Jay Ess: An Unordinary Hero

Chapter 10 & 11

Chapter 10

Although Calla and I had returned to my home at the insistence of Achak, I did not return to sleep. Calla knew that there would be an investigation into Enoch's death and she also knew that such an investigation would lead to us. Calla knew that she would not be able to hide the truth from her mother, a feat I had accomplished before.

As the sun started to rise we still sat facing each other on my bed, our foreheads touching and legs intertwined. I had spent the last few hours navigating her mind, picking and choosing which memories had to be replaced. We both agreed that we had to eliminate all remnants of any conversations we had had as well as any sympathies that she might have for my kind. I was nearing the end of my efforts, my head soaked in sweat when she stopped me.

"Before you erase everything I want you to know that I want these memories back after the investigation is done." She paused for a few seconds before what could only be her species' version of a blush passed over her face. "I know you are too young yet to appreciate this but....." Calla reached out and grabbed my head and gave me my fist interspecies kiss. Well to be honest it was my first romantic kiss as well.

To say that her sudden display of affection had me flustered would be an understatement. I quickly finished resetting her mind to align with her people's thinking and knocked her out. The last part was easier than I had anticipated given the fact that Clatouans did not sleep. It turned out that the main effect of my playing God with her thoughts and memories was exhaustion on her part.

I looked at the alarm clock by my bed and saw that it was approaching eight in the morning. Sunday was big breakfast day, so I scrambled out of bed and went to the kitchen. I found mom there working diligently on a meal fit for a king and the entirety of his realm. There was already a stack of pancakes and bacon sitting on the counter and she was working on a frying pan full of scrambled eggs. Mom jumped at the sound of the toaster popping up and that was also when she noticed me.

"Good morning sleepy head", she said. "I know this looks like a lot of food, but I had the distinct feeling that you would be very hungry this morning. Get yourself some juice and grab some cakes and syrup and have a seat."

The grumble in my stomach betrayed the fact that she was right. It seemed that every time I used my powers one of the side effects was extreme hunger. I gathered up the food items she had suggested and devoured them in record time. I was excited when she scooped the eggs onto my plate and ate them with an equal amount of vigor.

When we were done eating I helped her clean up and then I left with the pretense of going to see my friend Brayden. Instead, I made a direct line to Achak's house. Though the weather was cooler now in the September mornings I still found him in the same spot, on the back porch looking out at the Zen garden.

Without needing to be asked, I recounted to him what had transpired the previous night and what Calla and I had decided to do to secret her knowledge of things. He never interrupted me, he only nodded in either understanding or agreement, though he never made the distinction as to which it was. When I was done talking he sat silent for a moment.

""You must not come here anymore", he said. "You cannot explore your powers until after the investigation is done. You made the choices you did and now must deal with the consequences. Once you restore Calla's memories we may resume your teaching."

Achak turned from me and resumed his watch of the garden. He gave me no quarter to argue with him. I slowly turned and left his back yard. I did not want to go home, so instead I went to Brayden's apartment. Though it had been more than a month since we had done anything together, I had subtly adjusted their perceptions to think otherwise. There was no excitement in their voices when his mom let me in the front door, more like the tone one would expect from someone you saw daily.