T.O.R.N.: There's Only Right Now

Chapter 12 Chelo

The air from the Pacific Coast Highway wafted into the van while Aissa and Obadias engaged in heavy conversation in the front seats. Asante woke as their voices rose.

"If she doesn't have some other type of tracker that you missed, how did they find us at the compound?" Aissa asked.

"I can't figure that part out, but we'll have Chelo take a look at her when we get to Eslan," Obadias replied.

"If they are not already waiting for us when we get there." Aissa snapped.

"What would you have us do, Aissa, we can't just leave her!" Obadias shot back.

"I'm not saying that I just wish we knew more..."

"We're awake back here!" The blonde, caramel-skinned girl sitting next to Asante, broke up the conversation. She turned to Asante and introduced herself, "I am Marie, I am a telepath of sorts and I'm happy to finally meet you!" She was warm and very bubbly considering the situation they were obviously in.

Asante shook her head and uttered. "It's a pleasure, are you the one communicating with my father?"

"Yup, that'd be me. As well as self-appointed referee between those two!" Pointing to Aissa and Obadias.

"Are they together?" Asante mouthed.

"Very much so, too much so at times." Marie smiled.

"We are here," Obadias announced. They pulled off Pacific Coast Highway and ascended a hill with ocean on one side and forest on the other. Then Asante saw the sign of the Eslan Institute and she immediately felt at peace as if she were coming home.

"We spent a good part of our early childhood here before mama settled us in Oakland when you started school." Aissa offered.

The beautiful wood and glass mansion they were approaching was vaguely familiar to Asante. As their van stopped, the front door opened, and a man with white linen robes, mocha clear skin, white hair and beard to match came out of the house to greet them. Aissa barely waited for the engine to stop before she hopped out of the van and ran into the man's arms.

Asante said to herself, "Nyrraw."

Marie overheard her and said, "You do remember, then?"

"I don't know that I remember, per se, but I know that man's name is Nyrraw." They all got out of the van.

"Asante," Nyrraw breathed in as he hugged her. She could feel her entire being become present in his embrace. She opened her eyes and all that she encountered in the morning's light was more vivid and vibrant. The flowers' colors shined and sparkled like gems. The air was fresh and cool, she took in a clearing breath and looked into his eyes.

"You are the key, now we need to find the door, so that we all may walk through."

Asante smiled but was still so unsure. How can I be the key, so much of my life was entrenched in the veil?She wasn't sure of what was actually reality. She felt like her whole life had been a fabrication of The Sephiren and she was a mere puppet in their play.

Almost as though Nyrraw read her thoughts he said, "There's so much more of you to know, you will find your highest self and we will be the reflection of Source which flows through you." He smiled warmly and motioned for them to follow him into the house.

"The others arrived last night, only Chelo is awake, I think finishing his morning meditations on the cliffs below."

After a tour, they congregated in the open kitchen. All of The Wave's members were present and introductions and happy reunions were made. Nyrraw ran this sub-faction of The Wave as his father, David, had done so before him. Asante vaguely remembered him caring for her as a child. But she couldn't believe that J.StaRR was his sister and that she and The Misfitz were a part of The Wave. She had heard their music on the radio and seen them on award shows, but to find out they were a part of this faction and were actively countering the efforts of The Sephiren was mind-blowing.