PSYCHON : TRAINING
By
Patricia Keister
She looked around the empty courtyard with fascination. It was normally busy with activity. Of course she had never been allowed out at such an early hour, but this was a special occasion. This was to be her first real instruction in molecular transformation.
“Maya.” The little girl jumped and turned when she heard her father’s deep voice. Maya giggled nervously. “You scared me, Father!”
“Are you ready?” Mentor said seriously. With his hands on his hips, he towered over her.
Maya smoothed her turquoise and blue dress and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm the butterflies in her stomach. “Yes. I am.”
Mentor stood on the garden path. “Look inside yourself. See and feel every molecule. Concentrate.” He paused. He waited until he felt that she was prepared. “Every living thing can be broken down and reconstructed on a molecular level.”
Maya closed her eyes. The tiny rows of wart-like eyebrows furrowed and a look of deep concentration etched her small face. Her father spoke softly. “Start with someone you know well. Imitate their features.” Her head slowly became enveloped in a haze of blues, greens and golds.
Mentor watched his daughter proudly as she transformed her face into her older brothers’. The haze faded and the shimmering stopped as Maya/Odyssius opened his eyes. With her brothers face Maya smiled at Mentor. “Does it look like Ody?”
Her father started to answer when Odyssius’ face shimmered and faded back into his little girl. Surprise and disappointment showed on Maya’s face as she realized it was over. “That’s it? But it hardly lasted any time at all!”
An olive tree next to her transformed quickly. Her brother stood as tall as Mentor. He was thin but muscular and his brown hair was partially unkempt. “That’s because you’re just learning. The more you practice, the longer it’ll last.” Odyssius explained; his green eyes sparkled with laughter. He tousled his sister’s strawberry colored hair and stood next to his father.
Maya scowled at him as she smoothed her hair back into place. She hated that he was so much better at everything, just because he was older.
Mentor brought her attention back to her lesson. “Try again, Maya.” They spent another 2 hours practicing. Maya changed her face and head several times. She used her father and brother as models.
Mentor stroked his bearded face and laughed to see a miniature version of himself as his daughter attempted to transform her entire body. Each success lasted longer and longer “Good, Maya!” Mentor said. “Perhaps, if you think a little smaller, you’ll have better results. Try one of your friends!” He encouraged.
Maya closed her eyes again and concentrated deeply. She transformed completely into a schoolmate, but only for a moment. Realizing that she hadn’t succeeded, she tried harder. Her form became hazy and multiple colors swirled around her in harmony. They solidified slowly and deliberately. Maya opened her eyes to the smiling faces of her family. “I did it!” She skipped the few steps to the lily pool and peered in. Her face was paler. Her blond hair and hazel eyes sparkled in the early morning sun. “It’s Tona! I’m Tona!” As she stared at her work it began to fade. Mentor called to her excitedly. “Hold on to it, Maya! Concentrate! You can do it!” Her brow furrowed and she squinted her eyes as she watched Tona’s form solidify. It only lasted for a few more moments and she watched her friend fade from view.
Staring at herself in the water, Maya sat down slowly on the wall around the pool. Mentor thought she was disappointed until she reached up and held her head in one hand and steadied herself with the other.
The two men rushed to her side. Odyssius reached her first and sat behind her. He eased her back to lean against his chest. Mentor sat in front patting her hand. “I shouldn’t have pushed you child. Are you all right?” Mentor stood and started to lift her. “I’ll take you back to the house. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“No, Father.” Maya straightened. She brushed her hair out of her face and stood up confidently. “I can make it back on my own. I’m fine. Just too much too soon. I’ll be okay.” Maya took very small steps and Odyssius noticed that her hands still shook.
By the time they arrived at their house, Maya was her old bubbly, bouncy self again. Her mother greeted her at the door with a hug. “How did the lesson go?” Geya was trim, poised and mischief danced just behind her blue eyes. Her dark auburn hair was pulled up on top of her head and fell in ringlets.
Maya took her mother’s hands and pumped them as she spoke. “I did it, Mother! I was Ody and Tona!”
“At the same time?” Geya teased.
“No!” Maya let go of her mother and swung herself into a chair. “First I was Ody, but just his face, and then I was Tona. Want to see?” She closed her eyes and concentrated.
“No, dear.” Geya placed her hand on Maya’s shoulders and she opened her eyes. “You’ve done enough for one day. I’ll be at the next lesson. You can show me then.” Geya knew that her daughter might be disappointed. She knew also from looking at her that she was physically, if not mentally, exhausted. “Eat some apponges, it’ll give you your strength back.”
