Red-Line: The Shift (Volume One) (33 page)

“What, then?”

They all debated how much to say.

“Sarah,” Ramsey began, “There’s reason to believe that you are in danger. And if you return to your life right now, you are at risk.”

“But why? Why am I in danger?”

“Because of who you are.”

“But I’m just like all of you. Aren’t we all in danger, then?”

“Yes, and no,” answered Ramsey, feeling her frustration.

“Then what am I missing here? Why am I so important?”

Unbeknownst to her, Sarah was perched on the edge of a rabbit hole, the depths of which were completely unknown to her. Answering her questions too soon could spiral her into a mental breakdown, but not answering them meant prolonging her confusion and creating conflict between them. The last thing they wanted to create was a rebellion. Preventing her from leaving would be difficult, if not impossible. They needed her on their side, but to get her there meant telling her everything, despite the risk. The truth was there would never be a right time.

In that moment, Ramsey decided to answer her honestly. “Because, Sarah, you’re different from the rest of us.”

“Why? Why am I different?”

He tried to think of an easy way to explain, but it didn’t exist. The direct route seemed to be his only option. He hoped she could handle it. “Because there has never been another one like you.”

“Like me?” she asked, confused. “What does that mean? I just learned I’m not human. How much more different could I be?”

“Well, let me clarify.” He waited for any sort of protest from Declan or Leroy, but he didn’t get one, so he kept going. “You are part-human and part-Eudoran, which in itself is not unusual. Our people do at times choose to mate with humans. However, you happen to be a very rare type of Eudoran. One that has actually not been in existence for over sixty years.”

She took that in as she clenched her hands. “And what type is that?”

“There are two types. The most common type is what we call the Gray-Line, which is what we are. Gray-Lines are the predominant type of Eudoran in existence on earth, save for one…or two, excluding you, of course.”

“And I am not a Gray-Line?”

“No. You are what we call a Red-Line. Red-Lines died off many years ago. More than that, you are the only half-human, half-Eudoran Red-Line. While Gray-Lines have been known to mate with humans, Red-Lines have not. That makes you a one-in-a-million shot.”

She stared at him, trying to absorb the information. “Lucky me.”

He smiled sympathetically at her. “Yes. Lucky you.”

“So what’s the difference between a Red-Line and Gray-Line?’

Some part of him enjoyed her curiosity and interest. He’d never had the chance to explain his species to another. “One physical difference is the mark on our bodies. Gray-Lines have a gray mark, whereas Red-Lines have a red one. They resemble scars, which is how a human might interpret them. But they are actually similar to a birthmark.”

“A birthmark?” she asked, still showing a remarkable calm, which he admired. “I take it that’s not the only difference.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“So what is the rest?”

He considered how to explain it as simply as possible. ”Red-Lines have advanced abilities, more so than Gray-Lines. Their capabilities include manipulating energy, high levels of sensitivity and empathic abilities, telepathy, and reading the energy of not just people, but also objects. Many have the ability to communicate with other species, such as animals and other forms of extraterrestrials. With the proper development and training, they can become very powerful and are usually very intelligent. In the past, they served as leaders in our community as well as valuable information gatherers. They can blend in and cloak themselves around humans so as not to be seen. They also traveled to and from our home planet with regularity, serving as a branch between our two worlds.”

She stared at him, her expression unchanged. “And you’re telling me that’s what I am?”

“Yes, that is what you are.”

“But how do you know for sure? Maybe you’re wrong.”

“We’re not wrong. You have the mark.”

“I do?”

“Yes. It’s on your back, beneath your shoulder blade.”

She reached behind her with her right arm as if to feel the mark on her left side.

“Other side,” said Hannah.

Sarah put her arm down. “So I’m a…what do you call it? Red-Line?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why I’m in danger?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” she asked him.

“Why?”

“Yes. Why does that put me in danger? Aren’t you guys supposed to be a peaceful bunch?”

Declan answered that one. “Normally, we are, yes.”

“So why not now? Who’s got it in for me?”

Ramsey felt her energy contract. “We’re not sure about that yet, but we think someone may want to use you.” He didn’t offer that her life might also be at risk.

“Use me?”

