The Guardian’S Saving Grace

By Angelique Page

With everything going right for once in Jesses life, all the nightmares
of Dean behind her now, the new baby on the way, what more could she
ask for?

The new baby may present more challenges than Jesse and James
had ever bargained for, when things go horribly wrong during and
after an early delivery.

As new events unfold, the whole family is thrown into the
supernatural mixing pot to protect the baby from an unknown foe.
What lay in store for their new family down the road? Will it be the
happily-ever-after that Jesse dreamed of, or will it forever be out of
her reach? Is she destined to live a life of torment?

Only God has the answers and fate seems to hold the key to unlock
all of those perplexing answers. But only time will truly tell what God
and fate both hold in store for Jesse, James, the new baby, and the rest
of their adopted family, in the continuation of the guardian series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781479716197

Angelique Page

Angelique Paige was born in Fitzgerald Georgia, and lived in various towns ranging from north to south of the state. She lived in Albany until she was seventeen, when she moved to Florida. Preferring the small towns slow country life, she moved to Palatka Florida, where she still resides with her husband of twenty one years, their sixteen year old son, and their thirteen year old daughter.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Shopping Trip

I STOOD IN front of the full-length mirror in the massive bathroom of the loft, looking at the odd shape my body had taken on. My stomach was getting bigger, my breasts were more than twice their normal size, and nothing fit like it should. Even my sweats seemed to cling to me like a second skin. I was already six and a half months along, and counting down the last two months, until my body would be my own again.

I agreed to let James take me shopping today for a few maternity clothes to get me through the last trimester, but only because I have nothing else that fits.

We have totally different opinions of practical maternity wear. I voted for Walmart, but James insisted on the more expensive baby-n-me. He argued that since the last sonogram that Matt had done proved that our new addition was a girl, we had to start buying baby apparel as well.

James acted as though we didn’t have time for this later. His argument was always, "Well, you never know. You could go into labor early like Matt said, using my favorite weaponry of words against me. We don’t need to wait until last minute. We still need a car seat, and a crib, diapers, clothes, unless you intend to do like the Indians used to do and wrap her like a papoose?"

No, I do not intend on wrapping her like a papoose, I would counter.

James came into the bathroom, interrupting my thoughts, as he walked up behind me and draped his arms around me. Slowly he slid his smooth hands down, caressing the sloping contours of my bare belly, admiring it as though it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Our little Jade responded as well, nudging at the exact spots that James would touch, as if she knew it was her daddy, and that she could already bend him to her will. He could always draw her attention, even when she was at her stillest moments. It always amazed me so; it was like they already had a strong connection—a bond that usually only a mother got to share with their child before birth.

She adores you, you know?

How can you tell?

I feel her peace when you’re near. It calms her worries when she feels your touch or even hears your voice. She feels tense when you’re not here.

James turned me to face him with an inquisitive look on his face. How do you know this? I thought you were not supposed to let anything or anybody get into your thoughts. Didn’t Matt warn you about that?

Listen, I’m doing what Matt told me, I can’t explain it, but sometimes I feel her while not even trying too. I caught myself almost yelling, not meaning to, as my temper attempted to flare.

I didn’t mean it like that, Jesse. I just worry so much about my girls… it makes me crazy. I know you wouldn’t do anything to put the two of you in jeopardy.

James pulled me up close and kissed me on the top of my head, reminding me of how much taller he was than me.

"We are not going to argue, it’s not good for you or the baby. Come on, get dressed. There’s so much shopping to do and so little time, my dear. You know, I should have called John to ask about borrowing the truck, we might need the extra space for boxes."

Um, James?

Yeah?

"You’re forgetting something… I have a truck. We just have to go by the shop and get it. Remember, the one that you and the guys won’t let me drive right now, because you claim it’s safer for me not to be behind the wheel."

"Well, if you didn’t drive like a NASCAR competitor, we might let you drive more often. But you’ve proven that it’s not that easy for you. Or should I say the five would be traffic tickets you would have gotten, if Justin hadn’t taken care of them for me."

