Georgie was being especially irritating, even for Georgie.
He now kept the small ball with him at all times as a talisman. Without touching the ball, he could now bounce it as high as his knees. He did this constantly. From the minute he wiggled off the top bunk in the morning until he grunted pulling himself back up at night - he practiced bouncing the ball. The others begged him to stop. He refused. They tried bribing him with food, offers of slavery, whatever it took. He refused. Rufus devised a plan to steal the ball, but Georgie overheard him. Now when the ball wasn't bouncing it was tucked inside Georgie's underpants. They pleaded with Rudy and Kate to make him stop. They refused. Georgie needed to practice his skill. So, the bouncing continued.
"Lucy? Do you still have the letter for your parents." She was surprised Rudy knew about the letter. Lucy reached in her pocket. The envelope was creased and smudged. It was addressed in Chinese.
"My parents can't read English." She admitted shyly.
"That's okay." Rudy put his hand out. "May I?"
Lucy hesitated. Rudy smiled. "We are going to deliver it to them."
Lucy was suddenly so excited she started buzzing, her little hands fluttered.
"No, Lucy. You are not going. Rufus, Ethan and Len Green, a brilliant mind healer, from outside our group will be transmitted this time."
"But..I..need" Lucy began to sob. Kate put her arm around the younger girl.
"Sit down for one moment and let me explain." Kate voice was soothing but her eyes shot daggers at her brother.
"Rudy should have explained first." Kate sat down on the sofa, tucking Lucy against her side. Twiskers jumped onto Lucy's lap.
"We have reason to believe your parents are being threatened...no, no wait." Lucy jumped up so quickly Twiskers somersaulted through the air. The kitten landed safely, sending a hurt look straight at Lucy.
"Then, I must go too!" The words came out muddled. Lucy was sobbing, gasping and talking all at once. Kate waited patiently for her to calm herself.
Rufus brought Lucy a glass of water. The sound of the ball bouncing was a distraction they didn't need. Kate sighed, "Georgie, please go practice in the gym."
Maybe it was because Kate asked him or maybe he just wanted to, but Georgie bounced the ball ahead of him out of the room.
Anne, Ethan and Rufus took up seats in the living area. They waited for Lucy to settle down. Finally, her sobs faded into pathetic, little hiccups. Kate hugged her close. Twiskers forgave Lucy and returned to her lap.
"Here's what we have managed to find out." The others leaned in. "During your trip to Tibet an American tourist, who just happened to be in the square, took pictures of the surging crowd with his iPhone. The pictures show Lucy as the focus of the mob, then you guys huddled together, then the next second there is an empty space. He made his way to the spot where he found Aba still sprawled on the ground."
"Aba told the strange tale about foreigners arriving inside the monastery out of thin air and a girl who could heal the worst disease imaginable with just the touch of her hands."
"Aba has since been invited to train with the other monks in the monastery. He has since taken a vow of silence. The tourist's iPhone is missing, but between the photos and Aba's confession to the American, word got out of Tibet."
Lucy whispered. "I'm so sorry."
"The damage is done. It's time for us to fix what we can." Rudy took over from Kate. "Len Green is part of another group. He is a mind-healer. He can calm a lot of the hysteria and at the same time help your family adjust."
Rudy smiled sympathetically. "I would like you to meet with Len."
Lucy started to argue. "I don't want to forget my family. My friends. My life."
Rudy held up a hand. "We would never take away your memories. But, we need to keep you safe. And your family." He didn't mention that Anne suspected someone had taken her brother, Jack, to use as leverage to gain access to Lucy. "There are people, bad people who would do anything to get their hands on a healer. Cartel leaders. Dictators. Even people with just way too much money."
There was a knock at the door.
"Please, just talk to him. "
Georgie led a stranger into their private area, then turned and left again, the ball bouncing.
Lucy turned; curious. It was impossible to guess Len Green's age. His shoulders were stooped and his hair was thinning, but his face was seamless. His almost black eyes were like dark pools set in a face without a single wrinkle or blemish.
His greeting was soft, almost a whisper.
Rudy and Kate asked the others to leave. Rufus tried to stay, but Rudy insisted he go, promising that Lucy was completely safe with Len Green.
"Hello, Lucy. Could you please tell me a little bit about your life before the Hive?" Len Green asked gently. He sat up very straight with his hands folded on his knees.
Lucy's words tumbled out. Sentences were half finished as she interrupted herself. She almost seemed to levitate off the sofa. Her voice was loud, excited, as she tried to cram sixteen years worth of experiences into words.
Len Green sat perfectly still, silent. Soon his serenity, started to have a calming effect on Lucy. Her words slowed, her hands no longer fluttered at her sides.
"You will always have your memories. I want your family to keep theirs as well."
Calmed, Lucy asked, "Is that possible?"
"Absolutely. " Len assured her with a quiet conviction. "When they think of you...and they will often...a warm glow, the kind that sweet memories invoke, will replace the sadness and desperation they are feeling now. How do you feel?"
"Better." Lucy seemed surprised.
"Good, good." Len Green stood. "If you ever need someone to talk to, please, reach out. I would love to keep updated on how you are feeling." Lucy, who had been surrounded by kindness her entire life was still touched by this stranger's concern. She smiled.
"Thank you. And thank you for what you are going to do for my family. "
Len Green searched out Rudy and Kate. "She will be fine now."
"She is very high strung. " Rudy confessed.
"Aren't all healers?" Len Green smiled. "Give me a couple hours to recharge and then I will be ready to travel. It's been quite a few years since I've been to California. The last time was that messy business with the President, his brother and their shared girlfriend."
"We'll be ready after dinner." Both Kate and Rudy thanked him again.
It made everyone happy that Lucy was able to help with the plans.
Ethan, Rufus and Len Green, with Rudy as their guide, would travel to San Francisco.