Geya took Mentor’s hand and led him away from their daughter. “Perhaps we should wait until she’s older. Today appears to have been too much for her.”
“Nonsense!” Mentor whispered. “She did beautifully! I pushed her at the end, that’s all. It’s my fault she’s tired.” He leaned over slightly and kissed her gently on the check. Mentor stepped away from his wife and called to his daughter. “Come on, Maya. Lessons don’t write themselves.”
The little Psychon jumped up and threw her remaining fruit in the bin. She hurried toward her father waiting at the door. “Can we study animals or plants next? I should like to try that!”
“One at a time, my girl!” Mentor placed an arm around Maya’s shoulders. “Master humanoids first, then we’ll go on.” He said as he led her into the next room.
“She’s enthusiastic! You have to give her that!” Geya turned back to her son after they left. “What did you think Ody? How did she do this morning?”
Odyssius picked up a piece of fruit and bit a piece off before answering. “A lot better than I did on my first independent. Father’s right, she’s a natural.” Mother and son smiled at each other.
When she wasn’t practicing her metamorphic skills, Maya studied the life science books in the family library. She was determined to learn the Art of Molecular Transformation in record time. She knew of two school friends whose parents were teaching them to metamorph as well and Maya wanted to be the first to master it.
As she stepped into the garden Maya was suddenly aware that today’s lesson would be the most difficult so far. “Father?” She called tentatively. “Mother?” Maya knew they were in the garden, somewhere. She reached out slowly with her mind as her father had taught her. `I know they’re in here.’ She said to herself. `But where?’
Maya took a path to her left without thinking. She had waked a short way when she suddenly stopped. Maya turned slightly and peered curiously down at a bush of red spinney spores. She stared at them for a moment and then began giggling. “Is that you, Ody?” Maya’s laugh became louder when the bush changed into her brother. “How appropriate! All spines and pins! Beautiful to look at but difficult to get close to!”
“Very funny. I shouldn’t have picked something that isn’t in the garden.” Odyssius stood with his hands on his hips. Maya just laughed harder as he started to walk away. “Mother and Father won’t be so easy!” He shot back over his shoulder.
Maya just waved him away and turned back to her task. “I can sense Mother and Father.” She thought. She reached out again with her mind.
She turned left then right down the paths. She touched trees and bushes and flowers as she walked past. Maya found that if she touched an object, she would connect with its’ molecular make-up faster.
When she had walked through most of the garden without finding her parents, Maya became nervous. She took a deep breath to calm herself and closed her eyes to concentrate harder. Her breathing became shallow and her knees started to feel weak. Then suddenly she felt them, like a tickle in the back of her mind. Maya searched the molecular structure of each plant in the garden. She started at the ones closest to her and worked her way out. She got about halfway around the garden when her knees buckled.
Maya lay crumpled on the ground, breathing heavily. Mentor and Geya transformed and rushed to their daughter’s side. “Is she all right?” Geya asked as Mentor laid his palm on Maya’s chest with his fingertips at the base of her throat. “She’ll be fine.” He put his arms under her small body and lifted her easily. “We need to get her home.” Mentor’s voice held a small note of urgency.
“Do we need to call a healer?” Geya stepped quickly to keep up with her husband.
“I’m not sure.” He looked at Maya’s pale face. “Run ahead, Geya. Have some apponge juice ready for her.”
“I’m going to call a healer too, just in case.” Geya hurried away.
When Mentor arrived at their home, Geya and Odyssius had everything prepared. “Lay her on the sofa.” Geya instructed. She stepped around her husband as she fused over Maya. Geya covered her with a quilt while Mentor tried to wake her.
“Here’s some apponges juice.” Odyssius carried in a small glass from the kitchen.
Maya opened her eyes slightly and then closed them as she attempted to speak. Mentor lifted her head and put the glass to her lips. “Drink, child. Don’t try to talk.”
“The healer’s here.” Geya walked quickly to the door. She opened it to a middle-aged woman with bright blue eyes and jet-black hair. She wore a flowing multi-colored gown. “Thank you for coming so quickly, Chandra. We were having a lesson and she collapsed.”
Chandra moved Mentor aside gently. “What was the lesson?” She moved her hands slowly up and down the child’s body without touching her.
“Seeking.” Mentor stayed as close as the healer would allow. “She was attempting to find us in the gardens.”
Chandra looked up at him sharply. “How long did you let it go on?”
“Not long.” Geya said. “Maybe 20 minutes. She just suddenly collapsed.”