James was quite vociferous about my driving, especially with me being pregnant. Before, he didn’t complain so much about my lead foot, now he acts as if I was the most dangerous person on the road, insisting that it was safer for him to drive me where ever I needed to go.

Okay, point made.

By the time we left the loft, school buses were running, picking up children for school. And I could only imagine our own little girl in golden pigtails hanging in ringlets the way mine did as a child—carrying a backpack that was almost as big as she was herself, climbing up the steps of a big yellow school bus with her short little legs.

Jaden Grace wasn’t even born yet, and the thought of her going off somewhere without me or James scared me to death, especially, knowing the dangers that are out there waiting for the unsuspecting victims.

Our experience with Dean the past year has taught me to fear everyone, even more than I already did before. Life has a way of changing so fast, that just when you think things are safe, something happens to change everything.

Seeing that I was lost in my thoughts again, James broke in, a penny for your thoughts?

Oh, nothing really, just thinking about what it will be like to see our little girl headed off to school without us.

I believe we have a while yet, before we have to worry about that little ordeal, don’t you think?

I know, but I still can’t help but worry about things like that.

You worry too much, Jesse.

We pulled into the shop’s parking lot to pick up my truck, so we would have room to get the baby’s bed, swing and changing table, which James insisted on buying today. We didn’t stay long enough to catch up with Eddie or John; we just jumped from one vehicle to the other.

All the way to the mall, we rode in silence while I sat on the passenger side and watched the scenery that I have seen so many times—that the ride wasn’t anything more than mundane and monotonous. I tried to keep my mind clear, but it wasn’t easy.

I tried to think of what I would like to buy for the baby, but I’ve never been much of a shopper or a decorator. But James on the other hand, he was both, so I’m just along for the ride, while he shops.

We started out at the clothes; I followed as he looked at the most expensive clothes hanging on the racks. He would hold up something, and I would turn up my nose at it, and he would shrug and put it back on the rack. He picked up a dress, and I couldn’t help but laugh. "Really, James, you have got to be kidding. Dresses and I go together about as good as a jock in a pair of stilettos." So he let out a sigh and put the dress back on the rack too.

"Okay, you’ve got to cut me some slack. What will you wear besides a pair of sweats?"

I finally gave in and looked through the racks, until I ran across a pair of plain denim maternity pants, with a spandex panel in the front, and a few shirts—something more practical—that were more to my liking, an ordinary style. James just shook his head and laughed as I waddled off to the fitting room.

You’re impossible, you know that?

No, as I have said before, you have that market cornered quite well, I told him over my shoulder as I disappeared into the much too small cubical.

I came out in the outfit that I chose, turned, and flaunted around like a model, as if anything could be sexy about my disproportioned body.

James stood there with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking like a model himself. You know, the clothes doesn’t do you’re beauty justice. Why do you insist on wearing such drab clothing, when there are so many more suitable items to choose from? If price is what you’re worried about, don’t.

You might have money to burn, James Williams, but I don’t. I’ve always had to live on a budget, a shoe-string budget at that.

Jesse, are we together or not?

Well, yeah, but.

No buts about it, I’ll tell you what, I’ll shop, you just try them on.

And you call me impossible? I jibed.

As always, he won out. I tried on outfit after outfit, and as I walked out to show each one, he would hand me another. And after about an hour he had picked out ten outfits for me, which I would not have dared to choose for myself.

I finally dragged him away from the clothing department. We headed to the baby’s section to look at the nursery furnishings. We found a crib, changing table, and dresser we could agree on and which Connie would consider appropriate décor that would match her design in the loft.

Then we moved on to the baby clothes. That was when I finally got excited about the shopping trip. There were so many cute little dresses and outfits to choose from, that I could not make up my mind about which ones to buy.

You know you don’t have to choose only one. We can buy as many as you want. Nothing’s too good for my girls, and I’ve already told you not to worry about the cost.

You act like you are rolling in the dough.

Well, for years, I really had nothing to spend my income on, so I made a lot of investments, and they have really been very profitable.

