his eyes were cold and hard, his face as if chiselled out of cold marble. “They were all damaged. All of you be careful, our loves have all regressed. Luckily our three are still Cherinians - I’m not certain about Lynda. I have to change the bodies of Lynda and Dommi. They must be the same age as their minds.” His healer went into them and they shrank in front of us until they were children of five and eight.

I looked at him, my eyes only daring to ask. He nodded. “It was deliberate.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Nothing!” He spat the word out coldly. Suddenly I guessed and something inside me crumbled.

“You cannot Robert. Please. You cannot condemn a whole species because of the treachery of one evil creature.”

He would not face me, his eyes stayed on the four lying asleep and he only repeated himself, “Nothing!”. I knew it was not the right moment to argue and slumped back into the arms of Alki who held me tightly. I could feel his love and it helped me immensely. I can wait for now.

Soon as our gifts returned, Marian had appeared with the kids. She only sat staring at Robbie, as if expecting him to make things right for her daughter. He looked at her for a second and his eyes filled. “Marian, I’m so sorry, it was my fault.”

Alki just shook his head and explained to her. Marian came over to Robbie and hunched down she stared into his eyes.

“What are you going to do Robert? Do you want to let my little Cher live her childhood again? She will not know of all the suffering she's been through.” She was deliberately tempting him.

“No!!” he shouted. More calmly he spoke, “No Marian, I refuse to lose my Cherine of today.” He found a grin that was disarming. “I’ll be honest, a Cherine who is as she was when I first met her, that is precious - it would also be selfish Marian. She has paid for these years of love and deserves to have them back. I don’t know that I can get them back, I don’t even understand what happened, but if there is any chance to get my love back as she was, I’ll do whatever is necessary.”

She leant back, her face calmer. “I said that on purpose Robert, because I knew it must be tempting for you to leave her as she is. I should have known you cannot do it. Do your best, but if you do not succeed, do not think I will blame you. It may be that her memories are lost and there is nothing you can do.”

“I can Marian. We have not exchanged memories for over six months, but those I do have will be returned to her. I do not choose that as first option for she will always feel them as being memories of memories - there is not the same direct feeling of ‘it was me’.” He looked at the four and his tears began to fall. “How could I let this happen to them!!?”

Alki put his arms around Marian, their kids gathered closely to both of them as he spoke with that lovely tenderness his gruff exterior hides. “When they wake up, especially if you can bring back their memories, they will be very proud Roberto that you let them endure this for you and all of us.”

Robbie would not wake them, insisting that after the trauma they need the sleep to heal themselves. They slept over six hours while we all kept vigil. By now the house was full of Cherinians, but they were all silent, their inner senses straining to catch the slightest emoting from either of the four. I left the room at one stage and going to Robbie’s office lay down on the couch and cried. I felt Robbie send me a warm blanket of love, but I was left alone to cry it out of my system.

When they felt it is time, my mothers Natalie and Diana came in and sat holding me, letting me indulge myself by being treated like a little child. Just their presence was soothing, their motherly love a wonderful extra that helped me pull out of my depression. I could feel hidden within them a sadness that I’ve had to grow up so fast, learning to think beyond what a girl of my age normally needs to. They worried that the responsibilities I take upon myself are too heavy.



2674


Quietly I lay in their arms, feeling the warmth of them against me and ‘listened’ to their feelings, enjoying them as expressions of their love for me. I too sometimes feel that way about myself when I have done something stupid or let down Robbie or my loves. We all need, despite what Robbie says, an odd moment of self-pity; then when we are able to recognise it for what it is we can move on, stronger again. They helped me, without realising it, see myself and my tears as being an indulgence and I grinned up at them.

“I’m alright now. I just needed to be a cry-baby for a little.”

“I’m glad; it gave us a chance to hold you like this, your two mothers side by side.” Diana looked at Natalie, her eyes filled with love for her generous heart.

When I returned, Robbie stretched out an arm for me and I sat on his lap, cuddled by him as we waited. How is it possible for such a sad time to also be so beautiful!?

