The Other Side

Chapter Four: "Face to Face"

Reality hit me. 

I couldn't emotionally connect with Luke.

There I stood face to face with him, yet I heard nothing of Ephah.

I assumed that it had to do with what happened at the research center with Ezra.

Yet it is possible to have an emotional connection with more than one person.

Then Luke spoke. "Did you get it?"

I was shocked and worried. Could he be talking about the liquidated zirconium? "Get what....?" I said confused. 

"What I sent you to get at the research center."

"What!? Luke how do you know of this?" I backed away. Could it be...? Luke and Ephah intertwined? Was that even possible!? 

"Luke's emotional connection grew strong enough for me to take over his actions, body, and mind." Luke...Ephah... (I didn't really know what to call it) said. 

"So you mean everything?" I said. "Why Luke? Why are you doing this? Why me? How is this even possible?" I had so many questions that  I was finally able to ask. 

"I'll ask you again... Did you get it?" 

"Yes, but I won't give it to you until you answer my questions." I demanded. 

"Fair enough, the reason why Luke was an easy target is not only because of his extremely rare blood type that can send transmissions mentally without his acknowledgement, but it is because his limic system- which controls his emotions, was so weak and easily accessible. This is possible through what I said, emotional connection... but how I got here in the first place is through a silent sound wave that was transmitted and created by a scientist a long time ago that targeted a person like Luke. This scientist is away now but the sound wave was originally timed to release once you both matured. Think of it-me- to be a mental virus that does no harm to the person it is in. The way that this was created was not only almost impossible but it was remarkable. I acquire so much intelligence by ways I am not even sure, but I do remember my objective. How it started off to be just a small power to now me controlling him is by flexing his emotional connection with you to where I could spread and control mostly everything his brain. Now, once the unnoticeable demand was set into Luke's brain and controlled his limbic system as well as secretive transmissions that were unnoticeable to his sub conscience it was only set to find one person, which was you. Why it was set to find you is a long and complicated story so it is best for you to find out by yourself, but I do assure you that it has to do with finding your father."

I had no words. My father? This was all too much for me! How was this even possible? How come I didn't realize how insane this was earlier?! "My father left me when I was four... how does this involve him?" I said trying to hold back the anger I felt towards him..or it. 

"It will make sense to you, given enough time." 

I decided to go along with it. I wanted to figure out what all this meant. So I proceeded to hand Luke... (I guess I should call it Ephah now)... So I proceeded to hand Ephah the test tube of liquidated zirconium. "What is this for?" I asked. 

"That is a part of the complicated story. It is to build something." He headed inside, heading to his room, I followed after him. I had never been inside Luke's room, yet I didn't really think of it to be Luke's room anymore. It was Ephah's... at least I had hoped only for a short time. 

"After this is all over, you're going to give Luke his whole mind and body back, right?" He squatted beside his bed and pulled out a safe from under his bed. He opened it up and set the test tube inside. 

"Of course. After my mission I will disappear." I truly hoped he was telling the truth. 

"What now?" I asked trying to do anything to get my mind off everything that was happening and hurry up and complete my task. 

"I know of someone that has a very rare specific type of generator that we need. I will need you to retrieve it for me. Say your full name and tell him who your father is. Go get it tomorrow at exactly 6pm. He will be in the parking lot heading towards his car at the Seattle Technical Laboratory. 

"Seattle? But that's an hour and a half away! Someone will noti-" my phone starting ringing, cutting me off mid-sentence. I answered it. 

"Hello?" I said confused on who would be calling me. 

"Grace?" I recognized the voice speaking. I looked up at Ephah and walked out his room to speak with whoever was on the other end.

"Yes?" I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted my weight to my left side. 

"It's Ezra!" He spoke as if he were excited to speak with me.

"Didn't take you too long to call!" I said jokingly but words couldn't explain how happy I was to hear to talk to someone normal. 

"I agree! I was just thinking about you and couldn't bear waiting another moment to find out when I can take you out on that date!" I was flattered. "How does tomorrow evening at six sound?"  

"I will be heading to Seattle tomorrow evening at four thirty, how about you come with me!?"  What did I just say!?! Was I even thinking!? I don't know what I was getting into, he couldn't know either. I regretted asking him to come immediately.

"That would be wonderful! I will look for restaurants in that area. Might I ask why you are heading such distance tomorrow?" I was trying to think of what to say back.

"I have to pick up something for someone." I said telling the truth. 

"The same person that sent you to get that zirconium from me today?" He let out a short laugh.

"Actually yes" I laughed with him. "I have to go though, I will text you my address in a few minutes. I will see you tomorrow!" I smiled and hung up.

I wanted to see him. I just didn't know if it was safe. I guess I would just have to wait and see.

I turned around to see Ephah there. He looked angered. He grabbed my throat and lifted me off of the ground. "I am your ally,  Grace do not betray me. This could jeopardize the plan." I was gasping for air. I was not scared nor was I angry at Ephah. I understood why he was upset. 

"He could be of use to us!" I managed to cough out. Ephah loosened his grip on my neck and I could suddenly breathe again. 

"How?" He asked suddenly interested and not too angry with me anymore.

"He is a scientist. He has access to everything at the research center." I said. 

"He may come of use to us  after all... just make sure he does not  interfere with the plan and make sure that he dosen't know too much." 

I laughed to myself "I don't even know too much. But I assure you that I will keep this under control." I walked away. Trying to get my mind off things. 

Some how I still urged to do what I was told, yet I didn't know what it had in store for me, and because of that, I was extremely worried. Knowing now that Ephah had complete control over Luke's body, worried me. 

I walked outside in the pitch black, got in the car, and headed home. 

My life, my old life, seemed like just a faded dream to me now. So much had changed in so little. It was all too unrealistic, but clearly was the truth.  No matter how scary everything seemed, every fiber of my being was telling me to do as I was told, and I always followed through.  

Once I got home I headed to my room, laid on my bed and closed my eyes.... anxiously hoping for a better tomorrow.