Satori

By Barry Pittman

Dave and Nia are not typical teenagers. While they try to understand their special abilities, experimenting with these together can only take them so far. Out of nowhere, an environmental organisation brings them together with other teens. Are these teens like Dave and Nia? Is there more to this organisation than the environment? Together Dave and Nia start their journey towards awakening, comprehension and understanding.
To complicate things, Nia is in love, she has been since she was five. She cringes at the cliché, but she can’t help herself. She is in love with Dave, her best friend, the boy next door and the most popular boy in school. How does he feel about her? He likes her, but is that enough? Why doesn’t he date? After a blow to her already shaky confidence, Nia decides it’s time to act. Even if this wrecks everything. Even if she isn’t worthy. It’s time.
This feel good story takes our teens on a new direction, out of their ordinary world. Can they help the darkness in people around them? Can they help the environment?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barry Pittman
• Release date: Jul 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005245924

Barry Pittman

Reader and writer of adventures

Book preview

SATORI SONG LIST

To add to your enjoyment of this novel I recommend listening to and supporting the following artists;

Blue Sky Cathedral – written by Rhonda Vincent, performed by Adam Brand

Our Backyard – Written and performed by Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins

The Long Jumping Jeweller – Written by Graeham Goble performed by The Little River Band

Tegami – Written and performed by Angela Aki.

Looking Forward, Looking Back – Composer Don Walker. Performer Slim Dusty

Rip Rip Woodchip – Written and performed by John Williamson

Waltzing Matilda – Original lyrics penned by Banjo Paterson music by Christina Macpherson lyrics adapted by Marie Cowan performed by just about everyone though I suggest the version by Slim Dusty

Flying With the King – Written by Lee Kernaghan, Garth Porter & Colin Buchanan. Performed by Lee Kernaghan

Chapter One

The eyes flicked side to side looking for their next target. He hoped to be safe; an online meeting should have offered some protection, right? Some distance from his anger, only it didn’t. Germany had finished his report, a glowing report. He had a large team of students spreading darkness, death, and environmental anarchy.

His turn came. The eyes locked on to him, heat radiated through the computer monitor.

"You have been a disappointment. There are no more chances, get on with it."

***

Thump. Thump. Thump. Dave Brand lay on his bed with his eyes closed, listening as his father’s steps receded. Dave had long given up wondering whether it was the steps themselves that woke him six days a week or if it was the anticipation of them that woke him.

The steps vibrated through the timber floor and receded down the stairs. This familiar sound was followed by the crunch of boots on the gravel of the driveway, the car door closing, and the grinding of the motor as the engine started.

Regular as clockwork. Not that his dad was inconsiderate with the noise; he was a great dad who was just focused on his day. An overactive person who worked hard during the week and on Saturday mornings, like today, as a ranger for The Queensland Department of Parks and Wildlife. He made sure the few campers and properties bordering the reserves were quiet and safe while protecting the local, state, and national parks.

Dave kept his eyes closed and let his mind wander, ranging out among the grasses around the house that were absorbing the early morning dew. He felt the thrum of the grass and trees as the sun warmed them on its rise above the neighbouring hills. Next, the animals stole his attention over the overwhelming noise in his mind of the flora. First with the wallabies in the paddock behind the house, then the magpies in the trees as they ruffled themselves, awakening to the sun and planning their first calls.

Dave knew he was different. He felt this from an early age when he first learned to feel and understand plants, followed to a lesser extent by the animals and birds. As he grew, he became aware of the deep feelings within the people around him: of love, hate, and sorrow, before they could even speak of them. Or more often, not speak of them. It wasn’t long before he picked up on the subordinate feelings in people as well, like happiness, disappointment, or jealousy. Of greater concern, he discovered that dark feelings and thoughts greatly affected some people. This darkness radiated from them in subtle, yet visible waves only he and Nia could see.

He also knew to keep these abilities to himself, aware that his differences could alarm others. Until Nia, that is. His mind wandered further west to the house next door, then across to Nia’s room on the western side. Whereas his room basked in the morning sun, Nia’s room was dark and cool. He couldn’t see Nia, but he could feel her presence as a glow. His imagination filled in the figure and face of his best friend as if she were there with him. They had recently adapted their thoughts to an almost physical touch. Using this now, Dave caressed Nia’s cheek to wake her.

Rising himself, David pulled on a shirt to go with his sleep shorts. He took a quick look around his room, at the Spartan furnishings and bare walls. His king-sized bed, the only bed he could fit in comfortably, sat in a corner. A chest of drawers and one bookcase packed with his favourite volumes stood against a wall. Light blue walls of tongue-and-groove timbers, a white ceiling, and white trim made for a bright, sunlit room. Bright colours that matched his mood the majority of the time.

