Starchild

By Gloria Fifield

This is the second in the series, Of Two Worlds and continues the story of Janine Wilcox, a human child bonded to an alien 'twin' and destined to become Earth's Emissary. She will be the teacher needed to bring mankind to the point where we are ready to take our place in the community of intelligent species inhabiting our galaxy and beyond. She will have to learn to control her considerable powers as well as the wisdom of when to use them and when not to.To make things even more difficult, she is persued by alien entities that want to destroy her ... and Earth's future at all costs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gloria Fifield
• Release date: Mar 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370684106

Gloria Fifield

I've always loved books. Even as a kid, that was my favorite pastime, escaping into the fantasy world of whatever book I was reading. Sorry to say, I started writing a bit late in life, but once I started, I couldn't stop. So far, I've tried writing what is sometimes called chic lit, family sagas, mystery, and sci-fi. My latest, is a real epic tale that is a historical fiction novel. Now, that was a challenge. I tackled it because my late partner was fond of telling me not to sell myself short. He said that if my mind could think it, I could write it and he was so right. At the moment, I'm living in sunny Florida with my two feline companions and enjoying working on a brand new collaboration with my brother Dean Fifield (who is also a writer.) Hopefully, we'll be presenting it to you for your reading pleasure real soon.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jan felt something warm oozing down the side of her face. She tried to wipe it away, only to discover she couldn't move her arms. Like a slow motion scene in the movies, the accident replayed in her mind. Jan heard the noise of her tire as it blew after hitting a huge pot hole, the crunch of gravel when they lost control, and finally, the car tumbling over the embankment landing on its roof. I must not be hurt that bad … can't feel any pain … One thought pierced through the fog in her mind. NINI! Baby girl … where are you … Jan felt the fog close in.

Nini lay fastened in her car seat where it was thrown when their car plunged down the steep embankment. The girl hurt everywhere it was possible to hurt. She was ready to give in to the oblivion of unconsciousness … until she heard her name.

Her mother's thoughts screamed out for her. Nini then felt the pain her mother couldn't. She felt the faint thread of her mother's lifeforce softly fading, getting fainter with each shallow breath.

The child reached out with her mind to gently touch her mother's. "I'm here Mom. I hurt, but I'm all right." Nini felt no response at first. Carefully, she delved deeper to stabilize her mother's heartbeat. That done, her mind saw the damage the crash caused to Jan's spinal column and the blood that gushed from her wounds as she lay trapped in the wreck.

Nini poured loving thoughts into her human mother as she delicately re-attached blood vessels and remade severed connections, allowing her to feel once more before creating a stasis field to stabilize her mother.

A sudden wave of pain washed over Jan as she heard her daughter reaching out to her, pulling her back into the world. Mom, please don't leave me … stay with me Mom, please stay ... Nini mentally held on to her mother, keeping her from fading back into the fog. She held her tightly in her stasis until the blaring of sirens and flashing red and blue lights filled the night. She only relaxed when she heard the voices of rescuers as they climbed down to where their car landed.

At last, Nini felt her mother responding to the paramedics. She felt relieved when she felt her car seat carried to the waiting ambulance and placed next to her mother. As the E.M.T worked on Jan, the little girl felt her pulse grow stronger, steadier. Only then would she submit to the poking and prodding of the medics as they drove madly to the hospital. Nini closed her eyes and smiled.

"It'll be all right now, Mom." She felt, rather than heard her mother's response. Jan smiled inwardly. She was aware of what her daughter did but couldn't voice her thoughts just yet. All the gravely injured woman could do was send warm feelings of thanks to the child for saving her life. Sporadically, she heard the voices of the two men caring for them, but was unable to speak to them.

D'ya see that Jim? The little girl is smiling. After all the poor thing's been through tonight, you'd expect her to be bawling or screaming her head off, but look at her.

Yeah Ned, it's kind of weird. How's the mom doing?

She's stable. I don't know how she could be, but she is. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it.

"Well, let's try to keep her stable 'til we get there. Let the docs figure out all the whys and wherefores, okay?"