“How far away were you?” Chandra placed one hand above Maya’s head and one above her rib cage.
“About 3 feet.” Geya said sadly. She knew that Maya should have been able to find them at that distance. “Except…we blocked her.”
The healer looked slowly up at Geya. “Why would you do that? She’s just a child.”
Tears welled up in Geya’s eyes and Mentor stepped around the sofa to comfort her. “It was my idea.” He said. “She’s shown such an incredible aptitude for metamorphing that I wanted to see if she could break through our mind blocks.”
Chandra had turned back to Maya as Mentor explained. Slowly she moved her hands to either side of the child’s head. “She is extraordinary.” She closed her eyes and dug deeper into Maya’s mind. “She was overwhelmed by so many different life-forms. She started out by searching them one by one, but the sensation was to much for her small mind as other plants crowded into her consciousness.” Chandra suddenly smiled. “She found you. Just before she lost consciousness she discovered which ones were you. She fought to push the others away, but she lost control and started to transform.”
“Into what?” Mentor interrupted.
“All of them.” Chandra stated flatly. “Her mind shut down to protect itself.” She took a deep breath. “I will attempt to help her sort it out so she won’t feel so confused.”
The minutes that passed felt like hours. Geya and Mentor held each other tightly and silently willed their daughter back. Odyssius stood at the foot of the sofa and watched, fascinated.
“Mother!” Chandra and Maya spoke at the exact same time. Geya let out a small cry of delight as Chandra sat back on her feet and Maya opened her eyes and smiled weakly. Chandra moved back out of the way as mother and father fairly pounced on their daughter. Each one murmuring soothing words to her.
Odyssius ran into the kitchen and came back moments later with two glasses of apponge juice. He handed one to his father for Maya. Then he turned to Chandra and handed the other to her. “Thank you. Thank you for helping my sister.”
“It is my pleasure.” She sipped at the drink. “She found you first.”
“Yes. I didn’t hide very well.” Ody blushed.
“That’s not how she found you. Your father’s right, she is very gifted. She searched for your essence first. Your parents blocked that from her, but you didn’t. That’s how she found you.” Chandra stood and handed the empty glass to Odyssius. She spoke softly to Geya and Mentor. “When she’s older, send her to me. She may have the gift of a healer!”
Geya stood and walked her to the door. “How can we thank you?”
Chandra laid a hand on Geya’s shoulder. “Please, call if you need me for anything. Oh, and don’t let her get up for at least 2 or 3 hours.” Then she looked straight at Mentor and smiled. “No matter how much she begs.”
Geya closed the door after her and then turned to her family. Maya was more alert and Odyssius had taken his mother’s place at her side. “I’m sorry, Father.” Maya said softly. “I’m not sure what happened.”
“No, Maya, I should be the one to apologize.” Mentor squeezed her hand. “You did fine. As a matter of fact, the healer said that you did exceptionally well.”
“I found you but …” Maya’s voice trailed off and she closed her eyes trying to remember.
“Relax, Maya. The healer said that you were to rest for a few hours.” Mentor’s voice held a bit of laughter.
“Yes, Father.” The little girl snuggled down under the quilt. Maya contented herself in the knowledge that she had accomplished an incredible task for a Psychon of 12 years, 5 months and 10 days.
The next few weeks were sheer boredom for the little girl. Mentor and Geya were too paranoid to allow the physical lessons to continue. Instead, they concentrated on her book learning and household chores.
Maya, however, would sneak to her room for as long as she dared to practice her transformations. She would take walks whenever the hot weather permitted and practice by running ahead of her parents or brother and changing into one of the plants.
“How much longer do you think it’ll be, Ody?” Maya asked one rainy day.
Odyssius moved his player across a multi-level game board. “I’m not sure.” He said distractedly. “This type of rain can go on for weeks. Especially lately.”
Maya moved her player to capture one of his. “Not the rain! Mother and Father!” She dumped his player into a wooden box. “How much longer will it be before they begin my lessons on Metamorphing again? It’s been weeks. I’m fine!”
Odyssius looked at his sister. “You gave us quite a scare, Maya. They’re going to need some time until they’ll let you attempt anything again.”
Maya threw herself against the back of her chair. Just from his statement she knew that Ody was not going to be on her side. At that moment Maya began to formulate a plan.
When she awoke the next morning, her plan was in place. The little girl almost skipped down the stairs at the thought of her own ingenuity. Maya fairly bounced into the kitchen. “Good day everyone!” She said, cheerily. “Has anyone heard how long they expect the rain to last?”