I don’t understand how she times it, but Aganthi got up and went to the kitchen to prepare something warm for the four to drink and she came back holding the tray as they stretched and opened their eyes.

Cherine opened her eyes, saw her mother and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Marian grinned.

“You better look around you baby before you climb into me again.”

All four of them did and stared in wonder, confused to see so many strangers. As far as each of them remembered, apart from Lynda, there should have only been them, Robbie and their parents. They looked at him and were calmed by his peaceful and tender look. They gave a start when Lynda began to cry.

“I want my mommy.”

Forgetting her own confused state, Dommi immediately folded her arms around her. “Shh, we’ll find her for you. Drink your Milo now and when it is morning we’ll look for her.” She was speaking instinctively without knowing what had happened. Dommi looked at her parents and Nicko and was further confused when she saw them with children she does not know.

I was already off Robbie’s knees and he now sat on the carpet next to them. “This is going to sound like a fairy story to you. Just listen to me my loves and you can ask your questions afterwards.” In simple terms he explained what had happened, not keeping anything back. Not surprisingly Cherine was the first to accept it.

“I was wondering why they are all linked to me.” She looked at Wendy and Dommi. “We have to help Lynda first.” She left unspoken the fact that Lynda no longer has her mother to go to, so it is urgent we solve her problem first. The two of them are soft hearted and even if they did not understand, they saw Lynda’s need and agreed with Cherine.

To solve Lynda’s problem we have to go into her mind and she has to accept us and permit us to sift through her mind in search of what she has lost. How can we persuade a little girl who thinks of us as strangers?

Chapter One Hundred Forty Two

“Before we try anything I have to confront both Nonames and get whatever information they can give me. I cannot leave you here, I have to take you to the void, as the void, and hold you there in safety.”

“You mean to face them both on your own?” Socrati asked unhappily. It worried us too, but I could see there is no alternative. If any one of us stay with him we will be a burden if he has to fight.

“Do not worry, we will be with him.” Ordinx said, gesturing at Sol. That pleased all of us.

We first had to make it seem like a game for Lynda. When we called to her and she saw our souls she rejoiced, recognising Robbie and all those who have played with her. She let Robbie enfold her within himself, emitting feelings of being safe and loved. Robbie was about to make a comment to Cherine, but he stopped himself when he realised she does not have the reference to understand him. He has become adroit at clamping down on his inner feelings, but we too have grown faster at catching his moods, however he disguises them. Where he used to carry us one by one, now he took all of us at the same time, our bodies protected in sheaths of energy that negate time, a stasis shield as he called it.



2675


Solomon, Ordinx and Robbie approached the Nonames who were communicating with Emmie, Indripp and the few others who have been released. Noname2 watched warily, aware that the time of reckoning has arrived. Noname sensed the disturbance in his alternate and spoke to Robbie.

*It is good that you have come. The more I learn from those of other species, the bigger my confusion. At first I wondered that you did not in anger destroy us; then I came to see that your power is not what is the strongest in you. It is not a good thing that I misunderstood you and I ask your forgiveness.*

*Your alternate. Do you consider him part of yourself?*

*I do. We started as one and though time has made us different in our ways we cannot ignore the beginning.*

*Those changes may be important. Do you believe that whatever he does you are capable of doing?*

*There is a sense to your words I do not grasp. Why do you ask? You have alternates and a longer experience of them.*

*It is not the same. None of my alternates would deliberately harm another. He is guilty of treachery and I ask, could you do the same?*

Though we have begun to understand the sense, if not the words, when our alien friends and families talked amongst themselves, these two were too new to us. Noname communicated with his alternate, was answered and Noname shrank into a tiny sphere of condensed energy, blazing as if he were about to go nova. Suddenly he shot at his alternate who must have been expecting it, for he danced aside. Noname did not try it again. Instead he did something that takes immense concentration. He took on the spectral form of his species.

He raised himself on his two hind legs, his single foreleg lifted and the front part of what should have been a hoof elongated, taking the shape of a long sharp claw. He made four sudden stabs, as if he were stabbing earth beneath his feet. He then turned his astral body towards Robbie, bending his foreleg and his head, his arms stretched out as if resting on soil.