So what are you saying, you’ve got plenty to burn?

What I’m saying is that you and I could take a very long sabbatical and not have to worry about money in the least.

I let the subject rest from there, as I thought about what he said; the subject of money or finances has never come up before between us. I have always depended on myself, never even considering the fact that being with James meant sharing everything and being taken care of again in every way including financially.

We finished shopping around 1:00 p.m., and I was about to starve, so we went to the food court, but nothing looked appetizing and all of the mixed smells was making me quite nauseous.

James, I’ve got to get out of here before I get sick. I can’t stand all these smells mixed together. But before we could make it out to the truck, the urge to vomit hit me even harder. A sudden sharp pain hit me and doubled me over on the spot. I let out a groan and was on my knees. Before I knew what was happening, James had me cradled in his arms and running for the truck.

James was on the phone by the time he had made his way around to the driver’s side of the truck. He listened for a minute, not saying anything, and then replied, No, there’s no bleeding that I know of, just bad pains. Please tell me she’s not going into labor this early, Matt, it’s too soon. James listened again before saying, Okay, okay, I’ve got it, we’ll meet you there."

I lay in the seat with my feet propped on the passenger side door and my head in James’s lap. With every pain that came on, I couldn’t do anything but draw my knees up and curl into a tight ball around my humongous stomach. It was a pain like none that I had ever felt. It was a stabbing pain in my back that seemed to radiate around both sides, all the way around to the front of my stomach. Then my stomach would tighten up hard, as every muscle locked and froze into a tight ball. Then the pain would change and run down to my pelvic bones, feeling as though my hips were going to unhinge. The pain would ease off for a few minutes and then it would start again in the same pattern. First in the back then the stomach and back to the hips again. This cycle of pain continued all the way to the hospital, each time nearly taking my breath.

Chapter 2

Too Soon

James

A S THE NURSE wheeled Jesse down to the OB ward in a wheel chair, she doubled over with a groan of pain again. My heart sank, I felt just as helpless as I did the day she had us all blocked out of the circle of trees—she encased herself and Dean in—the day we learned about the pregnancy. I couldn’t reach her until it was almost too late. Like then, I don’t know how to help her, and I know I can’t eliminate her pain. But if there were any way possible, I would take it away from her and bare the pain myself.

It made my chest tighten with fear and anxiety. I couldn’t help but feel that this was somehow my fault. Had I kept her on her feet too long today, dragging her all over the mall, nagging her to try on all those clothes? Was it too much bending and stooping?

Matt was waiting in the exam room when we got there. Well, let’s see what’s going on before anyone gets into a panic, he said, eying me sternly but not saying anything more—letting me know without words that my stress will make Jesse’s stress level go up.

Matt started his exam, checking the baby’s heartbeat, which was a bit higher than it should be, followed by a sonogram. Jade was very active, making it very difficult to keep her in the reach of the monitor. Jesse was becoming more and more agitated by the second.

You’ve got to calm down, Jesse, your stress is going to cause the baby stress and put you into full labor.

I’m not stressing, Matt, I’m in pain. It feels like she is trying to tear her way out. She is killing my ribs and my bladder all at once. Jesse spat between clenched teeth.

No sooner did Jesse get the words out, another sharp pain hit her, and as she started to curl into a ball again, a large gush of blood soaked her hospital gown.

Jesse, you’ve got to roll to your back. I’ve got to check and see if you are dilating, I’ve got to stop your labor, if I can.

What do you mean if you can? I blurted out—tearing my eyes from Jesse’s agonizing expression.

James, if she is dilated too far, and if the baby is crowning, you know I won’t be able to stop the labor, I’ll have to deliver.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; this couldn’t be happening. Jesse’s pregnancy has been so good—no more morning sickness since the beginning of her second trimester, no weird cravings, just the constant trips to the bathroom. So how could everything be going so wrong now? This is when we should be counting down the weeks until the new arrival, not hours or minutes. We shouldn’t have to worry, if we were even going to have our little Jaden Grace with us at all.

