Unaltered #2_A Diamond in my Heart Read online

  Charles Rhondell entered the office and right off the bat his eyes met mine. “Calli?”

  “Hi, Mr. Rhondell.”

  “What are you doing… how do you know Charlotte?” My presence had clearly caught him off guard.

  “Dr. Courtnae is my mother, Charles. How is your wife?” I asked knowing they were reunited following the eradication of the Death Clan.

  “Good, she’s good.” My eyes were drawn to his neck and the peculiar necklace he wore. The leather cord around his neck was attached to a glass encasement shaped like a teardrop. A piece of the Sanguine Diamond floated gently inside, suspended in a way that defied gravity.

  “I’ll let my mother know you’ve arrived.” I lifted the phone and pressed button one. I relayed the message that Mr. Rhondell had arrived and my mother asked that he be shown in. “Come, Charles.” I stood and walked him to the office door.

  “Calli, how are you doing since, well, since what happened?”

  “All back to normal, Charles.”

  He leaned close and whispered in my ear. “It’s too bad you lost all your abilities.” As he did this, I experienced a sharp pain within my heart almost as if my shard moved. I kept calm.

  “I don’t feel that way at all, sir. And by the way, my mother doesn’t know anything about what happened to me or about the world of powers and abilities.” I smiled and opened the door.

  “Well, Calli, I’ll keep my tongue in check, but know this, your mother knows plenty about the world you visited briefly.” He walked past me and closed the door behind him.

  I walked back to the front desk rubbing my chest, willing it to heal with my mind. The pain subsided almost instantly. I sat in the not-so-comfortable chair at the desk in heavy contemplation. Had Charles’ shard reacted like mine? Had it moved also? I hadn’t noticed.

  The door to the clinic opened with Sasha and her mother entering. Sasha skipped over to my desk and smiled at me.

  “Hello Sasha, do I have a brain today?” I asked with a smile.

  “Nope,” she said as she fidgeted with the cupful of assorted pens on my desk.

  “Leave those alone, Sasha.” Her mother directed her daughter’s shoulders toward the couch and sat her down.

  I picked up the phone and spoke to my mother informing her that Sasha had arrived. Soon, my mother came to the waiting room and invited them back to her office. I sat wondering what would happen to Sasha. Would Charles drop a bombshell on the mother or would he skirt around the issue for now?

  I kept myself busy until everyone exited the back office and entered the reception area. Sasha literally bounced her way into the waiting room like a jackrabbit. Mr. Rhondell handed Sasha’s mother a packet of information and explained about his treatment plan which, not surprisingly, included sending Sasha off to his therapy clinic for two months. The mother wasn’t very excited but was obviously at her wits end on how to deal with her daughter.

  Sasha approached me. “Mr. Charles has a brain but he won’t let me see it.”

  “What’s the difference? Maybe I have one too but won’t let you see it, just like Mr. Charles.”

  “Nope, your head is empty like the doctor’s. I can feel his brain but it’s wrapped up like a present and I don’t know what’s inside.”

  I smiled at her and realized her mother would gladly hand off her daughter to Charles in the hopes of taming her thought processes.

  “That’s enough, Sasha! How many times have I told you not to talk to people like that?”

  Charles intervened. “Sasha, how would you like to come to my office and meet other kids who can see brains too?” He winked at the mother.

  “Yes, but not at night.”

  “You know Sasha, I don’t like the dark either. It makes me feel unsafe.”

  I watched Sasha’s eyes open wide in agreement. “My mom says there’s nothing to be afraid of in the dark, but she’s wrong.”

  Before Sasha’s mother could scold her, Charles interjected. “Sasha, not everyone is afraid of the dark. My mom wasn’t afraid of the dark either and she didn’t understand why I was, just like your mom. At my clinic, I’ll help you understand why, alright?”

  “OK. Why won’t you let me see your mind Mr. Charles?”

  “Sasha!”

  “It’s alright, Sasha, you are not the first person to ask me that. What if another girl your age came up to you and asked why you wouldn’t let her see your mind? What would you say?”