*There is only one of my species left. On behalf of my people I have performed the ceremony of disinheritance. He no longer is one of us and may not return to our world or people. This one that is left offers himself - you must choose your penalty, for he was family and I share blame for his act. Now I understand why you asked your questions.*

*You presume to understand Noname. What is your alternate doing?*

*His last act of honour. He is preparing for dissolution.*

*You must stop him, we have need of him.*

*I cannot. It is forbidden for me to communicate or acknowledge him.*

*Is that your honour? The two of you make your decisions based on your honour without thought for the victims? They must remain damaged because of your honour!?*

*You feel the damage can be repaired!?*

*Yes.*

*Then I am the one responsible. I acted in anger and cannot undo what I have done. If there were another Elipian I too would have the ceremony of disgrace performed for me. It is too late Robert, he is lost too deeply within his ultimate death.*

Robbie reached out and entered Noname2. He found that what the creature was doing was in some ways similar to the way he had created/used the eraser. He called for his painter even as Solomon rushed over to help. They fought to save Noname2, Robbie trying to talk to him, explaining he does not have the right to die before repairing the damage he has caused. It would not be honourable.

We watched in dismay. Robbie and Solomon were losing the battle. Noname2 dissolved and soon there was not enough of him to save. Robbie pulled back in defeat, watching a sentient life lost for all eternity. Despite all that has happened, we grieved for him.

Robbie spoke to Noname.



2676

*Do you accept the truth, that I am going to bring back all your people?*

*I do.*

*What rights does that give me? In accordance with your honour, what rights?*

*Father of all Elipian.* He hesitated. *Once you have done so.*

*I will do so and claim some of the rights from now. You will not allow yourself to die. I demand of your honour the way to save my loved ones, to bring them back to the state they were before his attack.*

*It is not possible!*

*Why not? Explain what he did.*

*We call it the sheet of infants or the thief of souls. When directed at a brain, in a physical body, it searches out the latest experiences and memories, removing them it moves backwards in time until there is but the empty mind of an infant. No dishonour permits the use of it, only the immediate threat of life.*

*How could it affect the protector if a physical body is needed?*

*It does not have one!?*

*Robert, you are wrong, it does have a body.* Robbie swirled his attention to Ordinx, puzzled. *Your body Robert. It is a part of you.*

*Perhaps that is where it is hiding?*

*No! It would not go to him Em-e. It would not risk damaging him.* Mama Jo said.

*I agree.* Claudia chimed in.

*Not necessarily. It would not have known what the attack can do. It would only be natural for it to seek shelter within Robbie.* I said.

*We can deal with that later. First come the girls. I cannot go back in time to save them. They have lost most of their memories already. If I were to try I think all that would happen is the energy would attack me too. I’d risk it if there was the slightest possibility of undoing what has happened.*

*No!! You must not!*Cherine cried out.

*Shh love, I won’t. Noname, can you use the power in degrees?*

With obvious regret he answered he could not. Robbie thought for a moment. He used his ability and a form began to glow in the void.

*Noname, it has no life, it is just energy I have made visible. Send your blue sheet into that. Try not to send it in one short blast if you can. Solomon, look into him and see if you can understand where it comes from, without endangering yourself. I don’t want to lose my little Sol.*

Solomon sent us his chuckles. What neither Solomon nor the others realised was that Robbie had sent a small part of himself into that energy. He had cut it off from himself so that he will not be affected. The part of him in there is not trying to absorb the blast; it is only meant to watch and analyse how it affects the energy of the void.

Robbie flickered and we knew he was travelling in time. We could not sense him for a few seconds, but it was obvious he was following the blast in slowed time. The blast died and he returned.

He spoke to Solomon in anger. *I told you not to take any risks! You went too close, the blast could have touched you.*



2677

*What would be too close for you Robert was not dangerous for me. Do you forget I am energy and know the laws all energies follow with far greater precision than you do?* Solomon did not answer in anger; it was more as if his mind was elsewhere and even Robbie realised it. He kept silent, waiting and hoping Solomon has something to tell us.