I had never, before now, realized just how much I wanted to be a daddy, not until I found out that I was going to be one. And now it feels like that chance is about to be lost—snatched away from me and it scares the hell out of me. I can only imagine what Jesse is feeling right now, I’m sure she is even more scared than I am.

As hard as it was to do, I choked back the tears and the large lump of emotion that swelled in my throat, before leaning over to hold Jesse’s hand, to try to reassure her that everything was going to be okay, even though I was having a hard time making my own self believe the words coming from my mouth.

As I stroked her hair, Jesse’s eyes started to fill with tears, and I couldn’t help but lose hold of my own tears, as I buried my face in her hair, I held her as best as I could, while Matt checked her for dilation.

Well, the good news is we still have time. The amniotic sack is still intact, and you are only slightly dilated. Matt seemed to breathe a sigh of relief with us.

You say that’s the good news, like there may be some bad news to follow?

Yeah, James, sort of, but not as bad as it could be.

Well, what’s the bad news? I asked as I continued to stroke Jesse’s sweat soaked head.

She’s not going back home. She’s going to have to stay here.

No way, Jesse spoke up with a strained groan.

You don’t have a choice in the matter this time. I need to make sure that you are completely off your feet, and the only way that’s going to happen is to keep you under the constant watchful eye of a nurse, Jesse. Matt was almost nose to nose with her now, I know you don’t like the idea of being under constant guard, but this time it’s not just for your own good, but for the good of Jade too. If you start to hemorrhage it could kill you and Jaden. Now tell me, is that what you want?

You know it’s not, but can’t I just stay in bed at home?

And if something happens, you are at best, a half an hour from here. I just don’t want to take unnecessary chances. This way, if something does happen you are already here, and you and Jade will have all the medical staff on hand immediately to keep you both safe and to give our little princess the best chances, if she decides to grace us with her presence early.

Okay, I get what you’re saying. I’ll stay.

"I know you will, because I wasn’t giving you a choice in the matter. Now, James, Matt spoke as he pulled a needle and syringe form the side pocket of his lab coat, uncapping it and jabbing it into Jesse’s shoulder and rubbing the site absently with an alcohol wipe. I need you to go and get her some puzzle books, some reading material, anything to keep her mind from wandering into places it should not be. It’s going to be a lot harder for her here, as the place can become quite mind-numbing when all you can do is lay flat on your back, with nothing to stare at but the ceiling. I’ll stay here with her until you get back."

Matt, what if something happens while I’m gone, I asked, fighting back the lump in my throat again.

She’s fine, as long as she stays lying down and her legs elevated. If anything happens, I’ll call you. There is a book store just down the road about a block or two. It shouldn’t take you but about thirty minutes or so to go and come.

I took a deep breath, and took a long agonizing look at Jesse who was looking as though she could zonk out at any second, as whatever it was that Matt had injected her with started to take effect. I sighed and turned back to Matt—okay.

She does look like she could use some sleep, and she won’t sleep if I’m here for her to talk to. I’ll be quick. I leaned over and kissed Jesse long and slow as if it would be our last. I love you, Jesse.

I love you too, she said very groggily.

I reluctantly left the room and headed for the elevator, down to the parking garage, where Jesse’s truck sat waiting. I got in and completely broke down. I couldn’t believe that after all we’d been through, that we may be facing another devastating blow.

If we lose Jaden, I don’t know if Jesse will ever recover herself again. She has already had to suffer too many losses for one lifetime—first her dad, then her innocence. Her relationship with her mom hasn’t been the same since she killed her mom’s boyfriend, for repeatedly raping her as a child. Then when she was finally getting her life back together, she loses her husband, and best friend. And now that she is starting over yet again, she may be about to lose again. It makes me understand why she thinks that the fates are totally against her.

I sat in the parking lot a few more minutes, pulling myself back together before leaving. I’ve never hurt so badly for anyone in my life, as I did at this moment. I hurt for myself, but even more so for Jesse, because she has become my life.