  “I’d say it’s right there,” she thumped her fingertip on her temple, “if you can’t see it then you’re not looking hard enough.”

  Mr. Rhondell smiled and thumped his fingertip to his temple. “Sasha, it’s right there, if you can’t see it then you’re not looking hard enough.”

  I must say, Charles certainly knew how to downplay the emergence of powers.

  The whole Sasha/Charles Rhondell episode got my curiosity up about the Shadow Demons and I decided to conduct a few experiments. What I know so far is, the Demons are people of powers stuck in our world preying on living people of powers; or at least that’s all Mrs. Winter knew about them. I could see them when I had the whole diamond in my possession, but come to think of it, I hadn’t seen any since arriving back home here in Ohio. Did I need the entire diamond in order to see Demons?

  I decided I’d venture out into the night and try to find them. I’d have to do it tonight because tomorrow night would be my birthday party.

  My cell rang and the display showed Suz calling. “Hey Suz.”

  “You want to go to the mall? I heard Brand will be there tonight.”

  “Who?”

  “Brand Safferson! Where have you been, girl? He’s only the hottest guy ever!”

  “Oh, right; mister all-star quarterback. I don’t think he’s all that good looking, Suz.” After being around the Runners Clan, no guy in my high school would ever compare to the looks of those fine specimens; especially when compared to Chris.

  “That’s just fine, one less girl I have to compete with. But will you come with me, please, and um, would you drive?”

  “Sure, I’ll pick you up around seven.” The sun wouldn’t be down until ten’ish so we’d have to kill some time till the Demons came out.

  My experiences of a few months ago have changed me. The diamond inside of me has altered my perceptions, and not just because I can see into every person around me at will, but because I see intentions, both honest and deplorable. I see the rising generation’s low self-esteem and the current generation’s frustration.

  It didn’t take long to realize Suz asked me to take her to the mall because her other friends were with Brand and she hadn’t been invited. I don’t like entering Suz’s mind and I make it a practice not to but something was bothering her and I couldn’t tell what it was; well, besides being left out of the circle. I looked only for her current dismay. I found that she was extremely attracted to Brand but he wouldn’t give her the time of day anymore. Just two months ago, they were good friends even to the point that they’d hang out together—alone. But something had happened, something in the blink of an eye transpired and suddenly their relationship ceased. From Suz’s perspective I couldn’t determine what it was. All I saw was Brand and Suz in his room getting a little hot and heavy, and suddenly Brand pulling back and pushing her away both physically and emotionally. I pulled out of her mind and turned my focus across the food court to Brand.

  This boy couldn’t be more average looking. His height was probably five-feet-eight and was neither fat nor muscular. His hair was reddish brown, short and curly and his eyes were hazel. His eyelids seemed inflamed a bit and he had a few noticeable acne splotches. His one redeeming trait was, at least in my opinion, his dimples when he smiled. Apparently he knew it because he smiled all the time.

  Entering Brand’s mind was an assault on my senses sending me this way and that way to which I had to immediately remove myself. I shook my head and tried again. This time I only looked for the outermost edges of his current thou
ghts but again I was bombarded with confusion like turning on fifty different radios to fifty different stations. What the hell? I decided to simply read his lips and leave the powers of the diamond alone. The conversation was difficult at best to watch because of all the passing bodies so I gave up.

  I looked over at Suz and entered her mind with ease. I turned my attentions to one of the other girls by Brand, Deb was her name, and entered her mind with ease. Eww, had to get out of that one quick, she was a bad girl with designs on Brand; well, designs on any upright walking male. Still, I easily entered her mind, and Suz’s mind, but Brand was different. A sudden thought entered my mind; I wondered what Sasha would say about Brand’s mind? She’d probably say he has a crazy mind, and she’d be right.

  The group of girls was pathetically falling on their faces trying to catch his attention but he seemed more interested in the time of day as he continuously checked his watch. Maybe he had someone to meet? He stood and said goodbye and left.

  “What, he’s leaving?” Suz asked. “At least he didn’t take anyone with him. Let’s follow him, Calli! Come on!”