*I am almost certain, though I have never seen this before, that the blue energy is not a weapon as such. It is part of the core of his soul. I cannot believe any species would lose such a vast part of itself willingly. Robert, it must return to the core.*

*How, if you could not see it return to him? Noname, could he be right?*

*I spoke of it as the thief Robert. Perhaps our ancestors named it wisely. I can tell you that for a moment I felt weakened, drained, but then I was suddenly filled with more energy than I had before.*

*Oh god!*

We screamed to him to release us, to return. He sped away as if not able to bear the awful truth. We lay there trapped as the void, depending on Robbie to release us. We huddled together, our only hope that he would soon come to his senses and remember us. Sparklers and Anadir came by the thousands, surrounding Noname, as if that would stop Robbie if he intended him harm. I had not known that my soul can tremble so violently and forced myself to calm down. Too many of our loves needed me now, even our dearest Cherine!

*Sam, will Robbie come back?*

I sent her a laugh. *I cannot believe you called him Robbie. You’ve never done that before. Of course he will Cherine. We must just give him the time he needs to accept the truth.*

*He told me he does not like the name Robbie. Sam, I have to go to him. I can help him.*

*I know you can love; you more than any of us, but we cannot get out of here.*

*But I have to!! He needs me.*

She had regressed to her time of fear of losing him and was desperate. I had a brainwave that helped all of us. *Meli, can you do a storytelling without Wendy? Begin from the start when Cherine met Robert. You have four Cherinians who have never heard it and they need to.*

Even Cherine soon waited, entranced as Jade, Candy and Meli told our story. Lynda had to be cradled, for the story frightened her at many points, but Cherine, Wendy and Dommi drank it up avidly. When the story was over it felt as if Cherine is weeping.

*He is not my Robert anymore. I don’t know him now.*

*Nonsense! Before you heard the story did you feel at any time that he loved you any less? You are still his favourite, his big love.*

*I know. But he has changed and I can never catch up.*

I extended myself around her, holding her within me, her need drawing me instead of my heart prompting me. She felt so alone!!

*Do you remember in the storytelling, how many times Robert asked you, why don’t you trust me? Have faith in me? Don’t give up on him now Cherry baby, he will find a way to make it right for the two of you.*

*I’m not a baby, you are!* I sensed it was said out of humour, not spitefully, so I laughed in my mind. Through the years she has always known how much I love her and it pleased me to feel her reactions as she felt it now. I called out; without reason, for they had all felt it too. Robbie was returning.

He was still troubled and did not call out to us or apologise. He waited as if fearing to speak. I felt something shrivel up in him and when I heard Cherine and the others cry out I knew they had felt it too.

*Solomon. You keep saying Sparklers cannot die. Do they not fear dying, even if it is only temporary?*

*All life fears death Robert, but we fear it less than you do. What would you ask of us?*



2678

*Only the Sparklers can help me get back my loves as they were. I’m sorry Solomon, I thought I could ask, but I can’t. It would cause the death of thousands, perhaps millions of your people.*

Solomon knows Robbie too well to insist.

*I think it is time you take the girls back home Robert. We can talk later.*

*Thanks. Noname, you will stay?*

*As you wish. Robert, my name is…*

*No. Let that come on the day you see your world a garden again, filled by your people.*

Robbie took our bodies directly, but our souls were released to the void. Ordinx said only, ‘Ask him what he would do.’ I sent him my love motes and returned home. My eagerness to be back with Robbie was what allowed me to forget my self-appointed rule. I did not wait until all the little ones were gone.

Being just a soul gives a vast sense of freedom; not bound by gravity or the shape of a body. Able to unite and become one with the ones I love. When there I feel I could go on forever. After a long time as just a soul it is also beautiful being back. It feels so right!

There is also the advantage of being able to feel the fingers of my Robbie touch me; the lovely feeling of being able to touch him. The scent of his skin as I bury my face against him. Heaven is truly everywhere, in the void and here on Earth.