By the time I made it back to the hospital and up to Jesse’s room, the nurses had her in a clean gown and bed, and hooked up to all kind of monitors. Another bed had been put in the room beside hers, making it look like a double bed instead of a single hospital bed.

Matt was busy noting charts that had been started for Jesse’s vitals, and the baby’s, so I didn’t interrupt him. Instead, I hung up the new house coat I grabbed for Jesse to have here just in case she is able to get up any at all. Then I put away the books in the small roll around table at her bed, along with some ink pens, pencils, and erasers.

Are you all right James? Matt asked in a low tone, being quiet so he wouldn’t wake Jesse.

Yeah, about as good as I can be. But what’s more important, how is Jesse? And I want the full truth this time. I studied just enough of ob-gyn to know, that you aren’t telling everything you know.

You’re right. Her placenta is trying to detach, James.

Placenta Previa?

"Yes, and that can cause a multitude of problems, as you know. That’s why I want her here under constant supervision, so if Jaden goes into distress, we can induce immediately, or do a C-section. Whatever the course we have to take, it will have to be fast. I just want to try to get her past the next two weeks before that happens.

I’ve started Jesse on a steroid treatment to help increase Jaden’s lung function, so the longer we can hold off labor the better the chances are for her lungs to be developed enough that we don’t have to put her on a ventilator.

So do you honestly think that you can keep Jesse in the dark about that?

I sure hope so. She has to stay as stress-free as possible. That’s why we put an extra bed in here, so you can stay with her, so that worry won’t be a problem.

Anything you can think of that will relieve her tension, you need to let me or the nurses know. This is going to be a group effort.

You know, Matt, our lives have all seemed to have become a group effort lately.

Yeah, one big happy family, but I kind of like the idea of having someone to call family, as I have no more family here.

I didn’t know you didn’t have any family here. Matt looked up from Jesse’s charts like I had missed something obvious. We had met in our senior year of high school and went to the same college together but the topic of family had never come up much between us. Since we both graduated we have only spent time together on more of a doctor-patient relationship or a work relationship and never really delved into the personal level of our acquaintance until Jesse came along.

I lost my mom and dad about ten years ago. Dad died first of cancer and mom about two years after of suicide. She left me a note apologizing for leaving me by myself, but she couldn’t live without Dad any longer.

You don’t have any brothers or sisters?

No, I was an only child, and so was my mom, and Dad’s family has never had much to do with us. They never liked mom too much, so Dad said if they couldn’t accept Mom, then he could no longer accept them. So I’m pretty much without family of my own, just like you and Jesse.

So I guess we’re just one big happy family of orphans.

Well, James, at least we can give Jaden a big happy family. Something none of us has ever had.

I pray that you’re right, Matt.

I think she is going to be one very special little girl. She has already been Jesse’s saving grace, and I can’t help but wonder if she may be even more special, than even you and Jesse together.

Gifted you mean?

Yes, I can’t help but wonder how much she will inherit from the two of you.

Do you think it’s possible? I mean, one of the voices I heard, that explained some of our gifts to me, said that Jesse’s gift only comes along about once a century, and only to a special soul.

I understand that, but there have been claims, very rare, but claims just the same, where some traits of gifted people are inherited by their children. I haven’t been able to track down proof of these claims but, I can’t disclaim them either. Look at you and Jesse, what are the chances that the two of you should meet?

We did have a little help with that.

Yes, but it happened. And I wouldn’t discount anything at this point. Haven’t we seen enough to say that anything is possible?

Yeah, I guess you’re right, Matt, anything is possible. It’s funny how fast your reality can change from normal to the twilight zone, isn’t it?

Well, let’s just hope that all of the weirdness is behind us now bubba. Listen, I have to go down and clock in, my shift starts in about fifteen minutes. I’ll be back up to check on our girls in about an hour. Why don’t you try to get some rest while Jess is sleeping, these things can really wear you out?

Yeah, thanks, Matt.

