Winters Family Psi Chronicles 2: Project Onyx (8 page)

“Will we still work together?” Ashley asked in a neutral tone.

“If we fail, then no. If we succeed, it’s possible we may be assigned to another project with even more importance than this one.”

“Are you sure we should inject ourselves with the formula? We didn’t observe the subjects for a full two weeks,” Norman said anxiously.

“That doesn’t matter. Both subjects demonstrated multipathic abilities. We know it works. This isn’t like the other time when we were only testing one subject at a time,” Samantha said.

“I don’t like this uncertainty,” Norman said.

“Dr. Reynolds is right. This is our only hope of salvaging the project,” Brandon said.

He deftly reached out, grabbed one of the four syringes, and with a practiced hand, injected himself with the formula. He’d been the one to administer the formula to most of their captives. Samantha followed his lead by giving herself the formula. Norman reluctantly did the same. Ashley was the last to comply. She stared at the remaining syringe and slowly reached for it. Her three colleagues regarded her expectantly. She sighed and injected the formula into her arm.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Samantha said coolly.

“I hope we’re not making a big mistake,” Norman said dismally.

“Quit whining,” Samantha said icily. “This is the only way and we already know it works.”

“There have been a couple versions of the formula that killed our subjects,” Norman said.

“All of our previous subjects died before the fifth day but Russell and Brian are still alive. There is nothing to worry about,” Brandon said. “We need to go to our homes and rest. The first couple of days are kind of rough. It’s like having the flu.”

Without warning, the scene abruptly changed to a visual of Jason packing a box of kitchen utensils. Five more boxes were already filled and shoved in a corner of the room. Jason continued to place pots and pans into the current box until it was full. At that point, he carefully taped it shut. Jason set the tape gun down and stood to his full height to stretch. He had a lot more flexibility than one would expect from a man in his mid seventies. The scene shifted again to show Jason reading a brochure with lush, green evergreens across the background. Jason was now sitting at his small kitchen table and the room no longer contained packed boxes. He was carefully reading the opened brochure and typed papers spread across the surface in front of him. The words,
Phoenix Enterprises, Inc
jumped out at Brian because they were in bold. As this was a dream and he lacked any control, he was unable to focus on the rest of the words.

A blissful, relaxed smile curved Jason’s lips as his gaze looked away from the brochure and stared off into space as though he could see something breathtakingly beautiful. The scene shifted again to show Teresa sitting alone at a beige, plastic table typing on a data padd in a spacious, empty white room. Her long blond hair was twisted in a tight bun and she wore a black suit as her fingers danced swiftly over the touch keys of the screen. The page she was currently working on hung projected in the air in front of her. The door opened and a bulky, middle-aged man strode into the room wearing a blue military suit. He sat down on the only chair which was positioned directly opposite her.

“Major Delmont, I’m almost finished with the report,” Teresa said crisply.

“Excellent. How much more time do you need? We’re going to have to act soon,” he said.

“I need less than half an hour,” Teresa said.

“All right. I’ll leave you to it.”

She continued to work after he left but abruptly halted. Brief but vivid and alarming images of explosions with bloodied men, women, and children screaming flashed through her mind. She clasped her head with both hands and moaned softly. She squeezed her eyes shut and went very still for several long moments. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked composed again; however, her fingers trembled as she continued typing. The dream shifted again to show Jason speaking earnestly with an Asian woman wearing a beautiful purple flowing dress.

“He has suffered for many years and would make an excellent addition to Phoenix Enterprises and the Zen Network,” Jason said passionately.

“I’m sorry but there can be no exceptions. The only way for minors to join is if their legal guardian becomes a member,” the woman said with a slight accent. “Don’t worry. He is almost eighteen. He may not even wish to join us.”

“I’m sure he will. Who wouldn’t want to?” Jason said.

“There are many who find it too constraining in our community. Those like yourselves who suffer from the negative junk energy that the majority of the population give off often find the peaceful surroundings and the psychic tranquility more than make up for it,” she said.

The vision abruptly ended and Brian was working on schoolwork at his desk. A disturbing feeling made him pause and look up. It seemed as though he was being watched. Remembering how he’d been captured by an individual entrenched in the Quiet, he abruptly leapt to his feet and prepared to run. Of course he would be trapped if someone happened to be standing in the doorway. He swiftly lunged forward but encountered nothing solid. He slammed the door shut and locked it. He slowly backed away from the door as the feeling of being watched intensified. He quickly surveyed the room for any telltale signs of trespassers. Abruptly, his bedroom window shattered and a man leapt through it. He was dressed all in black and his features were hidden in shadow even though the light shone over him. The switchblade in his right hand glinted eerily in spite of his shadowy body.