We had spent too many hours in the void and our bodies were burning and aching to be touched, to be anchored. We all controlled ourselves, letting Robbie concentrate on the four. We were all fully immersed in the joys of Robbie and the four, our sharing helping us, but also a sweetness, so it was some time before we felt the anxiety that had been growing in Theresa. It grew strong enough for us to turn away from loving and query her.

“Look, Lucy has not come back. Why is she taking so long?”

I got there faster than Robbie. I could not see her anywhere. I could see though that Noname was the center of attention and he was not moving, not even that slow swirl a soul maintains by itself. He was obviously terrified of something.

*Solomon?*

*She is here Robert. Lucy caught all of us by surprise when she entered him. None of us know what to do and Noname has been afraid to move or even think as he is alien to her and does not know what could harm her.*

*Let me go in dad. I’ll bring her out.*

*Sam, did I ever show I do not respect you, even as a baby? Lucy must have had her reasons, we will wait for her.*

Theresa did not protest so I kept quiet. Robbie, I know you will read this so I’ll say it directly to you. People do not give their trust easily and when the life of a loved one is involved, even more rarely. I still do not understand how it is you will make your decision, not out of some great wisdom, but because of your own beliefs and others submit to your will. If Lucy was my daughter, would I too submit? ((Sam, it is your job not to submit. The rest of it, you make your own mind up when you are ready. I will say this; I do not understand either.))

When Lucy came out we all panicked; her beautiful colours and shape had changed; she was now mostly blue. She saw us and crying ‘Robbieee’ she flew straight into him. He enfolded her and turned himself inwards to concentrate on her. His healer did not know the effect of her blueness, but though upset and afraid she did not seem to be hurt or damaged.

We sensed his emotions; worry, fear, astonishment and then admiration. When she came out of him, timid but glowing from his feelings, Robbie laughed with joy.

*Noname, relax, she is well and no blame would be yours if she had been harmed. She is a child and still impetuous. She thought that if she came into you, she would find the part of Wendy that is missing. She adores Wendy and wants her friend back. Let her enjoy this moment of love and we will discuss what she did later. I need to ask you to return to our world. If Solomon creates a body for you, will you come?*



2679

*If you wish. There is a purpose?*

Robbie did not tell him the truth and we were all horrified when we found out. Our distress was so strong that Cherinians were disappearing into toilets at their work so as to jump to us.

“You will not do this Roberto!” Alki was angry. All of us were. Angry because we were afraid. He just sat there, not fighting us, but still determined to go ahead, in his own mind he was only giving us time to lose our fear and see the inevitability of it. How can he be so thick!?

Robbie had decided to split himself; as he did with the shadow Robert and as he does sometimes when making love to us. He wants Noname to send his blue energy into the one half of him! That was, is and always will be totally unacceptable to any of us.

“And which half of you would you have killed Robert?”

“Either, it would not matter Dimitri. Either and both are each the total. Anyway, I would not die; just become a child again.”

“Nonsense! The you that is you will not exist.”

“I would. Soon as the remaining half reabsorbs the child part we will be one and whole again.”

They argued, we shouted our protests, others cried, but he would not change course, just giving us time to understand. I saw he is going to win; Not because we will agree, but because we cannot fight him for long. I felt sick inside me as I stood up, knowing that what I was about to do will affect all of us and change our history. He sensed, they all did, my feelings and the room went quiet as I faced him.

“Robert Teller, you have repeatedly said that you will relinquish leadership to the first one that demands it of you. I do so now. I am appointing myself as leader and my first order is that you do not do this.”

He could humiliate me by refusing to hand over the leadership, making me look like a silly girl. He knew that and yet he stared back at me with a smile growing on his shocked face.

“You are ready then? I am pleased Samantha. I agree, you are the leader.” I felt like my knees were about to buckle. “However, I regret that your first order as leader of the Cherinians will not be obeyed. You have just broken our law and I will be calling for a meeting by the Evolutionary Council. You have presumed to use your position to infringe upon my rights. How I risk my life is my own business.”