Everyone stared at her for a moment. She hadn’t been the happiest person in the last few days. “They’ve predicted another week.” Mentor replied as he pushed the mancha eggs around the pan.
Maya looked around the kitchen confused. “Father, why are you cooking? Where’s Mother?”
“Mother isn’t feeling well.” Odyssius spoke up.
“She needs her rest, Maya, so don’t pester her today at all.” Mentor added. He scrapped some eggs onto her plate and gave her a melon and toast.
“What’s wrong with her?” Maya was much more sedate now. All ideas of her plan were gone.
“She just has a mild infection.” Mentor served his son and sat down with his own plate. “Eat, child.”
Maya could feel the anxiety that penetrated the air itself. She ate her meal in silence; all the while wishing one of the two men sitting across from her would speak. Finally, Maya took the initiative. “How long will Mother be ill?”
“We’re not sure.” Mentor said quietly.
“Maybe we should call a healer for her.” Maya suggested.
“Chandra’s upstairs with her now.” Ody explained. “We were told to wait down here.” The trio fell silent once more.
They waited for the healer to emerge most of the morning. Odyssius and Maya played games to pass the time, but Mentor was too nervous. He paced around the house, stared out the window and stood at the base of the stairs staring upward.
Chandra finally descended the stairs just before their afternoon meal. She appeared weak and tired. Mentor helped her down the last few steps and helped ease her into a chair. They all gathered around her eagerly. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and raspy. “May I have some apponge juice, please?”
Odyssius was off at a dead run before she had a chance to draw breath. They all heard him bashing around the kitchen, but he was back seconds later with the drink.
Chandra thanked him and drank it all before she began. “Geya’s infection is worse than you thought.” The juice had cleared up the rasp in her voice, but she was still quiet. “She obtained the virus on Umalled when she was there 10 months ago. It’s a slow working virus, compared to some others, so she didn’t notice it right away. She said that when she did, she simply thought that she had obtained a cold.”
“So what do we do now?” Odyssius interrupted.
Chandra looked deeply into her empty glass. “There’s nothing you can do.” “But…” Mentor started to interrupt. Chandra cut him off still staring into her glass. “I’ve done all that can be done. By the time symptoms are noticed, the victim is already too far gone.” She finally looked up at the family. “You can make her comfortable at all times. She doesn’t appear sick, but she’s so weak that she can barely move. That’s how it works. She’ll be in some pain occasionally.” The looks on their faces made her rush on. “Mostly near the end and I’ve given her herbs that will ease the worst of it.”
Mentor found his voice again. “How long?”
Chandra shook her head. “Each person is different. Some more, some less.” She stood and pulled her wraps on. She hated this part of her profession and she was anxious to leave. “I’ll be back in a couple of days. If there’s any change, good or bad, notify me and I’ll be here straight away.” Chandra swept out without another word.
The family stared at the closed door for several minutes. Maya turned slowly and looked up at her father. “What did she mean some more, some less?” Mentor hung his head.
“She meant that some have a higher … tolerance to the disease.” Ody ran a hand across the back of his neck. “It will depend on how good her resistance is.” Odyssius turned and walked out the back door letting it slam behind him.
Maya turned back to her father. “But she’ll be all right. Won’t she? Chandra will come back and cure her. Right? Like she did for me!” Her father simply shook his head. Maya barely breathed a denial. Mentor held out his arms and she ran into them, sobbing.
Odyssius found his father and sister in Geya’s room. “What’s this? A meeting of the great minds of Psychon?” He was his old jovial self again. The only thing that gave away his deepest feelings, were the small puffy red bags under his eyes. “What can I do for you, my dear?” Ody bent and kissed his mother’s forehead.
“I’m probably the luckiest woman on this planet.” Geya smiled back at all of them. “Who else has three personal servants at her beck and call?” They all giggled and then settled into a nervous silence. Geya shifted herself under their watchful eyes. “Would you two mind leaving Maya and I alone?”
Father and son muttered something that sounded affirmative. Mentor kissed his wife’s cheek. “Let us know if you need anything.”
“I will.” Geya watched and waited for the door to close before she turned back to her daughter. “Maya, come and sit here beside me.” She pat the bed. “I’ll bet you have a lot of questions.” Maya nodded and positioned herself carefully. Geya smiled. “Listen first, then I’ll answer anything I can.” She took a deep breath and started slowly. “I’m going to die, Maya. No one can stop it. Not me, not you, not even Chandra. I have a viral infection that has spread so deep into my body…” Geya’s eyes filled with tears and she squeezed Maya’s hand. She tried not to cry for her daughters’ sake.
