Anotrothe

By P.B. Cannon

Shane, Evelyn, Connor, and Valerie. Non-siblings bound together since conception by a connection only they have. They also share an invisible friend.

But not all invisible friends are necessarily imaginary.

Consider Anotrothe. Friend and gentle guardian with powerful psychic abilities, he is invisible to everyone except them until they are twelve, when he appears and becomes a teacher at their school.

One day, he tells them that the connection they share gives them the capacity to learn things no other humans can, and promises to teach them when they are old enough to learn.

When they are eighteen and bound for college, he informs them that it’s crucial they begin their lessons soon because malignant forces are on the way to destroy their world and they must use their abilities to help him save Earth.
He becomes their teacher, using a method that is unusual. One could even call it unorthodox. It is one that dictates he become much more than simply an instructor.

Then, he informs them that they are the result of a biological experiment and their world becomes filled with mounting tensions intermingled with rising doubts.

Are they what he says they are, and is he the benevolent benefactor he appears to be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.B. Cannon
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463671108

P.B. Cannon

P.B. Cannon was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and though she has visited other cities and states, she has a preference for Charlotte and expects to live there for the rest of her life.She is a teller of tales who enjoys concocting yarns of science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and other stuff. She relishes reading, drawing and painting, walking, working crossword puzzles, and she likes to dance.She is a retired electronics technician and admits to having worked at a variety of other jobs during her life, including being a dishwasher, a busgirl, a housemaid, a motel/hotel maid, working in a fast-food joint, a telephone operator, and a store clerk. There have been other, even-less-glamorous jobs.She also daydreams a lot.

Book preview

He sat within his vessel and brooded on his longstanding dilemma.

A vibration, a mere hint of a disturbance, imposed its way into his consciousness, interrupting his inner gloom. Startled, he raised his head.

In all his time of searching, this was the first instance in which he had perceived any trace of that which was required. Hopeful, he concentrated.

A link.

His mind pursued the thin, almost imperceptible thread, and met with an obstruction. Frustration creased his brow. Perhaps he was mistaken. He quietened his mind and focused. There was no mistake. It was indeed the long sought after assistance he would need. He had but to reach it.

He pulled his mind back and mulled over his next move, which was to determine how to overcome the obstruction, and then isolate the exact location and identity of the link. It was crucial to make this discovery as soon as possible. After several trials that accomplished nothing, he thought to ask the ship.

"Zua, assess. Why am I not achieving success with this?"

"Your efforts are hindered by a lack of power, Master."

He waited for a moment then said patiently, I am waiting, Zua. Are you then going to explain how I may rectify this?

"The link itself is the answer, Master. Through it, you can access a strength that, while not great, may be combined with yours. It can be used to cancel the distance and thus overcome the obstruction. Then, you may isolate the position of the link."

He stared at the ship’s console, thinking that it had seemed reluctant to answer him, but that thought was lost in his annoyance that he had not considered that angle himself. His irritation faded as he set about analyzing the parameters of the approach. His heart lightened with the discovery that the task would be complex but not insurmountable. As long as he was careful, such a tactic would work quite well.

So as not to sap the fragile power, through the link he used a subtle touch to pull upon the delicate strength. He intermingled it with his own and negated the distance to gain egress. Then, he sent his perception through.

Reaching the source, he made a further survey and smiled with satisfaction. It was more than expected. Before him lay the pathway that would lead to his defeat of the enemy.

He made his plans, gave directives to his vessel, and wended his way toward his destination.

Chapter One

The Quad Squad

Four kids from four different sets of parents born the same year on the same day.

This was not an uncommon occurrence, but it was a fact not known to the parents as, at the time, they lived in four different states and didn’t know one another.

It was perhaps less common that the kids were born within the same hour within the same minute, but that was a detail not discovered for years.

Mere seconds separated their ages. Evelyn Bryce made it into the world first, a second after midnight and a second before Connor Helmuth. Connor beat Shane Anders by a half-second, and Valerie Worthy was the youngest at one second behind Shane. Three and a half seconds after midnight, they were all out and squalling.