Brian fumbled with the lock and threw open the door. The killer swiftly pursued him as he sped through the empty house and out the front door. Brian didn’t have time to grab his keys so he couldn’t escape in his car. He pumped his legs to try to gain more distance between himself and the killer. He took a quick peek behind him and his heart sank when he saw that only six feet separated them. Abruptly, Brian fell to the street as the killer managed to tackle him. The killer raised his knife in preparation to strike and Brian grabbed his wrist with both hands to halt the progression of the knife to his chest. In spite of his best efforts, the switchblade slowly dropped lower and lower to his chest.

Brian abruptly awakened from his dream and stared out into the darkness of his bedroom. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and his body felt extremely weak as though he’d really been running for his life. He wondered if he’d ever get used to the nightmares. He ruminated over the previous dreams which had been more vivid than usual. He slowly sat up and took deep, cleansing breaths. If the nightmares indicated he was nearing psychic burnout, it was a very good thing he had an appointment to see the shielding specialist as it was absolutely critical to retain strong psionic shields in his current condition.

Brian swung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed himself up to a standing position. As he moved towards his bedroom door, thousands of thunderous voices crashed against his mind. He stumbled as a fresh wave of chaotic emotional energy struck savagely. Brian couldn’t withstand both the empathic and telepathic overload. He couldn’t sort through or process the input. His body spasmed and he almost lost his footing. He weakly grasped the door and tried to call out for help but his vocal chords wouldn’t cooperate. He sank to his knees and clung desperately to the handle. Agony coursed into him through a new, unexpected source – his hand. Psychometric energy arced up his arm and his body collapsed to the floor.

Chapter 8

Brian awakened in a sterile, white, hospital room with one other patient. An IV was secured to one arm and his condition was being monitored electronically. He felt a lot better as he sat up but was still extremely weak. Teresa was seated in a chair on the other side of his bed and he hadn’t seen her until now. She smiled weakly at him.

“Welcome back,” she said.

“Mom, what happened?” he asked even though he knew the answer.

“You experienced psychic burnout. Your brain couldn’t handle all the psychic input. One of the doctors, a talent detector, said you were receiving telepathic, empathic, psychometric, and connectivity psi stimulation all at the same time,” Teresa said. “Your body was shutting down. I extended my psionic protection over your mind which helped until Dr. Bettinger could strengthen your own defenses.”

“Dr. Bettinger came here?” Brian asked.

“It was an emergency. Normally, he doesn’t make visits to the hospital,” Teresa said. “Thank heavens you’re all right.”

“Where’s Dad?” Brian asked.

“He stayed here for an hour but had to go back to work,” she answered.

“How am I going to survive?” Brian asked quietly.

“Your body needs time to adapt to its new abilities.”

“You work in a white room a lot and one of the people you report to is Major Delmont,” Brian said in reference to his dream which he now realized was more than that.

Teresa’s eyes registered surprise but she quickly adopted a poker face.

“What makes you say that?” she asked.

“It’s one of my abilities. I’m not sure which one. I dreamed about you working but I know it was real. There’s no use denying it,” Brian said.

“I can’t talk about work. It’s classified,” Teresa said stiffly. “What other dreams did you have?”

Brian told her what he had seen and she gazed at him in silence for a moment after he’d finished.

“It must be your connectivity psi ability the doctor sensed. Do you know how it works?” she asked.

“No.”

“You can sense and manipulate psychic connections that we aren’t aware of. For example, you could isolate certain people into a smaller network almost instantly if you wished rather than wait for several days. It also has an unconscious component. It works with your other psychic abilities to give you information subconsciously from individuals which later turn up in dreams. It seems to be random what people pick up but sometimes you can practice what is called controlled dreaming where you can exercise a certain level of conscious direction to your dreams. It sounds like Dad is planning on moving. You saw packed boxes so he’s already in the process of packing. He never said a word to me,” Teresa said.

“Have you heard of Phoenix Enterprises or the Zen Network?” Brian asked.

“I’ve heard of a few religious groups isolating themselves in the Zen Network but I don’t think that’s what your grandfather has done. I’m going to have to have a word with him,” Teresa said.

