Source
Chapter-1
Chapter-2
Chapter-3
Chapter-4
Chapter-5
Chapter-6
Chapter-7
Chapter-8
Chapter-9
Chapter-10
Chapter-11
Chapter-12
Chapter-13
Chapter-14
Chapter-15
Chapter sixteen
After he’d gone back to witness Jack’s beating, and saw who the attacker was, Andy had then gone back a bit further and had seen the formulation of his motive, and the attacker’s devious planning process and the deception he devised to cover his crime. Starting with the strange story he’d told the guys at Burger Shack, prior to committing his crime; a story about how he’d been told by a strange, raggedy, man in Elinston to hide away until he received a sighting of a dove flying away. He’d tried to kill Jack Lenkso, and thought that he had. It wasn’t a spur of the moment attempt; it was premeditated. The story was to keep those who knew him from questioning his resultant absence. His phone call to Henry, telling him of how he was on the trail of people who had ripped them off, was to throw everyone off from suspecting him.
Andy’s help with bringing Jack out of his coma was working. Although he had a control over time, it was only within the confines of his own timeline, as teacher and his training instructed him. He could not go forward in time, and was also limited to go only as far back as his time of birth in the other direction. The major reason a successor is critical to maintaining the continuance of the mission. Andy’s imbedded images, scenes and encouraging communications were working to help Jack, and Andy could see the progress. He’d checked with the hospital earlier, and the medical staff had commented that Jack had begun showing signs of a “miraculous” recovery, that was beginning to take place.
The arraignment of Guy Richter was concluded with his guilty plea before a judge. The defense attorneys assigned to his case tried to get him to plead innocent, but Guy refused every attempt. Andy had seen to that as well. There would be no trial; only a sentencing.
The meeting in Elinston with the homeless-looking man that Guy had told them about actually had occurred. Teacher had been that man. Guy had made up what he’d told the guys at Burger Shack. What teacher had actually told Guy that day, was that he must not carry out his planned act that would ruin his life and that of another. Teacher had said nothing of a dove taking flight from the ground, as Guy had alluded. He was disgusting, and Andy would make sure that Guy would never be able to forget what he did. He would see to it that plenty of imagery would pass into Guy’s thoughts and dreams, to help him remember during his long lonely days in prison.
Andy was independent in identifying and resolving wrongs, but there would also be directed missions for him from the Circle. The Circle was made up of thirty-six representatives. Andy did not know who they were. He didn’t know what they were, either. All he knew is that he would instantly become aware when they assigned him a mission, and that he’d need to do his thing, immediately. Otherwise, Andy had full independence to use his many powers in whichever way he chose, in situations for which he would deem their use necessary.
The swinging bridge house was his, but Andy saw no real need for it after he’d completed his training, but it was there and it was inconspicuous, and maybe he’d use it for something other than training his successor when the time came. Putting Jack’s attacker away and helping with Jack’s recovery represented great value to Andy, which made him appreciate his decision to become the person to do this job
At work that afternoon, Ben wanted to talk to Andy about the guy that put his friend in the hospital, confessing to the police. Andy corrected him, “It was the Highway Patrol”, as Ben continued on before leaving, finally. It was Sandy’s night off, and Andy had plans for the two of them that evening.
When he got to Sandy’s, Janet greeted him at the door with a hug. Sally wasn’t home, and Sandy was getting ready. When she came out, she looked great, and Andy was glad that she was his girl. They were going to an Italian place for dinner; a very sophisticated place, in Andy’s mind. Over dinner, they talked about how much both of them loved to dance. Andy told her that he’d like for them to return to Sly Fox again the coming weekend, which , in Andy’s mind, was the place for dancing. Sandy said she couldn’t wait for the weekend to come.
Sandy brought up the news of Guy Richter confessing to beating up Jack, and how she had been so surprised when she’d heard the news. “I knew he could be a smart-alec, but I would never have thought he’d do anything like what he did to Jack, she said. Andy replied, “I never thought he was an honest guy, always telling stories that weren’t true. I always saw him as a shifty, ratty kind of guy.” After dinner, Andy took Sandy home, where they made out in her driveway before he finally kissed her goodnight.