They met when they were eight weeks old. Or rather, their parents did. One could say that the babies already knew each other.

Two weeks after the births of the newest addition to their families, the fathers transferred from their respective jobs to a town in Massachusetts. On a sunny day in mid-spring, the mothers met while in the park with their new babies and found they lived within a few blocks of each other. Upon discovering the babies were all born on February twenty-fifth, they marveled at the coincidence. They became good friends.

One mother noticed her baby sometimes appeared to be listening to something, something she couldn’t hear, or the baby would coo or giggle when alone in the nursery. In comparing notes with the other mothers, she discovered their babies behaved the same way. They chalked it up as normal and got on with enjoying their little bundles of joy.

From the beginning, some connection the babies seemed to share called to mind the one shared by multiples from the same womb. When the kids were older, and the mothers brought them together, they would crawl to each other and babble as though they understood. It was as though they had their own language and were communicating on a level no one else had.

Like puppies, they would fall asleep in a huddle. Shane was always next to Evelyn, and Connor next to Valerie. Everyone thought it was cute.

Their families jokingly called them the quad squad.

Chapter Two

Anotrothe

From the time they turned a year old, the mothers held joint birthday parties for the children at one or the other of their houses. Nothing big or fancy, just the four kids and ice cream and cake. Being more of a time for the mothers to get together, as more children joined the family, they would leave the younger siblings at home for their husbands to cope with.

When they were four years old, Connor’s mother held the party.

After the birthday cake and ice cream, it being February and too cold to take them outside, they sent them to Connor’s room to play. They became quiet for so long that, knowing un-noisy kids more often than not spelled trouble, Connor’s mother went to check on them. They were naked and hugging each other.

Shocked, she made them put their clothes on calling in the other mothers to help since, as with most children that age, they were better at taking them off than putting them on. The mothers had to believe the kids were behaving in innocence since they were so young. This was such a sudden development, though, that it was worrying. They needed answers.

They marched the kids out to the living room where, in gentle tones, they questioned them. Four little sets of wide eyes peered up at them.

Evelyn’s mother maintained a calm exterior. What were you doing?

Evelyn’s in-need-of-a-cut blond bangs fell over her light blue eyes. They showed confusion, but her treble voice was firm. Playin’.

Valerie’s mother eyeballed the pint-sized figures. Why did you remove your clothes?

The smallest of the four, Valerie, her already thick and curly black hair in cornrows to keep it from snapping into an afro, blinked her big puzzled gray eyes. ’Cause we din’t know boys ‘n girls were diff’rent, Mommy.

Connor, the largest of the four, still had a slight lisp. He did a just-turned-four-years-old jiggle, his sandy mop of hair bouncing up and down. We took ‘em off ’cause Anotwothe said if we din’t have clothe-es on we could see. He grinned, his dark brown eyes crinkling almost shut.

Valerie, who was in the middle of hugging Connor when his mother went in, said brightly, I like Connor. He’s nice. Anotrothe said we kin hug.

Shane’s always disheveled dark brown hair bounced in three different directions as he gave an emphatic nod. "I like huggin’ Evelyn, Mommy. I hug Connor ‘n Valerie too. We hug a lot. Hug people you like. That’s what Anotrothe said. That’s why I hug you, Mommy."

The name was odd, though somewhat familiar, and at hearing it, the mothers went on the alert.

Trying to keep the tension from her tone, Shane’s mother stared into his beaming hazel eyes. Who is Anotrothe? She swung her eyes to the other mothers. All were trying to keep their sudden alarm from showing. They didn’t want to upset the children, but they had to know.

Shane gave a happy grin. He’s our friend. He plays wif us.

His mother’s heart tried to climb into her throat, and she had to swallow twice before speaking. Do you hug him too?

Shane broke out in giggles. We can’t hug Anotrothe, Mommy! His eyes danced as he added, But he says we kin hug each other ‘n ’tend it’s him.

She clasped a hand to her chest and drew in a sharp breath.