I lay down on the bed beside Jesse, watching her sleep so peacefully. It’s hard to believe that just two hours ago she was in so much pain, and I was so afraid that she was going to deliver the baby early. But now, she’s sleeping so quietly. It gives me hope that everything really will be okay. I couldn’t believe that we are about to be parents, if I could only convince Jesse to marry me. Her only argument was that she feared remarrying—feared that if she did, something would take me away from her; it would be like tempting fate. I tried to argue that she couldn’t judge our fate by what was taken from her before we met. Now that we had a baby on the way, it should be a sign that it is meant to be.

Jesse was the most stubborn person I have ever met in my entire life, she fears happiness; she feels that she doesn’t deserve it but she, more than anyone, deserves happiness and so much more.

The baby, she’s already stronger than anyone realizes, the familiar voice in my mind told me.

Where have you been, Jeff? I haven’t heard from you since the park.

Yeah, I haven’t been needed until now.

What do you mean haven’t been needed? Are you saying we have more trouble coming our way? I knew before he confirmed my fears that would be the only explanation for Jeff’s sudden return to my inner mind.

I’m afraid so, my friend.

You said that the baby is already stronger than anyone knows, do you know something we don’t? If you do, I would really love for you to fill me in on what you know.

James, you know there are things that I can’t tell you, it’s no different than before, I can only guide you on certain things, but the rest is not to be revealed, there are still choices to be made that could change everything drastically. The only thing I can tell you, is that Jesse is to be told nothing as of yet.

Does this have anything to do with her? Or is it something else, which she isn’t to be a part of this time? Please tell me it doesn’t have anything to do with Jesse, she’s been through enough, don’t you think? It isn’t fair, that the fates or God or whatever or whoever have dealt her a hard enough hand in life, she deserves a little bit of happiness and peace. I couldn’t help but to feel fear creeping in to my heart and mind. She isn’t strong enough to continue facing blow after blow like this.

James, I agree with you totally, but she has a destiny to face, just like we all do, and sometimes it leads us to hard choices in life, but we have to face these choices head on. And yes, this does have to do with Jesse, but it also involves you and other as well. But I have faith in all of you, and so does God, or he would not have chosen all of you. Like you and Matt said, you are all a family and a family can overcome anything together. You all just have to remember that, and stick together on this path that you travel.

I sat up on the bed, watching Jesse still sleeping, pondering over what Jeff said. I made a promise that I wouldn’t keep any more secrets from her again, and now that’s what Jeff is asking me to do, it puts me in turmoil with myself.

I know that right now isn’t the time, not until after the danger of putting her into labor is over. If something was coming that we have no clue about, like what, when, or why, we are being plagued with danger again, I don’t think I can keep something like that from her, especially when I don’t even know what to expect. I would have to have her insight as to what is coming to be able to protect her, and Jaden Grace.

I have to talk to Matt, maybe between the two of us and Eddie and John; we can keep them from danger. Like Jeff and Matt said, we are a family now, and we have to travel this path together.

Chapter 3

The Hidden One

Treva

BRING ME THE young one; I would like to hear for myself what she has to say on the matter.

Yes, sir, Dr. Mitchells, I’ll bring her as soon as her session is over.

No, Ms. Tatum, I would like to see her at once.

Yes, sir.

As I left Dr. Mitchells’ office, I shook my head and rolled my eyes in disgust. I have never much cared for the so-called great doctor; He acts as if he is a god.

He orders others around as if they were servants instead of educated professionals. The children are more like specimens under a microscope to him, instead of living, breathing human beings, and the longer I work here, the more contempt I have for that man. I couldn’t help but grumble to myself.

I entered the classroom. Rayne, I need you to come with me dear, Dr. Mitchells would like to have a word with you. I couldn’t help but to notice the apprehension, wondering what she had done wrong, why he would pull her out of class. She sat petrified stiff, looking from me to Professor Samuels.

Professor Samuels was a stout man of mid fifty. With his dark olive skin and wavy jet black hair, his Hispanic nationality was hardly mistakable. He spoke with near perfect articulation, giving no doubt that he was a highly educated man.

"Can it not wait until after class? Professor Samuels asked, The children really don’t need to miss the lesson, they’ll fall behind."