“Are you frightened, Mother?” Maya asked quietly.
“No, Maya, I’m only sad that I won’t be here to guide you through to womanhood. I’m sad that I won’t be seen at yours and Ody’s weddings. I won’t be at your father’s side to help with his work.” Her voice drifted again but this time there was a dreamy, far away look in her eyes. She smiled slightly.
“Mother?” Maya whispered.
“Yes, dear.” Geya focused on her daughter but the smile never faded.
“Where will you go?” Maya asked.
“Physically, I’ll go into a tomb that’s been prepared for me since just after Odyssius was born. Spiritually, I’ll still be near, watching over my family.” Geya explained.
“But I won’t be able to see you will I?” Maya inspected a piece of lint on her dress. “I won’t be able to touch you or ask you a question.” She said matter-of-factly.
“Of course you can ask me questions, Maya.” Geya sat forward with a little difficulty. “You just won’t hear the answer with your ears. You’ll have to listen with your heart.”
Maya spent every spare moment with her mother. She brought games to play and books to read to entertain her. Geya would laugh and clap when Maya transformed into a friend or teacher and imitate them perfectly. The transformations still didn’t last long, but she was happy when she could make her mother smile or laugh.
The most anxious moments came when Geya was in such pain that Chandra would need to be called. The healer never allowed family in the room. At times, Maya would sneak to the outside of her mother’s door and place her ear to it. She never really heard anything, but she could almost feel the pain and suffering on the other side of the door.
After one particularly difficult session, Maya was allowed to quietly sit with her mother. Geya was normally asleep, but Maya was surprised to see her wide-awake. “How are you feeling, Mother?” Maya pulled a chair to be closer.
Geya smiled weakly. “Not very good. What have you brought with you this time?” She motioned for Maya to sit on the bed.
The girl complied and then read it aloud to her. “DNA And Other Unique Molecular Codes.” She said proudly. “Father says that I’m good enough now to start learning other species.”
Geya was happy to see the joy on her daughter’s face. “Why don’t you read some of that to me while I rest.” Maya nodded and opened the book enthusiastically.
A couple of hours had passed when Mentor decided that he should check on his girls. He put his ear to the door first and when he didn’t hear anything, he peeked inside. Mother and daughter were curled in each other’s arms and both were sound asleep.
Mentor crept forward and disentangled Maya. He carried the sleeping child back to her room and, laying her on the bed, covered her with a quilt. Returning to his room, Mentor straightened Geya’s side table and took away a couple of dirty dishes. When he turned to cover Geya he was startled to see her eyes open. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” Mentor spoke softly and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I put Maya in her own bed.”
“Good. She’s going to be a wonderful person, Mentor. Give her as much encouragement as possible. Teach her everything you know. She has great dreams.” Geya suddenly coughed violently.
Mentor inched closer. “I know, she told me some.”
Geya gripped Mentor’s hand hard. She finally stopped and drew a haggard breath. “Be careful with Odyssius. He’s headstrong, like his father, but I’ll bet he’ll be on the council one day.” Speaking seemed to cause her a great deal of pain but she didn’t stop. “Don’t let the children grieve too long, Mentor.” She looked into his eyes and softly stroked his hand. “Don’t grieve too long, Mentor. Get on with your life and your work. You’re a brilliant man. I’ve thought so since the day I lay eyes on you in higher learning classes.” Her voice was softer and she was having more and more trouble drawing breath.
Mentor moved closer still and pulled her into his arms. Tears started to roll down his cheek. “Shh-h-h. Quiet now. You need rest if you’re going to get well.”
A tiny raspy giggle escaped Geya’s lips. “Mentor, I’m not going to get better.” She drew another haggard breath. Her voice was so low now that Mentor bent slightly to catch the words. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Mentor whispered back.
Geya’s body went limp.
Mentor simply wept and held his wife’s lifeless form.
They didn’t know what day it was. They didn’t know the hour. They didn’t really care. The family of Mentor only knew that on a rainy afternoon on Psychon they spoke to the friends and family of their beloved Geya.
Maya stood with flowers in her hands at her mother’s tomb, staring. She had promised to ask the questions and then listen with her heart. “What will I do without you?” The child asked quietly. “You will live and learn and grow and love.” Her heart echoed her mothers’ last words to her. Placing the flowers under the tomb, Maya rejoined her father and brother. She celebrated the life her mother had lived, with them all.
THE END