  “No. I’m not doing that.”

  “Come on, your Cooper is perfect for tailing someone. Pleeeease?”

  “Alright.” I caved; not merely to satisfy Suz’s curiosity, but to satisfy mine as well.

  We hurried out the large doors and spotted him walking at a fast pace through the parking lot to his vehicle. Mine was located nearby, fortunately, and following him was made easier because of it. We tailed him straight to his home and watched him park his car inside the garage.

  “That’s it? He was going home?” Suz asked exasperated.

  “I guess so.” I drove past his house and to the next main road. “Suz, do you want to walk around town with me?”

  “Walk? It’s almost dark. Why not drive around town?”

  Good point. “Yeah, alright.”

  We drove all over the place, up to the heights where all the rich people lived and down to the tracks but not beyond; no sense in placing ourselves in danger. Suz chatted the whole time and I searched for Demons. All I had to do was add a, “Uh-huh”, or “Really?” every now and then to satisfy her need to be heard. Not once did I spot a Shadow Demon in the dark. What a let-down.

  Later I dropped her off at her house and reminded her of my birthday party the next night. She told me she wouldn’t miss it for anything. I entered her mind, almost accidentally, and found a most disturbing fact; Suz was the one who set the firecracker in the girl’s bathroom in middle school. When she realized how badly she’d hurt me she became my friend out of guilt; and she still held onto our friendship because of it.

  Well, that sucks!

  I drove home to my house in a state of shock with so many memories rushing through my head. Suz was the least likely person to befriend me while at the hospital. That should have been my first clue. I remembered feeling thrilled that I had made a friend, a popular girl to boot, but it was all a lie.

  The next day, August seventh, my birthday, came and went without much of the over the top, cheesy ridiculousness that so often accompanies a birthday.

  My parents gave me a new laptop computer to help with my studies, plus a few other smaller gifts, Suz gave me a gift card good for any merchant in the mall, that was nice, but most likely given out of her perpetual guilt, and a bouquet of roses arrived late in the afternoon from an anonymous friend. Suz was excited for me thinking it might be a boy, and I have to admit, it was a nice idea that maybe Chris had sent them, but I dismissed the notion upon reading the message in the card: You are perfect, Unaltered in any way.

  I knew it must be Maetha who’d sent the flowers. She must be announcing her arrival in a few days. Finally, I could ask her some burning questions and the first on the docket would be about Freedom.

  Chapter 3 -

  Not everything bad in this world is evil,

  and just because something’s good doesn’t make it right

  Three long days went by without contact or even a message from Maetha. I was beginning to think she wasn’t coming at all. Evelyn the receptionist was back from vacation so I wouldn’t need to help at my mother’s office anymore.

  After my parents had left for work, I stretched out on a chaise lounge chair in the backyard enjoying the warmth from the morning sun. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of nature around me. A Meadowlark sang its beautiful song not far away, a bumblebee bounced from flower to flower near my head, and the leaves of the maple tree rustled with a gentle gust of a breeze.

  “Hello, Calli.”

  I bolted upright knocking over my glass of lemonade. Maetha stood next to me with a smile on her face. “Maetha! You startled me, sorry, I’ve got to clean this up.” I was glad I’d chosen a plastic cup or I’d have had an even bigger mess to clear.

  “When you refill your glass, bring one out for me, dear.”

  I nodded my head and entered the house. My heart was still thumping with the adrenaline from Maetha’s arrival. I poured her a glass of lemonade and refilled my own, and then gathered my thoughts of what I wanted to talk about.

  Maetha had positioned herself in the shade of the umbrella topped table. I placed her drink in front of her and set mine down. Maetha looked the same as the day I met her in Harold Bates' office; immaculately modest clothing, perfectly in-place short blonde hair, beautiful nails and in excellent condition for a fifty-ish year old woman. I remembered her saying she’s lived several thousand years so I guess she looks amazing for a multi-thousand-fifty-year-old.

  I knew my mother would throw a fit if I didn’t clean up the spilled lemonade so I used her hand-held nozzle that was already hooked up to the faucet for watering the flowers and bushes to spray the stone patio.