I do understand, Professor Samuels, but you know how the warden is, when he wants something, he wants it yesterday.

That man will be the undoing of me one of these days, the professor huffed.

I know, but you, like me, need this job. There aren’t any other facilities locally for our field of study.

Yeah, don’t remind me.

Go ahead, Rayne. I’ll print out the notes for you so you can catch up this afternoon for homework.

Like me, Alex Samuels is here for the children. They have a hard time learning about their special gifts, and we try to teach them to be able to function in society without these gifts being a mental dysfunction.

Alex started out as a child psychologist. He owned a private practice for many years, working with troubled children. It was there that he had his first encounter with a gifted child.

While he researched his suspicions, he learned of other children that were gifted, but in many other ways. This led the professor to start searching for more of these children, which led him to several group homes.

He found a passion for helping these children that no one else felt were curable. This also led him here when one of his patients were adopted by the facility, thus bringing him here to work with these children.

He started out working with the most unreachable children, the ones who had been neglected and abandoned, cast aside. Most of the children he worked with had severe anger issues, most of which he was able to help. Only a few had to be locked away like some kind of animal which they emulated. Those are the children that continued to haunt him day and night; it angered Alex to no end that society had turned their backs on them, turning the children cold and indifferent, wild and untamable.

Some of the children see the future, some of them see the dead, but no matter their gifts, we work with them, to teach them how to accept who they are, and how to control these gifts.

Throughout history, people who had certain abilities were deemed witches, devil worshipers, and all sorts of evil beings, and either burned at the stake, or hanged. But through science, society has learned to accept more and more of these gifted people. But some people are still stuck in the stone ages, and parents that don’t understand these children, either have them put into a mental institute, or abandon them all together. Our facility tries to search for these children, and rescue them and teach them. We are one of only three of these facilities in the United States. One is in Alaska and the other is in Hawaii.

Well, Rayne, how are you today?

Good.

Just good, are you getting any better at finding other gifted children?

A little, I think I have found another one, but she is different.

Different, in what way do you mean?

Well, I can see her in my dreams, but when I try to find her when I’m awake, she isn’t there. I don’t understand it. I’ve never had this happen before. She talks to me, but tells me to keep her secret. Do you think she is scared her momma will find out that she ain’t normal?

Isn’t normal, I corrected her. Maybe, but that doesn’t explain why you can’t see her except when you’re asleep.

Do you think that’s why Dr. Mitchells wants to see me? I did talk to my counselor about her. The girl always acts scared, and it makes me feel scared too, but I don’t know what we’re scared of. She is different than all of us here.

I couldn’t help but wonder, "Is that why, he had me pull Rayne out of sessions? He may have found a new specimen to study under his microscope. A new favorite like Rayne, unique in her gifts because she has more than one gift, and the longer she is here, we uncover even more. It’s very rare that you find a multi-talented person like Rayne. But to me, she is very special, not just because of her multitalents, but because of her gentle nature.

Most of the children here are either angry, smug, or both. Some of them are filled with pure hatred and are impossible to teach. So they will remain here indefinitely, institutionalized."

We reached the office door, standing slightly ajar, I knocked and waited on the doctor’s reply before opening the heavy wooden door.

Hello, Miss Rayne, come on in. How are you on this fine morning? he greeted her with his fake syrupy voice.

That will be all, Ms. Tatum, he said as he waved me away absently, with his hungry looking gaze trained on Rayne.

I eased out the door and closed it behind myself, wishing I could hear through the thick wood but knowing it was no use trying, so I stood outside patiently, and waited.

Students weren’t allowed to be in the corridors unattended at any time, so we were instructed to wait while he had his meetings with them, and then to escort them back to class or their dorm rooms.

Sometimes I wish I could just steal Rayne away from this place, to protect her from this man’s possessive clutches, before he has his chance to taint her innocence with his controlling behavior. But I’m afraid that we are all stuck here.

Like many of the professors here, I’ve never had children of my own, but I’ve always wanted to be a mother. It was just never in the cards for me. I was married once, and after five years of trying to start a family,