Catching his reflection in the mirror, Dave ignored it, knowing that looking back at him would have been his unremarkable features capped with dark hair and blue eyes, which shone bright in the morning light.

There were two doors out of his room, and he took the door leading onto the veranda, which wrapped around the old timber home. He looked over the green and grey of the bush landscape he frequently explored with his mind. The morning dew had all but burned off now. The birds raised the sound levels, each species competing to out sing the magpies. A sudden movement close to the tree line caught his eye as a small troupe of wallabies shuffled about. Several were on guard, the rest eating the still-damp grass under the shade of the trees. He singled out an adolescent joey and focused hard, learning to isolate its signature from the others. It was still hard for him at this distance compared to the older animals, but was getting easier with practice.

Animals can be very intuitive. The joey looked over, feeling his interest. Testing the bond Dave offered, then breaking it as she returned to her meal.

Closing his eyes, Dave breathed in the aroma of the trees, the tang of the eucalyptus mixed with the sugar-laden smell of the grevillea, and bottle brushes in flower. Overlaying all this was the sweet smell of the cut grass from his mowing late yesterday after school. The smell of summer, of an Australian Christmas, he thought, while the sun warmed his arms. With his eyes still closed, he felt the morning sun on his face, as a slight breeze ruffled his hair. Another perfect summer Saturday.

He opened his eyes once again, then turned to navigate the uneven and creaking boards around the house to the front where the veranda overlooked the circular gravel drive. In the centre was their first major landscaping effort from several years ago. Native flowering shrubs and ground cover plants flourished from the spring warmth, showers, and, of course, his special attention. They filled the gardens that surrounded the small seating area and the birdbath they made the focal point of the design. After looking over the abundance of flowers and fresh shoots, Dave headed further along to the shaded western side of the veranda, the side that overlooked the gully between his home and Nia’s, one hundred meters away.

Their homes were old timber Queenslander style houses, mirror images of each other. Moved by truck to side-by-side five-acre blocks of native bush carved from a corner of a large farm two decades earlier. The land had been sold off by the farmer to generate cash through a disastrous drought. Dave’s parents were the first to buy here, as they sought a rural location to start their family.

The rain-washed gully that lay along the boundary between their homes had been their special project for the last few years. They had committed to reclaiming and protecting the land from erosion by planting native species that Dave encouraged to grow at twice their normal rate. There was now a virtual forest along a clear creek bed, with regular low weirs made of natural stone. The weirs prevented erosion while encouraging ponding between rainfalls. Their latest addition was a large walking bridge over the centre, supported by used power poles and lined with reclaimed, treated timber. It provided easy access for Dave and Nia to each other’s homes and a secluded place to meet.

Dave leaned on the veranda rail and looked over the lush, green, weed-free lawn, encouraging the growth of the trees within his sight with his thoughts, or perhaps his feelings. He was unsure of how he affected the plants; it was enough for now to know that he could help them grow. He felt their response to his thoughts, and their ache to grow as they absorbed the sun and moisture around them. There were no marsupials on this side, though the trees held dozens of galahs and cockatoos sitting like upright fruit on the branches, still and silent as they watched him.

***

Nia Martin woke at the sensation of Dave’s thoughts caressing her cheek. Looking around, she raised her hand to her face. Disappointed that he wasn’t there in person and the touch wasn’t physical, Nia still felt a thrill throughout her body.

Her room looked back at her, as basic and bare as Dave’s, although painted all white and decorated with many pictures of them together over the years. Starting from when she moved in next door to him at five years old, the little blonde Welsh girl and the dark-haired Aussie boy. The pictures showed them growing from frame to frame until their fifteenth birthdays just under a year ago. The fine-looking young man Dave had grown into looked back at her from the most recent pictures.

Rolling out of bed, Nia changed into a t-shirt and shorts, which were more presentable than her summer pyjamas. She left through her veranda door, a copy of Dave’s, onto her own wrap-around veranda. She absorbed the feeling and sounds of the surrounding bush as she walked around the house.

The animals came first for her when she developed her skills alongside Dave. For Nia, the millions of insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds overshadowed people’s emotions and plants. Foremost in her thoughts were a doe and joey koala in a group of trees to the west. They were drifting off to sleep when she checked in; other than being tipsy from fermented gum leaves, they were doing well. Nia could easily sense birds and animals for kilometres around. They filled her mind in a harmony of sound and colours until she shaded them out so she could concentrate on her visual sense. She hurried in anticipation around the house to match Dave’s arrival.