“Yes. You are highly advanced, with remarkable untapped abilities not seen in decades. You could be very valuable to someone.”

“In what way?”

He could tell she was trying hard to stay open, and as he kept going, he continued to gauge her reactions. “We’re not exactly sure. We don’t know the motives behind this particular threat.”

“I’m not exactly going to go quietly, you know.”

He chuckled, remembering her confrontation with X and Z. “No, I wouldn’t think so.”

“So why is it a concern?”

He stopped as he thought about what to say, but again, he could only be direct. “Because this person may also be another Red-Line.”

Now she did look uncertain. “But you just said I’m the only one.”

“Believe me, we are as surprised as you.”

“And you think this Red-Line wants to hurt me?”

“I don’t know, but he’s already tried to take you twice, which makes him determined.”

She looked surprised. “Twice?”

“Yes, twice.”

“And you stopped him?

“I stopped him the first time.”

“But not the second.”

“No, not the second.”

“Who stopped him the second time?”

He stared at her, waiting to see how she would handle it. “You did.”

“I did?”

“Yes.”

She looked away as if trying to think back. “I don’t remember that.”

“You may, at some point, or you may not. It’s not uncommon to forget things that occur during a Shift.”

“And I used these advanced abilities?”

“You most certainly did. And quite effectively.”

She sat unmoving, but then she hugged herself and swallowed. “So let me ask you something.”

“Ask away.”

“Why do you want me?”

It was her turn to be direct.

“Why do I want you?” He wanted to be sure he understood her question before answering in a completely inappropriate way.

“Yes, why do you…Gray-Lines, whatever… Why do you want me? How do I know you don’t also want to use me?”

It was a logical question, and it made him wonder. Were they any better than this unknown adversary? He knew the answer, and it bothered him to admit it.

“There’s a very specific reason why you’re here. We need you. Because of your potential abilities, we hope you will be able to provide us with something we seek.”

“And what is that?” she asked.

He looked at Hannah, Declan, and Leroy, who all watched the exchange with more than a little interest. Nobody stopped him from answering. “Because you may be the key to our survival. You may be the one person capable of preventing our extinction.”

She furrowed her brow, unsure what he meant. “Excuse me? You’re joking, right?”

He regretted adding the weight of this responsibility to her already overloaded system, but he continued, giving her the truth. “I wish I was. In all likelihood, without your help, the four of us may be dead in twenty-four months.”

At first, she just stared at him. Then she looked around the table, looking for confirmation. When she apparently got it, she stood and started pacing. “You want to explain that one to me?” she asked.

He hated telling her. In that moment, he felt anger rise in him at the thought that the Council would mess with issues better left alone. What right did they have to create a life whose sole purpose was to save the life of another, or even many others? Was death really all that bad? He felt her anxiety, and he wished he could reduce her distress.

“Sarah, I know it sounds crazy.”

“Crazy? No, we’ve gone way past crazy. This is lunacy.” Her pace picked up. “I mean, you tell me I’m some sort of super alien? After you first tell me that I’m a regular alien—let’s not skirt over that initial revelation. And now I’ve changed and I’ve got all these super powers, which apparently I’ve used, but have no memory of, and I could become this great, wise, all-knowing, all-seeing, animal-talking, object-reading, telepathic…red…thing.” She struggled to find the right word. “Whatever you call it. And now, now I’m supposed to save the world? Oh, and let’s not forget there’s a bad guy out there too, who wants to use me for evil. Is that what you’re telling me?”

Ramsey felt her energy level rise dramatically.

Declan picked up on it, too. “Sarah,” said Declan, “You want to sit? I know we’ve thrown a lot at you—”

“A lot at me?” she shot back, almost yelling. “Now, that’s the understatement of the year. Don’t you think?”

“Sarah…” Ramsey started.

“Don’t…” She aimed a fiery glance at him. “Don’t tell me to calm down.” She turned away and stood unmoving for a few seconds, her back to them, breathing deep and fast. “I need to get out of here,” Ramsey heard her say. She started for the front door.

Ramsey shot up from his chair. “Wait.”

She stopped. “Wait? What are you going to do? Keep me here?”

He didn’t know what to say.