“Why am I in the hospital?” Brian asked.

“You almost died,” Teresa said in a flat tone.

“So? The hospital can’t really do anything for me. You and Dr. Bettinger are the ones who saved me. Only psionic shielding makes a difference with psychic burnout,” Brian said.

“That’s true but your body was given much needed nutrients and a drug was given to temporarily dull your psychic ability. There are several level ten telepathic doctors on site who can step in and extend psionic protection over your mind in emergency situations such as this one,” Teresa said. “I wish it was possible to prescribe a drug to keep your talent low-key for awhile but the only ones that are effective can be used for short-periods of time before the body adapts – no more than eight hours.”

“When can I get out of here?” Brian asked.

“You’re in ICU. It’s necessary for you to remain here under observation for another twenty-four hours,” Teresa said.

Brian made a face but a nurse came in to check on him and the other patient. She efficiently accomplished her tasks and left. Almost immediately, Jason stepped into the room with the Asian woman that Brian had seen in his dream. The woman wore a white, silk suit jacket over a white blouse and dress skirt. She was thin with delicate features and a light frame. A warm smile curved her lips as her gaze swept over Teresa and Brian.

“This is Lin from Phoenix Enterprises,” Jason said. “I told her about Brian’s condition and she believes they can help.”

“And how is that?” Teresa asked coolly.

“We have a wellness center equipped with healers and a couple of connectivity psi that have developed a technique proven to stabilize patients who suffer from psychic burnout. We even had a couple of cases of adults who suffered traumatic incidents that awakened latent multipathic abilities who were also stabilized. We are the only hospital in the United States that has adopted this treatment,” Lin said warmly.

“How much would this treatment cost and does it involve anything dangerous?” Teresa asked.

“We don’t subject patients to anything dangerous. It is completely safe. And since you are relatives of a member of our company and possible future candidates, we will treat Brian for no charge,” Lin said smoothly. “We only ask that you listen to what we have to offer and keep an open mind about joining our company.”

Teresa regarded the woman dispassionately for a long moment before responding. Lin and Jason waited patiently without attempting further negotiating.

“All right. We’ll do it after the twenty-four hour observation,” Teresa said.

“When you’re ready, Jason can drive you both to our center. I need to go back,” Lin said. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

She offered her hand and Teresa shook it. Lin gracefully left the room.

“How did she get in here? I thought they only allowed relatives to visit ICU patients,” Teresa said with puzzlement.

“She’s an empath – like Jason. She can make herself unnoticeable,” Jason said. “All of the employees at Phoenix Enterprises have developed their talents to amazing skill levels.”

“Interesting,” Teresa said in a disapproving tone. “And how is it that level ten talents can work for a company instead of the government?”

“Phoenix Enterprises offers contractual services to the government and operates under a special, not well-known law, that allows individuals to work for it instead of directly for the government. There are other companies like that as well,” Jason said. “You could leave the military and work as a civilian.”

“What are the advantages to working for them?” Teresa asked curiously but her expression remained guarded.

“They offer you free lodging in their center which is the size of a small town for all employees. When you apply for work, they interview you then offer you a list of different positions in the company which you can choose. They offer six weeks vacation and of course free use of their wellness center,” Jason said.

“What if you need to go to a hospital? I’ve heard of wellness centers and they rely on the psychic ability of healers rather than medicine and healthcare diagnosis.”

“You can always go to a hospital if it proves necessary,” Jason said with a casual shrug.

“Brian had a dream about this place. What exactly is the Zen Network?” Teresa asked.

“You dreamed about Phoenix Enterprises?” Jason asked his grandson.

Brian explained what he’d seen in his dreams.

“I see. Well, the Zen Network is a separate psychic network from the Network that is for employees only and has over three hundred members. Everyone is given special training as to prevent radiating ‘junk’ psychic energy which is the cause of pain and psychic burnout for level ten talents. I’ve visited their site and it is the best experience I’ve ever had. It’s a sanctuary for level tens,” Jason said passionately.

“It sounds like it’s strictly regimented. What if you fail to master the ability to prevent radiating ‘junk’ energy?” Teresa asked.

“They offer classes and for those with difficulties, one-on-one tutors who have always been successful in every case,” Jason said.

“This sounds like a great place,” Brian piped up.

Teresa threw him an annoyed look then frowned at her father.