Andy had acquired so many skills and powers through his training and the rewiring process for parts of his brain. He couldn’t help but be amazed that he had full knowledge of the use and resultant benefits of each one of them, to the finest detail. He wouldn’t even have to think for some of them to be activated; they would automatically engage by reflex, such as the power of the protective “shell” which will protect him from any projectile, punch or weapon attack. For the shell, Andy’s brain, along with the particular modified connection, would create a vibratory aura around his skin that is impenetrable, instantly upon recognition of an attack by his highly magnified senses. And, as he’d been instructed, this power and all of his powers are based on Andy’s mind and body’s ability to manipulate time within his personal time line.
Andy also was aware that his mental acuity was progressively improving since he’d gone through the training. He’d always been an intelligent kid, to the point that he’d barely need to study to do well in all of his subjects, and the homework had always been a breeze for him too. But now, partly as a result of the mind-controlling aspects of his power to cause targeted individuals to view, in their minds, thoughts and thought-provoking images and scenes, to see that which he would make them see, his own mind had become like a magnet for knowledge. He was absorbing the equivalent of literally reams of scientific research reports and conclusions by the minute. He wondered how this would ultimately affect him, and how it would cause him to change, as a person. Then he wondered how his changes would affect his and Sandy’s relationship, especially since he could never tell her anything about the mission.
For now, Andy still had his feet pretty firmly on the ground, considering all he’d acquired over the past couple days. He still had the same desires, liked to do the same things and frequent the same places. Those are the kinds of things that change during every person’s life as they grow and mature. This is especially true when they’re young and just beginning to understand life. Andy hoped that his changes wouldn’t set him apart from those he cared for.
Sandy lay in her bed, awake and full of energy. She was thinking of Andy. She, too, had noticed changes taking place in him, but to her, seeing the changes in Andy only increased her feelings for him. Everything he did, everything he said, fit perfectly with someone who, instead of wanting to play, wants to get things done, and works to see things through. She had patiently waited for quite some time to get Andy interested in her, and since the first time when he asked her for a date, she had fallen deeper and deeper in love with him.
The next morning, Andy called the hospital again, and was told that Jack had come out of his coma, and was awake and responsive. The nurse told Andy that, if Jack continued to improve at the same pace, he would likely be able to go home in a couple of weeks, though he’d need physical therapy for the upper body injuries he’d sustained, as there had been some muscle tears and strains, and parts of both shoulders had been damaged and had required surgery. Still, this was great news, even though Andy had already known that Jack was awake before he’d called them. He’d continue to help Jack along the road to recovery until he was back to normal. He decided he’d drive over to the hospital after school and see if he could visit with Jack for a bit.
Arlene had breakfast ready as usual, and while Andy ate, he told her that the breakfast was delicious, and said, “Thanks for making it”, and smiled at her. Arlene didn’t quite know how to view this coming from Andy, all of a sudden. He knew what she was thinking. Andy said, “You know Arlene, I’ve been a little hard on you from time to time, and I just want to say I’m sorry and from now on, I’m gonna treat you better.” Andy knew she was still suspicious, so when he finished, he took his dishes to the sink and kissed Arlene on the cheek. “Have a wonderful day Arlene”, he said as he walked out the door. When Andy kissed her, at the same moment her opinion of Andy had changed from suspicion and distrust, to respect and affection for her little brother. She sat down and cried tears of joy.
Andy was giving off good vibes everywhere he went. It would just exude from him, and people would respond to him favorably. Andy didn’t know it, but he was becoming very popular. And that was a good thing, not only for Andy, but for everyone else as well. It made Andy’s job even easier than it already was, as all the good vibes being returned to Andy would make a bad person stand out like Freddie Gusman’s sore thumb.
To be continued...