Where did you meet him? Tell us what he looks like, demanded Evelyn’s mother trying to keep the panic from her voice. She reached for her phone. They had to call the police and have them round up this pervert. This child predator that was warping their children.

Evelyn’s forehead puckered as she threw her eyes up at her mother. But we don’t have to, Mommy, he’s right here! Can’t you see him?

Connor added as his face bunched with bewilderment, "We always knowed Anotwothe!"

Four adult faces peered at the kids. Then they glanced at each other. Evelyn’s mother, phone in hand and poised to dial 911, paused. A vein in her right temple began slowing the rapid beat it had begun. He’s right where, honey?

The kids pointed to an empty space in front of them. She put the phone down, and the mothers shot sheepish glances at each other, relief washing over their faces.

Valerie’s mother’s impending panic faded. Honey, is it the friend you were playing with last week?

Uh-huh. We had tea, but Anotrothe can’t hold th’ cup.

Yes, agreed Evelyn, wearing a smile. Anotrothe talks to us, ‘n then we have tea.

Connor’s mother smiled. Okay, darling. We can’t see Anotrothe, but tell him we want you to keep your clothes on, okay?

The four-year-olds peered up at their mothers before breaking out in grins at their parents’ inability to see what was right in front of them.

Connor giggled. He kin hear you, Mommy, but I’ll tell ‘im anyway. He turned to the empty space and informed Anotwothe his mommy said they couldn’t take their clothes off anymore.

The girls’ giggles joined Connor’s as Shane asked, Kin we go play now?

His mother was trying not to laugh. Yes, go ahead, but don’t forget: you may hug but keep your clothes on.

As the children skipped off down the hall, their mothers shook their heads at themselves for their rush to panic about nothing. All had noticed over time that their kids often played alone appearing to talk to someone that wasn’t there, and when questioned said they were playing with their friend. They knew why the friend’s name had seemed familiar, too. The kids had mentioned it before, but this was the first time they’d paid attention enough for it to register.

They told their husbands about it later and had a good laugh over the kids’ active imaginations and that they had come up with such an unusual name. It denoted that they were bright and creative. A lot of children had invisible friends, so nothing to worry about. It never occurred to them to question why the kids all seemed to have the same one or to wonder who told them boys and girls were different. Indeed, they never even remembered that part.

***

The parents were destined to hear more of Anotrothe from their typical, rambunctious offspring who sometimes did little-kid things when an adult took an eye off them.

Such as the time Connor climbed a maple tree in his back yard and fell.

His belt loop caught on a low branch, and he tumbled from there to the ground. His distraught mother checked him out and told him to stay out of the tree as she put his favorite adhesive bandages - Spider-Man - on his scraped hand and knee thanking God none of his injuries were serious.

He grinned and ran off to his room. Anotwothe kept me fwom falling! I’m gonna go play wif him! he informed his mother.

Or Evelyn, who decided she wanted to see Shane one day, and took off down the street and around to the freeway following the route her mother took when she went to visit Shane’s mom. Evelyn got there just fine and dandy, and when she arrived, Shane’s mom called her mom, who called the police who called off the rescuers that were out searching for her.

When asked how she got there all by herself, she looked confused.

I wasn’t by myself, she insisted, Anotrothe was wif me!

Valerie, who enjoyed riding her tricycle, took it down the middle of her busy street one afternoon. It caused all sorts of vehicle mishaps of drivers trying to avoid the tyke on the trike.

Valerie was puzzled why anybody was surprised none of the cars struck her. She overheard her mother and a neighbor thanking God the child hadn’t been run over.

She marched up and declared, Anotrothe moved them outta my way so I could ride!

Shane wanted to go swimming at the public pool a half-mile away, one day. His mother told him she didn’t have time to take him, so as soon as her back was turned, he ran off to go anyway. He managed to avoid street traffic on the way and all the lifeguards and attendants when he got to the pool, where he jumped into the deep end. Though he’d never had swimming lessons, he dog paddled his way across just fine.