***

Feeling Nia come round from the other side of her home, Dave looked up and saw her wave to him. He returned her gesture with a wide smile as she leaned on her veranda rail and grinned back at him. Too far to talk, they continued their inspection of the gully, then with another wave they parted for breakfast.

After leaving his bedroom door onto the veranda, Dave had completed the circuit of his home and inspected half of his gardens. Walking in through the veranda entry to the kitchen, he found his mum as she worked through her list of tasks for the day. He’d kept his mind closed to his parents’ emotions and feelings from a young age. His parents’ powerful feelings towards each other were comforting to Dave, but too much at times. Though his mum’s happiness was clear in her youthful movements and constant smile. Still without grey in her dark brown hair, she was as slim and pretty as a woman ten years younger.

His mum stood at five foot five, which Dave had overtaken years before; now, he towered half a foot over her. While tall and skinny, his frame was hard-packed and muscled from years of yard work.

Looking up, Daphne Brand said, You know you could walk through the house like a normal person. Without waiting for a reply, she brought over cereal and milk and kissed him gently on the forehead when he sat. I need to go to the supermarket at about nine if you need a lift to the library. Dad asked if you’re free to help with fencing at the Thompson place this afternoon about three. I’ve got the book club here at three, and you know how your father hates being around for that, she finished with a laugh.

Dave nodded along as she spoke, long used to her nonstop ‘rapid fire’ way of speaking that needed little help from him. He waited for a pause before jumping in to mimic her with a laugh in his voice. The library would be great. Can we give Nia a lift? I’m happy to help with the fencing. Does he want me to meet him there?

Well aware he was mirroring her conversational style, she grinned and poked her tongue out at him and gave him a glass of juice. Be like that if you want! Yes, we can give Nia a lift, you can meet your father there if you can cycle over.

No problem. I will give the vegetable garden a quick look over before I get ready. Are we dropping by the depot?

The depot was a local effort of the neighbouring farms and hobby farmers, instigated by Dave and driven by his mother. Established in an old sheep shed moved onto the fence line of a property up the road, providing a central exchange point for surplus produce from local gardens, and managed by the local churches on a rotating basis. After the depot traded the produce for half their shelf-life, they donated the food through the churches into food parcels or meals prepared for the elderly or infirm residents.

Having an almost infallible green thumb, Dave had developed a large, multi-stage vegetable garden over the years, which provided a large surplus of produce above the needs of his and Nia’s households. The depot provided the perfect outlet to trade the surplus from Dave’s garden for other needed meat, fruit, and vegetables. A side benefit was sharing the crop with the community as a whole.

Sure, his mum responded, on the Facebook page earlier it looked like the McCormack’s have dropped in a large crop of grapes. Also, the Salmons have put up some lamb chops.

Okay, I will see what I have and check with Nia on eggs.

Nia’s connection with animals had allowed her to grow and expand a large poultry operation. Different species of chooks, ducks, and geese provided a continuous supply of eggs and meat. There were never any illnesses or pests in her flocks. Working together, Dave and Nia swapped plant trimmings and leafy matter for poultry manure. Aside from water, they had developed an almost perfectly balanced system.

A short while later, Daphne started up the truck and watched while Dave carried a large carton of eggs for Nia. This was the first time she had seen Nia in a while outside of her standard jeans, flannels, and the floppy hat she used for yard work. Today, tanned arms and legs protruded from a tight red tank top and bottle green shorts. Shock and concern crossed her features as she looked at the pretty and lithe young woman.

Where did the little girl go? she muttered quietly. She and Jeff never concerned themselves over their son’s tight bond with the neighbour girl. Both were good kids overall. Having grown up in the countryside herself, Daphne knew how isolation extended a childhood. Away from the city, even distanced from a town, kept ‘kids as kids’ well into their mid-teens. They witnessed this as Dave’s childhood and his focus on his reading and hobbies blended into his adolescence and could see how their boy flourished in this environment. But Nia’s changes warranted, maybe, a refresher talk on the birds and bees.

They made a fine-looking couple, she thought, both tall and slim, strong and tanned. Objectively, she knew Dave was a handsome young man, and she saw Nia was growing into an attractive girl.

Hi, Nia said as she shuffled across the front bench seat to let Dave slide in beside her.

Morning. How’s your mum? Daphne asked, glancing over at how close Dave and Nia were sitting before she turned back and pulled out onto the road.