I'm with you there, bro. I don't need or want another lecture from the E.R. nurses about doing our paperwork in the morgue. Jimmy laughed. They rechecked each of their patients vitals then relaxed and buckled their seat belts for the remainder of the ride.

The two were still alive though from what they saw of the wreck, it didn't look like anyone could survive. Jimmy simply shook his head and looked out the window as the lights from the emergency bay came into view.

"Looks like we made it, Ned. She's their problem now.

Yeah Jim, don't know about you, but I could really use a strong coffee. Want anything while I'm at it?

Naw. I'm heading home as soon as we're done. Sally needs to get to work so I can't hang around. Man, I'm glad this shift is over. Jim hopped out of the back of the vehicle as soon as it came to a stop. He helped Ned to unload the woman first, then the little girl.

The E.R staff took over and whisked the patients inside. The staff quickly and efficiently did triage on the two. It must have been on a long shift for the charge nurse, because she went off on them like a drill sergeant. I don't suppose either of you geniuses brought any of their personal effects with you?

Ned was in no mood to take her tirade so he snapped right back at her, I didn't see any, but check with the sheriff's deputies that were on the scene. They should be here any minute, ask them, that's their problem, not ours. He turned his back and headed for the coffee machine in the break room before she could lash him again with her razor sharp tongue.

Nini took all this in, but said nothing. She knew how disconcerted strangers got if they heard a child her age talking to them as if she were an adult. She tried hard to always sound like the three-year-old she was. Silly to have to pretend like this, but Dad says that I shouldn't bring attention to myself, that it isn't safe. I don't know if it is or not, but I know Dad believes it. She reached out mentally, Mom … can you hear me?

Jan still could not speak, but projected her thoughts to Nini. Yes sweetheart, I hear you. Are you both … all right?

We're okay, Mom. It's you that was hurt the worst.

Janine Rose, Nini for short, was the child of Watcher and human parents. She and her joined twin, Jal'ren were full telepaths. Jal'ren would mature to become a being of light like their Watcher parents, while Nini was, is, and always would be, a human child. They would forever be linked in knowledge and in purpose, but would essentially be two separate beings once they reached maturity. Until that time, they would exist as one child, but of two worlds.

Jan was still weak, but aware of what was happening. She remembered tumbling down an embankment and the quiet ministrations of her daughter to save her from dying. Silently Jan reached out to her, "Thank you Nini. I love you … I love you both so much. Jal'ren, you'll need to protect your sister now, since I cannot."

Don't worry Mom, I will. With that assurance, Jan slowly gave in to the sedative and the darkness.

~*~

Be'jan watched approvingly as her daughters saved the life of their human mother. See Alrec, she is growing stronger almost daily. I believe the child is truly exceptional. Her mastery of their language has advanced beyond us already. For us, it is secondary to speak aloud, but to her ...

I know what you mean, dear. Janine Rose learns quickly. She listens to her lessons once and never forgets.

I see she has also learned to manipulate matter.

I saw that too. You know I was sorely tempted, but we are forbidden. However, the child is an entirely different matter. If she is to live among them successfully, she must learn to use and control the abilities within her. Still, it is unusual to display such gifts this early in her development

I do not know if what she did would be considered right by the Council, but I am glad she did it. We may be forbidden to interfere with their destiny, but Jan's destiny is also theirs. They only did what was needed for their survival.

I know dear. I love them as well. I am glad they intervened.

Thanks to little Nini, Jan will live. Almost as importantly, she will be able to walk and talk again too. I had no idea Nini was that adept. She must have been listening and learning much more than the simple lessons we outlined for her. Maybe we should reevaluate her curriculum to provide her with more challenging lessons.

Alrec was in full agreement, The child will need close monitoring. We don't want to overload her human synapses. Whether or not her mind has grown beyond what is normal for these humans, her body is still a child and needs time to catch up.

As usual, you are wise, Alrec.

Their conversation was interrupted by Nini's small mind voice, Father, I did right, didn't I? With Mom, I mean?

Yes, child you did well. Your human mother will now recover most if not all her mobility thanks to you. I had no idea you were so capable.

Thank you Father. I thought I felt … concern from you.