The bastard had me by the balls, or whatever women are had by, and he knew it. I had in my desperation acted like a stupid little girl. I had to bluff it out.

“Until the meeting takes place you will obey. If I am found to have been in the wrong, you are then free to do as you wish. Until then you will obey.”

“Natalie! Where the hell does she get that from. Neither of us have that kind of strength. Samantha, you are not in a position to enforce your order. It will be the other way around. If I acted wrongly in disobeying, I will be punished. You either all help me to do this as safely as possible, or else I do it on my own. I am not willing to pay the price of obeying you.”

“The price…?”

“I am going to find a way to get our loves back as they were.”

I stared at him, my stomach a tight knot. I whispered in fear, “If you are found wrong, the only punishment possible is to take away your right to be a Cherinian. Please Robert…”

I felt Cherine put her hand on me. “Sam, I think I understand. You were wrong, he is Robert! You cannot stop him. I can’t.” Her earnest look turned to one huge grin, mischief dancing in her eyes. “It is like the story you told me; you are the leader now and you are stuck with it.”



2680


I’m not good leadership material. I fled them all and sitting on a beach I sobbed. After a long time of feeling sorry for myself and cursing my stupidity I came around to that look of mischief and against my will chuckled. Cherine, young as she is now, has seen the truth. I do not want to be leader, but Robbie will not let me off that easily - if he ever does.

Slowly I came back to worrying about Robbie again. He could do it while I am away. I have to get back to him. As I thought that, he appeared. He sat on the sand by my side.

“Feeling better now love?”

The look in his eyes as he spoke broke me and I flung myself into his arms. As tenderly as ever he held me, his hand running through my hair. He chuckled suddenly. “Cherine got to you huh? See what I had to put up with?”

Half sobbing and half laughing I replied, “You loved it.”

I looked up and saw his eyes were not on me. They were lost in some terrible distance, somewhere only the heart knows how to go to. I thought to myself; how could I have thought of stopping him? His first and favourite three loves. How he must be aching for them.

“If I tell you my plan, will it help?”

“You have a plan!?”

He burst out in laughter, caught by surprise. His arms tightened around me. “Damn it girl, how you make me love you!”

I hugged back until my heart could settle a little and then I sat up, all business again. “Tell me your plan.”

“I have changed my mind about letting Noname send the blue sheet to me. The way I see it, we only have one chance - as slim as it is. Because of the way it happened, I only have seconds. I have to go back and steal their minds before the blue energy does. If it had happened to them one at a time it may have been easier. Sam, I have to get to them all at the same time! I will be much weaker having split myself into five.”

“Why five?”

“One as reserve so that you still have a Robert to banish from the Cherinians.” He grinned at me. “That would be quite funny. If you were found to be right and I was banished, you do know that Cherine would follow? What Cherinians then without a Cherine?”

“Oh, we would all follow. It would not matter, the point would still have been made.”

He kissed me, his lips stretched tight from smiling. “I think I’ve helped create a little monster.”

“I think you haven’t explained your plan fully.”

“Right. I have to enter their minds just a second ahead of the blue. It could catch me while I am in there. Sam, I have to practice first, learn how to take that part of their minds, leaving nothing behind for the blue to take. How can I practice? On who? I can’t do that to any living person.”

“Do it to me.” He pulled back. “Take away my memories of what I did today.”

That made him grin again and I ended up grinning back, very much against my will. “You just want to get out of being leader,” he teased. “Sam, a new rule. You have three months. At any time within those three months, you can refuse to stay as leader and I’ll take over again. One day past and the job is yours forever.”

“No. For as long as I want it.”

“Wrong baby. Forever. Who do you think would agree to take over from you? Not even that Petsas guy would agree to.”

“You mean like no one would take over from you?”

He nodded. I sank back into his arms. “So, what are you planning? How do you think you can give yourself an edge? Was that what you meant about using Sparklers?”



Next [Book 04] - Post 059



I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.




Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)

8th November, 2019


  • posted on Steemit: 8th November, 2019




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