The attendants didn’t realize he was alone without a parent nearby until his frantic mother called wanting to know if he might have made his way there. They pulled the small boy from the pool and kept him in the office until someone came to get him.

When asked, he laughed, and said, Anotrothe brought me to the pool. He helped me swim!

His father signed him up for swimming lessons.

More of such incidents had their beleaguered parents exasperated with Anotrothe. They couldn’t wait until their kids got over the imaginary friend stage.

Chapter Three

Don’t Tell

When they were five years old, the kids wanted to know why Anotrothe came to see them and no one else.

I’m here because you are special. He smiled. I am your guardian.

They got excited.

Are you an angel? gasped Valerie, her eyes wide.

Shane stared up at him. Did God send you to guard us?

Anotrothe smiled again. That’s a good explanation, but--

Evelyn, her eyes shining up at his golden hair and blue eyes that were a shade darker than hers, said, Ohh… you look just like an angel! Can we see your wings?

He chuckled. I’m sorry, my friends, maybe one day, but for now, my wings are tucked away.

They were thrilled that they were special enough for God to send them their own personal guardian angel. Being five, they didn’t ask what was special about them. Knowing they were was enough for them.

They saw him often, and he came to visit each of them at night when they were in bed, though, when he came to their rooms, he told them they had to be quiet so no one would come in. He told them he loved them, and he told them interesting stories, different from the ones of their mothers.

Their favorite was the one about the four lucky babies born on the same day, who would always have a guardian that loved them. They would giggle because they knew it was about them.

When the children began school, they tended to hang with each other, though they got along well with their classmates. They were the oldest in their respective families and got on fine with their siblings, too, except for the occasional squabble that all siblings have, such as over a toy - or when a sibling or two got upset because they couldn’t see the invisible friend.

That didn’t often happen, as it didn’t take long for the four to learn not to talk to him in front of them.

As they got older, they still mentioned Anotrothe sometimes, though they weren’t as inclined to involve themselves in adventures that they attributed to him. When they went into fifth grade, their parents worried that they seemed to be holding on to their imaginary friend a bit longer than average.

On discussing it with the kids’ pediatrician, he told them that, yes, some children held on longer than others. In their case, he believed that, because they dreamed him up together when they were quite young, they were reluctant to let go. He compared it to a child hanging on to a beloved stuffed toy or a comfort blanket.

He advised them to continue to ignore it, and it should soon be a forgotten matter to the children.

Sure enough, one day, right before the Christmas break, they stopped talking about him and never mentioned him again. When anyone asked, they said he was just a figment.

The parents breathed a huge sigh of relief. At last, they’d grown out of the invisible friend stage.

***

The four had learned some time back, not to mention their friend to any of their playmates or school friends. That got them teased. Fifth grade was when Anotrothe told them they should stop speaking about him to anyone, their parents in particular.

Puzzled, Shane asked, Why?

"Because, Shane, it could cause problems for you, for all of you. You are older now, and no one else can see me. His face was unsmiling for a change. It’s not the same as when you were younger when everyone thought I was a mere figment of your imaginations. It might appear to your parents and other adults as though you require therapy. His smile returned, and his face relaxed. We wouldn’t want that, would we?"

Connor scrunched up his face. What’s a figment," Anotrothe, and do you mean physical therapy, like what my gramma got when she said her shoulder froze?"

He chuckled. A figment is something that’s made up, not real, Connor, and, no, not physical therapy. If you continue to mention me and insist that I am real, someone might think that you have, ah, emotional issues, and send you to a doctor that treats people for those.

Evelyn nodded sagely. Oh, you mean like a psychiatrist.

He smiled. Very good, Evelyn, and yes, that’s correct.

They thought that was weird because they knew he was real even though by then, they knew everybody else thought he wasn’t. Though neither knew for sure what therapy for emotional issues would entail - not even Evelyn - they were sure they didn’t want any part of it. Anotrothe was their guardian angel who would always protect and love them, so they had no trouble taking his word for anything. If he said to stop mentioning him, then they would.

After he told them to relegate him to the land of figments - so to speak - he had a further directive for them.