You did, Nini, but the concern is for you. You are learning so much, so quickly. I suppose it is a good thing under the circumstances, but your mother and I are worried that you may be overreaching what your human body can safely handle.

Don't worry, I will learn only as fast as I can safely. It's just that, well, it's hard to explain. I feel an urgency to absorb as much as I can, as quickly as I can. There is something … no, someone that wants to put an end to all this. I must be able to defend myself, as well as Mom and Dad. I know you and Mother can only go so far to protect us. You can shield us from discovery, but can't intervene, I can. I feel it.

I believe you and hope you will be prepared for The Others. We know they are searching for you. We have shielded you as best we could, but that may not have been enough. Soon, you will have to be strong enough to shield yourselves.

Father, we can already do that. We can't yet shield Mom, Dad, and ourselves all at the same time. It's only a matter of time until we are found.

Jal'ren added, Father, Nini has almost as strong a mind as I do. She also has natural abilities that must be latent in her human parents for them to be so strong in her. Combined, we will protect them. She just needs time to fine tune her abilities. What was done tonight was mostly her. I'm glad we are twins. Maybe with her, we will succeed faster than you imagined. Don't be afraid for us Father, we are becoming what we were born to be.

It seems we chose better than we knew.

Yes, you and Mother chose well. We need to go now. Mom still needs our help. I'm glad you approve. Father?

What is it, child?

I'm certain that Nini would have acted whether or not it was approved.

His daughter's last thought gave Alrec pause. The memory of someone else that was willing to defy accepted restrictions when he thought it was the right thing to do still burned in his mind. He fervently hoped this was not the beginning of history repeating itself.

Chapter 2

Mr. Wilcox, you can see your wife in recovery, but only for a few minutes. What she needs right now is rest more than anything. There'll be time enough for a longer visit tomorrow.

Thanks Doc, is there any word on our daughter yet?

Actually, I spoke with the pediatrician on call. She said your daughter is remarkably unharmed. As you probably already know, her car seat was thrown quite a distance from the car as it tumbled down that slope. It probably saved her life. We still want her to stay with us overnight so we can run a few tests … just to be sure, but I see no reason she can't go home about this time tomorrow. Your wife on the other hand … we still don't understand how she survived that crash. It's nothing short of a miracle if you ask me.

One we're very thankful for and to you too, Doc. Can I see her now? I promise I won't stay too long.

Of course. Tell her I'll try to look in on her again before I leave the hospital.

Sure, thanks again Doc. Kevin shook hands with the older, slightly rotund surgeon. He knew with almost certainty the miracle the doctor spoke of was no real miracle, at least not in the normal sense. It was Nini's doing. Jal'ren already told him so.

Nini was hurting too much when he first arrived at the hospital, so her twin told him about what happened earlier. Is this the beginning? We've been expecting it. I hope Nini will be able to remember what we've taught her about letting others see or feel what she can do. As soon as she's stronger, I think Jan and I have to re-evaluate the safety of our staying here much longer. For now, I think the doctor is right, she needs rest most of all. I won't worry her about it until she's stronger.

Kevin took a deep breath, pasted the best smile he could muster on his face, then opened the door to the room where Jan lay, recovering from the emergency surgery that supposedly saved her life. He knew it might be best if everyone continued to believe that to be the case. Jan lay peacefully unaware of the worried look that suddenly replaced Kevin's smile when he saw her swollen, bruised face. He whispered to her, "Jan, darling … can you hear me?

Jan lay there, unable to respond to the familiar voice through the drug-induced fog. She tried to pry open her eyes, but one was swollen shut and the other felt so heavy she couldn't budge it. She heard Kevin telling her not to worry she would be all right and how much he loved her, I love you too, Kevin.

A startled look came over him as he sat by her bedside holding her hand. "How … er … what? Can you say that again? I think I heard you ..." Suddenly he felt rather than heard her soft gentle laughter.

"I don't quite understand either, Kev. Please darling, I'm too tired and groggy. Talk later … rest … now."

Kevin stood then leaned over her. I know, Hon. I'll just leave you with this, for now. He kissed her on the lips, barely touching them. He was extra gentle, afraid of hurting her. You sleep now. I'll be back later. I'll take care of Nini, don't worry.