  “Thanks for the flowers, Maetha.” I angled the water puddle toward the grass line.

  “I thought you’d like them. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.” I finished my clean-up and hung the nozzle back on its hook and then walked over to Maetha and sat adjacent to her in the shade. “Maetha, I had a run-in with a man who called himself Freedom.” I watched her expression for any sign of acknowledgment but saw none. I continued, “He was a telepath and spoke into my mind.” Still nothing from Maetha to indicate recollection; boy, she was a tough nut to crack. “He advised me to stay away from you. Does Freedom have a diamond shard too? Do you have a diamond, Maetha? Should I trust you? And why doesn’t he?”

  “You’ll have to come to your own decision whether or not you can trust me.” Maetha took a long drink of lemonade and inhaled deeply. “Not everything bad in this world is evil, and just because something’s good doesn’t make it right. I wasn’t planning on going into this much detail with you but seeing how he has forced my hand, so to speak, I suppose now is the time for you to learn the history of the Sanguine Diamond.

  “I’ve been alive for several millennia. I’m actually from present Egypt, Calli. I was born in 2480BCE in the latter part of the forth dynasty of the old kingdom during King Menkaura’s reign. The great Pyramid of Giza had been completed only about eighty years previous and the Sphinx was new. It was a beautiful time to be alive. It was common knowledge and generally accepted that the pharaohs or kings and different varying priests had the powers of gods. They were the mortal gods of this world delivering the will of the great gods and goddesses and the people bowed down and revered them. However, they were no different than the clans of today with similar powers and abilities.

  “The priests learned how to create a stone that would capture the cosmic beams assaulting the planet and contain them within. Like the people of powers today, the ancients only had one power each. The thought of being able to possess all the powers was a tantalizing temptation that ultimately led to their undoing. They created the Sanguine Diamond on the top of the great Pyramid of Giza. Once they had created the most powerful stone, they couldn’t decide who should be the possessor of it. The conflict was made even greater by the fact that anyone w
ho touched it died. They began forcing individuals to attempt to pick up the stone, yet were met with failure every time.

  “I was labeled as soulless because the priests couldn’t see into my mind, future or body. One priest decided that a soulless individual should try to touch the stone, and that perhaps the stone would not be able to kill ‘she who has no soul’. They were correct. I could hold the stone and not die. I was ordered to take it to the pharaoh, which I did. I thought that would end my involvement at that time, but sadly I was wrong. I was quickly ordered to death because now I was a threat to the safety of the powerful stone. I hid myself to protect my life thinking that it was the best course of action but it only resulted in my family being murdered during the search for me. Out of anger and destitution, I stole the stone and ran away.

  “The stone was large, much larger than the one you carried, and looked more like a milky crystal than a diamond, yet the powers emanating from it infused my body the same as you experienced. I felt invincible. The priests found me after a few years and tried to physically remove the stone from my possession; they died and I ran. It took several years for more priests to locate me again. This time I knew they were coming and I knew I would die because I’d witnessed it in a vision, and yet, I allowed it to happen because I felt that it was the only way to stop the endless pursuits. Plus, I’d witnessed in the vision the stone would be destroyed.

  “The priests arrived and attempted to withdraw the powers of the stone without touching it. The scene was almost identical to what happened with you and the Death Clan. The priests died, the stone exploded and a piece entered my chest and I died.

  “Calli, do you remember what I told you following the Death Clan’s destruction?”

  “Most of it,” I answered.

  “I told you that the diamond had to be delivered by a human, an Unaltered, and that the Death Clan didn’t fathom the significance of it. The reason was because you could not be killed by Healers. The Death Clan didn’t understand the other, even more significant reason their plan would fail; I had relinquished the stone’s ownership to you in Harold Bates' office and unless you had willingly handed it over to them, they would die in their attempt to ‘steal’ it from you. It wouldn’t have mattered if the Death Clan were actually a group of Unaltereds, as long as they were trying to take what you had not given willingly they would have died as well.”