“Sarah.” Leroy stood as well. “Think about it first. It’s too soon for you. You walk out that door, and you won’t be able to handle it.”

“So what?” She directed her growing anger at Leroy. “Now you’re telling me I can’t handle going home, even if I wanted to? What exactly am I supposed to do? Live here with you guys?” She looked around the group. “No offense, but I’m over the frat house thing. I hardly know any of you. All I know is that this guy over here”—she nodded toward Ramsey—“shows up on my doorstep and the next thing I know, I’m an alien.” She breathed deeply again and shook her hands with excess energy. “I’ve got to get out of here.” She headed for the door.

“Sarah, wait…” Declan stood as she moved in his direction.

Impatient and overwhelmed with the amount of stimuli directed at her, Sarah turned on him angrily. “Get out of my way!”

Instantaneously, a force flooded the room. The dining-room light, which had been illuminating their discussion, popped and broke, and Declan shot backwards, his chair overturning. He flew back several feet, landing on his back and smacking his head on a small side table in the entryway.

“Declan!” Hannah jumped up and ran over to him.

The remaining light in the kitchen lit the room hazily as Ramsey, Leroy and Sarah stood in shock.

Woozy but conscious, Declan tried to sit up. “I’m okay,” he said as Hannah reached him. “I’ll live.”

Hannah checked out his head and felt blood. “You’ve got a gash on your head. You’re bleeding.” She turned toward Leroy. “I need a towel and some ice.”

Declan attempted to downplay the incident. “I’m all right, Hannah. I’ve dealt with worse.” He tried to sit up, but failed.

“Sit back, you idiot. You may have a concussion.” She looked back at Leroy. “Leroy?”

Leroy finally snapped out of his state. “I’ll get it.” He moved around Sarah, who still stood there, frozen to her spot.

“Did I do that?” she managed to ask.

Ramsey was at a loss. Sarah stood dazed as her energy projected erratically and she attempted to process what had just occurred.

“You didn’t do it intentionally.”

She gave him a hard look. “But I did it, right?’

He paused, knowing and feeling how hard this was for her. “Yes.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Sarah, I’m okay. It was an accident.” Declan spoke from across the room as Leroy brought the ice and towel over and handed them to Hannah.

“Sarah, this is all new to you. You don’t have a handle on it yet. You’re like a newborn right now. You’ve got to crawl before you learn to walk.” Ramsey hoped he was getting through to her.

“Oh, my God. Oh, my God.”

“Sarah, please don’t freak out.” Ramsey reached out to touch her, but she pulled back from him.

She took a step back. “Don’t.”

He couldn’t help himself. He took a step toward her.

She stepped back again. “Don’t. I could hurt you.”

“Sarah, you are not going to hurt me.” He moved toward her again, willing her to relax.

She retreated into the kitchen.

Hannah, Declan and Leroy watched Ramsey try to bring her back. Hannah held the ice pack on Declan’s head.

“Sarah.” Ramsey held his hand out to her. “Just focus on my voice right now. You’ve got yourself all worked up, which is understandable, but you need to bring the energy level down a bit, or you’re going to pop something a lot worse than a light bulb.”

She stared around the room as if lost. His worry for her doubled. She appeared confused and afraid.

“Listen to my voice. I’m right here. I told you I’m not going anywhere. We’ll get you through this. I promise.” He reached out tentatively to her, but she did not engage.

“Please don’t.” She pushed back against the cabinets, unable to move anywhere else. “I can’t do this.” She hugged herself with her arms.

“Yes, you can.” He spoke calmly, keeping his own energy level balanced. “You’re not alone. We’re all here to help you.”

“And look what I do in return. I could have killed him.”

Ramsey smiled. “Not really,” he said. “He’s got a thick skull.” He looked over at Declan. “You might have actually knocked some sense into him.”

Declan glanced up at the pair in the kitchen, holding the pack to his head. “Ha, ha,” he said in return.

Sarah didn’t enjoy the humor. She continued to press back as Ramsey approached.

“What do you say we all take a moment to collect ourselves and try not to answer all the questions right now?” Ramsey asked. “We’ve had enough for today.” She stared off. “You thirsty? You want some water?”