Jan tried to smile. It looked more like a grimace, but Kevin felt her contentment. "Good night Kev." It was more like late in the day, but to her it was still the night before.

Kevin's next thought was for their daughters. Nini was strangely quiet. It was Jal'ren that spoke for her when he saw them in the Emergency Room. She told him of how Nini saved her mother and held her in a psychic stasis until they got here. She tried to fix what she could, but she was only a child after all and did not have extensive knowledge of anatomy yet.

One of the things Nini accidentally fixed was a pathway in her mother's brain that was atrophied from disuse long ago. Jan lost the ability to project her thoughts and be heard by others. Jan was born with that pathway open, but like so many others, she didn't develop the skill, so she lost the ability. Nini gave it back to her in one fell swoop. She often conversed with her daughters in that way, so Jan was well on her way to re-opening that pathway on her own. It takes little or no effort to project when at least one of the parties is a fully developed telepath like Nini. It was an entirely different matter to send or receive thoughts to or from non-telepaths like her husband.

Kevin pondered over the course this sleepless night had taken. First, the accident, then discovering Nini's latest gifts were emerging, and now Jan's telepathy. One thing for sure, I'll have to be more vigilant than ever to protect them from publicity.

He began to let his guard down since they were doing so well. That ends right now. I don't know why I feel so uneasy about this, but I've come to trust my instincts and will have to watch closer. In his mind's eye a picture was forming. He saw Jan, driving home from Springfield. She went to visit her brother Ben at college and took Nini with her. Uncle Benny was one of her favorite people so Jan couldn't leave her behind.

The visit was fun, but uneventful. It was the trip home when things began to unravel. Jal'ren told him how they stopped for gas and a trip to the bathroom, about how a customer made her feel uneasy the way she stared at Nini. Jal'ren shuddered slightly, remembering the feeling it gave her. I wonder, could they have been followed? Alrec, can you hear me? I need to talk to you.

I hear you Kevin. What is troubling you?

Well, I had a strange thought and it occurred to me that I should talk to you about it.

About the accident?

Yes … how did you … never mind. Do you think this could be a sign of … The Others you told us about.

It is possible, although both Be'jan and I have been shielding the child. It is difficult to explain, but think of it as keeping her in an impenetrable protective bubble. They should not have been able to sense her presence … and yet, I can not know for certain. Because of the accident, we found that Nini's abilities have gone way beyond what we thought they would be at this age.

Then it is possible they could have found her and that she might be the target of this accident?"

I cannot say with any real certainty. if they were involved, but it is possible. It is also possible they wanted to eliminate Jan. With her gone, Nini would be more vulnerable. I am almost certain that is what happened to my human father and twin ... With only one parent … without a father for guidance, my twin was led to the mistaken idea he was helping the conquered people he was born to. It was only at the very end of his life he realized how terribly wrong he was.

What can we do if they have found us? How can we protect the girls … and ourselves?

First of all, Kevin, we are not certain yet they have been found. If they have, I will find out. Then we will decide how best to defeat them. We can only hope Nini and Jal'ren will be strong enough to help by then.

I hope so. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

I think this is one thing that is better left to Be'jan and me to handle. Kevin closed his eyes. Alrec was right, he couldn't help them. He didn't have any of their extraordinary abilities. All he could do was pray they were mistaken about being found. He still felt uneasy, but knew there was nothing they could do until they knew for sure what they were facing … nothing that is, but pray. He wasn't too sure it would help, but a lifetime of indoctrination told him it damn well wouldn't hurt. From what he'd already learned about the vastness of this universe and the variety of life it contained, it all could not merely be by chance. It was to this superior directing force he now focused his appeal to.

Chapter 3

Nini lay back on the small pillow the nurse gave her, arms crossed defiantly. She was definitely not happy about how these people were treating her. Eww, this is a crib. For heaven's sake, we are NOT babies!

Jal'ren whispered to her sister, Please, calm down Nini. You know we have to pretend to be a normal three year old. Quiet down, you'll wake Mom. She needs her rest. You did well, you know.

"Did I? Then why is she