She’s good. Working today, though, Nia replied, concerned by Daphne’s posture and tone. She gave Dave a quick look; he raised an eyebrow and looked down at their legs pressed together. Taking the hint, she blushed, then shuffled further over on the seat.

Pulling up at the depot minutes later, Daphne climbed the stairs and joined the others talking on the veranda while Dave and Nia loaded boxes of vegetables and eggs from the ute tray onto the veranda deck. A few of the local children ran about the building, playing a game that Dave couldn’t recognise. Seemingly the game involved robots and cowboys. It brought a lot of sweat and laughter so it couldn’t be all bad.

A few of the older children had taken over the picnic tables under the shade trees that Dave and Nia had planted a few years ago. They were tall enough now to offer protection from the sun and, importantly, privacy from adults. The crowd at the tables took advantage of the shade and the cool breeze to catch up and swap stories away from their ever-watchful parents.

Overall, the old sheep shed was comfortable and homey, although with faded paint and a few cracked window frames. It lacked maintenance but remained serviceable. They stacked the veranda at one end with bales of organic hay which they covered with a tarp; Nia occasionally drew on this stash of hay to supplement bedding for her birds. On the ground along the far outside wall were bags of manure collected for sale from neighbouring properties by the local scouts. It was a busy trading hub and meeting place for the locals, and the vibe was friendly and comfortable. Dave loved it here, watching the community come together to socialise and help others. He could see the benefits in all those around him.

Nia could see the thrum of enthusiasm in Dave, both in his smile and the flash in his eyes. Was it the people here, how they all felt to be part of something bigger than themselves, saving money and helping others? Or was it the location, was there an energy to this place? Whatever the reason, Dave thrived here.

Did you need some hay? Dave asked, distracting Nia from her reverie. She held up two fingers, and Dave took two bales out from under the tarp, easily dropping them onto the ute tray.

Father Martin, a young, severe-looking priest with the duty of running the depot that day, logged their produce onto the Facebook page with a few photos. He noted the two bales and gave them a nod as he moved things away for sorting and storage. The local Catholic Community League, who was helping him out today, completed the sorting inside.

I’ve always liked his chats, Dave quipped as he pulled himself up on the tailgate beside Nia, shuffling aside as their arms brushed.

Like you’re a chatty guy yourself, she replied with a grin, adding maybe he would be nicer to us if we went to church. Without waiting for a response Nia asked, So, what’s with your mum? She seemed tense. Are you picking up any feelings?

No, I don’t do that anymore. He smiled at Nia. I don’t need to do that to know what she’s thinking. She’s not used to seeing you so grown up and pretty.

Nia didn’t respond, blushing at his compliment before she turned away.

Here you go, Dave. Daphne lowered two heavy reusable shopping bags on the veranda. Put both bags in the Esky please?

Dave easily picked up and moved both bags with one hand, dropping them into the Esky at the back of the tray. He followed Nia to the front of the ute. With a wiggle of his eyebrows, Dave opened the door for Nia to slide back in.

They conducted the short drive to the library in silence. Nia was deep in thought, wondering about Dave, his mum, and how she looked. Nia had never given a great deal of thought to how she looked before, always just wearing whatever was comfortable. She never opened a fashion magazine, and she had no idea what fashion pundits might have thought was right for her.

Mentally, she shrugged the thought away, trying to quell the heat of her flush, happy that Dave liked how she looked. She didn’t let her mind explore why that was increasingly important to her. She wasn’t sure what to do about those feelings, if anything, especially as she didn’t know Dave’s feelings towards her.

The library anchored the eastern end of Main Street and was the newest building along the original shopping strip by far. At least forty years old, it was a modern brick and glass anachronism on a street of veranda-clad shops, bracketed by a pub and motel on the western end. Daphne dropped them off at the entrance before she continued up the road to the large and modern supermarket. The supermarket had started the eastward drift of the local businesses a few years ago, leaving a trail of empty shops in its wake.

After checking out the two books she had reserved, Nia waited near the exit on a patched and worn bench. She sat back and watched the surrounding colours, but not the bland, corporate look of the library. Like Dave she could see or sense, they hadn’t decided which it was yet, the aura radiating from people. Whereas Dave could see dark or light, Nia could make out individual colours. The kaleidoscope of colours from people walking through the shelves attracted her. Mainly blues and greens with a smattering of browns and greys, bright florals and reds flashed through them. Children ran and laughed, teens gossiped over magazines or the latest tween novels, and adults escaped into worlds between covers, leaving the drama of their lives behind.

