Chương 15: Calm Before...

{If you want to read ahead go to my https://www.(p)-(a)-(t)-(r)-(e)-(o)-(n).com/easyread}

~~~(POV: Nicole Deymer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 27th, 4:34 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 20 Years)~~~

Cassie's hand is tightly holding mine as we stare at Dannon. He turns his head away from us. Trying to avoid the unbelievable looks we're giving him. When I asked him why he pushed me away, I didn't expect something like that.

My mind keeps jumping back and forth between more questions I have. He can do so many incredible things, and I'm betting there is more we don't know about.

I take a breath to calm my racing heart. Doing my best to reign in control from my exposure to the intense story.

"Can you control it now? Your heat vision?"

Instead of a question coming from me, it's Cassie who asks this time. I don't know where to go after that story, so I'm glad she's taking the time to indulge in some questions of her own. Dannon is still floating with his legs crossed.

He takes on a soft expression as he thinks about Cassie's question. Instead of saying anything, he looks at a candle on the coffee table. Less than a second later, thin beams of red light come from his eyes.

Hitting the tip of the candle and lighting it up. I jump back in surprise the moment it happens, but when he stops. I can't help leaning forward and inspecting the candle.

"I've spent most of my teenage years exploring and learning to control my abilities. I've got a handle on them."

There is some pride in his words. Not arrogant or over-exuberant. Only satisfaction from his hard work and dedication. I don't know how long I have to ask him more questions.

All the thoughts and questions I've had over the years are rushing back.

Based on what I just saw and the story I've listened to. He can adjust the power of the heat vision... That's incredible...

"Dannon had to make different kinds of sacrifices as a kid... It broke my heart that some of his closest friends wouldn't know the truth... For a long time, I thought he'd never share who he really is..."

A solemn and soft tone comes from Eloise as she enters the living room with a tray of food. We've finished off the second pot of coffee during Dannon's story. Instead of being wired to the brain with coffee, Eloise has made some food.

She takes a seat in the recliner next to where Dannon is floating. As I watch Eloise gently sip at her own cup of coffee. I think about how this has been for Eloise... How she's done it all...

Eloise had to be very young when she took in Dannon... If Dannon is around 21 today, and she's 38 today... She had to be at least 17 years old... Wow... Eloise was 17 when she took in an Alien...

"Why did you reveal yourself to the world now..."

The question leaves me weaker than I want it to, but it's not too bad. Eloise turns to look at Dannon, and he gives a half grin for a split second. Dannon was never an attention seeker or public person. Ever since I've known him.

Which is why I'm asking this. It's out of character from the Dannon that I remember, but people change over the years. Maybe Dannon's changed too...

"That's from me..."

Eloise lightly raises her hand with some timidness. Slight rosiness to her cheeks. I can't help an internal chuckle. It's the first time I've seen her embarrassed like this.

"With everything going on in the world... Ukraine and Russia... Covid... The Middle East... I thought the world could use a hero... I never forced Dannon into it, but I always ensured he had it as an option."

So, it wasn't Dannon's idea to go public with his powers... With who he really is... It was Eloise's... That's actually really comforting. He hasn't changed that part of himself...

"Yeah, and it was also her idea that I wear a costume. Can't say I'm sold on it yet."

There is a teasing and joking edge in Dannon's voice as he looks at his Mom. She rolls her eyes with a smile and takes another sip of coffee.

"Well, it's too late to back out now, bud! You've got a costume, and people will expect it."

The teasing tone in Dannon's voice is heard from Eloise's this time. As they lightly laugh, I see the similarities between them. It's not physical similarities but demeanor and habits.

"How come you're not going around with a mask or a secret identity?"

Cassie's urgent and pressed question stops the laughing from the two across from us. Eloise decides that she's not answering that question. She takes another sip of coffee and looks at Dannon from the corner of her eye.

"Because this is real life."

Those words bombard me for a second... The last day has felt like a dream to me... Hearing that from Dannon nails it home, it's not a dream...