“It sounds too good to be true. Have you looked over all the details of this company carefully?” she asked.

“Of course,” Jason said. “They have a website online. You can find them by searching for their company name.”

“I just might do that,” Teresa said.

“I’d better be going home. This place is making me tired,” Jason said. “I don’t know how you can stand it in here with all the crazy energy from everyone.”

“I have a well developed psionic shield. This place doesn’t bother me,” Teresa said.

“But what about Brian? I assume they’ve got him drugged but that stuff wears off quickly and the body adapts. By the end of the 24 hour observation, his abilities will be back up to full strength and he’ll feel worse than ever,” Jason said.

“I will protect him if necessary,” Teresa said coolly. “You may leave if this place bothers you so much.”

“Thanks for visiting, Grandpa,” Brian said.

“See you soon,” Jason said.

After he’d left, Brian turned to address his mother.

“Why were you so hard on him?” Brian asked curiously.

“Dad has suffered from psychic burnout his entire life and because of that, he’s been suckered in many false promises that he will never have to feel any of that pain ever again. I’m not buying it,” Teresa said.

“It sounds good to me,” Brian said.

“You know nothing about them. I’m going to research this company thoroughly,” Teresa said.

The day dragged by once she left. Doctors and nurses checked in on him frequently and his father and sister visited him later on but by the following afternoon when he was released, the psychic inhibitors had become ineffective. A discordant jumble of emotions and thoughts drilled at Brian during the last several hours. Teresa extended her psionic shield over his mind when she came to pick him up. She had already packed some clothes and necessities which were already waiting in her black SUV. She brought him directly to Jason’s house so they could head over to Phoenix Enterprises which was about a three hour drive. It was located on the outskirts of Perugia. The center was nestled within a lush forest of evergreen trees. Jason directed Teresa to his dome home which contained three bedrooms. The center was expansive with a myriad of dome homes and larger dome shaped buildings for work offices. A variety of fragrant flowers, lavender bushes, herbs, and fruit trees grew in clusters throughout the area. Brian inhaled appreciatively as he stepped out of the car.

Tranquility dominated the atmosphere of the entire compound. For the first time in his entire life, Brian felt no trace of disharmonious energy pinging at his empathic senses. Teresa carried her own suitcase and Brian carried his. He wondered what clothes she’d chosen to bring. Normally, it would have annoyed him that she’d done this but such peaceful waves of energy washed over him that he discovered he didn’t care at all. He placed his suitcase down by his bed. The house was only partially furnished as Jason hadn’t moved yet. Everyone’s room was well lit with a skylight and the living room boasted the largest window.

“This is so big. Everyone has a home like this?” Teresa asked.

“This is the basic model. They also have some four and five bedroom models for families,” Jason said.

Teresa gazed at the spacious living room with undisguised admiration and longing. The terrazzo floor was beautiful with flecks of sparkling silver. Beige curtains adorned the windows and the skylight offered a breathtaking view of the blue sky and lush evergreens hanging overhead. Jason lived only a couple of blocks from the wellness center so they walked. The wellness center was in a larger dome-shaped building. The lobby offered a dozen empty seats for waiting and a pleasant aroma of lavender mixed with mint permeated the air. The walls were painted a light blue and the receptionist was seated behind a desk at the far end of the room typing at the computer. She wore turquoise scrubs and a gold colored name tag identified her as Rebecca. She had curly blond hair and bright blue eyes.

“Welcome,” she said. “I’m Rebecca, one of the healers.”

“Why are you at the front desk?” Teresa asked.

“We take turns,” she explained. “You must be Teresa. And you’re Jason and Brian?”

“Good to meet you,” Brian said.

Jason smiled and nodded.

“Excellent. I’ve alerted the others that you’re here,” Rebecca said.

A dark-haired man in his early thirties dressed in turquoise scrubs identical to Rebecca’s, entered the room. A gold name tag pinned to the upper right-hand portion of his uniform identified him as Adam. His brown eyes swept over them and he offered a friendly smile of greeting.

“Welcome to the wellness center. I’m Adam, the primary healer assigned for Brian’s treatment,” he said.

He shook hands with everyone then showed them to one of the treatment rooms which resembled a bedroom. It had a glistening terrazzo floor with a queen-sized bed boasting a faux suede blue comforter, several tasteful paintings on the walls, an oak dresser, a large oval-shaped mirror, two padded rocking chairs, and a closet.