She looked down at her newly borrowed books, more of Dave’s recommendations. The Coral Island and Tactics of Mistake. Novels a world and a lifetime apart. She smiled, one of her special smiles kept for when she thought of Dave. Thinking that his recommendations had never let her down. His effect was contagious, and his advocacy and enthusiasm brought his classmates and their families back to books. The entire town had caught the book bug, and she was sure Dave was at the bottom of it.

He had a way with people, even though he was shy, sometimes incredibly shy, he could still work magic on those around him.

She looked up and searched for Dave with both her mind and eyes. Of all the people in the library, Dave’s Aura stood out like a beacon to her. She found him talking to a younger boy, who must have been in year seven or eight. He was in the Science Fiction section, and Dave was clearly helping him find a new author. Nia smiled as she watched their enthusiasm over the classic Sci-Fi writers. Dave quietly worked his magic again as another reader took up the novels of Wyndham, Smith, and Asimov.

A voice startled Nia out of her wool-gathering as an extremely attractive dark-haired girl sat down next to her. Hi, I’m Terri.

Chapter Two

Terri was extremely beautiful, Nia thought. More than that; she was stunning. She had raven-black hair, bright blue eyes, and was dressed in a form-fitting satin top which somehow billowed around her and her tight denim jeans.

You’re prettier up close than I thought you would be, Terri continued without waiting for a reply. Not Hollywood pretty, but pretty, she finished with a hint of doubt in her voice.

Hmm, thanks, Nia responded. She averted her eyes, unaccustomed to the wave of insecurity that washed over her.

I’m new, in year nine, just been here a couple of weeks so far. Terri turned back to face the shelves and everyone browsing through them. I’ve been watching your boy, Davie.

Nia looked up at that, startled, and again feeling inadequate.

He spends a lot of time in the school library, Terri continued. It’s kind of the safety net for the shy or the awkward. She glanced back at Nia, And those new to school, like me. He’s great with everyone. She waved in Dave’s direction, See those two girls moving over to him now?

Nia looked up again, embarrassed by this younger girl lecturing her on Dave. Two pretty year nine girls had caught up with Dave as he moved towards the checkout desk.

They’re in my class, and I’ve seen them simpering over your Davie a few times. I figured they would eventually get up the courage to flirt with him. Real fan-girl types: whatever is popular on YouTube, they become instant fans.

Dave’s attention moved between the girls while they both talked animatedly at him. Nia watched as he appeared mesmerised by them. But Nia knew his body language very well by now. She saw what the others couldn’t, the tension in his legs as he prepared to escape and the rapid movement of his eyes as he scanned for a quick way out.

He’s not ‘my Davie.’ His name is Dave.

Terri nudged Nia as she ignored her response. Now watch his true mastery. See the pretty dark-haired girl in the next row?

Nia looked over at Jenna Walker, whom she knew casually, a year nine girl who was often alone and very quiet. Pretty, but today looked swallowed up in an oversized brown shirt and faded tan shorts. She looked enviously at the trio just a few feet away from her.

Dave glanced over at Jenna, and as soon as they made eye contact, he called her over.

Nia and Terri watched from the other side of the room, though they couldn’t hear the conversation. What they could see was that whatever Dave said shifted the dynamic between the girls. The three of them started a vigorous back and forth on some topic or other. Laughter and grins covered Dave’s escape when he excused himself and moved to the checkout.

Terri looked back at Nia. Brilliant. I told you he’s a true master. Even though he didn’t say much, they felt as though they had a great conversation with him. He left them smiling and talking, not feeling abandoned. There was a note of awe in her voice. I’ve seen him a dozen times over the last couple of weeks bringing people together and making his getaway. Magic! And he’s not bad looking either. She shrugged, then added, You know…, for a nerd.

Nia bristled at that. Finally finding her voice, she snapped. Nerd is so last century! People can be who they want to be, bookish or athletic. Whatever they like, whoever they are inside, without being judged for looking a certain way.

Terri looked interested, for a beat. Nia assumed she was either thinking through her comment or preparing for an argument; it was hard to tell from her expression.

Then, she stood abruptly and looked down for a long moment before speaking again. Nice outfit. The red suits you. Terri’s voice seemed sincere, as did her smile, but her eyes conveyed nothing pleasant.

Thanks, Nia responded awkwardly, again feeling insecure. Why was she feeling like this when she never had issues with how she felt or looked before?

Dave’s approach rescued her. He smiled at Nia and asked, Hey, you ready?

Yep. Oh, this is Terri, Nia made the introduction as she watched Dave closely.

Feeling the tension radiating from Nia, seeing her stiff posture and the way her eyebrows had furrowed together, Dave nodded and smiled to Terri but made no