"If I go around with a mask, it'll send a message I have something to hide. This isn't a comic book where I can comb my hair differently and wear sunglasses or reading glasses, then people won't recognize me."

He's right... Not with technology all over the planet that can attach names to faces... I'm betting the US government already knows who Dannon is...

"The government already knows who I am, and based on what I'm hearing from the people lining the property, the media and public now know too."

FOOOOSSH!

The coffee that was in Eloise's mouth launches forward. Cassie and I are covered in coffee. Instead of saying anything, Eloise pulls out her phone and opens it up.

As she's busy with that, I think about what Dannon just said. He can hear what people are saying from around the ranch? I don't want to jump, but does he have super hearing?

"Mom, you should apologize."

The surprised and amused tone from Dannon shows he's a little taken aback by her reaction. She lifts her eyes from her phone and looks at us. Instant regret fills her features.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry, you two! Hold on, and I'll get you both towels!"

A rushed and sorrowful apology is instantly offered, realizing what she's done.

She tosses her phone on the recliner as she races upstairs, likely to a place where they keep the towels. I watch Dannon float with his relaxed posture to the location of the entertainment center where the remote is.

He picks it up and floats to the couch. Lightly sitting next to me. He places his feet on the coffee table and turns on the TV.

"-his is where the Alien known as Dannon Mayer has spent his entire life growing up. A large farm in Umatilla County, Oregon. We're here today hoping for a word from the otherworldly being. Back to you, Helena."

The CNN news reporter finishes his segment. Turning the control back to the CNN anchor room. Since Dannon turned on the TV halfway through the report, we didn't catch it all.

"Uh-oh."

The simple words come from him in the most innocent of ways. I can't help letting a giggle leave my lips as he does. He looks at me with a mixture of amusement and happiness.

"Oh, you think this is funny, do ya?"

His voice has energy and cheerfulness. A feeling that I haven't had in a very long time has started to fill me up. This is when I notice that both my hands have reached his abdomen. I pull them away, trying to be subtle about it.

Dannon looks back at the TV, not showing he noticed anything. I turn to look at Cassie, and she's holding back a laugh too.

That's when we hear Eloise come down the stairs with two fresh towels. However, she stops behind the recliner with her eyes on the TV.

"Thank you, Ken. The two girls who were seen leaving with Dannon at OSU have been identified as childhood friends. Cassandra Freidman and Nicole Deymer. It's believed from sources inside the government that the two women are at the ranch now."

I can't help but cringe when one of my more unflattering pictures from my Instagram appears on the screen. Cassie never takes a bad photo, so she looks like a supermodel compared to me.

This isn't what I was expecting. I guess being old friends with Dannon means your name and face will be all over the world...

"I'm really sorry you're both getting dragged into this. My method of picking you up wasn't the most sound. Now, you're in this mess, too."

There is a regretful energy in Dannon as he speaks. Conveying that he's sorry this has happened to us.

"I think it'd be best to take you both back to OSU. Get you away from the growing crowd being held back by the military."

Back... I don't want to go back yet... Dannon stands up as he finishes talking and starts walking to the back door. Opening it and looking back at Cassie and me. She's the first to stand, but it takes me longer than it should.

She helps me up, and we follow Dannon outside. We reach the middle of the backyard. He looks at us and opens his arms. Indicating that each should take one-half of him. We waste no time and latch onto him.

He smiles at us before lifting his head and looking toward the sky. I hold onto him tighter and close my eyes.

"Relax a little, you two; I won't let you fall."

I open my eyes for a brief moment, but that proves to be a minor mistake.

KRRRRRRRCOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Cassie and I let out unique screams as we burst through the air.

I don't think this is something I'll ever get used to.

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 27th, 4:41 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 Years)~~~

KRRRRRRRCOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

A long sigh escapes my lips as I listen and watch them leave into the sky from the porch. Dannon might think it's fun to do that to them, but I think the charm will wear off pretty quickly.