There is one other thing; you must stop removing your clothes when you are together.

This surprised the kids, too. Even though their mothers had told them not to take their clothes off again after they found them undressed the first time, Anotrothe had said they could if they were careful not to be seen by anyone else. As far as they were concerned, if he said it was okay, then it was. So, though it hadn’t been a regular thing for them, they did, and they had continued to hug each other, pretending they were hugging him. He had laughed about it.

Huh? Why? came from Valerie. You said it was okay.

I know I did, but you were small then, and it wouldn’t have made much difference if you were careless and someone saw you. Now you are ten, too old to continue doing it. If someone were to see you undressed, you would be in a lot of trouble. So, don’t do it again.

It wasn’t as if getting naked was something they had to do or would miss, so they had no problems with giving it up.

Once they quit talking about their imaginary friend, for the most part, he visited them when they were together. He had them meet him someplace where no one was around to notice how quiet they became from time to time or appeared to be speaking to somebody not there.

He had complete control of them. Almost.

Chapter Four

A New Teacher

They were twelve and in middle school when one day they got to their history class to make an amazing discovery. Anotrothe was there, and he was solid. Everyone could see him. He was the new history teacher.

They sat in stunned silence as he introduced himself to the class as Mr. Janus Anotrothe and didn’t appear to recognize them. They stared with confusion into the angelic face they’d known from their first memories, even before they knew their mothers’ faces.

When they went to lunch, they sat at a table alone where, keeping their voices low, they discussed his presence at the school. What was he doing there, and how could everyone see him now? Why didn’t he seem to know them? They were afraid he had amnesia or something.

Then he appeared to them in the familiar insubstantial state imbued with a hazy light that no one else could see, joining them at their table. They were relieved he still knew them, but they had questions.

Valerie blinked at him. Why didn’t you tell us you were gonna be able to appear to other people, Anotrothe?

Yeah, added Shane, or that you were gonna be a teacher at our school.

He smiled. Ah, my young friends, I wanted to surprise you. I couldn’t come while you were younger but now that you are older and I can, I wanted to be near you so I could better protect and watch over you, and being a teacher works rather well, don’t you think?

Connor laughed and came up with what even he knew was an understatement. We sure are surprised!

Valerie’s forehead crinkled. Why couldn’t you come before?

He smiled. You wouldn’t understand the answer, Valerie. One day when you are older and have learned a bit more, I’ll explain.

As they all did, she trusted him, so she accepted that answer.

"Let me caution you never to indicate that you already know me. You are always to call me Mr. Anotrothe when you see me at school."

They nodded, and Shane wanted to know, Well, where do you live? Can we come to see you at home?

He smiled. I’ve rented a house not far away, but no, it would not be a good idea for any of you to come there. After all, I’m your teacher so it wouldn’t be appropriate. Maybe one day, when you’re older and out of school.

They didn’t understand, but they accepted it.

When their parents met the new teacher at open house, none of them remembered that Janus Anotrothe’s last name was the same as that of the long-ago imaginary friend of the kids.

***

The kids were happy to have Anotrothe near and thrilled to be able to touch their guardian for the first time in their lives.

Of course, touching him, other than maybe on a hand, was something they couldn’t do when there was a chance of it being seen, but they got him alone sometimes and hugged him every chance they got. They wanted to make up for all the time they couldn’t before, and Anotrothe hugged them in return, sometimes giving one of them a back rub or caressing a shoulder, which they loved.

Now, though, they questioned his guardian angel status since he was embodied and out where everyone could see him.

He gave a gentle smile. If you will recall, I told you I was your guardian. I never said I was an angel from God.

The kids thought back and realized that Anotrothe was right. He hadn’t ever said that. They had thought he was an angel. He hadn’t corrected them, but being older now, they got that it was an explanation five-year-olds could understand. Since they were no longer five, it led to another question.

Shane asked it. "Where did you come from? You’re not really our guardian?"

They were not as innocent as they had been, so he was expecting questions. "I am your guardian, my young friends. Hmm… I’m not certain you will believe