As I walk back into the house, the TV takes my attention. I've never been a fan of the news. Not in a sense of good and evil, but more like a violation. Some people don't want to be on the news, and they don't get a choice in the matter.

That's the freedom of the press. A double-edged sword. For the good it does, there are terrible things too.

I sit down on the couch and look at the headline.

[Breaking News: An Aliens Home!]

A minor headache forms as I think about what'll soon be gone. Privacy and peace. Who knows how long people will be waiting outside the ranch... How many will show up... The military and local law enforcement are already keeping the media at bay.

How long until regular people show up... Religious orders... Fanatics... Haters... Dannon will change the world... That I know, but I worry for my baby boy...

"The individual responsible for raising Dannon Mayer is a single Mother named Eloise Mayer. Sources say that Eloise Mayer has raised the Alien by herself since she was 17."

A picture of me appears next to the news anchor for CNN. Showing a photo from around seven years ago at a gathering I was invited to.

Dannon says that I don't look a day over 25, and some might agree with him. But even from here, I can see that I'm not as young as I used to be. The planet knows about me now, too.

I wonder how people will react to what I've done...

"CNN is trying to gain access to the property, but local law enforcement and the military are denying entry. Our attempts to call and email the Mayer family have also failed."

I take my phone out of my pocket, and there aren't any missed calls. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I open my email. There is also nothing new there.

The people in charge must make sure no one outside of ranking officials can contact us. In the present moment, I'm thankful for that. I doubt the public and media will be happy about it.

"Many sources say the government is interfering in communications with the media and the people on the Mayer Ranch."

A chuckle escapes my lips as I compare my small headache to the one the people in charge are having. Now that the public knows about Dannon, it's a frenzy as to who will talk with him on the record first.

Dannon isn't someone who'll entertain the media. I doubt he'll ever give an exclusive. If he does, that's his decision. He's ready for the big world out there, and I can't hold his hand anymore.

Whether I want to do that for him or not...

~~~(POV: Julian D. Winters)~~~

~~~(Location: FBI Mobile Command Center, 25 Miles From Mayer Ranch, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 27th, 4:37 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 53 Years)~~~

The Joint Chiefs are all entertaining phone calls on the other side of the screen. I'd be doing the same right now if I weren't here dealing with this. The media's sources are making it hell for us. I can already see the shitstorm coming.

After a few minutes, the phone calls end. Everyone in the room looks like they could use a nap from everything going on.

"Winters, I appreciate you handling the media at the Mayer Ranch with subtlety. But media sources in the Whitehouse have made hell for you, and I'm sorry for that."

Mr. President leans back in his chair and runs a hand through his hair as he says that. Nick is the first President and leader of a government to deal with an extraterrestrial situation. I sympathize with the man.

Despite how good of friends we are, I wouldn't trade our situations. His is far harder than mine and will be for however long this lasts.

"It's not a problem. What I'm worried about is when Eloise wants to go somewhere. Unlike Dannon, she's human and completely ordinary. She'll want to go shopping, visit friends, or maybe a causal drive."

She can't be a prisoner in her own home. Typically, that's what we'd do. However, her son is the strongest being on the planet. And we don't know anything about them or have a relationship with them yet.

We can't force them into anything. No one can. All we can do is offer to escort Eloise anywhere she wants to go. Again, we can't insist or force anything.

Dannon will not allow any disrespect or harm to come to his Mom.

In certain aspects, Eloise is far more dangerous than Dannon. If anything happened to her, it'd spell hell for us.

"We're on the same page in that regard, General Winters. Before we build a connection with Dannon, we have to make sure anything that threatens Eloise is taken care of."

It goes unspoken what we're talking about. As of this moment, right behind the President and Vice-President. Eloise is the most important person in America.

We have to tread carefully. Dannon will protect her from anything and everything. I'll have to handle it personally.